The week ending on 22 January 2023 featured on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Facebook, as well as international news outlets, the death of journalist Ntwali John Williams. Rwandans and non-Rwandans, most of them based in Western countries (Canada, Europe, and the United States), including Human Right Watch, described the death as “suspicious/mysterious” and therefore called the Government of Rwanda to commission “independent and credible investigation” on the circumstances surrounding the death.
His death sparked a dishonest reaction from predictable individuals and anti-Rwanda groups, which leaves one wondering if they wholeheartedly wish him to rest in peace. It has become a common practice that the same people take advantage of every regrettable incident that happens to a Rwandan citizen, whether in Rwanda or abroad, and blame it on the Rwandan government. Without so much as a second thought. For the haters, it is a golden chance to push their anti-Rwanda agenda. Where it doesn’t, they falsify it and spread it. Very sad.
According to a statement by the Rwanda National Police, Ntwali was involved in a motorcycle accident on 17 January 2023 at 02:50 am in the Kicukiro district of Kigali City. A sedan car knocked the motorbike on which Ntwali was a passenger, and he died on the spot while the motorcycle driver sustained injuries. The driver of the car was arrested and will be prosecuted under Rwandan law.
I haven’t met Ntwali John Williams, nor did I know any of his supposed “extensive” work, which earned him a significant profile, as presented by a few individuals, most of whom are Western based. They describe Ntwari as “one of the last independent journalists in Rwanda.” My question is, who are those few independent journalists remaining in Rwanda? Who qualifies and ascertains the list? Anyways, this will be a discussion for another time.
I took time and watched a couple of sessions on YouTube channels on which Ntwali was a host or a guest. To be fair, I couldn’t find any constructive substance in them. Most of his remarks were sensationalized and dramatized, biased, and subjective, compromising whatever valid issues the man intended to be covered and reported. His content did not mean correction; it was more undermining and inciting. This is why in the eyes of foreigners and sympathizers was “very special”. Fortunately, Rwandans have yet to get hooked to this type of journalism.
Much as Ntwari reported content that could not be qualified as material for domestic consumption, he was less controversial than some individuals (not necessarily journalists) like Bicahaga, Agnes Uwimana, and Musana Jean Luc, to mention but a few. He was not as controversial as some Individuals and organizations wanted to portray him. I don’t recall Ntwali being summoned or warned by Rwanda Investigation Bureau. As usual, opportunists and populists grabbed his death and used it as a launch pad to discredit Rwanda and its institutions.
It is troubling how people have lost humanity, and values, to the extent that death is politicized. Some of these people have even expressed interest in being leaders of Rwanda. Indeed they are supported by the same international organizations and foreigner elements. They are ready to peddle every lie, fake any incident, and fabricate stories to discredit and undermine Rwanda’s leadership.
For their information, our generation knows what is right and wrong and can differentiate between leaders and misleaders.
ellenkampire