As part of the Hotel’s ongoing dedication to social impact and educational empowerment, the team visited GS Rutunga School to donate essential school supplies to 100 students on September 19, 2025 , helping them begin their academic journey with confidence and enthusiasm.
Each student received a comprehensive package including a set of twelve notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, a mathematical instrument set and school bag.
This initiative reflects Marriott International’s belief that investing in education is investing in a brighter future.
The smiles and excitement on the students’ faces also served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of even the simplest acts of kindness.
This outreach is part of Marriott’s broader Spirit to Serve philosophy, which encourages associates to engage in volunteerism and community service by stepping beyond the workplace.
Addressing 51 students from 14 African countries, Kagame urged them to recognise the continent’s challenges, take responsibility for its development, and act decisively to shape its progress.
Founded by President Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the Kigali-based ASG was designed to transform governance in Africa by offering world-class public policy education and research programs tailored to the continent’s realities.
The inaugural cohort, representing Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, embodies the school’s vision of nurturing pan-African leaders.
During his keynote at the matriculation ceremony of the inaugural cohort, Kagame praised the founders and partners, including the Mastercard Foundation, for bringing the institution to life.
“Africa deserves focus and deep study, and that should be done by you, our youth and our future. Unlike anywhere else, your education here will challenge you to think critically and practically about how to move our continent forward,” he said.
“This school will prepare you for leadership, but the journey starts from within,” he added.
Kagame outlined three qualities he said are essential for the cohort:
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He urged students to pay attention to how Africa is perceived globally, question whether those perceptions are fair, and confront both inherited and self-inflicted challenges that continue to hold the continent back.
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The Head of State emphasised that students must value themselves, their countries, and their people. He noted that Africa will only be taken seriously if its leaders respect their own roles and contribute actively to their communities.
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He called on students to apply their knowledge and skills decisively, warning that the continent cannot afford to lag behind as global economies and technologies advance.
“An institution is only as strong as the people it serves. Make the most of your time here. Soon, when your country looks to you for answers, you must be ready,” Kagame told the cohort.
Following the matriculation ceremony, the two co-founders participated in a panel discussion with ASG students under the theme, “Mindset and Attitude of Leadership.”
During the discussion, Kagame reflected on Africa’s developmental trajectory, urging students to think critically about the continent’s past and future.
“Africa cannot just remain where it is. We need to move forward and progress like many other parts of the world that are at our level of development—or even behind us—but are now so far ahead of us. What happened to us? What happened to the continent? What happened to Africa? If we can have an institution like this, it allows people to have soul searching and figure out what we can do to move forward,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Desalegn highlighted lessons from other nations’ rapid transformations.
“Some countries, especially in Asia—Singapore, South Korea, even China—moved in a generational time from rags to riches. We African nations, which were better than them at certain periods, in most cases, remain in the shackles of poverty. The whole idea is that mindset, attitude, and leadership matter. We do have a leadership deficit and a problem of governance, and our young people should not continue as we were,” he said.
Kagame concluded by expressing confidence in the cohort’s potential to shape Africa’s future: “We are counting on you. You are exactly who Africa needs.”
With its focus on practical leadership training and research grounded in African realities, ASG aims to equip a new generation of policymakers with the tools to address the continent’s pressing challenges and transform its governance landscape.
This victory follows another milestone earlier this month, when BK teams triumphed at the Interbank Tournament by winning in swimming, basketball, and volleyball, underscoring the bank’s growing culture of sports excellence.
Rwanda has set ambitious goals in sports, seeing it not only as a source of entertainment but also as a driver of development. With programs that encourage mass participation and investment in infrastructure, the government is working toward a vision where athletics contribute directly to social cohesion and economic growth.
Bank of Kigali continuously embeds sports into its culture, and it has positioned itself not only as a financial leader, but as an advocate for employee well-being and community development.
Inside BK, sports serve as a catalyst for resilience, teamwork, and collaboration. Outside its walls, the bank’s investments in various sports initiatives such as executive golf tournaments, basketball competitions and others reflect a belief that sports are platforms where talent, and opportunity converge.
The 2025 Corporate League also celebrated individual achievements, with BK’s own Shyaka Olivier earning the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Speaking after the championship, Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, said:
“I am deeply proud of our Bank of Kigali family. Winning both the Corporate League and the Interbank Tournament shows that when we come together with passion and purpose, there are no limits to what we can achieve. Sport at BK is not just about trophies, it is about wellness and teamwork.
