In a ruling delivered on Monday, a three-judge bench comprising Justice Eric Ogola, Justice Anthony Mrima, and Justice Dr. Freda Mugambi held that while Gachagua’s impeachment remains valid, key aspects of the process fell short of constitutional standards of fairness.
The court found that senators infringed on Gachagua’s fair hearing rights when they declined to grant an adjournment despite his absence from the proceedings, thereby proceeding with hearings in a manner that violated due process protections.
The judges said the award of Ksh 50 million was both compensatory and constitutional in nature, aimed at vindicating the Constitution, restoring the dignity of the affected party, and deterring future violations by state organs.
“The court awards constitutional damages of Kenya Shillings 50 million to His Excellency Gachagua payable by the Senate to vindicate the Constitution, restore the dignity of the affected party, and deter future violations,” the bench stated.
The court further emphasised that Parliament must establish a clear statutory framework governing the impeachment of a Deputy President under Article 150 of the Constitution, noting that procedural clarity is essential to safeguard constitutional protections.
On issues relating to pension and emoluments, the court made no determination, stating that Gachagua is free to pursue the matter before the appropriate forum.
Gachagua’s legal team said they would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the court’s finding of a fair hearing violation raised unresolved constitutional contradictions in the impeachment decision.
Kenya’s High Court has ordered the Senate to pay former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Ksh 50 million (about Rwf 565 million) in constitutional damages after finding that his right to a fair trial was violated during impeachment proceedings that led to his removal from office in October 2024.
The group touched down from South Africa following a highly successful, fast-paced multi-city tour. The band kicked off their southern leg in Cape Town on June 2, moved to Durban on June 4, and wrapped up with back-to-back performances in Pretoria on June 6 and 7.
The band was originally expected to land in Kigali yesterday, June 8. However, due to the tight logistics of their packed touring schedule, management requested an extra night of rest, pushing their arrival to this morning.
UB40 was originally formed in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1978 by a group of working-class friends who took their name from the British unemployment benefit form. They went on to become one of the most commercially successful reggae acts in history, selling over 70 million records globally with timeless hits like “Red Red Wine,” “Kingston Town,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Internal disagreements eventually led to a permanent split in the band’s legacy. In 2008, iconic lead vocalist Ali Campbell left the original lineup due to management disputes. Seeking to preserve the classic sound, he launched his own touring version of the group in 2014, known today as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell.
This spin-off previously featured original bandmates Mickey Virtue and Terence “Astro” Wilson, the latter of whom sadly passed away in late 2021. Meanwhile, the remaining original members of the 1978 group chose to keep the standard UB40 name, replacing Ali with his brother Duncan Campbell, and later, current vocalist Matt Doyle. That separate entity continues to tour globally with long-standing members like Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan.
Because of this historic divide, it is strictly UB40 featuring Ali Campbell taking the stage in Kigali tonight, bringing the distinctive voice behind the band’s greatest studio hits to Rwanda for the very first time.
For generations of Rwandan music lovers who grew up hearing these songs on local radio stations, in public transport, and at family gatherings, tonight’s performance at the BK Arena represents a massive milestone, bridging nostalgia with a live, world-class production.
Legendary reggae group UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, arrived in Kigali early Tuesday morning ahead of their historic concert at BK Arena tonight.Upon arrival in Kigali, Ali Campbell first took time to greet a small group of journalists who were present at the airport.
The proposed budget is designed to strengthen agricultural production, boost industrial growth, accelerate job creation and maintain macroeconomic stability, according to resolutions adopted during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on June 8.
The budget represents an increase of approximately Rwf 844.2 billion compared to the revised 2025/26 budget, reflecting the government’s continued focus on economic transformation and development.
Sixty-eight percent of the budget, equivalent to Rwf 5.3 trillion, will be financed through domestic resources, while foreign grants will account for 7 percent.
The government said the budget will prioritise interventions aimed at strengthening economic resilience while accelerating the implementation of key development projects and programmes across various sectors.
The Cabinet’s approval follows the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Framework Paper to Parliament by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa on May 11, 2026.
Murangwa is expected to formally table the budget before Parliament for debate and consideration on June 11, when Rwanda will join other member states of the East African Community in presenting their national budgets.
