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Upon election, he promised to work closely with those who have entrusted him with the position to address issues such as antimicrobial resistance in diseases and to protect the dignity and pride of the pharmacy profession.

The event took place on November 14, 2025, during the 13th annual general assembly of pharmacy professionals, which aimed to assess the achievements made by its members, review their professional direction, and set new strategies to improve the profession.

Over 700 members attended the assembly, which also presented a five-year study aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, meant to accelerate the country’s development in various sectors, including healthcare.

The outgoing chairperson, DCG (Rtd) Stanley Nsabimana, said that the event was an opportunity to reflect on progress, while reminding everyone that professionalism requires constant effort and commitment.

'Today, we meet not just to fulfill legal obligations but to celebrate our achievements, reaffirm our values, and continue our commitment to public health through professional integrity and competence,' he said.

Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntihumbya, the Director General of Health Quality Services Standards and Regulation at the Ministry of Health, praised the pharmacists’ association for its significant role in improving healthcare services and protecting public health.

He highlighted the importance of the association’s work in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), stressing that it requires professionalism and attention to patient safety.

The Ministry of Health assured pharmacists that it would continue supporting their work with knowledge and financial assistance to enhance the association’s operations in technology and capacity building.

In response to the issue of antimicrobial resistance, the government has implemented a 'one health’ program, focusing on human, animal, and environmental health, recognizing their interconnectedness in combating AMR.

Other new leaders elected during the assembly include Ntirenganya Remy Pacifique, who was elected vice chairperson, Uwase Marie Ange as secretary, and Byomuhangi Evariste as treasurer, all elected for a three-year term.

The council has the responsibility of upholding the integrity of their profession, ensuring dedication in their work, and ensuring that all members comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Professor Pastor Egide Kayitare, a Pharmaceutics lecturer at the University of Rwanda for 26 years, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Rwanda National Pharmacy Council.

The outgoing chairperson, DCG (Rtd) Stanley Nsabimana, said that the event was an opportunity to reflect on progress, while reminding everyone that professionalism requires constant effort and commitment.

Member of Parliament and expert in pharmaceuticals, Sibobugingo Gloriose, reminded the members of the association of the fundamental values that should characterize them, namely love for the country, unity, dedication to work, and integrity.

The outgoing Chairperson, DCG (Rtd) Stanley Nsabimana with his successor Prof. Egide Kayitare.

Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntihumbya, the Director General of Health Quality Services Standards and Regulation at the Ministry of Health, praised the pharmacists’ association for its significant role in improving healthcare services and protecting public health.

The event took place on November 14, 2025, during the 13th annual general assembly of pharmacy professionals

IGIHE

Together, they crafted a false narrative, accusing the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) of being responsible for shooting down the plane of President Juvénal Habyarimana.

The plane carrying President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down on the night of April 6, 1994, and was followed by the execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

This genocide was carried out openly across the country, with the involvement of soldiers, gendarmes, the Interahamwe militia, and others.

Dr. Bizimana highlighted on X that Reyntjens was 'the Belgian who drafted the discriminatory 1978 Constitution for the Habyarimana regime, providing it with legal basis for the oppression and extermination of the Tutsi.'

According to Dr. Bizimana, Reyntjens’ involvement was not just an academic error; it was the starting point of his long campaign to sanitize the genocidal regime and attack those who ended it.

He emphasized, 'The Belgian Filip Reyntjens has been committed since 1994 to defending his Rwandan friends involved in the genocide against the Tutsi and using them to fabricate blatant lies against the FPR, accusing the latter of invented crimes of the same magnitude as the genocide against the Tutsi.'

These tactics, according to Bizimana, were aimed at glorifying the leaders of Habyarimana’s regime by fabricating two genocides, suppressing the truth, and portraying the RPF as a government of genocidaires.

Dr. Bizimana provided an example of the collaboration between Reyntjens and Ngeze Hassan, the former Editor-in-Chief of Kangura newspaper.

