Digital Media Literacy – Preparing the Next Generation of Journalists for Today’s Information Environment, the lecture brought together journalism students, media practitioners and members of the academic community to discuss the opportunities and risks of a rapidly changing digital information environment. The speakers were Dr. Uwe Wissenbach, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Rwanda; Mr Jean Paul Ibambe, a speaker on freedom of expression in the digital age; and Ms. Nadine Umuhoza, a news anchor at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).

Dr. Wissenbach opened with Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation online. He explained that information becomes especially harmful when it is deliberately manipulated, intentionally spread and coordinated to influence people or public discussions, and he showed students how to spot some of the common tactics behind it.

Fighting information manipulation in Africa, he stressed, takes more than simply identifying false information. Public awareness, strong civil society engagement, fact-checking initiatives, and media and information literacy all matter, and he noted that the European Union is increasingly supporting civil society in strengthening societies’ ability to respond.

Mr Ibambe then turned to one of the most important principles in journalism: freedom of expression, which protects people’s ability to hold opinions, seek and receive information, and take part in public debate. The digital age, he said, is a space of “more freedom, more risk,” where technology has widened opportunities to express oneself while creating new challenges. He touched on Rwanda’s cybercrime law and the relationship between false information and freedom of expression under Article 39, as well as the decriminalisation of defamation and what it means for the legal environment around expression and journalism.

Privacy was another key concern. Mr Ibambe urged the audience to think before publishing anything about other people, starting with a simple question: “Can I post it because I have it?” He encouraged them to go further and ask whether the information is true, whether the person has given consent, and what harm publishing it could cause. His parting message to aspiring journalists was:“Think critically, speak freely and share responsibly.”

Ms Umuhoza brought the discussion from theory into the newsroom. Drawing on her experience as a news anchor, she said fact-checking is a must for journalists, especially when covering breaking news. Information can spread within seconds, and the pressure to publish first is real, but speed, she stressed, should never come at the expense of accuracy. She also spoke about handling social media pressure and misinformation during breaking news, and the responsibility journalists carry to verify information before it reaches the public. For the students, the lecture was a reminder that being a journalist today involves far more than gathering and publishing information. It means questioning what you read, verifying facts, understanding the law, protecting people’s rights and recognising attempts to manipulate public opinion.

Usra Abdalwaheb, one of the students in attendance, found the session eye-opening about the legal side of the profession. “The lecture was so interesting. I didn’t actually know that there are lots of laws that guide journalists.” — Usra Abdalwaheb. For Belle Amie, the biggest lesson was verification. She said the lecture taught her that journalists must first clarify and verify information before sharing it with the public, so that false information is not published. Her takeaway echoed the heart of the whole session: in an environment where information moves instantly, accuracy has to come first.

As these future journalists prepare to enter an increasingly digital newsroom, the lecture left them with a reminder that journalism is not simply about being the first to publish. It is about being accurate, responsible and conscious of the impact information can have on society.

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For Abraham Chol, studying at Mount Kigali University has been more than earning a degree it has been an experience of finding a sense of home in a foreign land. 

Abraham Chol, a student in the School of Business and Economics, chose Mount Kigali University because of what he describes as its excellent academic work. When he first arrived, his reaction was one of immediate admiration.“Wow, what a beautiful, peaceful and quiet place.” 

While Rwanda’s environment left a positive first impression, adjusting to life in a new country was not without its challenges. For Abraham, the biggest difficulty has been the language barrier, which made communication one of the main things he had to adjust to. 

Despite this, his experience with fellow students has helped him feel comfortable on campus. Abraham says Rwandan students have treated him with kindness and respect, making him feel welcomed rather than like an outsider. 

For Abraham, one of the things he enjoys most about being an international student at MKU is the feeling of home he experiences while living in a foreign country. The relationships and environment around him have helped make his university experience more comfortable and meaningful. 

His time in Rwanda has also taught him lessons that extend beyond the classroom. Abraham says living in the country has taught him about humbleness, simplicity and consistency in everything he does.“Living in Rwanda has taught me about humbleness, being simple and consistency in everything that I’m doing.” 

