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Titled Soil & Water: Kigali Crossings, the initiative was launched on Friday, August 28, in partnership with South Africa's NIROX Foundation.

The exhibition officially opened on August 29 and will run until March 2027, bringing together artist residencies, artworks inspired by Nyandungu's natural environment, performances, concerts, community activities and other public events.

Prominent African artists expected to participate include Ghanaian artists Ibrahim Mahama and Serge Clottey, as well as South African artist Willem Boshoff. The exhibition will also feature artists from France, Spain and Austria.

The programme seeks to create a space where artists can explore the relationship between people and nature while encouraging visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting ecosystems.

Professor Johan Thom, co-curator of the project and Professor and Coordinator of Fine Art at the University of Pretoria, said the initiative is about more than showcasing art, seeking instead to connect creativity with deeper reflection on humanity's relationship with nature.

Among the participating artists is Io Makandal, an environmental artist from Johannesburg, South Africa, whose work focuses on environmental restoration through soil, plants and land art.

'One of the main things that I work with is activated effective microorganisms. I use them in the same way that a painter uses paint. I'm a sculptor and a maker, and I incorporate them into my artistic practice,' she said.

Makandal said the microorganisms are gradually released into the environment and can contribute to the restoration of soil and water.

She plans to work with environmental specialists in Rwanda to explore their potential use in Nyandungu Eco-Park's waterways, with the aim of helping improve water quality over time.

Telesphore Ngoga, Conservation Analyst at the Rwanda Nature Foundation, said the programme gives artists an opportunity to draw inspiration from Nyandungu's landscape and ecological systems and translate their experiences into creative works.

'The artists' creativity offers fresh ways to view this landscape and the ecological systems that sustain it. Their installations invite reflection on our relationship with nature, our duty to future generations, and the need to protect the resources that sustain life,' he said.

Ngoga added that the artworks are intended to complement rather than replace the natural environment at the park.

'These works do not seek to replace nature. Rather, they enrich its interpretation. They allow visitors to experience Nyandungu not only through its wetlands, plants, birds, and waterways, but also through the insights and imagination of the artists who have engaged with this place,' he added.

Guy Hedderwick, Managing Director of QA Venue Solutions Rwanda, which manages Nyandungu Eco-Park, said the partnership with the NIROX Foundation was driven by the desire to use art as a tool for communicating the importance of conservation.

'The wonderful thing about art is it's about your own personal interpretation of it, and therefore every person who comes and views it will get a different story out of it,' he remarked.

Hedderwick said a visit to the NIROX Foundation in South Africa helped inspire the idea of creating a similar intersection between art and nature at Nyandungu.

He noted that the exhibition is also expected to encourage more people to visit the park while helping them appreciate the importance of wetlands within Kigali.

Nyandungu Eco-Park was opened in 2022 and has continued to attract growing numbers of visitors.

Attendance increased from 67,222 visitors in 2023 to 76,754 in 2024. In 2025, the number rose significantly, reaching about 100,000 visitors by November, representing an increase of more than 30 percent compared with the previous year.

The ongoing exhibition is expected to add another dimension to the park's visitor experience by combining its wetlands and biodiversity with artistic interpretation and public engagement around conservation.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/global-artists-converge-at-nyandungu-eco-park-for-conservation-exhibition-photos/

Rwanda won the match 25-19, 25-16, 25-8 to maintain its push for a deep run in the continental tournament.

Burkina Faso made a promising start, taking an early 8-6 lead in the opening set as Rwanda struggled to settle into the match. Rwanda gradually regained control, with captain Valentine Munezero and middle blocker Divine Marie Nyirahabimana making important blocks.

Burkina Faso also struggled with service errors, allowing Rwanda to build momentum and eventually take the first set 25-19.

The West Africans again started strongly in the second set, opening up a five-point advantage. Rwanda responded by improving its attacking game, while Burkina Faso continued to give away points through service mistakes.

