IGIHE English

Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

  • KIPM: Rwandan women sweep half-marathon medals (Photos)

    KIPM: Rwandan women sweep half-marathon medals (Photos)

    The 21st edition of the peace-themed race, which has been held since 2005, both started and finished at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

    The event attracted senior officials, including the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Candy Basomingera; World Athletics Vice President Jackson Tuei; and RAF President Col (Rtd) Kayumba Lemuel.

    This year’s edition featured only the Full Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, following Saturday’s “Run for Peace” 10km race, which attracted 4,197 participants.

    For the first time, the Full Marathon started at 6:30 a.m., a scheduling adjustment aimed at mitigating the impact of Kigali’s rising daytime temperatures.

    A total of 518 athletes, including elite international runners, lined up for the marathon following the official start signal from PS Basomingera.

    The marathon route ran through key parts of Kigali, including Amahoro Stadium, Chez Lando, Gishushu, MTN Nyarutarama, Kigali Convention Centre, University of Kigali, Kacyiru, MINAGRI, the U.S. Ambassador’s residence area, Kimihurura, Kigali Heights, and surrounding city roads before returning to Amahoro Stadium.

    In the men’s Full Marathon, Kenya’s Namutala delivered a record-breaking performance, winning in 2:14:19, the fastest time recorded in the event’s history in Kigali.

    He was followed closely by compatriot Shadrack Kimining, who finished second, while fellow Kenyan Bernard Kipkorir took third place.

    The top eight finishers included Bazezew Asmare Belay (Ethiopia), Kaan Kigen Özbilen (Turkey), Julius Ochieng (Uganda), Rwanda’s Ntirenganwa Fidèle, and Kipkirui Langat (Kenya).

    In the women’s Full Marathon, Kenya’s Ivyne Jeruto secured victory in 2:35:35, also setting the fastest women’s winning time in Kigali’s marathon history.

    She was followed by Ethiopia’s Tegest Ayalew Ymer, who finished 41 seconds behind, while compatriot Tsega Desta Mehari took third.

    Other top-eight finishers included Viola Munerya (Uganda), Dolphine Kemunto Nyagaka (Kenya), Mabre Haile Degefa (Ethiopia), Rita Jelagat (Kenya), and Dorine Jerop Murkomen (Kenya).

    The Half Marathon (21km), which featured 2,942 athletes across both categories, began at 8:15 a.m., with runners completing a single loop of the full marathon course.

    In the men’s Half Marathon, Kenya’s Amos Kirui won in 1:04:16, followed by Uganda’s Oscar Kibet, while Zakariah Kirika Gacugu of Kenya placed third.

    Other top-eight finishers included Mark Biryomumeisho (Uganda), Titus Kipchirchir Kibet (Kenya), Tanui Nicholas Kipkoech (Kenya), Jamal Kipron Kipkosgei (Kenya), and Rwanda’s John Hakizimana.

    In the women’s Half Marathon, Rwandan athletes delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the podium. Ibishatse Angélique claimed gold in 1:13:30, followed by Mutuyimana Berthilde (silver, +24 seconds) and Tuyambaze Thabita (bronze, +37 seconds).

    The result ensured that the women’s Half-Marathon medals remained in Rwanda despite strong competition from international runners.

    Other top finishers included Mercy Jepkemoi Kipyego (Kenya), Byukusenge Devotha (Rwanda), Lelei Lilian Jepkemboi (Kenya), Kilel Caroline (Kenya), and Lolima Irine Chepkorir (Kenya).

    Prize money for the Full Marathon winners (men and women) stood at $20,000 for first place, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. Fourth place received $5,000, fifth $3,000, while sixth to eighth earned $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively.

    In the Half Marathon, winners in both categories received $5,000, with $4,000 for second place and $3,000 for third. Fourth to eighth places received $2,000, $1,000, $800, $500, and $400 respectively.

    The Kigali International Peace Marathon remains a World Athletics Elite Label road race. This year’s edition also featured 22 Gold Label athletes as part of ongoing efforts to elevate its competitive standard.

