The Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) has entered into a strategic partnership with H-I Lex Partners, a Kigali-based law firm specializing in media law and freedom of expression, to strengthen professional capacity and deepen understanding of media law in Rwanda.

The cooperation agreement was signed on November 11, 2025, at ILPD’s headquarters in Nyanza District. It aims to enhance knowledge of media law, freedom of expression, and human rights among key actors in the justice sector including judges, prosecutors, investigators, legal practitioners as well as journalists.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, ILPD Rector, Dr. Aimé Muyoboke Karimunda, underscored the growing importance of legal literacy in journalism. He noted that the modern media landscape requires journalists to understand the legal frameworks governing information gathering and publication to uphold professionalism.

Dr. Muyoboke traced the history of journalism education in Rwanda, recalling the establishment of the first School of Journalism at the University of Rwanda in 1995 to promote professional reporting. He emphasized that unregulated and unprofessional journalism contributed to the tragic events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a reminder of the critical role the media plays in society.

He pointed out that although media laws exist; they have often been overlooked by institutions and journalists alike, creating significant gaps in the sector. As the media environment evolves, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence, he said there is urgent need for stronger legal grounding and professional guidance.

“Our goal is to work with experts in media law to ensure that journalism aligns with Rwanda’s development vision so we can build a knowledge-based economy,” Dr. Muyoboke said.
“Journalists today are investors. One cannot invest in equipment only to end up in prison or damage their reputation because they lacked proper legal understanding.”

He added that the partnership with H-I Lex Partners is expected to deliver concrete outcomes through capacity building, research, and development initiatives.

“This marks an important step in strengthening press freedom. It is a shared responsibility, and we expect tangible results.”

On his part, Norbert Habinshuti, Managing Partner of H-I Lex Partners, said that partnering with ILPD was a natural choice given ILPD’s reputation in legal training and professional development.

“Media law concerns all of us not only journalists. We want to elevate the standards in this field and address existing gaps. This partnership is a strong beginning, and we are committed to expanding it even further,” he said.

Me Jean Paul Ibambe, one of the founders of H-I Lex Partners, explained that the partnership will provide specialized training for journalists and enhance the skills of practitioners within the justice system on media law and freedom of expression.

He noted that the agreement builds on ongoing collaboration between ILPD and the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), particularly in training journalists on reporting court-related stories. The new partnership will extend these efforts to include research, advanced training, and initiatives aimed at preventing legal violations stemming from lack of awareness.

“Investigators, prosecutors, judges, and defense lawyers who handle media-related cases must also fully understand these issues. Media law is not widely taught in Rwanda, yet technology has made everyone a potential publisher. We must be prepared for emerging challenges,” he added.

The two institutions will also provide training on human rights reporting and justice-sector coverage to foster a new generation of media professionals with specialized expertise.

H-I Lex Partners is known for its strong focus on media law and freedom of expression, offering legal representation particularly for journalists as well as research and legal education.