Manzi is facing charges including money laundering, illegal currency trading, and fraudulently acquiring property. Prosecutors allege he lured citizens into investing in Billion Traders by promising high returns, but later failed to deliver.
The defence maintains that part of the funds, equivalent to Frw 7 billion, was repaid, a claim prosecutors dispute, saying no proof has been presented.
Appearing before the court on September 29, Manzi said there was no intent to defraud, adding that he had even approached the National Bank of Rwanda and the Capital Market Authority seeking regulations for his business.
“I believed we were all building the country together, both the investors and us who were generating returns,” he said.
Defence lawyers argued that some investors had already reached repayment agreements, which they said should not be combined with the criminal proceedings.
But lawyers representing more than 100 complainants countered that the case is criminal, not commercial, and that any agreements with Manzi could serve as evidence of fraud rather than remove liability.
The Prosecution has requested a 15-year prison sentence and a $52 million fine, stressing that the scheme undermined public trust and damaged the economy.
The court will deliver its verdict on October 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Kabila, who is a lifetime senator, is accused of crimes including being part of an illegal armed group, crimes against humanity, premeditated murder, rape, and persecution.
The Prosecution stated that these crimes were committed in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri in the eastern part of the DRC.
Kabila’s trial began in July 2025 after he was stripped of his immunity. The prosecution claims he committed these acts as the leader of the AFC/M23 coalition, though he has denied any connection to it.
The verdict was initially expected on September 12, but on that day, lawyers representing the interests of the state revealed that new witnesses had come forward, willing to testify against him.
While the trial was expected to resume on September 19, state lawyers informed the judges that the three new witnesses were no longer available.
Military prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Kabila. However, state lawyers have asked for life imprisonment so that he can be visited by the victims of the alleged crimes.
Prosecutors have also asked the court to confiscate all of Kabila’s assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to order him to pay 24 billion U.S. dollars in compensation.
This marks the first time an African tourism brand has secured sponsorships across both the NBA and NFL, further expanding Visit Rwanda’s global sports footprint.
The new partnerships add to Visit Rwanda’s growing portfolio of sports sponsorships, which already includes collaborations with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Atlético de Madrid, and an academy partnership with FC Bayern Munich.
“Sport connects people, uniting communities through shared values of excellence and aspiration. Through sponsorships with the LA Clippers and LA Rams, Rwanda and Los Angeles unite to promote the spirit of the game,” said Jean-Guy Afrika, Rwanda Development Board CEO.
“This engagement enables us to export Rwanda’s unrivalled natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity to the people of Los Angeles as well as NBA and NFL fans everywhere.”
Under the agreement, Visit Rwanda will become the exclusive jersey patch sponsor of the Clippers and the official coffee sponsor of Intuit Dome. The sponsorship will include Visit Rwanda branding on all game and practice jerseys, both at home and on the road.
The multi-year deal will also feature community initiatives in Los Angeles and Rwanda, such as court refurbishments and coaching clinics.
The NBA has long prioritised international growth, including the creation of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership with FIBA featuring 12 African club teams. Since its launch in 2021, the BAL has hosted games across the continent, including at Rwanda’s BK Arena, providing young athletes opportunities to develop their skills and experience the values of teamwork and community.
“The energy and passion for basketball across Africa, including in Rwanda, makes this sponsorship a natural fit,” said Gillian Zucker, CEO of Halo Sports and Entertainment. “It’s focused on growing the game and creating meaningful opportunities for young people.”
As part of the engagement, the Clippers will refurbish a basketball court in Rwanda. The team’s G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers, will host Rwandan youth coaches for annual training sessions and provide virtual coaching support to help elevate local talent.
Visit Rwanda will also become an official international tourism sponsor of the Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium, and Hollywood Park, the largest urban mixed-use development currently under construction in the western United States. The sponsorship includes naming rights for two premium spaces within SoFi Stadium and digital advertising across the venue.
“This sponsorship not only builds on Visit Rwanda’s long-standing relationship with Arsenal but also gives us a unique opportunity to strengthen our presence in Africa,” said Kevin Demoff, President of the Los Angeles Rams.
With these agreements, Visit Rwanda continues to leverage sport as a platform to promote tourism, youth development, and Rwanda’s global brand, connecting fans in Los Angeles and around the world to the nation’s natural beauty and vibrant culture.
This law introduces previously unseen measures, including penalties for deceitfully carrying a pregnancy on behalf of another person and granting individuals below or above the required age.
The most severe offence in the law published in the official Gazette recently is outlined in Article 98, which addresses providing assisted reproductive technology to alter human genetic material.
