The park said many of the fires were caused by seemingly small activities, including burning crop residues in fields and lighting fires while harvesting honey.
'During the dry season and periods of strong winds, a small fire can spread quickly and cover a large area. We encourage everyone living near the park, as well as the general public, not to light fires near the park and to avoid burning vegetation or grass during the dry season or when it is windy. We also urge people to immediately report any fires to park authorities or local authorities,' the park management said.
Akagera National Park has reminded communities that protecting the park is a shared responsibility.
'Together, we can protect and conserve the park so that it can continue to exist for future generations,' it said.
Akagera National Park is located in Rwanda's Eastern Province, bordering three districts; Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare. It covers 1,122 square kilometres and is jointly managed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and African Parks.
The park recently reported more than $1 million in revenue between April and June 2026, following visits by 8,919 tourists during the period.
Akagera National Park has reported that 11,000 hectares have been destroyed by wildfires in 2026. Photo by Gael Vande WegheAkagera National Park authorities have urged communities living near the park to take precautions to prevent wildfires.
The hotel has refreshed several of its spaces and expanded its food and beverage offering as part of a transformation led by General Manager Tim Brown, who joined the Kigali property at the beginning of 2026.
Brown, who has nearly three decades of hospitality experience across Africa, said the changes are intended to position Onomo as a lifestyle hotel where guests can stay, connect, celebrate and socialise.
'The opportunity is really great in Kigali. Although the city has many international brands, this hotel offers something a little different. We would really like the guests to see us as more of a lifestyle hotel rather than just a place to stay,' he told IGIHE in an exclusive interview.
The three-star hotel has 109 rooms and has traditionally catered primarily to business travellers. Brown said its strategy is now focused on expanding into other segments while maintaining its corporate clientele.
'We want to make sure that we engage with other markets, like corporates, guests that want to meet to have conferences,' he emphasised.
General Manager Tim Brown told IGIHE that the hotel has refreshed several of its spaces and expanded its food and beverage offering.
The hotel is also targeting foreign individual travellers, regional visitors travelling for leisure and Rwanda's local business and social events market.
Onomo has refurbished its restaurant, iJURU, conference rooms and outdoor spaces. The terrace has been expanded to accommodate up to 300 people, while a new bar and outdoor kitchen have also been introduced. The official reopening ceremony for iJURU Restaurant is scheduled for Friday, October 2.
The pool area has also been revamped to accommodate different uses, ranging from private dinners and small gatherings to engagement parties, civil weddings and other social events. Brown said the changes were informed by market research conducted after his arrival, which identified demand for new spaces and food and beverage experiences.
'We realised that this is what the market is looking for. They're looking for new spaces, new food and beverage offerings, and we've tried to combine all of that with the changes that we've made,' he noted.
The changes are intended to position Onomo as a lifestyle hotel where guests can stay, connect, celebrate and socialise.
The hotel also hosts Friday evening entertainment, with live music and an outdoor kitchen serving food in a casual setting.
Brown said the changes are part of a broader effort to make Onomo more connected to Kigali's community rather than serving only as a place for hotel guests.
'We want to be part of the community, and we want to make sure that we strengthen the relationships that we've already built and make sure that the community sees this as a place where they are welcome,' Brown said.
Tim Brown insists that customer service goes a long way in maintaining the reputation of a hospitality facility.
The transformation comes as Kigali's hospitality industry continues to expand, with international and local hotels competing for business, leisure and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) travellers.
Rwanda's MICE sector generated $94.7 million in revenue in 2025, up from $84.8 million a year earlier, according to the Rwanda Development Board. The country hosted 165 international and regional meetings and events that attracted more than 61,000 delegates, highlighting growing demand for accommodation, conference venues and related hospitality services.
Brown said Onomo's position as a Pan-African lifestyle brand gives it room to differentiate itself in the market.
Onomo operates 23 hotels across Africa with properties in major cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Kigali.
Onomo's terrace and outdoor area has been expanded to accommodate up to 300 people.
The Kigali property has seen a steady increase in business since the beginning of the year, particularly among corporate travellers and smaller conference groups, according to Brown.
The hotel's conference facilities include a room that can accommodate up to 100 people and another with capacity for about 40 people.
Brown said the hotel is seeking to build on the growth by strengthening its relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs and the wider local community.
