The incident occurred near Nyacyonga, on the outskirts of Kigali. Images and video from the scene showed the bus engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising above the road as bystanders watched from a distance.
Passengers were able to evacuate the vehicle, and there were no reported fatalities.
Eyewitnesses said the fire completely destroyed the bus and the luggage carried by passengers. The cause of the blaze was not immediately established.
The Trinity Express bus was travelling towards Kigali from Uganda when the incident occurred.
The bus company had not issued a statement regarding the incident as of publication time.
BREAKING: A Trinity bus travelling from Uganda caught fire near Nyacyonga as it was approaching Kigali on Monday evening.
No deaths have been reported, but the bus was completely burnt, along with passengers' luggage.
Bicaca Lakefront, a newly completed hotel in Bicaca Cell, Karenge Sector, provides visitors with accommodation, recreation and scenic views of the lake in a peaceful environment far from the noise of the city.
The hotel is located on the Rwamagana side of Lake Mugesera and is currently the only hotel in the area built directly along the lake.
Visitors travelling from Kigali pass through Rugende and take a 28-kilometre road towards Muyumbu and Nyakariro before reaching Karenge Sector. From there, road signs guide them to the lakefront facility.
A hotel built around nature
The first thing visitors notice when they arrive at Bicaca Lakefront is the natural environment surrounding the property.
Birds can be heard singing around the hotel, while trees, coffee plantations and greenery add to the beauty of the landscape.
The hotel has eight rooms, including a family unit, as well as an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Mugesera.
Guests can also enjoy recreational activities such as billiards and table tennis. A short distance below the main hotel is a tented area where visitors can sit and enjoy views of the lake.
About 50 metres from the hotel, a green garden leads to another structure built over the water. The area provides an additional space for visitors to relax while watching the waters of Lake Mugesera.
The hotel also has facilities for water activities, adding another option for guests who want to explore the lake.
How a retired doctor turned his love for Mugesera into a hotel
The project was developed by Dr. Etienne Karita, a retired medical doctor who decided to venture into hospitality after developing an interest in the area.
Karita told IGIHE that his journey began in late 2018 when he visited someone in Karenge. During the visit, he took time to explore Lake Mugesera and was impressed by its natural beauty.
The experience encouraged him to look for land in the area. He eventually acquired 2.2 hectares and began planning a project that would combine agriculture and tourism.
'We started construction in 2023 and completed the work in 2025. The hotel itself occupies more than one hectare and has a main building with a bar, restaurant and games area, including billiards and table tennis,' Karita said.
The accommodation facilities are divided into four sections, each containing two large rooms. One of the sections was designed specifically for families and includes two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.
Karita said the hotel's main advantage is the view.
'All the rooms face Lake Mugesera, meaning guests can lie in bed and look directly at the lake,' he said.
He added that the natural breeze from the lake and the quiet surroundings make the hotel suitable for visitors seeking relaxation.
Powered by the sun and supplied by its own farm
Bicaca Lakefront has also incorporated environmentally friendly practices into its operations.
The hotel relies entirely on solar energy for electricity, including lighting and refrigeration.
Karita said the hotel is also working to produce much of the food served to its guests.
'We use solar energy for 100 percent of our electricity. Another thing that makes us different is that much of the food we serve comes from our own farm,' he said.
The property produces vegetables, bananas and avocados, among other agricultural products.
Karita said the hotel is still in its early stages and is gradually expanding its services while training employees and improving the experience offered to guests.
Despite being newly opened, the hotel has already attracted Rwandan and international visitors.
According to Karita, some guests have returned after their first visit because of the quiet environment.
However, the hotel still faces challenges, particularly the condition of the road leading to the property and unreliable access to water.
Karita said he was surprised that Lake Mugesera has not attracted more investment in hospitality, considering its natural beauty and relatively safe environment.
He hopes the development of Bicaca Lakefront will contribute to putting the area on the tourism map.
The hotel currently employs 10 permanent workers, while efforts are underway to obtain additional permits and expand its services.
