At least 29 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were laid to rest on Thursday in Rwanda’s Nyaruguru District, following their recent discovery in mass graves. The burial took place in Munini sector during ceremonies marking the 31st commemoration of one of Africa’s most devastating episodes.
Local residents, survivors, and national leaders gathered to honour the victims, whose remains had been hidden for decades. The event served as a reminder of the country’s continuing efforts to reckon with its past and ensure that all genocide victims are identified and given a dignified burial.
Senator Pelagie Uwera, who attended the ceremony, offered condolences to survivors and reiterated the urgency of uprooting any lingering genocide ideology. She appealed to individuals who may have information about undiscovered graves to come forward, saying that such gestures are vital for healing and national reconciliation.
“Revealing these locations allows families to find peace,” she said. “It also strengthens the collective memory that prevents history from repeating itself.”
Nyaruguru District Mayor Emmanuel Murwanashyaka condemned former local leaders who enabled or directly facilitated the massacres in the region. He also criticized those who obstructed escape routes to neighbouring Burundi, denying Tutsis a chance at survival during the 100-day killing spree.
Despite ongoing national efforts to locate and rebury the victims, many genocide survivors are still searching for the remains of loved ones. According to IBUKA, Rwanda’s leading genocide survivors’ organization, some burial sites remain undisclosed more than three decades later.
The 1994 genocide, orchestrated by extremist Hutu elements, led to the deaths of around one million people — primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus who opposed the violence. In the aftermath, Rwanda has worked to rebuild its social fabric, establish justice through community-based courts, and commemorate the victims through annual remembrance activities.
As Rwanda reflects on its painful past, Thursday’s reburial in Nyaruguru stood as both a solemn act of remembrance and a call for truth and accountability.