Rwanda turned the set around and pulled clear to win 25-16, moving within one set of the quarter-finals.

The third set proved one-sided as Rwanda took control from the outset. Nyirahabimana led the attack, scoring eight points from seven attacks, while Flavia Dusabe contributed six points.

Rwanda built a 14-point advantage as Burkina Faso struggled to cope with the pressure. The Rwandans closed out the set 25-8 to complete the straight-sets victory.

Nyirahabimana finished as Rwanda's leading scorer with 16 points and was named Player of the Match.

The victory sends Frédéric Guérin's team into the quarter-finals, where Rwanda will continue its campaign for continental honours.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/cavb-womens-championship-rwanda-beat-burkina-faso-to-reach-quarterfinals/

Byanyima said Besigye was transferred after dark to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) hospital along Entebbe Road, about 10 kilometres from Kampala.

She said the 70-year-old opposition leader remained severely weak and continued to struggle with basic movements and communication following his health problems in recent months.

'After dark, Dr Kizza Besigye was moved from Luzira Prison to JCRC hospital today. He is still very weak. He struggles to walk, speak, write or even hold anything steadily,' Byanyima said.

Besigye's health has been a concern since he collapsed during a court session in Kampala on July 29 while attending proceedings in his treason case.

He was subsequently taken by ambulance to the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where his family said he remained unconscious and unresponsive to pain stimuli for several days before his condition improved.

Besigye spent about 10 days at Mulago before being transferred back to Luzira Prison on August 7. His family later said he remained extremely weak and had difficulty walking and speaking.

On August 24, Byanyima said Besigye had been returned from the prison hospital to his cell, while his sisters, who had been caring for him, were sent away.

A medical assessment conducted after his July collapse found that Besigye remained alert and able to understand information but had difficulty speaking and writing. Doctors recommended continued speech, language, physical, occupational and neurological rehabilitation.

The family has asked Ugandan authorities to allow Besigye to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, for specialised medical care and support from his family. They have also raised concerns about chronic complications affecting his lungs and spine, which they say have been worsened by prison conditions.

Besigye has been in custody since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya alongside Hajj Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola. They face treason-related charges stemming from allegations that they travelled to Kenya and held meetings aimed at plotting to overthrow the Ugandan government. The three have denied the allegations.

His trial has continued despite his health challenges, with the court allowing proceedings to proceed in his absence on medical grounds.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/besigye-rushed-back-to-hospital-as-health-deteriorates-wife-says/

Many of the destinations associated with relaxation and leisure are located outside the capital, meaning visitors have to plan their trips, leave early and think about how they will get back home.

For some, the journey itself can become tiring, taking away from the very experience they were seeking.

But a new luxury destination on Mount Kigali is offering a different option: an opportunity to escape the city's bustle without actually leaving Kigali.

Located in the forests of Mount Kigali, Jungle Park is a luxury fine-dining restaurant and recreational space that combines food, entertainment, nature and relaxation.

Its elevated location offers expansive views of Kigali, while the surrounding greenery provides a setting far removed from the city's busy streets.

An escape without leaving Kigali

One of Jungle Park's defining features is its location.

Unlike many restaurants and entertainment venues concentrated in Kigali's busy urban areas, the destination sits high on Mount Kigali, surrounded by trees and nature.

According to Jungle Park's Founder, Laurent Urimubenshi, the location was deliberately chosen to give visitors an opportunity to disconnect from the city.

'By choosing this location, the intention was actually to provide people with an escape from the city,' he said.

While its location might initially appear far from the city centre, Urimubenshi said visitors have been willing to make the journey to experience what Jungle Park offers.

He explained that the name Jungle Park was chosen to reflect the environment in which the destination is located and the experience the business seeks to create.

'Being located in or near the forest adds value to what we want to create and provide. We want to offer our clients and guests a unique, high-quality experience, from our service and food to the location itself,' he remarked.

