The event will take place at Umuko Lodge, bringing together enduro riders for a day of off-road racing designed to test their riding skills, endurance and ability to navigate challenging terrain.
Organised in partnership with the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC), the competition will run from 8am to 3pm and form part of the national motorcycle racing calendar.
Riders will take on a demanding off-road course, with the competition expected to provide a test of both technical ability and stamina.
The third round comes as motorcycle sport continues to gain visibility in Rwanda, with events such as the Umuko Enduro Challenge creating opportunities for riders to compete while attracting spectators to scenic destinations outside Kigali.
Spectator entry will be free, allowing motorsport enthusiasts, families and adventure lovers to watch the competition and enjoy the lakeside setting.
The event will also combine racing with music and entertainment, with Rwandan artist OKKAMA scheduled to perform at an after-party at Umuko Lodge following the competition. A live DJ set will also feature during the entertainment programme.
Organisers say the combination of motorcycle racing, outdoor adventure and entertainment is expected to make the event a gathering point for the motorsport community and the wider public.
The challenge is supported by several sponsors and partners, including Keyrus Rwanda Ltd, Virunga Water, Balton Rwanda, Rwanda Motor, Suzuki, Sonatubes, Araka Digitalisation, Kabisa, Factory Link, Umuko Lodge, La Galette and Fenghao.
Virunga Water is among the partners supporting the event, with the company expected to provide refreshments for riders, teams and spectators.
The Umuko Enduro Challenge is part of efforts to promote enduro and motorcycle sport in Rwanda while creating opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism.
The event will feature motorcycle racing, free entry for spectators and live entertainment.
The Umuko Enduro Challenge will bring together motorcycle riders for off-road racingMotorsport enthusiasts are set to gather at Lake Muhazi for a day of motorcycle racing, adventure and entertainment.The event brings motorsport fans, riders and adventure enthusiasts together for racing and entertainmentRiders are expected to take on challenging off-road terrain
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) said it is working with partners to identify machines that can enable farmers and agricultural service providers to adopt the practice on a larger scale.
Of the 765,000 hectares planned for cultivation nationwide during the 2027A season, about 100,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated using soil-conserving methods, which the government considers an important way of improving productivity while protecting farmland.
The approach involves making small planting holes, applying manure or fertiliser and planting crops such as maize or beans without extensively turning over the soil. Farmers then cover the field with mulch.
The method helps retain moisture in the soil when it rains, allowing crops to access water for longer periods and potentially improving yields.
However, the lack of suitable machinery has emerged as one of the challenges to expanding the practice, particularly among farmers cultivating large areas.
RAB Acting Director General Dr. Florence Uwamahoro said the institution was working with various partners to find machinery that could be used by agricultural service providers across the country.
“We are working with different partners to obtain machinery used in soil-conserving agriculture. There are places such as RICA and others where some of these machines are already available, but we want all people providing mechanised farming services to have machines that can be used on large areas,” Dr. Uwamahoro said.
Her comments came on Tuesday during an expanded meeting on preparations for the 2027A agricultural season and measures to strengthen food security in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.
The government plans to place greater emphasis on soil-conserving agriculture during the coming season, alongside the expansion of farming under the selected high-productivity areas known as Food Basket Sites (FOBASI).
Authorities expect agricultural output from the FOBASI areas to double compared with previous production levels.
About 246,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated under the FOBASI programme during the 2027A season, with around 100,000 hectares receiving particular attention.
Another 100,000 hectares will specifically be dedicated to soil-conserving agriculture.
FOBASI is a government programme designed to promote areas with high agricultural production potential. Farmers operating in the selected areas receive technical and financial support, early access to agricultural inputs and other assistance intended to improve productivity.
The programme is implemented on relatively small plots of about five hectares, managed by small groups of farmers.
Mulching helps protect the soil, retain moisture and create better conditions for crops to grow.Agricultural machinery is used to support farm operations and improve efficiency on cultivated land.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry told IGIHE that the file was submitted on August 18, 2026.
Murangira said that although investigations are still ongoing, Shema is being investigated for allegedly issuing a bad cheque.
“His case file has been sent to the prosecution. Although investigations are still ongoing, he is being investigated for issuing a bad cheque,” he said.
