Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

RwandAir cancels Doha and Dubai flights amid Middle East airspace closure

In a statement released on Monday night, the national carrier said flights WB300 and WB303 scheduled for June 23 and 24, 2025, between Kigali and Doha had been cancelled.

“In light of the evolving situation and for the safety of our passengers and crew, flights to and from Dubai have also been cancelled,” the statement read.

The cancellations come in the wake of a significant military development in the Gulf. Qatar confirmed that its air defense systems had intercepted multiple Iranian missiles over the capital, Doha, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a military operation targeting U.S. forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base.

The IRGC described the strike, dubbed “Annunciation of Victory,” as retaliation for alleged threats to Iranian sovereignty, linked to the U.S. attack on three nuclear sites on Sunday.

Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the country’s defense forces successfully neutralised the incoming missiles, and no casualties were reported. Nonetheless, both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace ahead of the attack, forcing airlines across the region to suspend or reroute operations.

RwandAir has reassured affected passengers that they can reschedule their tickets for a later date.

“We will provide further updates as soon as there are changes to the situation,” the airline said, apologising for the inconvenience caused.

The airline also encouraged travellers needing assistance to contact its reservation team at [reservations@rwandair.com->reservations@rwandair.com] or reach out to their preferred travel agent.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has also confirmed the temporary suspension of its operations due to the ongoing closure of air traffic over Qatar. The airline said it is working closely with government stakeholders and relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and resume services once it is safe to do so.

The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with international observers monitoring for further developments in what is becoming a highly volatile region.

June 24, 2025
15 contestants advance to the final round of Miss Burundi 2025 (Photos)

The competition, which celebrates beauty, culture, and intellect, is now entering its most thrilling phase. The 15 finalists will go head-to-head in the coming weeks, culminating in a spectacular finale scheduled for 25 July 2025, when the new queen will be crowned.

All the contestants, including those who didn’t advance, took part in an intensive boot camp designed to hone their cultural understanding, confidence, and public presentation skills. The winner will take over the crown from the reigning Miss Burundi, Lellie Carelle Ndayizeye.

As anticipation builds, all eyes are now on the finalists, each hoping to capture the crown and become the new face of Burundian elegance and ambition.

June 23, 2025
Rwanda’s Komera centre ranked among 24 most beautiful buildings in the world

The list was compiled by British magazine Time Out.

Published at the end of last week, the ranking focused on buildings with remarkable history, exceptional architectural design, or unique features that make them stand out.

The Kayonza-based structure was ranked 22nd. It earned its spot due to its distinctive architectural style, particularly the way its bricks are arranged to form patterns inspired by Imigongo, a traditional Rwandan art form.

The building is also praised for its versatility. It includes a multi-purpose space that can easily be transformed into a meeting room, classroom, or auditorium—all with minimal adjustment.

Most of the materials used to construct the building were locally sourced in Rwanda, and women and girls made up 40% of the workforce involved in the construction.

The design of the centre was done by BE_Design, a New York-based firm. The building was inaugurated in September 2022.

This isn’t the first time the building has gained international recognition. In 2023, it was among the contenders for the prestigious Architizer A+Awards.

The Komera Leadership organisation, which built the centre, works to empower women and girls with skills and knowledge, aiming to improve their lives and impact their communities.

Topping the Time Out list is the world-renowned Taj Mahal in India. It is followed by Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland, and Egypt’s Pyramids in third place. Ad-Dayr in Petra, Jordan, ranks fifth.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton in France is in sixth place, while the Trinity College Library in Ireland comes in seventh.

8. Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali

9. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Iran

10. The Twist, Norway

11. Sagrada Família, Spain

12. Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh

13. Pantheon, Italy

14. Palmenhaus at Schönbrunn Palace, Austria

15. Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam

16. Museum at Eldridge Street, USA

17. Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia

18. Museum of Old and New Art, Australia

19. Maggie’s Centre, St James’s Hospital, UK

20. Baháʼí Temple of South America, Chile

21. Futuna Chapel, New Zealand

22. Komera Leadership Centre, Rwanda

23. National Holocaust Monument, Canada

24. Enryaku-ji, Japan

June 23, 2025
Gen Muhoozi lauds sister-in-law for exiting Ugandan parliamentary race in favour of uncle

Shartsi Kutesa Musherure is the sister of Gen Muhoozi’s wife, Charlotte Kainerugaba. She is a Member of Parliament representing the ruling party, NRM, for the Mawogola North constituency in Uganda’s Parliament.

As Uganda gears up for parliamentary elections, it was expected that Shartsi Kutesa Musherure would seek re-election.

However, her re-election bid had put her at odds with Sodo Aine Kaguta, the younger brother of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and also Gen Muhoozi’s uncle, as he, too, is eyeing the same seat.

To ease tensions, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Shartsi Musherure announced she would no longer contest for the seat, citing “respect for the President, Chairman of the NRM Party,” and a desire “to maintain the unity of the NRM party.”

In a message shared on Monday, Gen Muhoozi expressed appreciation for his sister-in-law’s decision to step aside.