Jungle Park can accommodate more than 300 guests at a time, making it suitable for both individual visitors and larger gatherings.

But Urimubenshi said the destination is designed to offer more than food.

'It's more of a retreat,' he said. 'For example, on our Sunday brunch and our live barbecue on Saturdays, people don't come here just to eat because it's not about the food. It's about a retreat. It's about going somewhere close to the city where you would have that experience.'

Fine dining meets recreation

Food is central to the Jungle Park experience, with barbecue among the offerings that have proved particularly popular with customers.

In response to that demand, the restaurant recently introduced a live barbecue every Saturday from 10 a.m., combining grilled food with live music and other activities.

'People come, they enjoy live barbecue and live music,' Urimubenshi revealed, describing the Saturday programme as a full-day experience.

Jungle Park also hosts a Sunday brunch running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving visitors access to a range of recreational activities alongside their meals.

Guests can swim for free, play traditional games and spend time relaxing in the natural surroundings.

'People come here to enjoy free swimming and traditional games. We have all of that here,' Urimubenshi noted.

He said the combination of brunch, swimming and traditional games is intended to create a relaxed Sunday experience for visitors.

'People come, they enjoy those traditional games while on brunch, swimming, providing that relaxation and staycation on Sundays,' he said.

Hospitality with a conservation focus

Jungle Park's natural surroundings are not simply part of its aesthetic. The business has also incorporated environmental conservation into its operations.
According to Urimubenshi, the destination has planted indigenous trees protected under Rwanda's environmental conservation policies.

'When you look around here, the trees we plant are not just any part of the tree. It comes from the policy, from the laws,' he said.

Urimubenshi said the approach allows the business to contribute to environmental conservation while also supporting the country's hospitality sector.

'We really like it when we say we are doing a business, yes, but also we are contributing to the country's effort for conservation,' he added.

A new addition to Kigali's leisure scene

Jungle Park opened in May 2026, and Urimubenshi said it has received an encouraging response from customers while using their feedback to improve its services.

'Within this short period, we've received a warm welcome and a lot of encouragement from our guests. We've also been learning from our shortcomings and improving day after day,' the founder stated.

For visitors, part of the experience begins before they even arrive.

The drive up Mount Kigali takes them away from the city's increasingly busy streets and towards a setting surrounded by trees and panoramic views.

At Jungle Park, the journey becomes part of the getaway itself, offering Kigali residents and visitors a chance to enjoy fine dining, recreation and nature without having to travel outside the capital.

As Urimubenshi puts it, the destination is ultimately about more than a meal.

It is about creating a retreat close enough to the city to remain accessible, yet far enough from its noise to feel like an escape.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/escape-the-city-without-leaving-kigali-inside-the-luxury-jungle-park-retreat-on-mount-kigali/

Jaffer died at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, on the evening of August 28, 2026.

An employee of Sulfo Rwanda who has worked for the company for 18 years told IGIHE that Jaffer had been ill for some time. He initially received treatment at King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda before being transferred to Nairobi.

'He had been ill for some time. He initially received treatment at King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda before being transferred to Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. He later improved and was discharged from hospital, after which he continued receiving treatment at home under medical supervision,' the employee said.

The employee added that Jaffer returned to Rwanda last year after his condition improved and visited the Sulfo Rwanda factory.

'He came and appeared to be bidding farewell to the factory. He toured it thoroughly before eventually handing it over to his son and grandson,' he said.

Jaffer began investing in Rwanda in 1962. He is recognised as one of the pioneers of the country's soap manufacturing industry, after noticing that many Rwandans at the time relied mainly on water for bathing and washing clothes, while others used traditional methods involving plants and herbs.

He started with a soap brand called Tembo, produced at a factory equipped with a small machine roughly the size of a barrel.

The business later expanded, with Sulfo Rwanda adding other products, including cosmetics and bottled drinking water under the Source du Nil brand.