RIB arrested Shema on August 11, 2026. He was subsequently detained at the RIB station in Kicukiro.
Shema was elected FERWAFA president on August 30, 2025, during the federation’s ordinary general assembly, alongside members of the executive committee he leads. The team was dubbed the “Dream Team.”
After taking office, Shema, a former president of AS Kigali, outlined plans to transform Rwandan football, with a focus on women’s football, youth development and infrastructure, among other areas.
Shema served as president of AS Kigali for six years, during which the club won several trophies, including the 2019 and 2022 Peace Cups and the 2022 Super Cup.
Outside football, Shema is the managing director of Africa Medical Supplier, a company that supplies medical equipment in Rwanda.
The case file of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Fabrice Shema has been forwarded to the prosecution, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has confirmed.
The company’s service revenue reached Rwf167.5 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2026, up from the same period last year, while profit after tax stood at Rwf17.2 billion.
The performance comes as the use of digital services continues to expand in Rwanda, with individuals and businesses increasingly relying on mobile connectivity and digital payments for communication, commerce and other daily activities.
MTN Rwanda’s subscriber base grew by 11.4 percent to 8.7 million during the period. Active data subscribers increased by 14.5 percent to 2.7 million, while active Mobile Money users rose by 14.9 percent to 6.4 million.
Data remained an important source of growth, with data revenue increasing by 14.3 percent to Rwf26.7 billion.
The increase was supported by a 63.6 percent rise in data traffic, as more customers adopted smartphones and made greater use of affordable data bundles.
Voice revenue also increased by 7.1 percent, supported by subscriber growth and the reintroduction of mobile termination rates in August 2025.
MTN Rwanda CEO Monzer Ali said the company’s performance reflected more than financial growth, pointing to the expanding role of digital services in the economy.
“Every new smartphone connected, every entrepreneur paid through Mobile Money, and every community reached through our network represents another step towards a more connected, inclusive and digitally empowered Rwanda,” Ali said.
He said MTN Rwanda would continue investing in its network, technology and partnerships to expand access to digital services and support Rwanda’s ambitions for a digitally enabled economy.
Mobile Money becomes bigger revenue driver
Mobile Money continued to be one of the strongest performers, with Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd (MMRL), MTN Rwanda’s subsidiary, reporting a 31.3 percent year-on-year increase in MoMo revenue to Rwf90.1 billion.
MoMo accounted for 53.8 percent of MTN Rwanda’s service revenue in the first half, up from 49.9 percent during the same period in 2025.
The platform’s active merchant base increased by 19.2 percent to 682,000, highlighting the growing use of mobile payments among businesses and consumers.
Advanced services, including remittances and lending, also recorded strong growth, increasing by 28.1 percent and accounting for 28.4 percent of MoMo revenue.
Chantal U Kagame, CEO of Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd, said the expansion of the merchant network demonstrated how deeply mobile money has become embedded in Rwanda’s economy.
“Growing to 682,000 active merchants shows how deeply mobile money has become embedded in the way Rwandans transact, run businesses and participate in the economy,” she said.
She added that the company would continue working to make MoMo services simpler, more secure and accessible.
MTN Rwanda also recorded significant improvements in profitability and cash generation during the period.
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 30.4 percent to Rwf70.5 billion, while the EBITDA margin expanded by 2.8 percentage points to 41.8 percent.
The company attributed the improvement partly to savings generated through its Expense Efficiency Programme.
Capital expenditure, excluding leases, remained largely unchanged at Rwf11.2 billion, while adjusted free cash flow increased by 38.7 percent to Rwf59.3 billion.
MTN Rwanda Chief Financial Officer John Bugunya said the results demonstrated the company’s ability to combine commercial growth with tighter financial management.
He said the stronger free cash flow provided a solid financial base for continued investment in network and digital infrastructure.
Digital growth alongside community investment
MTN Rwanda’s activities during the first half also included initiatives aimed at supporting communities.
In June, the company conducted its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign under the theme “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community.”
As part of the campaign, MTN Rwanda supported the renovation of the maternity ward and expansion of the laboratory at Kigese Health Centre in Rugarika Sector, Kamonyi District. The facility serves approximately 61,000 people and handles between 50 and 60 deliveries each month.
