IGIHE English

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • Kwibuka32: Rwandan community in Leuven honour victims of Genocide against the Tutsi

    Kwibuka32: Rwandan community in Leuven honour victims of Genocide against the Tutsi

    The remembrance event featured a walk from Leuven railway station to Ladeuzeplein, symbolizing solidarity with victims, followed by speeches, testimonies, reflections, and artistic performances dedicated to honoring the memory of those who were killed and reaffirming a commitment to never forget.

    The commemoration was coordinated by Édouard Karangwa and attended by Leuven Alderman for International Affairs Lies Corneillie, alongside representatives of associations and members of the Rwandan youth community in Belgium.

    In his opening remarks, Rev. Dr. Martin Ikomeze, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB) in Leuven, thanked participants who had traveled from different parts of the country.

    According to him, remembrance is a responsibility for every Rwandan and provides a unique opportunity to transmit historical truth.

    He stressed the importance of honoring the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi while continuing efforts toward unity and reconciliation.

    Speaking about the role of testimonies, he underlined their importance in preserving memory, combating genocide denial, and transmitting history to younger generations so that such a tragedy may never happen again.

    One of the most moving moments of the day was the testimony of Mrs. Jeannette Mukandwari, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    Now a mother of two children, she shared a story marked by courage and resilience. Through her personal journey, she demonstrated her determination to overcome the hardships of the past and rebuild her life despite the wounds left by the genocide.

    Speaking on behalf of Ibuka, Johan Sebukire highlighted the importance of remembrance for younger generations. He noted that although most young people in the diaspora did not experience the 1994 genocide themselves, they nevertheless carry its legacy through the stories of their families and communities.

    He stressed the need to combat genocide denial, preserve the memory of the victims, and pass this history on to future generations.

    On this occasion, he also called on the City of Leuven to consider, in consultation with the Rwandan community, the installation of a memorial plaque in honor of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    According to him, such a memorial site would serve as a place of reflection, an educational tool for future generations, and a powerful symbol of the city’s commitment against hatred, racism, and all forms of discrimination.

    Lies Corneillie, Alderman for International Affairs of the City of Leuven, emphasized the importance of testimonies, the transmission of memory to younger generations, and the duty of remembrance. 

    She also expressed the City’s willingness to continue the dialogue on the establishment of a memorial site, with the aim of preserving the memory of the victims and raising awareness among future generations.

    The Leuven ceremony also marked the final stage of the national program of the 32nd commemoration of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which had been organized in different cities across Belgium since April 7.

    On this occasion, Gakuba Ernest, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB), recalled that remembrance is not limited to a particular period of the year but constitutes a permanent responsibility toward the victims and future generations.

    Thirty-two years after the genocide, he noted, the wounds remain deep, and commemoration continues to be both a tribute to those who perished and a commitment to truth, as well as a safeguard against genocide denial and genocidal ideology.

    He also referred to the historical factors that led to the genocide and the abandonment of Rwanda by the international community in 1994.

    Paying tribute to the soldiers of the FPR-Inkotanyi who stopped the genocide and saved countless lives, he praised their decisive role in the liberation of the country.

    Addressing young people, particularly those in the diaspora, he encouraged them to take ownership of this history, transmit it faithfully, and uphold the values of truth, unity, courage, and humanity.

    The day concluded with a musical tribute by artist Nyiranyamibwa Suzanne. Through several deeply emotional songs, she honored the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi and offered participants a moment of reflection and hope.

    Beyond remembrance, this 32nd commemoration highlighted the importance of preserving historical truth, supporting survivors, and passing memory on to future generations.

    In his address, Rev. Dr. Martin Ikomeze, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB) in Leuven, welcomed participants who had come from different cities across Belgium to take part in the 32nd commemoration of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
    During the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Leuven, Mrs. Jeannette Mukantwari, a survivor of the genocide and now a mother of two children, shared a moving testimony of courage and resilience.
    Gakuba Ernest, Federal President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium (DRB), recalled that the duty of remembrance is not limited to a specific period of the year, but constitutes an ongoing responsibility toward the victims and future generations.
    The ceremony was notably attended by Lies Corneillie, Alderman for International Affairs of the City of Leuven
    Twagira Mutabazi Eugène, President of Ibuka – Mémoire et Justice, Belgique
    Édouard Karangwa served as the coordinator of the ceremony marking the 32nd commemoration of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Leuven.
    Johan Sebukire, speaking on behalf of Ibuka, highlighted the importance of the duty of remembrance for younger generations.

