He said 80% of the required investment would need to come from international support, calling for climate financing that is predictable, accessible and adequate.

Nsengiyumva said securing the funding would enable Rwanda to implement programmes aimed at addressing the effects of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

“This requires an investment of $12 billion, 80% of which will come from international support. We need financing that is predictable, accessible and adequate to achieve this target,” he said. 

The Prime Minister stressed that environmental protection must go hand in hand with sustainable development, in line with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and national strategies for promoting a green economy and addressing climate change.

Rwanda also called for the removal of barriers that prevent viable projects in developing countries from accessing capital. It argued that investment decisions should be based on the merits and value of projects rather than the countries or regions where they are located.

The country further emphasised the need for governments and the private sector to work together to mobilise investment for practical projects without increasing the debt burden on developing nations.

In 2027, Rwanda will chair the G77 and China group. The government said it intends to use the position to strengthen cooperation among developing countries and advance discussions on climate finance.

Rwanda stressed that COP31 should not be remembered solely for the commitments made during the conference, but also for the concrete action that follows.

Those involved included Chief Executive Omar Berrada, Director of Football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. 

The decision came after United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa on Sunday, November 8, a result that left them in 18th place in the Premier League. 

The club have won just one of their first 10 league matches this season, marking their worst start to a campaign in 40 years. 

Carrick had been under pressure, particularly following United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on October 25. 

At the time, the club’s leadership decided to retain him, giving him an opportunity to turn the team’s fortunes around before the November international break.

However, results failed to improve as hoped, prompting the decision to part ways with him. 

Carrick was initially appointed interim manager in January 2026, replacing Ruben Amorim, before being handed a two-year contract in May, which was due to run until 2028. 

During the 16 matches he managed in the second half of the previous season, Carrick recorded 11 wins, guiding United to a third-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League. 

However, the team's poor start to the 2026/27 campaign weakened the confidence the club's leadership had placed in him.

Mauricio Pochettino linked with United job.

Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, who currently manages the United States national team, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Carrick. 

Reports indicate that Manchester United have already held talks with the 54-year-old, with the two sides said to have reached an understanding over a possible appointment. 

Pochettino has previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. 

His contract with the United States reportedly includes a clause allowing him to leave the national team if a £7 million release fee is paid.

Manchester United are scheduled to return to Premier League action against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, 2026.

His family cultivated with a hoe. Around him, some farmers managed larger plots but struggled to prepare their land quickly. Delays in planting sometimes affected their production.

Yakini wanted to be part of the solution. He dreamed of operating a tractor to help farmers save time, plant on time and improve productivity.

After completing secondary school in building construction in 2025, however, finding income-generating opportunities proved difficult. He lacked the technical skills and certification required to operate agricultural machinery professionally. His monthly income was below RWF 10,000 (approximately $6).

“I grew up seeing my family cultivate with a hoe. I wanted to use machinery to help farmers save time and improve their production. Operating a tractor was my dream, but I needed the skills to make it happen,” Yakini recalls.

The missing link: Skills and employment

Yakini had the motivation to work but lacked specialised training that could connect him to employment. Without professional tractor-operation skills and certification, entering the agricultural mechanisation sector remained a challenge.

Yet farmers needed faster and more efficient land preparation services. Connecting young people to these opportunities could help address both youth unemployment and farmers’ demand for mechanisation.

AGRA’s catalytic support opens the door

A social media post introduced Yakini to the Inclusive Agri-Services Delivery for Employment Creation (ISEC) project, implemented by Kilimo Trust through AGRA’s Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

Through the project, Yakini received practical agricultural mechanisation training at Nyamata Quatras VTC in Bugesera. He acquired the technical skills and certification needed to operate a tractor professionally.

The training opened the door to employment.

In July 2026, Yakini began working as a tractor operator, providing mechanised land preparation services to farmers. He initially earned RWF 170,000 per month (approximately $113). His monthly income has since risen to about RWF 200,000 (approximately $133).

His current earnings are more than twenty times his previous income of less than RWF 10,000 a month.

“The YEFFA programme is very important to me. Now my dream has come true because I have learned how to operate a tractor, and I want to buy my own,” he says.

For Yakini, the impact goes beyond higher earnings. He has gained a marketable skill, a profession and a pathway towards running his own business. His work also contributes to improving access to mechanised land preparation, helping farmers prepare their fields more efficiently.

From earning an income to owning a tractor

Yakini's next goal is to establish his own agricultural mechanisation business. But owning a tractor requires substantial investment.

He estimates that a new tractor costs about RWF 70 million (approximately $46,588), while a used one could cost around RWF 25 million (approximately $16,638).

Although the investment remains a major challenge, Yakini is determined to work towards it. He plans to save from his earnings, explore financing options through banks and initially consider buying a used tractor while working towards his longer-term goal of owning a new one.

He has also learned about Hello Tractor, a company that connects farmers with tractor services and provides opportunities to access machinery. He hopes to explore how working with the company could help him move closer to tractor ownership.

His ambition extends beyond personal success. He wants to employ other young people and expand access to mechanised services for farmers in his community.

Recognition of his employer at a recent agricultural show in Kigali further strengthened his confidence in his career choice.

“I was very impressed by the award given to my company at the recent agricultural show in Kigali. It made me realise that I had made the right choice,” he says.

A lesson for scaling youth employment

Yakini encourages other young people to work hard and recognise the opportunities available in the agri-food sector.

His journey demonstrates how practical training linked to market demand can help young people move from limited income to skilled employment, while contributing to more efficient agricultural services.

Through AGRA’s support to Kilimo Trust under ISEC, Yakinihas moved from earning less than $6 a month to approximately $133. His next ambition is to own a tractor, modernise agricultural services in his community and create jobs for others.

Ngoma District Executive Secretary Ingabire Benoit said the blaze destroyed all the belongings inside the boys’ dormitory, while property in the dining area was successfully salvaged. 

“Part of the school caught fire, specifically the section where boys were accommodated. It contained 72 beds, while the other section, where all students took their meals, had its belongings removed and saved. The damage was confined to the boys’ dormitory, where everything inside was destroyed. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.

Ingabire said the fire broke out while all students were attending classes, meaning no one was inside the affected building. No injuries or deaths were reported.

He commended the Rwanda National Police for responding quickly and extinguishing the fire before it spread to other parts of the school, preventing further damage.

The district official also reassured parents that no student had been harmed. He said local authorities were working with other institutions and partners to secure essential supplies needed by students for their daily lives.

“We want to reassure parents whose children attend this school that no student was inside the building. We are now working with other institutions and partners to see how they can obtain some of the essential items they need so that life can continue and they can resume their studies,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. The Rwanda National Police and other relevant authorities have launched an investigation to establish what triggered the blaze.

The District Councils elect the executive committees that lead the districts.

The final list of candidates published by NEC includes seven sitting district mayors, two acting mayors and 10 deputy mayors. Their election to the councils would put them in a position to seek leadership of their respective districts, although they would need the support of fellow council members to secure the top posts. 

Each District Council is made up of 17 members: eight general councillors, five women representing the 30 per cent quota reserved for women, and four representatives of special groups, women, youth, people with disabilities and the private sector.

Districts expected to get new leaders

Eight districts are set to have new leaders because their current mayors are completing the terms permitted by law. 

They are Gisagara, led by Jérôme Rutaburingoga; Huye, led by Ange Sebutege; Ruhango, led by Valens Habarurema; and Muhanga, led by Jacqueline Kayitare, all in the Southern Province. 

The others are Bugesera, led by Richard Mutabazi; Gatsibo, led by Richard Gasana; and Rwamagana, led by Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, all in the Eastern Province, as well as Nyabihu in the Western Province, led by Antoinette Mukandayisenga. 

In another 10 districts, the current leaders do not appear on the final list of candidates seeking election to their respective councils. 

They are Dr Sylvère Nahayo of Kamonyi; Patrick Kajyambere, acting mayor of Nyanza; Emmanuel Murwanashyaka of Nyaruguru; and Hildebrand Niyomwungeri of Nyamagabe, all in the Southern Province.

The list also includes Soline Mukamana of Burera, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa of Gicumbi, Claudien Nsengimana of Musanze and Judith Mukanyirigira of Rulindo, all in the Northern Province. 

The remaining two are Christophe Nkusi of Ngororero and Dative Kayitesi of Rutsiro, both in the Western Province. 

Sitting mayors seeking council seats

Seven sitting district mayors appear on the final list of candidates seeking to join their respective District Councils.

They are Vestine Mukandayisenga of Gakenke, in the Northern Province; Prosper Mulindwa of Rubavu; Gerald Muzungu of Karongi; Narcisse Mupenzi of Nyamasheke; and Phanuel Sindayiheba of Rusizi, all in the Western Province.

The other two are Nathalie Niyonagira of Ngoma and Bruno Rangira of Kirehe, both in the Eastern Province. 

They are joined by two acting mayors: Fred Hategekimana of Kayonza and Henry Kakooza of Nyagatare, both in the Eastern Province. 

Several deputy mayors are also seeking election to their respective District Councils. 

In the Northern Province, the candidates include Clarisse Uwanyirigira and Theobald Kayiranga of Musanze; Jean Baptiste Nshimyimana and Theophile Mwanangu of Burera; Marie Therese Uwamahoro of Gakenke; Theoneste Rugerinyange of Rulindo; and Parfaite Uwera and Jean Marie Vianney Mbonyintwari of Gicumbi.

Uwanyirigira, Nshimyimana, Rugerinyange and Uwera are deputy mayors in charge of economic development, while Kayiranga, Mwanangu, Uwamahoro and Mbonyintwari are responsible for social affairs. 

In the Western Province, the candidates include Emmanuel Uwizeyimana of Rutsiro and Alfred Habimana and Francine Mukakalisa of Rusizi. 

Uwizeyimana and Habimana are deputy mayors in charge of economic development, while Mukakalisa is responsible for social affairs. 

The Southern Province is represented by Thadde Habimana, deputy mayor in charge of economic development in Nyamagabe, and Denise Dusabe, deputy mayor in charge of social affairs in Gisagara. 

In the Eastern Province, the candidates include Richards Kagabo Rwamunono of Rwamagana, Marie Gloriose Mukayiranga of Ngoma, Modeste Nzirabatinya of Kirehe and Jules Higiro, acting deputy mayor of Kayonza.

Rwamunono and Nzirabatinya are deputy mayors in charge of economic development, while Mukayiranga is responsible for social affairs.

Women make up 45.8% of district council candidates. 

The final list of candidates seeking seats on District Councils contains 1,167 names, including 535 women, representing 45.8% of all candidates.

Women are contesting across the different categories of council membership, including general councillor positions and seats reserved for women. 

The Southern Province has the highest proportion of female candidates, with 168 women among 339 candidates, representing 49.6%.

The Eastern Province follows, with 148 women among 318 candidates, or 46.5%. 

In the Northern Province, 109 of the 242 candidates are women, representing 45%, while the Western Province has 110 women among 268 candidates, or 41%. 

How the elections will be conducted?

According to the local government election timetable, candidates seeking seats on District Councils began campaigning on November 7, with campaigns scheduled to end on November 21.

Elections for the different categories of District Council membership will take place on separate dates. 

The elections are indirect and conducted by secret ballot, with the electoral college varying according to the category being contested. 

Elections for the five seats reserved for women will take place on November 17. The electoral college will comprise members of Sector Councils and members of the executive committees of the National Women's Council at sector and district levels. 

The eight general councillor seats will be contested on November 21. Their electoral college will comprise executive committees of Cell Councils, Sector Councils, and representatives of the executive committees of the National Women's Council, National Youth Council and National Council of Persons with Disabilities, as well as private-sector representatives at district level.

The four remaining seats; representing women, youth, people with disabilities and the private sector, will be determined on November 14, when the executive committees of the respective groups at district level are elected. 

Once all 17 District Council members have been elected, they will vote for their district's executive committee on November 24.

Rules governing the campaigns

Guidelines issued by the National Electoral Commission on November 6 allow candidates to campaign through various media outlets, social media platforms, logos, posters, approved photographs and other materials permitted by law. 

On election day, each candidate will be given no more than five minutes to present their manifesto to the electoral college. Presentations will take place at times and venues designated by NEC. 

Candidates may put up campaign posters on public and private buildings, vehicles and other locations, provided they have permission from the owners and comply with instructions issued by district or sector authorities. 

However, campaign materials are prohibited at health facilities, schools, places of worship, courts and on electricity poles, except where the use of such locations for campaigning is permitted under applicable laws. 

Candidates are also prohibited from campaigning through the political parties to which they belong. They may not use national symbols or the symbols of their political parties in their campaigns. 

Other prohibited practices include the unlawful use of public infrastructure, insulting or defaming fellow candidates, bribery, violence and discrimination.

Candidates who violate NEC guidelines may receive a warning or be removed from the list of candidates.

Journalists were taken on a tour of various facilities at the institution, including a fruit-processing plant, agricultural and livestock laboratories, and modern laboratories used for training in mechanical engineering, construction, electrical engineering and electric vehicle technology. 

