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The England captain was named the world's best player at a ceremony in London on Monday, October 26, becoming the first Englishman to win the prestigious award in 25 years.

Kane, 33, earned the honour after scoring 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, helping Bayern retain their Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble.

He finished ahead of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal in the voting.

The victory places Kane alongside England greats Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, who was the country's most recent winner in 2001.

For Kane, the award represents the culmination of a journey that took him from loan spells early in his career to becoming one of Europe's most prolific strikers.

A journey built on persistence

Kane did not rise straight to the top. Reflecting on his career during the ceremony, he spoke about the challenges he faced before establishing himself among the world's leading players.

'For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible,' he said.

'My journey, it wasn't straightforward, I didn't go straight to the top, I had to experience a lot of loan moves and fight my way to get to where I am now.'

His breakthrough came at Tottenham Hotspur, where he developed into one of the Premier League's most reliable goal-scorers. He also became a key figure for England, captaining the national team through major international tournaments.

Despite his individual achievements, major team trophies remained elusive during his time at Tottenham. The club reached the Champions League final in 2019, while England reached the finals of the European Championship under Kane's captaincy.

His performances earned widespread recognition, but the absence of major silverware remained a defining feature of his career.

The move that changed everything

Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, seeking a new challenge and the opportunity to compete regularly for major honours.

The move marked a turning point in his career. At Bayern, he continued his remarkable scoring record while helping the German club compete for domestic and European titles.

His first major team trophy came in the 2024/25 season, when Bayern reclaimed the Bundesliga title. He subsequently helped the club win the German Cup and German Super Cup in 2025/26.

Kane's performances also strengthened his standing among Europe's elite forwards. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern during the 2025/26 campaign, including 36 in the Bundesliga and 14 in the Champions League, where the club reached the semi-finals.

His six goals for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup further boosted his season tally, taking his total to 73 goals across 65 appearances for club and country.

The figures helped distinguish him from a competitive field that included Mbappé and Yamal, who finished second and third respectively in the Ballon d'Or voting.

Recognition at last

Kane's triumph also ended a long wait for English football. Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the men's Ballon d'Or, receiving the award in 2001 after an outstanding season with Liverpool.

Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the honour, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.

The award was particularly significant because Kane had never previously finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

Speaking after receiving the trophy, Kane acknowledged the role his teammates and coaches had played in his success, describing the award as an achievement that extended beyond individual performance.

He thanked his teammates at Bayern and the England national team, including those who created scoring opportunities and helped draw defenders away from him.

'As much as this is an individual award, I'll give thanks to them because it wouldn't be possible without any of them, and that's what makes a team,' he said.

Kane also expressed hope that his journey would inspire young players who aspire to reach the highest level of the game.

For Bayern, his victory adds another distinction to a successful period under head coach Vincent Kompany. For England, it restores the country to the top of an award that has eluded its players for a quarter of a century.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/harry-kanes-long-road-to-ballon-dor-glory/

But Nanjing offers far more than its celebrated cuisine, from historic landmarks and lively riverside streets to peaceful green spaces and the warmth of its people.

I got my first glimpse of this appeal as I made my way from Kigali to Nanjing recently. My journey took me through Ethiopia to Shanghai, before I boarded a high-speed train to Jiangsu Province.

After the long flight and several connections, arriving in Nanjing brought welcome relief. The warm reception and friendliness of the people made the transition easier, while the efficient transport connections offered an early glimpse of the infrastructure linking cities across China.

I was visiting Nanjing to attend the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Network Forum, held from October 12 to 17, alongside activities related to the Global South Journalists Workshop.

Beyond the meetings, however, Nanjing offered an opportunity to experience a city where history, culture, education and modern life come together.

Located in eastern China, Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province and one of the country's historic capitals. Its character emerges as you explore, with traditional architecture standing alongside busy streets, quiet lakeside paths offering a break from the urban bustle, and residents going about their daily lives.

A city where history lives on

One of Nanjing's most significant sites is the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. It commemorates the atrocities committed after Japanese forces captured the city on December 13, 1937, when Nanjing was China's capital.

