Crowds, largely made up of young people, gathered in major cities including Dar es Salaam, calling for electoral reforms and accusing authorities of sidelining opposition candidates in the polls.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, is widely expected to secure victory once official results are announced.
{{Calls for calm amid heavy security presence
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The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Jacob John Mkunda, on Thursday urged citizens to stay off the streets, saying the army was working with police and other agencies to restore order. He described those engaged in violent acts as “criminals” and said security forces had the situation under control.
Despite the appeal, some demonstrators returned to the streets on Friday, particularly in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. Authorities have since extended a night-time curfew and maintained an internet shutdown, making it difficult to verify reports circulating on social media.
Witnesses say police have used tear gas to disperse crowds, while several public offices and buildings were vandalised earlier in the week. Government officials have emphasised that the measures being taken are temporary and necessary to protect citizens and property.
In a message to the diplomatic community broadcast on state television, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the government was monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to maintain stability.
“Owing to isolated incidents of breaches of law and order, the government has heightened security and taken precautionary measures. These are temporary but necessary steps, and normalcy will return shortly.”
The United Nations has expressed concern over reports of casualties, urging Tanzanian security agencies to exercise restraint. UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango said credible reports indicated that at least ten people had been killed in the unrest in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro.
Amnesty International said it was unable to independently verify those figures due to the ongoing internet restrictions. Hospitals and local authorities have also declined to comment publicly on the number of casualties.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, which boycotted the election after its leader Tundu Lissu was arrested on treason charges earlier this year, has alleged that hundreds of people have died. The government has not confirmed those figures.
According to the National Electoral Commission, results from 80 out of 100 regions have already been tallied, with President Hassan holding a commanding lead. Her main challengers, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, were unable to participate, the former due to his detention and the latter following disqualification over legal technicalities.
On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar, the CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi has been declared the winner with nearly 80 percent of the vote. Opposition groups there have alleged electoral irregularities, though authorities insist the process was free and fair.
The report was officially launched on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Kigali Serena Hotel, in a ceremony attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, development partners, civil society representatives, and the media.
The Rwanda Governance Scorecard, produced annually by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), remains the nation’s flagship tool for measuring progress in governance, accountability, and service delivery.
{{Strong performance in safety, inclusion, and rule of law
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The Safety and Security pillar remains Rwanda’s highest-performing area with a score of 90.02%, reaffirming the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s safest nations. The report attributes this to consistently high citizen confidence in the Rwanda Defence Force, National Police, and local security structures.
Participation and Inclusiveness ranked second with 86.31%, reflecting broad citizen involvement in public affairs, effective decentralisation, and gender-balanced leadership. The report notes that power sharing and inclusiveness scored a full 100%, while gender equality in leadership reached 82.42%.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties followed with 82.71%, supported by strong results in democratic rights and freedoms (86.36%), respect for human rights (84.11%), and access to public information (81.77%).
The Rule of Law pillar achieved 81.63%, indicating continued public trust in justice institutions. The report highlights high scores in performance of the legislature (90.44%), though it identifies challenges such as case backlogs (50.85%) and limited digitalisation, with only 11% of government services fully automated.
{{Governance integrity and accountability
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Under the Anti-Corruption, Transparency, and Accountability pillar, Rwanda scored 79.25%, driven by transparency (92.35%) and accountability (80.39%). The report acknowledges sustained institutional integrity but notes that anti-corruption mechanisms (67.9%) and training of committees in public and private institutions remain areas for improvement.
The Economic and Corporate Governance pillar scored 74.84%, showing sound macroeconomic management (72.75%) and steady progress in corporate governance (77.67%). However, the report points to weaker results in exports of goods and services (47.95%), credit to the private sector (57.75%), and savings rate (60.23%).
The Quality of Service Delivery pillar registered 71.73%, showing advances in ICT-enabled services (66.9%) but emphasising the need to accelerate full digitalisation, with only a small fraction of services end-to-end automated.
The lowest-performing pillar, Investing in Human and Social Development, stood at 64.69%. The report notes continuing progress in health (74.14%) and education (65.65%), but identifies gaps in nutrition, social protection, and climate resilience, highlighting these as priority areas under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
{{A renewal of Rwanda’s commitment to good governance
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Opening the event, Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Governance Board, described the Scorecard as more than an annual report, “a renewal of Rwanda’s commitment to good governance.”
