{"id":99718,"date":"2025-04-19T14:52:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T14:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/im-bank-honours-26-employees-killed-in-1994-genocide-commits-to-support-families"},"modified":"2025-04-19T14:52:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T14:52:26","slug":"im-bank-honours-26-employees-killed-in-1994-genocide-commits-to-support-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/im-bank-honours-26-employees-killed-in-1994-genocide-commits-to-support-families","title":{"rendered":"I&M Bank honours 26 employees killed in 1994 Genocide, commits to support families"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>As Rwanda and friends of Rwanda around the world mark the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, I&M Bank, formerly Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), has honoured the lives of 26 former staff members killed during the genocide. The bank\u2019s leadership and staff, alongside families of the victims, came together to remember and reflect, highlighting the bank\u2019s commitment to maintaining the country\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Held on April 17 at the bank\u2019s headquarters, the commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the bank\u2019s memorial monument which bears the names of the 26 genocide victims. Officials in attendance included representatives from the City of Kigali and Ibuka, the association of genocide survivors.<\/p>\n

Benjamin Mutimura, the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda speaks at the commemoration event.<\/p>\n

As part of the commemoration, there was a visit to Nyanza Genocide Memorial where the attendees lit candles of hope, and listened to a survivor\u2019s testimony, among others. Benjamin Mutimura, the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda, described the commemoration as a time of reflection and a recognition of shared values.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemembering and renewing ensure that those we lost are never forgotten. Commemorating is a commitment to pledge to fighting against any discrimination, hate, ethnic division, or anything that would break Rwandan unity,\u201d Mutimura said.<\/p>\n

He reaffirmed the Bank\u2019s continued support to survivors and their families, not only through commemoration events, but through meaningful initiatives, including offering employment opportunities to the children of the remembered victims.<\/p>\n

Martine Urujeni, the city of Kigali\u2019s Vice Mayor in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs, underscored that commemoration is more than ceremony, stressing that it is a tool to safeguard truth and counter genocide denial and distortion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage the youth to keep learning the history and protecting what has been achieved,\u201d Urujeni said, adding that today’s youth should draw inspiration from the bravery of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) which liberated the country. Urujeni urged all Rwandans to take responsibility in confronting genocide denial, particularly on social media platforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should say it doesn\u2019t concern them. It is our collective responsibility. As we use the platforms for other things, we should also use them to speak out the truth, fight genocide ideology and those distorting our history because we are the ones who will be affected, \u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Representing families and former staff, Vianney Nyamutera, spoke about the historical discrimination that was prevalent in communities, educational institutions, and professional settings before the genocide. He praised the bank for recognising its past and honouring the lives of former employees, including his own father, who was killed in the Genocide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI&M Bank has gone further by not only remembering our loved ones but also employing some of their children. That is a meaningful act of support and remembrance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Alice Nkulikiyinka, a member of the I&M Bank Rwanda board, echoed these sentiments, saying remembrance is a shared responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cThirty one years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, we also have a responsibility to teach the young so that they can appreciate the country\u2019s progress and safeguard our unity,\u201d Nkulikiyinka noted.<\/p>\n

She commended the heroism of genocide survivors, emphasising that their testimonies help in educating the youth and Rwandans, and help in fighting genocide denial.<\/p>\n

She said that the bank is ready to continue supporting income-generating initiatives proposed by the victims’ families, as the families\u2019 representative had proposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn different decisions we make, we think about the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, teaching the youth about the country\u2019s history, and especially focus on development activities for the families of the former BCR employees we came to remember today,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Louis de Montfort Mujyambere, the Vice President of Ibuka, expressed gratitude to the bank for all the activities they run to help genocide survivors, and encouraged the bank to keep supporting projects that empower survivors. He also underscored the government\u2019s efforts to deliver justice for genocide survivors, both domestically and internationally, and called on all Rwandans, including those in the diaspora, to support the fight for justice and against genocide ideology.<\/p>\n

Mujyambere stressed that there is an increase in genocide ideology, especially among youth, calling parents to actively educate their kids.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis shows that as parents and everyone responsible, it\u2019s our duty as parents, educators, and leaders to keep teaching and building a future free of hatred,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

I&M Bank, formerly Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), honoured the lives of 26 former staff members killed during the genocide. Photos by Craish BAHIZI<\/p>\n

Mourners during a tour in garden of memory at Nyanza Kicukiro Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

The commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the bank\u2019s memorial monument which bears the names of the 26 genocide victims.\r\n