Muslim community honours Genocide victims

Over 1,000 students from the Muslim community accompanied by their leaders paid tribute to the victims of the1994 Genocide of Tutsis. Twelve of the students were from Mbale University in Eastern Uganda.

Friday, July 11, 2008
Students from the Muslim community marching from Gisozi Genocide Memorial. (Photo/E. Mucunguzi).

Over 1,000 students from the Muslim community accompanied by their leaders paid tribute to the victims of the1994 Genocide of Tutsis. Twelve of the students were from Mbale University in Eastern Uganda.

The visit to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial was to mark the end of the Genocide mourning period of 100 days, and also to denounce the Genocide ideology in schools.

The Mufti, Sheikh Saleh Habimana, told the students that they held the future of the country in their hands, and that it was paramount to have them directly involved in the fight against the Genocide mentality. He added that it was a continuous struggle requiring the involvement of everyone at different levels.

"This united fight also promotes reconciliation amongst all citizens,” Sheikh Habimana underscored.

The students paid tribute through prayers and contributed Frw200,000 towards the maintenance of the site. Thereafter, they marched to the Ministry of Education in Kacyiru to present a petition to the President.

At the ministry’s offices, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka, the State minister for Secondary and Primary Education, said that this was a laudable gesture that other students should emulate.

He, too, acknowledged the importance of including students in the fight against genocide ideology, and urged them to maintain their slogan, assuring them that the ministry and government were behind them.

"This is necessary for you are the leaders of tomorrow. The future belongs to you,” Mutsindashyaka encouraged.

Ends