The official inauguration of the water pipeline took place on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The pipeline features 30 water collection points that will supply water to residents in these 14 villages of Kiyombe Sector. The project, which cost Frw 309 million , was funded with contributions from various partners.
Jean Pierre Hakizimana, a resident, expressed his gratitude for the provision of clean water, describing it as a significant blessing. He thanked the President of Rwanda for thinking about the welfare of the people and ensuring their well-being.
He said: “This project has saved us from the long hours we used to spend looking for water. It has also protected us from the risks of diseases caused by contaminated water. Now, our children go to school early, and parents have more time to engage in activities that help improve their lives because clean water is now available.”
Domina Mujawamariya, a resident of Nyamirembe Village, shared that they used to drink rainwater, which made them vulnerable to frequent illnesses. She expressed her appreciation for the leadership that provided them with clean water, noting that the community is now thriving and happier.
Nyagatare District Vice Mayor in charge of economic development, Matsiko Gonzague, thanked the development partners who helped build the water supply system for the residents. He encouraged the community to take good care of the water infrastructure, as it plays a vital role in improving hygiene.
“When communities have easy access to clean water, their health improves. Children can go to school without the burden of long walks to fetch water. Additionally, it boosts household productivity and enhances overall cleanliness,” he noted.
Currently, water supply projects in Nyagatare District are ongoing, and the district has achieved 78% coverage providing clean water to its residents.
He emphasized that challenges such as drunkenness, violence, and drug abuse remain persistent threats to community security across the country.
Dr. Habimana delivered the remarks on 14 August 2025 during the official commissioning of 391 new DASSO officers at the Rwanda National Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District.
The new cohort comprises 135 women and 256 men, making up the eighth intake of the organ. They will be deployed in six districts—Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Nyagatare, Rusizi, and Rwamagana—where they will support local governments in maintaining law and order.
In his address, the Minister commended parents and families who encouraged their children to serve the nation through DASSO, noting that safeguarding security is both a demanding and noble responsibility that contributes directly to Rwanda’s progress and development.
He outlined key areas requiring urgent attention, pointing to the need for officers to work closely with communities and other institutions.
“We continue to face challenges such as drunkenness, theft, violence, drug abuse, loitering, school dropouts, poor service delivery, domestic violence, and other forms of misconduct,” Dr. Habimana said. “Tackling these issues requires collective effort so that every Rwandan can live in peace, safety, and dignity while contributing to national development.”
The Minister further underlined that since its establishment, DASSO has made significant contributions to protecting people and property through strong partnerships with citizens and other security agencies. He reaffirmed that the organ will remain central to sustaining Rwanda’s reputation as a country that enjoys safety and stability at all levels of society.
Established in 2013 by law, DASSO was created to support district authorities in maintaining security. Its officers undergo three months of intensive training in partnership with the Rwanda National Police before being deployed to serve in different districts.
Rwanda has set an ambitious target of earning USD 1.5 billion annually from exports by 2028/2029, a significant rise from the more than USD 839 million generated in 2023/2024. Achieving this goal will require not only improvements in agricultural practices and increased production, but also efficient systems to deliver produce to both local and international markets.
One of the major concerns has been raised by Kinvest, one of the seven large-scale companies operating in the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, which spans 5,600 hectares across the Rwimiyaga and Karangazi sectors. The company, co-founded five years ago by American entrepreneur Jesse Ratichek, has expressed worries over limited logistics capacity to move its produce to buyers.
Ratichek, who has lived in Rwanda for nearly nine years, began commercial fruit and vegetable farming three years ago. Today, the company cultivates about 500 hectares in the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub and an additional 70 hectares outside it.
Their crops include French beans, chili peppers, passion fruits, avocados, coffee, and others. However, the main concern remains how this product can reach markets efficiently and in good condition.
Speaking to IGIHE, Ratichek said: “By December 2025, we project to be harvesting between 450 and 550 tons of fruits and vegetables per month. While we have managed to overcome several challenges, the key issue remains the ability to deliver our products to the market on time.”
He further explained that such volumes need to be transported within three days of harvest to avoid spoilage.
“RwandAir informed me that its current capacity is around 500 tons per month. Yet my farm alone will be producing 500 tons monthly. Clearly, it is not possible for all my produce to be transported, since I cannot monopolize the available space. We have a strong partnership, but there is an urgent need to expand cargo capacity so that airlines can keep pace with the growing output from Rwandan farmers.”
