Diamond shared the news on Sunday, August 2, through a post on Instagram featuring a photo from the hospital, where Zuchu was seen resting on a bed while cradling their newborn. The baby’s face was covered with an emoji as the couple appeared to protect her privacy.
“Welcome to the world, our precious little angel. You are already loved more than words can ever say,” Diamond wrote in the caption.
Zuchu, whose real name is Zuhura Othman Soud, responded to Diamond’s post with a heartfelt comment: “My whole world.”
The birth of their daughter comes after a period of ups and downs in the couple’s relationship. Earlier in June, Zuchu publicly announced that she and Diamond had separated, saying she had endured years of disrespect and was choosing her peace.
Shortly after the announcement, Zuchu revealed her pregnancy through a series of maternity photos, showing her baby bump and ultrasound images. Diamond later confirmed that he was the father, sharing his excitement over the new addition to their family.
The couple later appeared to reconcile, hosting a lavish baby shower and gender reveal celebration at Mbezi Beach in Dar es Salaam. During the event, Diamond publicly apologised to Zuchu and gifted her TSh78 million (about Rwf43 million), a gesture many fans viewed as a sign of commitment as they prepared to welcome their child.
The arrival of the baby girl has sparked celebrations among fans across East Africa, with many congratulating the couple on the new family milestone.
Diamond Platnumz, whose real name is Naseeb Abdul Juma, is one of the biggest names in Bongo Flava music and is the founder of WCB Wasafi. Zuchu rose to fame after joining the label in 2020 and has since become one of Tanzania’s leading female artists.
The pair have also collaborated on several hit songs, including Cheche, Litawachoma, Wana, Mtasubiri, Nani and Inama, earning millions of views across digital platforms.
The birth of their daughter marks a new chapter for the two artists, both personally and professionally.
After years of an on-and-off romance, the couple married in a private Islamic ceremony last year.
The sharp denial, reported by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, follows statements posted by Trump on Truth Social in which he claimed Washington paused planned military action after receiving requests from Tehran and neighboring Middle Eastern nations.
The claims and denial
According to Iranian military sources cited by Mehr, Tehran made no direct or indirect request to halt U.S. operations. Instead, officials characterized Trump’s statements as a tactic designed to leverage pressure against Gulf states.
“Iran’s armed forces remain at the highest level of readiness and are fully prepared for any eventuality,” the military sources stated.
The response directly refutes claims made late Saturday by President Trump, who asserted that secret diplomatic openings had led to a temporary hold on fresh bombardments.
“We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that any pause was contingent on securing a broader agreement quickly.
Escalating regional tensions
The public dispute comes against a backdrop of intense military posturing and fears of a widening regional war. U.S. forces have recently signaled readiness for expansive strikes targeting strategic Iranian infrastructure, while regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, have publicly and privately urged diplomatic restraint.
Iranian military officials on Sunday rejected assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran had requested a hold on American military strikes, dismissing the claims as a “new lie” and an attempt to pressure regional Gulf allies.
The announcement was made by Micheal Martin, the Irish prime minister whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, after calls from Spain as well as a 22-country initiative led by Italy and Denmark for a coordinated European response to the migrant crisis.
Italy and Denmark on Saturday spearheaded a joint initiative, calling for a coordinated European response to recent developments at the EU’s external border in Ceuta, according to a statement released by the Italian government.
People gather on the Moroccan side of the border with Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, preparing to cross into the enclave, on July 30, 2026.
The letter, signed by 22 European heads of state and government, was sent to top EU leaders, citing “serious concern” over the situation in Ceuta and stressed the need to prevent uncontrolled irregular crossings, fight migrant trafficking networks, eliminate all factors that may incentivize new illegal entries and ensure a unified and effective European response.
“We are determined to prevent smugglers from challenging the integrity of the Union’s external borders,” the letter said.
“We have a duty to effectively deter and relentlessly combat illegal migration, by coordinating our action, strengthening our external borders and addressing all policies that can serve as pull factors, such as the regularization of very large number of irregular migrants,” the letter added.
On the same day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also called on the EU to convene an extraordinary meeting to coordinate a common response to the recent migrant crisis in Ceuta, while criticizing what he described as the “selfish” attitude of some member states.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (C) observes the work of the Civil Guard in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, on July 31, 2026.
