The three-day event, scheduled for August 8–10, 2025, will take place at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. It marks the first time Rwanda has been selected to host this global gathering, one of several international conventions organised this year in 13 selected countries worldwide.
According to the organisers, the convention will centre on the theme of serving God in a way that aligns with biblical principles.
“In a world full of challenges, worshipping God in a way that pleases Him can provide hope and resilience,” said François Regis Migambi, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Rwanda.
“Many people long to worship God acceptably and grow in their faith. This convention will explore how that can be achieved and how it can positively impact our daily lives and future outlook.”
The programme will feature Bible-based talks, multimedia presentations, and a three-part film titled “The Good News About Jesus,” depicting scenes from Jesus’ life on Earth. Each part of the film will be shown on a different day of the convention.
All sessions will be available in Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Rwandan Sign Language, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience. Organisers note that participation is free of charge, and no collections or donations will be solicited, in line with the Witnesses’ global convention policy.
Beyond the spiritual focus, international delegates are expected to take part in tourism activities in Kigali and various scenic locations across Rwanda. Organisers say the event will offer opportunities for cultural exchange, fellowship, and strengthening of global ties within the faith community.
Jean Marie Vianney Mutezintare, a Jehovah’s Witness in Rwanda, recalled attending a similar convention in Kenya in 2009.
“We’re excited to finally experience this here at home,” he said. “Welcoming people from different cultures and sharing our faith together will be a memorable experience.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses began operating in Rwanda in 1970 and were officially registered in 1992.
The multi-phase operation, which began in late May, will comprise four scheduled field visits over the course of one year by joint teams from both entities.
The assessment is the initial phase of a comprehensive programme in Socotra, aiming over the next two to five years to reduce mortality related to poor health and malnutrition by 20 percent through an integrated approach to strengthen the health system. The baseline assessment covered 38 enumeration areas (villages) across 29 sub-districts of Socotra.
As per preliminary results, 93 percent of targeted health facilities were surveyed. Data were collected from 4,214 households as part of the household listing process. Field teams conducted over 930 caregiver interviews, and took anthropometric measurement from eligible children and mothers, exceeding the initial target, and facilitated 12 focus group discussions with diverse community groups.
All 15 planned key informant interviews with relevant and multi-sectoral stakeholders including local and national authorities, donor and UN agencies were completed.
The teams also conducted 546 client exit interviews to gather beneficiary feedback on the services provided, exceeding the initial target.
The baseline assessment will now move into the data cleaning, verification and analysis phase, paving the way for a final report that will reveal the current status of the maternal and child health and nutrition status of the community and the readiness and performance of the health facilities, including for health emergencies preparedness and response to guide evidence-based planning for the next phases of intervention, helping ensure that response activities align with identified community needs and health facilities priorities.
Upcoming stages of the joint project implementation include the procurement and distribution of medical and non-medical supplies, recruitment and deployment of technical experts and service providers, technical training programmes and community awareness campaigns. Activities will be implemented in coordination with WHO, the Ministry of Public Health and Population and other partners, ensuring alignment with national health strategies.
The efforts reflect the UAE’s data-driven humanitarian approach, implemented in partnership with leading international health organisations to create sustainable impact and improve public health indicators among vulnerable populations.
Vlogger Sengabo Jean Bosco, popularly known as Fatakumavuta, has appealed his recent conviction by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, which handed him a two-year and six-month prison sentence along with a fine of Frw 1,300,000.
In a formal appeal submitted to the High Council of the Judiciary on July 10, 2025, Fatakumavuta requested a review of the ruling, seeking a reduced or suspended sentence on humanitarian grounds.
Initially, during his trial, Fatakumavuta had denied all charges brought against him. However, in his appeal, he changed his stance, acknowledging the crimes and offering an apology to both the individuals he offended, particularly artists, and the broader Rwandan society.
“I initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the court found me guilty on some counts and sentenced me to two years and six months, along with a fine of Frw 1.3 million,” he wrote. “I was not satisfied with the ruling, which is why I have appealed.”
He added: “I fully accept the charges for which I was convicted and extend my sincere apologies to those affected and to the Rwandan public at large.”