For him, the transformation is ultimately about changing how people perceive the property.
'When people see us differently, not just as a place to stay, but really a place where you could come to connect, a place where you can celebrate, [that] would be a success for us,' he said.
He added that profitability, together with a motivated team, would be important measures of the hotel's success over the next one to two years.
The pool area has also been revamped to accommodate different uses, ranging from private dinners and small gatherings to engagement parties, civil weddings and other social events.
Brown also highlighted the importance of local identity, saying the hotel supports the Made in Rwanda initiative and plans to introduce uniforms designed by a Rwandan designer.
He described Kigali's hospitality industry as relatively young compared with some other African markets but said its hotels and restaurants can compete with offerings elsewhere.
'The offering that it has can compare to any other market,' he affirmed, pointing to the city's growing range of hotels and restaurants.
As Onomo Kigali continues with its transformation, Brown outlined a vision for the hotel as a place where visitors and residents can meet, dine, hold events and spend time beyond simply booking a room.
'Please come and see the new Onomo Hotel. Come and enjoy the spaces,' he invited guests and Kigali residents.
Watch the full interview with Tim Brown below as he discusses Onomo Kigali's transformation, its new lifestyle focus and plans to attract a wider range of guests and customers.
The three-star hotel has 109 rooms and has traditionally catered primarily to business travellers.Brown said Onomo's position as a Pan-African lifestyle brand gives it room to differentiate itself in the market.The official reopening ceremony for iJURU Restaurant is scheduled for Friday, October 2.
The new antenna entered service on September 18, 2026, allowing the Mwulire teleport in Rwamagana District to support two satellite contacts simultaneously, up from one previously.
The antenna is owned by ATLAS and hosted at the Rwanda Space Agency's Mwulire facility under an antenna-hosting agreement. It operates under a Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) model, in which ATLAS uses space at the Rwanda facility while managing the antenna and providing ground communication services to satellite operators.
The antennas are used to establish communication links with satellites, receiving data transmitted from spacecraft to the ground station. The new antenna receives S-band downlinks and can later be upgraded to support X-band reception.
The development expands the capacity available to satellite missions requiring coverage near the equator.
Mwulire is located about two degrees south of the equator at an altitude of 1,668 metres. Its location gives the ground station visibility of low-inclination satellites that may be difficult to reach from stations at higher latitudes, while also creating additional contact opportunities for satellites in mid-inclination orbits.
The new antenna is a 3.7-metre receive-only parabolic reflector. It receives S-band signals in the 2200 to 2300 MHz range and supports both left- and right-hand circular polarization.
ATLAS said the antenna can be scheduled through its Freedom platform, meaning existing customers using the company's global network can book contacts at Mwulire without having to build or integrate new infrastructure.
'What customers count on is reliable contacts, and this second antenna in Mwulire gives them more of that,' ATLAS Chief Executive Officer Kristin Rice said.
Rice said the expansion reflects the company's partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency and growing demand for equatorial satellite coverage.
The new antenna is the second installed at Mwulire under the partnership between ATLAS and the Rwanda Space Agency. The first antenna, which entered service in July 2025, is owned by Rwanda.
Rwanda Space Agency Chief Executive Officer Gaspard Twagirayezu highlighted that the new installation strengthens the country's ground infrastructure and increases the capacity available to support space missions from Africa.
'Rwanda's teleport is open for business and ready to support a growing range of space activities, from antenna hosting to mission control services, and more,' Twagirayezu said.
ATLAS completed the new antenna's design in early 2026 before shipping it in May, installing it in August and commissioning it in September. During commissioning, the antenna completed more than 350 scheduled test contacts with a 100 percent completion rate and no recorded error seconds.
ATLAS, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of York Space Systems in 2025, operates a global network of more than 50 antennas across 20 countries through its Freedom ground software platform.
The expansion adds capacity to Rwanda's emerging space infrastructure as the country seeks to develop services that support satellite communications, mission control and other space-related activities.
The new antenna entered service on September 18, 2026, allowing the Mwulire teleport in Rwamagana District to support two satellite contacts simultaneously, up from one previously.
KETHA trains students in tourism and hospitality and has partnered with Zaria Court Hotel to provide internship opportunities where students can gain hands-on experience and apply the skills they learn in class.
Students who have undertaken internships at the hotel say the experience has exposed them to a professional working environment, modern equipment and experienced staff.
