Students’ Reflection on the Visit to Rwanda for Academic Study on Transitional Justice
For a student of International Criminal Law and International Humanitarian Law, few places offer a profound learning experience such as Kigali, Rwanda. During a recent academic trip held from the 19th to the 21st of February 2026, we were immersed into an in-depth discussion on transitional justice, institutional resilience, and a nation’s remarkable rebirth, witnessing Rwanda’s extraordinary journey from the devastation of the Rwandan Genocide to a model reconstruction grounded in reconciliation and accountability.
Our first day began at the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI). Gasper Kabalisa, the Training and Study Visit Manager, detailed Rwanda’s impressive economic trajectory and its philosophy of “home-grown initiatives”. He emphasized how Rwanda draws inspiration from its own culture through deep introspection, while maintaining a strong willingness to learn from the best practices of others. This positions the RCI as a pivotal hub for global knowledge sharing, particularly south-to-south empowerment.
The inspiring morning was followed by a solemn visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It was an essential opportunity to reflect on the horrors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial not only served as a means to honor the victims but an emphasis of prevention through education and national unity policies. Walking through the exhibits provided a stark, sobering reminder of the devastating consequences when International Criminal Law is violated, underscoring the absolute necessity of the legal frameworks we study in class to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.
Day two focused heavily on the mechanics of post-conflict justice. At the Ministry of Justice, we were welcomed by a familiar face: Strathmore University alumnus Michael Butera, the Ministry’s Chief Technical Advisor, alongside Frank Mugabo, Director of the Access to Justice Coordination Unit. They presented a fascinating breakdown of Rwanda’s transitional justice journey. Frank provided an in-depth look at the Gacaca courts which are community-led tribunals that successfully processed over a million cases, acting as a crucial bridge alongside National courts to alleviate massive backlogs and foster grassroots reconciliation. They also highlighted the Abunzi mediation committees, the principled abolishment of the death penalty to uphold the sanctity of life, and modern digitization efforts like the integrated case management system.
Later, John Bosco Siboyintore, National Prosecutor, Head of the Genocide Fugitives Tracking Unit (GFTU), and trainer at the ILPD, walked us through the complexities of international law in practice. He detailed the mechanisms of extradition, deportation, and case referrals. He explained how the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) focused on prosecuting high-ranking orchestrators to establish crucial international jurisprudence, leaving the Rwandan justice system to handle the sheer volume of remaining perpetrators.
On our final day, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, brought our learnings full circle. He delivered a masterful presentation on the history of the Rwandan justice system, charting its complete trajectory from its collapse during the genocide to the robust, innovative legal framework it is today.
Beyond the academic insights, Kigali itself was a revelation. The city is breathtakingly beautiful and immaculately clean, with lush, perfectly maintained streets that reflect a deep sense of civic pride. The warmth and welcoming nature of the Rwandan people made the stay deeply personal and unforgettable experience.
With this reflections in mind, I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda, the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative team, Solange Uwuyisenga, Strathmore Law School, and the faculty members who travelled with us, namely Dr Claire Adionyi, Kelvin Mbatia, and Fiona Mwaura, for their guidance, support, and mentorship, which made this experience both meaningful and impactful.
Article by Lexi Syoluka and Jeremy Ngare