Sulfo Rwanda currently employs 630 people and exports its products to markets in Rwanda and neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Jaffer also played a role in introducing golf to Rwanda. His other investments included the importation of vehicle tyres, batteries and cooking gas.

He maintained homes in Rwanda, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nairobi, where he was living before his death.

A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled to take place in Nairobi on August 30, 2026.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/sulfo-rwanda-founder-aitmadi-tajdin-hussain-jaffer-dies-at-93/

Gates made the proposal in a nearly 6,000-word essay titled 'The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical,' published on his Gates Notes website.

In the essay, Gates warned that AI could bring major changes to the global workforce, with some jobs potentially disappearing permanently rather than returning after an economic downturn.

He argued that AI is different from many previous technologies because it can increasingly perform tasks that require human thinking and decision-making.

'AI for the first time can replace and even exceed human cognition,' Gates wrote in the essay.

Gates said the transformation could affect a wide range of professions, including customer support, sales, software engineering and paralegal work.

He also pointed to tasks such as analysing data, assessing loan applications and helping to triage patients as areas where AI could increasingly take on work traditionally performed by people.

However, Gates does not believe every job should automatically be handed over to machines simply because AI can perform it.

He proposed creating a category of work called 'Human Reserved,' referring to jobs that society would intentionally keep for people even when AI could potentially perform some or all of the same tasks.

The idea is partly based on the concept of nature reserves, where certain areas are protected because society considers them valuable enough to preserve.

Gates suggested that some human-centred work could be protected because it involves qualities such as empathy, trust and personal interaction.

Healthcare is one area he highlighted. He reflected on his own family's experience, particularly the care his father received while living with Alzheimer's disease, arguing that there is value in having a human being involved in certain forms of care.

The billionaire philanthropist also warned that governments are not sufficiently prepared for the scale of disruption AI could bring.

He said the impact could extend beyond employment into education, public health and national security, requiring governments to develop stronger policies before the technology advances even further.

Gates has also proposed changing taxation systems to account for the economic impact of AI and automation.

He suggested that governments could consider taxing robots and the use of AI services, including the computing resources or 'tokens' used by AI systems.

The goal would be to reduce the incentive for companies to replace workers with machines simply because automation can be cheaper.

At the same time, Gates remains optimistic about the potential benefits of AI.

He has argued that the technology could dramatically improve healthcare, education, agriculture and scientific research if it is developed and deployed responsibly.

His concern is that the benefits could be distributed unevenly, leaving millions of workers vulnerable while concentrating wealth and power among companies and individuals that control advanced AI systems.

Gates described the coming period as potentially one of the most turbulent periods in human history, while arguing that AI could either become a powerful tool for reducing inequality or become a major source of injustice.

He has called for international cooperation to manage the technology, including stronger coordination between major powers.

Gates is also expected to discuss AI policy with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a planned meeting in November 2026.

He has argued that global rules are needed because the risks created by increasingly powerful AI systems cannot be managed effectively by individual countries acting alone.

His latest warning comes as businesses around the world increasingly integrate AI into everyday operations, intensifying the debate over whether the technology will mainly create new opportunities or eliminate large numbers of existing jobs.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/bill-gates-calls-for-human-reserved-jobs-as-ai-threatens-to-reshape-the-workforce/

The activity took place in Gahanga Sector and was attended by senior government officials, including Minister of Youth and Arts Development Dr. Abdallah Utumatwishima, Rwanda National Police Inspector General of Police Felix Namuhoranye, and Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika.

Masisi, who served as Botswana's president from 2018 to 2024, is in Rwanda to attend the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) scheduled to take place in Kigali from August 31 to September 4, 2026.

Speaking during the community work, Masisi praised Rwanda's practice of bringing young people and older generations together to participate in community activities.

He said he was impressed by the way young Rwandans join older generations during Umuganda to clean their communities and contribute to building a united country.

