June 19, 1994 marked the 75th day of the 100-day Genocide against the Tutsi, and the 170th day of the year.
During this period, Tutsi in hiding continued to be relentlessly hunted, while RPA Inkotanyi forces advanced their liberation of various parts of the country and rescued survivors in different areas.
On this day, killings targeting Tutsi in Kigali continued, with Interahamwe militias playing a central role in the violence, alongside the involvement of Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka.
At Sainte Famille Church, Interahamwe reportedly entered the premises at will and removed victims with the assistance of Father Munyeshyaka. The church was surrounded daily by gendarmes and Interahamwe, making it extremely difficult for Tutsi refugees inside to leave safely.
On this occasion, Interahamwe accompanied by Col Laurent Munyakazi, Angeline Mukandutiye, Odeta Nyirabagenzi, Kamatamu Euphrasie, Col Tharcisse Renzaho, and Father Munyeshyaka took around 17 young Tutsi men and led them to be killed.
Among those taken was Rubashankwaya Bonaventure, who worked at MINIFINECO (Ministry of Finance and Economy), along with others.
Sainte Famille Parish and the Centre National de Pastorale Saint Paul were among the most prominent Catholic Church institutions in Kigali where many Tutsi sought refuge, believing they would find safety within places of worship.
However, some of those involved in the killings were members of the same faith community, attending Sunday services or daily Mass. This included clergy, with Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka accused of playing a central role in facilitating the targeting and killing of Tutsi during the genocide.
