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The Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance today reaches Kayonza District, the 23rd stop on its tour of Rwanda. The flame will return to Kigali on 7 April 2014, the start of the national mourning period and twenty years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. You can view an interactive map of the tour here. The flame travels next to Mwurire in Rwamagana District on 20 March 2014.
Today’s event is hosted by Mayor John Mugabo and will reflect on the events of the 1994 genocide as well as the journey of unity and renewal in Kayonza and Rwanda since. The Flame of Remembrance will be received from Gatsibo District by two 20-year-old students, Claudine Ucyeye and Emmanuel Kwizera. A children’s choir from Mukarange School, Bright Light and O.L.P Primary Schools will sing ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ (Never Ending Flame) to welcome the flame. The special guest is Oda Gasinzigwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion. The Governor of the Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya will also speak.
Didas Ndindabahizi (42), a survivor of the genocide, will give testimony at today’s event. Didas was 22 years old when the genocide began and was a history student at the National University of Rwanda, Nyakinama campus. He faced severe discrimination and was physically assaulted while at university. His parents were killed during the genocide and are buried at Mukarange memorial.
Tito Munyentwari (34) will read a poem called “Ikaze Urumuri Rutazima” which tells the history of Rwanda, the events of the 1994 genocide, reconciliation since and hope for the future.
Jean Nzabanterura (59), a genocide perpetrator, will give a testimony of unity. Jean was 39 years old when he participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. He was convicted and has since served his sentence. Today he is back in his community.
Kayonza District is made up of the former communes of Kabarondo, Rukara, Muhazi, Kayonza and Rukara in what was known as Kibungo Prefecture. When the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began on 7 April 1994, people fled to different places like Mukarange and Kabarondo Catholic Churches as well as the Rwinkwavu Health Center.
In Kayonza, Tutsi were killed in their homes as well as on their way to the parishes where they thought they would be safe. More than 6,000 Tutsi fled to Mukarange Parish. They were killed on 12 and 13 April 1994 – just days after almost 3,700 people were killed at Kiziguro Parish on 11 April 1994.
Jean-Baptiste Gatete led the massacres in the area where he served as mayor from 1987 to 1993. He led the slaughter of Tutsi at Kiziguro and then brought the militia to the Mukarange parish to join residents of Kayonza to kill the Tutsi who had taken refuge there. Afterwards they went to kill those who were at Kabarondo Parish. This was done alongside local residents.
Kayonza has seven genocide memorials where 28,000 victims of the genocide are now buried.
The Rwandan Patriotic Army arrived in Kayonza on 17 April 1994 and rescued many Tutsi.
Kwibuka20 Flame Tour: Kayonza Program
When: 2:00 – 4:00pm, 16 March 2014
Where: Mukarange, Kayonza District
- Welcome remarks from the Master of Ceremony Children’s Choir from Mukarange School, Bright Light and O.L.P Primary Schools singing Urumuri Rutazima
- Remarks by Kayonza Mayor John Mugabo Screening of the Kwibuka20
- Short film, Remember, Unite, Renew Testimony from survivor Didas Ndindabahizi
- Poem from Tito Munyentwari Testimony of unity from perpetrator Jean Nzabanterura Guests invited to write Ribbons of Remembrance
- Introduction by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya
- Remarks by Special Guest Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Final performance of Urumuri Rutazima
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.
Source: Kwibuka.rw
