Second FM radio launched

A second privately-owned radio station has been launched in Rwanda, the Rwanda News Agency, RNA, reported on Tuesday.

Radio Communautaire of Cyangugu (FM 92.9) will initially cover the entire western province of Cyangugu as well as the town of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, RNA said. The radio also plans to provide coverage to Kibuye Province, western Rwanda.

Prime Minister Bernard Makuza presided over the launch. He said the radio would allow Cyangugu Province to monitor good governance and ensure freedom of the press.

Radio Communautaire becomes the second, after Radio 10 - launched on 25 March - to begin broadcasts since the banning of privately owned radio stations after the 1994 Rwandan genocide, during which the media was allegedly used to fan ethnic hatred.

In March, RNA reported that six private broadcast licences had been issued since the government decided to liberalise its airwaves.

The government has been cautious to liberalise the airwaves after Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines was accused of inciting ethnic hatred during the genocide, in which, according to the government, at least 937,000 died.