In a letter addressed to Ngeze on May 9, 1997, Reyntjens suggested that it would be highly beneficial to highlight the role of the RPF in the attack that downed President Habyarimana’s plane.

He proposed that if there were any RTLM workers in Nairobi, they could be contacted to help investigate whether it would be possible to uncover any information related to his inquiry.

Reyntjens also expressed his willingness to meet with Ngeze or any other journalists in the near future. Minister Bizimana pointed out that Reyntjens was encouraging Ngeze to accuse the RPF of crimes, despite being fully aware of the genocidal ideology that had influenced his actions.

Who shot down Habyarimana’s plane?

An investigation into the shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane was initiated by France in 1998 after the families of those onboard, as well as the plane’s crew and staff, requested it.

In 2012, Rwanda granted French judges Marc Trévidic and Nathalie Poux permission to enter the country. They announced that the missiles that shot down Habyarimana’s plane came from the Kanombe Military Base, with no connection to the RPA forces reportedly stationed in Masaka.

There are documents from France’s external intelligence agency, DGSE, showing that France had information on who shot down Habyarimana’s plane starting from April 6, 1994.

An investigation conducted by Radio France and Mediapart uncovered a DGSE document written to President François Mitterrand, detailing the agency’s information about the attack.

The document, dated September 22, 1994, was released by the Ministry of Armed Forces in 2015. It stated that 'two extremists,' Colonel Théoneste Bagosora and Laurent Serubuga, were the ones who issued the orders to shoot down Habyarimana’s plane.

On July 12, 1994, DGSE revealed that the plane was shot down by Hutu extremists seeking to eliminate President Habyarimana, who had agreed to negotiations with the RPF.

The French were the first to arrive at the crash site and were said to have taken the black box from the plane, which contained critical information about the incident.

Ngeze: An extremist who hated Tutsis

Ngeze Hassan was sentenced to 35 years in prison by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha after being convicted of crimes related to the genocide against the Tutsi and crimes against humanity. Another document written by Reyntjens revealed that Ngeze Hassan played an active role in the 1992 massacres of Tutsis in Bugesera.

The document states: 'In March 1992, Reyntjens writes, Interahamwe and soldiers from the Presidential Guard and the Mayuya camp (a total of about 75 soldiers) were sent to Bugesera. The soldiers were in civilian clothes and armed with knives and pistols.

'Individuals, particularly officers from the Ministry of Justice and judicial police inspectors/officers, who might have hindered the operation had been reassigned beforehand. The troublemakers were transported by vehicles from the Public Works Department, and the fuel needed for the operation was provided by Mr. Rwabukumba and Mr. Nzirorera, and allegedly transported by Hassan Ngeze and stored at the home of mayor, Rwambuka.

'Initially arriving in Gashora, the Interahamwe and soldiers, assisted by local interahamwe, blended in with the population. They then attacked specific pre-determined targets: Tutsi families or those belonging to the opposition. From there, the violence spread.'

This document highlights how some institutions involved in the genocide provided vehicles for the killers, supplied fuel, and sheltered the perpetrators in high-end hotels.

The document further notes, 'The criminals were given very comfortable accommodations. Ngeze Hassan, the Chief editor of Kangura, who was involved in the events in Bugesera, came to visit me at the hotel.'

Minister Bizimana emphasized, 'Ngeze Hassan, whom Filip Reyntjens sought to work with after the halt of the genocide, urging him to collaborate in falsely accusing the RPF, is a hardened criminal because his role in the preparation and execution of the genocide was evident from 1990 onwards.'

Minister Bizimana pointed out that Reyntjens encouraged Ngeze to accuse the RPF of crimes, despite being fully aware of the genocidal ideology that had influenced his actions.

