Ngororero : Nyange Secondary School pays tribute to Imena Heroes

Nyange Secondary School in Ngororero district on March 19th 2015 commemorated former students and 1994 Tutsi genocide victims classified as « Imena » Heroes.

This comes as the school commemorates seven students that were killed on March 18th 1997 by Hutu Militias after refusing to be separated along ethnic lines of Hutus and Tutsis.

Rwandan Heroes are classified into three categories namely, Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi.

Students of Nyange secondary school fall under Imena category.

They include Bizimana Sylivestre, Mukambaraga Beatrice, Ndemeye Valens, Benimana Herene, Mukarutwaza Seraphine, Uwitwa Ferdinand and Mujawamahoro Marie Chantal who is the only genocide victim among Imena heroes laid to rest at Nyange.

There are plans to construct National Heroes Mausoleum at Nyange where the remains of all Imena category heroes will be laid to rest

Every year, Nyange Secondary School administration celebrates “National Imena Heroes” in association with Chancellor of heroes and National orders (CHENO) and (AERG an association of student survivors of genocide.

Marie Chantal Mujawamahoro is the only Imena national hero laid to rest at Nyange secondary school

According to Nyange sector administration, Imena Mausoleum is set to be constructed at Nyange secondary school in addition to distributing a film dubbed “rya joro ry’i Nyange” (that night at Nyange) to teach the young about the history and heroism.

Rwandan Heroes are classified into three categories namely, Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi.

The ‘Imanzi’ category consists of the late Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema and the Unknown Soldier who represents all the soldiers that died during the liberation struggle.

The ‘Imena’ category consists of King: Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre, Michael Rwagasana, Agatha Uwiringiyimana, Niyitegeka Felesita, and the students of Nyange secondary school.

The third category which is ‘Ingenzi’ consists of all heroes who are still alive.