The meeting was concluded by UPDF Deputy Land Forces Commander, Major General Francis Takirwa.
It focused on strengthening cooperation between the two forces and fostering closer ties with the communities along the border.
Various strategies were outlined to enhance joint efforts in promoting security and stability along the shared border.
In his closing remarks, Major General Takirwa, thanked participants for their active involvement and constructive contributions throughout the meeting.
He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in combating cross-border illegal activities and encouraged both forces to improve regular information sharing.
He highlighted that the continued partnership reflects the commitment of both militaries’ leadership, under the guidance of their respective Commanders-in-Chiefs to address shared challenges.
Maj Gen Takirwa expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose visionary leadership enabled the realization of this vital initiative.
He also acknowledged the Chiefs of Defence Staff of both countries for their role in facilitating these meetings.
“Enhanced security benefits both sides, as it allows citizens to confidently engage in business and other activities, knowing that their safety is assured,” he concluded.
The latest partnership, which also includes the NBA’s LA Clippers, marks the first time an African tourism brand has partnered with an NFL franchise, underlining Rwanda’s ambition to use sport as a global bridge to attract tourism, investment and visibility.
As part of the multi-year agreement, Visit Rwanda will serve as an official international tourism sponsor of the Rams, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the vast entertainment complex that has transformed Inglewood into one of America’s premier sports and leisure destinations.
The partnership provides Rwanda with significant visibility inside SoFi Stadium, including digital advertising on the venue’s massive Infinity Screen and throughout its LED and IPTV displays.
The Visit Rwanda brand will also feature in two of the stadium’s most exclusive spaces, the West Owners Club on Level Two and the North Canyon Basin on Level Three, where Rwanda’s natural beauty and tourism highlights will be showcased through innovative design features.
{{A club with a storied journey
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For those less familiar with the Rams, they are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League, with a history stretching back nearly nine decades. The team was founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams before relocating to Los Angeles in 1946, becoming the first professional football team to establish itself on the American West Coast.
In 1995, the Rams moved again, this time to St. Louis, where they enjoyed a golden era, capturing their first Super Bowl in 1999 with an explosive, high-scoring offence that earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Turf.” In 2016, the franchise returned to Los Angeles, reaffirming its deep roots in the city.
The Rams have won championships in three different cities – Cleveland, Los Angeles and St. Louis – a unique distinction in the NFL. They are two-time Super Bowl champions, most recently lifting the trophy in 2022 after a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their earlier triumph came in 2000, when they defeated the Tennessee Titans to cap off a memorable season. Beyond those modern victories, the Rams also claimed two NFL titles in the pre-Super Bowl era, in 1945 and 1951.
{{Modern stars and leadership
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The modern Rams are led by head coach Sean McVay, one of the youngest and most innovative tacticians in the league. McVay masterminded the team’s most recent Super Bowl win, cementing his reputation as one of football’s brightest minds.
On the field, the Rams boast a blend of established veterans and rising stars. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the experienced leader of the offence, guided the team to its 2021 title. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the hero of their 2021 title run who captured the ‘triple crown’ and Super Bowl MVP, remains an iconic figure in franchise history, though he left the team in the 2025 offseason to join NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
Younger talents such as Puka Nacua, who shattered rookie receiving records, and running back Kyren Williams, who has brought fresh dynamism to the attack, represent the future of the franchise.
{{SoFi stadium
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Central to the Rams’ modern identity is SoFi Stadium, their state-of-the-art home, which opened in 2020. Costing nearly five billion US dollars to build, the venue is widely regarded as the most advanced stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 70,000 and the ability to expand to 100,000 for major events.
Beyond football, it has already hosted the Super Bowl, will stage matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and is scheduled to play a central role in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The surrounding Hollywood Park development, spearheaded by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, includes retail, office space, residences and leisure facilities, making it a global destination in its own right.
{{More than a game
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Off the field, the Rams have carved a strong identity in their community. Based in Inglewood, the team has invested heavily in programmes that focus on education, health, equality and youth development.
Initiatives such as “Rams pLAymakers,” which honours community leaders driving social change, and “RISE with the Rams,” which promotes racial equality among young athletes, reflect the organisation’s commitment to using sport as a force for good.
{{Why this partnership matters
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The partnership with Visit Rwanda places the country at the centre of this global spotlight. With millions of viewers tuning in to Rams games across the United States and beyond, Rwanda gains a powerful platform to showcase its gorilla trekking adventures, lush national parks, cultural heritage and status as a rising tourism destination.
