In an interview with the New York Post published Saturday, Trump described the device as a key factor in neutralising Venezuelan defences.
“The Discombobulator. I’m not allowed to talk about it,” he said. “They never got their rockets off. They had Russian and Chinese rockets, and they never got one off. We came in, they pressed buttons, and nothing worked. They were all set for us.”
The operation, carried out on January 3, resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their Caracas compound. Trump has previously described how U.S. personnel used cyber tools to knock out power across the capital, leaving Venezuelan forces largely incapacitated.
While the U.S. military possesses a directed-energy weapon known as the Active Denial System, which emits an invisible radio frequency beam causing a burning sensation, it is unclear whether this was the technology Trump referenced.
Beyond Venezuela, Trump reiterated that the U.S. could extend military strikes against drug cartels to North America. “We know their routes. We know everything about them. We know their homes. We know everything about them. We’re going to hit the cartels,” he said. Asked whether these strikes could occur in Central America or Mexico, Trump responded: “Could be anywhere.”
On Friday, the U.S. conducted a strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, marking at least 36 known strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September that have killed at least 117 people.
Trump also said that the U.S. has seized oil aboard seven Venezuelan tankers, though he did not disclose the ships’ current locations. “I’m not allowed to tell you,” he said. “But let’s put it this way, they don’t have any oil. We take the oil.”
The 22-year-old co-founder and chief executive of Strettch Cloud says the company’s rise, from a modest personal investment of about 2 million Rwandan francs to a fast-growing infrastructure business, has been driven less by capital and more by early exposure to practical technology, disciplined execution, and a clear understanding of Africa’s digital constraints.
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Sauvé’s journey into technology began long before Strettch existed. Growing up, he was drawn to science and mathematics, fascinated by how things worked and why systems behaved the way they did. That curiosity eventually narrowed into computer science, which he saw as the most practical application of physics and mathematics in the modern economy.
“Mathematics is the mother language of all sciences,” Sauvé explains. “But I was seeking the most practical way to use that knowledge in the real world, and computer science became the answer.”
While still in lower secondary school, he was already reading computer science books and following emerging technologies such as virtual reality, laying the intellectual groundwork for what would later become a business career.
A defining moment came in 2019, when Sauvé joined the inaugural cohort of Rwanda Coding Academy, a government-backed institution designed to produce industry-ready technologists through project-based learning.
Unlike traditional academic pathways, the school immersed students in software development, cybersecurity, robotics and artificial intelligence, exposing them to real-world problems early. By senior five, Sauvé had secured his first internship, and by senior six he was already employed, an experience that placed him years ahead of many of his contemporaries.
That early professional exposure shaped his view of entrepreneurship. While still at Rwanda Coding Academy, Sauvé attempted to launch two startups, both of which failed. He does not describe them as failures, but as formative experiences that taught him how difficult it is to build software that works in production, manage teams, and navigate uncertainty.
“I’ve already tried two startups when I was still at school that failed, but I don’t take it as a failure because I had to learn a lot through the process,” Sauvé says.
Strettch began taking shape after Sauvé and four fellow Rwanda Coding Academy graduates enrolled at African Leadership University. All five were already employed in different organizations, but they shared a concern that working separately would dilute their collective potential.
They agreed to pool their skills and effort into a single company, even though they had no clear product in mind at the time. Their first strategy was deliberately conservative: start as a software development agency, build solutions for clients, learn how to work as a team, and use the proceeds to finance future products.
That approach paid off sooner than expected. Less than a year after registering the business, the team won a public procurement tender worth $100,000 to develop a national research and innovation system for Rwanda Polytechnic in 2024. The contract was a major financial and psychological breakthrough, but Sauvé says it also introduced a new level of responsibility.
“I had to think about it twice,” Sauvé says. “It felt too good to be true, and at the same time it was a huge responsibility.”
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From the agency work, several internal product ideas emerged. One stood out: cloud computing. As businesses across Africa digitise, they increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure to run software and store data. Yet data sovereignty laws in more than 35 African countries restrict sensitive data from being hosted outside national borders, limiting the use of global cloud providers for many organisations. That regulatory reality created a gap that Strettch Cloud set out to fill.
