As Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the nation reflects on its darkest historical chapter, where over one million innocent people were mercilessly slaughtered in only 100 days. In the immediate aftermath of the Genocide, many widows, orphans, and displaced persons grappled with deep sorrow and a sense of hopelessness for what lay ahead.
As Rwandans and the international community unite to contemplate the resilience of survivors, the lasting wounds of tragedy, and the path to healing and reconciliation, The New Times spoke with a few survivors of the Genocide who recounted their ordeal.
Marguerite Uwimana
I lived in Nyamagabe, formerly Gikongoro, my parents were farmers and so was I. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi occurred when I was 23 years old. We were terrified when we heard people discussing the killings on the radio before it happened, but even before it did, we heard that people were being killed, which made us believe that the Genocide against the Tutsi would break out.
On April 13, 1994, the Genocide broke out at our location when they started setting fire to our homes and slaughtered our cows together with the domestic animals of other people. Following that, they began murdering individuals, so we fled and took refuge in our neighbours’ homes.
When they later discovered our location, we fled to the bush to hide in the forest, where we lived a hard existence under the rain, getting scattered all over the place. We later heard that they killed our parents after discovering where they were hiding. We were unable to handle the grief.
We later split up and fled because our current location was beginning to fill up. We parted, went our separate ways, and kept hiding. I eventually met a kind family who took me in till the end of the Genocide.
Monique Kabasinga
I was 11 years old when the atrocities of the Genocide against the Tutsi started and lived in what was then Kayumbu, which is now Kamonyi, with my grandmother, aunt, and younger brother.
We heard rumblings of imminent massacres as the violence broke out, and we made a hasty retreat for safety. Rumours about Kabgayi’s sanctuary calmed us, so we sought shelter there. Sadly, misfortune tainted our voyage. We went to where my parents lived, but neighbours informed us that they had left. We then had to travel to Kabgayi.
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When my aunt and my younger brother heard gunshots as we were traveling, they fled in fear and were subsequently shot and killed. Despite our extreme fear, we persisted till we arrived in Kabgayi, where we met some family members who informed us that my parents and brothers had all been slain. My heart was shattered so we had to accept our fate. We remained in Kabgayi thinking we would be killed anytime. Fortunately, we stayed in Kabgayi till the Genocide was over.
Godberetha Mukansoro
The Genocide began when I was 25 and married. I had a daughter and had recently given birth, the baby was four months old. We lived in Gatagara. The killings began where we were on April 7, and we were forced to leave.
Every day, we would walk searching for refuge and occasionally ventured into the woodlands to hide. It was really challenging for my spouse and me to manage the kids. It was quite difficult to figure out what to eat to nurse my son.
We once came across someone who helped to hide us, but he later chased us away. We had to retrace our steps, night by night. I once had to go in place of my children because the Interahamwe were going to kill them, and I was told to dig a hole for myself. I completed the task, but at night they left, and my husband came to look for me and took me out of the hole.
Later, in June, we travelled to Nyanza, where we were found and saved by the RPF-Inkotanyi. However, since the Genocide was still going on, we were forced to remain in Nyanza where we were given refuge up until July when the Genocide came to an end and we returned home.
Felix Katabarwa
I lived in what was Gitarama, Rutobwe commune which is now Muhanga. I was married and 28 years old. I was a father of two by then. I owned a tiny store. Prior to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, rumours were circulating that there would be mass murder soon.
Where we were living, the killings began on April 10. My family and I had to leave because our residences were being searched, and I was among the people who were being searched for the most. After a while, one of my friends informed us that there were no murders in Kabgayi Church, so we decided to walk there because it was not too far, but we would only do it at night. During that journey, the Interahamwe would inquire as to where I was hiding.
We arrived at the Kabgayi church on April 22. As the days went by, there was hunger and difficulty even finding water to drink.
Later the Interahamwe learned that I was in Kabgayi, to keep them from finding me, I had to hide in the ceiling. They would enter the church in search of me, but they were unable to locate me. My family and I stayed at the church until we were rescued by RPF-Inkotanyi.