The collaboration echoes Rwanda’s other high-profile sponsorships with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético de Madrid, but stands out as the first venture into American football – a sport with a massive domestic following and growing international appeal.
For Rwanda, the agreement is more than a marketing exercise. It is a statement of intent, an effort to connect with the U.S., already its largest source of tourism revenue, and to reach global audiences who associate the NFL with spectacle, scale and excellence.
For the Rams, it offers a new connection to Africa, a continent with a rapidly growing youth population that is increasingly engaged with global sport.
In combining the Rams’ reputation as a powerhouse of American football with Rwanda’s image as a premier African travel destination, this partnership represents a meeting of ambition and vision.
As the Rams continue their pursuit of further championships and Rwanda builds towards its tourism targets, both brands stand to gain from this unique and timely collaboration.
In a public notice released on Thursday, RDB said the decision follows the company’s failure to meet its contractual and regulatory obligations.
“Effective immediately, Inzozi Lotto is no longer authorized to operate the National Lottery in Rwanda,” the notice read.
The RDB assured players who have winning claims that they are still entitled to their prizes, with Inzozi Lotto remaining fully responsible for paying all outstanding valid winnings.
The National Lottery and Gambling Commission along with RDB are expected to supervise the process to ensure fairness and compliance.
The announcement also confirmed that RDB will soon begin a competitive process to identify a new operator or operators for the National Lottery. This process, according to the board, will follow strict principles of transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the public interest.
RDB reminded all companies in the gaming and gambling industry that they must strictly comply with the country’s laws and regulations governing the sector.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli Navy has completed taking over the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The GSF, comprising some 50 vessels with over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians.
All the aid vessels have been stopped in the Mediterranean Sea, except for one that “remains at a distance” from Gaza, it said.
Greek lawmakers on Thursday strongly condemned the interception of the flotilla, urging the government to ensure the safety of Greek citizens on board, including a sitting member of parliament.
Representatives from PASOK, SYRIZA, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the New Left, and the Freedom Movement criticized the incident and demanded explanations from Israel, according to national broadcaster ERT.
Pavlos Christidis of PASOK-KINAL said the seizure of ships in international waters “raises serious questions of legality and human rights,” stressing that international law must be applied “without exceptions.”
KKE’s Nikos Karathanasopoulos denounced the raid as a “pirate attack,” accusing Israel and the European Union of failing to protect the mission. SYRIZA spokesman Christos Giannoulis highlighted the participation of Greek MP Peti Perka in the flotilla, calling the interception “a humanitarian disaster” and urging Athens to abandon “a policy of equal distances.”
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said Greece, in cooperation with other countries, “will do everything in our power to ensure full security for these citizens.”
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto voiced condemnation “in the strongest manner” as there were also Italian citizens on board.
Italy saw some of the largest demonstrations. On Wednesday night, thousands rallied in Rome, Milan, Naples and other cities after the flotilla was seized, occupying train stations and staging university sit-ins. Unions called a general strike, declaring the attack on civilian ships “an assault on humanitarian solidarity.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed around 40 Italians were detained, saying Israel’s actions had gone “well beyond” legitimate self-defense.
Portuguese authorities confirmed that three citizens, including a member of parliament, have been detained. Portuguese political figures voiced strong reactions Thursday to Israel’s detention of the three nationals, calling for their safe return and sharply criticizing Israel’s actions. Left Bloc leader Marisa Matias called the detention “illegal.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa pledged to provide “full consular support” through the embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure their rights and safe return.
In Germany, officials said they were in contact with Israel to ensure passengers’ safety. Thousands of people rallied in Berlin Saturday.
France also expressed concern, urging Israel to ensure the safety of its citizens, guarantee their right to consular protection and allow their prompt return.
The Netherlands reported six citizens detained. The Dutch Foreign Ministry called for their protection as protesters rallied in The Hague.
Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed contact with families of nationals aboard and said it expected Israel to resolve the matter safely.
Late Wednesday night, the flotilla denounced the “active aggression” of the Israeli military on Telegram, noting that the vessel Florida was “deliberately rammed at sea,” while Yulara, Meteque and others were hit with water cannons.
Though all crew members were unharmed, “these illegal attacks against unarmed humanitarian vessels constitute a war crime,” it said.
The latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has dragged on for nearly two years, claiming more than 65,000 lives in Gaza, nearly half of them women and children, and leaving 2 million people mired in a humanitarian catastrophe.
Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva told parliament on Thursday that the government plans to prioritise programmes that boost productivity while encouraging smallholder farmers to adopt modern agricultural technologies.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a critical driver of citizens’ welfare,” he noted.
