Rwandan journalist critical of government dies in road accident

A widely known journalist and government critic died in a road accident in the capital, Kigali, police have told his family.

John Williams Ntwali - who was the editor of The Chronicles news site - died on Tuesday night when a motorbike taxi he had boarded was hit by a car in Kimihurura area, his brother Emmanuel Masabo was told by the police.

Mr Masabo said he was called by police on Thursday afternoon to confirm the identity of the body in a mortuary.

“When I arrived, they took me to the mortuary. I saw that it was him and I confirmed to them,” Mr Masabo told the BBC.

He added: "They did not provide with me more details… maybe they will later. I also had no energy to ask for more [at that moment]."

The Chronicles news site has also confirmed the death of the 43-year old journalist in a tweet. He had been the publication's editor since 2021.

Mr Ntwali was critical of the government and the ruling party in his reports that focused on injustice and social issues facing Rwandans through his YouTube channel, Pax TV-Ireme news.

Government sympathisers criticised him of being “an extremist” and repeatedly attacked him on social media.

Journalists and friends have expressed shock over his death.

He is survived by a wife and a daughter.

Source: BBC