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  • Rwanda’s transformation feels like a self-made miracle- Gen Nyamvumba

    In an in-depth interview with a Tanzanian journalist, Nyamvumba was asked about Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, secretes on how the country healed from deep wounds and managed to rebuild itself from scratch.

    As a former member of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) that stopped the genocide, Nyamvumba described the state of the country in July 1994, saying that the first steps in nation-building began amid complete devastation.

    “In 1994, Kigali was a city filled with corpses. The very first thing we did after taking control of the country was to clean up the city and remove the bodies. We saw dogs and vultures feeding on the dead. That was the image of Rwanda, a country in total disarray, without a single functioning piece of infrastructure,” he said.

    He explained that the RPA’s immediate task was to restore dignity and order, but there were no institutions, no systems and no resources to rely on.

    “After the Genocide, there was nothing left. No government institutions, nothing that was working. So, when you look back to where and compare it to where Rwanda is today, it feels like a miracle. But it’s a miracle we created ourselves,” he emphasized.

    To illustrate just how much has changed, he shared a personal anecdote. He revealed that between 2008 and 2009, his children came home with a math assignment and asked for help, but he couldn’t remember the methods.

    He remembers using phone to look it up and walking them through the assignment. “I told them they were lucky that he was able to use his phone reminding them of a time when this country didn’t even have mobile phones. They laughed and asked, ‘But Dad, how did people even survive back then?” he said.

    Nyamvumba said it’s hard for the younger generation to grasp the hardships Rwanda faced, like the absence of electricity and communication systems because of how far the country has advanced.

    Looking to the future, Gen Nyamvumba reaffirmed Rwanda’s ambitious development goals; to become a middle-income country by 2035 and achieve high-income status by 2050.

    “We believe it’s possible. In 1994, Rwanda’s GDP was about $3 billion. Today, it exceeds $15 billion. With strategic investment and hard work, over a million people have been lifted out of poverty in just the past 20 years,” he said.

    “We’ve seen other countries, particularly in East Asia, do it. We might be from different continents, but we have the same minds, the same determination. With our leadership and vision, we will get there. That’s my belief,” he said.
    Rwanda’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, has said that the progress Rwanda has achieved in the 31 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is extraordinary, more like a miracle, made possible by the resilience, unity, and determination of the Rwandan people themselves.

  • Rwanda sounds alarm on FDLR’s threat to regional stability at UN Security Council

    Speaking on the implementation of the 2013 Peace and Security Cooperation Framework, at the UN Security Council, Kayinamura highlighted the FDLR’s destabilizing role and urged the international community to take decisive action to neutralize the group and address the root causes of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Kayinamura emphasized that the FDLR, despite over 20 UN Security Council resolutions condemning its activities since 2003, remains a significant security threat.

    He accused the group of continuing to recruit, train, and commit atrocities, including sexual violence, ethnic cleansing, and mass killings.

    “Now FDR has graduated to being integrated into FARDC [Congolese Army]before your own eyes. This is no longer a secret but a fact based on the reports of the secretary general presented in this council,” he noted, highlighting that the coalition undermines both regional stability and the peace and cooperation framework itself.

    The Rwandan envoy was unequivocal in labeling the FDLR an “existential threat” to Rwanda and the region. He criticized any efforts to entertain or legitimize the group, warning that such actions only exacerbate the conflict.

    “Entertaining or legitimizing the FDLR, even tacitly, prolongs the conflict and destabilizes the region further,” Kayinamura declared, calling for the Security Council to enforce its resolutions without selectivity and hold accountable those who support or collaborate with the FDLR and its splinter groups.

    He noted that the 2013 framework, designed to end the cycle of conflict in the DRC, has not achieved its goals due to persistent challenges such as ethnic discrimination, armed group proliferation, and impunity. The FDLR’s activities, he argued, are a primary driver of these issues, perpetuating violence and hindering peace efforts.

    Proposing concrete steps, Kayinamura called for the disarmament and neutralization of the FDLR as a top priority. He urged the Security Council to ensure full enforcement of its resolutions and to condemn hate speech and ethnic incitement in the DRC, which he said fuels violence and division.

    Additionally, he advocated for stronger support for African-led regional processes, such as those led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which he believes offer the best chance for lasting peace.

    The envoy also criticized the DRC’s lack of ownership in addressing its internal challenges, accusing Kinshasa of externalizing blame and relying on militias like Wazalendo, which he said violate ceasefires without condemnation.