The massacre lasted about six weeks, during which over 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed.

Historical documents, photographs and testimonies at the memorial present the human cost of the violence. Walking through the exhibitions offers a solemn encounter with a defining episode in the city's past and a reminder of the importance of preserving historical memory.

Yet Nanjing's story did not end with the tragedy. The city continued to evolve, rebuilding its life and identity while preserving the memory of those who lost their lives.

Other landmarks reveal different chapters of Nanjing's history. The Presidential Palace offers insight into the republican era, while the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, set among the wooded slopes of Purple Mountain, commemorates the revolutionary leader associated with the end of imperial rule.

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and surviving sections of the Ming-era city wall provide further glimpses into the city's imperial past.

Finding quiet among the city's green spaces

As daylight fades, the area around the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River becomes one of Nanjing's most inviting destinations.

Traditional buildings glow beneath evening lights as boats move along the water. Visitors wander through narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, stopping to sample local snacks or admire the views from stone bridges.

There is a lively atmosphere, but also room to slow down and take in the surroundings. A boat ride offers a different perspective on the historic architecture, while a walk along the river brings visitors closer to the city's everyday rhythms.

Food is an essential part of the experience. Nanjing is particularly known for salted duck, a local speciality prepared using a traditional salting and cooking process.

Duck blood and vermicelli soup is another dish associated with the city. Together, these flavours offer an introduction to regional cuisine and help explain why food is such a distinctive part of Nanjing's identity.

The pleasure of exploring also lies in everyday encounters. The friendliness of the people, the welcome extended to visitors and the opportunity to experience local life beyond the main attractions all contribute to the city's appeal.

Nanjing is not defined by historic buildings and busy streets alone. Xuanwu Lake offers walking paths, gardens and open views across the water, with the city's skyline and historic wall providing a striking backdrop.

Purple Mountain combines wooded landscapes with cultural and historical attractions, allowing visitors to spend time outdoors while exploring the city's heritage. These green spaces provide a welcome change of pace from the urban centre.

A city of learning and international connections

Nanjing's appeal also comes from its reputation as a centre of education and research. It is home to numerous universities, including Nanjing University, one of China's prominent institutions of higher learning.

Welcoming journalists to the city, Zhou Hongbo, secretary of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee, described Nanjing as 'an ancient capital of six dynasties and ten regimes' and 'a major central city in eastern China and a major metropolitan centre in the Yangtze River Delta.'

Zhou said nearly one million students were enrolled across 54 universities in the city. He also highlighted Nanjing's history of international engagement, recalling that Chinese navigator Zheng He set sail from the city more than 600 years ago on voyages that opened avenues for exchanges across the seas.

Today, China-Europe freight trains departing from Nanjing connect the city with more than 60 cities in 15 countries, reflecting its place in China's wider transport and trade networks.

The city also became a meeting place for international journalists. Following the forum, Nanjing University hosted a Global South Journalists Workshop from October 18 to 20, bringing journalists together to exchange experiences and discuss the media's role in international communication.

The wider programme also took journalists to other cities in Jiangsu, including Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong and Lianyungang, offering a broader view of a province where historic towns, industrial centres and modern transport infrastructure form part of a wider development story.

For visitors, Nanjing's appeal lies in the variety of experiences it offers: a solemn encounter with history, an evening beside the Qinhuai River, the flavours of local food and the tranquillity of its lakes and wooded hills.

I arrived after a long journey from Kigali for a journalism forum, but the city's welcoming people and varied attractions made the visit memorable well beyond the meetings. And, after learning about its famous salted duck and tasting it, I finally understood the humour behind the saying that no duck leaves Nanjing alive.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/exploring-nanjing-home-of-famous-salted-duck-where-history-hospitality-and-modern-china-meet/

In two years of operation, A7 has become one of the key players in the international settlements market. Founded in 2024 to serve the foreign economic activity of Russian businesses, it currently serves around 15,000 companies, processing 10+ trillion rubles in 2025 alone.

The services that A7 offered domestically sparked interest among businesses from other countries, prompting the company to come up with a new product for foreign clients.

