𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐄𝐂𝐇 𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒 - The Case of Tito Rutaremara This public statement by #Tito #Rutaremara (Tito Rutaremara) during the Gatumba genocide against the Banyamulenge memorial yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda, MUST BE challenged, especially in public where the said statement was made. There is no shortcut when... it comes to this matter. It should be highlighted that Tito Rutaremara, an elderly cadre of the #RPF-#Inkotanyi in Rwanda, was one of the keynote speakers of the Gatumba memorial that took place in Kigali, Rwanda. In this short section of his speech, he declares that the Banyamulenge are “Abanyarwanda bo muri Congo,” meaning Rwandans of Congo. This is very wrong and intolerable. 🎤 𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐄𝐂𝐇 🎤 Tito Rutaremara’s statement is pure hate speech in nature against the Banyamulenge. According to the United Nations, hate speech involves 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. Hate speech in the eastern DRC against the Banyamulenge has been characterized by labeling them as “Banyarwanda” or “Rwandans” and other unwelcome terms intending to forcibly make them “foreigners,” “refugees,” or “immigrants.” This way of mistreating the Banyamulenge threatens their social peace (there is much evidence to prove it). It’s very disappointing to hear this statement from Tito Rutaremera, especially the fact that he shares the same views on the Banyamulenge with infamously hate speech experts like #Justin #Bitakwira and mai mai leaders, such as William #Yakutumba and #Makanaki. What makes him different from them if he holds the same views against the Banyamulenge? There is one unchanging fact about the Banyamulenge and their struggle. It has been shown for decades that the Banyamulenge are very resilient, especially when it comes to fighting for their rights, including the right to be whom they want to be (the Banyamulenge identity will never be taken away). The Banyamulenge have shed so much blood 🩸 defending their rights and continue to do so today. The fight to defend themselves and their rights will continue. The bottom line: it does not matter where hate speech originates, hate speech is simply hate speech and should be stopped. It does not matter who speaks it. Period! 𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐚 𝐧𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐣𝐞 𝐤𝐰𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐦𝐯𝐮 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲’𝐮𝐲𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞 𝐦𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐮𝐛𝐰𝐨 𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐤𝐨 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐛𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨. 𝐈𝐤𝐢 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐠𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐯𝐮𝐠𝐚 𝐩𝐞. Ico mpamya nuko Abanyamulenge banenze iyi mvugo mu mitima yabo (badashobora kubivuga kubera impamvu zitandukanye) ari benshi cane kurusha abayinenze ku mugaragaro. Intambara yo kuduhatira kwitwa Abanyarwanda twarayitsinze (amaraso yayimenetsemo arahagije). Ubu dusigaje kurwana n’ingaruka zayo gusa. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐃. 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘! Mzee Tito Rutaremara owes the Banyamulenge a sincere apology. Tito Rutaremara Paul Kagame Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe MartinNgoga IGIHE Alex Mvuka, Ph.D. Me Innocent Ntezi Kigali Today Rwanda Television FPR-Inkotanyishow more

@titorutaremar44 Arrête ton complexe d’infériorité. Tu ne peux pas changer notre histoire

@titorutaremar44 Ntacyo yabeshye ahubwo banza wige amateka yawe!

Brother Fidèle, Uzumera nk’umuntu warwaye amavunja utinya kuja mu bantu benshi ngo batamutoneka. Uzareke iyi inferiority complex. Amajambo yose Mzee Tito yavuze wunvise mo “Hate speech” gute, hehe? Wababajwe ni iki concrètement? Ntitwicwa batuziza cg batwita Abanyarwanda? Ntiwabyiswe imyaka wabaye yo yose Uvira? Uzuganira n’abakurambere bawe bakakubwira ko kubyitwa ari igitutsi. Baza amateka neza. Baza amateka y’abakurambere bawe. Rugira ashyinguye I Kiranga muri Nzahaha I Rusizi. Gusa, ibi ntibitubuza kuba abanyecongo, abanyarwanda, ndetse ahubwo n’abanyamerica, abanyacabana, abahollandi, ababiligi. Ntanununyekongo ubuturusha. Ese ubundi, Ntabawe se batuyeyo kandi nk’abenegihugu? Mzee Tito yigeze avuga ko tutari Abanyecongo? Uzi gutandukanya abanyarwanda b’ubwoko n’abanyarwanda b’i #Rwanda? Ese kuba umunyarwanda bigarukira ku mipaka y’u Rwanda rw’ubu? Ubutumwa yaduhaye twasigaranye ni: Ntabutabera tuzabona nitutabwishakira twenyine. Niba utigiza nkana, wunve neza icyo yavuze gihabanye nicyo wanditse. Hate speech sikuriya imera. Hatespeech niyatumye uhunga Uvira, ukarokoka Gatumba, ukangirwa gusubira iyi uva mu bwisanzure, ukicirwa abawe kumpanvu z’uko basa n’ibindi. Rero, abanze ako karengane bose, bahagurutse kwirwanaho kandi nanubu birakomeje. Nidutsinda tuzabona ubutabera. Iyi niyo nzira ishoboka kandi niyo yavuzwe hariya. Ndagusabira gukomera muri ibi bihe bitoroshye. Urakoze.

