Kamonyi pays tribute to the victims of Genocide against the Tutsi thrown into Nyabarongo River

April 15, 2025, In Runda Sector, Kamonyi District held a commemoration event for the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, with a special remembrance of those who were thrown into the Nyabarongo River on 15 April 1994, when the genocide began in this area.

The 31st commemoration event was attended by residents of Runda Sector, families of survivors, leaders from various institutions, Members of Rwanda’s Parliament, and others. Also a walk to remember led to the Nyabarongo River where flowers were laid in tribute to victims thrown into its water during the Geonocide.

This date marks the beginning of the large-scale killings in the area that was then Runda Commune. At that time, thousands of Tutsi who had sought refuge in Gihara Catholic Parish Church were taken and thrown into the Nyabarongo River-some already killed, others still alive.

Apart from residents of Runda, numerous other Tutsi fleeing for their lives were also thrown into the river after being intercepted at roadblocks near the river, according to the Mayor of Kamonyi District, Dr Sylvere Nahayo.

Innocent Nshogoza, a survivor from Runda and president of Ibuka, said the killings began in what is now Rugalika Sector, prompting residents of Runda to flee to Gihara Catholic Parish Church in search of safety, but they were ultimately killed in horrific fashion.

He said, “Once people had gathered, soldiers from Kigali arrived early in the morning on 15 April around 6am, shot open the church doors, entered and began killing. Both the dead and the wounded were loaded into vehicles and taken to the Nyabarongo. Those who were still alive were thrown into the water bound with women’s cloth wraps. If anyone managed to get out, they were struck with clubs or stones by the Interahamwe.”

“After killing those in the church, the attackers went back to the homes to kill those who had not fled, handing them over to the commune administrator, Sixbert Ndayambaje, who in turn handed them over to the Interahamwe.”

Mukamurama Claudine is one of those taken from Gihara Church to be thrown into the Nyabarongo. She explained how she survived: “On 15 April, there were about four vehicles loaded with people taken to the river. I was in the last vehicle with soldiers. I screamed and shouted until they said, ‘Remove that noisy person and let her die somewhere else.’ That’s how I survived. All the others were taken away.”

Mukamurama says she has rebuilt her life thanks to the opportunity to study after the genocide. She now works in local government and he is married with four children.

Senator Alexis Mugisha, who joined the people of Kamonyi for the commemoration, also spoke of the scale of the genocide in the area. He is himself a witness to how lorries were used to transport the bodies to the Nyabarongo River.

He described an image that still haunts him-women, girls, elderly men, young men, and children seated naked by the river, being beaten by the Interahamwe before being thrown into the water.

Reflecting on Rwanda’s national resolve that the Genocide against the Tutsi shall never happen again, he called on Rwandans to remain committed to remembrance reflecting on how far the country has come.

 “No one should deny us the right to remember. Even those who participated in the genocide remember what they did and the consequences they brought upon themselves by accepting evil guidance. Remembrance is our collective responsibility as Rwandans. Whoever refuses to engage will soon realise they are mistaken.”

Senator Mugisha expressed deep concern about some parents who are teaching their children genocidal ideology, which is being spread through dangerous rhetoric.

As of now, IBUKA—the Genocide survivors’ organisation-has not yet disclosed the total number of Tutsi thrown into the Nyabarongo in this sector, stating that efforts are still ongoing to compile the figures, as the victims were dumped at various points along the river.