“On Mawogola North, I applaud and congratulate my sister Hon.Shartsi. Government posts do not define a person. Shartsi is welcome to the struggle. I’m happy to have her as my fellow companion,” Gen Muhoozi wrote on X.

Following Musherure’s withdrawal, President Museveni’s younger brother visited Mawogola North on Monday to engage with local residents as he seeks to represent the area in Parliament.

June 23, 2025
Inside Rwanda’s multi-million dollar push to transform lakeside tourism

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recently announced that the funding was part of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), a seven-year development plan that has now been concluded.

The projects have so far resulted in the establishment of 631 hotel rooms along the country’s scenic lakes, including Lake Kivu, Lake Ruhondo, and Lake Burera.

RDB Deputy Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kangeli Muganza said the growth of lakeside tourism is not only diversifying Rwanda’s hospitality offerings but also contributing to broader economic development.

“As more hotels are established to cater to visitors, we see other economic activities emerging,” Muganza said. “These investments are creating jobs and supporting communities.”

Figures from the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism indicate that the number of private tourism establishments rose sharply from 450 in 2018 to 1,360 by 2023. The government now aims to increase the national hotel room capacity from 10,000 to 35,000 over the next five years.

In Karongi District, located along the northern shores of Lake Kivu, authorities report a notable increase in tourism infrastructure. More than 14 hotels are now operational in the district, drawing both leisure and research visitors.

Karongi Mayor Gerald Muzungu said hospitality investments are creating demand in related sectors such as food supply chains, transportation, and construction.

“Hotels are creating demand in food supply chains, transport, and other services, boosting job creation far beyond the hospitality sector,” Muzungu noted.

One of the standout projects is Château Le Marara, a newly opened European-style hotel located on a peninsula in Bwishyura Sector. The facility is already hosting guests and events while sourcing fresh produce from local suppliers, according to interim General Manager Solange Kayondo.

Beyond formal employment, the lakeside tourism boom is generating a wave of informal job opportunities. Workers such as painters, masons, and porters are finding steady income from construction and hotel maintenance.

According to RDB, the lakeshore projects completed so far have created approximately 364 jobs, with another 400 positions expected as ongoing projects are finalised.

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The broader hospitality and tourism sector in Rwanda currently employs around 165,000 people, a number that is projected to rise with the ongoing expansion of infrastructure and services.

Officials say lakeside tourism will remain a central pillar in Rwanda’s long-term economic development strategy, with plans to deepen investments and promote sustainable, community-driven growth.

June 23, 2025
American TV host Robin Roberts, wife Amber Laign pick Rwanda for anniversary getaway

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE magazine during the opening night of Call Me Izzy at Broadway’s Studio 54 on June 12, Roberts shared that the couple will be coming to the land of a thousand hills to celebrate nearly two years of marriage.

“We’re actually going to Rwanda,” said Roberts, 64. “Because we wanted to celebrate that way, because our time together has been an adventure. And we thought what better way than to be with the gorillas … in Rwanda?”

The celebrated Good Morning America co-anchor and her wife, a massage therapist from the San Francisco Bay Area, tied the knot in an intimate backyard ceremony in Farmington, Connecticut, in September 2023, following nearly two decades together. They first met on a blind date in 2005 and have been inseparable ever since — a bond strengthened through personal milestones, health challenges, and years of mutual support.

The couple’s visit will come as Rwanda continues to grow its reputation as a premier luxury and eco-tourism destination. From trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to enjoying serene lakefront lodges and vibrant cultural experiences, the country has become a favourite among high-profile visitors seeking meaningful travel.

Roberts and Laign have long described their relationship as rooted in strong communication and mutual respect.

“We’ve had peaks and valleys — many more peaks than valleys,” Roberts told PEOPLE. “Communication” and understanding each other’s backgrounds have been key to their enduring love.

Laign added, “We keep it fresh. You’ve got to keep it fresh, have our little date nights.”

Their anniversary trip also coincides with another milestone, 20 years together as a couple this July.

Roberts, known for her warmth and resilience on GMA, has inspired millions through her openness about overcoming breast cancer and a rare bone marrow disorder. Laign, too, is a cancer survivor, having battled breast cancer in recent years. Their mutual support during these health challenges has only deepened their bond.

With this upcoming trip, the couple joins a growing list of global celebrities drawn to Rwanda’s unique blend of wildlife, culture, and serenity. Other celebrities who have visited Rwanda recently include John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, who were in the country in February for the Move Afrika concert series.

Whether exploring lush rainforests or enjoying quiet moments together in Kigali, Roberts and Laign’s Rwandan escape promises to be a celebration not just of their marriage but of love, resilience, and shared adventures.

June 23, 2025
Iranian president warns U.S. of retaliation after strikes on nuclear sites

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement from his office. In response to Macron’s call for restraint, Pezeshkian said the United States must face consequences for its attacks on Iran.

He described the U.S. strikes as a “clear symbol of its insincerity and the baselessness of its claims about favoring dialogue and seeking peace.”

Despite this, Pezeshkian stressed Iran’s continued commitment to diplomacy with Europe, saying, “We have always announced our readiness for dialogue and interaction with Europe and have never abandoned the path of diplomacy, as we maintain that nobody would suffer any harm from dialogue.”

