7 April 2026 — More than 400 people gathered at St Marylebone Parish Church to commemorate Kwibuka 32, marking the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The solemn event brought together survivors, members of the Rwandan diaspora, UK government officials, diplomats, faith leaders, and friends of Rwanda to honour the memory of more than one million victims and reflect on the enduring importance of remembrance, unity, and renewal.
Among the dignitaries present were Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Mrs Cherie Blair, UK High Commissioner to Rwanda Alison Thorpe, Dr Michael Gray of Hereford School, alongside members of the diplomatic corps and the wider international community.
A deeply moving survivor testimony was delivered by Marie-Rose Rurangirwa, a writer and member of the Rwandan community in the United Kingdom, who was 15 years old during the genocide.
She reflected on the long historical roots of the genocide and the stages of discrimination and dehumanisation that preceded the violence.
She also spoke about the lasting psychological impact of surviving the genocide and warned of the dangers of ignoring early signs of hatred and division.
“As a child after the genocide, I carried an invisible weight, grief without language, images I could not erase, and questions I could not answer,” she said. “I looked normal on the outside, but inside everything had changed.”
Addressing the gathering, Dr Michael Gray highlighted Rwanda’s transformation over the past three decades.
Drawing on more than fifteen years of engagement with the country, he pointed to leadership, accountability, and home-grown solutions as key drivers of Rwanda’s recovery and development.
“Having travelled to Rwanda for more than fifteen years, I have witnessed a nation that has rebuilt with remarkable leadership, courage and vision.
Today, Rwanda stands as a model to the world on how to remember, how to unite and how to renew,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey emphasised the responsibility of the international community to remember the genocide truthfully and confront denial and distortion wherever they arise.
She noted that the genocide could have been prevented had the international community acted in time, and highlighted Rwanda’s resilience and contributions to the Commonwealth.
“Remembrance is a responsibility. To remember is to resist indifference and defend truth against denial and distortion. Denial of genocide is not merely an affront to memory, it is a threat to peace,” she said.
In his address, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye, reflected on the historical context of the genocide and stressed the importance of confronting genocide ideology wherever it persists. He also underscored the continuing need for justice and accountability.
“Thirty-two years after the genocide, the United Kingdom remains the only country in the West where known genocide suspects continue to live untried. Survivors know who they are and where they are, yet justice has been repeatedly delayed,” he said.
The event also featured a poetry reading by Natasha Muhoza and Janice Isimbi, whose performance honoured the memory of those lost while reflecting the resilience and hope that continue to guide Rwanda’s journey forward.
Kwibuka, meaning “to remember” in Kinyarwanda, is observed annually by Rwandans and friends of Rwanda around the world.
The commemoration serves not only as a time to honour the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi, but also as a reminder of the shared responsibility of the international community to confront hatred, defend truth, and prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
As candles were lit in remembrance, attendees reaffirmed their collective commitment to the enduring message of Kwibuka: to remember the victims, stand with survivors, and ensure that “Never Again” remains a living responsibility for all.
