Author: Sam K. Nkurunziza

This marks the first time in history that a Rwandan will be among the cardinal-electors in a papal conclave—and Cardinal Kambanda himself is also eligible to be elected pope.

On November 28, 2020, Pope Francis elevated Antoine Kambanda to the rank of cardinal, making him the first Rwandan in history to attain that position.

Following Pope Francis’ death, a conclave of selected cardinals will convene to elect a new pope. The gathering is expected to take place between May 6 and 11, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, as prescribed by Church law.

Among the more than 120 cardinals eligible to vote is Cardinal Antoine Kambanda. Notably, only cardinals under the age of 80 may take part in the election, Cardinal Kambanda, at age 67, meets this requirement.

Although rare, there is no law preventing any cardinal from being elected pope. This means that Cardinal Antoine Kambanda is not only a voter—but also a viable candidate for the papacy.

Once a new pope has been elected and accepts the role, the ballots are ceremonially burned with chemicals that produce white smoke. The senior cardinal then steps out and announces to the public: “Habemus Papam”, which means “We have a Pope.”

“Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.

“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.

“His belief that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many,”

“The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

“We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”

The King and Queen had a “very significant and special” meeting with the ailing Pope Francis just 12 days ago. The couple’s historic state visit to the Vatican in early April was cancelled because of the Pope’s poor health, but the pair managed to visit the head of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their trip to Italy.

Charles and Camilla’s meeting with the Pope in what would be his final weeks was arranged at the last minute and took place on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, with the pontiff wanting to personally wish them a happy anniversary.

Meanwhile the Roman Catholic hurch is deeply mourning the depature of the pontiff. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived shared a tribute.

“At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized,” he said.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.”

Ahimbisibwe, who previously served as the Jinja Road Division Police Commander, had been suspended last year following allegations of domestic violence that culminated in the shooting of his ex-wife.

He was subsequently subjected to both disciplinary and criminal proceedings, including a two-month period of remand at Luzira Prison.

His lifeless body was found with a rope around his neck inside a septic tank at his residence in Nakitokolo, Kyengera Town Council, located in Wakiso District.

Addressing the media, police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the death and stated that the cause remains undetermined until a postmortem is conducted.

“We want the outcome of the postmortem to establish what exactly caused the death. Just having a rope around someone’s neck is not sufficient to conclude it was suicide,” Rusoke stated.

Rusoke further noted that SSP Ahimbisibwe had ongoing disciplinary and criminal cases related to last year’s domestic incident that led to his suspension.

“He was facing both internal disciplinary action and criminal charges. At one point, he was remanded. We will share more information as investigations progress,” he added.

The body has been transferred to the Mulago City Mortuary for a comprehensive postmortem examination, which is expected to shed light on the exact cause of death.

As the investigation continues, police are urging the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course.

The students, who come from various parts of the country including Kigali, Gicumbi, and Kamonyi, earned these competitive scholarships through ALX’s eight-month Pathway initiative. The package includes full tuition, accommodation, meals, a brand-new laptop, and a monthly stipend.

ALX Pathway is a rigorous program designed to prepare high school graduates with essential skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, mathematics, and career planning, equipping them to thrive in globally competitive academic environments.

The eight selected students expressed readiness to take on the challenge and represent both their families and Rwanda with pride.

“I’m the first in my family to attend university. I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream. I never imagined this could happen to me,” said Kevin Ikuzwe, one of the recipients.

Pacifique Tumusifu, who is set to study Software Engineering, shared, “When I joined the Pathway program, I told myself I’d take whatever knowledge I could, even if I didn’t get a scholarship. Getting this opportunity is truly an answered prayer. I knew university would be a heavy burden for my parents, and I had no way to ease it.”

For their families, these scholarships come as a huge relief. One parent, who has been unemployed for two years, said, “I was starting to lose hope, but now my daughter is going to an international university. I am so thankful to the ALX Pathway team for making this possible and covering all her needs, even providing her with a monthly allowance.”

Sylvie Umutoni Rutaganira, another recipient who will study International Business, described her weekly commute from Gicumbi to the ALX Hub in Nyarutarama for classes. “If I hadn’t stayed committed to attending every week, I wouldn’t have received this chance to study abroad,” she said.

