The celebrated singer arrived in Kigali accompanied by his partner and manager, Maisha Madrugada Wirth.
The couple, who have been in a long-term relationship, are reportedly already planning their wedding, according to reliable sources. Nviiri and Maisha started dating after his split from Elodie Zone, a well-known Kenyan social media personality.
Fans in Kigali are in for a treat as Nviiri prepares to share the stage with fellow Kenyan artist Bensoul, who is expected to arrive on Saturday morning. They will be joined by top Rwandan acts, including Shemi, Kid from Kigali, and Angell Mutoni.
The singer is set to perform a lineup of his biggest hits, including Pombe Sigara, Niko Sawa featuring Bien, Nikita, Kitenge, and other fan favourites.
Before fully committing to music, Nviiri studied mechanical engineering and worked in the field, collaborating with his father, but his passion for music ultimately won out.
Initially, Niewiadoma admitted she arrived with doubts, worried about health risks and focused only on making it safely to race day. But once she began exploring Kigali and its surroundings, her perspective shifted. She described it as a “heart-opening moment” that helped her discover compassion and connection with people she had never met.
She said the joy of children running alongside the roads especially moved her. “Seeing all the kids splits my heart in half. I feel for them, but at the same time I see joy and happiness in their eyes.”
At one point, Niewiadoma and her compatriot Marta Lach were captured on video handing out candies to schoolchildren who cheered them during training. Reflecting on the moment, she remarked, “The more we open up to people, the more smiles.”
Niewiadoma added that while outsiders may believe children in Rwanda need help, the opposite can also be true. “Probably they are actually helping us, softening our hearts,” she reflected.
The Polish star concluded that her experience in Rwanda reminded her of the deeper lessons of sport and travel. “Travelling teaches you life, kindness, love and understanding for others, and I’m so grateful for that.”
Niewiadoma, who rides for Canyon–SRAM, won the Tour de France in 2024 after securing the climber’s jersey in the same race a year earlier. She will line up for Poland in the women’s road race on Saturday, September 27.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, September 26, 2025, Lappartient praised the successful staging of the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, the first time the event has been held in Africa.
He said the event was “really perfectly organised”, adding that even officials who had doubts were convinced once they arrived: “When they arrived here, they thought, ‘Wow, that’s really perfectly organised.’”
Lappartient also highlighted the hospitality and atmosphere in Kigali: “It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and the people are very friendly, happy to be here. A lot of smiles on their faces… I can feel also the African spirit, and that’s something really nice.”
He noted that many of his colleagues had never been to Africa and came with different expectations: “They had the image of Africa that is not really at the level of Rwanda that we can witness today. They were really impressed by everything here.”
Asked whether Africa could host more major competitions, Lappartient affirmed, highlighting Rwanda as a potential host for the Mountain Bike World Championships.
“Yes, I think it will be possible. I’m sure that mountain biking can be organised one day. You have everything needed to host it.”
He stressed the importance of ensuring that cycling grows beyond Europe, saying the UCI is “always very careful to really have the events worldwide, not only located in Europe.”
Looking ahead, he pointed to Rwanda’s potential to host more regular races as a legacy of the 2025 championships: “It would be good that, as a kind of legacy of these championships, we can even have more races here in the country… You need to compete, and we will not be able to bring everybody to race in Europe. So we need to have races here.”
Lappartient, who was recently re-elected to lead the UCI until 2029, also underlined the federation’s global vision. After Kigali, the next cities set to host the UCI Road World Championships are Montreal, Canada (2026); the French Alps, France (2027); Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2028); Roskilde, Denmark (2029); Brussels, Belgium (2030); and Trentino, Italy (2031).
At just 18 years old, Hudson stunned a world-class field and an electric Rwandan crowd by attacking from 36 kilometres out and never looking back. He crossed the finish line alone in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 19 seconds, becoming the first British rider ever to take the junior men’s road race rainbow jersey.
{{High speed, relentless early action
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The 119.3-kilometre race, comprising eight punishing laps of Kigali’s hilly, cobbled circuit, started fast under brilliant sunshine. Big nations like France, Italy, Belgium, and Austria immediately drove the pace, while fans lined the streets, waving flags and ringing bells.
