The spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Thierry B. Murangira, has said that understanding the significance of Kwibuka, the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, plays a key role in preventing crimes, particularly those linked to genocide ideology.
Speaking on Rwanda Television’s Waramutse Rwanda programme on Monday, April 6, 2026, Dr. Murangira stressed that commemoration is not reserved for a specific group but is a collective responsibility for all Rwandans. His remarks come hours before the country joins the international community to mark the start of the National Mourning Week and the 100 days of commemoration for the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Kwibuka is for everyone, and it is a unique responsibility for Rwandans. It is the duty of every citizen, not something to be left to a few individuals,” he said.
He noted that a clear understanding of this responsibility helps deter crimes associated with genocide ideology, as it fosters awareness, vigilance, and accountability among citizens.
“When people recognize that commemoration is a shared duty, it helps prevent certain crimes,” he added.
Dr. Murangira further emphasized that Kwibuka is not only a moral obligation but also a constitutional one, anchored in Rwanda’s supreme law adopted by its citizens.
He cited the Constitution’s preamble, which affirms the commitment of Rwandans to prevent and punish the crime of genocide, combat denial and minimization, and eradicate genocide ideology and all its manifestations, including divisionism and discrimination in all forms.
The preamble also underscores the national resolve to remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of more than one million people.