    Kephar Lumbasi Namutala won the 2026 Kigali International Peace Marathon in the men’s category.
    Shadrack Kimining finished second in the men’s category.

    Ivyne Jeruto of Kenya won the 2026 Kigali International Peace Marathon in the women’s category.

    Tegest Ayalew Ymer of Ethiopia finished second in the women’s category.

    Tsega Desta Mehari finished third in the women’s Full Marathon.

    Ibishatse Angélique won the gold medal after finishing first in the women’s Half-Marathon.

    Mutuyimana Berthilde finished second in the women’s Half-Marathon.

    Byukusenge Devotha finished fifth in the women’s Half-Marathon.

    Tuyambaze Thabita finished third in the women’s Half-Marathon.

    Kenya’s Amos Kirui won the Half Marathon in the men’s category.

    Uganda’s Oscar Kibet finished second in the men’s Half-Marathon.

    Rwanda’s John Hakizimana finished eighth in the men’s Half-Marathon.

  • 27,000 hotel rooms: Inside Rwanda’s hospitality growth (Photos)

    27,000 hotel rooms: Inside Rwanda’s hospitality growth (Photos)

    Jackson Hakiza, the Head of Tourism at the Private Sector Federation (PSF), told IGIHE that hotel room capacity in Rwanda has steadily risen to 27,938, serving both domestic and international visitors across the country. This marks growth of more than 10,000 rooms over the past five years, up from 16,113 in 2019.

    The PSF attributes this growth to sustained investment in the sector, noting its vital importance to the national economy.

    The country features a diverse array of accommodation options, anchored by elite five-star hotels and globally acclaimed luxury eco-lodges. These include the Kigali Marriott Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in the capital, alongside ultra-luxury wilderness properties like Bisate Eco Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, Magashi Camp in Akagera, and One&Only Nyungwe House.

    In addition, a robust framework of four-star and three-star hotels indicates a highly diversified hospitality sector that caters to varying market segments.

    The expansion of hotel infrastructure has played a central role in supporting Rwanda’s tourism growth, improving service capacity and strengthening the country’s attractiveness as a regional tourism and business destination.

    In 2025, tourism revenue reached $685 million, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6% increase. Visitor arrivals grew by 9% to 1.49 million, with flagship conservation areas like Volcanoes National Park remaining primary economic engines.

    The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment also continued to expand rapidly, generating $94.7 million in 2025, up from $84.8 million in 2024, an 11.8% increase. Rwanda hosted 165 regional, continental, and global events during the year, drawing over 61,000 delegates who were accommodated across various hotels in the country.

    Industry leaders note that the sector’s performance reflects sustained structural growth and its increasing contribution to the national economy through investment attraction and job creation. Under the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), tourism is projected to generate $1.1 billion annually by 2029, while MICE revenues are targeted to hit $224 million.

    The sector remains a key employer outside agriculture and livestock. The government aims to leverage these hospitality investments to help drive its broader NST2 employment goals, which target the creation of 250,000 new productive jobs annually through 2029.

    The swimming pool at Mövenpick Hotel Kigali features heated water.

    The Pinnacle Kigali is a hotel set on a 3.2-hectare site.

    One of the 20 rooms at The Retreat by Heaven.

    The luxury boutique property, The Retreat by Heaven, located in the Kiyovu neighborhood of Kigali, was founded by the American entrepreneurs Josh and Alissa Ruxin. [1, 2]
    The Retreat by Heaven is located in Kiyovu.

    The Retreat by Heaven features 20 rooms.

    Singita Kwitonda Lodge offers ultra-luxury accommodation on the edge of Volcanoes National Park.
    Singita Kwitonda Lodge was built by the renowned conservation and tourism company Singita.
    The rooms at Singita Kwitonda Lodge are elegantly designed.

    One of the rooms at Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre.

    Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, built in 2016, has 291 rooms.

    One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is set within a forested landscape, nestled among trees.

    Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre is located in Kimihurura in Kigali City.

    Inside One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Kinigi, Musanze District.

    One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Kinigi features 21 modern rooms and seven standalone villas.

    Inside One&Only Nyungwe House, set within lush forest surroundings.