As it enters the second half of 2026, MTN Rwanda said it will focus on sustaining its commercial growth, expanding financial inclusion through Mobile Money and improving the quality and reach of its network.
The company said continued investment in connectivity and digital financial services will remain central to its role in Rwanda’s digital transformation, while supporting individuals, businesses and communities to participate more fully in the modern economy.
MTN Rwanda’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign supported the renovation of the maternity ward and expansion of the laboratory at Kigese Health Centre in Kamonyi District.MTN Rwanda CEO Monzer Ali has highlighted the company’s growth in connectivity, data and Mobile Money services during the first half of 2026.
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) said 100,000 hectares will be cultivated using soil conservation practices, while 246,000 hectares will be located in designated Food Basket Sites (FOBASI). Of the FOBASI area, 100,000 hectares will receive special attention.
The plans were announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during an expanded meeting held in the Eastern Province to assess preparations for the 2027A agricultural season and discuss measures to strengthen food security.
The Acting Director General of RAB, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, said soil conservation farming will be among the key priorities during the upcoming season.
“Soil conservation farming is one of the approaches we want to invest in during this agricultural season. We tested it through research to find ways of addressing the effects of climate change,” Dr. Uwamahoro said.
She explained that the approach allows farmers to protect the soil while preparing their fields for planting.
According to Dr. Uwamahoro, farmers clear the land, make planting holes where crops will be planted, apply manure or fertilizer, and continue with weeding and mulching to improve soil conditions and increase production.
She said RAB has already trained a significant number of people who will work with farmers and help them adopt the soil conservation practices.
Government targets higher production in FOBASI areas
Dr. Uwamahoro said RAB is also targeting a significant increase in production from FOBASI areas.
She explained that the institution aims to double the production recorded last year, which has contributed to the decision to increase the area under cultivation.
Eastern Province Governor Pudence Rubingisa said preparations for the 2027A season have already begun, with authorities placing particular emphasis on soil conservation and ensuring farmers have the necessary inputs before the rainy season.
He said farmers have started being encouraged to register through Smart Nkunganire so that they can access fertilisers and seeds in time.
The aim is to ensure that farmers are ready to plant as soon as adequate rainfall begins, rather than starting preparations only after the rains have arrived.
“We have also set a target of reaching eight tonnes per hectare in both irrigated and rain-fed areas, while for rice, we aim to reach seven tonnes per hectare,” Rubingisa said.
Maize, beans, rice and soybeans among priority crops
The crops expected to receive particular attention during the 2027A season include maize, beans, rice and soybeans.
Authorities have also urged people who own large areas of farmland but do not cultivate them to allow other residents to use the land for farming.
The measure is intended to increase the amount of land under cultivation and contribute to higher agricultural production.
The preparations for the 2027A season are part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and help farmers adapt to the effects of climate change.
Rwanda is set to cultivate 760,000 hectares during the 2027A Agricultural Season
In an interview with Main Switch 27 published on August 17, 2026, Bizimana said Burundi maintains good relations with most countries, except Rwanda.
According to Bizimana, the strained relations stem from Rwanda’s refusal to hand over people accused of involvement in the attempted coup against former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza in May 2015.
“The only slight problem is with Rwanda. You know that it is the country hosting those who attempted to overthrow the government in Burundi in 2015. We continued talking to them, but sometimes we found that what they said was not being implemented because they had agreed to return those people to Burundi so that they could face justice, but they did not.
They kept misleading us and then used them on opposing sides in Congo to attack us and create chaos in the country. But God helped us, and we are vigilant. They will not find a way through,” he stated.
Rwanda has repeatedly said it cannot extradite the individuals because it received them as refugees and that refugee matters are governed by international law.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, recently said Kigali had never agreed to send the individuals accused of involvement in the coup attempt back to Burundi.
He said discussions on the matter took place in 2023 but failed to reach a conclusion because some conditions requested from the Burundian side were not fulfilled.
Bizimana said dialogue on the issue was still ongoing, arguing that improved relations between the two countries were necessary for security and economic development.