I can confirm that the majority of the people sitting in that room have Rwandan nationality, although they are Banyamulenge. However, that is not exactly what Mr. Tito was talking about. He referred to them as “Abanyarwanda of Congo,” and I don't understand how that can automatically be classified as hate speech. He was speaking about their historical origin and identity, not inciting hatred against them. It is also important to acknowledge that not all Banyamulenge necessarily trace their origins to Rwanda, there is another significant perspective on their history and identity. But regardless, what Mr. Tito said should not, by itself, be treated as hate speech or something that should get him into trouble. The argument that calling Banyamulenge “Abanyarwanda of Congo” will cause Congolese people to persecute them doesn't make sense in itself. His remarks were made in the context of commemorating the Gatumba massacre, in which Banyamulenge were killed because of their ethnicity. You cannot solve ethnic persecution by pretending that someone's identity does not exist. In fact, the term “Banyamulenge” itself has historically been understood by some as a way of distinguishing or protecting the community's identity because of insecurity and discrimination. That approach clearly has not eliminated the problem. In 2026, people should be able to discuss history, ancestry, and identity openly without automatically turning such discussions into accusations of hate speech. That said, I don't agree with Mr. Tito's choice of the term “Abanyarwanda of Congo.” Since the Banyamulenge have chosen and use the name “Banyamulenge” for themselves, that would have been sufficient and would have avoided unnecessary controversy. But disagreeing with his terminology is different from labeling his statement as hate speech.

@titorutaremar44 Banyamulenge is new 🤣

@titorutaremar44 What was the BANYAMULENGE community known as before the 70s?!, they were known as BANYARWANDA. FACTS can't be altered because of your own inferiority complex. Heck, you can also call yourself a MUZALENDO, that is your choice but facts are just facts.

@titorutaremar44 Hon. Tito Rutaremara’s message should be understood in its historical context, not labeled hate speech. His point was simple: « assume who we are and fight for our legitimate rights ». Congolese belonging should not require denying one’s history, ancestry, or identity. ✍🏻

@titorutaremar44 Okay, he was direct without being political correct but his message was clear. Why they have to kill because you’re “Rwandan “ or you have connections with Rwanda? Telling #Tito how Banyamulenge, is a tribe is just wasting time, he was there when everything was happening in 1974-

@titorutaremar44 @fidele_sebahizi you are sincerely distorting his speech, it’s like you wish it was a hate speech. No where he states that you are Rwandan people= peuple du Rwanda. He simply said you are Banyarwanda Which is true . You should be sued for defamation and character assassination

@titorutaremar44 Thank you 🙏🏾 my brother. At least we still have men with dignity!

@titorutaremar44 Can you make your own statement clearing how you find yourselves in DRC? Do you know anything about Berlin conference? You guys if you don’t know anything about history, go and ask your elders instead of spouting nonsense on social media. And you are supposed to have Ph.D 😂😂🤌.

@titorutaremar44 Tito is 100% right. The name Banyamulenge was crafted in 70s but before that it was Banyarwanda. Even Bishop Gapangwa acknowledged that. And BTW, the Banyamulenge trace their origins from Rwanda, same as Bafumbira. It's not hate speech but facts.

His remarks is a proof that Rwanda has been supporting and directly destabilizing Banyamulenge in Congo for Rwandan interests. The Rwandan interests was to show the international community that Banyamulenge and other Tutsis are oppressed and therefore Rwanda is the only country that can protect them. Since 1996 Rwandan started a policy of removing Banyamulenge from Congo along with Tutsi from North Kivu province in order to claim them as Rwandans hopping to expand Rwandan borders by annexing some Congolese territory to Rwanda. @PatrickMuyaya @UN @SecRubio @HarianaVeras

@titorutaremar44 Vana ubugoryi aho!

@titorutaremar44 So can you make your own statement clearing where you from or you don't even know and we do remember that some of you are the one who go have talks with Genocidaire like Ndayishimiye shame on you

@titorutaremar44 Hhhh nkibi wanditse kombona bitajanye nari mfite akandi PHD level? Wavuye Uvira batakwita Munyarwanda?

@titorutaremar44 Ariko ntaho yaguhatiye kuba Umunyarwanda please. ikindi yavuze uko amateka uko ari.ubwo monseguer Gapangwa w’umunyamurenge yavugaga ko muri Abanyarwanda we nta hate speech yagize ariko ubwo byavuzwe na Tito iwe bihindutse hate speech really.???

@titorutaremar44 Maze mujye mutegera mwumve umuntu nkawe ufite ph.D nturi uwo gupfa kuvuga kukagace kikiganiro bakase fata umwanya wumve ikiganiro ugitegere niwumva message Tito yatangaga ari ukwambura Abanyamulenge, Ubunyamulenge ubone kuvuga ariko wabanje kumva please.

