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As part of ongoing efforts to digitise national memorial sites, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) has made the Bisesero and Murambi genocide memorials accessible through virtual tours.

This is part of a broader plan to digitise all the country’s eight memorials.

According to the ministry, the digitisation process involves curating various materials—including genocide survivor testimonials, vintage photographs, archival footage, and first-hand accounts—to ensure each memorial’s unique history is preserved and accessible.

Paul Rukesha, the Director General of Communication and Outreach at MINUBUMWE, said: “Digitisation is a journey, and we are still in the process. However, there are things already achieved. For instance, the Bisesero and Murambi memorials are now available for virtual tours through the MINUBUMWE website.

“Additionally, people can now book visits to any national Genocide memorial site via the IREMBO platform free of charge, eliminating the need for physical appointment bookings.”

In previous interviews, Jean-Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, explained the importance of this initiative, saying: “Each memorial tells a unique story. By digitising them, we are not only preserving history but also making it accessible to those who may never have the chance to visit in person. Virtual access allows people—especially the Rwandan diaspora and younger generations—to engage with our history meaning.”

He added that technology has become a powerful tool for both education and misinformation.

“Genocide denial and distortion are spreading rapidly online. By offering credible, digital access to our history, we are countering these narratives and ensuring the truth endures.”

Aliane Umukundwa, a Rwandan student living in Canada, said: “I was born after the Genocide against the Tutsi and have spent most of my life abroad. Much of what I know about our history comes from my family, but online sources can sometimes be misleading, especially regarding the Genocide against the Tutsi.

“This virtual tour is a huge step forward. I’m excited to explore it and learn more about my roots in a credible, interactive way.”

A virtual tour not only serves people like herself but also empowers the wider Rwandan community abroad, she said. “They help us preserve and share our history with the world, offering a truthful narrative against denial.”

Silas Kaberuka, a 52-year-old genocide survivor from Nyarugenge District, also commended the initiative.

He said, “This is an important move in how we tell our stories. Technology is changing the world, and we must evolve with it.

“Digitising our memorials ensures that even those who haven’t been able to visit in person can still learn about the places where we survived. It’s a gift to future generations.”

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