The launch of A7 International marks a new stage in A7's journey. In response to requests from foreign entrepreneurs, the company is expanding its positioning and creating an export offering for businesses in various countries. It is a remote service compliant with local legislation on digital assets and available only in those jurisdictions where cryptocurrency circulation is permitted.

'We are presenting not just a new product in the lineup, but a new image of A7. We have adapted our service so that it can be used remotely from anywhere in the world. This is precisely the key demand of market participants today.

'They want to be able to transfer money around the world in a few clicks in the shortest possible time – directly from their smartphones, without lengthy paperwork, hidden fees, or unjustified holds on funds. And we are packaging this demand into a convenient and competitive form,' said Chairman of Bank PSB Petr Fradkov.

The mechanics of the service are simple: the client transfers USDT, and A7 arranges a bank transfer via SWIFT using the counterparty details specified in the invoice. The recipient does not need to accept cryptocurrency or open a crypto wallet: the funds arrive in their bank account.

To submit an application, you need to register in your personal account on the website a7.biz. Individuals undergo identity verification (KYC), and companies undergo corporate data verification (KYB). Then the client uploads the invoice and the necessary documents. The built-in algorithm automatically recognizes the invoice data and helps fill out the application.

'The system operates as follows. AI analyzes the sender and beneficiary, jurisdictions, and key risk factors of the transaction. Based on the verification results, a risk profile of the payment is formed and the available options for processing it are determined. The system compares compliance requirements with the capabilities of the existing payment infrastructure.

'After that, it recommends the optimal payment route taking into account its cost, speed, reliability, and applicable restrictions. Routing dynamically adapts to changes in conditions and the availability of payment channels. Data accumulated over the years makes it possible to continuously improve the quality of decisions made by the system,' noted A7 CEO Ilan Shor.

At launch, A7 International accepts USDT on the TRON network. Bank transfers are available in US dollars, euros, Chinese yuan, and UAE dirhams. Other currencies are available by prior agreement. The commission is 0.3% for both businesses and individuals. After uploading the invoice, the client sees the final cost of the payment, including commission, in advance.

Payment execution takes at least one business day. After the transaction is completed, the client receives a SWIFT message or another confirmation document. For currency and customs control, the service also provides closing documents.

The presentation of the service took place on October 13 at 13:13.

View the A7 Presentation Video here

View the A7 Customer Journey Video here

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/meet-a7-international-an-innovative-global-platform-designed-to-reinvent-the-international-payments-market/

That was President Xi Jinping's instruction for Xiong'an, then mostly villages and fields about 100 kilometres southwest of Beijing.

On February 23, 2017, Xi studied a map in an open field. China established Xiong'an New Area in Hebei on April 1, 2017. For nearly two years, authorities say hardly a brick or tile was laid while planners mapped its future.

Nine years later, around 215 square kilometres have been developed: 5,345 buildings, 58.59 million square metres of floor space and about 831 kilometres of municipal roads entering construction.

Investment has exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about Rwf222.20 trillion), with annual investment above 200 billion yuan (Rwf44.44 trillion) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. But another city is taking shape underground.

Beneath Xiong'an's streets and building developments, another layer is taking shape: parking, transport facilities, commercial spaces, energy infrastructure and utility corridors.

By the end of 2025, construction had begun on 22.67 million square metres of underground space. On one level, that equals 22.67 square kilometres.

Imagine approximately 3,175 standard football pitches side by side, or floor space for 226,700 apartments of 100 square metres each. These comparisons show its scale, not plans for underground homes.

More than 1,000 kilometres of utility pipelines already occupy underground corridors, bringing services together and reducing repeated road excavation.

This is the idea behind 'three Xiong'ans': above ground, underground and in the cloud.

During his May 10, 2023 inspection, Xi called for better underground development and integrated transport to build a 'city of the future' free of urban maladies.

A global stage

Xiong'an hosted the Global Governance Forum from October 23–25, 2026. Nearly 400 representatives from more than 90 countries, alongside international and regional organisations including the United Nations, attended its opening.

