Kigali Genocide Memorial

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a place of great significance to the Rwandan people that reminds them of a dark patch in the history of their country during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people. Rwanda in recent years has been quite peaceful since the current president of the country overthrew the government of the Interahamwe whose rule was an extreme reign of terror to Rwandan people. There was consistent conflict between tribes despite them speaking the same language one felt like they were being oppressed.

The tribal wars that began as a simple thing ended up being bloody and a massive kill of several other people. By the time this was ended Rwanda was full of dead bodies along the streets and churches. It is said that some of the bodies were washed into the neighbouring villages and countries. These memorial sites act as a reminder to all society and travellers that come to the destination.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a place where all the remains of the people who lost their lives during the 1994 Rwanda genocide were collected. The building was constructed in the 2000s. There are several genocide centers all over the country some of which are more prominent than others. It is believed that more than 250,000 people lost their lives in this period including innocent children and women.

The centers have evidence of blood-stained clothes, shoes, and machetes used. This is a constant reminder of such an evil act and that it should not be repeated in Rwanda ever again. While on a visit to the center, you will get a new understanding of life. There are names of those who were killed during the war written on the wall. The gardens exhibit massive graves for children adults males, and females. Guided visits to the site are always done by survivors of the war each of which has got its own story to tell.

The Kigali Genocide Memorial is situated in the main city area in the town of Gisozi. It is visited mainly during the Kigali City Tour. It is the final resting place of the people of Rwanda who were victims of the war and is run by a UK non-governmental organization that is committed to stopping genocides from happening. This has different places of exhibiting with pictures of victims and their belongings.

Other memorial sites include the Gisenyi site, which is placed in the outskirts of the town area. It looks more of a cemetery but with over 1,000 bodies of the late in this particular area. During the month of war in Rwanda, Tutsi were captured on the roadblock and identified by their national identity cards and looks which led them straight to this palace to be killed.

Nyamata Church Genocide Memorial: Victims ran into this church while knowing that they will be spared by their hunters. Little did they know that it was a death trap as many of them were slaughtered and to date, there are remains of skulls, blood-stained shirts, machetes that were used during the war. There are still blood stains on the walls of the alter and bullets in the roof.