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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
As Rwanda marks the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi during the 100 Days of Remembrance, a large group of journalists from across the country visited the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza District on 30 June 2026 to comfort and stand in solidarity with elderly genocide widows residing there.
The elderly survivors warmly welcomed the journalists with smiles, joy, and heartfelt conversations that lasted for hours (Video Link: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSC5chTAR/). They said that such visits strengthen their spirits, restore hope, and remind them that they are not forgotten. According to the residents, life at the home has transformed what was once filled with grief and loneliness into a place of healing, dignity, and renewed hope.
One of the residents, Nyirangendahimana Cesalie, said the home restored her confidence in life after years of despair. “In this home, we have found ourselves in God’s hands. Today, we have abundant hope. I had completely lost hope. I stayed in my house living only to cry, but now, instead of crying, I sing. I have replaced sorrow with joy. I have no problems today. I thank God in heaven, who helped the RPF-Inkotanyi restore peace to our country. Without them, I would not be alive today. I owe my life to them.”
Cesalie continued:“Your visit today has brought us a bright day without a single cloud. It is a light that has shone upon Rwanda. We owe all this to the incomparable patriot, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.”
Another resident, Karekezi Eugène, said they had regained hope and now receive the care and attention they once thought they would never have. “We believed we would never again have children to support us or people to comfort us in difficult times. But today, we have found them. When we learned that journalists were coming to visit us, we were overjoyed. Please come back again. After receiving comfort and encouragement, we regained hope in life. Even in our old age and physical weakness, we continue contributing to building our country because we know where we came from.”
He added that despite their advanced age, the residents continue helping others whenever they can. “Within our limited means, we try to support those in need. For example, we collect contributions to help vulnerable people pay for community health insurance. We also identify children who cannot attend school because of poverty and provide them with school materials and other basic needs.”
He also expressed gratitude to Rwanda’s leadership. “When we compare where we came from with where we are today, we thank our Head of State, His Excellency Paul Kagame. We also thank First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who established this home and gave us a place to live.”
Another elderly resident echoed the same sentiments, saying the visit filled them with happiness and renewed hope. “Visits like this make us very happy. You have truly brought us joy. Today, we feel deeply encouraged. We are especially pleased to see journalists who have been well trained.”
Journalists Urged to Promote Peace and Responsible Reporting
The Chairperson of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), Scovia Mutesi, who participated in the visit, urged journalists to become ambassadors of peace and reject hate speech and the destructive practices that characterized some members of the media during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She said:“Divisionism plunged our country into one of its darkest periods. Some journalists and media outlets unfortunately played a role in those events. Today, our mission is to ensure that no journalist ever again contributes, even indirectly, to conflict between people or to crimes such as genocide.”
She added: “Today, we continue to confront those who deny or trivialize the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We are here as a united voice for peace, stability, and security. We will continue fighting all forms of hate speech, divisionism, and anything that threatens Rwanda’s unity. We assure you that even when you are no longer with us, we will continue safeguarding our country and protecting peace through responsible journalism.”
RBA Director General Commends Survivors for Trusting the Media Again
The Director General of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Cleophas Barore, thanked the elderly survivors for restoring their trust in Rwanda’s media despite the tragic role some journalists and media organizations played in planning and inciting the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said: “There were journalists and media houses that participated in planning and carrying out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We came here to tell you that Rwanda’s media today stands firmly against every form of misconduct and everything that could lead to genocide. We also came to thank you because, despite being betrayed by some members of the media in the past, you have chosen to trust us once again.”
Local Authorities Reaffirm Commitment to Caring for Survivors
The Acting Mayor of Nyanza District, Patrick Kajyambere, emphasized that caring for these elderly survivors is a shared responsibility for all institutions and citizens. He also thanked the district’s partners for supporting and maintaining the Impinganzima Home.
He said:“These parents belong to all of us. Whenever people come to stand with us and support them, it strengthens our commitment and renews our responsibility to continue caring for them.”
The elderly residents expressed profound appreciation to the journalists, saying the visit brought them happiness, comfort, and renewed hope for life. It was a memorable day, made even more special by the gifts the journalists presented both to the home collectively and to each individual resident.
Currently, the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza accommodates 58 elderly genocide survivors, including six men, some of whom have lived there for more than 11 years. Nationwide, Rwanda has four Impinganzima Homes, located in Huye, Nyanza, Bugesera, and Rusizi districts. These homes provide shelter, care, and dignity to elderly survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who have reached old age without family members or caregivers to support them.
Photos:
Photo:Nyirangendahimana Cesalie, a resident of the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza, says she has regained hope in life after living in despair for many years.
Photo:Karekezi Eugène, a resident of the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza, says they have regained hope for life and are now receiving the care and support they deserve.
Photo:This elderly resident says they now live with happiness and renewed hope for the future.
Photo:Scovia Mutesi, Chairperson of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), urged journalists to be champions of positive change and to reject hate speech and the harmful practices that characterized some members of the media during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Photo:Cleophas Barore, Director General of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), commended the elderly genocide survivors for restoring their trust in the media.
Photo: The elderly genocide survivors spent hours in warm conversation and fellowship with the journalists, sharing stories, memories, and moments of joy.
Photo: The journalists were warmly thanked for visiting the elderly survivors and standing with them in solidarity and compassion.
Photo:Each elderly resident received a personal gift, while the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza was also presented with a collective donation from the visiting journalists.
Photo:It was a day filled with joy and happiness.
Photo: The journalists also toured the home and were briefed on the ongoing expansion activities aimed at improving and increasing its facilities.
Photo:The elderly residents say they have regained hope in life and are now also contributing, in their own ways, to the continued development and rebuilding of their country.
Other photos
Photo: At the Impinganzima Home in Nyanza.
