IPRC Karongi, on 23^rd June, 2022, honoured the memory of staff and students, of former ETO Kibuye and EAFO Nyamishaba schools, who were killed during the genocide perpetrated against Tutsi in 1994. The ceremony was started with laying flowers on the monument built in IPRC Karongi, and on which is written some names of the victims that were commemorated.

In her speech, the Mayor of Karongi district, Mrs. Vestine Mukarutesi, who was the guest of honour, has said that commemoration of the genocide against Tutsi in 1994 is an initial step to fighting against its deniers either those who are internal the country or abroad. She has therefore urged IPRC Karongi youth to omit anybody who can mislead them into lies about the history of Rwanda.

She said, “Nowadays, genocide deniers are strategically using social media, so it is your role as the youth to exhibit all good things the country has achieved. Leave out those who tell lies about our history, and refute their thoughts using the same channels, social media platforms.”

Delivering her remarks Mrs. Dominique Ingabire, the Principal of IPRC Karongi has said that they do not only remember the 1994 genocide against Tutsi on a special day like today, rather they do so always.

“The message we give to the youth who were born after the genocide is that commemoration is to go back, listen and understand the history of Rwanda from which we gain strength for healing and aiming at bright future. I encourage young people to prevent all kind of divisionism, but strive for unity, peace and development,” the Principal of IPRC Karongi speaking to the media.

The president of Ibuka in Karongi district Mr. Isaac Habarugira has explained the 1994 genocide history at Nyamishaba which was the school of agriculture and forestry. He also emphasized  that they wish to have a symbol at the shore of Kivu lake so that they can have a particular moment to honour those who died swallowed by the lake.

He said, “There were different groups which were committing the genocide, but Nyamishaba was particular because of its students originated from regions that were in hands of Inkotanyi when they came to liberate Rwaanda. During the vacations, those students used to remain at school, thus being very annoyed by staying at school while others were on holidays, they extremely perpetrated the genocide in EAFO Nyamishaba.”

Bernard Kayagira who was a student in Agronomy at EAFO Nyamishaba during the genocide against the Tutsi, has said that they have a plan to collect information in order to know their fellow students and teachers who might be massacred in Nyamishaba as their former director together with his wife and children were killed there. He suggested to continue remember the victims and support the survivors.

IPRC Karongi is used to supporting disadvantaged survivors, of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, in Karongi district and particularly this year, during 100 days of commemoration, they visited all families that they supported during previous years since 2013 in order to continue addressing some of socio-economic problems they may have.

The event was started with laying flowers on the monument in respect of the commemorated victims.

The Mayor of Karongi District laid wreath on the monument in honour of the victims who were commemorated.

The Principal of IPRC Karongi honoured the staff and students who were killed in the genocide against Tutsi in 1994.

They set and shared the light of hope.

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