Kampala honours victims of Genocide

Uganda’s minister in charge of the presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, has called on religious leaders in Africa to do more in mobilising people against Genocide ideology. Tumwebaze spoke during a memorial service in Kampala in honour of victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. “Spiritual leaders should come out on Genocide just like they do on matters like homosexuality,” he told hundreds of mourners at All Saints Cathedral on Friday. He lashed out at human rights activists who only play rhetoric without actions, adding that such groups were quiet when Genocide was taking place in Rwanda. The ceremony was presided over by the deputy Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Jacob Oulanya, who underscored the importance of upholding the ‘Never Again’ resolve. Solange Rabwoni, a Genocide survivor told mourners how her grandfather was thrown over the cliffs alive in Rusumo; on the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. “His crime was that he was Tutsi. So, this means that when Rwanda forgets, when the region forgets when the international community forgets, it will happen again and that is why I am here to testify,” she said. Rwanda’s High Commission to Uganda Frank Mugambage called for more effort in fighting silence, revisionism and actions of Genocide perpetrators. “Revisionists must be told straight in the face that their actions cannot be accepted,” Mugambage said. Donat Kananura, the Chairman of the Rwandan community in Uganda paid tribute to Ugandans who accorded decent burial to Genocide victims whose bodies were dumped into rivers and ended up on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The ceremony was graced by the Archbishop of Uganda Stanley Ntagali.