    Photos showing the second part of the commemoration event

    karirima@igihe.com

  • Inkuru Nziza Hospital supports Genocide survivor with housing and prosthetic support

    Inkuru Nziza Hospital supports Genocide survivor with housing and prosthetic support

    The support was extended on June 5, 2026, as part of activities marking the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    The initiative began with a visit by the hospital’s staff and leadership to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial in Bugesera District, where they were briefed on the history of the genocide in the area and toured a recently opened historical exhibition.

    They paid tribute to more than 5,000 victims laid to rest at the memorial and laid wreaths on the graves in their honour.

    Following the visit, the team travelled to Musabende’s residence, where they handed over a new prosthetic leg valued at Rwf4 million.

    They also unveiled a fully renovated house that had previously fallen into severe disrepair and was at risk of collapsing. The home was upgraded to provide safer and more dignified living conditions, and plans are underway to furnish it.

    Musabende expressed her gratitude, saying the support had transformed her life after years of hardship.
    She explained that she had been struggling to live in a deteriorating house because she lacked the financial means to repair it.

    “I am very happy,” she said. “I was living in isolation, unable to do much on my own, while watching the house gradually fall apart. The walls had begun separating, and visitors would often tell me to leave the room because it could collapse at any moment. I would simply tell them that if it happened, I would go the same way others had gone before me.”

    Musabende said she initially doubted that the promised renovations would materialise, having previously received visitors who documented her situation but never returned with assistance.

    “I thought they were making promises that would never be fulfilled,” she said. “But when I saw construction materials arriving, I realised it was really happening.”

    She also welcomed the new prosthetic leg, noting that the one she had been using was worn out and missing some parts, while financial constraints had prevented her from replacing it.

    The Director General of Inkuru Nziza Hospital, Dr. Mpatswenumugabo Bosco, said supporting survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi is one of the ways the institution contributes to remembrance and recovery.

    “This mother was living in difficult conditions, and we felt compelled to help her secure decent housing so that she can live with dignity,” he said. “As a hospital that specialises in prosthetic and orthotic services, we also decided to provide her with a new prosthetic leg. In a way, it is like extending a helping hand and encouraging her to stand up and move forward.”

    Dr. Mpatswenumugabo noted that such initiatives are carried out annually, particularly in Kicukiro District, where the hospital regularly supports Genocide survivors. He added that there are plans to expand the programme to benefit survivors in other parts of the country.

    He said the visit to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial was intended to draw lessons from one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history, where people who sought refuge in a church were instead massacred.

    “Churches and hospitals are places meant to protect and preserve life, yet those who fled to Ntarama were killed there,” he said. “As a faith-based hospital, this is something we must continue to remember and teach so that such atrocities never happen again.”

    Inkuru Nziza Hospital operates under the Inkuru Nziza Church in Rwanda and is known for providing specialised orthopaedic care, rehabilitation services, prosthetics, orthotics and support for people living with disabilities.

    Staff of Inkuru Nziza Hospital handed over a renovated home to a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
    Staff of Inkuru Nziza Hospital were briefed on the devastating effects of ethnic discrimination and genocide ideology.
    Eurélie Musabende spoke about the hardship of living in a house that was on the verge of collapsing due to a lack of resources to repair it.
    The Managing Director of Inkuru Nziza Hospital, Dr. Mpatswenumugabo Bosco, said supporting Genocide survivors is part of the institution’s commitment to remembrance and rebuilding lives.
    Eurélie Musabende, a resident of Nyarugunga Sector in Kicukiro District, was left disabled by the Genocide against the Tutsi.
    The recently opened historical exhibition at the Ntarama Genocide Memorial was visited by staff of Inkuru Nziza Hospital.
    Staff of Inkuru Nziza Hospital toured various sections of the Ntarama Genocide Memorial.
    The prosthetic limb provided to Genocide survivor Eurélie Musabende.
    Staff of Inkuru Nziza Hospital paid tribute to victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi laid to rest at the Ntarama Genocide Memorial.
  • Nyandungu Eco-Park to launch zipline attraction as visitor numbers rise

    Nyandungu Eco-Park to launch zipline attraction as visitor numbers rise

    The development was announced on June 7, 2026, during the launch of Disc Golf, a sport being introduced in Rwanda for the first time and which is commonly played in natural settings with trees and open grasslands.

