The medals were presented to members of RWANBATT-2 in recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and contribution to peace, security, and stability in the Central African Republic.
The ceremony held on August 27, 2026, was presided over by the MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander, Maj Gen Maychel Asmi. It was attended by the Governor of Ombella-M’Poko Region, Joseph Dokombo; MINUSCA Sector West Commander, Brig Gen Ganselem Lkhagvasuren; Commander of Joint Task Force Bangui, Brig Gen Franco Rutagengwa; Rwanda Defence Attaché to CAR, Col Alphonse Gahima; and members of the Rwandan community in CAR.
Addressing the peacekeepers, Maj Gen Asmi commended RWANBATT-2 for carrying out its duties with professionalism and determination in support of the MINUSCA mandate.
He emphasised that the UN medal represents both individual service and the international community’s commitment to peace and stability.
“Wear this medal with pride. It represents sacrifice, discipline, professionalism, and service to the people of the Central African Republic,” he stated.
Maj Gen Asmi also acknowledged RWANBATT-2’s role in contributing to the creation of a secure environment that has supported the return of internally displaced persons to their homes.
The RWANBATT-2 Contingent Commander, Col Laurent Kalisa Munana, said the peacekeepers remain committed to fully implementing the MINUSCA mandate and maintaining the reputation they have built through discipline, professionalism, and dedication.
“We remain determined to uphold the trust placed in us and to continue serving with the same commitment and professionalism until the completion of our mission,” Col Munana said.
Maj Gen Maychel Asmi commended RWANBATT-2 peacekeepers for their professionalism and determination in supporting the MINUSCA mandate.MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander Maj Gen Maychel Asmi presented United Nations Service Medals to members of RWANBATT-2 at Bossembele Camp.Members of RWANBATT-2 received UN medals for their service and contribution to creating a secure environment in the Central African Republic.Rwandan peacekeepers pose with their United Nations Service Medals following a ceremony recognising their dedication and professionalism in the Central African Republic.Rwandan peacekeepers serving with MINUSCA are recognised for their role in supporting peace, security and stability in the Central African Republic.
Upon arrival, the RDF delegation was received by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), 2 Infantry Division Commander, Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi along with subordinate commanders and staff.
Prior to the meeting, the two delegations joined local leaders and community members in Kamwezi Sub-County, Rukiga District, for a joint tree-planting activity.
In his opening remarks, Maj Gen Paul Muhanguzi welcomed the RDF delegation and emphasized that Rwanda and Uganda share more than a physical border.
He stressed that peace in Rwanda contributes to peace in Uganda and vice versa, underscoring the importance of continued joint efforts to maintain security for communities on both sides of the border.
Maj Gen Muhanguzi concluded by expressing appreciation to the Commanders-in-Chief and Chiefs of Defence Staff of both countries for their visionary leadership and continued efforts to promote unity, cooperation, and good relations between Rwanda and Uganda.
His counterpart, Maj Gen Karusisi, thanked the hosts for the warm welcome. He emphasized that the common border should remain a space for peace, lawful movement, trade, and cooperation rather than a source of insecurity or misunderstanding.
He further noted that commanders have a responsibility to maintain open channels of communication, strengthen confidence between the two forces, and ensure that emerging issues are addressed through dialogue and appropriate coordination.
Maj Gen Karusisi highlighted that the strong relationship between Rwanda and Uganda provides a solid foundation for further cooperation at the military level.
The meeting is part of a series of quarterly engagements that bring together RDF and UPDF commanders whose units are deployed along the Rwanda–Uganda border.
It aims to assess the security situation, address cross-border security challenges, strengthen coordination, and develop lasting solutions to issues affecting communities on both sides of the border.
Maj Gen Ruki Karusisi (left), Commander of the RDF 5 Infantry Division, led the Rwandan delegation at the 8th Proximity Commanders’ Meeting with the UPDF in Mbarara, Uganda.RDF and UPDF commanders joined local leaders and community members in Kamwezi Sub-County, Rukiga District, for a joint tree-planting activity ahead of their meeting.The 8th Proximity Commanders’ Meeting brought together RDF and UPDF commanders deployed along the Rwanda–Uganda border to strengthen communication, confidence and cooperation.RDF and UPDF commanders convened in Mbarara for their 8th Proximity Commanders’ Meeting to discuss security, cross-border challenges and coordination along the Rwanda–Uganda border.
