Mount Kigali College has known as on graduates and younger individuals to face agency in opposition to genocide ideology and all types of hate speech. The upper studying establishment made the decision because it joined the nation within the thirty second commemoration of the 1994 Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi.
The commemoration occasion, held on Friday, Could 29, introduced collectively college students, employees members, and college management led by Vice Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia. Representatives from the Ministry of Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Royal FM, and Paramount Lodge additionally attended the solemn occasion.
The programme started with a go to to the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District, the place greater than 105,000 victims of the Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi are laid to relaxation. Amongst them are over 3,000 victims who have been killed on the very hill the place the memorial now stands, after being transferred from the previous ETO Kicukiro web site.
Younger individuals challenged to defend unity and humanity
Talking throughout the occasion, Dr. Kimemia reminded members that the 100 days of commemoration ought to function a interval to face for fact, unity, and humanity. He careworn that universities shouldn’t solely produce expert professionals but additionally accountable residents able to rejecting genocide ideology and hate speech.
“We collect right here for fact and humanity as we stand united to honour a couple of million lives misplaced throughout the Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi. This commemoration can be about defending the long run from repeating the ache of the previous,” he stated.
He added that the accountability of safeguarding Rwanda’s unity and achievements now lies within the fingers of younger individuals.
“The safety of what this nation has achieved lies in your fingers. Younger individuals should grow to be ambassadors of unity, resilience, and humanity,” Dr. Kimemia noticed.
Genocide survivor Felix Rucayi, was a nine-year-old boy, dwelling in Kicukiro in 1994.
Survivor recounts assault, extreme accidents, and message of unity
Genocide survivor Felix Rucayi, who was a nine-year-old boy dwelling in Kicukiro in 1994, shared a shifting testimony concerning the violence he witnessed and the lasting affect it had on his life.
He recalled how escalating assaults compelled his household to flee in the hunt for security. Alongside the way in which, they have been ambushed by assailants who threw grenades earlier than opening hearth on civilians.
Lots of the individuals fleeing alongside his household have been killed throughout the assault.
Rucayi survived however sustained extreme accidents, together with the lack of three fingers on his proper hand.
There are painful moments from that tragic historical past that I can not totally bear in mind, however I survived as a result of the RPF-Inkotanyi reached the place I used to be struggling. I’m grateful for the bravery and sacrifice they confirmed in rescuing us,” he stated.
“That’s one thing I’ll all the time carry with me as I proceed spreading the message of unity and inspiring Rwandans to keep away from hatred, as a result of I witnessed how far such division virtually destroyed us.”
RDF urges youth to defend fact and struggle genocide ideology
The Deputy Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Power (RDF), Lt. Col. Simon Kabera, took members by means of the completely different phases that led to the Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi.
He urged the gathering to mirror on their accountability to contribute to nationwide growth and protect what has been achieved, underscoring that combating genocide ideology is a shared accountability.
“I wish to remind you that the RPF-Inkotanyi stopped the Genocide when the world turned away from us. Nobody can deny that. Younger individuals ought to assist the struggle in opposition to this ideology by sharing correct and factual info on social media,” he stated.
“We should grow to be champions of the reality, share it with others, and keep in mind that wherever we’re, we’re ambassadors of our nation,” he added.
