On Friday, May 29, students and staff of Mount Kigali University joined their counterparts from sister institutions Kigali Paramount Hotel (KPH), Royal FM, and University Medical Center (UMC) in commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. The commemoration began with a visit to the Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial, the final resting place of approximately 105,000 victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. More than 3,000 of those victims were killed at the site after being abandoned by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) at ETO Kicukiro. The memorial also holds the remains of victims brought from various parts of Kicukiro District.
The commemoration was marked by a keynote lecture delivered by Lt. Col. Simon Kabera, Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), who spoke on the role of the Rwanda Patriotic Army in stopping the genocide, liberating Rwanda, and laying the foundation for the country’s recovery and reconstruction.
Lt. Col. Kabera emphasized the importance of understanding the history and stages of genocide in order to effectively prevent its recurrence. He explained that genocide is not a spontaneous event but rather a process that is carefully planned, executed, and often followed by attempts to deny or distort the truth.
“One of the most dangerous stages in the preparation of genocide is the dehumanization of people,” Lt. Col. Kabera said. “When individuals are stripped of their humanity, it becomes easier for perpetrators to justify violence against them.”
He highlighted how extremist media played a significant role in spreading hatred and division before the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. According to him, propaganda outlets such as RTLM referred to Tutsi as “cockroaches” and “snakes” and spread false narratives claiming that RPF-Inkotanyi soldiers had tails, all in an effort to dehumanize them and fuel violence.
Recalling his personal experience, Lt. Col. Kabera noted that many people believed such propaganda and even visited the then-Conseil National de Développement (CND) to verify the claims.
“I was fortunate to experience that period because I joined the army in 1991 at the age of 18,” he said. “We would hear people saying that we had tails, and we were astonished. Many people believed those claims and came to see us for themselves.”
He called upon young people to become guardians of historical truth and active participants in combating genocide denial and distortion, especially through modern technology and digital platforms.
“You who know the history have a responsibility to share it,” he said. “Use technology and social media to spread truth, just as those who seek to distort history use them. The future of our unity depends on your commitment to preserving the truth.”
Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Mount Kigali University, Dr Martin Kimemia, said that the gathering was both a national responsibility and a shared human duty to remember the lives lost during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.
He emphasized that the commemoration serves as a time to honor the memory of more than one million innocent lives that were brutally taken and to stand in solidarity with survivors whose resilience and determination have played a crucial role in rebuilding Rwanda.
“Today, we come together not only to remember the victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi but also to reaffirm our commitment to preserving truth, promoting justice, and strengthening unity among all Rwandans,” Dr Kimemia said.
The Vice Chancellor noted that remembrance provides an opportunity for reflection on the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and division. He encouraged participants to draw lessons from history and to remain vigilant against all forms of genocide ideology and intolerance.
Dr Kimemia further reaffirmed Mount Kigali University’s commitment to promoting historical truth, critical inquiry, ethical leadership, responsible citizenship, peacebuilding, and reconciliation through education.
“As institutions of learning and service, we have a responsibility to shape young people who value humanity, dignity, compassion, and social cohesion,” he said. “We must continue nurturing leaders who will champion unity and contribute positively to society.”
He urged students and staff to reject hate speech, divisionism, and all forms of discrimination while actively contributing to the creation of a peaceful, inclusive, and united Rwanda.
Beyond remembrance activities, the institutions demonstrated their commitment to community welfare through a humanitarian initiative that provided Mutuelle de Santé health insurance coverage to more than 130 vulnerable families in Gatenga Sector. The gesture reflected the spirit of solidarity, compassion, and collective responsibility that underpins Rwanda’s development journey.
