The meeting was concluded by UPDF Deputy Land Forces Commander, Major General Francis Takirwa.
It focused on strengthening cooperation between the two forces and fostering closer ties with the communities along the border.
Various strategies were outlined to enhance joint efforts in promoting security and stability along the shared border.
In his closing remarks, Major General Takirwa, thanked participants for their active involvement and constructive contributions throughout the meeting.
He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in combating cross-border illegal activities and encouraged both forces to improve regular information sharing.
He highlighted that the continued partnership reflects the commitment of both militaries’ leadership, under the guidance of their respective Commanders-in-Chiefs to address shared challenges.
Maj Gen Takirwa expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose visionary leadership enabled the realization of this vital initiative.
He also acknowledged the Chiefs of Defence Staff of both countries for their role in facilitating these meetings.
“Enhanced security benefits both sides, as it allows citizens to confidently engage in business and other activities, knowing that their safety is assured,” he concluded.
In a public notice released on Thursday, RDB said the decision follows the company’s failure to meet its contractual and regulatory obligations.
“Effective immediately, Inzozi Lotto is no longer authorized to operate the National Lottery in Rwanda,” the notice read.
The RDB assured players who have winning claims that they are still entitled to their prizes, with Inzozi Lotto remaining fully responsible for paying all outstanding valid winnings.
The National Lottery and Gambling Commission along with RDB are expected to supervise the process to ensure fairness and compliance.
The announcement also confirmed that RDB will soon begin a competitive process to identify a new operator or operators for the National Lottery. This process, according to the board, will follow strict principles of transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the public interest.
RDB reminded all companies in the gaming and gambling industry that they must strictly comply with the country’s laws and regulations governing the sector.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli Navy has completed taking over the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The GSF, comprising some 50 vessels with over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians.
All the aid vessels have been stopped in the Mediterranean Sea, except for one that “remains at a distance” from Gaza, it said.
Greek lawmakers on Thursday strongly condemned the interception of the flotilla, urging the government to ensure the safety of Greek citizens on board, including a sitting member of parliament.
Representatives from PASOK, SYRIZA, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the New Left, and the Freedom Movement criticized the incident and demanded explanations from Israel, according to national broadcaster ERT.
Pavlos Christidis of PASOK-KINAL said the seizure of ships in international waters “raises serious questions of legality and human rights,” stressing that international law must be applied “without exceptions.”
KKE’s Nikos Karathanasopoulos denounced the raid as a “pirate attack,” accusing Israel and the European Union of failing to protect the mission. SYRIZA spokesman Christos Giannoulis highlighted the participation of Greek MP Peti Perka in the flotilla, calling the interception “a humanitarian disaster” and urging Athens to abandon “a policy of equal distances.”
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said Greece, in cooperation with other countries, “will do everything in our power to ensure full security for these citizens.”
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto voiced condemnation “in the strongest manner” as there were also Italian citizens on board.
Italy saw some of the largest demonstrations. On Wednesday night, thousands rallied in Rome, Milan, Naples and other cities after the flotilla was seized, occupying train stations and staging university sit-ins. Unions called a general strike, declaring the attack on civilian ships “an assault on humanitarian solidarity.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed around 40 Italians were detained, saying Israel’s actions had gone “well beyond” legitimate self-defense.
Portuguese authorities confirmed that three citizens, including a member of parliament, have been detained. Portuguese political figures voiced strong reactions Thursday to Israel’s detention of the three nationals, calling for their safe return and sharply criticizing Israel’s actions. Left Bloc leader Marisa Matias called the detention “illegal.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa pledged to provide “full consular support” through the embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure their rights and safe return.
In Germany, officials said they were in contact with Israel to ensure passengers’ safety. Thousands of people rallied in Berlin Saturday.
France also expressed concern, urging Israel to ensure the safety of its citizens, guarantee their right to consular protection and allow their prompt return.
The Netherlands reported six citizens detained. The Dutch Foreign Ministry called for their protection as protesters rallied in The Hague.
Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed contact with families of nationals aboard and said it expected Israel to resolve the matter safely.
Late Wednesday night, the flotilla denounced the “active aggression” of the Israeli military on Telegram, noting that the vessel Florida was “deliberately rammed at sea,” while Yulara, Meteque and others were hit with water cannons.
Though all crew members were unharmed, “these illegal attacks against unarmed humanitarian vessels constitute a war crime,” it said.
The latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has dragged on for nearly two years, claiming more than 65,000 lives in Gaza, nearly half of them women and children, and leaving 2 million people mired in a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in the statement that Israel has offered and continues to offer the flotilla a way to deliver any aid they might have to Gaza “peacefully.”
“The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation,” the statement reads.
It added that the Israeli navy has reached out to the flotilla and asked them to change course. “Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade,” the ministry said.
According to the GSF, the international maritime initiative comprises about 50 civilian vessels and more than 500 volunteers from over 40 countries, aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The flotilla set sail from ports of various countries since August, converging toward Gaza with the goal of opening a humanitarian corridor by sea. During the trip, the fleet has come under repeated attacks, including drone strikes and “intimidation attacks.”
