The team retained this spot from the previous rankings released in November 2024, following their strong showing in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches.
Rwanda’s ranking remains unchanged, holding steady at 1136.06 points.
On the global stage, Argentina remains in the top spot, followed by France, with England and Brazil completing the top four.
In Africa, the leading teams are Morocco (14th), Senegal (17th), Egypt (33rd), Algeria (37th), and Nigeria (44th).
Among Rwanda’s neighboring countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo is ranked 61st, Uganda 88th, Tanzania 106th, Kenya 108th, and Burundi sits in 139th place.
Liberia saw the biggest improvement, gaining 34.47 points and climbing to 142nd place. In contrast, Equatorial Guinea lost 47.53 points, dropping 10 positions to 89th.
Last month, Hong Kong experienced a notable rise in the rankings, largely due to victories over Mongolia and Chinese Taipei, despite a lack of international matches for national teams.
He was speaking on December 19, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF)’s 33rd Policy Organs meeting running from 16 to 21 December 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
“We must continue working together across political, security, development, and humanitarian pillars, deepening our partnerships as member states, regional economic communities, mechanisms, and our umbrella organisation, the African Union, to effectively contribute to peace, security, and stability,” Marizamunda said.
The Minister further urged EASF member states to enhance their response systems, adapt them to tackle existing challenges, and fully utilise their resources to foster peace and security across the region and the continent.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Chiefs of Defence who joined the Experts Working Group at the meeting, reaffirmed their commitment to member states’ pledges and acknowledged the valuable suggestions and recommendations provided by the experts during three days of deliberations.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) of the EASF, General MK Mubarakh, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, assured that the EASF Chiefs of Defence Staff remain committed to providing crucial guidance to improve the force’s operational readiness.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, the EASF Director, commended the Experts Working Group for their exchange of ideas and productive recommendations, which will significantly contribute to maintaining EASF’s readiness and enhancing conflict prevention efforts.
The 33rd Policy Organs Meeting (POM) coincides with EASF’s 20th anniversary, celebrated under the theme “Two Decades of Commitment to Promote Regional Peace and Security.”
The organisation, now operational under the African Union’s umbrella, comprises ten member states.
The first phase of the centre, currently under construction in Rwamagana District, is almost complete. Initially, it will accommodate up to 250 female inmates.
Dr. Ugirashebuja shared the update at the Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) on December 19, 2024.
“The first phase is nearly finished, and we plan to begin operations by hosting up to 250 female inmates in February 2025,” he said. “If successful, we intend to expand the program to other areas across the country.”
The halfway home will provide inmates with the opportunity to reintegrate into society before their full release.
Dr. Ugirashebuja explained that the program will allow inmates nearing the end of their sentences to live at the centre, where they can go out during the day and return in the evening. This will help them adapt to life outside of prison.
“Inmates will start adjusting to life outside of prison and learn how to successfully reintegrate into society,” he explained. “This gradual reintroduction will help reduce recidivism.”
The centre will offer a range of programs, including civic education and vocational skills training to help inmates live independently after their release.
Families will also be allowed to visit their loved ones, supporting their reintegration into Rwandan society.
Dr. Ugirashebuja also emphasized the importance of lawyers in promoting alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice practices.
IGIHE has learned that both parties involved in organizing the concert decided to postpone the event to a yet-to-be-announced date due to the artist’s health condition, which prevents him from performing in Kigali as planned.
The ‘Valu Valu’ hitmaker was scheduled to perform at Kigali Universe, and preparations for the event were underway before it was confirmed on December 12, 2024, that the artist had fallen ill and was receiving medical care at Nakasero Hospital.
Following widespread reports of his illness, Chameleone’s son disclosed that it was linked to excessive alcohol consumption. Doctors have warned that unless the artist significantly reduces his drinking, his chances of surviving beyond the next two years are slim.
Recent updates indicate that Jose Chameleone will be transferred to the United States for advanced medical treatment, as his condition requires specialized care not available in Uganda.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry emphasized this message in a recent interview with IGIHE.