“The secretary-general is concerned about any new measures, any additional rhetoric that we see that could lead to an escalation. And we’re continuing to see disruptions in the flow of energy, disruption in the flow of food,” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson, said in response to a question about whether Guterres had received a letter from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi regarding new U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Dujarric said the letter had been received and distributed to the Security Council and the General Assembly as requested.
This conflict, even in somewhat of a frozen kinetic phase, continues to do a lot of harm to the region and to the global economy, said the spokesperson.
The only way to reach a durable settlement is through dialogue, and the secretary-general is very much appreciative of the mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and others who are doing their best to try to lead to a political solution, said the spokesperson.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday threatened Iran with “an economic D-Day,” announcing a wave of new sanctions against the country.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that the United States will not achieve anything through its economic pressure on Iran.
New York: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a press encounter at the UN headquarters in New York on July 31, 2026. Guterres said Friday that fighting must stop on all fronts in the Middle East.
Hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda, the mission focused on investment opportunities, mineral processing and value addition, as well as responsible and traceable mineral supply chains.
During the visit, the delegation met with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) Chief Geo-Hazard Officer Barbara Akaliza.
The discussions provided an opportunity to examine Rwanda’s mining sector and potential areas for Japanese investment, particularly in mineral processing and value addition.
The delegation also held discussions with Minister of Trade and Industry Antoine Kajangwe and Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The meetings focused on strengthening economic relations between Japan and Rwanda and promoting cooperation in the mineral sector.
Welcoming the delegation, Akaliza said Rwanda was pleased to engage with Japanese partners on opportunities in the mining industry.
She highlighted Rwanda’s investment environment, opportunities in mineral processing and value addition, and its commitment to responsible and traceable mineral supply chains.
“We look forward to strengthening cooperation with Japanese partners in support of sustainable mineral development and shared economic growth,” she noted.
The delegation also visited several mining companies, mining sites and facilities, gaining first-hand insights into mining operations, mineral processing and the opportunities and challenges facing Rwanda’s mining industry.
The Embassy of Japan said the discussions and site visits allowed the delegation to explore potential areas for future investment and cooperation between Japanese and Rwandan stakeholders.
The embassy added it will continue supporting dialogue and cooperation between Japan and Rwanda in the mineral sector.
The Japanese mining delegation held discussions with Rwandan officials on mineral processing, value addition and responsible mineral supply chains.Japanese and Rwandan stakeholders explored potential areas for future investment and cooperation during the delegation’s three-day visit to Rwanda.The delegation visited mining companies and sites in Rwanda to gain first-hand insights into mining operations, mineral processing and the industry’s opportunities and challenges.Japanese companies and organisations specialising in mining visited Rwanda to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in the mineral sector.
Of this total, public charging facilities numbered 5.099 million, an increase of 21.3 percent from a year earlier.
Private charging facilities totaled 18.58 million units by the end of last month, surging 48.8 percent year on year.
The data, sourced from the national charging infrastructure monitoring and service platform, highlights the continued expansion of China’s EV support network alongside a surge in EV sales.
China’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) sales in July 2026 accounted for more than 60 percent of monthly new car sales for the first time, industry data showed earlier this month.
In July alone, NEV output and sales reached over 1.57 million and 1.56 million units, respectively, up a respective 26.8 percent and 23.7 percent year on year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
As NEV sales continue to soar, China has been accelerating the improvement of its charging network to keep pace with growing demand.
In October 2025, China unveiled a three-year action plan to improve the country’s EV charging infrastructure, aiming to establish a nationwide network of 28 million charging facilities, with public charging capacity surpassing 300 million kilowatts by the end of 2027.