    Speaking to IGIHE, Nyandungu Eco-Park Manager, Ildephonse Kambongo, said the new attraction forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the park’s offerings and enhance visitors’ experiences.

    He explained that the planned zipline will give visitors a unique perspective of the park’s ecosystems, allowing them to appreciate its natural beauty from above.

    “We are working on an aerial route that will enable visitors to experience the park from a different angle and enjoy its scenery while suspended above the ground. We expect the facility to be ready by the end of this year or early next year,” he said.

    Kambongo noted that discussions with the companies involved in the project are at an advanced stage and that construction is expected to begin soon.

    The zipline is among several new attractions planned for the park. Construction is already underway on a four-kilometre walking trail, while dedicated birdwatching areas are being developed near the park’s lakes to allow visitors to observe birdlife more closely.

    Management is also considering the introduction of recreational fishing activities as part of efforts to broaden the range of experiences available to visitors.

    The park currently charges an entrance fee of Rwf 2,000 for Rwandans and citizens of the East African Community. Additional activities, including bicycle rentals, electric cart rides and children’s recreational facilities, are charged separately.

    Officials believe that expanding the range of attractions will encourage more visitors to spend time at the park and contribute to its growing revenue.

    Opened in 2022 following the restoration of the Nyandungu Wetland, the park has seen a steady increase in visitor numbers over the years.

    The numbers rose from 67,222 visitors in 2023 to 76,754 in 2024. Growth accelerated in 2025, when the park welcomed more than 100,000 visitors by November, representing an increase of over 30% compared to the previous year and the strongest growth recorded since its establishment.

    Revenue has followed a similar upward trend, rising from Rwf 158 million in 2024 to more than Rwf 200 million in 2025.

    Spanning 121 hectares, Nyandungu Eco-Park includes 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest. It is home to more than 60 plant species and over 200 species of birds, making it one of Kigali’s leading urban nature destinations.

    Nyandungu Eco-Park Manager, Ildephonse Kambongo, said the new attraction forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the park’s offerings and enhance visitors’ experiences.
    Nyandungu Eco-Park includes 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest.
  • Govt says, diesel price would have reached Rwf 3,581 Rwf per litre without subsidies

    Govt says, diesel price would have reached Rwf 3,581 Rwf per litre without subsidies

    He made the remarks on Saturday during a press briefing on Rwanda’s economic situation and the impact of ongoing global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, on fuel prices and the wider economy.

    According to the Prime Minister, diesel prices have risen by about Rwf 700 per litre due to increases on the international market. However, he noted that the government continues to cushion consumers through a subsidy that currently covers about 18.26% of the cost.

    He explained that the official price released by RURA already reflects this support.

    “In reality, the market price without subsidy would have been Rwf 3,581 per litre, but it was set at 2,927 Rwf,” he said.

    On June 5, 2026, RURA announced that from June 6, the maximum pump prices would remain at Rwf 2,938 per litre for petrol and Rwf 2,927 for diesel.

    Data shows that fuel prices have risen sharply since March 2026. Petrol has increased by about 47.7%, rising from Rwf 1,989 to Rwf 2,938 per litre, while diesel has gone up by 50.3%, from Rwf 1,948 to Rwf 2,927.

    Diesel has seen a steeper rise between April and June, climbing from Rwf 2,205 to the current price level, while petrol has remained stable since mid-April at Rwf 2,938.

    Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.

    The Prime Minister further highlighted that subsidies will continue in key sectors, particularly public transport, to prevent fare increases.