The warning follows a disturbing incident where a student was severely assaulted after days of harassment at a house party in Kicukiro District.
RIB’s investigation revealed that the assault took place in a house rented by the perpetrators. Authorities arrested several individuals aged between 19 and 24 in connection with the crime.
Dr. Murangira warned that such events often lead to criminal activities, including child abuse, drug use, assault, theft, and public disturbance. He urged property owners to be vigilant and avoid renting their properties for “House Parties” to prevent the escalation of such incidents.
Landlords who fail to heed this warning may face legal consequences for aiding and abetting criminal activities.
She specifically called for cases to be tried at the locations where the crimes occurred, where feasible.
Mukantaganzwa made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed judges on December 18, 2024.
The judges sworn in include the President and Vice President of the Commercial Court, as well as the Presidents and Vice Presidents of Intermediate Courts.
In her address, Mukantaganzwa stressed the importance of expediting trials, particularly those involving murder and genocide ideology.
“First, you should expedite trials for defendants charged with murder and genocide ideology, and, where possible, these cases should be tried at the location where the crimes were committed,” she said.
She also emphasized the need for swift trials of corruption-related crimes, adding, “For Rwanda to reach its full potential, we must tackle the issue of individuals accumulating wealth from public resources, believing they will never face justice.”
Further, Mukantaganzwa advocated for adopting judicial practices like mediation, plea bargaining, and reliance on precedents to enhance efficiency.
She also called for greater attention to the directives issued by higher courts in previous rulings, ensuring consistency in the justice system for similar cases.
Among those sworn in were four judges appointed to intermediate courts in Gicumbi, Musanze, Rubavu, and Rusizi, and two to the Commercial Court.
Trump told Fox News he was “totally against” a proposed government funding bill, putting the stopgap measure, which would keep the government open until mid-March, in danger.
Congress has until Friday night to prevent a funding gap, as lawmakers passed a continuing resolution in September to extend government funding through December 20.
The new package, unveiled on Tuesday, mainly allows the government to maintain its current spending levels for the next three months, providing lawmakers with additional time to negotiate new spending bills.
It also includes 100 billion U.S. dollars in disaster relief for recovery from major hurricanes and the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge, a one-year extension of the farm bill with an extra 10 billion dollars in aid for farmers.
With some hardliners opposing the stopgap measure and a slim House majority, Republicans will once again need Democrats’ support to approve government funding.
“We should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give the Democrats everything they want,” Vice President-elect and Senator JD Vance said in a joint statement with Trump.
“The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill without Democrat giveaways combined with an increase in the debt ceiling,” said the statement, pressuring the Democrats to cooperate on a debt ceiling increase now.
The latest statement drew criticism from Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support. You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow,” he said on social media platform X.
Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Emmanuel Hamez, announced the milestone during a press briefing at the company headquarters in Remera on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The company has already registered 1.5 million smartphones enjoying voice over 4G services, with 30% of Voice 3G traffic now switched to the new technology.
The VoLTE service, launched on November 19, offers customers HD-quality voice calls, faster call setups, and the ability to browse data while on a call, without additional charges.
Hamez noted that 4G technology has revolutionized the traditional voice call model by converting voice calls into data, making them more affordable.
“The concept of minutes or duration is no longer valid. Now, voice calls, like sending a photo, consume data, not minutes or seconds. For instance, a one-hour non-stop call equates to 15 megabytes of data. This is a significant shift in the charging model. We’re no longer selling minutes, but data,” the MD explained.
The company expects to reach two million subscribers early next year.
Currently, Airtel Rwanda is working with phone manufacturers like Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno to ensure broader compatibility with the new technology. Hamez expressed optimism about ongoing discussions and expects more smartphones to be supported in the coming months.
To enhance network accessibility, the company has invested $63 million in infrastructure, adding 200 new transmission stations to its network, bringing the total number of stations to over 1,000. This expansion now covers 95% of the Rwandan population.
Airtel Rwanda is the first telco to introduce VoLTE technology in Rwanda. The move aims to improve customer experience and increase market share, which currently stands at 38.1% with 5.5 million subscribers.