As BK prepares to represent Rwanda in the East Africa Corporate League, it sees its mission aligned with the country’s broader sports agenda: using athletics as a tool to nurture talent, promote inclusion, and strengthen national pride.
For Bank of Kigali, these victories in the pool, on the court, and on the field, do more than make the institution proud, they also contribute to Rwanda’s vision of a healthier nation, stronger sports culture, and the sector’s development.
Amb. Nduhungirehe said President Tshisekedi should not dare accuse others of genocide when the Congolese army and allied armed groups are killing Congolese Tutsis.
It has been nearly four years since renewed war broke out in eastern DRC, triggered by systematic attacks on Congolese Tutsis, especially in North and South Kivu provinces.
While addressing the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2025, President Tshisekedi told world leaders that they should acknowledge the existence of genocide taking place in the eastern part of his country.
He did not specify which community or group is being targeted, but insisted that what is happening in the east “is not a normal war but a silent genocide.”
Reacting to his request , Minister Nduhungirehe took to X to slash Tshisekedi for accusing others of crimes being committed by his own forces.
“He has armed, supported, and financed the FDLR Rwandan genocidaires, and even integrated them into his own national army, the FARDC, alongside the Nyatura and other ethnic-based militias. He created an armed militia called ‘Wazalendo’ to which he provided money, weapons, and ammunition,” he noted.
Amb. Nduhungirehe reminded the public that Tshisekedi turned a blind eye when this militia, together with the FDLR and Nyatura, set fire to more than 300 homes belonging to Congolese Tutsis in October 2023, in the village of Nturo, Masisi territory, North Kivu province.
“He remained silent when Wazalendo lynched, burned alive, and even cannibalized several of his own FARDC officers, for the simple “crime” of being born Tutsi. He said nothing when videos circulated showing children armed by this same militia, with Wazalendo adults asking those children if they were ready ‘to kill the Banyarwanda’ ” he said.
“He uttered no word when Wazalendo leaders gave the Banyamulenge and other Congolese Tutsis ten days to leave DRC territory and “return home to Rwanda,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.
Meanwhile, despite ongoing peace talks between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group in Qatar, FARDC has continued to launch heavy attacks — including air strikes, drones, and other heavy weapons — on areas controlled by M23.
For example, on September 19, 2025, M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka reported that FARDC launched airstrikes using Sukhoi-25 jets and CH-4 drones on highly populated areas such as Bibwe, Chysto, Hembe, and Nyange, killing many civilians.
Amb. Nduhungirehe questioned how President Tshisekedi could ignore such atrocities and still accuse others of genocide before the United Nations.
“And after all that, he dares to stand on the prestigious platform of the United Nations in New York to accuse others of genocide? A simple mirror would have sufficed!” he concluded.
The Head of State made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 194th UCI Congress in Kigali on Thursday, where leaders from 132 national cycling federations gathered to mark the milestone event.
President Kagame lauded Lappartient for standing up for fairness in global sports hosting, noting that his principled leadership opened doors for Africa on the international stage.
“The main rule of any sport is fairness,” Kagame said. “We thank UCI President David Lappartient for his integrity and courage to stand up for what is right and fair. Governing bodies of sports have a responsibility to open doors and expand access, and that is what we see UCI doing.”
He also addressed the scepticism and dismissive attitudes that often greet Africa hosting global events, calling them outdated and wrong.
“Too often, when Africa or another non-traditional host is chosen for a global event, the reaction is sceptical and frequently dismissive. These reflexive attitudes are outdated and wrong,” Kagame said, emphasizing that Africa has the talent, vision, and infrastructure to host world-class competitions.
President Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s own journey in developing cycling, pointing to investments in infrastructure, training, and the integration of three UCI satellite centres, which make the country only the second in Africa to host such facilities.
He also noted that this week’s championship features 108 nations, including a record 36 from Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing presence in the sport.
In his address on Thursday, UCI President David Lappartient hailed Rwanda’s role in making history by hosting the UCI Congress and World Championships.
“Your Excellency, President Paul Kagame, it’s a very big honour to have you here with us,” Lappartient said. “The 132 national federations here asked me to thank you and to thank Rwanda for making the history. And it is a wonderful chapter. We will never forget our time in your beautiful country.”
He praised the passion and enthusiasm of Rwandan fans and athletes, noting that the images and memories of the week in Kigali would remain with the cycling world forever.
“Your presence in this room today gives us inspiration and adds prestige to the UCI Congress. Your Excellency, you have made a great impact on the UCI World Championship and the UCI Congress. Thank you very much,” he added.