Sanchez said around 50,000 migrants had entered Ceuta irregularly, but that Spain had restored control of the border in less than 48 hours, provided humanitarian assistance, returned virtually all of those who had crossed illegally, and prevented any unauthorized onward movement to mainland Europe.
He said these efforts were made possible through close cooperation with Moroccan authorities and with the support of other EU member states, while highlighting Spain’s long-standing migration policy, which he said had made the country one of the EU’s most secure external borders.
Sanchez also said that while most EU governments had expressed solidarity and offered assistance, others had chosen to “attack Spain” and call for its temporary exclusion from the Schengen Area.
The latest developments came after one of the largest irregular migration incidents on Spain’s southern border in recent years. According to the Spanish government, at least 67 people died during the crisis, while more than 48,000 of the nearly 50,000 migrants who entered Ceuta had returned to neighboring Morocco.
The late Donatille Mukabalisa, who served as Speaker of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies for 11 years, oversaw some of the country’s most significant legislative and constitutional reforms, from amendments to the Constitution to the synchronisation of presidential and parliamentary elections.
Mukabalisa died on July 30, 2026, after an illness while receiving treatment at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. She was widely remembered by colleagues as a consensus builder whose leadership coincided with a period of major institutional reforms.
First elected to Parliament following the post-1994 transition period, Mukabalisa served in both chambers before being elected Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in 2013, a position she held until August 2024. Following her tenure in the Lower House, she returned to the Senate, where she served until her passing.
Colleagues remember Donatille Mukabalisa as a dedicated and hardworking leader.
Overseeing constitutional reform
One of the defining moments of Mukabalisa’s tenure came in 2015, when Parliament processed a constitutional amendment following a petition signed by more than four million Rwandans requesting changes that would allow President Paul Kagame to remain eligible for office.
Under the Constitution in force at the time, the President was limited to two seven-year terms. Kagame, first elected in 2003, was due to complete his second term in 2017.
Following the amendment, Article 101 was revised to introduce five-year presidential terms after a transitional seven-year term. The changes were later approved in a national referendum.
The process required Parliament to manage a politically significant constitutional review while building consensus among lawmakers.
Serge Guillaume Nzabonimana, who served as Mukabalisa’s adviser between 2014 and 2020, said Parliament handled the process in accordance with public expectations.
“Parliament received petitions from about four million people across the country. Reviewing, verifying and processing such a large number of submissions was a major undertaking, but it was completed in line with what citizens had requested,” he said.
Nzabonimana Guillaume Serge, who served as Donatille Mukabalisa’s adviser, said he learned valuable lessons from her approach to leadership and public service.
Strengthening parliamentary oversight
Mukabalisa’s leadership also coincided with a period of sustained economic growth and expanding public expenditure, prompting Parliament to intensify its oversight of government institutions.
After lawmakers were sworn in following the 2013 parliamentary elections, President Kagame urged them to ensure government programmes served citizens’ interests.
Parliament subsequently increased scrutiny of government performance and public spending, seeking to identify weaknesses in service delivery and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, a former Deputy Speaker and MP who served alongside Mukabalisa, said Parliament played a more prominent oversight role as Rwanda’s economy expanded.
He argued that stronger parliamentary oversight helped improve accountability among public officials and contributed to reducing financial irregularities highlighted in successive reports by the Office of the Auditor General.
Musa Fazil Harerimana said that under Mukabalisa’s leadership, Parliament became a cornerstone of Rwanda’s development.
Landmark legislation
During Mukabalisa’s tenure, Parliament adopted several laws that reshaped different aspects of Rwanda’s legal framework.
Among them was the 2016 law governing persons and the family, which sought to modernize family law and provide clearer mechanisms for resolving domestic disputes.
Parliament also enacted tax reforms aimed at strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and reducing reliance on external financing.
The Penal Code and criminal procedure frameworks updated during her tenure were aligned with Rwanda’s broader national policy promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation and plea bargaining.
Lawmakers also passed legislation governing healthcare services, including provisions on reproductive health, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and surrogacy.
A revised labour law adopted in 2018 required the responsible minister to establish a national minimum wage through a ministerial order, although that order has yet to be issued.
Additional legislation enacted during Mukabalisa’s tenure covered areas including land administration, commerce, taxation, justice, technology and the creative sector.
