The national carrier announced the promotion on September 26, 2025, through its official social media channels, encouraging travellers to take advantage of the reduced fares.
“Enjoy 50% off flights across our network for travel until 30 June 2026. From safaris to cityscapes and beaches, the world is yours to explore at half the price,” the airline said.
The latest announcement follows a similar offer made in August, which had slashed fares by half for tickets purchased for travel through November 30, 2025. At the time, RwandAir said the deal applied to flights on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, highlighting options for beach getaways, city breaks, and spontaneous trips.
RwandAir currently operates flights to more than 23 destinations worldwide. In 2024, the airline carried over 1 million passengers and is targeting 1.2 million travellers in the 2025/26 fiscal year.
A year after claiming the junior rainbow jersey in Zurich, Finn delivered a masterclass of tactics and strength, sealing his second world title in as many years with a decisive late solo move.
The race started with high tempo, and before the first lap was even completed, an early three-man breakaway, including Michal Pomorski (Poland), Danylo Kozoriz (Ukraine), and Ramazan Yilmaz (Turkey), surged ahead, building a 24-second gap. But the peloton, strong and controlled, hunted them down methodically, with Kozoriz the last of the three to be reeled back in after 142 km.
Kigali’s searing heat and relentless climbs soon began to take their toll. Riders from the UAE, Thailand, Turkey, Seychelles, and Slovakia were among the first to drop out, and by the fourth lap, only 77 of the initial 121 starters remained in contention.
As the race moved into its middle stages, Belgium took the reins, ramping up the pace to force further splits. Riders like Germany’s Mauro Brenner struggled to keep up, while early attacks from Italy’s Pietro Mattio and Belgium’s Jasper Schoofs were neutralised by the chasing pack. The peloton grew thinner as the pressure mounted.
{{Spain’s Héctor Álvarez ignites the race
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With 62 km remaining, Spain’s Héctor Álvarez launched a bold solo attack that shook up the race. His move created immediate gaps, and although Belgium’s Jarno Widar tried to bridge the gap, Álvarez’s sustained effort shattered the group, and a select chase formed behind him. By 45 km to go, Álvarez had a small lead, joined by Finn and four others, but the pace continued to ramp up as the final laps loomed.
{{Finn makes his move
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As the lead group hit the Côte de Kimihurura climb, just 30 km from the finish, the race reached its tipping point. With perfect timing, Finn attacked, surging away from the others with precision and power. Only Switzerland’s Jan Huber could match him, and together they built a 47-second gap as they entered the final lap, while the chasers struggled to keep up.
Inside the last 10 km, however, the partnership between Finn and Huber began to unravel. With just 6.5 km to go, Finn attacked once again, leaving Huber behind and riding solo to victory.
The Italian crossed the line with a time of 3:57:27, arms raised in triumph, as the streets of Kigali erupted in celebration. Behind him, Huber held on for silver at +31 seconds, while Austria’s Marco Schrettl took bronze at +1:13.
{{A triumph for the ages
}}
Finn’s victory places him in rarefied company, joining the ranks of cycling legends like Greg LeMond, Remco Evenepoel, Mathieu van der Poel, and Matej Mohorič, who have won world titles across multiple age categories.
“It’s exactly one year, ’26. It’s like last year, it’s just unreal,” Finn remarked.
{{Kigali’s unforgettable roar
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Reflecting on the electric atmosphere at the finish, Finn said: “The last 500 meters, my ears were hurting from how loud the crowd was. People from different nations were cheering me on! The people here in Kigali are fantastic. It’s been a wonderful week, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
When it came to race tactics, Finn acknowledged the uncertainty of how things would play out: “We wanted to see what Belgium wanted to do at the start of the race. They kept it pretty controlled for the first half, so we tried to save some energy. Then it was just like all hell broke loose—just attacks everywhere. Luckily, I had some good legs. I thought I was suffering, but then I asked my teammates too. They were suffering, so it was a hard second part of the race.”
At just 18, the youngest in the decisive front group, Finn is already a two-time world champion. Looking ahead, he now has his sights set on joining the WorldTour in 2026 while continuing his development.
“When you’ve got this jersey, you’ve got to show it,” Finn said, already thinking of his next big challenge.
