Overview

Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) is a non commercial Public Institution established in 2020 merging 3 institutions that were recently removed namely: Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture, Institute of National Museums of Rwanda and Rwanda Archives and library Services.

Telephone:
+250795297763

E-mail:
info@rwandaheritage.gov.rw

X:
@IntekoyUmuco

Location:
Southern province, Huye District SH 1 RD2

Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy has 19 responsibilities listed below:

1º to safeguard and promote the culture and the Ikinyarwanda language;

2º to collect, preserve and exhibit objects of national cultural heritage, natural heritage and history;

3º to search for, acquire, process, preserve works, public and private documents which have national value and make them accessible to the public;

4º to conduct research on the culture, the Ikinyarwanda language, objects and sites of Rwanda’s heritage, archives and works;

5º conserve, exhibit and publish findings on the culture, the Ikinyarwanda language, objects and sites of Rwanda’s heritage, archives and works;

6º to implement Government policy and strategies promoting the culture, the Ikinyarwanda language, archives and library services;

7º to contribute to development and implementation of specific educational programmes on the culture, the heritage, the Ikinyarwanda language and history of Rwanda;

8º to contribute to the promotion of artistic creations, literature and crafts based on the culture;

9º to encourage the private sector and various organs to exploit opportunities offered by national culture, thehistory, the cultural and natural heritage to promote the national economy;

10º to prepare requirements to establish a museum, archives and libraries, support private museums, monitor their operations and provide advice;

11º to approve the appropriate use of the Ikinyarwanda language at all levels;

12º to prevent the disappearance of dialects of the Ikinyarwanda language used in the Country;

13º to approve fundamental principles of the Rwandan culture as a source and pillar of sustainable development;

14. To enrich the Ikinyarwanda language for its use in all areas of knowledge;

14º to enrich the Ikinyarwanda language for its use in all areas of knowledge;

15º to approve Rwandan cultural standards and values and show theirrole in proper knowledge and behaviour for a Rwandan;

16º to issue instructions relating to the management of records and works to be retained and disposed of and monitor their implementation;

17º to promote reading and writing culture;

18º to establish national standards and guidelines to follow for art works, offering international standards book number for records to be published, provide permission where necessary, for literature, artistic creations and crafts based on the culture;

19º to search for and inform competent organs about objects of cultural and natural heritage unlawfully exported or kept beyond the designated time abroad for their repatriation to Rwanda. 

Administration and Management

Amb. Robert Masozera

- Director General

Ambassador Robert M. MASOZERA was appointed the Director General of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (INTEKO Y’UMUCO) on 11 November, 2020.   The mission of this academy is to preserve national heritage and safeguard the national language (KINYARWANDA), the culture and its values as a foundation of national unity and dignity. In this capacity, he is responsible for Rwanda's museums and historical sites, national archives and library services, cultural creative industries and cultural tourism.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO, which provides expert analysis and policy advice to the Rwandan government on UNESCO-related issues, and at the same time serves as the focal point for the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Rwanda.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Director General of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) since October 2016.

Previously, he was Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of Belgium and Permanent Representative to the European Union (2011-2015) and Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Rwanda in Germany (2000-2007). This gave him extensive experience in diplomacy and foreign affairs in his country, Rwanda.

MASOZERA holds a Master's degree in Political Science, International Relations and Journalism and Communication Sciences from the University of Vienna, Austria, obtained in 1999.  He has also participated in various executive training courses and seminars in diplomacy, communication and administration. He speaks English, French, Germany, Kiswahili and his native language Kinyarwanda.

His expertise is wide-ranging and covers fields as diverse as culture and heritage, diplomacy, international cooperation, communication and public relations, mass mobilization, foreign affairs, security, economic and trade issues. Robert MASOZERA is married and has 2 children.

Jean-Claude Uwiringiyimana

- Deputy Director General in charge of Language, Culture Preservation and Promotion

Mr Jean-Claude Uwiringiyimana was born in Rwanda on August 3rd, 1974. He is the Deputy Director General in charge of Language, Culture Preservation and Promotion since November 2020.

Prior to his appointment, he occupied different positions:  Lecturer at University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences (December 2005-November 2020); Assistant Lecturer (January 2002-December 2005), Head of Department of African Languages and Culture (2005-2007), Appointed  Chairperson of University Task Force for Arts and Culture (January 2002- June 2004), Director of the University Center of Arts and Drama (September 2002- June 2004) at the former National University of Rwanda; Producer and presenter of artistic and cultural TV shows on Rwandan Television: Igitaramo, Umurage w’u Rwanda, Urubuga rw’Abahanzi (October 2000- January 2002). He is also an experienced playwright, storyteller and filmmaker.

Jean-Claude Uwiringiyimana holds a Master’s Degree majoring in Texts, Languages and Cultures from Université de Limoges (France) (2004-2005),  a Bachelor Honours in African Languages and Literature from the National University of Rwanda (1996-2000) and a Certificate in Film Directing  from Ecole de Cinéma et de Télévision de Québec (Canada) (CINECOURS, 2005). Prior to his appointment, he was pursuing his PhD by research in Film Studies at Kenyatta University (Kenya). 

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Umutoni Violette

Umutoni Violette is Human Resources Officer.