Umutara Polytechnic students rise against genocide ideology

Student of Umutara Polytechnic Vocational School in Gatsibo District, under their umbrella group called Christian Community Ministries, have vowed to fight Genocide ideology in the country.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Student of Umutara Polytechnic Vocational School in Gatsibo District, under their umbrella group called Christian Community Ministries, have vowed to fight Genocide ideology in the country.

The students made the resolution last Sunday after visiting Kigali Memoral Site. They donated Frw50,000 towards care of the site.

"This is a non denominational Christian community where members have occasionally discussed and asked themselves what role they can play in fighting genocide ideologies in the country," Francis Ndengeye, the head of the group told The New Times after emerging from the memorial centre.

He explained that their visit aimed at getting a clear picture of the wanton killings that took place during the 1994 Genocide.

Ndengeye said that the students would visit several youth groups in the country to discuss ways of containing genocide ideology among youth.

According to Ndengeye, their association is made up of over 300 members including old students of the school with an aim of stemming Genocide ideology, job creation and sensitising youth to be patriotic among other objectives.

Peter Claver Kabanda, the school head commended the students for their commitment. He observed it as a positive idea for students owing to the genocide ideology which has previously been reported in several schools countrywide.

"If youth themselves stand up to fight such a social virus like this, it brings hope to the society. Genocide ideology is widely reported among youth in schools," Kabanda said.

Citing Muhura and Mataba Secondary Schools where the ideology was reported by a team of Members of Parliament last year, Kabanda observed it would be a good approach if youth got fully involved in fighting the vice in schools.

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