Mucyo said the role of technical and vocational education institutions in creating employment opportunities and helping graduates enter the labour market continues to grow. 

She cited agriculture and animal husbandry programmes, saying 95 per cent of graduates in these fields immediately find employment in different parts of the agricultural and livestock value chains.

“Moreover, those who are not included in these figures are not necessarily unemployed. Some continue their studies at other levels, while others undertake various training programmes. So, it does not mean that all of them are doing nothing,” she said. 

The Director of RP's Huye campus, Lt. Col. Bernabe Twabagira, said the institution had established programmes to connect students with private-sector employers so that companies seeking workers could find graduates with the required skills and qualifications.

The initiative brings together businesses looking to recruit and students whose training matches the positions available, giving them opportunities to secure employment. 

“We have a system for tracking our graduates to establish whether they have found jobs and where they are working. We work with various industries and institutions, where some of our students find employment,” he said.

Rwanda Polytechnic has eight campuses and offers about 70 programmes. The institution plans to introduce additional courses tailored to labour market needs.

It offers qualifications across different levels of technical and vocational education, including short courses lasting three months, undergraduate programmes and postgraduate qualifications at master's level. 

RP management says plans to expand its academic offerings to include doctoral programmes will be guided by the skills and expertise identified as necessary in the labour market.

The Ministry of Education has also indicated that graduate-tracking programmes will not remain exclusive to Rwanda Polytechnic, as plans are being considered to introduce a similar system at the University of Rwanda.

The figures show that prices in October rose mainly due to increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing-related costs, transport and hospitality services. 

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 28.9 per cent year-on-year, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose by 14.2 per cent.

Transport costs increased by 22.4 per cent, while prices for restaurants and accommodation services went up by 20.6 per cent. 

On a month-on-month basis, urban prices rose by 3.3 per cent between September and October 2026. The increase was largely driven by a 7.8 per cent rise in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices. 

Meanwhile, prices excluding food and energy products increased by 11.5 per cent in October 2026 compared with October 2025.

The 19.5 per cent annual inflation rate is the highest recorded in three years. The previous peak was in September 2023, when inflation reached 18.4 per cent.

“Regarding the Vice Presidency, I think we have used diplomatic language enough. Whoever is in that position should prepare to hand it over soon,” he said.

Muhoozi also outlined how he would want the government to operate if he became Vice President, saying it would follow a military-style approach. 

“If I become Vice President, the government will operate in a military manner. There will be no more inefficiency,” he said.

Although his remarks suggest an interest in the position, Muhoozi did not specify when he expects to assume the role or how such an appointment would be made.

His remarks follow an earlier post he shared with his followers on X, in which he hinted at stepping down as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces to devote his life to Christianity and religious pursuits.

The changes are intended to give primary school teacher trainees more comprehensive preparation before entering the profession.

The new programme replaces the previous three-year system, which was considered insufficient to give students enough time to develop teaching skills, learn classroom management, understand child development and gain practical experience in schools.

When the programme was announced, Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana said the government planned to upgrade the qualifications of primary school teachers over a 10-year period, eventually enabling them to attain university degrees. 

“We plan to upgrade the qualification level of primary school teachers so that, in the future, teachers will have qualifications up to university degree level, or a bachelor's degree. We will do this in two phases. Those with A2 qualifications will be upgraded to A1, while those with secondary school diplomas will also be taken to A1. In the second phase, those with A1 qualifications will move to A0. We will implement this over 10 years,” he said. 

Nsengimana added that students who had enrolled in teacher training colleges but were unhappy with the new programme would be allowed to choose whether to continue with it or withdraw.

The qualification upgrade is also expected to bring Rwanda's teacher training system in line with regional and international standards, where a university degree is increasingly required for entry into the teaching profession. 

Teachers already working in schools will also be supported through arrangements designed to help them upgrade their qualifications and skills.

According to the Oman News Agency (ONA), which reported the event on Monday, November 9, the forum will bring together private-sector representatives from both countries to discuss business and investment opportunities. It will also help Omani companies expand markets for their products and services across East Africa. 

The Omani delegation will be led by Ghalib Said Al Maamari, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, responsible for Commerce and Industry. 

He will be accompanied by Khamis Mohammed Al Shammakhi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, responsible for Transport, as well as other officials and representatives of various companies. 

The 15 participating companies operate in sectors including food processing, agricultural products, plastics manufacturing, energy, technology, technical services and electrical equipment. 

The forum is expected to feature business-to-business meetings between Rwandan and Omani investors, focusing on opportunities for trade, product distribution and the establishment of long-term commercial partnerships. 

Omani investors will also be briefed on Rwanda's market conditions, business regulations and requirements for transporting and delivering goods to local markets. 

Discussions will further explore how Oman could use Rwanda as a gateway to East African markets, particularly in countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. 

Al Maamari said organising the forum was part of Oman's strategy to expand economic and trade relations with African countries and identify new markets for its products.

He noted that expanding international markets was among the measures helping Oman increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to its economy.

"The Rwandan market offers opportunities that Omani companies can benefit from in various production and service sectors," he said. 

He added that his ministry was continuing to introduce measures to help Omani companies access international markets by connecting them with partners, promoting their products and identifying trade and investment opportunities. 

Muhanad Hamoud Al Riyamy, an international trade development expert at the ministry, said Rwanda was an emerging market with potential for Omani companies seeking to expand their operations and reach new customers. 

Meanwhile, Madayn Mubarak Al Balushi, Head of the Export Promotion Department, said the Oman Exports programme was implementing various initiatives to help Omani businesses access foreign markets. 

These include organising business meetings, promotional trade missions, participation in international exhibitions and providing traders with information about opportunities in different markets.

Al Balushi said the Kigali forum would help Omani businesses understand demand in Rwanda, the requirements of importers and how to deliver products to potential customers. 

The initiatives are aligned with Oman's Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on oil and increase the private sector's contribution to national development. 

Forum follows Kagame's visit to Oman.

The Kigali meeting comes two months after President Paul Kagame paid a working visit to Oman on September 7-8, 2026, where he was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. 

During the visit, the two countries signed several agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in areas including trade, investment, agriculture, transport and labour.

They also agreed to open embassies in each other's countries, establish a joint commission and create a Rwanda-Oman business forum to further strengthen economic relations.

The upcoming meeting in Kigali is among the steps reflecting both countries' commitment to bringing their private sectors closer together and making greater use of available trade and investment opportunities.

The interview took place in China on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), an international trade fair that brings together companies and investors from different countries.

Muganza said that although the number of Chinese visitors to Rwanda remains relatively low, more than quadrupling in five years points to significant potential in the Chinese tourism market. 

“Another important thing I can say is that the figures we have are encouraging. Over the past five years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Rwanda has quadrupled. In 2021, we received 3,000 tourists, while last year we received 14,000. The figures are still relatively low, but we are seeing growth,” she said.

She highlighted Rwanda's natural attractions, which she said could continue to draw Chinese tourists, including the mountain gorillas found in Volcanoes National Park.

Muganza noted that the gorillas were once threatened with extinction, but conservation efforts by Rwanda have helped increase their population. 

Beyond gorilla trekking, tourists can visit Akagera National Park, home to the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceroses.

Nyungwe National Park is another attraction, offering diverse monkey species, birds, waterfalls and the famous Canopy Walkway.

Muganza also pointed to Kigali's modern infrastructure, saying it makes the city an ideal destination for international conferences, business activities and cultural events.

She reaffirmed Rwanda's readiness to welcome more Chinese tourists and showcase the country's attractions. 

Travel between Rwanda and China also increases.

The rise in Chinese tourist arrivals comes as the number of Rwandans travelling to China continues to grow, largely driven by cooperation between the two countries in trade, education and tourism. 

In April 2026, China's Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, said the number of Rwandans travelling to China had nearly doubled in two years. 

He said more than 3,500 Rwandans travelled to China in 2023, compared with 7,000 in 2025.

Gao attributed the increase largely to measures introduced to make it easier for Rwandans to obtain Chinese visas. 

These include an online visa application system, a 25 per cent reduction in visa application fees and a temporary exemption from fingerprint requirements for some short-term visa applicants. 

The latter two measures have been extended until the end of 2026. 

China remains a key market for Rwandan exports.

During her interview with CGTN, Muganza also highlighted the CIIE as an opportunity for Rwandan businesses to access new markets in China and attract investors.

Rwanda is participating in the expo through businesses from various sectors, including exporters of coffee, tea, chilli peppers and macadamia nuts.

"The CIIE is always an opportunity for our exporters and private-sector players to come and explore markets here in China. We have exporters here dealing in chilli peppers, macadamia nuts, coffee, tea and many other products," she said.

She described China as a major partner for Rwanda in trade, investment and development projects.

Figures she cited show that Rwanda exported goods worth $160 million to China in 2025, representing an 89 per cent increase compared with the previous year. 

Muganza said the growth demonstrates the important role the Chinese market continues to play in expanding Rwanda's exports.

She added that cooperation between the two countries goes beyond trade to include investment and major development projects in Rwanda.

"We also see this as an opportunity to attract foreign investment. We have been receiving many investors from China, including those who have been drawn by activities such as the CIIE," she said.

Chinese investors have increasingly been involved in Rwanda in areas such as agro-processing, manufacturing and construction.

Muganza said Rwanda would continue to make use of its partnership with China to increase exports to the Chinese market, attract investors and promote tourism.

“To the people of Portugal, the time has come for me to return the number seven shirt I have worn for the national team. I never felt that I was the only one worthy of wearing it,” he said.

“For 23 years, I considered it an honour and a responsibility. Wearing it proudly and taking it to stadiums across the world was a privilege. Now the time has come for me to make way for the future.” 

Ronaldo said representing Portugal had always been a source of pride, but acknowledged that deciding to end his international career had been difficult.

“It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made by the mind alone; they also require the heart. The journey that began in 2003 changed my entire life. Now it has come to an end,” he said.

Looking back on his time with the national team, Ronaldo said his memories went beyond matches, goals, records and trophies. 

“When I look back on everything I experienced with the national team, I do not see only matches, goals, records or trophies. I see people, Portuguese people across the world who felt connected to their country,” he said.

“I see millions of people I never met, but who became part of my family because, in the end, football became more than a game. Football is about people.”

The Al Nassr forward said he had always given everything he could while representing Portugal, driven by the desire to win, make history and achieve more than he had thought possible.

He added that he had made sacrifices and pushed himself because he believed he could go further, saying he gave everything for the national team shirt he had been entrusted with. 

Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and retires after making 234 appearances and scoring 146 goals, according to the figures provided in the announcement. He is regarded as the only player in football history to have reached those international totals.

During his time with Portugal, he helped the country win three major titles: the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

He also became the first player to score at six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. 

His retirement announcement comes after a reported disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, which led to Ronaldo leaving the national team camp. He was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension and fined €, equivalent to approximately Rwf422,280.

The event brought together government officials, microfinance institutions, development partners, young entrepreneurs and community members. It also marked the culmination of Savings Week campaigns conducted in Gakenke, Rulindo, Ngoma, Rwamagana and Kayonza districts.

Speaking at the celebration, the Governor of the Eastern Province and Guest of Honour, Mr. Pudence Rubingisa, commended AMIR and its partners for promoting a stronger saving culture.

“Saving is not simply about putting money aside. It is about planning for tomorrow, strengthening our households and creating opportunities for economic development. When individuals and families develop a saving culture, they become better prepared to invest in their future and contribute to the country’s prosperity,” he said.

Mr. Cyrille Hategekimana, Director General of Banking and Non-Banking Institutions at MINECOFIN, highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration in mobilising domestic savings. He noted that stronger saving habits improve financial security and support national economic development.

AMIR Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jackson Kwikiriza, challenged young people to question traditional expressions that discourage saving.

He cited sayings such as “Nta myaka 100” (You will not live for 100 years), “Impamba itazakugeza i Kigali uyirira ku Ruyenzi” (Do not consume your provisions at Ruyenzi if they are meant to take you all the way to Kigali), and “Amafaranga utakubakira inzu uyubakisha umubiri” (Money you do not use to build a house is spent on satisfying immediate needs).

He urged young people to move beyond such attitudes and prioritise their future. He emphasised that people should not wait until they have accumulated wealth before saving. Rather, saving should be a tool for building wealth and achieving personal ambitions.

Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen domestic savings date back to 2009, through initiatives such as the Savings Mobilization Strategy. The national savings rate reached 23.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. The National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), 2024–2029, targets an increase to 25.9%.

The celebration was held under the theme “Saving: A Foundation for Prosperity” (Kuzigama: Umusingi w’Iterambere).

It also highlighted the contribution of the SERVE Project, a five-year initiative running from 2023 to 2027. Led by CARE Rwanda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the project promotes an inclusive and gender-equitable entrepreneurial environment for young people aged 18–35, particularly young women. Its implementing consortium includes AMIR, Pro-Femme Twese Hamwe, Duhamic-Adri and Urwego Finance.

