It was officially closed by Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda.
This high-level gathering reaffirmed Rwanda’s steadfast commitment to promoting continental defence collaboration, dialogue, peacekeeping, security, and the exchange of military leadership expertise across Africa.
The symposium brought together Land Forces commanders, defence experts, and key stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
In his closing remarks, Minister Marizamunda expressed gratitude to the participants for their insightful contributions throughout the event.
He underscored the importance of partnerships, particularly in joint training and professional exchange, as essential to building a stable and prosperous future for Africa and the wider world.
“You have collectively examined the evolving nature of global and regional security, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening the capabilities, professionalism, and readiness of our respective Land Forces,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the discussions had served as a powerful reminder that “we operate in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment, marked by asymmetric conflicts, transnational threats, and crises that require decisive action.
“In such times, the vital role of Land Forces can not be overstated. They are the first responders in times of crisis, the stabilizing force during turmoil, and the foundation upon which peace is rebuilt.”
Following the official closing, Land Forces commanders visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay the respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Presiding over the ceremony, the UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, commended the Rwandan peacekeepers for their outstanding professionalism and dedication.
He noted that Rwanda is among the top five troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions globally.
Lt Gen Subramanian praised both Rwanbatt-3, and RAU-13 for their discipline, unwavering commitment, and significant contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in South Sudan.
Colonel Leodomir Uwizeyimana, Rwanbatt-3 Contingent Commander and Senior National Representative, expressed his gratitude to the UNMISS leadership for their ongoing support and recognition.
He reaffirmed the battalion’s commitment to upholding Rwanda’s esteemed reputation in international peacekeeping and to fulfilling the mission’s mandate to protect civilians and promote peace.
Col Uwizeyimana also highlighted the importance of cooperation with other contingents, local communities, and all stakeholders, acknowledging their role in the successful operations.
He reiterated the contingents’s dedication to fostering peace and preserving Rwanda’s proud legacy in peacekeeping efforts.
The ceremony was attended by senior UNMISS officials from various sectors and members of the Rwandan community residing in South Sudan.
The event featured a vibrant parade and a martial arts demonstration by Rwandan peacekeepers, showcasing their discipline and cultural heritage.
The competition was attended by high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including the State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Claudette Irere, and the Director General of the Rwanda Education Board, Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana.
Representatives from the Rwanda Defence Force, the Rwanda National Police, and delegations from 30 participating countries were also present.
This year’s Olympiad gathered nearly 400 students who showcased their remarkable mental arithmetic skills using the ABACUS method, a technique that blends speed, memory, and concentration in an extraordinary display of numerical mastery.
Among these bright minds, APACOPE stood out impressively, earning the coveted first place overall and securing the highest number of student awards among all participating schools.
The school’s star performers included Alsene Irakooze, who claimed victory in Level 3 for Watching and Listening, and Eddy Nkuranga, who triumphed in Level 3 Written Exams.
Gakumba Ishya Gaelle also took top honors in Level 4 Watching and Listening, while Shima Salom Junior and Kirenga Enzo Yanis brought home second-place finishes in the same category and in Level 4 Written Exams respectively.
This remarkable success builds upon APACOPE’s already stellar reputation. In a previous international competition held in Nigeria, one of its students won a gold medal in the ABACUS Mental Calculation category, an achievement that underscored the school’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence and innovative teaching methods.
Adding to its remarkable achievements, APACOPE traditional dance troupe entertained the audience with captivating Rwandan cultural performances, making the event even more vibrant and memorable.
These include a new iron and steel processing plant, a lithium and tantalum refinery, and expanded petroleum storage facilities.
These projects are highlighted in the annual economic performance report released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM).
{{Export targets and industrial growth}}
According to MINICOM, Rwanda aims to increase its total export value to $4.9 billion by 2026, up from $4.2 billion in 2024/25.
The main contributors to this target include exports from floriculture, edible oil manufacturing, construction materials, and mineral processing industries.
Among the new industrial ventures expected to drive growth is the A1 Iron & Steel plant, which will process iron ore and produce a range of steel products used in construction.
The factory will manufacture Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars, 5.5 Wire rods, Binding wire, Hot rolled strips, V angles, Flat bars, C channels, I-beams, and Round bars. It is located in the Musanze Industrial Park.
