25th Rwanda genocide commemoration at Makerere

RWANDAN GENOCIDE

KAMPALA - Makerere University hosted the 25th commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide Sunday, in honour of the over 800,000 people killed in the East African nation within a period of 100 days.

By 1:30pm, the Makerere University Main Hall was filled to capacity with hundreds. It was organised by the Rwanda High Commission in Uganda.

In attendance were Rwandan students in Uganda, from various institutions of learning, a large Rwandan community in Uganda and members of the diplomatic corps.

Those who arrived an hour later when the colourful ceremony dubbed Kwibuka 25 commenced had to stand up to 5:30 when it ended. Others stayed outside and listened to proceedings on loud speaker.

Kwibuka is Kinyarwanda for remember.

Rwanda's High Commissioner to Uganda Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambagye mingled with guests

Some of the ladies were dressed in the traditional wear Umushanana. Kwibuka 25 was held under the theme ‘Remember, unite, renew'.

Other than the speeches, the commemoration was punctuated with songs in Kinyarwanda, testimonies from survivors, plays and poemS depicting the genocide.

In his keynote address, Rwanda's High Commissioner to Uganda Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambagye paid tribute to those who stood with Rwanda, especially Uganda during the genocide and in the post-genocide era.

"In 1994, people said Rwanda is a failed state and that it was finished. But that is not true. Today, it is evident Rwanda is a progressive country, with citizens living a dignified life," he said.

He hailed Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) for championing unity, regardless of the ethnic background.

Scenes of what happened 25 years ago were recreated

Ugandan musician Angella Katatumba was one of guests