Ngeze Hassan’s background

Ngeze Hassan was born on December 25, 1957, in Rubavu District, Gisenyi Sector. He is known for inciting ethnic division through the Kangura newspaper, which he founded in 1990. Hassan is also known for his work at ONATRACOM, the national public transport authority.

Hassan is infamous for publishing the “10 Commandments of the Hutu” in December 1990, which fueled hatred among Hutus against Tutsis.

Kangura, the magazine Ngeze managed, was heavily supported by the MRND party, which was led by President Habyarimana.

In 1993, Ngeze gained influence on RTLM, a radio station that shared the same genocidal ideology as Kangura. During the genocide, Ngeze regularly provided RTLM with the names of Tutsis who were to be killed, particularly focusing on individuals from Gisenyi Province. He publicly announced these names on RTLM.

In June 1994, Ngeze fled to Mombasa, Kenya. In 2003, he was arrested by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and tried in 2007. He was initially sentenced to life in prison, but after an appeal, Judge Theodor Meron reduced his sentence to 35 years.

The plane carrying President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down on the night of April 6, 1994, and was followed by the execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

IGIHE

The visit featured a formal military salute, a flyover of U.S. fighter jets, and other displays of military power, underscoring Washington’s commitment to deepening ties with Riyadh.

The meeting between Trump and Prince Mohammed focused on a range of strategic, defense, and business initiatives that could significantly impact the future trajectory of U.S.-Saudi relations. Among the most notable outcomes of the visit was the announcement of a potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a shift in U.S. policy.

Historically, Israel had been the only country in the Middle East authorised to purchase the F-35. Trump stated, “We’ll be selling the F-35s” to Saudi Arabia to enhance its defense capabilities. The move marks a shift in U.S. defense policy, potentially altering the balance of military power in the region.

In addition to military cooperation, Trump and Prince Mohammed discussed various business ventures, including partnerships in nuclear energy and investments in U.S. technology sectors, particularly artificial intelligence.

The talks were part of Trump’s broader effort to encourage foreign investment in the U.S. and further strengthen economic ties with Saudi Arabia, a key partner in the region. Additionally, both leaders explored opportunities to expand Saudi investment in U.S. infrastructure projects.

However, the visit was not without controversy. The U.S.-Saudi relationship has been strained since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with U.S. intelligence agencies concluding that Prince Mohammed approved the operation. The Prince has consistently denied ordering the murder.

During the Washington visit, Trump described Khashoggi as 'extremely controversial' and asserted that the crown prince 'knew nothing about it.' He further defended the Crown Prince, calling him 'one of the most respected people in the world' and urging reporters not to 'embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.'

For his part, Crown Prince Mohammed acknowledged that Khashoggi’s killing was a 'huge mistake' and described the event as 'painful.' He maintained that Saudi authorities conducted a full investigation and implemented reforms to prevent a similar incident in the future, while reiterating that he personally did not approve the operation.

The discussions between Trump and the Crown Prince are expected to lead to several significant agreements, particularly in defense and business sectors. However, the broader implications for U.S.-Saudi relations, especially concerning human rights, will likely remain a topic of ongoing debate in the years to come.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday, November 18, hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House in a high-profile meeting that signalled a renewed focus on U.S.-Saudi strategic and economic relations.

Rania Umutoni

Zambia and Eswatini each received roughly 500 doses. The delivery is touted as a game‑changer in the fight against HIV in a region where the burden remains extremely high.

Lenacapavir has shown near‑complete protection in clinical studies. Daniel O’Day, chair and CEO of Gilead Sciences, called the Eswatini rollout 'extraordinary,' noting that it is the first time a new HIV medicine has reached a sub‑Saharan African country in the same year it was approved in the United States.

The rollout is part of a collaborative effort between the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, initially planned for ten high‑risk African countries and aiming to reach at least two million people by 2027. The initial target for 2025 was 250,000 doses, later increased to 325,000 due to early demand.