Early on, American Beckham Drake made the first serious move, stretching his lead to over a minute. Behind him, riders including France’s Johan Blanc and Austria’s Heimo Fugger tried to organise counters. The peloton was restless, with constant surges and break attempts.
By the halfway mark, Drake was still clear but fading, and the main group, including heavy favourites Spain’s Benjamin Noval and Italy’s Mattia Agostinacchio, closed the gap. The race was wide open.
{{Hudson seizes his chance
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Spotting a moment of hesitation after another flurry of attacks, Hudson launched. “I just saw the pace drop a bit, so I went,” he explained after the finish, still catching his breath. What began as a bold gamble quickly turned into a solo masterclass.
Behind, frantic organisation tried to form — with the Netherlands’ Daan Dijkman pulling, Italy responding — but nothing stuck. Hudson’s lead grew to nearly 40 seconds as the crowd fired him up.
{{The final test: Noval’s charge and heartbreak
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With one lap remaining, Spanish powerhouse Benjamin Noval surged on the Côte de Kimihurura climb, clawing Hudson’s gap down to just fifteen seconds. But disaster struck: Noval suddenly crashed on a straight section with less than three kilometres to go, ending his medal hopes.
France’s Johan Blanc was left alone to chase, while Poland’s Jan Michal Jackowiak tried a desperate late bridge. But Hudson, gritting his teeth and hammering the cobbled rise into downtown Kigali, refused to break.
Hudson entered the finishing straight alone, soaking in deafening cheers before punching the air in triumph. He clocked 2:55:19, with Blanc arriving for silver at 2:55:35 (+16 seconds) and Jackowiak matching that time but taking bronze. Britain’s dominance was clear with Max Hinds and Matthew Peace in fourth and fifth.
“It’s still sinking in,” Hudson said, smiling through exhaustion. “I thought I’d be caught with a lap to go… but somehow, I stayed away. Winning my first world title here, in Africa, is just unbelievable.”
{{Home pride for Rwanda
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Rwanda, hosting its first Road World Championships, had plenty to cheer for. Moïse Ntirenganya battled through the demanding race and was among just 66 finishers out of 142 starters, crossing in 3:09:32 (+14:13). Fellow Rwandan Jackson Nkurikiyinka rode bravely but abandoned on lap five after an intense opening half.
{{Men’s Junior Road Race — Top 10 Results
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1. Harry Hudson (GBR) – 2:55:19
2. Johan Blanc (FRA) – 2:55:35 (+0:16)
3. Jan Michal Jackowiak (POL) – 2:55:35 (+0:16)
4. Max Hinds (GBR) – 2:55:41 (+0:22)
5. Matthew Peace (GBR) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
6. Édouard Claisse (BEL) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
7. Elias Wandel (SWE) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
8. Daan Dijkman (NED) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
9. Moritz Mauss (GER) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
10. Benedikt Benz (GER) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
The final stretch of the race proved to be a nail-biting conclusion. Gery, who started in 13th place after lap 1, steadily improved her position with each passing lap. By lap 5, she was already in 3rd place, but a challenging 6th lap saw her drop to 15th. Undeterred, Gery fought back and surged to the front in the final laps. Supported by her teammate Marion Bunel, who finished 5th, just 12 seconds behind Gery, the two French riders worked together to hold off the competition, allowing Gery to claim victory.
“It’s unbelievable. It was a long wait, but it’s amazing. It was a masterpiece for the team. There were only three of us, but we managed to race perfectly. We had three very strong girls, and Marion was amazing at the finish,” Gery said.
Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonová took the silver medal, finishing just 2 seconds behind Gery with a time of 3:24:28. Chladonová had a strong start and led for much of the race, but despite a valiant early effort and her sprint finish, she couldn’t hold off the relentless pace set by Gery and her teammate.
Spain’s Paula Blasi Cairol earned the bronze medal with a time of 3:24:38, just 12 seconds behind Gery. Blasi Cairol maintained a steady pace throughout the race, ultimately securing her spot on the podium.
Italy’s Eleonora Ciabocco had a brief moment in the lead at lap 5, but she struggled to hold onto her position as the race progressed. She eventually finished 4th in the same time as Blasi Cairol, 3:24:38.
