Meet the Students

Claudine Barakamfitiye is a 25-year old communication student in her fourth year at the National University of Rwanda. From 2007 to 2009, she has worked at Radio Salus,  the university community radio station where she worked as a reporter, a talk show host and a producer of Twihangire Imirimo, a program which encourage jobless people to create their own jobs. She has experience in radio and video documentary production. She will graduate in 2010.

Alyce Akineza Ndeze, a 29-years old journalist, started her career in 2006 as a print  reporter while studying at the National University of Rwanda.   In October 2006, she began working at the university community station, Radio Salus, where she co-hosted a culture and entertainment show called Salus Relax.  In January 2009, she join Souline, a soul music show that also covers the art news in Rwanda.  Between 2007 and February 2010, she hosted and produced a regional radio program called Generation Grand Lacs, a radio forum that offers the opportunity for dialogue among youth in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. In 2009  she accepted a management position on the show,  Kura Wikorera, a radio show produced by Search For Common Ground, an American NGO that works on conflict resolution and transformation. Akineza has also worked with Search for Common Ground to train young reporters and is in charge of Search for Common Ground’s outreach department. She is scheduled to graduate in 2010.

Noella Gatake Dushimiyimana is a 4th year communication student at National University of Rwanda. She has been working as an intern at UNICEF. She also worked for a school newspaper called Rugari while in secondary school. Dushimiyimana was trained on how to cover sport news in a workshop organized by Olympic National Comity of Rwanda. She currently works with sport journalists at Radio Salus, the university community station. In addtion, Dushimiyimana is a model and participated in East Africa model search held in Dar es Salaam. She is a Rwandan will be a contestant in the Miss University Africa pageant to be held in 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Jean Damascene Philos Hakuzimana is a 4^th year student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. Hakuzimana has been working at Radio Salus since 2006, where he reports and presents the news. At Radio Salus, he also produces an oldies show called Karatunyuze and he presents specials on subjects ranging from water distribution and agriculture extension in Rwanda. Hakuzimana participated in two major seminars organized by Rwanda Initiative and Rwanda Media Strengthening Project, a Canadian and  American  projects which supports media in Rwanda “Rwanda Now: Balancing the Scale, Reporting on Justice , Law and Police” and “Rwanda Now: Improving Journalism, One Story at Time.” Both seminars were organized to increase knowledge and ability in reporting. Hakuzimana will obtain a journalism bachelors degree in 2011 year. He is now living in a Huye town suburb called Taba.

Jean Baptiste Hategekimana is a fourth year journalism student at the School of Journalism and Communication of the National University of Rwanda. He has been working at Radio Salus since 2007. He reports news and produces a show called Kaminuza mu Iterambere that covers university related issues. Hategekimana has participated in several journalism workshops. In 2008, he participated in the workshop called “Media and Electoral Process” organized by UNESCO and Media High Council. In March 2010, he attended “Rwanda Now: Balancing the Scales,” a workshop organized by IREX and Rwanda Initiative. In recent moments, Hategekimana has been working with Andreas Peckelsen, a German specialist who has created the radio drama that educates listeners about HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other social issues.  Hategekimana hopes to make a living as a journalist, a profession in Rwanda that still faces problems such as poor pay and media owners who don’t respect journalists’ rights. He lives on campus at the National University of Rwanda located in Butare town in the Southern Province.

Jean Clément Muhire Kamanzi is a fourth year journalism student at National University of Rwanda. Kamanzi worked as a news reporter at Rwanda Television for two months during his school internship in 2009. Kamanzi has produced a video public service announcement for a campaign against HIV/AIDS at National University of Rwanda. After graduating, Kamanzi would like to work as a documentary and a video producer for television. He is scheduled to graduate in 2010. Kamanzi lives in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Jean Michel Karangwa was born on September, 1st 1985 in Kigali, Rwanda. He attended primary studies at Ecole Belge de Kigali where he was in charge of reporting the morning news to students. This position is what led him to journalism, which has been his greatest ambition since his childhood. In 2006, he joined the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication, and four months later started working at Radio Salus, a university community station. There he worked as field news reporter and he produced several radio programs including popular showbiz show Salus Relax. Since 2009 he work on Kigali-based radio station, Isango Star where he’s in charge of producing entertainment and gender-issue programs: Sunday Night and Women Magazine. Karangwa will graduate in 2010.

Aimée Consolée Kubwimana is a  4^th year communication student at National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. She was born in the Southern Province where she completed secondary school in 2006. She started her university studies in the School of Modern Languages in order to improver her English-speaking. In January 2007, she started her first year in the School of Journalism and Communication. She has hosted several talk shows at Radio Salus, the university community station. She will graduate in 2010.

