The ceremony took place on July 20, 2025, at the Amphorn Royal Palace in Bangkok.
The King extended his greetings to President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda, and underscored the importance of continued friendship based on shared values and mutual understanding.
He expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between Rwanda and Thailand, emphasising the value of closer collaboration in various sectors to enhance bilateral engagement.
Amb. Mukasine will serve with residence in Tokyo, Japan, where she is also accredited as Rwanda’s envoy to other countries in the region, including Malaysia and the Philippines.
Ahead of the credentials presentation, Amb. Mukasine held a courtesy meeting with Mrs. Natthira Krasaesarn, Secretary of the Department of Protocol at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Continuing her diplomatic engagements, the Ambassador met on July 21 with Ekachat Seetavorarat, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce. The discussions focused on deepening Rwanda–Thailand cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, renewable energy, agri-processing, culture, and hospitality.
Later that day, Amb. Mukasine met with the Thai Minister of Justice to review existing bilateral agreements and convey Rwanda’s gratitude for Thailand’s recent support in the repatriation of ten Rwandan nationals.
During her stay, Rwanda was also invited to participate in an upcoming Thai government
event designed to introduce African countries to the Thai public.
The cultural and diplomatic initiative aims to enhance people-to-people connections and promote a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s heritage and contemporary achievements.
This is the result of decades-long, consistent national efforts to combat the proliferation of small and light weapons.
Following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, Rwanda faced the persistent threat of leftover weapons hidden by ex-FAR members, Interahamwe militias, and various infiltrators. While some of these arms are still being discovered today, they are promptly catalogued and systematically destroyed.
Between 2009 and 2014, Rwanda destroyed a total of 12,327 firearms and 500 tons of explosives, in line with its national policy on combating the spread of small arms and light weapons.
Rwanda is a signatory to several international and regional frameworks targeting arms control. Among them is the Nairobi Protocol of 2000, which focuses on the prevention, control, and reduction of small arms and light weapons in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.
Another key agreement is the Kinshasa Convention, signed on August 1, 2011, which governs small arms and light weapons in Central Africa.
These international and regional commitments align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a peaceful and secure continent. One of the flagship projects under this agenda is the “Silencing the Guns” initiative, which was initially aimed at ending conflict by 2020 and has since been extended to 2030.
To strengthen control, traceability, and accountability, Rwanda has made significant investments in arms management systems. The country has acquired four electronic firearms marking machines, which allow for the unique identification of each weapon.
In an environmentally responsible shift, two firearm destruction machines have also been procured, replacing older open-area dismantling methods that posed safety and environmental risks.
To further secure firearm storage, Rwanda has invested in 335 bullet-resistant storage boxes and 88 gun racks designed for large firearms. Destruction of weapons now takes place within military facilities, a move that significantly reduces the risk of misuse or leakage during the disposal process.
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Firearm ownership is legal in Rwanda but tightly regulated. Possessing a firearm requires a valid permit, and owners must carry their license, ammunition, and all related documentation when in possession of a weapon. Article 18 of the 2018 Firearms Law strictly prohibits civilians from owning firearms intended for state security forces.
The government ensures that all firearms owned by the Rwanda National Police, licensed private security companies, and authorized civilians are properly marked and traceable. This traceability enhances national oversight and accountability in firearm management.
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Under the revised National Policy on the Prevention of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation (2024–2029), Rwanda has instituted a requirement that all newly acquired firearms be marked at the time of procurement. This includes weapons owned by private security companies and individuals licensed to possess firearms.
In December 2024, Rwanda received a mobile armoury to enhance the safety of firearm storage in the field. During the handover ceremony, Commissioner of Police (Rtd) Vianney Nshimiyimana, Head of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Unit at the Ministry of Internal Security, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to arms control.
He emphasised that while state-owned firearms and those legally possessed by civilians are secure, constant vigilance remains necessary. “A single firearm in the wrong hands can jeopardise the safety of an entire city. That’s why we take this very seriously,” he said.
According to the ministry, unauthorised firearm possession is extremely rare in Rwanda today. Most illegal weapons still traced in the country originate from the post-genocide period, a lingering challenge that authorities continue to address with diligence and resolve.
The drug, developed by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, is administered just twice a year and has shown 99.9% effectiveness in global trials.
Speaking to RBA, Dr. Ikuzo said if all goes as planned, the injection will offer a longer-lasting and less burdensome alternative to the current daily pills and two-monthly shots already available in the country.
Clinical trials for Lenacapavir Yeztugo have shown promising results. Phase III studies in South Africa and Uganda involved over 5,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 16 to 24, with no HIV infections reported among those who received the drug.
Further trials in countries including the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico targeted high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men and transgender individuals, where the drug also demonstrated high levels of protection.
Currently, Rwanda provides two main types of HIV prevention medication: a daily oral pill and a bimonthly injection now being rolled out in Kigali. The new biannual shot is expected to reduce the frequency of medication and improve adherence, especially for key populations at high risk of HIV.
“This new option will ease the stress of daily pills or six injections a year,” Dr. Ikuzo said. “If everything goes well, we plan to begin rollout next year.”
Currently, HIV prevention services are prioritised for groups with the highest risk of infection — including young people, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and discordant couples. These groups will also be prioritised for the new drug, which will initially be offered free of charge.
Dr. Ikuzo noted that Rwanda may eventually explore subsidised models to allow broader access as the country strengthens domestic health financing. Global partners such as the Global Fund and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation have pledged support for the early rollout in nine countries, including Rwanda.
While HIV treatment coverage among adults in Rwanda stands at 97%, only 80% of HIV-positive children aged 0–14 are receiving treatment. However, prevention of mother-to-child transmission has made major gains, with 99% of babies born to HIV-positive mothers testing negative by age two.
Dr. Ikuzo also warned against religious claims of miraculous HIV cures, explaining that while some patients achieve undetectable viral loads through consistent treatment, this does not mean they are cured.
“There is no vaccine or cure for HIV,” he said. “Some may test negative due to viral suppression, but the virus remains in the body.”
He stressed the importance of continued protection during sex, even when a partner is virally suppressed, since such status is not always known or verifiable.
In Rwanda, about 3,200 people contract HIV each year, while 2,600 die from AIDS-related illnesses. Thanks to sustained prevention and treatment efforts, the country has seen an 82% drop in new infections and an 86% decline in HIV-related deaths over the past decade.
Healey said on social media platform X that at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting held on Monday, participating countries reached a new agreement to supply critical air defence ammunition to Ukraine, “as part of a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and force Putin to the negotiating table.”
Last week, Trump said that he had secured an agreement with NATO allies to facilitate large-scale arms deliveries to Ukraine. He also warned Russia that it would face a second round of tariffs if it fails to reach a peace deal within 50 days.
At the UDCG meeting, Healey affirmed Britain’s support, saying that Britain “backs this policy” and will fully participate to ensure its success, according to French news outlet AFP.
Healey also revealed that Britain and Germany have agreed to jointly provide air defence missiles to Ukraine. The partnership is part of a wider European initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
According to a press release from the British Ministry of Defence on Monday, Britain has already delivered more than 150 million pounds (202.5 million U.S. dollars) worth of air defence missiles and artillery to Ukraine over the past two months. The country is also ramping up procurement efforts to provide hundreds more air defence missiles and thousands of artillery shells.
In total, Britain is expected to spend at least 700 million pounds on air defence and artillery support for Ukraine this year, including the 150 million pounds worth of equipment already delivered, according to the release. (1 pound = 1.35 U.S. dollars)
The decision, announced in a public notice issued on July 21, follows an investigation that found the hotel operating without a valid Tourism Operating License (TOL), a legal requirement under Rwanda’s tourism law.
According to RDB, the hotel is required to cease operations effective July 22, 2025.
“Reopening will only be considered upon successful completion of the Tourism Operating License application process and full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements,” the notice states.
Warning other facilities against violating existing laws, RDB stated: “All tourism and hospitality operators are reminded that holding a valid Tourism Operating License is a legal obligation. The license serves as a guarantee of minimum safety, service, and operational standards necessary to protect both visitors and the industry at large.”
Hotel Chateau Le Marara’s closure comes amid growing controversy following the high-profile wedding of Hajj Shadadi Musemakweri and Uwera Bonnette on July 14, which sparked guest complaints about poor service, unhygienic food, and power outages.
Among the guests was Miss Rwanda 2020, Nishimwe Naomie, who joined others in raising concerns on social media. The event has since drawn national attention and raised questions about service standards at the five-star, European-style hotel located on the shores of Lake Kivu.
Guests reported being served spoiled milk and fruit, facing constant power disruptions, and experiencing neglect by hotel staff. The guests alleged that they had to rent an emergency generator to continue wedding preparations. Others accused the hotel of overcharging, including for attendees at events that were allegedly not part of the original agreement.
Chateau Le Marara has denied the allegations, calling them “99% lies” intended to damage its reputation. The hotel has instead filed a complaint with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), accusing the couple behind the wedding of defamation and non-payment of over Frw 5 million in outstanding bills.
In response to the growing uproar, RDB confirmed it had launched a formal investigation into the service complaints. RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika said the board is reviewing the matter thoroughly as part of its mandate to ensure professionalism and consumer protection in the tourism sector.
The ceremony marked the graduation of OSO’s 4th cohort of fashion design students and the 2nd cohort specialising in soap and detergent production.
Most of the beneficiaries are girls and young women from vulnerable backgrounds, including school dropouts, teenage mothers, orphans, and those living with disabilities.
Founded in 2019, OSO offers year-long training that equips participants with hands-on entrepreneurial skills in fashion, agribusiness, and manufacturing. The organisation also provides post-graduation support, including business startup capital and mentorship.
“We take them in for a full year, train them, and help them build income-generating projects when they return to their communities,” said Delphine Uwamahoro, OSO’s founder and executive director. “They become self-reliant, creative, and financially empowered.”
This year’s graduates bring the total number of OSO alumni to over 400, with 80 percent of previous participants having launched their own ventures.
Each of the new graduates received a Frw 200,000 startup grant, while the top three business plans were awarded an additional Frw 500,000.
The initiative has attracted growing support from development partners, and the latest milestone drew government officials and donors alike. Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde praised the graduates for taking steps toward transforming their lives and communities.
“These projects are not to be shelved—they must now become reality,” the governor said. “We expect you to be change agents who will help eradicate poverty and promote inclusive development.”
Gakenke District Mayor Mukandayisenga Vestine reminded the graduates of government funding opportunities, urging them to apply for youth-targeted financing schemes.
“The country has resources. What matters now is your commitment to create jobs and solve problems,” she said.
Alongside the graduation, OSO officially opened a new dormitory with capacity for 87 students. Built in collaboration with the U.S.-based GO Campaign, the facility positions OSO to begin hosting learners from across East Africa and operate as a regional boarding school.
“Our vision is not limited to Rwanda,” said Uwamahoro. “We want to welcome girls from Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania—because poverty and gender-based violence don’t stop at the border. Neither should opportunity.”
Key supporters present at the event included representatives from GO Campaign, Segal Family Foundation, Lemonaid ChariTea Foundation, Kvinna Till Kvinna, and World Connect.
OSO’s model targets girls and women aged 13 to 25, especially those from rural areas or facing extreme hardship. As it expands, the organisation hopes to become one of Africa’s leading incubators of female-led entrepreneurship and grassroots job creation.
The arrest took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, following reports that Burikantu had locked up a group of girls who had gone to his home in Kinyinya to discuss potential collaborations on social media content creation.
Sources told IGIHE that the incident began when Burikantu allegedly invited one of the girls into a separate room to discuss how he could support her online presence. When she declined, he reportedly got upset and locked the group inside his house. He then demanded they pay him back for the transport fare and sodas he had provided before he would allow them to leave.
The situation escalated when the girls couldn’t meet his demands. After one left, the others contacted the police for help. Officers from Rwanda National Police responded promptly and freed them, leading to Burikantu’s arrest shortly after.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Thierry B. Murangira confirmed the incident took place in Kinyinya Sector, Murama Cell, Binunga Village, where the influencer resides.
Burikantu is now being held at the RIB Kinyinya station as investigations continue. His case file is being prepared for submission to the Prosecution in accordance with the law.
The offence he is being investigated for is punishable under Article 151 of Rwanda’s penal code, which addresses unlawful confinement. If convicted, he could face between five to seven years in prison.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Murangira said: “RIB reminds the public that no one has the right to take advantage of others or hold them against their will. Such actions are illegal and will not be tolerated.”
This decision was one of the key resolutions made during an International Scientific Symposium held on July 19, 2025, which brought together members of RMC and the Muhammad VI Foundation. The summit explored how Islamic moral values can serve as powerful tools in promoting peace and harmony across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Sindayigaya Mussa, emphasized the importance of living out Islamic principles beyond religious spaces.
“Islamic values shouldn’t just remain within religious gatherings. We must embody them in our everyday lives, in how we treat one another, and how we engage with society,” he said.
He noted that values like respect, peace, and justice not only reflect faith but also shape responsible and compassionate citizens.
Also addressing the gathering, Deputy Speaker of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, praised Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery journey as a model of resilience and reconciliation.
“The efforts made after the genocide—through forgiveness, Gacaca courts, and government-led unity programs—have transformed Rwanda. Other nations can learn from our story,” he stated.
He further called for the documentation of humanitarian acts carried out by Muslim families and others during the genocide, noting they could serve as inspirational case studies for future generations.
Sheikhat Sauda Niyirora, who leads Muslim women in Rwanda, reflected on how Islam was once misrepresented in public discourse.
“Islam used to be misunderstood and unfairly judged. But thanks to Rwanda’s leadership, today every Rwandan enjoys equal rights. We must now prove through our actions who we truly are.”
The planned research center will be built in Rwanda in collaboration with the Muhammad VI Foundation, which has pledged funding to support its academic and cultural activities.
This initiative marks a significant step in preserving Rwanda’s complex past while using faith-based values to build a peaceful, united future.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday revealed that the country’s unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over stood at 4.7 percent during the March-May period of 2025. This marks a notable increase both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, pushing the rate to its highest level in nearly four years.
The ONS figures also showed job vacancies climbing to new highs, indicating that despite a growing number of unemployed individuals, businesses are still struggling to fill positions.
“The government’s tax rises, a higher minimum wage and the U.S. trade war are hitting the jobs market,” Financial Times reported.
David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), told Xinhua that steep increases in national insurance contributions and the national living wage weigh heavily on the latest employment data.
“BCC research shows that recruitment remains challenging, and businesses cite labor costs as the biggest pressure,” Bharier said. “This mounting financial pressure, alongside pervasive skills shortages, remains a massive challenge for business, presenting big risks to investment and productivity.”
According to Bharier, the BCC’s most recent economic forecast suggests hiring will remain subdued and the unemployment rate is expected to stay largely static. “We currently forecast a rate of 4.6 percent at the end of 2027,” he said.
Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stressed that the latest trends paint a worrying picture for Britain’s small business sector.
“New FSB research has found that twice as many small businesses shed staff in the second quarter of 2025-20 percent-than increased their employee numbers,” she said.
For the first time in the 15-year history of the FSB’s quarterly Small Business Index, more small businesses expect to shrink or close over the next 12 months than those that expect to expand.
“That’s more than alarming for the economy and for communities across Britain where these hard-working businesses operate,” she said, noting that small businesses currently provide more than 16 million jobs in Britain-over half of all private sector employment.
Experts also believe the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs is contributing to the negative data and will continue to influence Britain’s job market and economy in the long term, despite the existence of a trade agreement.
William Bain, head of policy at the BCC, said their April survey revealed that 62 percent of firms exporting to the U.S. had been affected by rising costs and order book pressures caused by higher U.S. tariffs, a sentiment that aligns with the rising unemployment figures reported by the ONS.
David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, noted that U.S. tariffs are impacting Britain’s export-driven sectors and, in turn, the job market.
“Even though Britain has got this deal with Trump on tariffs, the tariffs are still going up from 2.5 percent to 10 percent. It may not be 25 percent, but it’s still going to affect exports from Britain and therefore hit economic growth,” Bailey said, adding that this uncertainty for British firms, combined with the government’s “mistake” of raising national insurance contributions alongside the higher minimum wage, has contributed to the sluggish employment situation.
Confirming the appointment, AIMS founder and IGB Chair, Professor Neil Turok, hailed Afrika’s leadership and expertise, calling it “invaluable” to the institute’s strategic direction.
Established in 2003 in South Africa and now operating centres in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda, AIMS is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence offering postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in STEM.
The institute continues to play a key role in shaping Africa’s future through its intensive master’s programmes, including the African Master’s in Machine Intelligence (AMMI), its academic-industry partnerships, and initiatives like Quantum Leap Africa and the Next Einstein Forum.
Afrika, a former senior executive at the African Development Bank (AfDB), brings more than 30 years of experience in development economics and regional integration.
At the AfDB, he served in several top positions including Secretary General, Director of Policy and Resource Mobilisation, and Director of NEPAD and Regional Integration.
Since retiring from the bank in 2009, Afrika has continued to be a key figure in Rwanda’s economic and academic development. He is currently the chairman and co-founder of the University of Kigali, where he also heads the Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership.
His extensive boardroom experience includes previous tenures with Cogebanque Rwanda, Access Bank Rwanda, and the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
Afrika joins a high-profile roster on the AIMS board, including Charles Boamah, former Senior Vice President of the AfDB; Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Chair of Law and Social Justice at Stellenbosch University; and Serena Lefort, former Chair of Canada’s Quantum Valley Ideas Lab.
Speaking on his appointment, Afrika said, “It is an honour to contribute to AIMS’ inspiring mission of empowering Africa’s brightest minds through science and education.”
The next AIMS International Governing Board meeting will be held virtually, ahead of an in-person Annual General Meeting scheduled for early 2026 in Kigali.
The event is expected to highlight Rwanda’s growing role in shaping Africa’s scientific and innovation agenda.
