Rwanda National Police

Today’s event is hosted by Mayor Willy Ndizeye and will reflect on the events of the 1994 genocide as well as the journey of unity and renewal in Gasabo and Rwanda since. The Flame of Remembrance will be received by two 20 years olds, Afisa Tuyizere and Emmanuel Karenzi. A children’s choir from Groupe Scolaire Ndera will sing ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ (Never Ending Flame) to welcome the flame. The special guest is the Minister of Defence, Hon. James Kabarebe. The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, will also speak.

Genocide survivor Josephine Murebwayire will give testimony at today’s event. Josephine took refuge at the Ndera Hospital for Mental Health and was the only person to survive the massacres there. Gaspard Kalisa was born in 1961 in the former Rubungo Commune in Kigali. During the genocide, Gaspard saved approximately 30 families. He was awarded by IBUKA (the umbrella organisation for survivors groups in Rwanda) in recognition of what he did in 1994 and will also speak. 

Gasabo District is composed of the former Kacyiru, Rubungo, Gikoro, Gikomero and Rutongo communes. Before 1994, Gasabo was a mostly rural area except for the Kacyiru commune. Many Tutsi lived in Gasabo District, most of whom were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. 

At the Ruhanga memorial 32,257 victims are buried. A large group of Tutsi took refuge at a Protestant church there. After a brief resistance, they were attacked and killed by Interahamwe militia, backed by government soldiers. Tutsi in Jali took refuge in the Catholic Church there and were killed by soldiers from Jali Military Camp backed by militia from around the area. The remains of more than 26,000 Tutsi lie at rest there.

When the genocide started, Tutsi from Remera, Kimironko and Gacuriro fled to Kibagaba Catholic Church. They were attacked by soldiers from Kami Military Camp and were killed by grenade attacks and bullets. More than 24,000 victims of the genocide are buried in Kibagaba.

On the 7 April 1994 in Ndera, Tutsi and moderate Hutu fled to Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital, which was run at the time by white catholic clergy. On 11 April 1994, one thousand innocent civilians who had sought refuge at a school known as Petit Seminaire, Ndera were murdered. On the 17 April 2014 more than 20,000 people who had sought protection in the hospital were also killed. 

Belgian Commandos were sent in, but they only rescued foreigners and left hundreds of Tutsi to die at the hands of soldiers and militia. Ndera stands as a reminder of the failure of the international community during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Today, more than 20,000 victims are buried at the Ndera Genocide Memorial. 

Kwibuka20 Flame Tour: Gasabo Program

When: 2:00PM – 4:00PM, 3 April 2014                 

Where: Petit Seminaire, Ndera, Gasabo District 

Background Information on the Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance

The Kwibuka Flame symbolises remembrance as well as the resilience and courage of Rwandans over the past twenty years. Carried in a simple lamp, the flame will be used to light other lamps in communities around Rwanda. To mark twenty years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, all memorial fires throughout the country will be lit from this single Kwibuka Flame. 

President Paul Kagame will use the Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance to light the National Flame of Mourning. This will take place on 7 April 2014, marking the official beginning of the national mourning period to commemorate the genocide in Rwanda. The flame will also be the source for lighting candles at a vigil at Amahoro Stadium on the evening of 7 April 2014. Learn more about the Flame and its nationwide tour here. 

Photos from today’s event will be available on the Kwibuka Flickr and videos will be available on the Kwibuka YouTube channel.  Please direct all media enquiries to media@kwibuka.rw.