Residents of Muyumbu sector, Rwamagana District, on Sunday gathered at Groupe Scolaire Muyumbu to commemorate educators and students who lost their lives during 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.At least 26 teachers from the sector were killed in 1994 though the number of students who lost their lives is not yet fully known.

The commemoration event brought together local leaders in Muyumbu sector, teachers and students from different schools of Muyumbu, security organs and relatives and friends of victims.The event was kick-started by a mass lead by Father Bosco Ntagugira the parish priest at Ndera Catholic Church and later on, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the departed.

During the liturgy Ntagugira said that though teachers and students were killed, there is a hope that their souls are in the hand of God."Education is the cornerstone of development of our country. Teachers who were killed contributed much to the country. That’s why we take this time to value their hard work. The killers only killed their bodies but souls are with God,” he said.

Alexander Mugabo, the head teacher at G.S Muyumbu saluted his slain colleagues for bravery and standing for what was right. "They tried to avoid divisionism in schools but they failed due to the pressure exerted by the bad leadership. Education starts in families. Parents should sow good seeds amongst their children instead of intoxicating them with genocide ideology,” he said.

In her testimony, Venantie Kayire, a teacher at the school who survived the Genocide said that as long as she lives, she will always talk about the bravery exhibited by her colleagues.Echoing her message, Eddie Ntezimana Kayijuka, a survived student, said that in class, students were divided along ethnic lines where Tutsi would be asked to sit across the aisle from their Hutu colleagues.

He added that he was shocked to see students tortured by their own teachers who were supposed to impart knowledge to them.

David Muhigirwa, Executive Secretary of Muyumbu sector, said that as soon as the number and identity of students who died at the school is established, they will construct a monument at the school on which names of all victims will be inscribed.