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Mayor Nyemazi Jean Bosco delivers a powerful address during the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the University of Rwanda – Rukara Campus, urging intellectuals to uphold truth, unity, and national values.

As the nation marks the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Mayor of Kayonza District, Mr. Nyemazi Jean Bosco, delivered a powerful message during a remembrance event held at the University of Rwanda – Rukara Campus. The ceremony brought together students, staff, residents of Gahini Sector, local leaders, and IBUKA representative.

Mayor Nyemazi began by expressing condolences to the survivors and families of victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, noting the profound impact of the genocide on Rwanda’s social fabric and intellectual community. He thanked the university leadership for hosting the event, emphasizing the critical role of higher learning institutions in preserving memory and promoting unity.
“This university, like many others, houses intellectuals and young people who represent Rwanda’s future. Commemorative events such as this one must not only honor the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but also serve as platforms for education, reflection, #
and transformation,” the mayor stated.

Mayor Nyemazi Jean Bosco honors the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi by placing a flower at the Kwibuka monument at the UR– Rukara Campus

The disturbing role of some Intellectuals
Mayor Nyemazi reminded participants that before and during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, certain intellectuals—teachers, researchers, and even students—played a significant role in planning and executing the genocide.
“Those who were expected to guide society, inspire development, and provide moral leadership, instead used their knowledge and influence to divide, incite hatred, and even facilitate killings,” he noted.He highlighted how some university staff and academics wrote inflammatory material, shared lists of targeted individuals, and attended meetings where genocidal decisions were made. In many cases, educators reported the hiding places of their Tutsi students, directly enabling their deaths.

The mayor further recalled how some leaders in religious institutions and political organizations also abandoned their moral responsibilities, participating in or turning a blind eye to killings that occurred in churches and parishes across the country.
“The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi did not begin overnight. It was a long process, supported and normalized by educated individuals and promoted through institutions that should have stood for integrity and truth,” he said.

Loss of national values
Mayor Nyemazi emphasized that prior to the 199 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan society had been rooted in strong cultural values such as compassion, cooperation, mutual aid, and integrity. However, these values were eroded by extremist ideology and divisive politics that promoted ethnic hatred.
He warned that when a society loses its guiding values and philosophical foundations, it opens the door to atrocities.
“Instead of conducting research to improve agriculture, education, or livelihoods, some scholars channeled their energies into writing materials that dehumanized others and justified violence,” he said.

Historical examples and local context
The mayor reflected on how genocide ideology, along with discriminatory and segregationist practices, had taken root in educational institutions long before 1994. He referenced historical accounts from the 1970s involving a school located at what is now Groupe Scolaire de Gahini, where students were reportedly subjected to indoctrination that promoted hatred against the Tutsi. Such practices led to the marginalization, expulsion, and stigmatization of Tutsi students, demonstrating how deeply entrenched ideology of exclusion had permeated the education system, sowing the seeds of the genocide decades before it was carried out.

He also highlighted the unique and painful history of the Kayonza region, noting that several areas within the district were severely affected during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Mayor Nyemazi called for a collective effort to preserve history and teach it responsibly and truthfully, emphasizing the importance of building a nation founded on the values of integrity, humanity, and respect. He urged intellectuals to play an active role in the national healing process, contributing through meaningful research and positive engagement to foster a more unified and prosperous future for the country.
“We sincerely thank all those who participated in this commemoration, especially the University of Rwanda – Rukara Campus, for continuously providing space to remember, reflect, and build a future free of division and hatred,” he concluded.

Story by

NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
PRO, UR-CE