BRALIRWA Plc marked the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi by honouring former employees who lost their lives during the tragedy. Employees, along with friends, families of the victims, and guests, gathered to pay tribute at the Gisenyi and Kigali Genocide Memorial sites. The events commenced with a guided tour of the memorial sites, providing participants with a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and events that culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This was followed by the laying of wreaths at the different memorial sites and paying tribute to the lives lost during the Genocide. They also listened to the powerful testimonies of Genocide survivors Concorde Munyazesa and Jean Maurice Gasasira, who shared heart-wrenching experiences of hiding day and night in deplorable conditions to survive, as well as dialogues from Ibuka representatives in Rubavu and Kigali. In his remarks at the Gisenyi Genocide Memorial, the Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Mulindwa, highlighted the government’s continued commitment to unity and reconciliation. He urged everyone to work together to rebuild the nation saying, “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our history is preserved and that such tragedies never happen again.” The mayor also commended BRALIRWA for consistently honouring its former employees and for their commitment to the message of remembrance. BRALIRWA’s Managing Director, Ethel Emma-Uche, praised the country’s leadership for fostering a culture of harmony and reconciliation. “We are grateful for the leadership and direction of the Rwandan government. Their efforts in promoting reconciliation, peace, and unity have created an environment where we can all live and work in a country that continues to rise. We remain committed to contributing to Rwanda's growth and building a better future for all,” she said. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Genocide Research Analyst, Dr Emmanuel Hakizimana, highlighted that Rwandans are now actively choosing the path forward by rejecting the constraints of their past and embracing a culture of dialogue. “We will continue to deliver a message of hope as Rwanda thrives under strong leadership with comprehensive programmes to promote national unity and improve the well-being of its citizens. This commitment to progress and stability is a testament to our collective resilience and shared vision for a better future, said Hakizimana. Hakizimana called upon all participants to join the collective efforts to educate the younger generations on the history of the Genocide, to fight genocide ideologies on various platforms, and to spur the country into unity and development.
