Kenny Mugarura, Global Entertainment, Sports & Events Director at Kigali Universe, confirmed the development in an exclusive interview with IGIHE. He explained that the footbridge is part of the center’s ongoing expansion, which also includes a multifunctional building designed to host concerts, exhibitions, and other events.
The new building will accommodate up to 700 people and is expected to become a key venue for a variety of activities. In addition, Mugarura noted that there is still space available for further development on top of the CHIC building.
“The footbridge project is now complete, fully approved, and has received all necessary permits,” Mugarura said. “We plan to open it this month or in February.”
The footbridge is a modern, architecturally striking structure that connects key sections of Kigali Universe, offering visitors a scenic route for walking, sightseeing, and photography.
Mugarura said the total cost, exceeding 900 million Frw, covered both imported materials and construction expenses. Some of the steel used in the bridge was sourced from China, while other components came from Turkey.
Designed by Turkish and Rwandan architects, the new footbridge can handle substantial visitor traffic and enhances the entertainment centre’s overall appeal.
In 2021, he made history as the first Rwandan to sign with an NFL team, later continuing his career in the Canadian Football League (CFL), a journey defined as much by resilience and service as by sport.
His story begins in Zambia, where his parents sought refuge after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The family later relocated to the United States when he was just two years old, and his early years were marked by constant movement. From New York to Illinois and through towns including Hinsdale, Romeoville, and Bolingbrook, each new place helped shape his resilience and determination from a young age.
“It was a lot of movement early on. We were trying to put the pieces together,” Rugamba told IGIHE in a recent exclusive Zoom interview, adding that adjusting to a new country as a large family was particularly challenging due to limited resources.
After settling in America, Rugamba recalls his parents’ stories of life in the refugee camp. “We all lived in a hut, about 25 to 30 of us lying next to each other,” he recalled. ‘Despite the hardships, family was always the most important thing. That sense of togetherness kept our spirits up.”
His mother played a pivotal role in his journey. Born three months premature, she named him Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us,” a testament to faith and hope. “She was my rock. She keeps me grounded and humble. She showed me that I could do anything if I wanted to,” Rugamba said.
His mother worked tirelessly, putting herself through nursing school while taking English classes and supporting a family of ten.
{{A chance encounter with football
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Sports weren’t a part of Rugamba’s early plan, but a twist of fate changed everything. At nine years old, he was too young to join basketball at the local recreation centre, and his mother, determined to keep him active, enrolled him in football instead.
“It changed my life forever,” he said, adding that football became his passion and his path forward.
High school brought new opportunities and mentorship. Coach Tim Lavery and Head Coach Michael Stein recognised Rugamba’s talent and guidance, encouraging him to pursue scholarships and professional opportunities.
He really changed my life, because simply having knowledge of that opportunity meant everything. Not everybody has that knowledge, especially when you come from an immigrant family where everyone is just trying to put the pieces together,” he revealed.
Rugamba’s work ethic and mental toughness set him apart.
“I wasn’t the fastest player on the field. I wasn’t the highest jumper, and I wasn’t the strongest. But I can confidently say that I believed I was the best player on the field whenever I stepped out there,” he said.
“That’s what you have to do, because football is a mental game, and about 70% of what happens on the field happens between your ears.”
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In 2021, Rugamba achieved a milestone by joining the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. The experience was thrilling yet daunting.
“I knew I wanted to be a football player, but I didn’t realise I was making history for Rwanda,” he said.
After seven months with the Browns, he transitioned to the CFL, playing for the Vancouver BC Lions and earning rookie-of-the-year nominations and all-star recognition. Rugamba described the CFL as faster-paced and more offence-driven than the NFL, highlighting the differences in field size, player count, and style of play.
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While Rugamba’s football achievements are impressive, his off-field work defines him just as much. Through his nonprofit, Vision Forward Foundation, he has spoken at over 120 schools across Canada and the U.S., addressing inclusion, resilience, and anti-bullying.
“Football can only take you so far, but the message you give to the next generation lasts forever,” he said.
He is passionate about expanding opportunities for young Africans in sports, including in Rwanda.
“The biggest barriers are knowledge, opportunity, and resources,” Rugamba explained.
He welcomed Rwanda’s growing presence in American football, particularly the Visit Rwanda partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, signed in September last year, calling it a powerful step toward expanding opportunity.
“When I saw that partnership, I couldn’t stop smiling,” he said. “I know what football can bring.”