Strettch Cloud offers on-demand computing infrastructure hosted locally, allowing businesses to deploy virtual servers within seconds through a self-service platform. According to Sauvé, it is currently the only cloud provider in Rwanda offering such functionality without requiring manual intervention, contracts or lengthy onboarding processes. The broader ambition is to replicate that model across multiple African countries, enabling companies to scale regionally while remaining compliant with local data regulations.
Building the platform required sacrifices. Sauvé resigned from a well-paid international job to work on Strettch full-time, a decision he describes as the hardest of his life. At the time, he had already achieved a lifestyle he once imagined would take decades to reach. Still, he says the potential impact of building a scalable African technology company outweighed personal comfort.
“Business is one of the most powerful ways to serve society,” he says. “It creates jobs, pays taxes and solves problems at scale.”
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Financially, Strettch’s beginnings were modest. The founders initially invested about 2 million Rwandan francs of their own money, largely to experiment and learn. Later, they committed roughly $30,000, earned from client work, to build the minimum viable version of Strettch Cloud. Before launching publicly, the company tested demand through a waitlist that attracted more than 300 organisations, including large Rwandan companies, validating the market.
That traction helped Strettch reach a valuation of $2.5 million and raise external funding. Today, the platform serves dozens of paying customers, with usage growing month by month.
“The first paying customer is always the most significant achievement,” Sauvé remarks. “It is the moment when someone entrusts you with their business, and that trust validates all the effort, risk, and sacrifice.”
Sauvé says the company’s competitive advantage lies in its cost structure and technology ownership. Unlike many regional providers who license expensive third-party platforms, Strettch built its infrastructure software in-house, allowing it to offer lower prices while maintaining control over performance and security.
The company’s ambitions extend beyond Rwanda. Sauvé points to Africa’s cloud computing market, estimated at $45 billion, much of which flows to providers outside the continent. His vision is explicitly Pan-African: keep data, capital and technical expertise within Africa.
Strettch plans to enter Kenya by 2027 and expand into at least six or seven African markets within five years, building physical infrastructure in each to comply with national regulations.
Looking ahead, Sauvé sees artificial intelligence as both an opportunity and a strategic imperative. Many AI systems used in Africa rely on infrastructure hosted abroad, raising data sovereignty concerns. Strettch Cloud is exploring ways to provide AI-ready infrastructure locally, including access to specialised hardware, so that organisations can deploy advanced technologies without exporting sensitive data.
For Sauvé, the story of Strettch Cloud is still in its early chapters. Yet its trajectory already challenges assumptions about where high-growth technology companies can emerge and how much capital is required to start.
His advice to young Rwandans is pragmatic rather than romantic. The work, he says, is difficult and uncertain, but solvable problems reward those who approach them with discipline and optimism.
“When there is a problem, and you think there is an answer, you become a victor. If you think you can’t find an answer, you become a victim,” Sauvé, who also serves as Vice President of Toastmasters, a nonprofit organisation that develops public speaking, leadership, and networking skills, advises.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government is considering deploying the army to gang violence hotspots to tackle persistent gang-related crime.
The president’s remarks came amid a surge in gang-related fatal incidents in several parts of the country.
“A call has been made to deploy the army,” Ramaphosa told journalists on Saturday morning outside the African National Congress National Executive Committee Lekgotla, a local term referring a key political or government meeting.
However, he cautioned that soldiers are trained to neutralize threats rather than conduct investigations, so any decision to deploy them requires careful consideration. Ramaphosa stressed the need for a balanced approach in addressing the crisis.
“The gang violence is one of those challenges that we’re facing. That is very prominent in our minds,” Ramaphosa said.
Last weekend, at least 26 people were killed in a spate of gang-related violence in the Cape Flats, Cape Town, Western Cape Province. The violence included a mass shooting in Marikana, Philippi East Township, which left eight people dead.
The region has long been plagued by gang-related violence. Police statistics show 2,104 murders were reported in Cape Flats in the first nine months of 2025.