Earlier in the day, the GSF said that two of its vessels were harassed by Israeli warships overnight, which jammed their communications.
Some countries, including Italy and Greece, have urged Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of the GSF participants headed for Gaza and to allow consular protection measures.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the enclave. The Israeli restrictions have been further tightened following Hamas’s cross-border assault into southern Israel in October 2023.
This is not just another development zone; it’s a provincial-level pilot for China’s carbon peaking and neutrality goals.
Spanning 31 square kilometers, the park uses a combination of green electricity and hydrogen energy to power industries. I even got to ride a hydrogen-powered bike — I pedaled lightly, and the bike accelerated almost effortlessly. It felt like a glimpse into the future of clean mobility.
Next was Jiangsu Yueda Textile Group. Walking into their 400-million-yuan intelligent factory felt like entering another world. Everything runs on 5G-connected machinery, from spinning to weaving to dyeing. Robots work with precision, minimizing errors and reducing the workforce per 10,000 spindles by 72%, while increasing efficiency by 30%.
It’s a National Green Factory, and seeing how traditional textile production has transformed into a smart operation left a lasting impression.
At Jiangsu Yueda Kia Automobile Co., the scale of innovation was even more striking. The company can manufacture a full car body in just 50 seconds, producing around 1,000 vehicles per day, with exports to more than 70 countries.
Inside the smart factory, 558 robots work in harmony, achieving 100 percent automation in the welding workshop. This is Yancheng’s global face — competitive, efficient, and forward-looking.
Technology here isn’t limited to industry. At the Yandu Digital Agriculture Science and Technology Park, I saw how big data and real-time sales information are used to build a smart agricultural ecosystem.
This park connects markets across eastern and western China, ensuring products move efficiently. It showed me how technology can make farming not only smarter but also more inclusive.
Yancheng’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park is another example. Hosting over 80 companies, including Alibaba International Station and Sinotrans DHL, the park links local industries with global markets.
Walking through its modern facilities, I could sense how the city is positioning itself as a trade and logistics hub with a digital backbone.
The Yangtze River Delta Digital Audiovisual Industry Base offered a completely different experience. Here, technology meets creativity. I explored virtual studios and interactive digital human technologies.
It’s the first digital audiovisual industry base in the region, bringing together more than 100 companies and building an ecosystem for content production, simulation, and digital services.
My technological journey also took me to Jiangsu Tianyi Aviation Industry Co., a company that has become a national leader in 5G airport technology. Founded in 2011, it focuses on developing 38 types of airport-specific equipment and has played a major role in setting national civil aviation standards.
Walking through its facilities, I was struck by how innovation drives every corner — from the precision engineering labs to the smart systems that power modern airports. It was inspiring to see how a local company has gained national recognition for shaping the future of aviation technology.
What ties all these places together is Yancheng’s clear vision: to lead in green, smart, and globally connected industries. As I moved from one site to another, I felt I wasn’t just observing innovation; I was standing inside a living model of a future many cities aspire to build.
On September 30, 2025, the High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo found Kabila guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, treason, and allegedly leading an unauthorized armed group. The court sentenced him to death.
The ruling also ordered Kabila to pay 33 billion US dollars in damages for destruction attributed to the AFC/M23 coalition.
According to Radio Okapi, CCDH coordinator Eloi Lubilansam denounced the verdict, emphasizing that ‘justice must never become a political weapon or an instrument of revenge’.
He also reminded that Joseph Kabila, like any defendant, is entitled to a fair defense, the presumption of innocence, and an impartial judge.
Ferdinand Kambere, deputy general secretary of Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) said the trial aimed to silence opposition voices.
“This trial has no other purpose than to silence a man who worked for the reunification, pacification, and democratization of the country. It is a political and unfair conviction aimed at erasing a dissenting voice,” he said.
Joseph Kabila ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019 before handing power to President Félix Tshisekedi. On September 2, Kabila rejected the accusations, calling them false and politically motivated.
The Senate voted on the same two bills that it failed to pass Tuesday night — one from Democrats and the other from Republicans.
Healthcare benefits remain a key sticking point in the latest negotiations, with Democrats advocating stronger healthcare funding, while Republicans accuse them of seeking to provide free healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
“Now, Senate Democrats are shutting down the government and holding the economy hostage because they want to reinstate those benefits for illegal aliens,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in a Fox News interview on Wednesday.
“Republicans shut down the government because they can’t be bothered to protect health care for Americans across this country,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday on X.
Schumer said Tuesday on social media that Republicans were lying about Democrats’ stance. “This is a lie. Not a single federal dollar goes to providing health insurance for undocumented immigrants. NOT. ONE. PENNY.”
The Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol are among the landmarks closed due to the government shutdown. The Smithsonian Institution said that it will use money from the last fiscal year’s budget to keep its museums, research centers and the National Zoo open at least through Oct. 6.