Macron reiterated France’s willingness to pursue negotiations with Iran and said Paris would continue efforts to halt the conflict and restore stability, according to the statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced on Truth Social that American forces had completed strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, namely Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The U.S. strikes followed Israeli attacks launched since June 13 on various targets in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. As of Saturday, more than 400 people have been killed and over 3,500 wounded in Iran, according to the Iranian Health Ministry. In Israel, authorities reported 24 fatalities.

June 23, 2025
APR FC unveils Burkinabé midfielder Memel Raouf Dao ahead of new season

The Rwandan champions made the announcement on Sunday, June 22, 2025, through their official social media platforms, stating: “APR FC welcomes Dao R. Memel to the Army of Champions. Playmaker vibes on. Lion mode activated”

The 21-year-old joins from AS Sonabel Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, where he had an impressive campaign last season, scoring five goals. His performances caught the attention of several clubs in the region, including Tanzania’s Singida Big Stars.

Dao, known for his creativity and attacking flair, recently featured for the Burkina Faso national team in their 2-0 defeat to Tunisia during a friendly played on June 2, 2025. He also stood out at the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, earning praise as one of the tournament’s top performers.

His arrival brings APR FC’s number of new signings to seven, following the acquisitions of Hakizimana Adolphe, Bugingo Hakim, Omborenga Fitina, Ronald Ssekiganda, Ngabonziza Pacifique, and Iraguha Hadji.

The military side is expected to make one final signing, a foreign striker, as they finalise their squad for the new campaign.

June 22, 2025
City of Kigali debuts modern road cleaning technology

The introduction of the modern cleaning vehicle is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at preserving Kigali’s reputation as a model city for urban management and environmental sustainability.

According to Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, Director General in charge of Communication and Education at the City of Kigali, the vehicle is designed to sweep tarmacked roads in dirty areas using built-in brushes.

“It also has a method of cleaning roads without raising dust, by using a vacuum or suction system to remove dirt, debris, and loose materials from the road surface,” she said.

“The vehicle is equipped with a tank specifically designed to collect and store the waste it gathers, which is then transported to a designated disposal site.”

Ntirenganya added that the waste is discharged automatically and the vehicle includes “high-pressure hoses that can be used to wash a vehicle, such as cleaning the tyres when necessary, or washing the entire vehicle when it has come from a dirty area before entering paved roads.”

She also assured that the deployment of the new vehicle will not replace current road-cleaning staff.

“The workers will remain in their roles because the vehicle does not enter drainage channels or clean other edges of the road. It also does not clean around roadside flowerbeds,” she said, adding that “the vehicle operates from midnight, once traffic has reduced.”

The development comes as Kigali continues to draw praise for its cleanliness and innovative city management. Recognised for years as one of the cleanest cities in Africa, Kigali has consistently ranked highly in regional and international assessments.

In 2023, the city was named Africa’s premier smart city in the African Smart City Index. In July 2024, it ranked third among travellers’ favourite African cities.

“From urban planning to quality of life and business appeal, Kigali continues to set the bar high,” Ntirenganya said.

The city’s emphasis on cleanliness dates back over a decade. In 2007, Forbes named Kigali the cleanest city in Africa. A year later, it received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award. In 2018, UN Environment Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim described Kigali as “the cleanest city on the planet.”

City authorities credit these achievements to consistent environmental policies, including the 2008 plastic bag ban, as well as community initiatives such as Umuganda, a monthly national clean-up activity in which residents take part in maintaining public spaces.

WATCH:

Kigali has begun using a smart road-cleaning vehicle overnight as part of its strategy to sustain its status as one of Africa’s cleanest cities. #RBANews pic.twitter.com/tAi8Kh9s3S

— Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) (@rbarwanda) June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025
Over 400 SAMIDRC troops withdraw from Goma, transit through Rwanda (Photos)

The troops consist of 317 soldiers from South Africa and 144 from Malawi. They travelled in 11 RITCO buses, escorted by Rwandan security agencies.

The troops crossed the ‘Grande Barrière’ border post a few minutes before 9:00 a.m., and headed to Kigali, from where they continued their journey to Tanzania to be airlifted to their home countries.

The repatriation of SAMIDRC troops through Rwanda began on June 12, 2025, as part of the second phase of the withdrawal process.

The mission, launched in December 2023 to support Congolese forces in neutralising the M23 rebel group, was terminated in March.

The first phase of the withdrawal, which began on 29 April, focused on the removal of equipment and logistical supplies.

Deployed with an offensive mandate, SAMIDRC was tasked with pushing back the M23 rebels, who have repeatedly stated they are fighting against the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the DRC. However, the mission faced significant operational challenges.

In January, M23 rebels seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu, dealing a serious blow to the regional intervention force. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of 18 SADC troops, including 14 from South Africa, two from Malawi, and two from Tanzania, and left dozens injured.

Since the loss of Goma, SAMIDRC forces had largely remained confined to their bases, amid growing political pressure from within SADC member states to disengage. In South Africa, lawmakers increasingly questioned the rationale behind continued military involvement.

June 22, 2025