Finance Minister Yusuf Murangwa presents the 2025-26 national budget before parliament on June 12. Rwanda’s Cabinet has approved a draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year, endorsing a national budget of Rwf 7.8 trillion, a 12 percent increase from the previous year’s revised budget.
“At the moment, the fire is on hold because after we struck … it (Iran) stopped attacking us,” Netanyahu said in his first televised statement more than 20 hours after Iran first launched missiles at Israel on Sunday night.
If Iran “makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force,” he added.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would continue to carry out attacks against Hezbollah and would strike the Dahieh district, south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, in response to any attack on communities in northern Israel.
Following Netanyahu’s statement, Israel’s Home Front Command said it will lift most civil defense restrictions across the country on Tuesday morning, while restrictions will remain in place in several northern communities near the Lebanese border.
Later on Monday, Israeli ministries announced in statements that Israel’s hospitals have returned to full and normal operations on Monday, while schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday after Israel and Iran halted the exchange of strikes.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced in a statement the cessation of strikes against Israel, but warned that any further Israeli “aggression and malicious acts,” including in southern Lebanon, would trigger a much more “severe and crushing” response from Tehran.
It said the Iranian armed forces’ actions were carried out in support of the Lebanese people following Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and the Dahieh district. It also accused the United States of backing Israeli operations and said that Israel should have learned its lesson from Iran’s response.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA said that at least 15 people were wounded in Israeli attacks against Iran on Monday, with no death reported yet.
Following flight restrictions imposed earlier in the day on Iran’s airspace, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority said aviation operations are returning to normal, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
Meanwhile, COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing aid coordination, said the Kerem Shalom crossing and the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip will gradually reopen for the entry of humanitarian aid starting Tuesday after being closed on Sunday due to Iranian attacks on northern Israel.
The latest escalation came after the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, killing at least two people.
Following the Israeli operations, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced late Sunday that it launched ballistic missiles at the Ramat David Air Base in northern Israel in response to Israel’s “widespread crimes” in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military on Monday carried out airstrikes on several targets in Iran, including radar sites and a petrochemical company in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In response, the IRGC launched strikes on the Nevatim and Tel Nof air bases as well as certain industries in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in a video message released on June 8, 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the fire against Iran is currently “on hold,” but warned that Israel will respond forcefully if Iran resumes its attacks.
Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on Saturday on a flight from Istanbul and was subjected to additional screening by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Following the inspection, authorities determined that he was inadmissible due to unspecified vetting concerns and placed him on a return flight to Turkey.
The 52-year-old was among 52 referees selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Artan would be unable to participate in training or officiate at the tournament.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications,” a FIFA spokesperson said. “In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
CBP said all travellers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches and tournament staff, are subject to inspection and vetting.
“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” the agency said in a statement.
Officials in Somalia expressed disappointment over the decision. A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said Artan had been travelling with valid documents, while a Somali embassy official noted that he had been issued a diplomatic passport to facilitate international travel after experiencing visa-related difficulties in the past.
The case has drawn attention because Somalia remains on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. While exemptions exist for World Cup athletes and team personnel, those provisions reportedly did not apply to referees.
Artan’s exclusion marks a significant setback for a referee whose rise has been widely celebrated across Africa. In 2025, he was named Africa’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and has officiated at major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
Earlier this year, Artan reflected on the challenges he faced pursuing a refereeing career in Somalia.
“At times, I have had to change my route to my local stadium because of explosions in the country,” he said. “You cannot give up as a referee. You have to have a target.”
Despite the setback, Artan struck a positive tone in a statement released on Monday.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” he said. “I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup.”
Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, said the decision undermined football’s values.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” he said.
The incident is the latest controversy surrounding US immigration policies and the World Cup, with concerns previously raised over visa processing delays for some participating nations.
Artan’s exclusion marks a significant setback for a referee whose rise has been widely celebrated across Africa. In 2025, he was named Africa’s Referee of the Year by the Confederation of African Football and has officiated at major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
In a communiqué released on Monday, June 8, 2026, the IMF Executive Board approved a 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement totalling SDR 185.031 million (about US$250 million) and authorised an immediate disbursement of SDR 26.433 million (approximately US$35.7 million).
According to the IMF, the program is designed to help Rwanda navigate tighter global financing conditions while sustaining economic growth, protecting social and development spending, and rebuilding policy buffers.
