On Friday afternoon, April 10, the atmosphere at Bank of Kigali headquarters was heavy with reflection as staff gathered to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi — including 15 of their own. Before a memorial monument bearing the names of former employees killed during the tragedy, BK Group leadership, staff, families of the victims, government officials, and members of the security organs stood in silence. Wreaths were laid gently, each gesture a tribute not only to lives lost, but to the lasting memories they represent. The commemoration, held across BK Group’s five subsidiaries, was more than a ritual of remembrance. It was a moment to reconnect with history — and to reflect on the responsibility of preserving it. From grief to gratitude Later, participants made their way to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where the scale of loss becomes impossible to ignore. At the mass graves, wreaths were laid once again, and silence spoke where words often fail. It was here that Athanase Murengerantwari, speaking on behalf of the victims’ families, shared a deeply personal reflection. Having joined the bank in 1995, just after the Genocide, he encountered the work left behind by those who had been killed — what he described as exceptional and enduring. For him, remembrance is not only about mourning. “Our responsibility today is to remain vigilant and to work together to fight Genocide ideology so that what happened never reoccurs,” he said. A message to the next generation As the country continues to rebuild and transform, BK Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana used the moment to turn reflection into a call for action — particularly directed at young people. He commended RPF Inkotanyi for stopping the Genocide and restoring unity among Rwandans, urging employees to draw lessons from history and play an active role in shaping the nation’s future. “In your daily responsibilities, embody Rwandan values and continue learning our history, because much of what we have achieved is rooted in it,” he said. Ndagijimana pointed to homegrown solutions such as the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme and the spirit of agaciro (dignity) as foundations of Rwanda’s resilience and unity. He also reaffirmed BK Group’s commitment to supporting the families of former employees who lost their lives. Stories of pain, strength, and renewal Among the most moving moments of the day was the testimony of Genocide survivor Innocent Kamanzi, who recounted the discrimination and loss his family endured in Nyamata. His story, like many others, carried both pain and resilience — a reminder of how far Rwanda has come, and the dignity and hope that have been restored in the years since. Commemoration as a responsibility Marie-Alice Kayumba, Executive Director in charge of National Unity and Community Resilience at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), emphasised that remembrance is not symbolic — it is a duty. “Commemoration is a responsibility for every Rwandan. As the country continues to develop, we must also protect those gains and actively confront Genocide denial and ideology,” she said. Her message reinforced a central theme of the day: that Kwibuka is not just about looking back, but about actively shaping the future. Confronting history, protecting truth Delivering a historical reflection, Amb. Francois Xavier Ngarambe traced the roots of the Genocide to years of divisive politics and indoctrination, warning that such ideology was deliberately cultivated across society. He challenged young people to take a leading role in confronting denial — especially in today’s digital spaces where misinformation can spread rapidly. “Genocide is the result of criminal politics. The Rwanda of today stands as its response, one that promotes unity, equality, and opportunity for all,” he said. Keeping memory alive Louis de Montfort Mujyambere, Executive Secretary of IBUKA, echoed the urgency of preserving memory through testimonies, noting that they remain a powerful tool in the fight against denial. He highlighted IBUKA’s ongoing initiative to collect survivors’ stories, ensuring that future generations understand the truth and carry it forward. A shared duty for the future The commemoration also featured poetry and a theatrical performance, all reflecting on the atrocities of the Genocide and Rwanda’s journey toward healing. Yet beyond the ceremonies and speeches, one message stood out clearly: remembrance must go hand in hand with responsibility. For BK Group and its staff — especially the youth — honouring those who were lost is inseparable from protecting what has been rebuilt. Rwanda’s unity, dignity, and progress now rest in the hands of a generation called not only to remember, but to act.
