Linking Gov’t to journalist’s shooting outrageous - Minister

KIGALI - THE Rwandan Government has strongly dismissed allegations that it was behind the Thursday killing of local journalist, Jean Léonard Rugambage, calling it “outrageous”. Government Spokesperson Louise Mushikiwabo, said that John Bosco Gasasira, the self-exiled owner of Umuvugizi newspaper, was behind the attempt to tarnish the government’s image. Rugambage was the deputy editor of Umuvugizi which was slapped a six-month suspension by the Media High Council for continuously displaying unprofessional conduct. Gasasira has been dragged to court several times on charges of libel and defamation, and each time he lost and was ordered to pay damages. “The Government of Rwanda has nothing to do with the death of Leonard Rugambage. We have requested thorough investigations and we will do everything to find the culprit(s),” Mushikiwabo said. “That’s Gasasira’s work; It is really outrageous,” she said, referring to the source of the allegations. “As a government, we don’t work like that. We do not kill Rwandans. If we have a problem with anyone, we go through the right channels. We are a government that does not kill its people”. She added that while the government of Rwanda, like other governments, might have its disagreements with some journalists, it does not kill them but rather seeks legal intervention, as it was in the case of Gasasira before he exiled himself. “We warn the media out there that they might fall into the trap of forces that have been labouring hard to tarnish the image of this country under the cover of election hype by fabricating story after story. “This Government does not believe in violence, that is why we have privileged the legal route, including in recent cases of journalists who broke the law,” she added. Rugambage was gunned down on Thursday night at around 10pm outside his home in Nyakabanda, in the outskirts of the city. Sections of International media claimed that he was killed while investigating the shooting and wounding of Lt. Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa in South Africa more than a week ago, which some sections of the media were also quick to blame the government. Mushikiwabo who also doubles as Foreign Affairs Minister, blamed a group of journalists and frustrated politicians who are taking advantage of the election period to create an atmosphere of tension. “There is this whole psyche that there is a crackdown in Rwanda, that tensions are rising. People are taking advantage of the forthcoming elections to project this kind of situation, but I can assure you that the situation is created,” Mushikiwabo said. She noted that whoever shot Rugambage wanted to soil the image of the state and that the government would like to distance itself from it. “We are a government that deeply cares for its people and I can assure you that whoever is responsible for this, will not get away with it. We have instructed the police to carry out investigations into the murder and justice will take its course,” Mushikiwabo said. Police Spokesman Supt. Eric Kayiranga said yesterday that police is still trying to establish circumstances surrounding the journalist’s killing. “The investigation is still in its primary stage and Rwanda National Police will update the public on any new developments,” he said. Rugambage’s death has been strongly condemned by the Association of Rwandan Journalists and the Media High Council. Ends