Irakoze Daic, who works in beverage preparation, said the internship had helped him expand his practical skills.
'First of all, I would like to thank the management of Zaria Court and KETHA for bringing me to this hotel. I gained a lot of knowledge here. I was given the opportunity to work with their equipment, and I also appreciate the staff I worked with. They were very welcoming and we worked well together.'
Mugabekazi Benitha, who works in housekeeping, said the internship enabled her to put her classroom knowledge into practice.
'I thank my school for sending me here. I was well trained, and I am also grateful to Zaria Court for welcoming me and helping me learn more about the work I had studied. I can now put what I learned into practice.'
For some students, the internship has also opened the door to employment. Some of those who complete their training at the hotel are later recruited to join the Zaria Court Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton team.
Dr. Alphonse Habimana, Principal and Managing Director of KETHA, said the partnership gives students the practical experience they need to deliver quality services in the hospitality industry.
'We greatly appreciate our partnership with Zaria Court Hotel, which welcomes our students for internships and supports them in developing the skills they need to compete in the job market and provide quality hospitality services.'
He said the experience also helps students develop professionally and increases their ability to compete for jobs after completing their studies.
Christella Mugisha, Training Manager at Zaria Court Hotel, said the programme gives students an opportunity to gain experience in a real workplace, adding that the hotel frequently recruits from its pool of interns.
'At Zaria Court, we do not look for employees elsewhere. We often recruit from among the students who have had the opportunity to undertake internships at our hotel.'
Mugisha said the prospect of gaining practical experience and potentially securing employment encourages students pursuing tourism and hospitality studies to take their training seriously.
Mugabekazi Benitha said Zaria Court has helped her gain more skills in housekeeping.Irakoze Daic has thanked Zaria Court staff for the training and support they provided.Christelle Mugisha said some interns are later hired by Zaria Court.Dr. Alphonse Habimana, Principal and Managing Director of KETHA has thanked Zaria Court management for the skills and experience it provides to students.
NASA and SpaceX are targeting October 1, 2026, for the launch of Crew-13, a four-member mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that will carry out scientific research, technology demonstrations and station operations.
The launch is scheduled for no earlier than 11:10 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The crew will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket.
If the mission launches as planned, Dragon is expected to arrive at the ISS less than nine hours later, with docking scheduled for about 8 p.m. at the forward-facing port of the station's Harmony module.
After liftoff, the Falcon 9 will place Dragon into orbit.
The spacecraft will then perform a series of carefully controlled maneuvers to match the space station's flight path before approaching and docking with the orbital laboratory.
Although Dragon is designed to dock autonomously, the crew can take manual control if necessary.
Crew-13 will be commanded by NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, with fellow NASA astronaut Luke Delaney serving as pilot.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov will serve as mission specialists.
For Watkins, the mission will mark her second trip to the space station and make her the first NASA astronaut to launch twice aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Delaney, Kutryk and Teteryatnikov will be making their first spaceflights.
Once aboard the station, the four astronauts will join Expedition 75 for a long-duration mission.
Their work will include scientific investigations designed to improve understanding of human health in space and support future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA said the crew will study human stem-cell-derived tissues linked to research into heart disease and Parkinson's disease.
They will also investigate crop production, blood-flow abnormalities associated with spaceflight and new medical diagnostic equipment for monitoring astronauts' health.
The mission is SpaceX's 13th crew rotation mission to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Crew Program and its 14th flight carrying astronauts to the station, including the Demo-2 test flight.
As final preparations continue, NASA and SpaceX teams are completing checks of the crew, Dragon spacecraft, Falcon 9 rocket and space station systems before liftoff.
The four astronauts are also undergoing quarantine and preflight preparations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts pose in their pressure suits during preflight training ahead of their planned mission to the International Space Station.
The MT Sea Wolf arrived at Kenya Pipeline Company's Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 on Tuesday, September 29, carrying 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products for the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC).
The cargo is the first shipment under a framework agreed by the governments of Rwanda and Kenya to facilitate direct government-to-government petroleum imports through Kenya.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, James Opiyo Wandayi, and Rwanda's Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Armand Zingiro, presided over the ceremony to formally flag in the vessel and activate the route.
