Murenzi announced the appointment through his social media platforms, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to representing the interests of young people.
“I am delighted to share that I have been appointed to the Youth Sounding Board of the European Union Delegation in Rwanda,” he wrote.
He added that he looks forward to working closely with the EU Delegation and embassies of EU member states in Rwanda to strengthen cooperation and advocate for initiatives that address the aspirations, challenges and needs of Rwandan youth.
The Youth Sounding Board is a mechanism established by the European Union to ensure meaningful youth participation in the design and implementation of EU policies, programmes and partnerships. The platform enables young people to contribute their perspectives and help make development efforts more inclusive, responsive and impactful.
Murenzi’s appointment adds to a growing record of youth leadership and engagement in national and international development initiatives.
He founded Rwanda We Want in 2015 at the age of 17, creating a platform aimed at empowering young people and encouraging their participation in Rwanda’s development agenda. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a prominent youth-focused movement that promotes civic engagement, leadership and sustainable development.
Murenzi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Monetary Economics from the University of Rwanda and a Master’s degree in Design Management from Coventry University in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, he has also served in several regional and international roles focused on youth empowerment and sustainable development. These include membership on the policy team of the planning task force for the 12th Commonwealth Youth Forum and serving as Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Coordinator for the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN).
His new role on the EU Youth Sounding Board is expected to provide an additional platform for engaging with policymakers and development partners on issues affecting young people in Rwanda.
Murenzi’s appointment adds to a growing record of youth leadership and engagement in national and international development initiatives.
Earlier in the day, the Trump administration and the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center each appealed a federal district judge’s ruling ordering the removal. Under the order, Trump’s name must be removed from the building by Friday midnight.
By Friday afternoon, construction crews had cordoned off the section of the Kennedy Center bearing Trump’s name and begun erecting scaffolding for its removal.
Patrick Nour, a performer at the Kennedy Center, told Xinhua in front of the scaffolding on Friday evening that he is happy to see that “it isn’t being disgraced.”
“It’s a memorial. It isn’t a place where you could just put your name on. It’s dedicated to somebody who did something, not someone who is doing something,” he said.
Shortly after returning to office for a second term in January last year, Trump replaced the Kennedy Center’s leadership and appointed a new board of trustees. In December, the reconstituted board voted to rename the institution by adding Trump’s name to its official title.
The move prompted a lawsuit by board member Joyce Beatty, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to overturn the decision and remove Trump’s name from the institution.
On May 29, Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Kennedy Center’s name could not be changed without congressional approval. He ordered that all physical signage bearing Trump’s name be removed from the Kennedy Center within 14 days and that any references to the “Trump-Kennedy Center” be deleted from official materials.
Cooper also ordered the suspension of the center’s plan to close for two years for renovations, which Trump announced in February and was scheduled to take effect in July.
The Kennedy Center, named after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, officially opened in 1971. It is widely regarded as a national cultural center, hosting world-class performances in music, opera, theater, dance, and other arts.
The renaming controversy has already affected the center’s regular cultural programming, with some musicians and performing groups announcing cancellations or withdrawals from scheduled appearances.
The Kennedy Center, named after former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, officially opened in 1971. It is widely regarded as a national cultural center, hosting world-class performances in music, opera, theater, dance, and other arts.
In a statement, the UN in South Africa expressed concern over reports of threats and violence affecting migrants, including deaths, assaults, property damage, intimidation, hate speech and other criminal acts.
“The UN expresses condolences for the lives lost and strongly condemns all forms of violence, vigilantism and incitement to hatred, as they are contrary to national and international human rights standards. These issues must be addressed through the de-escalation of tensions, protection, accountability, respect for the rule of law and effective law enforcement,” the statement said.
It welcomed remarks by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa calling on citizens to respect the rule of law and not take the law into their own hands.
While acknowledging the impact of socio-economic challenges on social cohesion, the UN stressed that such challenges should be addressed through lawful means and in a manner that respects human rights.
It added that it was engaging with government authorities, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to help address xenophobia and related tensions.
The statement also called for efforts to counter misinformation and prevent the spread of harmful narratives.
Recent weeks have seen a rise in anti-immigration incidents in parts of South Africa. Two Mozambican nationals were reportedly killed in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province, while some foreign-owned businesses have also been targeted during protests and unrest.
Protesters march through Johannesburg’s CBD calling for action against undocumented immigration during a demonstration at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. Operation Dudula, whose name means “to be removed by force”, emerged directly from political rhetoric normalising the idea that foreigners have no right to be present. Responsible South African leaders have spoken against this. Image: Simon Majadibodu | IOL
A total of 17 new confirmed cases, including five deaths, were reported on Thursday, all in the eastern province of Ituri, the report said. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has affected 29 health zones across three eastern provinces, namely Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
A total of 168 suspected cases, including 64 deaths, had been reported as of Thursday.