In Eswatini, a kingdom with roughly 1.2 million people and over 200,000 living with HIV, about 6,000 high‑risk individuals, particularly those at risk of mother‑to‑child transmission, are scheduled to receive the first doses. Most of those living with HIV in Eswatini receive treatment funded by PEPFAR.

Despite the milestone, concerns remain about access and affordability. Civil society groups in South Africa have criticised Gilead for excluding local manufacturers from licensing agreements, even though South Africa hosted Lenacapavir clinical trials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines recommending injectable Lenacapavir for HIV prevention on July 14, 2025. The recommendation was announced during the International AIDS Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, where the guidelines were formally released.

During the forum, the Global Fund and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation committed to supplying lenacapavir to at least nine early adopter countries starting in early 2026, with Rwanda currently engaged in discussions on how to access and roll out the drug.

Lenacapavir joins other WHO‑recommended pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options, including daily oral pills and injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA). The WHO hailed the long-acting shot as a valuable new choice for people who struggle with a daily pill regimen.

Eswatini and Zambia on Tuesday became the first countries in Africa to receive shipments of Lenacapavir, a twice‑yearly injectable HIV prevention medicine developed by Gilead Sciences.

Rania Umutoni

Held for the first time in the country, the session marks a historic moment for Rwanda, which has been a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) since its founding in 1970.

The meeting takes place under the theme 'Thirty Years After Beijing: The Role of Women in the Francophone World,' coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, whose Action Plan continues to shape global standards for women’s rights and gender equality.

In her opening remarks, Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, representing the Government of Rwanda, expressed 'the pride of Rwanda in hosting for the first time one of the high governing bodies of La Francophonie.'

She highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, noting that the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, continues to stand, thirty years on, as the most forward-looking global framework for promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, Rwanda’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, expressed Rwanda’s pride in hosting the forum for the first time.

Highlighting global challenges such as ongoing conflicts, the climate crisis, socio-economic inequalities, and gender-based violence, she stressed the need for strong political will to safeguard hard-won progress and to build more inclusive societies.

She pointed to Rwanda’s own experience, noting that after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country chose to rebuild by placing women at the heart of its transformation.

Mukantaganzwa noted that women have since played a decisive role in the justice sector.

'Nearly half of all judges are women. In the Gacaca courts, they played a determining role in truth-seeking and reconciliation, and today they represent half of the community mediators and community workers active across the country,' she emphasised.

France’s Delegate Minister for Francophonie, Éléonore Caroit, praised Rwanda’s leadership and stated that the Francophonie, bound by a shared language, embodies values of openness and practical cooperation.

She noted that this format often proves more effective for building bridges than many mechanisms currently at a standstill. Caroit expressed confidence that the two days of discussions would produce tangible outcomes and commended Rwanda’s engagement.

Éléonore Caroit, France’s Delegate Minister for Francophonie, highlighted the significance of this cooperative framework, noting that the Francophonie embodies shared values of openness and practical collaboration among member States.

In her address, Secretary-General of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo underscored the central theme of the conference, questioning whether societies have fully recognised 'the fundamental role women must play in social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.'

She noted that the world still struggles to 'clearly and fully recognise the rights and value of half its population,' adding with humour that this half may well be 'the better half.'

Mushikiwabo also addressed the state of global governance, describing the multilateral system as 'a model that is running out of steam,' increasingly unable to respond to international crises and 'disconnected from realities on the ground.' She said this context would guide ministers’ closed-door discussions on the question: 'What ambitions for the OIF in the reshaping of the international landscape?'

OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo questioned whether societies fully recognise 'the fundamental role women must play in social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Reviewing progress since the 2024 CMF in Paris, Mushikiwabo noted the Organisation’s support to member States through electoral assistance missions and its 'high-impact campaigns' against disinformation in Lebanon, Moldova and the Central African Republic.

She also emphasised efforts to support Francophone candidates for leadership positions in international bodies including the African Union, the African Development Bank and UNESCO.

