Her death has drawn condolences from across Africa and the international community.
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extended sympathies to her family and to the people of Rwanda.
The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Souef Mohamed El-Amine, also expressed sorrow over her passing, describing her as a leader dedicated to building connections between people from Kigali to the United Nations.
Dr. Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles both in Rwanda and abroad. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2006 before becoming Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011. She was then appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, serving briefly in that capacity.
During her tenure as Mayor of Kigali, she was recognised in 2008 by UN-Habitat for transforming the city into a model of cleanliness, tranquillity, and sustainable development.
Her efforts also included promoting affordable housing and creating accessible job opportunities for residents.
From 2011 to 2018, Dr. Kacyira was the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She also held the role of Project Director in Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and worked with international organisations such as Oxfam and Care International.
In 2020, she was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her passing.
Dr. Kacyira held a master’s degree in Veterinary Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.
Weasel was admitted to hospital on August 7 following an altercation during which his wife allegedly knocked him down. Teta Sandra was immediately [ arrested ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ugandan-police-confirm-arrest-of-sandra-teta] but was later released after her husband forgave her, with police deciding to drop the case.
A witness told police that Teta Sandra struck Weasel three times, causing an injury to his leg. The incident occurred at a parking lot of a bar called Chans, located in Munyonyo.
Weasel and Teta Sandra have been living together since 2018 and have two children.
However, their relationship has been marked by frequent public disputes, culminating in Teta Sandra leaving for Rwanda in 2022.
In April 2023, she returned to Uganda and reconciled with her husband. In May 2025, Weasel visited Kigali to attend a concert by his elder brother, Jose Chameleone, and at the time told IGIHE he planned to visit his wife’s family.
The plant, struck in the drone attacks launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate under the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Monday, is Russia’s sole producer of helium used in rocket manufacturing, space and aviation industries, the report said.
Local residents reportedly witnessed drones flying near the plant, and a series of explosions were reported in the targeted area.
According to the district, this activity has created employment for 9,650 people through 36 licensed companies operating in the sector.
Several rivers host multiple licensed mining sites, including the Sebeya River, which has four sand mining sites, and the Koko River, which has three.
Rutsiro District Executive Secretary, Pierre Claver Bagirishya, told IGIHE that sand mining generated substantial revenue, accounting for about 39% of the district’s total income, which reached 1.15 billion Rwandan Francs in the 2024/25 financial year.
“For the 2024/25 fiscal year, we had projected tax revenues of 1,115 million Frw, but we exceeded that target, reaching 1,150 million Frw, achieving a performance rate of 103%,” he said.
He added that for the 2025/26 fiscal year, the district aims to raise total tax and fee collections to Frw 1,400 million.
Residents say the activity has improved their livelihoods while contributing to the district’s development.
Tumaini Habumugisha, from Gihango Sector, said the income he earned enabled him to buy two pigs and more than ten chickens, ensuring his family never lacks food.
He also noted that on a single mining site along the Koko River, between 300 and 400 people work daily to support their families.
Another resident, Augustin Uwiringiyimana, said income from sand mining allowed him to build a home.
“I did not have a house before, but now I have built one with two bedrooms and a living room thanks to the income from digging and packing sand,” he explained.
The majority of the district’s tax revenue—over Frw 450 million —comes from sand mining, making it the largest contributor, followed by land fees.
Other revenue streams include payments for trading licences, property taxes, rental income taxes, leasing of government property, and fines.
The assault on the Abu Shouk camp included shelling and the execution of people in their homes, the El Fasher Resistance Committees, an anti-war activist group, said in a statement. Another volunteer group, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room, reported at least 40 dead and 19 injured.
The attack came as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied factions said they had repelled a major, multi-pronged ground assault by the RSF on the city. The army and its allies claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the RSF, killing more than 200 fighters and destroying or capturing dozens of combat vehicles.
Residents said the fighting began early on Monday with intense RSF shelling on several areas, including the army headquarters and the Abu Shouk camp, before ground assaults began from the city’s east, southeast, and north.
The RSF did not immediately comment on the allegations.
