SONARWA General Insurance and SONARWA Life Assurance staff, officials, security personnel on Friday, April 26, gathered at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kigali to pay tribute to former SONARWA S.A staff members who were killed during the genocide.
Dianah Mukundwa, the Chief Executive Officer of SONARWA Life Assurance,emphasised the significance of commemorating as a moment for collective reflection on their responsibility to combat and prevent any resurgence of genocidal ideology.
The commemoration began with a tour of Nyanza Genocide Memorial where wreaths were laid in honour of the genocide victims buried at the memorial.
Mukundwa underscored the need to learn from Rwanda’s bad history in order to build a future free from discrimination, stating, "We should learn about the bad history of Rwanda, the history of discrimination that was taught by the bad politicians that planned and carried out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi so that we strive to build a country of hope without any discrimination."
She reminded Rwandans of their responsibility to contribute to unity and protect the progress made over the past 30 years and thanked his excellency the president, Paul Kagame for the transformative leadership.
Dieudonne Nshunguyinka, a representative families of genocide victims' families, in an interview, expressed gratitude towards SONARWA Life and SONARWA General for extending the invitation to them to honour their loved ones lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said: "What I would earnestly advocate for is that the children who survived may be afforded the opportunity to pursue their education and later have the chance to work in the same places where their parents once worked."
Nshunguyinka reflected on the root cause of the genocide, attributing it to the propagation of hatred. He emphasized the vital role of parents in shaping the future, advocating for the teaching of love and harmony to children.
Rees Kinyangi Lulu, the acting Chief Executive Officer of SONARWA General Insurance, emphasised the need for reflection, saying, "In moments like this, it is not only important to remember the past but also to reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges that lie ahead. Rwanda’s remarkable resilience over the past 30 years serves as a beacon of hope and a testament of the power of unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation."
He urged attendees to recommit themselves to preventing such atrocities from ever happening again. He emphasized the need to stand united against hate and division, working towards a future where every individual is valued and respected.
Regis Rugemanshuro, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), emphasized their profound commitment to ensuring that Rwanda remains a secure nation that embraces and safeguards its people.
Furthermore, he expressed unwavering confidence that the tragic Genocide against the Tutsi will never happen again, asserting that the protective forces that halted it remain steadfast and even stronger.
Tito Rutaremara, the head of the Rwanda Elderly Advisory Forum, who was the guest of honor, shed light on the factors that led to the genocide and the role of the former head of SONARWA S.A, Mathieu Ngirumpatse, in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rutaremara highlighted the discriminatory practices that were prevalent during that period, and Ngirumpatse's hand in perpetuating such injustices.
During the commemoration, financial support was provided to 10 families who survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Nyanza Sector, Kicukiro District.