The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Jean Damascène Bizimana, has called on Rwandans to confront the country’s history honestly, warning that genocide ideology persists and that historical truth is essential to preventing divisionism from recurring.

He made the remarks on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, during a forum promoting national unity and community resilience at the University of Rwanda’s Huye Campus, attended by stakeholders from Huye, Nyanza and Gisagara districts.

Dr Bizimana noted that the three districts have a painful history, reflected in the scale of participation in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. According to figures he presented, Huye recorded 81,126 people convicted by Gacaca courts for genocide-related participation, followed by Nyanza with 68,566 and Gisagara with 63,200.

He also cited the 2025 National Unity Barometer, which ranked Nyanza fourth nationally, Gisagara 26th and Huye 28th.

Alice Kayitesi, Governor of the Southern Province, highlighted the region’s painful history, noting that some intellectuals and academics from Butare and the wider southern region participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. 

She said these individuals should have used their education and knowledge to challenge divisionism and prevent violence, but instead, some chose to participate in the atrocities. 

Their actions were deplorable and serve as a reminder that education must be accompanied by moral responsibility and a commitment to humanity, and that intellectuals today have a duty to promote unity, challenge hatred and help prevent the recurrence of genocide.

Understanding the roots of divisionism

Dr Bizimana traced ethnic divisionism to the colonial period and subsequent political developments, highlighting the role of Belgian colonial administrators and the Catholic Church in propagating ethnic divisions.

He recalled that Grégoire Kayibanda announced the establishment of PARMEHUTU on 25 September 1959, marking a significant moment in ethnic-based politics. He said ideologies promoted by PARMEHUTU, APROSOMA, MRND and CDR entrenched hatred and discrimination in the decades preceding the Genocide against the Tutsi.

“It is therefore right that we tell each other the truth,” the Minister said, warning that without historical truth, such tragedies could recur.

He stressed the importance of understanding the mechanisms that destroyed Rwandan society and remaining vigilant against divisive ideologies.

Reflecting on Rwanda’s progress since 1994, Dr Bizimana cited the 2025 Nationa Unity Barometer according to which unity stands at 95.3 per cent, urging Rwandans to protect these gains and reject ideologies that undermine shared citizenship.

Young people urge to reject hatred

Hakizimana Anasthase, a student at the Catholic University, said some young people encounter misleading information about the Genocide against the Tutsi through family members and social media.

He pledged to share accurate historical information with his peers and encourage them to critically examine what they read and hear.

Organised as part of Unity and Resilience Month, the forum underscored the importance of historical awareness, civic responsibility and critical thinking in preventing genocide ideology and safeguarding national unity.