    He gave the example of a trip from Nyabugogo to Musanze, which would cost Rwf 4,281 without subsidies, but currently costs Rwf 3,821, with the government covering the remaining Rwf 460.

    He added that agriculture will also continue to receive support through subsidies on inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation, as part of efforts to shield the sector from global economic pressures.

    Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.
  • World Environment Day: NCBA Rwanda inspires Excella students to “grow a greener future”

    World Environment Day: NCBA Rwanda inspires Excella students to “grow a greener future”

    Held in partnership with GreenStarz Impakt Hub, a youth-focused organization that promotes environmental sustainability, climate action, and community development, the initiative brought together NCBA staff, Excella High School administration, and more than 100 Grade 12 students for a day of learning, reflection, and action centered on environmental responsibility.

    The activity forms part of NCBA Rwanda’s commitment to plant 10,000 trees annually, contributing to NCBA Group’s regional Change the Story sustainability agenda, which seeks to grow 10 million trees across its markets by 2030 while mobilizing communities to take meaningful climate action.

    Rather than focusing solely on tree planting, the event emphasized the importance of educating young people about environmental stewardship and empowering them to become active participants in building a more sustainable future.

    Growing futures through environmental education

    Addressing participants, Abigael Muriuki, Sustainability Analyst at NCBA Group Kenya, speaking on behalf of NCBA Rwanda, encouraged students to recognize the connection between personal growth and environmental responsibility.

    “To the students here today, I want to share a simple thought. Just like these trees, your future depends on the foundations you build today. Trees need strong roots to grow tall and withstand challenges. In the same way, your education, discipline, character, and values will become the roots that support your success in life.”

    She challenged students to view sustainability not as a distant concept, but as a responsibility that begins with everyday choices.

    “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is today.”

    “That message goes beyond trees,” she added. “The decisions you make today about your education, your community, and your environment will shape the future you inherit. Every action matters. Every tree matters. Every student matters.”

    Muriuki noted that the initiative reflects NCBA’s purpose of Banking on Belief—believing in the potential of individuals and communities to create lasting change.

    “At NCBA, we believe that changing the story starts with investing in people. Today’s activity is about more than environmental conservation. It is about equipping young people with the knowledge, values, and sense of responsibility needed to create a sustainable future. Every student we engage today has the potential to become a champion for positive change tomorrow.”

    Changing the story, one student at a time

    Receiving participants on behalf of Excella High School, Madam Peace Uwineza, Deputy Director of the school, expressed appreciation to NCBA Rwanda for choosing the institution as part of its World Environment Day activities and acknowledged GreenStarz Impakt Hub’s contribution to the programme.

    “We are grateful to NCBA Rwanda for choosing Excella High School as part of this meaningful initiative and to GreenStarz Impakt Hub for helping bring it to life. Today’s activity has shown our students that environmental conservation is not someone else’s responsibility. It belongs to all of us.”

    She added that exposing students to practical environmental action helps transform awareness into responsibility.

    “Our students have not only planted trees today; they have gained a deeper understanding of why protecting the environment matters. When young people understand that their actions can make a difference, they become powerful agents of change within their schools, families, and communities.”

    Speaking during the event, Abigael Miriam Bisimwa of GreenStarz Impakt Hub emphasized the unique role young people play in advancing environmental conservation.

    “Young people have the creativity, energy, and influence needed to transform communities. When we empower students with knowledge and practical opportunities to take action, we are investing in a future generation that understands the importance of protecting natural resources and building sustainable communities.”

    The event concluded with a tree-planting exercise across the school grounds, giving students an opportunity to translate learning into action and leave behind a lasting contribution to their environment.

    As NCBA Rwanda continues its journey toward achieving its annual target of 10,000 trees, initiatives such as this demonstrate that meaningful environmental impact begins with education. Through its Change the Story sustainability agenda and its purpose of Banking on Belief, the bank is investing not only in greener landscapes but also in a generation of informed, responsible, and environmentally conscious young leaders who will help shape Rwanda’s sustainable future.

