The meetings, organised by Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ugandan Embassy in Kigali, are scheduled to take place from April 20 to 22, 2026, in Kampala.
The discussions are expected to bring together representatives from more than 15 ministries, with a focus on reviewing and enhancing cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest.
Uganda’s delegation will be led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, while the Rwandan delegation will be headed by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Usta Kaitesi.
According to Uganda’s daily NewVision, the meetings will be held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. In addition to technical discussions, high-level closed-door sessions between ministers from both sides are expected, ahead of the adoption of joint resolutions and the signing of cooperation agreements.
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Richard Kabonero, said the talks will cover a wide range of areas, including defence and security cooperation, infrastructure development, immigration and border management, police cooperation, education, and other strategic sectors.
He added that the two sides will also review progress made in implementing previous agreements, particularly those reached during the 11th PJC session held in Kigali in 2023.
The Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs further noted that the session will also explore new opportunities to deepen bilateral relations, boost trade and investment, and develop joint development initiatives aimed at fostering regional integration and mutual growth.
At the most recent session of the Permanent Joint Commission between Uganda and Rwanda, held in Kigali, the two countries concluded cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.Representatives of Rwanda and Uganda are set to meet once again to discuss and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The international karate tournament will be held at the indoor sports and entertainment hall of Ecole Notre Dame des Anges in Remera, bringing together children, cadet, juniors, and senior athletes from Rwanda and beyond.
Previously staged in Huye, the championship features both male and female competitors aged six years and above, competing across different age and weight categories.
Young participants will compete in Kata (forms demonstration) and Kumite (sparring) based on age groups, while senior athletes will contest Kumite bouts according to weight divisions, in line with World Karate Federation regulations.
One of the tournament’s distinguishing features is the use of advanced Video Review (VAR) technology in scoring, allowing coaches to challenge refereeing decisions when they believe their athletes were denied deserved points.
The championship is also officiated by international referees and experts drawn from across the African continent.
Dieudonné Mwizerwa, Director of Zanshin Sport Solutions and the tournament organiser, said registration will open in June and run until the end of July 2026.
“This year, all preparations are well in place. We expect top international athletes to participate, and international referees from different African countries will officiate the matches,” he said.
Mwizerwa urged teams to register their athletes early and in large numbers, while also calling on supporters to attend and cheer on the competitors.
He also thanked FERWAKA and Martin Hardware & Twyford Rwanda, the main sponsor of the tournament, for their continued support.
He further encouraged other partners to collaborate with Zanshin in promoting karate development and nurturing young talent.
In the 2025 edition, Flying Eagles Karate Club won the Zanshin Karate Championship for Children, Cadets and Juniors (3rd Edition).
APR Karate-Do claimed the Zanshin Seniors Open Karate Championships (2nd Edition), which brought together senior athletes and was held at Hotel Credo in Huye District.
Participating teams included clubs from Rwanda and Kenya, as well as individual athletes from Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The “Zanshin Karate Championship 2026” tournament will take place in Kigali from August 7–9. The karate tournament features both junior and senior categories.Dieudonné Mwizerwa, Director of Zanshin Sport Solutions and the tournament organiser, said registration will open in June and run until the end of July 2026.Teams from Kenya were among those that participated in the tournament during its most recent edition in 2025, which was held in Huye.
In a wide-ranging discussion with the German newspaper WELT AM SONNTAG, Rutte stated he does not foresee a future where the United States abandons its post-war security commitments. However, he balanced this reassurance with a stern call for a “stronger Europe within a stronger alliance,” suggesting that the burden of Western defense must be more equitably shared.
The remarks serve as a direct response to recent escalations from U.S. President Donald Trump. The President has intensified his “America First” stance, labeling NATO a “paper tiger” and expressing visible frustration over European involvement, or lack thereof, in Middle Eastern tensions, specifically regarding Iran. Trump’s repeated suggestions that he is “considering” a withdrawal have sent ripples of anxiety through Baltic and Eastern European capitals.
Rutte acknowledged that the U.S. commander-in-chief’s disappointment is not without merit.
“The President is visibly frustrated with certain members,” Rutte noted, acknowledging the long-standing U.S. grievance regarding defense spending. Currently, while more nations are hitting the 2% GDP spending target, several key European economies still fall short.
Despite the friction, Rutte emphasized that the structural foundations of the alliance remain indispensable. He reaffirmed that the U.S. nuclear umbrella continues to serve as the “ultimate guarantor” of European security, a deterrent that no individual European nation can currently replicate.
To ensure the alliance remains viable, Rutte argued that Europe must move beyond “rhetorical support” and invest in tangible military capabilities. Analysts suggest that by framing the issue as an opportunity for European growth, Rutte is attempting to bridge the gap between Trump’s isolationist leanings and Europe’s security requirements.
