Patrick Muyaya mobilizes media front to curb Rwanda Misinformation

The President urged unity and clear communication to combat misinformation and address the Eastern humanitarian crisis.

Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya Katembwe

Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, who serves as both the Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media, met with Communication Advisors and Press Officers from all ministries in the Suminwa Government. The main topic of discussion was how each ministry should handle communication during the current security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This crisis has been marked by aggression from Rwanda, which supports the M23 group. Minister Patrick Muyaya emphasized that following President Félix Tshisekedi’s speech during the 30th Council of Ministers on January 31, 2025, institutional communication must be unified, clear, and well-coordinated.

To achieve this, he encouraged those responsible for communication to develop strategies for better collaboration and consultation. The goal is to ensure an effective and collective communication approach.

After the meeting, Théophile Kalubi expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating, "The discussion with the Government's Head of Communication, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, was very positive."

He further explained, "We, as communicators for various ministries, form a team responsible for the Government’s messaging. We have been instructed to align our communication with the current crisis, which involves an invasion by Rwanda, especially in the eastern part of the country."

One key takeaway from the meeting was the necessity for communication officers to use appropriate language during this period.

"We must adapt our communication approach in response to the crisis. Consistency and clarity in our messaging are crucial, as we address both national and international audiences. The focus is on conveying the message that ‘The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing an invasion by the Rwandan army.’ This message needs to be delivered across all platforms and communication channels," he stated.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of communicators to making the voice of the DRC heard. "As communication officers, our responsibility is to raise awareness. This initiative has been well received, and we assure the Minister of Communication that in our respective ministries, we will continue to share Congo’s message."

Additionally, Jerry Kapambu expressed gratitude to Minister Muyaya for organizing the discussion.

"We appreciate the Minister's initiative today, which aligns with the President’s call for action. The President emphasized the importance of mobilization, humanitarian efforts, and a strong war response. Communication plays a key role in uniting Congolese people and reinforcing national solidarity. Congo is our only homeland, and we must stand together," he said.

Representatives from the Presidency of the Republic, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Director-General of the ACP, and the Deputy Director-General of RTNC attended the meeting. Furthermore, Minister Patrick Muyaya also held discussions with key influencers from Kinshasa.