    “Blame games have become their business,” Kayinamura remarked, emphasizing that the DRC must confront its internal contradictions to achieve sustainable peace.

    Kayinamura’s address reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to the Peace and Cooperation Framework and its vision of transforming the Great Lakes region into a zone of peace and stability.

    He called for genuine accountability, regional alignment, and bold political leadership from the DRC, the region, and the Security Council to eliminate the FDLR and the legacy of genocide once and for all.

    “Rwanda looks forward to working with all partners to permanently get rid of armed groups,” he concluded, signaling Kigali’s readiness to collaborate on regional solutions.

    The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with Kigali repeatedly accusing Kinshasa of supporting the FDLR, a group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

    FDLR is viewed as an existential threat to security and peace in the Great Lakes Region.Rwanda’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Robert Kayinamura, called for the disarmament and neutralization of the FDLR as a top priority

  • Access to improved drinking water sources reaches 90% of households in Rwanda

    This marks a notable increase from 87% in 2017, reflecting continued national efforts to improve living conditions across the country.

    The report defines improved water sources as those that include piped water into homes or neighbouring dwellings, public standpipes, protected wells and springs, boreholes, rainwater, bottled water, and tanker truck deliveries.

    Among the various sources, access to piped water into the home or bottled water rose from 9% in 2017 to 16% in 2024. Similarly, piped connections to neighbouring homes or public standpipes increased from 35% to 39%.

    However, reliance on “other improved sources,” such as protected wells and springs, saw a decline—from 43% in 2017 to 35% in 2024—indicating a shift toward more reliable infrastructure.

    The survey also reveals that 68% of households use a basic drinking water service, defined as water from an improved source that can be collected within 30 minutes. Meanwhile, 21% fall under the “limited service” category, spending over 30 minutes to access water.

    The EICV7 report goes beyond water access, offering a comprehensive look at living conditions across the country.

    Among other findings, the survey highlighted a sharp rise in access to electricity, climbing from 34% in 2017 to 72% in 2024. This includes 50% of households connected to the national grid and 22% relying on solar power. Rural electrification saw dramatic gains, with access increasing from 24% to 65% over the same period.

    In terms of clean energy for cooking, only 5% of households nationwide use clean fuels, a modest increase from 1% in 2017. Urban areas saw higher adoption at 17%, while rural areas lag behind at just 1%.

    The majority of households continue to rely on traditional fuels such as firewood (63%), straw or sticks (12%), and charcoal (19%).

    The report also highlighted significant progress in poverty reduction. The national poverty rate dropped to 27.4% in 2024, down from 39.8% in 2017. Extreme poverty has also been halved, from a predicted 11.3% to 5.4%.

    Speaking at the event, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa described the release of the report as timely, noting that it will support evidence-based policymaking to achieve the goals of the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

    “These results will define where and how the government and partners should invest to get maximum results for NST2 objectives by 2029,” he stated.

    Rwanda has made remarkable strides in expanding access to safe drinking water, with 90% of households now benefiting from improved water sources, according to findings from the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

  • Visit Rwanda and PSG renew partnership through 2028

    The renewed agreement is set to deepen the relationship between Rwanda and one of Europe’s leading football clubs, placing a strong emphasis on youth development, cultural exchange, and tourism promotion.

    Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), described the extension as a strong indicator of the partnership’s success and pledged to further build on it.

    “This partnership has contributed significantly to positioning Rwanda as a leading destination for tourism and investment and a beacon for talent, sports, and cultural innovation,” he said.

    “Renewing through 2028 allows us to build on that success and create even more impact for Rwandans and the global PSG community.”

    Visit Rwanda is the tourism promotion arm of RDB. The institution has active partnerships with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, two football powerhouses in England and Germany respectively.

    Since the partnership with PSG began six years ago, the Visit Rwanda brand has gained widespread exposure through PSG’s global platforms.

    From in-stadium branding at Parc des Princes to creative campaigns and immersive storytelling, the collaboration has introduced millions of fans to Rwanda’s natural beauty, rich culture, and hospitality. The unique initiative has seen Rwandan coffee served to thousands of PSG supporters in Paris, France, blending culture with fan engagement.

    A key pillar of the partnership is its focus on youth empowerment. PSG Academy Rwanda, launched under the agreement, has trained more than 400 young Rwandans in elite football, academics, and mentorship.

    In 2022, the academy’s U13 team won the PSG Academy World Cup, earning international acclaim and showcasing Rwanda’s budding football talent.