{{Current context and goals
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In 2024, agriculture contributed 25% to Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government plans to increase this share while achieving full food self-sufficiency by 2029, up from the current 79.6%.
The sector has played a key role in improving the economy and livelihoods. Between 2017 and 2024, Rwanda’s per capita GDP rose from $754 to $1,040, driven in part by agriculture and related industries. The value of agro-processed products also rose, reaching Frw 1 trillion in 2024, up from Frw 369 billion in 2017.
Agriculture employs 55% of the rural population and 12% of urban residents. Nearly 70% of Rwandans rely on farming for their livelihoods, with almost half producing primarily for the market.
{{Strategic interventions
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To reach the 50% growth target, the government plans to expand irrigated farmland from 74,375 hectares in 2024 to 132,171 hectares by 2029. Smallholder farmers with plots under 10 hectares will receive subsidies covering 50% of irrigation equipment costs.
The government is also investing in local seed multiplication to reduce dependency on imported seeds and is promoting increased fertiliser use from 73.1 kg per hectare in 2024 to a projected 94.6 kg by 2029, to boost yields.
Investment in agriculture will rise, with bank loans allocated to the sector expected to grow from 6% today to at least 10% by 2029. Farmers are encouraged to insure crops and livestock to minimise losses, with current schemes covering over 300,000 farmers and 56,761 livestock keepers.
{{Production targets
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Rwanda plans to increase grain storage capacity from 318,000 tonnes to 420,000 tonnes by 2029. Annual milk production is expected to rise from 1.09 billion litres to 1.3 billion litres, while fish output will grow from 48,000 tonnes in 2024 to 77,000 tonnes. Egg production is projected to reach 21,000 tonnes, up from 17,000 tonnes.
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva said these interventions, combined with modern technology adoption, strategic investment, and insurance programmes, are central to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and improving the livelihoods of Rwandans.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in the statement that Israel has offered and continues to offer the flotilla a way to deliver any aid they might have to Gaza “peacefully.”
“The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation,” the statement reads.
It added that the Israeli navy has reached out to the flotilla and asked them to change course. “Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade,” the ministry said.
According to the GSF, the international maritime initiative comprises about 50 civilian vessels and more than 500 volunteers from over 40 countries, aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The flotilla set sail from ports of various countries since August, converging toward Gaza with the goal of opening a humanitarian corridor by sea. During the trip, the fleet has come under repeated attacks, including drone strikes and “intimidation attacks.”
Earlier in the day, the GSF said that two of its vessels were harassed by Israeli warships overnight, which jammed their communications.
Some countries, including Italy and Greece, have urged Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of the GSF participants headed for Gaza and to allow consular protection measures.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the enclave. The Israeli restrictions have been further tightened following Hamas’s cross-border assault into southern Israel in October 2023.
Dr. Goodall began her pioneering research in 1960 at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, where she studied chimpanzee behaviour. She subsequently decided to live in Tanzania to remain close to the chimpanzees, establishing a career in wildlife conservation comparable to that of Dian Fossey, who devoted her life to mountain gorillas.
In 1991, Dr. Goodall founded Roots & Shoots, a global youth-led environmental programme. The initiative now operates in nearly 100 countries, including Rwanda, with more than 1,000 members advocating for wildlife protection, community development, and environmental conservation.
During a 2013 visit to Rwanda, Dr. Goodall met government officials, including the Rwanda Development Board, park authorities, students, and international organisations. She toured Nyungwe National Park and pledged to return to continue supporting local conservation efforts. Clare Akamanzi, then CEO of RDB, noted that the JGI had been collaborating with Rwanda on chimpanzee habituation programmes in Nyungwe through the Nyungwe Nziza project, launched in 2010.
Dr. Goodall’s passing has been mourned globally, with tributes from conservationists, political leaders including former U.S. President Barack Obama, and international bodies such as the United Nations, recognising her lifelong dedication to wildlife and environmental conservation.
According to the rebel coalition, the attacks targeted densely populated areas, destroying homes and prompting many residents to flee. Casualty figures have not yet been independently confirmed.
In Rutshuru, M23 reports indicate that three homes in the Kisisile area of the Bukoma groupement were destroyed, approximately three kilometres from the town centre.
Meanwhile, in Walikale’s Ikobo groupement, local residents fled or barricaded themselves in their homes after a drone strike in Buleusa. Schools in the area were suspended on October 2 as parents expressed concern for the safety of their children.
Lawrence Kanyuka, AFC/M23 spokesperson, called on the national and international community to witness what he described as the ongoing targeting of civilians by FARDC forces.
