Uwimbabazi received the “J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence,” an award given every year to only 10 employees across Marriott International’s worldwide operations who demonstrate exceptional service and leadership in the hospitality industry.
The award ceremony took place at Marriott International’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on May 11, 2026.
Employees considered for the award are nominated by the hotels where they work based on their performance and achievements. Marriott International evaluates candidates on customer care, teamwork, leadership and professionalism.
Uwimbabazi works as the Director of Rooms Operations at Kigali Marriott Hotel. She became the first employee from East Africa to receive the award.
Her leadership and ability to provide efficient and high-quality services to guests from different backgrounds were among the reasons she was recognised.
After receiving the award, Uwimbabazi thanked those who had trusted her and expressed pride in representing Rwanda on the international stage. She noted that becoming the first Rwandan woman and the first employee from East Africa to receive the award was not simply a personal achievement, but also a responsibility.
She added that the recognition belonged to every African working in the hospitality industry, especially women.
Uwimbabazi also highlighted that the values and confidence she gained as a Rwandan inspired her to love her work and helped her achieve international recognition.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, thanked Uwimbabazi for making Rwanda proud, noting that she deserved the recognition of her commitment to excellence.
Deborah Marriott Harrison, a member of the Board of Directors of Marriott International also congratulated Uwimbabazi. Uwimbabazi was accompanied by her husband, Ribani Eric.Bill Marriott, the Executive Chairman of Marriott International and son of the company’s founder J. Willard Marriott, congratulated Uwimbabazi. Sandeep Walia is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Marriott International in the Middle East & Africa congratulated Uwimbabazi.
The telecom operator announced on Monday that its service revenue grew by 21.2% year-on-year to Rwf 81.4 billion, as more customers adopted digital and financial services on its network.
The company said the performance reflected “disciplined commercial execution” within what it described as a supportive regulatory environment that continues to encourage investment and innovation in Rwanda’s digital economy.
MTN Rwanda’s subscriber base increased by 10.6% to 8.4 million customers during the quarter. Active data users rose by 19.6% to 2.7 million, while monthly active mobile money users grew by 20.5% to 6.3 million.
Mobile money remained the company’s strongest revenue driver, growing by 30.2% and contributing 52.7% of total service revenue.
Transaction volumes on the MoMo platform increased by 32% during the quarter, reflecting growing reliance on digital payments among individuals and businesses.
The company said more than four million customers are now transacting through MoMoPay, as digital financial services continue gaining traction across the country.
During the quarter, Mobile Money Rwanda also launched “MoFlex”, a flexible credit product developed in partnership with Ecobank Rwanda Plc and Yabx, aimed at expanding access to credit for individuals and businesses.
Chantal Kagame, Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Money Rwanda Limited, said customer trust in MoMo services continues to drive growth beyond payments into broader financial services.
“Beyond payments, we are deepening access to financial services, enabling businesses, supporting lenders and creating practical solutions that work for every Rwandan,” she said.
Data revenue rose by 10.7%, supported by a 64.7% increase in data traffic as more subscribers migrated from 3G to 4G smartphones. Smartphone penetration on the network reached 44.9%.
Voice revenue also recovered strongly, increasing by 8.2% after the reintroduction of mobile termination rates, which the company said helped restore commercial balance in the interconnect market.
MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali said Rwanda’s regulatory framework continues to provide confidence for long-term investment and expansion.
“With a clear policy direction and unwavering focus on equality of access to digital services for all Rwandans, investment decisions are easier and we can focus on what matters most: product innovation, providing quality customer experience and delivering second to none connectivity operations,” he said.
The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 32.8% to Rwf 34 billion, while EBITDA margins improved to 41.5%.
MTN Rwanda also invested Rwf 11.2 billion in capital expenditure during the quarter to expand network coverage and improve service quality.
Beyond commercial performance, the telecom firm continued supporting Rwanda’s digital agenda through partnerships in education and skills development.
During the quarter, MTN Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education to explore digital solutions for the education sector and launched a Digital Skills for Digital Jobs platform under the MTN Skills Academy.
The academy offers free access to more than 500 courses in digital literacy, data analytics and financial capability.
MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali said Rwanda’s regulatory framework continues to provide confidence for long-term investment and expansion.
The memorial site holds the remains of more than 59,000 victims, including over 30,000 people who were killed within a very short period after seeking refuge at the Nyarubuye Catholic Church, in the hope that it would be a safe place.
During the guided tour, EAX staff were presented with detailed accounts of the extreme cruelty that characterized the killings.
