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Israeli drones flew intensively and at low altitudes over the villages of Al-Zahrani in southern Lebanon, and over Beirut and its southern suburbs, said the report.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted Hezbollah’s “terrorist infrastructure” in southern Lebanon and accused the group of reorganizing in the south of the country.

“The presence of the terror infrastructure sites and the activity of the Hezbollah terrorist organization constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF said.

A ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, ending months of cross-border clashes that erupted after the start of the Gaza war.

However, despite the truce, the Israeli army has occasionally launched strikes inside Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah “threats,” while maintaining troops at five positions along the Lebanese border after the deadline for a full withdrawal expired on Feb. 18.

He made these remarks in response to growing tensions within the Anglican Church of Rwanda, following the arrest and imprisonment of Dr. Samuel Mugisha, the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, who was accused of embezzling church funds.

In the aftermath of his arrest, the situation escalated as informal group meetings were held among church members, and one pastor went as far as taking the Archbishop to court.

{{The origin of the internal disputes}}

On January 21, 2025, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested Dr. Samuel Mugiraneza Mugisha, then Bishop of Shyira Diocese, on allegations of embezzling church property for personal benefit while still in office.

Following his arrest, the former Bishop of Gahini Diocese, Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, wrote to other bishops on February 19, 2025, raising seven questions, including accusations that bishops were blaming Mugisha for acts they themselves commit.

He accused some bishops of using church vehicles as personal property, grazing cattle on church land, and allowing their wives to lead the Mothers’ Union. He questioned why they had reported Mugisha to prosecutors, who later released him.

On October 8, 2025, Bilindabagabo wrote another letter titled “The Truth Will Set You Free”, saying that the alleged offenses committed by Bishop Mugisha were actually usual practices within the Church.

“It is shocking to see a bishop handcuffed and imprisoned for nine months. When you attend his court hearings, you realize that what he’s accused of is common practice among bishops, things that happen daily in every diocese,” he wrote.

He went on to argue that grazing cattle on church land is a long-standing Anglican tradition, not a crime. He urged fellow bishops to defend Mugisha, saying what he did was customary within the Church.

{{The Church’s official response}}

On October 14, 2025, the Anglican Church of Rwanda released a statement expressing concern about the behavior of some retired clergy who continued to interfere in Church leadership without any mandate.

During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Butare Diocese on Sunday, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda addressed the media, emphasizing accountability within the Church.

On the issue of Bishop Mugiraneza’s imprisonment, he said: “It’s not surprising for someone to be held accountable. People make mistakes, we are all human. What matters most is recognizing those mistakes, humbling yourself before God, and asking for forgiveness from both God and those you have wronged.”

He added that any bishop who wishes to operate independently of Church authority is no longer fit to serve: “If there is a bishop who wants to act outside the Church’s guidance, his time is over. Some think that because they acted in a certain way, others should too, but that’s a misconception.”

Archbishop Mbanda noted that it’s not the first time a Rwandan Anglican bishop has been imprisoned over accountability issues, citing similar past incidents.

{{Reaction to Bishop Bilindabagabo’s letters}}

When asked about the letters written by retired Bishop Bilindabagabo, Dr. Mbanda said he would not comment in detail, explaining that everyone’s actions are known to God: “He knows what he did, and so do you. Don’t ask me about it, he will answer to God. I too will answer to God for my actions.”

He criticized those spreading false information about the Church, saying: “We condemn those who tell lies about the Church, those who invent stories they don’t know about. There’s no reason to publicly humiliate others.”

Mbanda dismissed claims that he is the source of division within the Church, saying history will speak for itself.

He explained that the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese, Dr. Samuel Mugisha, had already resigned on November 29, 2024, and that his resignation letter was read to the other bishops.

{{Archbishop Mbanda taken to court}}

Archbishop Dr. Laurent Mbanda has been taken to court by Pastor Fabien Byiringiro and former Shyira Diocese parish leader, Japhet Rukundo, who filed two separate lawsuits against him.

The first case, filed at the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court in Nyamirambo, accuses Dr. Mbanda of leading the Anglican Church of Rwanda unlawfully, arguing that he has already reached the official retirement age.

According to information obtained by IGIHE, the court set a distant hearing date for this case, prompting the plaintiffs to file a second, urgent case.

The second case, filed under urgent procedure, seeks a court order prohibiting Archbishop Mbanda from making decisions on behalf of the Anglican Church of Rwanda.