    The new phase of the partnership promises even greater visibility for Rwanda, including the placement of the Visit Rwanda logo on training kits at PSG’s U.S.-based academies and on the sleeves of PSG’s men’s first team during the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

    Victoriano Melero, CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, emphasised that the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to meaningful engagement and community impact.

    “We are looking forward to continuing this journey with Visit Rwanda. This partnership goes far beyond visibility, it’s about values, real opportunities, and long-term impact. Together, we’re demonstrating how football can inspire, empower, and connect communities around the world.”

    Since 2019, the PSG-Visit Rwanda partnership has stood out as an innovative model of sports diplomacy—linking tourism, economic development, and social investment. With the latest renewal, Rwanda aims to further cement its reputation as a premier travel destination and a forward-looking nation leveraging sport for inclusive growth.

    The renewed agreement is set to deepen the relationship between Rwanda and one of Europe’s leading football clubs, placing a strong emphasis on youth development, cultural exchange, and tourism promotion.
    Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), described the extension as a strong indicator of the partnership’s success and pledged to further build on it.

  • Gov’t vows to leave no Rwandan behind as 1.5 million lifted out of poverty

    The pledge was made by Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente during the official launch of the 7th Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

    The latest data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that the national poverty rate fell from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, with approximately 1.5 million Rwandans lifted out of poverty over the past seven years.

    This 12.4 percentage-point reduction was achieved during the implementation of the first National Strategy for Transformation (NST1).

    “These achievements were realized over the seven years of implementing NST1,” said Prime Minister Ngirente.

    “They were driven mainly by strategic investments made by the Government of Rwanda and its partners. Our goal remains clear: we are determined to make sure that no one is left behind,” he added.

    He credited the progress to targeted efforts in social protection, economic recovery post-COVID-19, and infrastructure development.

    “The long-standing social protection schemes played an important role in improving the well-being of our citizens,” Ngirente noted.

    “These efforts have also effectively contributed to the creation of income-generating activities and job opportunities in Rwanda, and it is a clear demonstration of the impact that can be achieved through good planning and effective implementation.”

    The survey, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024 and covering over 15,000 households nationwide, also revealed a significant drop in extreme poverty—from 11.3% in 2017 to just 5.4% in 2024. Notably, the report by NISR estimates that a Rwandan currently needs at least Rwf 560,027 annually to meet basic needs, including food and non-food essentials.

    Rural areas, traditionally more affected by poverty, have seen substantial improvements. While rural poverty now stands at 31.6%, urban poverty is significantly lower at 16.7%. Musanze District emerged as a standout success story, recording a dramatic decline in poverty from 42.3% to 21.0%—the highest improvement among all districts.

    Additionally, the number of districts with over 40% of their population living in poverty has dropped from 22 in 2017 to just 14 in 2024. Meanwhile, 16 districts now report poverty levels below the national average.

    The Prime Minister noted that Rwanda’s strong post-COVID economic recovery—marked by an average growth rate of 9.1% over the last four years—has played a critical role in these gains.

    “This recovery has created more jobs and boosted household incomes, which we see reflected in the increase in household consumption,” he said.

    Improvements have not been limited to income. The EICV7 findings indicate that access to electricity increased from 34.4% to 72%, mobile phone ownership rose from 66.9% to 84.6%, and internet access doubled from 17% to 30%.

    Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa praised the report’s timing, emphasising its importance for evidence-based policymaking under the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which runs until 2029.

    “These results will guide government and partners in making targeted investments that yield maximum impact,” he said.

    As Rwanda marches toward its Vision 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prime Minister Ngirente reaffirmed the government’s resolve to elevate every member of the Rwandan society.

    “Our aspirations are high, but so is our determination. We want every family, in every corner of Rwanda, to benefit from our economic development.”

    Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente made the pledge during the official launch of the 7th Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

  • Rwanda’s electricity access increases by more than double, reaching 72%

    The report details that 50% of households are now connected to the national grid, while 22% utilize solar panels, primarily through standalone solar systems.

    While urban areas experienced an increase in household electricity access from 76% to 88%, the growth in rural areas has been even more substantial.

    Access in rural areas dramatically increased from 24% in 2017 to 65% in 2024. Notably, electricity access has also improved for the lowest economic segment, with 53% of households in the lowest quintile now having access, compared to only 9% in 2017.

    The EICV7 report also provides insights into household electricity usage, indicating that it is most commonly used for lighting and charging mobile phones.

