Nyarugenge district authorities have announced that the remains of genocide victims which were recently exhumed from different graves at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), are to be accorded a decent burial on April 8. They will be buried at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro district. Remains of about 100 victims of the Genocide were discovered from a grave in CHUK on March 10 as builders excavated an area near the mortuary section to pave way for a new facility. Emmy Ngabonziza, the District Executive Administrator of Nyarugenge district said that the public has been called to visit, GS Cyivugiza in Nyamirambo sector where the remains are being kept, to be able to identify their lost relatives that could be among them. The visits from April 1 to April 6, Claudine Uwera, the Executive Secretary of Nyamirambo sector where the genocide remains were being treated told The New Times that some residents have already identified their relatives among the remains although could not provide details. Meanwhile, more remains of 12 people suspected to be genocide victims were discovered in the same district in Gitega sector. The remains were exhumed from a resident’s land in Nyenyeri village during a community work nearby Mpazi drainage along Nyabugogo area. Etienne Mugambira, the Executive Secretary of the Gitega sector said that an investigation has been launched to discover more about the mass grave. Inside Kwibuka 28 activities Decent burial to remains of genocide victims that were exhumed last week is part of 28th commemoration of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi according to Jean-Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE). The Kwibuka 28 guidelines issued on Monday April 4 say that decent burial should be done during the commemoration period after speeches, testimonies and messages of the day. Commemoration week will start on April 7 from 8:00 am. At district level, the commemoration week will be started at district genocide memorial site while at national level it will be kicked off at Kigali genocide memorial in Gisozi. On April 8, 9 and 10, churches and mosques will be delivering messages that help to understand the effects of divisionism and genocide ideology that led to 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Closing the commemoration week will be held on April 13 at national level before noon at Rebero genocide memorial site in Kicukiro sector. During this day, politicians who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and are laid to rest at Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District will be honoured. The commemoration will also talk about the role of politicians in 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and the role of good politics in building the country. Commemoration at village level According to directives, the commemoration will also be held at village level. From 8:00 am, there are planned talks in all villages across the country by complying with Covid-19 prevention guidelines. The talks will be held under the theme: “Kwibuka, Twahisemo kuba umwe: by remembering, we chose to be one”. After the talks, citizens will be given occasion to share ideas focusing on genocide history and the effects of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. There will also be a moment (minute) of remembering at village level coinciding with the planned time at national level. “The commemoration activity of the day will be followed by listening to Radio Rwanda or TV to get the message of the day.” Virtual Night Vigil On the evening of April 7, from 18:00 to 20:00, a night vigil will be held through national Radio and TV and followed by citizens from all districts across the country. Meanwhile the planned talks at workplace such as ministries, institutions districts, private sector, associations, faith-based organization and others will be held between April 8 and April 12 but each will choose one day on which the talk on genocide will be delivered. MINUBUMWE said it will help to select people who have knowledge and capacity to provide the talks during commemoration at institutional level.