She highlighted programmatic achievements such as the mobility initiative for French teachers, which brought a third cohort of 50 educators from 15 countries to Kigali to exchange expertise with Rwandan counterparts.

Recent deployments to Ghana and Seychelles were noted, with Cambodia next. Mushikiwabo also pointed to the strengthening of the Francophonie économique, citing successful missions like the one to Benin, which resulted in several contracts, including one worth €30 million.

Reaffirming the OIF’s commitment to gender equality, she called for increased support to the 'Francophonie With Women' fund and invited member States to join a new initiative focused on training and integrating girls and women in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.

She paid tribute to Rwanda’s progress, noting that women hold 61 percent of parliamentary seats, the highest rate in the world and far above the global average of 26.4%.

She also highlighted that five of Rwanda’s seven major banks are headed by women, many of them young. Mushikiwabo added that other regions in the Francophone world are also advancing, citing Vietnam where '98 percent of girls complete primary school and 87 percent complete secondary school.'

Delegations will conduct field visits on Thursday and Friday to observe key OIF programmes, including teacher training, peacekeeping preparation for military personnel and women’s economic empowerment projects under the 'Francophonie With Women' fund.

The meeting takes place under the theme 'Thirty Years After Beijing: The Role of Women in the Francophone World.”

bringing together more than 400 delegates from 65 member States and governments for a two-day gathering.

IGIHE

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s plenary meeting on Security Council reform, Fu said that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made a “brazen, provocative” statement on Taiwan at the Japanese Diet. She claimed that a “Taiwan contingency” could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and implied that Japan may invoke the so-called right to collective self-defense to interfere militarily in the Taiwan Strait.

Takaichi’s remarks are “extremely erroneous and dangerous,” and constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and a serious breach of the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, said Fu.

“They are an affront to international justice, damage the post-war international order, trample on the basic norms of international relations, and represent a blatant departure from Japan’s commitment to peaceful development,” he noted.

“Such a country is totally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council,” said the ambassador.

Fu underscored that throughout its history, Japanese militarists have repeatedly used the so-called “survival-threatening situation” as a pretext to launch foreign aggression, including the Sept. 18 Incident in 1931, under the pretext of the right of self-defense, which provoked a war of aggression against China and brought profound suffering to the Chinese people and people around the world.

“Now, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi again raised the issue of ‘survival-threatening situation.’ What is her true intention? Is Japan going to repeat its past mistakes of militarism?” Fu asked.

The ambassador said Takaichi has also consistently advocated for removing the “renunciation of war” clause from Japan’s pacifist constitution. “Given the egregious behavior from Takaichi, how can we trust Japan’s professed commitment to peaceful development? How can the international community trust Japan to uphold fairness and justice? How can we trust Japan to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security?” he said.

Fu stressed that Japan should immediately stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, retract its wrongful, provocative remarks and actions, and refrain from “playing with fire” on the Taiwan question. “Otherwise, Japan should be prepared to bear all the consequences.”

“If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression and would definitely be met with a firm response from China. We will exercise our right to self-defense under the UN Charter and international law and resolutely defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Fu stated.

Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at the UN General Assembly’s annual debate on Security Council reform, at the UN headquarters in New York, Nov. 18, 2025.

Xinhua

Construction is expected to be completed within 24 months, at a cost of over $24 million (over 34 billion Rwandan Francs).

The state-of-the-art facility is expected to address a critical gap in the country’s health security architecture by providing rapid, accurate diagnosis of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, the types of pathogens with the highest potential to trigger future outbreaks.

With modern molecular testing capacity and advanced biosafety systems, the NVRLL will enable quicker confirmation of diseases such as Mpox, Marburg, avian influenza, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease, improving national readiness and response.

The laboratory will also help safeguard Rwanda’s economy by reducing livestock losses, improving disease surveillance, and supporting safe animal movement and trade.