AGRA serves as the super aggregator of the Mastercard Foundation’s Agri-Food Systems Portfolio in Rwanda. In this capacity, it supports coordination, collaboration, learning and visibility across portfolio partners and initiatives. The broader portfolio seeks to expand dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young people, particularly young women, across Rwanda’s agri-food systems.

Young SERVE participants showcased their products and shared testimonies of their entrepreneurial journeys. Their experiences illustrated how access to financial services, business skills and capacity-building support can help young people expand enterprises, improve livelihoods and strengthen financial independence.

The celebration reinforced a central message: saving is not determined by how much one earns, but by the discipline to plan, start small and invest consistently in the future.

The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), which is responsible for monitoring earthquakes in the country, said the earthquake originated in Tanzania before its effects were felt in neighbouring countries.

In a statement shared on X, RMB said the earthquake occurred at 11:22 a.m. near Ushirombo in Tanzania, approximately 292 kilometres from Kigali. 

“Today at 11:22 a.m., the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) recorded an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale near Ushirombo in Tanzania, about 292 kilometres from Kigali, in the eastern section of the Rift Valley, an area that does not frequently experience earthquakes,” the statement read. 

The agency said the tremor was felt in different parts of Rwanda and lasted approximately 30 seconds. 

“The earthquake was felt in various parts of Rwanda for about 30 seconds, and no damage has been reported so far. Monitoring is still ongoing,” RMB said.

Authorities said they were continuing to assess the situation.

Presenting the committee’s findings, its chairperson, Senator Fulgence Nsengiyumva, acknowledged improvements in the number of public institutions receiving clean audit opinions in several areas, including financial reporting, compliance with laws and regulations, and the efficient use of public resources.

The proportion of institutions receiving clean opinions on financial reporting rose to 97 per cent, from 94 per cent in the previous financial year. Compliance with laws and regulations improved to 83 per cent from 75 per cent, while performance in the efficient use of public resources increased to 79 per cent from 66 per cent.

However, Nsengiyumva said weaknesses remained, particularly in ensuring that public money is spent for its intended purposes.

During the financial year under review, Rwf39.11 million was spent without supporting documents explaining or justifying the payments. This was a decline from Rwf136.68 million in the previous year.

“Although the amount has decreased, no money should be paid out without supporting documents,” he said.

The report also found that Rwf474.65 million had been wasted, down from Rwf1.9 billion in the previous financial year, representing a reduction of about 75 per cent.

Nsengiyumva said the remaining amount was still a cause for concern.

“Even hearing that Rwf475 million has been wasted is itself a sign of a problem,” he said.

Contractors paid more than agreed amounts​

The Auditor General’s report also identified more than Rwf86 million paid to contractors in excess of the amounts they were supposed to receive during the year ended June 2025. 

Nsengiyumva described the practice as a serious weakness in public financial management, despite the significant reduction from about Rwf3 billion recorded in the previous year. 

“Payments exceeding the amounts that should have been paid amounted to Rwf86 million. They had previously reached Rwf3 billion, so there has been a reduction. However, paying an additional Rwf86 million beyond what was due is still a serious weakness. We therefore find that, although these shortcomings are declining, weaknesses in public financial management remain,” he said.

WASAC has not received a clean audit opinion in five years.

The committee chairperson said some public institutions, both commercial and non-commercial, had improved their performance, while others continued to receive audit opinions classified as ‘adverse’ or ‘qualified’. 

He singled out WASAC Group, saying it had failed to obtain a clean audit opinion for five consecutive years.

“We can point to problems at WASAC. Over the past five years, it has not received a clean audit opinion even once. This shows that measures need to be taken,” he said. 

The committee also noted that some institutions had improved from adverse audit opinions to qualified opinions, while others had progressed to clean opinions. 

Among the challenges affecting several public institutions are delays in implementing projects financed by development partners, even after funding agreements have been signed.

The problem was identified at institutions including the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Nsengiyumva said the delays were often linked to slow preparation of feasibility studies, lengthy procurement processes and delays in relocating residents affected by projects.

“Such delays often arise because feasibility studies take time to prepare. A development partner may have signed an agreement and committed funding, but the feasibility study has not yet been completed. Procurement may also take too long, or implementation may be delayed by the relocation of residents,” he said.

The committee also pointed to delays in the execution of contracts between government institutions and private contractors, saying the problem needed to be addressed.

Another concern involved advance payments made to contractors before they had been shown the sites where they were expected to carry out the work.

The report cited a case in which a contractor received Rwf15 billion before starting the work.

The committee further raised concerns about projects being launched before residents affected by them had received the compensation they were entitled to. It stressed that the law governing expropriation in the public interest must be respected.

Senate President François-Xavier Kalinda said the Senate would continue following up on the issues identified by the Auditor General and monitor whether the recommendations were implemented. 

“These matters will be handled by the different Senate committees. Each committee will examine the parts of the report that fall within its mandate and follow them up,” he said.

The results were still being finalised in some races on Wednesday, November 4. Early tallies reported by the Associated Press showed Democrats with 54 Senate seats compared with 44 for Republicans, while contests in Mississippi and Alaska remained undecided. The exact final balance in both chambers was therefore not yet established.

The Democratic gains included unexpected victories in states that have traditionally supported Republicans. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1932. 

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico won a Senate seat, ending a decades-long Republican hold on the state's Senate representation. Democrats also secured victories in South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Maine, where Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Republican Senator Susan Collins, ending her nearly 30-year Senate career.

The election was widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's leadership, with voters expressing concern about the cost of living, the war involving the United States and Iran, and allegations of corruption in government.

Reuters reported that these concerns helped drive voters in traditionally Republican areas towards Democratic candidates, including in heavily Latino communities in Texas and Kansas.

Trump acknowledged the Democratic victory in an interview with Fox News, congratulating the party and saying he was willing to work with its leaders on issues such as immigration. However, he warned that he would veto legislation he considered unreasonable. 

The president also posted on social media that Republicans would have won by a landslide had he been on the ballot.

Democratic control of Congress is expected to reshape the remainder of Trump's term. Once the newly elected lawmakers take office in January 2027, Democrats will have greater powers to investigate the administration, demand information and scrutinise the president's policies and appointments.

The Democratic-controlled Senate will also be able to block presidential nominees, including appointments to the federal judiciary, should vacancies arise. Party leaders have indicated that investigations into the administration and its associates will be among their priorities.

Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, described the election as a major change in the country's political landscape, saying Americans had voted for change and that Democrats now had a responsibility to deliver.

Hakeem Jeffries, who leads House Democrats, is expected to play a central role in directing the party's agenda in the House, while Schumer is positioned to lead the Senate majority. 

The outcome gives Democrats an opportunity to exercise greater oversight over Trump's administration and challenge parts of his legislative agenda. It also marks a return to divided government, with the presidency held by Republicans and both chambers of Congress controlled by Democrats.

His death has sparked concern following statements by his father, Thomas Frimpong, who told local media that his son had repeatedly complained about being bullied by fellow students.

According to his father, Javits had reported that another student regularly harassed him, particularly during lunchtime. He added that school authorities had previously informed him about a dispute involving his son and two other students, who were subsequently suspended.

New York Police Department investigators are examining whether the reported bullying was connected to the shooting, although no direct link has been officially established.

Javits moved from Ghana to the United States in 2025 to live with his father. His family described him as a student who loved education and dreamed of becoming a doctor.

On November 2, fellow students held a memorial in his honour, calling for justice and stronger measures to address bullying in schools.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama announced that the government would assist in covering the travel expenses of Javits’s mother to enable her to travel to the United States to attend her son’s funeral.

Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.

BNR has clarified that other banknotes remain valid and can still be used for transactions in Rwanda. These include Rwf500 and Rwf1,000 notes issued on February 1, 2019, as well as Rwf2,000 and Rwf5,000 notes issued on December 1, 2014, and June 28, 2024. 

This means that the denomination alone does not determine whether a banknote has been withdrawn from circulation. Holders should check the date of issue printed on their notes before deciding whether they need to exchange them at a nearby financial institution.

BNR said that from December 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027, people who still have the withdrawn banknotes will be able to exchange them at the central bank’s headquarters in Kigali and its branches across the country.

The exchange exercise will end permanently on March 1, 2027. After that date, the withdrawn banknotes will no longer be accepted as legal tender and cannot be exchanged.

According to BNR, newer banknotes have been fitted with improved security features to make them more difficult to counterfeit. 

These include colour-changing elements, with the security thread changing from green to blue depending on the angle at which the note is viewed. This is one of the features distinguishing the newer notes from older series that are being phased out. 

The Rwf2,000 and Rwf5,000 notes issued in June 2024 also have additional security measures, including a wider, partially transparent security thread containing microtext with the letters “BNR” and the denomination.

Both notes feature a repositioned watermark comprising the National Coat of Arms and the letters “BNR”. It is now located on the right-hand side of the notes, whereas it appeared on the left in the previous series.

Their designs have also been updated. The Rwf5,000 note features the Kigali Convention Centre and traditional Rwandan baskets, while the Rwf2,000 note depicts the mountains around Lake Kivu and roasted coffee beans.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, signed the agreement on behalf of the country. It provides for the development of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) power plant and a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology. 

Nzabamwita said construction of the facilities is expected to begin soon in Rwanda. He added that the project will create employment opportunities for young people and support the training of nuclear scientists and technicians.

“Clean nuclear energy, the establishment of a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, and the training of nuclear scientists and technicians continue to be among the key pillars of cooperation between Rwanda and Russia,” he said.

He noted that nuclear energy and related technologies could bring practical benefits to Rwandans in several sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, mining and electricity generation.

In healthcare, the technology can be used in cancer treatment, while in agriculture it can help preserve produce. It can also support research into the location and processing of mineral resources, as well as the development of technical skills.

Nzabamwita said the technology would contribute to Rwanda’s development ambitions, particularly under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. 

“This technology is important for Rwanda’s development under the second National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050. Construction work will begin soon in Rwanda, and this will also help create jobs for our young people,” he said. 

Rwanda has been advancing plans to introduce nuclear energy through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are smaller than conventional nuclear power plants and can be developed in modules. 

Unlike large nuclear power stations, which can have generating capacities of about 1,000 megawatts, SMRs allow countries to add generating capacity according to their electricity needs.

The reactors Rwanda is considering are expected to have a capacity of up to 200 megawatts each. By installing several units, the country could gradually increase electricity production as demand grows.

For example, instead of building one large facility capable of generating 1,000 megawatts, Rwanda could install reactors of different capacities depending on the amount of additional electricity required.

The approach would allow the country to expand its nuclear power generation in stages while developing the expertise and infrastructure needed to support the technology.

Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Youth Olympic Games bring together talented young athletes, most of whom are aged between 15 and 17.

Beyond sporting competition, the event seeks to promote Olympic values, including excellence, friendship, respect and solidarity. 

Rwanda is represented by nine athletes competing in five disciplines: athletics, swimming, cycling, taekwondo and kung fu wushu.

The competitions are taking place across three Senegalese cities; Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, and are scheduled to run until November 13, 2026.

About 2,700 athletes are expected to compete in 25 sports, with 153 medal events planned.

By hosting the Games, Senegal has become the first African country to host an Olympic event.

The minister said that after graduating from the former National University of Rwanda, he worked as a surgeon at Ruhengeri Hospital, where he handled major operations, including emergency abdominal surgeries.

“At the time, I had just become confident in performing major operations. Those who worked with me know that we operated on appendicitis and abdominal emergencies, including cases where the intestines were perforated or ruptured,” he said.

He recalled being called to the hospital at night to operate on patients whose intestines had been perforated, often due to typhoid, a disease associated with poor sanitation. 

“We would clean the abdomen and struggle to reconnect the intestines. Sometimes complications would arise because the intestines would not join properly, and the healing process would take a long time, with waste leaking through the wound,” he said.

Utumatwishima said he was particularly frustrated by the fact that some patients could afford to brew and drink locally made alcoholic beverages but failed to pay their community-based health insurance contributions.

As a result, hospitals sometimes struggled to provide them with medicines, while some patients left without settling their bills.

He said the experience motivated him to seek a leadership position at the district level, where he hoped to address challenges related to unpaid health insurance contributions and poor sanitation. 

Utumatwishima said he eventually submitted his candidacy for a seat on Musanze District Council, representing Muhoza Sector. His application was accepted, and he proceeded to the campaign stage.

However, he said he struggled to understand how to campaign, having never participated in an election before.

“The most difficult thing was knowing how to campaign. I had never taken part in another election, so where was I supposed to start? Another challenge was that we were many candidates, and we were each given only a few minutes to speak,” he said.

During his first campaign meeting, he introduced himself as a doctor who treated residents and explained how poor sanitation contributed to illness. He also spoke about how failure to pay health insurance contributions sometimes meant patients could not access medicines or left hospitals owing money. 

He then asked residents to vote for him so he could help address those problems, but the response was not what he had expected.

