By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Bill Gates, Founder and
Chair of the Gates Foundation, has visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial where
he joined Rwandan officials in honouring the victims of the Genocide against
the Tutsi.
During the visit, Gates laid
a wreath at the memorial’s burial site and toured the exhibitions documenting
the history of the 1994 Genocide, its devastating human impact and Rwanda’s
journey of recovery, resilience and reconstruction.
Freddy Mutanguha, Chief
Executive Officer of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, welcomed Gates during the
visit and highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of victims while
promoting education and reflection on the country’s history.
In the memorial guestbook,
Gates paid tribute to Rwanda’s recovery efforts, noting the significance of the
memorial in preserving the memory of those who lost their lives during the
genocide.
“It is very impressive how
Rwanda has recovered from the tragedy of the Genocide and is building a strong
country. This memorial is very important to keep the memories of the victims,” Gates wrote.
The visit formed part of
Gates’ engagements in Rwanda, where he has been discussing opportunities to
strengthen collaboration with the country in areas including health,
agriculture, artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure.
