NORTHERN PROVINCE Residents in Gakenke district have been called upon to join hands in fighting those who plant seeds of hatred and those intimidating, killing and threatening Genocide Survivors. The appealing massage against genocide ideology was made by the local leaders including Northern Province governor, Boniface Rucagu during the fourteenth commemoration of the Genocide. The commemoration function on a provincial level was held at Bulanga genocide memorial, Kivuluga sector where over 900 victims are buried. “Those lying here (pointing to the graves) were our neighbours with whom we shared food, brides and exchanged cows but bloody politics indoctrinated people to commit this tragedy to fellow Rwandans” Rucagu said. He rubbished those who deny the Genocide calling them ‘satisfied fugitives’ who want destabilise peace and development. Cases of genocide ideology have been reported in the district and these largely accounted in the sacking of the district mayor Aphrodite Mugemangango and two of his deputies Winfred Nyirihirwe and Joseph Karekezi last week. The area leaders were all sacked for failing to avert genocide ideology incidences which were sweeping through the district among other weaknesses. This year’s genocide anniversary witnessed a big turn up by the area residents compared to the previous commemoration function. IBUKA president in Gakenke, Dieudonné Uwimana said that collective efforts are required to protect genocide survivor. He cited recent cases when the genocide survivors representatives in Nemba and Mugungu sectors Theodatta Murekatete and Felista Kabukuru respectively, both died mysteriously and were feared to have been poisoned. Ends