{{Ceramic, lithium and tantalum processing investments}}
Another significant project is the Rwanda Mountain Ceramics factory in Muhanga District, which will produce ceramic tiles using locally sourced clay.
The total investment is estimated at $60 million, with between 70 and 100 workers already employed during construction and about 200 permanent jobs expected once operations begin.
In the mining sector, the Golden Tree Mining plant, owned by the Dubai-based Golden Tree Investment Group, will process tantalum, lithium, and niobium.
Located in the Muhanga Industrial Zone, this facility will be one of the largest of its kind in East Africa and is expected to significantly increase the value of Rwanda’s mineral exports.
In 2024/25, Rwanda earned $1.6 billion from mineral exports, mainly from tin, tantalum, and gold. The new lithium and tantalum processing plant is expected to boost these earnings even further.
{{Cement, leather and industrial parks expansion}}
In 2025/26, CIMERWA, Rwanda’s leading cement manufacturer, will begin constructing a new clinker production plant in Musanze District.
This project is expected to save the country more than $4.5 million per month, which is currently spent importing clinker from neighboring countries.
Additionally, Rwanda plans to establish a leather industrial park in Bugesera District.
The idea stems from the need to process domestic hides and skins locally rather than exporting them for treatment abroad and reimporting them at higher prices.
These new plants will be supported by infrastructure development in Musanze, Muhanga, Bugesera, and Rwamagana industrial zones.
{{Industrial sector performance}}
The government has set an ambitious goal for industrial growth to reach 10% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, a significant increase from 3% recorded in 2024/25. Revenues from the manufacturing sector also rose to $3.4 billion, compared to $3.3 billion in the previous year.
Within this performance, the food processing industries contributed 24% of the total output, while beverages and tobacco accounted for 29%.
The machinery, metal, and equipment segment represent 8%, matching the contribution from textiles and leather industries, which also stand at 8%. Meanwhile, furniture and office equipment contributed around 7%, and mining and mineral processing maintained a steady share of 8%.
{{Expansion of petroleum storage capacity}}
In March, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, announced that Rwanda’s current petroleum storage capacity exceeds 110 million liters, but the government aims to increase this to 320 million liters within two years.
The 2025/26 plan includes building new petroleum depots, which will significantly enhance the country’s storage capacity.
Rwanda imports petroleum products mainly from Arab countries, routed through Tanzania and, to a lesser extent, Kenya.
Currently, investors operating petroleum depots earn Frw 8 per liter, but the government is considering raising this to between Frw 12 and Frw 14 per liter to make investment in storage expansion more profitable.
As of 2021, petroleum storage facilities included; OilCom depots in Jabana, SP depots in Rusororo, Government depots in Gatsata, Rwabuye, and Bigogwe, ERP depots in Kabuye, jet fuel storage facilities in Kanombe and Rusororo.
In 2024/25, Rwanda spent $637 million on petroleum imports, a slight increase from $636 million in 2023/24.
General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha, who once served as President Tshisekedi’s advisor on special military operations, General Franck Ntumba, former head of military operations at the President’s office, and Brig Gen Benjamin Katende Batubadila, the Commander of the Republican Guard in charge of Operations and Intelligence, were all arrested in July 2025.
The three senior officers are accused of organizing a coup attempt against the president. Although their arrests took place several months ago, their trial has not yet begun.
According to sources, security officials have since grown uneasy about other soldiers from the Republican Guard who worked closely with the detained generals.
Fearing possible internal threats, military leadership has ordered the transfer of many of these officers to army headquarters for reassignment.
It is expected that a number of these soldiers will be posted outside the capital, Kinshasa, to prevent any potential threats they may pose.
As of July 2025, more than 70 soldiers, including nearly 30 generals, had been arrested for alleged involvement in the plot against President Tshisekedi. None of them have yet appeared before a military court.
On Monday, the court directed Hisbah, the Islamic morality police, to ensure the couple, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, get married within 60 days.
The couple had posted videos showing themselves hugging and kissing, which is considered inappropriate in Kano’s conservative Muslim society.
“The court decided that since the two are in love and shared their romance on TikTok, they should get married,” said Baba-Jibo Ibrahim, a spokesperson for Kano State’s judiciary. “The marriage must happen within 60 days .”
Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, who has dwarfism, were popular on TikTok before the video raised concerns. Wushirya was arrested for sharing the video, which violated local moral guidelines.
