1994 Rwandan genocide testimony by Marie Théresè Uwamaliya

Marie Théresè Uwamaliya, a girl from Cellule Kanyinya, Rwoga Sector of Commune Masango in Gitarama Prefecture, explains that the 1994 Rwandan Genocide started while she was in Kigali and that she escaped to Masango. Her home was attacked, but her Hutu grandmother successfully kept the gangs from destroying their home. She also describes how some of the Tutsi were killed with machetes while others were shot. Marie Théresè hid in bushes and with neighbors. She was eventually arrested and beaten several times. Her leg was injured, but she continued her flight to Kibuye. On the way, she learned that all of her paternal family members had been killed. After the genocide, her crippled grandmother provided Marie Théresè and many other orphans with a home, despite her limited means. Marie Théresè explains that she could not explain in detail what happened during the genocide because the memories have traumatized her.