Gastibo holds mass anti-Genocide demonstrations

EASTERN PROVINCE Gatsibo—Following April allegations of holding Genocide ideology among Groupe Muhura Secondary School students, the district held on a ‘peace demonstration’ denouncing the ideology in area schools. The demonstration saw students from the entire district march in a four-kilometre rally. Desire Iraguha and Colonel Hirwa were tortured by fellow students at Muhara SS earlier this year when Iraguha’s school bag and scholastic materials were defecated on and thrown in a pit latrine. The demonstration march started in front of sector offices and passed through Muhura SS before ending at the parish recreational ground where speeches were given. “The residents and all district leaders denounce Genocide ideology in schools and in all positions of leadership,” Mayor Vianney Murego said. “There’s no gain in holding Genocide ideology since it’s the one which devastated and tarnished the Rwandan history. “Check in homes where you live whether there’s still remnants of the genocide ideology and tramp on it to restore the image of our country” said Murego. The mayor urged all school authorities and local leaders to help make good choices in life, as many were still trapped between tarnished histories of the country. “The good thing is that Rwanda has a visionary leadership headed by President Paul Kagame who is driving us in the right direction. The current Rwanda leadership has a zero tolerance for anyone holding Genocide ideology.” After the April incident, an entirely new school administration was installed. Former administrators were sacked, but later acquitted of Genocide ideology in court. Shortly after the demonstrations Murego said the district had given special attention to Muhura students. “We went ahead and met the school authorities and local leaders in Muhura sector and again the commission from the parliament with a mandate to fight Genocide ideology in schools,” Murego said. Some local authorities, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that, even after installing the new school administration, students have been writing threatening letters to the school warning to, “be ready to face it rough with us.” Ends