“We are talking. There are institutions that are communicating to see whether things can return to normal because we know, and they also know, that without security in our countries and without proper trade relations, we will not achieve development.”
Bizimana and ethnic rhetoric
One of the most controversial parts of the interview came when Bizimana compared the paths Burundi and Rwanda have taken after their troubled histories.
He said Burundi had chosen to accommodate Hutu, Tutsi and Twa communities, while suggesting that Rwanda had taken a different path and excluded part of its population.
“They took another path. They continued saying, ‘You have no place here,’ while ignoring that God gave the country to all its people. We saw this clearly: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa and others have nowhere else to go. We have one country, which is the country God gave us, and we are all expected to live in it, share what it has, help one another and build it together.”
He added: “Others took that path too, and I believe that path is not right because we saw it in Burundi’s history. You saw how it ended, and I believe they will realise that the path they have taken offers no solution.”
Bizimana did not specify which section of Rwanda’s population he claimed had been excluded. However, the remarks bring ethnic framing back into discussions about Rwanda, more than three decades after the country’s devastating history of divisionism.
Pacifique Nininahazwe, head of the Burundian civil society organisation FOCODE and a prominent commentator on Burundian politics, has previously criticised Bizimana’s rhetoric.
Nininahazwe said one of the decisions the government of President Evariste Ndayishimiye could come to regret was appointing Bizimana as foreign affairs minister, arguing that his language could undermine Burundi’s diplomacy.
He has described Bizimana as a minister whose rhetoric is often harsh and confrontational, potentially creating diplomatic problems rather than resolving them.
Bizimana downplays FDLR threat
Bizimana’s comments on the FDLR were another major focus of the interview.
The minister was asked about allegations that Burundi cooperates with the FDLR. He rejected the suggestion that the armed group poses a significant threat to Rwanda and spoke about it in terms that downplayed the group’s history and activities.
“The FDLR has never attacked Rwanda. For more than 30 years, they have been talking about it, but the group has never launched an attack against Rwanda. Since 1996, there have been attacks, and they have worked with the Congolese government to fight them […] We cannot support the FDLR because we know it has no benefit.”
Bizimana has previously expressed similar views. In early July 2025, after President Paul Kagame said Rwanda expected the Democratic Republic of Congo to dismantle the FDLR, Bizimana wrote on X that “the FDLR card no longer works.”
He has also previously argued that the FDLR is no longer a threat to Rwanda and that Kigali uses the group as a pretext.
The FDLR, however, remains a central issue in regional security discussions. Its dismantling is among the commitments contained in the Washington peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while international actors have repeatedly called for the armed group to be dismantled.
Claims about hunger in Rwanda
Bizimana also moved beyond diplomacy and security during the interview, making false claims about the socio-economic situation in Rwanda.
He alleged that some Rwandans cross into Burundi to steal crops because of hunger in Rwanda.
“I think they see the problems they have. We have heard that Rwandans often come to Burundi to steal, with some entering farms to steal crops because of the hunger they are experiencing.”
Bizimana did not provide figures or other evidence to support the claim. The remarks add another layer to the increasingly confrontational rhetoric. Bizimana has previously attracted controversy over statements on regional affairs.
A regional affairs analyst who spoke to IGIHE described Bizimana as one of Burundi’s worst diplomats, citing the harsh language he frequently uses when speaking about Rwanda.
“Minister Bizimana lacks diplomatic decorum. Whenever Rwanda is concerned, he uses inflammatory language and appears to support anyone who is against Rwanda. You have seen how he downplays the threat posed by the FDLR and how he attacked Qatar, which has been facilitating talks between the DRC government and AFC/M23 in Doha,” he noted.
On January 3, 2026, he accused Qatar of using its financial influence in the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict to prevent the United States from imposing sanctions on Rwanda.
The comments triggered significant debate and pressure on Burundi, with President Ndayishimiye later apologising on social media. Bizimana subsequently stayed away from social media platforms for some time.
Diplomacy depends not only on keeping channels of communication alive; it also requires language that creates room for trust and compromise. Bizimana’s latest remarks risk doing the opposite, reinforcing tensions at a time when both countries need to rebuild confidence and find common ground.
