On 8 May 2026, the Office of the Ombudsman organized an event to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The commemoration was held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and brought together leaders and staff of the Office of the Ombudsman, representatives of IBUKA in Gasabo District, and friends of the institution.

The programme began with a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, during which participants were briefed on the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and how it was systematically planned and executed. Participants later laid wreaths at the mass graves where victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are laid to rest, in a gesture of remembrance and respect.

The commemoration continued in the conference hall with a lecture delivered by Pastor Jean Pierre Uwimana, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda. His presentation focused on the history of the destruction of unity among Rwandans, the ideology of genocide within Rwanda’s governance systems, the preparation and execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as its consequences and lessons for Rwanda, the region, and the international community.

The event also featured a testimony from Serge Rwigamba, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi. In his testimony, he reflected on the painful experiences he endured during the genocide, the loss of his family members, and the long-lasting effects of the genocide on survivors. He emphasized the importance of preserving the true history of the Genocide against the Tutsi and educating young people to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. His testimony deeply moved participants and reminded them of the brutality with which the genocide was carried out, as well as the collective responsibility to fight genocide ideology in all its forms.

In his remarks, the representative of IBUKA in Gasabo District commended the role played by various institutions in preserving the history of the genocide and supporting survivors. He also encouraged the youth to continue standing for truth and actively combating genocide ideology.

In her address, the Ombudsman  NIRERE Madeleine expressed her condolences to families who lost their loved ones during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, particularly those whose relatives are buried at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. She stressed that remembrance is the responsibility of every Rwandan and an important means of preserving history and ensuring that genocide never happens again.

She stated:

“Commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi is the responsibility of every Rwandan and of the international community as a whole. It reminds us of our history, teaches us valuable lessons, and gives us the strength to continue building a nation founded on justice, peace, and unity. Remembrance is also about restoring the dignity and honour that our people were stripped of, and reaffirming that the right to life is inviolable.”

The Ombudsman paid special tribute to the RPA-Inkotanyi forces that stopped the genocide under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, noting that their efforts changed the course of the nation’s history and restored hope to Rwandans.

She further called on everyone to actively combat genocide ideology and denial, particularly on social media platforms, emphasizing that the truth about Rwanda’s history must continue to be preserved and passed on to future generations.

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