Rashid Hakuzimana sentenced to 7 years in Rwanda for genocide denial, sparking debate over free speech and historical memory.
Rwandan YouTuber Rashid Hakuzimana Jailed for Genocide Denial
Rashid Hakuzimana, a prominent Rwandan YouTuber, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for violating Rwanda’s laws on genocide denial.
The 56-year-old, who identifies as Hutu, was arrested in 2021. He denied all charges, which included inciting ethnic division and spreading false information—such as claims that President Paul Kagame‘s opponents are routinely imprisoned.
Hakuzimana’s case underscores the ongoing sensitivities surrounding the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which approximately 800,000 people—mostly Tutsis and moderate Hutus—were killed in 100 days by Hutu extremists.
While the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) ended the genocide, it has faced accusations of retaliatory killings of Hutus—claims the government vehemently denies.
Controversial Comments
During his trial, the judge cited Hakuzimana’s YouTube remarks as incendiary. One key comment suggested genocide orphans were treated worse than children of senior government officials.
“Your comments are not just opinions; they are divisive and harmful,” the judge ruled.
Representing himself in court, Hakuzimana demanded to be recognized not as a content creator, but a politician.
“I’ve spent enough time behind bars for merely expressing my thoughts,” he said.
He will serve four years, as three already spent in custody are credited. He was also fined $700 (Ksh 91,000).
Free Speech or Incitement?
Hakuzimana argued his criticism targeted the government—not genocide history.
“My videos were about holding the government accountable,” he said.
His channel, Rashid TV, and frequent appearances on Ishema TV gained traction. Despite prior warnings from Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), he continued his online activism.
In a now-viral video, he called for the scrapping of Rwanda’s annual commemoration Kwibuka:
“Hutus wronged the Tutsi, yes. But if you have forgiven someone, don’t remind them every year.”
A Pattern of Censorship?
Human Rights Watch and others have accused Kagame’s government of using genocide laws to silence critics—a charge Kigali denies.
In 2023, fellow YouTuber Yvonne Idamange had her 15-year sentence extended by two years for inciting violence and misinformation.
For more on the Rwandan justice system, visit our East Africa politics section or read our deep dive on Freedom of Expression in Rwanda.