    Abigael Muriuki, Sustainability Analyst at NCBA Group Kenya, addresses Excella students during World Environment Day celebrations in Kigali.
    Excella students celebrated World Environment Day by planting trees on their school grounds as part of NCBA Rwanda’s sustainability campaign.
    NCBA Rwanda staff and Excella High School students plant trees during World Environment Day activities aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
    Abigael Miriam Bisimwa of GreenStarz Impakt Hub addressed students on the role of youth in environmental conservation.
    Madam Peace Uwineza, Deputy Director of Excella High School, speaks during World Environment Day celebrations at the school.
    Students of Excella High School participated in a tree-planting exercise as part of NCBA Rwanda’s World Environment Day initiative.
  • New UNMISS Force Commander visits Rwandan contingent in South Sudan (Photos)

    New UNMISS Force Commander visits Rwandan contingent in South Sudan (Photos)

    Major General Wu was received by the Rwanbatt-1 Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ndushabandi, along with subordinate commanders and staff officers. During the visit, he was briefed on key operations conducted by the contingent in support of civilian protection and force protection for humanitarian assistance activities.

    In his remarks, Major General Wu commended the Rwanbatt-1 troops for their dedication, professionalism, and significant contribution to the UNMISS mandate through their efforts to promote peace, security, and stability in South Sudan.

    As part of the visit, the Force Commander toured the Rwanbatt-1 Camp and participated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.

    Maj Gen Junhui Wu participates in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony with Rwandan peacekeepers at UN Tomping Base Camp in Juba.
    UNMISS Force Commander Maj Gen Junhui Wu visits Rwandan peacekeepers (Rwanbatt-1) at Tomping Base Camp in Juba, where he was briefed on ongoing operations in South Sudan.
    Rwanbatt-1 troops welcomed UNMISS Force Commander Maj Gen Junhui Wu at their base in Juba, South Sudan, during an official visit.

  • Dozens arrested in Rwamagana over unauthorized religious gatherings in forest, caves

    Dozens arrested in Rwamagana over unauthorized religious gatherings in forest, caves

    The arrests were made on Friday, June 5, 2026. Of those detained, 46 were found in Kigabiro Sector, Cyanya Cell, inside a forest where worshippers had nicknamed the site “Senga usubizwe” (Pray and be answered).

    Among the 46 were 12 men and 34 women, including 10 nursing mothers. Ten students who were preparing for national examinations were also among those arrested after reportedly skipping school to pray, hoping for good results.

    Another group of 22 people was arrested in Gahengeri Sector, Kagezi Cell, at Samatare rock site. The area had previously been sealed off by authorities using concrete due to safety concerns, but worshippers reportedly broke through the structure to access the site. Five nursing mothers were among those detained.

    The Vice Mayor of Rwamagana in charge of Economic Development, Kagabo Rwamunono Richard, told IGIHE that those arrested were found praying in different illegal locations, with most coming from Rwamagana and others from Kayonza, Nyagatare, and Gatsibo districts.

    “Most of them are from Rwamagana, but others came from Kayonza, Nyagatare, and Gatsibo. These are not authorized worship sites. They are forest areas that pose serious risks to their safety. We also found others at Samatare rock, which we had closed because it is dangerous. It is unfortunate that people choose such places to seek God,” he said.

    He also accused the group of defying government decisions and damaging infrastructure that had been put in place for their protection.

    He cited Samatare cave, where the government reportedly spent over Rwf3 million to secure the site and prevent accidents.

    “Our message is that God is not found in caves or forests, and certainly not in places that endanger lives. The government does not allow such practices. Everyone should use recognized places of worship. Churches are available,” he said.

    Authorities said the arrested individuals are currently undergoing civic education. They also indicated that the suspects may be required to pay for the damaged infrastructure and could face penalties for defying government directives and mobilizing others to do the same.

    In 2024, during the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the Ministry of Health reported that the first patient was believed to have been infected through bats found in a mining cave near Kigali.

    Since then, several cave sites across the country have been closed or reinforced. At Samatare rock, where some of the worshippers were arrested, authorities had previously spent more than Rwf3.3 million reinforcing the site for public safety, before it was damaged again by those accessing it for prayer.