“Each edition of the Scorecard is a covenant with our collective pledge to measure ourselves transparently, correct course where needed, and continuously strive for excellence in public service,” Dr. Uwicyeza said.
She noted that the 12th edition reaffirms Rwanda’s strong foundation built on trust in institutions, security, and citizen participation, while also highlighting the need to strengthen decentralised service delivery and human development outcomes.
“Our challenge now is to translate governance strength into tangible results felt in citizens’ daily lives,” she added. “The Government of Rwanda has always chosen self-accountability as a pillar of leadership; this Scorecard embodies that principle.”
Dr. Uwicyeza paid tribute to President Paul Kagame, emphasising his leadership vision rooted in unity, ambition, and accountability.
“When President Kagame was asked about Rwanda’s secret, he said it lies in three choices: we chose to stay together, to think big, and to be accountable. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard is the embodiment of that accountability.”
{{Data is the lifeline of governance
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Ms. Fatmata Sesay, UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda, commended the Government and RGB for maintaining 15 years of consistent commitment to data-driven governance.
“Governance data is more than numbers; it is the lifeline of informed decision-making, policy dialogue, and accountability,” she said. “The Rwanda Governance Scorecard is not just a national tool; it is a global model for how governance data can be systematically collected, analysed, and used to drive transformation.”
She applauded Rwanda’s focus on evidence-based policy and citizen-centred governance, emphasising the Scorecard’s value as a practical instrument for reform.
“Let us not keep this document until next year’s launch,” she urged. “Let it inform our programs, shape our policies, and strengthen accountability. Governance is not abstract—it’s about how services are delivered and how every Rwandan participates in shaping the future.”
Sesay also highlighted the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in public data systems, calling for innovation to enhance citizen feedback mechanisms and real-time data analysis.
{{Turning insight into action
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Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, described the RGS as “a remarkable homegrown innovation that embodies Rwanda’s deep commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.”
“This Scorecard confirms that Rwanda continues to perform strongly in most governance areas, with five out of eight pillars scoring above 80 percent,” Prof. Ojielo said.
He observed that while Rwanda’s governance remains robust, modest declines in human and social development, education quality, and economic competitiveness underscore the need for renewed focus under NST2.
The key goals of NST2 include achieving an average annual GDP growth rate of 9.3 percent, creating 1.25 million decent jobs, doubling private investment to USD 4.6 billion, doubling export revenues to USD 7.3 billion, and reducing child stunting from 33 percent to 15 percent by 2029.
“Governance is about values, how a society chooses to hold itself accountable. What we see in Rwanda is not just a technical exercise but a foundational process of reimagining the socio-economic fabric of society,” he remarked.
Prof. Ojielo emphasised that measuring performance drives progress.
“What gets measured gets managed, and what gets measured gets done. Measurement is not just observation; it is a catalyst for transformation.”
He called for stronger investments in digital public services, education, export readiness, and citizen engagement, reinforcing that “the Scorecard is not just about data, it is about direction.”
{{A tool for continuous renewal
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Now in its 12th edition since its inception in 2010, the Rwanda Governance Scorecard continues to serve as both a mirror and a compass, reflecting the country’s governance achievements while guiding future reforms. It benchmarks Rwanda’s progress against global indices such as the Mo Ibrahim Index, the Chandler Good Government Index, and the World Justice Project, while remaining firmly grounded in homegrown accountability principles.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was alarmed by the atrocity reports in the capital of North Darfur state after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the city over the weekend.
“Local sources report widespread killings, abductions, maiming and sexual violence, alongside the detention and killing of aid workers,” OCHA said. “Thousands of civilians remain trapped inside El Fasher, while many others are stranded at Garni, about 20 kilometers away, unable to flee due to insecurity and lack of transport.”
The office said those still inside the city face life-threatening shortages of food, water and medical care. Aid workers are blocked from entering the city.
The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced grave concern over escalating violence in and around El Fasher and condemned the assault by the RSF on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told the council that the situation in El Fasher has descended into “an even darker hell,” with credible reports of widespread executions after RSF fighters entered the city.
OCHA said that civilians who managed to escape El Fasher are sheltering in the open in the localities of Kebkabiya, Melit and Tawila, where families lack necessities.
“Conditions in Tawila are particularly dire,” the office said. “Safe water meets less than half of daily needs, markets have collapsed, and supplies of food, fuel and medicines are nearly exhausted. Diseases are spreading.”
