The spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry, has warned individuals against using social media to spread rumors and false information, emphasizing that such actions are punishable under Rwandan law.
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Speaking in an interview with BTN TV, Dr. Murangira said social media should be used responsibly and cautioned that sharing or amplifying false and provocative content can have legal consequences.
RIB Warns Against the Misuse of Social Media
Dr. Murangira noted that some people have turned social media into a platform for publishing false information and provoking others, describing the practice as a criminal offense.
He likened such individuals to people who spend their time monitoring others’ online activities only to create conflict: “You may find someone taking a photo from my social media account without knowing whether they have the right to do so, then attaching words meant to provoke me or others,” he explained.
Reposting False Content Can Also Cause Harm
The RIB spokesperson pointed out that some people unknowingly contribute to the spread of misinformation by reposting misleading or offensive content while claiming to criticize it.
According to him, this practice only gives wider publicity to false information and inflammatory messages: “There are people who collect negative content from elsewhere and share it with their followers under the pretext of condemning it. In truth, they are simply redistributing it to thousands who might not have seen it before,”
‘Repeating an Insult Makes You the One Insulting’
Dr. Murangira urged social media users to condemn harmful speech without reproducing or amplifying it.
He advised that criticism should focus on the behavior rather than repeating the offensive statements themselves: “You should criticize without spreading it. For example, you can say, ‘I condemn what so-and-so said here,’ without reposting it. In Kinyarwanda we say: ‘Repeating an insult makes you the one insulting.'”
Cybercrime Law Criminalizes the Spread of Rumors
Dr. Murangira reminded the public that Rwanda’s Law on the Prevention and Punishment of Cybercrime provides penalties for knowingly spreading false information through computers or digital networks.
Under Article 39, anyone who intentionally uses a computer system or network to spread rumors likely to cause fear, public unrest, harassment, or damage another person’s reputation commits a criminal offense.
Violators Face Prison Terms and Heavy Fines
The RIB spokesperson emphasized that those found guilty of violating Article 39 of the cybercrime law face significant legal consequences.
If convicted, offenders may be sentenced to between three and five years in prison, in addition to a fine ranging from RWF 1 million to RWF 3 million.
He concluded by encouraging Rwandans to verify information before sharing it online and to use social media responsibly to help promote truthful, respectful, and constructive public discourse.
