EASTERN PROVINCE

KAYONZA — A student of the National University of Rwanda (UNR), Francis Kayitana, has appealed to parents in Kayonza district to abandon genocide ideology.

Kayitana, a fourth year student of Public Administration and a resident of Mukarange Sector, delivered a speech in Mukarange recently on how to stem the genocide ideology. This was part of the activities to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Genocide.

He challenged parents to inculcate discipline among the youth rather than teaching them ethnic division.

In his speech, he hinted on ethnic hatred, and discrimination, saying the vices are driven by selfish interests. He explained how the factors led to the 1994 Genocide leaving behind negative impacts on the whole Rwandan society.

Kayitana urged residents to abandon hatred, discrimination and ethnicity but have a common focus on development.

Turning to the youth, he urged them to be role-models and if need be, teach their parents about the need for a positive change.

"I felt a responsibility to explain to fellow residents what genocide ideology is all about and how it manifests itself," Kayitana told The New Times shortly after delivering the speech. He observed that when residents clearly understand the roots of genocide ideology it would become easy to weed it out.

Ronald Kiwanuka, the Executive Secretary of Mukarange sector, stressed the need for remembering the victims of the genocide, saying it should be a uniting factor among Rwandans.

He explained that remembering helps survivors to relieve stress by speaking out their testimonies. He added that remembering gives a chance to people who participated in genocide to reflect on their mistakes in order to make a new commitment of ‘Never Again.’

Ends