As the next NATO summit approaches, the focus will likely remain on these two pillars: maintaining the U.S. commitment while rapidly accelerating European defense autonomy to satisfy a frustrated Washington.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dismissed growing concerns over a potential U.S. withdrawal from the alliance in an interview published Saturday.
Germany, through GIZ Rwanda and DSKI, supports Duterimbere IMF Plc in training women to strengthen their financial management skills while also providing them with low-interest loans.
Among the loan products offered is “Aguka Mugore,” which provides up to Rwf 5 million without requiring collateral such as land or property.
Another product, “Kungahara Mugore,” offers up to Rwf 30 million, with only 25% collateral required, while the remaining amount is guaranteed by Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
Beneficiaries say these initiatives have significantly transformed their businesses. Uwitonze Jeannette, a trader in auto parts, motorcycles, and milling machines, said she has worked with Duterimbere IMF Plc for 15 years, starting with a loan of Rwf 5 million and gradually expanding her business.
She later secured a Rwf 15 million loan, followed by Rwf 47 million in 2020, which she is close to completing. She now plans to apply for a Rwf 100 million loan at a low interest rate.
“All the progress I have made is thanks to Duterimbere IMF Plc,” she said. “We recently attended training by GIZ, where we were encouraged to improve our businesses and promised access to low-interest loans. That motivated us greatly.” Another beneficiary, Musabyimana Jeanne, who began working with the institution in 2015 selling clothes, has grown her business into a large shop dealing in a variety of garments and footwear.
She explained that her growth was supported by a series of loans—from Rwf 5 million to Rwf 7 million, then Rwf 9 million, and now Rwf 15 million.
Musabyimana noted that one of the biggest challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Rwanda is access to capital. She credited Duterimbere IMF Plc for bridging that gap, adding that the training and affordable loans have renewed hope among many women.
Ambassador Dettmann praised the institution’s commitment to supporting women, describing it as a strategic investment in families and the country’s future.
“I am very pleased to meet women running profitable businesses, and I am impressed by how Duterimbere IMF Plc works closely with its clients,” she said. “They made the right choice by focusing on women, because empowering women strengthens families, the country, and its future.”
The Managing Director of Duterimbere IMF Plc, Ngabonziza M. Alphonse, welcomed the ambassador’s visit and appreciation of their work.
“We are happy that she was satisfied with what we do, especially in helping women gain confidence to work and generate income, which aligns with Rwanda’s vision of putting citizens at the center of development,” he said.
He added that the positive partnership with German institutions through GIZ could open doors for further collaboration with other organizations to continue advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Established in 2004 and licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda in 2005, Duterimbere IMF Plc has grown into a key player in financial inclusion, particularly for women.
The institution offers a range of savings products, including the “Intego Account,” which provides competitive annual returns paid monthly, with customers allowed up to two withdrawals per month, alongside other tailored accounts.
Currently, Duterimbere IMF Plc operates 19 branches across the country—five in Kigali, four in the Southern Province, two in the Western Province, one in the Northern Province, and six in the Eastern Province—continuing to expand its reach and impact.
Uwitonze Jeannette (center, wearing a red jacket) praised the role of Duterimbere IMF Plc in her business growth.The Managing Director of Duterimbere IMF Plc Ngabonziza M. Alphonse speaks with Ambassador Heike Uta Dettmann.Duterimbere IMF Plc and the Government of Germany partner to train women.Ambassador Heike Uta Dettmann commended Duterimbere IMF Plc for helping women access financial services.. Ambassador Heike also visited some of the women-led projects supported by Duterimbere IMF Plc, including a clothing shop owned by Musabyimana Jeanne (right). Women working with Duterimbere IMF Plc praised it for transforming their businesses and driving their progress.
The discussions were facilitated by Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, the African Union Commission, and Togo in its role as African Union mediator, with participation from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The talks focused on strengthening humanitarian access, establishing mechanisms to monitor a ceasefire, and advancing confidence-building measures, including the release of detainees.
Humanitarian access and civilian protection
The two sides made substantial progress toward a protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection, agreeing on the urgent need to ensure life-saving assistance for civilians in eastern DRC.
Both parties committed to comply with international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international refugee law, as well as constitutional principles of the DRC.
They further agreed to prohibit attacks on or destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including food supplies, agricultural areas, water systems, energy networks, telecommunications infrastructure, and health and education facilities.
The agreement also emphasises the protection of humanitarian workers and the guarantee of safe, rapid, and unimpeded access for aid delivery. Humanitarian assistance will be provided based on need, without discrimination on political, ethnic, religious, or social grounds.
“The Parties undertake to facilitate the transport of medical and humanitarian relief supplies by impartial humanitarian organisations to support the functioning of healthcare facilities and other medical units in areas affected by armed conflict,” a joint statement released by the parties reads.
