Kigali: Minister Utumatwishima calls for a linguistic renaissance to preserve the nation’s soul

By Napoleon Mugenzi

The Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr. Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima, has issued a clarion call to citizens to safeguard Kinyarwanda, describing the national language as the “indispensable glue” that holds Rwanda’s social fabric and collective identity together.

Speaking at a high-level cultural forum, the Minister argued that the preservation of the mother tongue is not merely a matter of communication, but a strategic necessity for maintaining national unity and long-term stability.

Minister Utumatwishima emphasized that Kinyarwanda serves as the foundation of Rwandan values and social cohesion. He warned that as the world becomes increasingly globalized, the country must be vigilant against the erosion of its linguistic heritage.

“Protecting Kinyarwanda is synonymous with protecting the unity of our people,” the Minister stated. He expressed particular concern over the rising trend of “linguistic mixing”, the habit of blending Kinyarwanda with foreign languages, which is becoming prevalent in public discourse and across social media platforms.

While the Minister acknowledged the benefits of multilingualism, he insisted that the adoption of international languages must not lead to the marginalization of the native tongue.

The Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr. Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima

The Minister outlined a multi-sectorial approach to linguistic preservation, urging various stakeholders to take a proactive stance; Educators and Parents, to prioritize linguistic accuracy from an early age, ensuring children stay rooted in their culture.

Media and Content Creators, to use the arts, literature, and digital media as tools for storytelling that celebrate cultural authenticity. The Youth, to take pride in the mastery of their language, viewing it as a source of national dignity rather than an outdated tradition.

The urgency of this call is backed by sobering statistics. According to the 2025 Cultural Heritage Indicators report, an overwhelming 70.6% of Rwandans believe that Kinyarwanda is currently being used incorrectly in both speech and writing. This data suggests a significant disconnect between the historical importance of the language and its modern application.

To combat this decline, the government is supporting initiatives like the “Umunota w’Ikinyarwanda” (A Minute of Kinyarwanda) competition, organized by the National Culture Council. This year’s theme, “Let us use and refine Kinyarwanda everywhere,” focused on encouraging the youth to master the nuances of the language.

Robert Masozera, the General Director of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA)

The competition saw Claudine Murekatete take the top prize of 1,000,000 RWF for her exceptional command of the language. She was followed by Charles Twagiramungu in second place (700,000 RWF) and the popular content creator Eric Nsabimana (Dr. Nsabii), who secured third place (500,000 RWF).

By rewarding those who excel in their mother tongue, the Ministry aims to foster a new generation of “cultural ambassadors” who will ensure that Kinyarwanda remains a vibrant, living language for centuries to come.

“This linguistic advocacy comes at a time when the government has committed over 49 billion RWF toward cultural preservation through 2035, emphasizing that Kinyarwanda is not just a relic of the past, but a multi-million dollar asset for the country’s growing creative economy.”