For aspiring Rwandan and African players, Rugamba shares a simple truth: “Ask a million questions. Find mentors. Be humble and willing to learn. That’s how you get to the international stage.”
Looking ahead, Rugamba is eager to return to Rwanda, first to pay respects at the Genocide Memorial, then to engage with youth, sports organizations and policymakers. Through his foundation and partnerships, he hopes to bring mentorship programs and sports development initiatives back home.
“I want to be home,” he said. “I want to see the youth, build programs, and give back in every way I can.”
The EAC Secretariat flagged off the mission to observe the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda on Tuesday, January 13. The mission comprises a delegation of 61 observers drawn from EAC Partner States and the EAC Secretariat.
The EAC Election Observation Mission will monitor the entire electoral cycle, including the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election phase, with the aim of providing a comprehensive, independent and objective assessment of the conduct of the elections.
Ambassador Mukabagwiza brings to the role extensive experience in public service, diplomacy and regional affairs. The EAC said her leadership, integrity and deep understanding of governance processes will provide strategic guidance and credibility to the mission.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Mukabagwiza underscored the mission’s commitment to impartiality and professionalism.
“We are here to observe and assess the electoral process in an independent, impartial and objective manner, in accordance with the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the EAC Election Observation Principles, the laws of the Republic of Uganda and applicable African Union and international standards,” she said.
Uganda concluded a three-month presidential campaign period on Tuesday ahead of the general elections. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, seeking a seventh five-year term, held his final rally in Kampala, while his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, also wrapped up his campaign by urging voters to turn out. Six other candidates are contesting the presidency after campaigning across the country.
The EAC mission is expected to issue a preliminary statement outlining its initial observations and findings shortly after polling. A comprehensive final report will later be prepared and submitted to the EAC Council of Ministers, the Government of the Republic of Uganda and other relevant stakeholders.
“The report will include practical recommendations aimed at strengthening future electoral processes and enhancing democratic governance within the EAC,” said Veronica Mueni Nduva, the EAC Secretary General.
Mukabagwiza is a prominent figure in Rwanda’s public life, with more than 23 years of service in various national responsibilities. She previously served as Minister of Justice, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies responsible for legal affairs and government oversight, and Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada and Cuba between 2007 and 2013. She later served as a Member of Parliament from 2013 to 2018 and was part of the leadership of the Chamber of Deputies.
An expert in law, Mukabagwiza studied at the University of Rwanda and holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy from Washington International University in the United States, alongside other legal qualifications. She has worked in several ministries and non-governmental organisations and recently took the oath as a legal advocate, founding EM Pathways Legal & Advisory Ltd after concluding her political career.
Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni held his final rally in Kampala, the capital, where his supporters donning yellow attires marched through the streets singing and chanting.
Museveni, who is seeking a seventh five-year term in office, told his supporters gathering at Kololo Independence Grounds that the campaign was successful. He said some rallies turned out to be celebrations highlighting the achievements the country has registered.
Museveni urged voters to turn out in large numbers, assuring them that the elections would proceed without disruption.
His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, a pop star-turned politician, also urged voters to turn up and vote at his final rally.
Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, is running on the ticket of the opposition National Unity Platform. This marks his second bid for the presidency after facing off with Museveni in the 2021 elections.
Six other candidates are also vying for the presidency after traversing several parts of the country and seeking support from voters.
Simon Byabakama, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, told reporters that after the close of the campaigns, no candidate is supposed to converse for votes, noting that culprits would be penalized. He assured the country that a free and fair election will be delivered.
The elections are scheduled to start on Thursday at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and close at 4:00 p.m. (1300 GMT), with about 21 million registered voters expected to turn up at polling stations across the country, according to the electoral body.
The meeting marked the end of Ambassador Kneedler’s tenure in Kigali, during which he engaged with Rwandan leadership on bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the United States.
Earlier in the day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, also bid farewell to Ambassador Kneedler.
Ambassador Kneedler formally assumed his role as U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda on October 18, 2023, after presenting his letters of credence to President Kagame at Urugwiro Village. He succeeded Peter H. Vrooman. His appointment followed his nomination by U.S. President Joe Biden on August 3, 2022, confirmation by the U.S. Senate on July 27, 2023, and swearing-in later in August 2023.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Kneedler previously served as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing extensive diplomatic experience to his role in Rwanda.
