As Rwandans mark the 28th commemoration this year, various senior officials of NCBA Bank on September 7 visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre and paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The tour aimed at helping them understand how the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was executed to kill over a million lives in just 100 days. Officials include NCBA Bank Group Chairman James Ndengwa, Chairman of the board of directors Benjamin Rugangazi, Group Managing Director John Gachora, and NCBA Bank Rwanda CEO Lina Higiro, among other members of senior leadership. During their visit, they watched a short film showing various testimonies of the survivors and continued touring the museum which has different parts, and learned more about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi and the journey towards reconciliation and rebuilding over the last 28 years. After the tour, they observed a minute of silence as well as laid wreaths onto the mass grave where the victims are laid to rest. Ndengwa said that it is really sad and hard to learn what happened in Rwanda which has deeply affected its people and families, but it is also important to acknowledge the country’s leadership in rebuilding hope in its people and the tremendous progress that has been made since 1994. “This has been a very moving and somber visit that I probably will never forget for the rest of my life. Walking through the museum and realizing that these lives were cut short for no good reason is devastating. But it is also impressive to experience how far Rwanda has come in such a short period,” Ndegwa added In addition, Higiro pointed out that it is everyone's challenge and aims to continuously ensure that history never repeats itself. “The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is very heartbreaking and leaves one with little to say in the face of such a great calamity.” She said Furthermore, Rugangazi said: “As we pay respect to more than one million lives lost during the genocide against the Tutsi, we are reminded that as Rwandans we shall continue to preserve our history and work towards continuous healing as we comfort our brothers and sisters that survived the tragedy,”. NCBA Bank is the third-largest bank in the region with a presence in five African countries namely Uganda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Rwanda with headquarters in Kenya. Merged from two authorities in the region’s banking industry, NCBA has built a base of more than 65 million customers and 101 branches to support the aspirations of Rwanda and the region. As one of the largest financial institutions in East Africa and a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking, the lender aims to drive the country’s dreams by inspiring its people to achieve more with their money and thus their lives.
