Radio Salus (derived from the Latin word "salus", meaning salvation) was established in 2005 at the, formerly, National University of Rwanda (currently University of Rwanda, Huye Campus) as a result of a project implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to create a new, independent media outlet.
The primary objectives of the station are to build media capacity, enhance democracy, encourage community debate, and improve the university's journalism school by providing a hands-on learning experience for students.