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“The death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60 and the casualty figure is rising,” said Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu local government area, adding that 10 people were in serious condition and many others still missing.

Emergency personnel and local divers were searching for the victims, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

The accident occurred around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Tuesday when the overloaded vessel collided with a tree stump and capsized near the Gausawa community in the Borgu local government area.

The boat carried more than 100 people, with women and children being the majority of the fatal victims, said Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi.

Boat accidents, often caused by overloading, adverse weather, and operational errors, are common in Nigeria.

At least 60 people were killed and dozens rescued after a boat capsized in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, local authorities said on Wednesday.

Xinhua

The launch took place on September 3, 2025, just hours before the ninth edition of the Aviation Africa summit, a two-day conference bringing together over 80 aviation companies from across the continent.

The drones, known as eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles), are manufactured by Chinese company EHang and run entirely on electricity.

Each drone costs approximately $400,000 (approximately Frw 579 million), can carry two passengers, transport over 620 kilograms of cargo, cover 30 kilometres, and fly for up to 25 minutes on a full charge. They operate at an altitude of 100 metres, feature 12 rotors mounted on four arms, and are equipped with technology to detect obstacles mid-air.

Melissa Rusanganwa, International Affairs Manager at the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), was the first to experience the aircraft in flight.

'I felt safe throughout the flight,' she said. 'The crew conducted thorough checks and gave us instructions to follow. This technology will connect people across different regions and support tourism while being environmentally friendly, as the drones are fully electric.'

Rwanda has previously used drones mainly for medical deliveries. Zipline Rwanda, operational since October 2016, has delivered blood, vaccines, and medical supplies to over 650 health facilities, including more than 100 small clinics. Their drones carry 2—3 kilograms, travel up to 160 kilometres at speeds of 130 km/h, and complete long-distance trips in under 40 minutes.

The country is also developing a state-of-the-art Drone Operation Centre in Huye District, Southern Province, on the site of a former airfield. The 13.4 billion Rwandan franc facility will accommodate drones of all sizes, including large models comparable to helicopters with wingspans of 18—20 metres. It will host up to 3,000 drones at once and include areas for assembly and testing of new drones.

Each drone can carry two passengers and transport over 620 kilograms of cargo.

Each drone costs approximately $400,000 (approximately Frw 579 million).

Melissa Rusanganwa, International Affairs Manager at the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), was the first to experience the aircraft in flight.

Rwanda has previously used drones mainly for medical deliveries.

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IGIHE

The project is the result of a creative partnership between Belgian painter Paul De Gobert and Rwandan writer Joseph Ndwaniye, who set out to capture the nation’s landscapes, people and stories through two distinct yet complementary lenses: watercolour and prose.

The idea was born after the two met at a literary event. Inspired by their shared fascination with Rwanda, they embarked on a journey to document the country in real time.

De Gobert worked with portable formats, using watercolours to capture the fleeting play of light, speed and effort, while Ndwaniye translated those impressions into words, crafting a sensitive, nuanced narrative.

The result is a book that reads like a travel journal where image and text stand side by side, each offering its own way of understanding the country.

Rather than one medium overshadowing the other, painting and prose work in harmony, giving the reader a layered experience.

At the heart of the book lies the bicycle, a deliberate choice by the authors. For Ndwaniye, it represents more than just a means of transport; it is a social connector and a symbol of resilience.

The bicycle in Rwanda carries goods, brings families together, transports the sick and, in recent years, has placed the country firmly on the international sporting map.

From daily survival to elite competition, the bicycle becomes a metaphor for Rwanda’s capacity to move forward.

Memory and resilience

The narrative also touches on Rwanda’s past, particularly through visits to memorials. These moments are acknowledged with sensitivity, but the book resists reducing the nation to a single chapter of history.

Instead, it highlights a broader picture: traditions, biodiversity, everyday life and the determination of a society rebuilding itself while hosting international cycling events.

The publication of Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale coincided with Rwanda’s growing role in international cycling. Original works by De Gobert will be exhibited at the Institut français in Kigali from September 18 to October 6, while a dedicated stand will be set up during the week of the world cycling championships.

Visitors will have the chance to meet the authors, attend signings and engage in discussions.

But the project goes beyond the book launch. It aims to inspire young Rwandans to embrace cycling, celebrate those shaping the sport, and showcase local artistic talent.

Both authors have signalled their commitment to continuing the collaboration: De Gobert has already created hundreds of works on Rwanda, and Ndwaniye continues to expand his literary exploration.

Ultimately, Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale is more than a book, it is an invitation to rediscover Rwanda—through the rhythm of pedalling, the stroke of a brush, and the cadence of carefully chosen words. It shows how sport and art can come together to tell the story of a nation in motion.

