A military band performs during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration at the National Heroes Mausoleum in Remera Sector, Gasabo District of Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 1, 2026. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to the nation's heroes during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration across the country. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

KIGALI, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to the nation's heroes during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration across the country.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame laid a wreath in commemoration of the nation's heroes and observed a moment of silence at the National Heroes Mausoleum in Remera Sector, Gasabo District of Kigali, the country's capital.

During the commemorative ceremony, Nicolas Rwaka, division manager at the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders, and Decorations of Honour, said that every year on Feb. 1, Rwandans celebrate National Heroes' Day, an occasion dedicated to honoring and celebrating the heroic deeds of individuals who demonstrated profound patriotism, made supreme sacrifices, and upheld the values of truthfulness.

Senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and families of Rwanda's fallen heroes also took part in the annual celebration, held under the theme "Heroism and Unity for Rwanda's Development," to honor the national heroes of the African country.

Speaking at a night concert held Saturday evening in Kigali as part of the celebrations, Jean-Damascene Bizimana, Rwanda's minister of national unity and civic engagement, urged Rwandans to honor the heroes who founded the nation, those who fell defending its sovereignty, those who fought for Rwanda's independence, and those who liberated Rwanda from oppression and injustice.

"Heroism is not merely history recorded in books; it is a legacy inherited from our forebears who demonstrated heroism from the founding of Rwanda to the present day," he said.

Several other activities were held during the heroes' week, including discussions on heroic values and sports events such as soccer, basketball, sitting volleyball, and cycling. ■

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame lay a wreath in commemoration of the nation's heroes and observe a moment of silence at the National Heroes Mausoleum in Remera Sector, Gasabo District of Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 1, 2026. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to the nation's heroes during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration across the country. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)

A military band performs during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration at the National Heroes Mausoleum in Remera Sector, Gasabo District of Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 1, 2026. Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to the nation's heroes during the 32nd National Heroes' Day commemoration across the country. (Photo by Cyril Ndegeya/Xinhua)