As Rwanda prepares for the 29th commemoration of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Ecobank Rwanda, on Saturday March 25, joined residents of Kanyinya sector, Nyarugenge district in a monthly Umuganda-Community which cleaned the road toward genocide monument at " Mu Kana hill”.

Speaking after Umuganda, Clarisse Nyirigira, the Executive Secretary of Kanyinya sector commended Ecobank Rwanda for having partnered with residents in Umuganda-community work.

Umuganda also coincided with International Day of Forests, World Water Day and World Meteorological Day.

"On the road where we did community work, there is a post showing the tragic journey of Tutsi who were killed during 1994 genocide against on Mu Kana hill where there is genocide monument. Tutsi from different areas were directed to the hill hoping that they would survive but were later killed,” she said.

"The community work was carried out on the road toward Mu Kana hill as part of activities to prepare 29th commemoration of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi at the monument,” she said.

Reports show that over 5,000 Tutsi were killed at Mu Kana hill.

On April 13,1994, authorities pledged refuge, food and protection for Tutsi in valley around Mu Kana hill.

When they were taken there authorities, instead, called Interahamwe militia and killed them during the evening.

Only four children survived.

Nyirigira also said that community work on the road to the monument also connects to Nzove cell where SKOL brewing factory is located.

"Ecobank is a partner in our development and therefore doing Umuganda together is a good relationship to pave partnership in empowering our citizens striving for welfare. The bank also raised awareness about its services they have for our citizens,” she said.

Carine Umutoni, the Managing Director of Ecobank Rwanda said it is the bank’s responsibility to work and support community work-Umuganda.

"We are glad to support activities that are important to the citizens’ life and the country in general. We have to continue working together to maintain and preserve different infrastructure that have been achieved so far and continue to put more effort in more activities that boost national development. We urge residents to work with Ecobank especially Ecobank agents,” she said.

Ecobank currently operates in 35 African countries including those in East Africa such as Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and the DR Congo.

The bank also operates in Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tomé-et-Principe, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Central Africa, South Sudan, Senegal, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Cape Vert, Guinea, Mali, Gambia and Mozambique, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Speaking while closing Umuganda, Cesar Dusabeyezu, the land manager at Nyarugenge District, said that there is rapid development in Nyarugenge district and urged Ecobank Rwanda to tap into available opportunities.

"More industries are in offing and settlement sites are being developed. Agriculture productivity is good in Kanyinya compared to other areas of the district. Community works and need to save money and request loans.These are opportunities for Ecobank,” he said.

He also urged residents to conserve trees and water bodies as the community work coincided with International Day of Forests, World Water Day & World Meteorological Day.