China aims to increase the share of NEVs in its total vehicle fleet to 30 percent by 2030, according to an action plan for carbon peaking during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
This photo taken on Jan 21, 2026 shows an electric vehicle charging station in Jiaxing city, East China’s Zhejiang province. [Photo/Xinhua]
The restaurant-service contest, held earlier this week ahead of Saturday’s official opening of the second World Humanoid Robot Games, offered a glimpse of a central focus of this year’s event: testing robots not only in athletic competitions, but also in workplace tasks.
Running through to Wednesday, the games have attracted 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries and regions across six continents, with team participation quadrupling from the inaugural edition last year.
The event features 51 competition items, up from 26 last year, while the number of matches has surged from 487 to 1,301.
Among the biggest additions are 21 scenario-based contests, covering settings such as factories, hotels, homes and logistics facilities.
Tasks ranging from industrial assembly and housekeeping to emergency rescue and library book sorting are designed around jobs that can be repetitive, physically demanding, dirty, dangerous or difficult.
At a service contest staged in a realistic hotel setting, more than 10 robot teams were given 30 minutes to tackle three tasks: moving luggage of different sizes, replenishing guest-room supplies and making beds.
“Judges look at how many tasks the robot completes, whether there are collisions and how smoothly it performs,” said an organizer of the contest.
Even routine actions can pose demanding tests of robotic dexterity. In the restaurant contest, for example, robots had to turn a microwave timer to five minutes, with deviations of more than one minute costing points. They could also be penalized if too much liquid was spilled while delivering a prepared drink.
This year’s games have also introduced a dedicated dexterous-hand competition, featuring eight high-precision tasks including power-tool assembly, picking up beans with tweezers, weighing powder, prying open bottle caps and connecting flexible cables.
The emphasis reflects an effort to bring competition tasks closer to actual workplace needs.
Liu Weiliang, deputy head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said organizers had surveyed stakeholders in areas that include commercial services, landscaping inspection and emergency rescue, before designing the events.
In one case, competitive tasks reflected worker duties at supermarkets, where employees may spend long hours at night restocking shelves, packing delivery orders and returning misplaced goods — repetitive work that can be time-consuming and physically tiring.
“Every task completed is effectively a trial run in a real-world scenario,” said Liu. “There is no need to rebuild the same testing environment after the competition. Performance on the field itself provides evidence of commercial viability.”
The bar for autonomy has been raised as well.
Except for the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles, all track and other competitive events require full autonomy. In scenario-based events, fully autonomous operation carries a scoring coefficient of 1, compared with 0.5 for remote-controlled operation.
Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said that many competition rules are expected to evolve into practical technical standards, helping turn technological advances into industrial applications.
“Once robots master these ‘last-meter’ skills, they can turn medals into orders and move directly from the competition arena to real-world workplaces,” Jiang said.
Xu Xiaolan, chairwoman of the Chinese Institute of Electronics, said at the recently held 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing that China’s humanoid robot industry had entered a critical stage of large-scale commercialization and deployment, with embodied intelligence products moving from small-batch trials toward broader adoption.
Major technical challenges, however, remain.
Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics, said limited generalization capability is currently the biggest bottleneck facing the global humanoid robot industry.
In controlled settings, he said, AI models trained on sufficient data can achieve task success rates close to 100 percent. But performance can fall sharply once the object being handled or the surrounding environment changes.
Wang said “a ChatGPT moment in embodied intelligence” will come when a robot can be placed in an unfamiliar environment and complete about 80 percent of everyday tasks through simple voice or text instructions.
He expects such a breakthrough could come as early as within two to three years, or within five to 10 years at the latest.
For now, the games also serve as a testing ground to assess the technology’s progress. Liang Hongjun, an official with Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the World Humanoid Robot Games were designed to give companies, investors and the public a more tangible view of the development of humanoid robots.
“The industry is moving from telling technology stories to delivering real-world applications, and from pure technology development toward products and services,” Liang said.
That transition, he added, will require companies to focus on technological innovation, while governments and industry organizations work on opening up application scenarios, developing standards and defining safety boundaries.