'In just nine years, Xiong'an has risen from the ground, and undergone a magnificent transformation,' Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. 'A city of the future is unfolding before our eyes.'

He called it a project of 'millennial significance', adding: 'With the blueprint drawn, now we must build the future with concrete action.'

The wider plan covers approximately 2,000 square kilometres, accommodating 2 million to 2.5 million people, compared with about 1.41 million today.

The Beijing connection takes about 50 minutes by intercity railway. Another rapid line targets approximately 30 minutes to Beijing Daxing International Airport.

A four-vertical, three-horizontal expressway network is complete; a four-vertical, two-horizontal high-speed railway network is developing.

Of 829 kilometres of municipal roads started during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 567 kilometres were operational.

More than 4,000 Beijing-origin enterprises and over 400 branches of centrally administered state-owned enterprises have arrived. Since 2023, these include 146 second- and third-tier subsidiaries.

Four universities and two hospitals are under construction. China Satellite Network Group, Sinochem and China Huaneng headquarters already operate there.

Artificial intelligence, aerospace information, new materials, energy, digital technology and fintech support its economic ambitions. Xiong'an has 669 high-tech enterprises; GDP growth averaged 17.1% annually during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

People, nature and data

Over nine years, about 169,000 relocated residents have been resettled, with around 62,600 housing units completed.

Since 2017, the Millennium Forest programme has added approximately 32,200 hectares of forest, bringing cumulative green area to around 49,533 hectares.

Forest coverage rose from 11% to 35.1%. Plans place residents within three kilometres of forest, one kilometre of a green belt and 300 metres of a park.

At Baiyangdian, authorities report dredging 32 square kilometres, removing over 27 million cubic metres of sediment, clearing 212 kilometres of waterways, removing over 300 kilometres of embankment barriers and reconnecting 143 water bodies.

Another 74 square kilometres has returned from farmland to wetland. Embankment works total 328 kilometres.

Digital systems support infrastructure management. In March 2026, Xiong'an issued its first three-dimensional underground-space property certificate, recognising usable layers beyond conventional two-dimensional mapping.

It has also integrated 278 Beijing-Xiong'an government-service scenarios, with 209 qualifications and professional credentials recognised across both areas.

Kigali's planning challenge

Rwanda's population reached over 14 million, increasing by 2.7 million over ten years. Density rose from 415 people per square kilometre in 2012 to 503 in 2022.

Urbanisation increased from 16.5% to 27.9%, reaching 3.7 million urban residents.

Kigali had 1,745,555 residents in 2022, including 1.52 million in urban areas. NISR projects approximately 2.6 million by 2032: about 854,445 additional residents, nearly 49% growth.

That means infrastructure must prepare for almost 855,000 more people needing water, electricity, transport, schools, hospitals and homes.

Nearly 500 hectares of Kigali wetlands are being rehabilitated. Projects could benefit 220,500 people, create 7,500 jobs and avoid between $45 million and $90 million in flood damage.

For Kigali, Musanze, Huye, Rubavu and Muhanga, the lesson is practical: reserve infrastructure space before development occupies it.

Electricity, telecommunications, water, gas, heating and drainage can share corridors instead of separate trenches. Imagine repairing a water pipe without digging up the road above it.

For Kigali, coordinating services before construction could reduce disruption and costly repairs. Protecting wetlands and green spaces also preserves room for essential public services as neighbourhoods grow.

Coordinate utilities before paving roads. Protect future transport routes. Build drainage into neighbourhood plans. Provide jobs and services alongside housing.

Kigali need not reproduce Xiong'an's 22.67 million square metres underground. But its projected population demands decisions today that leave room for tomorrow.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/xiongans-underground-utility-network-offers-lessons-for-kigalis-urban-future/

RTDA Director General Imena Munyampenda told IGIHE that the assessment of properties belonging to residents who will be affected by the project began a month ago to establish their value and determine compensation.

'The value will be established after the property assessment, after which the findings will be submitted for approval by the district councils of the districts covered by the project, namely Kamonyi and Muhanga,' he said.