Rwanda’s economy has continued to demonstrate strong resilience despite a challenging international environment. Economic growth reached 9.4 percent in 2025, significantly exceeding expectations, driven by robust domestic activity and strong export performance, particularly in coffee and mineral exports.
However, inflationary pressures have intensified. Inflation rose to 13.2 percent year-on-year in April 2026, moving above the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range. The IMF attributed much of the pressure to higher global oil and fertilizer prices linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
While Rwanda’s external position improved in 2025 and foreign exchange reserves remained healthy at just over four months of import coverage, the IMF warned that the conflict in the Middle East poses significant risks to the country’s outlook. Economic growth is projected to slow to below 6.8 percent in 2026 as higher import costs and financing pressures weigh on the economy.
The IMF-supported program will focus on three key priorities: strengthening macroeconomic policies, managing fiscal and debt risks to preserve sustainable growth, and promoting private sector-led development through improved transparency and oversight of state-owned enterprises.
IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair Bo Li said Rwanda’s economy had remained resilient despite successive global shocks, reflecting strong policymaking and reform efforts.
“Rwanda’s economy has remained resilient amid successive shocks, reflecting strong reform ownership and agile policymaking,” Li said.
He noted that advancing development goals while rebuilding economic buffers will require a carefully balanced policy approach, including greater exchange rate flexibility and a credible medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy.
The IMF emphasised the importance of strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation, improving public investment management, and enhancing oversight of fiscal risks to maintain Rwanda’s moderate risk of debt distress while protecting social spending.
The Fund also called for a tight and forward-looking monetary policy to address elevated inflation and reinforce confidence in the inflation-targeting framework. Although rapid credit growth warrants close monitoring, the IMF said Rwanda’s financial sector remains stable.
Looking ahead, the IMF stressed that continued structural reforms, including improvements in public investment efficiency and accelerated reforms of state-owned enterprises, will be essential for enhancing economic resilience and fostering stronger private-sector-led growth.
The newly approved ECF arrangement is expected to serve as a key policy anchor for Rwanda as it seeks to manage external shocks, maintain reform momentum, and attract additional financing from development partners.
According to the IMF, the program is designed to help Rwanda navigate tighter global financing conditions while sustaining economic growth, protecting social and development spending, and rebuilding policy buffers.
According to a communiqué issued after the meeting held at Urugwiro Village, the National Artificial Intelligence Agency will accelerate artificial intelligence development, innovation, adoption, investment and governance in support of Rwanda’s digital transformation and economic growth.
The agency is expected to play a central role in coordinating the country’s AI agenda as Rwanda seeks to strengthen its position as a regional technology and innovation hub.
The Cabinet also approved the draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year. The proposed budget prioritises strengthening agricultural production, boosting industrial growth, accelerating job creation and maintaining macroeconomic stability.
The approval follows the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Framework Paper (BFP) to Parliament by Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa on May 11, 2026. The government proposed a national budget of Rwf 7.8 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year, representing an increase of Rwf 844.2 billion from the revised budget for 2025/26.
Cabinet was also briefed on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region and Rwanda’s preparedness measures. The Ministry of Health reported that prevention, screening and surveillance efforts have been reinforced at all points of entry to safeguard public health.
The government reassured the public that there are currently no Ebola cases in Rwanda and that all activities continue as normal. Citizens were encouraged to remain vigilant and follow public health guidelines.
Several draft laws relating to financing and development cooperation were approved during the meeting.
Among them were draft laws ratifying loan agreements between Rwanda and the African Development Bank for additional financing of the Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Programme, a key initiative aimed at enhancing water resource management and supporting agricultural productivity.
Cabinet also approved the ratification of financing agreements between Rwanda and the International Development Association (IDA) for the second phase of the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda Project, the Rwanda Urban Mobility Improvement Project, and the Rwanda Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Financing programme with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option.
The meeting further approved the ratification of an agreement between Rwanda and Botswana for the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance.
In a move aimed at expanding Rwanda’s international aviation network, Cabinet approved draft laws ratifying air services agreements between Rwanda and the governments of Algeria, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Costa Rica, Guyana, Morocco, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
The agreements are expected to facilitate greater air connectivity, strengthen trade and tourism links, and support Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub.