Karita said his long-term goal is to establish a facility where every visitor leaves satisfied, relaxed and willing to return.
Rwanda's expanding hospitality industry
The development of Bicaca Lakefront comes at a time when Rwanda's tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand.
The country now has 27,938 hotel rooms, compared with 16,158 five years ago. The rooms are distributed across 1,667 hotels offering accommodation services in different parts of the country.
Rwanda has nine five-star hotels, 22 four-star hotels and 66 three-star hotels.
The growth of the hospitality sector has been supported by rising tourism activity and increasing investment in accommodation facilities.
In 2025, Rwanda generated $685 million in tourism revenue, up from $647 million in 2024, representing a 6 percent increase.
The country received 1.49 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 9 percent compared with the previous year. Volcanoes National Park, known for its mountain gorillas, remains among the country's major tourism attractions alongside other national parks.
Revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions also increased to $94.7 million in 2025 from $84.8 million in 2024, representing an 11 percent rise.
Rwanda hosted 165 regional, continental and international events during the year, bringing visitors who stayed in hotels across the country.
Under the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda expects tourism revenues to reach $1.1 billion by 2029.
As the country works towards that target, new destinations such as Bicaca Lakefront are helping diversify Rwanda's hospitality offering by opening up lesser-known areas and bringing visitors closer to the country's natural landscapes.
Ping Pong enthusiasts are not left out at Bicaca LakefrontBicaca Lakefront features an outdoor Swimming PoolBicaca Lakefront is a new hotel on the shores of Lake MugeseraBicaca Lakefront Runs on Solar EnergyA Look Inside Bicaca LakefrontOne of the boats used at Bicaca LakefrontA Map Showing the Scenic Beauty of Lake MugeseraThe paths around Bicaca Lakefront are lined with treesThe main guest reception building at Bicaca LakefrontBicaca Lakefront was built on a vast piece of landVisitors to Bicaca Lakefront can explore Lake Mugesera by boat.Guests staying at Bicaca Lakefront can enjoy a boat ride on Lake MugeseraGuests at Bicaca Lakefront enjoy stunning views of Lake Mugesera
Kinshasa has said it has been holding talks with the FDLR to persuade the group to lay down its weapons. However, the group has reportedly rejected proposals that would see its members return to Rwanda. The DRC has yet to disclose the name of the country that has agreed to receive them.
The decision to keep the country's identity confidential has raised questions over which nation is prepared to accept members of a group that has been linked to a security crisis in the Great Lakes region for more than three decades.
The FDLR, which is deeply entrenched in eastern DRC, remains a major security concern for the Great Lakes region, including Rwanda. Its history is closely linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in which more than one million people were killed over 100 days.
The group was established by former members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR) and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide. Over the years, the FDLR has maintained an armed presence in eastern DRC and has been accused of propagating an ideology of hatred and violence.
The Washington Accords, signed in December 2025, called for the accelerated dismantling of the FDLR. The FDLR subsequently put forward a proposal for voluntary disarmament and demobilisation, which the Congolese government took up in its engagements with regional and international partners. Rwanda rejected the proposal, arguing that it was inconsistent with the commitments made under the Washington agreements.
Floribert Anzuluni, Congo's minister responsible for regional cooperation, said talks with a country that could receive disarmed FDLR members had reached an advanced stage.
'One country has already given its consent,' Anzuluni told RFI, adding that Kinshasa would announce the country's identity publicly soon.
Under the DRC's proposal, FDLR members would first surrender their weapons. Those willing to return to Rwanda would be repatriated, while those unwilling or unable to return would be given the option of relocating to one or more other countries.
But any country considering accepting FDLR members would need to conduct thorough background checks and carefully assess the implications of their admission.
The FDLR is not simply a group of refugees seeking a place to settle. Its history is inseparable from the role played by some of its members in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group's activities have also had consequences beyond its strongholds in eastern DRC. The region has served as a base from which the FDLR has recruited fighters and conducted operations. The group has also been accused of involvement in the conflict between the Congolese army, FARDC, and the AFC/M23, as well as attacks affecting civilians.