“We have received the court order and are preparing for the wedding,” said Abba Sufi, the head of Hisbah. “The couple has agreed to get married, and we plan to carry out the wedding as soon as possible. We are also contacting Basira’s family, who live more than 300 kilometers away in Zamfara State, to seek their approval.”
Kano is known for its Islamic traditions and is home to Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry. In 2022, local authorities began more closely monitoring social media content, including platforms like TikTok.
Baba-Jibo Ibrahim said that the rise of social media has raised concerns among religious leaders. He explained that videos like the one shared by Wushirya and Guda are seen as conflicting with the moral values of society.
According to him, the court’s decision is meant to protect these traditional values.
The court’s ruling has sparked a debate over the role of social media in societies with conservative moral beliefs. Some see this as a restriction of personal freedom, while others view it as in line with the cultural and religious values of the area.
At 81 years, Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is now Africa’s fourth longest-serving leader.
The upcoming election will see Museveni face off against his main rival, 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
Bobi Wine, a former musician who rose to political prominence in 2017, has garnered significant support from Uganda’s youth, largely due to his advocacy for political change and social justice.
The singer-turned-politician has repeatedly claimed that the 2021 election, which Museveni won, was marred by election irregularities such as ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, bribery, and other forms of electoral manipulation.
On the other hand, officials from Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have dismissed these allegations, insisting that Museveni’s victory in 2021 was legitimate and reflected the genuine support of Ugandans across the country.
In addition to Museveni and Wine, six other candidates from smaller political parties are expected to contest the presidential race. Ugandans will also vote for members of parliament during the same election.
President Museveni, a former rebel leader, has been credited for stabilizing Uganda and fostering economic growth over the years.
His government has made strides in different areas including infrastructure development.
Looking ahead, the Museveni government is pinning hopes on Uganda’s emerging oil industry.
The country is set to begin crude oil exports next year, with fields operated by France’s TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC.
The government anticipates that this development will boost economic growth, with the potential to push the country’s economic expansion into double digits.
With the JIP’s support, Takaichi secured the prime minister’s seat, becoming the first woman in the nation to hold the office. What is Takaichi’s background? How did she perform in the parliamentary vote? What are the challenges facing the newly formed coalition?
{{Takaichi’s profile}}
Born in 1961 in Nara Prefecture, Takaichi was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993 and has since held a series of senior posts, including minister of internal affairs and communications, minister for economic security, and vice minister of economy, trade and industry.
A close ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is widely regarded as a staunch successor to his political agenda. The 64-year-old identifies as a hardline conservative and advocates for the restoration of traditional Japanese values and nationalist pride, emphasizing constitutional amendments, strengthening security and maintaining the imperial family’s male-only succession.
Takaichi had previously contested the LDP leadership three times. After unsuccessful bids in 2021 and 2024, she claimed the presidency this October by defeating Shinjiro Koizumi in the final round of voting.
Shortly after, however, she faced her first challenge as leader when the LDP lost its long-time junior coalition partner Komeito. Komeito chief Tetsuo Saito announced the decision to terminate his party’s 26-year partnership with the LDP, citing the ruling party’s “insufficient” response to a high-profile political funds scandal.
Takaichi was elected LDP president on Oct. 4. The prime ministerial designation vote was originally scheduled for Oct. 15 but was postponed to Oct. 21 as uncertainty following Komeito’s departure cast doubt on whether Takaichi could secure enough parliamentary support in the race.
{{Victory in both houses}}
According to Japanese law, the election of a new prime minister is held in separate votes in both houses of the Diet, Japan’s parliament. In each chamber, if no nominee wins a majority in the first round, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters. The choice in the lower house will prevail in the event of a split decision.
To consolidate her votes amid political flux, Takaichi held negotiations with several opposition parties, including the Democratic Party for the People and the JIP. With the LDP’s new coalition partner JIP ultimately deciding to back her, she was able to effectively lock in her victory on Tuesday’s voting.
In the 465-member House of Representatives, Takaichi secured 237 ballots in the first round, defeating head of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party Yoshihiko Noda with 149 votes and other rival candidates.
However, no candidate secured a majority in the first round of the vote in the 248-member House of Councillors. Takaichi led with 123 votes, followed by Noda with 44. As a result, an unprecedented runoff for the upper chamber, the first in 13 years, was triggered between Takaichi and Noda, with Takaichi ultimately winning the race.