Donatille Mukabalisa was sworn in as Speaker of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies in 2013, leading the lower house through some of the country’s most significant legislative and constitutional reforms.
Aligning presidential and parliamentary elections
Another notable institutional reform during Mukabalisa’s leadership was the decision to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously.
Since 2003, Rwanda had held the two elections separately because members of Parliament served five-year terms while the President served seven-year terms.
After the 2015 constitutional amendment reduced presidential terms to five years beginning in 2024, the government decided to synchronize both elections to reduce costs and improve electoral efficiency.
Raising Rwanda’s parliamentary profile
According to Nzabonimana, Mukabalisa also strengthened Parliament’s engagement with legislatures abroad, helping expand Rwanda’s parliamentary diplomacy.
She frequently represented Rwanda at international forums, where she highlighted the country’s progress in promoting women’s participation in leadership.
Rwanda continues to rank among the world’s leading countries in female parliamentary representation, with women holding 63.8% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 50% in the Senate.
During her tenure as Speaker, Mukabalisa oversaw Parliament’s core responsibilities, including passing legislation, scrutinising government performance and representing citizens’ interests.
Colleagues remember her as a consultative and experienced leader who approached public service with humility and a strong commitment to consensus-building.
Burundi officially deployed troops to the DRC in 2022 under a bilateral security agreement. The forces initially operated in South Kivu Province, where they were reportedly deployed to fight Burundian armed groups, including Red Tabara, FOREBU, and FNL-Nzabampema.
In 2023, the agreement between Burundi and the DRC was renewed, leading to the deployment of Burundian troops to North Kivu Province to support the Congolese army in its fight against the AFC/M23 coalition, which had expanded its control over several areas.
However, since their deployment to Masisi Territory, Burundian forces have faced allegations of working with the FDLR, a terrorist group opposed to the Rwandan government, and supporting its activities alongside Wazalendo fighters in attacks that have affected civilians.
Survivors of an October 2023 attack carried out by FDLR and Wazalendo fighters in Nturo village, Masisi Territory, alleged that Burundian troops had a military position nearby but failed to intervene as their homes were set on fire and they were left without protection.
The FDLR has continued to be linked to attacks in areas controlled by AFC/M23 and the MRDP-Twirwaneho armed group in South Kivu Province, including Minembwe, where several civilians have reportedly been killed.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Gahuzamiryango published on July 31, 2026, President Ndayishimiye said Burundian troops were deployed to support the Congolese government and operate under the command of authorities in Kinshasa, which determines where they are deployed.
He said: “The FDLR is on Congolese government side. Our Burundian army went there to support the Congolese government. It is not Burundi that is fighting in Congo. We send troops who are under the command of the Congolese government. You cannot ask me, ‘How are they deployed?’” Ndayishimiye said.
The Burundian president argued that troops deployed to another country should be considered as part of the mission they are assigned to, similar to peacekeeping operations, where responsibility for their actions lies with the mission’s command structure.
“I send troops to Somalia, and once they arrive, they become African Union troops. In the Central African Republic, they arrive and wear the United Nations uniform. They are no longer called Burundian troops; they are UN troops that came from Burundi,” he said.
Ndayishimiye added that countries sending troops abroad to support another government should not be viewed as participating in a conflict but rather as assisting the host country.
“This is why people need to understand the difference. When a country sends troops to another country to provide support, it is not going there to attack; it is going there to help. The actions are carried out by the country receiving that assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports have continued to allege that FDLR leaders have held meetings with senior Burundian military officers in border areas, including Cibitoke, where they allegedly discussed military operations and agreed to maintain cooperation.
In early December 2025, after AFC/M23 captured several areas in Uvira Territory near the Ruzizi Plain, reports indicated that Burundi had received fighters fleeing the fighting, including members of FDLR and Wazalendo, who were reportedly accommodated at the Mwaro military camp.
Following intense clashes in Minembwe and surrounding areas in early July 2026, reports further indicated that Burundi received wounded fighters, including members of FDLR and Wazalendo, who were taken to medical facilities, including Tanganyika Care Polyclinic.
Burundi troops are about to mark three years fighting against AFC/M23 rebels. President Evariste Ndayishimiye said Burundian troops deployed in DR Congo should be considered as forces serving under an international peacekeeping mission.
