Seventy-eight women convicted of crimes related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have completed a reintegration programme designed to prepare them for life in their communities after serving their sentences.

The women completed the ninth edition of a training programme on promoting unity and resilience at Nyamagabe Correctional Facility in Southern Province. The training ran from August 31 to September 23, 2026, with 13 participants released on Wednesday as the programme ended.

Led by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), in collaboration with Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) and partners, the programme prepares inmates nearing the end of their sentences to return to their families and communities and participate constructively in society.

The training covered unity and reconciliation, the history and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi, prevention of genocide ideology, family conflict resolution, adapting to changes in society and the role of former convicts in contributing to national development.

Marie Alice Kayumba Uwera, Executive Director for National Unity and Community Resilience at MINUBUMWE, urged the women to apply the lessons they had received and make a genuine change in their lives.

"The lessons you have received should remain with you and help you to make a genuine transformation, committing yourselves to beginning a new and constructive journey, free from division and genocide ideology, and based instead on the right choice of being united,” Kayumba said.

She also called on families and communities to welcome those completing their sentences without suspicion or prejudice and help them rebuild their lives.

"It is important to live with them again without suspicion and prejudice, but rather to help them work together with others in the journey of promoting unity and resilience,” she said.

Preparing for life after prison

The programme targets inmates with about six months remaining on their sentences, helping them prepare for their return to families and communities while strengthening their understanding of unity, reconciliation, resilience and their responsibilities as citizens.

It also seeks to help participants rebuild relationships with relatives, neighbours and people affected by the crimes they committed, while equipping them with knowledge to prevent genocide ideology and other forms of violence and criminality.

Chief Superintendent Olive Mukantabana, Commissioner in Charge of Correctional Services at RCS, said the training was particularly important because some participants had spent more than a decade in correctional facilities and would have to adjust to significant changes in society.

"We have seen that the training is necessary. I believe there are changes compared with how you were when you came for the training,” Mukantabana said.

She said some inmates had acquired literacy skills while serving their sentences and urged them to continue adapting to developments in society, including emerging technologies.

The programme also includes workforce and life skills intended to help participants become productive members of their communities after completing their sentences.

More than 2,000 inmates trained

Kayumba said 2,103 inmates have participated in the programme since it was launched in 2025, including 1,899 men and 204 women.

A further group of about 600 male inmates at Nyamasheke Correctional Facility in Western Province is expected to undergo similar training next month.

The training covers Rwanda’s history of national unity and its breakdown, the planning and implementation of the Genocide against the Tutsi and its consequences, post-genocide reconstruction, genocide ideology and related crimes, citizenship, and the role of former convicts in strengthening unity, reconciliation and resilience.

Sophie Musabeyezu, from Dignité en Detention (DiDe), urged the women to accept changes in their communities and play an active role in preventing genocide ideology.

"Genocide ideology must be fought against because you know where it led Rwandans. Be among those who fight against it,” she said.

‘We want to return as contributors’

Margaritte Nzamusabande, an inmate from Nyaruguru District, said the women wanted to return to their communities ready to contribute to development and reconciliation.

"We are returning to society ready to contribute, participate in government programmes and take part in development activities,” she said.

She added that they intended to tell the truth about the Genocide, apologise to people against whom they committed crimes and help prevent genocide ideology.

Theresie Mukamacumu, who represented the trainees, said the programme had helped them understand the history and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the dangers of genocide ideology and ways of resolving family conflicts.

"We aim to be solutions rather than problems in society. We want to tell the truth to those against whom we committed crimes and apologise to them,” she said.

Families call for support and truth

Emmanuel Ndagijimana, who came to receive a relative who was released, said families should welcome those returning with love rather than rejection.

"What we want to give them is love. As a society, we should avoid using offensive words against them and instead help them reintegrate,” he said.

He also urged those returning to provide information that could help families locate the remains of victims whose whereabouts remain unknown, saying this would enable them to give victims a decent burial.

Desiré Ndagiyikunze, another family member, said communities were ready to help returnees adapt to changes that had taken place during their years in prison.

"We are happy that they are back in society. We are ready to support them in their daily lives and help them adapt to the current lifestyle,” she said.

Valens Samvura, Nyamagabe District Executive Secretary, urged the women to maintain good conduct, avoid discrimination and conflict, and contribute to peaceful families and communities.

"We urge you to have good behaviour in society. Avoid anything that causes discrimination. Instead, continue building peaceful families and a peaceful country,” he said.

MINUBUMWE has also called on local leaders to follow up on the reintegration of people who complete their sentences and provide support where necessary, stressing that reintegration should continue beyond the correctional facility through the support of families, local authorities and communities.