In Senator Emmanuel Havugimana’s recently launched book, ‘Tubibuke’, he courageously faces the painful memories of losing his family members. The title, meaning ‘let us remember them’, captures the essence of the book as a tribute to the deceased and a plea to honour their memory.
The book’s launch, attended by some government officials, family members, and individuals from various backgrounds at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, is part of his journey of remembrance and resilience after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which over one million innocent people were mercilessly slaughtered in just 100 days.
Havugimana was born to Michel Gakwaya and Immaculée Nyirandekwe on January 4, 1956, in Rukamira, which was part of the Rukondo Commune at the time. Today, Rukamira is in Nyagisozi sector, Nyanza District.
The author’s tough journey began at the tender age of seven, marked by tragedy as his family and friends were killed before and during the Genocide. His education was disrupted in 1973 when he was expelled from high school.
ALSO READ: WHO Goodwill Ambassador on lessons from Kwibuka and Rwanda's rebirth 30 years on
He fled on June 10, 1973, to the western part of the country, seeking refuge wherever he found it until settling in Bujumbura. Even in Burundi, life presented its challenges, yet he remained resolute and planned to graduate from university with aspirations to contribute to Rwanda’s development, a commitment he now fulfils.
Havugimana began his teaching career in Burundi in 1974 at Ruramba Protestant Primary School (1974-1976) and later at Rugenge Protestant Primary School in the Mushiha refugee camp (1976-1978).
He continued teaching at Bukeye Normal School (1984–1990) and Saint-Esprit High School in Bujumbura (1990–1991) before relocating to Djibouti in 1991. The same year in Djibouti, he taught at Tadjourah Secondary Education College and Dikhil Secondary Education College (1991-1992), then Ali Sabieh Secondary Education College (1992–1996), and returned to Rwanda on September 18, 1996.
Havugimana, deeply influenced by his upbringing, has dedicated himself to studying, analysing, and teaching Rwandan history. However, like any good teacher, he recognises the importance of passing the knowledge to young people who haven’t experienced the same life.
He believes that through his book, he’ll preserve Rwanda’s history in a secure place, free from distortion or alteration.
According to Havugimana, the idea to document came to him in 1996 when he arrived in Rwanda from Djibouti to find his home destroyed and his family members deceased.
He decided he would document his family’s history to ensure that his children and wife, who were unfamiliar with Rwanda, would not forget their roots, and give them a sense of belonging.
The book is dedicated to his grandmother Adella Mukarwemera, who was killed in 1994 by her neighbours she had once helped by giving them milk. Strangely, the child she had assisted grew up and came back to murder her.
"One of our neighbours gave birth to a baby boy, but his wife had no milk to feed the baby. The husband would go to our home daily to get a cup of milk, and this went on for some time.
"However, it turned out that the child grew up to be one of the killers who threw her into a toilet—alive—and she died three days later. This will never be forgotten,” he said, emphasising the cherished memory of his close bond with his grandparents, whom he lived with and considered as his own parents.
ALSO READ: Kagame’s Kwibuka 30 address: A worthwhile reflection for African leaders
Message to the youth
Havugimana said: "I want the youth to know the importance of understanding the hardships we faced, not because we were unworthy but because of poor political circumstances.
"They should reject divisionism and embrace unity. We all have a collective identity [Rwandans]. We should make Rwanda a nation for all. All those past grievances will no longer happen again. Let them be vigilant and guard it.”
Havugimana, 68, holds a PhD in Human Ecology and has served as a Senator of the Western Province in Rwanda since September 2019. Prior to this role, he was a geography lecturer at the University of Rwanda and more.