With the growing adoption of 4G voice calls, the company plans to phase out 3G technology by the end of 2025 and 2G by the end of 2026, aligning with the government’s National Broadband policy.
The cost of smartphones remains a key challenge during the transition, but Hamez noted that the company would continue to work with other partners to increase access to affordable smartphones in rural and underserved populations.
In October last year, Airtel Africa collaborated with the Rwandan government to introduce the country’s most affordable 4G smartphone as part of the ConnectRwanda initiative.
Priced at 20,000 Rwandan Francs, the budget smartphone comes with a monthly plan of 1,000 Rwandan Francs that includes 1GB of data and unlimited calls daily.
He had been accused of involvement in attacks against Tutsis on the hills of Nyamure, Nyabubare, ISAR Songa, and roadblocks set up in Nyanza.
From the beginning of the trial, Hategekimana had been charged with his role in the death of Narcisse Nyagasaza, the former Mayor of Ntyazo Commune, accusing him of attempting to smuggle Tutsis into Burundi through the Akanyaru River, though Hategekimana had vehemently denied these allegations.
IGIHE spoke with lawyers representing survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Paris, who expressed their satisfaction with the verdict handed down to Hategekimana.
Lawyer André-Martin Karongozi said that the case had concluded as they had hoped.
“We wanted the court to make a decision like the one made by the first instance court, sentencing him to life imprisonment. This man has been sentenced to life imprisonment, and nothing more is fitting for the gravity of the crime he committed. This is the harshest sentence here. The death penalty no longer exists,” he noted.
Lawyer Richard Gisagara, who also represented the Rwandan community in France, emphasized that anyone familiar with the magnitude of the genocide trials would be pleased with the court’s decision.
He highlighted that the last months of 2024 had been marked by the delivery of justice for genocide survivors, noting that since October 2024, the Biguma case had become the third trial in a series.
He also referenced other cases, such as that of Dr. Eugene Rwamucyo, who was sentenced to 27 years for genocide crimes, and Charles Onana, who was convicted for genocide denial and revisionism—the first such conviction by a French court.
“This is encouraging,” Gisagara said. “It is a significant step here in France to fight against the culture of impunity for those accused of genocide crimes, including denial and revisionism.”
Lawyer Gisagara acknowledged that while progress was being made, they must remain vigilant and continue to push for those responsible for the genocide to face justice.
Alain Gauthier, founder of the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR), and his wife Daphrose, whose organization advocates for the prosecution of those involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi hiding in France, also welcomed the sentence.
Gauthier said, “The decision did not surprise us. It is what we expected. We followed this case from start to finish, attending each hearing and writing reports about how the trial proceeded. I don’t understand why Biguma would not be handed a life sentence.”
He further commented on Rwamucyo case, saying that they were up against someone deeply entrenched in genocide ideology, but they were pleased with the outcome, as he was convicted.
Gauthier also expressed satisfaction with the case against Dr. Sosthène Munyemana, who played a key role in the genocide in Tumba (Huye) and the former Butare Prefecture, noting that justice had been delivered after a long wait, with proceedings that started in 1995.
“Although the legal process took nearly 20 years, justice has been delivered in these final months of 2024,” he said. “We’ve won. We’ve won all eight cases that were tried in this court since 2014.”
Gauthier thanked the genocide survivors for their continued trust in the justice process and reassured them that they would keep fighting for justice.
Lawyer François Epoma, representing civil claimants in the case, also reflected on the difficult six weeks of the Biguma trial.
“It was a tough period, with heated debates about the genocide crimes he committed,” Epoma said. “However, despite the challenges, it ended well. Justice has been served, and Biguma has been sentenced to life imprisonment, which is what we expected.”
Epoma highlighted that prosecuting individuals responsible for the genocide sent a clear message that those who partake in such crimes would face the law.
Lawyer Sylvain Tapi, a lawyer based in Brussels and Abidjan, also commented on Biguma’s case, stating that he had lied throughout the trial but was ultimately convicted based on evidence and testimonies.