The American-Venezuelan former professional basketball player is now using the platform he built during his career to support children, mentor young athletes and contribute to communities in Rwanda.
Keeling, who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1985 NBA Draft, spent a short period in the NBA before building an impressive 18-year international career. He played in France, Israel, Venezuela, the Philippines and Colombia, with 12 years of his career spent in Venezuela, where he became a respected figure in the basketball community.
Today, his focus has shifted from competing on the court to changing lives beyond it.
Harold Keeling speaks during an interview about his basketball journey, humanitarian work and why Rwanda has become a place close to his heart.
A basketball court built to create opportunities
During his visits to Rwanda in February 2025, Keeling has worked closely with the Clark family at The Promised Land in Bugesera District, where he has supported children through different community initiatives.
Through his efforts, hundreds of children have received shoes and shirts, while some have also benefited from healthcare support through insurance coverage designed to help them access medical services when needed.
But for Keeling, giving back was not only about providing basic needs. He wanted to create a place where children could discover their talents and experience the same joy that shaped his own childhood.
With support from David Clark, he helped build a basketball court at The Promised Land, giving young people a safe space to play and develop their skills.
“When I was young, I played basketball every day. My mother always had a house or apartment that was right outside of a basketball court. I could look out my window and go out there and play every day,” Keeling said.
He believes access to sports played a major role in his own success.
Growing up, basketball was his main activity after school. His mother encouraged him to first complete his homework, clean his room and finish his responsibilities before going outside to play until the street lights came on.
“That’s how I got good. That’s part of why I made it to the NBA,” he recalled.
Harold Keeling helped establish a basketball court at The Promised Land, creating a space where children can develop their skills and enjoy the game.
A journey that brought him to Rwanda
Keeling’s connection to Rwanda began through basketball.
He first visited the country after reconnecting with his friend James, head coach of APR Basketball Club. Keeling praised May’s achievements, including leading APR to major success in African basketball competitions.
After discussing the possibility of visiting Rwanda with May and their friend Keevy Dixon, Keeling eventually travelled to the country, where he connected with David Clark and the Clark family, who welcomed him to stay at The Promised Land.
During his time in Rwanda, he attended basketball games in Kigali and later began visiting nearby communities. It was through those visits that he discovered opportunities to support children who needed assistance.
“When I saw that they needed some things, it was an opportunity for me to be able to help them. It really touched my heart,” he said.
Keeling explained that this was his fourth time returning to Rwanda because of the relationships he has built with the children and communities.
“They like me. I like them. I like being with them. We’re happy when we’re together,” he said.
The former professional basketball player has helped organize youth basketball camps in Rwanda, using sport to teach discipline, teamwork and leadership.
Using basketball as a tool for change
For Keeling, basketball has always been more than a sport. He sees it as a tool for discipline, confidence and personal development.
Since arriving in Rwanda, he has organized basketball camps for young players and shared lessons from his own experience as a professional athlete.
He has worked with children at different schools and communities, teaching them basketball skills while encouraging them to believe in themselves.
“I feel blessed that I was put in this position to bless others and that God led me here,” he said.
His humanitarian work has also extended beyond sports.
Through Project Max and Save a Child’s Heart, Keeling became involved in an initiative that brought medical professionals, administrators and technicians to Rwanda to support children requiring medical procedures.
The project was initially planned for Ethiopia, but after discussions with partners, the team eventually came to Rwanda, where they worked with local medical institutions.
Keeling said he was grateful that the opportunity brought him back to a country where he had already developed strong connections.
Keeling says Rwanda’s safety, cleanliness and welcoming people are among the reasons he continues to return and invest his time in local communities.
Why Rwanda feels special to him
Beyond his work with children, Keeling said Rwanda’s safety, cleanliness and people are among the things that have impressed him the most.
He said he feels comfortable moving around the country, including at night, because of the sense of security he experiences.
“The first thing I would name is it’s very safe here. There’s hardly any crime. We walk at nighttime. We don’t worry about anybody stealing us or robbing us,” he said.
Keeling also praised Rwanda’s cleanliness, saying he admires how people protect public spaces and avoid littering.
Another quality he highlighted was the friendliness and unity among Rwandans.
“They’re very nice. They’re very friendly. They work together. I think that’s a wonderful thing,” he said.