Joseph Ndwaniye, hailing from Murambi in Rwanda, has lived in Belgium since 1986. Alongside his career as a specialist oncology nurse, he has built a strong literary reputation with works such as La Promesse faite à ma sœur (2007; reissued 2018), Le Muzungu mangeur d’hommes (2018), and En quête de nos ancêtres (2021), as well as numerous short stories.

Paul De Gobert, a Belgian painter, printmaker and watercolourist, is widely recognised for his public commissions and exhibitions, including murals like the Vandervelde metro station in Brussels.

Author of illustrated works such as Visages de Mongolie, Ma traversée de Bruxelles and Le Jardin sauvage, he has also produced hundreds of artworks dedicated to Rwanda.

Preface: David Lappartient, President of the UCI.

Publisher: Histoire et Images.

Belgian painter Paul De Gobert and Rwandan writer Joseph Ndwaniye set out to capture the nation’s landscapes, people and stories through two distinct yet complementary lenses.

IGIHE journalist in a keepsake photo after an interview about the book “Les Mille Collines à Coups de Pédale,” with Belgian painter Paul De Gobert and Rwandan writer Joseph Ndwaniye.

At the heart of the book lies the bicycle, a deliberate choice by the authors.

Ndwaniye signing a copy of the book.

Paul De Gobert, a Belgian painter, printmaker and watercolourist, is widely recognised for his public commissions and exhibitions, including murals like the Vandervelde metro station in Brussels.

Joseph Ndwaniye, hailing from Murambi in Rwanda, has lived in Belgium since 1986.

[email protected]

Karirima Aimable Ngarambe

According to a statement from the Office of the President, the two discussed ASECNA’s central role in advancing aviation across the continent as well as Rwanda’s leadership in the use of drones to deliver economic and health benefits. Rwanda is widely recognised for pioneering drone technology, particularly in the delivery of medical supplies to remote areas.

Zo’o Minto’o is in Kigali for the 9th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition, a major gathering of global and continental stakeholders in the aviation industry. Rwanda last hosted the summit in 2022.

The two-day event, hosted by the Government of Rwanda alongside the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, RwandAir, and Rwanda Airports Company, opens on September 4 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre.

With the theme 'Collaborating to unlock Africa’s aviation growth,' the summit will provide a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the showcasing of aviation innovations.

The summit’s agenda focuses on key issues shaping the sector, including sustainability through the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), the future of advanced air mobility (AAM) with drones and eVTOL aircraft, and infrastructure development such as airport expansion and enhanced air traffic management systems.

The summit also highlights Rwanda’s growing position as a hub for aviation excellence. The country is investing heavily in infrastructure, notably the new Kigali International Airport at Bugesera, and positioning itself as a leader in technological innovation within the industry.

The previous edition of the Aviation Africa Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2024.

This year’s Kigali summit is expected to draw senior government officials, industry leaders, and professionals from across Africa and beyond to transform policy discussions into practical steps for the sector’s growth.

President Paul Kagame meets Prosper Zo’o Minto’o, Director General of ASECNA, at Urugwiro Village ahead of the 2025 Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali.

President Paul Kagame and ASECNA Director General Prosper Zo’o Minto’o discussed the agency’s role in advancing African aviation and Rwanda’s pioneering use of drones for economic and health benefits, including delivering medical supplies to remote areas.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Every day, many people working in Kigali commute back to Bishenyi, Ruyenzi, and Gihara, enjoying the convenience of public transport linking them directly to Nyabugogo bus station.

Some who once dreamed of living in Kigali but built modern homes in Kamonyi have since decided to stay, convinced by the district’s rapid pace of development and its promising future that increasingly mirrors Kigali’s urban growth.

Looking ahead, Kamonyi’s development vision focuses on projects that will strengthen its connection with Kigali, while also integrating surrounding districts such as Muhanga, Bugesera, Ruhango, and Gakenke.

According to the 2023—2050 Master Plan for Settlement and Land Use, Kamonyi is expected to evolve over the next 25 years into a hub for agro-business, sports, entertainment, and modern housing, reinforcing its role as a true secondary city complementing the capital.

Nyabarongo wetlands

The Government of Rwanda plans to transform the Nyabarongo wetlands, particularly the Kamuhanda area, into a major tourism attraction. It will serve as a modern gateway into Kamonyi for visitors arriving from Kigali.

The site will be developed into a beautiful recreational zone with designated spaces for relaxation, social activities, and an information center to guide tourists.

The Nyabarongo Bridge will also be upgraded, redesigned with towering skyward pillars that will make it a striking architectural landmark. According to the master plan, its new design will symbolize the strong link between Kigali and Kamonyi.

In addition, the area will feature a cable car line connecting to Kamonyi’s town center, offering tourists an aerial view of the district’s natural beauty, especially the Nyabarongo wetlands.

The Nyabarongo Bridge will be redesigned with towering pillars rising into the sky.