{{Rwanda’s riders put up a brave fight
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For the host nation, the race was a monumental challenge, but also a proud moment. Four Rwandan riders, Niyonkuru Samuel, Tuyizere Etienne, Ufitimana Shadrack, and Ruhumuriza Aime, took on the world’s best in front of a home crowd. However, the tough course proved too much for most. Only Niyonkuru Samuel finished the race, marking a hard-fought but ultimately proud showing for the Rwandan team.
{{Men’s Under 23 Road Race: Top 10 Results
}}
1. Lorenzo Mark Finn (ITA) — 3:57:27
2. Jan Huber (SUI) — 3:57:58 (+0:31)
3. Marco Schrettl (AUT) — 3:58:40 (+1:13)
4. Héctor Álvarez Martínez (ESP) — 3:59:05 (+1:38)
5. Mateusz Gajdulewicz (POL) — 3:59:09 (+1:42)
6. Pau Martí Soriano (ESP) — 3:59:49 (+2:22)
7. Victor Loulergue (FRA) — 3:59:49 (+2:22)
8. Robin Donzé (SUI) — 3:59:51 (+2:24)
9. Adria Pericas Capdevila (ESP) — 3:59:51 (+2:24)
10. Mateo Pablo Ramírez Torres (ECU) — 3:59:51 (+2:24)
The celebrated singer arrived in Kigali accompanied by his partner and manager, Maisha Madrugada Wirth.
The couple, who have been in a long-term relationship, are reportedly already planning their wedding, according to reliable sources. Nviiri and Maisha started dating after his split from Elodie Zone, a well-known Kenyan social media personality.
Fans in Kigali are in for a treat as Nviiri prepares to share the stage with fellow Kenyan artist Bensoul, who is expected to arrive on Saturday morning. They will be joined by top Rwandan acts, including Shemi, Kid from Kigali, and Angell Mutoni.
The singer is set to perform a lineup of his biggest hits, including Pombe Sigara, Niko Sawa featuring Bien, Nikita, Kitenge, and other fan favourites.
Before fully committing to music, Nviiri studied mechanical engineering and worked in the field, collaborating with his father, but his passion for music ultimately won out.
Initially, Niewiadoma admitted she arrived with doubts, worried about health risks and focused only on making it safely to race day. But once she began exploring Kigali and its surroundings, her perspective shifted. She described it as a “heart-opening moment” that helped her discover compassion and connection with people she had never met.
She said the joy of children running alongside the roads especially moved her. “Seeing all the kids splits my heart in half. I feel for them, but at the same time I see joy and happiness in their eyes.”
At one point, Niewiadoma and her compatriot Marta Lach were captured on video handing out candies to schoolchildren who cheered them during training. Reflecting on the moment, she remarked, “The more we open up to people, the more smiles.”
Niewiadoma added that while outsiders may believe children in Rwanda need help, the opposite can also be true. “Probably they are actually helping us, softening our hearts,” she reflected.
The Polish star concluded that her experience in Rwanda reminded her of the deeper lessons of sport and travel. “Travelling teaches you life, kindness, love and understanding for others, and I’m so grateful for that.”
Niewiadoma, who rides for Canyon–SRAM, won the Tour de France in 2024 after securing the climber’s jersey in the same race a year earlier. She will line up for Poland in the women’s road race on Saturday, September 27.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, September 26, 2025, Lappartient praised the successful staging of the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, the first time the event has been held in Africa.
He said the event was “really perfectly organised”, adding that even officials who had doubts were convinced once they arrived: “When they arrived here, they thought, ‘Wow, that’s really perfectly organised.’”
Lappartient also highlighted the hospitality and atmosphere in Kigali: “It’s safe, it’s beautiful, and the people are very friendly, happy to be here. A lot of smiles on their faces… I can feel also the African spirit, and that’s something really nice.”
He noted that many of his colleagues had never been to Africa and came with different expectations: “They had the image of Africa that is not really at the level of Rwanda that we can witness today. They were really impressed by everything here.”
Asked whether Africa could host more major competitions, Lappartient affirmed, highlighting Rwanda as a potential host for the Mountain Bike World Championships.
“Yes, I think it will be possible. I’m sure that mountain biking can be organised one day. You have everything needed to host it.”
He stressed the importance of ensuring that cycling grows beyond Europe, saying the UCI is “always very careful to really have the events worldwide, not only located in Europe.”
Looking ahead, he pointed to Rwanda’s potential to host more regular races as a legacy of the 2025 championships: “It would be good that, as a kind of legacy of these championships, we can even have more races here in the country… You need to compete, and we will not be able to bring everybody to race in Europe. So we need to have races here.”