Kamonyi District Mayor Dr Nahayo Sylvère recently told IGIHE that the assessment of properties near the sections of the road to be expanded was ongoing. He said the number of residents eligible for compensation and the value of their properties would soon be established.

During a visit to sections of the road, including Ruyenzi in Kamonyi District, IGIHE found houses near the road marked for demolition.

The expansion project was initiated in October 2023, following a loan agreement worth $120.471 million signed between the Government of Rwanda and the Export-Import Bank of Korea in September of the same year.

A report by the Ministry of Infrastructure indicates that the preparation of detailed technical designs began in February 2025.

Under the project, the 12.2-kilometre section between Nyabugogo and Ruyenzi will be expanded to four lanes to ease traffic congestion.

The remaining section towards Muhanga will retain two lanes, with an additional lane for trucks on uphill stretches.

The Office of the Auditor General's report for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, published on May 6, 2026, indicated that the project had already experienced a delay of 27 months.

RTDA recently announced that construction works are expected to begin in early 2027.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/preparations-advance-for-kigali-muhanga-road-expansion/

Mukashyaka replaces Alexis Kamuhire, who was appointed in 2021, while Kubwimana succeeds Patrick Habimana.

Mukashyaka is an audit professional with more than 15 years of experience in internal auditing and four years in external auditing.

Since 2021, she has served as Chief Audit Executive at I&M Bank Rwanda Plc. She has also worked at the Office of the Auditor General.

She is Vice President of the Institute of Internal Auditors Rwanda, representing the private sector. She also chairs the Audit Committee of the Board of the Parliament of Rwanda.

Mukashyaka holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Rwanda, where she graduated with distinction.

Her professional qualifications include the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials. She is also an Internal Audit Quality Assessor and an ACCA member.

During her ACCA studies, she received a certificate of commendation after ranking first in Rwanda and 31st globally in the Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) examination.

Mukashyaka was also selected for the second cohort of the Africa Future Leaders programme, organised by the Central Bank of Egypt to develop banking leaders from across the continent.

Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, risk management, internal audit systems and banking operations.

Meanwhile, Kubwimana, the newly appointed Deputy Auditor General, has served as Director General of Fiscal Decentralization at Ministry of finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) since 2024.

Before that, he held finance and internal audit positions at the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and the former Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

He holds a master's degree in Finance and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Kubwimana is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR).

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/who-is-claudette-mukashyaka-rwandas-new-auditor-general/

Muhoozi made the remarks in a post on X early on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. He also suggested that the killing could be linked to the arrest of Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, the former head of Uganda's military intelligence agency, formerly known as the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

He said he had learned of the death of a former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldier but that his office had not been informed about the man before his killing.

'I hear there was a former RDF officer who was killed recently in the country. First of all, my office was never notified about the gentleman. I highly suspect that certain elements of Kayumba's RNC were responsible,' he wrote.

'Are they retaliating for Kandiho's arrest? We shall get to the truth,' he added, without providing further details about the suspected motive.

His remarks come as Uganda Police continue investigating the killing to establish who was responsible and the motive behind it.

Kandiho had links to Kayumba

Muhoozi's comments have revived scrutiny of Kayumba Nyamwasa, a former Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Staff who fled Rwanda and later became one of the founders of the RNC.

The group has long been accused of activities aimed at destabilising Rwanda, including collaborating with armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In the past, Uganda's CMI, under the leadership of Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, was accused of working closely with the RNC in activities that included recruiting members and supporting individuals opposed to the Rwandan government.

In December 2021, Kandiho travelled to South Africa, where he was reportedly involved in a secret meeting with Kayumba Nyamwasa.

That same month, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Kandiho, accusing him of involvement in serious human rights abuses.

The US government said that during his tenure as head of CMI, people had been arrested, detained in undisclosed locations and tortured because of their nationality or political views.

Although the US announcement did not explicitly mention Rwanda, the allegations were consistent with longstanding accusations by the Rwandan government against CMI, particularly over the alleged mistreatment of Rwandans detained in Uganda.