“These operations are coordinated from military headquarters in Uvira and Bujumbura,” he said, adding that AFC/M23 considers itself obliged to intervene to protect civilians.
The renewed violence comes amid efforts by international parties, including Qatar, to silence the guns in the troubled eastern region.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief’s financial leap is largely tied to Tesla’s performance on the markets. Musk controls over 12% of the company, and a rebound in its shares this year, up more than 14% so far, added billions to his fortune in a single day. The stock climbed 3.3% on Wednesday alone, contributing roughly $6 billion to his total wealth.
This milestone follows months of volatility. Earlier in the year, Tesla struggled with declining sales and tighter profit margins, putting pressure on its share price. Investor sentiment began to turn when Musk renewed his focus on his companies, stepping back into a visible leadership role.
“He’s front and centre again,” Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm remarked recently, noting his return after a spell of political activity in Washington.
To further demonstrate confidence, Musk purchased roughly $1 billion worth of Tesla stock in September. The move came as the company pushes to transform itself from a pure carmaker into a leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, a shift Musk has repeatedly described as Tesla’s future.
But Tesla is only part of the picture. His rocket firm SpaceX is estimated to be worth about $400 billion following recent private share sales, while his artificial intelligence venture xAI, launched just last year, has already been valued at $75 billion, with expectations it could soar past $200 billion in future rounds.
Together, these enterprises reflect Musk’s deepening reach into industries that investors see as defining the next era of technology.
Musk’s achievement also widens the gap between him and his closest rival on the Forbes index, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose wealth is pegged at $350.7 billion.
While Musk’s ascent to the $500 billion mark is historic, analysts caution that his fortune remains highly exposed to market swings. A sharp downturn in Tesla shares or changes in investor appetite for private tech valuations could significantly impact his net worth.
Still, with his portfolio spanning electric mobility, space exploration, and artificial intelligence, Musk’s influence on the global economy is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
This is not just another development zone; it’s a provincial-level pilot for China’s carbon peaking and neutrality goals.
Spanning 31 square kilometers, the park uses a combination of green electricity and hydrogen energy to power industries. I even got to ride a hydrogen-powered bike — I pedaled lightly, and the bike accelerated almost effortlessly. It felt like a glimpse into the future of clean mobility.
Next was Jiangsu Yueda Textile Group. Walking into their 400-million-yuan intelligent factory felt like entering another world. Everything runs on 5G-connected machinery, from spinning to weaving to dyeing. Robots work with precision, minimizing errors and reducing the workforce per 10,000 spindles by 72%, while increasing efficiency by 30%.
It’s a National Green Factory, and seeing how traditional textile production has transformed into a smart operation left a lasting impression.
At Jiangsu Yueda Kia Automobile Co., the scale of innovation was even more striking. The company can manufacture a full car body in just 50 seconds, producing around 1,000 vehicles per day, with exports to more than 70 countries.
Inside the smart factory, 558 robots work in harmony, achieving 100 percent automation in the welding workshop. This is Yancheng’s global face — competitive, efficient, and forward-looking.
Technology here isn’t limited to industry. At the Yandu Digital Agriculture Science and Technology Park, I saw how big data and real-time sales information are used to build a smart agricultural ecosystem.
This park connects markets across eastern and western China, ensuring products move efficiently. It showed me how technology can make farming not only smarter but also more inclusive.
Yancheng’s Cross-Border E-Commerce Industrial Park is another example. Hosting over 80 companies, including Alibaba International Station and Sinotrans DHL, the park links local industries with global markets.
Walking through its modern facilities, I could sense how the city is positioning itself as a trade and logistics hub with a digital backbone.
The Yangtze River Delta Digital Audiovisual Industry Base offered a completely different experience. Here, technology meets creativity. I explored virtual studios and interactive digital human technologies.
It’s the first digital audiovisual industry base in the region, bringing together more than 100 companies and building an ecosystem for content production, simulation, and digital services.
My technological journey also took me to Jiangsu Tianyi Aviation Industry Co., a company that has become a national leader in 5G airport technology. Founded in 2011, it focuses on developing 38 types of airport-specific equipment and has played a major role in setting national civil aviation standards.
Walking through its facilities, I was struck by how innovation drives every corner — from the precision engineering labs to the smart systems that power modern airports. It was inspiring to see how a local company has gained national recognition for shaping the future of aviation technology.
What ties all these places together is Yancheng’s clear vision: to lead in green, smart, and globally connected industries. As I moved from one site to another, I felt I wasn’t just observing innovation; I was standing inside a living model of a future many cities aspire to build.