Ceasefire monitoring mechanism activated
In a significant step toward implementing the ceasefire under the Doha Framework, the parties, together with ICGLR, signed a memorandum of understanding operationalising the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+).
This mechanism enables the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism (COVM) to begin surveillance, monitoring, verification, and reporting on compliance with the permanent ceasefire.
Initial verification missions are expected to be planned within a week, with logistical support from the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
Prisoner release within 10 days
As part of confidence-building measures, the parties also agreed to release prisoners within ten days, in line with a previously established detainee release mechanism signed in September 2025.
Under the agreement, the DRC government is expected to release 311 prisoners linked to AFC/M23, while the rebel group will free 166 individuals held from the government side.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided the relevant detainee lists to facilitate the process under agreed procedures.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum in the peace process and advancing remaining protocols under the Doha Framework. They also agreed to submit proposals for next steps to the mediation team to expedite negotiations.
After repeated setbacks in the implementation of the ceasefire, including accusations by AFC/M23 that Kinshasa forces have continued to carry out drone strikes on civilian populations, questions remain over whether the latest commitments will succeed in breaking the cycle of mistrust and restoring stability on the ground.
As part of confidence-building measures, the parties also agreed to release prisoners within ten days, in line with a previously established detainee release mechanism signed in September 2025.
The deal was concluded during peace talks held in Switzerland from April 13 to 17, 2026, with support from Qatar and the United States.
Under the agreement, the DRC government is expected to release 311 prisoners linked to AFC/M23, while the rebel group will free 166 individuals held from the government side.
The prisoner exchange is seen as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting ongoing peace efforts.
Both parties indicated that the list of prisoners to be released was provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, in line with an agreement previously signed on September 14, 2025.
On April 14, 2026, the two sides also agreed to operationalise a revised international mechanism tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, known as EJVM+. This body will include three representatives from each side.
The decision to establish EJVM+ was initially made during earlier peace discussions held in Doha, Qatar, last year. However, its implementation had been delayed due to persistent tensions between the DRC government and AFC/M23.
The mechanism is now expected to begin overseeing the ceasefire within a week. Troops from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) are also set to support its operations.
The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition have reached an agreement to release more than 400 prisoners within the next 10 days.
Baghaei, speaking on state-run IRIB television, said that recent public statements by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi were made within the framework of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States announced on April 8, not as signals of a new diplomatic opening.
Earlier Friday, Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain “completely open” to commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce between Iran and the United States.
Baghaei moved to clarify the foreign minister’s position, saying that following a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday, Tehran chose to apply safe-passage conditions outlined in its agreement with Washington to vessels transiting the strait.
“We have reached no new agreement,” he said. “The ceasefire agreement is the one announced on April 8.”
He accused the United States of failing, from the outset of the truce, to honor a commitment to extend its terms to Lebanon, a provision Iran insists was included in the April 8 agreement. Washington and Jerusalem have rejected that characterization.
Baghaei also warned that Iran would take “countermeasures” if a United States naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persisted. He said no talks on extending the ceasefire had taken place, and that mediation efforts led by Pakistan remained focused on ending the conflict and protecting Iran’s interests.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait beginning Feb. 28, when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The United States subsequently imposed its own blockade, preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway after peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed over the weekend.
Axios reported Friday, citing people familiar with the talks, that a second round of United States-Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend, most likely on Sunday.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei speaks at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iran, April 6, 2026.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Oklahoma, revealed that FGF21 operates through a region of the brain known as the hindbrain, a surprising finding since most researchers expected signals to come from another area called the hypothalamus.
The hindbrain is the same part of the brain targeted by some existing weight‑loss medications like GLP‑1 drugs, but FGF21 works in a completely different way.
Instead of suppressing hunger, FGF21 triggers parts of the hindbrain called the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the area postrema (AP). These regions then communicate with another brain structure known as the parabrachial nucleus.
This pathway appears to increase metabolic activity meaning the body burns more energy which leads to weight loss.
According to lead researcher Matthew Potthoff, Ph.D., understanding this brain circuit is important because it might help scientists design new weight‑loss therapies that are more effective and have fewer side effects than current options.
While some experimental FGF21‑based drugs are already being tested for a serious liver condition called MASH (metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis), this research focuses specifically on how the hormone affects weight and metabolism.
One of the reasons this discovery is so promising is that FGF21 and existing medications target similar brain areas but produce different outcomes. GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy reduce appetite, which helps people eat less.
FGF21, on the other hand, appears to increase the body’s natural ability to burn fat and use energy more efficiently, which could lead to powerful new ways to treat obesity.