Between December 29, 2025, and January 11, 2026, the area recorded 58 gang-related murders and 60 attempted murders, according to Ian Cameron, chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on police.
The ceremony also marked a historic milestone for UGHE as it graduated its first cohort of medical doctors, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The graduation, held at UGHE’s Butaro campus, saw 30 medical doctors and 48 Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) graduates receive their degrees. The event was presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and attended by senior government officials, development partners, faculty, students, and alumni.
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim conferred the honorary degree to First Lady Kagame, describing her as “an accomplished leader whose work spans education, health, and social transformation.”
He praised her contributions through initiatives such as the Imbuto Foundation, which champions girls’ education, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as her leadership in the Organization of African First Ladies for Development and the Unity Club promoting national reconciliation.
“Her moral guidance, presence, and advocacy have strengthened UGHE’s growth, credibility, and visibility across Africa and the world,” Dr. Kim said. “It is my distinct honor and privilege to confer upon Her Excellency Mrs. Jeannette Kagame the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in recognition of her exceptional leadership and distinguished public service.”
Receiving the honour, First Lady Kagame expressed her deep gratitude and reflected on the legacy of the late Dr. Paul Farmer, UGHE’s founding chancellor.
“To be honoured in this way is a gift for which I can only find a few words, yet to be watched from heaven by a dear friend as we celebrate those who have sought to honour his legacy through their own excellence means that I must try. What a milestone,” she said.
She reflected on how, for many years, solutions to health challenges were often perceived as something that had to come from outside the continent. “Today we affirm a different truth,” she said. “Pain, disease, and avoidable death are not our destiny, and neither are we bound to wait for answers to arrive from afar.”
Addressing the graduates directly, the First Lady challenged them to see themselves as agents of transformation.
“Your greatness is a revolution in the making,” she said. “Congratulations for choosing to lay your brick in the resilience of our systems. May your contribution to global health and to the lives you will save and improve bear witness to every worth of late night of study, every moment of doubt, and every final push of determination.”
In his address, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva highlighted the critical role the graduates will play amid mounting pressures on health systems both in Rwanda and globally.
“Emerging diseases, workforce shortages, and financing constraints are no longer abstract challenges,” he said. “Responding effectively requires more than clinical expertise; it demands an understanding of policy, management, data, and implementation, as well as the ability to translate plans into results.”
The Prime Minister further emphasised that UGHE graduates are expected to serve not only as practitioners but also as leaders capable of strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, and supporting sound decision-making across the health sector.
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Kim highlighted the uniqueness of the university’s journey, describing it as the product of an extraordinary partnership between the Government of Rwanda and global partners.
“This could not have happened in the vast majority of countries that I have been in,” he said, underscoring Rwanda’s leadership and long-term vision in building sustainable health systems.
Founded in 2015 with support from Partners In Health (PIH), UGHE inaugurated its permanent Butaro campus in 2019. The university offers six programs in partnership with Harvard University and has graduated 330 master’s degree holders, with 444 students currently enrolled.
Recognised for its growing academic reputation, Times Higher Education in 2024 ranked UGHE fourth among 129 leading universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With its graduates and initiatives, UGHE continues to play a critical role in Rwanda’s plans to expand its healthcare workforce and strengthen health systems, a vision strongly supported by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and President Paul Kagame’s administration throughout the university’s journey.
In a statement, the ministry said the Russian army targeted an energy facility supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, a production workshop, and storage and launch sites for long-range drones. It also struck temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 159 areas.
The statement also said that Russian air defense systems intercepted two guided bombs, 31 rockets from the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 68 fixed-wing drones.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is rooted in a deep-seated struggle over sovereignty, security, and national identity that escalated into full-scale war in 2022. At its core, Russia seeks to reassert influence over its neighbor, viewing Ukraine’s aspirations to join Western institutions like NATO and the European Union as an existential threat to its own security and “sphere of influence.”