Their arguments include claims that he makes unilateral decisions without consulting others and that he has already reached retirement age.

The case has been postponed twice and is now expected to resume at the end of this month in the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.

Dr. Mbanda declined to comment on the individuals who took him to court, stating that he could not speak about matters that are before the judiciary.

He said: “I can only tell you one thing. I did not appoint myself. That’s one. Secondly, I did not lack anything else to do, nor did I have nowhere to go. And thirdly, we must thank God because sometimes He uses unexpected people or circumstances to take you exactly where He wants you to be.”

Dr. Mbanda urged members of the Anglican Church to remain steadfast in their faith, draw closer to God, and avoid spreading rumors, reminding them that the Church belongs to them and needs their prayers.

He also called on them to pray for the former Bishop of Shyira Diocese so that God may reveal the truth in due time.

Dr. Mbanda added: “Someone once said that those who are not on the field never score a goal. You may cheer and even criticize those playing, but you can’t score if you’re not in the game.”

Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was elected to lead the Anglican Church of Rwanda in 2018. In June 2023, he was re-elected to continue serving as Archbishop until October next year.

“We are encouraged that the parties have reaffirmed their commitments to implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and commend the steadfast efforts of the mediators,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “We remain concerned by all acts of violence in Gaza and the reported attacks and strikes that took place yesterday.”

Dujarric urged the parties to honor all their commitments, ensure the protection of civilians and avoid any actions that could lead to a renewal of hostilities and undermine humanitarian operations.

“We reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for the release of the remains of all the deceased hostages,” he added.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners successfully resumed the distribution of food parcels to thousands of families in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis for the first time in months.

The office said that for the first time, Israeli authorities on Sunday allowed the United Nations to deploy monitors at the Kissufim crossing and that the office welcomes the development for the much-needed visibility into that segment of the humanitarian pipeline.

OCHA said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher wrapped up his visit to the Gaza Strip over the weekend.

On Saturday, he visited a UN Children’s Fund nutrition center and witnessed some road clearance projects run by the UN Development Programme.

Fletcher left the strip later on Saturday through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing.

On Sunday, he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, where they discussed the massive humanitarian needs in Gaza, the 60-day aid scale-up scheme, the importance of sustaining the ceasefire, the situation in the West Bank and the path to long-term peace, said OCHA.

In Jerusalem on Monday, Fletcher met with the UN humanitarian country team of the occupied Palestinian territory, bringing together about 15 UN entities and representatives of some 200 international and local nongovernmental organizations.

Fletcher and the Minderoo Foundation of Australia announced a contribution of 10 million Australian dollars (about 6.5 million U.S. dollars) from the Minderoo Foundation for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, delivered in close coordination with the 60-day plan.

In the West Bank, OCHA said that between Oct. 7 and 13, 71 settler attacks were documented, half of which were related to the current olive harvest season. The incidents, affecting Palestinians in 27 villages, included attacks on harvesters, theft of crops and harvesting equipment, and vandalism of olive trees, resulting in casualties and property damage.

According to the Council of the EU, the proposal would prohibit imports of Russian gas from Jan. 1, 2026, while allowing a limited transition period for existing contracts. Short-term contracts may continue until June 17, 2026, and long-term contracts may run until Jan. 1, 2028.

The proposal also requires energy companies to disclose the origin and duration of all gas import contracts to enhance transparency and monitoring.

However, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the plan, saying on social media platform X that “With RePowerEU, our safe energy supply is being killed.”

He argued that the policy “destroys the energy security of EU member states” and that “energy should not be about politics.”

The initiative still needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament before becoming law. Once approved, the regulation will form part of the wider REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022 to accelerate the transition away from Russian fossil fuels.

According to EU estimation, Russian gas still accounts for about 13 percent of EU imports in 2025, worth over 15 billion euros (17.49 billion U.S. dollars) annually.

The event took place on October 19, 2025, as part of an advocacy campaign aimed at vaccinating children and raising awareness about the prevention of polio.

The campaign took place during a community sports event in Kigali, where members of Rotary Clubs in Rwanda walked from BK Arena to the Kigali Convention Centre.

The campaign was also attended by the Governor of District 9150, which includes Rwanda and nine other countries, on his visit to Rotary Clubs in Rwanda.

Victor Zinda, who contracted the disease at a young age, shared how his life has been significantly impacted by the disability caused by polio.

