KIGALI – Rwanda’s media community came together on April 10, 2026, to pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives during the Genocide against the Tutsi, using the occasion to reflect on a profession that was both targeted and, at times, manipulated into a tool of division.
The commemoration brought into focus not only the sacrifices made by media practitioners, but also the enduring responsibility of journalism in safeguarding truth and national unity.
At the event, Diane Isimbi Uwadede, daughter of slain journalist Vincent Shabakaka, shared a deeply personal account of growing up in a household shaped by fear, uncertainty, and resilience.
Uwadede explained that her father did not begin his career in journalism, but later founded Kiberinka, a newspaper known for its bold visual storytelling.
One of its most recognizable features was a front-page image of an elderly man in distress, accompanied by the question, “Why are you crying, old man?”, a message intended to provoke reflection on the country’s situation.
She said that between 1990 and 1994, her father’s work became increasingly demanding and dangerous. He travelled across the country, including to follow the liberation struggle, and to Arusha during the peace negotiations, where he gathered material that informed his reporting.
“We would go for days without seeing him. Over time, we understood that his absence meant he was preparing another publication,” she recalled.
A profession under threat
Uwadede described how her father operated under constant risk, often leaving home quietly and returning in secrecy to avoid detection. The danger was not limited to him alone but extended to the entire family.
She recounted an incident when armed soldiers raided their home in search of him. When they failed to find him, they destroyed everything they could, including school materials belonging to the children.
On another occasion, he returned home shaken after being assaulted, without shoes and without his glasses, which he relied on for his vision. Despite the threats and physical harm, he remained committed to his work.
As tensions escalated, the family was forced to relocate multiple times, at times facing hostility from neighbors influenced by extremist views. Everyday life became increasingly unstable, with education and normal routines constantly disrupted.
When the media lost its direction
Speakers at the commemoration highlighted how the media landscape deteriorated in the years leading up to the genocide, with some journalists standing for truth while others were drawn into spreading divisive narratives.
Dan Ngabonziza, President of the Association of Rwandan Journalists (ARJ), said the gathering was both a moment of mourning and reflection.
“We are here in grief, but also in hope, honoring colleagues who died for standing with the truth, while reminding ourselves that the same power of the pen can either unite a nation or be misused to spread division,” he said.
He emphasized that journalism must remain a force for cohesion, warning against any return to practices that once fueled hatred. He also revealed that a memorial dedicated to fallen journalists has been established at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency headquarters and is expected to be officially unveiled next year.
The consequences of distorted journalism
Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana reflected on the role played by sections of the media in enabling the genocide. He referenced the ICTR “Media Case,” in which journalists such as Ferdinand Nahimana, Jean Bosco Barayagwiza, and Hassan Ngeze were convicted for various crimes.
According to him, the early 1990s saw media platforms used to publicly identify and threaten individuals opposed to extremist ideology, effectively turning journalism into a tool for mobilizing violence.
He explained that state-controlled media systems had gradually shifted away from professional standards, allowing political messaging rooted in division to dominate public discourse. Radio Rwanda, as the sole broadcaster at the time, amplified these messages, including political speeches and music that reinforced ethnic divisions.
Dr. Bizimana warned that the erosion of ethical journalism played a critical role in shaping public perception and enabling violence, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance within the profession.
The legacy of fallen journalists carries stories about responsibility, reminding journalists to uphold truth, promote unity, and ensure that the power of words is never again used to harm society.
