Kwibuka 30: Rwandans in Uganda set for series of genocide memorial activities

A total number of 10,983 victims of one of the worst ethnic killings in human history were buried in Uganda in areas of Masaka, Rakai and Mpigi.

The Rwanda High Commission in Kampala is set to to hold a series of events in Uganda from Sunday, April 7, to May 4 to commemorate 30 years of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Rwanda remembers the Genocide under the banner of Kwibuka, a Kinyarwanda word which means "to remember" and is widely used to foster the "never again" spirit.

The activities will include  a public lecture, a Walk of Remembrance and vigil in remembrance of the victims of the genocide in collaboration with Rwandan students in Uganda.

A total number of 10,983 victims of one of the worst ethnic killings in human history were buried in Uganda in areas of Masaka, Rakai and Mpigi.

Joseph Rutabana, the Rwndan high commissioner of to Uganda, said this year's main commemoration in Uganda will see the Mission engage in activities to remembrance of the victims of the Genocide.

"On  April 20, we shall have our main commemoration event in Mpigi District at Ggolo Genocide Memorial Site," Rutabana said.

"Ggolo is one of the three genocide memorial sites in Uganda with 4,771 remains interrred in there.

"Other memorial sites are Lambu in Masaka District with 3,337 remains, and Kasensero in Rakai District with 2,875 remains, making a total 10,983 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi buried in Uganda," he added.

Rutabana said they expect to have over 700 guests in attendance.

Uganda hosts a big number of Rwandans, which explains the Walk to Remember led by Rwandan students in Uganda to reflect on the journey Rwanda has undergone over the last three decades.

"We plan to have a Walk to Remember and vigil in remembrance of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which will be held on May 4 in collaboration with Rwandan students in Uganda," Rutabana said.

The Rwandan Mission is expecting participants its community in Uganda, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academia, religious institutions, Genocide survivors, the media fraternity and friends of Rwanda.

The 30th commemoration marks a generational cycle since the Genocide was put to an end which saw over one million people, the majority of them the minority Tutsi ethnics, were slaughtered inside 100 days.

It is an opportune time for a call to reflect on the transformational journey that Rwanda has undergone for the last thirty years, building on the legacy of strength, resilience, and unity that the new generation is called upon to sustain and carry forward.

The commemoration seeks to engage all segments of Rwandan society.