The commissioning ceremony coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Rwanda Military Academy, which has been training junior officers since its establishment.
Of the new officers, 557 completed a one-year program, 248 attended short-term courses, 182 completed a four-year long-term program, and 42 received their military education abroad. The group makes up the 12th intake of the Rwanda Military Academy.
Among those commissioned is Brian Kagame, the youngest son of President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame, joining the RDF where his older brother, Capt Ian Kagame, is already serving in the Republican Guard.
Brigadier General Franco Rutagengwa, the Commandant of the Rwanda Military Academy, commended the graduates for their resilience, noting that the training was demanding as some candidates dropped out along the way.
“The journey was not easy; 36 trainees who started the program were unable to complete it due to health reasons, academic failure, or disciplinary issues,” he said.
He explained that the academy now offers degree-level programs in military science and other fields including medicine, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, law, nursing, computer science, and civil engineering.
Brig Gen Rutagengwa congratulated the graduates for choosing to serve in the RDF and urged them to uphold the core values of the force, including discipline, integrity, and dedication to duty.
President Kagame presented awards to the most outstanding graduates across several categories. Jean de Dieu Iyakaremye was recognized as the best student in the short-term courses, while Yves Ndamukunda earned the distinction of best student in the long-term courses.
Representing the partner countries, Dan Bakangambira from Uganda was honored as the top performer among international students while Emmanuel Kayitare was awarded as the overall best graduate.
In his speech, President Kagame praised the new officers for their commitment and sacrifice.
“I commend each of you for the determination and courage you showed during your training. I also thank your instructors for preparing you to serve the nation well,” he said.
He extended appreciation to the parents and families of the new officers for supporting their decision to join the military, describing the profession as one of honor and national service.
“Your responsibility is to protect Rwanda and its people,” Kagame emphasized.
He reminded the officers that their role is vital regardless of Rwanda’s size or population, stressing that the RDF must remain strong, professional, and ready to defend the country’s sovereignty.
President Kagame also thanked friendly nations that partnered with Rwanda in military education and training, highlighting the importance of such cooperation in building a capable and modern defence force.
The initiative, led by the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA) in partnership with Cisco and German development agency GIZ, is based at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology. It includes a Cybersecurity Academy, Innovation Hub, and advanced technology labs to provide training, research, and collaboration in cybersecurity.
The CyberHub will offer access to Cisco Networking Academy, a global IT skills-to-jobs program, with courses ranging from basic digital literacy to AI, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and advanced cybersecurity certifications.
The centre also provides a collaborative space for learners and stakeholders to explore emerging technologies, including AI and machine learning applications for threat detection and response.
{{Addressing a critical skills gap
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Globally, there are an estimated four million unfilled cybersecurity positions, with Africa facing a particularly acute shortage. Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said the centre’s initial target of training 200 professionals is a starting point toward closing this gap.
“Our job is not just for the training. How do we connect them to jobs and opportunities? How do we make sure that we are creating businesses that thrive?” the minister stated during the launch.
{{Partnerships and technology
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Cisco provided networking equipment, AI-driven security systems, collaboration platforms, and IoT sensors to make the facility fully connected. Conrad Stein, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration leader for Africa, said the hub aims to empower young people, women, and underserved communities with the skills needed to secure digital infrastructure and create economic opportunities.
Dima Kandalaft, senior director at Cisco, described the centre as one of the most advanced on the continent and said it will serve as a platform for both cybersecurity training and broader technological innovation.
{{Supporting Rwanda’s digital ambitions
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The CyberHub aligns with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation, which aims to raise digital literacy from 53% to 100% and train one million coders. University of Rwanda Principal Dr. Ignace Gatare praised the hub for promoting practical skills and research, while Silvia Heer of the German Embassy highlighted its role in supporting national digital security as part of Rwanda’s broader development agenda.
The centre is also part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme, which has implemented over 1,600 projects globally, supporting digital skills, innovation, and secure technology ecosystems.
Minister Ingabire said the long-term goal is to ensure that Rwanda and the wider continent have a workforce capable of anticipating, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats.
“The weakest link always in cybersecurity is often people. And if we’re not training people to match the technology investments that we’re making, we leave a huge gap and space for where many of the attackers will take advantage of the weaknesses and the weakest links that we have.”
In a press release, the department said that it had identified 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects that it decided to terminate, as these projects failed to “meet the economic, national security or energy security standards necessary to justify continued investment.”
Russell Vought, the White House budget director, said on X: “Nearly 8 billion dollars in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being cancelled.”
