Africa-Press – Rwanda. As Rwanda commemorates 31 years since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, NCBA Bank Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to remembrance, national healing, and building a future rooted in unity and compassion. NCBA Bank Rwanda staff visited Kiziguro Genocide Memorial in Gatsibo District to pay tribe to the victims and deepen their understanding of the country’s painful history.
In addition to laying wreaths in honor of the victims, the NCBA team extended support to the local community. The bank donated cows and essential household items to two Genocide survivor families in Gatsibo District.
One of the beneficiaries, Uwimana Judith, expressed her gratitude: “We are thankful for the continued support from from NCBA. These efforts strengthen our resilience and remind us that we are not walking alone. This gesture is more than assistance — it is a sign of togetherness because healing is not personal, it is collective.”
An Evening of Reflection and Commitment
Upon return from Kiziguro, the entire NCBA Rwanda team gathered for a solemn memorial evening dedicated to learning, remembrance, and renewal of commitment.
The session was led by Major (Rtd) Jean Marie Vianney Ruhamiriza, the bank’s Security Manager, who walked the team through Rwanda’s history — from the seeds of division sown before independence, to the organized planning and execution of the Genocide, and the denial that persists even today.
“Our greatest safeguard against hatred is knowledge and vigilance,” Major Ruhamiriza reminded the team.
Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Rwanda, joined the memorial evening and paid an emotional tribute to the victims and survivors. He thanked staff for their participation in the remembrance activities and emphasised that remembrance must be lived, not only spoken about. “Let this day remind us that remembrance is not only about looking back. It is also about asking ourselves – what kind of future are we creating together?”
Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Rwanda speaks at the commemoration event at Lemigo Hotel
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Amb. Benjamin Ruganganzi, shared his own powerful testimony. He recounted his painful experience upon visiting Kiziguro Church during the liberation:
“I walked into that church and saw piles of bodies, almost up 2 meters high— It is a memory that never fades. It was and still is difficult to comprehend why a human being could do such to another human being. It is why we must protect the peace and unity that was restored with vigilance.”
Adding another layer of living history, NCBA hosted Nyamutera Felix, a genocide survivor who shared his personal testimony.
“Surviving was not victory enough,” he said. “Our true victory is in building a Rwanda where life and unity triumphs.
The testimonies left a profound impact on the younger generation of NCBA staff, many of whom were born after 1994.
The Tragedy of Kiziguro: Remembering the Past to Build the Future
The visit to Kiziguro carried deep symbolism. In 1994, more than 3,000 Tutsi civilians, seeking refuge inside Kiziguro Church, were brutally massacred after days of siege. Their bodies were thrown into a mass grave nearby, turning a place of faith into a scene of unimaginable horror.
Today, Kiziguro Genocide Memorial preserves the memory of those lost — not only as a testament to their lives, but as a stark reminder of what hatred, division, and indifference can produce.
Through remembrance, education, and acts of solidarity, NCBA Bank Rwanda stands committed to ensuring that the memory of the past strengthens Rwanda’s future — a future built on truth, unity, and hope.
Felix Nyamutera, a genocide survivor who shared his personal testimony
The bank donated cows and essential household items to two Genocide survivor families in Gatsibo District
NCBA staff and management visit Kiziguro Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi
Mourners were briefed on how genocide took place in Kiziguro
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