Survivors and guides described acts such as opening victims’ chests, placing blood in containers to mockingly test whether it could turn into milk, and spreading pepper on bodies to check for signs of life. Children were also violently killed, including being smashed against walls, alongside other forms of brutality.
One survivor, Léoncie Mukandayambaje, who lived through the massacre at Nyarubuye Church, gave testimony of how her baby was killed in front of her after being cut with a machete.
She herself survived after being rescued by the Rwandan Patriotic Army, despite suffering severe injuries.
Commitment to remembrance and education
Paradie Ritha Nimusabe, an employee of East Africa Exchange Ltd, said the visit was particularly meaningful for young people born after the genocide.
She stated that the experience strengthened her resolve to fight genocide denial and ensure such atrocities are never repeated, noting that the cruelty witnessed at Nyarubuye should never happen again.
Similarly, Jean Marie Vianney Nizeyimana said the visit helped him understand how the genocide was carefully planned and how ordinary civilians in Nyarubuye were killed simply for being Tutsi. He added that he intends to pass on these lessons to his children so they grow up valuing unity, love, and historical awareness.
Aimé Gilbert Tuyisenge also reflected on the visit, saying he had heard about Nyarubuye before but had never visited. He described being shocked by testimonies of sexual violence and humiliation suffered by women and girls during the genocide. He emphasized the importance of teaching younger generations Rwanda’s history so that they can learn from it and actively confront denial.
The Chief Executive Officer of EAX, Clement Kayitakire, said the company deliberately organized the visit to Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial to help employees learn the history firsthand and pass it on to younger generations.
He stressed the importance of youth engagement in telling the truth about history, especially at a time when misinformation and genocide denial are spreading on social media.
“It is our responsibility, especially for young people, to tell the truth about this history. On social media today, there are people who distort and deny the Genocide against the Tutsi. That is why we must learn this painful history and be able to respond with facts,” he said. The Mayor of Kirehe District, Rangira Bruno, praised EAX for taking its staff to learn about the history of Nyarubuye. He urged them to take up the responsibility of fighting genocide denial and educating younger generations.
He recalled the extreme brutality of the killings, noting that victims included men, women, children, and the elderly, and that perpetrators went as far as mutilating bodies and desecrating remains in an attempt to maximize suffering. He also acknowledged the role of the Rwandan Patriotic Front in stopping the genocide and restoring peace.
Kirehe District Mayor Bruno Rangira commended EAX for taking its staff to learn about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Nyarubuye.EAX Chief Executive Officer Clement Kayitakire said the company wants young people to play a role in fighting Genocide denial and revisionism.EAX Chief Executive Officer Clement Kayitakire lays a wreath at Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial.Florentine Nyirakamana from the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement explained the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Nyarubuye to EAX staff.IBUKA President in Kirehe District, Bonaventure Nduwimana, appreciated EAX for taking its employees to learn about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi at Nyarubuye.Leoncie Mukandayambaje shared an emotional testimony about how she survived the Genocide against the Tutsi.EAX staff were briefed on the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Nyarubuye.EAX employees pledged to continue fighting Genocide denial and revisionism.
The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 found that only seven of the 26 targets have been broadly achieved, while 17 are partially on track and two remain off target.
Drawing on voluntary national reports from 48 countries that account for 51 percent of global forest coverage, along with the latest international data, the report offers the most current assessment of progress under the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 and its six Global Forest Goals.
The report noted that global forest area shrank by more than 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025. It also highlighted a major shortfall in financing for sustainable forest management.
Despite these setbacks, many countries have introduced policy reforms, expanded forest restoration programs, strengthened governance and increased international cooperation on forest protection.
Progress, however, remains uneven across regions. The report cited improvements in protected forest areas, long-term management planning and forest monitoring systems, but warned that deforestation, climate change, wildfires, pests and illegal activities continue to threaten forests worldwide.
The report outlines pathways for accelerating action, including halting deforestation, restoring degraded lands, expanding protected and sustainably managed forests, strengthening forest-related governance, closing the financing gap for sustainable forest management and advancing innovative financing mechanisms.
The report was released at the opening of the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests at UN Headquarters, where member states and partners are gathering to advance implementation of the Global Forest Goals.
The report noted that global forest area shrank by more than 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025.
Amahoro Stadium, which was reopened in 2024 after a major renovation costing more than $160 million, has a seating capacity of 45,000 people. BK Arena, completed in 2019 at a cost of $104 million, can host up to 10,000 spectators.
