The commemoration event that took place yesterday was preceded by a walk to remember genocide victims from Kigali International Airport to headquarters of the school.
The Dean of Students at KIM, Geoffrey Kagame said the event organized in collaboration with Student Genocide Survivors Association (AERG) is part of existing initiatives to pay homage to genocide victims and supporting the resilience process.
“KIM supports students, survivors of genocide providing accommodation at lowest price matching their university bursary. We also cater for their meal day and night. KIM also offers them 50% tuition fees discount to attend professional courses like Certified Public Accountant (CPA) taught at the university among others,” he said.
KIM vice chancellor, Prof Danson Musyoki said 25 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the management consolidates with Rwandans to pay homage to over 1 million victims.
“Our responsibility is not only limited to acquainting students with knowledge but also it is our duty to impart right values and reminding students to fight against genocide ideology. KIM shall keep supporting students who survived genocide in whatever possible means to equip them with excellent education to see their future flourishing,” he noted.
The president of AERG at KIM, Emmanuel Ntawukuriryayo lauded RPF Inkotanyi soldiers for stopping genocide and expressed optimism that can hold attained achievements shall be preserved for good.
Mutangana has revealed this as he hosted his counterpart Dr Serge Brammertz, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) on his visit to the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA).
The discussions with the Rwandan Prosecutor General and other senior members of Rwanda’s prosecution focused on areas of cooperation in genocide fugitives’ investigations and other areas of mutual interest.
Among fugitives, Mutangana, pointed out Burundians tried in Gacaca court for their involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi nearby Rwanda, Burundi border.
Genocide survivors in Southern Province have been giving testimonies pinning Burundian Hutus to have perpetrated genocide with extreme cruelty that some of them would roast and eat victims’ hearts after killing Tutsi in 1994.
Mutangana explained that pursuing these Burundians remains an issue over relenting willingness of Burundi.
“We have records of Burundians who perpetrated genocide in Rwanda and fled. However, there was no political will on the side of Burundi to facilitate investigations into Burundians who committed genocide,” he said.
“There are many Burundians who did so in Gisagara and Nyaruguru nearby Burundi border. We issued arrest warrants but never got any feedback. That is a problem,” added Mutangana.
He explained that the issue might be currently rooted political turbulence between both countries though Burundi hadn’t proven willingness before to render justice on pursuing its citizens involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“We eye for Interpol support into the matter as long as the country has no willingness. The issue doesn’t only concern Burundians but also other Rwandans and foreigners staying outside Rwanda who are neither deported nor tried,” revealed Mutangana.
He emphasized that wanted Burundians are mainly based in Kayanza region nearby Rwanda’s border.
“We believe Interpol can intervene because the country has no political willingness to assist us to apprehend those suspects,” said the Prosecutor General.
Dr Brammertz highlighted that they will keep collaboration with concerned parties to bring genocide fugitives to book.
He revealed a plan to present to the United Nations Security Council, the report containing information on countries hosting genocide fugitives to be pursued.
Dr Brammertz said investigation is underway to hunt more genocide fugitives including Felicien Kabuga, Protais Mpiranya and Augustin Bizimana among others.
The duo was arrested on Tuesday in Karama sector with bags of cannabis.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region said Police in Kamonyi received information that Munyembabazi and Rukundo are drug dealers using their shop as the cover.
“Police officers raided their shop and discovered four bags of cannabis, and took the two suspects in custody,” CIP Karekezi said.
The suspects and their exhibits have since been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
CIP Karekezi thanked the residents for the community policing spirit to report the drug traffickers and called for continued vigilance and partnership against crimes and drug dealers in particular.
Under article 263 of the penal code, any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine between Rwf15 million and Rwf30 million.
The computers were stolen in the night of 4th June 2019 by unidentified burglars after drilling a hole through the room in which they were stored.
Citizens alerted security officials who went on the hunt and have so far recovered 44 of 46.
Police spokesperson in Northern Province, CIP Alexis Rugigana has said investigations are underway to arrest ringleaders in the theft.
“A total of 44 computers have been recovered in collaboration with citizens who reported where they are hidden. Investigations are underway to recover remaining two computers and arrest the thieves,” he said.