Cabinet also approved the ratification of the agreement establishing the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency, a specialised African Union institution that helps member states better prepare for, manage and respond to climate-related disasters and other natural shocks.
Beyond legislative approvals, Cabinet endorsed several policy and administrative measures.
These include a revised headquarters agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the Nile Basin Initiative’s Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme Coordination Unit (NELSAP-CU), approval of applications for mineral and quarry licences, and the lease of state land located in Karongi District to Zipline Rwanda Ltd.
The meeting also granted agrément to newly appointed diplomats and representatives of international organisations.
Those approved include Jérémie Blin as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Rwanda, with residence in Kigali; Dr. Simone Knapp as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi; and Dede Ekoue as Country Representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rwanda, with residence in Kigali.
Cabinet further approved appointments across several public institutions.
At the Gender Monitoring Office, Habiyaremye Rurihose Florien’s term as Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in charge of Gender Mainstreaming was renewed.
Appointments were also made at the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Governance Board and the Higher Education Council, covering leadership positions in internal audit, governance, research, service delivery, digitalisation, legal affairs and communications.
The Cabinet was chaired by President Paul Kagame on Monday, June 8, 2026. The Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency and endorsed the draft law determining State finances for the 2026/27 fiscal year, among a series of decisions aimed at advancing Rwanda’s economic transformation, digital innovation, infrastructure development and international cooperation.
Speaking in an interview with combat sports journalist Tim Wheaton, PFL Africa General Manager Elias Schulze said Kigali has already proven itself as a reliable and high-performance host city, and expressed his wish for it to become the “anchor” of the league’s African calendar.
The development follows the successful staging of the PFL Africa Semifinals in Kigali in October last year at BK Arena, where an 11-fight card determined finalists across multiple weight divisions. The event was widely viewed within the organisation as a turning point in proving that Rwanda can deliver world-class MMA production at scale.
Schulze said Rwanda’s appeal lies in its combination of strong infrastructure, safety, and political support, even if MMA remains a relatively new sport for local audiences.
“Rwanda was a unique challenge,” he said. “It has world-class event infrastructure and a very safe environment, but relatively low consumer familiarity with MMA. What surprised us was how quickly people embraced it.”
“The seat for MMA headquarters in Africa is still open,” he said. “Rwanda has the enabling environment, infrastructure, and will to claim it.”
He credited what he called the “Rwandan model”, a strategy focused on deep community integration, for the strong local engagement around the sport. This included fighter homecomings, university activations, gym partnerships, and collaboration with the Ministry of Sports. The organisation said it was surprised by how quickly fans embraced MMA in Rwanda.
According to Schulze, this approach is now being replicated across other African markets as PFL expands its continental footprint. He pointed to key focus markets including Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Ivory Coast, with additional interest in Senegal and Tanzania, as well as North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria, as part of its long-term pan-African expansion strategy.
Beyond competition, PFL Africa says it is keen to develop a broader MMA ecosystem in Rwanda and other African markets, including training referees, judges, doctors, and production crews, as well as supporting the development of local fighters capable of competing internationally.
“If we host the finals in Kigali, I’m confident we’ll have at least two or three Rwandan fighters on the card,” Schulze noted.
Rwanda was represented last year by James Opio at the PFL Africa event in Kigali. He featured in a highly anticipated East African featherweight showcase bout against Uganda’s Isaac Omeda.
Organising an event of this scale involves extensive logistics, including transporting and installing specialist production infrastructure such as lighting rigs, broadcast cameras, and regulation cages, alongside coordinating international fighters, coaching teams, and medical staff.
According to Schulze, PFL operates purpose-built cages and production systems across Africa to support back-to-back events in different markets, with South Africa also serving as one of the key established production and staging hubs on the continent. The organisation also works with local partners to recruit technical crews and manage hospitality requirements, including hundreds of hotel room nights for fighters, teams, and officials.
Nigeria set for historic debut after South Africa stop
While Kigali is being positioned as a potential championship hub, Nigeria is set to host a landmark milestone in the league’s expansion, with the continental tour heading to Lagos immediately following its recent stop in Pretoria, South Africa (PFL Africa 1).
The Professional Fighters League will stage PFL Africa 2: Nigeria – First Round on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, marking the country’s entry into the league’s continental circuit.