The report also highlighted several operational challenges, including reluctance to undergo post-mortem swabbing, insufficient capacity in Ebola treatment centers, shortages of infection prevention and control materials in North Kivu, weak alert reporting across the three provinces, and a funding gap of 21.5 million U.S. dollars.
Two Ebola-related deaths have been reported in a camp for internally displaced people in Ituri, according to a report released on Thursday by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The current outbreak, officially declared on May 15 by the DRC’s health ministry, is the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was identified in 1976.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 689, including 139 deaths,
In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, Araghchi said that upon finalized, the MoU will be signed digitally by both sides in their respective countries and then announced.
He added that following the potential signing, both parties will commit not to initiate any other war, and will begin the second stage of negotiations, scheduled within a 60-day period, to reach a final agreement, focusing mainly on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions removal.
He stressed that Tehran insists that the only acceptable way of dealing with its highly enriched uranium will be diluting it within Iranian territory.
Araghchi also said that the potential MoU would include provisions for ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, requiring Israel to withdraw from the occupied areas.
Other key issues in the MoU include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the full lifting of the U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, and the release of Iran’s frozen assets, he noted.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said its management will definitely not to return the pre-war era. While Iran will retain sovereignty and a military presence, a legal system consistent with international law will be established, he said.
He ruled out tolls for passage but noted that charging service fees will be reasonable.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States had “just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” with an agreement expected “over the next few days.”
Over recent weeks, Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan’s mediation, and have been working to finalize an MoU to end the war.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows merchant vessels stranded in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, near Khasab, a small town in northern Oman, May 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian)Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi speaks at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The report shows that 1.6% of transaction attempts involving consumers in Rwanda were flagged as suspected digital fraud in 2025, down from 2.7% in 2024 and significantly below the global average of 3.8%.
While the decline suggests improved detection and stronger safeguards, analysts caution that fraud risk is shifting rather than disappearing.
“Despite recording lower digital fraud rates than global and regional averages, Rwanda is experiencing a structural change in fraud risk,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management at TransUnion Africa. She noted that criminals are increasingly targeting identity and trust at the earliest stages of digital interaction.
Money mule scams dominate reported losses
Among Rwandan consumers who reported losing money to digital fraud in the past year, nearly three in ten (29%) said the losses were linked to money mule scams — the highest single category of fraud impact in the country.
Other major fraud types reported include account takeover (24%), social engineering (22%), fraudulent credit card transactions (22%), and unemployment benefits-related fraud (22%). Third-party seller scams on e-commerce platforms accounted for 21%, while identity theft stood at 19%. Messaging-based scams such as smishing, phishing, and vishing each accounted for between 13% and 15% of reported cases.
Experts say money mule schemes are particularly concerning because victims are often unknowingly recruited to move stolen funds, making them a key link between consumer fraud and broader financial crime networks.
“Money mules often are the bridge between consumer fraud and broader financial crime,” Reddy said. “As these activities scale, isolated scams evolve into wider systemic risks.”
The report highlights a shift in when fraud is most likely to occur in the digital lifecycle. In 2025, Rwanda recorded its highest suspected fraud rate at the account creation stage, at 7.7%. This was followed by account login (1.6%) and financial transactions (0.5%).
This pattern suggests that fraudsters are increasingly targeting identity systems rather than attempting to breach transactions directly.
“Rather than attacking systems directly, fraudsters increasingly impersonate legitimate users, blending into digital ecosystems designed for speed and inclusion,” Reddy explained. “Once a compromised identity is onboarded, downstream fraud becomes significantly more complex and costly to prevent.”
Across sectors, retail recorded the highest suspected digital fraud rate involving Rwandan consumers in 2025 at 7.1%, followed by online communities such as forums and dating platforms (2.1%) and gaming or betting platforms (1.7%).
While retail remains the most exposed sector, the data also shows a sharp drop in attempted fraud volumes compared to 2024, including a 97% decline in retail-related attempts.
The findings also reveal that Rwandan consumers increasingly value digital safety when engaging online. Easy payment processes (73%), confidence in personal data security (70%), and simplified forms and applications (64%) were identified as the most important features influencing trust in digital services.
“Consumers are willing to accept friction when it clearly enhances protection,” Reddy said, noting that security is becoming a key factor in digital trust and brand choice.
Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen its digital ecosystem, including investments in digital public infrastructure under National Identification Agency (NIDA) and the country’s broader Vision 2050 development agenda, are expected to reinforce secure onboarding and electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) systems.
The introduction of a new digital identification number is seen as a key step toward improving identity verification and reducing vulnerabilities at the point of account creation.
