Ibuka President Philbert Gakwenzire has called on UR students to seek inspiration from the sacrifices of past generations, as the University of Rwanda’s Gikondo Campus marked the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on Friday, May 9, 2025.
The event brought together students, faculty, genocide survivors, government officials, and members of the Ibuka survivors’ organisation to reflect on the past and reaffirm Rwanda’s journey toward unity and healing.
Representing the Senate, Telesphore Ngarambe joined Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance Françoise Kayitare Tengera, university leadership, and Ibuka President Philbert Gakwenzire in laying wreaths at the campus memorial in honour of those who were killed.
In his keynote address, Gakwenzire emphasised the importance of confronting Rwanda’s past without allowing it to hinder progress.
“Rwanda’s history holds many achievements, but its tragic chapters often overshadow them,” he said.
“We must connect our history with the present to move forward.”
Reflecting on the colonial legacy, Gakwenzire traced the roots of ethnic division to European imperial rule, which introduced discriminatory ideologies, including the so-called “scientific racism.”
“Rwanda has always had intelligent people and strong, community-rooted leadership. But to colonial powers, this posed a threat,” he noted.
“What should have been our strength became our burden. European colonialism brought with it the disease of ethnic division.”
He cautioned against the misuse of academic disciplines like raciology and physical anthropology, which were historically used to dehumanise people, stressing the need for critical engagement with knowledge that uplifts rather than divides.
Addressing the youth, Gakwenzire urged them to look to past generations for inspiration, reminding them of those who made sacrifices to allow Rwanda to rebuild.
The ceremony featured powerful testimonies from survivors, including Nyinawumuntu Clarisse, who lost more than 100 family members during the genocide.
“I am an only child because of history,” she said.
“We had no opportunity to bury our loved ones. But healing does not mean being trapped in sorrow.”
Now serving at the Ministry of Finance, Clarisse described her academic journey as an act of quiet resistance—from enduring ethnic discrimination in school to completing postgraduate studies.
“I felt I had to study for those in my family who never had the chance. It was painful, but it became my way of fighting back.”
The University of Rwanda was commended for its continued support of vulnerable survivors.
Gakwenzire expressed appreciation for the university’s response to Ibuka’s earlier request for partnership, which has included providing livestock, health insurance, and other forms of assistance to survivors still facing hardship.
Elisa Uwineza / The Kaminuza Star