Ament, whose mother is Rwandan, is set to join the University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball Program this fall and is widely projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
At a time when his profile is rising, Nate chose to step away from the U.S. spotlight to spend time in the country he calls his second home, reconnect with family, and inspire the next generation of Rwandan athletes.
It was an opportunity for Ament to engage directly with young people through basketball sessions in Nyamirama, where local players, school children, and community members gathered for a day of sport, celebration, and learning.
The visit was hosted on courts developed by Shooting Touch, a nonprofit that has worked in Rwanda for over a decade to combine basketball with community health and youth empowerment.
Nate shared skills, played in scrimmages, and even joined in local dances with youth and women’s teams. These moments of joy and interaction highlighted a key message: that basketball is as much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about performance.
For many young players, Nate’s presence served as living proof of what can happen when hard work meets opportunity.
While the day included training sessions, games, and plenty of laughter, it also offered access to free health screenings — a reminder that sport can be a gateway to wider opportunities and well-being.
Reflecting on the visit, Shooting Touch’s Director of International Strategy and Programming, Chloe Rothman, emphasized the value of building courts within communities and pairing them with comprehensive health programs around the game.
“Our goal is to ensure athletes aren’t just healthy enough to play, but equipped to thrive long after their time with us. Having Nate Ament — arguably the most influential figure in Rwandan basketball to date — here with us, embracing our ‘bigger than basketball’ mission, means the world to our team and our community,” she said.
{{A homecoming rooted in family and service}}
Nate’s Rwandan connection runs deep. His mother, Godelive Mukankuranga, and father, Albert Ament, met in Rwanda in 1998 while working in health and humanitarian development.
Guided by the values instilled by his parents, Nate believes in using his talents to uplift others — a belief that shaped his activities during this trip.
One of the most meaningful moments came when students from the Itetero Kayonza Nursery and Primary School, run by Nate’s aunt, joined the basketball clinic.
For Nate, seeing his extended family alongside local children created a shared space where sport, culture, and heritage intertwined.
The event brings together modern technology, innovative solutions, and traditional crafts, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Rwanda’s evolving business landscape.
This year’s exhibition spans a wide range of industries, including telecommunications and IT, public institutions, construction, agriculture, electronics, petroleum, machinery, textiles, tourism, handicrafts, furniture, mining, banking, food and beverages, and more.
IGIHE visited the expo to speak with some of the exhibitors and learn about their products and experiences.
Many exhibitors share a common goal: to provide quality products while using the expo as a platform to reach new customers. Whether offering practical tools, health products, or home goods inspired by local culture, they emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting to the market.
Helen Uwimbabazi, a five-year participant in the expo, showcased Indian herbal products such as the Shilajit blood stone—believed to aid in detoxification—and hair oil designed to promote growth and shine. She noted that the expo has been instrumental in expanding her customer base and boosting sales, particularly during promotions like her current 25% discount.
Another exhibitor, Helally Mucyo, presented products sourced from Egypt and Dubai, including cotton toys, sofa covers, mosquito nets, and bed linens made of 100% cotton. She advised new entrepreneurs to focus on product quality, team selection, and understanding market demands. The expo’s diverse audience, she said, allows her to connect with both new and returning customers.
“Confidence in your product is key! Choose reliable workers and deeply understand how the market works to succeed in business,” she said.
From Uganda, Denis Mugabe showcased a multi-function hose designed for car washing and gardening, available in various lengths.
Together, these businesses demonstrate resilience and dedication. Many have built strong relationships with customers through consistent quality, while the expo provides them with exposure to wider, often international, markets.
Promotional offers and live demonstrations help attract buyers, with some exhibitors reporting significantly higher daily sales at the expo compared to regular retail outlets.
Rwanda’s supportive business environment, coupled with regional trade opportunities, continues to encourage new entrepreneurs to explore market potential and grow their ventures.
The expo is organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The three-week event is scheduled to close on August 17, 2025.
Watch the video below for more highlights from Rwanda Expo 2025.
Celestin finished top of a competitive field of over 60 professional and amateur golfers from across Africa. Players competed for Ksh 2 million (about Frw 22 million) in prize money, as well as valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
This is Celestin’s second major win of the season after his success at the Q-School tournament. He also recently finished runner-up at Nyali Golf & Country Club. His strong form continued on the challenging coastal course, where he managed the tough conditions with skill and consistency.
Kigali Golf Resort and Villas (KGRV), a brand of Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course (RUGC) with the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) as the main shareholder, warmly congratulated Celestin on his achievement.
“We are extremely proud of Celestin’s accomplishment. His talent and dedication inspire the Rwandan golf community and fans across the region. Kigali Golf Resort and Villas remains committed to supporting his journey as he continues to represent Rwanda on regional and international stages,” said Gasore Z. Gaston, Acting CEO of KGRV.
KGRV noted that Celestin’s success reflects Rwanda’s growing presence in the regional and international golfing arena, driven by strategic investments from RSSB and strong government support. Such initiatives have expanded opportunities for Rwandan athletes to compete at the highest levels while boosting the country’s profile as a golf and sports tourism destination.
