The number of remains of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi discovered at the Mibilizi Catholic Church parish in Rusizi District has increased from 930 to 1,213 within two weeks. The Mayor of Rusizi District, Anicet Kibiriga, told The New Times on Monday, May 15, that the exhumed remains could get a dignified burial on June 3, 2023.

The first remains were discovered at the end of March this year when residents were working to construct terraces across 16 hectares in Karemereye cell of Gashonga sector.

"We had a meeting on Sunday to agree on a date for the dignified burial, which is slated for June 3, 2023. We are currently in the process of preparing the remains for the burial, as we are making the coffins,” he said.

Kibiriga said that an announcement is about to be issued inviting Genocide survivors to see if they can identify their loved ones among the remains.

"The newly exhumed remains could be buried at Mibilizi Genocide Memorial,” he added.

Vestine Utamuriza, the president of Ibuka, the umbrella organisation of associations of Genocide survivors in Rusizi District said, "It hurts the hearts of Genocide survivors to see perpetrators who were forgiven for their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi concealing information on remains despite efforts to foster unity and reconciliation.”

She said that exhumation activities will take place across the entire land around Mibilizi parish to ensure that all remains of genocide victims are exhumed and given a proper burial.

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Testimonies indicate that when the widespread killings of the Tutsi started in April 1994, thousands of Tutsi fleeing violence in their neighbourhoods took refuge at Mibilizi Catholic Church.

They camped both inside and outside the church, spending their time praying and imploring God for protection. However, just days after their arrival, attacks from the Interahamwe militia who vowed to exterminate them began.

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On April 18, 1994, a major attack was launched, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. It is said that the attack was coordinated by several local leaders working in close collaboration with gendarmes (equivalent to police) and militia leaders.

Today’s estimates indicate that those who perished at Mibilizi might be more than 10,000, with more than 13,000 victims buried at a memorial site constructed outside the church.