Masisi encouraged young people to set personal goals and work toward improving themselves every day. He also urged them to pursue progress collectively and ensure that their development does not leave others behind.

He said this spirit of shared progress would help Africa strengthen its position globally and achieve greater development.

Masisi also highlighted Africa's historical significance, noting that the continent is widely recognised as the birthplace of humanity and has the potential to play a much greater role in the world.

He further said Rwanda and Botswana have several things in common and should align their efforts around the shared objective of making Africa a more developed continent and a model for the rest of the world.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/former-botswana-president-masisi-joins-rwandans-in-monthly-community-work/

The researchers found that a protein known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AHR, acts like a molecular 'brake' that limits the ability of injured nerve cells to regrow damaged axons.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that blocking AHR could help damaged nerves regenerate and improve movement and sensation following nerve or spinal cord injuries.

Axons are long extensions of nerve cells that carry signals between different parts of the nervous system.

When these structures are damaged or severed, the ability of neurons to rebuild them plays an important role in determining how much a person can recover.

However, adult mammals have a limited ability to regenerate damaged axons.

This is one of the reasons injuries to nerves and the spinal cord can result in long-lasting or permanent problems with movement and sensation.

The new study found that AHR plays an important role in this process.

According to the researchers, when neurons are injured, they must balance two competing needs.

They need to protect themselves from cellular stress while also producing the proteins necessary to rebuild their damaged connections.

The researchers discovered that AHR pushes neurons toward managing stress rather than rebuilding their axons.

When scientists removed AHR from neurons or used drugs to block its activity, damaged nerve fibers were able to regenerate more effectively.

Experiments in mice with peripheral nerve injuries and spinal cord injuries also showed that suppressing AHR was associated with improved movement and sensation.

The researchers found that AHR normally supports a protective process known as proteostasis, which helps cells maintain protein quality during stress.

While this response helps injured neurons survive, it can also reduce the production of new proteins needed for axon growth.

When AHR was blocked, neurons appeared to change their priorities. They increased the production of proteins and activated biological pathways linked to growth and nerve regeneration.

The researchers also identified HIF-1α as an important factor in this process. HIF-1α helps regulate genes involved in metabolism and tissue repair.

Hongyan Zou, a professor of neurosurgery and neuroscience at Mount Sinai and the study's senior author, said the findings show how neurons balance survival and regeneration following injury.

AHR was initially known for its role in detecting environmental toxins and pollutants.

The new findings suggest that the protein has a broader role inside neurons, where it helps connect environmental signals with cellular processes that determine whether damaged axons can regenerate.

The discovery could eventually contribute to new treatments for nerve injuries.

Some drugs designed to inhibit AHR are already being investigated in clinical trials for other medical conditions, raising the possibility that similar approaches could eventually be studied for nerve and spinal cord injuries.

However, the researchers stressed that the work is still at an early stage.

More studies are needed to determine the appropriate timing and dosage of AHR inhibitors and to understand how blocking the protein affects other cells involved in the body's response to injury.

The Mount Sinai team plans to investigate AHR-blocking drugs and gene therapy approaches that could reduce AHR activity specifically in neurons.

Researchers hope these approaches could eventually help improve recovery from spinal cord injuries, stroke and other neurological conditions.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/scientists-identify-molecular-brake-that-limits-nerve-regeneration/

Foxx, 58, made the emotional revelation during an August 25 appearance on Keke Palmer's podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, where he reflected on the medical emergency that left him hospitalized in Atlanta.

According to Foxx, he later spoke with the doctor who treated him because he wanted to understand exactly what had happened during the health crisis.

'I wanted to know his version,' Foxx recalled the doctor telling him. The doctor reportedly said that without Corinne's intervention, Foxx would not have survived.

'He says, 'Hey man, without her you wouldn't be here,'' Foxx said.

The doctor went on to emphasize Corinne's role, telling Foxx that his daughter had saved his life and was the reason he was still alive.