His statements raise a broader question over whether Burundi’s diplomatic messaging is helping to repair relations with Rwanda or making reconciliation more difficult.
Burundi Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana has again revived inflammatory rhetoric against Rwanda while downplaying the threat posed by the FDLR.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the alliance described the enforcement measures as a vital step towards protecting public health.
“Closing non-compliant manufacturing facilities and issuing an immediate product recall marks a vital step in protecting public health,” the alliance said.
The Rwanda FDA has shut down 148 local alcohol manufacturers and revoked their operating licences as part of the nationwide crackdown on substandard and illicit alcoholic beverages.
The government has also suspended the importation of 52 alcoholic beverage brands from international markets and ordered their immediate nationwide recall.
The crackdown follows growing concerns over the health effects of unsafe alcoholic beverages. Speaking to IGIHE earlier this month, Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said investigations had linked unsafe alcoholic drinks to more than 50 deaths recorded between January and July.
He said more than 500 people had sought medical treatment after consuming the drinks, while more than 100 people had lost their eyesight. A nationwide assessment also identified nearly 11,000 people struggling with alcohol addiction.
More than 100 people have been arrested in connection with the crackdown, including Rwanda FDA Director-General Emile Bienvenu.
The RNCDA said removing illicit products was important in preventing immediate harm but called for broader measures to address alcohol-related health risks.
Citing World Health Organization data, the alliance noted that alcohol is a toxic and dependence-producing substance associated with more than 200 health conditions. Globally, alcohol consumption contributes to approximately three million deaths each year and is a major behavioural risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis, metabolic disorders and several types of cancer.
The alliance also noted that informally and illegally produced alcohol accounts for an estimated 25 percent of total alcohol consumption per capita worldwide and remains difficult to control.
RNCDA highlighted that Rwanda’s measures were in line with the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, which promotes cost-effective measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.
It called for measures including higher taxes on alcoholic beverages, restrictions on alcohol advertising and tighter controls on the physical availability of alcohol, particularly to young people.
The alliance said sustained action against harmful alcohol consumption was necessary to reduce preventable deaths and advance Rwanda’s health priorities.
It also pledged to work with government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote evidence-based alcohol control policies and public awareness.
The Rwanda Noncommunicable Disease Alliance (RNCDA) has backed the government’s ongoing crackdown on illicit and unsafe alcoholic beverages, commending the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) for shutting down non-compliant manufacturers and recalling products considered unsafe.
Nsengiyumva made the remarks on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while opening the Africa Water and Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium at the Kigali Convention Centre.
The five-day symposium, running through August 21, is jointly organised by the African Union, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the Government of Rwanda, and facilitated by IRC, a global water, sanitation and hygiene organisation.
The event brings together African leaders, reformers, financiers and development partners to discuss ways of strengthening water and sanitation systems and mobilising sustainable investment.
Nsengiyumva said Africa remains significantly off track in meeting the Sustainable Development Goal on water and sanitation as the 2030 deadline approaches.
“Across Africa, 418 million people still lack basic water services, 779 million lack basic sanitation, and 839 million lack basic hygiene,” he said.
He noted that African countries have invested heavily in infrastructure, including water pipelines, boreholes and treatment plants, but said many of these facilities are not delivering services effectively.
“The lesson is clear: building infrastructure is important but, to a large extent, it is only the beginning; ensuring that the built infrastructure functions effectively and reaches communities over the long term is the real measure of success,” Nsengiyumva said.
He argued that stronger institutions, effective governance, sustainable financing and accountable leadership are needed to turn infrastructure investments into reliable and lasting services.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the African Union’s endorsement in February 2026 of the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2063, saying it places governance and leadership at the centre of efforts to achieve water security on the continent.
He said better governance could also help African countries unlock more domestic resources for the sector.
According to Nsengiyumva, an African Union panel on water investment found that improved governance, including sound tariffs, effective revenue collection and disciplined financial management, could unlock about $11.5 billion annually, while stronger domestic resource mobilisation could generate another $17.5 billion.
“Africa’s water future can and should be paid for by Africans,” he said, while stressing that investors are more likely to commit capital to institutions that demonstrate financial discipline and accountability.