“I would see that the residents were not applauding; they would just remain silent. Then another candidate would come and introduce himself, explaining what they would do in the sector, how they would improve livelihoods around the volcanoes, increase potato production, provide fertiliser and promote good governance,” he recalled.

After several campaign meetings, Utumatwishima said he became frustrated and asked someone accompanying him why voters appeared uninterested in his message.

The person told him that residents were not necessarily opposed to him personally but wanted candidates to address broader priorities, including economic development, good governance and infrastructure, rather than focusing mainly on medical problems.

“From then on, instead of continuing to campaign extensively, I decided to listen to how the other candidates presented themselves. On the final day, I withdrew my candidacy because I was afraid of being embarrassed at the polling station,” he said.

Utumatwishima said the experience encouraged him to become involved in youth leadership structures, starting at village level and gradually moving to district and national responsibilities.

He said volunteering helped him understand communities and the needs of ordinary Rwandans, while teaching him how to serve people more effectively.

“That is where I encountered volunteer responsibilities, which help you understand Rwandans and how you can support them if you are their leader. The lesson I learned is that starting volunteer activities after secondary school and during university connects you with citizens and helps you understand Rwandan society more fully,” he said.

The minister added that academic qualifications and professional experience alone do not make someone an effective leader.

He said aspiring local leaders must learn to work with others, listen to residents and avoid presenting themselves as superior to the people they seek to represent.

His account comes as Rwanda moves towards elections of district council members. On October 26, 2026, the National Electoral Commission published a provisional list of approved candidates, giving those who had not met all requirements until October 30 to complete their applications before the final list is issued. 

Utumatwishima’s experience, he said, illustrates the importance of understanding what communities want and placing their priorities at the centre of leadership and public service.

Addressing the officials, Kagame noted that they had previously held other public responsibilities and said they were expected to understand what the country required of them. 

He urged them to assess their past performance and identify what they needed to improve in order to serve more effectively.

“What is needed is for each of us to take the initiative to assess ourselves and ask: How have we been performing in the past? How much more effort do these new responsibilities require of us so that we can perform better? This applies to everyone,” he said.

The President added that assuming new responsibilities should provide an opportunity for reflection and a renewed commitment to improving performance.

“This is a moment to reflect and for people to keep looking for ways to perform their duties better,” he said.

President Kagame reminded the officials that the quality of their work directly affects citizens, noting that good performance benefits the public, while poor performance has negative consequences for them.

The four officials were appointed by the Cabinet at its meeting on October 26, 2026, with the changes announced on October 27. 

Uwacu, who takes over the Ministry of Public Service and Labour from Uwizeye, previously served as Minister of Sports and Culture from February 2015 to October 2018.

Before her latest appointment, she was Director General in charge of Itorero and cultural promotion at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), a position she assumed in January 2024.

She later served as Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri before being appointed to the Cabinet. 

Uwizeye's appointment as senator comes four months after she was named Minister of Public Service and Labour in June 2026.

In the government formed in July 2025, she had been appointed Minister in the Office of the President before later taking up the Public Service and Labour portfolio.

Uwizeye studied law at the former National University of Rwanda, graduating in 2006. She subsequently pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, specialising in International Economic and Business Law.

She began teaching in the law faculty of the National University of Rwanda in 2006. 

Mukashyaka, who was sworn in as Auditor General of State Finances, is an auditing specialist with more than 15 years of professional experience.

Since 2021, she had served as Director General in charge of Internal Audit at I&M Bank Rwanda. She has also previously worked at the Office of the Auditor General of State Finances.

She was Vice President of the Institute of Internal Auditors Rwanda, representing the private sector, and chaired the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Parliament.

Mukashyaka holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Rwanda, where she graduated with distinction.

Kubwimana, the newly appointed Deputy Auditor General, previously served as Director General in charge of Local Government Audits, Projects, Programmes and Specialised Audits at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, a position he held from 2024. 

Before that, he worked in finance and internal auditing roles at the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and the former Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

Makolo said the alleged failure to address the group remains a major obstacle to implementing the agreement, which seeks to resolve longstanding security tensions in eastern Congo. 

“The Washington Accords contain clear commitments regarding Rwanda’s security, particularly the need to neutralise the FDLR, a group composed of perpetrators of the genocide and supported by the Congolese government. These commitments have not been implemented, and those responsible have not been held accountable,” she said.

She stressed that Rwanda had not changed its position on implementing the agreement but insisted that both parties must fulfil their obligations for it to achieve its intended objectives.

“Rwanda is ready to implement the Washington Accords whenever the Congolese government demonstrates its willingness to fulfil its obligations, and the mediator ensures that all parties are held accountable for the commitments they have made,” Makolo said.

The Washington Accords were signed on December 4, 2025, by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

The agreement seeks to address the longstanding tensions between the two countries, particularly security concerns in eastern DRC. Its key provisions include dismantling the FDLR and affiliated armed groups, as well as lifting Rwanda’s defensive measures. The commitments are intended to be implemented in a coordinated and monitored manner.

Rwanda has repeatedly described the FDLR as a major security threat and accused the Congolese government of continuing to support the group.

On June 5, 2026, the Rwandan government issued a statement stressing that the Washington Accords could not be implemented by one side alone, arguing that both countries must honour their respective commitments.

At the time, Rwanda welcomed the United States’ role in seeking a solution to the conflict in eastern DRC but emphasised that implementation must be accompanied by accountability for each party’s obligations.

Makolo’s latest remarks come amid continuing disagreements over how the agreement should be implemented. Rwanda maintains that it remains committed to the peace process but insists that the FDLR issue must be addressed and that both countries must be held accountable for the commitments they have undertaken.

According to information from the area, the incident occurred when Sandrine went to hang clothes on a metal wire used by the family and was struck by an electric current.

Her mother reportedly rushed to check on her but was also electrocuted. Cyuzuzo then approached to see what had happened to the two and was similarly struck by electricity.

All three were taken to hospital but later died.

The incident has left residents in shock, with community members describing the deaths of three people from the same family as a devastating loss. 

“We were deeply shocked by the news because it is heartbreaking to see three members of the same family die in an accident like this,” said Uwineza Marceline, a resident of the area.

Another resident, Nkunzimana Claude, described the incident as a major loss for both the family and the surrounding community, urging people to take greater care when handling electricity.

“It is a great tragedy for the family and the neighbours in general. We urge people to be more careful with electricity to prevent similar accidents,” he said.

Nyagatare District Mayor Henry Kakooza confirmed the incident, saying local authorities rushed to the scene alongside staff from the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) to establish what had happened. 

He said an initial assessment suggested that the accident may have been caused by improper electrical wiring in the house.

“After receiving the information, we immediately went to the scene with REG staff to assess what had happened. We found that electricity was involved in the accident. It appears that the electrical wiring in the house may have been improperly installed or used, leading to the incident,” Kakooza said. 

The mayor urged residents to use electricity safely and reminded them that electrical installations and repairs should be carried out by qualified and competent professionals.

By the time this story was prepared, the bodies of the three victims were still at the hospital awaiting examination to establish the precise cause of death.

The planned service will expand the hospital’s transplant programme, which already includes kidney transplants introduced in May 2023. 

Dr Augustin Sendegeya, Director of Medical Services at King Faisal Hospital, said the number of patients in Rwanda who need liver transplants is increasing, while delays in accessing the procedure can put their lives at risk.

He explained that transplantation may be the only way to save a patient whose liver has been severely damaged and can no longer perform its essential functions. 

Sendegeya added that the high cost of seeking treatment abroad creates a major barrier for patients, making the introduction of liver transplants in Rwanda an important step towards improving access to care.

“We have welcomed specialists from Türkiye’s Acıbadem Hospitals Group. We will discuss how to introduce the new liver transplantation service. We will also collaborate on research and train doctors in kidney and liver transplantation,” he said.

He noted that Rwanda has already made progress in kidney transplantation, with about 115 patients having received the procedure at King Faisal Hospital. 

Prof. Hamdi Karakayali, a specialist in kidney and liver transplantation and a senior figure at Acıbadem Hospitals Group, said diseases affecting these organs are increasing worldwide, highlighting the need to strengthen treatment capacity. 

He described kidney transplantation as a highly effective treatment, saying success rates can reach 99% when procedures are performed by specialists.

Patients with damaged kidneys may also undergo haemodialysis, a treatment that uses a machine to filter the blood and perform some of the functions their kidneys can no longer carry out.

However, Karakayali said liver failure presents a greater challenge because no machine can fully replace the liver’s functions when the organ is severely damaged. 

“Liver diseases are very serious, and treating them is difficult. When the liver is severely damaged, transplantation may be necessary. Liver transplantation has a success rate of more than 90%,” he said.

Karakayali said that during his 33 years in transplantation medicine, he had participated in kidney transplants for about 3,500 patients and liver transplants for another 2,500. 

He said one of the most rewarding aspects of his work was seeing patients recover and continue with their lives, particularly children. 

“It makes me happy to see the people I have treated recover, especially children. It is rewarding to treat a child, see them continue living and going to school, and then meet them again years later when they have grown up and have a family,” he said.

Karakayali said securing voluntary organ donations remains one of the major challenges facing transplantation programmes worldwide. 

He stressed that organ donation requires more than medical expertise, as it must also comply with relevant laws and regulations to protect the rights and safety of both donors and recipients. 

In Türkiye, he said, progress has been made in living-donor transplantation. Of the 1,400 patients who undergo liver transplants there, about 80% receive organs from living donors. 

A living person can donate part of their liver because the organ has the ability to regenerate. A liver may also be donated by a deceased person, subject to the applicable legal and medical requirements.

Although both options are possible, Karakayali said the shortage of available donor organs remains a significant obstacle. 

“In Türkiye, as in other parts of the world, people willing to donate their organs so that others can receive them are still few,” he said.

The planned introduction of liver transplantation in Rwanda is expected to give patients access to specialised treatment closer to home, while cooperation with international experts will support research and the training of local medical professionals.

Bamporiki’s appointment follows consultations with Unity Club Intwararumuri. He replaces Julienne Uwacu, who has been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour. 

Bamporiki previously served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture. He was sentenced to five years in prison before receiving a presidential pardon in October 2024.

The latest appointments also affect several other senior government officials, diplomatic representatives and executives of public institutions.

Judith Uwizeye, who was serving as Minister of Public Service and Labour after her appointment in June 2026, has been appointed senator.

Dr Valentine Uwamariya, a senator and former Minister of Education, Gender and Family Promotion, and Environment, has been appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Sweden.

Meanwhile, Dr Diane Gashumba has been appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Spain, having previously represented the country in Sweden.

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Juan Haguma has been appointed Permanent Secretary. 

Other appointments include Noella Dushime as Managing Director of Irembo Ltd, with Rutagarama Ngabe appointed as the company’s Director of Technology.

At the National AI Agency, Olivier Twagirayezu has been appointed Director of Operations, Jessica Ingabire Director of Mission Implementation, and Robert Kayinamura Director of Strategy and Partnerships. 

Alphonse Zigira has been appointed Director General of Rwanda Postal Services, while Dr Nelson Mbarushimana has been named Chief Coordinator of the institution responsible for Itorero and cultural promotion. 

The changes bring together appointments across government ministries, diplomatic missions and public institutions, while returning Bamporiki to a senior public role through his new position at Unity Club Intwararumuri.

The reforms will update the structure of cell-level administration established in 2011. Implementation is expected to begin in late 2026 and continue through 2035. 

Charles Rugisha, who oversees local government inspection at the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), recently told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) that the reforms would initially be implemented in 27 districts, excluding the three districts that make up the City of Kigali.

Rugisha said the decision to increase staffing at cell level followed feedback from residents who reported that the existing workforce was insufficient to provide services promptly.

“Feedback collected from residents showed that there are too few employees at cell offices, with people often making repeated visits to look for staff who can assist them, only to find them unavailable,” he said.

In addition to salary increases, cell executive secretaries will receive motorcycles to support their daily duties, particularly when visiting residents and monitoring activities within their administrative areas. 

Information published on the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) recruitment platform places the position of cell executive secretary in salary grade 8.2. 

A public-sector salary analyst estimated that, based on the existing salary grades, cell executive secretaries could earn between Rwf 180,000 and Rwf 224,000 per month. The two other employees supporting them could receive salaries of around Rwf 140,000 each. 

However, these figures are estimates. The government has not yet officially announced the exact salaries that will be paid under the new arrangements. 

The planned changes are intended to strengthen cell-level administration by increasing staffing, improving working conditions and raising the qualifications required of officials responsible for delivering public services to residents.

The Nairobi County Governor’s Office said there were reports of people trapped under the debris, although the number of people affected had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. 

The ground floor of the building was occupied when the collapse occurred, according to the office of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. 

Footage from the scene showed an excavator moving rubble as rescue efforts continued.

The cause of the collapse had not immediately been established, and authorities had yet to confirm the number of casualties.

