SOUTHERN PROVINCE

KAMONYI — Remains of about 30,000 victims that perished during the 1994 Genocide were on Saturday given a decent burial at Mugina memorial site, Kamonyi district.

The remains were exhumed from a shallow grave at Mugina Catholic church. Most of the remains were recovered from a mass grave near church premises while others were gathered from Nyamiyaga and Mugina sector with the help of residents early last month.

"This day is remarkable to see our beloved ones laid to rest in a decent manner after 14 years in a ditch. Our hearts were restless not until the bodies are given the respect they deserve," Bertilda Mukansamaza a survivor said.

Throught songs and poems survivors noted that there was a bright future to live as heroes and help each other through the struggles of life after genocide.

The Survivors lashed at the Catholic Church religious leaders who connived with the Interahamwe and watched residents killed around Church premises in Mugina and Kabgayi.

"Most of the victims had escaped killings in Kigali and had taken refuge at the Mugina site. It was safe, for a short while, because the then Mayor (Callixte Ndagijyimana) was against the genocide killings. It was only after he was murdered in Ntongwe sector that residents of Cyeru invaded Mugina and brutally murdered fellow residents at the church premises," Charles Kabano narrated.

Ibuka representative called for protection and support of survivors, and asked the district leaders to complete the site and have archives and testimonies of survivors kept.

Protais Mitali, the Minister in charge of youth, called for change of heart and mind especially to Rwandan who promote genocide ideology and denial of the genocide.

"We should fight anyone who promotes genocide ideology because it is evident that genocide has nothing but a destruction of our values. Everyone should help revive the country especially that the government has forgiven those who participated in the killings," he said.

Mitali also urged residents to provide more information on the whereabouts of other remains, so as to accord them a befitting burial, and bring perpetrators to justice.

Ends