The arrest took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, following reports that Burikantu had locked up a group of girls who had gone to his home in Kinyinya to discuss potential collaborations on social media content creation.
Sources told IGIHE that the incident began when Burikantu allegedly invited one of the girls into a separate room to discuss how he could support her online presence. When she declined, he reportedly got upset and locked the group inside his house. He then demanded they pay him back for the transport fare and sodas he had provided before he would allow them to leave.
The situation escalated when the girls couldn’t meet his demands. After one left, the others contacted the police for help. Officers from Rwanda National Police responded promptly and freed them, leading to Burikantu’s arrest shortly after.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Thierry B. Murangira confirmed the incident took place in Kinyinya Sector, Murama Cell, Binunga Village, where the influencer resides.
Burikantu is now being held at the RIB Kinyinya station as investigations continue. His case file is being prepared for submission to the Prosecution in accordance with the law.
The offence he is being investigated for is punishable under Article 151 of Rwanda’s penal code, which addresses unlawful confinement. If convicted, he could face between five to seven years in prison.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Murangira said: “RIB reminds the public that no one has the right to take advantage of others or hold them against their will. Such actions are illegal and will not be tolerated.”
This decision was one of the key resolutions made during an International Scientific Symposium held on July 19, 2025, which brought together members of RMC and the Muhammad VI Foundation. The summit explored how Islamic moral values can serve as powerful tools in promoting peace and harmony across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Sindayigaya Mussa, emphasized the importance of living out Islamic principles beyond religious spaces.
“Islamic values shouldn’t just remain within religious gatherings. We must embody them in our everyday lives, in how we treat one another, and how we engage with society,” he said.
He noted that values like respect, peace, and justice not only reflect faith but also shape responsible and compassionate citizens.
Also addressing the gathering, Deputy Speaker of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, praised Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery journey as a model of resilience and reconciliation.
“The efforts made after the genocide—through forgiveness, Gacaca courts, and government-led unity programs—have transformed Rwanda. Other nations can learn from our story,” he stated.
He further called for the documentation of humanitarian acts carried out by Muslim families and others during the genocide, noting they could serve as inspirational case studies for future generations.
Sheikhat Sauda Niyirora, who leads Muslim women in Rwanda, reflected on how Islam was once misrepresented in public discourse.
“Islam used to be misunderstood and unfairly judged. But thanks to Rwanda’s leadership, today every Rwandan enjoys equal rights. We must now prove through our actions who we truly are.”
The planned research center will be built in Rwanda in collaboration with the Muhammad VI Foundation, which has pledged funding to support its academic and cultural activities.
This initiative marks a significant step in preserving Rwanda’s complex past while using faith-based values to build a peaceful, united future.
The eight-year amortising bond marks IFC’s return to Rwanda’s onshore market for the first time in 11 years. It’s also its second “Umuganda bond” denominated in Rwandan francs.
The bond, listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange, was 1.75 times oversubscribed and carries a fixed coupon of 10.50%, about 0.55% below the interpolated government yield.
Proceeds from the bond will be used to finance a local digital infrastructure project, allowing the client to avoid currency risk associated with borrowing in U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies.
Mary Porter Peschka, IFC’s Director for Eastern Africa, said the bond aligns with IFC’s long-term goal of strengthening capital markets while supporting critical infrastructure.
“The bond offers investors exposure to IFC’s triple-A rating, while also enabling IFC to provide local currency financing to an important project that will enhance digital connectivity,” she said.
IFC coined the term “Umuganda bond” in 2014 when it became the first non-resident issuer to place a Rwandan franc bond in the domestic market. The success of the current issuance is seen as a vote of confidence in Rwanda’s capital market framework and regulatory environment.
The bond attracted a wide range of investors, including pension funds, insurance companies, banks, and asset managers. BK Capital and Rand Merchant Bank served as joint lead managers on the transaction.
Finance Minister Yusuf Murangwa welcomed the issuance as a positive step for local market development.
“IFC’s second Umuganda bond will support our work to deepen domestic capital markets in Rwanda,” he said. “Bond issuances by international borrowers such as IFC create new investable opportunities for domestic investors while raising much-needed Rwanda franc financing for local businesses.”