A UN Security Council assessment has attributed serious violations of international law to the FDLR, including killings, injuries, sexual violence and forced displacement. Women and children have been among those affected.
Rwanda has consistently argued that an armed group associated with genocide ideology should not be treated as a legitimate political interlocutor or given a platform for negotiations.
For any country considering accepting FDLR members, the central question is whether relocation would contribute to dismantling the group's armed structures and ideology, or simply provide it with a new environment in which to operate.
If the receiving country is genuinely committed to supporting peace and stability, accepting disarmed FDLR members should not substitute for efforts to dismantle the group's military and organisational structures and address the ideology that has sustained it.
The relocation of FDLR members could either form part of a broader effort to resolve a security crisis that has persisted for more than 30 years, or simply change the location and nature of the problem. The country that ultimately accepts them will therefore face an important question: whether it is prepared to assume responsibility for the consequences.
How large is the FDLR?
A July 2026 report by UN experts presents conflicting estimates of the FDLR's strength.
The FDLR itself claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, nearly half of whom it says are engaged in regular military activities. The FDLR-CRAP faction has separately claimed to have more than 20,000 fighters.
The UN report, however, says those figures are not considered reliable. UN officials and intelligence agencies estimate that the FDLR has between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters.
The Washington Accords put the group's strength at between 3,000 and 3,500 fighters.
The disparity between the group's own claims and external estimates underscores the difficulty of establishing the FDLR's exact military strength, and the challenge facing any effort to disarm, dismantle and relocate its members.
The FDLR militia was established by members of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR)and the Interahamwe militia who were involved in the genocide.
The agreement will make matches from Rwanda's top division available on Hudl Wyscout, a platform used by scouts, coaches and football professionals for video analysis, player assessment and recruitment.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
'The platform will also provide our technical personnel with detailed video and performance data, helping coaches, analysts and sporting departments make more informed, evidence-based decisions,' said Jules Karangwa, CEO of the Rwanda Premier League.
Rwanda national team head coach Stephen Constantine welcomed the introduction of the platform, pointing to its potential to increase the visibility of local talent.
'Rwanda is rich with untapped talent, and these young athletes deserve to be seen. With this technology, their skills can reach a wider audience, opening doors to opportunities that were previously out of reach,' Constantine said.
Mateo Bourrut Lacouture, Strategic Partnership Manager at Hudl, said the multi-year agreement forms part of the Rwanda Premier League's wider efforts to use technology and data to improve clubs, support player development and raise the profile of Rwandan football internationally.
The partnership gives the BK Pro League a new connection to the international scouting market, potentially making Rwandan players and clubs more visible to football professionals beyond the country.
The partnership announced on Monday, August 17, gives Rwandan clubs and players another avenue for international exposure, while introducing video and performance-analysis tools for technical teams within the league.
According to the ministry, SNAF positions came under attack at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) by armed elements using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The ministry said the attacking force comprised a mix of al-Shabaab militants and militias loyal to the President of Southwest State Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
'SNAF responded professionally and decisively, repelling the attack and thwarting the assailants' attempt to destabilize the security and stability of Baidoa,' the ministry said in a statement.
Military forces seized weapons and vehicles used in the attack and were conducting clearance operations to secure the city and track down remaining fighters in parts of Baidoa, the statement said.
'The Ministry of Defense will provide the Somali public with further details regarding the attack and the outcome of the operation once it has concluded,' it said.
Somali troops have controlled the city since March, when they seized control of Baidoa and prompted the resignation of Laftagareen.
Residents confirmed that heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa on Monday morning as SNAF forces clashed with armed militias loyal to Laftagareen, alongside al-Shabaab elements.
While local opposition figures claimed to have captured the city, military officials denied the claim and confirmed that security operations remained ongoing.
