Some traders say they are determined to break from the dark legacy of certain businesspeople who, before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, used their resources to support destructive activities. This included purchasing machetes that were later used to kill more than a million people simply because of how they were born, at the hands of fellow Rwandans.
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They say today’s generation of traders is committed to using wealth and influence to unite people and contribute to national development instead of fueling division.
Visit to Rukumberi Memorial Strengthens Commitment
Their remarks were made during a visit by more than 500 traders from the market to the Rukumberi Genocide Memorial as part of the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The traders said remembrance has become a value they have chosen to uphold, helping them reject division and anything that could separate Rwandans. They stressed that remembering the past strengthens their resolve to be different from some businesspeople who contributed to the country’s tragedy before the genocide.
Etienne Habimana, a young trader in the market, said remembrance is especially important because it helps them learn from history and understand how some people once used their wealth to destroy the country.
He said, “Some traders who came before us contributed to the tragedies that befell the country. The mistakes we must correct, and the measures we have, are to ensure that we remain united as Rwandans and work hard to build our country, instead of engaging in divisions. We must use our wealth to develop the country, not to destroy it.”
Youth Ready to Fight Genocide Denial Online
Habimana added that young people are also prepared to confront genocide denial and distortion, particularly on social media platforms.
He said: “We use the same platforms they use, and we are ready to challenge them. When they distort our history, we correct them using those platforms. We also use our resources to show that Rwanda is no longer what it was then, highlighting the progress the country has made. Those who deny the genocide do so deliberately to erase history, but we, as youth, are ready to confront them,”
He said the youth have both the responsibility and the tools needed to defend historical truth and protect Rwanda’s progress.
IBUKA Praises Participation, Calls for Vigilance
Leaders from IBUKA, the association supporting survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, in Kanombe Sector, said the participation of traders in remembrance activities reflects good governance and helps them better understand the country’s history.
Christine Utetiwabo, President of IBUKA in Kanombe Sector, urged the youth to remain vigilant against anything that could cause the country to regress: “Youth are the strength of the country and are quick builders. They are also very active on social media. My message to them is to continue protecting and preserving what the country has achieved,” she said.
The Rukumberi Genocide Memorial, located in Rukumberi Sector of Ngoma District, is the final resting place of more than 45,000 victims. Among them are about 1,800 Tutsi who were killed at the ADEPR church, along with others murdered across the hills of the former Kibungo region.
