Kwibuka 22: Kigali Genocide Memorial to host Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi

More than 500 guests including international leaders, dignitaries, survivors and their families and representatives of survivor organisations will attend the event on the morning of 7 April 2016. The commemoration period is known as Kwibuka, the Kinyarwanda word for remembrance.

As part of the commemoration, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the President of the Untied Republic of Tanzania, Dr John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, will light the Flame of Remembrance, ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ beginning the 100 days of mourning. The Flame of Remembrance symbolises the courage and resilience of Rwandans over the last 22 years.

"The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide. We are a home for survivors, relatives and friends of victims to remember their loved ones. During Kwibuka22, we invite visitors to pay their respects by touring the memorial and laying a flower on the burial place. In Rwandan culture, we light a fire as we mourn lost loved ones and we will honour this tradition by lighting the Flame of Remembrance on April 7, 22 years after the Genocide began,” said Honore Gatera, Manager of the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Speaking on Kwibuka activities, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, called on Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to join the fight against genocide ideology.

"Genocide ideology should be relentlessly fought because genocide perpetrators and their backers have continued to distort the truth around it," Dr Bizimana said.

Education is key to fighting genocide ideology and denial. As a place of remembrance and learning, the Kigali Genocide Memorial plays an important role in educating about genocide and mass atrocities so that ‘Never Again’ is a reality.

During the 100 days of Kwibuka, we invite everyone to leave a message in the memorial’s digital guestbook as a way to remember the victims and show support to survivors. You can leave your message here.