According to the ministry, SNAF positions came under attack at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) by armed elements using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The regional schools tournament has received a major financial boost after the East African Development Bank (EADB) committed $90,000 (about Rwf 132 million) as title sponsor of this year's games.
The tournament, which is underway in Morogoro, has brought together 413 teams and 5,548 participants from across East Africa competing in 51 sporting disciplines, making it one of the region's biggest school sports events.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony on Sunday, EADB Country Manager Stephen Wambura said the bank's support was aimed at investing in young people and promoting sustainable development through sport.
'While our core mandate is financing development projects across key sectors of the economy, we recognize that sustainable development goes beyond infrastructure and enterprises. It also means investing in people, especially young people, who represent the future of our region,' Wambura said.
He said sports sponsorship was part of the bank's Corporate Social Initiatives agenda, given the role of sport in promoting healthy lifestyles, developing character and creating opportunities for young people.
'Through this sponsorship, we are investing not only in the competition, but in the development of the next generation of East African leaders,' Wambura added.
Under the sponsorship, EADB will support the production of medals and trophies for winning teams and provide playing kits for teams competing in the finals.
For Rwanda, the games provide an opportunity for its young athletes to compete against some of the strongest school teams in the region.
In boys' football, CGF Kigali is representing Rwanda, while PSB Huye is competing in the girls' category, among other Rwandan teams.
Volleyball is another discipline where Rwanda will be looking for strong results. Nyanza Technical Secondary School (Nyanza TSS) will compete in the boys' tournament, while GS Indangaburezi will represent the country in the girls' competition.
Rwanda will also compete in basketball, with ITS Kigali featuring in the boys' 5×5 category and ESB Kamonyi competing in the girls' tournament.
In handball, GS Tabagwe will represent Rwanda in the boys' competition, while Kiziguro Secondary School will compete in the girls' category.
FEASSA President Justus Mugisha, while lauding the lender's financial commitment, described this year's edition as the biggest in the history of the games.
Mugisha said the competition includes primary school pupils under 15, secondary school students under 19 and participants in the special needs education category.
According to Mugisha, the event has more than 6,000 participants, including about 5,000 students, while the overall number of people attending the games, including parents, is expected to exceed 10,000.
The tournament is scheduled to run until August 22, with Rwanda hoping to secure medals across several disciplines while competing for a strong overall performance against the region's leading school sports programmes.
EADB Tanzania Country Manager, Stephen Wambura (Right), officially hands over to FEASSA president, Justus Mugisha, players' kits that will be donned during the final games. EADB provided the kits as part of the USD 90,000 sponsorship of the games.PSB Huye is among the Rwandan teams in Morogoro for the FEASSA 2026 tournament.FRSS officials, alongside representatives from MINEDUC and MINISPORTS, are supporting Rwanda's teams.
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä followed children for eight years and found that those who spent more time using screens tended to perform better in tests of cognitive processing during adolescence.
The findings challenge the common belief that screen time is always harmful to children. However, researchers say the results should not be interpreted as a reason for children to spend unlimited time on phones, computers or other digital devices.
Instead, they suggest that what children do during screen time may be more important than the amount of time they spend in front of a screen.
The study was based on the PANIC study, which has followed children's physical activity and nutrition over several years.
Researchers examined 260 young people, including 124 girls and 136 boys, who had an average age of 15.8 years.
They looked at screen use, physical activity and sedentary behaviour from childhood into adolescence.
The teenagers' learning, attention and working memory were assessed using the CogState test battery.
The results showed that greater screen time beginning in childhood was associated with better cognitive processing during adolescence.
Petri Jalanko, a doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, said the findings suggest parents and teachers should encourage children to use digital devices for activities that involve active thinking, problem-solving, creativity and learning.
'We should not regard screen time solely as harmful but seek balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking,' Jalanko said.
The researchers also found that the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance was more complicated.
Among girls, higher levels of light physical activity from childhood were associated with better working memory during adolescence. Among boys, participation in guided physical activities was linked to better working memory.
