Survivors worry over Busogo memorial site

Musanze–Genocide survivors have requested district authorities to expedite the renovation of the Busogo Genocide memorial site and relocate the victims’ remains from a cell office in the area.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Musanze–Genocide survivors have requested district authorities to expedite the renovation of the Busogo Genocide memorial site and relocate the victims’ remains from a cell office in the area.Remains of over 400 victims that were removed from the memorial site alongside numerous derelict caskets remain in a hall.According to several genocide survivors interviewed by The New Times, the bodies were removed from the memorial site earlier this year with the contractor undertaking to complete the repairs prior to the genocide commemoration on April 7. "It was a big shock to find bodies lying on the floor and caskets placed in an office for this long. This memorial site has been in a poor state for three years with water seeping inside,” lamented Rachael Nyirabuseruka, whose relatives were among those whose remains are in the said site."We request the authorities to intervene and ensure that it’s (renovation) complete.’’ Fulgence Abonkunda, the coordinator of genocide survivors’ students association (AERG) in ISAE-Busogo, mentioned the need to procure coffins for the remains and speed up the reconstruction."Many people got traumatised to find bodies which were accorded a decent burial now in the open,” Abonkunda bemoaned.The district mayor Winifridah Mpembyemungu, explained that the contractor was yet to fulfil the contractual obligations. "We are in close contact with the contractor. The contract was signed on February 12 2012, and runs up to May12. There is progress and we hope that it will be completed within that timeframe.”