They are appreciated for their commitment to resist evil and fighting against the execution of the Genocide which took lives of over 1 million victims.

These politicians laid at Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kigali City were members of political parties that opposed the vision of the former regime of President Juvenal Habyarimana and his ruling party dubbed Revolutionary National Movement for Development (MRND).

They opposed discrimination and strived for unity until they were killed on 7th April 1994 as the Genocide began.

These include Joseph Kavaruganda, Landouard Ndasingwa, Venantie Kabageni, Charles Kayiranga, Jean de la Croix Rutaremara, Augustin Rwayitare and Aloys Niyoyita among others.

Rwanda will end the mourning week for the 29th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on Wednesday, April 13th, 2023, which coincides with the commemoration of fallen politicians.

However, commemoration activities will last for 100 days symbolizing the period that the Genocide lasted.

Below are profiles of the fallen politicians:

Joseph Kavaruganda was the President of the Constitutional Court. He opposed Genocide ideology until his last breath.

Kavaruganda who was also responsible for receiving the oath of Head of State; was killed on 7th April lest he would tamper with installation of the interim Government on the next day.

Landouard Ndasingwa was the President of Liberal Party (PL). The man renowned as Lando, his wife and two children were killed on 7th April 1994 in Remera by forces of the then Republican Guard.

André Kameya was a member of PL and journalist. He was killed in June 1994. His wife and children had been killed in April the same year. Kameya worked with Kinyamateka, ORINFOR and also served as the Chief Editor of the journal of the Ministry of Justice.

He was murdered after launching a newspaper dubbed Rwanda Rushya.

Frédéric Nzamurambaho was the President of Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Minister of Justice. He was shot dead on 7th April 1994 at his home by forces of the then Republican Guard.

Felicien Ngango was the Vice President of PSD. He was killed over defending unity among Rwandans without ethnic divisions. He was among politicians to be appointed in the Government following Arusha accords.

Faustin Rucogoza was a member of Republican Democratic Movement (MDR) and Minister of Information. He was killed along his wife on 7th April 1994. In 1993, Rucogoza had denounced hate speeches by Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) and issued a warning against the broadcaster.

Venantie Kabageni was a member of PL. He was killed at the beginning of Genocide against the Tutsi over his beliefs that opposed bad leadership of Habyarimana’s regime.

Augustin Rwayitare was a member of PL. He was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi over opposing the Government which sowed hatred among Rwandans.

Jean de La Croix Rutaremara was also a politician whose vision was against ethnic discrimination fuelled by the former government.

Jean Baptiste Mushimiyimana was a member of PSD. He was killed for being an opposition figure of Habyarimana’s regime.

Charles Kayiranga was a politician and member of PL. He was killed in the Genocide over promoting democratic leadership.

Aloys Niyoyita was a politician from PL. He was killed for opposing the bad leadership of Habyarimana.

The majority of killed politicians were from PL deemed to belong to Tutsis.

They also opposed its president Justin Mugenzi who had been convinced by MRND and decided to form PL- POWER.

These politicians are an addition to the former Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana buried at the Heroes’ Square in Remera. She is also remembered on the same date.