A UN-led assessment screened 715 displaced children and found nearly 60 percent of them to be acutely malnourished.
OCHA said the world body and its partners are scaling up response efforts despite enormous security and access challenges.
In Tawila, mobile health clinics are providing urgent medical and nutrition services for the newly arrived. Humanitarian partners have established health and nutrition sites, distributed reproductive health and cholera kits, and pre-positioned more than 8,000 cartons of therapeutic food, with another 6,000 cartons en route.
OCHA said that more than 30 nutrition sites remain operational, while community kitchens, cash distributions and temporary shelters continue to support newly displaced families. Psychosocial activities for children affected by trauma are to begin this week.
“The United Nations and partners are also sustaining water, sanitation and hygiene operations across Tawila, Melit and surrounding areas, trucking safe water, installing latrines, distributing hygiene kits, and conducting cholera prevention campaigns,” the office said.
OCHA warned that explosive ordnance contamination continues to endanger civilians and humanitarian workers in and around El Fasher, limiting safe movement and delaying assistance. Sustained access for mine action teams and equipment is urgently needed to survey and clear hazardous areas.
The office reiterated its call for all parties to immediately halt hostilities, protect civilians and aid workers, and ensure sustained, unhindered humanitarian access.
Her journey from the streets of Europe to the heart of Rwanda’s cultural stage is a story of passion, persistence, and the transformative power of dance.
Hilde was born in New York but grew up in Belgium, where she moved frequently with her family due to her parents’ work. Early exposure to different environments shaped her adaptability and curiosity about cultures beyond her own.
From a young age, she found herself drawn to cultural dances rather than classical Western forms like ballet or jazz. Hip-hop, flamenco, and Egyptian dance were her first loves, each reflecting a unique cultural rhythm that fascinated her.
In a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE, Hilde revealed that after earning a degree in mathematics and physics, she briefly taught at a school in Belgium. However, the classroom could not contain her creative spirit.
In 2004, she moved to England to pursue dance and visual arts at the University of Brighton. Her formal dance journey had begun, but it was not until her first visit to Rwanda in 2006, when she came for a friend’s wedding, that she discovered her true calling.
“I had never been to sub-Saharan Africa, so for me it was mind-blowing,” Hilde recalls. “Everything felt different. Seeing women walking with baskets on their heads was so inspiring. The beauty, the colours, the culture, it all captivated me.”
At the Ubumuntu Festival, she watched Inganzo Ngari, a troupe formed in 2006 to promote Rwandan dance, music, and culture, perform for the opening night. The female dancers in their flowing umushanana left her breathless.
“They were flowing like water, and I felt goosebumps all over,” she says. “I thought, this is magical. I want to learn this dance.”
Hilde returned to Europe, hoping to find a teacher who could guide her in Rwandan dance, whether in England or elsewhere in Europe. She soon realised that there was no substitute for learning the art in its homeland.
Over several years, she made repeated trips to Rwanda, studying intensively for short periods. After a few visits, she decided that the only way to truly master the dance was to move to Rwanda. In 2018, she took the life-changing step of relocating to study traditional Rwandan dance full-time.
The journey was not without challenges. “Some styles, like Ikinimba, are like fire,” Hilde explains. “My essence is flowing like water, so these dances demand a different kind of energy. But that’s the joy, you are always learning.”
Beyond the physical demands, cultural adjustments tested her patience. Homesickness and unfamiliar customs initially made her question her path. Yet, over seven years, Hilde found a rhythm not just in dance, but in life in Rwanda.
Her dedication extends beyond personal mastery. Hilde’s seven-year-old son shares her passion for traditional dance, already beginning lessons with aspirations of performing alongside his mother.
“It would be my dream to share the stage with him,” she says. Hilde also hopes to inspire other foreigners to experience Rwandan culture, whether through intensive workshops, retreats, or collaborative performances with local artists.
Today, Hilde Cannoodt is more than a Westerner dancing with Inganzo Ngari. She has become a bridge between cultures, a living testament to the idea that art can transcend borders. Through her dedication, she shows that when passion meets culture, it can flow as effortlessly as water, resilient, adaptable, and profoundly moving.
Curious to see her in action? Watch the full interview and experience Hilde Cannoodt’s mesmerising Rwandan dance moves below.
The tournament brings together top amateurs from Rwanda and the region in a contest that blends competitive sport with NCBA’s broader vision of community impact and sustainable growth.
