Rwandan journalist and musician Nyarwaya Innocent, popularly known as Yago Pon Dat, has apologised to Rwandans for his past remarks and conduct, pledging to change his behaviour and avoid language that could hurt others or fuel conflict.
In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Yago said he regretted some of his past comments and asked forgiveness from everyone he may have offended.
He said his YouTube channel was initially intended to give people a platform to express themselves, help emerging talent gain recognition and contribute to the growth of Rwanda’s entertainment industry. However, he acknowledged that some of his statements had crossed the line and affected others.
“I sincerely apologise to the country’s top leadership, all Rwandans, journalists, social media users, artists and everyone who was hurt by the words I used,” he said.
Yago also expressed regret over remarks he made in a YouTube programme discussing music regulation and the government’s role in the industry. He acknowledged that his choice of words was inappropriate and made in haste.
“I regret and condemn the fact that those words came from me. Such inappropriate language was unacceptable and showed a lack of restraint,” he said.
He pledged to control his anger, avoid offensive language and refrain from statements that could create divisions, saying he would instead promote unity, mutual respect and cooperation.
Jado Castar urges Yago to return to Rwanda
Yago’s apology comes days after he appeared remotely in an interview with B&B Kigali FM presenter Jado Castar, published on October 18, 2026.
During the interview, Castar encouraged Yago to return to Rwanda and offered him a job at B&B Kigali FM, where he is a shareholder.
Castar said he wanted to see Yago return to journalism, particularly the style of programming that helped him gain recognition between 2018 and 2023 by giving a platform to different people and emerging talents.
“Speaking for myself, as Jado, I want and need my Yago back. I want the Yago we knew in the old days, from 2018 to 2023,” Castar said.
He also urged Yago to return home, reunite with his family and continue his work in journalism and music.
Castar advised him to be more careful with his language on social media, warning that some remarks could hurt others and damage his reputation.
Yago publicly accepted the offer, responding: “The offer is accepted. Accepted, accepted.”
Yago left Rwanda in 2024 over security concerns
In late 2024, Yago announced that he had fled to Uganda, explaining that his decision was not motivated by hostility towards Rwanda but by concerns about his personal safety.
At the time, he alleged that some people in the entertainment industry had sought to kill him in the preceding four years.
In his latest statement, Yago reiterated his commitment to supporting Rwanda’s entertainment industry through collaboration with musicians, journalists, video producers and other professionals.
He also urged Rwandans to embrace forgiveness, avoid defamation and resolve disagreements constructively rather than resorting to conflict.
Yago added that his company, YAGO TV SHOW LTD, would continue supporting emerging talent and promoting unity and cooperation within the entertainment industry.
