Kizito Mihigo urges artistes to promote peace through music

Kizito Mihigo has urged Rwandan musicians to instigate hope for a better future among Genocide survivors through their songs. The Inuma star has released several tunes about the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, that include Umujinya Mwiza, Twanze Gutoberwa Amateka and Turi Abana b’u Rwanda, among others.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Kizito Mihigo has urged Rwandan musicians to instigate hope for a better future among Genocide survivors through their songs.

The Inuma star has released several tunes about the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, that include Umujinya MwizaTwanze Gutoberwa Amateka and Turi Abana b’u Rwanda, among others.

"Music is listened to by very many people and through music we can unite our society especially during the commemoration period "Rwandans need inspirational songs that will help rebuild the country,” Mihingo says.

Mihigo is a Rwandan catholic organist, singer and author of 380 liturgical songs. Survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the singer has devoted his skills to the culture of peace. Since 2003, while in Europe, Mihigo worked for peace, unity and reconciliation among the Rwandan Diaspora.

"I sing peace and forgiveness, I launch a permanent call for reconciliation,” says Mihigo.

In 2010, when he returned to Rwanda, Mihigo founded the Kizito Mihigo for Peace (KMP) foundation. The mission of this foundation is to use art (music, theater and poems,) in peace building and reconciliation activism.

Born to Augustin Buguzi and Placidie Iribagiza on July 25, 1981, in Kibeho, Southern Province, Mihigo was only 13 years when the Genocide broke out and his father was among the Tutsis killed. 

Today, Mihigo is a diploma holder in musical studies and currently runs a non-profit foundation with the mission of using art in peace building. He has been awarded by the First Lady’s office in recognition of his artistic activities for peace building and reconciliation.