The incident has raised concerns over safety at construction sites in the Kenyan capital as emergency teams work to determine whether anyone remains trapped beneath the debris.

News of their marriage had been circulating among entertainment followers for several days before the couple confirmed that they had officially married and committed to living together as husband and wife.

Bwiza and Uhujimfura took the step after working closely together for five years. Their professional relationship began in 2021, when Bwiza entered the music industry. 

Their marriage comes two months after the pair travelled to Europe in August 2026 to celebrate Bwiza’s birthday. Reports indicate that they made the decision to spend their lives together during that trip. 

The couple has also reportedly agreed on dates for other wedding celebrations, although they have not yet announced them publicly.

The marriage comes as Bwiza prepares for a concert in Lusaka, Zambia, scheduled for November 28, 2026, where she is expected to perform alongside Bruce Melodie.

Bwiza is among Rwanda’s female artists who have established themselves in the country’s music scene within a few years of pursuing music professionally. 

She rose to prominence in 2021 after winning The Next Diva – Indi Mbuto, a competition organised by KIKAC Music. The victory gave her an opportunity to sign a professional music contract and launch her career.

She later released an EP titled Connect Me and went on to put out several popular songs, including Ahazaza, Warubizi and Wibeshya.

Throughout her career, Bwiza has participated in major music events and performances, including the Trace Awards. She has also released albums such as My Dream and 25 Shades, which she unveiled in Belgium.

She is currently preparing to release her third album, Home, which she plans to launch at a concert in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 28, 2026.

As the portfolio’s super aggregator in Rwanda, AGRA coordinates partners to share experiences and translate lessons into practical improvements.

“Our responsibility as super aggregator will be to ensure that today’s learning doesn’t remain in the meeting room. We will connect the portfolio, share what works, maintain visibility on the actual challenges, and make sure people with disabilities are engaged in various programmes,” he said.

Atsuko Toda, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship Development, Pan-African Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, said inclusion must go beyond attendance.

“The Foundation’s commitment will not be achieved through attendance alone. It’s equitable access to information, skills development, finance, markets, services and employment opportunities,” Toda said.

She urged organisations to involve young people with disabilities throughout programme design, implementation and monitoring.

“Our programmes must be designed with young people with disabilities, not for them. Their perspectives should inform the assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and decision-making processes,” she said.

Young people call for accessible opportunities

During a panel discussion, Noheri Jean Marie Vianney, CEO of Start Small, highlighted opportunities across agricultural value chains.

“There are many opportunities in the agri-food sector for people with disabilities. All that is needed is to recognise their capabilities and empower them to do what they are able to do. The value chains are many, and everyone, including people with disabilities, can find where they fit,” Vianney said.

Bertine Iradukunda, a Junior Business Coach at the Business Professionals Network (BPN), called for accessible transport, suitable accommodation and communication support during training.

“I ask that barriers should be removed and the concerns of young people with disabilities addressed so they can attend capacity-building sessions and training. Will sign-language interpretation be available at the venue? Will I be able to read the materials if I have a visual impairment? These are the questions that need to be considered,” Iradukunda said.

Charles Birekeraho, urged organisations to increase disability representation among participants and staff.

“If I were the CEO of an organisation supported by the Mastercard Foundation, I would first be proud to have an inclusive programme where people with disabilities are among the participants, but I would increase their numbers. If they are 5%, I would make it 10%. I would also ensure that people with disabilities are represented among the staff so that their concerns are better understood,” Birekeraho said.

From commitments to measurable action

The Mastercard Foundation’s Agri-Food Systems Portfolio aims to enable 300,000 young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, including 70% young women, 5% young people with disabilities and 5% refugees and displaced youth.

The Foundation urged partners to budget for reasonable accommodations, improve accessibility, strengthen confidential safeguarding and complaints mechanisms, and work with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities. It also called for clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable results.

The Foundation’s closing message emphasised: “Our commitment is not simply to open the door. It is to remove the barriers that prevent young people with disabilities from entering, participating, leading and succeeding safely. Let today’s learning become funded, measurable action across every programme in this portfolio.”

AGRA will continue coordinating partners, sharing effective practices and tracking progress towards a more inclusive agri-food sector.

Iranian state television, citing a statement from the country’s Revolutionary Guard Navy, reported that four vessels caught fire while transferring oil, while three others were reportedly damaged and immobilized heafter striking naval mines. The report did not provide details about possible casualties or the vessels’ nationalities. The claims have not been independently verified in full.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for transporting crude oil. Located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, it serves as a major passage for energy shipments from Middle Eastern oil-producing countries to international markets.

Any disruption to shipping through the strait could affect oil supplies, fuel prices and international trade. Countries that rely heavily on imported energy may face increased costs if higher oil prices persist, potentially putting additional pressure on transportation, manufacturing and other economic activities.

The reported tanker damage comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where security threats to shipping routes and energy infrastructure have increased concerns about the stability of global energy markets.

Investigations and further verification are needed to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the reported damage to the seven vessels, determine the extent of the disruption and assess its potential impact on international oil supplies.

The meeting is being held under the theme “One Market, Onefuture,” which focuses on strengthening industrialisation, attracting investment and ensuring that member states benefit more equitably from the regional market.

Participants are expected to explore ways to increase investment, particularly in adding value to agricultural produce, manufacturing and mining. 

The summit will also unveil COMESA’s programme of activities for 2026–2030 and review progress in implementing measures aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for member states within the regional market.

The meeting follows a series of related events held in Harare this week, including the COMESA Green Industry Connect on October 19, the COMESA Business Forum on October 20, and a meeting of foreign affairs ministers from member states on October 21. 

The events have brought together government officials, business leaders, investors and other development partners to discuss strategies for accelerating industrialisation, investment and trade across the region. 

COMESA comprises 21 member states spanning different parts of Africa, including the southern, northern, eastern and central regions.

President Kagame said he had raised the young man professionally and paid for his education up to postgraduate level. However, he had sometimes noticed habits he considered harmful and tried to advise him against them. 

“Despite how we lived together, I noticed certain things about him and tried to tell him, ‘These habits will ruin you, yet you lack nothing. I can provide whatever you need, so there is no reason for you to ruin yourself,’” President Kagame said. 

When the young man grew older and decided to get married, he approached President Kagame seeking financial assistance, saying he was struggling to raise money for the wedding.

President Kagame said the man handed him a paper listing the expenses he wanted covered, with the total coming to nearly Rwf10 million. 

“I looked at it and asked him, ‘If I gave you this money, would all these problems be solved?’ He said, ‘Absolutely,’” the President recalled.

Kagame said he later learned that the young man had approached several people, including businesspeople, for financial support and intended to hold the wedding at a luxurious hotel. 

The President told him he would help organise a successful wedding but questioned why he should spend heavily on a hotel he did not own.

Instead, Kagame offered him a beautiful garden at Village Urugwiro, promising to arrange an elegant tent and have security officials allow invited guests to attend. He also helped the groom and members of his wedding party obtain outfits, which they travelled abroad to purchase.

The young man estimated that about 600 people would attend the wedding. President Kagame said he warned him that some guests might drink so much that they would eventually forget whose wedding they had attended. 

He also decided that alcohol would not be served at the venue. Instead, guests would be offered a variety of juices, coffee, tea and soft drinks. 

Kagame said he promised to give the young man the Rwf10 million he had requested, but only after the wedding.

“I told him I wanted him to use that Rwf10 million after the wedding to find something that would help build his household, rather than have people drink it away until nothing was left. That is what I did,” he said.

President Kagame said he asked the man what he felt he had lost by not spending the Rwf10 million on the celebration. The man replied that he had lost nothing. 

The President urged people to make decisions that contribute to their long-term wellbeing rather than those that undermine it. He also encouraged Rwandans to advise one another when they see behaviour that could be harmful. 

“A person is the one who builds themselves, starting with themselves, or the one who destroys themselves. Family and country are also important, especially when people guide one another and say, ‘Stop that.’ Do not simply accept everything. At some point, tell someone, ‘Stop,’” President Kagame said.

Following public outcry, the Rwanda National Police announced that the two officers had been arrested and that the woman had been cleared. The force also said officers had been instructed and warned against similar incidents. 

Speaking on October 21, 2026, during an interaction with thousands of young people at BK Arena, Kagame said he had contacted Inspector General of Police CG Felix Namuhoranye after seeing the controversy surrounding the woman’s arrest.

Kagame said Namuhoranye told him that the officers had misunderstood the instructions. He asked to see the woman’s photograph and concluded that she had been treated unfairly.

“I asked him: ‘What offence did this woman commit? Looking at her, I see nothing that should be considered inappropriate for public display. What is your problem?’” President Kagame said.

The President said the incident appeared to have involved an officer who may have been exhausted, calling on the public to make allowances for police officers who sometimes work long hours under difficult conditions. 

“Sometimes, understand them and forgive them. They start work early and get tired. They spend their days dealing with many challenges, as you know. Sometimes they reach a point of exhaustion and end up making a mistake,” he said. 

President Kagame said societies establish their own boundaries and expectations about acceptable behaviour, including how people should dress in different settings.

He used the example of people at the beach, where certain clothing may be considered normal but could attract surprise or disapproval if worn in other public settings.

“At the beach, where people feel comfortable, you may meet others and dress in a way that is acceptable there but different from what is expected elsewhere. If someone dressed as though they were going to the beach suddenly appeared here, would that be acceptable? People would turn around and ask what had happened to them,” he said.

He argued that debates about clothing often focus disproportionately on women, despite similar expectations applying to men.

“Most people direct these discussions only at women. It applies to men, too. Imagine a man walking in as though he had just come from the gym, with nothing on his upper body, and sitting among us. People would ask what had happened to him and whether he had forgotten where he was going,” President Kagame said.

The President said societies develop rules, laws and cultural norms that shape what people consider acceptable. When someone introduces practices that conflict with those expectations, tensions can arise between the individual and the wider community. 

He compared this process to the body rejecting a foreign object, explaining that a healthy society also tends to resist practices it considers incompatible with its established way of life. 

President Kagame said disagreements over cultural expectations should not turn into conflict. Instead, people should discuss their differences and reach a shared understanding of what should be accepted.

He urged young people to understand how their society functions and to speak out when they believe certain practices being introduced into the culture are harmful.

The President added that every culture has its own values and taboos, and that discussions about what should or should not be accepted should lead to consensus rather than confrontation.

Ingabire said technological advances were transforming the world and creating new jobs, challenging young people to prepare themselves to take advantage of the emerging opportunities. 

“The world is changing because of technology, and technology is creating jobs. What are we doing to prepare ourselves to be able to take up those jobs?” she asked. 

Citing a report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the minister said one in four young people aged between 16 and 30 was unemployed, highlighting the importance of acquiring skills and continually improving their qualifications. 

She stressed that integrity, a strong work ethic and good conduct were essential values for young people seeking to build successful careers, adding that these qualities should be reflected in all aspects of their lives, including their online activities. 

“The jobs we are talking about may be offered next year, in three years or in 10 years. When an employer goes looking for someone to hire, they will also look at how you behave on social media. That is part of the information shaping your identity,” Ingabire said. 

She added that employers would look beyond applicants’ CVs to examine their online presence and interests.

“It is good to have a CV, but an employer will also want to know: ‘What is this person I keep seeing on social media involved in? What are they working on?’” she said. 

Ingabire urged young people to think critically about what they see and share on social media and to avoid blindly following trends or peer pressure.

Minisitiri Ingabire Paula, yasobanuye ko ikoranabuhanga riri guhindura isi, kandi riri gutanga amahirwe y’akazi, asaba urubyiruko kwitegura gufatirana ayo mahirwe. 

Yabajije urubyiruko ati, “Isi iri guhinduka kubera ikoranabuhanga, kandi ikoranabuhanga riri kugira uruhare mu guhanga imirimo. Ese twe turi gukora iki mu kwitegura gukora iyo mirimo?”

Ashingiye kuri Raporo y’Ikigo cy’Igihugu cy’Ibarurishamibare (NISR), Minisitiri Paula, yibukije urubyiruko ko umuntu umwe muri bane uri hagati y’imyaka 16 na 30 y’amavuko ari umushomeri, akangurira urubyiruko guhora rwihugura kandi rwunguka ubumenyi bushya. 

Minisitiri Paula, yashimangiye ko kuba umunyamwuga, gukora cyane no kugira imico myiza ari ingirakamaro cyane mu kubaka ejo heza h’urubyiruko, yongeraho ko ibyo byose bigomba kubaranga mu byo bakora mu buzima bwabo bwa buri munsi harimo n’imbuga nkoranyambaga. 

Yagize ati, “Imirimo turi kuvugaho, ishobora kuboneka mu mwaka utaha, mu myaka itatu cyangwa mu myaka icumi iri imbere. Iyo umukoresha agiye gushaka uwo yaha akazi, ashobora no kureba uko witwara ku mbuga nkoranyambaga. Icyo ni kimwe mu bishobora kukugaragaza.”

