The Rwanda National Police, yesterday, visited memorial sites in various parts of the country to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.  

RNP was joined by officers from Rwanda Defence Forces, residents and local leaders at the sites to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Genocide.

At Kamonyi Genocide Memorial site in Kamonyi district, IGP Emmanuel K. Gasana, who was flanked by his deputy Stanley Nsabimana and other senior Police officers, laid wreaths in honour of the more than 35,000 victims interred there.

The IGP echoed this year’s commemoration theme of self-reliance, adding that Rwandans must keep memories of the gory past and ensure that this inhuman act never happens again.

"It was a long and sad road full of agony that is hard to explain,” he said.

Gasana faulted security organs in the genocidal regime for abetting the Genocide and promised that the government and RNP will ensure that it never happens again. He said Police will create a favourable environment that facilitates investment and development.

The IGP also handed over a cheque worth Rwf1 million to Ibuka–the umbrella body for survivors of the Genocide–as part of RNP’s support to the ongoing renovation of memorial sites.

Kamonyi mayor Jacques Rutsinga thanked Police for protecting citizens, adding that the district is in the second phase of constructing memorial sites.

In southern region, Police visited Nyanza memorial site where 12,000 victims were buried, while in eastern region, they visited Kiziguro memorial site in Gatsibo district where 14,000 victims of the Genocide are buried.

In northern region, the officers visited Muhoza memorial site in Musanze district, while in western they visited Gisenyi memorial site in Rubavu district where remains of 1,200 victims were buried. In Kigali, Police visited memorial site in Kicukiro district.