Rwamagana: Gishari Residents Urged to Combat Genocide Ideology While Honoring Tutsis Killed in 1994

By The Inspirer.

Residents of Gishari sector in Rwamagana district received a powerful call to dismantle genocide ideology, particularly as it affects children. This call to action came during a commemorative event on April 16, 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.

The event paid tribute to the Tutsi victims who, seeking refuge, tragically lost their lives due to the actions of misguided leaders who employed military intervention.

On April 15, 1994, over 15 thousand Tutsis sought refuge at Muhazi ‘commune’  former district’s headquarters by the time, now part of Gishari sector in Rwamagana district. Despite their hopes for safety under official protection, they encountered violence orchestrated by soldiers.

Vanessa Mukarugwiza, a survivor, recounted witnessing fellow refugees and innocent children succumb to hunger and violence.

“We were promised safety at the area, but upon arrival, we found that others from Gikoro had fled days earlier. Hunger and thirst had already claimed lives during our journey,” she shared.

Describing a critical moment, she added, “When we finally found a water tap, it was abruptly shut off. The authorities turned a blind eye to our plight.” Another survivor,

Nyemazi Emmanuel, shared his ordeal of surviving a targeted attack on the 15th.

“I sought refuge near Lake Muhazi, blending among the deceased to evade capture.”

In reflecting on the atrocities, Rwamagana District Mayor Mbonyumuvunyi Radjab stressed the urgency of combating the resurgence of genocide ideology.

Residents Urged to Combat Genocide Ideology

“The horrors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwamagana remain vivid. We gather here to remember and learn from history. We implore everyone to stand against genocide ideology, especially as it manifests among young individuals who did not directly experience the horrors,” he urged.

The commemorative ceremony at the Gishari Genocide Memorial included a decent burial of three additional Tutsi victims found in Lake Muhazi, bringing the total to 1196. The Ruhunda Genocide Memorial in the sector holds 5181 bodies of Tutsi victims, with a total of 83,935 Tutsi victims commemorated in 11 Genocide Memorials across the Rwamagana district.

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