“Philippe Hategekimana did nothing in this trial except lie, and in the end, he was found guilty thanks to the evidence and the testimonies of those who accused him,” Tapi said. “I am pleased that the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi have received justice.”
Teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan treated the fans who thronged the host country’s coast region to some exhilarating displays of sporting artistry.
The games were officially opened by Kenya’s President, William Ruto in the presence speakers from the region’s various parliaments, ambassadors and sponsors including Mchezo Limited Managing Director Ntoudi Mouyelo at a colorful procession that snaked the city and terminated at the Mama Ngina Drive tourist site.
Once again Uganda, who have won the overall title in the last two editions of the games maintained their championship slot, having clinched the most gold medals in various field and track events.
They were closely followed by Kenya while Tanzania was third. Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan took the fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.
One of the most interesting facets of the games was the accolade of the active athletes bestowed to non-other than the EALA delegation Chairman Kanini Kega who took part in most of the events including volleyball and golf.
Kega represented the Mchezo-sponsored EALA volleyball team, athletics, football among other disciplines and was feted for his never-say-never attitude towards sports.
Athletics was one of the sports that produced thrills and spills, by and large, the 100m men’ s and women. The winner in the women’s 100m race was Acom Joan Alobo of Uganda. Alobo is in the 11th Parliament of Uganda as the Soroti City Woman Member of Parliament.
She beat Omanyo Catherine of Kenya and Sichalwe Condesta of Tanzania to a scintillating podium dash.
The men’s 100m race was won by Odoi Bernard Onen of Uganda who beat Ochan Patrick – Uganda and Vincent Musyoka (Kenya) to the podium.
Another sport that enthralled regional fans was Tug of War in which Female MPs from Kenya came third behind gold medalists Uganda and Tanzania. In the Male category flamboyant MPs from Uganda took gold followed by Tanzania and Kenya.
Football men’s accolades went to Uganda (gold), Tanzania (silver), Burundi (bronze) whilst Rwanda took the accolade of the Most Disciplined Team.
Wheelchair Darts was also a crowd pleaser. In the ladies’ category Museo Rose of Kenya took the top honors ahead of Uganda’s Kanushu Laura.
In the Men’s Wheelchair Darts, it was a Kenyan 1-2 finish led by Koskei Bishop and Tim Wanyonyi whilst Bahati Alex of EALA came third.
Speaking on behalf of Mchezo Managing Director Ntoudi Mouyelo on Tuesday December 17, 2024, Mercy Mugao extended heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Kenya, and especially Mombasa County, for successfully hosting this prestigious event.
“Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed incredible talent and unwavering passion across various disciplines. In sports, there are moments of victory and opportunities to learn and grow,” Mugao said.
“To all the winners, congratulations! For those who didn’t secure victory this time, I trust valuable lessons were gained to fuel future success,” she added. Mugao also commended the Government of Kenya for hosting a seamlessly organized event.
“At Mchezo, we are deeply committed to advancing the sports industry in East Africa and beyond through strategic partnerships that drive growth, innovation, and impact. Our focus is threefold: Invest, Innovate, and Inclusion. These games are more than just competitions—they are a catalyst for regional cohesion, trade, and economic development,” she explained.
{{Other Award winners included;}}
In Golf Dickson Kateshumbwa (longest drive Man), Mary Maingi (ongest drive female), Thomas Tayebwa (nearest to the pin Man), Caleb Mule (best man overall), Mary Maingi (Best female overall).
Ugandan female team was the overall winner while for the male team, Kenya was the overall winning team.
In Basketball, Uganda’s Mwine Mpaka emerged MVP for Men while Esther Matiko was the MVP for ladies. In Netball, Sarah Kayagi Netalisile emerged the MVP as Uganda ecame the overall champion in netball.
In Football, Amollo Paul Otiende was the most outstanding player while women volleyball, Jesca Kishoa was the MVP Muhakwa Valens was the MVP in the men’s category. Kanini Kega was recognized as the most active player in the competitions.