Beyond bond issuance, IFC continues to support capital market reforms in Rwanda through the Rwanda Capital Market Development Project—a joint initiative with the World Bank. The project focuses on improving government bond market liquidity, increasing non-government bond issuance, and building a more diversified and professional investor base.
In 2024, IFC also issued two offshore Rwanda franc-denominated bonds listed on the London and Luxembourg Stock Exchanges.
The grand festival took place on the night of Sunday, July 20, 2025, and was officially opened by President Denis Sassou N’Guesso of Congo Brazzaville.
This 12th edition, which also marks the 30th anniversary of FESPAM, was held under the theme: “Music and Its Role in Africa’s Economy in the Digital Age.”
Boukuru’s performance was graced by high-profile guests including Marie-France Lydie Hélène Pongault, Congo’s Minister of Culture; Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Amb. Parfait Busabizwa; members of the Rwandan community living in Brazzaville; and hundreds of Congolese music enthusiasts.
As she stepped onto the stage, Boukuru greeted the crowd and proudly declared, “I am a Rwandan artist and I’m here to share with you the essence of Rwandan creativity.”
Speaking after her performance, Boukuru expressed how meaningful it was to be on such a prestigious platform.
“Representing Rwanda is a great honor,” she said. “Being in Brazzaville is important for my artistic journey because it allows me to connect with fellow creatives, learn from others, and grow my own expression.”
Beyond her opening-night performance, Boukuru is set to showcase her art at multiple festival venues across different neighborhoods in Brazzaville as part of the ongoing FESPAM schedule.
The opening night attracted over 8,000 attendees and set the tone for a vibrant celebration of African music.
In addition to live performances, the festival includes panel discussions on African music, a heritage exhibition of iconic instruments, and free concerts in venues like Mayanga, Kintélé, and more. The event will also feature the screening of a documentary film about Congolese Rumba, one of Africa’s most celebrated musical genres.
Alongside Boukuru, artists from various countries are expected to perform throughout the festival. FESPAM is organized in partnership with the Government of Congo Brazzaville, the African Union, and UNESCO.
The Frw 5 billion Medium-Term Senior Unsecured Bond marks a major milestone not only for AMS but also for Rwanda’s healthcare and capital markets.
The approval paves the way for AMS to offer the bond to the public and subsequently list it on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), where trading is expected to commence on August 22.
The five-year bond, which carries a fixed annual interest rate of 13.25%, will be issued in a single tranche. It features an amortising structure with semi-annual interest payments and principal repayments starting 18 months after settlement. The bond’s weighted average life is approximately 3.25 years. The minimum subscription is set at Frw 1 million.
Public subscription opens on July 24 and will run until August 7.
Founded in 2008, AMS supplies life-saving medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents, diagnostic kits, and hospital furniture to over 400 clients, including public and private hospitals, NGOs, United Nations agencies, and government health programs across Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Speaking on the development, Yves Sangano, Chairman of AMS, said the CMA approval is a significant step forward for both the company and the healthcare sector.
“Today marks a pivotal moment not just for AMS, but also for the healthcare sector because access to life-saving medical services remains out of reach for many,” said Sangano.
“Securing approval for the first-ever corporate bond any company in the healthcare sector in the country has issued is a conviction that the sector remains key in Rwanda’s transformation journey.”
According to AMS, proceeds from the bond will be used to refinance USD-denominated debt and support growth plans aimed at increasing the company’s capacity to fulfil contracts and expand into new markets. Frw 3.1 billion will go toward debt refinancing, while Frw 1.9 billion will fund working capital for growth.
Fabrice Shema Ngoga, the company’s Chief Executive Officer and founder, said the bond is not just a financial instrument, but a statement of intent.
“This bond issuance will be a significant financial achievement for AMS, showcasing the strength of our business model and our commitment to responsible growth,” said Ngoga.
“Furthermore, this kind of financing allows us to directly connect with investors who share our vision for a future where every Rwandan has access to affordable healthcare.”
AMS has engaged BK Capital as the financial arranger and sponsoring broker for the issuance. RR Associates & Co. Advocates and BDO Rwanda are serving as legal and accounting advisors, respectively.