“My parents told me I contracted polio when I was just one year old. The only way to prevent it is through vaccination because it is extremely painful and deadly. It paralyzes parts of the body, and that’s what happened to me. I suffered a lot because I was in a refugee camp. Imagine combining the challenges of being a refugee with the disability caused by polio,” he said.

Despite his disability, Zinda refused to give up. He rebuilt his life, got married, wrote a book, and began humanitarian work aimed at helping people with disabilities and combating diseases that cause disabilities.

Sibomana Hassan, the head of the Immunization Program at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, explained that polio is a disease that causes severe disabilities or death, with no cure, but vaccines remain the key to preventing the disease.

Dr. Alexis Muderevu, Chair of the Rotary Rwanda Polio Committee and President of the Rotary Club Kigali, emphasized that although Rwanda was declared polio-free in 2004, the virus remains present in some neighboring countries, calling for continued vigilance to prevent its resurgence.

He stated, “Without continuous awareness campaigns, people may become complacent and believe polio is gone. However, in neighboring countries, the disease is still present. Due to the movement of people, there is a possibility that polio could return to Rwanda.”

He continued, “Vaccinating children against polio is essential, and hygiene is critical. Parents with young children are at high risk if they do not maintain proper hygiene.”

Dr. Muderevu also stressed that preventing polio requires good hygiene practices, especially with drinking water, food, handwashing, and using the toilet, as these practices are vital in preventing the transmission of the virus.

He acknowledged the leadership of the Rwandan government who joined the sports event alongside Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was completing his visit to Rwanda.

Dr. Muderevu also thanked the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their continued partnership in the fight against polio.

Suman Alla, the Deputy Governor of District 9150 in Rwanda, highlighted the importance of addressing health issues like polio, noting that countries such as Chad have already invested $3 million to eradicate the disease, while across Africa, over $1 billion has been spent to eliminate polio.

The festival took place at the State Tretyakov Gallery with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Tretyakov Gallery.

In his remarks, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Major General Joseph Nzabamwita reflected on Rwanda’s journey over the past thirty years, describing how the country has rebuilt itself from tragedy into a story of unity and progress.

He emphasized the role of cultural traditions in Rwanda’s socio-economic development, noting that heritage promotion remains central to the nation’s identity.

“Culture is a bridge that connects people and helps us see one another beyond borders,” he said. “It deepens understanding and strengthens bonds of friendship, all in the spirit of genuine people-to-people diplomacy.”

The ambassador thanked the festival organizers for providing a platform for Rwanda’s cultural troupe, Imena mu Nganzo, to share the country’s story through dance and music.

Founded by Rwandan students in Moscow, the troupe represents a new generation of Rwandans who keep their homeland close through art.

Their vibrant performance captivated the audience, bringing Rwanda’s rhythm and heartbeat to Moscow. The audience responded with admiration, with many expressing eagerness to experience more of Rwanda’s culture.

The “Africa. Together into the Future” Festival has become a major annual event celebrating African art, film, and music, while strengthening partnerships between Russia and African nations.

She made the remarks on October 20, 2025, while addressing the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights, which was reviewing progress in improving the welfare of senior citizens.

The Minister emphasized that ensuring both the youth and the elderly live decent lives requires access to decent work.

According to the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV 7), more than 1.5 million Rwandans have been lifted out of poverty, and overall poverty levels have dropped by 12.4% across all population categories.

Minister Nkulikiyinka stated, “For both young people and those in advanced age to live better lives, they need to have decent jobs. Job creation and good working conditions are interlinked.”

She revealed that between 2017 and 2024, Rwanda created 1,732,770 jobs, of which 85% were taken up by young people, highlighting the country’s focus on youth employment.

Recent figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), covering the labour force as of May 2025, indicate that Rwanda has 8.5 million people aged 16 and above who are eligible to work.

Out of these, 4.5 million are employed, while over 710,000 are unemployed.

Those not active in the labour market total 3.2 million, comprising mainly students and senior citizens.

EICV 7 also shows that among Rwandans living in poverty, 21% are aged 66 and above, 24% are between 56 and 65, while 28% are aged 46 to 55, suggesting that older age groups remain more vulnerable economically.

Senator Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu emphasized the importance of preparing employees for retirement to ensure their continued wellbeing.

He said, “There is not enough focus on pre-retirement counseling and preparation. For many elderly people, money is not always the main issue, there are other important aspects of wellbeing.”