Because PFL Africa staggers its weight classes to manage the tournament brackets, the Lagos event serves as the official opening First Round (Quarterfinals) exclusively for the Lightweight and Bantamweight tournaments, following April’s opening Welterweight matchups in Pretoria, South Africa.
Schulze described Nigeria as a “must-win market” for the organisation.
“You cannot claim to be a credible operator in Africa and neglect Nigeria,” he said. “It’s going to be a raucous event.”
He added that Nigeria’s strong sporting culture, spanning football, basketball, boxing, and traditional combat disciplines like Dambe, makes it a natural fit for MMA growth. PFL Africa views the country as a potential recurring anchor market alongside Rwanda and other priority destinations.
Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa drew over 4,000 mixed martial arts (MMA) spectators at BK Arena on Saturday, October 18. President Kagame, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and MMA legend Francis Ngannou attended PFL Africa matches.Schulze said Rwanda’s appeal lies in its combination of strong infrastructure, safety, and political support, even if MMA remains a relatively new sport for local audiences.Rwanda was represented last year by James Opio at the PFL Africa event in Kigali. He featured in a highly anticipated East African featherweight showcase bout against Uganda’s Isaac Omeda.
The planned overhaul is expected to transform ChatGPT from a conversational chatbot into a broader AI platform that integrates coding tools, autonomous AI agents and third-party applications. The changes are reportedly set to begin rolling out in the coming weeks through updates to ChatGPT’s web and mobile platforms.
The move comes as the San Francisco-based company seeks new revenue streams ahead of a widely anticipated initial public offering (IPO). While ChatGPT has attracted nearly one billion users worldwide, many continue to use the service for free, prompting OpenAI to place greater emphasis on paid products and enterprise services.
According to the report, OpenAI is redesigning ChatGPT to highlight coding capabilities, image-generation tools and software developed by external partners such as Canva and Booking.com.
The company believes AI agents capable of performing tasks on behalf of users, including scheduling meetings, booking travel and completing workplace assignments, could become more valuable than traditional chatbots focused primarily on answering questions.
OpenAI has also reorganized several product teams under a unified leadership structure led by Thibault Sottiaux, formerly head of the company’s Codex coding product. The long-term goal, he told the Financial Times, is to develop a personal AI assistant that can support users across both professional and personal activities.
The company has reportedly seen strong growth in Codex, whose weekly active user base has risen to more than five million. Business customers now account for about 40% of OpenAI’s revenue, a figure the company expects to increase further this year.
OpenAI has not publicly announced the reported overhaul.
The planned overhaul is expected to transform ChatGPT from a conversational chatbot into a broader AI platform that integrates coding tools, autonomous AI agents and third-party applications.
According to an official diplomatic correspondence dated June 3, Foreign Affairs Minister Édouard Bizimana instructed Ambassador Njebarikanuye to return to the political capital of Gitega “as soon as possible” to receive an “urgent communication.”
The sudden directive follows a June 2 ceremony at the OIF headquarters in Paris, where Njebarikanuye met with OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. The meeting was part of a standard diplomatic progression to accredit envoys to the Francophonie body, alongside newly designated representatives from Slovenia, Montenegro, Romania, Gabon, and Greece.
During the session, Njebarikanuye presented authorization to act as President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s representative to the OIF Permanent Council. Briefing notes from the organization indicated that discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, specifically regarding regional literacy campaigns and gender equality initiatives.
Minister Bizimana’s recall letter offered no public justification for the abrupt summons, stating only:
“I have the honour to inform you that you are requested to return to the capital as soon as possible in order to receive an urgent communication concerning you.”
Njebarikanuye assumed her posting in Paris on March 16, 2026, holding concurrent accreditation to Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Andorra, Romania, Malta, and Albania.
It remains unclear whether Njebarikanuye’s recall is for temporary consultations or signals a permanent reassignment, though some observers have speculated that her tenure could be cut short.
Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has abruptly recalled its newly appointed ambassador to France, Spès-Caritas Njebarikanuye, less than 24 hours after she formally presented her credentials to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).The meeting was part of a standard diplomatic progression to accredit envoys to the Francophonie body, alongside newly designated representatives from Slovenia, Montenegro, Romania, Gabon, and Greece.