'MT Sea Wolf's arrival, carrying the Rwanda National Energy Company's maiden cargo of 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products, close to a full month's consumption for Rwanda, confirms that Kenya is ready to be Rwanda's gateway to the world energy markets,' Wandayi said.
The framework is based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Kenya's Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and Rwanda's Ministry of Trade and Industry on June 29, 2026.
It also includes a Tripartite Agreement involving the two ministries and RNEC, as well as a Transport and Storage Agreement between Kenya Pipeline Company and RNEC covering the transportation, storage, scheduling and handling of Rwanda-bound petroleum products.
Zingiro said the arrangement would help Rwanda diversify its fuel import routes and reduce exposure to disruptions affecting international shipping and global oil markets.
'Rwanda is a landlocked country that imports all of its petroleum products,' Zingiro said. 'Our Government's response has been deliberate, to diversify our import routes and reduce our exposure to any single corridor or supplier.'
The Kenya arrangement will allow Rwanda to use the country's port, pipeline and storage infrastructure to move petroleum products from Mombasa towards the Rwandan market, while supporting the expansion of Rwanda's strategic fuel reserves.
For Kenya, the deal is expected to increase petroleum volumes transported through the Northern Corridor. Wandayi said the framework could grow volumes destined for Rwanda through the corridor tenfold over the coming years.
He described the arrangement as a long-term partnership that would strengthen Kenya's role as a regional logistics and energy transit hub.
The two governments said the deal supports regional integration under the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, while improving supply-chain efficiency and strengthening energy security.
Kenya also plans to provide Rwanda with additional supply options in the future, including finished petroleum products from the planned Lamu refinery, according to Wandayi.
The Mombasa arrangement complements Rwanda's other new petroleum supply route through Tanzania's Port of Tanga. In July, a 40,000-tonne shipment arrived at Tanga under an agreement between RNEC and Gulf Bulk Petroleum Tanzania, marking the start of another direct fuel import corridor for Rwanda.
The two routes are part of Rwanda's strategy to diversify petroleum supply and reduce reliance on a single import corridor.
The MT Sea Wolf arrived at Kenya Pipeline Company's Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 on Tuesday, September 29, carrying 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum products for the Rwanda National Energy Company (RNEC).The cargo is the first shipment under a framework agreed by the governments of Rwanda and Kenya to facilitate direct government-to-government petroleum imports through Kenya.Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, James Opiyo Wandayi, and Rwanda's Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Armand Zingiro, presided over the ceremony to formally flag in the vessel and activate the route.Zingiro said the arrangement would help Rwanda diversify its fuel import routes and reduce exposure to disruptions affecting international shipping and global oil markets.Wandayi said the framework could grow volumes destined for Rwanda through the corridor tenfold over the coming years.
The two teams last met six years ago in the qualifiers for the 2021 AFCON, with both matches ending 0–0. Much has changed since then, particularly for Cape Verde, who have established themselves among Africa's most competitive sides.
Cape Verde reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire before making their FIFA World Cup debut. Their squad is now largely made up of players based in top leagues across Europe, South America, and Asia.
However, the Blue Sharks come into Tuesday's match under pressure after losing 3–1 to Mali in their opening Group K qualifier in Bamako last Friday. They are eager to reverse a recent difficult spell after facing elite world opposition at the World Cup, where they held Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia to draws before pushing Argentina into extra time.
Rwanda, meanwhile, started their qualifying campaign on a high note with a 3–1 home win over Liberia at the Amahoro Stadium and enter the contest riding strong form after recent victories in international play.
The Amavubi squad has also evolved significantly since the 2020 encounters, with only a select group of experienced players remaining. Midfielder Djihad Bizimana, left-back Emmanuel Imanishimwe, defender Ange Mutsinzi, and midfielder Kevin Muhire are among the veterans providing crucial stability.
Amavubi coach Stephen Constantine emphasized that Rwanda traveled to Praia seeking maximum points rather than taking a defensive posture.
'We are here to get points. We did not come here to lose,' Constantine told journalists ahead of the match.
Former Amavubi coach Vincent Mashami expects Cape Verde to dominate possession on home soil, while former captain Haruna Niyonzima urged Rwanda's senior leaders to guide the younger players through a demanding away atmosphere in Praia.
Cape Verde will be looking for an immediate response after their defeat to Mali, while Rwanda will be aiming to build on their recent form. The pivotal Group K clash is scheduled for 6 p.m. Kigali time.