Anyone convicted of this crime is subject to imprisonment of no less than 20 years but not more than 25 years, and a fine of no less than Frw 40 million but not more than Frw 50 million.
Other offences covered by the law include performing medical procedures that involve placing non-human embryos or gametes into a woman’s reproductive system. Those found guilty face 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of Frw 20 million to Frw 25 million.
The law also punishes any medical professional who imports or exports gametes or embryos unlawfully, with sentences of 7 to 10 years in prison and fines of Frw 10 million to Frw 15 million.
Similarly, a doctor who provides assisted reproductive technology services aimed at choosing the sex of an unborn child faces six months to one year in prison and a fine of Frw 5 million to Frw 7 million.
Furthermore, the law states that placing gametes or embryos in a woman’s reproductive system without full and verifiable donor identity constitutes a criminal offence. Those convicted face six months to one year in prison and a fine of Frw 2 million to Frw 5 million.
Medical facilities are also held accountable under the new regulations. A facility that matches donors and recipients who are closely related by blood — up to the seventh degree of kinship — is liable to a fine ranging from Frw 5 million to Frw 10 million, along with the possible suspension of assisted reproductive services for three to six months.
Similarly, a facility that accepts anonymous or unlawfully obtained gametes or embryos, or uses gametes and embryos from individuals who are underage or above the permissible age, may face fines between Frw 2 million and Frw 10 million and suspension of services for one to six months.
Facilities that supply gametes or embryos from a single donor to more than one recipient are also subject to the same penalties.
The law further identifies other serious breaches, including using non-human genetic material, importing or exporting gametes or embryos illegally, manipulating human genetic material, and selecting a child’s sex through medical technology.
Facilities found guilty of these offences may be fined no less than Frw 80 million but not more than Frw 100 million, and their authorization to provide assisted reproductive technology services may be suspended for one to three years.
For the first time since the competition began 125 years ago, the world’s best cyclists battled for rainbow jerseys on African soil, and they did so before record crowds.
The UCI President called the event “probably the most beautiful World Championships ever, here in Africa,” saluting the passion of over one million spectators who lined the routes.
“What amazing races we witnessed this week… There were one million people along the roads today. Thank you very much,” the UCI President said, praising Rwanda’s organisation and President Paul Kagame for delivering an unforgettable debut.
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More than 100 nations sent riders, but only 18 countries managed to convert their efforts into medals across the 13 races, a proof of just how intense and unpredictable the championship was.
At the top of the medal standings, the Netherlands emerged as the most successful nation, claiming two golds, one silver, and one bronze (4 total medals). Great Britain took a close second, powered by two crucial golds but no additional podium spots. France rounded out the top three with a balanced haul of one gold, two silver, and one bronze (4 total medals).
Not far behind, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland produced a rare four-way deadlock for fourth, each earning one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Several riders delivered career-defining performances at the championship. Remco Evenepoel of Belgium once again proved his class, winning the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial and battling through two bike changes to claim silver in the road race, finishing just behind Tadej Pogačar, who lit up Kigali’s climbs with a trademark long-range attack to secure a second consecutive men’s road race world title on Sunday.
Jay Vine of Australia delivered versatility and power, pairing a silver in the men’s time trial with a pivotal ride in the gold-winning Team Time Trial Mixed Relay.
Swiss time trial specialist Marlen Reusser celebrated a long-awaited breakthrough by capturing the Women’s Elite ITT gold and contributing to Switzerland’s bronze in the mixed relay.
Spain’s young phenom Paula Ostiz Taco made headlines with a stunning victory in the Women’s Junior Road Race — the first ever for her nation — and added a silver from the junior time trial.
Meanwhile, rising Slovakian talent Viktória Chladoňová impressed with double silver in the inaugural Women’s Under-23 standalone events.
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The peloton’s next rainbow dream will unfold in Montreal, Canada, host of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, with Kigali’s edition setting a new benchmark for sporting excellence as well as inclusivity and global reach, proving that the world’s biggest cycling stage can thrive far beyond its European origins.
Peskov told Russia’s TASS news agency that the invitation extended by Putin to Trump remains on the table.
Peskov added that Putin is ready and willing to hold the meeting with Trump in Moscow. “Everything depends on Trump’s decision,” he said.
In August, following their meeting in Alaska, Putin proposed holding their next meeting in Moscow. The U.S. leader described the proposal as possible, though he acknowledged that he would face criticism for it.
In a statement, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room said 73 children under five and 22 elderly individuals had died from hunger and illness among camp residents.