Ratichek noted that if Rwanda is to significantly increase its export volumes, transportation capacity must grow in line with this ambition.
He explained that much of their produce is often transported using passenger flights, whereas in many other countries, agricultural exports are supported by dedicated cargo planes operating on a weekly basis.
“We also need cargo planes specifically dedicated to transporting our produce to markets in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe,” Ratichek said. “This requires substantial investment which we, as private companies, cannot afford on our own. However, we trust that the Government will make this investment.”
So far, Kinvest has invested more than USD 10 million. Ratichek emphasized that within five years, they aim to have invested between USD 30 million and USD 50 million in agriculture.
“I want to continue investing in Rwanda, but I need assurance that if I harvest 500 tons of fruits and vegetables in October 2025 and later inject another USD 20 million to increase production to around 3,000 tons per month, there will be sufficient market access,” he added.
Ratichek, who operates both a farming company and an export firm, currently employs between 700 and 900 people each month, depending on the agricultural season. He projects that by next year, his workforce will expand to 1,500 employees.
He further revealed that their produce has already begun reaching international markets in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other European countries.
{{Rwanda plans to acquire another cargo aircraft}}
In 2022, RwandAir purchased its first cargo aircraft after years of preparation and planning.
The airline acquired a Boeing B737-800SF, with a payload capacity of at least 23 tons. The aircraft measures 39.5 meters in length, with a wingspan of 35.8 meters and a height of 12.6 meters.
Since the purchase, RwandAir has reaped significant benefits from cargo operations. In 2024 alone, the airline recorded a 33% increase in cargo volumes compared to the previous year. That year, RwandAir transported 6,113 tons of cargo, up from 4,595 tons in 2023, while in 2022, the figure stood at 3,774 tons, following 3,889 tons in 2021.
Reassuring Ratichek and other exporters, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Cyubahiro Mark Bagabe confirmed that the Government of Rwanda is now working to acquire an additional cargo aircraft.
“RwandAir is in the process of securing another cargo aircraft,” Dr. Bagabe explained.
“Since RwandAir is a state-owned airline, we are in regular discussions with them and we know this is already part of their plan. This is not speculation—it is a confirmed decision. To purchase such an aircraft, you must ensure sufficient cargo volumes, but now that the demand has been demonstrated, the acquisition will follow. RwandAir has several strategies in place to make this happen,” the minister added.
The Minister stressed that the concerns raised by agriculture investors are being taken seriously, particularly for exporters of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, where reliable cargo capacity offers a major advantage.
Beyond air transport, the Government is also strengthening agricultural value-chain infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, feeder roads, and other logistics systems, to ensure produce moves efficiently from farms to markets.
He highlighted ongoing efforts in developing large-scale farming hubs. For example, the 1,300-hectare site in Kayonza District and the 5,600-hectare Gabiro Agribusiness Hub in Eastern Province are expected to significantly boost production capacity.
“Roads are being constructed to ensure trucks transporting produce are not damaged in the process. We are also preparing the second phase of the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, which will include cold storage facilities to preserve produce before it is delivered to the market,” Dr. Bagabe said.
Sosi was among the Ghanaian and Senegalese soldiers who chose to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, even after most of the UN troops had been pulled out of the country.
He is currently in Rwanda on a seven-day visit with fellow veterans, including Maj Gen (Rtd) Clayton Boanubah Yaache (Ghana), Brig Gen (Rtd) Martin Owusu-Ababio (Ghana), Brig Gen Elhadji Babacar Faye ( Senegal) , Brig Gen Stephen Parbey (Ghana), Ex WO II Lucas Norvihoho and Ex WO I Sampson Agyare, also from Ghana.
On April 7, 1994, Belgium decided to withdraw its troops from Rwanda, which weakened MINUAR. On that date, it also launched a strong campaign calling for the termination of MINUAR, seeking to have all forces withdrawn from Rwanda.
On April 11, Belgian soldiers abandoned more than 2,000 refugees at ETO Kicukiro, where they were immediately killed by the Interahamwe militia and government soldiers.
Under Belgium’s pressure, on April 21, 1994, the UN Security Council decided to withdraw MINUAR from Rwanda, leaving only 270 soldiers without the capacity to protect the victims.