Pamela Mudakikwa is a 22-year old, 4th year communication student at the National University of Rwanda. Since 2007, she worked as a journalist at Radio Salus, a university community radio station. She was a presenter of Soul Line, a program produced for  Radio Salus where she was also a reporter and presenter of the Saturday Morning Reports, a 30-minutes public affair program that broadcasts once a week. Since 2009, she has been the director of publication and a reporter for Arboretum, a newspaper of the National University of Rwanda Students’ Union. She also writes for the Rwanda National Electoral commission magazine. Mudakikwa has participated in numerous professional trainings including one on photojournalism and another about reporting on HIV/AIDS. Mudakikwa is passionate about telling inspirational stories through video. She lives in the Tumba sector of Huye Province and will graduate in 2010.

Sandrine Mukama is a 4th year student at the National University of Rwanda in the School of Journalism and Communication. She has worked as intern in Public Relations department in Rwanda Development Board specifically in tourism area and from there; she acquired experience in public relations. Mukama is interested in the unity and reconciliation of Rwandans, that is why, after graduating; she wants to work as a communication officer in an institution of unity and reconciliation spreading the message of love among all Rwandans. Mukama studied arts during secondary level. She will graduate in 2010 from the National University of Rwanda with a degree in Communication. She lives in Kigali.

Fidele Niyigaba is currently a 4th year student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. Since April 2007, he has worked as a news presenter and host of Inkera, a live show about culture for Radio Salus, the university community radio station. Niyigaba mentored under Simon Sticker during a photography workshop and he participated in seven trainings about children and media organized by Plan Rwanda. He also participated in a workshop organized by Radio Salus on election reporting. Niyigaba holds a certificate in modern languages and he did his secondary studies in the Eastern Province where he was awarded the advanced level in arts. He will graduate from the National University in 2011.

Eric Muvunyi is a 4^th year student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication where he’s studied since 2006. He is currently training to be a journalist at Radio Salus, the university community station. In 2006, Eric participated in a two week training with the National University of Rwanda League Against HIV. Since 2008, he has presented a live sports show called Urubuga Rw’imikino. In 2009, Muvunyi interned in the public relations department at the National Electoral Commission where he is currently writing for their newspaper, Inzira ya Demokarasi. He will graduate at the end of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in communication.

Prudent Nsengiyumva is a radio documentary producer with three years of professional experience. Since 2007,  Nsengiyumva has worked as a reporter at Radio Salus, the university community station where he produces Saturday Morning Reports, a weekly 30-minute current affairs program in English.  Recently, he produced a radio documentary about the government’s policy which limits families to have only three children. In 2007, he produced a radio  documentary about the life of a deaf woman who spent more than five years in the streets before attending a school for the deaf. He produced a story about a woman who forgave her neighbor who participated in the killings of her family after the 1994 genocide.  All stories were broadcast on Radio Salus.  Nsengiyumva is a 2008 International Student Scholar. In 2008, his  radio documentary “Donatha’s Story” was chosen as one of the highlights of the Third Coast International Audio Festival, Chicago, USA. The documentary tells the story of a woman who was infected with HIV/AIDS by her husband. Nsengiyumva’s documentaries have been broadcast on Radio Salus and various international media including BBC, CBC as well as the Third Coast website. In 2008, he traveled to USA where he covered the US presidential elections and race relations in the United States. The same year, Nsengiyumva interned at the CBC. In 2009, Nsengiyumva interned at BBC World, Kigali office for six months and traveled to Congo to report for the BBC on the problems faced by refugees in Eastern DR Congo. He currently freelances for international outlets including BBC, CBC and World Vision Report. He is in his fourth year at the National University of Rwanda and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2011.  He lives in Butare, Rwanda.

Nadege Nzeyimana is 4th year communication student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. She has studied television production and editing and shot and edited a short documentary about Huye, the college town where she studies. Nzeyimana is now working on a team that is compiling data for a video documentary about the arboretum, a large forest which is owned by the National University of Rwanda. Nzeyimana has covered  stories on various social issues such as family planning, sports, education and corruption in the magazine owned by the Office of the Ombudsman of Rwanda, and she was a designer of the newspaper of Imanzi , In addition, she has experience in radio production and photo journalism. She will graduate in 2010. She lives in Huye, in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

Jean de Dieu Cyuzuzo Samba is a 4th year journalism student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. Since 2008, he has worked at Radio Salus, the university community station. At Radio Salus, Samba produces and presents a daily sport show called MTN Salussports. Samba manages the video equipment room at the National University and has produced several documentary videos on subjects including: sport, music, health, culture and education. His recent video about a scientist was presented at the Chicago Film Festival in February 2010.. He will graduate with a degree in journalism at the end 2010. Today he lives on campus of the National University of Rwanda.

Jean Pierre Sangwa is a journalist on Radio Salus, the university community station. He has 3 years of experience creating documentaries with a focus on religious issues. This year, he produced his hundredth radio documentary. Sangwa is also a student in the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication where his concentration is communication. Two months ago, he joined a video production company, Flash Media Production as a cameraman. Sangwa has participated in various journalism trainings, two organized by the Rwanda Initiative, one organized by the Science Journalists Association, and one by TRAC Plus, a Rwandan center  in charge of the AIDS research and treatment. He has completed a two-months internship at Rwanda’s Media High Council as media analyst. Now, he is preparing to produce a documentary film about Akagera River and its tributaries, his final project before he graduates. Sangwa is scheduled to graduate in 2010.

