On 26th May 2022, the students and staff of Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) remembered the victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The function started with a visit of Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi where wreaths were laid on the graves of more than 250,000 people who died.
On arrival, the students and staff were briefed on the 1994 Genocide through a nine-minutes short movie that explained the historical background of the memorial site. The team was told that he site was built to safeguard the facts of the genocide to enable people to have factual information on the genocide against the Tutsi.
Shortly after the briefings, the student and officials from MKUR led by Dr John Nyiligira (DVCAPIA), Dr Catherine Wanjiku (DVCARA), Mr Mwangi Francis Waweru (Director of Quality Assurance) and Katurebe Livingson (MKUR AERG Coordinator) laid wreaths on the graves then proceeded to the main hall of the university, where other activities of the programme were conducted.
Remarks from Management and the guests
Vice Chancellor Edwin Odhuno
“It is my honour to be here with you this afternoon on the occasion of Kwibuka 28. Thank you all for coming to join our university to “Remember, Unite, and Renew.” And you are all most welcome,” said Prof Edwin Odhuno.
In his remarks, to comfort the survivors, he shared a story of one genocide survivor family which initially faced terrible genocide consequences but with the help of the society, the family now has hope for a better life.
He asked people, especially the youth, to recognize their role and contribution of building the Rwanda we want and remove the genocidal ideology. He also said that the commemoration should be a reflection on the army of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) that stopped the Genocide and gave Rwandans the hope for life.
TUYISHIMIRE Jean Sauveur Christian – National AERG
In his remarks, Tuyishimire said that after the genocide, the Rwandan community chose to be one, as His Excellency President Paul Kagame said on the 20th Commemoration of the Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi. “We have chosen to be one”.
Kwibuka20 was organised under the theme “Remember, Unite, Renew”. Tuyishimire said said the theme was apt as “it is based on the fact that as long as Rwandans always put unity first in their hearts and actions and the heritage of our descendants, it will help us fight against the genocide ideology and achieve the development we want.” He also asked the students, lecturers and other officials present to fight against the denial and the ideology of genocide especially on social media. He thanked the University management for supporting the survivors through the AERG association.
NGOMBWA Christian-IBUKA Coordinator
“To remember is a must. And in remembering, I would like to tell all genocide survivors that they are not alone. They lost their families. But there’s one family they didn’t lose – their country. Rwanda is the family of survivors. It’s the family of every Rwandan.”
In his remarks, Ngombwa thanked the management of Mount Kenya University Rwanda for organizing the event, which he said demonstrates the importance that the institution gives to innocent Rwandans who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
NIYOMUTABAZI Josue – GAERG Coordinator
“The denial and revisionism are still an issue at hand.”
Speaking on behalf of GAERG, NIYOMUTABAZI said, “Genocide denial and revisionism is a thorn in the flesh and heart of our Rwandan reconciliation, development and prosperity.”
Our country is wounded, he said, “but Rwandans have defied the odds and predictions of doom and wrote a new chapter, together as one people, as a nation.”
He also appreciated the management of Mount Kenya University Rwanda for being their partner in their daily activities and helping them in shooting the short videos about 1994 Genocide. Some 25 MKUR students participated in the production and shooting of the video.
He asked people to comfort the survivors and to continue fighting against the denial of 1994 Genocide.
MUNYANTORE Jean Claude – Education officer of Kicukiro district
He thanked the University for organizing this commemoration and being a good partner of the district. “Wherever we call this university, it is always there,” Jean Claude said. He called upon young people to disassociate from any ideology that seeks to harbour divisionism among Rwandans.
He said that among the chief organisers of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi were the lectures, university students and other educated people who were also the ones to condemn it. “It’s now the duty of all of us as the educated people to avoid and shun anything that would make it happen again, ”he said.
MUHATURUKUNDO ERIC – Chief Guest from MINUBUMWE
He delivered the Rwandan history and pointed on how old jurisdictions and colonial machineries have shattered Rwandan unity. In his speech, he urged the MKUR community to reject all kinds of discrimination, stating that it is the responsibility of every Rwandan citizen to do so.
“The Rwandan government has agreed to eradicate all kinds of discrimination in our country. The new rules we have are to help us build a policy of unity of Rwandans and continue to support it,” MUHATURUKUNDO said.
He lauded MKUR for organising this event for 28th Kwibuka and for always cooperating in the development of Rwanda.
Prepared by UMUHIRE CYUZUZO NKESHA Marie Gorette
