Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Jean Damascène Bizimana, has called on young people to take a leading role in protecting Kinyarwanda, urging them to speak and write the national language correctly and help others improve their use of it.
Bizimana praised young people who have shown growing interest in learning and using Kinyarwanda properly, but challenged them to turn that interest into a sustained effort to preserve the language.
In a message shared on X, the minister said the growing enthusiasm among young people should not be allowed to fade.
“I commend the youth for the enthusiasm I have seen in recent days to learn and speak our Kinyarwanda language correctly. Let us keep it up and not lose this momentum,” Bizimana said.
He used commonly misused words and expressions to illustrate how everyday speech can gradually affect the proper use of Kinyarwanda.
Among the examples, Bizimana said people should use “ntabwo” instead of “ntago”, “inama” instead of “amanama” and “ubukwe” instead of “amakwe.”
He also highlighted the misuse of verbs, particularly the expression “yampereje inka.”
According to Bizimana, someone who wants to say that they were given a cow should say “yampaye inka.” He explained that “guhereza” should not unnecessarily replace verbs such as “guha” or “gutanga.”
The minister urged young people to make correcting such mistakes part of their everyday interactions, saying that preserving Kinyarwanda requires more than simply understanding the language.
He encouraged them to learn, speak and write it correctly while also helping others improve.
The call comes as Rwanda continues to emphasise the importance of Kinyarwanda as a key component of the country’s culture, values and identity.
Bizimana said proper use of the language is part of preserving Rwandan heritage and ensuring that Kinyarwanda remains strong and relevant across generations.
President Paul Kagame has also repeatedly called for greater attention to the proper use of Kinyarwanda, including correcting commonly misused words and expressions.
With young people making up a large part of Rwanda’s population, Bizimana’s message places them at the centre of efforts to preserve the language, encouraging them to become both users and custodians of accurate Kinyarwanda.