“Coming back for a second year is a statement of intent,” said Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda. “Our goal is to keep building on this platform that connects East Africans through sport, opportunity, and shared purpose. Golf has proven to be one of the most effective ways to do that.”
Building on the success of last year’s debut, this year’s edition carries added significance as Rwanda hosts the final regional leg of the NCBA Golf Series before the Grand Finale on November 28th at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.
The finale will feature top golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda competing for the 2025 regional title. The first edition in Rwanda drew over 200 players, culminating in a thrilling finale where the top three Rwandan golfers, Paul Ntaganda, Alphonsine Murekatete, and Bethlehem Umuzabibu, represented the country at Muthaiga Golf Club. Their performance placed Rwanda firmly on the regional map and ignited fresh enthusiasm for the sport in the local golfing community.
The event also welcomes a new partner, the brand new Mövenpick Hotel Kigali, which will co-sponsor the tournament and host the official prize-giving ceremony, marking the hotel’s first official event.
“It’s a privilege to open our doors with an event that celebrates excellence, community, and regional unity,” said Media Rutayisire, General Manager, Mövenpick Hotel Kigali. “Hosting such a prestigious event perfectly reflects our values of hospitality and shared success.”
Since its inception, the NCBA Golf Series has grown into one of East Africa’s premier amateur tournaments, attracting over 5,000 golfers across more than 20 tournaments in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
The Series has become a regional stage for golfers of all levels, from emerging juniors to seasoned club champions, and a platform for building friendships, business connections, and cross-border collaboration through sport.
“Our commitment is to consistency, to showing up for the sport, our partners, and the communities where we operate,” added Toroitich. “The NCBA Golf Series is now part of a regional story that celebrates progress, partnership, and purpose.”
As Kigali tees off this weekend, all eyes turn to Nairobi, where the best from across the region will meet at Muthaiga to close another thrilling chapter of golf, unity, and achievement in East Africa.
The unrest, which has affected major cities including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, and Arusha, saw demonstrators vandalising and setting fire to a number of commercial establishments.
Among the first affected was an electronics shop owned by rapper Billnas, followed by Shishi Food, a popular restaurant chain run by musician Shilole. Fashion entrepreneur and singer Juma Jux also reported significant losses after his boutique was destroyed.
Protesters have voiced frustration over the perceived closeness of some celebrities to political authorities, accusing them of supporting the ruling party. Many in Tanzania’s entertainment sector have expressed concern about being caught in the crossfire.
Beyond businesses, some entertainers are also actively participating in the political sphere. Musician and social media personality Baba Levo is running for an elective seat, with support from fellow artist Diamond Platnumz, demonstrating the growing intersection between celebrity influence and political engagement in the country.
The election period has been marked by demonstrations, curfews in certain areas, and heightened security presence. While the situation has caused disruptions, authorities continue to encourage citizens to observe peace and maintain public safety.
Ebabi, an officer attached to the military intelligence service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), had visited Raw Studio on October 19 with her fiancé to take pre-wedding photographs ahead of their planned ceremony on October 31, 2025.
The incident drew attention after Raw Studio published their pictures and videos on TikTok, prompting Ebabi’s arrest on October 24.
During a court hearing on October 28, military prosecutors accused her of bringing the army into disrepute and violating military discipline by displaying affection in uniform.
In her defence, Ebabi said Raw Studio had admitted to sharing the images on TikTok without seeking her authorisation, arguing that the studio should be held accountable and, if necessary, prosecuted.
She stated that she never intended to tarnish the image of the army, which she has loyally served for ten years.
The prosecution had requested a 10-year jail term, but Ebabi remained composed, telling the court:
“If the court finds me innocent, I will thank God. If it finds me guilty, I will still thank God, the Lord of all times and events.”
Delivering its verdict on the evening of Wednesday, October 29, the court found her guilty of breaching military regulations and imposed a 12-month suspended sentence.
The ruling allows Ebabi to proceed with her wedding as scheduled, though she will be required to maintain good conduct throughout the suspension period to avoid serving the custodial sentence.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after the talks with Trump on Wednesday night, Trump described the meeting as a major success, saying the United States was now on track to finalise a trade deal with China “pretty soon.”
“I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12,” Trump said. “I think it was a 12.”
Under the new measures, tariffs imposed earlier this year as punishment for China’s alleged role in the export of chemicals used to make fentanyl will be cut from 20% to 10%. This reduces the overall tariff rate on Chinese goods from 57% to 47%.