The two venues have become central to Rwanda’s ambition of positioning itself as a destination for international conferences, sports and entertainment events. They have hosted major events including the FIFA Congress, the Basketball Africa League, Move Afrika and Giants of Africa.
However, despite their growing importance, event organizers and members of the public have repeatedly raised concerns over what they describe as expensive rental fees and restrictive operational requirements.
In an interview with IGIHE, John Ntigengwa, the Country Director of QA Venue Solutions which managed both facilities, addressed the concerns and defended the company’s management approach.
Ntigengwa explained that QA Venue Solutions operates the facilities under an agreement with the Government of Rwanda, with responsibilities that include maintaining the venues and ensuring they generate revenue.
He said one of the biggest challenges remains the fact that many people still cannot afford to use the facilities.
According to him, operating and maintaining such large infrastructures comes at a high cost, making it impossible to lower prices beyond a certain level.
“For BK Arena, the average base price over the last five years has been around Rwf5 million,” he explained, noting that this amount only covers the minimum operational requirements for an event.
He added that the actual daily operational cost for events at BK Arena reaches about Rwf9 million before additional expenses such as security, protocol staff and cleaning services are included.
Regarding Amahoro Stadium, Ntigengwa revealed that the initial minimum operational fee had been estimated at Rwf16 million.
However, after discussions with stakeholders including the Rwanda Premier League, the base price was reduced to around Rwf3 million in an effort to make the stadium more accessible, especially for football clubs.
He said the company is also seeking more partnerships, particularly with advertisers and sponsors, to further reduce operational costs and make the venues more affordable.
John Ntigengwa says maintaining BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium comes with high operational costs.
Addressing complaints that BK Arena is more expensive than Amahoro Stadium, Ntigengwa argued that when all operational costs are considered, the expenses are nearly similar.
He also explained that most event organizers rely heavily on sponsorships because the local market alone is often not sufficient to cover the costs of staging large events.
Another issue frequently raised by organizers concerns the requirement to use venue-approved protocol staff, security teams and, in some cases, sound equipment providers.
Ntigengwa said those policies are primarily aimed at ensuring professionalism and safety.
He explained that protocol and security personnel assigned to the venues receive specialized training and are familiar with the infrastructure, making it risky to allow untrained teams to manage crowds in the facilities.
On technical equipment, he said the company only requires service providers who meet specific professional standards, especially for complex installations such as suspended lighting and sound systems.
However, he denied claims that QA Venue Solutions works exclusively with one supplier, saying organizers with smaller technical needs are sometimes allowed to work with their preferred providers.
The company also responded to complaints from event promoters who accuse the venue management of generating additional revenue from food and beverage sales during events without sharing profits.
Ntigengwa said food and drinks sold at the venues must meet strict safety and quality standards, which is why the company limits who can operate inside the facilities.
He added that the company intentionally keeps rental fees below actual operational costs and compensates through other revenue streams such as concessions and commercial activities inside the venues.
“If an event at BK Arena costs us at least Rwf9 million to operate but we charge the organizer Rwf5 million, it does not mean we are choosing to make losses,” he said. “We look for other ways to generate revenue while keeping the venue accessible.”
On VIP suites at BK Arena, Ntigengwa explained that out of the 14 available suites, organizers typically receive only two because the others are reserved for clients who lease them on annual contracts.
He also addressed criticism over ticketing fees, where organizers have complained about a 15 percent deduction on ticket sales.
According to him, QA Venue Solutions only takes 3 percent, while ticketing service providers receive 12 percent, with the remaining amount going to the event organizer.
Despite the criticisms, Ntigengwa said the company remains open to dialogue and welcomes suggestions from clients and partners on how operations can be improved.
“We encourage people not to rely only on rumors that these venues are too expensive,” he said. “Anyone interested in using them should come and discuss their project with us because every case is different.”
He also acknowledged that attracting international artists remains costly, although the company hopes to organize at least two major concerts annually at BK Arena and one at Amahoro Stadium.
Ntigengwa dismissed reports suggesting that negotiations to host major artists such as Chris Brown and Burna Boy for a grand Amahoro Stadium inauguration concert had been finalized, saying discussions remain at an early stage.
He nevertheless confirmed preparations are progressing for the upcoming concert by UB40 featuring Ali Campbell scheduled for June 9, 2026, at BK Arena.
Ntigengwa also praised King James after tickets for the artist’s concert reportedly sold out within three days, describing it as proof of the musician’s strong fan base and hinting that discussions for a second day show were ongoing.
BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium have become key venues for Rwanda’s international sports and entertainment ambitions.
The tribunal is authorized to impose the death penalty, a sentence that has not been carried out in Israel since 1962.
The law has drawn widespread criticism from rights groups. “The bill denies suspects the basic procedural protections essential to a fair trial,” Adalah, a legal group for Arab minority rights in Israel, said in a statement.
It added that any resulting death sentence would constitute “an arbitrary deprivation of life, absolutely prohibited under international law and potentially a war crime.”
The new law follows a legislation approved in late March that made the death penalty a default punishment for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.
The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel, with over 250 hostages kidnapped, according to Israeli figures. It triggered the massive Israeli military operation across Gaza that left the Palestinian enclave in ruins and killed at least 72,737 people, according to Gaza-based health authorities.
Israeli lawmakers could approve a bill that would see Palestinian detainees face the death penalty [FILE: Amir Cohen/Reuters]
Speaking at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Baghaei said Iran’s demands included ending the war in West Asia, lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian shipping, releasing Iranian assets frozen abroad, ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and restoring regional stability.
“We have not demanded any concession. The only things we demanded are the Iranian nation’s legitimate rights,” he said.
Baghaei described Tehran’s proposal as “reasonable and responsible,” saying it was aimed at protecting Iran’s interests as well as regional and global security.
He also noted that nuclear issues would be discussed later as Tehran was currently focused on ending the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump branded Iran’s terms for ending the war “totally unacceptable.” Baghaei accused Washington of pursuing “unreasonable demands” influenced by Israel.
Commenting on reports that European countries, including France and Britain, had deployed warships to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei warned against outside involvement in the region.
“Any interference in issues on the Strait of Hormuz and West Asia will only further complicate the situation,” he said.
Iran, the United States, and Israel agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
Iranian and U.S. delegations later held talks in Islamabad on April 11-12 but failed to reach an agreement. Since then, the two sides have exchanged several proposals through Pakistan, while sporadic clashes have continued in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Baghaei denied Western media reports that Iran had been dumping oil into the sea because its storage facilities were full.
He called the claims “complete lies” and dismissed reports of an oil slick near Iran’s Kharg Island as “fabricated.”
London-based maritime risk intelligence firm Windward said Friday that satellite imagery had detected an oil spill near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. The company said the spill was first identified on May 5 and later confirmed through three satellite observations over 20 hours.
After post-ceasefire talks collapsed, the United States imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz aimed at restricting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, which Tehran says is intended to curb its oil exports.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei speaks at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iran, May 11, 2026. Baghaei said Monday that Tehran had sought only its “legitimate rights” in a new peace proposal delivered to the United States through Pakistan, which has been mediating between the two sides. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The framework, presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, outlines the country’s spending and revenue priorities over the 2026/27 to 2028/29 period.
It also reflects a significant increase of Rwf 844.2 billion compared to the revised 2025/26 budget, signaling expanded government investment in key sectors. Murangwa said Rwanda’s economy continues to show resilience despite global uncertainties.
“Rwanda’s growth momentum remains strong, despite a challenging environment caused by war in the Middle East, climate change effects, geopolitical tensions, trade wars, among other factors,” he said, adding that the government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability and promoting inclusive growth through investment in strategic sectors.
According to the framework, the Rwf 7.8 trillion budget will be financed mainly through domestic revenue, which is projected at Rwf 5,273.8 billion. This includes Rwf 4,429.1 billion in tax revenue, Rwf 582.4 billion in other revenues, Rwf 138.8 billion in domestic financing, and Rwf 123.6 billion from financial assets. External financing will also contribute, with grants estimated at Rwf 548.3 billion and loans at Rwf 1,974.1 billion.
On the spending side, the government plans to allocate Rwf 4,779.1 billion to recurrent expenditure, including salaries and operational costs, while Rwf 3,017.2 billion will go toward capital investments.
The increased capital investment is expected to support major projects such as the construction of the New Kigali International Airport in Bugesera, the expansion of RwandAir, and continued subsidies for fertilizers to strengthen agricultural productivity and cushion external shocks.
The Budget Framework Paper also comes on the back of strong economic performance in 2025, when Rwanda recorded 9.4 percent growth, surpassing the earlier projection of 7 percent. Growth was driven by industry at 11 percent, services at 9 percent, and agriculture at 7 percent, reflecting broad-based expansion across key sectors.
Minister Murangwa noted that the government will continue prioritizing investments that enhance resilience and inclusive development, particularly in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and social protection.
