Southern Province Governor and Rwandans in general should denounce any acts related to genocide ideology and denial, Governor Alphonse Munyantwari has said. 

The Governor was at the weekend speaking in Muhanga District during a ceremony to pay tribute to the Rwandans who perished in Kabgayi during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. 

At the event, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of the more than 10,000 people buried at Kabgayi memorial site. 

Mourners heard testimonies from survivors as well as dirges and poems in tribute to the victims. 

Munyantwari warned that tolerating genocide ideology and denial could again lead to tragic moments in the country. 

Names erased

Last year, unidentified person erased names of Genocide victims from a stele at Rugendabari memorial site, according to the district mayor, Yvonne Mutakwasuku. 

The Governor, who challenged residents to fight such ill-intentioned persons, also called upon grassroots leaders to continue mobilising the population and educate them on the consequences of genocide ideology. 

"I invite my colleagues to mobilise people to fight against this evil.  I am sure it is possible to triumph over it as the government supports us,” Munyantwari said.

He challenged the public to remain united and foster reconciliation efforts in order to safeguard the achievements registered since the Genocide, 19 years ago. 

Mutakwasuku urged residents to help maintain memorial sites and keep records about the Genocide. 

When the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi broke out, thousands of Tutsis fled to Kabgayi for sanctuary since it was one of the strongholds of the Catholic Church. 

The fleeing Tutsis gathered in churches, schools and near a hospital, but the Interahamwe militia stalked the Tutsis to the sanctity of the places and butchered them. 

It is estimated that about 50,000 Tutsis took refuge in Kabyayi, but only a handful survived.