In 2024, AMS posted revenues of Frw 18.5 billion, with a net profit of Frw 681 million.
The firm holds a BBB- (RW) long-term rating and an A3 (RW) short-term rating from GCR Ratings, a Moody’s subsidiary.
The company operates across Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with other target regions including Guinea-Conakry and the Central African Republic.
For APR FC, Rwanda’s reigning champions, the match is part of their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The army side kicked off their warm-up games with a strong performance, defeating Gasogi United 4-1 in Shyorongi on Sunday.
For Nigeria, the encounter serves as a critical part of their build-up to the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The CHAN tournament features only players competing in their national domestic leagues and will run from August 2 to 30, co-hosted by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
Nigeria’s CHAN team will head to Zanzibar after the Kigali fixture to compete in Group D, where they are drawn alongside Senegal, Congo, and Sudan.
APR FC, meanwhile, has lined up more friendlies as part of their international preseason schedule. The club is confirmed to play Tanzanian powerhouses Simba SC and Azam FC in mid-August.
Discussions are also ongoing with South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, raising the possibility of another top-tier clash.
Before meeting Nigeria, APR will be back in action on Tuesday, July 22, in a friendly against Gorilla FC.
As Rwanda’s representatives in the upcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, APR FC hopes to break new ground this season.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday revealed that the country’s unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over stood at 4.7 percent during the March-May period of 2025. This marks a notable increase both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, pushing the rate to its highest level in nearly four years.
The ONS figures also showed job vacancies climbing to new highs, indicating that despite a growing number of unemployed individuals, businesses are still struggling to fill positions.
“The government’s tax rises, a higher minimum wage and the U.S. trade war are hitting the jobs market,” Financial Times reported.
David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), told Xinhua that steep increases in national insurance contributions and the national living wage weigh heavily on the latest employment data.
“BCC research shows that recruitment remains challenging, and businesses cite labor costs as the biggest pressure,” Bharier said. “This mounting financial pressure, alongside pervasive skills shortages, remains a massive challenge for business, presenting big risks to investment and productivity.”
According to Bharier, the BCC’s most recent economic forecast suggests hiring will remain subdued and the unemployment rate is expected to stay largely static. “We currently forecast a rate of 4.6 percent at the end of 2027,” he said.
Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stressed that the latest trends paint a worrying picture for Britain’s small business sector.
“New FSB research has found that twice as many small businesses shed staff in the second quarter of 2025-20 percent-than increased their employee numbers,” she said.
For the first time in the 15-year history of the FSB’s quarterly Small Business Index, more small businesses expect to shrink or close over the next 12 months than those that expect to expand.
“That’s more than alarming for the economy and for communities across Britain where these hard-working businesses operate,” she said, noting that small businesses currently provide more than 16 million jobs in Britain-over half of all private sector employment.
Experts also believe the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs is contributing to the negative data and will continue to influence Britain’s job market and economy in the long term, despite the existence of a trade agreement.
William Bain, head of policy at the BCC, said their April survey revealed that 62 percent of firms exporting to the U.S. had been affected by rising costs and order book pressures caused by higher U.S. tariffs, a sentiment that aligns with the rising unemployment figures reported by the ONS.
David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, noted that U.S. tariffs are impacting Britain’s export-driven sectors and, in turn, the job market.
“Even though Britain has got this deal with Trump on tariffs, the tariffs are still going up from 2.5 percent to 10 percent. It may not be 25 percent, but it’s still going to affect exports from Britain and therefore hit economic growth,” Bailey said, adding that this uncertainty for British firms, combined with the government’s “mistake” of raising national insurance contributions alongside the higher minimum wage, has contributed to the sluggish employment situation.
Confirming the appointment, AIMS founder and IGB Chair, Professor Neil Turok, hailed Afrika’s leadership and expertise, calling it “invaluable” to the institute’s strategic direction.
Established in 2003 in South Africa and now operating centres in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Rwanda, AIMS is a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence offering postgraduate training, research, and public engagement in STEM.
