The President of IBUKA, Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire, has highlighted the organization’s pivotal role in supporting survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and contributing to Rwanda’s recovery over the past three decades.
Speaking during an event marking 30 years since IBUKA’s establishment, attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Dr. Gakwenzire underscored the organization’s contribution to justice, remembrance, and survivor welfare.
He noted that IBUKA played a key role in advancing justice by supporting the Gacaca courts and contributing to the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, including identifying witnesses and providing evidence in genocide-related trials both in Rwanda and abroad.
Beyond justice, IBUKA has been central to memorialization efforts, ensuring dignified burials for victims, preserving genocide history, and promoting remembrance initiatives to safeguard collective memory.
Dr. Gakwenzire also commended the Government of Rwanda for its continued support in areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and economic empowerment, which have enabled many survivors to rebuild their lives.
“These efforts have helped survivors move forward and rebuild alongside other Rwandans in the journey of national recovery,” he said.
Founded in 1995, IBUKA continues to advocate for survivors, preserve the memory of the genocide against the Tutsi, and work to ensure such atrocities never happen again.