Minisitiri Paula, yabwiye urubyiruko ko uretse imyirondoro y’abasaba akazi, abakoresha bashobora no kubasuzumira ku myitwarire yabo yo ku mbuga nkoranyambaga, kugira ngo bamenye ibibashishikaza.

Yagize ati, “Ni byiza kugira umwirondoro, ariko hari ibindi umukoresha aba ashaka kumenya. Ashobora kwibaza ati, ‘Ese uyu muntu mpora mbona ku mbuga nkoranyambaga, azijyaho kubera iki? Ese azikoreraho iki?’”

Minisitiri Paula Ingabire, yasabye urubyiruko gutekereza cyane ku byo babona bakanabisangiza abandi ku mbuga nkoranyambaga, bakirinda gukurikira buhumyi ibikwirakwizwa kuri izo mbuga, ariko cyane cyane bakirinda ibigare.

Ngabirano introduced the students to international human rights law, including relevant United Nations treaties and African Union instruments on human and peoples’ rights. 

“All legal professions share the responsibility of understanding and implementing domestic laws as well as international human rights instruments,” he said.

He explained that human rights cannot be effectively protected at the national level without independent justice institutions, including courts, prosecution services and the legal profession, that are knowledgeable about human rights. 

Ngabirano said courts have a primary responsibility to interpret and apply the law, adding that judges must understand the fundamental rights guaranteed under international law to make well-reasoned decisions and deliver fair justice. 

He cited the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees everyone the right to liberty and security of person. 

“No one should be arbitrarily arrested or deprived of their liberty in disregard of the law,” he said. 

Ngabirano noted that arbitrary arrests and detention remain a major global concern despite protections provided under Article 9(1) of the ICCPR, Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 24 of Rwanda’s Constitution, which safeguard the right to liberty and prohibit unlawful arrest and detention. 

He emphasised that imprisonment should be used as a last resort, after other available measures have been considered. 

Under the ICCPR, anyone who is arrested must be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest and the charges against them, he said. 

Ngabirano also urged lawyers to remind their clients of their right not to incriminate themselves and to be treated with dignity from the moment of arrest. He encouraged them to seek timely judicial intervention whenever investigators or prosecutors violate the rights of suspects. 

He called on prosecutors to bring charges only when they have sufficient evidence obtained lawfully. They should also respect legally prescribed limits on pretrial detention and promptly share any exculpatory evidence with defence lawyers. 

Courts, he added, have a duty to review whether every detention complies with the law, issue reasoned decisions and avoid relying on evidence obtained in violation of a suspect’s rights. 

Twahirwa Uwanjye Benitha, an ILPD student, told reporters that the training had helped students understand international human rights standards and how they could apply them in their future legal careers.

“We were taught that the rights of a person accused of a crime must not be violated before they are convicted. Even if someone is found guilty, their rights must still be respected, including while they are in prison,” she said. 

ILPD Deputy Director in charge of academics, Dr Yves Sezirahiga, said the institution’s students include newcomers, those continuing their studies and those nearing graduation. He said all needed to understand what the law provides for individuals and how their rights must be respected.

“Whether they become judges, prosecutors or lawyers, they must understand the law and human rights. That is why we took the time to explain and teach them about human rights so that they can put these principles into practice,” Sezirahiga said.

ILPD admits students from Rwanda and other African countries. Its international students include nationals of The Gambia, Cameroon, South Sudan, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Amoth said the number of confirmed Ebola cases had increased from seven to eight after another patient tested positive for the disease.

“Today, we also received another consignment of medical supplies, with a plane carrying medicines arriving from Rwanda,” he said. 

According to Amoth, health authorities tested 38 people on Sunday, with one testing positive for Ebola. The newly confirmed case involves a 49-year-old male doctor who had developed symptoms including fever, headache and muscle pain. 

The doctor has been isolated and is receiving medical care, Amoth said.

He added that all patients diagnosed with Ebola were receiving the best possible care, noting that some had begun to recover and were experiencing a reduction in the severity of their symptoms. 

Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on October 6, 2026, after the outbreak emerged earlier that month. 

According to the information provided by Kenyan health authorities, a significant proportion of those infected are healthcare workers and members of the families of previously confirmed patients. 

The latest case has added to concerns about transmission among people involved in providing medical care and those in close contact with infected individuals. 

Rwanda’s delivery of medical supplies comes amid longstanding cooperation between the two countries in areas including diplomacy, trade, security and regional development.

Both countries are also members of the East African Community (EAC), through which regional governments cooperate on shared challenges, including public health emergencies.

Rwanda’s assistance is intended to support Kenya’s ongoing efforts to care for patients and respond to the Ebola outbreak as authorities continue testing and monitoring suspected cases.

Rwanda is followed by Guinea, with projected growth of 7.2%, while Sudan, Niger and Benin are each expected to record growth of 7%. 

Rwanda’s projected growth is significantly higher than the average of 4.5% forecast for sub-Saharan Africa and the 3.1% expected for the global economy in 2026.

The forecast follows strong economic performance in 2025, when Rwanda’s economy grew by 9.4%. During the first half of 2026, the economy expanded by 9.7%, reflecting continued growth across several sectors. 

Figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) show that the economy grew by 9.4% in the second quarter of 2026. Industry expanded by 18%, services by 7% and agriculture by 4%.

Construction recorded growth of 24%, while mining and quarrying increased by 26%. Information and communication activities grew by 29% during the same period. 

Despite its strong growth rate, Rwanda remains a relatively small economy compared with many other African countries.

According to the IMF figures cited in the report, Rwanda ranks 32nd among Africa’s largest economies, with its gross domestic product (GDP) projected at $18.7 billion. 

South Africa ranks first, with an economy valued at $489.1 billion, followed by Egypt at $442.9 billion and Nigeria at $386.7 billion. 

Algeria ranks fourth, with a projected GDP of $331.9 billion, while Morocco occupies fifth place at $195.6 billion.

Among East African countries, Kenya ranks seventh in Africa, with a projected GDP of $151.2 billion. Tanzania ranks 12th at $96.2 billion, while Uganda is 13th, with an economy valued at $72.2 billion. 

The figures highlight Rwanda’s strong economic growth relative to many countries on the continent, even as the overall size of its economy remains considerably smaller than those of Africa’s largest economies.

Dr Nsanzimana said that before the crackdown began in early August, health facilities were receiving more than 100 patients every three days with complications linked to the consumption of substandard alcohol.

He said the cases had placed considerable pressure on hospitals and increased healthcare costs for illnesses that could have been prevented. 

“Preliminary figures from health facilities show that the number of people seeking treatment for the effects of consuming substandard alcoholic beverages has decreased by 80 per cent since measures were taken to eliminate these drinks,” he said.

The minister attributed the decline to government efforts to remove unsafe beverages from the market, saying their consumption had threatened public health and created wider social challenges.

Nsanzimana said the government’s decision followed a review of measures adopted by other countries to address the harmful effects of unsafe alcoholic drinks.

He also raised concerns about the use of ethanol in alcohol production, warning that excessive or improper use could compromise the safety of beverages. 

According to figures he presented, Rwanda imports about 20 million litres of ethanol annually, although the country requires no more than 500,000 litres.

He said some producers of substandard alcoholic drinks had been using the excess supply to manufacture beverages containing ethanol concentrations of between 96 and 100 per cent. They then added sweeteners to make the products more appealing to consumers, while the alcohol content in the resulting drinks could exceed 40 per cent.

The minister said 90 per cent of the ethanol and methanol entering Rwanda was being used to produce substandard alcoholic beverages, while the remaining 10 per cent was used for other purposes, including authorised industrial production and the manufacture of hand sanitisers.

He added that one litre of ethanol costing Rwf500 could be used to produce four bottles of alcoholic beverages, each sold for between Rwf1,000 and Rwf1,500.

Nsanzimana also warned that some producers continued manufacturing unsafe drinks despite having been instructed by authorities to stop.

He said 250 factories producing substandard alcoholic beverages had been suspended, while more than 200 others were awaiting licences when the measures to remove the drinks from the market were introduced. 

Some of the factories, he added, lacked equipment needed to distinguish ethanol from methanol, raising further concerns about the safety of their products. 

To illustrate the dangers associated with toxic alcohol, Nsanzimana referred to an incident in Bugesera District in which 19 people reportedly died after consuming a drink containing a high concentration of methanol. 

He also cited a wedding in Ngoma District where many guests were rushed to hospital, putting additional pressure on emergency medical services.

“This is not how our health system should operate. Imagine ambulances serving an entire province being redirected to a single wedding celebration. What would happen at the same time if a pregnant woman needed urgent medical attention?” he said.

The minister said the government had established quality standards that manufacturers must meet if they want to continue operating, urging businesses to focus on producing safe beverages that comply with the requirements.

Leonard Ndagijimana, spokesperson for the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO), said the forum wanted the Health Minister to provide political organisations with sufficient information so they could educate their members and the wider public about contaminated food, unsafe alcoholic beverages and drugs. 

He warned that consuming substandard drinks could cause serious health complications, including damage to bodily organs and mental health problems. 

“If this problem continues, in the next five years we could have people suffering from serious illnesses and unable to work or contribute to their families and society. Health facilities would also face a heavy burden because we would spend large amounts of money treating preventable diseases,” he said.

Ndagijimana stressed that public health and national development were closely connected, saying people who were not healthy could struggle to contribute to their country's progress.

He called on political organisations to encourage citizens to stop producing, selling, distributing or consuming unsafe alcoholic beverages and to avoid protecting those involved in the trade.

Theodomire Niyonsenga, a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), welcomed the government’s measures, saying they were necessary. He also referred to reports that more Rwandans had been engaging in productive work and that family conflicts had declined.

However, he said some people still did not understand why the government had removed substandard alcoholic beverages from the market and called for more public awareness campaigns.

Nsanzimana clarified that removing unsafe alcoholic beverages from the market did not mean traditional drinks were prohibited, although the government was not encouraging people to consume them.

According to a Vatican medical bulletin, the operation was successful, and the Pope woke up normally before returning to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor following a brief period of observation. 

The Vatican said doctors removed the entire lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung to ensure that the procedure was thorough. Further tests are being conducted to determine whether the cancer has spread, according to a Vatican source quoted by Agence France-Presse. 

The diagnosis followed earlier assurances that the lung growth had been detected at an early stage. Pope Leo announced on Sunday that doctors had found a nodule on his lung and recommended its removal. 

He described the growth as “contained” and said it had been identified “at a very early stage”.

The Vatican said the medical team confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma after examining the growth, as had been suspected during pre-operative tests. It also stressed that the Pope had shown no symptoms of infection or illness. 

News of the diagnosis has prompted concern among Catholics and other observers around the world, despite reassurances about the outcome of the surgery. 

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the announcement had come as a shock.

“Am I worried? Yes, because I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like this,” Parolin said, describing the news as a “bolt from the blue”. 

However, he said cardinals had been struck by the Pope’s calmness and remained confident about his recovery.

Outside Gemelli Hospital, some Catholics gathered to express their support and pray for the pontiff. 

One woman, Carla, told the BBC: “He seems calm, so we are calm too — even though illness is always unpleasant.”

Another woman, Elsa, said she had been taken aback by the news, explaining that she had expected the Pope to be younger and healthier when he was elected.

“It turns out he’s vulnerable too,” she said.

The Pope reportedly decided to undergo surgery as soon as possible because he is scheduled to travel to Latin America in early November. The trip is expected to include Peru, where he spent many years as a missionary and later served as a bishop.

Cardinal Kikuchi Tarcisio Isao of Tokyo said on social media that he had met the Pope on Monday and that the pontiff had felt physically well. 

The Pope’s schedule has been cleared until 20 October to allow him time to recover from the operation. 

Before his admission to hospital, Leo announced the planned surgery during his traditional Sunday Angelus blessing from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square.

Crowds gathered outside Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday to greet him as he arrived. The Pope waved and smiled at people waiting behind barriers, some of whom had been waiting for several hours.

The Vatican has not yet provided a definitive update on whether the cancer has spread or how the diagnosis will affect the Pope’s planned international travel.

The agreement was announced in Kigali on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at a ceremony attended by President Paul Kagame, Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, and International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. 

Rwanda’s selection marks a significant milestone for Formula 1, which last held a race on the African continent in South Africa in 1993. The new event will restore Africa’s place on the championship calendar after more than three decades.

Speaking at the announcement, President Kagame said Rwanda had been working hard to prepare to host the race and welcomed the opportunity to help shape the future of motorsport in Africa. 

“Rwanda has been working very hard towards hosting the African Grand Prix,” Kagame said, describing the agreement as a milestone for the continent. 

He added that the partnership would extend beyond a single racing event, with the circuit expected to generate employment, develop skills, attract tourists and stimulate business opportunities for Rwanda and the wider region.

Domenicali described the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter in Formula 1’s history, noting that Africa had long been missing from the championship’s global footprint.

He said Formula 1 had wanted to return to the continent for years but was determined to do so with the right partner and a long-term vision. Rwanda, he said, would help the sport reach new audiences and create lasting economic and social benefits.

