The commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on April 9 has afforded over 2,073 victims of the carnage to be given a decent burial after their remains were discovered in mass graves in the Huye District.
According to local media, the remains of the victims, largely from the Tutsi ethnic group, were discovered under a house and a field.
A local tabloid reported that the first six bodies were discovered in October 2023 as workers were building a fence around the compound that belongs to a one Jean Baptiste Hishamunda in Ngoma sector.
“Neighbours and the owners of the home had concealed information about the victims’ whereabouts for a long time,” according to city officials.
Ange Sebutege, the Mayor of Huye District who supervised the exhumation of the remains, told journalists on Monday that the victims of the 1994 genocide will get a decent burial on April 30 in Ngoma Genocide memorial during a commemoration activity that is planned.
He added that the land where the bodies were exhumed is being prepared to establish a symbol that massacres were committed during the pogrom.
The area, according to Sebutege, was inhabited by soldiers of the genocidal regime, two of whom are said to have committed genocide crimes including the son of Hishamunda, who is currently serving a sentence in Huye prison after pleading guilty.
“Despite pleading guilty he never shared information about the victims’ remains dumped in mass graves at his home.
“The suspects being pursued for concealing the information include 86-year-old Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, Seraphine Dusabemariya, 61 , Petero Habimana, 89, Mariani Musasangohe, 50, Marie Josee Uwabega, 53, and Mediatrice Uwimana, 54,” Sebutege said.
“Others like Sifa Nyirakiromba, 68, was released while the six suspects will be arraigned in court.
“Dusabemariya, Musangangohe, and Uwabega are children of Jean Baptiste Hishamunda, while Habimana and Uwimana are neighbours of Dusabemariya,” he stated.
According to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), there is an increase in crimes related to concealing, destroying, eliminating, or degrading evidence or information relating to genocide, which saw a rise of 120 percent.
“However, this increase is viewed positively by RIB, as it signifies a growing awareness of the legal impact associated with withholding crucial information regarding genocide.
“This surge in cases, from 44 in 2019 to 97 in 2023, demonstrates progress, as individuals are increasingly disclosing the whereabouts of genocide victims’ remains, thus contributing to the process of healing and reconciliation,” according to RIB.