As he continues his studies at MKU, Abraham’s experience reflects how studying abroad can provide more than academic knowledge. It can also expose students to new cultures, relationships and lessons that shape their personal growth. 

For other international students considering MKU, Abraham has a simple message: 

“Every international student who wants to join MKU should come and join MKU because this is where you receive quality education and experience beautiful things.” 

For Abraham, Mount Kigali University has become more than a place to study. In a foreign land, he has found an environment where kindness, respect and a sense of belonging have helped make Rwanda feel a little more like home. 

By Tumalo Noel 

The post Finding Home Far Away From Home  appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

The training kicked off with a foundational reality check, a simple, uncompromising newsroom rule that forced students to never confuse a broad topic with a specific, actionable story. Instructors pushed participants to abandon vague, unmanageable concepts like “youth unemployment,” “public transport,” or “inflation,” and instead isolate specific, verifiable angles. 

To achieve this, the   student journalists were split into small editorial teams and instructed to trace a strict, logical story path: Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Evidence → Story. By filtering their initial ideas through seven core news value questions, examining exactly who is affected, how many people are impacted, what has changed, and what the consequences are if nothing changes. The groups spent their first days narrowing down a massive list of community observations into distinct, high-impact news pitches. 

A major pillar of the course focused heavily on investigative techniques, specifically instructing students on how to “follow the money” to uncover stories that are not already neatly packaged for publication. Working late into the evening, students learned to map complex networks and analyze public records, local procurement data, institutional budgets, and contracts to back up their interviews with hard, indisputable documentation. 

During the program, students engaged in a transparent, highly candid panel discussion exploring whether modern journalism departments and traditional media houses can truly remain profitable in a digital-first era. Industry veterans on the panel offered a grounding piece of career advice, warning the room: “If you come to this field looking strictly for money, you won’t get it right away; but if you are looking for skills and societal impact, you will find them.” 

The financial realities of the profession sparked deep reflection among the participants. Denish, a final-year journalism student reflecting on the structural hurdles facing young media professionals, highlighted a critical gap within the wider academic environment. ’’In the media landscape, there is a strong need for structural career guidance, especially for journalism students who are frequently told by outsiders that the field lacks financial stability, we need deliberate guidance from the university to help us navigate all these’’  

The intensive week culminated in a demanding, high-stakes final session on Day 5, where each student group was required to present their finished multimedia projects, spanning text, audio, and video formats and actively defend their reporting choices before a critical editorial board.

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Speaking during a public lecture at the university at 10 a.m., Philbert Girinema, Chief Editor at IGIHE, discussed the growing role of AI in journalism and how future journalists can prepare for its increasing presence in newsrooms. 

Philbert highlighted several ways journalists and journalism students can use AI, including summarizing information, helping users understand complex topics, developing interview questions and saving time during different stages of news production. 

However  he cautioned students against relying entirely on AI, stressing that journalists must remain responsible for the information they publish.“Knowing AI is not a journalism skill by itself,” Philbert said emphasizing that journalists need broader reporting and professional skills alongside their ability to use AI tools. 

He also pointed out that AI does not always perform accurately particularly when translating information into some African languages. This he said, shows the importance of journalists checking AI-generated information before using it in their work. 

Philbert encouraged students to see AI as a tool that can help them become better journalists rather than as a replacement for journalism itself. 

Students attending the lecture also reflected on the importance of verification when using AI. 

Queen Kaluaki, one of the students, said AI could help journalists create drafts but should not be relied upon to produce the final story.“We can use AI to help us create a draft of an article, but we cannot rely on it to produce the final article for us,” Queen said. 

She also added that information generated by AI must be independently checked, including names, facts and other details. 

Queen also noted that while AI is likely to become part of journalists’ everyday professional lives, journalists still need to conduct field reporting and interact directly with people. 

