Rwandan journalist Ndambendore Valens, known as Ndahiro Valens Papy, and businessman Ndayisenga Matherne have settled their legal dispute through mediation, apologising to each other and bringing an end to an appeal against a previous court ruling.
The settlement was reached on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, where Ndahiro had been facing an appeal filed by the prosecution and the complainant after Nyarugenge Primary Court acquitted him of public insult and spreading rumours.
During mediation, the two agreed to apologise to each other. Ndahiro’s lawyer, Kevin Kalisa, said the journalist had also been asked to retract statements he had made about Ndayisenga in his broadcasts.
“Neither has won nor lost. They have now become friends,” Kalisa said.
The case stemmed from a report Ndahiro produced in 2024 for BTN TV about a plot of land owned by Ndayisenga in Muhima Sector. Residents had complained that work to level the land had blocked a pathway and affected nearby houses.
The prosecution argued that the report and subsequent discussions contained false information and insulting remarks. Ndahiro denied the charges, maintaining that he had carried out his work professionally.
On June 12, 2026, Nyarugenge Primary Court acquitted him, ruling that the charges lacked sufficient grounds. The prosecution appealed the decision, seeking a retrial.
Before the hearing began on October 26, the president of Nyarugenge Intermediate Court encouraged the parties to consider mediation as a way of resolving disputes, noting that it can save time and money while helping parties reach an agreement.
Ndahiro subsequently requested mediation involving the court president, the prosecution and Ndayisenga. Following the discussions, the journalist and the businessman reached an agreement and apologised to each other, bringing the dispute to a close.