    Inside One&Only Nyungwe House, built in 2010.

    One&Only Nyungwe House is a luxury eco-resort set on the edge of Nyungwe Forest National Park.

    One&Only Nyungwe House was built in 2010 in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.

    Inside One&Only Nyungwe House, located within Nyungwe National Park.

    Inside Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park.

    Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park is a luxury safari camp.
    Magashi Camp in Akagera National Park was established in 2018 inside Akagera National Park.

    Kigali Serena Hotel is one of Rwanda’s long-established flagship hotels, built on the site of the former Hotel des Diplomates. It was later operated as Hotel Intercontinental before being rebranded as Kigali Serena Hotel in 2007.

    One of the rooms at Kigali Serena Hotel.

    Kigali Marriott Hotel, located in the heart of Kigali, was officially opened on October 4, 2016.

    Kigali Marriott Hotel features 250 rooms, including presidential suites.

    Kigali Marriott Hotel is one of Rwanda’s five-star hotels.

    Inside Bisate Eco Lodge.

    Bisate Eco Lodge is widely admired for its distinctive architectural design.

    Bisate Eco Lodge was officially inaugurated by President Paul Kagame on September 1, 2017.

    Bisate Eco Lodge is located in Kinigi, Musanze District, close to Volcanoes National Park.

    Zaria Court Hotel.
    Zaria Court Hotel is one of Kigali’s modern hotels.


    The Retreat by Heaven is located in Kiyovu and opened in 2011.
    Virunga Inn Resort is located in Kinigi, Musanze District.

    Mövenpick Hotel Kigali is one of Rwanda’s recently established five-star hotels.

    M Hotel, rated four stars, is part of Rwanda’s hospitality network serving international and domestic guests.

  • G7 summit to address geopolitical crises amid growing divisions

    G7 summit to address geopolitical crises amid growing divisions

    The summit takes place against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have added to global economic uncertainties, while divisions between the United States and its European allies have drawn attention ahead of the meeting.

    The summit will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union (EU), to discuss responses to what France described as an increasingly unstable international environment marked by “rising conflicts, widening economic imbalances and weakened global governance.”

    The French Foreign Ministry on Friday outlined several priority areas for the summit, including promoting balanced and sustainable economic growth, strengthening international cooperation, and enhancing critical minerals supply chains. The summit will also include exchanges of views on geopolitical crises.

    On economic issues, discussions will address macroeconomic imbalances such as high debt levels and insufficient investment, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

    France has identified reducing global economic imbalances as a priority of its G7 presidency. French President Emmanuel Macron said such imbalances have reached levels not seen since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis and risk fueling protectionism and broader economic and geopolitical instability.

    The summit will also focus on strengthening international solidarity and improving the effectiveness of development cooperation. Ensuring secure and diversified supply chains for critical minerals is another item on the agenda.

    Geopolitical issues will also feature prominently on the agenda. According to the French Foreign Ministry, leaders will exchange views on the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East, including issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.

    Regarding the Ukraine crisis, the aim is to “build convergence” to continue supporting Ukraine in order to achieve a peace that provides “full clarity for Ukraine and Europe on their future security,” according to the French Foreign Ministry.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to attend a summit session on Tuesday, and it remains unclear whether he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to arrive in Evian on Monday evening.

    The leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to attend another summit session on Tuesday to discuss the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran, Macron said.

    The session will focus on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has “a real impact on our economies,” as well as negotiations concerning Iran, Macron added.

    According to Bloomberg, the U.S. and Iran are moving closer to signing an interim agreement at the time of the G7 summit. CNN reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance may attend a signing ceremony in Europe in the coming days, possibly in Geneva, Switzerland.

    In addition, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday called on the U.S. and Iran to seize the opportunity to end a situation that is unsustainable and sign a peace deal.

    Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts on regional issues, differences within the G7 have drawn attention ahead of the summit.

    There may be no joint declaration at the end of the summit amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and its European allies, particularly over the Middle East situation, Japan’s Kyodo News reported on Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources.

    If confirmed, it would mark the second consecutive year without a joint statement following last year’s summit in Canada.