The framework aligns with Rwanda’s long-term development vision under Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which emphasizes economic transformation, social development, and improved governance.
The full national budget for the 2026/27 fiscal year is expected to be tabled before Parliament in June 2026, where detailed sector allocations will be further debated and approved.
The framework, presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, outlines the country’s spending and revenue priorities over the 2026/27 to 2028/29 period.
Signed in 1960 with the support of the World Bank, the treaty divided the six rivers of the Indus Basin between the two countries. While Pakistan received rights over the western rivers — the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — India retained control over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. India was also granted limited rights to develop hydropower projects on the western rivers under strict technical and operational conditions.
Over the years, however, several Indian projects on the western rivers have faced repeated objections from Pakistan. Hydropower developments such as Baglihar, Kishenganga, Pakal Dul, and the Tulbul navigation project have all been challenged through the treaty’s dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Critics in India argue that Pakistan has systematically used these legal and technical processes to delay projects rather than resolve genuine treaty concerns.
Reports suggest that even projects considered permissible under the treaty have faced prolonged scrutiny, arbitration requests, and objections from Islamabad. Indian analysts also point to what they describe as Pakistan’s long-standing “water war” narrative, in which India is portrayed internationally as a potential threat to Pakistan’s water security despite India maintaining compliance with the treaty since its signing.
According to reports, India has not suspended water flows to Pakistan even during major military confrontations, including the wars of 1965 and 1971, as well as the 1999 Kargil conflict. Indian officials and commentators often cite this record as evidence that New Delhi has consistently honoured the agreement despite decades of political and security tensions between the two countries.
The treaty’s restrictions are also seen by critics as having broader developmental consequences for India, particularly in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. The territory, through which several western rivers flow, possesses significant hydropower potential that remains only partially developed.
Reports indicate that treaty restrictions on storage, dam design, and water usage, combined with prolonged disputes over proposed projects, have slowed infrastructure development and limited the region’s ability to fully utilize its natural resources. Some local communities and political voices in the region have increasingly questioned whether the treaty disproportionately limits economic opportunities in areas directly connected to the river system.
Beyond regional concerns, energy experts in India argue that restrictions affecting hydropower development have implications for the country’s wider energy security goals. Hydropower is considered a key renewable energy source, and critics contend that constraints linked to the treaty have prevented India from maximizing clean energy generation from rivers flowing through its own territory.
Debates surrounding the treaty have also intensified amid broader tensions between India and Pakistan over cross-border militancy and security issues. Indian officials and commentators increasingly argue that long-term bilateral agreements should function within a broader framework of mutual trust and cooperation.
Some analysts in India contend that Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border militancy has weakened the spirit of goodwill that originally underpinned the treaty.
They point to attacks such as the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the April 2025 attack in Pahalgam as events that have further strained bilateral relations.
Despite growing criticism, supporters of the treaty continue to view it as an important stabilizing mechanism between two nuclear-armed neighbours with a long history of conflict. Many international observers argue that the agreement has helped prevent water disputes from escalating into wider regional crises.
Still, discussions over the future of the treaty are becoming increasingly prominent in India, particularly as concerns over water security, regional stability, energy demand, and geopolitical tensions continue to evolve across South Asia.
Signed in 1960 with the support of the World Bank, the treaty divided the six rivers of the Indus Basin between the two countries.
The award was presented during the international “UCI Mobility & Bike City” conference held in Athens, Greece, from May 10 to 11, 2026.
The conference brought together city leaders and experts in urban mobility and transportation to exchange ideas on best practices and strengthen international cooperation in cycling and sustainable transport systems.
Rwanda was represented by the State Minister for Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, and the president of FERWACY, Samson Ndayishimiye.
The “UCI Bike City” label is awarded to cities that demonstrate excellence in hosting major cycling events and promoting cycling-friendly mobility systems.
For Kigali, the recognition reflects Kigali’s growing vision of becoming a more people centred, active, and environmentally conscious city.
In February, UCI President David Lappartient said that by hosting the championship for the first time in Africa, Kigali had made history in the world of cycling. Kigali became the 31st city in the world to receive the award and the first in Africa to earn the distinction.
Rwanda is now the 17th country globally, and the first in Africa, to receive the recognition, highlighting the country’s achievements in organizing international competitions and promoting cycling, urban development, and quality of life.
Kigali became the 31st city in the world to receive the award and the first in Africa to earn the distinction.David Lappartient, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), presents the “UCI Bike City Label Award” to the State Minister for Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, in recognition of the City of Kigali for successfully hosting the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