Another student, Abijuru Vanitha, said journalists should remain the final decision-makers when working with AI.“I am the one who tells AI what to do; AI does not tell me what to do,” Vanitha said, stressing that at the end of the day journalists should determine what information is accurate and what ultimately appears in a story. 

The lecture highlighted the need for journalism students to prepare for newsrooms where AI is increasingly being used while maintaining the traditional foundations of journalism, including reporting, verification, critical thinking and human judgment. 

Phibert concluded by emphasizing that a good journalist should know how to use AI effectively without becoming dependent on it 

By Tumalo Noel 

The post AI Can Assist Journalists, But Should Not Replace Them, IGIHE Chief Editor Tells MKU Students  appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

For many students arriving in Kigali, finding a suitable place to live can be a difficult part of settling into the city. At Mount Kigali University Atalabi Oluwadamiloju a BBICT student is working with two colleagues to make the process easier through Find Your Roomie, a website designed to help students, particularly international students, find houses and potential roommates in Kigali. 

The idea began last year and Atalabi started developing a platform that could simplify the search for accommodation. He developed the website this year and now manages it together with his two colleagues. 

The platform was created around a problem he believes many students face, finding accommodation in Kigali can be time consuming and difficult  especially for people who are new to the city. 

For international students, the challenge can be greater as they adjust to a new country while also trying to find a suitable place to live. 

Find Your Roomie aims to provide a simpler way for people looking for accommodation to find houses or connect with potential roommates. 

Although developing Find Your Roomie has been an exciting journey,Atalabi says the main challenge he currently faces is creating awareness about the website. Since the platform is still growing, getting more students and potential users to know about it remains an important part of building the business. 

While building the platform Atalabi is also continuing with his university studies, meaning he has to divide his time between academics, the business and his personal life. 

What started as an idea last year has now become a growing student-led project, showing how a common challenge can inspire an entrepreneur to create a solution while still pursuing a university degree. 

By Tumalo Noel 

The post Making Room for a Dream  appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

De Long arrives with extensive experience in youth development, talent identification and coaching, having worked with several football institutions in England, including Portsmouth, Southampton, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City. He has also gained international experience through his work with Aris FC and India’s national teams.

His appointment is expected to bring additional expertise to Rwanda’s efforts to identify, develop and nurture young football talent across the country.

As National Youth Development Officer, De Long will be expected to contribute to the development of youth football structures, improve talent identification systems and support the growth of young players who could eventually progress to Rwanda’s national teams and professional clubs.

The appointment comes as Rwanda continues to invest in the development of football at grassroots and youth levels, with the long-term objective of creating a stronger pathway from young talent to elite football.

With his experience across different football environments, De Long will now begin his work in Rwanda, where his expertise could play an important role in shaping the next generation of Rwandan footballers.

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The inaugural Bénédiction Fashion Gala is set to blend fashion, gospel music and cultural entertainment in an inclusive celebration when models take to the runway at RM Casa Italia in Nyarutarama on August 15.

Organised by Bénédiction Boutique in collaboration with Rwandan top model Sandrine Mucyo through her fashion concept, The Stage Fashion Showcase, the event aims to go beyond a traditional fashion show by combining runway presentations, gospel performances, cultural acts and prize giveaways while promoting diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.

The Bénédiction Fashion Gala will be the first edition of what founder and CEO Françoise Uwera hopes will become an annual event, with each edition building on the previous one as part of a growing celebration of fashion, creativity and excellence.

Mucyo told The New Times that the gala seeks to challenge conventional beauty standards by demonstrating that fashion is for women of all ages and body types.

“We are looking for women aged between 18 and 65, regardless of body size. Older women also wear fashionable clothes and look beautiful in them,” she said.

More than 120 women registered for the casting, with over 90 attending the selection session held on July 12. Of those, 30 models were selected to participate in the runway show.

Organisers are also inviting five plus-size women to join the lineup without undergoing the casting process, bringing the total number of models to between 35 and 40. Mucyo said the move is intended to further reinforce the event’s message of inclusivity.

The runway will feature women aged between 18 and 65, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to showcasing beauty beyond conventional modelling standards.

