{{The Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance today travels to Nyabihu District, the 15th stop on its nationwide tour.
The flame will return to Kigali on 7 April 2014, the start of the national mourning period and twenty years since the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. You can view an interactive map of the tour here.}}
Today’s event is hosted by Mayor Abdoulatif Twahirwa and will reflect on the events of 1994 as well as the journey of Nyabihu and Rwanda since. The special guest is Hon. Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture. Remarks will also be given by Senator Hon. Evariste Bizimana.
The Flame of Remembrance will be received from Rubavu District by two 20-year-old students, Sabrina Niyirera and Olivier Mpenzi. A choir from Mukamira Primary School will sing ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ to welcome the flame. The Master of Ceremony for today’s event is Leonard Muvandimwe.
Testimony will be given by Joseph Bagirinshuti (60) who will discuss the role of schools in promoting division. Testimony from Anastanzi Kayisire (47) will also be given.
Anastanzi survived the genocide and witnessed killings at a roadblock known as ‘Nyiranatrengwa’, meaning ‘You can’t cross’.
Jean Bosco Ndagijimana (46) will also speak. In 1994, he saved Anastanzi Kayisire. A poem of remebrance will be read by Celestin Kanyamusoro, who was born in Bigogwe sector.
Nyabihu is composed by former Nkuli, Nyamutera, Giciye, Karago and Mutura communes. Nyabihu had more than 7000 victims who today rest at the Mukamira genocide memorial.
Many of those who orchestrated the Genocide against the Tutsi, known as the inner circle (akazu), came from both Nyabihu and Rubavu districts, including President Habyarimana’s family, Col Theoneste Bagosora, Pascal Simbikangwa, Col. Anatole Nsengiyumva, Leon Mugesera and Hassan Ngeze.
The former mayor of Nkuli commune, Juvenal Kajelijeli, was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
In 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Bagogwe people (a group of Tutsi living in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu) were systematically murdered. Men and women were killed at Mukamira and the Bigogwe military barracks. Others were thrown into the Nyaruhonga cave in Nyabihu District.
The Genocide against the Tutsi began on 7 April 1994. After three days, almost all the Bagogwe people living in the area had been killed.
The militia who carried out the murders there were then transported to other parts of the country to continue the genocide.
RNP
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