Back to Our Roots – 1994 Commemoration of Genocide

Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda

We were delighted to welcome so many people from across the UK to the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Genocide survivors came together to share their stories with the Bedford community.

Thank you to all our speakers: Didas Mugisha (Rwandan), Naila (Rwandan), Andrew Wallis (academic, author, and journalist), Marie Chantal Uwamahoro (genocide survivor), Olivier Nzaramba (singer and genocide survivor), His Excellency Johnston Busingye (High Commissioner of Rwanda to the UK), the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lousada, and Eric Masih, Chair of Trustees of QPCO.

The event was followed by delicious food and wonderful camaraderie in the courtyard of The Higgins Bedford. A big thank you for letting us use the space for the event. A big thank you to the venue for letting us use the space, and to the QPCO team and volunteers for making the event such a success.

This project is ongoing. If you would like to hear from a genocide survivor, please contact us at admin@qpco.org.uk. We are planning to visit several schools in Bedford in June or July 2024, and this presentation would be ideal for a sixth form assembly.

It is vital that these stories are told. Kwibuka, which means ‘to remember’ in Kinyarwanda, calls on the world to stand against genocide in three key ways:

To remember: Honour the memory of those who died and offer support to those who survived.

To unite: Rwanda shows that reconciliation through shared human values is possible. We ask the world to do the same.

To renew: As we rebuild Rwanda, we are humbled to share our experiences and learn from others.