The restoration followed four days of restricted connectivity that began on January 13, when the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered all telecommunications companies to suspend internet services. The directive also required operators to stop selling new SIM cards and halt other communication-related activities.
Authorities said the shutdown was aimed at limiting the spread of misinformation and ensuring the smooth conduct and integrity of the electoral process.
According to reports from local media, internet services began gradually returning shortly after the Electoral Commission announced President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s victory.
Global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks also confirmed the development, noting that connectivity was being restored progressively after days of disruption.
Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of the presidential election, securing a seventh term in office. The Electoral Commission said he garnered 71.65 percent of the vote. His main challenger, opposition leader and musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine, 43, received 24.72 percent of the vote, according to the official results.
President Kagame was received on arrival by Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, the Office of the President said.
The visit follows his recent message congratulating Doumbouya on his election victory. On Monday, January 5, 2026, Kagame welcomed the outcome of the election, expressing optimism about the future of relations between Rwanda and Guinea.
“Congratulations to my brother, President Mamadi Doumbouya, on his election as President of the Republic of Guinea. We look forward to deepening our strong bilateral relations and working closely together to advance our shared priorities and the prosperity of our nations,” Kagame said in a post on X.
Doumbouya’s victory was formally confirmed by Guinea’s Supreme Court on Sunday, January 4, marking his transition from interim junta leader to democratically elected president.
The court validated provisional results that credited the 41-year-old leader with 86.72 percent of the vote. His closest challenger, Abdoulaye Yero Baldé, received 6.59 percent, with the court noting that Baldé later withdrew his legal challenge to the results.
The election was Guinea’s first presidential vote since the September 2021 coup that removed former president Alpha Condé. It was conducted under a new constitution that lifted restrictions on military leaders contesting elections and extended the presidential term from five to seven years.
Rwanda and Guinea maintain cordial and steadily strengthening relations, supported by high-level visits and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
“Our task is coordinated and effective work to stabilize the situation in the energy system as soon as possible, in particular, in the city of Kiev,” Shmyhal said on Telegram.
Under the emergency measure, residents will be allowed to access emergency heating shelters at night despite the curfew, Shmyhal said.
The government has also instructed relevant agencies to streamline procedures for connecting backup power equipment to the electricity grid and to redistribute such equipment across regions based on critical need.
State-run companies, including Ukrainian Railways and gas operator Naftogaz, have been ordered to increase electricity imports to at least 50 percent of their total consumption.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the energy situation is most difficult in Kiev, Odesa and the central Dnipropetrovsk region.
The report shows that total formal external trade in goods amounted to $1.93 billion in Q3 2025, representing a 25.7 percent decline compared to the same quarter in 2024, reflecting a general slowdown in trade activity during the period.
Within this overall contraction, imports stood at $1.37 billion in Q3 2025, down from $1.75 billion in Q3 2024, marking a 21.85 percent year-on-year decrease. The sharp fall in imports played a key role in easing Rwanda’s trade deficit, even as external trade volumes declined.
Despite the annual drop, imports rose on a quarterly basis, increasing by 9.74 percent compared to the second quarter of 2025, when imports were valued at $1.25 billion, pointing to a modest rebound in import demand.
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China remained Rwanda’s largest source of imports in Q3 2025, supplying goods worth $311.41 million. Other major import partners included Tanzania ($156.85 million), India ($118.47 million), Kenya ($102.24 million) and the United Arab Emirates ($98.87 million). Together, these five countries accounted for 57.55 percent of Rwanda’s total imports during the quarter.
At the regional level, imports from East African Community (EAC) partner states totaled $325.88 million, marking a 40 percent decline compared to the same quarter in 2024. Tanzania and Kenya continued to dominate Rwanda’s imports from the bloc, jointly accounting for nearly three-quarters of EAC-sourced imports.
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In terms of commodities, food and live animals remained Rwanda’s largest import category, valued at $248 million in Q3 2025. This was followed by machinery and transport equipment ($244.48 million), manufactured goods classified chiefly by material ($227.72 million), mineral fuels and lubricants ($179.71 million), and chemicals and related products ($173.89 million).
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While imports fell sharply, Rwanda’s export performance showed mixed results during the quarter. Domestic exports were valued at $389.99 million in Q3 2025, reflecting a 12.7 percent increase compared to the previous quarter, but a 41.53 percent decline compared to Q3 2024.
Exports remained concentrated in key markets, led by the United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by China and regional EAC partners. Exports to the EAC recorded strong year-on-year growth, driven mainly by increased shipments to Uganda.
Rwanda’s export sector was largely driven by mineral and agricultural commodities. The report shows that gold, coltan, cassiterite and wolfram remained Rwanda’s leading export products in Q3 2025, alongside traditional agricultural exports such as coffee and tea.