“The security and humanitarian situation in El Fasher remains dire, with residents facing severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare, especially displaced people cut off from aid and basic services,” the statement said. The group warned of a looming health crisis, citing unburied bodies across the city amid ongoing insecurity, and urged international organizations to establish safe corridors for civilians fleeing the conflict.
The Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, another volunteer group, confirmed the deaths and reported a sharp deterioration in humanitarian conditions, citing ongoing shelling, the collapse of basic services, and the shutdown of most charity kitchens amid funding shortfalls and rising prices.
On Thursday, the Sudan Doctors Network, a non-governmental organization, reported 23 deaths from malnutrition among children and women in El Fasher during the month. In July, the group said 239 children had died in the city since January due to shortages of food and medicine.
Violent clashes have been ongoing in El Fasher since May 2024, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied forces on one side and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the other, with fighting intensifying in recent days.
Sudan remains gripped by a broader conflict between the SAF and RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
In a communiqué issued on Sunday, the group said coalition forces composed of the Congolese army (FARDC), FDLR, Mai-Mai/Wazalendo militias, foreign mercenaries, and the Burundi National Defence Force (FDNB) destroyed a bridge in Mpeti, Walikale Territory.
According to the statement, the incident has cut off riverside communities from vital necessities, disrupting the movement of people and goods. The group denounced the act as “deliberate sabotage” and a violation of the ceasefire framework agreed under the Doha peace process.
“This premeditated and systematic campaign to destroy the Congolese people’s basic infrastructure is isolating civilian populations and obstructing the free movement of people and goods,” the AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated.
Terming the attacks as “crimes against humanity,” the group accused Kinshasa and its allies of pursuing a strategy designed to “starve and suffocate innocent civilians.” The movement also alleged that Uvira has been turned into “a command centre of terror” for coordinating such operations.
While vowing to “protect and defend civilians,” the AFC/M23 reaffirmed its determination to neutralise “negative forces” threatening populations in eastern Congo.
The accusations come amid a highly volatile situation in eastern DRC, where both the Kinshasa government and M23 frequently trade blame over ceasefire violations and renewed hostilities. Regional leaders and international partners continue to push for a negotiated settlement, but clashes and claims of atrocities persist on the ground.
According to a statement from the Office of the President , Kagame was given the belt as he received Carlos Takam on the evening of September 28, 2025, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships hosted in Rwanda.
“Carlos Takam also gifted the President with an original WBC World Champion belt as a tribute to Rwanda and the mission of the Foundation,” reads the statement.
Carlos Takam, is a heavyweight boxer who has competed at the highest levels of the sport against world-class opponents such as Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.
Carlos Takam is a heavyweight boxer, known for his toughness and willingness to face strong opponents, including a world title challenge against Anthony Joshua in 2017.
He is the founder of the Carlos Takam Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and sports for children in Africa. Born in Cameroon in 1980, he moved to France to pursue his boxing career and is currently considered one of Africa’s leading boxers.
On the same day, President Kagame also met Magdeleine Vallieres Mill, the Canadian cyclist who made history by winning the elite women’s road race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships — becoming the first Canadian woman ever to earn the rainbow jersey.
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill triumphed in the 164.6 km women’s race, completing 11 laps in Kigali and finishing 23 seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black. The 24-year-old Canadian crossed the line in 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 48 seconds to claim the gold medal.
The championships, held in Rwanda from September 21 to 28, 2025, marked the first time the prestigious cycling competition took place on the African continent.
Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar claimed the elite men’s road race title, followed by Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel in second place and Ireland’s Ben Healy in third.
Following the week-long race, President Kagame took to X to applaud everyone involved in the event’s success.
“Rwanda is proud to have hosted this historic UCI Road World Championships. I congratulate all the riders who competed across our capital city for their remarkable achievements and resilience.
“My sincere appreciation to my friend, David Lappartient [UCI President] , the UCI team, our partners, the security organs who kept the race route secure and the people of Rwanda whose energy and support made #Kigali2025 [the race] truly unforgettable,” he said.
The men’s road race started with 165 riders but only 30 managed to finish. None of the six Rwandan cyclists completed the challenging race.
According to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), nearly one million fans lined the streets to watch the elite men’s road race finale in Kigali.
UCI President David Lappartient also praised the event’s success on social media, expressing how the global cycling community was deeply moved by Rwanda’s passion and organization.
Pogačar, who successfully defended his world road race title, said the competition in Rwanda stood out for its challenging but well-organised ourse compared to his experience in Australia.
The 2026 UCI Road World Championships are scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada.
