First Lady praises Ibuka's 30-year journey in preserving genocide memory
Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame has commended Ibuka, the organisation for Genocide survivors, for its three decades of dedication to resilience and keeping the memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi alive.
Her remarks were made on April 8 during a tribute marking Ibuka’s 30-year milestone, on occasion of the International Conference on Genocide Prevention, held in Kigali.
Ibuka, which means “remember”, was founded in 1995. It serves as an umbrella organisation for various survivor associations, aiming to unite survivors and offer support during Rwanda’s darkest period.
First Lady Kagame highlighted the profound meaning behind the organisation's name.
“Ibuka is a word that gives us an important responsibility: the duty to remember, because a society that does not remember is lifeless,” she stated.
She also connected the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi with Ibuka’s 30-year journey, describing it as “meaningful and strong.”
Reflecting on the organisation's history, she said, “Today, as we reflect on the 30 years of Ibuka, we thank those who played a role in founding this it and other organisations that partnered with it along the journey."
“They showed courage by starting something from nothing in a time full of darkness and grief, choosing to build rather than surrender to despair,” she added.
The First Lady acknowledged Ibuka’s crucial role in helping survivors heal from trauma, rebuild their lives, and find hope for the future.
She offered words of comfort and encouragement to its members: “Members of Ibuka, this journey has not been straightforward. You accepted to bear anger when necessary and wielded it responsibly. Take comfort: do not fear; the cost of perseverance is priceless and beyond question.”
She stressed the importance of th current national stability, urging Rwandans to never take them for granted. She reminded Rwandans the need to combat genocide denial and distortion of genocide history.
“Failing to protect the memory would be a grave mistake. We still witness individuals who try to distort or deny history,” she warned, calling on the youth to commit to building an inclusive country.
She added that the struggle for remembrance is a shared responsibility across all generations.
