Five Rwandan Judges Selected for Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards

The Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards, now in its third year, has announced the selection of five Rwandan judges to review submissions for this year's awards. The judges, all highly respected in the literary field, were chosen for their expertise in literature and publishing. They will review submissions and select the finalists for the awards. The judges include Prof. Dr. Viateur Ndikumana, Prof. Dr. Calixte Kabera, Madamu Thais Ruboneka, Bwana Jerome Kajuga, and Madamu Mathilde Kayitesi.

The judges have impressive backgrounds in literature and publishing. Prof. Dr. Viateur Ndikumana is a writer and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research at Kibogora Polytechnic-Rwanda. Prof. Dr. Calixte Kabera is a writer and Vice Chancellor of East African University, and also the President of the judging panel. Madamu Thais Ruboneka is the Director of American Spaces at the US Embassy in Kigali. Bwana Jerome Kajuga is the Director of Culture, representing UNESCO Rwanda. Madamu Mathilde Kayitesi is involved in promoting literature and is the co-founder and CEO of UMUHUZA.

The Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards have four categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Young Rwandan Writer, Outstanding Female Rwandan Writer, and Outstanding Male Rwandan Writer, as well as Outstanding African Writer. Two writers have been selected as finalists in each category. The Lifetime Achievement Award, however, has already been awarded to Boubacar Boris Diop, a renowned writer, for his significant contributions to literature.

The finalists for the Outstanding Young Rwandan Writer category are Fred Mfuranzima and Patrick Nzabonimpa. In the Outstanding Female Rwandan Writer category, the finalists are Tete Loeper and Dimitri Sissi Mukanyirigira. The Outstanding Male Rwandan Writer category has Jean de Dieu Nsanzabera and Valens Kabarari as finalists. For the Outstanding African Writer category, the finalists are Toni Kan and Donica Merhazion.

The awards are organized by Bridgevision, in partnership with various organizations in Rwanda and internationally. The aim of the awards is to celebrate outstanding Rwandan and African writers who have made significant contributions to literature. Joe E. Sully, CEO of Bridgevision, stated that the judging panel consists of highly respected individuals from five reputable organizations in Rwanda and internationally.

Sully further stated that Bridgevision aims to establish Kigali as a major hub for literature and publishing in Africa. He expressed confidence that the necessary elements are in place to achieve this goal. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 6, 2026, in Kigali, where the winners of the four categories will be announced.

The partners for this year's awards include the Ministry of Youth and Culture, AmCham Rwanda, BK Foundation, IGIHE, UNESCO Rwanda, Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, and the US Embassy in Kigali, among others. The Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards seek to promote and celebrate outstanding literary works from Rwanda and Africa.

Key points

• The Radiate Rwanda Literary Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding Rwandan and African writers who have made significant contributions to literature.
• Five Rwandan judges have been selected to review submissions for this year's awards.
• The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 6, 2026, in Kigali.