Humanoid robots parade during the opening ceremony of the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
The agreement was signed by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Prosper Higiro, on behalf of the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education, and Dr. Tim Loreman, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University of Edmonton.
The signing took place during Higiro’s visit to Alberta from August 21 to 23, 2026.
Under the agreement, Concordia University of Edmonton will consider applications from qualified Rwandan students seeking to study at the university, subject to its normal admission requirements and institutional capacity.
The two sides will also explore scholarship opportunities, tuition-support mechanisms and other arrangements that could help eligible Rwandan students access education.
The cooperation will also cover executive training programmes for Rwandan government officials, particularly in public policy, innovation and other areas to be agreed upon by both sides.
The MoU further provides opportunities for academic staff and researcher exchanges to strengthen academic collaboration, research, knowledge sharing and institutional links between Concordia University of Edmonton and higher education institutions in Rwanda.
Priority areas for cooperation include Education, Psychology, Management and Cybersecurity, Data and Artificial Intelligence applications, Health Sciences, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, Leadership and Innovation, as well as Social Sciences, Economics and Statistics.
The agreement also provides for discussions on broader academic and research collaboration in Rwanda, subject to institutional feasibility, necessary approvals and applicable regulatory requirements.
The signing was among the key engagements during Higiro’s visit to Alberta and forms part of efforts to build practical partnerships between Rwanda and institutions in Canada.
The agreement signed by Rwanda and Concordia University of Edmonton will explore opportunities for Rwandan students, academic staff and researchers in areas including education, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and health sciences.The agreement to expand academic cooperation between Rwanda and the Canadian university was signed between Prosper Higiro, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada, and Dr. Tim Loreman, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University of Edmonton.
Through Higa, customers can earn up to 7.5% per annum, credited monthly. The account is designed to provide groups with a structured and reliable way to grow their collective savings while reducing the risks associated with informal fund management.
Speaking about the launch, Yves Kayihura, Head of Retail Banking at I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc said: “We believe that every saving, no matter its size, is a step towards a stronger financial future. Higa is designed to give savings groups the security of a trusted banking partner while rewarding them for building their savings. By bringing group savings into a structured banking environment, we are helping our customers save with confidence and grow together.”
Higa is available to Ibimina, informal savings groups, cooperatives, associations, clubs, professional groups and collective savings schemes.
The account offers no maintenance fee, monthly interest payouts and the flexibility of a continuing savings account with no maximum holding period.
Opening a Higa account is simple. Customers can visit their nearest I&M Bank branch and complete the standard account opening process. Groups will be required to provide the relevant identification and supporting documentation based on their group structure.
With Higa, I&M Bank continues to expand access to relevant and inclusive financial solutions that respond to the needs of communities and group-based savers.
Incorporated in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc is the oldest Bank in Rwanda. It is today one of the leading players in the industry with a strong footprint across the country.
The bank offers a full range of personal, business, institutional, and corporate banking products throughout its locations. The Bank has been listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange since March 2017.
The bank is also a subsidiary of I&M Group PLC, a leading regional financial services group in Eastern Africa with a presence in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as a joint venture in Mauritius.
I&M Group has a long history in banking and has established a wide network of correspondent banks across the globe and enjoys a strong relationship with leading international Development Financial Institutions.
Incorporated in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc is the oldest Bank in Rwanda.
The acquisition, announced through a statement released on August 27, 2026, follows RSSB’s previous ownership of 40% in Inyange Industries and 50% in Ruliba Clays.
Inyange Industries is one of Rwanda’s major food and beverage processing companies, having built a strong reputation in both the local and regional markets. Meanwhile, Ruliba Clays plays an important role in the construction industry, particularly in the production of building materials.
RSSB said the move reflects its confidence in the long-term growth potential of the two companies and is in line with its mandate to protect and grow members’ funds through investments that can generate sustainable, risk-adjusted returns.
Inyange Industries has established a strong position in the market and continues to record business growth, according to RSSB.
Ruliba Clays, meanwhile, is entering a new phase of expansion following the completion of its second manufacturing plant, which has doubled its initial production capacity and positioned the company to meet growing demand in Rwanda and the region.
