Shyirakera who says hid 10 people during the genocide including some of Mugesera family members who lived in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District and later transported them to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mugesera noted that it was courageous of Shyirakera to hide people he didn’t know, with vast risks involved.
“What he did is a fine example. He risked his life in in hiding these people,” he said.
Shyirakera said that he hid Mugesera’s relatives because of his generous heart. He also thanked Mugesera for returning that kindness.
“I couldn’t imagine that an official could take time and come to thank me. That is very good. I hid these people during the genocide because of my generous heart. The children I saved became good to me and took care of me. These cows I have been given will help me in my old age,” he said.
When Shyirakera hid the people, Interahamwe would come to search for them on a daily basis until he fled with them to Congo where he handed them over to an orphanage to take care of them.
Mugesera is a Rwandan researcher and and historian.
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