These students will pursue studies in fields such as Software Engineering and International Business, all sharing a common goal; to become valuable contributors to Rwanda’s development through the knowledge they gain.

Nimie Chaylone, Country Director of ALX Rwanda, highlighted the significance of the program: “For many, attending a world-class university felt like an impossible dream. But through ALX Pathway, and partnerships with institutions like Code University in Berlin, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt, we’re opening new doors for Rwandan students.”

She added that some partner universities offer scholarships worth more than $320,000 over four years, and that the Pathway program will continue to expand its impact.

Applications for the next ALX Pathway cohort are currently open, with the deadline set for April 21, 2025.
Interested students can apply via the ALX Africa website or call 0796 163 394 for more information.

About ALX Rwanda

ALX Rwanda is a non-governmental organization focused on developing tech talent and cultivating future leaders. It offers fully funded training programs in fields like Data Analytics, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Salesforce Administration, Software Engineering (front-end and back-end), AI Career Essentials, and more.

These courses are free thanks to support from the Mastercard Foundation, offering African youth the opportunity to gain in-demand digital skills that improve their chances of employment. To be eligible, applicants must be African nationals aged 18 or above and have strong English language skills.

Watch the video here:
Scholarship Announcement Video

The complexity of preparing essays, securing recommendations, managing multiple deadlines, and understanding financial aid options can leave even the most capable students uncertain of how to move forward.

Recognizing these challenges, ALX Rwanda introduced the ALX Pathway Program, an eight-month initiative that aims to bring clarity, strategy, and support to students applying for universities around the world.

Rather than relying on motivational slogans or vague guidance, the program takes a structured, skills-based approach to helping learners make informed and realistic decisions about their educational futures.

A key feature of the program is the way it redefines how students think about university selection. This helps students create university shortlists that reflect both their aspirations and practical needs.

In one of the early sessions, known as the University application power hour, students are encouraged to move beyond name-brand institutions and consider factors like academic fit, affordability, campus environment, and post-graduation opportunities.

To support this process, ALX Pathway trains learners in digital tools such as google sheets to track and compare universities. Instead of passively absorbing advice, students collect and analyze their own data, from tuition costs to faculty profiles and student reviews.

This creates a clearer picture of where they are most likely to succeed. The program’s methodology transforms what is often a chaotic and emotional decision into one grounded in research and critical thinking.

The timeline of the Pathway program mirrors the stages of a real application process. Participants begin by researching schools and narrowing their choices. Over time, they move into standardized test preparation, drafting and revising essays, gathering recommendation letters, and preparing for interviews.

This step-by-step approach eliminates last-minute stress and teaches students how to manage large, long-term tasks, skills that will serve them well in university and beyond.

Beyond tools and timelines, the program also emphasizes collaboration. Weekly sessions allow learners to work through common application components together. Office hours provide one-on-one guidance, and a community learning model ensures that students regularly exchange feedback and insight.

For many, it’s the first time they’ve had structured peer support in the context of education planning.
Cedric, one of the Pathway Program coordinators, says the goal is to maintain consistent communication and guidance throughout the process.

“We know this journey can be long and difficult, especially for students navigating it for the first time. That’s why we provide regular updates, toolkits, and reminders, and we make ourselves available for support based on each learner’s individual needs,” he said.

Many participants report that by the end of the program, their understanding of higher education has expanded significantly. Some students shared that they initially applied with only two high-profile schools in mind, but now have a list of five universities.

Importantly, the ALX Pathway model doesn’t promise guaranteed admission or shortcut success. What it offers is a way to navigate a difficult process with discipline, support, and strategy.

In regions where systemic obstacles have historically limited access to quality education, this kind of structured preparation can have a transformative effect.

With the May cohort now open for applications, the program continues to attract learners from across Rwanda who are seeking more than just scholarships, they are looking for a practical route through the confusion of international admissions.

For students ready to apply or parents looking for a reliable support system for their children’s higher education journey, the ALX Pathway Program is accepting applications until April 21, 2025.
Interested individuals can visit alxafrica.com/join-pathway or call 0796 163 394 for more information.