Overall, imports accounted for 70.83 percent of Rwanda’s total trade in goods during the quarter, while domestic exports and re-exports contributed 20.18 percent and 8.99 percent, respectively.
Situated on a prime plot between the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) and Kigali Heights (YYUSSA Plaza), the project will include a sky bridge providing direct access to the Convention Centre.
Upon completion, the 140-metre-tall tower will encompass approximately 74,000 square meters of built area, making it one of the most significant developments of its kind, featuring a five-star hotel, modern office facilities, and vibrant commercial areas.
The development is a joint venture between Parklane Group and Mota-Engil Africa, a subsidiary of the Portuguese construction giant Mota-Engil.
The foundation stone was laid on Thursday in a ceremony attended by the Minister of State in charge of Infrastructure, Ambassador Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye.
Parklane Center Ltd President, Engineer Antonio Azevedo, described the project as a model for sustainable development that will empower young people and drive growth in business, tourism and social sectors.
He highlighted that ten floors, spanning over 16,000 square metres, will provide flexible, modern office spaces, while eight floors will house commercial facilities, including the five-star hotel designed to attract regional and international visitors.
“This hotel will not only serve international and regional visitors, but also strengthen the city’s position as a destination for business, diplomacy and high-end tourism,” Azevedo said.
“As a Board, we have approached this project with a long-term perspective. Governance, risk management, and quality assurance are embedded into every layer of decision-making. We are committed to ensuring that the project is delivered responsibly, sustainably, and in line with international best practices,” he added.
Azevedo also praised the architectural design by renowned Venezuelan architect Carlos Zapata and the international expertise involved.
The Managing Director, Yannick Sekamana, said the groundbreaking marks the transition from planning to execution, with a clear focus on quality and timely delivery.
“As construction begins, our focus now turns to delivery, on time, on quality, and in line with the standards that this project, this city, and this partnership deserves,” Sekamana stated.
Parklane Group Chief Operations Officer Claire Mugisha underscored the project’s contribution to Rwanda’s infrastructure upgrade, job creation, and Vision 2050 goals.
She highlighted Rwanda’s strong governance, clear national objectives, and professional public institutions as key factors attracting sustainable investment.
Mota-Engil Africa Executive Director Roberto Ferreira reaffirmed the company’s commitment to projects that deliver positive social impact and support Africa’s self-reliance and long-term development.
In closing, Minister Uwihanganye commended the partners for the significant investment and reaffirmed government support for its successful implementation.
He said the Parklane Center will open a new chapter in Rwanda’s urban development and encouraged continued investment in the country.
Provisional results announced on Friday morning showed Museveni, 81, ahead with 76% of the votes, based on results from 45% of polling stations. Opposition leader Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, was in second place with 19.76%, while the remaining votes were split among six other candidates.
Ugandans went to the polls on Thursday in a tightly contested national election, with Museveni seeking a seventh term in office. After casting his vote, Museveni told reporters he expected a decisive win, stating he anticipated around 80% of the vote “if there’s no cheating.”
Voting faced some delays in several areas, with ballot boxes arriving late and biometric machines, used to verify voters’ identities, experiencing technical issues. Some polling stations reported waits of up to four hours.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Bobi Wine, said late on Thursday that security forces had surrounded his home in Kampala. Police have not officially confirmed this report. Wine’s party noted that a similar situation occurred after the 2021 election, when he was confined to his home for several days.
Uganda’s electoral commission has indicated that the results are still provisional, with counting ongoing. Authorities have urged patience as final results are compiled and verified.
The event marked the start of his diplomatic mission in Moscow and was attended by senior Russian officials and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions.
President Putin also received letters of credence from ambassadors of several other countries during the ceremony, including Somalia, Gabon, Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria, Ghana, and Namibia, alongside representatives from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Addressing the diplomats, President Putin emphasised the importance of cooperation, saying that “international cooperation is fundamental to humanity’s sustainable development and prosperity,” and stressed the need for open and constructive partnerships in an increasingly complex global environment.
Ambassador Nzabamwita was appointed Rwanda’s ambassador-designate to Russia in December 2024. He brings extensive experience in national security and public service, having previously served as Presidential Advisor on Security. Before that, he held the position of Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
He succeeds Lt Gen Mushyo Kamanzi, who had represented Rwanda in Moscow since 2019.
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Russia date back to 1963, and the two countries have since maintained cordial and cooperative ties. Both nations operate resident diplomatic missions at ambassadorial level, reflecting the strength and continuity of their bilateral relationship.
Cooperation between Rwanda and Russia spans several sectors, including political engagement, military collaboration, education, human resource development, training, and cultural exchange. Russia has also been offering university scholarships to Rwandan students as part of its support for skills development and academic cooperation.