Lappartient, who was recently re-elected to lead the UCI until 2029, also underlined the federation’s global vision. After Kigali, the next cities set to host the UCI Road World Championships are Montreal, Canada (2026); the French Alps, France (2027); Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2028); Roskilde, Denmark (2029); Brussels, Belgium (2030); and Trentino, Italy (2031).
Adams made the remarks during the official inauguration of the ‘Field of Dreams cycling facility, built in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, Bugesera District.
The event was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda Einat Weiss; Serge Gasore, founder of the Gasore Foundation; Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of Bugesera District, Shaul Haztir, CEO of Winner Rwanda, and other dignitaries.
The project was launched in February 2022 as part of the #RaceForChange initiative, an effort to advance cycling and promote positive social transformation.
The facility features two cycling tracks, a pump track and a race track, both designed to nurture cycling talent and improve the well-being of children in Bugesera and across East Africa, according to Gasore.
“I remember when we first planned this project this was just an empty field,” Gasore said. “Now you can see exciting activities happening here, from basic skills development to talent growth. Today, we host around 500 children every weekend who come to ride for free.”
“We have children like Uwera Aline, who started riding here and, after just nine months, competed internationally. Alongside her regular studies, she is now skilled in coffee processing and is set to take a leading role in these programs,” he added.
Minister Mukazayire urged the children to make the most of the opportunity: “You must not waste this chance. Sports infrastructure like this is one of our key pillars to promote sports and develop your talents,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Sylvan Adams explained that Rwanda’s past shaped his commitment to investing in sports that bring people together.
“The history of Rwanda, especially the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, calls on everyone to contribute to the unity and reconciliation of its people. Sports are a powerful tool to help communities live together peacefully and thrive. This is something Rwanda and Israel have in common,” Adams said.
The investment, supported by Winner Rwanda, is valued at about $40 million. It includes a school offering education from nursery through the fourth year of secondary school, alongside specialized cycling training.
The center is equipped with a technology-driven cycling training hub, spectator facilities for live races, a bike garage, and administrative offices. The pump track is designed for mountain and BMX bikes, while the race track accommodates traditional road bikes.
In partnership with Bugesera District, the initiative also established the Bugesera Women’s Cycling Team, affiliated with the Gasore Serge Foundation.
At just 18 years old, Hudson stunned a world-class field and an electric Rwandan crowd by attacking from 36 kilometres out and never looking back. He crossed the finish line alone in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 19 seconds, becoming the first British rider ever to take the junior men’s road race rainbow jersey.
{{High speed, relentless early action
}}
The 119.3-kilometre race, comprising eight punishing laps of Kigali’s hilly, cobbled circuit, started fast under brilliant sunshine. Big nations like France, Italy, Belgium, and Austria immediately drove the pace, while fans lined the streets, waving flags and ringing bells.
Early on, American Beckham Drake made the first serious move, stretching his lead to over a minute. Behind him, riders including France’s Johan Blanc and Austria’s Heimo Fugger tried to organise counters. The peloton was restless, with constant surges and break attempts.
By the halfway mark, Drake was still clear but fading, and the main group, including heavy favourites Spain’s Benjamin Noval and Italy’s Mattia Agostinacchio, closed the gap. The race was wide open.
{{Hudson seizes his chance
}}
Spotting a moment of hesitation after another flurry of attacks, Hudson launched. “I just saw the pace drop a bit, so I went,” he explained after the finish, still catching his breath. What began as a bold gamble quickly turned into a solo masterclass.
Behind, frantic organisation tried to form — with the Netherlands’ Daan Dijkman pulling, Italy responding — but nothing stuck. Hudson’s lead grew to nearly 40 seconds as the crowd fired him up.
{{The final test: Noval’s charge and heartbreak
}}
With one lap remaining, Spanish powerhouse Benjamin Noval surged on the Côte de Kimihurura climb, clawing Hudson’s gap down to just fifteen seconds. But disaster struck: Noval suddenly crashed on a straight section with less than three kilometres to go, ending his medal hopes.
France’s Johan Blanc was left alone to chase, while Poland’s Jan Michal Jackowiak tried a desperate late bridge. But Hudson, gritting his teeth and hammering the cobbled rise into downtown Kigali, refused to break.