Weasel was admitted to hospital on August 7 following an altercation during which his wife allegedly knocked him down. Teta Sandra was immediately [ arrested ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ugandan-police-confirm-arrest-of-sandra-teta] but was later released after her husband forgave her, with police deciding to drop the case.
A witness told police that Teta Sandra struck Weasel three times, causing an injury to his leg. The incident occurred at a parking lot of a bar called Chans, located in Munyonyo.
Weasel and Teta Sandra have been living together since 2018 and have two children.
However, their relationship has been marked by frequent public disputes, culminating in Teta Sandra leaving for Rwanda in 2022.
In April 2023, she returned to Uganda and reconciled with her husband. In May 2025, Weasel visited Kigali to attend a concert by his elder brother, Jose Chameleone, and at the time told IGIHE he planned to visit his wife’s family.
The plant, struck in the drone attacks launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate under the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Monday, is Russia’s sole producer of helium used in rocket manufacturing, space and aviation industries, the report said.
Local residents reportedly witnessed drones flying near the plant, and a series of explosions were reported in the targeted area.
According to the district, this activity has created employment for 9,650 people through 36 licensed companies operating in the sector.
Several rivers host multiple licensed mining sites, including the Sebeya River, which has four sand mining sites, and the Koko River, which has three.
Rutsiro District Executive Secretary, Pierre Claver Bagirishya, told IGIHE that sand mining generated substantial revenue, accounting for about 39% of the district’s total income, which reached 1.15 billion Rwandan Francs in the 2024/25 financial year.
“For the 2024/25 fiscal year, we had projected tax revenues of 1,115 million Frw, but we exceeded that target, reaching 1,150 million Frw, achieving a performance rate of 103%,” he said.
He added that for the 2025/26 fiscal year, the district aims to raise total tax and fee collections to Frw 1,400 million.
Residents say the activity has improved their livelihoods while contributing to the district’s development.
Tumaini Habumugisha, from Gihango Sector, said the income he earned enabled him to buy two pigs and more than ten chickens, ensuring his family never lacks food.
He also noted that on a single mining site along the Koko River, between 300 and 400 people work daily to support their families.
Another resident, Augustin Uwiringiyimana, said income from sand mining allowed him to build a home.
“I did not have a house before, but now I have built one with two bedrooms and a living room thanks to the income from digging and packing sand,” he explained.
The majority of the district’s tax revenue—over Frw 450 million —comes from sand mining, making it the largest contributor, followed by land fees.
Other revenue streams include payments for trading licences, property taxes, rental income taxes, leasing of government property, and fines.
The assault on the Abu Shouk camp included shelling and the execution of people in their homes, the El Fasher Resistance Committees, an anti-war activist group, said in a statement. Another volunteer group, the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room, reported at least 40 dead and 19 injured.
The attack came as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied factions said they had repelled a major, multi-pronged ground assault by the RSF on the city. The army and its allies claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the RSF, killing more than 200 fighters and destroying or capturing dozens of combat vehicles.
Residents said the fighting began early on Monday with intense RSF shelling on several areas, including the army headquarters and the Abu Shouk camp, before ground assaults began from the city’s east, southeast, and north.
The RSF did not immediately comment on the allegations.
El Fasher, the last major city in the vast Darfur region not under RSF control, has been the epicentre of the conflict since May. The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 over a power struggle between the SAF and the RSF, devastating the country’s infrastructure, killing tens of thousands, displacing millions, and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
It also attracts shoppers, as Rubavu is a hub for cross-border trade. Some even refer to it as the “twin city of Goma” in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the two share many similarities and are located side by side.
According to the 2022 national census by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Rubavu is one of the country’s most densely populated districts, with 60.9% of residents under the age of 25. This youthful demographic provides a strong foundation for rapid and sustainable development.
The district’s land use master plan outlines an ambitious 2050 vision in which Rubavu will expand through the growth of tourism, the facilitation of cross-border commerce, and significant infrastructure upgrades.
To realize this vision, a series of projects are planned to position Rubavu as a leading hub for agriculture, water-based tourism, and cross-border trade.
{{Downtown redevelopment}}
A major project is planned to construct and upgrade several key infrastructures in Rubavu’s city center, including roads, shopping centers, hotels, modern retail stores, and tourist-dedicated spaces.
Plans are also underway to build modern commercial buildings on a 1.8-hectare site currently owned by the Rwanda Defence Force and the Police—strategically located near the airport and the road to the Rubavu market.
This prime location lies just 800 meters from the Petite Barrière border crossing, 500 meters from the current bus station, and 900 meters from the new station, making it ideal for boosting cross-border trade efficiency. The facilities to be built on this site will provide services similar to those offered at the Rubavu Cross-Border Market, which opened in March 2019.
Along a 200-meter stretch of road north of the Rubavu market, commercial activity already takes place but is hindered by congestion caused by numerous parked vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to move around.
Given its position along the scenic Rubavu hill, there are plans to redevelop this road into a car-free zone, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment for traders, cultural exhibitors, and tourists.