One of the standout moments of the race came from Sweden’s Kagevi Stina, who made a daring breakaway with 10 kilometers to go, gaining a 26-second lead. However, as the race reached its climax, the pack reeled her in, and she finished 11th.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Malwina Mul made a stunning comeback after initially falling behind. With incredible acceleration at kilometer 24, she gained a 10-second lead and briefly set herself apart from the field. However, she too fell short of the podium, finishing outside the top 10.
{{Tough day for local riders
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It was a tough day for Rwanda’s local riders, as none of them managed to finish the race. Mwamikazi Jazilla, Nyirarukundo Claudette, Ntakirutimana Martha, and Iragena Charlotte all dropped out at various points in the race. Jazilla left on lap 7, Nyirarukundo on lap 6, Ntakirutimana on lap 5, and Iragena on lap 3. Only 35 riders out of the starting field managed to complete the demanding race.
The party, which debuted in July, introduced a new soundscape to a scene where Afrobeats and Amapiano have long dominated the dance floor. Its focus on R&B, hip-hop, and soul struck a chord with revellers nostalgic for the genre’s golden years, while also drawing in a younger crowd that has embraced the resurgence of contemporary R&B.
This weekend’s edition will once again be hosted by MC Zuba Mutesi, with DJs Khizzbeats, DJ Karim, and others keeping the vibe alive from evening until late.
Organised by SEEV Africa in collaboration with Intore Entertainment, Spin the Block positions itself within Kigali’s nightlife as one of the few locally-owned concepts dedicated to R&B and Old Skool music. It aims to build a space where audiences of different generations — from fans of the new R&B wave to those raised on the sounds of the 1990s and 2000s — can converge.
For the organisers, Spin the Block represents both cultural pride and creative ownership. “This is about building something rooted in Rwanda, with local DJs, hosts, and a long-term vision,” SEEV Africa founder Paul Atwine said during the first edition.
For Kigali, Spin the Block signals both a celebration of nostalgia and a shift toward more diverse nightlife offerings.
The next edition of Spin the Block is scheduled for December 6th in Kigali, with the final event of the year set to take place in Accra, with the date to be announced soon.
Addressing 51 students from 14 African countries, Kagame urged them to recognise the continent’s challenges, take responsibility for its development, and act decisively to shape its progress.
Founded by President Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the Kigali-based ASG was designed to transform governance in Africa by offering world-class public policy education and research programs tailored to the continent’s realities.
The inaugural cohort, representing Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, embodies the school’s vision of nurturing pan-African leaders.
During his keynote at the matriculation ceremony of the inaugural cohort, Kagame praised the founders and partners, including the Mastercard Foundation, for bringing the institution to life.
“Africa deserves focus and deep study, and that should be done by you, our youth and our future. Unlike anywhere else, your education here will challenge you to think critically and practically about how to move our continent forward,” he said.
“This school will prepare you for leadership, but the journey starts from within,” he added.
Kagame outlined three qualities he said are essential for the cohort:
{{Awareness
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He urged students to pay attention to how Africa is perceived globally, question whether those perceptions are fair, and confront both inherited and self-inflicted challenges that continue to hold the continent back.
{{Responsibility
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The Head of State emphasised that students must value themselves, their countries, and their people. He noted that Africa will only be taken seriously if its leaders respect their own roles and contribute actively to their communities.
{{Action
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He called on students to apply their knowledge and skills decisively, warning that the continent cannot afford to lag behind as global economies and technologies advance.
“An institution is only as strong as the people it serves. Make the most of your time here. Soon, when your country looks to you for answers, you must be ready,” Kagame told the cohort.
Following the matriculation ceremony, the two co-founders participated in a panel discussion with ASG students under the theme, “Mindset and Attitude of Leadership.”
During the discussion, Kagame reflected on Africa’s developmental trajectory, urging students to think critically about the continent’s past and future.
“Africa cannot just remain where it is. We need to move forward and progress like many other parts of the world that are at our level of development—or even behind us—but are now so far ahead of us. What happened to us? What happened to the continent? What happened to Africa? If we can have an institution like this, it allows people to have soul searching and figure out what we can do to move forward,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Desalegn highlighted lessons from other nations’ rapid transformations.
“Some countries, especially in Asia—Singapore, South Korea, even China—moved in a generational time from rags to riches. We African nations, which were better than them at certain periods, in most cases, remain in the shackles of poverty. The whole idea is that mindset, attitude, and leadership matter. We do have a leadership deficit and a problem of governance, and our young people should not continue as we were,” he said.
