Constantin Tuyishimire
KT Press has learned that Constantin Tuyishimire, TV/Radio1 journalist is in Uganda, hosted by Ugandan security services, after he fled debts owed to different people.
Tuyishimire’s wife, Placide Uwabasindi on 17 July 2019 told Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) that her husband left home the previous day to report on a story in Gicumbi District.
However, according to reliable sources, Tuyishimire never went to Gicumbi but met with a cousin who lives in Rubavu district in Western Province, and left him his mobile phone before crossing over to Uganda, where he remains currently.
Tuyishimire reportedly owed money to different people including Rwf40,000 to Dominique Habumugisha and Rwf300,000 to Honore Ishimwe – both journalists at Radio Ishingiro in Gicumbi district, as well as Rwf50,000 to one Alphonse Mihanga.
On Tuesday, TV/Radio 1 learned that their journalist who has been missing for a week was in Uganda, a few days after his phone was tracked in Rubavu district.
“So far the information we have is that he could be in Uganda. I spoke to the RIB Secretary General this morning who informed me that so far that is what they know but investigations are ongoing,” Olivier Ngabirano, the Chief Editor of TV/Radio 1 told KT Press earlier today.
RIB Spokesperson Modeste Mbabazi earlier today told KT Press that Tuyishimire’s cousin Gilbert Manirakiza, is being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
The suspect has since cooperated, Mbabazi added.
TV/Radio1 had appealed to authorities to find the missing journalist while Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) also said it is following up on the issue.
Uganda is a common destination for disgruntled journalists, disgraced politicians, and others aiming to relocate abroad by seeking asylum using Kampala-based NGOs.
In February this year, the Government of Rwanda advised citizens against crossing to Uganda, for their own safety. This was following hundreds of targeted arrests and deportations of Rwandans by Ugandan security organs who accuse them of spying.