    “For the G7 under the French presidency, having Trump engage constructively would already be a success,” an informed source told French daily Le Parisien.

    Heidi Crebo-Rediker, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a recent article that upon arriving in Evian, Trump could adopt a more assertive tone and use the G7 platform to express dissatisfaction with what he sees as insufficient support from allies following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

    She noted that significant differences persist among G7 members and could resurface during discussions on the sidelines of the summit. Issues such as support for Ukraine, trade, digital sovereignty, regulation and climate policy are among those where trust in the United States has weakened.

    According to a survey published on Wednesday by the European Council on Foreign Relations, only 11 percent of Europeans currently view the United States as an ally, down from 16 percent six months ago and 22 percent in November 2024.

    Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) will meet in the French town of Evian from June 15 to 17, as they seek to address mounting geopolitical crises and global economic imbalances amid growing differences within the group.

  • Rwanda offers to fund transfer, preservation and digitisation of ICTR archives

    Rwanda offers to fund transfer, preservation and digitisation of ICTR archives

    Addressing the Security Council during an open debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, said the question of the ICTR archives is no longer one of capacity or feasibility, but one of principle.

    “The question before us is where the historical record of the Genocide against the Tutsi should be preserved so that it remains most meaningful, accessible and relevant to those whose history it documents,” he told Council members on Friday.

    The intervention comes as the United Nations considers the future of the ICTR’s legacy institutions and remaining residual functions. Rwanda argued that, unlike other international tribunal archives that concern multiple countries and conflicts, the ICTR archives relate to a single country, a single people and a single genocide, making Rwanda the most appropriate location for their preservation.

    Ugirashebuja emphasised that Rwanda fully recognises the archives as the property of the United Nations, but said ownership alone should not determine their future location. Historical relevance, accessibility and proximity to survivors and future generations should also be taken into account, he argued.

    According to the minister, the country has already met all technical and legal requirements necessary to host the archives. The government says it has invested in archival infrastructure, developed expertise in preservation and digitization, and established legal safeguards that would protect the integrity of the records while ensuring continued access for researchers and scholars.

    In a significant new offer, Rwanda pledged to bear the financial costs associated with relocating and maintaining the archives.

    “Relocating the archives to Rwanda would not impose an additional financial burden on Member States,” Ugirashebuja said, adding that Rwanda is prepared to finance the transfer, preservation and digitisation of the records while maintaining United Nations ownership.

    The minister said such an arrangement would relieve the UN and member states of future financial obligations related to managing and digitising the archives, while ensuring their long-term preservation.

    For survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda argues that the transfer would represent more than the movement of documents. It would symbolise the return of a vital part of their collective memory and historical record.

    Beyond the archives issue, Rwanda also called for greater clarity regarding the future of the Mechanism’s remaining responsibilities. The country expressed readiness to host a small residual prosecutorial presence to support cooperation with national authorities and the continued pursuit of genocide fugitives.

    Ugirashebuja noted that more than 1,000 genocide suspects remain at large worldwide and said continued international cooperation remains essential to advancing accountability.

    Rwanda further renewed its longstanding offer to receive persons convicted by the ICTR for sentence enforcement, as well as Rwandan nationals who have been acquitted or have completed their sentences but remain without a durable solution.

    The minister told the Council that Rwanda’s correctional facilities meet international standards and that the country has accumulated decades of experience in the reintegration of returning nationals and former genocide convicts.

    As the IRMCT moves closer to completing its mandate, Rwanda urged the Security Council to begin making decisions about the orderly transfer of remaining responsibilities, including the future of the ICTR archives.

    “The Mechanism was never intended to be permanent,” Ugirashebuja said. “Its success should ultimately be measured not by its longevity, but by its ability to complete its mandate and ensure that residual responsibilities are managed in a sustainable manner.”

    The appeal places the future location of the ICTR archives firmly before the Security Council and signals Rwanda’s intention to play a larger role in preserving the legacy of international justice more than three decades after the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    The ICTR served as the principal international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It was formally closed on December 31, 2015. By the time of its closure, the Tribunal had indicted 93 individuals and concluded proceedings for 82, resulting in 61 convictions and 14 acquittals.

