The Adventist College of Central Africa (AUCA) on Sunday, Could 17, 2026 used its thirty second commemoration of the 1994 Genocide towards the Tutsi to resume requires training to be central in confronting genocide ideology and safeguarding Rwanda’s unity.
The commemoration, held on the College’s Masoro Campus in Kigali, introduced collectively authorities officers, workers, college students, Genocide survivors, households of victims killed on the establishment’s former Mudende Campus in what’s now Mudende Sector, Rubavu District.
Amongst these remembered had been greater than 40 AUCA college students, workers members and their relations who had been killed through the Genocide after many had sought refuge on the college.
It’s estimated greater than 3,000 individuals who sought refuge then, had been killed when discovered on the campus.
Audio system on the occasion mirrored on the college’s painful historical past whereas emphasizing the position of upper studying establishments in preserving fact, selling essential considering and shaping a technology able to resisting divisionism.
In step with the thirty second commemoration exercise, 32 college students shared messages of remembrance, hope, and luxury as they learn out the names of genocide victims who labored on the former AUCA campus in Mudende.
AUCA’s dedication to educating for peace
AUCA Vice Chancellor Dr. Pacifique Nizeyimana mentioned the commemoration was each a second of remembrance and a reminder of the establishment’s duty to teach for peace.
“A college is supposed to be a spot the place minds are nurtured, the place the longer term is constructed, and the place the values of humanity are upheld,” he mentioned.
“But the Genocide towards the Tutsi didn’t spare AUCA. Many who sought refuge there believing they’d discover security as an alternative misplaced their lives,” he added.
He mentioned AUCA’s journey from Mudende to Masoro displays each the destruction attributable to the Genocide and the resilience that adopted.
“Due to the Genocide towards the Tutsi, the college was destroyed and compelled to shut its doorways. Although the journey has been lengthy, we rose once more, rebuilt ourselves and proceed to maneuver ahead,” he mentioned.
Schooling and the combat towards Genocide ideology
Charles Karakye, the Everlasting Secretary within the Ministry of Schooling, who attended as visitor of honour, mentioned the occasions at Mudende stay a painful reminder of how deeply the Genocide affected Rwanda’s training establishments.
He famous that the massacres had been notably tragic as a result of they unfolded in areas that ought to have provided sanctuary.
“It’s particularly tragic that the Genocide was carried out in establishments of training and even inside faith-based establishments,” he mentioned.
Karakye warned that whereas Rwanda has made vital strides in rebuilding, Genocide ideology continues to evolve, notably via digital platforms – a difficulty that have to be handled to foster unity.
“In the present day, Genocide ideology continues to disguise itself, notably via social media platforms. There are those that deny the Genocide, minimise it, or search to mislead younger folks via falsehoods,” he mentioned.
He urged college students to critically interact with data and examine historical past with a view to problem distorted narratives.
“It’s important to critically look at what you hear, commit yourselves to studying broadly, and perceive the true historical past of our nation.”
Karakye mentioned training stays one of many strongest safeguards towards future atrocities.
“Schooling is a pillar for constructing lasting peace and stopping genocide. It shapes mindsets, instills values and builds full residents.”
Requires vigilance towards divisionism
Irene Niyitanga, who represented Ibuka – an umbrella organisation representing Genocide survivors in Rwanda – on the occasion underscored the warning, calling on younger folks to stay vigilant towards divisive tendencies.
He mentioned Genocide ideology shouldn’t be considered as a distant risk.
“We should always not deceive ourselves into considering those that gas such ideology are distant. Some are amongst us,” she mentioned, citing continued assaults and intimidation towards survivors throughout commemoration durations.
He urged each mother and father and the youth to uphold the values of unity and reconciliation as Rwanda continues its journey of therapeutic.
Survivor recounts Mudende bloodbath
The commemoration additionally featured an affidavit from Jean de Dieu Habyarimana, a survivor of the Mudende massacres, whose account provided a sobering reminder of the occasions that unfolded on the former AUCA campus through the Genocide in April 1994.
He recounted how his household fled towards Mudende after violence erupted following the crash of former President Juvénal Habyarimana’s aircraft.
Their residence was burned as they escaped.
After they reached the college grounds, they believed that they had discovered security. As an alternative, they encountered rejection and betrayal.
He recalled how his elder brother pleaded with a church chief to open the doorways for these searching for refuge.
“The very one who had baptized us and taught us about love rejected us in our second of best want,” he mentioned.
Later, after shifting to Busasamana parish with hundreds of others, an assault started.
At first got here civilians armed with stones and crude weapons. Later, troopers arrived.
“We thought we had been saved. As an alternative, they opened hearth,” he recounted.
Jean de Dieu Habyarimana survived by hiding beneath our bodies.
Of the three,855 folks counted on the parish earlier than the assault, he mentioned solely a handful survived.
“Solely about 20 of us may stand afterwards. Fourteen died on the way in which. Solely six survived.”
Regardless of the trauma, he mentioned Rwanda’s restoration demonstrates the facility of reconciliation and nationwide rebuilding.
“In the present day, ethnicity not defines us. What defines us is our shared id as Rwandans.”
A legacy formed by the Genocide, and a dedication to stopping future atrocities
Pr. Dr. Hesron Byiringiro, Chairperson of the AUCA Council, who additionally doubles as President of the Rwanda Union Mission (RUM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, mentioned the college’s presence in Masoro is itself proof of how profoundly the Genocide altered its course.
“When the college that might develop into AUCA was established in Mudende, nobody may have imagined it will someday function right here in Kigali. Our presence right here is itself a consequence of the Genocide,” he mentioned.
He referred to as on the youthful technology to hold ahead the dedication to make sure such atrocities by no means occur once more.
