De Long arrives with extensive experience in youth development, talent identification and coaching, having worked with several football institutions in England, including Portsmouth, Southampton, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City. He has also gained international experience through his work with Aris FC and India’s national teams.

His appointment is expected to bring additional expertise to Rwanda’s efforts to identify, develop and nurture young football talent across the country.

As National Youth Development Officer, De Long will be expected to contribute to the development of youth football structures, improve talent identification systems and support the growth of young players who could eventually progress to Rwanda’s national teams and professional clubs.

The appointment comes as Rwanda continues to invest in the development of football at grassroots and youth levels, with the long-term objective of creating a stronger pathway from young talent to elite football.

With his experience across different football environments, De Long will now begin his work in Rwanda, where his expertise could play an important role in shaping the next generation of Rwandan footballers.

The post From Portsmouth to Rwanda: Nicholas De Long Takes Charge of Youth Football Development appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

The inaugural Bénédiction Fashion Gala is set to blend fashion, gospel music and cultural entertainment in an inclusive celebration when models take to the runway at RM Casa Italia in Nyarutarama on August 15.

Organised by Bénédiction Boutique in collaboration with Rwandan top model Sandrine Mucyo through her fashion concept, The Stage Fashion Showcase, the event aims to go beyond a traditional fashion show by combining runway presentations, gospel performances, cultural acts and prize giveaways while promoting diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.

The Bénédiction Fashion Gala will be the first edition of what founder and CEO Françoise Uwera hopes will become an annual event, with each edition building on the previous one as part of a growing celebration of fashion, creativity and excellence.

Mucyo told The New Times that the gala seeks to challenge conventional beauty standards by demonstrating that fashion is for women of all ages and body types.

“We are looking for women aged between 18 and 65, regardless of body size. Older women also wear fashionable clothes and look beautiful in them,” she said.

More than 120 women registered for the casting, with over 90 attending the selection session held on July 12. Of those, 30 models were selected to participate in the runway show.

Organisers are also inviting five plus-size women to join the lineup without undergoing the casting process, bringing the total number of models to between 35 and 40. Mucyo said the move is intended to further reinforce the event’s message of inclusivity.

The runway will feature women aged between 18 and 65, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to showcasing beauty beyond conventional modelling standards.

The gala will also unveil a curated collection of premium European fashion, with exclusive brands from Belgium and other sought-after labels making their debut on the runway.

Entertainment will include performances by gospel artists Emmy Vox and Tonzi, as well as a special dance performance by a troupe travelling from Belgium.

Uwera said the event will also provide a platform for a Belgium-based Rwandan women’s clothing store to showcase its collections. Bénédiction Boutique will present designs for women of different ages, highlighting fashionable outfits tailored to both younger and older women.

Tickets are priced at Rwf25,000 for regular admission, Rwf50,000 for premium and Rwf100,000 for VIP, while a table for five costs Rwf300,000. Food and drinks are included in the package.

According to the organisers, every ticket purchased gives attendees a chance to win prizes, with higher-tier tickets offering greater chances of winning larger rewards.

Prizes include cash-equivalent gifts worth between Rwf100,000 and Rwf500,000, luxury Paris XL perfumes, ceremony gowns, designer shoes, premium beauty products and handbags.

The post Bénédiction Fashion Gala to blend runway, gospel music and inclusivity appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

Rwanda’s entertainment industry has long been associated with rivalries, but a growing number of creatives say competition is increasingly crossing the line into online harassment, defamation and smear campaigns that threaten careers and personal lives.

Recent allegations by DJ Sonia, who says she has spent the past three years seeking justice over alleged online harassment and intimidation, have reignited debate over what some industry players describe as a toxic culture of damaging colleagues’ reputations for personal gain.

Music manager Alex Muyoboke says online harassment and character assassination have reached alarming levels in Rwanda’s entertainment industry, leaving many creatives feeling unprotected despite repeated efforts to seek assistance from authorities.

“We are crying out for help because the situation has become unbearable. What Sonia has been saying is true, and many of us have experienced the same thing,” he said, recalling that he was also subjected to sustained online attacks before the arrest of Vlogger Jean-Bosco Sengabo alias Fatakumavuta.

