Makerere University has Wednesday, April 17, 2024 held a public lecture in commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The public lecture, the first of its kind in Uganda, brought together different dignitaries across East Africa, who debated on the preservation, memorialisation and resilience of the Genocide. The lecture was held under the theme ‘remember-unite-renew’.
Makerere University vice chancellor, who was represented by deputy VC in charge of academics Prof. Umar Kakumba, thanked the organisers for granting Makerere the opportunity to host the lecture.
Prof. Umar Kakumba said the lecture is an opportunity for them to engage in the discourse made in line with fighting ideologies related to the genocide.
“We want to thank the organisers for choosing Makerere University. It is an opportunity for us to expose our academia, and academic discourse in line with efforts that have been made to try and recover from the unfortunate incident,” he said.
Adding that, “it also presents an opportunity for us to engage in discourse in line with fighting ideologies that relate with the genocide.”
Joseph Rutabana, Rwanda’s ambassador to Uganda said as they commemorate the 30th anniversary of the genocide, they also celebrate 30 years of unity and a new generation aspiring for s future free of hatred.
“As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi,we also celebrate 30 years of Unity and Resilience and a whole new generation of Rwandans aspiring for a future free of hatred and built on the principles of a shared identity,” he said.
Dr. Wandia Njoya, the lecture’s keynote speaker urged attendees not to be locked in the past, noting that the remembrance and resilience of the Rwanda genocide is a collective responsibility of Africans.
The Rwandan genocide, also known as genocide against the Tutsi, occurred between April 7th and July 19, 1994. Millions of Tutsi are said to have been killed by the Hutu during the genocide.
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