In late May, the Trump administration cut financial assistance for 24 emerging energy technology projects.
The latest cancellation is part of a broader funding freeze amid a federal government shutdown, which has stalled approvals for new wind and solar projects while allowing oil and gas activities to proceed using carryover funds, local media reported.
The company’s stock fell 4.3% in less than two days, sliding to $1,140.50 by Thursday afternoon in New York. The decline pulled its market capitalisation down to $482.9 billion from around $498 billion on Wednesday, according to figures from stockanalysis.com.
The controversy erupted earlier in the week after conservative social media account Libs of TikTok revived the hashtag #CancelNetflix, citing corporate diversity policies and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in animated series such as Dead End: Paranormal Park. The campaign quickly gathered momentum, with critics alleging that Netflix was exposing children to inappropriate narratives.
Musk entered the debate on Wednesday, reposting the hashtag to his 227 million followers on X, the social media platform he owns. “Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids,” he wrote, intensifying calls for a boycott.
His intervention added weight to the backlash, with users posting screenshots of cancelled subscriptions across social media platforms. Shares fell for a third consecutive day as the campaign spread, heightening pressure on the California-based streaming leader.
Hamish Steele, the creator of Dead End: Paranormal Park, rejected the claims in a series of now-deleted posts on Bluesky, describing the accusations as “lies and slander.”
The issue has also revived scrutiny of Musk’s own complicated relationship with gender identity. His eldest daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, publicly transitioned in 2022, a move Musk later attributed to what he called the “woke mind virus.”
Netflix has not formally addressed the controversy, but the stock’s slide shows how quickly cultural flashpoints can become financial headaches for global brands.
The two-day forum, marking the ninth Africa Amnesty Month and held under the theme “Safer Communities through Voluntary Disarmament,” aims to promote peace and security throughout Africa.
Ugandan First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who officiated at the launch, urged AU members to strengthen cooperation in enforcing national laws and international agreements in support of the continental bloc’s goal of “Silencing the Guns” by 2030.
“This event underscores a vital commitment to fostering peace, security, and stability across Africa. It’s significant to foster safer communities,” Kadaga said.
Organized under the AU Peace and Security Council, the meeting brings together representatives of the AU, the East African Community, the United Nations, civil society, youth, women’s groups, the media, and other stakeholders to advance the continental agenda of ending armed violence.
The AU declared September each year as Africa Amnesty Month in 2017, encouraging civilians to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms without facing prosecution. This initiative has since been extended to 2030.
As part of this year’s events, a symbolic destruction of collected illicit and obsolete firearms will be held in the eastern Ugandan city of Jinja on Friday.
The meeting was concluded by UPDF Deputy Land Forces Commander, Major General Francis Takirwa.
It focused on strengthening cooperation between the two forces and fostering closer ties with the communities along the border.
Various strategies were outlined to enhance joint efforts in promoting security and stability along the shared border.
In his closing remarks, Major General Takirwa, thanked participants for their active involvement and constructive contributions throughout the meeting.
He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in combating cross-border illegal activities and encouraged both forces to improve regular information sharing.
He highlighted that the continued partnership reflects the commitment of both militaries’ leadership, under the guidance of their respective Commanders-in-Chiefs to address shared challenges.
Maj Gen Takirwa expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose visionary leadership enabled the realization of this vital initiative.
He also acknowledged the Chiefs of Defence Staff of both countries for their role in facilitating these meetings.
“Enhanced security benefits both sides, as it allows citizens to confidently engage in business and other activities, knowing that their safety is assured,” he concluded.
The latest partnership, which also includes the NBA’s LA Clippers, marks the first time an African tourism brand has partnered with an NFL franchise, underlining Rwanda’s ambition to use sport as a global bridge to attract tourism, investment and visibility.
As part of the multi-year agreement, Visit Rwanda will serve as an official international tourism sponsor of the Rams, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, the vast entertainment complex that has transformed Inglewood into one of America’s premier sports and leisure destinations.
The partnership provides Rwanda with significant visibility inside SoFi Stadium, including digital advertising on the venue’s massive Infinity Screen and throughout its LED and IPTV displays.
The Visit Rwanda brand will also feature in two of the stadium’s most exclusive spaces, the West Owners Club on Level Two and the North Canyon Basin on Level Three, where Rwanda’s natural beauty and tourism highlights will be showcased through innovative design features.
{{A club with a storied journey
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For those less familiar with the Rams, they are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League, with a history stretching back nearly nine decades. The team was founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams before relocating to Los Angeles in 1946, becoming the first professional football team to establish itself on the American West Coast.