In the new cabinet line-up, Takaichi offered major posts to her four rivals in October’s LDP leadership race, signaling her intention to build party unity and ensure policy stability. Shinjiro Koizumi will take the post of defense minister, while Toshimitsu Motegi will return as foreign minister.
The two others are Yoshimasa Hayashi, who will be tapped as internal affairs and communications minister, and Takayuki Kobayashi, already appointed as the LDP’s policy chief.
Among other key government positions is Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, a former defense minister.
{{Rocky new alliance }}
The leaderships of the LDP and the JIP met Monday evening in Tokyo to formally sign the coalition agreement. Unlike the long-standing partnership model between the LDP and Komeito, the new coalition will take a relatively loose form, with the JIP expected not to take cabinet posts for the time being.
According to media reports, Takaichi had offered “several ministerial posts” to the JIP, a move that would deepen her commitment to the coalition, but the party declined the offer on the grounds of “lack of governance experience,” apparently reflecting JIP’s cautious stance.
This move is widely seen as a “disengagement strategy” by the JIP. It is believed that the JIP intends to maintain a certain distance from the LDP in order to be able to withdraw at any time when there are policy differences or changes in public opinion.
If it joined the cabinet, it would share responsibility for the budget bills and major policies, while remaining outside the cabinet would allow it to draw a clear line when necessary and avoid taking on political risks.
Meanwhile, the JIP’s performance in both last year’s lower house and this year’s upper house elections fell short of expectations, jeopardizing its position as the “third-largest party” after the LDP and the Constitutional Democratic Party. Moreover, a series of recent departures from the party by lawmakers have weakened its internal cohesion. The Asahi Shimbun reported that LDP top leaders are concerned that a lack of stability within the JIP could affect the sustainability of their cooperation.
Regarding policy implementation, the Nikkei pointed out that the LDP-JIP alliance still falls short of a majority in both houses in the Diet, posing great uncertainty for policy implementation. This is particularly true given JIP’s inclusion of reducing the number of Diet seats as a “nonnegotiable condition” for the alliance. Despite the LDP agreeing to parliamentary seat cuts, there is strong resistance within both the ruling and opposition parties. If this key proposition proves difficult to realize, “the prerequisite for the alliance may have already been undermined from the outset.”
According to a statement issued by the police, the fatal crash happened at around 12:15 a.m. local time along the Kampala-Gulu Highway in the western Uganda district of Kiryandongo, and involved four vehicles — two passenger buses, a Toyota Surf and a Tata lorry.
Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu and Evode Uwizeyimana have been reappointed for another term, while Dr. Valentine Uwamariya and Alfred Gasana join the Senate as new members.
The appointments were made in accordance with Article 80 of the Constitution.
Dr. Valentine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the former National University of Rwanda (NUR), a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa (2005), and a PhD in Water Science and Environmental Technology from UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (2013).
Dr. Uwamariya previously served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of training, Institutional Development and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) before being appointed Minister of Education in December 2020.
In 2023, Dr. Uwamariya was appointed Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, and the following year, she became Minister of Environment.
On July 24, 2025, Dr. Uwamariya was replaced by Dr. Bernadette Arakwiriye as Minister of Environment. Since then, she has not held any government position.
Alfred Gasana was appointed Minister of Interior in December 2021, a portfolio that had last existed in the Rwandan Government in April 2020 under Gen Patrick Nyamvumba.
Before joining the Cabinet, Gasana served as a Member of Parliament in the Chamber of Deputies, where he was part of the Political Affairs and Legal Committee in 2010.
In June 2024, he was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, succeeding Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who had been named Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Evode Uwizeyimana is a Senator in the Parliament of Rwanda, appointed by President Kagame in October 2020. He holds a Master’s degree in Law.
From 2016 to 2020, Uwizeyimana served as State Minister in the Ministry of Justice in charge of Constitutional and Legal Affairs.
Between 2014 and 2016, he was Vice Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission and also served on the committee that reviewed Rwanda’s Constitution in 2015.
Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has been a Senator since October 2020.
For many years, he served as President of IBUKA, the umbrella organization representing survivors of the 1994 tragedy against the Tutsi.
From 1994 to December 2010, he was a lecturer in Psychology at the former National University of Rwanda.