Prof. Dusingizemungu shared his personal experience from university, explaining that older lecturers often returned to school to spend more time in their offices, which helped them stay active and maintain a sense of purpose in life.

The disclosure was made on October 18, 2025, during an awards ceremony honoring the top-performing players of this year’s tournament.

During the event, 28 players were honored for their exceptional performances across various categories. The tournament brought together around 200 participants, including 120 from Rwanda.

According to BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, KCB Group invested Frw 680 million in 2023, over Frw 730 million in 2024, and more than Frw 900 million in 2025 to support the initiative.

Patience Mutesi, the Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, said the bank believes in the power of sports to connect people and strengthen relationships beyond business.

“We believe that through sports, we as BPR Bank Rwanda Plc can engage and connect not only for our own interests but also to build strong relationships with others. It helps us unite with sports lovers across the region,” she said.

The ceremony also featured entertainment and celebrations, as golfers and fans enjoyed music and moments of joy in recognition of their achievements.

The grand final of the BPR-KCB East Africa Golf Tour will take place in December 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Four top Rwandan players Mulenga Patrick, Akanigi Melisa, Sheetar Philp, and Rugema Willy were selected to represent Rwanda at the finals.

The winning team in Nairobi will receive a prize of 1 million Kenyan Shillings (approximately Frw 11.2 million) and an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in the Dubai Classic Tournament.

Gihana Mulenga Patrick, one of the players set to represent Rwanda, told IGIHE that they are well-prepared to make the country proud and thanked BPR Bank Rwanda Plc for its continued support in promoting sports, especially golf.

“This is my first-ever golf award, and it’s just the beginning. I’m confident that we will perform well in Kenya. I sincerely thank BPR Bank Rwanda Plc for standing by us. Their support means a lot, especially for players who often struggle to afford equipment,” he said.

In the men’s invitational category, Francis Mwangi emerged as the overall winner with 42 points, followed by All Timimi with 41 points.

In the women’s category, Nasabwe Kelly claimed the top position with 39 points, ahead of Akero Lina, who came second with 34 points.

The scholarships were granted during UR’s graduation ceremony as a reward for their exceptional academic performance and dedication during their legal studies. The two will pursue their postgraduate legal training at ILPD free of charge.

The awards were presented by Shirimpumu N. Erick, Vice Rector in charge of Finance and Administration at ILPD, during the graduation ceremony held in Huye District.

Josiane Uwihirwe, one of the award recipients, expressed her joy and gratitude for being recognized by ILPD for her commitment and excellent academic performance.

She said the award was not only an honor but also a great relief, as she would have otherwise needed to pay a significant amount of money to pursue her legal practice program.

“I am very happy to have received the opportunity to study at ILPD free of charge. This will help me follow my professional legal training with focus and determination. I have always dreamed of becoming a legal practitioner, and this opportunity brings me closer to that goal. It’s a big achievement, and I’m grateful that I can now pursue it without the financial burden,” she said.

Uwihirwe added that she had always been eager to study at ILPD, having learned while still in university that it is the institution that shapes true legal professionals in Rwanda.

She emphasized that one cannot become a practicing lawyer without passing through ILPD and expressed confidence that this opportunity will provide her with a strong foundation to achieve her dream.
Her excitement was shared by Fréderic Kwihangana, the second scholarship recipient, who also expressed deep gratitude to ILPD for granting him this rare opportunity.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity that every law student in Rwanda dreams of. I’m truly delighted that my colleague and I were selected for this scholarship. I will continue my studies with peace of mind, become a professional in a short time, and all this at no cost. I believe this recognition will further motivate me to work even harder and finish among the best,” he said.

Shirimpumu stated that ILPD offers such awards not only to recognize the hard work and excellence of top-performing students but also to remind all law graduates that professional legal practice requires completing ILPD’s training programs.

“This initiative aims to acknowledge the best-performing students, while also reminding all law graduates that in order to achieve their dreams of becoming professional lawyers, they must undertake the training provided by ILPD. This program is organized in close collaboration with the University of Rwanda, particularly its Faculty of Law,” he explained.

He further reminded interested graduates that registration for new students has already begun. Weekend classes are scheduled to start in late October 2025, while full-time classes will commence in January 2026.

A total of over 90 students completed their law studies at the University of Rwanda this year. All of them are required to undertake further studies at ILPD to become fully qualified legal professionals.