On September 9, 2026, Ugandan security agencies arrested Maj Gen Kandiho alongside Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, another former head of CMI.

Kandiho was arrested at his farm in Gomba District in central Uganda on September 9, 2026.

According to reports by Pulse Uganda, the arrests of the senior military officers were linked to investigations into allegations including the provision of false intelligence and other security-related offences.

Robert Kabera, who was about 50 years old, was found dead on October 17, 2026, in Luwala Village, Kammengo area, Mpigi District, Uganda.

His body had been decapitated, prompting Ugandan security agencies to launch an investigation to identify those responsible.

According to ChimpReports, Kabera had travelled from Kampala to Luwala on October 16, 2026, where he had a relative named Victor Agaba.

After arriving in the area, he went to a bar near his accommodation but disappeared in the hours that followed.

His relative began searching for him the following morning, October 17, before learning that a body had been discovered in the area.

He identified the body using a scar on Kabera's right thumb and shoes found nearby.

On October 19, 2026, Uganda Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that officers were still searching for Kabera's head.

'We received information about the murder of a man aged about 50 who was found decapitated. His head has not yet been recovered, but we have retrieved his body and taken it to Mulago Hospital,' he said.

Police said Kabera may have been killed on the night of October 16 or in the early hours of October 17, 2026.

Sgt Robert was known in Rwanda as a musician with Army Jazz Band, the music group associated with the Rwanda Defence Force.

In November 2020, he left Rwanda for Uganda while facing allegations of sexually abusing a family member.

After arriving in Uganda, he later aligned himself with opponents of the Rwandan government, including members of Kayumba Nyamwasa's RNC.

In May 2022, Kabera was arrested by Ugandan security agencies on suspicion of offences including illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. He was later released on bail.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/gen-muhoozi-links-sgt-roberts-death-to-kayumbas-rnc/

Nsengimana, a former member of Rwanda's defeated government forces (Ex-FAR), fled to what was then Zaire after the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA-Inkotanyi) stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He said some FDLR commanders arranged for women and girls to be handed over to Mai Mai leaders and FARDC soldiers to strengthen alliances, gain favour and obtain intelligence.

'Some girls were sold by certain FDLR leaders or handed over to Mai Mai leaders and FARDC soldiers to win their favour and obtain information from them,' he said.

Nsengimana said individuals seeking women would approach FDLR commanders, who demanded money to arrange the encounters. He cited payments ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Clashes between FDLR and Mai Mai fighters

Nsengimana also recounted fighting between the FDLR and Mai Mai groups in 2011, which he said followed allegations that FDLR fighters had looted property and killed members of Mai Mai families.

According to him, Mai Mai fighters from North and South Kivu joined forces to drive out the FDLR, but the fighting also led to reprisals against Rwandan women and children.

He said the Mai Mai fighters targeted Rwandan women living with FDLR members, regardless of whether they had children together, and also killed their children.

'Rwandan women were killed in extremely brutal ways by the Mai Mai during that period,' he said.

He also recalled attacks he said were carried out by FARDC soldiers in 2010 in Mwima, eastern DRC, during which women and girls were subjected to severe abuse, with some reportedly dying as a result.

Why he left the FDLR

Nsengimana was among the group's early members and held several leadership positions over the years. He commanded battalions in the ALiR and FDLR for 12 years and later served as deputy head of the FDLR's brigade reserve.

By the time he left in 2015, he was an adviser on security and military affairs within the group's leadership.

He said his decision to leave was partly influenced by difficulties his wife faced in 2010 after giving birth and requiring specialised medical care that was unavailable where they lived in the DRC. She sought permission to travel to Rwanda for treatment.

In 2014, she returned to the DRC to visit him before the couple travelled back to Rwanda together.

Nsengimana said the move raised suspicions among FDLR leaders, who feared he might betray the group because his wife was in Rwanda. He subsequently came under surveillance by people he described as FDLR intelligence operatives.

With assistance from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, he returned to Rwanda in 2015 and was admitted to the Mutobo demobilisation centre in Musanze District for reintegration training.

