KIGALI?A renowned Rwandan actor was sentenced by a local court to 19 years in prison after being found guilty of genocide, local media reported Thursday.

Dismas Mukeshabatware was accused of instigating the massacre of Tutsis in southern Ngoma county, a charge he denied, state-run Radion Rwanda said.

Known for his humor, ability to act diverse roles and a linguistic prowess, Mukeshabatware was arrested immediately after the verdict by the local tribunal in Ngoma.

Local courts known as gacaca are empowered to try those who participated in the killings and can hand down sentences ranging from community service to life in prison.

Suspected masterminds are being tried by a UN-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which sits in Arusha, Tanzania.

Rwanda's 1994 genocide claimed the lives of some 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis killed by extremist Hutu militia, in a space of 100 days.