El Fasher, the last major city in the vast Darfur region not under RSF control, has been the epicentre of the conflict since May. The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 over a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, devastating the country’s infrastructure, killing tens of thousands, displacing millions, and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
It also attracts shoppers, as Rubavu is a hub for cross-border trade. Some even refer to it as the “twin city of Goma” in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the two share many similarities and are located side by side.
According to the 2022 national census by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Rubavu is one of the country’s most densely populated districts, with 60.9% of residents under the age of 25. This youthful demographic provides a strong foundation for rapid and sustainable development.
The district’s land use master plan outlines an ambitious 2050 vision in which Rubavu will expand through the growth of tourism, the facilitation of cross-border commerce, and significant infrastructure upgrades.
To realize this vision, a series of projects are planned to position Rubavu as a leading hub for agriculture, water-based tourism, and cross-border trade.
{{Downtown redevelopment}}
A major project is planned to construct and upgrade several key infrastructures in Rubavu’s city center, including roads, shopping centers, hotels, modern retail stores, and tourist-dedicated spaces.
Plans are also underway to build modern commercial buildings on a 1.8-hectare site currently owned by the Rwanda Defence Force and the Police—strategically located near the airport and the road to the Rubavu market.
This prime location lies just 800 meters from the Petite Barrière border crossing, 500 meters from the current bus station, and 900 meters from the new station, making it ideal for boosting cross-border trade efficiency. The facilities to be built on this site will provide services similar to those offered at the Rubavu Cross-Border Market, which opened in March 2019.
Along a 200-meter stretch of road north of the Rubavu market, commercial activity already takes place but is hindered by congestion caused by numerous parked vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to move around.
Given its position along the scenic Rubavu hill, there are plans to redevelop this road into a car-free zone, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment for traders, cultural exhibitors, and tourists.
Next to the Rubavu Intermediate Court is a 0.78-hectare site currently occupied and used for parking. As the current bus station along the market road is too small, the plan is to build a new station here, with surrounding plots developed into facilities providing essential services for travelers.
Events along the Lake Kivu shoreline often lead to heavy traffic congestion. To ease this, a project is planned to build a spacious pedestrian promenade, complete with unobstructed lake views, landscaped gardens, and leisure areas. The space will also host small boats, art and craft stalls, and food and beverage outlets.
{{New hospitals}}
Under Rwanda’s 2050 vision, each district is expected to have two hospitals. Rubavu currently has one district hospital, but there are plans for expansion.
The upgrade will include constructing four or five additional stories near the main road, with a large central courtyard for patients and visitors to rest, along with tree planting to enhance fresh air circulation.
The government also plans to build a new modern hospital in Kabumba center, located between Bugeshi and Mudende sectors, in line with national healthcare development goals.
Although there are plans to expand Gisenyi Hospital to bridge service gaps, the number of people in need of medical care is expected to continue rising, making the new Kabumba Hospital a key complementary facility.
{{Revitalized Kabumba center }}
Kabumba was once a sparsely populated forested area that began to grow when traders started selling traditional sorghum beer and fruit. It was later named in honor of a local fighter called Kabumba, commemorating his legacy.
Today, Kabumba is the only center positioned to complement Rubavu City in providing various essential services. For this reason, the Government of Rwanda plans to expand it so it can operate at a city-level standard.
Currently, Kabumba has no secondary school or vocational training center (TVET), but the government intends to expand Kabumba Primary School into a school complex that will also include secondary education.
Health services will also be improved, with plans to upgrade Gashaka Health Center in Bugeshi Sector and build another facility in Mudende Sector to better serve local residents.
The development plan also includes constructing a new sports field in Kabumba, building a modern bus terminal to improve transport and mobility, and enhancing trade connectivity.
{{Industrial zones}}
The Government of Rwanda is set to establish a 190-hectare industrial park in Rubavu District, of which 113 hectares will be dedicated to small-scale industries, with the rest reserved for large-scale manufacturing.
Small industries will focus on processing agricultural and livestock products, wholesale trade, and warehousing, while larger industries will require significant investment.
The industrial park will be developed in Rugerero and Nyakiliba sectors, specifically in Basa, Muhira, and Bisizi cells, with smaller facilities built in Kabumba and rural areas.