    Regarding cooking methods, the report indicates that a majority of households still rely on traditional fuels. Approximately three-quarters of households use firewood (63%) or straw/sticks (12%) for cooking, while 24% use charcoal (19%) or other improved methods, mainly bottled gas.

    The survey further examined infrastructure access in Rwanda where ninety-six percent of households are reported to live within 20 minutes of an all-weather road, an increase from 93% in 2017.

    However, the report notes regional disparities, with households in the Western Province having less access to all-weather roads (89%) compared to other regions.

    The survey also indicates that 90% of households have access to an improved source of drinking water, up slightly from 87% in 2017.

    In terms of poverty reduction, the report shows that the poverty rate in Rwanda has decreased to 27.4%, down from 39.8% in 2017. Besides, the population in exteme poverty was 5.4% in 2024, down from a predicted 11.3% in 2017.

    Rwanda's electricity access increaseed by more than double, reaching 72% in 2024 from 34 percent of 2017.

  • SAMIDRC troops to withdraw by road through Rwanda

    News reaching IGIHE has confirmed that a request has already been made for these SAMIDRC soldiers to transit through Rwanda. “Yes, it’s true—they will pass through Rwanda, but we don’t know the exact day. The request was made several days ago,” a source said.

    Earlier, a one-page SAMIDRC communique advised of a delay in the re-opening of Goma airport, stating it “could cause further delays” in the SAMIDRC withdrawal.

    It also noted withdrawal will be by road from Goma through Rwanda to the designated general assembly area of Chato in Tanzania, adding the SADC Secretariat will “engage” Rwanda to facilitate safe passage for SAMIDRC troops.

    The three troop contributing countries were tasked with “beefing up” the withdrawal planning element with operations, intelligence and logistics experts. They will be tasked to “conduct reconnaissance and develop instructions for withdrawal.”

    This is a point from discussion of a revised withdrawal plan at a meeting last Friday April 11,2025, attended by chiefs of the three defense forces that contributed troops and equipment to the mission.

    They are generals Rudzani Maphwanya (SA National Defence Force), Jacob Mkunda (Tanzania People’s Defence Force- TPDF) and Paul Phiri (Malawi Defence Force). Also present at the Dar es Salaam headquarters of the TPDF for the meeting was Professor Kula Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs.

    Initial deployment for the mission, under the acronym SAMIDRC, was in December 2023 to the eastern DRC under the command of South African Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu.

    Its termination, to be followed by a phased withdrawal, was made public by the regional bloc on 13 March. The announcement came two months after all three SAMIDRC troop contributing countries reported deaths in action against M23 with South Africa (14) bearing the brunt.

    On February 6, two weeks after the fatalities during combat around Sake and Goma in North Kivu province, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera ordered his soldiers to start preparing for withdrawal from Goma and surrounds in the eastern DRC.

    The SADC planning elements will lead and direct the SAMIDRC Force Commander on formulating a withdrawal plan adhering to guidelines permitted by the troop contributing countries.

    The M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) claims SAMIDRC forces are carrying out joint operations with DRC government forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militia and other elements around Goma.

    These, according to a 12 April statement by the M23, “violate the existing SADC agreements and delay therefore the rehabilitation of Goma airport, compelling the AFC/M23 to demand the immediate withdrawal of SAMIDRC forces.

    “Despite our restraint in response to these persistent criminal acts, the AFC/M23 finds itself compelled to reconsider its position to prioritize the security of the Congolese population and that of the SAMIDRC elements present in the liberated areas,” the statement said.

    Fighting has been taking place north of Goma since last week. It is believed that DRC government forces and Wazalendo militia forces that retreated into the Virunga national park are clashing with M23 rebels in the area.

    A withdrawal by land complicates things for the SAMIDRC troops, as a long logistic trail through Rwanda was not something they were anticipating. It is slow, rough roads and reliant on Rwanda to agree to the plan.
    Major General Ibrahim Michael Mhona, chief of operations of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (left) and Sultani Makenga, M23’s military commander, shake hands after signing a withdraw deal on 28 March 2025.

  • Dr. Murigande recalls standing against Kagame for presidency after Bizimungu’s resignation (Video)

    Into this tense void stepped Dr. Charles Murigande, a soft-spoken mathematician turned politician, who found himself pitted against the Vice President Paul Kagame in a parliamentary vote to choose Rwanda’s next leader.

    Speaking on The Long Form podcast, Dr. offered a rare glimpse into that pivotal moment—revealing Pasteur Bizimungu’s defiance against the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) and his own unexpected role in a contest that shaped modern Rwanda.