The gala will also unveil a curated collection of premium European fashion, with exclusive brands from Belgium and other sought-after labels making their debut on the runway.

Entertainment will include performances by gospel artists Emmy Vox and Tonzi, as well as a special dance performance by a troupe travelling from Belgium.

Uwera said the event will also provide a platform for a Belgium-based Rwandan women’s clothing store to showcase its collections. Bénédiction Boutique will present designs for women of different ages, highlighting fashionable outfits tailored to both younger and older women.

Tickets are priced at Rwf25,000 for regular admission, Rwf50,000 for premium and Rwf100,000 for VIP, while a table for five costs Rwf300,000. Food and drinks are included in the package.

According to the organisers, every ticket purchased gives attendees a chance to win prizes, with higher-tier tickets offering greater chances of winning larger rewards.

Prizes include cash-equivalent gifts worth between Rwf100,000 and Rwf500,000, luxury Paris XL perfumes, ceremony gowns, designer shoes, premium beauty products and handbags.

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Rwanda’s entertainment industry has long been associated with rivalries, but a growing number of creatives say competition is increasingly crossing the line into online harassment, defamation and smear campaigns that threaten careers and personal lives.

Recent allegations by DJ Sonia, who says she has spent the past three years seeking justice over alleged online harassment and intimidation, have reignited debate over what some industry players describe as a toxic culture of damaging colleagues’ reputations for personal gain.

Music manager Alex Muyoboke says online harassment and character assassination have reached alarming levels in Rwanda’s entertainment industry, leaving many creatives feeling unprotected despite repeated efforts to seek assistance from authorities.

“We are crying out for help because the situation has become unbearable. What Sonia has been saying is true, and many of us have experienced the same thing,” he said, recalling that he was also subjected to sustained online attacks before the arrest of Vlogger Jean-Bosco Sengabo alias Fatakumavuta.

According to Muyoboke, entertainers have reported such cases to the Ministry of Youth and Arts, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the Rwanda National Police and other relevant institutions, but many feel little progress has been made.

“People have destroyed our reputations on social media. They create false stories using our names simply to make money, turning us into outcasts and damaging our relationships with family, friends and the public,” Muyoboke told The New Times.

He questioned why some reported cases remain under investigation for a long time without resolution, citing DJ Sonia’s case as an example.

“If someone reports a case and even provides evidence, why should it remain unresolved for years? We are left wondering whether these complaints are receiving the attention they deserve,” he said.

Muyoboke believes jealousy has become one of the main drivers of online attacks in the entertainment industry, with some individuals targeting successful creatives to undermine their careers.

“Some people see others succeeding and immediately look for ways to bring them down. They wake up and fabricate stories out of nowhere, knowing such claims spread quickly online,” he said.

He warned that false allegations can have lasting consequences, affecting victims’ personal lives, careers and future opportunities.

“Once these stories are published, many people believe them without verifying the facts. They remain on the internet and continue damaging someone’s reputation long after they have been proven false,” he said.

He added that online harassment has become so widespread that some creatives have received threatening messages while others have considered leaving the entertainment industry altogether because they can no longer cope with the hostile environment.

“The industry has reached a point where positive achievements receive little attention, while fabricated scandals dominate online conversations. That is not healthy for the growth of our creative sector,” he said.

Media personality Amen Rugemana, popularly known as Babu, believes online smear campaigns have become a growing concern in Rwanda’s creative industry, alleging that some individuals use bloggers and social media influencers to damage the reputations of public figures.

“These things really happen. Some people do it because they are paid, while others do it on their own. In many cases, influencers and small bloggers are used as tools to attack specific individuals,” he said.

According to Babu, it is not uncommon for some people to commission negative campaigns against those with whom they have personal or professional differences.

“If someone has a problem with another person, they can pay bloggers to spread negative stories about them. Sometimes the stories are completely fabricated because those behind them believe there are no strong legal consequences,” he said.

He argued that the practice has become increasingly normalised, with some content creators publishing unverified allegations to attract attention or generate online engagement.

