Inyamibwa, the cultural troupe under the Association of students’ survivors of Genocide against Tutsi known as AERG in French acronyms at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) celebrated its 15th Anniversary of existence. This event was held in Huye District on Saturday 23rd February 2013.

According to the founders of Inyamibwa who addressed participants during the celebration party, this cultural troupe was founded in 1998 aiming at entertaining as one way of mitigating trauma, loneliness , lack of confidence among survivors of Genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Raymond Mbaraga, one of the founders of Inyamibwa said that it is pleasure that people are joining Inyamibwa in large number what is different from the time of foundation whereby it was hard to find people to join this troupe. He said: “At the time of foundation it was hard to convince people to join Inyamibwa to the extent that we used to make tours in hostels for lobbying. We were less than 20 members at the time of foundation but now I am proud that Inyamibwa counts more than 100 active members”.

Jean Paul Uwayo, the president of Inyamibwa expressed his satisfaction on achievements and pointed out that the vision of Inyamibwa is to become a prominent cultural troupe at regional level of East Africa. He said: “We are glad that Inyamibwa has been progressing years and years since its foundation. Here, in Butare where we are based, people recognize our performance and occasionally invite us in different events. In Kigali also, we are at the satisfactory rate but our target is to become a cultural troupe with admiration in the East African region. We are working on strategies which will enable us to attain that goal”.

At this celebration, there was a presence of different categories of people such as former members of Inyamibwa, parents of Inyamibwa members, NUR academic and Administrative staff members, AERG members in high schools and universities, political local authorities namely: Mayor of Huye, Nyamagabe, Gisagara Districts and Executive Secretary of the Southern Province who was also the Guest of Honour. This event featured traditional dances, comedy, poem and other items on the agenda.

Inyamibwa Boys presenting Intore dance.

Fulgence Kwizera,the outgoing president of Inyamibwa.

Jean Paul Uwayo, the incumbent president of Inyamibwa.

Some people who came to join Inyamibwa members to enjoy the celebration of 15th Anniversary.

By Jean Baptiste Micomyiza