Conversely, Ukraine views the war as a fight for survival and independence from Russian imperialism, asserting its right to determine its own future as a sovereign nation. These tensions are compounded by historical disputes over the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, as well as a fundamental disagreement over whether Ukraine exists as a distinct culture and state or as an integral part of a “Greater Russia.”
In a press release issued on January 24, the group warned of what it described as an imminent and dangerous military escalation in the high plateaus of Fizi, Itombwe, and Uvira, with Minembwe identified as the main objective of the alleged offensive.
According to MRDP-Twiranweno, Burundian troops have been actively redeployed inside Congolese territory and are operating jointly with FARDC units in preparation for attacks on Banyamulenge villages.
The group said it possesses credible information indicating that FDNB units have been heavily deployed in the Mutambala area, particularly in the villages of Kichula, Itota, and Kananda. From these locations, the forces are allegedly planning coordinated ground operations toward Minembwe.
MRDP-Twiranweno says the military build-up poses a serious and immediate threat to civilians and forms part of what it characterises as a deliberate plan to forcibly uproot the Banyamulenge population from the high plateaus.
The reported escalation follows the recent withdrawal of AFC/M23 forces from the city of Uvira, a pullout that was, according to MRDP-Twiranweno, conditioned on the deployment of a neutral force to secure the area.
The group alleges that this condition was not respected, creating a security vacuum that was subsequently filled by FARDC and Wazalendo fighters. It further accuses Burundian forces of entering through the Gatumba border post and operating in Congolese military uniforms to conceal their involvement.
MRDP-Twiranweno reports that by Friday, January 23, joint forces had carried out ground attacks against the villages of Rugezi and Mukoko.
The group also accuses the FARDC of conducting drone bombardments on civilian areas. According to the statement, drone strikes on Friday afternoon injured four civilians in Gakenke, further worsening what the group describes as an already severe humanitarian situation.
“These attacks on populated areas constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law,” said Colonel Kamasa Ndakize Welcome, the group’s coordinator, warning of escalating civilian harm and displacement.
The movement strongly condemned what it termed a “joint aggression” and said it holds the governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo fully responsible for any attack against Minembwe and for any further civilian casualties.
The group also criticised what it described as the silence and inaction of regional and international peace actors, accusing them of enabling violence against civilians and failing to prevent the destruction and looting of Banyamulenge homes, churches, and NGO infrastructure, particularly in Uvira.
In the statement, MRDP-Twiranweno reaffirmed its determination to defend the Banyamulenge population and their property in the face of what it called an existential threat.
A total of 30 medical doctors and 48 Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) candidates received their degrees during the ceremony held at the university’s Butaro campus.
The graduation was presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva and attended by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, alongside senior government officials, development partners, faculty, students, and alumni.
In his address, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva reminded graduates that they are entering the workforce at a time of mounting pressure on health systems in Rwanda and across the world. He pointed to emerging diseases, workforce shortages, and financing constraints as challenges that are no longer abstract, but demand practical, locally grounded solutions.
“Responding effectively to these challenges requires more than clinical expertise,” the Prime Minister said. “It calls for a deep understanding of policy, management, data, and implementation, as well as the ability to translate plans into real results. Your training has prepared you for this responsibility.”
He emphasized that UGHE graduates are expected to serve not only as practitioners, but also as leaders capable of strengthening institutions, improving service delivery, and supporting sound decision-making across the health sector. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to human capital development, noting that Africa’s progress depends on strong and resilient systems supported by a skilled and accountable workforce.
“That is why Rwanda, together with its partners, continues to invest in the expansion of medical education at all levels and remains firmly committed to world-class institutions such as the University of Global Health Equity,” he said.
The ceremony was also marked by a deeply reflective address from First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UGHE in recognition of her exceptional leadership and contributions to education, health, and equity in Rwanda, across Africa, and beyond.
Receiving the honour, Mrs. Kagame described the moment as both emotional and deeply meaningful. “It is with mixed emotions that I receive this great gift, an honour and a tribute to a true friend of Rwanda,” she said, referring to the late Dr. Paul Farmer, UGHE’s founding chancellor.