The first race will take place once a new circuit meeting FIA Grade 1 standards has been completed in Bugesera, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali and next to the new international airport under construction. The Grade 1 certification is required for a circuit to host Formula 1 races. 

The circuit will be designed to follow the area’s natural landscape, using its varying elevations to create a challenging track for drivers while providing spectators with clear views of the racing action.

Beyond Formula 1, the venue is intended to host other international motorsport competitions, major events, conferences and entertainment activities throughout the year. The project forms part of a broader development programme led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), focused on sports, tourism, infrastructure and business.

The agreement follows several years of discussions and preparations. President Kagame formally announced Rwanda’s bid to host Formula 1 in December 2024, when the country hosted FIA meetings in Kigali. Rwanda had been competing with other African destinations, including South Africa, for the opportunity to bring the championship back to the continent. 

Rwanda has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for major international sporting events. It has hosted competitions and gatherings including the UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League and the 2023 FIFA Congress, as well as the 2024 FIA General Assemblies and FIA Awards Ceremony

The African Grand Prix is expected to strengthen the country’s efforts to attract international visitors and investment while creating opportunities for local businesses and young people interested in motorsport-related careers.

However, the exact date of the inaugural race, the circuit’s construction milestones and the schedule of activities for race weekends have not yet been announced. Formula 1 and the FIA say further details will be released in due course.

An initial group of 100 people in the district has started taking the assessments. 

RTB Director General Eng. Paul Umukunzi told the media that the programme targets people who have acquired practical skills in different trades but lack formal qualifications. 

He said certification would help professionals gain recognition, improve their employment prospects and access opportunities in international labour markets. 

“For those working in salons, certification will help them gain trust and enable them to seek employment elsewhere, including abroad. Those we find have not yet reached the required standard will be supported to access training,” Umukunzi said.

He added that the programme would initially target 1,200 salon workers before being expanded to reach practitioners across the country.

Uwimana Diane, a resident of Rwamagana District, said she had spent two years working in a salon, where she helps women style their hair. She said she learned the trade through practical experience at a salon after completing secondary school. 

“I have been working without a certificate, yet this is a profession I do not intend to leave. Some people wanted to offer me jobs in better salons, but they found that I did not have the required qualifications. If I obtain a certificate, it will also help me find work outside Rwanda and improve my livelihood,” she said.

Nshimiyimana Nazar, a barber who has worked in the profession for five years, said he learned the trade from fellow barbers. He welcomed the government’s initiative, saying the lack of formal qualifications had contributed to disorder in the sector. 

“Our profession had become disorganised because someone could come in without knowing how to cut hair and claim to have come from another district. You would give them a clipper, and they would learn how to use it on a customer. We thank the government because this practice is expected to end, and the disorder will be reduced,” he said. 

Rushigajiki Haruna, head of the Rwanda Hairdressers, Nail Technicians and Beauty Professionals Union, said the assessments would help establish professional standards and give workers documents proving their competence.

He said the lack of certification made it difficult for employers to determine whether a person had the skills required to work professionally. 

“Barbers do not have certificates to prove that they know how to cut hair professionally. This creates a challenge for someone who wants to employ them because they cannot be sure whether the person is qualified. Once they receive certificates, they will be recognised professionals wherever they go in the world,” Rushigajiki said.

He added that the union hoped to complete the training and certification of salon workers across Rwanda within three years. He said the union also intended to introduce measures against employers who hire practitioners without the required professional certification.

More than 30,000 people working in hairdressing, nail care and beauty services are expected to undergo the assessments. Those who meet the required standards will receive certificates issued by RTB.

Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde told Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Monday, October 12, that provincial authorities had received the President’s message of comfort and encouragement.

“We have received a message of comfort and strength from His Excellency the President of the Republic. We thank the President for consoling the people of the Northern Province,” Mugabowagahunde said.

He added that President Paul Kagame had urged residents not to lose hope, reminding them that GOICO Plaza had been built through cooperation and collective effort. 

“In that message, he asked us not to be discouraged and to remember that GOICO was achieved through cooperation and collaboration, and that even more can be achieved,” the governor said.

GOICO Plaza is the largest commercial building in the Northern Province. The fire started on the upper floor and spread through much of the building, while goods on the ground floor reportedly sustained less damage than those in other sections.

Firefighters from the Rwanda National Police, members of the Rwanda Defence Force and local residents worked together to contain the blaze. The fire was brought under control on Sunday afternoon. 

No deaths were reported. Two people sustained minor injuries, while 15 others experienced psychological distress following the incident. Officials said most of those affected had been discharged from hospital.

Mugabowagahunde said preliminary estimates put the value of goods destroyed at approximately Rwf30 billion, while the building itself was valued at around Rwf17 billion. The figures remain subject to further assessment.

The governor said local authorities would assess the needs of each affected trader to determine what assistance might be required, taking into account the size of their businesses and whether they had insurance.

“As local authorities, our responsibility is to listen to the traders, conduct an assessment and understand what each trader needs, whether they had substantial capital or a smaller investment, and whether their businesses were insured or uninsured,” he said.

The government has pledged support for the rehabilitation of GOICO Plaza to enable traders to resume their businesses. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the fire, which has not yet been officially established.

In the statement, RCS informed families and relatives of inmates held at the facility that the closure took effect on the same day and that all inmates had been transferred elsewhere.

“The management of the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) informs those who have relatives at Bugesera Correctional Facility that the facility has been closed effective today, and that the inmates who were held there have been transferred to other correctional facilities,” the statement reads. 

RCS did not provide further details in the announcement about the reasons for the closure, the number of inmates transferred or the specific facilities to which they were relocated.

Located across Rukozo and Cyungo sectors, the wetland is cultivated by 1,302 farmers organised under the KOYAKIRU Cooperative. It covers 97.27 hectares and is one of Rulindo District’s key agricultural production areas.

During the 2027A season, farmers planted maize on 85.77 hectares, Irish potatoes on 10 hectares and vegetables on 1.5 hectares. At the time of the national season launch, only 0.3 hectares of land earmarked for maize cultivation remained unplanted. 

The wetland was developed in 2008 under the Second Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP II), an initiative designed to increase agricultural productivity in wetlands and hillside farming areas.

Irakarama Gonzague, a farmer from Rukozo Sector, said agricultural production had improved significantly since the wetland was developed. 

Before the project, farmers cultivated different crops on scattered plots, including taro, cassava and sugarcane. The wetland’s development enabled them to consolidate their land and adopt more organised farming practices, including growing a single crop across larger areas. 

As a result, maize yields have increased from 2.5 tonnes per hectare to 6.5 tonnes, while bean production has risen from 1.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes per hectare. Farmers have also gained access to crop insurance.

Despite these improvements, inadequate water supply remains a major challenge, particularly during dry periods. Some of the irrigation infrastructure installed under RSSP II has deteriorated, preventing the available water from reaching all cultivated plots. 

Farmers also face soil erosion from surrounding hillsides, which damages crops during periods of heavy rainfall. 

Dr. Nsengiyumva urged farmers to take greater responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure provided to them, rather than allowing it to deteriorate. He encouraged them to work with Rulindo District authorities to set aside a small portion of their agricultural earnings for repairs and maintenance, while assuring them that the government would support the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems.

“As a cooperative, you should consider setting aside a small amount of the income you earn from farming to maintain the water reservoirs. You can also contribute through community work. As for the irrigation systems, we will repair them. The Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) is here, and they will follow up on the matter,” he said. 

The Prime Minister added that farmers would be expected to ensure the infrastructure remained functional after the repairs were completed. 

“What we want is that when we return next year, you should not tell us that the systems have broken down again. We ask you to work with us to make sure they are properly maintained,” he said. 

Beyond agricultural production, Dr. Nsengiyumva called on residents and local leaders to intensify efforts to combat child stunting, stressing that increased agricultural output should translate into better nutrition and healthier child development. 

He noted that stunting rates in Rulindo remained concerning, citing figures suggesting that three out of every 10 children in the district were affected. 

“If we examine 10 children in Rulindo, we may find that three are stunted, which is a significant number. A country that aspires to dignity cannot afford to have children suffering from stunting. A country with stunted children is a country whose people are not reaching their full potential. You should work to bring those figures down significantly over the coming years,” he said. 

Rulindo District Mayor Mukanyirigira Judit said local authorities had identified children affected by stunting and begun providing targeted nutrition education to their parents to help them change their feeding practices and prepare balanced meals. 

Children with more severe cases are referred to health centres, where they receive specialised assistance. 

The Prime Minister also urged residents and local authorities to prepare for heavy rainfall expected during the agricultural season, both by adopting appropriate farming practices and by ensuring their homes and settlements were safe. 

He emphasised the importance of taking preventive measures to minimise the potential damage caused by heavy rains. 

The visit to Nyarububa Wetland highlighted the importance of maintaining agricultural infrastructure, improving productivity and ensuring that increased farm output contributes to better household nutrition and living conditions.

The concerns were raised on October 6, 2026, during community meetings held as part of a month dedicated to strengthening citizens’ participation in planning. The meetings also provided an opportunity for residents to submit priorities for inclusion in local development plans. 

Residents cited several challenges, including prolonged water shortages, limited access to electricity and restrictions on construction.

Dusabimana Marie, a resident of Ubwiza Village in Kabare Cell, said the suspension had placed a financial burden on people who had planned to build homes or renovate existing properties. 

“This is the second year we have not been allowed to build or renovate our houses, and it is seriously affecting us financially. Some people had plots in this sector that they normally rented out, and others took loans to build, only to find that construction had been halted. This is a serious problem, and we want a decision to be made,” she said.

Madandari Antoine, who lives in Agatare Village in Karitutu Cell, said the restrictions had left residents unable to repair even houses that were close to collapsing. 

“If you have a house that is about to collapse, you are not allowed to renovate it. Someone might also want to sell a small portion of their land to improve their livelihood, but they cannot find a buyer because construction is prohibited across the area. If you try to build, the structures are demolished. We ask the authorities to help us because two years is a long time,” he said.

Munyemana Gervais, a resident of Kidogo Village in Nyarusange Cell, said plots had been demarcated and roads laid out in his area, but the site development work had not been completed.

He said residents had also been prevented from continuing to farm the land because it had been designated for residential development. He called for the site preparation work to be expedited so that people who qualify to build can proceed with their plans.

Rwamagana District Mayor Mbonyumuvunyi Radjab said that the authorities were aware of the problem and attributed the delay largely to the slow pace of work by a contractor selected by residents to prepare the sites.

“Site committees are responsible for finding the contractors they work with. The one they selected was moving very slowly, but last week he completed the work, and we have sent the plans to the Ministry of Environment for approval,” he said. 

The mayor said the plans had finally been completed after two years of waiting and that the district hoped to receive a response from the ministry soon.

He said the plans cover sites in Nyarusange, Karitutu and Nsinda.

According to Mbonyumuvunyi, once the Ministry of Environment approves the plans, they will be submitted to the district council for further approval. Residents will be allowed to resume construction after that process is completed.

Growing up under South Africa’s apartheid system, Pillay developed a strong passion for education and the legal profession. She went on to become the first woman of Indian descent in South Africa to achieve this milestone.

During apartheid, Pillay supported activists who strongly opposed the system, including Nelson Mandela. She also condemned the treatment of people held in South African prisons, which she considered to be characterized by severe abuse and human rights violations. 

After the end of apartheid, Navanethem “Navi” Pillay became a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which was based in Arusha, Tanzania. She served from May 1995 until 24 May 2003. 

She spent half of her time at the Tribunal as its President, leading it from 1999 until she completed her term in 2003.

One of her most notable contributions during her time at the ICTR was helping establish that rape could constitute an act of genocide, particularly in the trial of Jean-Paul Akayesu.

Between 2008 and 2014, Pillay served as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC). During the same period, she also served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

More recently, Pillay led a United Nations commission that investigated human rights violations during the war between Israel and Hamas. The Commission later released a report accusing Israel of committing Genocide in Gaza. The commission’s report was strongly rejected by Israel, which described it as scandalous. 

In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, other Nobel Prize winners in various categories, including medicine, physics, chemistry and literature, have been announced this week. The announcement of this year’s Nobel laureates will conclude next Monday with the announcement of the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.

In the Medicine category, the prize went to American scientist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries that provide new insights into how we might treat blindness, depression, addiction and dementia.

In the Physics category, the prize went to Belgian scientist Francis Halzen for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and discovery of high-energy neutrinos, described as "ghostly messengers from space."

In the Chemistry category, the winners were French scientist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai, for their groundbreaking discoveries related to the origin of chirality and life's building blocks.

In the Literature category, the prize went to Canadian writer Anne Carson for her "bold and inventive oeuvre" that combines the classical with the modern.

The Nobel Prizes in all categories are valued at approximately US$1.2 million each, equivalent to about 1,763,484,000 Rwandan francs. The awards are scheduled to be presented on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor who established the prizes. The ceremonies will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, except for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which will be held in Oslo, Norway.