According to Muyoboke, entertainers have reported such cases to the Ministry of Youth and Arts, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the Rwanda National Police and other relevant institutions, but many feel little progress has been made.

“People have destroyed our reputations on social media. They create false stories using our names simply to make money, turning us into outcasts and damaging our relationships with family, friends and the public,” Muyoboke told The New Times.

He questioned why some reported cases remain under investigation for a long time without resolution, citing DJ Sonia’s case as an example.

“If someone reports a case and even provides evidence, why should it remain unresolved for years? We are left wondering whether these complaints are receiving the attention they deserve,” he said.

Muyoboke believes jealousy has become one of the main drivers of online attacks in the entertainment industry, with some individuals targeting successful creatives to undermine their careers.

“Some people see others succeeding and immediately look for ways to bring them down. They wake up and fabricate stories out of nowhere, knowing such claims spread quickly online,” he said.

He warned that false allegations can have lasting consequences, affecting victims’ personal lives, careers and future opportunities.

“Once these stories are published, many people believe them without verifying the facts. They remain on the internet and continue damaging someone’s reputation long after they have been proven false,” he said.

He added that online harassment has become so widespread that some creatives have received threatening messages while others have considered leaving the entertainment industry altogether because they can no longer cope with the hostile environment.

“The industry has reached a point where positive achievements receive little attention, while fabricated scandals dominate online conversations. That is not healthy for the growth of our creative sector,” he said.

Media personality Amen Rugemana, popularly known as Babu, believes online smear campaigns have become a growing concern in Rwanda’s creative industry, alleging that some individuals use bloggers and social media influencers to damage the reputations of public figures.

“These things really happen. Some people do it because they are paid, while others do it on their own. In many cases, influencers and small bloggers are used as tools to attack specific individuals,” he said.

According to Babu, it is not uncommon for some people to commission negative campaigns against those with whom they have personal or professional differences.

“If someone has a problem with another person, they can pay bloggers to spread negative stories about them. Sometimes the stories are completely fabricated because those behind them believe there are no strong legal consequences,” he said.

He argued that the practice has become increasingly normalised, with some content creators publishing unverified allegations to attract attention or generate online engagement.

He also questioned whether complaints related to online harassment receive sufficient attention, saying cases involving entertainers are sometimes not treated with the urgency they deserve.

“When such cases are reported, they are often viewed as ordinary disputes instead of recognising the serious impact they can have on people’s lives and careers,” he said.

Rwandan comedian, filmmaker, poet and Mcee Gratien Niyitegeka, commonly known as Papa Sava, believes unhealthy competition has become increasingly common across Rwanda’s entertainment industry, with some individuals seeking to advance their careers by discrediting others.

“I think the problem has reached a worrying level, although it affects different creative fields differently,” he said.

“Sometimes it is not just about bringing someone down. Some people want to rise by stepping on someone else’s name,” he said.

Niyitegeka attributed the trend to greed, poor character and a lack of professional integrity, arguing that creatives should instead allow their work to speak for themselves.

“People should work hard, demonstrate their abilities and let others choose them on merit, rather than trying to succeed by destroying someone else’s reputation,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Niyitegeka believes the way creatives respond is equally important, urging them to exercise professionalism and emotional maturity.

“If someone says they are better than me, I congratulate them. If they say I have fallen behind, I encourage them to do even better. Not every criticism deserves a response,” he said.

He added that experienced creatives should avoid engaging in unnecessary public disputes, saying maturity lies in knowing which battles are worth fighting and focusing instead on building a lasting career.

The New Times sought a comment from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on the issue but was unable to obtain a response by the time of publication.

Need for protection

Persistent online bullying is becoming an increasingly serious concern in the digital age, according to digital transformation specialist Sylvie Nsanga, who warns that fear of online abuse is driving some people away from social media while forcing others to remain silent to avoid becoming targets.

She said the growing trend highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to protect users from digital abuse.

Nsanga called on authorities to adopt a more proactive approach to monitoring online platforms rather than waiting for victims to report incidents, arguing that digital safety should be treated with the same urgency as physical security.

“We don’t wait for people to be robbed before deploying security. The same approach should apply online, where those responsible for abuse should be identified as part of routine monitoring,” she said.