“To be honoured in this way is a gift for which I can only find a few words, yet to be watched from heaven by a dear friend as we celebrate those who have sought to honour his legacy through their own excellence means that I must try. What a milestone.”
She reflected on how, for many years, solutions to health challenges were often perceived as something that had to come from outside the continent. “Today we affirm a different truth,” she said. “Pain, disease, and avoidable death are not our destiny, and neither are we bound to wait for answers to arrive from afar.”
Addressing the graduates directly, the First Lady challenged them to see themselves as agents of transformation.
“Your greatness is a revolution in the making,” she said. “Congratulations for choosing to lay your brick in the resilience of our systems. May your contribution to global health and to the lives you will save and improve bear witness to every worth of late night of study, every moment of doubt, and every final push of determination.”
UGHE Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim highlighted the uniqueness of the university’s journey, describing it as the product of an extraordinary partnership between the Government of Rwanda and global partners. “This could not have happened in the vast majority of countries that I have been in,” he said, underscoring Rwanda’s leadership and long-term vision in building sustainable health systems.
Founded in 2015 with the support of Partners In Health (PIH), UGHE inaugurated its permanent Butaro campus on January 25, 2019, in a ceremony led by President Paul Kagame and the late Dr. Paul Farmer. Today, the university offers six university-level programs in partnership with Harvard University, sharing both curriculum design and faculty.
In recognition of its growing academic reputation, Times Higher Education in 2024 ranked UGHE fourth among 129 leading universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The institution attracts a diverse student body from Rwanda and beyond, including learners from the United States, Canada, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Lesotho, and Uganda.
Since its inception, UGHE has graduated 330 master’s degree holders, with 444 students currently enrolled. Beyond degree programs, the university’s Kigali campus offers third-level courses in Global Health Delivery and has played a broader role in national development.
Additionally, over 128,000 people have benefited from entrepreneurship training linked to UGHE initiatives, while 1,260 individuals have gained employment through projects associated with the Butaro campus. Since 2016, 670 leaders from 56 African countries have also received specialized training at the university.
UGHE is expected to play a critical role in helping Rwanda achieve a healthcare workforce density of four medical professionals per 1,000 people. Currently, the country has approximately one doctor per 1,000 residents.
National plans anticipate the enrollment of 8,378 new medical students annually, with an estimated 32,973 graduates by 2028. These will include 1,686 general practitioners, 185 dentists, 832 medical specialists, 15,770 nurses, 5,209 midwives, and 8,394 other health professionals supporting doctors.
During a recent visit, IGIHE explored the restaurant, its ambience, and the philosophy behind its Afro-Asian fusion cuisine, speaking with Kōzo Kigali’s leadership to understand what makes the experience unique.
Kōzo Kigali officially opened its doors in November 2023, marking the brand’s expansion from West Africa to East Africa. Originally founded in Ghana, the restaurant is the vision of a Ghanaian owner who sought to create a dining experience that leaves a lasting impression.
According to Dinesh Parerao, Director of Operations at Kōzo Kigali, the success of the original restaurant in Ghana sparked the desire to look beyond borders.
“When we realised that this success should not be limited to Ghana, we began exploring different African markets,” Parerao told IGIHE. “When we visited Rwanda, we felt it was the right choice, as it is one of the emerging hospitality markets.”
That sense of intention is reflected in both the food and the overall experience. Kōzo Kigali positions itself as an affordable fine-dining restaurant, recently introducing a lunch set menu designed to fit into Kigali’s fast-paced lifestyle. Priced between 20,000 and 35,000 Rwandan francs, the menu offers a complete dining experience, from welcome drinks to starters, a main course, dessert, and even a digestive at the end of the meal.
“People experience it, and I can say that it is one of the best affordable meals that we can provide in town,” Parerao added.
Kōzo’s identity is defined by its farm-to-table philosophy. The restaurant works closely with local farmers to ensure consistent quality and freshness, while also supporting Rwanda’s agricultural community. For the team, success is measured not only in numbers but in the way guests feel welcomed and cared for.
