Legal Networks and Press Freedom in Rwanda: A Conversation with Rwandan Lawyer Louis Gitinywa

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We recently spoke with Louis Gitinywa, a Rwandan advocate and senior partner at Kigali Attorneys Chamber, a law firm based in Kigali. Louis has over eight years of legal experience in Human and Constitutional Rights.

A longstanding member of Global Network of press freedom and digital rights lawyers, Louis has played a key role in defending journalists, bloggers, and independent media. A former public prosecutor, he now focuses on protecting freedom of expression and digital rights across East Africa.

In this interview, Louis discusses his collaboration with Media Defence, the challenges media practitioners face and the vital role of legal networks in safeguarding press freedom. 

Hello Louis, how are you?

I’m doing well, Dorothée! And you, how are you? I’d also like to take this opportunity to greet the entire community of media professionals and lawyers, wherever they may be around the world.

Louis, as one of the first lawyers we worked with, could you share your background, how you began defending the media, and the key aspects of your collaboration with Media Defence?

In 2012, I had the opportunity to meet Ms Nani Janssen Reventlow. At the time, she was leading training sessions within the litigation team at Media Defence. We met quite by chance. She was defending two female journalists, Agnes Nkusi and Mukakibibi Saidath (Public Prosecutor vs Agnes Nkusi and Mukakibibi Saidath). The two had been convicted to seventeen and seven years in prison on charges of undermining national security, genocide denial and divisionism. On appeal to the Supreme Court argued by Nani Jansen and John Jones QC, the genocide denial and divisionism charges were quashed and the pair’s sentences reduced.

While the case was being appealed at the Supreme Court, a friend of mine was also there to defend the journalists. Back then, I was working for the Public Prosecutor’s Office. When I saw this European lawyer, Nani, arguing the case, and I approached her out of curiosity. I immediately began following Media Defence’s activities on their website and Twitter account.

In June 2016, I saw a call for applications for a Media Defence Litigation Surgery on Digital Rights in Kampala. I was very interested because issues relating to digital law were not being taught at university or included in the bar training manuals at that time. That’s where my passion for digital rights and technology was born.

I’d also like to take this moment to thank Nani for sparking my curiosity back then!

Since 2016, you’ve participated in quite a few activities with Media Defence. Is there a particular event or activity that stands out for you?

As I mentioned, in 2016, I was working for the National Prosecutor’s Office. In 2017, after the litigation surgery, I resigned and began working independently as a lawyer. In 2019, I attended one of Media Defence’s advanced litigation surgeries, to build on what we had learned in 2016.

For this, I went to Kampala, Uganda, and realised quickly that the community had grown. There were lawyers from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, etc. During this seminar, we worked on issues such as data protection and cyber-surveillance. At the time, there were rumours in my country that the government was spying on citizens using spyware. I still remember the energy and enthusiasm of the lawyers attending the seminar. We were all very captivated by this fascinating new topic.

When I returned to Rwanda, I thought, “I made the right decision!” And today, I am certain I made the right choice; I have no regrets.

Louis, could you tell us a bit about the current situation in Rwanda, the challenges you’re facing, especially regarding freedom of expression and journalists’ rights? Perhaps, to end on a positive note, what are the future opportunities for your country and the region?

Rwanda has made significant progress in terms of human and socio-economic development. However, there’s still much work to be done regarding civil liberties, public freedoms, and human rights. The government remains quite authoritarian, with a strong focus on technology-driven policies. You may be aware of recent allegations about the use of Pegasus spyware against journalists, activists and human rights defenders. Especially as repression has extended beyond Rwanda’s borders.

On a positive note, I believe that the work Media Defence has done since 2016 has helped establish a community of expert lawyers in the East African region, specialising in freedom of expression and digital rights.

We are building resilience within the community, particularly among online media in Rwanda. We are seeing the emergence of a new generation of bloggers and YouTubers who are very active in my country.

There is now local infrastructure to support journalists and bloggers. I also believe we’ve developed a level of expertise, particularly in Rwandan law. But there is still a long way to go.

Thank you, Louis. We are honoured to work with you and hope to continue collaborating for the next ten years. Thank you again for all your support—it’s thanks to lawyers like you that we can have a real impact in the region.

I think I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’d also like to thank all the unsung independent media heroes, the Media Defence team working in the UK, and those working worldwide. This is what a successful partnership looks like. As you rightly said, I think the next ten years will be filled with growth, achievements, and success. And I wish you the very best moving forward!