Leaders and staff from the Office of the Prime Minister (Primature), the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), and the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC) on Friday, May 29, commemorated former employees who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The commemoration event attended by survivors and the families of the victims was held at Ntarama Genocide Memorial in Bugesera District. It featured survivor testimony, wreath laying, a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Genocide, reflections on Rwanda’s history, and calls to strengthen unity and fight genocide ideology. Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva highlighted the importance of survivor testimonies in remembrance. “Hearing these testimonies should remind us of our responsibility to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he said. ALSO READ: 32 years later, Rwanda remembers He noted that the 100 days of commemoration provide an opportunity for reflection on the country’s painful history and a chance to strengthen efforts aimed at rebuilding unity and preventing divisionism. “The Genocide against the Tutsi was not an accident. It was planned and implemented through bad governance and destructive decisions,” he said. Nsengiyumva emphasized that leaders and public servants today carry the responsibility of making decisions that improve the well-being of Rwandans and uphold the values of integrity, unity, and accountability. “The way we do our work and the values we uphold are important. The way we serve citizens determines how valued Rwandans feel by their government,” he said. He warned that failure to uphold unity and integrity creates divisions that can lead to tragedies similar to the genocide. “Every one of us has a responsibility to ensure that ‘Never Again’ becomes a reality through our daily actions, by fighting all forms of division and serving all Rwandans equally,” he added. The Prime Minister also cautioned against complacency, noting that genocide ideology, denial, and minimization still exist. “We should not think that because 32 years have passed, genocide ideology is over. There are still people who distort Rwanda’s history and spread division, especially through modern communication platforms. It is the responsibility of both the young and old to protect the truth and prevent any attempts to take Rwanda back to its dark past,” he said. Nsengiyumva commended the Ministry of Justice and its affiliated institutions for continuing efforts to prosecute Genocide fugitives. He further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting survivors, particularly elderly ones who live in Impinganzima homes, citing the example of the facility in Bugesera District. “The right way to honour those who were killed is to work hard, build the country, and protect the progress Rwanda has achieved. The Rwanda we see today is the country they wished for future generations,” he said. During a discussion on Kwibuka 32, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascène Bizimana, stressed the importance of understanding history. “Every country must learn from its history to understand what to prevent and what values to build on while preparing for the future,” he said. Bizimana noted that Rwanda must continue rebuilding based on its traditional values, which united Rwandans for centuries before colonialism. He also warned that genocide ideology has not been eradicated and that some people continue to spread it, particularly among young people, through social media platforms. The minister explained how poor political decisions and divisive governance contributed to the Genocide that killed more than one million people. Bizimana also highlighted events that unfolded in Bugesera District before and during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which prove that massacres were planned. Liliane Murangwayire, a Genocide survivor who gave testimony during the event, urged young people to learn the true history of Rwanda and reject hatred and division. “Genocide does not start with killings. It starts with division, hateful words, and silence,” Murangwayire said. She emphasized that protecting national unity is everyone’s responsibility and noted that although the genocide left deep wounds, survivors have continued rebuilding their lives with resilience and hope.