Six months after leaving the centre, he secured employment at a Rwanda Energy Group (REG) facility in Rubavu District through cooperation between the company and the Ministry of Defence.

Nsengimana urged FDLR leaders to surrender their weapons and return to Rwanda, arguing that their military campaign had little chance of success.

He also appealed to younger fighters to reconsider their involvement, saying some commanders had families living comfortably abroad while their subordinates remained in the forests.

He urged them to abandon the armed struggle, return home and contribute to Rwanda's development.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/ex-fdlr-officer-details-how-leaders-trafficked-women-to-fardc-mai-mai-fighters-for-sexual-exploitation/

Her departure was announced in a statement dated October 23, 2026, signed by KCB Group CEO Paul Russo.

Mutesi will be succeeded on an interim basis from November 1 by Xavier Mugisha Shema, the bank's current Executive Director of Commercial Businesses.

According to the statement, Mutesi requested to leave the position to pursue other interests.

KCB Group thanked her for her contribution to the bank's leadership, particularly during the transition following the merger of BPR and KCB Bank Rwanda.

Mutesi was appointed as Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda in late 2022 and officially assumed the role on February 1, 2023.

Before joining the bank, she served as TradeMark East Africa's Rwanda country director from 2016. She also held various positions at Ecobank Rwanda and Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), which later became I&M Bank Rwanda.

BPR's growth and financial performance

BPR traces its origins to 1975, when it was established in Nkamba, in the former Kibungo Prefecture, to help communities save money and access loans.

By 1986, community banks operating across the country had been consolidated under the Union des Banques Populaires du Rwanda (UBPR). The institution became a commercial bank in 2008 and adopted the name Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR).

In 2021, Kenya's KCB Group acquired a 76.67% stake in BPR. The National Bank of Rwanda approved the merger of KCB Bank Rwanda and BPR in March 2022, with the combined institution, BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, commencing operations on April 1, 2022.

Under Mutesi's leadership, the bank reported a profit of Rwf25.9 billion in 2023, up from Rwf22.3 billion in 2022.

In 2024, its profit after tax increased by approximately 14.7% to Rwf29.7 billion, while profit before tax stood at Rwf43.1 billion.

The bank's 2025 annual report showed that profit after tax rose to Rwf40.9 billion. Its total assets also increased significantly, reaching Rwf1.405 trillion, compared with Rwf971.9 billion in 2024.

On May 19, 2026, Mutesi said the bank expected its profit to grow by at least 20% compared with 2025.

BPR Bank Rwanda is one of the country's major lenders, with an extensive branch network and customer base. It operates as a subsidiary of KCB Group, a financial services group headquartered in Kenya.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/bpr-bank-rwanda-names-interim-md-as-patience-mutesi-prepares-to-step-down/

The ceremony took place at the Israeli Presidential Residence on Monday, October 26, 2026.

In a statement shared on X, the Israeli President's Office said Herzog highlighted the warm friendship and growing cooperation between Rwanda and Israel across various fields including innovation, agriculture, development, and education.

Maj Gen Bayingana was appointed Rwanda's Ambassador to Israel in a series of diplomatic appointments made by President Paul Kagame on June 10, 2026, which saw new ambassadors designated to represent the country in several nations.

On June 18, 2026, the Senate of Rwanda approved his appointment following a review of his credentials alongside those of other candidates nominated to represent the country abroad.

During the vetting process, senators highlighted Maj Gen Bayingana's extensive experience in various government positions and within the Rwanda Defence Force.

His previous roles include serving as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Air Staff and Vice Chairperson of the National Itorero Commission, among others.

During his presentation to the Senate, Bayingana outlined several priorities for his diplomatic mission in Israel, including strengthening cooperation in innovation, security, technology-driven agriculture and education.

He also pledged to promote the transfer of Israeli agricultural expertise to Rwanda, particularly through the deployment of Israeli specialists to help farmers access modern farming knowledge and technologies.

In addition, Bayingana highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation in preserving the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, combating genocide denial and minimisation, and promoting practical, skills-based education.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandas-ambassador-to-israel-presents-credentials-to-president-herzog/