He also questioned whether complaints related to online harassment receive sufficient attention, saying cases involving entertainers are sometimes not treated with the urgency they deserve.

“When such cases are reported, they are often viewed as ordinary disputes instead of recognising the serious impact they can have on people’s lives and careers,” he said.

Rwandan comedian, filmmaker, poet and Mcee Gratien Niyitegeka, commonly known as Papa Sava, believes unhealthy competition has become increasingly common across Rwanda’s entertainment industry, with some individuals seeking to advance their careers by discrediting others.

“I think the problem has reached a worrying level, although it affects different creative fields differently,” he said.

“Sometimes it is not just about bringing someone down. Some people want to rise by stepping on someone else’s name,” he said.

Niyitegeka attributed the trend to greed, poor character and a lack of professional integrity, arguing that creatives should instead allow their work to speak for themselves.

“People should work hard, demonstrate their abilities and let others choose them on merit, rather than trying to succeed by destroying someone else’s reputation,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Niyitegeka believes the way creatives respond is equally important, urging them to exercise professionalism and emotional maturity.

“If someone says they are better than me, I congratulate them. If they say I have fallen behind, I encourage them to do even better. Not every criticism deserves a response,” he said.

He added that experienced creatives should avoid engaging in unnecessary public disputes, saying maturity lies in knowing which battles are worth fighting and focusing instead on building a lasting career.

The New Times sought a comment from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on the issue but was unable to obtain a response by the time of publication.

Need for protection

Persistent online bullying is becoming an increasingly serious concern in the digital age, according to digital transformation specialist Sylvie Nsanga, who warns that fear of online abuse is driving some people away from social media while forcing others to remain silent to avoid becoming targets.

She said the growing trend highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to protect users from digital abuse.

Nsanga called on authorities to adopt a more proactive approach to monitoring online platforms rather than waiting for victims to report incidents, arguing that digital safety should be treated with the same urgency as physical security.

“We don’t wait for people to be robbed before deploying security. The same approach should apply online, where those responsible for abuse should be identified as part of routine monitoring,” she said.

She also stressed that freedom of expression should never be used to justify insults, harassment or defamation.

“Freedom of expression allows people to express opinions responsibly. It should never be interpreted as a licence to abuse or humiliate others, whether they are ordinary citizens or public figures,” she said.

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Rwandan singer and songwriter Josiane Uwineza, better known as Miss Jojo, has opened up about the career break that brought one of Rwanda’s most successful music journeys to an end, saying the decision was deliberate, deeply personal and one she has never regretted.

The singer became a household name in the Rwandan music industry since breaking into music in 2007. She is best know for her iconic tracks like ‘Tukabyine’, ‘Siwezi’, ‘Mbwira’, ‘Nganirira’, ‘Beletilida’, to mention a few.

She took a break in 2012 after releasing her album “Woman” which she launched at Gikondo Expo grounds.

To her, it was a goodbye to a career she had loved to pursue.

Speaking in an interview with Igihe, the celebrated artiste revealed that she had planned her departure long before she stepped away from the spotlight.

She recalled that her final concert at Expo Grounds was always intended to be her last.

“I made the decision to quit music knowing exactly what I was doing. I felt I had accomplished what I set out to do with music. Even my last concert, which I held at Expo Grounds, I knew it was going to be my last, and I put everything into it, telling myself I needed to leave my signature there,” she said.

For Miss Jojo, leaving music was not about walking away from success but about closing a chapter she believed had fulfilled its purpose.

“Then I left music, telling myself that I felt I had done what I needed to do, and it was time to move into the next steps of my life,” she said.

That next chapter led her away from the stage and into humanitarian work and professional employment.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the former National University of Rwanda, Miss Jojo said she wanted to build a career beyond entertainment while using her education in a more conventional work environment.

“So I moved into other things — I started an NGO to help young people develop themselves. And as someone who had studied, I also wanted a regular job,” she said.

“I wanted to get used to working in an office setting and build my career as a professional,” she said.

