WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI —  Remains of over 1400 people killed in the 1994 Genocide have been given befitting burial at Home St John Memorial site in Karongi district. 

The remains were buried last week after a two-day memorial service for the victims who were killed in Mubuga Sector.

The memorial ceremony started last Thursday with a vigil night until the following Friday afternoon.

The bones were mainly of people who were killed at Home St John, a hotel belonging to the Catholic Church in Kibuye.

"There were mass massacres at Home St John because many people had sought refuge there since it was a catholic home and there was a white sister they thought would prevent the killers from killing them,” said Bernard Kayumba, the district Mayor.

The Mayor is also a survivor of the Home St John massacres. More than 400 of the victims were killed in Mubuga while about 1000 were killed at Home St. John.

" This is not only meant to pay respects to people who died in the genocide  but it’s also meant to comfort the survivors by giving their loved ones decent burial,” said Cyber Gashanana, the Executive Secretary of Bwishyura sector.

He added that survivors should stand in for the deceased Rwandans by accomplishing government projects, overcoming distress as well as addressing all challenges with confidence.

Jean Marie Rurangirwa, the District Police Commander, urged genocide survivors to always report cases of the genocide ideology among residents.

"As survivors, you should be pillars in reporting any cases of genocide ideology in your areas so that the ‘never again’ notion can be achieved,” he said.

He pointed out that cases of the genocide ideology are on the decline in the area.

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