Fraud evolving, not disappearing
Despite the decline in overall suspected fraud rates, experts caution that the threat is becoming more adaptive, subtle, and harder to detect. Fraudsters are increasingly relying on psychological manipulation and cross-channel scams that exploit trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.
“Fraud is becoming more automated, more targeted and more psychologically manipulative,” Reddy said. “The central challenge ahead is no longer simply preventing fraud but preserving trust in the digital economy.”
The report draws on a global survey of 12,730 consumers across 18 countries, including 308 respondents in Rwanda, conducted between November and December 2025, alongside TransUnion’s global fraud intelligence network.
While Rwanda continues to outperform global averages in controlling suspected digital fraud, the findings suggest that the next challenge will be addressing increasingly sophisticated identity-based scams at the earliest stages of digital engagement.
Analysts caution that fraud risk is shifting rather than disappearing.
The award was presented during the APEX Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event in Dublin on June 12, and is based exclusively on independently verified passenger feedback from more than one million flights worldwide.
The recognition is therefore a direct reflection of the experience delivered to customers onboard RwandAir flights.
According to the airline, this recognition highlights RwandAir’s continued investment in service excellence, cabin crew training, and the delivery of a warm, attentive, and distinctly Rwandan onboard experience.
It also adds to the airline’s growing record of international recognition, including its Skytrax Best Regional Airline in Africa title in 2025 and its APEX Diamond Health Safety Status, which made RwandAir the first African airline to receive that designation.
Commenting on the development, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, said: “This award is a powerful recognition of the service our customers experience through the dedication of our cabin crew. As RwandAir positions itself as Africa’s gateway to the world, we are proud to showcase Rwanda’s warmth, professionalism, and hospitality across every journey. We remain committed to raising the standard of African aviation and delivering a world-class experience for our passengers.”
“RwandAir winning the 2026 APEX Best Cabin Service in Africa award based on the votes of verified passengers honors one of the most inspiring service ascents in aviation today, led by a national carrier that has elevated African hospitality with remarkable intention, discipline, and pride,” said Dr. Joe Leader, APEX Group CEO.
The APEX Awards, established by the Airline Passenger Experience Association, are among the aviation industry’s leading passenger experience benchmarks, assessing key areas including cabin service, entertainment, Wi-Fi, seat comfort, and food and beverage across airlines globally.
This recognition comes as RwandAir continues to strengthen its network, enhance its customer experience, and position itself as Africa’s gateway to the world, with service excellence remaining central to its brand promise.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, connects Africa to the world from its Kigali hub, strategically located in the heart of Africa.
Founded in 2002, the airline operates a modern fleet of Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-800NGs, Bombardier Q400s and a dedicated freighter, serving 22 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with codeshare and interline partnerships extending connectivity to an additional 150 destinations worldwide.
Awarded Best Cabin Service in Africa at the 2026 APEX Awards and Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, RwandAir serves as a catalyst for trade, tourism and economic growth across Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) is a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations.
APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier.
The award was presented during the APEX Future Travel Experience (FTE) EMEA event in Dublin on June 12, and is based exclusively on independently verified passenger feedback from more than one million flights worldwide. L–R: Simon Richman, Regional Commercial Manager (UK, Europe & North America), RwandAir and Dr. Joe Leader, APEX Group CEO during the APEX Awards ceremony in Dublin, June 2026.
Launched in 2005, the campaign was designed to address gender disparities in education by increasing girls’ enrolment, improving retention, and promoting academic excellence across the country.
Over the years, it has also sought to mobilise communities, schools, and other stakeholders to create an environment where girls can thrive academically.
As part of this year’s edition, the Best Performing Girls (BPGs), commonly known as Inkubito z’Icyeza, were recognised within their respective schools. The recognition aims not only to reward excellence but also to inspire other learners, especially girls, to pursue academic success.
Since its inception nearly two decades ago, the campaign has recorded notable achievements. A total of 8,605 girls have been recognised as Best Performing Girls. In addition, girls account for 60% of the 10,945 students supported through the Edified Generation Scholarships Programme, as well as 80% of the 25,960 students benefiting from remedial learning programmes. Many of these beneficiaries have since progressed into leadership positions across different sectors in Rwanda.
This year alone, 502 girls were awarded for their outstanding performance in the National Examinations, reflecting strong academic results across primary, ordinary, and advanced levels.
At primary level, 445 girls were recognised, each representing the best-performing girl in her sector. At ordinary level, 32 girls were honoured, each selected as the top performer in her district.
At advanced level, 25 outstanding students were selected based on performance in their respective learning areas, including 10 from general education, 10 from technical secondary schools (TSS), and 5 from professional education.