“One of our proudest moments is simply getting customers through the door and making them feel at home,” Parerao said. “We are also proud to host global brands and personalities who choose Kōzo to celebrate their special moments.”
Over time, Kōzo Kigali has become a hub for international events and high-profile gatherings. From hosting American comedian Dave Chappelle’s pop-up show in May 2024 to events linked to the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the NBA, and Giants of Africa, the restaurant has positioned itself as a bridge between Kigali and the global cultural scene.
Behind the menu is Group Executive Chef Sakorn Somboon, whose culinary philosophy blends deep historical context with creativity and local adaptation. Speaking to IGIHE, Somboon described Indian and Chinese cuisines as the foundations of global culinary art, noting their thousands of years of history compared to Europe’s later adoption of spices and complex techniques.
“At Kōzo, the product is local, and the flavour is African, but the techniques and inspiration come from across Asia,” he explained. “We use ingredients from the African continent and ideas from the whole of Asia, not just one region.”
This Afro-Asian approach, Somboon believes, resonates globally because of shared histories and influences across continents. Menu decisions, he added, begin with availability and the stories behind each ingredient and farmer.
One dish that captures this philosophy is Kōzo’s reimagined chapati. Somboon traced its roots across cultures, from flatbreads found worldwide to a chapati inspired by Indian naan, brought to East Africa via Kenya, and later popularised in Uganda as the famous Rolex. At Kōzo, the team transforms it into a suya chapati taco, blending Asian inspiration with local African ingredients.
“It’s the food I would cook to feel at home as an Asian person living in Africa, using African ingredients,” he said. “Every dish has a story, and after tasting it, guests create their own story and share it with others.”
Beyond the food, the restaurant’s Afro-chic ambience completes the experience. With stylish indoor seating, intimate outdoor corners, water features, and views of Kigali’s skyline, Kōzo Kigali has become a popular spot for sundowner cocktails, celebrations, and relaxed evenings.
Check out the full video below to explore the story and inspiration behind Kōzo Kigali’s Afro-Asian menu.
On the social platform X, the WHO chief noted that the move will make the United States itself and the world “less safe.”
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of his second term to formally initiate the U.S. exit from the UN specialized agency. The United Nations received the formal notice two days later.
Under the UN charter, the withdrawal takes effect one year after notice is given.
Commending the contribution made by the United States as a founding member to many of WHO’s greatest achievements, Tedros wrote in the X post, “Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the U.S. decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue.”
The U.S. move “makes both the U.S. and the world less safe,” he said, expressing hope that the United States “will return to active participation in WHO in the future.”
Also on Saturday, the WHO issued a statement, voicing regret over the U.S. withdrawal and rejecting accusations made by the Trump administration.
The U.S. withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on Feb. 2 and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026, it said.
In dealing with the consequences, the WHO Secretariat “will act on advice and guidance of our governing bodies accordingly,” a WHO press official told Xinhua in an email Wednesday.
The United States has yet to pay its outstanding membership dues, according to the official. “As of today, the USA has not paid the invoiced amounts for its assessed contributions for the biennium 2024-2025,” the official said.
The U.S.-based National Public Radio (NPR) reported that the outstanding amount is estimated to total some 278 million U.S. dollars.
Scattered across lake shores, hillsides, and discreet city neighbourhoods, these hidden gems trade modern opulence for character, intimacy, and a sense of calm that lingers long after you leave.
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On the gentle shores of Lake Muhazi in Rwamagana sits Vintage Cottage, a retreat that feels like it has stepped out of another era. Its appeal lies in simplicity: weathered wooden floors that creak softly underfoot, stone fireplaces, and gardens that resemble a long-kept family estate.
Nights here are quiet, broken only by lake sounds and conversations around the rustic firepit. Twin cottages now start around $135 per night, while more spacious Luxury Rooms (roughly $150) offer a bright, airy feel.
Not far away, UMVA Muhazi offers a more architectural interpretation of serenity. Built with rammed-earth walls, woven textures, and open-air spaces, it embodies a refined “New African” aesthetic.