    At 42, Murigande was a respected RPF secretary general, but nothing prepared him for the call to stand as a candidate against Kagame, the party’s towering chairman.

    “We were in a post-genocide transition with a constitution stating that if the president resigned, the RPF would propose two candidates for a parliamentary vote,” he recalled. “I was selected with Vice President Kagame after an internal party vote where I came second.”

    The crisis began on March 23, 2000, when Bizimungu, Rwanda’s first post-genocide president, tendered his resignation.

    Dr. Murigande, however, saw it coming. “Bizimungu’s resignation was both a surprise and not,” he said. “There were internal RPF problems, especially over forming a new cabinet.”

    The RPF, determined to root out corruption, had decided no ministers from the 1994 cabinet would continue, a move to reset governance in a nation reeling from genocide’s aftermath.

    Bizimungu, appointed president in 1994 to signal unity, disagreed. He insisted on retaining one minister, Patrick Mazimhaka, believing his presidential authority trumped party decisions. “He thought as president he had authority, but he was wrong,” Murigande stated bluntly.

    The tension escalated when Bizimungu delivered what Murigande called a “violent speech” during the swearing-in of a new cabinet led by Bernard Makuza.

    “It was an attack on nearly every institution,” he recounted. Bizimungu criticized the RPF’s accountability processes, which were probing mismanagement, and lashed out at parliament’s efforts to curb corruption. Dr. Murigande believes the speech was Bizimungu’s breaking point.

    “Probably, he preempted it because he knew that the political bureau had the capacity to remove him. So, instead of waiting for him to be removed by the political party he resigned,” he explained.

    Two days later, Bizimungu resigned, leaving Rwanda leaderless and the RPF scrambling to stabilize the transition.

    Enter the parliamentary vote of April 17, 2000. Dr. Murigande, a refugee-turned-scholar who’d once starved in Burundi’s camps, faced Kagame who’d led the RPF to victory in 1994.

    The stakes were immense: a misstep could unravel Rwanda’s fragile recovery. Yet Dr. Murigande harbored no illusions of winning.

    “I didn’t want to win,” he admitted with characteristic humility. “I told journalists if I were a voter, I’d choose Kagame. He was the better candidate.”

    Kagame secured 81 of 86 ballots, with Murigande garnering five. For Murigande, the outcome was a relief. “No regrets at all, especially seeing how Rwanda has evolved over 25 years under Kagame,” he said, reflecting on the nation’s journey from ashes to prosperity.

    Bizimungu’s defiance, Dr. Murigande revealed, stemming from a misunderstanding of power. As vice chairman of the RPF, Bizimungu saw himself above the party, a view that clashed with the RPF’s collective ethos.

    “He was wrong.” The episode exposed fault lines in the government of national unity, formed under the Arusha Accords to bridge ethnic divides. Bizimungu, hoping his resignation would spark protests, was mistaken.

    “He thought the Hutu population would rise up,” Murigande said. “Nobody demonstrated. Shops stayed open, and the situation remained calm.” Rwanda’s trust in the RPF’s maturity held firm.

    Dr. Murigande, who returned to his RPF duties post-vote, saw it as a moment of clarity. “The people knew the RPF was in control,” he said, crediting the party’s discipline for averting chaos.

    Kagame’s ascent marked a new chapter, one Dr. Murigande endorsed wholeheartedly. “The RPF trusted I could be a good president if chosen, but I campaigned for him,” he reiterated.

    Dr. Murigande has recalled standing against Kagame for presidency after Bizimungu’s resignation

  • Minister Bizimana criticizes clergy for complicity during Genocide against the Tutsi in Kibeho

    He was speaking at the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, held in Kibeho, Nyaruguru District, on April 14, 2025.

    The commemoration focused on the events of April 14, 1994, when thousands of Tutsi who had fled to Kibeho Parish from the former communes of Mubuga, Rwamiko, and Kivu were brutally attacked.

    Interahamwe militias, supported by soldiers and gendarmes, attacked and set fire to the church, resulting in the deaths of over 30,000 people.

    The atmosphere of ethnic hostility in Kibeho prior to the genocide was described by Marc Manirakiza, a genocide survivor from Nyange Cell, Kibeho Sector.

    Manirakiza recounted an incident in 1992 where he was subjected to ethnic insults while working at his brother’s restaurant, being told that Tutsi had no right to conduct business there.

