Renowned researcher and author on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Yolande Mukagasana, has called on young people to embrace a legacy of love, unity, and rejection of division as she launched her new book “Umurage w’Urubyiruko” (The Youth Legacy), a work focused on Rwanda’s history and lessons for future generations.
The book was unveiled during a public event held at the Kigali Public Library in Kacyiru, bringing together education officials, government representatives, school leaders, students, and readers.
Mukagasana said the book was driven by her determination to pass on a message of reconciliation to younger generations, particularly those born after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Having lost her entire family during the genocide, she said her life’s mission has been to ensure that the painful history is not forgotten and that it serves as a foundation for unity rather than division.
“I want to leave you a legacy of love. I want to leave you a legacy of rejecting anything that resembles division,” she said.
She emphasized that the book is especially intended for young readers, noting that understanding the country’s history is essential for safeguarding its future.
“These are your history, even if you did not take part in them. They are not the history of Tutsi, Hutu or Twa. They are the history of Rwandans. We are Rwandans,” she said.
The publication is Mukagasana’s first book written in Kinyarwanda, following earlier works published in other languages, including Not My Time to Die, which has reached an international audience.
She said the decision to write in Kinyarwanda was deliberate, aimed at making the book more accessible to Rwandan youth and strengthening their connection to their language and history.
Francoise Tuyishime, Executive Director of Bridge Vision, praised the publication, describing it as a significant contribution to historical education and youth empowerment.
She highlighted the depth of research behind the book and its careful handling of sensitive historical narratives, urging wider distribution to ensure it reaches young readers.
Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana, Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), said the book contributes to preserving the memory of the genocide while promoting responsible citizenship and national values.
He noted that such works play an important role in shaping informed, forward-looking citizens who can contribute meaningfully to national development.
Mukagasana, 71, is widely known for her testimony as a survivor of the genocide, during which she lost her entire family. Her story has been featured in productions such as Rwanda 94 and other international platforms.
She has received several international honors, including recognition from the American Jewish Committee for courage, a UNESCO peace education award, and the 2024 Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Award.
She is also the founder of the Yolande Mukagasana Foundation, which promotes unity and Rwandan values among young people, with a focus on reconciliation, social cohesion, and rejecting divisive ideologies.
