KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, has praised the 30-year journey of IBUKA, describing the organization as a pillar of resilience, remembrance, and advocacy for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Speaking during a commemoration of IBUKA’s three decades of service, Jeannette Kagame honored the courage of those who founded the organization in 1995 and recognized the many Rwandans who have stood beside it in the difficult but necessary mission of supporting survivors, preserving truth, and ensuring that genocide never happens again.
Founded in the aftermath of one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history, IBUKA was established to defend the rights and dignity of survivors, preserve the memory of those who were killed, and fight against genocide denial and distortion. Over the past three decades, the organization has become a symbol of collective healing and national remembrance.
In her remarks, Jeannette Kagame said Rwanda continues to carry the painful legacy of the Genocide against the Tutsi, describing it as a national tragedy whose weight must not be forgotten or ignored. She stressed that remembrance is not a burden of shame, but a duty of humanity and truth.
She emphasized that if the world had not failed Rwanda in 1994, the organized cruelty that claimed more than one million lives would never have been allowed to unfold. Her message was a reminder that remembrance is not only about honoring the dead, but also about defending the values of justice, dignity, and human life.
Jeannette Kagame said that remembering those who perished is an essential responsibility of Rwandan society and warned that a people who fail to remember risk losing their moral and historical foundation. She noted that IBUKA emerged as a necessary answer to Rwanda’s painful history and remains one of the most important institutions in the country’s journey of recovery.
Reflecting on the organization’s 30-year journey, she said IBUKA represents the endurance of a generation that experienced deep trauma but made a deliberate choice to continue living, rebuilding, and standing together. She praised survivors and their families for carrying unimaginable pain while still contributing to the restoration of Rwanda’s social and moral fabric.
She acknowledged that the road has not been easy, but she commended those who bore grief with courage and determination. According to her, the sacrifices made in the pursuit of resilience and national recovery are immeasurable and deserve the highest respect.
Among the most powerful themes in her speech was the importance of forgiveness. Jeannette Kagame described forgiveness not as weakness, but as one of the greatest strengths of the human heart. She said it reflects a courageous decision to reject permanent captivity to hatred and bitterness, and instead to choose life, healing, and a future.
At the same time, she warned that forgiveness should never lead to complacency. She urged Rwandans not to assume that peace and security are permanent simply because the country has rebuilt itself. Instead, she called for continued vigilance, particularly at a time when some individuals and groups continue to deny, distort, or minimize the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
She reaffirmed that Rwanda should never regret the choices it made to rebuild itself after 1994 and encouraged survivors, families, and the broader population to remain committed to the values that have helped the country move forward. She framed that commitment as both a national duty and a shared struggle.
Her remarks also included a warning about the role of the international community in times of mass violence. She noted that history has shown how international actors have often failed to prevent genocide where warning signs were already visible. For that reason, she argued, Rwanda’s true security must ultimately be protected first and foremost by Rwandans themselves.
She said the phrase “Never Again” must not remain a symbolic slogan, but should instead be treated as a lasting covenant — one that binds the present generation to those who were lost, to those who survived, to future generations, and to the nation itself.
Jeannette Kagame also used the occasion to speak directly to Rwanda’s youth, urging them to embrace the responsibility of loving, protecting, and building their country. She called on younger generations to take ownership of Rwanda’s future by remaining grounded in truth, patriotism, and unity.
Also speaking at the event was Rose Mukankomeje, one of IBUKA’s founders, who stressed the importance of teaching younger generations the country’s history in a strong and structured way. She called for serious academic investment in history education and research, particularly in higher learning institutions, so that future generations can understand the truth and guard against revisionism.
She urged young people to preserve the legacy they have inherited, to remain honest and principled, and to reject harmful behaviors that could weaken the values of remembrance and national responsibility.
Other speakers reflected on the difficult early years after the genocide, when survivors and communities faced the painful task of locating, burying, and honoring the remains of victims. Those efforts eventually led to the creation of temporary memorials and, later, permanent sites of remembrance that continue to serve as places of mourning, learning, and reflection.
IBUKA President Gakwenzire Philbert highlighted the organization’s achievements over the last 30 years, including advocacy for survivors, efforts to improve their welfare, preservation of historical memory, and the continued pursuit of justice for victims of the genocide.
He also acknowledged that serious challenges remain. Among them are genocide denial, minimization, and ideology that still persists in some parts of the region, as well as the reality that some individuals who played a role in the genocide continue to live freely without accountability.
As Rwanda continues its annual season of remembrance, Jeannette Kagame’s message underscored the enduring significance of IBUKA’s mission. Her words served as both a tribute to survivors and a call to action — reminding the nation that memory, truth, and vigilance remain essential pillars in protecting Rwanda’s future.
For many in attendance, the event was not only a reflection on the past 30 years, but also a renewed commitment to ensure that the sacrifices, pain, and resilience of survivors continue to shape a stronger and more united Rwanda.
