The Rwandan youth have been urged to utilize social media platforms to promote peace and combat hate speech. This call was made during a recent gathering of young people at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, organized by the Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle organization. The event aimed to equip young people with the skills to engage in online campaigns and promote unity and reconciliation.
According to research conducted by the Ministry of Unity and National Guidance (MINUBUMWE) in 2025, many social media platforms operating outside of Rwanda are distorting historical facts and spreading fake news. This has a significant impact on young people, who are often misled by such information. Some young people who use social media reported encountering hate speech and discriminatory messages online.
The participants emphasized the need for young people to be educated on the importance of promoting love and unity, and to be equipped with critical thinking skills to distinguish between good and bad information online. Innocent Izampabyose, a young social media user, noted that promoting hate speech has become a job for some young people, but that he tries to counter such messages with love and unity.
Carine Umuhire, another participant, stressed the need for ongoing education and dialogue on promoting love, unity, and good values. She emphasized that young people need to be taught how to use social media responsibly and not to mislead others. Frère Vital Ringuyeneza, the Director of Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, noted that some young people use fake accounts to spread hate speech.
Eric Mahoro, the Permanent Secretary at MINUBUMWE, emphasized the critical role that young people play in preventing and combating hate speech on social media. He stressed that young people need to understand the impact of their online activities and the importance of promoting unity and reconciliation. Mahoro encouraged young people to use social media to promote peace and unity.
Mahoro also warned that social media can be a powerful tool for either good or bad, and that young people need to be mindful of the content they create and share online. He encouraged young people to take an active role in promoting positive values and preventing the spread of hate speech. The government, he added, is committed to working with young people to promote a culture of peace and unity.
The event aimed to equip young people with the skills to engage in online campaigns and promote unity and reconciliation. The organizers hope that the young people will use social media responsibly and promote positive values online.
Key points
- The Rwandan youth are being encouraged to utilize social media platforms to promote peace and combat hate speech.
- Research conducted by MINUBUMWE found that many social media platforms operating outside of Rwanda are distorting historical facts and spreading fake news.
- Young people need to be educated on the importance of promoting love and unity, and equipped with critical thinking skills to distinguish between good and bad information online.
