Rwanda genocide sites did not exist until after 1994 when they were built as a commemoration for the massive bloodshed that occurred as the Hutus were fighting against the Tutsis in the Rwanda 1994 genocide and these sites contain a number of human remains and belongings like skulls, skeletons, shoes, rosaries among others. The genocide sites are unique places you cannot miss out to visit once in Rwanda because they give tangible evidence of what happened especially to one who did not get eye witness of the 1994 Rwanda genocide including researchers, tourists and children who were not born by then. Various genocide sites are located in different parts of Rwanda and below are the top five you should look out for on your visit to Rwanda.
KIGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL CENTER
Kigali genocide memorial center is regarded as the largest genocide site in Rwanda because it is here that you find the remains of over 250,000 victims of the genocide. It was established in April 2004 and is located on Gisozi hill in Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda equivalent to a ten minutes drive from the Kigali city centre.
In the Kigali genocide Memorial center, you will be able to also encounter the Genocide archive of Rwanda, pictures, and watch videos pertaining to the genocide together with remains that include skulls, skeletons and victims’ belongings like shoes.
MURAMBI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL SITE
Muramba genocide memorial site, initially a technical school was one of the hosts of the massacre and is located in southwestern Rwanda with about 50,000 graves where bodies of the victims were buried. It was founded in April 1995 and many of the remains in this genocide museum are for infants and children. Once at Murambi, you will be able to hear stories about the genocide narrated by the survivors of the massacre and also get free information about Rwandan history.
NYAMATA GENOCIDE MEMORIAL CENTER
Nyamata genocide memorial center was initially a church and is located in Bugesera district, about 30km south of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and largest city. This memorial center has remains of more than 50,000 people buried there including the 10,000 people who were killed inside the church as they had locked themselves thinking it was a safe place.
Visit Nyamata genocide memorial center and encounter evidence of the massacre like the holes in the church walls that were made by Tutsi militaries to throw in grenades to those that had locked themselves inside, the blood-stained altar cloth and bullet holes in the church ceiling.
BISESERO GENOCIDE MEMORIAL CENTRE
Bisesero is also known as ‘the hill of resistance’ named after the braveness displayed by the Bisesero people as they resisted against their rivals until the French soldiers betrayed them leading to death of over 27,000 people whose remains were buried here till date. Bisesero memorial center is located in Kibuye region located in Karongi district situated in western Rwanda.
NTARAMA GENOCIDE MEMORIAL CENTRE
In April 1995, Ntarama church was changed to be Ntarama genocide memorial center keeping the human remains and belongings like clothes of about 5,000 people who were killed in this church in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. It is located in Bugesera approximating to a one hour drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.
The above sites give remarkable memories of 1994 genocide effect to everyone who visits them, so as you plan to get to Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills,, do not miss out on these genocide sites.
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