“I worked in that space for close to five years, doing work that didn’t necessarily put me in the public eye, which is exactly what I wanted, because as an artiste, if you don’t have something to ground you, to keep you low-key for a while, social media and fame can distract you.”

She described stepping away from music as both a career decision and an act of faith.

“So you see, stopping music was a decision I made deliberately. I had thought it through, and God helped me follow through with it,” she said.

Looking back, she says what matters most is not the fame she enjoyed but the legacy she left behind.

“What pleases me most even now is that I was able to leave music with a good image among people, with respect.”

A message-driven career

Miss Jojo burst onto the music scene in 2007 after winning the National University of Rwanda Rector’s Excellence Award for Best Female Artiste. A year later, she won the Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best Rwandan Female Artiste, helping raise Rwanda’s profile on the regional music scene.

She released her debut album, Genesis, in 2008 before following it with Woman in 2012, which became her final album before stepping away from music.

She said her mission from the beginning was to create music that inspired girls and women, even as the industry increasingly rewarded more provocative content.

“I started out wanting to give a message to girls and women, to walk a good path. But I realised that if I made songs that were too controversial, it wouldn’t look right, which is why I started with ‘Mbwira’, which was my first song,” she said.

Mbwira became one of the defining songs of her breakthrough, followed by hits such as Inshuti, which cemented her status as one of Rwanda’s leading female artistes in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

She is also known for popular songs including Tukabyine, Siwezi, Nganirira and Beletilida.

Addressing the rumours

Miss Jojo also dismissed long-standing claims that marriage or religion forced her to leave music.

“I stopped making music in 2012, and I got married in 2017. I also didn’t convert to Islam because of my husband, and being Muslim isn’t what made me leave music either, because I converted to Islam in 2009 and continued singing as a Muslim,” she said.

She also spoke about criticism she received over her modest style of dress, saying it reinforced her decision to step away once she felt her message had reached its audience.

“I would meet many fans who asked me why I dressed the way I did. I wore long clothes that didn’t expose my body, and it would upset me because I didn’t feel they had any say over how I dressed,” she said.

From the stage to Igikari

More than a decade later, Miss Jojo, now 40 and a mother, says she has no desire to return to the music industry. Instead, she has channelled her passion into Igikari Holiday Camp, a non-profit initiative designed to provide teenage girls and young women with a safe space to discuss the challenges they face.

The programme focuses on issues such as family conflict, gender inequality, mental health and sexual health, offering mentorship, peer support and guidance rather than formal training.

“What we intend to offer is a safe space to discuss those challenges. It is not about training but rather listening to them. This will give them hope, guidance and a sense of purpose,” she said.

She said the years away from public life allowed her to develop the initiative while prioritising her family.

“After taking a break from music, I just gave enough time to my own things — behind the curtains — including my family. During this time, I decided to come up with a support system, specifically for the youth, to create a safe space and brighter future for them,” she said.

According to Miss Jojo, today’s young people are surrounded by information but often lack the mentorship needed to process it.

“They lack enough mentorship on how to digest that information about what is right or wrong to do,” she said, citing divorce, economic hardship and the absence of parental care as some of the challenges affecting young people.

She also encouraged fellow artistes to build careers and initiatives beyond music, arguing that lasting impact comes from using one’s platform to serve others rather than simply remaining in the spotlight.

The post “Quitting music was a deliberate decision” – Miss Jojo appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

American guard Craig Randall has rejoined APR Basketball Club ahead of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) playoffs scheduled to tip commence on August 5.

The 30-year-old was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) after leading RSSB Tigers to their maiden BAL championship on their debut appearance in the competition.

Randall is expected to arrive in Rwanda on July 29.

In February, Randall signed with APR as the club planned to rely on his services during the 2026 BAL campaign. However, he eventually represented RSSB Tigers in the competition after APR withdrew from the tournament.

In April, Randall set an all-time BAL record for the most points scored in a single game, dropping 54 points on 18-of-36 shooting to inspire RSSB Tigers to a 104-92 victory over Tanzania’s Dar City in the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria, South Africa.

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