The Amavubi squad has also evolved significantly since the 2020 encounters, with only a select group of experienced players remaining.Cape Verde reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire before making their FIFA World Cup debut. Haruna Niyonzima captained Amavubi when the two sides last met, while Ryan Mendes remains part of the Cape Verde squad.
Amavubi coach Stephen Constantine said the team did not travel to Praia to suffer defeat.Former Amavubi coach Mashami Vincent has confidence in Stephen Constantine, saying the coach never goes into a match expecting to lose to any opponent.
The annual observance, held every September 28, seeks to raise awareness of rabies, promote vaccination of animals and educate communities on how to prevent the disease.
This year's national event was held in Bisate Sector, Musanze District, an area close to Volcanoes National Park.
Among the activities carried out during the event were dog vaccination, spaying and neutering, as well as microchipping to help identify and keep records of the animals.
Uwingabire Claudine, a resident living near Volcanoes National Park, said she was pleased to have her dogs vaccinated.
'I have two dogs, and recently they went after a neighbour as if they wanted to bite them, which could have sparked a dispute. So I was happy that they came to vaccinate them for free,' she told IGIHE.
Prosper Uwingeri, the Chief Park Warden of the Volcanoes National Park, urged residents living near the park to keep their dogs from entering the protected area, particularly for hunting.
He said dogs entering the park could threaten wildlife and also create challenges for conservation and tourism.
'Preventing rabies through a One Health approach will help us protect the park and the different species found there. People living around the park depend on activities such as farming, livestock keeping and access to water, but these activities should not lead to dogs being sent into the park because they can harm wildlife,' Uwingeri said.
'The issue of dogs concerns us. They do not create a good image for tourism when they are released and end up hunting in the forest. We love dogs and want to protect them,' he added.
Nshimiyimana Laslas, Director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit at RBC, reminded residents that both dogs and cats can transmit rabies.
'Both cats and dogs can transmit rabies. Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. We want to eliminate rabies by 2030, and this requires ensuring that no one dies from rabies after being bitten by an infected animal,' he said.
Nshimiyimana called for closer cooperation between the human, animal and environmental health sectors in the fight against rabies, particularly in communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park.
'People who keep dogs at home are the first line of defence against rabies. We should have them vaccinated, keep them properly confined, take good care of them and prevent them from coming into contact with other animals. Releasing them can also expose animals in the park to the disease,' he said.
RBC has reported that 3,227 people were bitten by dogs across Rwanda in 2025.Rwanda has marked World Rabies Day amid concerns over the 3,227 dog-bite cases recorded in 2025.
His coronation follows weeks of uncertainty over who would succeed King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died in August.
Kijanangoma, 56, is a cousin of Oyo Nyimba. He took the royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I during a ceremony held in Fort Portal on September 29, 2026. A 21-member council from the royal Babiito clan selected him as the new king.
The coronation featured traditional rituals, including the slaughter of a bull and the spilling of chicken blood. Nyabongo I also walked from midnight to 3 a.m. to Karuziika Palace, where he took part in a traditional contest for the crown.
Kijanangoma first became known as a journalist at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), where former colleagues described him as humble and approachable.
He later joined Rwanda Television, where he worked as an English-language news anchor.
His coronation comes following the death of Oyo Nyimba, who died on August 27, 2026, in the United States while receiving treatment for cancer. He was 34.
Oyo was buried on September 12 at the royal cemetery in Karambi, Fort Portal.
He ascended the Tooro throne in 1995 at the age of three following the death of his father. His young age and images of him wearing royal attire and a crown attracted international attention.
Oyo's mother, Best Kemigisa, and his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, have said he left behind a young son and that a document indicates the child was designated as his successor.
Oyo had never married and no child of his was publicly known before his death. The child in question became known publicly only after his death.
Kijanangoma has taken the royal name Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I following his coronation in Fort Portal.Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma has been crowned the 13th King of Tooro in Uganda.
The Regional Capacity-Building Workshop for NGOs Working with Muslim Communities, which runs from September 28 to October 2, is funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and hosted by Rwanda-based Umbrella for Vulnerable.
The workshop brings together more than 40 participants to examine how local NGOs can improve project management, governance, financial controls, fundraising, donor compliance and institutional sustainability.