Most national parks will keep outdoor areas open, but staffed facilities, such as visitor centers, will be closed.
Federal employees who are considered essential must still report to work, although they will not be paid until the government reopens. Hundreds of thousands of others will be placed on unpaid leave. Some public services will be suspended or delayed, and the release of economic data will also be affected.
“Shutdowns don’t save money, they waste money,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said in a statement.
“Under shutdowns, we pay federal workers not to work and rent buildings that aren’t being used, all while requiring costly shutdown planning, inefficient allocation of government resources, and a reduction in the services available to the American people. We should avoid a shutdown and keep the government funded,” she said.
The accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. local time on Wednesday during an annual church celebration in the town of Arerti, North Shewa Zone, when a makeshift wooden scaffolding used for finishing work on a church gave way, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation quoted district police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu as saying.
Police said the death toll could rise further as more than 200 people sustained serious and minor injuries. The injured are receiving medical treatment at nearby health facilities.
The collapse caused significant damage, trapping many worshippers beneath the debris and complicating rescue efforts, it was noted, adding that emergency operations are continuing to free those still trapped.
This reduction was observed over the eight-day event held in Rwanda. To monitor air quality during the championship, REMA set up 10 stations across different parts of Kigali to monitor air pollution levels, particularly focusing on both closed and open roads.
These stations were located in areas such as Gacuriro, Rusororo, Mont Kigali, Gikondo, Nyarutarama, Kibagabaga, Kimironko, Nyabugogo, and Kimihurura.
REMA’s analysis revealed that temporarily closing major roads improved air quality significantly.
The [report->https://www.rema.gov.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=145048&token=e3cf8ea673c17d0db4d1fb735c157438d8fcc388] shows that Particulate Matter (PM2.5) levels— fine particles in the air, measured in micrograms per cubic meter were measured.
Because they are so small, when inhaled, they quickly enter the lungs and even the bloodstream, causing various health problems such as coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, lung diseases, heart problems, stroke, and even cancer.
The primary sources of these pollutants include vehicle emissions, especially those using gasoline and diesel, burning coal, industrial smoke, and other pollutants. These fine particles have been linked to numerous short and long-term health problems, including the potential harm to unborn children.
Meanwhile, alternative routes used during the event had less traffic and were not regularly used, leading to a reduction in air pollution by 30% – 35%. On the roads that were not affected by the race, no significant change in pollution levels was observed.
Juliet Kabera, the Director General of REMA, emphasized that the findings show that reducing pollution has a direct impact on improving the air quality that people breathe.
The WHO recommends that the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air, and for a 24-hour period, it should not exceed 25 micrograms per cubic meter.
“These findings are a clear demonstration of how reduced traffic emissions directly improve the air we breathe,” said Juliet Kabera, Director General of REMA.
“During the UCI Championships, the air quality in Kigali was moderate, which is acceptable for the general public according to WHO [World Health Organization] air quality guidelines. This should inspire all of us to properly maintain our vehicles, and to embrace more sustainable transport choices such as using public transport, cycling, walking, and avoiding unnecessary car trips whenever possible. Cleaner air is within our reach if we make conscious decisions in our daily lives,” she added.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Environment, through REMA, introduced enhanced vehicle emissions testing, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to cleaner air, improved public health, and sustainable development.
REMA notes that the positive results during the championships underscore the importance of sustainable urban mobility.
In addition to the air quality monitoring stations located in Kigali, REMA operates stations across Rwanda, and citizens are encouraged to follow real-time updates on [aq.rema.gov.rw->https://aq.rema.gov.rw/] to stay informed about the air they breathe and make healthier choices.
The delegation, led by Col Elias Zulu, is in Rwanda for a study tour from 28 September to 4 October 2025. The visit aims to get insight into Rwanda’s transformation journey and its critical role in promoting peace and security in the region and beyond.
The Defence Spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, briefed the delegation on the RDF’s transformation and its contribution to continental security.
In his remarks, Gen Mubarakh expressed appreciation to the Zambia Defence Forces and the Zambia Defence Services Command and Staff College for selecting Rwanda as a destination for this important phase of professional military education.
He stated that the visit reflects the strong and enduring bonds of friendship and military cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the area of capacity building.
“Rwanda today stands as a nation transformed,” said Gen Mubarakh. “31 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, we have moved from being a recipient of international peacekeeping support to a contributor to peace and security across the continent and beyond. Rwanda is now a peaceful, stable, and forward-looking country committed to long-term socio-economic development, despite complex regional security challenges.”
Col Elias Zulu, Head of delegation, expressed gratitude to the RDF for facilitating the visit. He noted that the delegation gained a deeper understanding of RDF’s contribution to Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation, which aligns with the objectives of their study tour.
He highlighted the profound impact of visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where the delegation gained valuable insights into Rwanda’s history, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and the country’s remarkable journey of recovery and resilience.
As part of the tour, the delegation also visited the Campaign against Genocide Museum and will continue their programme with visits to various government institutions and defence agencies.