However, the researchers did not find a clear connection between physical activity and cognitive performance when activity was measured using devices that tracked movement and heart rate.
The researchers said the differences could partly be explained by the type of activity and how it was measured.
They also stressed that the study does not prove that screen time directly causes better cognitive performance.
More research, including intervention studies, is needed to establish whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship.
More childhood screen time has been associated with better thinking skills in teens.
Africa's leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, Spiro, has unveiled the EKON M1 V3, a new e-bike designed to meet the demands of Rwanda's varied terrain and the needs of local riders.
The motorcycle was unveiled on August 14, 2026, at Spiro's stand during the ongoing International Trade Fair in Gikondo, Kigali.
The launch brought together Spiro staff, customers and partners, as well as visitors attending the trade fair.
According to Spiro, the EKON M1 V3 was developed with Rwanda's mountainous landscape in mind. The country, known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills,' has varying terrain and road conditions, including steep slopes and uneven or challenging surfaces.
The company said the motorcycle was designed to handle these conditions and has been given the nickname 'The Motorcycle of a Thousand Hills.'
Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla said the new model was developed after considering the daily challenges faced by motorcycle taxi riders.
'This motorcycle is different from the ones we have previously brought to the market. When we looked at what our riders face every day, from navigating hills and different types of terrain to the need for a motorcycle that is affordable and easy to maintain, the Ekon M1 V3 is the answer,' Chawla said.
Some motorcycle taxi riders who were among the first to test the EKON M1 V3 said its design sets it apart from other Spiro motorcycles previously introduced in Rwanda.
Mfashwenimana Amiel said the motorcycle's higher ground clearance makes it better suited to uneven and difficult terrain.
'With other motorcycles, when you reach an uphill area or a bad road, the motorcycle can sometimes hit the ground. But the EKON M1 V3 is high enough that even when you ride on uneven roads, it does not hit the ground. That makes it the best for our roads,' he said.
Spiro says the EKON M1 V3 can help users save up to 35 percent compared with using a petrol-powered motorcycle in the same category.
The company also says replacement parts for the model can cost up to 40 percent less, potentially reducing maintenance and operating costs for users.
The launch comes as Spiro continues to expand Rwanda's electric mobility infrastructure.
Over the past three years, the company says it has invested in developing and expanding electric transport infrastructure across the country, including battery-charging stations in different locations.
Spiro has also launched seven large 'mega stations' as part of efforts to strengthen the infrastructure supporting electric motorcycles in Rwanda.
The company plans to continue promoting the EKON M1 V3 across the country, giving motorcycle riders and other potential customers an opportunity to learn more about the model and its features.
Spiro's management in Rwanda affirmed that the new EKON M1 V3 is designed to handle Rwanda's hilly terrain.Spiro Rwanda officials attended the unveiling of the new motorcycle.Riderman entertained those in attendance.Expo attendees in Gikondo also attended the unveiling of Spiro's new motorcycle.These motorcycles were designed with Rwanda's terrain in mind.
'The most pressing challenges are still terrorism and cross-border crime,' Rwivanga said during an interview with The New Times' The Context podcast.
The former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) spokesperson, who took over as Director of the EASF in May, identified Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups among the threats facing the region, noting that insecurity along the eastern coast can disrupt the movement of goods and services.
Regional countries, he argued, need closer cooperation in areas including maritime security and cross-border policing to address threats that transcend national borders.
Testing operational readiness
The EASF has been conducting exercises and force verification missions to ensure member states can deploy the personnel and equipment they have pledged to the regional standby arrangement, Rwivanga explained.
Established in 2004, the EASF is one of the African Union's five regional standby arrangements. It is mandated to support peace support operations, conflict prevention, crisis response and post-conflict reconstruction in Eastern Africa.
The organisation achieved full operational capability in 2014 after evaluating the forces pledged by member states, according to Rwivanga.
He stressed, however, that readiness is not a one-off process and requires regular exercises and verification.