Emmanuel Tulinomubeezi, 30, is in his 4^th year at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. Since 2007, he has worked as a reporter and host on several shows at university community station, Radio Salus. His shows include a current affairs show called Saturday Morning Reports, and a relationship-oriented show known as Monday Night. He also has produced radio documentaries such as, “Beggars in Butare Town” which explored the reasons behind increased number of beggars on Butare streets. He also produced a documentary about a killer reconciling with a neighbor – the perpetrator killed two of his neighbors children during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. He also produced a documentary about the challenges of the basic 9-year education programme in Rwanda which started in 2007. He investigated the corrupt local leaders of Tumba sector of Huye district in Southern Province for the Ubudehe programme which was intended to be a poverty eradication scheme.  In addition, he produced a documentary about the rise and impact of evangelical churches in Rwanda. Between February and September 2004, Tulinomubeezi worked as a contributor to the Weekend Times, the weekend edition of the New Times, a Rwandan English-language paper. In 2009 he spent six months interning at Rwanda Television where he produced a feature story and hard news stories. Tulinomubeezi will graduate in 2011 with a journalism degree.

Since 2007, Moise Tuyishimire has been a journalist at Radio Salus, the university community station where he has produced more than 288 radio programs since he began. The show he host covers topics ranging from politics to Rwandan social life including people who built health center for their community and projects by people who were imprisoned because of they are accused to commit genocide crimes. During his three years at Radio Salus he produced programs including: Isoko y’Ubumenyi, a radio show for secondary schools students to develop their general knowledge about health, Indongozi and Imbangukiramihigo, radio shows about district development and Uburenganzira bw’Umukozi, a radio show about the rights and freedom of workers. He also produced a radio documentary called “Pygmies in Education for all policy in Rwanda.” Before working at Radio Salus, Tuyishimire reported for NBDF (Nile Basin Development Fund) as an environmental journalist between 2006-2007. In 2009, he had worked as a Marketing Manager for video production company, Flash Media Productions. The company launch “One Night at Nyange,” a film about fighting against genocide ideologies. Tuyishimire is currently chief editor of www.igihe.com, the daily news website in Kinyarwanda language. Between January 25 – February 2, 2010 he covered the “14th Ordinary Session of African Union” headed in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia for Igihe.com and Radio Rwanda. Tuyishimire is currently studying at National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. He expects to graduate in 2010. He lives in Southern Province of Rwanda in Butare Town.

Liza Solange Umuhire is 22 years old and lives in the Southern Province of Rwanda. She is a 4th year student in the school of Journalism and Communication in the National University of Rwanda. Umuhire did a 45-day internship in Urunana Development Communication in 2009. Urunana DC is a specialized organization in Behavior Change Communication using radio and interpersonal communication.  She worked as a journalist reporting on health issues for Umuhoza Radio magazine. Umuhoza is an interactive program which gives a voice to the most vulnerable, bringing together the producers, the target audience and experts in sexual and reproductive health and other health issues. During her internship Umuhire also worked as a presenter of Urunana Omnibus. Umuhire is passionate about the performing arts. She is a composer, singer and actress. She has won Rwanda’s Salax award for the Best Female Artist of 2008. She worked in the University Art Center as an actress and she was part of the organization crew of the festival Art Azmut I. She has toured and performed in East African countries in both theater and music. She has also acted in different movies including “We Are All Rwandans” in which she was the main actress. Liza is interested in telling stories about children, especially vulnerable ones. She hopes to produce stories that tell the world stories of hope. Liza is part of founders of So Others May Live Charity.

Aisha Umukobwa is a 4th year journalism students at the National University of Rwanda. Since 2008, she has reported and presented for Radio Salus, the university community station. Umukobwa is currently a producer of a child advocacy program called Turengere Umwana. She is also a Southern Province correspondent for Voice of Africa Radio station, based in Kigali. Umukobwa is one of two program producer of Kura Wikorera, a program produced by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in partnership with Radio Salus.  When Aisha was in secondary school, she dreamed of becoming a journalist. She was inspired by one of Radio Rwanda journalist named Victoria Nganyira. Umukobwa, hopes to cover human rights issues as an international reporter. After she graduates in 2011, she plans to get her masters degree in conflict management and resolution.

Laetitia Umulisa is a 4^th year communication student at the National University of Rwanda School of Journalism and Communication. She has worked at Radio Salus for one year producing and presenting weekly news in French called Revue Hebdomadaire. Umulisa has written for the National Electoral Commission newspaper, Inzira ya Demokarasi. She produced two video documentaries, including one about the National University of Rwanda football team which prepared for a champion. Umulisa will graduate at the end of 2010. She lives in Butare, Rwanda.