The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Eric Mahoro, has called on schools and parents to take a leading role in teaching young people the truth about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mahoro warned that silence and misinformation can leave young people vulnerable to genocide ideology and denial.
He made the remarks on Friday, May 8, during the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi held at New Life Christian Academy in Kicukiro District.
The event marked the beginning of a nationwide school-based commemoration initiative that will engage students in discussions and interactive sessions about the country’s history.
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Addressing students, teachers, and parents, Mahoro stressed that remembrance is about building conscience, responsibility, and resilience among younger generations.
"Schools were once used to spread division and hatred. Today, they must become places where unity is nurtured and where future leaders learn truth, compassion, and responsibility,” he said.
Mahoro warned that genocide denial and distortion continue to spread globally, particularly through social media and misinformation, making it more urgent for parents and educators to guide children with accurate historical knowledge.
"Children are naturally curious. If we do not teach them the truth ourselves, someone else may teach them lies,” he said. "We must deliberately create safe spaces where children can ask questions, learn history, and understand the consequences of hate.”
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He added that teaching history should not be treated as a one-time activity during the commemoration period, but as an ongoing responsibility shared by schools, government institutions, and families.
"We teach our children to think critically, to respect others regardless of their background, and to reject hate speech. By doing that, we are building walls that genocide ideology cannot climb,” Mahoro said.
The commemoration event also featured reflections from Fred Isaac Katagwa, Executive Director of Africa New Life Ministries, who emphasized the importance of parents taking an active role in discussing Rwanda’s history with children at an early age.
"We cannot wait to be surprised by questions or for someone else to teach our children something contrary to the truth,” he said. "We gather here to teach our children history, to raise a generation that remembers and refuses to repeat the past.”
He described Rwanda as a country that rose again after devastation, comparing it to a tree that sprouts again after being cut down.
"Rwanda once went through darkness and tragedy, but today it stands as proof that transformation and hope can emerge from pain,” he said.
Katagwa urged students to reject genocide ideology and embrace values of unity and truth.
"We are committed to raising a generation that boldly says ‘Never Again,’ not only for Rwanda but everywhere in the world,” he added.
Students who attended the session said the discussions helped them better understand the importance of remembrance and unity.
Sabrina Akariza, a Grade 8 student at the school, said the event taught her that young people have a responsibility to preserve Rwanda’s history and prevent future atrocities.
"We learned that as young people, we should unite, honor those who were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi, and learn our country’s history so that such a tragedy never happens again,” said the 17-year-old.
She also encouraged parents to openly discuss history with children to help them better understand the meaning of remembrance and national unity.