Although these results are still early and have been observed in mice, the findings offer scientists a valuable new perspective on how the brain controls metabolism and body weight.
If future research confirms similar effects in humans, FGF21‑based therapies could eventually become a part of treatments for obesity and related conditions such as fatty liver disease.
Scientists uncover hormone FGF21 that triggers weight loss in mice, paving the way for new obesity treatments.
The company, which continues to lead Rwanda’s aquaculture sector, held the annual commemoration as part of its ongoing commitment to remembering the past and fostering the values of unity, resilience, and leadership that have shaped the nation’s recovery.
Emmanuel Bahizi, Managing Director of Kivu Choice, underscored the significance of the event, urging the company’s staff both in Rwanda and across the region to understand the importance of this moment in Rwanda’s history.
“Our success, both as a country and as a company, is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Rwanda. It is crucial for every employee to understand and embrace this history,” Bahizi stated.
Kivu Choice’s leadership has made the event an annual tradition, ensuring that each member of the company understands the importance of the genocide commemoration.
With a workforce of nearly 800 employees in Rwanda and 1,500 across the region, Bahizi emphasized that this moment is not only an opportunity to honor those who were lost, but also a reminder of the unity and strength that have enabled Rwanda to rebuild.
This year’s event at the Rebero Genocide Memorial had special significance as the memorial pays tribute not only to the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi but also to political leaders and figures who stood for peace and unity during the darkest moments in the country’s history.
Bahizi reflected on the responsibility of Kivu Choice, a pioneer in Rwanda’s aquaculture industry, to set an example for the rest of the country and beyond.
“We are pioneers in our industry, and we have a responsibility to lead by example,” Bahizi explained. “It is essential for us to live by the core values of Rwanda, demonstrating unity and commitment to the values that have shaped the country’s recovery. We hope to set an example for the rest of the industry.”
Addressing employees, Bahizi delivered a powerful message of unity.
“The message is one of remembrance, paying our respects to those we lost during the Genocide against the Tutsi, but also remembering that we must live with unity. By continuing to live in unity every day, we ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he said.
Bahizi also encouraged employees to honour the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi by working hard and striving to build a brighter future
“The people we lost would want us to live for them and to achieve things that would make them proud. This is what we strive for every day, committing ourselves to a future that honours their memory,” he noted.
Kivu Choice’s visit to the Rebero Genocide Memorial was a poignant reminder of the ongoing importance of remembrance, unity, and collective responsibility in building a future that that honours the past.
Emmanuel Bahizi, Managing Director of Kivu Choice, delivered a heartfelt at Rebero Genocide Memorial.Managing Director of Kivu Choice, led his employees in a solemn tribute at Rebero Genocide Memorial, as they respectfully lay flowers on the graves of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Kivu Choice employees gained valuable insight into the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, deepening their understanding of the nation’s journey of remembrance and healing at Rebero Genocide Memorial.Kivu Choice employees honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Kivu Choice made a donation to Rebero Genocide Memorial, as a gesture of respect and remembrance for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
According to the Rwanda Vital Statistics Report 2025, released on April 15, 2026, the recorded divorce cases include separations that occurred over the past three years but were officially entered into the system in 2025.
Out of the 4,479 recorded cases, 2,629 divorces were granted through courts of law.
The highest number of divorce cases was recorded in Kigali City, with 1,199 households, followed by the Eastern Province with 1,011 cases. The Southern Province recorded 976 divorces, while the Western Province had 669, and the Northern Province registered 592 cases.
Data further shows that courts granted 1,068 divorces in 2024, up from 782 cases in 2023, indicating a steady increase in legal separations over recent years.
An analysis of the 2025 figures indicates that in 3,936 of the divorced households, both partners remained in the same province after separation, while in 543 cases, each partner relocated to a different province.
Under Rwanda’s law governing persons and family, divorce may be requested on various grounds, including adultery, conviction for a serious offense, failure to provide for the family, physical or psychological abuse, emotional distress, economic abuse, or other behaviors that seriously harm a spouse, a shared child, or either party individually. Couples may also separate when cohabitation becomes intolerable for one or both partners.
Decline in legal marriages
The report also highlights a decline in legally registered marriages. In 2025, a total of 50,256 marriages were recorded, down from 52,878 in 2024.
Men entering marriage were predominantly aged between 25 and 29, while most women were between 21 and 24 years old.
Districts with the highest number of marriages exceeding 2,000, include; Gasabo District, Gicumbi District, Nyarugenge District, Kicukiro District, Musanze District, Muhanga District, Rubavu District, and Nyamasheke District.
On the other hand, districts with fewer than 1,000 registered marriages include Nyanza District, Gisagara District, and Ngoma District.
In 2025, a total of 50,256 marriages were recorded, down from 52,878 in 2024.
