SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — Residents of Ngoma district joined the nation to remembrance the Rwandans that perished during the 1994 Genocide.

Activities to mark the 14th anniversary to commemorate the Genocide memorial in Ngoma were preceded by a silent procession from the town centre to the Ngoma memorial site. This is where wreaths were laid and prayers said in respect of the deceased.

Other activities included prayers and singing of mourning songs at the Huye stadium. Religious leaders from different denominations called for love and forgiveness in order to forge a united country.

The Bishop of Butare diocese, Phillip Rukamba asked believers to fight evil by doing good deeds. The Mayor of the district, Aimable Twagiramutara said that government was determined to help vulnerable Genocide survivors attain decent living.

"Health and education schemes will continue to be improved to meet their needs,” he said. He however acknowledged the unresolved housing problem faced by many vulnerable Genocide survivors.

"There are many problems that have not been solved up to date. The issue of housing concerns the whole community. We need everyone’s contribution in ensuring that Genocide survivors and other vulnerable people find a place to stay,” Twagiramutara said.

The representative of Genocide survivors in Ngoma District, Edward Kabalega, also said that over 2,900 Genocide survivors were still homeless in the district.

"Genocide survivors continue to be threatened to a point of being killed. Their crops have been cut down and Genocide memorials sites have been tampered with. We have people who still posses Genocide ideologies amongst us. It time for everybody to stand up against such elements in our society,” said Kabalega.

In Nyamagabe district commemoration activities were marked by a procession from the town centre to the Murambi Genocide memorial, where remains of over 50,000 of those who died are buried.

Remains of 25 Genocide victims from the sectors of Kamengeri, Gasaka and Kibilizi were also given a decent burial. Commemoration activities will continue through out the week in the Province and in the whole Country.

Ends