Kagame concluded by expressing confidence in the cohort’s potential to shape Africa’s future: “We are counting on you. You are exactly who Africa needs.”
With its focus on practical leadership training and research grounded in African realities, ASG aims to equip a new generation of policymakers with the tools to address the continent’s pressing challenges and transform its governance landscape.
The Head of State made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 194th UCI Congress in Kigali on Thursday, where leaders from 132 national cycling federations gathered to mark the milestone event.
President Kagame lauded Lappartient for standing up for fairness in global sports hosting, noting that his principled leadership opened doors for Africa on the international stage.
“The main rule of any sport is fairness,” Kagame said. “We thank UCI President David Lappartient for his integrity and courage to stand up for what is right and fair. Governing bodies of sports have a responsibility to open doors and expand access, and that is what we see UCI doing.”
He also addressed the scepticism and dismissive attitudes that often greet Africa hosting global events, calling them outdated and wrong.
“Too often, when Africa or another non-traditional host is chosen for a global event, the reaction is sceptical and frequently dismissive. These reflexive attitudes are outdated and wrong,” Kagame said, emphasizing that Africa has the talent, vision, and infrastructure to host world-class competitions.
President Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s own journey in developing cycling, pointing to investments in infrastructure, training, and the integration of three UCI satellite centres, which make the country only the second in Africa to host such facilities.
He also noted that this week’s championship features 108 nations, including a record 36 from Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing presence in the sport.
In his address on Thursday, UCI President David Lappartient hailed Rwanda’s role in making history by hosting the UCI Congress and World Championships.
“Your Excellency, President Paul Kagame, it’s a very big honour to have you here with us,” Lappartient said. “The 132 national federations here asked me to thank you and to thank Rwanda for making the history. And it is a wonderful chapter. We will never forget our time in your beautiful country.”
He praised the passion and enthusiasm of Rwandan fans and athletes, noting that the images and memories of the week in Kigali would remain with the cycling world forever.
“Your presence in this room today gives us inspiration and adds prestige to the UCI Congress. Your Excellency, you have made a great impact on the UCI World Championship and the UCI Congress. Thank you very much,” he added.
On Sunday, during the official launch of the UCI in Kigali, Lappartient described the event as the fulfilment of a long-held dream since his 2017 election campaign.
“When I was running for president, I had a dream to bring our pinnacle event to Africa,” he said. “The talent from Africa has grown tremendously and this week, the world will witness it… This will likely be the hardest UCI Road World Championship ever but also one of the most spectacular, in the Land of a Thousand Hills.”
He credited Rwanda’s leadership for making the milestone possible. “Without the vision of President Paul Kagame, without our shared vision, it would have been impossible. We are so proud to be here for the first time ever,” Lappartient told the audience.
The week-long championship in Kigali is expected to leave a lasting legacy, not only in sporting achievements but also in demonstrating Africa’s capacity to host world-class events.
The Hakan Power Plant, located in Mamba Sector next to the Akanyaru marshes, was launched in 2021 after four years of construction. Despite its design capacity of 80 megawatts—70 of which were meant to be fed into the grid—the plant currently generates only about 23 megawatts.
According to the project manager, Tonci Tadic, the main challenge has been the unreliable supply of peat. Initial feasibility studies suggested that the Akanyaru River would not disrupt peat extraction, but rising water levels linked to heavier rainfall have washed away significant deposits.
“What we have observed over the past four years is the impact of climate variability on the Akanyaru River,” Tadic said. “The earlier study showed the river’s width at 3.5 meters, but it has since expanded to 4.9 meters, causing floods that sweep away our peat.”
Seasonal rains have compounded the problem, making peat mining nearly impossible for three to four months a year. The company also faces a shortage of specialized equipment to extract and transport peat, further limiting operations.
Calls for new investment
Tadic revealed that so far, about $450 million ( approximately Frw 500 billion) has been invested in the plant, but an additional $25 million is needed to expand capacity and resolve the bottlenecks.
“To deliver the 70 megawatts expected to the grid, we must expand the mining area from the current 300 hectares to 800 hectares,” he said. “We also need at least 40 additional machines to support peat extraction and transportation. With $25 million invested over three years, I believe the plant could finally supply the full 70 megawatts.”