Maj (Rtd) Sosi said that although the official records state that 270 soldiers remained, in reality they were 318, because some refused to leave.
Some of the names of those who stayed were replaced with those of the departed in order to make the figures align on paper.
On August 14, 2025, when these soldiers visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against the Atrocities Museum at the Parliament, Maj (Rtd) Sosi said that the visit reminded him of many experiences, particularly in Kigali.
“I also stayed, but my name was not on their lists. My commander had already replaced me with someone else. He came and found me lying down and asked what I was doing. I told him that I had stayed and not left. When he asked me why, I told him it was my decision.”
He continued: “There are things we realized we never knew. There was information we did not know, because if we had known it, things would have been different. Here we have again heard how the RPA forces made the decision to liberate the country and confront the government army. All the information we were shown here at the memorial—if we had had it at that time, many things would have gone differently. But because we did not know, we were simply struggling to see if there was something we could do.”
During the Genocide against the Tutsi, these Ghanaian soldiers managed to save about 30,000 people.
Maj (Rtd) Sosi said: “You would find people camped in different places. What we did was to go there, and whenever we arrived, we looked for ways to evacuate them. We also guarded the places where they were. Sometimes the Interahamwe would come. I clearly remember a man they took from Amahoro Stadium and killed behind it. Afterwards I tried to find his family but could not.”
He said that what they witnessed affected him deeply, because he felt that as soldiers on a UN peacekeeping mission they had failed Rwanda.
He said: “I can say that as a mission we failed the people. But there were some of us who decided to remain behind and provide some support. I think we managed to do something, but if the proper system had been in place, we could have done much more.”
{{He was surprised by the RPA’s fighting}}
When the 600 RPA soldiers who were in Kigali came under attack from government forces based in Kanombe and Kacyiru, they held out until the Alpha battalion stationed in Gicumbi arrived in Kigali to reinforce them.
He said: “This is where the 600 were located. They performed well because when you are in a war surrounded by enemies, you need reinforcements, equipment, and soldiers to keep helping you. Because they were surrounded by enemies and all those problems, the only thing they could do was to fight and protect where they were. What they did was very good.”
Maj (Rtd) Sosi said one of the things that surprised him most was the way these forces fought.
He said: “I had never read about Paul Kagame’s way of planning battles. Before, we thought they were fighting without a goal, because there were times they left behind enemy positions and attacked elsewhere. We did not know that this was their plan.”
He said they avoided using “Fix and Destroy” [a method of combat where both sides engage in direct, heavy fighting until one side is crushed] because it causes heavy losses.
He said: “Instead they used ‘Fix and Bypass’ [a method of pinning the enemy in one place with part of your troops, while using others to outflank or seize key positions], which meant they did not lose many soldiers. This is the method they used until they captured Kigali.”
Maj (Rtd) Sosi also expressed delight at the special welcome to Rwanda in 2025.
“I have never been welcomed like this in any other country I have visited. The security, the way everything was organized, the travel assistance, the hotels, and everything else were very good. And I am enjoying the food, the fresh air in Kigali, and the people here. Honestly, I am thinking of moving here,” he noted.
This growth was driven by strong performance in data services and Mobile Money (MoMo). Additionally, the company marked a historic milestone with the commercial launch of 5G, a groundbreaking achievement that accelerates Rwanda’s digital transformation.
MTN Rwanda’s service revenue for the first half of 2025 grew by 13.1% to Frw 137.4 billion. Data revenue increased by 10.1%, reaching Frw 23.3 billion, while MoMo revenue surged by 29.1% to Frw 68.6 billion, reflecting the growing adoption of digital financial services.
“MoMo Rwanda continues to deepen its role in bridging the digital and financial inclusion gap across Rwanda,” said Chantal Kagame, CEO of MoMo Rwanda. “We’ve achieved robust growth in active users and merchant adoption, reflecting the platform’s trustworthiness and relevance in everyday life.”
Total subscribers increased by 3.5%, reaching 7.8 million, while active MoMo users grew by 9.1% to 5.6 million, underscoring MTN Rwanda’s leadership in digital services.
The company also saw a significant increase in its EBITDA, which rose by 43.7% to Frw 56.1 billion, with the EBITDA margin improving by 9.1 percentage points. Profit After Tax (PAT) rebounded to Frw 6.3 billion, recovering from a loss in the previous year.