In 1995, the Rams moved again, this time to St. Louis, where they enjoyed a golden era, capturing their first Super Bowl in 1999 with an explosive, high-scoring offence that earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Turf.” In 2016, the franchise returned to Los Angeles, reaffirming its deep roots in the city.
The Rams have won championships in three different cities – Cleveland, Los Angeles and St. Louis – a unique distinction in the NFL. They are two-time Super Bowl champions, most recently lifting the trophy in 2022 after a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their earlier triumph came in 2000, when they defeated the Tennessee Titans to cap off a memorable season. Beyond those modern victories, the Rams also claimed two NFL titles in the pre-Super Bowl era, in 1945 and 1951.
{{Modern stars and leadership
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The modern Rams are led by head coach Sean McVay, one of the youngest and most innovative tacticians in the league. McVay masterminded the team’s most recent Super Bowl win, cementing his reputation as one of football’s brightest minds.
On the field, the Rams boast a blend of established veterans and rising stars. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the experienced leader of the offence, guided the team to its 2021 title. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the hero of their 2021 title run who captured the ‘triple crown’ and Super Bowl MVP, remains an iconic figure in franchise history, though he left the team in the 2025 offseason to join NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
Younger talents such as Puka Nacua, who shattered rookie receiving records, and running back Kyren Williams, who has brought fresh dynamism to the attack, represent the future of the franchise.
{{SoFi stadium
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Central to the Rams’ modern identity is SoFi Stadium, their state-of-the-art home, which opened in 2020. Costing nearly five billion US dollars to build, the venue is widely regarded as the most advanced stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 70,000 and the ability to expand to 100,000 for major events.
Beyond football, it has already hosted the Super Bowl, will stage matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and is scheduled to play a central role in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The surrounding Hollywood Park development, spearheaded by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, includes retail, office space, residences and leisure facilities, making it a global destination in its own right.
{{More than a game
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Off the field, the Rams have carved a strong identity in their community. Based in Inglewood, the team has invested heavily in programmes that focus on education, health, equality and youth development.
Initiatives such as “Rams pLAymakers,” which honours community leaders driving social change, and “RISE with the Rams,” which promotes racial equality among young athletes, reflect the organisation’s commitment to using sport as a force for good.
{{Why this partnership matters
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The partnership with Visit Rwanda places the country at the centre of this global spotlight. With millions of viewers tuning in to Rams games across the United States and beyond, Rwanda gains a powerful platform to showcase its gorilla trekking adventures, lush national parks, cultural heritage and status as a rising tourism destination.
The collaboration echoes Rwanda’s other high-profile sponsorships with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético de Madrid, but stands out as the first venture into American football – a sport with a massive domestic following and growing international appeal.
For Rwanda, the agreement is more than a marketing exercise. It is a statement of intent, an effort to connect with the U.S., already its largest source of tourism revenue, and to reach global audiences who associate the NFL with spectacle, scale and excellence.
For the Rams, it offers a new connection to Africa, a continent with a rapidly growing youth population that is increasingly engaged with global sport.
In combining the Rams’ reputation as a powerhouse of American football with Rwanda’s image as a premier African travel destination, this partnership represents a meeting of ambition and vision.
As the Rams continue their pursuit of further championships and Rwanda builds towards its tourism targets, both brands stand to gain from this unique and timely collaboration.
In a public notice released on Thursday, RDB said the decision follows the company’s failure to meet its contractual and regulatory obligations.
“Effective immediately, Inzozi Lotto is no longer authorized to operate the National Lottery in Rwanda,” the notice read.
The RDB assured players who have winning claims that they are still entitled to their prizes, with Inzozi Lotto remaining fully responsible for paying all outstanding valid winnings.
The National Lottery and Gambling Commission along with RDB are expected to supervise the process to ensure fairness and compliance.
The announcement also confirmed that RDB will soon begin a competitive process to identify a new operator or operators for the National Lottery. This process, according to the board, will follow strict principles of transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the public interest.
RDB reminded all companies in the gaming and gambling industry that they must strictly comply with the country’s laws and regulations governing the sector.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli Navy has completed taking over the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The GSF, comprising some 50 vessels with over 500 volunteers from more than 40 countries, aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food and medical aid to Palestinians.
All the aid vessels have been stopped in the Mediterranean Sea, except for one that “remains at a distance” from Gaza, it said.
Greek lawmakers on Thursday strongly condemned the interception of the flotilla, urging the government to ensure the safety of Greek citizens on board, including a sitting member of parliament.