Alongside his appeal, Fatakumavuta submitted a medical report confirming that he has diabetes. Citing health concerns, he requested that his prison sentence be reduced by half and that the fine be lowered to a quarter of the original amount.
On June 13, 2025, the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court found him guilty of spreading false information, issuing threats, defamation, and drug use. The case has drawn significant public attention, and the outcome of his appeal is now being closely watched.
The hotel’s General Manager, Médiatrice Umulisa, said the recruitment exercise aims to identify young professionals who will deliver high-quality service and contribute to the hotel’s success.
“We want to give young people an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a real impact in the hospitality industry,” she said. Umulisa added that the selected candidates from the 140 participants will receive training before officially starting work.
Melissa Uwimpuhwe, one of the participating students, described the opportunity as a major step for aspiring professionals in the sector.
“This five-star hotel brings real opportunities for students like us. If selected, it will be a chance to gain experience and contribute to Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality industry,” she said.
The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Christine Nkulikiyinka, praised the hospitality sector for its role in job creation and economic development, encouraging the private sector to invest in young talent.
“The hospitality and tourism sector plays a vital role in national development and youth employment. We encourage young people to take advantage of these opportunities and demonstrate professionalism,” she said.
The revamped Mövenpick Kigali now features 124 rooms, including premium suites, up from the previous 100. The hotel, previously rated three stars, has now achieved five-star status and will open with an estimated 160 staff members.
In a fiery Instagram Live session, Naomie dismissed the chatter, saying she’s happily married and that no one entrusted her husband to the public.
The backlash comes after some social media users shared photos of Tesfay boarding a public bus, sparking online claims that the beauty queen had married a man of modest means.
Naomie, however, wasn’t having any of it.
“Where do you expect him to go? Just leave him alone,” she said during the live broadcast. “And whenever you see him, keep your mouth shut. I’ll even help you out by buying something called ‘Super Glue’—so next time you see him at night, just stay silent. As for me, say whatever you want. I heard some of you saying he’s poor!”
She went on to question the logic behind the criticism, pointing out that her husband has never appeared on social media asking for help.
“Have you ever seen him come online to beg? Have I ever said something’s wrong with him? No. So please, leave him alone. When I posted him, did I ever say ‘take him’? He’s mine. This is the face of a happy woman, not someone who’s struggling.”
Naomie and Michael tied the knot on December 29 2024, and since then, she hasn’t hesitated to show her followers just how content she is with her choice.
“God gave me the man I prayed for,” she’s said repeatedly, making it clear that love, not public opinion, is what defines their union.
“We are vigilant and will not tolerate any act to destabilize the elections,” Nji told reporters at the start of the first bi-annual conference of regional governors 2025, which brought together governors of the 10 regions of the country to deliberate on how to best organize presidential election scheduled for Oct. 12.
“As the primary authorities in charge of law and order at the local level, you are expected to use your expertise and experience to take necessary measures before, during and after this presidential election to ensure that it runs smoothly, and more importantly, to make the population feel the State’s presence, and support all parties involved in the electoral process,” Nji told the governors.
The minister expressed concerns that local media were fueling political disorder in the build up to the election. “Programs and debates are organized just to sabotage government actions, vilify members of government, preach tribal hatred, promote terrorism and other irresponsible slogans,” he said, adding that the government was working on “mechanisms” to check excesses in the media.
Officials said that additional security measures will be taken to maintain peace and order before, during and after the election.
“Today, I have already signed documents to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding Denys Shmyhal as the new defense minister,” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.
Zelensky also announced that Herman Smetanin, minister of strategic industries, will head the country’s state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom.
Shmyhal said on Tuesday he had submitted a resignation letter, as part of the country’s governmental reshuffle. Earlier in the day, the parliament approved Shmyhal’s resignation, which triggered the resignation of the entire government in accordance with Ukrainian law.
The outgoing cabinet will continue to exercise its duties until a new government is formed.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said there were reports of dozens of people killed or injured Wednesday at one of those hubs.
“In the past week, severe injuries continued to be reported among people seeking aid,” OCHA said. “The World Health Organization (WHO) reported one instance where a 21-year-old man was paralyzed for life after being shot while trying to collect a bag of flour from one of the militarized hubs.”
