Nyagatare District, Eastern Province | 13 February 2026

Nyagatare District today hosted the closing ceremony of an intensive vocational training programme that equipped 25 women married to disabled former combatants of the 1990–1994 Liberation Struggle with practical tailoring skills, marking another milestone in Rwanda’s journey towards inclusive and sustainable development.

The week-long training, conducted from 9 to 13 February 2026, focused on professional tailoring and culminated in the distribution of 25 sewing machines provided through the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen household resilience and economic self-reliance among families affected by war-related disabilities.

Presiding over the ceremony, the Vice Mayor of Nyagatare District in charge of Economic Development, Mr Gonzague Matsiko, warmly welcomed distinguished guests and participants. In his keynote address, he commended the women for their determination and pivotal role in sustaining their families, describing the sewing machines as “tools of empowerment and weapons in the fight against poverty” within Rwanda’s ongoing development trajectory.

The Country Representative of JICA in Rwanda, Ms Minako Shiotsuka, praised the beneficiaries for leaving their homes to invest in skills that will transform not only their own lives but also those of their families. She underscored the value of collective effort, noting that no support is insignificant when matched with commitment and unity.

Speaking on behalf of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), Eastern Province Commissioner Hon. Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi expressed deep appreciation to Nyagatare District and JICA for their continued partnership in supporting the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life. He paid tribute to the women’s quiet heroism in caring for spouses living with disabilities and urged beneficiaries to safeguard the equipment received and use it strictly for income-generating activities, warning against the temptation to sell assets meant for long-term empowerment.

The President of the JICA Alumni Association of Rwanda (JAAR), Mr Anicet Rwema, applauded the women’s eagerness to acquire knowledge, describing lifelong learning as a cornerstone of resilience and progress.

Adding his voice, Major Emmanuel Gakuba, the Reserve Force District Commander, recognised the women’s courage and unwavering support to their families, noting that their contribution is central to household stability and community development.

Amidst scenes of celebration and optimism, the beneficiaries expressed renewed determination to put their newly acquired skills to immediate use in order to generate income and decisively break the cycle of poverty.

The sewing machines were distributed to women from RDRC-supported settlements in Mirama I, Mirama II, Rutaraka, Karangazi, and Kinihira sectors, all located within Nyagatare District, reaffirming a shared commitment by government and development partners to leave no one behind.

End.