She also stressed that freedom of expression should never be used to justify insults, harassment or defamation.

“Freedom of expression allows people to express opinions responsibly. It should never be interpreted as a licence to abuse or humiliate others, whether they are ordinary citizens or public figures,” she said.

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Rwandan singer and songwriter Josiane Uwineza, better known as Miss Jojo, has opened up about the career break that brought one of Rwanda’s most successful music journeys to an end, saying the decision was deliberate, deeply personal and one she has never regretted.

The singer became a household name in the Rwandan music industry since breaking into music in 2007. She is best know for her iconic tracks like ‘Tukabyine’, ‘Siwezi’, ‘Mbwira’, ‘Nganirira’, ‘Beletilida’, to mention a few.

She took a break in 2012 after releasing her album “Woman” which she launched at Gikondo Expo grounds.

To her, it was a goodbye to a career she had loved to pursue.

Speaking in an interview with Igihe, the celebrated artiste revealed that she had planned her departure long before she stepped away from the spotlight.

She recalled that her final concert at Expo Grounds was always intended to be her last.

“I made the decision to quit music knowing exactly what I was doing. I felt I had accomplished what I set out to do with music. Even my last concert, which I held at Expo Grounds, I knew it was going to be my last, and I put everything into it, telling myself I needed to leave my signature there,” she said.

For Miss Jojo, leaving music was not about walking away from success but about closing a chapter she believed had fulfilled its purpose.

“Then I left music, telling myself that I felt I had done what I needed to do, and it was time to move into the next steps of my life,” she said.

That next chapter led her away from the stage and into humanitarian work and professional employment.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the former National University of Rwanda, Miss Jojo said she wanted to build a career beyond entertainment while using her education in a more conventional work environment.

“So I moved into other things — I started an NGO to help young people develop themselves. And as someone who had studied, I also wanted a regular job,” she said.

“I wanted to get used to working in an office setting and build my career as a professional,” she said.

“I worked in that space for close to five years, doing work that didn’t necessarily put me in the public eye, which is exactly what I wanted, because as an artiste, if you don’t have something to ground you, to keep you low-key for a while, social media and fame can distract you.”

She described stepping away from music as both a career decision and an act of faith.

“So you see, stopping music was a decision I made deliberately. I had thought it through, and God helped me follow through with it,” she said.

Looking back, she says what matters most is not the fame she enjoyed but the legacy she left behind.

“What pleases me most even now is that I was able to leave music with a good image among people, with respect.”

A message-driven career

Miss Jojo burst onto the music scene in 2007 after winning the National University of Rwanda Rector’s Excellence Award for Best Female Artiste. A year later, she won the Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best Rwandan Female Artiste, helping raise Rwanda’s profile on the regional music scene.

She released her debut album, Genesis, in 2008 before following it with Woman in 2012, which became her final album before stepping away from music.

She said her mission from the beginning was to create music that inspired girls and women, even as the industry increasingly rewarded more provocative content.

“I started out wanting to give a message to girls and women, to walk a good path. But I realised that if I made songs that were too controversial, it wouldn’t look right, which is why I started with ‘Mbwira’, which was my first song,” she said.

Mbwira became one of the defining songs of her breakthrough, followed by hits such as Inshuti, which cemented her status as one of Rwanda’s leading female artistes in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

She is also known for popular songs including Tukabyine, Siwezi, Nganirira and Beletilida.

Addressing the rumours

Miss Jojo also dismissed long-standing claims that marriage or religion forced her to leave music.

“I stopped making music in 2012, and I got married in 2017. I also didn’t convert to Islam because of my husband, and being Muslim isn’t what made me leave music either, because I converted to Islam in 2009 and continued singing as a Muslim,” she said.

She also spoke about criticism she received over her modest style of dress, saying it reinforced her decision to step away once she felt her message had reached its audience.

“I would meet many fans who asked me why I dressed the way I did. I wore long clothes that didn’t expose my body, and it would upset me because I didn’t feel they had any say over how I dressed,” she said.

From the stage to Igikari

More than a decade later, Miss Jojo, now 40 and a mother, says she has no desire to return to the music industry. Instead, she has channelled her passion into Igikari Holiday Camp, a non-profit initiative designed to provide teenage girls and young women with a safe space to discuss the challenges they face.