The former basketball player also praised Rwanda’s development and said he believes the country continues to create opportunities for people from different backgrounds.
Harold Keeling praised Rwanda’s development, saying the country’s progress has left a lasting impression on him.Harold Keeling describes Rwanda as safer than the United States, citing its low crime rate and peaceful environment.
The minister made the comments via X account on August 1, 2026, in response to a MONUSCO statement issued on July 29 after Rwanda returned 39 Congolese nationals to the DRC.
The individuals had been repatriated to Rwanda as former FDLR combatants, but subsequent verification established that they were Congolese civilians with no ties to the armed group.
In its statement, MONUSCO rejected suggestions that it had been negligent, stressing that every repatriation is preceded by a comprehensive verification process to confirm that those concerned qualify for return to Rwanda.
However, Amb. Nduhungirehe said the UN mission cannot deny the outcome of the verification carried out after the repatriations.
“What MONUSCO cannot distance itself from, however, is the fact that since October last year, 81 people repatriated by MONUSCO as former FDLR combatants were later found to be Congolese civilians, born to Congolese parents, with no Rwandan origin and no history of involvement in armed groups.”
The minister further explained that the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), a regional mechanism responsible for verifying security-related matters in the Great Lakes region, was invited to independently examine the issue.
According to Amb. Nduhungirehe, interviews conducted during the verification process showed that many of those repatriated had falsely claimed to be former FDLR members in order to benefit from Rwanda’s demobilization and reintegration programme.
“The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) was even invited to verify this information. During interviews, 69 of these individuals admitted regretting having agreed to falsely present themselves as former FDLR combatants after being promised the benefits offered by the Mutobo Demobilization Centre to repatriated ex-combatants.”
Amb. Nduhungirehe also called on MONUSCO to uphold the highest standards in implementing its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme.
“In conclusion, I would like to stress that throughout this process of disarming and demobilizing former combatants, professionalism, diligence, and integrity on the part of MONUSCO’s DDR personnel must remain fundamental guiding principles.”
Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said that since October 2025, MONUSCO has repatriated 81 Congolese civilians to Rwanda, identified as former FDLR combatants.MONUSCO repatriates former armed group members to Rwanda through its Disarmament, Demobilisation, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement (DDRRR) programme.
Known for its distinctive geometric patterns and natural colours, Imigongo has been passed down through generations, preserving stories of Rwanda’s history while creating opportunities for local artists.
The tradition is believed to have started in the 18th century in the former Gisaka Kingdom, located in what is now Ngoma District in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.
According to Rwandan tradition, Imigongo was introduced by Prince Kakira, the son of King Kimenyi of Gisaka. It is said that he used cow dung mixed with natural materials to decorate the interior walls of his home, creating beautiful patterns that later inspired a wider artistic practice.
Although cow dung may appear unusual as an artistic material, it held great cultural value in traditional Rwandan society. Cattle were considered a symbol of wealth, dignity, and social importance, and products from cattle were commonly used in daily life. ‘
Turning cow dung into decorative art reflected the creativity of Rwandans and their ability to make meaningful things from available resources.
The process of creating Imigongo requires patience and skill. Artists traditionally mix cow dung with materials such as ash and soil before applying the mixture onto wooden boards or walls to form raised patterns.
Once the designs dry, they are painted using natural colours that were traditionally made from locally available materials. The colours and shapes often carry cultural meanings, with many artworks featuring carefully arranged lines, spirals, and diamond-like patterns.
For many years, Imigongo has been closely associated with Rwandan women, who have played a major role in keeping the tradition alive.
Mothers passed the skills to younger generations, ensuring that the craft remained part of Rwanda’s cultural identity. Over time, women’s cooperatives were established, allowing artists to preserve the tradition while also earning income to support their families.
Rwandan artists carefully create Imigongo, a traditional art form that has been passed down through generations as a symbol of culture and creativity.
Imigongo became an important source of empowerment for many women who were rebuilding their lives.
Through cooperatives, artists found opportunities to work together, develop their skills, and contribute to Rwanda’s economic recovery while protecting a valuable part of the country’s heritage.
Today, Imigongo has moved beyond traditional homes and has become recognised as one of Rwanda’s important cultural products.
