Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Organized by Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) Canada, the event—whose name “Ku Gicaniro” means “at the bonfire” in Kinyarwanda—served as a symbolic gathering space for community reflection and healing. It brought together youth, survivors, and allies in an artistic tribute to the more than one million lives lost during one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters.

The evening began with a moment of silence, a reading of victims’ names, and a candle-lighting ceremony that transformed grief into collective reverence. The moments honoured not just those who died, but who they were: students, sisters, fathers, dreamers.

A curated exhibition welcomed guests before the formal program, offering a powerful walk through visual and written testimonies. The intention, organizers said, was not to consume history, but to carry it—to resist forgetting through art and storytelling.

Art was at the heart of the program. Musical performances and a stage play provided emotional expression where words alone might fall short. The performance reminded the audience that “art remembers what history tries to forget.”

One of the most moving moments came when genocide survivor Mukarukundo Godelieve, known as Maman Casta, publicly shared her story for the first time in a heartfelt conversation with her daughter, Casta. The dialogue between mother and daughter became a powerful handoff of memory: an intimate, courageous act of intergenerational truth-telling.

A documentary screening followed, exploring how to teach the history of genocide to children. It posed a challenging but necessary question: How do you explain a wound this deep to a child? The film emphasized the importance of teaching with honesty, compassion, and clarity, especially as survivor voices grow fewer with time.

In his address, Pascal Kanyemera, President of the Humura Survivors Association, praised the youth-led effort, highlighting the role of digital platforms in combating genocide denial. He also spoke about Humura’s ongoing memorial initiatives to preserve truth and history.

The Rwandan Ambassador to Canada, Prosper Higiro, offered a powerful reminder that genocide is not an accident but a deliberate political crime. He spoke candidly about the ideology that preceded the 1994 atrocities and urged the youth to stand firm in defending unity, dignity, and truth.

The evening closed with remarks from Danny, Representative of PLP Canada, who reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to remembrance and youth engagement. He stated that the aim of PLP Canada is to create safe, intentional, and powerful spaces, where young people can remember, reflect, and reconnect with their identity and history.

The evening left attendees moved, inspired, and reminded that while the genocide against the Tutsi ended 31 years ago, the responsibility to remember — and to resist forgetting — lives on through the voices and visions of Rwanda’s youth.

The sombre ceremony was marked by prayers led by different religious leaders, testimonies from Genocide survivors, as well as the laying of wreaths on mass graves at the site.

Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Amb. Joseph Rutabana told thousands of mourners that the same ideology which fuelled the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda continues to spread in neighbouring countries.

“We currently see it in the Eastern DRC, where local populations are mobilized to kill Congolese Tutsi (whom they relate to Tutsis in Rwanda). This is coupled by hate speech and other precursors of genocide incitement,” he said.

Rutabana emphasised that education remains one of the most powerful tools to preserve the memory of the victims and to combat the ideology that led to their deaths.

“It is important to reflect on the root causes and consequences of the Genocide so that not only Rwandans, but the world at large, take the necessary steps to punish the crime of genocide and prevent it from happening again,” he said.

Grief filled the air as mourners—mainly youth and a delegation from the HUMURA Lake Victoria Warakoze Genocide Survivors’ Association—sat in the tents, remembering the brutal and inhumane ways their loved ones were killed during the Genocide.

Alice Kaboyo, Uganda’s State Minister for the Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle and the guest of honour, noted that the rise of misinformation and hate speech, particularly online, poses a serious threat to social cohesion and peace.

“Education must therefore be at the forefront of our efforts to combat these dangers. By fostering critical thinking, promoting human rights education, we can equip Africa’s youth to reject division and violence and build a more inclusive society. Schools and universities must serve as spaces for dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect,” she said.

A total of 10,983 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are buried in various memorial sites across Uganda. Kasensero Genocide Memorial site in Rakai District is the resting place of 2,875 victims; Lambu Genocide Memorial site in Masaka District holds 3,337 bodies; and Ggolo Genocide Memorial site in Mpigi District is home to 4,771 victims.

In a notice quietly posted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday evening, the administration revealed that smartphones, computer monitors, semiconductors, and various electronic components — including memory chips and flat-panel displays — will be excluded from the 145% reciprocal tariff introduced earlier this week.

The exemption, which is retroactive to goods shipped or released from bonded warehouses on or after April 5, does not extend to the separate 20% levy targeting China’s alleged role in fentanyl trafficking.

The move marks a significant shift in the White House’s trade posture, following an outcry from technology firms over the potentially devastating impact of the tariffs on supply chains and consumer prices.

“This is a game-changing development for the tech sector,” said Dan Ives, a technology analyst at Wedbush Securities. “Big Tech can exhale. These exemptions remove the black cloud hanging over companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia.”

Analysts had warned that without the exemption, U.S. consumers could see the price of an iPhone surge to more than $3,000, with ripple effects across the broader economy. Apple, which relies on China for around 90% of its iPhone manufacturing, was particularly exposed. The tech giant has reportedly lost over $600 billion in market value since Trump’s tariff announcement last week.

Despite the tariff relief, the White House maintains that the long-term goal remains the repatriation of tech manufacturing.

“President Trump has made it clear: the United States cannot remain dependent on China for critical technologies,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday.

“These exemptions are temporary — they provide breathing room while companies accelerate plans to onshore production.”

Trump echoed that sentiment during a brief exchange with reporters aboard Air Force One.

“We’re taking in a lot of money,” he said. “But we’re also being strategic. There will be exceptions — smart ones — to protect American jobs in the long run.”