    Additionally, it issued a total of 55 first-instance judgments and 45 appeal judgments. Remaining cases, primarily fugitives still at large and some matters referred to national jurisdictions, were transferred to the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals to ensure the completion of the Tribunal’s work.

    Addressing the Security Council during an open debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, said the question of the ICTR archives is no longer one of capacity or feasibility, but one of principle.
    Rwanda’s intervention comes as the United Nations considers the future of the ICTR’s legacy institutions and remaining residual functions.

  • Rwanda to host EAC consultations on Political Confederation Constitution drafting

    Rwanda to host EAC consultations on Political Confederation Constitution drafting

    The consultations will officially launch in Kigali on Monday, June 15, 2026, marking the beginning of a nationwide exercise aimed at gathering views from citizens and key institutions on the future governance framework of the regional bloc.

    The engagements will then be held in Rubavu, Huye and Nyagatare, before concluding on 27 June 2026. The process is designed to ensure broad participation across different parts of the country.

    Rwanda becomes the fourth EAC member state to undergo this exercise, following the successful completion of national consultations in Burundi (January 2020), Uganda (April 2021), and Kenya (May 2023).

    In the previous sessions, citizens across East Africa actively pushed for deeper integration, recommending milestones such as a common regional currency, unified foreign policy representation, and the ultimate elimination of border restrictions to facilitate completely free movement and trade.

    The exercise is part of the EAC’s wider regional effort to involve citizens in shaping the Political Confederation, which represents the final stage of the bloc’s integration agenda.

    Stakeholders expected to participate include government officials, members of parliament, the judiciary, civil society organisations, academia, the business community, youth, women, persons with disabilities, religious leaders, media practitioners and political parties.

    According to the EAC Secretariat, the consultations will be led by constitutional experts nominated by EAC Partner States and coordinated in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda.

    The EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the process is intended to ensure that the proposed Constitution reflects the aspirations of East Africans.

    “The national consultations are designed to create awareness on the Constitution-making process, provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute their views, and ensure that the proposed Constitution is people-centred and owned by the people of East Africa,” he said.

    As part of the programme, the EAC will also hold high-level engagements with President Paul Kagame, as well as senior government officials, members of parliament, the judiciary, and representatives of key national institutions.

    The consultations form part of a broader regional process being conducted across all EAC Partner States, aimed at building consensus on the institutional and governance structures of the proposed Political Confederation.

    The East African Community brings together eight Partner States, including Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    The Political Confederation represents the fourth and final pillar of EAC integration, following the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union.

    It is intended as a transitional framework towards the long-term goal of a Political Federation of East African States, strengthening coordination in areas such as political affairs, peace and security, foreign policy, and regional governance.

    The model was adopted by EAC Heads of State in 2017, with a team of experts led by former Ugandan Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki guiding the constitution-making process.

    Rwanda becomes the fourth EAC member state to undergo this exercise, following the successful completion of national consultations in Burundi (January 2020), Uganda (April 2021), and Kenya (May 2023).

  • Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 710 as authorities deny lockdown rumors

    Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 710 as authorities deny lockdown rumors

    The case fatality rate stood at 21.0 percent, according to figures released by the ministry. A total of 324 patients were in isolation or hospitalized, while 35 people had recovered.

    The ministry said the government, together with provincial authorities, response partners and local communities, was continuing public health interventions aimed at breaking chains of transmission and protecting the population.

    Response teams on the ground are carrying out epidemiological surveillance, patient care, contact tracing, targeted vaccination, risk communication and community engagement.

    The ministry said no lockdown had been ordered in the affected areas and no such measure was under consideration, urging the public not to spread unverified information and to rely on official channels for updates.

    In a disease outbreak update published Saturday, the World Health Organization said the outbreak in the DRC continued to evolve rapidly, with rising case numbers and geographic spread.

    The reported case fatality rate was likely an underestimation, as many deaths that occurred before the outbreak was declared remain under investigation, the WHO added.