On Sunday, during the official launch of the UCI in Kigali, Lappartient described the event as the fulfilment of a long-held dream since his 2017 election campaign.
“When I was running for president, I had a dream to bring our pinnacle event to Africa,” he said. “The talent from Africa has grown tremendously and this week, the world will witness it… This will likely be the hardest UCI Road World Championship ever but also one of the most spectacular, in the Land of a Thousand Hills.”
He credited Rwanda’s leadership for making the milestone possible. “Without the vision of President Paul Kagame, without our shared vision, it would have been impossible. We are so proud to be here for the first time ever,” Lappartient told the audience.
The week-long championship in Kigali is expected to leave a lasting legacy, not only in sporting achievements but also in demonstrating Africa’s capacity to host world-class events.
The Hakan Power Plant, located in Mamba Sector next to the Akanyaru marshes, was launched in 2021 after four years of construction. Despite its design capacity of 80 megawatts—70 of which were meant to be fed into the grid—the plant currently generates only about 23 megawatts.
According to the project manager, Tonci Tadic, the main challenge has been the unreliable supply of peat. Initial feasibility studies suggested that the Akanyaru River would not disrupt peat extraction, but rising water levels linked to heavier rainfall have washed away significant deposits.
“What we have observed over the past four years is the impact of climate variability on the Akanyaru River,” Tadic said. “The earlier study showed the river’s width at 3.5 meters, but it has since expanded to 4.9 meters, causing floods that sweep away our peat.”
Seasonal rains have compounded the problem, making peat mining nearly impossible for three to four months a year. The company also faces a shortage of specialized equipment to extract and transport peat, further limiting operations.
Calls for new investment
Tadic revealed that so far, about $450 million ( approximately Frw 500 billion) has been invested in the plant, but an additional $25 million is needed to expand capacity and resolve the bottlenecks.
“To deliver the 70 megawatts expected to the grid, we must expand the mining area from the current 300 hectares to 800 hectares,” he said. “We also need at least 40 additional machines to support peat extraction and transportation. With $25 million invested over three years, I believe the plant could finally supply the full 70 megawatts.”
The investor also called for smoother cooperation with the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), which buys the electricity generated by the plant. He noted that while contracts stipulate payment within 45 days, delays have stretched to as long as four months.
“Meanwhile, the Rwanda Revenue Authority still counts penalties for late tax payments, even though REG itself has not paid us on time,” Tadic said.
The Rwandan government has pledged to support the company in addressing these challenges, with discussions underway on how to strengthen collaboration with other agencies.
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Hakan Power Plant is not the only facility using peat in Rwanda. The Gishoma power plant in Rusizi District also produces 15 megawatts from peat.
Studies indicate that Rwanda holds an estimated 155 million tonnes of peat reserves covering about 50,000 hectares. According to REG data, about 77% of the country’s peat resources are concentrated in the Akanyaru and Nyabarongo wetlands, as well as the Rwabusoro valley.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), NCA officers arrested a man in his 40s in West Sussex Tuesday evening on suspicion of “Computer Misuse Act offences.”
“He has been released on conditional bail,” an announcement added while providing no more details.
“Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing,” said Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit.
The cyberattack targeted Collins Aerospace, the service provider for the check-in and boarding systems. Airports in air hubs such as London, Brussels and Berlin reported delays and cancellations of flights after the attack over the weekend, which forced them to use manual check-in and boarding.
“Let us be clear: humanity’s fate cannot be left to an algorithm. Humans must always retain authority over life-and-death decisions,” he told an open debate of the Security Council on AI and international peace and security.
The Security Council and UN member states must ensure that military use of AI remains in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter. Human control and judgment must be preserved in every use of force, he said.
AI is no longer a distant horizon. It is here, transforming daily life, the information space, and the global economy at breathtaking speed. The question is not whether AI will influence international peace and security, but how the world will shape that influence, said Guterres.
Without guardrails, AI can be weaponized. AI-enabled cyberattacks can disrupt or destroy critical infrastructure in minutes. The ability to fabricate and manipulate audio and video threatens information integrity, fuels polarization, and can trigger diplomatic crises. And the massive energy and water demands of large-scale models, coupled with competition over critical minerals, are creating new drivers of tension, he warned.
Guterres said coherent global regulatory frameworks for AI must be in place.
Governments, platforms, media and civil society must cooperate to detect and deter AI-generated deception — from disinformation campaigns to deepfakes targeting peace processes, humanitarian access and elections, he said.