The WHO was referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), founded by a private U.S. group and currently funded by the U.S. government. Contrary to established international humanitarian norms for distributing relief in local communities, the GHF set up four sites in the whole of Gaza in restricted Israeli military zones, where starving civilians enter through fenced lanes under the eyes of armed security contractors. Chaos results in gunfire.
OCHA said that months of escalating hostilities in Gaza have increased risks for the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities and older adults, who struggle to access what they need to survive.
The humanitarians said one of their partners found in a survey that more than 80 percent of people with disabilities in Gaza have lost wheelchairs, hearing aids, walkers and other assistive devices, having to endure many challenges, including the denial of access to humanitarian aid, discrimination, stigmatization and exposure to explosive ordnance.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that domestic violence, sexual exploitation and abuse are on the rise in the Gaza Strip. Several safe spaces offering shelter, psychological support and coping mechanisms for women and girls have shut down or are functioning at reduced capacity.
UNFPA reported that the situation in Gaza is harrowing for women and girls. Pregnant women are delivering babies in the dark, with no electricity and no skilled care to treat potential complications. Thousands of mothers are starving.
OCHA said that in Al Mawasi and Gaza City, Doctors Without Borders reported treating more than 1,200 pregnant, breastfeeding women and children with severe and moderate malnutrition in their clinics. Between May and July, the number of people enrolled for treatment at its Gaza City clinic quadrupled, including hundreds of children under the age of 2, said the organization.
OCHA said that while small quantities of fuel entered Gaza again on Tuesday through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border crossing, severe supply shortages continue to threaten life-saving operations at hospitals, medical services and equipment, as well as telecommunications and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
“In northern Gaza, partners rehabilitated a well to try to address critical water shortages,” OCHA said. “Although this will hopefully support patients and medical staff with hundreds of cubic meters every day, it is far from sufficient to meet people’s needs.”
UN agencies and their partners reiterated that hundreds of thousands of liters of fuel are critically needed every day to alleviate the crisis and address a dire situation.
OCHA said that after four months of sweeping Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, nearly all displacement sites reported people sleeping in the open, with no means of protection. No shelter supplies have entered during this period.
“This catastrophic situation must end. A ceasefire is long overdue,” said the humanitarian office.
“Improving physical activity, reducing sedentary time and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, mental health and wellbeing, and help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life,” said Dr. Fiona Bull, WHO programme manager for surveillance and population-based prevention of noncommunicable diseases, when the new guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age were released in April 2019.
Experts at Harvard Medical School note that the goal is not to eliminate screens entirely but to create healthy boundaries that support a child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
{{1. Understand recommended screen time limits}}
Paediatricians from the American Academy of Paediatrics advise that children younger than two years should avoid screen time entirely, except for video chatting with family.
For children aged two to five, screen use should be limited to one hour per day of high-quality content, ideally co-viewed with a parent to help children understand and apply what they see. Older children and teens should also have limits to ensure screens do not replace sleep, physical activity, or real-life social interactions.
2. {{Model healthy screen habits yourself}}
According to psychologists at the American Psychological Association, children learn a great deal from observing their parents. Demonstrating healthy digital habits, yourself—like putting your phone away during meals or family conversations—sets a strong example. Parents who show balance and intentionality in their own screen use help children develop similar self-control.
{{3. Create screen-free zones and times
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Experts from Mayo Clinic recommend establishing clear boundaries around device use. Declaring certain areas like bedrooms or dining rooms as screen-free zones helps protect sleep and family connection.
Additionally, setting times when screens are turned off, such as during meals or an hour before bedtime, promotes better rest and stronger family bonds.
{{4. Choose high-quality content
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Media specialists from Common Sense Media suggest that not all screen time is created equal. Choosing educational, age-appropriate, and positive content is crucial.
Co-viewing programs or apps with your child allows you to discuss what they’re seeing, answer questions, and help them think critically about media messages.
