The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Damascène Bizimana, has said that strengthening the use of Kinyarwanda does not hinder Rwandans from learning other languages, stressing that proper mastery of the national language is essential for sustainable development and self-reliance.
Bizimana made the remarks in a message shared on X following discussions at the National Umushyikirano Council held on February 5–6, 2026, where concerns were raised over the increasing misuse of Kinyarwanda in public communication.
He said Rwanda’s development ambitions cannot be achieved without preserving cultural values, particularly self-reliance and the proper use of Kinyarwanda in speech and writing.
The minister echoed President Paul Kagame’s message at Umushyikirano, where the Head of State emphasized that self-reliance is central to personal and national development and must go hand in hand with respect for culture and language.
Bizimana said self-reliance is a proven pathway to prosperity, noting that countries such as Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea built their development on strong cultural foundations.
He added that Rwanda’s shared national language is a strategic advantage that facilitates communication, unity, and the implementation of development programs nationwide.
“Speaking proper Kinyarwanda does not prevent anyone from learning other languages or engaging globally,” Bizimana said, warning against degrading the language through careless mixing with foreign terms.
The minister pointed out common errors in everyday usage, including the misuse of verbs such as guhereza instead of guha or gutanga, as well as incorrect pluralization and the adoption of foreign-influenced terms that distort the language.
He urged Rwandans, particularly public officials and communicators, to use Kinyarwanda correctly, saying this strengthens national identity without limiting multilingualism.
Bizimana said efforts to promote correct use of Kinyarwanda will continue alongside knowledge exchange and global engagement.
