Visit Kibeho – Rwanda’s Holy Land of Vision and Tragedy

The word “holy” in Kibeho may make you think of a peaceful place, but it also holds stories of great pain. Kibeho was the site of a massacre where the Hutu fought against the Tutsi. The Tutsi were fewer in number, while the Hutu were mostly farmers. Many people lost their lives, and most of their land and belongings were taken. Many were forced to flee to nearby countries as refugees.

Before the genocide, Kibeho was known as a peaceful place. It became famous because three girls—Mukangango, Mukamazimpaka, and Mumureke—said they saw visions of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. These visions attracted many people to the area. The girls also spoke of terrible events, like killings and rivers of blood, years before the 1994 genocide. These visions caused the girls much pain and fear. They predicted the killing of about 100,000 people, including children and babies.

Sadly, what the girls saw came true. History tells us that over 6,000 people were killed in Kibeho alone. The land was stained with blood. Later, the area became a refugee camp for more than 100,000 people. It was hard to tell who had taken part in the killings, who were victims, and who had helped the killers.

Eventually, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) closed the camp and sent many people back home. Those who had taken part in the killings or helped the killers were punished by the RPF soldiers, who were mainly Tutsi seeking revenge for their lost loved ones. This event is known as the Kibeho massacre and was witnessed by Zambian and Australian peacekeeping forces.

Some who were there say that food and water ran low as the camp grew crowded. This caused suffering, and attacks on the victims happened. The RPF tried to control the situation, but many innocent people were still killed during the fighting. What was once a Christian pilgrimage place became known for its tragic stories of bloodshed.

The pain did not end there. During the attack on the church, one of the three girls who had the visions was also killed and burned inside. Some survivors still live in Kibeho today.

May all the souls of those who died in Kibeho Holy Land rest in peace.

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