“We are pleased to present our half-year results, showcasing strong growth across our business units,” said Dunstan Ayodele Stober, MTN Rwanda’s Ag. Chief Finance Officer. “EBITDA demonstrated a solid growth performance of 43.7%, achieving a commendable EBITDA margin of 40.4%. This reflects the strong execution of our cost transformation program and improved quality of our earnings.”
In June 2025, MTN Rwanda became the first telecom operator to commercially launch 5G in the country. This achievement is a significant step toward realizing Rwanda’s Vision 2050, enhancing digital service delivery across urban and rural communities.
With the successful launch of 5G, accelerated 4G migration, and relentless focus on cost efficiencies, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Rwanda Ali Monzer says the telecom is positioning itself to lead the market in both relevance and resilience.
“Our strategy is clear and proven: bold investment in future-ready infrastructure, precision in execution, and putting customers at the core of every decision we make. As CEO, I remain confident in our ability to sustain this momentum, unlock new growth frontiers, and deliver meaningful, consistent returns for our shareholders,” he states.
MTN Rwanda’s community investments were also highlighted during the period, with the company’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign making an impact on local communities. MTN Rwanda provided 100 smartphones to Community Health Workers on Bugarura Island and distributed 100 solar kits to rural communities, ensuring connectivity for remote areas.
With continued investments in network infrastructure and digital services, MTN Rwanda is well-positioned to maintain strong performance in the second half of 2025.
The company’s focus on cost management, operational efficiency, and future-proofing its network is expected to drive sustained growth, ensuring long-term value for its shareholders and stakeholders.
The condolences were conveyed through a message posted on X by Rwanda’s High Commission in Ghana.
“We extend heartfelt condolences to His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asanteman Council, and the people of Asanteman on the passing of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Queen of the Asante Kingdom. Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow,” reads the message.
The Asantehene officially announced her passing on Monday, August 11, 2025, during an emergency meeting at the Manhyia Palace, in accordance with long-standing traditions.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Asantehemaa, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 98.
She ascended to the throne in February 2017 and was admired for her wisdom, humility, and dedication to preserving the Asante Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage. As custodian of the royal matrilineal line, she played a vital advisory role to the Asantehene and was deeply involved in guiding community leadership.
Beyond her royal responsibilities, Nana Konadu Yiadom III championed social welfare causes. She supported maternal and child healthcare initiatives at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Manhyia District Hospital and was widely recognized for her advocacy of breastfeeding.
She also contributed to education, founding the Nana Konadu Saviour School, which continues to bear her name in recognition of her service.
In line with Asante tradition, a one-week observance will be held at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The ceremony is expected to bring together chiefs, queen mothers, dignitaries, and mourners from across Ghana and beyond, as the kingdom pays tribute to her life and enduring legacy.
The conference, which will feature the Policymakers Roundtable, is scheduled to take place in Kigali from September 9 to 10, 2025.
Key topics on the agenda include linking sports with tourism, monetizing sports, advancing sports development, attracting sponsors, and demonstrating the benefits of investing in the sector.
Last year’s edition brought together around 400 participants, including athletes from various disciplines in Rwanda, leaders of sports federations, investors, journalists, and institutions connected to the sports industry.
Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, emphasized that the Forum is helping to reshape African perspectives on the role of sports.
“This Roundtable marks a pivotal step in unlocking the transformative potential of Africa’s sports industry. By strengthening our national policies and aligning them with Agenda 2063, we aim to foster a thriving sports ecosystem that drives job creation, sparks innovation, and accelerates socio-economic development across the continent.
“Together, we are setting the stage for a new era where sports become a powerful catalyst for Africa’s growth and global leadership,” she noted.
Among the prominent figures who attended last year was El Hadji Diouf, the legendary footballer.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Everything that concerns Ukraine should be discussed exclusively with Ukraine, he said, calling for preparations for a trilateral dialogue involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
Zelensky underscored the need for a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine.
He also urged the imposition of stronger sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire.
According to Zelensky, he and Merz had a video meeting on Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte, among others.
Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15 in the U.S. state of Alaska.
Ament, 18, plays for Tennessee Basketball in the United States known for nurturing top talent. He has been in Rwanda for several days on holiday, also taking time to explore his mother’s homeland.
During their discussions, Minister Mukazayire and Ament explored opportunities to develop basketball, as well as the importance of sports in fostering values, inspiring youth, and highlighting talents.
