The five-month course, now in its 12th intake and designed to enhance leadership and operational effectiveness, concluded on Friday with a pass-out ceremony officiated by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, DCG Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza.
In her address, DCG Ujeneza congratulated the graduates for their discipline and commitment, and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired with confidence and professionalism.
“The conduct and knowledge you have gained will serve you well in your institutions,” she said. “This training marks a significant step forward in your professional journey.”
She emphasised that their responsibilities go beyond simply executing orders. “You are expected to think critically, offer sound advice, lead by example, and inspire those under your command,” she told the graduates.
DCG Ujeneza also highlighted the evolving nature of global security threats and the need for prepared, strategic leadership within security institutions.
“We live in a world increasingly challenged by insecurity. To overcome these threats, we need visionary leaders who can plan effectively and work closely with the communities they serve,” she said.
The course combined academic instruction with a field study tour, allowing participants to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application.
ACP Augustin Ntaganira, Director of Training at NPC, commended the officers for their dedication and discipline throughout the training period. He expressed confidence that the course would enhance their professional performance and leadership capacities.
The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on Aug. 1, target EU imports and were justified by Trump as a correction of a “far from reciprocal” trade relations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Saturday that the tariffs would “disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.”
While emphasizing the EU’s continued commitment to a negotiated solution, she said the bloc “will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
European lawmakers and national leaders voiced growing frustration, with many urging immediate retaliatory steps.
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s committee on international trade, said the U.S. letter is “both impertinent and a slap in the face” after weeks of negotiations.
He urged the EU to begin retaliatory measures on Monday as scheduled, stating that “the period of waiting is over.”
European Council President Antonio Costa said the tariffs would drive inflation, fuel uncertainty and stall growth. “The EU remains firm, united and ready to protect our interests,” he said, urging progress toward a “fair agreement” with Washington.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “strong disapproval” of the U.S. move, and said the EU must speed up preparing “credible countermeasures” using all tools, including anti-coercion, available if talks fail.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the move as a “unilateral escalation,” and said the EU is prepared to respond with tough countermeasures if necessary.
“Everyone loses out from an escalated trade conflict, and it will be U.S. consumers who pay the highest price,” he warned.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized the U.S. tariffs for negatively impacting transatlantic trade and called for “unity and determination” to protect the EU’s interests.
European industries voiced alarm over the fallout, particularly in sectors tightly integrated with the U.S. market.
Germany’s major industry lobby group, the BDI, called the U.S. move “an alarm signal,” warning that it could derail recovery and undermine innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Tariffs as a means of exerting political pressure lead to higher costs, jeopardize jobs and undermine international competitiveness, both in Europe and in the United States,” said Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior BDI executive.
Isabel Schnabel, a European Central Bank board member, said the tariffs could trigger medium-term inflation and supply chain shocks.
The automotive sector, which is already deeply integrated with the EU and the U.S., is already feeling the pain.
Slovakia, one of Europe’s top car-exporting nations, reported a noticeable drop in orders for the coming third quarter. Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said relocating production to the U.S. was not feasible in the short term and emphasized that the damage had already begun.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said the cost to manufacturers was already in the billions and climbing daily.
“It is regrettable that there is a threat of a further escalation of the trade conflict,” said VDA President Hildegard Mueller.
“The costs for our companies are already in the billions, and the sum is growing every day,” she said, noting that suppliers were also significantly affected by the import duties.
Emanuele Orsini, president of Confindustria, Italy’s major association representing manufacturing and service companies, condemned the U.S. approach as “unpleasant,” while Paolo Mascarino, president of the Italian food and drink industry federation Federalimentare, said the tariffs “exceed any threshold of tolerability” and would trigger significant drops in exports.
Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, said the U.S. move was “provocative” and significantly raised the risk of a wider economic confrontation between the two economies.
This commitment was underscored during a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda at the Kigali Marriott Hotel on the evening of Friday, July 11, 2025, to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The event coincided with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
It brought together members of the Defence Attachés Association in Rwanda, the diplomatic corps, Rwandan government officials, the Chinese community in Rwanda, and friends of China.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Senior Navy Captain Li Dayi, highlighted the PLA’s historic role in safeguarding national independence, promoting peace, and supporting global stability.
Since its founding on August 1, 1927, the PLA has undergone nearly a century of transformation, aligning military growth with China’s national rejuvenation and its commitment to international peace.
