Rwanda envoy calls for arrest of roaming genociders

The Rwandan High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage, has said all people accused of committing atrocities against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994 should be arrested and face the law.

Mugambage contends that 23 years after the incident, the perpetrators and their collaborators still roam the region freely as the world looks on.

"Many genociders are also residing in many capitals in the western world and instead of being brought to account for the horrendous crime they committed against humanity," he said.

A passionate Mugambage said, "I think it is proper that as we remember those that perished in the genocide, we also remind the world that some of those that committed the atrocities are still living free and are in countries that claim to be the most democratic."

He added that the genocide would not end if the perpetuators were still roaming freely.

The remarks were made during the 23rd Kwibuka celebrations on Friday at International University of East Africa in Kansanga.

The celebrations marked the beginning of 100 days of mourning when Rwanda and the world remember the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

It was observed under the theme, ‘fight genocide ideology- Build on our progress and standing firm on our achievements.'

Quick recovery

The Rwandan community in Uganda also hailed Rwandese President Paul Kagame over the country's quick recovery after the 1994 genocide.

The group praised Kagame for his leadership and the extensive fiscal and economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investments.

"We praise President Kagame for the quick recovery after the 1994 genocide that cost nearly 1 million lives in only 100 days. Twenty three year later, Rwanda boasts one of the cleanest capital cities in the region, booming construction, and a per-capita income that outpaces neighbouring countries," Mugambage said.

He added that these improvements are no doubt attributable to Rwanda's hardworking culture, the influx of foreign assistance, and the leadership of Kagame.

Mugambage said the good leadership has emphasised and done all it takes to build unity of all Rwandans and also reconcile the society in the aftermath of the genocide.

"The good governance which empowers people to be self-reliant and hence build the capacity for the state to be self-sustaining has been key to Rwanda's progress," he explained.

The chairperson of the Rwandan Community in Uganda Donati Kananura maintained that adopting home grown solutions in which communities participate to address their challenges has led to the rapid transformation.

"Rwanda's achievements in the recent years include effective public resource utilization that benefits the citizens, zero tolerance to corruption, building modern infrastructure and friendly business environment that enables foreign and local investment," he explained.

During the memorial lecture, the guest speaker Dr. Fredrick Goloba Mutebi lauded Kagame for the introduction of policies that minimized ethnic divisions, encouraged economic development partnerships and taken a strong stand against corruption.

"Rwanda which was considered a failed state in the aftermath of the genocide is now the modelling in success; what these people have achieved in the short time since the genocide is unbelievable. This is a terrific country," he said.

Italian Ambassador to Uganda, Domenico Fornana said, "When you think of what this country has gone through and look at where it is now, it's something you can hardly believe."

Delivering his message during the service, Pastor Isaac Kiwewesi of Kansanga Miracle Centre, paid tribute to the victims of the genocide and congratulated Rwanda for having rapid recovery programme.

Kiwewesi also hailed President Paul Kagame for his tireless efforts in maintaining peace, stability and accelerating the development of the country.

"I commend president Kagame and the people of Rwanda for the tireless efforts in establishing security, stability, peace and development in Rwanda as well as their participation in the peace process in the region," he said.

Survivor's testimony

A number of Rwanda students in Uganda attended the colourful ceremony and thanked the Rwandan government for the support through education.

Daniel Bugingo, 30, a student and survivor narrated how he spends weeks without food only in search of a safe place to hide.

"I was with my elder sister when the killers raided our in Mashege village, we escaped and ran into the bushes where we spent close to three weeks in search for a safer place," Bugingo recalled.

He remembered getting help from a foreign team that was driving in the country side in search of their people.

"We were taken to an orphanage in Kigali where later I joined school with the help of the current government under the genocide survivors' fund," he said.

"We government for the fund has continued support that enables rebuilding the lives of the survivors," he said.