The artwork can be seen in hotels, offices, galleries, and homes, while many visitors purchase Imigongo pieces as souvenirs that represent Rwanda’s creativity and traditions.
Modern artists have also introduced new techniques and colours, allowing Imigongo to adapt to changing tastes while maintaining its traditional roots. Despite these changes, the heart of Imigongo remains the same: telling Rwanda’s story through art.
More than just a decoration, Imigongo represents the creativity, strength, and cultural pride of the Rwandan people.
It is a reminder that even ordinary materials can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful when combined with imagination and tradition. Through the dedication of artists who continue to practice and promote it, Imigongo remains a living heritage connecting Rwanda’s past, present, and future.
The unique geometric patterns and natural colours of Imigongo showcase Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage and artistic identity.From traditional homes to modern galleries, Imigongo continues to tell Rwanda’s story through creativity, resilience, and craftsmanship.
The study, led by researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and published in Cancer Discovery, used long-term genetic tracking to understand how chronic blood cancers develop over time.
Researchers focused on myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. These cancers often progress slowly and can remain stable for years before becoming more dangerous.
By analysing DNA from blood cells, scientists created genetic “family trees” that allowed them to trace how cancerous cell populations evolved.
The research showed that patients whose conditions later became more severe had accumulated additional genetic changes long before doctors could detect major clinical changes.
The team followed 30 patients with chronic blood cancers and examined more than 450 samples through repeated genomic testing.
Some participants were monitored for up to 25 years, providing researchers with a rare long-term view of how these diseases progress.
The findings suggest that future cancer care could use regular genetic monitoring to identify high-risk patients earlier, allowing doctors to provide more personalised treatment and closer follow-up.
Researchers also found that some people who are currently diagnosed with certain blood cancer conditions may not actually have cancer. In patients without common mutations linked to MPNs, genetic patterns appeared more consistent with normal ageing rather than true cancer development.
Scientists say the discovery could help doctors avoid unnecessary treatments for some patients while ensuring that those at greater risk receive early medical attention.
Dr Daniel Leongamornlert, the study’s first author, said that combining genome sequencing with long-term medical records helped researchers understand how blood cell populations change over time and why some cancers remain stable while others progress.
The researchers believe that advances in genomic technology could eventually transform how blood cancers are diagnosed, monitored and treated, moving healthcare closer to predicting disease progression before serious symptoms appear.
DNA changes could help predict which blood cancers will become dangerous
The park is one of Rwanda’s leading tourist attractions, hosting more than 500,000 animals from different species, including some of the world’s rarest wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy its lakes, lodges and numerous viewpoints overlooking the diverse landscape.
Between April and June 2026, Akagera National Park generated more than $1 million in tourism revenue from 8,919 visitors.
According to figures released by the park, this represented a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. On average, each visitor spent $108 during their stay.
For first-time visitors, there is more to know than simply booking a safari. Understanding the park’s wildlife, why some lions are placed on birth control, how elephant families are organised, the park’s strict conservation rules, penalties for violating them, and entrance fees can greatly enhance the experience.
Why lions are placed on birth control
Samuel Munyaneza, a tour guide who has worked in Akagera National Park for eight years, is well acquainted with the park’s history, its wildlife and the regulations that govern visits. Among the species whose history he knows best are lions and rhinos, both of which disappeared from the park before eventually being reintroduced.
He explained that following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many Rwandans who had lived in exile since 1959 returned home. With limited land available, some settled in areas that had previously formed part of the park. As lions preyed on their cattle, some residents poisoned carcasses in retaliation, wiping out the lion population.
Rhinos, meanwhile, were driven to extinction in the park by poachers targeting their highly valuable horns for the illegal wildlife trade.
Lions were reintroduced to Akagera in 2015 after being translocated from South Africa. The population recovered rapidly, prompting park managers to introduce contraception to control reproduction.
The programme is intended to maintain a balanced ecosystem. An excessive lion population would increase predation pressure on other wildlife and threaten the ecological balance of the park. Munyaneza explained that predators are essential in maintaining healthy wildlife populations. Before lions returned, herbivore numbers increased significantly, raising the risk of inbreeding, which can weaken the genetic health of animal populations.
He noted that while Akagera once covered a much larger area, parts of the park were later allocated for human settlement, reducing its size. With a smaller habitat, allowing lions to reproduce unchecked could lead to territorial conflicts, increased competition for food and pressure on prey species.