    Of those detained, 46 were found in Kigabiro Sector, Cyanya Cell, inside a forest where worshippers had nicknamed the site “Senga usubizwe” (Pray and be answered).
  • Newly unearthed wartime records expose inner workings of Japan’s poison gas bomb factory

    Newly unearthed wartime records expose inner workings of Japan’s poison gas bomb factory

    The documents were recently uncovered by Seiya Matsuno, a historian and researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University, in Japan’s National Archives.

    Matsuno said the materials not only provide new evidence about Japan’s wartime production of poison gas munitions but also illustrate the dark reality of a government and military apparatus that placed war above society and human life.

    The newly found document, titled “Compilation of Reports on the Implementation of Military Mobilization,” is a production report covering fiscal 1941 operations at the Sone Manufacturing Plant of the Tokyo Second Army Arsenal.

    Matsuno analyzed the material and published his findings in the June 2026 issue of the Japanese magazine Sekai.

    According to Matsuno’s research, the Sone plant, formerly located in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, was responsible for filling artillery shells with toxic chemical agents and assembling poison gas bombs. The facility also manufactured smoke shells and incendiary bombs.

    The material documents accidents that occurred during poison gas bomb production and the injuries suffered by workers. Until now, such incidents had largely been known only through testimonies from former employees. The newly discovered records provide documentary evidence supporting those accounts.

    Matsuno told Xinhua that the material also shows how poison gas bomb production expanded alongside Japan’s growing war efforts. During fiscal 1941, the Sone plant increased its workforce and boosted output.

    He noted that, at the time, Japan was continuing its war in China, preparing for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union and planning military expansion into Southeast Asia.

    Matsuno emphasized that the Japanese military’s use of chemical weapons in China and elsewhere violated international law, adding that the military also conducted human experiments and committed other war crimes, which reflected the brutal nature of Japan’s wartime aggression.

    Under the rule of Japanese militarism, the country became increasingly consumed by war fervor.

    Matsuno said that the newly discovered records reveal a period in which the government and military subordinated all aspects of society to the war effort, while dissenting voices were systematically suppressed.

    War brings only suffering and misfortune, Matsuno noted, stressing the importance of uncovering the realities of wartime history to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.

    Understanding how Japan became a country that inflicted serious harm on many Asian nations, and examining the conditions that made such developments possible, remain important tasks for contemporary Japanese society, he added.

    Newly discovered historical records have shed fresh light on the operations of a Japanese poison gas bomb factory during World War II.
  • Two RDF senior officers graduate from Kenya’s Senior Joint Command and Staff College

    Two RDF senior officers graduate from Kenya’s Senior Joint Command and Staff College

    The officers, Lt Col Pacifique Kanyandekwe and Maj John Muhikira, graduated on June 4, 2026, after completing their programme in military leadership and joint command studies.

    According to the Ministry of Defence, their graduation reflects dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to military excellence, highlighting Rwanda’s continued focus on strengthening professional military education and regional security cooperation.

    The graduation ceremony brought together senior military officials and representatives from regional defence institutions.

    Among those present were Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, and Col Celestin Kamanda, Defence Attaché of Rwanda to Kenya.

    Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), Brig Gen Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, and Col Celestin Kamanda, Defence Attaché of Rwanda to Kenya were among those present at the ceremony.
    The officers, Lt Col Pacifique Kanyandekwe and Maj John Muhikira, graduated on June 5, 2026.
  • Putin says he sees no point in personal meeting with Zelensky

    Putin says he sees no point in personal meeting with Zelensky

    Zelensky published a letter on Thursday proposing a face-to-face meeting with Putin, with the participation of Europe and the United States, to discuss the peace process.

    “I don’t see the point yet,” Putin said, answering a question about whether he would meet with the author of the “open letter.”

    He added that he never refused to meet with Zelensky, but is against “beating around the bush.”

    Putin said Russia does not need short-term agreements, but rather ones “for a long historical perspective” and solutions in place before such a meeting can take place.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Zelensky can come to Moscow any time if he wishes to hold talks with Putin.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin is pictured at a meeting with heads of major international news agencies attending the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 4, 2026. Photo by Xinhua/Hao Jianwei