Kilimobenecyo, one of Rwanda’s most talented visual artists in history, died in the early hours of Saturday April 19, 2025.

Despite his remarkable contributions, Kilimobenecyo remained largely out of the spotlight and rarely appeared in the media. He gave only one interview, which was with IGIHE, in which he spoke about his artistic journey.

He was known for his humility and deep talent, and he loved to talk and joke with people, making it easy for young artists to identify with him.

His passion for art began at a young age while studying at the Nyundo School of Art, where he excelled. After graduating, he received a scholarship from the Soviet Union and went on to study graphic arts at the Institute of Fine Arts in Kyiv.

After completing his studies, he returned to Rwanda and in 1988 started working at the national printing press, where he was responsible for illustration, design, and editing content. He initially worked by hand, as computers were not yet available, but eventually bought his first computer in 1989.

Among his most notable and lasting creations is the current Rwandan national flag, which began official use on December 31, 2001. His design for the flag and the national coat of arms was selected as the best in a nationwide competition.

The idea to include a sun in the national flag was entirely his own, as it had not been among the required design elements. Like his other works, he always aimed to create something original and meaningful.

Kilimobenecyo also designed many of the symbols used by the Rwanda Defence Forces, from the layout of inscriptions on their uniforms to the insignias of various military units.

Over the years, he created numerous other official emblems used in state ceremonies, including a symbolic sword presented to President Kagame in 2017.

He also illustrated several Rwandan banknotes currently in use, including the Frw 5000, 2000, 1000, and 500 denominations, as well as coins such as the 100.

Recently, he shared with IGIHE a collection of restored historical photos, which he had digitally enhanced to modern standards as part of his effort to show younger generations what life looked like in the past.

The violent attack occurred two days ago in Bwanika Village, located in the Bufumbo Sub-county of Mbale District. According to eyewitnesses, tensions had been simmering for weeks after the body of a middle-aged man was discovered in a nearby thicket under suspicious circumstances.

The villagers, convinced that a local family was involved in the murder, took matters into their own hands, leading to a deadly assault that left five people dead and several homes in ashes.

Among the victims were the family’s patriarch and matriarch, as well as three adult children. Two younger family members reportedly managed to escape and are currently in protective custody.

In a further act of vengeance, the mob set fire to six houses belonging to the family, reducing them to rubble and ashes.

Residents said they had grown increasingly restless due to what they claimed was police inaction over the murder case. “We kept waiting for justice, but nothing happened. People got tired and took action,” one local told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have since condemned the attack, calling it a gross violation of the law.

Mbale District Deputy Commissioner, Sarah Nabirye, confirmed the incident and revealed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a full-scale investigation into both the lynching and the initial murder.

“This kind of mob justice is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We urge residents to let the law take its course and refrain from taking justice into their own hands,” Nabirye stated.

The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examinations.

Police patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further violence, and several suspects linked to the mob attack have already been apprehended.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the deadly assault, leaders are calling for calm, urging residents to seek lawful ways of resolving conflicts.

This brutal episode has once again spotlighted the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for stronger faith in Uganda’s criminal justice system.

Some members of the AFC/M23 coalition, an armed group opposing the Congolese government, confirmed that Kabila arrived in Goma on the afternoon of April 18, 2025, having traveled through Rwanda.

Patrick Muyaya, the spokesperson for the DRC Government, stated that Kabila’s presence in a territory controlled by AFC/M23 proves that he is an enemy of the state.

A close associate of Kabila told the Associated Press that the reason for his trip to Goma is to contribute to efforts aimed at restoring peace in eastern DRC.

Kabila’s spokesperson, Barbara Nzimbi, announced on April 19, 2025, that he would be addressing the Congolese people in the coming hours or days to clarify the situation. She said: “In the coming hours (or days), former President Joseph Kabila will deliver a speech to the nation to provide clarity.”

This marks Kabila’s return to the DRC after more than a year, his last visit was in 2023 before going into exile. It remains unclear how long he plans to stay in Goma.

Kabila has also recently denied allegations of collaborating with the AFC/M23, during an interview with the media in South Africa. He challenged the DRC government to present evidence to support its claims.