UR Huye Campus students during Kwibuka 28 commemoration
The University of Rwanda, Huye Campus students commemorated the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi.
It is an event that took place on Wednesday, 28, 2022, in the main auditorium of the Huye Campus following the talks prepared by the MINUBUMWE (Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagements.
The talks were based on Rwandan history from the Pre-colonial, colonial, and after a colonial periods where the students were reminded of Rwandan history until the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi.
Ibuka president at Huye district, Siboyintore, one of the officials who lead the talks, reminded the students that it is of great value to be called a Rwandan wherever they go.
“You should be proud of being a Rwandan. Whether you are in Rwanda or outside Rwanda in foreign countries, bear in mind that you are not a Tutsi, Hutu, or Twa but the Rwandans. That is why there is no longer value for those ethnicities but only for Rwandanness. Rwanda Day is also an agenda that helps Rwandan Diaspora to continue developing Rwandanness whereby a Rwandan always thinks about Rwanda.” Said Siboyintore
Following the six Genocide related crimes including Genocide ideology as informed by Ibuka president, Siboyintore.
Siboyintore, Ibuka President at Huye district
Emmanuel Rwabagina, a year three student in Finance and vice coordinator of an Association of Students Survivors of Genocide (AERG) at the Huye Campus announced that commemorating helps in taking journey forward compared to the destruction left by 1994 Genocide.
” Remembering Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi is a concern of not only AERG but also every Rwandan. It also defines our history as Rwanda especially the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi. Therefore, remembering helps us evaluate what has been the trigger of that history, understand the journey we walked and gives us a brighter future that we stand today”, Emmanuel said.
He emphasized that no matter what Rwanda went through, there must be development.
He added: “I cannot exactly mention the percentage of Genocide ideology among the university but I cannot deny its existence even in the Rwandan community at large. However, we have a task and a huge contribution to give to the community for decreasing the Genocide ideology.”
The commemoration took place at UR Huye Campus main Auditorium
Clarisse Umuhoza, a student in year three, says that Remembering the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi helps her gain the power to serve her country.
“We, the youth, get power to build our country when we remember since some youth, in 1994, used their energy and got involved in Genocide. Contrary to that, we should use all our energy in building our nation.”
Clarisse adds that she is proud of being called a ‘Rwandan’ instead of ethnic groups of ‘Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa’ because they only lead to losing parents, children, family members, and friends.
Another student from the Department of Translation and Interpretation, Gilbert Ishimwe said that Rwanda’s journey of unity and reconciliation has brought many foundational changes leading to development.
Genocide commemoration at the campus level happened on 22 April 2022. However, given the small number of students who were at the campus then, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement organized other talks for students from lower levels to the universities after reporting back to the schools.
The theme of the talks as given by MINUBUMWE was, “Uruhare rw’Ingengabitekerezo ya Jenoside mu Gusenya Ubumwe bw’Abanyarwanda n’Inshingano za Buri Munyarwanda mu Kubaka Ubumwe Bwacu.” which translates to “The Role of Genocide Ideology on Destroying the Unity of Rwandans and each Rwandan’s Responsibilities in Restoration of our Unity.”
The approximate 450 bodies of killed Tutsis among whom there were university staff, workers and students rest at the UR-Huye Campus’s Genocide memorial site.
By Pheneas SEBEZA