Trump said Beijing had agreed to lift restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, vital components for manufacturing high-tech products such as electric vehicles, fighter jets, and smartphones, and to resume purchases of American soybeans.
{{Trade deal ‘within reach’
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The two leaders met for 100 minutes in the port city of Busan, around 76 kilometres south of the main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Their discussion, which Trump later described as “a turning point,” also touched on technology exports, with the U.S. president confirming that chipmaker Nvidia would begin talks with Chinese officials about selling advanced semiconductors.
Trump said he would visit China in April, while Xi is expected to make a reciprocal trip to the U.S. later in the year.
“We have not too many major stumbling blocks,” Trump told journalists, expressing confidence that a broader trade agreement could be signed soon.
{{Signs of a thaw
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The announcement comes after months of renewed tension between Washington and Beijing, as both countries sought to assert dominance in global manufacturing, artificial intelligence development, and geopolitical influence. Trump’s use of tariffs to pressure China had prompted retaliatory export limits from Beijing, particularly on rare earths, minerals critical to the U.S. defence and technology sectors.
Analysts said Thursday’s breakthrough reflects a shared desire to cool tensions and stabilise economic relations after a volatile year.
Beijing has not issued an official statement on the outcomes of the meeting. However, at the start of the talks, Xi struck a conciliatory tone, saying through a translator that “it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.”
The easing of tariffs and resumption of rare earth exports have already buoyed investor confidence, with U.S. markets climbing on Thursday amid optimism for a trade framework.
Officials from both countries had met earlier in Kuala Lumpur to prepare for the summit, reaching what they described as a “preliminary consensus.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later called the talks “a very successful framework.”
Despite the positive signals, several sticking points remain unresolved, including the expected agreement on the sale of Chinese-owned TikTok’s U.S. operations. Analysts say that without clarity on that front, complete normalisation of trade relations remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Trump’s shifting tariff policy has also raised questions about long-term strategy. Earlier this year, he threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% before abandoning the plan amid market backlash. Just weeks ago, he warned of a 100% import tax in response to China’s rare earth restrictions, an escalation now seemingly averted.
For China, lifting the rare earths blockade is a significant gesture, given its global dominance in processing the minerals. The move may signal Beijing’s intent to ease global concern about its leverage over critical supply chains.
The factory, founded by Sudanese dentist Dr. Moustafa Hussein Abbas, is driven by a medical-first approach aimed at improving oral health standards. Operating under Next Day Company Ltd, it focuses on producing quality toothbrushes entirely within Rwanda.
During a visit by IGIHE, Factory Manager Eng. Mohamed Elmudathir Abdelrahman revealed that Velano has a daily production capacity of 120,000 toothbrushes. Officials did not provide details on the factory’s value.
“Every Velano toothbrush is manufactured from scratch here in Rwanda, using local labour and expertise,” said Eng. Abdelrahman. “We aim to set a new standard in medical-quality toothbrushes while keeping prices affordable for all.”
According to the management, Velano manufactures every component locally from polypropylene (PP) plastic handles moulded using injection machines to the final packaging. Each toothbrush is tufted with bristles and undergoes quality inspection before distribution.
The brand currently offers two packaging options for consumers: a strip line priced between Frw 300 and 400, and individual packaging costing between Frw 650 and 750.
Both packaging options maintain the same medical-grade quality, drawing on Dr. Abbas’s research and dental expertise, according to Eng. Abdelrahman.
{{Empowering local workforce
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The factory employs 35 staff, with plans to expand to 150 employees as production scales up. Women make up an impressive 89% of the current workforce.
Additionally, employees are receiving hands-on training in operating advanced manufacturing machinery, a contribution to Rwanda’s broader skills development agenda.
“Industry is the future for Rwanda,” Eng. Abdelrahman noted. “By building our factory from scratch with local talent, we are contributing to the economy, creating jobs, and supporting skills growth.”
{{Accessibility across the country
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Velano toothbrushes are already available for bulk and direct purchase. The company is working with distributors to ensure its products reach households in every corner of Rwanda.
The launch aligns with Rwanda’s broader push to boost domestic production and develop competitive manufacturing sectors. It follows recent investments in oral-care production, including the opening of the Pro Smile Toothpaste Factory in November 2024 within the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
The industry sector continued to play a central role in Rwanda’s economy in the second quarter of 2025, contributing 21% of GDP and recording a 7% growth rate, equivalent to 1.5 percentage points of overall economic growth.
