With many having served between 10 and 30 years in prison, 266 Genocide convicts, including 101 women, have completed a month-long reintegration programme preparing them for life beyond incarceration. This marks the seventh cohort of such training since its launch in March 2025. The programme emphasises unity, accountability, and peaceful coexistence, equipping participants with skills to reintegrate successfully into their communities. The completion ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 18, at Nyamagabe Correctional Facility, where officials urged participants to reject genocide ideology and promote national cohesion as they return to society. Organised by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) in collaboration with the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), the programme targets inmates who are six months or less away from completing their sentences, aiming to prevent relapse into divisive behaviour and to strengthen social harmony. “We want participants to live in harmony with the communities they will return to,” said Marie-Alice Kayumba Uwera, Executive Director in Charge of National Unity and Community Resilience. “Some former inmates struggle to coexist with survivors’ families or may relapse into harmful behaviours. This training helps them avoid such pitfalls.” Many participants have been imprisoned for decades, returning to communities that have transformed significantly since their incarceration. “For many, prison has been like being away from the country. Rwanda has undergone tremendous change, and even minor misunderstandings could escalate into conflict if caution is not taken,” Kayumba added. Through interactive sessions, discussions, films, and testimonies, participants gain tools to manage trauma, repair relationships, and actively contribute to peacebuilding. Accountability and national unity A cornerstone of the programme is truth-telling and accountability, essential for healing. Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, has consistently emphasised that accepting responsibility for crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is critical for both personal and national reconciliation. “Acknowledging past crimes and seeking forgiveness are key to rebuilding trust and becoming responsible citizens,” Dr. Bizimana said in a similar training held earlier. Chief Superintendent Olive Mukantabana, Commissioner in Charge of Correctional Services, noted the challenges participants face after long absences from family and society. “Spending 10 to 30 years away from family and community is significant. We are encouraged by participants’ commitments to reintegrate as reformed individuals,” she said. Thadée Habimana, Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development in Nyamagabe District, described the programme as a sign of inclusive governance. “It reflects leadership that leaves no one behind, even those who committed serious crimes. Participants should actively seek forgiveness and avoid divisive actions,” he said. Participants’ commitment Inmates who completed the training acknowledged the need to reject genocide ideology, restore trust with victims, and contribute to national development. “We must avoid genocide ideology because it led to our crimes and caused us to spend so many years in prison,” one participant said. The training, which began on February 23, included practical guidance for navigating family relations, resolving community conflicts, and participating in national development programmes. Officials stress that these programmes are vital for ensuring successful reintegration and sustaining Rwanda’s long-term goals of national unity, reconciliation, and peace. As Rwanda continues to build on its post-genocide recovery, initiatives like this empower former convicts to become responsible citizens and contributors to a united nation.
