Kwibuka 29: INES-Ruhengeri committed to fighting against the Genocide ideology

As Rwanda and the rest of the world mark the 29^th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, on Friday 2^nd June 2023, INES-Ruhengeri- the Institute of Applied Sciences commemorated the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The walk to remember started from INES Campus (photo/Vedaste)

The event began with a Walk to Remember which started from INES Campus at 3.00pm towards the Musanze Genocide Memorial Site (the former ‘Cour d’Appel de Ruhengeri’) to pay tribute to the victims who were killed in 1994. Then after, the participants to the Walk returned back to the INES-Ruhengeri Campus where the rest of the agenda was done.

Officials and students laid a wreath on the memorial site of over 800 victims (photos / Vedaste)

In his welcome speech, Dr. Fr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, Vice-Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri said that there is hope for a bright future. “Do not have fear. The future is bright”, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor requested young students to work hard (photo /Vedaste)

The Vice-Chancellor went on requesting young students to work hard so as to accomplish the task of their beloved ones who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He also expressed his thanks to Rwanda’s Patriotic Army for having stopped the Genocide.  He invited everyone to fight against the Genocide ideology by recalling the theme of the 29^th Commemoration: “Remember-Unite –Renew”.

Mrs. Claudine Musabyimana, the Genocide Survivor and Student at INES-Ruhengeri, shared with the audience her sadness testimony. She revealed her own painful journey during the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994 from Kanyinya Sector, in Nyarugenge District to Burundi. She thanked the RDF (former RPA) for having stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi and having saved the life of the 1994 Genocide Survivors.

Mrs. Claudine Musabyimana (left) sharing her testimony (photo/Vedaste)

The Coordinator of AERG-Indame, Mr. Jean de Dieu Munezero while speaking said that youth are committed to fighting against Genocide denial and ideology.  “ We will never tolerate anyone who will try to deny the Genocide against the Tutsi especially those who are using social media”, Munezero said.

He took the opportunity for “Kuremera”, Mrs. Mukabutera Benimana a survivor of the 1994 Genocide living at Rwambogo Cell, Musanze Sector of Musanze District by donating a cow just to replace the other one that was died. Munezero thanked the Management of INES-Ruhengeri and Chancen International Rwanda for their valuable collaboration in general and in this “Kuremera” in particular.

 Vice-Chancellor of INES-Ruhengeri (center)  and Coordinator of AERG-Indame (with mic)

during “Kuremera” session (photo /Vedaste)

Mrs. Mukabutera Benimana thanked the youth of AERG Indame for thinking about her and supporting her.

“This is a sign that you are God’s children because you have love. Keep it up being children with love and May God bless you!”, she expressed.

The guest of Honor was Vice-Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs in Musanze District, Mrs. Axelle  Kamanzi recalled the quote of the First Lady on 7^th April 2023  as the following:

“Kwibuka is not just a saying! Kwibuka has no specific period, nor can it be defined by these past 29 years! In this #Kwibuka29, let us all protect the memory of our loved ones from ever fading away while honoring the resilience of our survivors”, First Lady Jeannette Kagame.

Mrs. Axelle reminded us that Genocide against Tutsi was not happened by accident. It was prepared for a long time by bad leadership. She continued by saying that today we have good leadership, and youth should protect our country by fighting against anyone who has genocide denial and ideology.

Mrs. Axelle  Kamanzi requesting youth fighting against anyone who

has genocide denial and ideology (Photo/ Vedaste)

Mrs. Axelle thanked very much for the mutual collaboration between Musanze district , INES-Ruhengeri and AERG Indame especially during the Commemoration period. She requested them to keep up working hard to protect their country with a sense of responsibility as well as taking into consideration the theme “remember-unite-renew”.