The government emphasizes prioritizing environmentally friendly industries and those in the technology sector, ensuring a safe buffer zone between industrial sites and residential areas to protect community health.
In 2022, Rubavu had a population of 546,683. Projections estimate the population will rise to over 669,000 by 2035 and reach around 846,500 by 2050.
Faith Batamuriza, Head of Retirement Benefits Supervision at BNR, told the Dusangire Ijambo talk show on Rwanda Television that while the rate is still low, increased awareness campaigns are helping more Rwandans understand the importance of saving for retirement.
“Pension coverage is at 48%, which is still far from where we want to be. Our campaigns aim to show people that saving now ensures a stable life in old age without financial stress,” she said.
Batamuriza noted that the pension sector is a critical part of Rwanda’s financial system and a driver of economic growth through investment. BNR, she added, monitors pension funds to safeguard members’ savings and ensure investments are made prudently.
Dr. Hitimana Regis, Chief Benefits Officer at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), said pension schemes are designed to provide income security when people’s ability to work declines. Rwanda’s formal pension system has been in place since independence in 1962.
For those in the informal sector, the Ejo Heza long-term savings scheme offers a pathway to retirement savings. To date, 4.2 million people have registered, with 3.6 million actively contributing, and more than Frw 80 billion saved.
Private pension arrangements are also growing, allowing employers to set up retirement benefits for staff or enabling individuals and companies to create pension funds that supplement statutory schemes.
Dr. Hitimana said recent reforms have increased contribution rates and boosted payouts for retirees. He stressed that contributions are mandatory for employers, with heavy penalties for non-compliance.
In addition, Rwanda’s RNIT Iterambere Fund (RIF) has mobilised Frw 59.1 billion to date, including amounts withdrawn by members. In 2024, the number of shareholders saving through the fund surged by 69.97%, rising from 19,495 in 2023 to 33,137.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused the OHCHR of making “sensational” claims without evidence, calling into question the agency’s credibility and methodology.
“OHCHR alleges, without any evidence, corroboration, or reported motives, that the Rwanda Defence Force ‘aided’ in the killing of 319 civilians on farms in eastern DRC. The gratuitous inclusion of the RDF in these allegations is unacceptable and brings into question the credibility of OHCHR and its methodology,” the statement read in part.
Kigali criticised the agency for failing to help de-escalate a conflict that has persisted for more than three decades, warning that such allegations risk undermining ongoing peace processes in the DRC.
The UN, in its reports, has accused the RDF of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel offensive in eastern DRC, claims the government has dismissed as false. Rwanda insists that its defensive measures along the border with the DRC are aimed at neutralising security threats posed by the FDLR rebel group, formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In the recent report, the UN report also accused the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebel group of killing between 169 and 319 civilians in several localities within Rutshuru Territory between July 9 and 21, 2025. The group has denied the allegations, calling them unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
In a statement released on Thursday night, AFC/M23 questioned the credibility of the report, noting that many of the cited areas fall within Virunga National Park — a protected zone where farming is prohibited. The group argued that alleged massacres could not have occurred in “nonexistent farmlands,” further casting doubt on the claims.
AFC/M23 also challenged the OHCHR’s reliance on reports from armed groups and local organisations with no presence in the affected areas, including Wazalendo, FDLR, and the Rutshuru Territory Youth Council. The rebels called for an independent investigation and invited UN offices to participate.
The group further accused the UN of selectively ignoring documented atrocities committed by Congolese government forces and their allies, including massacres of Banyamulenge and Hema communities, drone strikes on civilian areas, and repression of dissent.
“AFC/M23 strongly condemns this biased report, which propagates misinformation and undermines peace efforts. We hereby demand the immediate retraction of Report BCNUDH/OD/138/2025 and a public apology, as well as an independent investigation into the origins of these false allegations and internal accountability at the UNJHRO,” said rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.
The group has urged the UN to address bias and apply equal scrutiny to all parties involved in rights violations.