In recent years, nuclear energy has emerged as a key area of collaboration. Rwanda is working with Russia to establish a nuclear research centre by 2030, aimed at producing radioactive materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment, enhancing agricultural productivity through radiation technologies, and supporting industrial testing and innovation.
The delegation was led by Mr. Leung Chun-Ying, Chairman of GX Foundation and former Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration in Rwanda’s health sector, with discussions covering ways to strengthen local health systems and improve access to medical care.
Established in 2018, GX Foundation is a non-governmental organization that delivers targeted medical interventions in underserved regions worldwide. The foundation is known for initiatives such as eliminating cataract blindness through mobile treatment centers, controlling vector-borne diseases, improving environmental health, and supporting emergency health risk management.
GX Foundation also builds local and global capacity through training programs, cross-border partnerships, and knowledge transfer, working closely with governments and health institutions.
The organization currently operates across Asia, Africa, Central America, and the South Pacific, with activities in countries including Senegal, Mauritania, Djibouti, Cambodia, Laos, Honduras, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
The directive, issued on January 14, 2026, requires that all short codes, those familiar numbers starting with * and ending with #, used for mobile banking, bill payments, health services, and government portals, be fully operational on MTN Rwanda, Airtel Rwanda, and KTRN before going live.
Previously, many short codes were tied to a single network, frustrating users who had to carry multiple SIM cards or remember different codes for the same service. With the new rule, RURA is ensuring interoperability and eliminating what many have called the “double SIM headache.”
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For businesses and citizens, the directive brings significant changes. Short code holders are now required to make their services accessible across all networks, ending the era of network discrimination. A code that previously worked only for MTN users, for instance, must also function for Airtel and KTRN customers by 15 February 2026.
Achieving this will require technical coordination between service providers and all licensed operators to ensure full integration and seamless accessibility. The move also strengthens consumer protection by preventing exclusive agreements between a service provider and a single network, guaranteeing that essential services are available to everyone, regardless of which SIM card they use.
USSD codes are the backbone of digital services in Rwanda. They are widely used for mobile money transfers, airtime top-ups, banking, and government services, particularly by those without smartphones or internet access. Banking codes such as *334# (Bank of Kigali) and *555# (Equity Bank) will now be universally accessible.
According to RURA Director General Evarest Rugigana, the directive was issued in the “interest of ensuring interoperability, non-discriminatory access, consumer protection and efficient delivery of electronic communication services.”
He warned that non-compliance by the February 15 deadline could result in enforcement measures or sanctions under Rwandan law.
The injectable drug, lenacapavir, is expected to be introduced in the last quarter of the year after the completion of regulatory approvals and preparations at health facilities. The medication is administered once every six months and will be incorporated into the country’s existing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme.
Dr Zephanie Nzeyimana, the HIV Key Population Strategic Officer at RBC, told The New Times that the planned timeline allows sufficient time to ensure the health system is ready for the new prevention method.
“Lenacapavir is expected to be available in the country in quarter four of this year. There are still processes that need to be finalised before it can be introduced at health facilities,” he said.
Once rolled out, the injection will be offered alongside existing PrEP options, including daily oral PrEP and long-acting injectable cabotegravir. Authorities say the addition of lenacapavir will give people more choice, which could help improve access to and sustained use of HIV prevention services.
Eligibility for the six-month injection will be determined using a risk-based approach. Priority will be given to people at substantial risk of HIV infection, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and HIV-negative individuals in sero-discordant relationships, where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not.
However, Dr Nzeyimana noted that access will not be limited to these groups. Healthcare providers will assess individual risk based on behavioural and epidemiological factors to identify others who could benefit from the drug.
Currently, Rwanda provides two main types of HIV prevention medication: a daily oral pill and a bimonthly injectable option that is now being rolled out in Kigali. The new biannual injection is expected to reduce dosing frequency and improve adherence, particularly among key populations at high risk of HIV.
Lenacapavir, developed by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, has undergone clinical trials and has been approved to provide continuous HIV prevention for six months per injection. Individuals who receive the injection on schedule remain fully protected throughout that period. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended its use during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference held in Kigali in July last year.
The WHO recommendation followed the drug’s first global approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration on June 18, 2025.
RBC has confirmed that lenacapavir will be provided free of charge, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. To support the rollout, RBC and its partners plan to train healthcare providers and conduct community outreach to raise awareness about the new prevention option and address potential misinformation.
In Rwanda, about 3,200 people contract HIV each year, while 2,600 die from AIDS-related illnesses. However, sustained prevention and treatment efforts have led to an 82 per cent reduction in new infections and an 86 per cent decline in HIV-related deaths over the past decade.
Rwanda’s move follows similar steps taken across Southern and Eastern Africa. Countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini have already completed regulatory approvals and received initial shipments of lenacapavir, while Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda have also authorised its use. Kenya and Namibia are among those finalising preparations or regulatory applications.
