September 28, 2023 (Nyabihu, Rubavu): The ambassador of Zimbabwe to Rwanda, Prof. Charity Manyekure, has expressed too much excitement after visiting Ibere rya Bigogwe tourism site in Western Province.
The envoy has left Kigali for Bigogwe in today’s early morning to witness the remarkable view, activities and special customs of this place, popularly known for professional cattle’s breeding that is promoted by a young Rwandan Ngabo Karegeya.
By arriving there, she has travelled and hiked the green hills of Bigogwe, shown and explained to some cattle related activities and tried ones like stirring the milk to turn it into butter, which is locally known as ‘Gucunda’, and making a sorghum flour using a rock known as ‘Urusyo’.
After visiting a large part of Ibere rya Bigogwe, Ambassador Charity has told the press that she feels very excited, as she felt home. “I feel it home, very excited, very honored. This place connects me with my home Zimbabwe so much. There is so much in common, the mountains, it’s like I am in Nyanga, Chimanmany, Pinge, so my heart is at home. The cattle, the feeling is unbelievable. It brought back the child memories.”
The ambassador congratulates the cowboy Ngabo and thanks the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, for allocating the state land of Bigogwe to Ibere rya Bigogwe Tourism Company owned by Ngabo for investment cause. “I want to really congratulate this cowboy and also to thank President Kagame for recognizing. I remember when he was given this land, I was here, and even when I started following him on Twitter. I am excited that today I made it here.”
As she has stated, the main purpose of her visit is to connect the place with Zimbabwe. “This is what I want, to connect Bigogwe and Zimbabwe so that we can go far. I see that even African people, this is such a great innovation for us to bring our culture, to bring our roots, to bring our tradition in our tourism. It’s amazing. President Mnangagwa, President Kagame have always emphasized that it is us who can develop our countries and we should not leave anyone behind.”
The Executive Secretary of Rubavu district, Olivier Ruhamyambuga, who led Zimbabwe team to the place, emphasized there are opportunities hiden in Rwanda culture. “It’s a good, amazing thing that shows we may have too many economic opportunities that are hidden in our culture, yet we are not aware of that. It’s very good that Ibere rya Bigogwe Tourism Company, led by young people, did amazing job.”
The company’s owner says he is very proud after the envoy’s visit. “It’s my pride to welcome the high level leader like this. It shows that Bigogwe has reached somewhere, its value and that the people give the value it deserves, which is worth to preserve. Zimbabwe has developed tourism sector, has too much too shown in tourism like Zambezi River.”
Ambassador Charity has promised Ngabo to visit Ibere rya Bigogwe again, many times, and asks other people to visit this place to witness the remarkable traditions and view.
Pictures: Justin Biregeya/BWIZA
