The Rwandan community in Uganda yesterday took part in Walk to Remember at Mbarara University School of Science and Technology (MUST).

The walk was organised by the Rwanda High Commission in Uganda and the students studying at the University.

Carrying banners and placards with messages denouncing genocide and calling for its prevention in the world, the youth were joined by mourners from other Universities in a one hour walk in Mbarara town.

Mbarara Municipality mayor Wilson Tumwine and Maj. Ronald Kakurungu, the Ugandan army Second Division spokesperson, were among the dignitaries at the event.

Later, the mourners gathered at the Big Fun hall in Mbarara, where Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage, narrated Rwanda’s recovery and transformation journey since the Genocide.

He emphasised the need for exposing and condemning those that want to rewrite Rwanda’s history.

"We must fight impunity and bring those responsible for Genocide crimes to account. Rwanda has resolved and committed to keep the memory alive,” Mugambage said.

The audience later listened to an emotional testimony from Olivier Rutaganira, a student at Cavendish University, who, during the Genocide, watched as his father was shot by Interahamwe militia. 

The patron of MUST Banyarwanda students association, Prof. Kenneth Kagame, emphasised the value of remembering the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, saying it is a healing process and should be done more often.

"Genocide is a terrible evil and can happen anywhere around the world. Preventing it is not a passive but active process,” Prof. Kagame said.

As part of the commemoration activities, the Rwandan community in Uganda and friends of Rwanda will on May 24, gather at Ggolo Memorial site where thousands of Genocide victims’ remains were laid to rest.