More than 8,000 residents joined government officials on Saturday in a solemn ceremony at Kibungo Genocide Memorial to commemorate 15,593 families that were completely wiped out during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The event, part of the 31st national commemoration known as Kwibuka31, served as a powerful reminder of the profound loss and enduring pain experienced by communities in Ngoma District. Among the attendees were genocide survivors, youth representatives, and local leaders, all united in grief and resolve to remember and rebuild.
Kibungo Genocide Memorial, the final resting place for thousands of victims, became a site of reflection as names were read out and candles lit in honour of those who perished. The 15,593 families remembered during the ceremony had no survivors, representing a deeply tragic dimension of the genocide’s brutality.
Officials reaffirmed the country’s commitment to justice, remembrance, and unity, emphasizing that the memory of those lost must continue to guide Rwanda’s path toward healing and peace.
“We come here not just to mourn, but to honour the strength of our people and to ensure that such atrocities never happen again—anywhere,” said one official during the commemoration.
As the nation continues its journey of reconciliation, events like this underscore the importance of collective memory in forging a shared future free from division and hate.
Kwibuka31 continues across the country with similar commemorations scheduled in other districts in the coming weeks.