The institute continues to play a key role in shaping Africa’s future through its intensive master’s programmes, including the African Master’s in Machine Intelligence (AMMI), its academic-industry partnerships, and initiatives like Quantum Leap Africa and the Next Einstein Forum.
Afrika, a former senior executive at the African Development Bank (AfDB), brings more than 30 years of experience in development economics and regional integration.
At the AfDB, he served in several top positions including Secretary General, Director of Policy and Resource Mobilisation, and Director of NEPAD and Regional Integration.
Since retiring from the bank in 2009, Afrika has continued to be a key figure in Rwanda’s economic and academic development. He is currently the chairman and co-founder of the University of Kigali, where he also heads the Centre for Economic Governance and Leadership.
His extensive boardroom experience includes previous tenures with Cogebanque Rwanda, Access Bank Rwanda, and the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
Afrika joins a high-profile roster on the AIMS board, including Charles Boamah, former Senior Vice President of the AfDB; Prof. Thuli Madonsela, Chair of Law and Social Justice at Stellenbosch University; and Serena Lefort, former Chair of Canada’s Quantum Valley Ideas Lab.
Speaking on his appointment, Afrika said, “It is an honour to contribute to AIMS’ inspiring mission of empowering Africa’s brightest minds through science and education.”
The next AIMS International Governing Board meeting will be held virtually, ahead of an in-person Annual General Meeting scheduled for early 2026 in Kigali.
The event is expected to highlight Rwanda’s growing role in shaping Africa’s scientific and innovation agenda.
The nomination was made during the Pan-African Media Councils Summit, held from July 14 to 16 in Arusha, Tanzania. RMC’s new role places it at the heart of efforts to promote press freedom, professional journalism, and regional cooperation in the face of digital-era media challenges.
Emmanuel Mugisha, Executive Secretary of RMC, said the nomination affirms the growing recognition of Rwanda’s media development efforts and opens doors for stronger regional influence.
“It is an opportunity for RMC to influence media development, advocate for press freedom, and enhance the media sector’s capacity across East Africa,” he told The New Times.
RMC’s position on the NIMCA board comes as the continent grapples with urgent issues such as online misinformation, disinformation, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in journalism.
Mugisha noted that one of RMC’s priorities will be working with regional counterparts to harmonise media standards and codes of ethics, particularly around the use of AI tools in news production.
“As a region, we agreed on the need to align AI-related media codes. This will help ensure responsible innovation without compromising journalistic integrity,” he said.
The summit, which also served as NIMCA’s inaugural Annual General Meeting, brought together delegates from across the continent.
Participants emphasised the importance of digital literacy as a frontline defence against harmful online content and fake news, particularly in countries where internet access is growing faster than media literacy.
Calls were made for greater investment in journalist training, stronger collaboration with fact-checking organisations, and greater accountability for social media platforms. Delegates also urged education systems to integrate digital literacy into school curricula to equip young people with critical thinking skills online.
NIMCA’s newly elected leadership includes Kennedy Mambwe of Zambia’s Media Self-Regulation Council as President and Phathiswa Magopeni of South Africa’s Press Council as Chairperson. RMC now joins a select group of regional representatives tasked with driving the network’s agenda across East, West, and Southern Africa.
With its new continental mandate, RMC aims to promote collaboration, share best practices with peer institutions, and ensure that the East African Community (EAC) has a strong, unified voice in continental media discourse.
“Our participation will support knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving as we face the rapidly changing media landscape together,” Mugisha added.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Ishiba acknowledged the disappointing results and expressed a strong sense of responsibility.
“What is most important right now is to avoid causing stagnation in national politics,” he said, vowing efforts to fulfill the responsibilities as the leading party.
His remarks came amid growing public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and policy missteps, which analysts say contributed to the poor performance of the ruling bloc.
According to the final vote count completed in the early hours of Monday, the LDP secured only 39 seats of the 125 contested seats in the upper house election, while Komeito took eight, below their combined target of 50.
Even with their existing non-contested seats of 75, they now held fewer than the 125 seats needed for a majority in the 248-member upper chamber.
Despite the setback, Ishiba emphasized the need for stability and continuity in government, and formally declared his intention to continue serving as prime minister.
