“President Paul Kagame is our Redeemer”

Mrs. Josephine Murebwayire, the unity champion on the national level has revealed that His Excellency President Paul Kagame is the country’s redeemer whom she lauded for having saved the lives of many during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Madam Josephine made a revelation when she addressed a two-day workshop on Intergeneration Trauma that brought together both Youth and stake holders in an attempt to become agents of change and break a cycle of Intergeneration trauma. The workshop was held on March 28^th 2024 at Centre Christus Urumuri in Remera, in Gasabo District.

A two-day workshop on intergeneration trauma brought together over fifty participants from across the country was attended by among others; local officials, security organs, youth and well-wishers. The workshop was organized by Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation (GER) in partnership with Community Force for Change (CFOR) to commemorate the week of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

Delivering the message to the audience, Miss Murebwayire gave an awful testimony; by narrating how she suffered miserably in the hands of tormentors between the years 1960 and 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.  She lamented how she passed through destitutions of the horror to the extent of losing hope and life. “It was God’s mercy that I survived. I would have been killed,” she told the audience.

 She took a stand to commend HE President Paul Kagame for the liberation struggle that helped to put to an end a tyrannical regime which had led the country on ethnic lines. “We love our President Paul Kagame. He is the country’s redeemer because he stood up and halted the Genocide. Long live our President Paul Kagame, long live Rwanda’, she said.

“We shall always be at standby to protect the country in case there is danger. And be rest assured that nothing will again jeopardize the country’s security”, said Rugimbana one of the security officers who attended a workshop.  

One Rutabana Damascene a genocide survivor from Gasabo District hailed GER Rwanda for making him what he is now. “GER gave me hope, knowledge and experience which I am using to benefit my life. I have used the knowledge acquired to sensitize Rwandans on unity and social cohesion”, he said.

In his word, the Executive Director for Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation Mr. Musore Innocent echoed similar sentiments. He commended the President of the Republic of Rwanda. HE Paul Kagame for extraordinary leadership which he said has placed the country on a global arena. He noted that the country has registered tremendous achievements as a result of good governance.  Mr. Musore cautioned the youth to be agents of change for the betterment of the country. He further urged them to be ambassadors of hope and change for the sake of community transformation.

He pledged that GER Rwanda will continue supporting reconciliation drive for the sake of social -economic transformation aimed at community development.

One Hakizimana Patrick, a perpetrator of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and a former soldier of the genocidal regime testified for having killed family members of Miss Carine. He regretted for having committed inhuman acts. “I Invaded Carine’s home and killed both her siblings and parents. I repented for having done this”, Patrick said.  He also lauded GER Rwanda for cleansing him, saying it has transformed his life to a new creation.

“We are here because of GER Rwanda. It has transformed our lives through social economical way. As you see me my livelihood has been changed tremendously and this has reduced burden on my family members”, said Munyarukundo Bosco a beneficiary.

Miss Dative Mushimiyimana from Bugesra District applauded GER for excellent work done towards supporting unity and reconciliation initiatives in her home District Bugesera.

She observed that the act has given her hope and strength to pass on love and peace messages to the rest in Bugesera community.  “GER Rwanda has done a commendable job in line with unity and reconciliation across our District. This has graced us and transformed our community as well”, she said.

During his lectures to the participants, Rev. Dr. Antoine Rutayisire urged the youth to embrace change for positivity. He observed that a change based on hope and unity is good for a nation.  “If you want to be a new creation just accept what you are and where you hail from”, said Rev. Rutayisire, urging the youth to desist from a nasty habit of taking illicit drinks such as alcohol. “Whenever I see young people taking alcohol it reminds me that our society needs drastic change”, he added.  He also urged the youth to dream well for the sake of protracted vision. 

“Be a dreamer. And try to dream for yourself and others as well. It will bring a positive change in your lives,” he said, urging Rwandans to be a head rather than a tail as God calls his flock to be a head not a tail for the good of their lives.

He further told the youth to have positive ideas which can easily help them to easily identify what is evil and ignore it completely for the good of the society.

Notably, GER Rwanda is on a forefront in the region to supporting the existing process of peace building and conflict transformation in the community. The initiative which has enticed many within and outside the country has therefore helped to improve the livelihoods of many beneficiaries spread across the districts of Ruhango, Rwamagana, Bugesera, Kigali and Gasabo respectively.

Produced by Mr. Grace Mugabe, a researcher, University lecturer and Regional Communications expert