Ruyenzi modernized

Ruyenzi, considered the urban core of Kamonyi, is undergoing a steady transformation as new infrastructure, commercial buildings, and residential developments continue to reshape its image.

The center is set to feature modern road interchanges to improve transport services, alongside the redevelopment of its existing small industrial zone.

With the establishment of a new industrial park in Muhanga, traffic along the main highway passing through Kamonyi is expected to increase significantly. To ease congestion, plans include the construction of a 44-meter-wide underground road to serve as a bypass.

Ruyenzi will also host a modern football stadium on the current Runda pitch, along with entertainment facilities designed to accommodate major district and national events that bring large crowds together.

Ruyenzi Center stands as a symbol of Kamonyi’s progress.

Bishenyi elevated to urban status

Bishenyi, home to Kamonyi’s main bus terminal that connects passengers traveling between Kigali and the Southern Province, is set for a major transformation. Although the current terminal is poorly developed, plans are underway to modernize it, turning it into a showcase of the district’s progress.

The future Bishenyi will serve as a hub for modern shopping centers, upgraded residential areas, and an agro-processing and livestock industrial zone. It will also host Kamonyi’s largest market.

A signature monument will be built in the center, artistically crafted to symbolize unity, culture, and development, while serving as a welcoming landmark for visitors and prospective residents.

The Bishenyi wetland, currently loaned to local farmers for cultivation, will also be rehabilitated to enhance its natural beauty and conserve the rich biodiversity that exists within it.

Remera-Rukoma

Remera-Rukoma, Musambira, and Mugina are identified as emerging urban service centers, expected to continue expanding and attracting a growing population.

The Remera-Rukoma Hospital is set to be upgraded to provincial level, with a multi-storey facility bringing together a wide range of specialized medical services to improve healthcare delivery in the Southern Province.

In line with the country’s broader vision, a new district hospital will be built in Mugina to complement Remera-Rukoma, while each sector across Kamonyi will be equipped with at least two health centers.

Mugina will also host a modern bus terminal, featuring a passenger waiting area, ticketing offices, and information services. The project will be implemented with a strong focus on environmental sustainability.

According to the 2022 census, Kamonyi had a population of 450,849. Projections suggest that by 2035 the population will exceed 600,000, and by 2050 it will surpass 850,000, underscoring the need for these ambitious urban developments.

This illustration shows the underground road that will be constructed in Ruyenzi center.

Ruyenzi Center stands as a symbol of Kamonyi’s progress.

IGIHE

The pair were reportedly arrested early February 2025 at the crossroads connecting Ngozi, Gitega and Muyinga. Police pulled them out of a taxi and took them to the station, where they spent the night before being transferred to Gitega Central Prison.

In June, they appeared before the Gitega Intermediate Court, telling judges that they had travelled to Burundi simply to attend a wedding. Prosecutors insisted they were intelligence operatives.

On August 22, the court ruled the women innocent. IGIHE has learnt that their release was delayed while prosecutors were given time to appeal. When no appeal was filed, the Ministry of Justice on August 29 ordered their release, which was immediately carried out.

After their release, Nyirahabineza and Nzeyimana stayed with friends in Gitega, though their travel documents remained confiscated. Their lawyer continued to press for their return. On September 3, Burundian authorities returned the documents, clearing the way for their journey back to Rwanda.

The case comes amid strained relations between Kigali and Bujumbura. Rwandans travelling to Burundi face heavy scrutiny, as Burundian authorities accuse Rwanda of trying to destabilise its security, allegations Rwanda has consistently denied, stressing its commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighbours.

Rwandans travelling to Burundi face heavy scrutiny, as Burundian authorities accuse Rwanda of trying to destabilise its security, allegations Rwanda has consistently denied, stressing its commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighbours.

IGIHE

Residents of Kaburantwa in Buganda zone reported that late last week, they saw at least 30 trucks transporting Burundian troops and members of the Imbonerakure youth wing, affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, crossing a bridge currently being rehabilitated by a Chinese company.

The Imbonerakure deployed to the DRC are said to have been trained jointly by Burundian soldiers. Observers of Burundi’s security dynamics confirm that among their trainers was the FDLR, a terrorist militia founded by individuals who took part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The forces are heading towards mountainous areas such as Minembwe, where they operate alongside the Congolese army, the FDLR and the Wazalendo militia in launching attacks against the Banyamulenge community and fighting rival groups such as MRDP-Twirwaneho.

On September 1, Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the AFC/M23 coalition, told journalists that more than 12,000 fighters—including Burundian troops, Imbonerakure, FDLR, and Wazalendo—had been deployed in the mountains of South Kivu in preparation for major offensives.

Congolese politician Moïse Nyarugabo, a former Member of Parliament, explained that Burundian troops stationed in the mountains number over 10,000.