While in Rwanda, Ament visited children playing basketball in Kayonza and joined them in training sessions. He also visited Volcanoes National Park.
Recently ranked fourth among the top 100 young basketball players in the U.S., Ament is considered a rising star, with speculation already suggesting he could be in the 2026 NBA draft.
With a Rwandan mother, Ament recently unveiled a custom-made shoe by Reebok featuring the colors of the Rwandan flag.
Last year, he represented Team USA in the 2024 FIBA U-18 Americas Championship, where the team won the gold medal.
The massacre, carried out on the night of 13 August 2004, was orchestrated by the armed group FNL-PALIPEHUTU, with alleged support from elements of the Congolese army. Two decades later, the Banyamulenge say justice has never been delivered—while killings, displacement, and persecution persist.
{{Justice denied, persecution continues}}
Speaking on behalf of the Coordination des Mutualités Banyamulenge, community leader Jules Rutebuka said countless efforts to seek justice have been ignored.
“We filed cases in Burundi against those who admitted responsibility, including Agathon Rwasa and Pasteur Habimana, but they still walk free. We also appealed to the DRC, where Congolese soldiers were implicated, yet nothing was done. Every authority we approached has failed us,” he said.
Rutebuka noted that although the commemoration looks back to 2004, Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsi remain targets today. Livestock are seized, homes burned, and people killed or displaced simply for speaking Kinyarwanda.
“This is why we chose self-defense. We cannot continue to offer our necks to the killers,” he added.
{{Survivors’ testimonies}}
For survivors like Michel Gahakanyi, the memory of Gatumba is still vivid. Then just 22, he recalled how attackers stormed the camp, surrounding it before targeting Banyamulenge refugees who had been deliberately separated from others.
“They came prepared, poured gasoline on our shelters, and burned people alive. Anyone who tried to run was shot. My sister was killed in front of me and set on fire. I escaped through piles of bodies,” he said.
Reflecting on the present, Gahakanyi argued that the same forces that killed them in 2004 are still active—now working alongside President Félix Tshisekedi’s government in DRC.
“The Burundians who killed us then are the same ones killing us today, this time with official backing. We want justice, but if it doesn’t come, we will defend ourselves until peace is restored. This is our country, and we will not give it up,” he warned.
{{A fresh wound}}
The community was recently shaken by the arrest of Laurent Ruboneka Musabwa, a Gatumba survivor and embassy staff member in Burundi. On 27 July 2024, Burundian security forces detained him and flew him to Kinshasa in a chartered plane arranged by the DRC government.
Rutebuka condemned the arrest: “Musabwa was a lifeline for refugees and vulnerable people. Now he joins many others unjustly taken simply because they are Banyamulenge, Tutsi, or suspected of ties to M23. They are innocent, yet they are persecuted for their identity.”
Community members fear more arrests could follow, as many Banyamulenge live under constant threat.
{{Who will deliver justice?}}
The Gatumba Refugees Survivors Foundation (GRSF) filed a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging prosecution of those responsible for the massacre. Similar complaints were lodged in Burundi and the DRC. But nearly 21 years later, impunity prevails.
Former FNL fighters were shielded by immunity under the Dar es Salaam ceasefire agreement of 7 September 2006.
Lawyer Innocent Nteziryayo, who represents GRSF and other Congolese Tutsi groups, said: “We submitted all the evidence required. For two years, we have been gathering additional proof, linking it with independent reports, and presenting it to courts. Burundi, the DRC, and even the ICC have our files. They acknowledged them—but no court has acted. We will keep reminding them.”
{{Gratitude and determination}}
The Banyamulenge community expressed gratitude to Rwanda for hosting many survivors and providing safety and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Still, Rutebuka stressed that this does not replace their right to return home: “We thank Rwanda for sheltering us. But the Congolese government must recognize that we have the right to live in our own land.”
The Banyamulenge’s plight stretches back decades. Since colonial times, they have been denied recognition as full citizens of Congo. They suffered massacres during the Mulele rebellion in 1964, and waves of violence returned in the 1990s.
Since 2017, violence has intensified once more, with Mai-Mai militias collaborating with Burundian groups like Red Tabara and FNL-PALIPEHUTU. Attacks have ravaged South Kivu—killing civilians, torching homes, looting livestock, and forcing thousands into displacement.