    He also recalled a disturbing event at GS Marie Merci, where students staged a mock funeral for their Tutsi headteacher, symbolically burying bundles in a gesture of hate.

    Manirakiza’s testimony directly addressed the role of the clergy during the genocide. He stated that on April 14, 1994, “the killers did not spare the church, and the clergy did nothing to help.”

    He further accused the clergy of actively collaborating with the perpetrators, revealing, “The clergy in Kibeho, who were not being targeted, collaborated with killers. They held meetings with Munini Sub-Prefect Damien Biniga, ignored our cries for food and water, and instead prepared the massacre of Tutsi at Kibeho.”

    Following his escape from Kibeho, Manirakiza fled to Karama in Huye, then to Nyumba Parish, and eventually sought refuge in Burundi, where he later joined the RPF liberation forces.

    Christine Muhongayire, First Vice President of Ibuka, highlighted the prolonged duration of the genocide in Nyaruguru, attributing it to the presence of “Zone Turquoise,” the French-declared zone that provided a safe haven for genocidaires.

    Muhongayire stressed the importance of remembrance as a tool for educating the youth and urged individuals with firsthand knowledge of the genocide to share their testimonies or document their experiences.

    In his address, Minister Bizimana expressed his deep sorrow over the transformation of Kibeho, a place once considered holy, into a site of immense suffering.

    “Kibeho Parish was established in 1934, and by the time the genocide happened, teachings had been delivered there for 60 years. It was a parish known for having many clergy members, which should have helped those who sought refuge there to survive—but that’s not what happened,” he lamented.

    “Take for example Father Emmanuel Uwayezu, who had students from GS Marie Merci killed and even encouraged other children to kill their fellow students. All of this was the result of hateful ideology that had spread throughout the country, including among members of the clergy,” added Dr. Bizimana.

    To illustrate the pervasiveness of hate propaganda, Minister Bizimana referenced an article in Issue 70 of the Urunana newspaper, published at Nyakibanda Major Seminary in October 1990.

    The article contained a seminarian’s description of the RPF (Inkotanyi) as “anti-Rwandan,” demonstrating how deeply ingrained divisive ideologies had become within religious institutions.

    Minister Dr. Bizimana paid his respects and laid a wreath on the grave holding the remains of victims of Genocide against the Tutsi at the memorial site inside Kibeho Church.

  • Rwanda’s tourism revenue hit $647 million in 2024

    A new report published by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) indicates that the growth was driven by resilient performance across various segments, including conservation, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), and domestic tourism.

    According to the report, gorilla tourism led the surge, with revenues rising by 27% to exceed $200 million, fortifying Rwanda’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism.

    The country welcomed over 1.36 million visitors, with new tourism segments like education and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) also showing growth at 16% and 5% respectively. RwandAir’s non-resident ticket sales jumped by 11%, further signaling international demand.

    In total, Rwanda welcomed more than 1.36 million visitors in 2024. The East African Community (EAC) remained the largest source market, contributing over 1.09 million travellers, while steady flows from Europe (83,076 visitors), North America (52,805), and Asia (36,256) highlighted Rwanda’s reputation as a premier global destination.

    Rwanda also continued to strengthen its MICE sector, hosting 115 high-profile events and welcoming 52,315 delegates. Notably, the country became the first in Africa to host the FIA Annual General Assemblies & Prize Giving Ceremony, showcasing its world-class hospitality and event infrastructure.

    The impact of tourism extended beyond conferences. Rwanda’s national parks experienced a 10.7% increase in visitors and 8.5% growth in revenue, reaching 138,000 visitors and $38.8 million in park-generated income. Nyungwe National Park led the growth with a 20% increase in visitors, followed by Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks.

    Local engagement also played a key role, with 54,800 domestic visits and steady domestic park revenues of $793,000, reflecting strong local interest in the country’s natural heritage.

    Highlighting Rwanda’s forward-looking agenda, RDB Chairman Itzhak Fisher remarked: “The coming years present an exciting chapter of transformation, where strategic collaboration and bold ambition will drive Rwanda toward even greater economic success.”

    In 2025, RDB aims to surpass $700 million in tourism revenue, bolstered by continued investment in conservation, tourism infrastructure, and global events.

    “We aim to generate tourism revenues exceeding USD 700 million by showcasing Rwanda as a leading global destination for leisure, wildlife conservation, and international events,” said Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of RDB.

    A new report published by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) shows that gorilla tourism led the surge, with revenues rising by 27% to exceed 0 million, fortifying Rwanda’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism.