Remains of 700 Genocide victims get decent burial

Remains of at least 720 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have been given decent burial in the Eastern Province districts of Gatsibo, Bugesera, Ngoma, Rwamagana and Kayonza.The events, yesterday, to lay to rest the victims were preceded by solidarity marches.In Kayonza district, the remains were laid to rest at Mukarange Genocide Memorial, in an event that was graced by provincial governor Odette Uwamariya, among others.Addressing mourners, Uwamaliya said despite the massacre that claimed more than a million lives, Rwanda was several steps ahead towards development and self-reliance.She, however, challenged people with knowledge of whereabouts of other victims’ remains to be strong enough and come forth to reveal the details to the concerned authorities.“I am indeed disturbed that we are still searching for remains after 19 years. This should have ended three years after the Genocide. It is shame to those who know where the bodies are, but remain silent,” she said.Climax of evilUwamaliya urged survivors to be strong and maximise the support government gives them to forge a better future.“You shouldn’t remain in despair, you should try to relieve yourselves from grief and struggle for a bright future, the government is ready to support Genocide survivors,” the governor said.MP Charles Kamanda, an area survivor, told the gathering that the days of wrong thinking were gone, adding that Rwanda’s ugly history could not be allowed to hold people in slavery.“Our history was shaped by colonisers, whose selfish agenda cannot be over-emphasised. Puppets of the colonisers lived according to their expectations. This is what we can’t allow anymore. Genocide was a climax of evil in society,” he said.

National

Remains of 700 Genocide victims get decent burial