Ntarama Genocide Memorial Centre

Eastern Province (Cyugaro Village, Rugarama Cell, Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District).

Bugesera was historically less populated than other areas in Rwanda as it was heavily forested with swamp areas that were infested by the tsetse fly. This area became more populated after the violence in 1959-1962 when Tutsis living the northern region of the country were forcibly relocated to the Bugesera region.

Early Violence 1959-1962.

Following the outbreak of violence in 1959, a decision was taken by the government to gather internally displaced Tutsis from the prefectures of Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Gitarama, and Gikongoro and settle them in the Nyamata Refugee Camp. This was undertaken on 22nd November 1959. Nyamata was selected because there was sufficient land and infrastructure.

The relocated Tutsis were not content with their new environment due to poor living conditions and a desire to return to their homes. Their concerns were raised with the United Nations General Assembly held on 11th-12th December 1960 where a request to close the refugee camps was made. The head of the UNHCR at that time requested that the refugees be allowed to return home and harvest their crops however, all requests were ignored.