Besides, faster diagnostics will strengthen veterinary services, protect household livelihoods, and advance the country’s compliance with regional and international animal health standards.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, highlighted the importance of the new facility.

'Pandemics often begin in animals before spilling over to humans. This laboratory gives Rwanda the scientific capability to detect threats early, protecting our people, our livestock, and our economy,' he said.

Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund also expressed delight at the groundbreaking initiative.

'Through projects like this, the Fund helps countries put the One Health approach into action, strengthening collective health across the human, animal, and environmental sectors.

'By enhancing disease detection and response, Rwanda is setting a new benchmark for health security in the region. We are proud to stand with Rwanda in building resilient systems that protect communities and livelihoods,' he noted.

The NVRLL is a flagship activity under the Strengthening Pandemic Prevention and Response Through One Health Approach in Rwanda (SPPROHRW) project, supported by the Pandemic Fund and implemented by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources through the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), RAB, and several development partners.

The One Health concept recognizes that the health of humans and animals are linked because they share the same environment.

The Government of Rwanda has embraced the One Health approach and continues to demonstrate strong political will to institutionalize it across relevant sectors.

Rwanda has launched the construction of National Veterinary Reference Laboratory

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources delivering remarks at the event.

Breaking the ground for the construction of the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory (NVL) took place on November 18, 2025.

Group photo of participants at the groundbreaking ceremony for Rwanda’s National Veterinary Reference Laboratory.

IGIHE

In a statement released on Wednesday, RDB said the move reflects the Visit Rwanda brand’s broader strategy to diversify its global sports partnerships and expand into new markets that support the next phase of its tourism and investment ambitions.

The partnership, launched in 2018, has been widely credited with elevating Rwanda’s global profile, particularly in tourism and conservation. According to RDB, the collaboration surpassed its original goals by inspiring millions of Arsenal supporters worldwide to discover Rwanda and by strengthening the country’s positioning as a leading sustainable tourism destination.

Over the past eight seasons, the Visit Rwanda brand featured prominently on Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams, supported by a series of joint campaigns that highlighted Rwanda’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. RDB noted that during this period, visitor arrivals climbed to 1.3 million in 2024, with tourism revenues reaching $650 million, a 47% increase since the partnership began.

The relationship also delivered standout promotional moments, including Rwanda Heritage Day at the Emirates Stadium and several visits by Arsenal legends and players such as Alex Scott, Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Jurrien Timber, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, and Laia Codina.

The visits showcased attractions ranging from mountain gorilla trekking and Big Five safaris in Akagera National Park to canopy walks in Nyungwe and leisure experiences along Lake Kivu. Many of the club’s representatives also took part in Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s flagship annual gorilla naming ceremony.

Beyond tourism promotion, the partnership supported Rwanda’s ambition to establish itself as a leading African sporting hub by helping deliver grassroots football initiatives that have benefited young players and coaches across the country.

RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said the partnership 'broke new ground for tourism boards around the world,' adding that while Rwanda is now shifting its focus to new global markets, the country remains thankful for Arsenal’s support over the past eight years.

'We are proud of what this partnership has achieved over many years of collaboration. It broke new ground for tourism boards around the world, driving awareness and visitation for Rwandan tourism at a pace traditional campaigns could never match,” the RDB CEO stated.

He added that Rwanda will continue to work with the wider Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Group through its more recent partnerships with the LA Rams and SoFi Stadium.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the wider Kroenke Sports C Entertainment Group through our recent partnerships with the LA Rams and So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, and we remain a fully committed and engaged partner of Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams for the remainder of the season. We wish them all the very best in their continuing quest for even more sporting success in the months ahead,” he added.

Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick praised the collaboration, describing it as a 'significant journey' that helped raise awareness of Rwanda’s conservation efforts while strengthening the club’s connections across Africa and driving forward its ambitions.