Senior Navy Captain Li noted that peacekeeping is embedded in the PLA’s ethos, pointing out that China has contributed more than 50,000 personnel to 25 UN peacekeeping missions since 1990, the highest among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
He also acknowledged China’s naval efforts in protecting international shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.
On China-Rwanda military ties, Li praised the growing relationship between the PLA and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), citing increasing mutual trust, training exchanges, and ongoing military cooperation.
“The relations between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Rwanda Defence Force have yielded fruitful outcomes over the years. Mutual trust has been continually enhanced as a result of deepened cooperation in high-level exchanges, personnel training, and military aid and trade,” he noted.
“China is willing to continue to work together with African brothers including Rwanda, to deepen cooperation in national defense, to jointly address regional security challenges, to support “African solutions to African problems,” Li added.
Maj Gen Alex Kagame, the Rwanda Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS) who represented the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, emphasized that the history of the Chinese People’s Revolutionary Army is a powerful symbol of courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and unity.
He observed that these are values Rwandans also hold in high regard and strongly identify with.
Maj Gen Kagame further praised the role of the Chinese People’s Revolutionary Army in advancing the professionalization and capacity building of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
To date, over 300 RDF personnel have graduated from Chinese military institutions in the past decade, with many more currently undergoing training in China.
“I therefore wish to reiterate that Rwanda’s commitment deepens our cooperation and promotes mutual understanding. With that in mind, the upcoming signing of an MOU on defence cooperation will further strengthen our defence capabilities,” he noted.
The longstanding relations between Rwanda and China span 76 years, marked by substantial cooperation in various areas.
The announcement, made public on July 11, 2025, did not specify the reasons for the dismissal of Dr. Ruterana and his colleagues.
In the same statement, it was revealed that President Kagame also granted retirement to several high-ranking officers.
These include Commissioner of Prisons (CP) Jean Bosco Kabanda, as well as ACP Camille Gatete, ACP Salim Munana Mugisha, and ACP Emmanuel Nshoza Rutayisire.
Further, the President granted retirement to 10 senior officers, 14 junior officers, numerous non-commissioned officers, and 60 warders.
Eight individuals were reintegrated into civilian life, and two others were discharged.
The announcement also included several promotions within the institution. Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Moses Ntawiheba, CSP John Dusa, and CSP Michael Kamugisha were promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP).
In addition, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP) Beatrice Uwamahoro, SSP Olivier Mukantabana, SSP Jean Pierre Olivier Bazambanza, and SSP Emmanuel Hillary Sengabo, who once served as the RCS spokesperson, were promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP).
Eleven officers who previously held the rank of Superintendent of Prisons (SP) were elevated to Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP), while three Chief Inspectors of Prisons (CIP) were promoted to SP.
Ten Assistant Inspectors of Prisons (AIP) advanced to Inspector of Prisons (IP).
Among non-commissioned officers, 62 Sergeants were promoted to Senior Sergeant, 20 Corporals to Sergeant, and 77 Warders were elevated to the rank of Corporal.
Kenyatta, who serves as one of the EAC-SADC Facilitators for the Eastern DRC peace process, met with Kagame to review the ongoing regional and continental efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and addressing the root causes of the protracted conflict.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, the talks focused on durable solutions to the security crisis in eastern DRC, which continues to affect millions and threaten stability across the Great Lakes region.
Friday’s meeting follows a similar engagement by President Kagame with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on June 24.
During his tour of the Great Lakes region, Obasanjo, who co-chairs the peace facilitation panel alongside Kenyatta, also held talks with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.
Obasanjo and Kenyatta are part of an expanded panel of facilitators created in March 2025 through the merger of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes. The unified framework aims to harmonise efforts and enhance coordination among stakeholders involved in resolving the crisis in eastern DRC.
In addition to Obasanjo and Kenyatta, the facilitation panel includes other former African heads of state: Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).
The panel is tasked with guiding peace talks between the Congolese government and armed groups, including the M23 and other factions operating in the volatile region.
The merged process also prioritises the implementation of previously agreed measures, including the disarmament of the FDLR militia, a group linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The EAC-SADC efforts are being complemented by broader international engagement, with Qatar and the United States also supporting peace initiatives aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Ambassador Musa announced that the new route, operated by Sudan’s Badr Airline weekly, not only enhances connectivity but also coincides with a flourishing trade relationship now valued at $200 million annually.