The memorial is home to over 14,000 genocide victims killed in former Murambi, Muhura, Gituza and Ngarama communes currently in Gatsibo district.
The management of APAPEC Irebero, a school located in Gisozi sector, Gasabo district of Kigali city revealed that the idea behind visiting the memorial was to learn from heinous killing of Tutsi in different parts of the country.
Deo Uwobahorana, the Chairman of the Board of I.S.I co Ltd, the company owning APAPEC Irebero said learning from sufferings Tutsi endured during genocide should go hand in hand with supporting vulnerable genocide survivors towards the resilience journey.
The school donated Rwf 100,000 for maintenance of Kiziguro memorial and two cows worth Rwf 1 million handed to Eric Seziki from Remera sector and Mukangagara from Rwankuba cell in Murambi sector.
Uwobahorana explained that the visit enables teachers to witness what happened during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and learn from genocide history considering their critical role in education of the youth.
He tasked teachers to teach true history and stand against genocide ideology and denials to prevent re-occurrence.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors in Gatsibo district, Jean Nepomuscène Sibomana urged teachers to stand against fellows who propagated genocide ideology in the past and equip students with moral values striving for human dignity.
Florentine Ntakirutimana, one of the teachers at the school said the visit leaves them the task of countering whatever might lead to discrimination.
The Headmaster of APAPEC Irebero, Victor Gakwaya said the school wants teachers to learn from their country’s history to impart the right knowledge to students preparing them for a better future free of genocide ideology.
“We must learn our history. Though some of us experienced it, they must learn again to pass a good legacy to future generations paving the way for a peaceful society preventing re-occurrence of genocide,” he said.
APAPEC Irebero is a parents’ school that has gained excellency in delivering quality education since its inception in 2001. It currently has over 1100 pupils from Kindergarten and Primary school.
Koshens became most popular in dancehall beat songs like ’Simple Song’, ‘Gal A Bubble’ , ‘Couple Up’ and ‘Walk And Wine’ among others.
The artist has via twitter revealed that Rwanda is among countries he is expecting to hold concerts.
He also posted a short video showing him invited to the stage for performance and laughing as he holds a microphone.
“How I am gonna smile when we finally confirm these Africa dates. Kenya. Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi Burundi etc… Who is missing?? Can’t wait,” he said in a tweet.
Dates and venues for the concert have not yet been confirmed.
Konshens last visited Rwanda in East African Party held on 1st January 2016 in which he featured with Rwandan artistes including King James, Urban Boyz, Bruce Melody and Allioni.
Konshens became an international superstar almost immediately after bursting onto the music scene in 2005.
Born Garfield Spence in Kingston in 1985, he claims Beres Hammond as his primary musical influence, and his vocal style is strong and confident yet smooth and melodic.
His songs range from urgent, socially conscious pleas to sexually charged dance numbers. Konshens first began making music as part of duo Sojah, along with his brother Delmark Spence (Delus). Their single “Pon Di Corner” became a number one hit in Japan, leading to a lengthy tour of that country, which was Konshens’ first experience performing live.
After the duo released the Japan-only Sons of Jah album and completed another tour, they decided to work on solo material. Konshens began releasing a steady stream of dancehall hits, including “Winner,” “Rasta Imposter,” and “Insanity.”
Steven Niyongombwa was arrested on 4th June 2019 after residents became suspicious of his activities and reported him to police.
It is said that by the time of his arrest, Niyongombwa had already collected money from more than 10 people. He was caught red-handed receiving Rwf50, 000 from a woman, whom he had promised he would return her goods.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, “on June 4, the would-be victim was intercepted smuggling assorted goods.
“Niyongombwa reached out to the woman guising as an employee of RRA promising to bail her goods for Rwf50, 000. The woman decided to report the matter to the Police and Niyongombwa was arrested receiving the money,” CIP Gasasira said.
Niyongombwa is said to have defrauded many people in the past promising them the same service,” he added.
CIP Gasasira cautioned the public against paying money to individuals for public services.
“Always double-check the identity of individuals before paying for any services, besides that would be an act of giving or soliciting bribes, which is a crime. If you are suspicious about an individual, immediately alert the police and local authorities. This will not only save you from being cheated, but it will also save many others,” he said.
