Heroes Day in Rwanda
Rwanda marks National Heroes’ Day every year on 1 February. It is a public holiday and a national tribute to heroes and their outstanding achievements. Rwandan law also sets a substitute-day rule when the holiday falls on a weekend.[1][2]
A public holiday set by law
Presidential Order N° 062/01 of 19 October 2022 lists 1 February as National Heroes’ Day. Rwanda’s Labour Law gives employees the right to an official public holiday with full salary; an employee required to work that day is entitled to equivalent rest within the following 30 days.[1][3]
If Heroes Day falls on a weekend, the next working day becomes a public holiday. The order provides an exception to this general rule for the 7 April Genocide Memorial Day, not for Heroes Day.[1]
What the day honours
The law says the day is marked throughout Rwanda so citizens can pay tribute to national heroes and their achievements. It also provides for officially announcing recognized heroes and their benefits on the day.[2]
Rwanda’s law groups national heroes into three categories: Imanzi, the supreme category; Imena; and Ingenzi. The categories reflect assessments of sacrifice, importance and exemplary conduct, with the law describing different standards for each.[2]
How it is observed
Official commemorations can include ceremonies at the National Heroes Mausoleum in Kigali. At a documented ceremony there, the Prime Minister laid a wreath in tribute to heroes recognized for patriotism and sacrifice.[4]
The Government describes the annual observance as a tribute to people who exemplified patriotism and sacrifice, and as a source of inspiration for Rwandans.[4][5]
Planning around the holiday
Because Heroes Day is a public holiday, employees are entitled to the holiday under the Labour Law. The law also covers employees who work on a public holiday by providing equivalent rest within 30 days.[1][3]
Check with individual banks, shops, transport services and other businesses before making plans.[1][3]
Frequently asked questions
Is Heroes Day a day off?
What happens when 1 February falls on a weekend?
The following working day becomes a public holiday under Rwanda’s presidential order.[1]
Are banks, shops and public transport open?
Banks, shops and transport operators set their own hours, so check with them before you travel.
Sources and references
Sources used for Heroes Day in Rwanda:
- Presidential Order N° 062/01 of 19/10/2022 on Official Mission, Delegation of Powers and Public Holidays- Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda
- Official Gazette n° Special bis of 30/06/2009- Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda
- Law regulating labour in Rwanda- Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda
- Prime Minister joined Rwandans to mark the 30th National Heroes Day- Office of the Prime Minister of Rwanda
- Rwanda Celebrates 28th National Heroes Day- Government of Rwanda