“We need transparency in the entire AI life cycle: rapid and verified attribution of information sources and their dissemination, and systemic safeguards to prevent AI systems from spreading disinformation and igniting violence,” he said.
There is also a need to close the AI capacity gap, said Guterres. “Technology can accelerate sustainable development, foster stability and peace. We must create space for all nations to shape our AI future.”
From nuclear arms control to aviation safety, the international community has risen to the challenge of technologies that could destabilize societies, by agreeing to rules, by building institutions, and by insisting on human dignity, he said. “The window is closing to shape AI — for peace, for justice, for humanity. We must act without delay.”
According to an RDF statement released on Wednesday, Sergeant Sadiki Emmanuel, a military driver, accidentally strayed across the Gasenyi–Nemba border and was apprehended by Burundian police. He is currently being held at Kirundo Police Station in Busoni commune, Butanyera Province.
The RDF described the event as an “unfortunate common border incident” and assured the public that diplomatic channels will be used to facilitate the soldier’s return.
“RDF regrets this unfortunate common border incident and will undertake necessary diplomatic actions with the Government of Burundi to bring the soldier back home,” the statement read.
The race was a nail-biting contest, especially between Australia and France. As the French team—consisting of Bruno Armirail, Paul Seixas, Pavel Sivakov, Cédrine Kerbaol, Juliette Labous, and Maëva Squiban—crossed the line with a time of 54:35.71, they briefly held the hot seat but had to settle for silver. Despite holding the lead for the majority of the race, France could not hold off Australia’s final push. Switzerland, also battling hard throughout the race, secured third place with a time of 54:58.89.
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Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser showed exceptional resilience when an unexpected bike change left her temporarily behind the pack. Undeterred, Reusser rejoined her teammates and, with solid teamwork, helped Switzerland finish just 10 seconds behind France. The Swiss team’s recovery demonstrated their tenacity and ability to handle adversity under pressure.
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The race unfolded dynamically, with Switzerland setting the early pace, leading the field after the men’s trio finished their part. Italy briefly surged to the top, but France overtook them at the midway switchover, moving into the lead.
At that point, Switzerland remained in the top spot, holding a 20-second advantage. As the women riders took over, France put in the quickest women’s time of the day—12 seconds faster than anyone else and 28 seconds ahead of Australia. This fast-paced finish set up a dramatic showdown for the gold, with Australia ultimately securing victory by a narrow margin.
Amanda Spratt, reflecting on the intense final moments of the race, said, “I knew from the cobbled climb on that it was just going to be like hell, just push through and push through. Brodie was so strong in that last part, so I knew I had to hold the wheel and that it was going to be close. Matt White, our director, was screaming at us to sprint, sprint, sprint.”
Teammate Michael Matthews added, “It’s not often we get a chance to ride with other Aussies like this in a full Aussie event, so I think we had full focus for this after we won last year. Just being back with the team and mixing it with the girls in the last few days, and putting it together today was just the cherry on top of the cake.”
The Mixed Relay featured 15 teams, with fierce competition throughout the day. Germany, who lost the previous year’s title to Australia by less than a second, finished in 5th place with a time of 56:04.05, 1:33.58 behind the winners.
Meanwhile, Italy faded from second place at the midway point to finish fourth, with a time of 55:45.03. The battle for the top five spots was intense, with only seconds separating the teams.
Rwanda, with a team composed of Byukusenge Patrick, Nkundabera Eric, Uwiduhaye Mike, Ingabire Diane, Nirere Xaverine, and Nyirarukundo Claudette, put up a strong fight and finished in 11th place with a time of 1:03:08.97, 8:38.50 behind the winning Australian team. Their performance on home soil was a testament to their growing presence in international cycling.
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1. Australia – 54:30.47
2. France – 54:35.71 (+5.24)
3. Switzerland – 54:40.47 (+10.00)
4. Italy – 55:45.03 (+1:14.56)
5. Germany – 56:04.05 (+1:33.58)
6. Spain – 56:25.99 (+1:55.52)
7. Belgium – 58:50.14 (+4:19.67)
8. Ukraine – 1:00:33.83 (+6:03.36)
9. China – 1:01:08.72 (+6:38.25)
10. Ethiopia – 1:02:22.60 (+7:52.13)
11. Rwanda – 1:03:08.97 (+8:38.50)
12. Mauritius – 1:03:28.23 (+8:57.76)
13. UCI World Cycling Centre – 1:03:34.14 (+9:03.67)
