Former Electrogaz employee sheds light on company’s role in Genocide preparation

Evariste Kalisa, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has revealed how Electrogaz – a former power and water utility – played a role in the massacres that claimed the lives of more than one million people in 100 days. Speaking at Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 24 during a memorial for former Electrogaz employees killed in the Genocide against the Tutsi, Kalisa detailed instances of discrimination, intimidation, and active complicity by management in promoting genocidal ideologies. ALSO READ: My workmate had a sword, threatened kill me - Former Electrogaz employee Electrogaz was a public utility responsible for the production and distribution of water and electricity during and after the genocide. Following reforms in the energy and water sector, it was split into two new utility companies; Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC Group). During the commemoration, Kalisa explained that majority of the Tutsi employees at Electrogaz were killed during the genocide. The officially reported figure of 173 former Electrogaz employees killed might be an underestimate, as the actual number could be closer to, or even exceed 200, according to Kalisa. ALSO READ: Genocide survivors appreciate achievements in justice, moral reconstruction Kalisa's testimony reveals a disturbing pattern of discrimination and persecution of the Tutsi at work within Electrogaz. “I had a workmate who always threatened to kill me; and he had a sword in his office.” In 1990, Kalisa was arrested and imprisoned for six months, allegedly for collaborating with the then Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) rebellion which had launched a liberation war against the genocidal regime. Although released, his attempt to return to work was initially denied. Later, when he regained his position at work after the establishment of a multiparty system, he and his Tutsi colleagues faced endless discrimination and threats. Donath Munyanganzi, one of the directors at the institution at the time, was a prominent member of the extremist CDR party and was also among the founders of Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), the hate radio station that incited violence against the Tutsi. According to Kalisa, Electrogaz management actively supported the genocidal government by financially backing extremist parties like CDR and MRND. The public utility company regularly facilitated the transportation for Interahamwe militia to meetings where massacres were planned and distributed copies of Kangura, a notorious hate publication. Kalisa said the company bribed prominent businessmen to switch their political allegiances to align with the genocidal regime, contributing to the preparation for the genocide. Kalisa survived the genocide with the help of Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) soldiers, who rescued him and his family on April 13, 1994. After the genocide, Kalisa played a significant role in rebuilding Rwanda's infrastructure and later served as a member of parliament. Patricie Uwase, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, urged people at the commemoration to call to mind the symbols of hope and resilience as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi. She emphasised the importance of youth in bridging the past and the present, promoting unity and reconciliation. Omar Munyaneza, the CEO of WASAC, highlighted the need to combat genocide ideology and work toward a more unified and peaceful Rwanda. He said: “Remembering former Electrogaz staff should be a lesson to all REG and WASAC Group staff to avoid discrimination, foster unity by working together and to prevent genocide to happen again.” The commemoration ceremony at Kigali Genocide Memorial included a walk to remember, laying of wreaths in honor of the 250,000 genocide victims buried at the memorial, and a tour of the memorial's exhibition. The event organized by WASAC Group and REG served as a somber reminder of the tragic consequences of hate and divisionism and the ongoing effort to rebuild and heal.

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Former Electrogaz employee sheds light on company’s role in Genocide preparation