AFC/M23 currently controls large swathes of territory in eastern DRC and is engaged in Qatar-led talks with the Kinshasa government aimed at ending the protracted conflict, which the rebels attribute to the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
This newly opened property is the latest venture by local investor Pierre Habyarimana, a native of Musanze. The lodge offers six guest rooms, a private apartment ideal for families, and an additional 14 standard rooms. It also boasts a rare feature in the area, a helipad capable of accommodating two small helicopters for guests arriving by air.
Guests at Buhanga Eco Lodge can enjoy a wide range of facilities, including a private restaurant, conference space, swimming pool, tennis, football, volleyball, and basketball courts. The property also offers a jacuzzi, massage services, a fitness room, bicycles for leisure rides, and other amenities designed to make every stay memorable.
“Inspired by the guidance of our President, Paul Kagame, who encourages us to invest in our own country and use locally made products (Made in Rwanda), I started this project to create jobs for many Rwandan families and provide high-quality services to visitors,” Habyarimana told IGIHE.
Set in a serene location surrounded by bamboo, diverse tree species, and blooming flowers, the lodge offers fresh air and a peaceful environment. Habyarimana describes it as an ideal getaway for tourists, Rwandans returning from the diaspora, and domestic travelers alike.
Rates for the Presidential Villa range from $8,250 for six to 11 guests, $6,800 for five to eight guests, and $4,000 for one to four guests. The apartment, suitable for two to four people, is priced at $2,750. The lodge also offers discounted rates for Rwandans from the diaspora.
Beyond Buhanga Eco Lodge, Musanze District hosts more than 50 hotels, including several five-star establishments catering to high-end international travelers.
According to Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde, these hotels play a major role in the district’s and the province’s economic growth.
“We have hotels ranging from five-star to one-star, so every visitor can find a suitable option and be well accommodated,” he said.
The governor also noted that the hospitality sector creates numerous jobs, from tour guides and hotel staff to food service providers, drivers, and other service workers, benefitting local communities. Many hotel projects also use locally sourced materials, particularly volcanic stone, which is abundant in the region.
On August 8, 2025, RDB announced the start of the second phase of its collaboration with Bayern Munich. The revised agreement extends the partnership until 2028, shifting its focus from the “Visit Rwanda” promotional campaign to strengthen youth football scouting and development programs.
The changes prompted speculation in some outlets that Bayern Munich had pulled out of its deal with Rwanda. The German champions, however, issued a statement rejecting that narrative.
“Yesterday, FC Bayern announced that there have been substantive developments in its cooperation with the Rwandan Development Board [RDB]. In some media coverage, the impression may have arisen that FC Bayern had ended its partnership with the RDB. This is not correct,” the club stated.
“Following positive and constructive discussions, we have jointly decided to transition the commercial element of our previous agreement [“Visit Rwanda”] into a new cooperation for youth football, running until 2028. As a result, the entire focus of our partnership — which also includes the Ministry of Sports of Rwanda — is now on expanding the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali,” adds the statement.
{{Investing in Rwanda’s football future}}
Rwanda’s football history boasts memorable highlights, including the men’s national team’s debut at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and the U-17 national team’s qualification for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.
That U-17 squad had been specially prepared for the tournament, but since then, no youth or senior team has made a similar breakthrough on the international stage.
Today, Rwanda is committed to nurturing young sporting talent, with the government viewing sport as both a driver of national pride and a growing industry built on skill and performance.
Since the partnership began in August 2023, Bayern Munich has played an active role in this vision. The club established the FC Bayern Academy in Kigali two years ago, now home to 30 fully sponsored young players.
The academy offers a professional environment rarely seen in Rwanda, with access to high-quality training, modern facilities, and expert coaching—including staff from Germany.
Training sessions take place at the Kigali Pelé Stadium, with evening practice made possible by floodlights, ensuring players get the most out of their development programs.
The collaboration is already producing results. Two Rwandan players, Ndayishimiye Barthazar and David Okoce, have been selected to join Bayern Munich’s U-19 team—a sign that the partnership is beginning to open professional pathways for local talent.
With the renewed agreement, both Bayern Munich and Rwanda aim to build a stronger foundation for the future of football in the country, turning potential into lasting success on and off the pitch.
