RUTANA/BURURI, November 20th (ABP) – The torch of peace was welcomed by the inhabitants of Rutana province, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, coming from Makamba province, at the Mutsindozi River bridge, separating the two provinces, when the governor of Rutana province Mr. Olivier Nibitanga took it from the chief of staff in the office of the governor of Makamba province, Mr. Etienne Mbonihankuye.
In the extended districts of Rutana and Musongati, it subsequently illuminated community development work which consisted of paving the classrooms of the basic schools of Buhwamyi and Muhafu. On that occasion, the representative of the torch-of-peace carriers called “Intwararumuri”, Mr. Epipode Baranyikwa, invited the population of Rutana province to prepare for the change linked to the new administrative delimitation that will come into force in a few months.
He encouraged district administrators to draft projects for their expanded districts, which will contribute to the success of the national vision of an emerging Burundi by 2040 and developed Burundi in 2060.
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, the torch of peace illuminated the games. Among the various events, a volleyball match was played between married men and single men, and ended with a victory for the married men. This match was followed by a basketball match between the team of Rutana high school and that of the Guide du Savoir School (GSR), which ended with the victory of the GSR team.
Another boys’ football match opposed the Rutana high school team against Villa FC, a team from the Rutana urban center. The match ended with a victory for the Rutana high school team. There was also a 3,000-meter flat race, contested separately by boys and girls. This was followed by a demonstration of prepared fights, performed by the Waide Karate children’s club of Muzye, based in the Muzye County, Giharo district in Rutana province.
The ceremonies ended with the presentation of cups to the winning teams, as well as medals for the winners of the other sports disciplines.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the torch of peace was handed over to the inhabitants of Bururi province. It was the chief of staff in the office of the governor of Rutana, Mrs. Belyne Nahimana, accompanied by the Intwararumuri team, who handed over the torch to the governor of Bururi province, Col. Leonidas Bandenzamaso.
The torch then headed to Rutovu III basic school where the population, administrative officials and Intwararumuri carried out concreting work on six classrooms. The torch then headed to the current district of Matana where three classrooms were paved.
Under heavy rain, the population and the Intwararumuri continued to mix rubble, sand and cement. They continued the work at the communal high school of Nyabigega, in the extended district of Bururi where two classrooms were paved. On that occasion, the representative of the peace torch caravan, Mr. Épipode Baranyikwa, asked the population to prepare themselves accordingly for the new administrative structure of the districts and provinces.
The current district administrators were asked to set up development projects that will lead the country to the national vision Burundi, emerging country by 2040, and developed country in 2060. After the development work that was carried out on three sites, the torch spent the night at the headquarters of the Bururi province.
On the morning of Tuesday, November 19, 2024, it took the road towards the Mwaro province.