'We have a checklist to verify the readiness of the forces such that when the need arises for us to engage these forces, we will prove that they are ready for integration,' he noted.
The EASF has conducted command-post, field-training and maritime exercises across member states to strengthen interoperability and ensure that different national forces can operate together.
Rwivanga spoke shortly after a force verification exercise in Uganda, where EASF officials were assessing the country's pledged capabilities.
Similar verification exercises have been conducted in other member states and will continue as part of the organisation's readiness programme, he added.
Beyond military threats
While military preparedness remains central to the EASF's mandate, the organisation is broadening its focus to humanitarian assistance and disaster response, Rwivanga explained.
Member states are increasingly pledging capabilities that can be deployed during natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.
Ethiopia has pledged C-130 aircraft for strategic airlift, while Rwanda has committed medical evacuation support and Kenya has pledged air reconnaissance capabilities. Uganda is also expected to contribute search-and-rescue capabilities.
These capabilities could allow the region to respond collectively when a crisis overwhelms the capacity of an individual country, Rwivanga noted.
He pointed to natural disasters and climate-related emergencies as threats that should form part of the region's broader security preparedness.
'We should not just look at the enemy in the sense of rebel forces,' he said. 'You should look at the enemy even within with climate-related issues that could easily spiral out of order.'
Reducing reliance on external support
Rwivanga also highlighted efforts by African countries to increase their financial contributions to continental peace and security initiatives.
Greater African funding, he maintained, would help reduce dependence on external partners and strengthen the region's ability to respond to crises.
He pointed to increased contributions by Ethiopia and Kenya to the African Union's peace and security architecture as an indication of growing African ownership.
'At least in our small but very determined way, we are ready to operate even without that external support,' he stated.
The EASF is also seeking greater support from its member states to strengthen its resources and operational capabilities, he added.
Cooperation against cross-border threats
Regional cooperation is essential because terrorism, organised crime and other security threats do not stop at national borders, Rwivanga observed.
He cited joint security engagements between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Rwanda and Tanzania, as examples of countries working together to address cross-border insecurity.
'Working together helps to deal with all the grey areas, the blind spots along the border,' he said.
He called for stronger cooperation between regional organisations, arguing that economic integration and security cooperation are closely linked.
Disruptions to the movement of goods and services can affect economies on both sides of a border, making security cooperation important not only for defence but also for regional economic activity, he explained.
Ultimately, the EASF's objective is to ensure that member states are prepared to respond collectively when a crisis emerges.
The organisation is seeking to become more cohesive and better prepared to address both traditional security threats and humanitarian emergencies across the region, Rwivanga stressed.
The former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) spokesperson, who took over as Director of the EASF in May, identified Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups among the threats facing the region, noting that insecurity along the eastern coast can disrupt the movement of goods and services.
The final round of matches took place on Saturday, August 15, across venues including the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, with the top three sides earning passage to next year's Regional Final.
Rwanda dropped its final fixture to unbeaten Uganda by six runs, wrapping up the tournament in third place within the six-team table.
Uganda claimed top spot to win the tournament, while Nigeria finished second. Joining Rwanda in the top three, both sides advanced to Division 1, where they will meet Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania in 2027 to decide Africa's representative at the 2028 showpiece event.
The week-long tournament brought together six nations, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique, competing for three progression slots.
On the individual leaderboards, Nigeria's Kenneth Boniface stood out after capping his campaign with an unbeaten century (100 off 74 balls) against Sierra Leone.
Uganda's Robert Owilli finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 234 runs, while Ghana's Stanley Carson topped the bowling charts with 12 wickets.
The third-place finish keeps Rwanda's target intact as the squad advances to the final regional stage of 2028 U19 World Cup qualification.
Rwanda dropped its final fixture to unbeaten Uganda by six runs, wrapping up the tournament in third place within the six-team table.Uganda claimed top spot to win the tournament, while Nigeria finished second. The week-long tournament brought together six nations, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique, competing for three progression slots.
