Category: World Service
Date: 09.02.2006
Printable version
The BBC has announced the launch of two more FM stations in Rwanda. BBC
Karongi 93.3 FM and BBC Butare 106.1 FM ensure that BBC radio programmes can be heard across Rwanda.
Editor of BBC Great Lakes service, Ally
Yusufu Mugenzi, said: "The BBC has a special broadcasting history in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region.
"Throughout the events of the past decade our
shortwave radio broadcasts were seen as a lifeline service for millions
of displaced and distressed people.
"The two new BBC FM relay stations
mean more choice for more Rwandans who want to be in the know
about developments in their region, across Africa and across the
world."
Head
of BBC World Service French and Great Lakes, Tim
Cooke added: "BBC
Kigali 93.9 FM has been relaying BBC World Service programmes
since 2003.
I am thrilled that with BBC Karongi 93.3 FM and
BBC Butare 106.1 FM we can now reach Rwandans practically
anywhere in the country, bringing them programmes from the BBC
Great Lakes service, in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi, as well as our
English for Africa, French and Swahili programming."
BBC
Karongi 93.3 FM and BBC Butare 106.1 FM will broadcast the BBC Great
Lakes service for 30 minutes, BBC Swahili for 45 minutes, BBC
Afrique for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The rest of the daily schedule
is made up of the BBC World Service English language
output for Africa.
Notes to editors
BBC Great Lakes service - Gahuzamiryango,
or 'bringing people together' - provides the daily 30-minute programme
in Kinyarwanda/Kirundi for a massive audience in Rwanda, Burundi
and neighbouring countries.
Available on shortwave and FM, the service
is also available online at bbcgreatlakes.com.
The popular weekly radio soap opera Urunana has been
broadcast on the BBC Great Lakes service and re-broadcast by Radio
Rwanda since 1999.
Aimed at improving the sexual and reproductive
health of rural women, Urunana openly addresses all topics
related to sexual and reproductive health, encouraging
discussions around issues considered taboos in the region.
Urunana is
produced and performed by Health Unlimited
Well Women Media Project.
