At Rebero, KPMG Rwanda honours Genocide victims, roots for courage, unity

Staff and management of KPMG Rwanda reflected on lessons of courage and unity at Rebero Genocide Memorial during a visit in which they honoured the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event, part of Kwibuka 32, was held on June 18. The site, located in Kigali, serves as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resistance against genocide ideology stands on the hill where tragedy, resistance and hope intersect. Mourners were told that the greatest tribute to those buried there is to build a Rwanda defined by truth, justice, unity and humanity. The Memorial is the final resting place of 21 politicians who lost their lives because they were against the Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial also holds the remains of more than 14,000 Tutsi murdered in different parts of Kigali during the Genocide. For KPMG Rwanda, the visit was not only an act of remembrance but also an opportunity for reflection and learning, particularly for its predominantly young workforce. “We chose to come to this memorial site to learn about the history of this place,” said Wilson Kaindi, Country Director and Partner at KPMG Rwanda Limited. “Many of our staff are below the age of 32. They were either not born during the Genocide or were too young to remember what happened. It is important for them to understand this history.” Kaindi explained that KPMG, a global audit, tax and advisory services firm – operating in Rwanda through its East Africa practice – considers community engagement an important part of its corporate responsibility. “As a company, we believe communities are important to us. Every year during this period, we undertake activities associated with commemoration,” he said. “Sometimes we visit memorial sites and sometimes we connect with survivors and provide support to remind them that we stand together with them and acknowledge what they went through.” During the visit, KPMG staff laid wreaths, observed a moment of silence and made a donation in support of memorial activities and remembrance efforts. Mourners were taken through a history that reveals how the hill played a strategic role during the Genocide. Before 1994, Rebero was used by the genocidal government as a key military and political position from which it controlled both Kigali and Bugesera. The area hosted numerous high-level meetings where plans related to the Genocide were discussed and resources mobilised. Rebero’s legacy of courage and resistance The memorial also tells the story of resistance. In April 1994, the Rwanda Patriotic Army’s 3rd Battalion, popularly known as “The 600,” captured Rebero Hill in a decisive operation that weakened government forces carrying out the Genocide. The liberation of the hill opened routes that enabled rescue missions for Tutsi who were hiding in neighbourhoods across Kigali, including Gikondo, Nyamirambo, Nyakabanda, Mumena, Kivugiza and Rwampara. For some visitors, the most powerful lesson comes from the politicians buried there. Since 2006, Rebero has been designated as a special memorial honouring politicians, including Tutsi and moderate Hutu leaders who opposed the genocidal plan and paid the ultimate price for defending human dignity and justice. “It is inspiring to know that even when that evil was happening, there were politicians who stood against it,” Kaindi said. “Unfortunately, it cost many of them their lives.” ALSO READ: What to know about 21 politicians remembered for opposing Genocide Mourners understood that doing what is right is not always easy, but moral courage matters. The leaders commemorated at Rebero chose principle over personal safety, demonstrating that integrity and humanity must never be compromised, even in the face of danger. Kaindi noted that beyond the statistics, every victim buried at Rebero represented a life full of dreams, ambitions and relationships. “Each of those victims represented a family, a friend and a future that was cut short,” he said. “Remembering them should inspire us to love one another, respect humanity and continue building a united nation.” Youth urged to reject hate and misinformation The visit also underscored conversations about the responsibilities facing young people in the digital age. With social media and online platforms shaping public opinion at unprecedented speed, Kaindi emphasised the need for responsible use of technology. “There are many opportunities that come with the internet, especially for young people,” he said. “But it should never be used as a tool to spread propaganda, hatred or misinformation.” Instead, he encouraged youth to use digital platforms to build careers, promote unity, create opportunities and contribute positively to society. He warned against conspiracy theories and divisive messages that undermine reconciliation and social cohesion.

News

At Rebero, KPMG Rwanda honours Genocide victims, roots for courage, unity