{ {{BBC journalist Nshimiyimana Venuste}} }
{{The BBC journalist Nshimiyimana Venuste referred to in the tapped conversation he had with Rwanda’s Musician Kizito Mihigo has rejected the accusation saying he did not discuss with the Musician any plans to overthrow Rwanda government.}}
Rwanda security services are said to have intercepted the conversation between Rwanda musician Kizito Mihigo, RNC leader Sankara and the BBC Journalist (Pictured above) Nshimiyimana.
Kizito Mihigo was arrested before his plans would materialise as stated in the conversation here under.
Nshimiyimana’s comments follow a detailed investigation revealed by Chimpreport a Ugandan website which showed that Kizito was planning to flee from Rwanda and would settle in Belgium.
However, in the conversation, the head of RNC Callixte Nsabimana, a.k.a Sankara was offering help to Kizito to secure an alternative destination-United Kingdom.
Sankara would later in the conversation tell Kizito that he had discussed with a BBC journalist Nshimiyimana who would later invite Kizito to BBC studios.
Nshimiyimana would help Kizito secure mega publicity on the BBC for his unreleased anti government songs. This would enable Kizito obtain express VISA in the UK.
During the conversation, sankara is quoted to have told Kizito; “I was speaking to Venuste Nshimiyimana, a journalist from BBC London who is a friend. I was telling him about your song and the bad reaction people have had. Why don’t you let him get you an invitation from BBC so you can get a UK visa? You can go there instead of Belgium.”
Kizito had at that time released a controversial song titled “Igisobanuro cyurupfu” where he mentions possible double genocide and insinuates there are people who retaliated for those killed in genocide.
In the conversation, Kizito expressed desire to travel to London telling Sankara; “Brother, I am in”.
Sankara also shared a message he had allegedly received from Nshimiyimana-the BBC Journalist which says;
“Reka nkwereke msg anyohereje. “Umubaze azaze anyure kuri BBC TV and radio. Bamukorera PR(publicity) atigeze abona mbere (Let me show you the message he has sent. “Ask him to come and be on BBC TV and Radio. They will give him the kind of PR (publicity) he has never seen.”
During the conversation, Kizito was asked whether he would be available for the TV interview on April 7, and he answered in the affirmative: “With pleasure.”
Nshimiyimana wrote to IGIHE in responce to the tapped conversation saying;
{“I was in touch with Kizito discussing about a BBC program that would entail 20th commemoration of the genocide against ethnic Tutsi.
Kizito was among the Rwandan people the BBC wanted to feature in a program that would showcase Rwanda’s reconstruction, development, reconciliation and unity 20 years after the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
Kizito has for the past three years been sensitising Rwandans to embrace unity and reconciliation. Its thus against this background in relation to my work that i sought contacts of Kizito, called him to schedule an appointment. I asked him whether he would be available for the BBC Program.
He said he wouldn’t be available before April7 because it was a period for the 20th commemoration. He agreed to do a program in French and Kinyarwanda. The program was held. However, i invited him to come to BBC studios in London and he said he wouldn’t be available because of the 20th commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi.”
}