    A health worker disinfects an ambulance at the Mongbwalu treatment center that transported a suspected Ebola patient in Mongbwalu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, June 5, 2026.

  • Trump says U.S.-Iran peace deal to be signed Sunday

    Trump says U.S.-Iran peace deal to be signed Sunday

    “The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    Trump also claimed that Iran now “no longer wants a Nuclear Weapon” and suggested the United States will work with Iran to remove enriched uranium at an “appropriate time.”

    He said the signing of the deal would make U.S. relations with Iran “different and better,” but warned that “we have the ultimate alternative” unless the process moves forward “quickly, easily and smoothly.”

    Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar also said Saturday that an electronic signing ceremony of the U.S.-Iran deal is scheduled for Sunday, after Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said earlier on the day that the United States and Iran had agreed on a peace deal framework and were expected to sign it shortly. Pakistan has been mediating the U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.

    However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei reportedly denied that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States to end the conflict would be signed on Sunday, citing what he described as “the other side’s hesitation.”

    Baqaei also stressed that any potential MoU between Iran and the United States “would merely serve as a framework for continuing talks” and should not be regarded as “a final agreement.” He added that discussions on the nuclear issue are expected to continue over a 60-day period, according to Iranian state media reports.

    Trump also claimed that Iran now “no longer wants a Nuclear Weapon” and suggested the United States will work with Iran to remove enriched uranium at an “appropriate time.”

  • Inside Rwanda’s spending priorities in new Rwf 7.8 trillion budget

    Inside Rwanda’s spending priorities in new Rwf 7.8 trillion budget

    Presenting the draft budget to a joint sitting of Parliament on June 11, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa announced a proposed budget of Rwf 7,796.3 billion, representing a 12 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.

    Of the total budget, 63 percent will be directed toward economic transformation programmes, reflecting the government’s continued focus on accelerating growth, strengthening resilience, and advancing the long-term objectives of the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

    Domestic revenues are projected at Rwf 5,273.8 billion, including Rwf 4,429.1 billion in tax revenues and RWF 582.4 billion from non-tax sources. External grants are expected to contribute Rwf 548.3 billion, while foreign borrowing is projected at Rwf 1,974.1 billion.

    According to Murangwa, Rwf 4,785.5 billion, equivalent to roughly 61 percent of the budget, has been allocated to recurrent expenditure and public sector wages, while Rwf 3,010.8 billion, or 39 percent, will finance development projects and public investments.

    The minister said budget priorities were selected to support Rwanda’s development ambitions while mitigating the impact of global economic uncertainties, including disruptions linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

    Agriculture and food security

    The economic transformation pillar has been allocated Rwf 4.9 trillion, making it the largest component of the budget.

    Priority interventions include boosting agricultural and livestock productivity, strengthening post-harvest management systems, and improving national food security. The government plans to ensure timely access to agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, improved seeds, and agricultural lime.

    Murangwa said the allocation for fertiliser subsidies has increased substantially from RWF 39 billion in the previous fiscal year to nearly Rwf 64 billion in the proposed budget. The increase comes amid rising fertiliser prices on international markets, partly driven by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.

    Additional funding will support seed multiplication programmes for strategic crops and expand irrigation infrastructure to help farmers adapt to climate change. The government also plans to increase national grain and bean reserves by constructing additional storage facilities and procuring strategic food stocks.

    In the livestock sector, resources will be directed toward animal vaccination programmes, artificial insemination services, and other measures aimed at improving animal health and productivity. Support for Rwanda’s key export crops will continue through the rehabilitation of ageing coffee and tea plantations and the expansion of cultivated areas.

    Energy and infrastructure investments

    The budget provides continued financing for major energy and transport projects.

    Among the flagship initiatives is the construction of the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant, alongside programmes to expand electricity access to households and institutions that remain off-grid.

    Infrastructure investments will include the development of feeder roads, road interchanges, and transport links serving the new Bugesera International Airport, which is expected to become a major logistics and aviation hub.

    Environmental sustainability

    The government has also prioritised environmental protection and climate resilience.