His departure comes amid a broader diplomatic reshuffle in which the United States has recalled nearly 30 ambassadors from dozens of countries. The changes have largely affected Africa, where envoys from 15 countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and others, have been recalled. Additional recalls have also affected countries in Asia, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere.
Rwanda and the United States continue to maintain diplomatic relations spanning health, development, security and economic cooperation, with both sides reaffirming engagement through ongoing bilateral frameworks.
The Association of Insurers in Rwanda (ASSAR) told IGIHE that recent cases involve impostors setting up fake offices, collecting money from public service motorcycle operators, and issuing forged insurance certificates while posing as legitimate insurance agents.
Pamela Umutesi, the Managing Director of ASSAR, said the recent incidents targeted Mayfair Insurance Company Rwanda Ltd and strongly condemned the actions, describing them as criminal offenses punishable by law.
“There used to be other minor issues, such as people altering insurance dates instead of renewing their policies. But this is the first time we have seen people establish fake offices, charge clients, and issue certificates claiming they are insured,” she said.
She added that, in collaboration with relevant authorities, the suspects are under investigation and that several measures have already been put in place to curb the fraud, with more interventions planned.
“Since 2019, as an association, we have been issuing a unified insurance certificate through ASSAR. This means that regardless of the insurance company where a client purchases insurance, it is ASSAR that issues the certificate. It includes a scanning feature that allows authorities such as the Police to verify its authenticity using a mobile phone,” Umutesi explained.
“Because not everyone owns a smartphone, we are also planning to introduce a USSD system using a star code. The insurer will provide a code, which the client can dial to verify whether the certificate they received is genuine,” she added.
Umutesi noted that beyond financial losses, the most serious risk arises when an accident occurs and a rider believes they are insured, only to later discover they were issued a fake certificate.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in Kayonza District, one of the areas where the scam was identified, said that toward the end of 2025, two individuals were discovered impersonating representatives of Mayfair Insurance Company Rwanda Ltd. One suspect had set up an office in Murundi Sector and was arrested, while the other remains at large.
Similar cases have also been reported in Nyamasheke and Karongi districts. Investigators say they are following leads pointing to a suspected ringleader who is still on the run.
Mayfair Insurance confirmed the incidents, saying that as soon as the fraud was discovered, the company reported the matter to relevant authorities, including RIB, ASSAR, and the regulator, the National Bank of Rwanda.
The company clarified that it does not provide motorcycle taxi (PSV) insurance and urged the public to remain vigilant when paying for insurance certificates.
“We have noted several cases where fraudulent insurance certificates were issued by rogue individuals falsely claiming to represent us. We urge the public to exercise caution when receiving insurance certificates,” the company’s Managing Director Ms. Jessica Igoma said.
“We also encourage the public to remain vigilant as authorities continue with efforts to apprehend all suspects and put an end to these fraudulent activities,” she added.
Mayfair Insurance, which has operated in Rwanda for nearly a decade, offers a wide range of general insurance products, including motor, property, marine, travel, and specialized corporate insurance solutions.
Members of the public are advised to verify insurance certificates using QR codes on the documents, deal only with authorized agents listed on Mayfair’s official website, or contact the company directly at 0788 381 844.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a security conference in Sweden’s Salen, Kubilius said he shared Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s view that a forced takeover would deal a fatal blow to NATO and severely damage transatlantic ties. He added that such a move would also trigger a strong negative reaction among Europeans.
Kubilius said he did not believe a U.S. invasion was imminent, but noted that Article 42.7 of the EU treaty obliges member states to provide mutual assistance if a member country is subjected to armed aggression. He said the bloc could step up support for Greenland at Denmark’s request, including by deploying troops and expanding military infrastructure such as naval presence and counter-drone capabilities.
Denmark and the United States, both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the Greenland issue. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale, while U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted Washington must “own” Greenland without ruling out the use of force.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Europeans within NATO were discussing ways to strengthen the alliance, but stressed that such work should not be based on any presumption that NATO would stop functioning.
Also at the security policy conference in the western resort town of Salen, Kristersson on Sunday criticized recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and Trump’s “threatening rhetoric” toward Denmark and Greenland, warning that such moves undermine international law and increase risks for smaller countries.
Kristersson said Washington should instead show gratitude toward Denmark, as it has been a longstanding ally. He also pledged Swedish support for Denmark.