'He said, 'Man, your daughter saved your life,'' Foxx recalled. 'She saved you. He said, 'She's the reason that you're here.''

Foxx described his daughter's response during the crisis as remarkable. He compared her actions to Michael Corleone, the character from The Godfather who takes charge after his father is attacked.

'That's who she was,' Foxx said, explaining that Corinne immediately took control of the situation and focused on protecting her father.

Corinne also opened up about the difficult period during the podcast, saying she immediately went into what she described as 'caretaking mode.'

'When you're in it, you don't have time to be scared,' she said, explaining that she became focused on making sure her father received the care he needed.

Foxx suffered the medical emergency in April 2023 while filming the Netflix film Back in Action in Atlanta. He later revealed that he had experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke.

The actor has previously said that he has limited memories of the ordeal. During his latest conversation, he recalled returning to the hospital to meet some of the nurses who had cared for him.

Foxx said around 60 nurses had been involved in his care and described their response to his survival as extraordinary.

According to Foxx, some medical staff told him that fewer than three percent of patients who arrived with a condition similar to his survived.

The actor also explained that humor became an important part of his recovery. He said he often joked with medical staff and even pretended to be other celebrities when they asked him questions during his rehabilitation.

For Corinne, however, the situation was complicated not only by her father's condition but also by the intense speculation surrounding his health.

She said she was focused on her father's recovery while rumors and conspiracy theories about his condition spread online.

Corinne explained that she did not believe it was her responsibility to reveal her father's private medical information simply to respond to speculation.

Despite the difficult experience, Foxx said it changed the way he views his daughter and deepened his appreciation for her love and strength.

He said the experience made him realize how fortunate he was to have Corinne by his side during one of the most serious moments of his life.

Foxx has since returned to work and continues to pursue acting and other entertainment projects. He also works alongside Corinne on the television music game show Beat Shazam.

The father and daughter have continued to speak openly about their close relationship, with Foxx describing Corinne's actions during his medical crisis as one of the reasons he was given another chance at life.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/jamie-foxx-reveals-how-daughter-corinne-saved-his-life-after-2023-stroke/

Pezeshkian made the remarks in a televised interview broadcast Friday night, responding to questions about whether ongoing diplomatic efforts could revive the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Iran and the United States in June and restore the Iranian nation's rights.

'We can move forward' if Iran's actions are met with reciprocal and proportional actions from the other side, the Iranian president said, acknowledging that the two sides might not achieve all their objectives.

Under the MoU, the United States was expected to lift a naval blockade and oil and petrochemical sanctions against Iran and release Iranian frozen assets.

Pezeshkian said Iran had exported nearly 90 million barrels of oil during the period when the agreement was being implemented.

'The main issue is that we must be committed to the MoU we have written. When we sit down at the negotiating table, we can talk to them,' he said.

On June 18, the United States and Iran signed the deal on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. Under the MoU, they were scheduled to hold negotiations within 60 days, which ended on Aug. 17, to reach a final agreement.

The talks' fate remains unclear following the escalation between the two countries last month.

Pezeshkian's comments came as Iran continues to grapple with economic pressures at home.

In a separate message Friday marking Government Week, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for 'serious' attention to economic and livelihood challenges, including inflation, unemployment and the management of prices and markets.

Iran needs stronger economic growth, increased investment and a production boost, Khamenei said, describing greater reliance on domestic production as key to addressing the country's economic difficulties.

Where domestic production cannot meet demand, imports should be used 'properly and wisely,' he said.

Khamenei also called for maintaining national unity and protecting social cohesion, warning against using statements that lead to hopelessness and weaken national and public motivation.

The remarks came amid intensified U.S. economic pressure on Iran. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 'the most crushing economic operation ever taken' against any country providing a lifeline to Iran.

'This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,' Trump said in a social media post, calling the move 'an ECONOMIC D-DAY.'

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/iran-willing-to-negotiate-with-u-s-but-remains-wary-president/