The performance was driven by gains in mining, construction, and manufacturing, highlighting the country’s ongoing industrialisation push. Within the sector, manufacturing expanded by 8%, supported by growth in food processing (10%), metal products, machinery and equipment (19%), chemicals, rubber and plastic products (24%), and non-metallic minerals, mainly cement (23%).
The strong performance in chemicals, rubber, and plastic products is particularly noteworthy, as it directly reflects the emergence of local facilities like Velano.
At the national level, Rwanda’s economy grew by 7.8% in Q2 2025, supported by agriculture (8%) and services (9%), with key drivers including trade, transport, financial services, and ICT. GDP at current market prices was estimated at Frw 5,798 billion, up from Frw 4,966 billion in the same quarter of 2024.
Though rare, they can be found in a few select places across the country, one of them being Fazenda, located on Mount Kigali in Nyarugenge District. The site offers a variety of outdoor activities and is among the few places in Rwanda where horses are used for leisure and fitness.
At Fazenda, eight horses are under the care of Niyonsenga Innocent, who describes them as calm and intelligent animals that respond to human emotions.
“If you approach a horse with fear, it senses it. But if you come with love, they respond with affection,” he explains.
According to Niyonsenga, horses possess a strong sense of perception, particularly through their eyes and mouths, allowing them to detect how a person feels.
Like other animals, a horse’s lifespan depends largely on how it is raised. When properly cared for, a horse can live up to 50 years. Proper care includes regular veterinary attention, balanced feeding, cleanliness, and ensuring they are not overworked.
Their diet mainly consists of grains such as maize, rice, and wheat, with proportions adjusted according to the horse’s size and age. At Fazenda, the horses are categorised into three groups—short, medium, and tall—and begin their training at a young age.
Training involves the use of specially designed saddles to help them grow accustomed to carrying people. Horses are gradually taught to walk with a rider and perform tasks such as running and jumping. Training sessions are held three times a day, but if a horse becomes tired or uninterested, trainers adjust the routine accordingly.
Niyonsenga notes that horses can express discomfort in different ways, including by biting, and that trainers learn to read these signals. The horses at Fazenda are imported from Naivasha, Kenya, and have adapted well to Kigali’s climate, though their overall wellbeing depends on environmental conditions.
Horses, as prey animals, have unique sleep patterns that allow for both vigilance and deep rest. They achieve their lighter sleep (Slow Wave Sleep) while standing up, a feat made possible by the stay apparatus, a system of tendons and ligaments that effectively locks their leg joints, minimising muscular effort.
However, to attain essential, deep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, a horse must lie down entirely, usually for short, intermittent periods. While lying down is a normal behaviour, any horse found in prolonged recumbency or struggling to rise is usually treated as a medical emergency, as this is a key sign of severe pain, such as colic (severe abdominal pain).
Fazenda’s horses are given space to roam freely when not being ridden. They receive regular grooming, including brushing and gentle hand massages to relax their muscles and relieve tension. Their hooves are cleaned every five to ten days to remove dirt and prevent infections.
From the age of two or three, young horses begin more intensive training to wear saddles and carry riders. Some even participate in races, which helps enhance their endurance and performance skills.
In Rwanda, owning a horse is a significant investment. Prices range up to RWF 10 million, depending on the horse’s age, breed, and level of training. Comparable horses in Kenya sell for around RWF 7 million, though costs vary based on their maturity and capabilities.
While horses are still uncommon in Rwandan households, they are increasingly being used for tourism and recreational businesses. Niyonsenga observes that the main reason horses remain rare in Rwanda is not a lack of investors but rather limited knowledge and information about horse keeping.
Globally, horses are valued for various purposes. In some European countries, such as France, Belgium, and Switzerland, and in parts of Asia, including Kazakhstan, horse meat is consumed as a delicacy. Similarly, in Mexico, Argentina, China, Japan, South Korea, and parts of Brazil, horse meat is considered a valuable commodity.
However, in most African societies, eating horse meat is considered taboo. Horses are viewed with respect, often used for transport, agriculture, and leisure. When they die, they are typically buried with honour rather than consumed.
The growing interest in horses for recreation and tourism signals their gradual integration into Rwanda’s evolving leisure and cultural landscape, a blend of luxury, sport, and connection with nature.
