Hungry for Truth, Peace and Justice

Journalists Fear Oppression and Crackdowns by Rwandan Government

By Expression Today
10 March 2010

Pressure is mounting among independent journalists in Rwanda amidst reports of a missing reporter and growing efforts by security agencies to link more journalists to alleged acts of terrorism.

For the last two weeks, Godwin Agaba has not filed any story to the Ugandan news agency 256news.com. The agency has placed an alert indicating the reporter’s possible arrest or disappearance. Agaba’s close friend in Kigali, Jean Bosco Gasasira of Umuvugizi newspaper, is worried for his security.

In an interview with ET, Police Spokesman Sup. Eric Kayiranga said he only read about Agaba on 256news.com and denied that the journalist was being held in a police cell in the country. (Editor's Note: Mr. Agaba is not in Rwandan custody. He is seeking asylum abroad.)

"I only read about him on 256news.com website but have not received any information about his arrests. Maybe if you could help police trace for him that would be very good," Kayiranga said.

256news.com had reported that their correspondent in Kigali was missing, saying he could have been arrested on President Paul Kagame's orders.

Kagame had said in his March 3 press conference that the government had information about journalists working with those opposed to him.

He was commenting on Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa's fleeing the country and journalists who had connections with him and former celebrated spy chief Colonel Patrick Karegeya.

On March 5, a publisher and former president of the Rwanda Journalists Association, Deo Mushayidi, was arrested from Burundi and deported to Kigali over alleged connections with recent grenade attacks that killed two people and injured scores in the Rwandan capital.

Gasasira told ET that he knew Agaba had been used on several occasions in controversial reporting even against his fellow journalists.

Before joining Umuvugizi, Agaba worked with Umuseso, which the government considers a ‘negative’ publication because of its critical reporting. Like many of the reporters at Umuseso, Agaba was known for digging into what other journalists considered no-go areas.

He fearlessly uncovered public funds swindlers and corrupt leaders. That, however, did not stop the ruling party’s daily, The New Times, from hiring him. In 2006, Agaba was an investigative and political reporter at the New Times but that did not last long.

Known for his investigative skills, he was seen more as a spy than a journalist and very few people trusted him. His editors expected hot stories about corrupt government officials or private businessmen in tendering scams. After falling out with his employers, the same kinds of assignments were used to land him in a scandal that led to his imprisonment.

Like has happened to some journalists here, Agaba was set up and police reportedly ‘caught him red-handed’ receiving a bribe so as not to publish damaging information he had about a businessman. He was charged with corruption and sent to prison. Gasasira says the plot was planned by Agaba’s employers and the police to end his journalism career.

After completing a prison sentence at Kigali Central Prison in 2009, Agaba hit the road again with Umuvugizi, another controversial weekly tabloid, and the regional news agency 256news.com.

Gasasira said he had received information from security operatives indicating accusations that Agaba was a national security threat.

“Some security operatives informed me that Agaba had been blacklisted as one causing a security threat and would be arrested any time. Earlier, he had been threatened by security official posing as a journalist who told him that his days as a journalist were numbered. I cannot explain his missing, whether he ran out of the country or is being held by the people who wanted him arrested,” Gasasira said.

According to him, those who wanted Agaba arrested had compiled a report containing Agaba’s published work.

ET has reliably learnt that Agaba, a Rwandan of Ugandan origin, left the country for an unknown place in Uganda on March 3, shortly before the President’s press conference. He reportedly acted on a tip off from some of his friends within the security services that he was about to be arrested and deported.

As the media in Kigali and in the region got rattled over the defection of a former military commander, Agaba seemed to have first hand news about General Nyamwasa’s whereabouts.

He was the first to report on 256news.com that General Kayumba had arrived in South Africa and actually had a phone interview with him, something that must have left the entire security network in shock.

Meanwhile, Gasasira himself has expressed fears for his security, saying he has been in hiding after information leaked that security operatives wanted him implicated in the recent grenade attacks in Kigali.

Gasasira says his informer told him they had tried to use one of his brothers to accuse him of the crime but the plot flopped when the boy refused to cooperate. Gasasira says the informer warned him of a further plan to link him to terrorism acts.

Gasasira says the harassment of journalists by security forces is meant to silence the free press. He, however, was firm that he would not leave Rwanda.
Related Materials:
Rwanda: 256.com correspondent Godwin Agaba blames government for Kigali bombings and seeks asylum

Rwanda: Appeals court dismisses UMUSESO-Rujugiro suit

Rwanda: Journalist confirms meeting fugitive army officers

posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 7:47 AM