He urged participants to shift the conversation from simply seeking additional funding to building institutions capable of attracting and effectively managing investment.
Nsengiyumva also acknowledged challenges within Rwanda’s own water sector, including high non-revenue water and ongoing efforts to improve rural water service delivery, including through private operators.
“There is nothing ‘non-revenue’ about water that has been treated and pumped, but never reaches the people it is meant to serve,” he said, describing such losses as both a waste of resources and a failure to deliver services to citizens.
The symposium is expected to produce the Kigali Communiqué on Systems Transformation for the Realisation of the Africa Water Vision and Policy 2063.
Nsengiyumva urged participants to make the commitments in the communiqué specific and measurable, saying the success of the gathering should ultimately be judged by changes in the institutions, decisions and services delivered after participants return to their respective countries.
He also called for the discussions to continue beyond Kigali, urging participants to carry the commitments and proposed solutions to Abu Dhabi in December.
“I encourage all of you: ministers, regulators, utility leaders, mayors, financiers, civil society organisations and young professionals, to make this a document you truly own,” he said.
The symposium is focused on accelerating water and sanitation transformation for sustainable impact, with particular emphasis on financial credibility as a foundation for sustainable investment and resilient water and sanitation systems.
PM Nsengiyumva made the remarks on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while opening the Africa Water and Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium at the Kigali Convention Centre.The five-day symposium, running through August 21, is jointly organised by the African Union, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the Government of Rwanda, and facilitated by IRC, a global water, sanitation and hygiene organisation.
The Ben made the remarks in an interview with IGIHE after Inshallah broke the record for the fastest song by a Rwandan artist to surpass one million YouTube views.
“It induces pride to me and the people I work with. I don’t think there is an artist who would not be happy to release a song and see people enjoying it,” The Ben said.
“On the other hand, it is a sign that Rwandans love the music produced by their artists. This gives us even more motivation to work harder. I consider this a debt, and I will repay it by giving people more great music.”
Inshallah was released on August 15, 2026, and quickly attracted attention from music fans. Within 48 hours, its music video had surpassed one million views on YouTube.
The achievement saw The Ben overtake a record previously held by fellow Rwandan singer Meddy, whose song My Vow had reached one million views within 48 hours.
The milestone comes as The Ben faces growing expectations from his fans, many of whom have previously criticised him for taking too long to release new music.
The singer, however, used the occasion to assure his fans that more projects are on the way, suggesting that they should expect a change in how frequently he releases music.
He said the response to Inshallah had further strengthened his determination to keep creating and give his audience more songs to enjoy.
Rwandan singer The Ben has said the success of his latest song, Inshallah, is a sign of the strong support Rwandans have for local music
NIDA Director General Josephine Mukesha said the exercise is currently being completed in the Northern and Western provinces.
“We are finishing the exercise in the Northern and Western provinces. Our teams are in Gakenke, Karongi, Gicumbi and Rutsiro, and we will start in Rulindo on Tuesday,” Mukesha told The New Times.
“We have reached over eight million people who have been registered, and more than seven million have already been photographed,” she said.
The government aims to phase out the current national identity cards by June 2027, by which time more than 14 million citizens are expected to have been photographed.
Mukesha said incomplete or inaccurate personal information remains one of the challenges slowing participation in the exercise. This is particularly the case for children who have not been registered in civil-status records or whose details contain errors.
She urged parents who have not yet registered their children to do so at their local sector offices before the photographing exercise begins. Citizens can also use the Irembo platform to review and correct personal details, including dates of birth.
The digital ID exercise began in the Southern Province in October 2025 before expanding to other parts of the country.
In Kigali, the photographing exercise had already been completed, meaning residents who missed it would ordinarily have to travel to another province. However, NIDA opened a stand at the International Trade Fair in Gikondo to allow Kigali residents who missed the exercise to complete the process.
The government says the digital ID will make it easier for citizens to access public services while giving them greater control over their personal information. Unlike the current national ID, which contains multiple personal details, the digital system is expected to allow citizens to share only the information required for a particular service.
The government aims to phase out the current national identity cards by June 2027, by which time more than 14 million citizens are expected to have been photographed.
