1994 Rwandan genocide testimony by Vénuste Mutangana

Vénuste Mutangana, a boy from Cellule Mbayaya, Mukingi Sector of Commune Mugina in Gitarama Prefecture, was in Gitarama when the Rwanda Genocide began. Tutsi refugees from Runda and Bugesera passed through his neighborhood before it was attacked by Interahamwe. After Vénuste's neighborhood was attacked, he sought refuge at the home of a Catholic priest in Mugina. Interahamwe attacked the priest's home. Most of these attackers were from Runda and came in vehicles; some used grenades. Vénuste's family tried unsuccessfully to escape to Burundi. Some of the his family and travelling companions were killed when they reached Ntongwe. Vénuste and and the other survivors had to return to their home cellules where they hid with neighbors. Vénuste was arrested and had pay a ransom of 20,000FRW or face execution. He later escaped but was arrested again and forced to pay another 10,000FRW in ransom after being beaten. Vénuste then sought refuge at the Adventist Church in Nyabisindu. The church was later attacked by an Interahamwe gang composed of Bakiga from Northern Rwanda. He escaped to Kabgayi where he stayed until he was rescued by RPF Inkotanyi and taken first to Ruhango, then to Ntongwe, and finally to Bugesera.