Vercruysse, a political journalist with VRT, was prevented from boarding a Brussels Airlines flight to Kigali on Thursday. Speaking to Belgian media, he suggested the move was linked to his past critical reporting on Rwanda.
In a post on X on Saturday, Nduhungirehe rejected that narrative, instead accusing VRT of deliberately misrepresenting Vercruysse's role in order to gain access.
'It is not up to Rwanda to provide the slightest explanation to Flemish Belgian television or to the Belgian government. It is rather up to @vrtnws and @vercrus to explain this crude attempt at international deception,' he wrote.
The minister argued that international sporting events follow strict accreditation protocols, typically requiring journalists to hold a valid sports press card, including one from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). He noted that VRT sought accreditation for a political journalist, rather than a registered sports reporter, which he said amounted to a violation of established rules.
'Sports journalists from all over the world registered with the UCI to cover this major event, the first of its kind on African soil. However, VRT tried to cheat the rules by registering a political journalist known for his systematically hostile positions towards Rwanda,' Nduhungirehe said.
He pointed to Vercruysse's own public comments as evidence of political intent: 'After being prevented from boarding, he declared to the Belgian press: 'We had also planned to produce a critical report on the host country.' What on earth do such openly declared intentions have to do with this great sporting celebration?'
The UCI Road World Championships, hosted in Kigali from September 21 to 28, mark the first time the event is being held on the African continent. The Belgian national team is among those from more than 190 countries participating.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