In February 2026, five lions in Akagera National Park were placed on birth control as part of this population management strategy.
Wildlife surveys are conducted every two years using aircraft, drones, camera traps and ground counts. The most recent census took place in 2025. However, accurately counting species such as snakes and crocodiles remains difficult.
How female elephants lead their families
Akagera’s elephants live in two large family groups, each led by the oldest female, known as the matriarch.
According to Munyaneza, adult males spend much of their time away from the family searching for mates. As a result, females remain with the calves, raising and guiding them.
The matriarch possesses years of accumulated knowledge, including where to find food and water during droughts, how to respond to changing weather conditions and how to avoid danger.
When an elephant family prepares to relocate, the matriarch first dispatches a few males to scout for water and feeding grounds.
Once they locate suitable resources, they communicate back to the herd using infrasound, low-frequency sound waves that humans cannot hear but which elephants can detect over distances of up to 12 kilometres.
This allows the scouting elephants to inform the herd that there is sufficient water and food before the rest of the family, including young calves, begins moving.
The matriarch also coordinates road crossings, signalling when it is safe for the group to proceed.
Bringing plastic into the park can result in a fine
Like other protected areas, Akagera National Park enforces strict rules aimed at protecting wildlife and ensuring visitor safety.
Single-use plastics, including plastic water bottles, disposable plates and similar items, are prohibited inside the park.
Munyaneza explained that discarded plastic prevents rainwater from penetrating the soil and poses a serious threat to wildlife, as animals that ingest plastic often die.
Visitors driving through the park must also remain on designated roads. Leaving the tracks can crush insects, destroy reptile eggs, damage vegetation and disturb fragile habitats. Even driving a short distance off-road can destroy thousands of small organisms that are invisible to the naked eye.
Visitors are also prohibited from approaching animals too closely or disturbing them while resting, as this can frighten wildlife and alter their natural behaviour.
Standing through a vehicle’s sunroof or getting out of the vehicle is equally prohibited. Wild animals are unfamiliar with the full silhouette of a standing human and may either flee or react aggressively. Those who violate these regulations risk both their safety and financial penalties.
Munyaneza said visitors found standing outside or on top of their vehicles may be fined $150 (over Frw200,000) for disturbing wildlife and endangering themselves.
Entry fees and accommodation discounts
The cost of visiting Akagera National Park varies depending on the type of experience visitors choose. Some opt for a day trip, while others stay overnight at one of the lodges within the park. A Rwandan citizen pays Rwf15,000 for a standard day visit.
Vehicle entry fees are $10 for a small vehicle and $20 for a larger vehicle, while international visitors pay $100 for park entry.
The park encourages overnight stays by offering reduced entrance fees for additional nights. This helps spread visitor numbers over several days instead of concentrating them into a single day, reducing traffic and disturbance to wildlife.
Visitors staying overnight do not pay the full entrance fee each day. Instead, they only cover accommodation costs and a reduced conservation fee.
According to Munyaneza, visitors pay 100% of the entrance fee on the first night, 50% on the second, 25% on the third, while stays from the fourth to the seventh night receive free park entry. Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covers approximately 112,000 hectares.
Today, it employs 316 permanent staff and about 512 seasonal workers, reflecting its growing role in both conservation and Rwanda’s tourism industry.
A hippopotamus has large, powerful teeth.Elephants have a remarkable ability to remember.One of the bird species found in Akagera, known as the Black-headed Gonolek.Old buffaloes often move alone.A hippo that left the water to graze on land.A leopard should not be approached carelessly, although spotting one is already a rare experience.Bush pigs, sometimes mistaken by some people pigs, are also found in Akagera National Park.Rhinos are strong animals with a horn on their nose, which they use for defence and fighting.Crocodiles are often hiddenHippos are powerful aquatic animals, although they also come out of the water to graze on land.Hyenas are often spotted in the evening.Without knowing it, one could mistake a buffalo for an unusual-looking cow.Akagera National Park is made up of plains, low hills and lakes.Elephants are among the most respected animals in the park.Elephants crossing the road, with their calf following behind.In the park, all wildlife moves freely, whether birds in the sky, aquatic animals in water, or land animals.Buffaloes are sometimes found gathered in large herds.A lion is known as the king of the jungle.