The tariff exemptions, covering 20 product categories, are part of a wider recalibration of Trump’s trade strategy.

Earlier in the week, the president imposed a universal 10% tariff on imports from most countries — excluding China — while granting a 90-day grace period to nations that had not retaliated against U.S. trade measures. China, however, remains subject to heightened penalties after its own retaliatory tariff hike of 84% on U.S. goods.

Notably, the exemptions apply to components that are difficult or costly to source domestically, such as microchips and flash storage. These are vital to the operations of not only American tech firms but also Asian manufacturing giants like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and South Korea’s Samsung and SK Hynix, which may benefit from continued U.S. demand.

Even as the exemptions ease immediate concerns, questions linger over the long-term trajectory of U.S.-China trade after China on Friday announced a 125% retaliatory tariff on products imported from the U.S.

In a strongly worded statement issued on April 12, the group accused SAMIDRC troops of participating in a joint military operation alongside the Congolese army (FARDC), the FDLR militia, and the Wazalendo group in an attempt to retake Goma, which has been under rebel control since January.

The group said the offensive, launched on the night of April 11, was decisively repelled by its forces. It also demanded the immediate withdrawal of SADC forces from Congo and the surrender of Congolese soldiers stationed within United Nations mission facilities.

“The attacks… violate the existing SADC agreements and delay the rehabilitation of Goma Airport,” said AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of SAMIDRC forces and the surrender of FARDC troops stationed within MONUSCO facilities.”

The breach comes just weeks after the rebels and SAMIDRC troops signed an agreement on March 28 to facilitate the peaceful withdrawal of regional forces following their defeat and the rebels’ takeover of Goma.”

Negotiated in Goma, the deal outlined the immediate and orderly withdrawal of SAMIDRC troops, allowing them to leave with their weapons and equipment, while stipulating that any FARDC arms in their possession be left behind.

The accord also included plans for SADC to support the rehabilitation of Goma International Airport and conduct a joint technical assessment to ensure its operational readiness for troop withdrawal.

However, the recent clashes have raised doubts over the future of the ceasefire and the credibility of the withdrawal process.

“The AFC/M23 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protect and defend the civilian population, in all its diversity, whatever the cost,” the rebel group said, while warning it may be forced to reconsider its stance if provocations persist.

Veteran Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye will remain in custody after the High Court on Friday denied him bail, nearly five months after his arrest.

The 68-year-old medical doctor turned politician and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, have been held on remand for 147 days since their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in November last year.

The court acknowledged that both men had presented valid sureties and met formal bail conditions. However, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, whose ruling was delivered by registrar Ssalamu Ngoobi, ruled against their release, citing the serious nature of the treason charges they face and concerns over potential interference in ongoing investigations.

In her ruling, Justice Kania noted that the allegations span several jurisdictions, both within and outside Uganda, which complicates the investigative process.

“The offences are alleged to have been committed not only in Uganda but also abroad, demanding extensive time and resources,” the court stated.

Highlighting the risk of obstruction, the ruling added that releasing the suspects at this stage could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.

“Due to the gravity of the accusations and the ongoing inquiries, there is a real risk that the applicants might interfere with the process if released at this time,” the court stated.

Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential contender, and Hajj Lutale are charged with treason—an offence that carries the possibility of a death sentence.

According to state prosecutors, the alleged conspiracy to overthrow the Ugandan government by force was planned between 2023 and November 2024, spanning multiple international locations including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.

Two other individuals, including Capt Denis Oola and unnamed co-conspirators still at large, have also been linked to the case.

In a statement released on Thursday, AFC/M23 expressed “profound concern” over what it described as deliberate attacks by the Kinshasa regime, singling out the occupation of Walikale town by coalition forces as a breach of goodwill and a direct violation of the truce.

According to the rebel group, forces affiliated with the DRC government, including the FARDC, FDLR, Mai-Mai/Wazalendo militia, and Burundi’s National Defense Forces, looted Walikale after AFC/M23 repositioned its troops as a gesture of commitment to the ceasefire.

“This occupation was not only an act of aggression but a betrayal of our efforts to de-escalate the situation,” the statement read.

The rebel alliance added that heavy attacks were also launched in other areas of North and South Kivu, including Masisi, Walungu, and surrounding regions.

The communiqué further alleged a targeted campaign against Banyamulenge civilians in Minembwe, reporting that between April 8 and 10, coordinated attacks from areas known as “Point Zero” and “Bilalombili” endangered the local population in Mikenke.

“These were not random skirmishes,” AFC/M23 claimed, describing them as attacks “of genocidal character” allegedly launched from Rugezi and involving mass destruction, looting, and violence against unarmed civilians in areas such as Kivumu and Gahwera.

Despite these accusations, the group reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, stating that it remains determined to “protect civilians and neutralise any threat at its source.”

AFC/M23, which controls large swathes of eastern DRC, announced last month that it would withdraw from the town of Walikale to facilitate the implementation of a ceasefire aimed at paving the way for direct talks with President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration.

Direct talks between the two sides, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, were postponed indefinitely amid rebel pressure for Kinshasa to agree to six preconditions before any meaningful negotiations could proceed.

The demands include a public declaration from President Tshisekedi affirming his commitment to direct talks, the repeal of restrictive parliamentary resolutions, the cancellation of death sentences and arrest warrants for AFC/M23 leaders, the release of alleged sympathisers detained based on ethnicity or association, and an end to hate speech and discriminatory practices targeting Swahili and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.

The rebels also insist on a formal bilateral ceasefire agreement being signed before any negotiations proceed.