Edouard Bamporiki

Edouard Bamporiki (born October 24, 1983) is a Rwandan politician and artist. He currently holds a seat in the Rwandan cabinet as States Minister in charge of culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture^[1][2]

States Minister Edouard Bamporiki

Bamporiki has been a filmmaker and actor. He is also a published author and poet.^[3]

Early life and education

Bamporiki was born in Nyamasheke District, Western Province of Rwanda. He attended school in the area.

In 2003, when Bamporiki was 20, he joined an episodic theatre that aired on the national radio.^[4] This gave him a countrywide exposure as a talented actor.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Law from the Université Libre de Kigali (ULK).

Political career

In 2013, Bamporiki was elected Member of the Rwandan Parliament, Lower Chamber.^[5]

In 2019, he was appointed States Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture by President Paul Kagame.^[6] In May 2022, he was placed under house arrest amid a corruption investigation.^[7]

Prior to the cabinet appointment, he was Chairman of Rwanda's National Itorero Commission.^[8][9]

Film career

Bamporiki is a filmmaker. Long Coat is one his most famous films - through a story of a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and one of a perpetrator's son, the film focuses on leaving one's past behind.^[10] Bamporiki wrote, starred in, directed and produced the 63 minute drama which premiered in 2008. It earned him local and international attention by winning him top prize at the African Film Festival in New York.^[11]

Bamporiki had made his début in Munyurangabo, a film by Lee Isaac Chung from which he was nominated Best Actor at Cannes. He produced and acted in Rwanda: Take Two in 2010 and a year later, he starred in Kinyarwanda, a historical drama, alongside Cassandra Freeman. His latest on-screen appearance was in 2015 when he starred in a romance drama Umutoma.^[12]

In 2017, Bamporiki published a book with a title My Son, It Is A Long Story: Reflections of Genocide Perpetrators. The book launch was attended by Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame.^[13]

References

1. "Ministry of Youth and Culture". MINIYOUTH.
2. "Republic of Rwanda - Prime Minister Office: Cabinet Members". www.primature.gov.rw. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
3. "Who Is Who Among The Newly Appointed Ministers". KT PRESS. November 5, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
4. "Menya byinshi kuri Depite Bamporiki Eduard uzwi nka Tadeyo mu ikinamico Urunana - Inyarwanda.com". inyarwanda.com. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
5. "Rwanda's youngest MP is a blend of art and politics". The New Times | Rwanda. October 20, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
6. "Kagame names new cabinet ministers". The New Times | Rwanda. November 5, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
7. "Bamporiki placed under house arrest amid corruption investigation". The New Times | Rwanda. May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
8. . www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
9. "Ahabanza". www.nic.gov.rw. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
10. "Long Coat | African Film Festival, Inc". Retrieved January 24, 2021.
11. "Entertainment: Local theatre set for Hollywood". The New Times | Rwanda. March 19, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
12. "Edouard Bamporiki". IMDb. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
13. "PHOTOS: MP Bamporiki launches book on Genocide against the Tutsi". The New Times | Rwanda. May 30, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2021.