FERWAFA President Could Face Up to Five Years in Prison if Found Guilty
The President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema Ngoga, is facing an ongoing investigation by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) over allegations that he issued a cheque without sufficient funds in the account to cover it.
Shema was arrested on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and is being held at the RIB station in Kicukiro as investigations continue.
The case has attracted attention because of the punishment provided under Rwandan law for issuing a cheque without sufficient funds.
Under the law, a person convicted of knowingly issuing a cheque without sufficient funds may face between two and five years in prison, as well as a fine ranging from five to ten times the amount written on the cheque.
This means that if Shema Ngoga is found guilty, he could potentially face a prison sentence of up to five years, in addition to the applicable fine.
However, it is important to note that Shema has not been convicted or sentenced to five years in prison. The five-year figure is the maximum punishment provided by law for the offence if a person is found guilty. His case remains under investigation, and any decision on prosecution and punishment will depend on the outcome of the legal process.
Shema Ngoga became FERWAFA president in August 2025 after being elected for a four-year term. Before taking the position, he was known for his leadership of AS Kigali and his involvement in Rwandan football.
His arrest has therefore drawn considerable attention within the country’s football community, particularly because he is the head of Rwanda’s national football governing body.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing, and Shema should legally be regarded as a suspect rather than someone who has been found guilty. Further developments are expected as authorities continue examining the allegations against him.