Representatives from PASOK, SYRIZA, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the New Left, and the Freedom Movement criticized the incident and demanded explanations from Israel, according to national broadcaster ERT.
Pavlos Christidis of PASOK-KINAL said the seizure of ships in international waters “raises serious questions of legality and human rights,” stressing that international law must be applied “without exceptions.”
KKE’s Nikos Karathanasopoulos denounced the raid as a “pirate attack,” accusing Israel and the European Union of failing to protect the mission. SYRIZA spokesman Christos Giannoulis highlighted the participation of Greek MP Peti Perka in the flotilla, calling the interception “a humanitarian disaster” and urging Athens to abandon “a policy of equal distances.”
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said Greece, in cooperation with other countries, “will do everything in our power to ensure full security for these citizens.”
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto voiced condemnation “in the strongest manner” as there were also Italian citizens on board.
Italy saw some of the largest demonstrations. On Wednesday night, thousands rallied in Rome, Milan, Naples and other cities after the flotilla was seized, occupying train stations and staging university sit-ins. Unions called a general strike, declaring the attack on civilian ships “an assault on humanitarian solidarity.”
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed around 40 Italians were detained, saying Israel’s actions had gone “well beyond” legitimate self-defense.
Portuguese authorities confirmed that three citizens, including a member of parliament, have been detained. Portuguese political figures voiced strong reactions Thursday to Israel’s detention of the three nationals, calling for their safe return and sharply criticizing Israel’s actions. Left Bloc leader Marisa Matias called the detention “illegal.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa pledged to provide “full consular support” through the embassy in Tel Aviv to ensure their rights and safe return.
In Germany, officials said they were in contact with Israel to ensure passengers’ safety. Thousands of people rallied in Berlin Saturday.
France also expressed concern, urging Israel to ensure the safety of its citizens, guarantee their right to consular protection and allow their prompt return.
The Netherlands reported six citizens detained. The Dutch Foreign Ministry called for their protection as protesters rallied in The Hague.
Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed contact with families of nationals aboard and said it expected Israel to resolve the matter safely.
Late Wednesday night, the flotilla denounced the “active aggression” of the Israeli military on Telegram, noting that the vessel Florida was “deliberately rammed at sea,” while Yulara, Meteque and others were hit with water cannons.
Though all crew members were unharmed, “these illegal attacks against unarmed humanitarian vessels constitute a war crime,” it said.
The latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has dragged on for nearly two years, claiming more than 65,000 lives in Gaza, nearly half of them women and children, and leaving 2 million people mired in a humanitarian catastrophe.
Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva told parliament on Thursday that the government plans to prioritise programmes that boost productivity while encouraging smallholder farmers to adopt modern agricultural technologies.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a critical driver of citizens’ welfare,” he noted.
{{Current context and goals
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In 2024, agriculture contributed 25% to Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government plans to increase this share while achieving full food self-sufficiency by 2029, up from the current 79.6%.
The sector has played a key role in improving the economy and livelihoods. Between 2017 and 2024, Rwanda’s per capita GDP rose from $754 to $1,040, driven in part by agriculture and related industries. The value of agro-processed products also rose, reaching Frw 1 trillion in 2024, up from Frw 369 billion in 2017.
Agriculture employs 55% of the rural population and 12% of urban residents. Nearly 70% of Rwandans rely on farming for their livelihoods, with almost half producing primarily for the market.
{{Strategic interventions
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To reach the 50% growth target, the government plans to expand irrigated farmland from 74,375 hectares in 2024 to 132,171 hectares by 2029. Smallholder farmers with plots under 10 hectares will receive subsidies covering 50% of irrigation equipment costs.
The government is also investing in local seed multiplication to reduce dependency on imported seeds and is promoting increased fertiliser use from 73.1 kg per hectare in 2024 to a projected 94.6 kg by 2029, to boost yields.
Investment in agriculture will rise, with bank loans allocated to the sector expected to grow from 6% today to at least 10% by 2029. Farmers are encouraged to insure crops and livestock to minimise losses, with current schemes covering over 300,000 farmers and 56,761 livestock keepers.
{{Production targets
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Rwanda plans to increase grain storage capacity from 318,000 tonnes to 420,000 tonnes by 2029. Annual milk production is expected to rise from 1.09 billion litres to 1.3 billion litres, while fish output will grow from 48,000 tonnes in 2024 to 77,000 tonnes. Egg production is projected to reach 21,000 tonnes, up from 17,000 tonnes.
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva said these interventions, combined with modern technology adoption, strategic investment, and insurance programmes, are central to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and improving the livelihoods of Rwandans.