Amb. Musa emphasised that the private aviation company chose Rwanda as a hub for its expanding African operations, with plans to increase flight frequency based on demand.
“It will start with one weekly flight. If the market picks up, they can consider adding more,” he stated.
Currently, flights operate from Port Sudan, as Khartoum International Airport remains under repair due to war-related damage. The route includes a stopover in Juba, further connecting East African nations and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
The connectivity is poised to bolster the $200 million annual trade between the two nations, a figure largely driven by Rwanda’s tea and coffee exports.
In a strategic shift, Sudan has redirected its tea imports, valued at $2 million in just 45 days, directly to Rwandan producers, bypassing Kenya’s Mombasa auction due to political tensions.
“Sudanese companies are coming to Rwanda directly to buy,” Amb. Musa noted.
{{A thriving Sudanese community in Rwanda
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Beyond trade, the ambassador highlighted the vibrant Sudanese community in Rwanda, now numbering over 5,000, up from 4,000 previously. This growth is fueled by academic and economic opportunities, with Sudanese residents contributing over $10 million in investments, including small factories and agricultural ventures.
“There are two or three factories right now being built and will be operating very soon,” Musa said, pointing to Sudanese companies engaging in infrastructure and export markets, particularly for Rwanda’s tropical fruits and agricultural products, which are in high demand in Sudan.
Education is a cornerstone of this partnership, with Sudanese students comprising 20% of Rwanda’s international student population.
“They feel at home,” Musa said, attributing this to Rwanda’s safety, cultural similarities, and streamlined visa processes.
According to the ambassador, 50% of the students are female, living independently, a reflection of Rwanda’s secure and supportive environment.
“There is no single Sudanese family that will allow their girl to travel to any destination unless they are confident that she is safe,” he added.
Rwanda’s open-door policies and Pan-African spirit, championed by President Paul Kagame, have made it a preferred destination for Sudanese students, especially as Sudan’s own educational infrastructure recovers from war-related damage.
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The interview revealed significant cooperation in health, with over 50 Sudanese doctors teaching and practising in Rwandan hospitals, including King Faisal and military facilities.
Additionally, more than 100 Sudanese medical graduates are training in Rwanda, with a 100% pass rate in recent medical exams, positioning Rwanda as a hub for medical internships.
“This is a good model because we have more medical graduates coming to Rwanda for internship,” Amb. Musa said, noting Sudan’s annual output of 3,000 medical students before the war.
Looking ahead, Sudan aims to leverage Rwanda’s renowned peacekeeping expertise.
“Immediately after we stop the war, one of the main areas of cooperation will be training some army units for peacekeeping in Rwanda,” the ambassador remarked, praising Rwanda’s reputation as the second-largest contributor of troops and police to UN peacekeeping missions and its role in promoting regional stability.
This aligns with plans for a forthcoming memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will formalise cooperation in seven areas, including national reconciliation, social cohesion, and constitutional building, drawing on Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery model.
{{Sudan’s path to peace and reconstruction
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Addressing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Amb. Musa said that currently the Sudanese army controls over 75% of the country, with pockets of resistance remaining in Kordofan and Darfur.
He described the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a “militia project” lacking public support, responsible for damages estimated at over $300 billion.
Despite the war, Musa emphasised resilience, stating, “Life should not stop. Even during the war, life should not stop.”
The government, led by a new prime minister and a “government of hope,” is focused on a transitional program prioritising stability, peace, and democratic elections.
To end the conflict, Sudan has offered amnesty to RSF fighters who lay down their arms, with Musa noting, “Everybody at the RSF side will come peacefully to join the Sudanese effort for peace and reconciliation. He is welcome.”
However, justice for perpetrators will be pursued through a judicial system, inspired by Rwanda’s post-1994 approach to avoiding revenge and ensuring legal accountability.
The envoy called for neighbouring countries like Kenya and regional actors, including the Emirates, to cease supporting the RSF, urging international and African Union intervention to secure sustainable peace.
Amb. Musa sees Rwanda as a beacon for Sudan’s post-conflict recovery, citing four key lessons: accountable leadership, a clear vision, effective legal mechanisms, and citizen responsibility.
“We should not outsource our problem,” he said, quoting President Kagame’s emphasis on homegrown solutions.
Sudan aims to emulate Rwanda’s success in social cohesion and national reconciliation, with delegations, including the Sudanese Minister of Justice, already engaging with Rwandan counterparts to learn from their experience.
Watch the ambassador’s previous interview below to learn more about the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
The new president was installed during a celebration held in Kigali on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
A medical doctor by profession, Dr. Muderevu also serves as the national chair of the Polio Eradication Commission for all Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.
He succeeds Ida Alexandra de Cordier, who reflected on a productive year marked by key achievements, including the training of 140 nurses on pediatric cardiac care, the creation of five cooperatives producing reusable sanitary pads for schools in Burera District, and the founding of the Bwiza Initiative in Kicukiro District to support the reintegration and education of former street children.
Looking ahead, Dr. Muderevu emphasised that expanding the club’s membership base is crucial to scaling its impact.
“The more members we have, the more lives we can touch,” he said.
Among his flagship projects is the installation of a biogas facility at Ecole des Sciences Saint Louis De Montfort in Nyanza, which serves nearly 800 students. The goal is to reduce reliance on firewood for cooking, thereby protecting the environment and improving air quality.
Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen also plans to collaborate with partners to purchase a medical device for the early detection of breast cancer. Early diagnosis significantly improves recovery rates, with up to 80% of cases successfully treated when identified in time.
Founded in 1965, Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen is the oldest of Rwanda’s 12 Rotary Clubs and is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary of service to the community.
The court delivered the verdict on Friday, July 11, 2025, ruling that there was no reason to overturn the sentence handed down by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court last year.
The Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge found Kazungu guilty of all 10 charges on March 8, 2024. He appealed on June 12, 2025, requesting a reduced sentence, arguing that he had cooperated during the trial, admitted guilt, and sought forgiveness.
Kazungu was convicted of crimes including premeditated murder, torture, concealing and dismembering bodies, unlawful detention, and unauthorised access to computer systems. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Frw 10 million, as well as Frw 30 million in compensation to the victims’ families.
Following a detailed review, the High Court dismissed Kazungu’s appeal and upheld both the life sentence and the compensation order of Frw 30 million.
Kazungu was taken into custody in September 2023 after police discovered multiple bodies buried in a pit behind his home. Most of his victims were women. He subsequently confessed to the killings.
The Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Major General (Retired) Albert Murasira, laid the foundation stone for new homes to be built for 870 families in Rubavu District during a ceremony held in Rugerero Sector, Muhira Cell, Gitebe II Village.
Minister Murasira told the families that this housing project is a fulfilment of a promise made by President Paul Kagame.
“He sent me to encourage you to stay strong and assured you that he still remembers you. This project to rebuild your homes was pledged during his visit after the disaster, and we continue to appreciate how you supported one another during that difficult time,” he said.
He also reminded the beneficiaries of the importance of self-reliance, noting that although the government is there to support them, they too must actively participate in their own recovery.
Minister Murasira added that since the disaster occurred, the government has not neglected those affected but has been working to mobilise resources to assist them.
One of the beneficiaries who has already been rehoused, Nirere Chantal, said she had lost hope while living in a camp.
“But now I have a home of my own. Long live the Government of Rwanda for giving me a reason to smile again,” she said.
The government plans to build new homes for 2,978 families across seven districts in the Northern and Western provinces, following the devastation caused by the May 2023 disasters.
The families to be rehoused are located in Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Burera, and Musanze districts.
The disasters, caused by heavy overnight rainfall between May 2 and 3, 2023, struck the Northern, Western, and Southern provinces, leaving 135 people dead, partially damaging more than 2,100 homes, and completely destroying around 2,763 others.
Trump posted a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his social media platform Truth Social, criticizing Canada for retaliating against previous U.S. tariffs.
He pointed out that the new tariff is in part caused by the flow of fentanyl from Canada, as well as allegedly unfair trade practices, and that he would “consider an adjustment” to the tariffs if Canada cooperated with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl.
Trump used basically the same wording in the letter as that in the more than 20 letters sent to leaders of other countries earlier this week, such as warning them not to retaliate, urging them to move companies to the United States and the rates may be adjustable if they cooperate.
According to an NBC News report, Trump said that blanket tariffs of 15-20 percent will be imposed on most trading partners.
“We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20 percent or 15 percent. We’ll work that out now,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview.
The Trump administration had previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, but later exempted products covered under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal.
