Tigo Rwanda’s senior management on Thursday visited Bisesero Genocide memorial centre to pay respects to victims and learn about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in the area. They donated solar power system to the memorial worth Rwf4.5 million raised by Tigo staff. This donation is part of the ‘Tigo 100 Days of Love’ initiative that comprises of a series of activities to build partnerships with the local community during kwibuka22. After touring the memorial, Tigo Rwanda chief executive officer, Tongai Maramba said the visit was educational. The team has heard about the story of resilience from the people who are determined to survive. This is an important lesson to everyone, he said. He commended the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) for managing and maintaining Genocide memorials. “Tigo is carrying out similar activities across the country in line with its commitment to remember and honour the lives that were lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We strongly recognise the huge role played by Genocide memorials in ensuring history is not repeated,” Maramba said. Chantal Umutoni, Tigo deputy chief executive officer, said they identified Bisesero as one of the remaining memorial sites in Rwanda with no electricity. “People come to remember and take more than three days in darkness so we proposed to connect for them solar power system to back daily operations and advancement of the memorial,” Umutoni said. She said that Tigo management chose to visit the Bisesero Genocide memorial in part to learn about Bisesero’s bravery and resistance to different attacks, and educate their staff as it is particularly made up of youth. Illuminee Dusabemariya, the head of Bisesero Genocide memorial centre welcomed the gesture as a good example to the Rwandan community. She, however, said a lot needs to be done in the development of the memorial, like building Bisesero history museum, wall containing names of victims laid in the memorial and installation of thunder conductors among others. Bisesero Genocide memorial centre is home to remains of more than 15,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
