Rwanda’s Deaf Community Calls for Sign Language to Be Recognized as an Official Language

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Gasabo, October 3, 2025 — The Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD), in partnership with Gasabo District, on Friday concluded the International Week of Deaf People and International Day of Sign Languages 2025 with a powerful call for the government to officially recognize sign language as a national language and integrate it into schools across the country.

Held at Remera Sector headquarters, the closing ceremony ran under the global theme, “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Right,” emphasizing that communication accessibility is a fundamental human right.

In his keynote address, Eric Niyoyita, Chairperson of RNUD, underscored that sign language is the foundation of inclusion and equality for the Deaf community.

“No sign language, no human rights,” he declared. “We want sign language to be recognized as a human right and as an official language to advance communication and inclusion.”

Niyoyita expressed gratitude to partners who have supported sign language education and advocacy. He highlighted progress made so far, including the development of a Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary that began in 2016 and was expanded in 2019 in collaboration with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD).

“The dictionary now contains over 2,000 words,” he told journalists. “We are advocating for it to be approved by Parliament and introduced in schools. Rwanda has around 70,000 deaf people, and we need sign language recognized in our national constitution as an official language.”

Despite the progress, Niyoyita pointed out ongoing challenges.

“Many deaf people still struggle to access services in local government offices. We need to train local authorities in sign language to ensure no one is left behind,” he added, noting that some institutions are beginning to request interpretation support from RNUD.

For Anick Uwamahoro, a deaf mother of two, daily life remains filled with barriers.

“My husband and I are both deaf, and only our children can hear and know sign language,” she said.

“When I go for services, I rely on interpreters or friends. Once I applied for a job, but the interview process became too difficult, so I decided to become an entrepreneur. I wish the government could teach sign language to everyone — it would make life so much easier.”

The call for inclusion was echoed by Beth Mukarwego Nasiforo, Chairperson of the National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR), who urged for sign language integration in education and public services.

“Sign language is essential, especially for healthcare providers,” she said. “We will continue to advocate so that persons with hearing impairments can fully participate in community and national life.”

Representing Parliament, Hon. Olivia Mbabazi, the Representative of Persons with Disabilities, affirmed lawmakers’ commitment to advancing the cause.

“We support this theme — no sign language, no human rights,” she said. “We are working to ensure sign language is taught in schools and recognized as an official language in Rwanda.”

Sylvie Nvirabugenimana from the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) also revealed that a proposal is being prepared for submission to Parliament.

“The dictionary is a great step, but it’s not enough,” she said. “We need sign language to be officially recognized and taught in schools soon. We are hopeful Parliament will support this initiative.”

As the week-long celebration ended, participants agreed that recognizing sign language as an official language is not just a linguistic issue — it’s a matter of human rights, dignity, and inclusion.

          Eric Niyoyita, Chairperson of the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD), delivers remarks urging the recognition of sign language as an official language during the closing ceremony in Remera Sector, Gasabo District.      

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