“Munyemana’s Keys to Tumba Sector Meant Death, Not Rescue”, residents of Tumba sector in Huye district, where Dr. Sosthène Munyemana was convicted of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, say they are not worried about his appeal because they are confident the court will once again find him guilty.
They expressed this on Thursday 2 October, 2025, during a visit of journalists from Pax Press, an association of media professionals who report on justice.
This comes as Dr. Munyemana is appealing the 24-year prison sentence he received in 2023. His appeal trial has been ongoing since September 16, 2025, at the Court of Appeal of the Paris France.
Some residents of Tumba, including witnesses who testified against him, believe his appeal is simply an attempt to evade responsibility, since his crimes were committed openly.
One witness recalled seeing Dr. Munyemana open the office of the Tumba sector, where he had keys during the genocide.
“On April 21, 1994, Munyemana was seen carrying a list of Tutsi who were to be killed. While he was at the Tumba sector, people would bring him reports on those who had already been killed and those who were still alive.”He stated
The witness added that Dr. Munyemana encouraged Hutus to kill all Tutsi, including women and girls, claiming that if the RPF won the war, these survivors would testify against the killers. He allegedly made such statements during several meetings he organized.
Another survivor affirmed his involvement in the murders, saying: “For him to admit that he had the keys is enough for us. Let him show us even one person who entered that place and came out alive. Justice exists for a reason, and it is what we depend on for our hope.”
Marie Claire Uwamahoro, head of Ibuka in Tumba sector, also condemned Munyemana’s appeal. She said he should stop denying his role in the massacres, especially the killing of Tutsi who were locked inside the sector office.
“Sosthène’s appeal does not please us because even the initial sentence felt insufficient. With this appeal, he continues to play with people’s emotions. We want the court to uphold the earlier evidence, convict him again, and ensure he receives a final sentence.” She explained.
Dr. Munyemana, a physician who worked at Butare Hospital and also lectured at the Faculty of Medicine of the former National University of Rwanda, still denies the charges and insists on his innocence. The appeal trial is expected to conclude on October 24, 2025.
