Rayon Sports president Jean Fidele Uwayezu insists the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi was carefully planned before it was executed in 1994, claiming over one million of Tutsi victims. Uwayezu was speaking at a commemoration event during which members of Rayon Sports family on Tuesday, April 9, paid tributes to Tutsi victims laid to rest at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District. ALSO READ: Ex-Amavubi coach Ferrer wishes Rwanda well during commemoration The event was attended by club officials, fans, and players from both the men's and women's teams. The commemorative event commenced with a solemn Walk to Remember from New Life Kicukiro to the memorial where remains of approximately 105,000 Tutsi victims are laid to rest. Arriving at the memorial they were guided through the harrowing history of April 11, 1994, when over 2,500 Tutsi lives were cruelly taken by Interahamwe militia after UN peacekeepers failed to rescue them. Speaking at the event Uwayezu said, The Genocide was a carefully planned and executed campaign by an evil government that manipulated and weaponised its youth. Uwayezu paid homage to thousands of innocent souls buried at the memorial site and expressed his gratitude to RPF-Inkotanyi for rescuing the nation from the dark. On behalf of the Rayon Sports family, we express our utmost appreciation to the RPF Inkotanyi forces, led by President Paul Kagame, for bravely intervening and stopping the Genocide when the rest of the world turned a blind eye, Uwayezu said. It is imperative that we visit these memorials and remember the victims, not just to honor their lives, but to learn from their tragic fate. We must never allow a denial of the truth or glorification of the perpetrators. He also emphasized on the critical importance of learning from the past to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. In the days and weeks ahead, Uwayezu said that the club will continue to in solidarity with the Rwandan community by participating in ongoing commemoration events, by visiting survivors and offering support. Rayon Sports defender Isaac Mitima, who was born in refuge (Uganda), commented on the significance of commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi, particularly for the younger generations. These times give us a deeper appreciation for the courage of the former RPA soldiers who risked their lives to protect and liberate Rwandans. As a refugee child myself, I have always sought to understand the circumstances that led my family to flee the country. Visiting these memorials and listening to the stories of the survivors has provided valuable insight into the harrowing events that shaped our history, Mitima said. Rayon Sports WFC midfielder Alodie Kayitesi shared her thoughts on the importance of visiting the memorials especially for the youth born after the genocide to understand the history the country went through. These are difficult times for Rwandans, but especially for the Genocide survivors. Most of us were born after 1994, so visiting these memorials is a crucial opportunity to learn from the survivors and engage with our shared history,” she told Times Sport. “It is our duty to ensure that the atrocities of the past are never forgotten.” Rayon Sports is arguably the number one club with highest number of supporters and they fans weren’t left behind in the commemoration activity. Rayon Sports is a family of Rwandans, declared Uwambaye Claudette, a fan who joined the team in paying respects at the Nyanza Memorial. It's important for us to come together as both fans and citizens to commemorate the lives lost during the Genocide against the Tutsi, she added. Comprising three distinct sections, the Nyanza Genocide Memorial stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the Rwandan people. The first area features the names of those laid to rest in the memorial, while the second houses the graves of over 105,000 Tutsi victims. The third and final section is a solemn garden that chronicles the horrific events of the Genocide, including the critical role that the natural environment, particularly plants, played in offering refuge to the targeted Tutsis.