In 2026, it remains a sanctuary for connection, often hosting “Family Days” where children are welcomed with specific programming. Guests sleep in birdhouse-style pods starting around $149, while dining remains a shared, farm-to-table experience at long wooden tables.
For those heading north, Kanna Residence in Musanze is the definition of understated classy. This colonial-style villa, with its high-pitched roofs and stone accents, feels like staying at a wealthy relative’s country estate. It’s a quiet, 1-bedroom sanctuary (starting at $44 USD) that offers total seclusion before a day of exploring the volcanoes.
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Set amid the hills of Kigali, The Hideaway Boutique Hotel lives up to its name. Tucked away from the city’s bustle, it feels like a secret garden designed for privacy. High ceilings and hushed corridors lead to rooms like “Hidden Cove” ($280/night) or the elite “Penthouse” ($1,300/night). Its Sunday brunch, priced at Rwf 40,000, remains a local favorite for those looking to experience Kigali at a slower pace.
In the leafy diplomatic quarter of Kiyovu, Inside Afrika Boutique Hotel offers a soulful, art-filled sanctuary. With rooms starting at a modest $55, it feels more like a private collector’s home than a hotel. It features a small, quiet pool and individual room patios that provide a peaceful backdrop for unwinding away from the corporate centers.
Mythos Boutique Hotel brings a different mood altogether. With Greek-inspired stone pillars and ironwork, it feels like a Mediterranean villa quietly transplanted into Central Africa. Rooms typically start at $200 per night and feature kitchenettes. Mornings are best spent at their Atmosphere Restaurant, pairing a famous chocolate croissant with panoramic views of the city hills.
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Long before boutique hotels became fashionable, Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel set the tone. Its lush, jungle-like terrace remains one of Kigali’s most inviting spaces, known for modern African cuisine made with ingredients from their onsite organic garden. Boutique rooms range from $85 to $120, offering access to a solar-heated saltwater pool and an outdoor yoga deck.
Equally warm is Amata n’Ubuki Boutique Hotel, whose name translates to “Milk and Honey.” This property is a masterclass in design-forward decor and authentic hospitality.
At roughly $215 per night, guests enjoy a refined atmosphere filled with local art and a highly praised breakfast that remains a cornerstone of the experience.
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Serenity in Rwanda is not limited to where you sleep. For those seeking a literal high-altitude escape, Le Petit Chalet in Rebero feels like a European mountain lodge.
With checkered tablecloths and candlelight, it is a “hidden” favourite for romantic, slow-paced dinners (mains range from 22,000–35,000 Rwandan francs).
In the heart of the city, Baso Pâtissier offers an “Old World Europe” morning. It is the preferred spot for a quiet garden coffee and artisanal pastries like their famous almond croissants (starting at Rwf 2,500). Nearby, Casa Keza in Kacyiru offers a vibrant, Spanish-inspired backyard vibe with mismatched vintage tiles and a cozy library, perfect for intimate tapas dates.
Traditionalists still flock to Pasta & Basta for old-school Italian comfort, while 14th Avenue continues to serve as the city’s most relaxed Mediterranean wine bar.
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Further west, near Lake Kivu, Maison St Benoit in Kigufi offers perhaps the purest form of quiet. Once a nunnery guesthouse, it retains an austere beauty with immaculate gardens and a private beach. With rates starting as low as $35 to $50 per night, it is the ultimate budget-friendly retreat.
Nearby in Gisenyi, Paradise Malahide (around $88) offers a “Rwandan-vintage” feel, with bungalows built from local volcanic rock right on the water’s edge. In Kibuye, the Inn on the Lake provides the definition of “quiet intimacy” with only 6 rooms, each featuring a private balcony overlooking the emerald water.
Finally, Cormoran Lodge remains one of the region’s premier rustic-luxe hideaways. It’s all-wood chalets cling to a cliff and, while the vibe is deeply nostalgic, the rooms are updated with modern essentials.
At around $200 per night, guests are rewarded with uninterrupted views and, on clear evenings, the distant orange glow of the Nyiragongo volcano.
Did we leave out a place that captured your heart? Let us know your top picks in the comment section.
