After visiting Ikiraro k'Inyambo, I was ready to proceed to Rulindo. However, I had business to attend to in Kigali. Once again, I took a break from the tour and returned to the capital. This time for three nights. Those were the last three nights to be spent in my own bed before the end of the tour.
Prior to hitting the road, I passed by the National Liberation Museum Park. Mulindi Hill, where the park is located, is simply beautiful. The same can be said about the neighboring Manyagiro, Mukono, Miyove, and the rest of the surrounding elevations. One stunning hill surrounded by its lookalikes can sum up the description of the entire land of 1,000 hills pretty accurately.
Although the museum is under renovation, visitors are welcome. Upon the completion of the new, state-of-the-art exhibition facility, the story of Rwanda’s liberation struggle will be told in a more sophisticated way.
Touring the museum wasn't part of my itinerary. Nonetheless, I spared some time to take a leisurely walk on the park’s soccer pitch. It is this field that gave birth to APR Football Club, Rwanda's most dominant team over the past thirty years.
The historical significance of this pitch goes beyond sports. For starters, the architect of the liberation struggle, currently serving as the Head of State, wore the rank of Major General on the same ground. Secondly, the six hundred RPA soldiers, deployed at the Conseil National de Développement (CND) in 1993, were assembled and briefed here before departure to Kigali. The troops were tasked with protecting the RPF’s politicians stationed at the CND, following the ceasefire observed to give dialogue a chance.
Furthermore, the said pitch hosted a historic showdown between Abakombozi Footbal Club and Inkotanyi, bringing together previously separated Rwandans. The role of sports in fostering unity is undeniable.