    Planned interventions include completing wetland restoration projects in Kigali, rehabilitating degraded forests, and protecting surrounding ecosystems. Funding has also been allocated to strengthen weather forecasting services through the acquisition of modern meteorological equipment, including radar systems.

    The budget further supports continued implementation of the multi-sectoral Muvumba Project, which is expected to contribute to energy generation, irrigation, and broader agricultural development.

    Education, health, and social protection

    The social transformation pillar has been allocated Rwf 1,711.3 billion, representing 22 percent of the total budget.

    In education, the government plans to recruit additional teachers, provide learning materials across all levels of education, expand school feeding programmes, and strengthen teacher training institutions.

    Healthcare investments will focus on expanding Muhororo, Kabgayi, and Ruhengeri hospitals, while construction of a maternity facility at Kibagabaga Hospital will continue. The government also intends to increase the number of healthcare professionals and strengthen programmes aimed at reducing child stunting.

    Social protection initiatives will continue through the Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP) and other welfare schemes targeting vulnerable households, including families affected by natural disasters.

    Transformational governance and justice

    The governance pillar has been allocated Rwf 1,184 billion, accounting for 15 percent of the proposed budget.

    Planned interventions include strengthening the justice sector through enhanced institutional capacity, expanding the use of forensic investigations, improving alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and reducing court case backlogs.

    In foreign affairs, the government will continue efforts to deepen diaspora engagement in national development and expand international markets for Rwandan exports.

    The proposed budget underscores Rwanda’s strategy of combining economic transformation with social investment and institutional strengthening as it seeks to sustain growth and improve living standards in the coming fiscal year.

    Presenting the draft budget to a joint sitting of Parliament on June 11, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa announced a proposed budget of Rwf 7,796.3 billion, representing a 12 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.

  • Brazil and Morocco share spoils in early World Cup test

    Brazil and Morocco share spoils in early World Cup test

    In a highly anticipated Group C clash in New York last night, Morocco made the brighter start and stunned the five-time world champions with an impressive opening goal. Midfielder Ismael Saibari capitalised on a perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Diaz, breaking through Brazil’s defence before calmly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alisson to give the Atlas Lions an early lead.

    Morocco’s energetic display reflected the confidence of a side that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and remains Africa’s most successful nation at the tournament. The North Africans pressed aggressively and looked the more cohesive team during much of the first half.

    Brazil, however, needed only a moment of brilliance to restore parity. Vinicius Junior, one of the Seleção’s biggest attacking threats, combined neatly with Bruno Guimaraes before cutting inside and curling a superb strike into the top corner. The spectacular finish brought Carlo Ancelotti’s side level against the run of play.

    The second half remained competitive, with both teams creating opportunities but neither able to find a decisive breakthrough. Morocco defended resolutely while Brazil searched for a winner through their array of attacking talent.

    The draw leaves both sides with a point from their opening match in what could prove to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups. It was also the only opening-round meeting between two top-10 ranked teams in the expanded 48-nation World Cup.

    Elsewhere in Group C, Scotland moved to the top of the standings with a 1-0 victory over Haiti, taking advantage of the points dropped by both Brazil and Morocco in their opening encounter. Four matches were played on Saturday across Groups B, C and D: Switzerland 1-1 Qatar, Australia 2-0 Türkiye, and Scotland 1-0 Haiti.

    Vinícius Júnior scored the equaliser for Brazil, who were held by Morocco on Saturday.

    Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui, right, attempts a shot on goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
    Brazil’s Casemiro, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui (24) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
    Fans wait for the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group C opener between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
    Spectators start to arrive to take their seats ahead of the World Cup Group C soccer match between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
    Morocco fans before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group C soccer match between Brazil and Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 13, 2026.

  • India summons U.S. envoy over continued attacks on commercial vessels

    India summons U.S. envoy over continued attacks on commercial vessels

    Several attacks by U.S. forces on similar commercial vessels had been reported over the past three days.

    The ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping.

    Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time, said the official statement.

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Friday summoned U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to India Jason Meeks to lodge a “strong protest” regarding the continued attacks by U.S. naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, said an official statement.