The investor also called for smoother cooperation with the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), which buys the electricity generated by the plant. He noted that while contracts stipulate payment within 45 days, delays have stretched to as long as four months.
“Meanwhile, the Rwanda Revenue Authority still counts penalties for late tax payments, even though REG itself has not paid us on time,” Tadic said.
The Rwandan government has pledged to support the company in addressing these challenges, with discussions underway on how to strengthen collaboration with other agencies.
{{Broader peat potential
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Hakan Power Plant is not the only facility using peat in Rwanda. The Gishoma power plant in Rusizi District also produces 15 megawatts from peat.
Studies indicate that Rwanda holds an estimated 155 million tonnes of peat reserves covering about 50,000 hectares. According to REG data, about 77% of the country’s peat resources are concentrated in the Akanyaru and Nyabarongo wetlands, as well as the Rwabusoro valley.
The race was a nail-biting contest, especially between Australia and France. As the French team—consisting of Bruno Armirail, Paul Seixas, Pavel Sivakov, Cédrine Kerbaol, Juliette Labous, and Maëva Squiban—crossed the line with a time of 54:35.71, they briefly held the hot seat but had to settle for silver. Despite holding the lead for the majority of the race, France could not hold off Australia’s final push. Switzerland, also battling hard throughout the race, secured third place with a time of 54:58.89.
{{Switzerland’s remarkable recovery
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Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser showed exceptional resilience when an unexpected bike change left her temporarily behind the pack. Undeterred, Reusser rejoined her teammates and, with solid teamwork, helped Switzerland finish just 10 seconds behind France. The Swiss team’s recovery demonstrated their tenacity and ability to handle adversity under pressure.
{{Top times at the relay point
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The race unfolded dynamically, with Switzerland setting the early pace, leading the field after the men’s trio finished their part. Italy briefly surged to the top, but France overtook them at the midway switchover, moving into the lead.
At that point, Switzerland remained in the top spot, holding a 20-second advantage. As the women riders took over, France put in the quickest women’s time of the day—12 seconds faster than anyone else and 28 seconds ahead of Australia. This fast-paced finish set up a dramatic showdown for the gold, with Australia ultimately securing victory by a narrow margin.
Amanda Spratt, reflecting on the intense final moments of the race, said, “I knew from the cobbled climb on that it was just going to be like hell, just push through and push through. Brodie was so strong in that last part, so I knew I had to hold the wheel and that it was going to be close. Matt White, our director, was screaming at us to sprint, sprint, sprint.”
Teammate Michael Matthews added, “It’s not often we get a chance to ride with other Aussies like this in a full Aussie event, so I think we had full focus for this after we won last year. Just being back with the team and mixing it with the girls in the last few days, and putting it together today was just the cherry on top of the cake.”
The Mixed Relay featured 15 teams, with fierce competition throughout the day. Germany, who lost the previous year’s title to Australia by less than a second, finished in 5th place with a time of 56:04.05, 1:33.58 behind the winners.
Meanwhile, Italy faded from second place at the midway point to finish fourth, with a time of 55:45.03. The battle for the top five spots was intense, with only seconds separating the teams.
Rwanda, with a team composed of Byukusenge Patrick, Nkundabera Eric, Uwiduhaye Mike, Ingabire Diane, Nirere Xaverine, and Nyirarukundo Claudette, put up a strong fight and finished in 11th place with a time of 1:03:08.97, 8:38.50 behind the winning Australian team. Their performance on home soil was a testament to their growing presence in international cycling.
{{2025 UCI mixed relay final results
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1. Australia – 54:30.47
2. France – 54:35.71 (+5.24)
3. Switzerland – 54:40.47 (+10.00)
4. Italy – 55:45.03 (+1:14.56)
5. Germany – 56:04.05 (+1:33.58)
6. Spain – 56:25.99 (+1:55.52)
7. Belgium – 58:50.14 (+4:19.67)
8. Ukraine – 1:00:33.83 (+6:03.36)
9. China – 1:01:08.72 (+6:38.25)
10. Ethiopia – 1:02:22.60 (+7:52.13)
11. Rwanda – 1:03:08.97 (+8:38.50)
12. Mauritius – 1:03:28.23 (+8:57.76)
13. UCI World Cycling Centre – 1:03:34.14 (+9:03.67)