@titorutaremar44 Ese Fidel iyo wandika woe ikintu chose kivuganwe ubuhanga kugusigira imvune yokwandika Ubwobwoba uhorana bwizina Abanyamulenge Niho ukirihabwa kuba umunyarwanda bikubuza kuba umunyamulenge ?

@titorutaremar44 Although his remarks may sound controversial,they reflect a historical reality.The Banyamulenge and the Banyabwisha trace their origins to the Kingdom of Rwanda. Upon settling in Congo,the Banyamulenge were initially identified as Banyarwanda befor adopting the name Banyamulenge.

@titorutaremar44 Yavuze ko muri aba congoman wimubeshyera, niyo mpamvu yavuze ko mukwiye kubohora igihugu cyanyu cya Congo!yagaragaje ko You're Kinyarwanda speaking, Rwandophones, yabeshye se? Munsenyeri nawe yabahaye urugero rw'uko babitaga " Banyarwanda", ikibazo kirihe ubwo!

@titorutaremar44 Intambara warwanye n’iyihe? ko uri gukorera USA wamanutse ukajya kurwanirira ubwoko bwawe speech yiwe wayitegereye neza ph.D zabamwe ziza zikemangwa yababwiyengo muri Abakongoman mugende mubohore Igihugu cyanyu ubutabera ntibwaboneka mutatsinze, aho yabeshye nihe?

Soit vous êtes très jeune ou vous ignorez l’histoire de l’ex République du Zaire. Ceux que aujourd’hui l’on appelle les banyamulenge n’avaient pas cette appellation avant 1976 et je les ai connu et j’ai vécu l’histoire avant l’émergence de cette appellation qui est tout à fait récente . 1976 est l’année que vous devez vous rappeler en associant le nom de Gisaro Muhoza Ferdinand qui fut commissaire du peuple..Tito Rutaremara a tout à fait raison et d’ailleurs jusqu’à ce jour la constitution de la RDC ne reconnaît dans aucun de ses articles le nom Banyamulenge pour dire « It cannot be erased “ how do you erase something which does not exist..no where? Apprenez l’histoire de la part des Abakurambere Inararibonye comme le respecté Monseigneur GAPANGWA au lieu de divaguer dans des complexes d’infériorités et de honte de votre histoire et vos origines et le respect sera mieux partagé par ceux qui vous combattent.

@titorutaremar44 Well said! Tito you are just breaking our hearts during the period we commemorate our loves one who lost their live on 13 August.but one thing is you will never erase our identity! we are proud of who we are, period.

@titorutaremar44 Have you been bought by kisekedi too Fidel what type of hate speech are you talking about? Don't be silly comparing hate speech of bitakwira to one of Tito the great gentleman who have been supporting banyamulenge. Atleast you saying that because you've got an agenda pal

@titorutaremar44 If you don't understand this message, come down here and explain to me the difference between what Tito said and what Bitakwira said. You'll be surprised to learn who Bitakwira really works for.

@titorutaremar44 This is where the community perishes because of fighting wrong enemies. Was the Gatumba and Bibogobogo massacre committed because of Tito’s speech ? Was Minembwe bombarded and put on humanitarian brocade because of Toto’s speech ? Are you where you’re because of Tito’s speech?

@titorutaremar44 My friend, stop pretending. The audience’s attitude contradicts your long speech. One thing to note: the Banyamulenge in the room received the speech with happiness and applause. That reaction shows support for what was said.

@titorutaremar44 Ararengana kbs ntacaha yakoze ntiyaciye inka amabere, abanyarwanda bomuri congo no problem none izina abanyamulenge ryatangiye giheki. Tugomba kumenya amateka nayo arakenewe.

@titorutaremar44 Waraye ijoro ryose wandika ubu busa nta soni? Genda ubaze nyogokuru ibyo Rutaremare yavuze hanyuma wumve ibyo akubwira.

@titorutaremar44 C est claire comme de l eau de roche Rwanda is trying everything to justify it presence in Congo now it doesn’t want Banyamulenge to be called as such because it distances them from Rwanda this why they want to bring this new term “Banyarwanda”

@titorutaremar44 “Very true. Thank you for speaking up and sharing your perspective, sir. 🤝 We need more honest, educated people like you in our communities. Otherwise, we risk drifting into a place where people’s voices are no longer heard. Your willingness to speak the truth is appreciated.

@titorutaremar44 Ico yabeshemwo n'iki ko aruko mw'igira ibijuju? En Belgique y 'à des allemands et on les appelles des germanophones et ça ne choque pas personnes. Ds les plaines de la Rusizi, côté congolais y a des barundi. Et vs, vs niez votre identité, quel genre d'humains vs êtes ?

@titorutaremar44 😃😃😃 igi text kinganuku ntanaga point nakamwe karimo hate speech uvuga niyihe?? He is telling you to love ur country and fight for it 😀😀

@titorutaremar44 history reveals undeniable facts about the matter. The problem is ideological, those who have threatened you from 60th know who you are. If whatever you call yourself have never brought you peace, if me I would look back to the root cause, i.e., the problem is not being murenge