Two women held over ‘genocide ideology’

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA – Two women in Nyamabuye in Muhanga District have been arrested for allegedly spreading harmful propaganda.The duo, Clotilda Uwimana and Thereza Mujawamungu, was arrested on Monday July 27. But they both denied the allegations. The women are part of a group of Muhanga residents who are currently attending civic education training commonly known as Itorero in Shogwe Sector. There are at least 1300 health facilitators in the district who are attending the three-week training Uwimana, 59, is said to have told her colleague, Josette Uwitonze, 29, that the porridge being served at the camp is laced with powdered remains of Genocide victims. She also accused the government of plotting to have people consume remains of genocide victims through such camps, police added.Mujawamungu, the second suspect, allegedly claimed that the government will not succeed in the 2010 presidential elections unless their husbands, who were convicted of genocide charges, are released. She made the remarks during a discussion presented by Mayor Yvonne Mutakwasuku and the National Electoral Commission officials, at which residents shared views. Police and camp leaders say that the women’s remarks are harmful to the group and genocide ideology charges will be preferred against them. The suspects were arrested after one resident who listened to their conversation alerted the camp officials, who in turn alerted police. Other sources alleged that Mujawamungu had previously been critical of several government programmes like Ubudehe, and the health insurance scheme commonly called mutuelle de santé. Ends