At the Kigali Genocide Memorial on 21 June 2023, President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema together with his delegation of public and private sector officials paid respects to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. 

The tour began with a laying of wreaths at mass graves where 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi have their final resting-place. This was followed by a guided tour of the permanent exhibitions which document the genocide and its aftermath. 

During this visit, President Hichilema and his delegation also had the opportunity to learn about the efforts of Rwandans to rebuild and reconcile after the genocide and the work of Kigali Genocide Memorial and Aegis Trust in genocide prevention and peace education in Rwanda. 

President Hichilema came to the Memorial as part of his two-day official visit to Rwanda and was accompanied by officials including Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Hon. Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, together with Minister of State at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor Manasseh Nshuti. 

To conclude this visit, President Hichilema left a message in the memorial guest book. He wrote: 

“Visited the museum today and was taken through the experiences of the Genocide. This is a serious and traumatic attack not only on the Rwandan people but also the whole of humanity. Such should not be allowed to happen again anywhere else in the world. God help the people of Rwanda to achieve real healing and focus on the developmental agenda.” 

Photos of the visit can be viewed here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142016030@N02/albums/72177720309217707