Next to the Rubavu Intermediate Court is a 0.78-hectare site currently occupied and used for parking. As the current bus station along the market road is too small, the plan is to build a new station here, with surrounding plots developed into facilities providing essential services for travelers.
Events along the Lake Kivu shoreline often lead to heavy traffic congestion. To ease this, a project is planned to build a spacious pedestrian promenade, complete with unobstructed lake views, landscaped gardens, and leisure areas. The space will also host small boats, art and craft stalls, and food and beverage outlets.
{{New hospitals}}
Under Rwanda’s 2050 vision, each district is expected to have two hospitals. Rubavu currently has one district hospital, but there are plans for expansion.
The upgrade will include constructing four or five additional stories near the main road, with a large central courtyard for patients and visitors to rest, along with tree planting to enhance fresh air circulation.
The government also plans to build a new modern hospital in Kabumba center, located between Bugeshi and Mudende sectors, in line with national healthcare development goals.
Although there are plans to expand Gisenyi Hospital to bridge service gaps, the number of people in need of medical care is expected to continue rising, making the new Kabumba Hospital a key complementary facility.
{{Revitalized Kabumba center }}
Kabumba was once a sparsely populated forested area that began to grow when traders started selling traditional sorghum beer and fruit. It was later named in honor of a local fighter called Kabumba, commemorating his legacy.
Today, Kabumba is the only center positioned to complement Rubavu City in providing various essential services. For this reason, the Government of Rwanda plans to expand it so it can operate at a city-level standard.
Currently, Kabumba has no secondary school or vocational training center (TVET), but the government intends to expand Kabumba Primary School into a school complex that will also include secondary education.
Health services will also be improved, with plans to upgrade Gashaka Health Center in Bugeshi Sector and build another facility in Mudende Sector to better serve local residents.
The development plan also includes constructing a new sports field in Kabumba, building a modern bus terminal to improve transport and mobility, and enhancing trade connectivity.
{{Industrial zones}}
The Government of Rwanda is set to establish a 190-hectare industrial park in Rubavu District, of which 113 hectares will be dedicated to small-scale industries, with the rest reserved for large-scale manufacturing.
Small industries will focus on processing agricultural and livestock products, wholesale trade, and warehousing, while larger industries will require significant investment.
The industrial park will be developed in Rugerero and Nyakiliba sectors, specifically in Basa, Muhira, and Bisizi cells, with smaller facilities built in Kabumba and rural areas.
The government emphasizes prioritizing environmentally friendly industries and those in the technology sector, ensuring a safe buffer zone between industrial sites and residential areas to protect community health.
In 2022, Rubavu had a population of 546,683. Projections estimate the population will rise to over 669,000 by 2035 and reach around 846,500 by 2050.
The tournament will take place at Petit Stade, Kigali, from August 23 to 26.
This marks a historic moment as the global basketball development and community outreach program, jointly organised by the NBA and FIBA, brings together 60 of Africa’s top male and female players aged 18 and under.
The young talents will receive elite coaching from current and former NBA, WNBA, and FIBA players and legends, while also engaging in leadership, life skills training, and social responsibility activities.
The NBA, in a statement on Monday, emphasised the importance of the camp in nurturing basketball talent across the continent, noting the growing momentum for the sport in East Africa.
NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi said the timing of the camp is perfect, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth in the region.
“Basketball Without Borders Africa continues to provide a platform for top young players from across the continent to continue their development and reach the highest levels of the game,” Akamanzi said.
“We look forward to bringing this year’s camp to East Africa at a time when there is incredible momentum around the game in the region.”
Previously, the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp has been hosted in several African countries, including Angola, Egypt, Senegal, and South Africa, making Rwanda the newest addition to the list.
FIBA’s Head of Players Unit, Kimberley Gaucher, highlighted Rwanda’s rising prominence in African basketball, citing the country’s recent hosting of major events such as the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying tournament, four Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals between 2021 and 2024, and both boys’ and girls’ FIBA U-16 AfroBasket tournaments. Gaucher described the choice of Rwanda as “particularly significant” for the development of basketball in East Africa.
Since its inception in 2001, the Basketball Without Borders program has impacted over 4,600 participants from 144 countries and territories. Notably, 142 former campers have been drafted into the NBA and WNBA or signed as free agents, including stars like 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam.
This year’s event will draw 49 teams representing seven refugee sites: Mahama Camp, Nyabiheke Camp in Gatsibo, Mugombwa Camp in Gisagara, Kiziba Camp in Karongi, Nkamira Transit Centre in Rubavu, ETM Gashora in Bugesera, and the Urban City side from Kigali.
The week-long tournament will feature six disciplines: football, taekwondo, basketball, volleyball, sitting volleyball, and karate.
The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), in partnership with various organisations, is staging the games to promote talent, unity, and sportsmanship among refugees.
Mahama Camp will be looking to defend its dominance after a stellar performance in last year’s edition, where it clinched the football title with a 1–0 victory over Kigeme and swept both the men’s and women’s basketball trophies.