Opening the workshop at M Hotel Kigali on Monday, September 28, Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) Secretary General Dr. Edward Kalisa stressed the importance of strong institutions in turning donor-funded projects into lasting impact.
'Funding a project is not the same as building a sustainable organisation,' Kalisa noted.
He underscored the need for NGOs to develop strong governance, leadership, financial systems, accountability and partnerships to remain effective beyond individual projects.
'Do not build an organisation merely to implement a project; build an institution capable of transforming every project into lasting impact,' he urged.
RGB is responsible for registering, regulating and monitoring NGOs operating in Rwanda. Kalisa described civil society organisations as important partners in national development and reaffirmed the board's commitment to creating an environment in which credible and accountable organisations can grow.
The workshop's theme is 'From Project Funding to Sustainable Impact: Strengthening Local NGOs for Effective Project Management, Governance, Financial Sustainability and Resource Mobilisation.'
Ambassador Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Chairman of the Board of Umbrella for Vulnerable, explained that the gathering is intended to help organisations strengthen their ability to manage resources responsibly while expanding their impact.
'We are discussing capacity building that will strengthen good governance of NGOs, management of NGOs, and fundraising within NGOs,' Habimana explained.
'Above all, once you raise funds, you need to know how to govern those funds and maintain transparency in everything you do, so that every penny given to you is used carefully for the good of the vulnerable people in our communities.'
Habimana highlighted the opportunity for participating organisations to learn from Umbrella for Vulnerable's experience in organisational management, transparency, governance, fundraising and partnerships.
The organisation works in areas including education, poverty reduction, job creation and support for vulnerable children.
The workshop also examines the relationship between institutional development, community inclusion and peacebuilding.
Mustafa Yusuf Ali, Executive Director of Arigatou International Nairobi and Secretary General of the Global Network of Religions for Children, highlighted the importance of linking financing with peacebuilding, youth inclusion and community development.
He pointed to challenges in the Horn of Africa, where communities with limited access to development opportunities and grassroots funding can leave young people vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups.
'The nexus between financing, community peacebuilding, young people, inclusion, and sustainable communities' is therefore important, Ali observed.
He called for greater engagement by financial institutions and governments with young people and grassroots communities.
For Ali, a successful workshop would see participants return to their countries equipped with practical skills to strengthen their organisations and improve community programmes.
Participants are also expected to build partnerships with organisations from other countries and exchange experiences on managing social development programmes.
Febron Bimenyimana, representing the Islamic Community of Burundi, outlined the practical benefits his organisation expects from the training, including stronger skills in partnership building, cooperation, management and budgeting.
He also highlighted the opportunity to learn from organisations from different countries and adapt effective practices to Burundi's context.
The workshop covers the IsDB project cycle, NGO governance and board effectiveness, internal controls, risk management, anti-fraud systems, financial management, budgeting, cash management, donor compliance and audit preparation.
It also includes sessions on strategic communication, branding, media relations, social media, fundraising, donor mapping, partnership development and proposal writing.
Organisers are seeking to address a common challenge facing local NGOs: maintaining operations and programmes after a specific donor-funded project ends.
The workshop promotes the idea that successful project implementation should help organisations build credibility, experience, partnerships and trust that can support future programmes.
Participants will also examine the institutional experience of Umbrella for Vulnerable as a case study in governance, financial management, partnerships, community engagement, communications and resource mobilisation.
The workshop is expected to strengthen professional networks among NGOs working with Muslim communities across the region while equipping participants with practical strategies for improving governance, accountability and financial sustainability.
The Regional Capacity-Building Workshop for NGOs Working with Muslim Communities is funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and hosted by Rwanda-based Umbrella for Vulnerable.The workshop brings together more than 40 participants to examine how local NGOs can improve project management, governance, financial controls, fundraising, donor compliance and institutional sustainability.The workshop covers the IsDB project cycle, NGO governance and board effectiveness, internal controls, risk management, anti-fraud systems, financial management, budgeting, cash management, donor compliance and audit preparation.Ambassador Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Chairman of the Board of Umbrella for Vulnerable, explained that the gathering is intended to help organisations strengthen their ability to manage resources responsibly while expanding their impact.Febron Bimenyimana, representing the Islamic Community of Burundi, outlined the practical benefits his organisation expects from the training, including stronger skills in partnership building, cooperation, management and budgeting.