“The commitment and support of Visit Rwanda throughout our partnership has played an important role in driving forward our ambitions, helping us invest in our long-term vision to win major trophies, in a financially sustainable way. We thank the Rwanda Development Board for their partnership and what we’ve delivered together,” Garlick stated.

Both sides confirmed they remain committed partners through the remainder of the season.

Visit Rwanda, the official tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board, has a growing global sports portfolio, including partnerships with Paris Saint‑Germain, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Bayern Munich, before more recently signing deals with U.S. teams the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Rams.

The partnership with Arsenal, launched in 2018, has been widely credited with elevating Rwanda’s global profile, particularly in tourism and conservation.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The lower chamber voted 427-1 to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a nearly unanimous approval. Currently, there are 219 Republicans and 214 Democrats in the House.

The bill requires the DOJ to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in its possession related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

These include materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell, who conspired with Epstein to sexually exploit underage girls.

The DOJ may withhold certain information, such as personally identifiable information of victims and materials that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.

Xinhua

The report, released on November 18, reveals that 58% of Rwandans said they had been approached through email, phone calls, text messages or online scams between February and May this year.

The report shows that Rwanda recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at the account creation stage, with 2.8% of new account attempts flagged as suspicious in the first half of 2025. This mirrors the global trend, where account creation has become the most vulnerable stage in the digital consumer lifecycle.

TransUnion, which analysed billions of transactions across more than 40,000 websites and mobile apps, says the fraud landscape is expanding as more Rwandans move their financial and personal activities online.

'Rwanda’s fraud landscape is expanding with digital adoption, especially in banking and retail,' said Amritha Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Product Management at TransUnion Africa. 'Low digital literacy, weak consumer protection and limited cybersecurity capacity are major vulnerabilities.'

Communities platforms most affected

Among transactions initiated within Rwanda, the communities sector, which includes online forums and dating sites, recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at 2.5%, followed by financial services (1.4%) and gaming platforms (1.1%). Despite the relatively lower percentages, the report notes that fraudsters continue to adjust their tactics, exploiting platforms where users are more relaxed or less vigilant.

Globally, the video gaming industry was the most affected, with suspected fraud reaching 13.5% of transactions, a 28% increase from last year.

Money and gift card scams lead in Rwanda

Scammers targeting Rwandan consumers used a range of tactics, but money and gift card scams were the most prevalent. Almost half of those who were targeted (49%) reported receiving such attempts. Phishing (31%), vishing (28%), money mule schemes and fake third-party sellers on legitimate retail websites (25% each) were also commonly reported.

9% of Rwandans fell victim

The report shows that 9% of Rwandans who were targeted actually fell victim, placing Rwanda in the mid-range among African countries included in the study. South Africa recorded the highest victimisation rate at 13%, while Botswana had the lowest at 6%.

The report shows that 9% of Rwandans who were targeted actually fell victim, placing Rwanda in the mid-range among African countries included in the study.

TransUnion warns that the rapid rise in account takeover attempts, which rose by 21% globally compared to last year and has surged 141% since 2021, means businesses can no longer rely on reactive security measures. The report highlights identity verification, device reputation checks and behavioural biometrics as the most effective fraud-prevention technologies recognised by global business leaders.

'As scammers evolve their tactics, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority; it’s a business imperative,' Reddy said. She urged companies and financial institutions to invest in continuous consumer education and cybersecurity systems.

The report concludes that Rwanda’s digital safety will depend on collaboration between government, private sector players and consumers themselves. TransUnion encourages Rwandans to regularly review their credit information to detect unusual activity and reduce the risk of identity theft.

With digital adoption rising and fraud tactics becoming more sophisticated, experts say enhancing public awareness and strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure will be crucial to protect consumers and maintain trust in Rwanda’s rapidly growing digital economy.

The report shows that Rwanda recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at the account creation stage, with 2.8% of new account attempts flagged as suspicious in the first half of 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege