NYANZA – Nyanza district Mayor, Abdallah Murenzi, has urged local residents to assist genocide survivors cope with the post genocide challenges. 

He was speaking last Sunday during ceremonies to commemorate genocide victims who were killed and dumped in Nyamagana dam.

"It is everybody’s duty to approach genocide survivors, widows and orphans and help them step forward in building hope for a better life,” he told mourners.

At the event, the minister of Youth, Protais Mitali, told residents to shun bad politicians, saying they were responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. 

"During commemoration always ask yourself why genocide occurred. Genocide was a result of bad politicians who mastered a plan to exterminate Tutsi, we will always condemn genocide planners, perpetrators and their supporters,” Mitali said.

Survivors say many Tutsi were killed and dumped in Nyamagana dam but until today the number of people who perished there is not yet known because many of the victims were dumped at night. 

Nyamagana dam was built in 1956 by a Belgian expatriate known as Dubois under orders from King Rudahigwa who wanted to create an artificial lake in the area.

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