CIP Gasasira urged the public to be wary of such masqueraders adding that all government officials have identifications.
The destruction exercise held on 3rd June 2019 in Kiramuruzi Sector was witnessed by the mayor of Gatsibo, Richard Gasana, the District Police Commander, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Jean Baptiste Bucyangenda, prosecution, Rwanda Investigation Bureau as well as hundreds of local residents.
The disposed of substances include 12446 sachets of Zebra Gin, 2097 bottles of assorted illicit drinks, and plastic bags.
Mayor Gasana urged residents of Kiramuruzi to create legal job rather than engaging in illicit businesses.
“These illicit drinks pose ill-effects to users but also a criminal act that leads to long term imprisonment,” Gasana told the residents.
He appealed to them to work closely with security organs to identity and arrest anyone involved in these criminal activities.
The mayor also reminded grassroots leaders to be at the task as heads of community policing to work with the people in fighting and preventing crimes.
The DPC, CIP Bucyangenda said that the disposed of illicit drinks were seized in separate operations conducted in the last three months.
He commended the role of the residents in successful operations and arresting dealers, through credible information sharing.
“These illicit drinks destroy your children, the young people; we need to work together to address the problem collectively,” the DPC told the residents.
The prosecutor of Gatsibo and Nyagatare, Augustine Rusanganwa reminded the residents of the legal repercussion of trafficking, making, selling and abusing illicit drugs.
Consuming illicit drinks is punishable with an imprisonment of up to two years while trafficking and selling them attracts a jail term of up to 20 years.
The diplomatic row between Rwanda and Uganda relations dates back two years ago. The government of Rwanda reports 900 of its nationals are ambiguously incarcerated, tortured and illegally expelled from Uganda.
The souring relationship between Rwanda and Uganda worsened in March 2019, when Rwanda advised its people not to travel to Uganda until the situation comes back to normal.
Speaking at a recent press conference in Kampala, lawyers of detained Rwandan nationals said all rights of their clients have been violated by the government of Uganda as reported by The Observer, a Uganda based media house.
They allege that as many as 100 ordinary Rwandan traders, and business people engaged in export and import trade and others working with faith-based organizations have been illegally detained by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) on undisclosed charges.
Many have been illegally deported to Rwanda while others have had to endure inhumane treatment.
Gawaya Tegulle and Aboneka Michael, the lawyers of the detainees, who were joined by the Secretary of Uganda Law Society, Francis Harimwomugasho, said the time has come for the international community to get involved in order to arrest the situation, which they said is spiralling out of control.
Tegulle said as lawyers of Rwandan detainees, they were dismayed by the statement made by Sam Kutesa, Uganda’s foreign affairs minister on May 17.
The minister said the only Rwandans arrested in Uganda are those found on the wrong side of the law.
“Rwandans are welcome to visit Uganda. However, Uganda expects Rwandans who visit Uganda just like any other visitors to be law-abiding. Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with according to the law. In this connection, several Rwandan nationals who have been arrested for breaking the law have been charged in courts of law or deported back to Rwanda. In addition, a number of Rwandan security operatives have been entering Uganda without following laid-down procedures governing entry of security personnel into the country. A number of these when apprehended have been deported back to Rwanda,” Kutesa’s statement partly reads.
But Tegulle said the only truth in Kutesa’s statement is that Uganda has arrested Rwandans.
“The rest of the statement is a rather disturbing pack of prevarications. He simply skims and slides over very important matters concerning real people and their families; people whose lives are being changed for the worse; irreparably and irreversibly by the actions of the security agencies in Uganda. There are children whose fathers are missing wives whose husbands cannot be traced, old folks who are wondering if they will live long enough to see their children again,” Tegulle said.
He added that those arrested are not allowed access to their families, lawyers and medical care and some are subjected to torture to extort information from them. He said they have tried but failed to call government to order through the legal process.
Up to 12 orders of habeas corpus have been issued by the court but in almost all cases, the government has defied the court save for the cases of Calude Iyakaremye, Rene Rutagungira, Emmanuel Rwamucyo and Augustine Rutayisire who appeared in the Military Court Martial.
