Controversy erupts in Rwanda as Belgian journalist barred from flight after criticising government: “That speaks volumes about the authoritarian nature of the regime”

With the UCI Road World Championships not yet even underway in Rwanda, the spotlight has already abruptly shifted from cycling to censorship. Belgian journalist Stijn Vercruysse, a veteran Africa correspondent for VRT NWS, has been denied entry to the country, despite holding full accreditation from the UCI and clearance from Rwanda’s Ministry of Sport.

Vercruysse, who was due to travel alongside the Belgian delegation — including defending World time trial Champion Remco Evenepoel — was stopped at the check-in desk and informed he would not be allowed to board his flight. The reason? An unspoken but strongly suspected reaction to his previous critical reporting on Rwanda’s political climate.

“The Rwandan government prohibited the airline from letting me board the flight,” Vercruysse confirmed. “That speaks volumes about the authoritarian nature of the regime.”

This year’s World Championships are historic — the first time the event is being held on African soil. For many in the cycling world, Rwanda’s selection represented a watershed moment: a chance to globalise the sport, expand its reach beyond its traditional European heartlands, and showcase the country’s growing passion for cycling.

But for critics, the tournament was always going to come with complications. Rwanda’s government, led by President Paul Kagame, has long faced scrutiny for its record on press freedom and political dissent. The decision to host a high-profile international sporting event in Kigali was seen by some as part of a broader campaign to burnish the regime’s image on the world stage.

The barring of Vercruysse appears to confirm the worst fears of those observers.

VRT had planned to cover not just the racing but also the broader context surrounding the event — offering, in Vercruysse’s words, “nuanced and critical reporting on the margins of the Championships.” With his exclusion, that coverage has been severely curtailed.

The rest of the Belgian media contingent, including Sporza’s team and other VRT colleagues, were allowed to travel without incident. That selective enforcement only deepens the sense of deliberate censorship.

Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to Rwandan officials to seek clarification, but as of yet, no official reason has been given for the denial of entry. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot issued a pointed reminder that as the host of a major international event, Rwanda carries an obligation to uphold basic standards of openness and press freedom. “It’s not just a race,” one Belgian official said. “It’s the World Championships. And the world is watching.”