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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Airtel Rwanda marked the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on Friday with a ceremony in Nyanza District, Southern Province, where it donated dairy cows to 15 survivor households.
The morning proceedings included a wreath-laying and moment of reflection at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial, where the remains of more than 30,000 victims rest. Airtel Rwanda staff and executives were briefed on the history of the district and the administrative decisions that contributed to the scale of the killings there.
Nyanza District Mayor (acting) Patrick Kajyambere said the area’s particular vulnerability during the genocide was deliberate. “Nyanza was historically a significant district; it was the seat of the royal court. The authorities at the time split it into two, attaching one part to what was then Gitarama Prefecture and the other to Butare Prefecture. It was a calculated move to weaken and demoralize the people of Nyanza, and that is why the genocide was carried out with such ferocity here.”
He added that approximately 130,000 Tutsi were killed in the district in just 40 days.
Airtel Rwanda Managing Director Sujay Chakrabarti said remembrance is a collective duty.
“This is about honoring those who perished and standing with survivors, not because survival is an individual achievement, but because ‘Never Again’ is a lesson for all of us. Let us build a future grounded in Rwandan unity.”
Livestock boosts families out of poverty
The 15 beneficiary families, drawn from Ntyazo, Cyabakamyi, and Nyagisozi sectors, expressed gratitude for what they described as a transformative gift.
Athanasie Niyonsaba, one of the recipients, said the cow would end years of financial strain. “I used to buy fertilizer with money I hardly had, and when I couldn’t afford it, I got no harvest. Now the cow will give me compost for free. Before, even a small amount of fertilizer cost 20,000 francs.”
She added that her children, who sometimes went entire months without milk because a single liter cost 400 francs, would no longer go without.
Eugene Hagabimana said livestock ownership had once defined his life before the genocide. “I used to keep cows, but after 1994, I never had the means again; they were too expensive. Now my children will drink milk, and we will have a better life. A cow is wealth.”
Airtel Money Director Jean Claude Gaga said the donation aligns with President Paul Kagame’s Girinka Munyarwanda (“One Cow per Family”) program.
“We partnered with Nyanza District to support 15 survivor households. We will continue working alongside the government to improve their livelihoods.
Naphtali Ahishakiye, Executive Secretary of IBUKA, appreciated Airtel Rwanda for this initiative.
“These 15 families have moved out of the lowest poverty bracket today; a cow is wealth, and these people have been given a foundation to build on.”
Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Nadine Kayitesi, appreciated that sentiment. “This is a powerful symbol of hope. You have told these families they are not alone. You have given them milk, compost, and a future that will benefit even their children yet to be born.”
Across Rwanda, partner organisations donate between 700 and 1,000 cows to Genocide survivors each year during the Kwibuka commemoration period.
The choice of Nyanza District carries particular significance. Nyanza served as the royal capital of the Kingdom of Rwanda. It was here that kings ruled, traditions were preserved, and one of the country’s most enduring cultural legacies was nurtured: the majestic Inyambo royal cows, which were particularly targeted by the genocidal forces. This is Airtel Rwanda’s small gesture in restoring the cultural heritage of Nyanza and its special cultural significance in the Rwandan story.
Airtel Rwanda expressed its sincere appreciation to Ibuka for its leadership in conceptualizing the initiative and working closely with district authorities to ensure that the support reached deserving survivor families. The company also thanked the Nyanza District leadership for hosting the ceremony and their continued commitment to improving the well-being of survivors.
As a responsible corporate citizen, Airtel Rwanda remains committed to initiatives that create meaningful and sustainable social impact. The company believes that supporting survivors extends beyond remembrance; it also means investing in dignity, economic empowerment, and stronger communities for generations to come.
