Staff and management of CANAL+ Rwanda, alongside CANALBOX, filmmakers and cinema personalities from Zacu Entertainment, on April 17 visited the Rebero Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event blended remembrance with a renewed commitment to unity and responsibility. The visit, held during the 32nd Kwibuka period, brought together media entities and creatives to reflect on Rwanda’s history while recognising their role in shaping narratives that promote truth, reconciliation, and resilience. Located in Kicukiro District, Rebero Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 14,400 Genocide victims, including 21 politicians who were killed for opposing the genocidal regime. The site also holds remains of victims exhumed from different parts of Kigali — for a decent burial there — making it one of the country’s most historically significant memorials. During the visit, CANAL+, CANALBOX and Zacu Entertainment staff laid wreaths at the memorial and observed a moment of silence in honour of, overall, more than one million lives lost during the Genocide against the Tutsi, countrywide. Call for shared responsibility in remembrance Tribute and moment of reflection Speaking at the event, CANAL+ Rwanda Managing Director Sophie TCHATCHOUA underscored the shared responsibility of remembrance, observing that the history of the Genocide transcends nationality and belongs to humanity as a whole. “It is a story of humanity — of darkness, but also of resurrection, reconciliation, and renewal. Remembering is not just about words. ‘Never again’ must be lived, both individually and collectively,” she said. TCHATCHOUA highlighted the role of media institutions in contributing to Rwanda’s rebuilding journey, stressing the need to actively counter denial and harmful narratives while promoting unity. “We must commit, professionally and personally, to building Rwanda and to rejecting any discourse that distorts the truth about the Genocide against the Tutsi,” she added. Reflecting on history and consequences of the Genocide The commemoration also featured a historical reflection delivered by Oleg Olivier Karambizi, an analyst at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), who underscored the importance of understanding the origins and consequences of the Genocide. He described the Genocide as “a failure of humanity,” stressing that remembrance is not solely about mourning but also learning from the past and safeguarding the future. “Commemoration is about reaffirming our commitment that what happened will never happen again,” he said, urging participants to confront denial and remain vigilant against divisive ideologies. Historical significance of Rebero Hill Participants were also taken through the historical significance of Rebero Hill by Anne Marie Nyiracumi, who explained that the site once served as a strategic military base and a venue for high-level meetings where plans for the Genocide were orchestrated between 1990 and 1994. Formerly known as Nyarurama Hill, Rebero’s strategic position overlooking Kigali and Bugesera made it a key location for the then Armed Forces of Rwanda (FAR). It later became a priority target for the Rwanda Patriotic Front’s (RPF-Inkotanyi) during the liberation struggle. On April 11, 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Army’s (RPA) 3rd Battalion, known as “The 600,” captured the hill in a decisive operation that enabled the rescue of the Tutsi who had been hiding in various parts of Kigali. Survivors were sheltered at the site until the liberation of the city on July 4, 1994. Rebero as a national remembrance site Since 1995, Rebero has been a central site for national remembrance, where victims have been reburied with dignity. In 2006, it also became a dedicated memorial for politicians who were killed for resisting the Genocide ideology. TCHATCHOUA and Zacu Entertainment CEO Nelly Wilson Misago also left a message in the memorial guest book, reaffirming their commitment to remembrance and responsible storytelling in line with preserving memory.