With full ownership, RSSB said it will support the companies’ next phase of development, focusing on stronger governance, operational performance, disciplined use of capital, regional expansion and sustainable profitability.
The pension fund also said it will explore strategic partnerships and capital-market opportunities over time, including the possible involvement of institutional investors or public listings where such moves can create long-term value for its members.
RSSB has co-invested with CVL in Inyange Industries since 2014 and in Ruliba Clays since 2009. The transaction is also consistent with CVL’s strategy of divesting from mature businesses after they reach an appropriate level of scale and stability.
RSSB Chief Executive Officer Regis Rugemanshuro said the acquisition demonstrates the institution’s confidence in the future of the two businesses.
“Moving to full ownership reflects our conviction in the long-term potential of these businesses,” Rugemanshuro said.
He added that RSSB’s ambition is to help build stronger, more competitive and profitable companies that can expand beyond their current markets, attract strategic partners and generate sustainable returns for members.
Beyond financial returns, RSSB said the continued growth of the two companies is expected to contribute to Rwanda’s industrial development through stronger domestic manufacturing, support for local value chains, job creation and improved competitiveness of Rwandan products in regional markets.
RSSB said it will continue to pursue prudent and active investment management aimed at protecting and growing members’ funds while supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the social security schemes it manages.
Inyange Industries has established a strong market position and continues to demonstrate robust business performance and growth.Ruliba Clays is entering a new phase of expansion after completing its second manufacturing plant, which has doubled its initial production capacity.RSSB has acquired the remaining shares in Inyange Industries and Ruliba Clays, bringing its ownership of both companies to 100%.
Kagame met Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), at Urugwiro Village as Rwanda reiterated its commitment to implementing the continental trade agreement.
The discussions also highlighted the need for African countries to honour their commitments under AfCFTA if the continent is to achieve its ambition of expanding trade among member states.
The agreement establishing AfCFTA was signed in Kigali in March 2018 and entered into force in May 2019 after securing the required ratifications. It seeks to create a single African market by progressively removing trade barriers, including tariffs on 90% of goods traded across the continent. In 2024, intra-African trade was estimated at about $220 billion.
Kagame also received Monica Geingos, former First Lady of Namibia and Chancellor of Kepler College, who was in Kigali for the Africa Mindset Reset Forum.
Their discussions focused on education and access to opportunity in advancing youth empowerment in Rwanda and across the continent.
Geingos, who served as Namibia’s First Lady from 2015 until the death of her husband, former President Hage Geingob, in February 2024, has been involved in initiatives supporting youth and social development. She was appointed Chancellor of Kepler College in July 2024.
Kepler began in Rwanda in 2004 as Orphans of Rwanda before becoming Generation Rwanda and later developing into Kepler, an institution focused on expanding access to higher education and employment opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Kagame also met Mbeki, who was in Kigali for the Africa Mindset Reset Forum. Their discussions focused on the objectives of the forum and the need for good governance to support Africa’s mindset shift. Mbeki served as President of South Africa from 1999 to 2008.
The two-day Africa Mindset Reset Forum brought together African leaders, policymakers, young people and other participants in Kigali to discuss approaches to the continent’s development and leadership.
Speaking at the forum, Kagame said Africa has the people and resources needed to succeed but is held back by attitudes that Africans need to confront.
He urged Africans to recognise and support one another’s achievements instead of continually looking outside the continent for validation and inspiration.
President Paul Kagame and Thabo Mbeki discussed the objectives of the Africa Mindset Reset Forum and the need for good governance to support Africa’s mindset shift.President Paul Kagame met Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), at Urugwiro Village on August 26, 2026.President Paul Kagame held talks with AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene on Rwanda’s commitment to implementing the continental trade agreement.Monica Geingos, former First Lady of Namibia and Chancellor of Kepler College, met President Paul Kagame during her visit to Kigali for the Africa Mindset Reset Forum.President Paul Kagame and Monica Geingos discussed the importance of education and access to opportunities in advancing youth empowerment in Rwanda and across Africa.