{{5. Encourage alternative activities
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Harvard Medical School highlights that when children have engaging alternatives to screen time, it becomes easier to set limits. Encourage hobbies, outdoor play, reading, and creative activities. These pursuits not only reduce screen dependency but also support cognitive development, social skills, and emotional health.
{{6. Communicate openly about technology use
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Experts at the American Academy of Paediatrics advise parents to involve children in creating screen rules.
Having open discussions about why limits are important fosters cooperation and helps kids understand the benefits of moderation. Older children, especially teens, are more likely to respect guidelines when they feel heard and included in the decision-making process.
{{7. Use technology to manage technology
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Technology can help parents enforce healthy habits. Specialists from the National Institutes of Health note that many devices offer parental controls to limit usage times, block certain apps, or track screen time. These tools provide structure while giving children the chance to learn self-regulation skills gradually.
{{8. Watch for signs of problematic use
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Psychologists warn that excessive screen use can sometimes signal deeper issues like anxiety, loneliness, or stress.
Parents are encouraged to watch for signs such as irritability when screens are removed, declining school performance, or withdrawal from family and friends. If these occur, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare professional or counsellor.
Experts worldwide agree that screens are an inevitable part of modern childhood, but balance is crucial. Creating healthy habits around technology helps children enjoy its benefits without sacrificing sleep, learning, or relationships.
Parents who combine clear boundaries, quality content, and plenty of offline activities empower their children to grow up digitally savvy and emotionally healthy.
Supporting kids in managing their screen use is one of the most powerful ways to ensure their well-being and help them develop a balanced, fulfilling life both online and offline.
Among the most notable appointments are new chief executives for the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), both of which play crucial roles in Rwanda’s infrastructure and digital transformation agendas.
Dr Asaph Kabaasha has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WASAC, replacing Prof Omar Munyaneza, while Antoine Sebera will take over as CEO of RISA, succeeding Innocent Muhizi.
At RISA, the new CEO will be supported by Roger Mizero as Chief Technology Officer and Innocent Asiimwe Mudenge as Chief Operations and Strategy Officer.
Muhizi, who had served as CEO of RISA since 2017 and oversaw major advances in digital infrastructure and e-governance, has been appointed Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore.
In the new appointments announced by Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente, the Cabinet also confirmed Hortense Mudenge as the new CEO of the Kigali International Financial Centre, succeeding Nick Barigye, who was recently named CEO of Crystal Ventures Group.
Meanwhile, Francis Kamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), has been appointed Director General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency. Claude Mwizerwa takes up the role of Deputy Director General at the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
In a further restructuring, the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission welcomed a new leadership team. Valerie Nyirahabineza has been named Chairperson, with Maj Gen (Rtd) Jacques Nziza as Vice Chairperson. They are joined by newly appointed members Dancille Nyirarugero, Jacqueline Muhongayire, and Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi.
Appointments were also made across several ministries. Dr Muhammed Semakula becomes the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, while Gisèle Umuhumuza has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The Ministry of Environment now has Fidèle Bingwa as Permanent Secretary, and Candy Basomingera has taken up the same role in the Ministry of Sports. In the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, Aristarque Ngoga was appointed Permanent Secretary.
In Parliament, Alphonsine Mirembe has been appointed Clerk of the Chamber of Deputies. Within the City of Kigali, Gabriel Nduwayezu has been named Chief Digital Officer.
Diplomatic changes were also confirmed, with Ambassador Vincent Karega proposed to represent Rwanda in Algeria.
The Cabinet further ratified the historic peace agreement signed on 27 June 2025 between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during talks held in Washington D.C. and mediated by the United States.
The agreement is considered a major step forward in addressing Rwanda’s security concerns and promoting peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region. Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the agreement and expressed optimism about the ongoing Doha Talks, which are being facilitated by the State of Qatar with the support of the African Union.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the ratification of a loan agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development to finance the Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills. Another ratified agreement was a tax treaty with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, aimed at eliminating double taxation and curbing tax evasion and avoidance, measures expected to encourage greater cross-border investment and trade.
Cabinet members were also briefed on the significant progress in Rwanda’s mining sector, which continues to experience growth in production, investment, and the discovery of high-value minerals. In line with this, several mineral, quarry, and exploration licences were approved.
