Genocide survivors in Nyundo Sector, Rubavu District, have called for the tragic events that occurred at Nyundo Diocese during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to be properly preserved and documented.
The call was made on April 9, 2024, during the commemoration of 1,019 Genocide victims laid to rest at Nyundo Genocide Memorial, which includes some 500 Tutsi, among them priests, who were killed at the diocese where they had gone to seek refuge.
During the event, the remains of seven genocide victims, including a priest with his five family members previously buried in Rutsiro District in a church cemetery, and the remains of another victim found in Mudende Sector, were given a dignified burial at the Nyundo Genocide Memorial.
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Evariste Twagirayezu, speaking for families with loved ones at the Nyundo memorial site, praised RPF-Inkotanyi for saving lives but said it was a shame that Christian perpetrators from the diocese hunted and killed the priests.
It was disgraceful to witness Christians mistreating priests, who were once held in high regard, he recounted.
Among the survivors of the Genocide with a powerful testimony is Donatha Mukeshimana from Nyundo Sector, who endured unimaginable suffering.
"I recall seeing bodies being dismembered into three parts to fit into wheelbarrows for disposal in mass graves,” she recounted, highlighting that many genocide victims’ remains are still unaccounted for.
Nyundo genocide memorial, as per Bishop Anaclet Mwumvaneza of Nyundo Diocese, is the primary site where numerous Catholic priests killed in 1994 are laid to rest.
"We advocate for the documentation, oral tradition, and preservation of the history of Nyundo Diocese, as this hill has a wealth of stories to share, lessons to impart, and records to keep,” he emphasised.
Gerard Mbarushimana, the head of Ibuka in Rubavu added, "We propose documenting the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi at memorial sites, including Nyundo and Bigogwe [currently under construction], to preserve our country’s history.”
For research professional Tom Ndahiro, who attended the event, Nyundo stands as a place where bishops like Aloys Bigirumwami "vigorously fought against the genocide ideology, along with numerous other bishops who resisted the Genocide, despite not being Tutsi,” a crucial aspect that people, especially the youth, "must be aware of to ensure that ‘Never Again’ becomes a reality.”
Addressing Rubavu residents during the commemorative event, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health and the guest of honour, endorsed the initiative to document and chronicle the history of Nyundo in books.
"We support the move to have this history written in a book or other forms of recordings for people to learn more about what happened here. The idea is good so that the history will be taught in schools,” he noted, committing to collaborate with the district on this endeavour.
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He cautioned Rubavu residents that the battle against genocide denial and ideology is far from over.
Perpetrators are very close in the neighbouring country [DR Congo], he said, adding that they are persistently attempting to return and undo the progress the nation has made.