Since taking office in January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring control of Greenland, stating that he would not rule out the use of “military or economic coercion” to achieve that goal.
Last month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Danish Realm. Trump said in a recent interview that the United States “absolutely” needs Greenland.
Jeune Afrique, citing sources privy to the tensions that followed the capture of Uvira, reports that Kinshasa feared the conflict could spread to other provinces, including Kalemie in Tanganyika, and sought help to counter the rebel advance.
However, Angola refused to send troops, reminding President Félix Tshisekedi that even when the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force was deployed in North Kivu, Angolan soldiers had not been involved. Instead, Luanda proposed political mediation.
On December 14, Tshisekedi visited Angola to meet President João Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union (AU), to discuss dialogue options. Tshisekedi returned on January 5, 2026, agreeing with Lourenço that discussions should include a broad range of Congolese actors, from political opponents to armed groups such as AFC/M23, with talks planned for Kinshasa.
Following the meetings, Lourenço conducted discreet consultations with potential participants, including former President Joseph Kabila and his close associates Moïse Nyarugabo and Raymond Tshibanda. The aim was to prepare a new phase of dialogue, although both governments have avoided calling it a “new peace process.”
AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa, who had earlier communicated the withdrawal of M23 fighters from Uvira in a “confidence-building measure”, requested clarification on how these discussions would differ from the ongoing Doha talks. The rebels were invited to Luanda as part of preparations for the Kinshasa talks, but sought assurances that the initiative would not undermine previous agreements.
Tshisekedi returned to Luanda on January 8 to finalise the list of participants, according to diplomatic sources.
Angola is said to be engaging church leaders and opposition figures in the proposed Kinshasa talks, while carefully avoiding the term “new peace process.”
The behind-the-scenes efforts mark a subtle relaunch of Angola’s role as a mediator in the DRC conflict after President Lourenço had announced he was stepping back from mediation following his election as African Union chair in March 2025.
Trump wrote that the tariff policy is “effective immediately” and described the order as “final and conclusive.” He did not provide further details about the legal authority under which the tariffs would be imposed nor about whether the policy applies to all Iranian trading partners.
The tariffs would be paid by U.S. importers of goods from countries that continue doing business with Iran, a long‑sanctioned member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iran exports large quantities of oil and other products, with major trading partners including China, Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India.
Beijing strongly criticized the announcement. The Chinese embassy in Washington said it opposed what it called unilateral sanctions and the extension of U.S. jurisdiction beyond its borders, warning that China would take necessary measures to safeguard its interests.
Officials from Japan and South Korea said they were monitoring the situation closely but did not announce specific actions.
Trump’s comments come as Iran experiences significant anti‑government protests, described by rights groups as the largest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and as Washington weighs how to respond to the unrest. Tehran has indicated it is keeping lines of communication open with the United States even amid heightened tensions.
Trump made the comments in a January 7, 2026, interview with The New York Times, where he emphasised that simply having a military presence on the island is not enough for him.
Trump argued that owning Greenland outright would provide strategic and psychological advantages that cannot be achieved through existing agreements or leases. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark with significant self‑government, already hosts a U.S. military presence under a Cold War‑era defence agreement, but Trump said that “ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do” through those arrangements.
When asked by a New York Times reporter whether it was psychologically important to him personally or to the United States as a whole, Trump responded without hesitation that it was “psychologically important for me.” He added, “Maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I’ve been right about everything.”
In the interview, Trump also hinted that he would be willing to consider using military force if necessary to acquire the Arctic territory, though he acknowledged that such action “might upset NATO,” since Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member.
The idea of owning Greenland has drawn widespread criticism from both allies and experts. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s sovereignty and self‑determination, and many European leaders have rejected the notion of a U.S. takeover.
Greenland’s own government has strongly rebuffed Trump’s comments, insisting that decisions about the territory’s future belong to Greenlanders and Denmark under international law. EU officials have warned that any attempt by the United States to take over by force could jeopardise the future of NATO, as the alliance would be obligated to defend a fellow member state.
China has also criticised Trump’s stance, calling it self‑serving, and military analysts have dismissed the idea that ownership is necessary for defence, noting that the U.S. already maintains extensive global military partnerships without controlling foreign territory.
Trump’s remarks come amid rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic, where strategic resources and new shipping routes are attracting attention from major powers including Russia and China. As debates over Greenland’s future continue, Trump’s comments have added a controversial chapter to U.S. foreign policy discussions.