Harrison’s departure comes less than two months after he joined Kiyovu Sports, having been appointed to help rebuild the team and restore its competitiveness in the new season.

The Englishman arrived in Rwanda in August and took charge after the departure of Francis Haringingo, who left Kiyovu to coach rivals Rayon Sports. 

His short tenure began positively when Kiyovu won the 2026 FERWAFA Super Cup, defeating Police FC 1-0 in the final on August 30. 

However, the team struggled to maintain that form in the league.

Kiyovu opened its campaign with defeats against Gorilla FC and Musanze FC before securing its first league victory by beating Bugesera FC 1-0 on September 15. 

The three points left Kiyovu with three points from three matches.

Reports have also linked Harrison’s departure to financial difficulties that have affected the club in recent weeks. The coach was reportedly pressing the club's management to address financial issues affecting both him and the players, amid concerns that the situation was making it difficult for the team to perform effectively. 

The club, however, has not publicly confirmed financial problems as the reason for the separation. 

Harrison leaves Kiyovu after a brief spell in which he won one major trophy but managed only one league victory.

Kiyovu are now expected to begin the search for a new head coach as they prepare for their next league fixture against Marine FC at Stade Umuganda.

On August 15, 1992, Mfizi wrote to then President Juvénal Habyarimana to announce his resignation from the MRND. In the letter, he strongly criticised the party's political direction and rejected the use of ethnic and regional divisions in governing Rwanda.

“Mr. President, I am pleased to inform you that I am leaving the MRND party. In short, the affairs of the MRND are a mess. I am going in search of a clear sky. Now that thunder is striking from every direction across Rwanda so that the country can renew itself and put on a garment without patches, do you think it will accept a government of division? Setting ethnic groups and regions against each other because it once served a purpose is no longer something on which Rwanda's governance can be based. It will not accept those who take it backwards by cultivating division. I cannot see how I can support such things. Recently, I have heard, at least twice, some MRND leaders cheering for killers and looters, encouraging them to go even further in deliberately violating the law. The party has imposed no punishment on those leaders. I have therefore decided to say goodbye to you, Mr. President, and leave this dark cloud hanging over the MRND. Goodbye. I would rather put the country before you; if I have fallen into servitude, let it be condemned,” the letter reads. 

But who exactly was Christophe Mfizi?

What gave him the courage to speak out against policies that were taking Rwanda in the wrong direction?

The answers are contained in an exclusive interview he gave to KP Media.

Christophe Mfizi was born in 1944 in Rusororo Cell, Muhororo Sector, in Ngororero District, in Rwanda’s Western Province. 

He attended primary school in the Kibirira area, formerly known as Musekera, which was located approximately six kilometres from where his family lived. He completed his final year of primary school in his home area.

In 1957, Christophe Mfizi continued his secondary education at Christ the King School in Nyanza District, in Rwanda’s Southern Province. There, he studied philosophy based on languages related to Latin. 

In 1965, Mfizi continued his university studies in Belgium. He studied linguistics at the Catholic University of Louvain, where he obtained his university degree in 1970. 

Before joining Rwanda’s national information organization, formerly known as Orinfor, in 1976, Mfizi taught linguistics and history at the National University of Rwanda in 1973. 

A year later, in 1974, President Juvénal Habyarimana appointed him head of the teacher-training institution that prepared teachers for secondary schools, formerly known as the Institut Pédagogique National (IPN). He succeeded the late Cyprien Rugamba. 

Between 1975 and 1985, Christophe Mfizi says that Orinfor’s main responsibility was to serve as a bridge between the government of the time and the population. 

“What we were responsible for at Orinfor was connecting the leaders with the people they governed. That was the objective. In everything we did, that had to be in your mind,” he said. 

He explained how Orinfor carried out that responsibility:

“In reality, connecting the leaders and the governed meant bringing the ideas of the leaders of that time to the people. The messages would come down from the President, then to the ministers, then to the prefectural authorities, and finally to the commune authorities, essentially with each level repeating things.” 

Mfizi explained that during that period there was something resembling manipulation of information. From the lowest levels of government to the highest levels of the state, it was made to appear that the President’s ideas had been clearly understood by the population and communicated exactly as they had been expressed, yet in reality there was sometimes distortion. 

However, Mfizi says that as professional journalists, they sometimes came into conflict with officials at different levels when they conducted investigations to establish how the President’s ideas and programs were actually being implemented. 

During those years, Orinfor also faced a shortage of professional journalists and limited equipment. 

Through cooperation with international partners, however, the organization helped Radio Rwanda adopt FM broadcasting, while the newspaper Imvaho was developed to a more professional journalistic standard. 

Recruiting some of the professional journalists who later became well known required Christophe Mfizi to make considerable personal sacrifices.

He travelled to different parts of the world, including the former Zaire, Cameroon, France and other countries. He did so without having a budget specifically allocated for such trips.

His objective was to attract Rwandans working abroad and others who had studied journalism outside the country so that they could return to Rwanda and work for Orinfor. 

Mfizi says that when he entered journalism, one of the major problems faced by journalists in Rwanda was the absence of a specific law governing the profession. 

He said: 

“Another thing that made things difficult for us was that we worked without a specific law. We had no law that made a journalist different from someone who sells tea, someone who mines stones, or someone working in other government institutions. In short, we had no single law governing us.” 

Beginning in 1976, Christophe Mfizi, together with experts from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, worked on a project to draft a law governing the media. 

However, he says that some provisions were not adopted, even though they could have helped Rwanda’s media develop in a positive direction. 

Those provisions concerned media independence and the ability to provide evidence of wrongdoing committed by anyone, including the President of Rwanda or a foreign visitor, without automatically being accused of defamation.

Mfizi recalled what one professor at the university told him after reviewing the proposed media law:

“I remember that I went to seek advice at the University of Louvain in the communications department, and they received me. At that time, there was an outstanding professor there who told me, ‘If this law is passed, especially this provision and that provision, call us immediately.’ I asked him, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘For two reasons. First, we will know that you are still alive. Second, we will know that Rwanda is an advanced country among all the countries of Africa.’” 

The history of Rwanda’s media shows that Rwanda Television, the first television station established in the country, began operating in 1992. 

This raises the question: why did Rwanda take so long to establish a national television station? 

Christophe Mfizi explained:

“Rwanda was not the only country that was late in establishing television. Television had not yet fully taken root even in Europe. It was very expensive, there were not enough people who had studied it, and until the 1990s, people were basically struggling to survive.”

Mfizi says that the project to establish television in Rwanda had already begun being studied before 1990, particularly through cooperation between Rwanda, several European countries and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). However, the project was postponed in 1990 when the war to liberate Rwanda began. 

During the war, Christophe Mfizi says that cooperation between Orinfor and the leadership of the Rwandan armed forces became increasingly difficult. 

The military leadership argued that the national army had been slow in responding to the war. At the same time, it was becoming apparent that the conflict could last for a long time.

Mfizi therefore opposed allowing announcements from the military leadership to be broadcast through Orinfor without verification. 

At one point, Colonel Laurent Serubuga, who was then commander of the Rwandan Army, asked him to remove journalist Louise Kayibanda from the radio. 

Mfizi recalled:

“There were difficulties, and eventually they even asked me to dismiss a journalist and remove her from the radio. She was a girl called Louise Kayibanda. The commander-in-chief of the army called me and said, ‘That Tutsi girl, do you think she is capable of speaking about the achievements of the Rwandan Army?’ He said, ‘She must go!’ I asked him, ‘What did she do?’ He said, ‘Ah! Don’t you understand?’ I said, ‘I don’t understand.’ He said, ‘You will understand!’”

These difficult relations eventually contributed to the end of Christophe Mfizi’s leadership at Orinfor. 

On December 20, 1990, Christophe Mfizi was informed by President Juvénal Habyarimana that he was no longer responsible for leading Orinfor. 

Mfizi explained what happened that day:

“The day he called me to tell me, it was the day we were supposed to discuss the media law I had told you about. I went there thinking that was why he had called me, so that I could give him explanations. When I arrived, Colonel Élie Sagatwa, who was President Habyarimana’s private secretary, told me, ‘Leave behind whatever you brought with you; it may not be necessary.’” 

Mfizi says that he was not surprised by his removal because he understood that the President had the authority to appoint him and also the authority to remove him whenever he wished. 

He said:

“It did not surprise me very much, because the thing that had always protected me was that I would say: I was appointed by the President of the Republic. He has the authority to appoint me, but he also has the authority to remove me whenever he wants. I worked knowing that I could leave the next day. That is how I always worked. I would leave my office with all my things organized, so that whoever replaced me would find everything in order.”

Mfizi says that President Habyarimana appeared to have difficulty telling him about the decision. 

He recalled:

“On December 20, 1990, he told me, ‘I have removed you from Orinfor.’ You could really see that it was difficult for him to tell me. Obviously, you could not ask the President why he had made such a decision, but I simply told him, ‘I asked you three times to leave Orinfor. The last time, you told me that you would decide when I would leave. Now you have decided that I should leave. Thank you.’”

Before leaving his position, however, Mfizi had asked the President for permission to explain the proposed media law to the Council of Ministers. The request was accepted.

After leaving Orinfor, Christophe Mfizi joined what was then the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Culture, known as MINESUPRES.

He was put in charge of the Department of Culture and Arts, where he worked for nearly two years. 

He later moved to Libreville, Gabon, where he worked for the international organization of French-speaking countries then known as the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique. 

There, he managed programs covering ten countries in Central Africa.

Although the Genocide against the Tutsi took place while Christophe Mfizi was outside Rwanda, he says that he could see signs of what was happening in the country.

This prompted him, in 1992, to document his concerns in a report called Réseau Zéro.

In the report, he criticized a system of governance that he said was centered around one person, Protais Zigiranyirazo, who was the brother of Agathe Kanziga, President Habyarimana’s wife.

Mfizi says that writing the report was not motivated by resentment over his removal from Orinfor. His objective was to see Rwanda governed through democracy. 

“The way I wanted the country to be was for it to be governed democratically. It should not be governed by people who govern from under the President’s arm,” he said. 

“Even in Réseau Zéro, I wrote that I was not angry about being removed from Orinfor, because the job I had at the Ministry was not bad. Besides, during that period I was heading the UNESCO Commission and also the Commission of the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique. I had opportunities to travel abroad. I had nothing to complain about,” he added. 

After writing the Réseau Zéro report, Christophe Mfizi left the MRND and later became a member of the MDR political party. 

The MDR subsequently obtained positions in the transitional government established after the Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped in 1994.

Among the positions held by the party were leadership of the Ministry of Education and several diplomatic posts, including Rwanda’s embassies in Canada, Germany, Switzerland and France.

This is how, in November 1994, Christophe Mfizi became Rwanda’s Ambassador to France.

Mfizi says that serving as ambassador was challenging, particularly because diplomatic work was new to him.

“What was difficult was that the MRND and the RPF did not agree well, so instructions did not always reach the ambassadors properly. People in Rwanda were not very accustomed to communicating with their ambassadors. France was also difficult. Yes, we had worked together before, but by then I was defending Rwanda while they were really opposing it,” Mfizi told KP Media. 

Looking back at the difficult historical periods Rwanda went through, Christophe Mfizi says that he was able to navigate them because of love. 

“One thing I would really tell young people is: learn how to remove hatred from your heart. Whatever happens, do not allow another person to make you hate. It is not about pretending to be a saint, but it is something a person can do if they want to. That is one of the things that helped me greatly! It prevents you from acting impulsively when you are angry with someone. It prevents you from simply attacking someone because they come from this or that ethnic group, this or that region, or because they are white. That is also what made me keep Louise Kayibanda on the microphone,” he advises.  

When speaking with people, Christophe Mfizi often refers to the Rwandan proverb:

“Inda ibyara mweru na muhima.”

The proverb refers to the idea that the same parent can give birth to children who are very different from one another. 

Mfizi frequently uses the proverb because his younger brother is Dr. Léon Mugesera, who became known for a speech delivered in Kabaya that contained discriminatory and inflammatory rhetoric. 

Mfizi explains that when he uses the proverb, he is not trying to draw attention to himself. Rather, he wants people to remember his elder brother, Thadée Ngirabatware, who demonstrated courage by hiding Tutsi people when they were being hunted. 

Mfizi questions why some people do not see him for who he is, or through the actions of his elder brother Ngirabatware, but instead judge him through the image of his younger brother Léon Mugesera.

Christophe Mfizi concluded by thanking Rwanda’s leadership for stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi and for continuing to work hard to ensure that Rwanda survives and develops. 

He also called on all Rwandans to listen to and implement the advice of their leaders, saying that the leadership is always seeking what is best for the country.

Throughout his career, Mfizi held numerous positions in education, journalism, government, international organizations and diplomacy.

In 2014, he also served on a committee that examined the content of a BBC documentary broadcast that year and widely disputed, Rwanda’s Untold Story.