“A few weeks ago Robert Tumwine was released after torture and dumped half dead at his sister’s home in Mbarara; he died shortly after…If any law has been broken, then it’s the security agencies, not the detainees,”Tegulle said.
Harimwomugasho said Uganda Law Society is dismayed that government continues to disregard court orders.
“As long as a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order, it must be respected. As ULS, we condemn in the strongest terms possible anybody who receives orders and doesn’t respect them. If the government is displeased with such orders, let them appeal them,” Harimwomugasho said.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of housing dissidents intending to threaten state security.
Ancel is among 2500 soldiers sent to Rwanda on 22nd June 22 1994 in French-led military operation in Rwanda ‘Opération Turquoise’ with a mandate of stopping genocide and setting up a temporary humanitarian zone in Western part of Rwanda ‘Zone Turquoise’.
Recently, on 29th May 2019, the School of Higher Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS) in France hosted talks on commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among guests who graced the commemoration talks were Rtd Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Ancel, the author of a wide array of books including ‘Rwanda, la fin du silence’.
He explained that they were briefed on their mission to Rwanda in Opération Turquoise two hours before their departure.
As per provided briefings, Ancel established that France was involved in the four year-long war in Rwanda against the then Government and RPF Inkotanyi soldiers.
Ancel revealed that France soldiers in Rwanda took part in raids intended to demolish RPF Inkotanyi headquarters and supporting the Government’s plan to execute genocide.
Guillaume Ancel, 53, narrated that the kinds of weapons they brought to Rwanda was evidencing of their mission to engage into war than humanitarian assistance.
The Land forces on the mission included Special Forces from Regiment Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marine (RPIMa) with long and short range weapons, night vision weapons, armoured forces among others equipped with 10 fighting helicopters known as ‘Gazelle’ along with three Super-Puma helicopters.
Air forces had over 30 helicopters including C-130 Hercules, Falcon -20, C-160 TRANSALL and CASA-235. They had also hired one Airbus, one Boing 747, and 17 Antonov-124 Condor to transport military equipment.
He explained that they had received orders to “carry out a land raid on Kigali to put back in place the genocidal government and free it from RPA soldiers by the time they landed in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Ancel, this order was renewed on June 30, 1994, in order to “stop the advance of the RPF soldiers” (Rwandan Patriotic Front), before moving, the next day, in a rescue operation, with the establishment of a “temporary humanitarian zone” in the west of the country.
When they arrived in Bisesero, one of areas in Zone Turquoise, Ancel said, they were surprised to see the supported Government killing citizens. At the time the then Government had already killed over 60,000 Tutsi.
Ancel said this is the time when they received new orders to stop fighting and involve in humanitarian assistance.
As per testimonies released in French based Magazine ‘Esprit’, Ancel revealed that the place for humanitarian assistance was also used to support soldiers of the genocidaire Government providing a passage way to DRC and escorting them to the refuge in DRC.
Guillaume Ancel said he was part of France soldiers who distributed weapons to the Government which perpetrated genocide in DRC refuge.
Normally, international laws don’t allow refugees to cross to foreign country with weapons or receive weapons in the host.
The order to support the genocidaire government was issued by the office of President François Mitterrand after the approval of the Defense Chief of Staff.
Ancel explained that the assistance granted by France to the Rwandan government at the time confirms the complicity in the genocide.
He said France participation during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi went into force because there was no vibrant opposition ring to stand against the decision.
Ancel highlighted that hiding such history, makes it a great mistake of France that might lead to re-occurrence of what happened.
In April 2019, France President, Emmanuel Macron has unveiled the establishment of the commission made of experts in history and researchers analyzing writings kept in archives of the country indicating France activities in Rwanda between 1990-1994 to come up with the truth on the role of France in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Guillaume Ancel welcomed the initiative but noted that it might be obstructed by former leaders including Amiral Jacques Lanxade, former France Defense Chief of Staff during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Lanxade has recently said that researchers won’t find anything new on Rwanda, France relations before and during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Despite the support granted to genocidaire government, RPA soldiers soldiered on until they liberated Kigali city on 4th July 1994.
The liberation struggle took end on 18th July 1994 after RPF Inkotanyi soldiers defeated the genocidaire government from different territories.
