25
Apr

Kigali, April 25, 2025 – Rwanda Energy Group (REG Ltd) and The Water and Sanitation Corporation held a solemn commemoration in the remembrance of former ELECTROGAZ employees killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event took place at REG Headquarters and brought together families and friends of the victims, staff, officials, and partners of both REG and WASAC Group to pay tribute and remember the lives lost during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. It commenced with a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths at the memorial site located at the REG Headquarters in the city of Kigali.

In his remarks Armand Zingiro, CEO of Rwanda Energy Group, delivered a powerful message of strength and resilience. He emphasized the importance of remembering the past while focusing on unity and reconciliation.

In his message, he called for continued efforts to ensure that such atrocities never happen again, encouraging individuals to actively participate in community building and build a nation characterized by hope and resilience.

In his testimony, Rwagasana Ernest, a former ELECTROGAZ employee who worked with the company from 1980 to 1994, shared some deeply troubling experiences of discrimination and intimidation. He reflected on how, during that time, ELECTROGAZ became involved in promoting harmful ideologies and persecuting Tutsi employees.

"At work, we faced constant threats, and we were derogatorily labeled as 'cockroaches,' with warnings that our lives were in danger. Many of us were wrongfully imprisoned based on being accused as collaborators of Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), simply because we were Tutsi," Ernest recounted. He also mentioned that ELECTROGAZ had financially supported the Hutu Power movement, which contributed to the spread of extremist views that ultimately fuelled the genocide.

Having survived the genocide while on study leave abroad, Ernest expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), led by President Paul Kagame, for their role in stopping the genocide and saving many lives.

Abimana Fidele, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure urged participants and all Rwandans to promote resilience, unity, and vigilance against genocide ideology and denial. “The rise of genocide ideology, particularly on social media and beyond our borders, is alarming. It is especially important for the youth to stand firm against it,” he emphasized.

END

By TOMBOLA Felicie