'They have established camps, dug trenches… they are fighting, but I don’t know exactly whom they are waiting to confront,” he said.

Burundian forces have been openly operating in South Kivu Province since 2022, after Burundi and the DRC signed a military cooperation agreement.

The agreement was renewed in August 2023, with both governments agreeing that their armies would jointly fight the AFC/M23 coalition in North Kivu Province. However, the deployment there ended unfavourably for the Burundians, who were driven out of all the areas they once controlled in Masisi territory.

Residents of Kaburantwa in Buganda zone reported that late last week, they saw at least 30 trucks transporting Burundian troops and members of the Imbonerakure youth wing, affiliated with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, crossing a bridge currently being rehabilitated by a Chinese company.

IGIHE

Three skulls of the Sakalava ethnic group, one of which is believed to belong to King Toera and the other two to his warriors, were returned to Madagascar after 128 years in France.

“Today, we pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed themselves for their country, and in particular to the courageous struggle led by King Toera in Ambiky (in western Madagascar) in August 1897, against French colonisers,” said Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina during the ceremony.

While stressing that history cannot be forgotten, Rajoelina said, “The return of relics allows us to understand that the memory of those who fought for their country will never fade.”

“It remains alive in our hearts, reminding us of our duty to preserve this heritage and build a united and prosperous nation,” he said. “Making Madagascar a thriving and respected nation, progressing steadily and occupying its rightful place on all fronts, is a challenge we have set ourselves and a goal we must achieve.”

The skulls were formally handed over to Madagascar at a ceremony held at the French Ministry of Culture in late August. After the official ceremony in Antananarivo, they will be transported later this week to the Menabe region in western Madagascar for burial.

Madagascar was colonized by France from 1896 and gained its independence on June 26, 1960.

Caskets containing skulls of the Sakalava ethnic group are carried to a ceremony welcoming the colonial-era relics returned by France in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, Sept. 2, 2025. An official ceremony was held on Tuesday in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, to welcome the colonial-era relics returned by France. Three skulls of the Sakalava ethnic group, one of which is believed to belong to King Toera and the other two to his warriors, were returned to Madagascar after 128 years in France. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua)

Xinhua

The triad included JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile, and new type DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missile.

The weapons are China’s strategic “ace” power to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and nation’s dignity.

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The nuclear missile formation attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

The nuclear missile formation attends a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2025. China on Wednesday held a grand gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Xinhua

According to official data, in 2022, wildfires destroyed 41 hectares of Nyungwe. The number rose significantly in 2023 to 138.5 hectares, before falling sharply again in 2024 to 25 hectares.

On August 31, 2025, as Rwanda concluded the month dedicated to conservation activities under the theme 'Nyungwe National Park: A Source of Wellbeing and Sustainable Development for Surrounding Communities', residents living near the park were reminded that fire outbreaks remain a serious threat. Burned areas take a long time to regenerate, disrupting the ecological balance of the park.

The awareness campaign featured football tournaments for both men and women, bringing together teams from the 23 sectors bordering the park, along with one additional sector whose residents are also involved in activities that pose risks to the park.

During the games, conservation messages were shared with the public, calling on communities to avoid harmful practices such as burning grass, harvesting honey with fire, illegal mining, tree cutting, and grazing livestock inside the park.

One of the participants, Tuyisenge Jeannette from Nyamuzi cell in Bweyeye sector, Rusizi District, emphasized the importance of the park, especially its role in maintaining regular rainfall for agriculture. She criticized those still involved in destructive practices.

'Some people who don’t understand its importance enter the park to hunt animals and end up setting fires just for meat. I would advise them to stop and find alternative ways to earn a living,' she said.

The Community Development Manager Pierre Ntihemuka, explained that the sports tournaments, known as the Colobus Cup Tournament, were introduced as part of education and awareness efforts.

'These tournaments are bringing real benefits because community attitudes are changing. In the past, when fires broke out, residents would run back into their homes, leaving us without support. But now, they are the first to respond, bringing tools and helping us extinguish fires. Cases of illegal hunting have also reduced, which has led to a decline in fire outbreaks,' he noted.

Statistics from the Nyungwe Management Company reveal a significant decline in harmful activities impacting Nyungwe National Park.

Such activities declined from 1,147 cases in 2022 to just 130 cases in 2024. At the same time, the area affected by wildfires fell from 41 hectares in 2022 to 25 hectares in 2024, after a peak of 138.5 hectares in 2023.

Between January and August 2025, only 50 square meters have been affected by fires, a promising sign that this year may record far fewer wildfire incidents compared to previous years.

During the games, conservation messages were shared with the public, calling on communities to avoid harmful practices.

The sports tournaments, known as the Colobus Cup Tournament, were introduced as part of education and awareness efforts.

IGIHE