Hudson entered the finishing straight alone, soaking in deafening cheers before punching the air in triumph. He clocked 2:55:19, with Blanc arriving for silver at 2:55:35 (+16 seconds) and Jackowiak matching that time but taking bronze. Britain’s dominance was clear with Max Hinds and Matthew Peace in fourth and fifth.
“It’s still sinking in,” Hudson said, smiling through exhaustion. “I thought I’d be caught with a lap to go… but somehow, I stayed away. Winning my first world title here, in Africa, is just unbelievable.”
{{Home pride for Rwanda
}}
Rwanda, hosting its first Road World Championships, had plenty to cheer for. Moïse Ntirenganya battled through the demanding race and was among just 66 finishers out of 142 starters, crossing in 3:09:32 (+14:13). Fellow Rwandan Jackson Nkurikiyinka rode bravely but abandoned on lap five after an intense opening half.
{{Men’s Junior Road Race — Top 10 Results
}}
1. Harry Hudson (GBR) – 2:55:19
2. Johan Blanc (FRA) – 2:55:35 (+0:16)
3. Jan Michal Jackowiak (POL) – 2:55:35 (+0:16)
4. Max Hinds (GBR) – 2:55:41 (+0:22)
5. Matthew Peace (GBR) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
6. Édouard Claisse (BEL) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
7. Elias Wandel (SWE) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
8. Daan Dijkman (NED) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
9. Moritz Mauss (GER) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
10. Benedikt Benz (GER) – 2:55:43 (+0:24)
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, it was officially confirmed that Mugisha would be replaced by Patrick Byukusenge on Rwanda’s national team for the road race scheduled on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
During the Tour du Rwanda 2025 held in February, Mugisha was involved in a crash that left a shock on two front teeth, though he continued racing afterward.
Despite the pain, he resumed training with the goal of competing at the ongoing UCI World Championships in Kigali. He even took part in the opening day of the event, finishing 31st in the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial.
However, after that race, his pain intensified significantly, making it impossible to continue training. On Thursday, September 25, he was admitted to King Faisal Hospital in Kigali to receive treatment for the infection in his teeth.
Speaking to IGIHE, Mugisha expressed disappointment but said he is shifting his focus to upcoming continental competitions: “It happens, but I’m really sad. I have a serious problem. My target now is the African Championships,” he said.
For Sunday’s main road race — the highlight event of the UCI Road World Championships taking place in Kigali — Rwanda will be represented by Eric Manizabayo, Vainqueur Masengesho, Patrick Byukusenge, Eric Muhoza, Eric Nkundabera, and Nsengiyumva Shemu.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, ahead of Netanyahu’s trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope. I will not allow it. It’s not gonna happen.”
When pressed by journalists on whether he had personally discussed the issue with Netanyahu, Trump was non-committal: “Whether I spoke to him or not, I’m not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank.”
The comments came just months after the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a non-binding motion in July 2025 supporting annexation of parts of the occupied territory, a move championed by far-right Israeli leaders such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
These leaders have also been pushing for settlement expansion that critics warn could end any remaining prospects for a two-state solution.
Trump’s remarks directly contradict this momentum and have the potential to strain U.S.–Israel relations.
According to Al Jazeera, analysts cautioned that while the president’s statement was significant, it did not include details of how he would enforce such a policy if faced with an Israeli annexation plan.
Some observers warned that without clear diplomatic or economic measures, the pledge could remain symbolic.
The annexation issue has drawn global concern. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and must be dismantled, urging the return of occupied land to Palestinians.
In February 2025, M23 captured the area of Kitsombiro in Lubero after intense clashes with the DRC’s armed forces (FARDC).
More than eight months later, on the morning of September 25, 2025, various media outlets reported that M23 had deployed additional troops and weapons in this territory to strengthen its control over areas such as Kipese, Katondi, Munyakandomi, Vulera, and Kirumba.
Residents of these areas have expressed concern that the group could once again engage in heavy fighting with the Congolese army, with the aim of seizing key commercial towns including Butembo, Kanyabayonga, and Lubero.
M23 has not only increased its presence in Lubero but has also bolstered its forces in the localities of Rusamambu and Bukumbirwa, signaling plans to expand its control to other parts of South Kivu Province.
The AFC/M23 continues to strengthen its capabilities and influence. In recent days, the group recruited 7,437 new fighters who had undergone six months of military training at the Rumangabo military base in North Kivu Province.
These recruits include former FARDC soldiers as well as members of the Wazalendo coalition who joined M23 after capturing cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
