Wikimedia Community User Group Rwanda

We are pleased to announce that a photograph submitted by @⁨Roger⁩ has won recognition in the international Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 contest, a global initiative celebrating cultural heritage through open media.

This marks the 4th time a photo from has been recognized in this international competition, reflecting the continued growth of our community's contributions to global open knowledge.

We extend our congratulations to @⁨Roger⁩, and thanks to the local organizers, jury members, and all contestants who took part in Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 in Rwanda.

The full list of winning photographs is available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Wiki_Loves_Folklore_2026/Winners

On 18 April 2026, we successfully hosted the Edit-a-thon at our Head Office in Kigali.

The event brought together young editors, storytellers, archivists, historians, and passionate advocates to strengthen the documentation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on Wikipedia and its sister projects.

Our Founder and Executive Director, Derrick Ndahiro, opened the event by underscoring a critical reality:

“The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi remains dangerously under-documented online, often riddled with inaccuracies, misinformation, and denial. Through this edit-a-thon, we are confronting that gap head-on — by writing and improving high-quality articles in Kinyarwanda, English, and French; uploading survivors’ testimonies, photographs, audio, and video; and ensuring the world has access to a truthful, well-sourced historical record on Wikimedia Foundation sites”

Renowned author, artivist, film director, and journalist Dady de Maximo Dady de Maximo Mwicira-Mitali delivered a powerful message to young people, urging them to take ownership of Rwanda’s collective history. He stressed the ethical responsibility of documentation, respecting the victims’s privacy, verifying sources, combating genocide denial with facts, and using digital platforms for meaningful advocacy.
“Working together allows each young person to contribute their unique strengths and talents to this vital cause,” it is our story, and we must be its authors” he noted. Dady also pledged ongoing collaboration with us to curate and preserve Rwanda’s history on open knowledge platforms.

Claude NIZEYIMANA, The Director of the National Library services at Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, highlighted the urgent need to correct inaccurate and misleading Wikipedia articles related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He extended an open invitation for Wikimedians to access resources at the National Library and Archives, while commending Wikimedia Rwanda’s growing influence in reshaping Rwanda’s narrative on the global stage.

The practical editing sessions were expertly led by our members Rugamba Robert and Musindi Cedric worked diligently to improve outdated or misleading Wikipedia articles and contributed valuable historical materials to Wikimedia Commons

“Every edit matters. Every upload matters.Together, we write. Together, we document. Together, we preserve so that the world never forgets”


Wikipedia
IBUKA Rwanda
Aegis Trust

On Wednesday, we officially opened the sixth Wiki Club at the Institut de Formation Apostolique de Kimihurura.

This launch marks an important milestone in our Wiki Club initiative, a dedicated learning and capacity-building program created to equip high school and university students with essential digital, research, writing, and open knowledge skills. These competencies support both academic success and long-term career growth.

The program began in 2024 with pilot clubs in secondary schools like GS Gishari and GS Ruhunda in Rwamagana District. It has since grown to include additional schools, such as GS Nyinawimana and Kageyo TSS in Gicumbi District. Led by students and supported by trained teacher mentors and Wikimedia volunteers, these clubs serve as vibrant centers for learning within schools and local communities.
Key elements and activities of the clubs include:
• Practical Wikipedia editing sessions, where students learn to create, verify, and enhance articles, particularly on underrepresented subjects such as Rwandan culture, history, and contemporary topics.
• Contributions to Wikimedia Commons, with participants uploading photos, videos, and other media that capture local heritage, landmarks, and events.
• Workshops focused on building skills in digital literacy, critical thinking, reliable sourcing, proper citation, copyright understanding, and ethical online behavior.
• Engaging events and competitions, including the Wiki Vibrance Contest, which promotes teamwork in article development and project-based learning.
• A strong focus on Kinyarwanda content creation to expand underrepresented material and safeguard cultural stories.

The initiative champions inclusivity, enabling students from varied backgrounds to shift from being mere consumers to active contributors of global knowledge. It helps close digital gaps, boosts academic achievement through stronger research and analytical abilities, and readies young people for the modern workforce by encouraging collaboration and open-source participation.
By empowering young Rwandans to record and share their own stories and perspectives on platforms like Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons, the Wiki Clubs elevate local voices on the global stage while fostering a lasting culture of knowledge sharing in Rwanda. The program is steadily expanding, with continued mentor training and plans to integrate more schools.
Special thanks to our Wiki Club coordinators RUgamba Green Robert, Nishimirwe Lilian, and Rebeccah Jeannette—for their dedication and partnerships in bringing this to life.