Unforgettable artistes killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
More than a million people were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in April 1994, including brilliant musicians and singers who helped make Rwandans cheerful. Many people still play and enjoy some of their songs today.
1.BIZIMANA Loti
Bizimana Loti, famous for the song “”Nsigaye ndi umuzungu’ And Ntamunoza’‘,was born in 1950 in the Kirinda,Karongi district, close to Nkoto. Only in the 1990s did his music become popular, and killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi .
2.SEBANANI André
Sebanani André, a musician and singer member of the Impala Orchestra who was also well-known in the Indamutsa on Radio Rwanda, is one of the well-known names.
He also sang many songs including “Karimi ka shyari” Mama Munyana’ and others.
SEBANANI André was born in 1952, from the former Kigoma Municipality, Gitarama Prefecture, which is now Nyanza District, Southern Province. He attended high school in Shyogwe and then continued at Collège Officiel de Kigali: COK, but he was fired in the middle and went to work as an accountant in TRAFIPRO in Kabgayi.
He married Mukamulisa Anne Marie on September 1, 1979 and they had four children, Sheja Eliane, born in 1981, Damara Diane, born in 1984; Shyengo Frida, born in 1985; and Songa Aristide who was born in 1988.
On November 21, 2015, Mukamulisa Anne Marie, the late Sebanani André’s wife, also passed due to liver disease.
3 KAREMERA Rodrigue
One of the legendary singers of all time, Karemera Rodrigue is best known for the songs “Kwibuka,” “Ubarijoro,” and other songs.
Iradukunda Valere, f Karemera’s son who became famous for the song ‘La Conta’ (ihorere munyana), which was composed in 1990.
4 RUGAMBA Sipiriyani
Cyprien Rugamba, one of Rwanda’s most eulogised legends, who was the leader of Amasimbi n’Amakombe. He was known for his songs such as “Ubuhanga Buhanitse”, “Inyigisho zo kubana neza ku muryango Nyarwanda” as well as other songs that are used today in the Rwandan Catholic Church. He was killed on April 7, 1994 along with his wife and some members of Amasimbi n’ Amakombe.
The family was killed in the Genocide against Tutsi by the former presidential guards on April 7, 1994.
5.BIZIMUNGU Dieudonne
Among the artists who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis who sang individually, there is Bizimungu Dieudonne, whose voice is known in the song Ibango ry’ibanga.
6.MUREBWAYIRE Mimir
This mother used to sing in the Orchester Les Citadins. This song is known as ‘Ancilla’ ‘Rugori Rwera ‘and others.
7.RUGERINYANGE Eugene
Rugerinyange Eugene also killed the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. This singer was known in the Ingeli Orchestra, which is still there.
8.UWIMBABAZI Agnes
Bizimungu Diedonne’s wife was singing along with him at the time. The song’s title features her voice.‘Munini yaje‘.
9.GATETE Sadi
The Orchestra Abamararungu is aware of this performer. This individual performed songs like‘Ijambo ry’uwo ukunda’ Julienne’ Urugo rw’umugabo’ …
10.SEKAMONYO Emmanuel
He had a fantastic voice personally. He was well-known for his songs.
‘Umwana w’umunyarwanda‘.
In addition to individual artists and those who sang in groups, there were others who were known in the choir such as: IYAMUREMYE Saulve, who was in the Indahemuka choir, RWAKABAYIZA Berchmas and KAYIGAMBA Jean de Dieu who sang in the choral de Kigali , KALISA Bernard, who sang in the Ijuru choir and others.