Best Performing Girls at FAWE Girls’ School were honoured as part of efforts to encourage excellence and support girls’ education across the country.The Girls’ Education Campaign was also marked at Saint Aloys Rwamagana, where outstanding girls were recognised for their academic performance under the national initiative promoting girls’ education and achievement.The Girls’ Education Campaign also reached Lycée Notre Dame de Cîteaux, where Best Performing Girls were recognised as part of the ongoing national effort to promote academic excellence and strengthen girls’ education.
At the same time, citizens have been urged to avoid activities that could trigger fires in the protected area, warning that such incidents consume large sums of money that could otherwise support other development priorities.
This was announced in Karongi District on June 11, 2026, during a meeting that brought together park management, representatives of security organs, and local government authorities.
The Chief Executive Officer of Nyungwe Management Company (NMC), Protais Niyigaba, said that after poaching, wildfires rank as the second most destructive threat to biodiversity in the park. He noted that it can take more than 100 years for ecosystems affected by fire to fully recover.
He explained that once fire affects an area, fast-growing invasive grasses quickly take over, replacing the original vegetation. Restoring such areas requires removing these invasive species and replanting indigenous trees and plants to rebuild the natural forest ecosystem.
This restoration work will cover more than 4,500 hectares affected by different fire incidents in Nyungwe over the years.
Niyigaba emphasized that the impact of wildfires should not only be measured in ecological damage but also in the high financial cost required to restore the ecosystem.
The project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and coordinated by the Rwanda Forest Authority (RFA), while implementation in Nyungwe National Park will be handled by NMC.
He said: “This project will restore 4,500 hectares over five years at a cost of 6.706 million US dollars, which is close to 10 billion Rwandan francs. We will work closely with districts surrounding Nyungwe so that 80 percent of this funding goes directly to local residents, since the activities are labour-intensive. We also urge citizens to avoid setting fires in the park, as the funds being used for restoration could have supported other development initiatives.”
The Vice Mayor of Karongi District in charge of economic development, Ntakirutimana Julienne, said the project will create employment opportunities and encouraged residents to apply for available jobs. She also urged them to save through cooperatives so their earnings can be more beneficial.
Workers recruited for the project will be provided with temporary accommodation inside Nyungwe National Park, along with food and water, and will return home once every two weeks. The project is expected to employ about 1,500 workers, each earning 3,000 Rwandan francs per day.
Nyungwe National Park covers an area of 1,020 square kilometres. It is known for its ancient montane forest that protects important water catchments.
The park hosts rich biodiversity, including 13 species of primates, 85 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles, and 38 species of amphibians.
Located in south-western Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park spans 23 sectors across Karongi, Nyamasheke, and Rusizi districts in the Western Province, as well as Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe districts in the Southern Province.
The park’s rich flora is highlighted by towering indigenous trees and thick undergrowth that form a vital habitat for countless plant and animal species.Nyungwe National Park is home to one of the oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems in Africa.Nyungwe National Park is recognized as part of the world’s protected natural heritage areas, reflecting its global importance for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.The canopy walk in Nyungwe National Park enhances visitors’ experience.
The births come just a year after 70 southern white rhinos were relocated to Rwanda, marking a significant milestone in the country’s wildlife conservation programme.
According to Jean Paul Karinganire, Funding & Reporting Manager at Akagera National Park, three calves have already been born from the group of 70 white rhinos that arrived in 2025. He noted that more births are expected this year, as rhinos typically have a gestation period of between 15 and 16 months.
“The rhinos have also brought tourism benefits. Akagera National Park is now one of the easiest places in Africa where visitors can see rhinos in the wild,” Karinganire said.
He added that the white rhinos are helping to strengthen biodiversity in the park and represent an important conservation achievement for East Africa.
On June 10, 2025, Rwanda received 70 white rhinos, including 28 males, from South Africa. The relocation was the largest single translocation of animals ever carried out into the country.
The white rhinos joined Akagera’s existing black rhino population, pushing the total number of rhinos in the park above 145. With the recent births, the population has now reached 148.
White rhinos are nearly twice the size and weight of black rhinos. They are grazers that feed mainly on short grasses and are easily identified by their broad, wide mouths adapted for grazing. They also have a prominent shoulder hump and distinctive muscular features on their bodies.
Rwanda’s rhino population had completely disappeared by 2007, when the last remaining rhino in the country died. A decade later, in 2017, black rhinos were successfully reintroduced to Akagera National Park, and their numbers have steadily increased over the years. The arrival and reproduction of white rhinos mark another important step in restoring the country’s wildlife heritage.
The presence of rhinos in Akagera National Park highlights the progress made in restoring endangered species.Rhinos are among Africa’s most iconic wildlife species and play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.Akagera National Park is home to both black and white rhinos, contributing to Rwanda’s wildlife conservation efforts.White rhinos are the largest rhino species and are known for their broad mouths adapted for grazing.
