Bugesera: 11 Couples Officially Married During Family Week

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Bugesera – On September 18, 2025, Nyarugenge sector in Bugesera District concluded the Family Week activities launched by the Eastern Province, with a focus on strengthening family unity and protecting children’s rights.

As part of the activities, 11 out of the expected 26 couples who had been living together without legal recognition were officially married. The program also included initiatives to promote family welfare, such as supporting children with proper nutrition and registering them in the civil registry.

Parents without legal documents were also given an opportunity to formalize their marriages.

Before launching the marriage ceremony, Innocent Kazungu, the Executive Secretary of Nyarugenge Sector, reminded couples about the importance of legal marriage.

He urged parents to view marriage as the foundation of the family and to commit themselves to raising their children with strong values, while protecting them from negative influences, school dropouts, and stunting.

Parents were also sensitized on ways to fight malnutrition and ensure the healthy growth of their children.

“These are responsibilities you must uphold—supporting the nation, correcting what others failed to do, and fostering good and harmonious living within your families. This is what will enable you to fulfill your duties,” Kazungu said.

Alphonsine Mukangabire, project manager of RESTORE project that is implemented in Bugesera District through Ripple Effect Rwanda, explained that the organization, through this project, partnered with Nyarugenge Sector to raise awareness on gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and discouraging polygamy.

She said they encouraged couples living together without legal marriage to formalize their unions, which is what happened during the event.

The awareness campaign, known as Gender Accountability Day (GAD), is an initiative of the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and is implemented in partnership with government institutions.

For many of the couples, the day marked a turning point in their lives.

Alexis Maniraho and Joseline Tuyizere, who had lived together for six years without legal recognition, said the ceremony gave them hope for a better future.

“This is a strong day in our life. It will help us improve working conditions at home and build trust. We are going to increase our efforts to strive for family development,” Maniraho said.

“I can now feel like a real woman at home, something I couldn’t imagine before. This is my special day. Thanks to Ripple Effect for making this possible,” Tuyizere added.

Another couple, Venuste Sindikubwabo and Jeannette Nyiranshimyumuremyi, emphasized that being legally married would strengthen both their love and their development goals.

“Our love and relationships will grow stronger, and our development will be shared through working together. We have three children who are studying, and we encourage other families who are still living informally to get married legally,” Sindikubwabo said.

“My heart is at peace today. We will break the barriers that separated us and live in harmony, sharing responsibilities. A wife who is not legally married loses hope, security, and trust. There is no stability because she always feels she can be abandoned at any moment,” Nyiranshimyumuremyi said.

The Family Week initiative, coordinated by the Eastern Province, aims to strengthen families, promote social welfare, and protect the rights of children.

The activities will officially conclude at the district level on September 19, 2025.

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