The programme focuses on issues such as family conflict, gender inequality, mental health and sexual health, offering mentorship, peer support and guidance rather than formal training.

“What we intend to offer is a safe space to discuss those challenges. It is not about training but rather listening to them. This will give them hope, guidance and a sense of purpose,” she said.

She said the years away from public life allowed her to develop the initiative while prioritising her family.

“After taking a break from music, I just gave enough time to my own things — behind the curtains — including my family. During this time, I decided to come up with a support system, specifically for the youth, to create a safe space and brighter future for them,” she said.

According to Miss Jojo, today’s young people are surrounded by information but often lack the mentorship needed to process it.

“They lack enough mentorship on how to digest that information about what is right or wrong to do,” she said, citing divorce, economic hardship and the absence of parental care as some of the challenges affecting young people.

She also encouraged fellow artistes to build careers and initiatives beyond music, arguing that lasting impact comes from using one’s platform to serve others rather than simply remaining in the spotlight.

The post “Quitting music was a deliberate decision” – Miss Jojo appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

American guard Craig Randall has rejoined APR Basketball Club ahead of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) playoffs scheduled to tip commence on August 5.

The 30-year-old was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) after leading RSSB Tigers to their maiden BAL championship on their debut appearance in the competition.

Randall is expected to arrive in Rwanda on July 29.

In February, Randall signed with APR as the club planned to rely on his services during the 2026 BAL campaign. However, he eventually represented RSSB Tigers in the competition after APR withdrew from the tournament.

In April, Randall set an all-time BAL record for the most points scored in a single game, dropping 54 points on 18-of-36 shooting to inspire RSSB Tigers to a 104-92 victory over Tanzania’s Dar City in the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria, South Africa.

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The playoffs are scheduled to tip off in August at BK Arena and Petit Stade.

The four qualified teams will first contest the semifinals in a best-of-five series, with the winners advancing to the best-of-seven finals.

Here is a closer look at the four title contenders.

The post RBL playoffs: Meet the four clubs in pursuit of the crown appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

From September, learners will spend the final 90 minutes of each school day doing sports, arts, debates, leadership activities, practical experiments and other structured activities designed to complement what they learn in class.

Under the new arrangement, regular academic lessons will end at 3:30 p.m., with the period from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. dedicated to co-curricular activities.

The school day will remain unchanged, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the reform will not affect the curriculum or number of school days.

Flora Mutezigaju, Deputy Director General at the Rwanda Education Board (REB), said the move is intended to make learning more practical and ensure learners can apply knowledge acquired in the classroom.

“Co-curricular activities are not new to our education system. They have always been part of the school curriculum,” Mutezigaju told The New Times.

“What is changing is how they are organised and implemented.”

Currently, lower primary has one period for co-curricular activities, while upper primary has four. Lower and upper secondary each have two periods.

Mutezigaju said, however, that the activities have often been conducted without a clear structure or connection to classroom learning, making them closer to extracurricular activities.

“Extra-curricular is optional and does not have to complement the curriculum. Co-curricular activities have a direct link to the formal curriculum,” she said.

For example, if Primary Three learners are studying health, cleaning the school environment can become a co-curricular activity. Teachers will not simply ask learners to clean but will use the exercise to reinforce lessons on hygiene and health.

From theory to practice

The changes are part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum, which places emphasis on practical skills and the application of knowledge.

Mutezigaju said subjects such as Physical Education and Sport and Creative Arts will continue to be taught, but learners will have more opportunities to put lessons into practice.

A learner studying colours in art, for instance, could mix different colours and create artwork rather than spending the entire lesson learning the theory.

“We want the delivery of the curriculum to be more practical and engaging, but with that direct link to the formal curriculum,” she said.

The Rwanda Education Board has also reviewed the primary and secondary school curricula and conducted a survey to gather teachers’ views on workload.

Mutezigaju said most of the feedback indicated that the curriculum was no longer overloaded, although concerns remained in some subjects, particularly mathematics, science and elementary technology.

She said the new approach could help teachers cover some content more effectively because learners will have more opportunities to apply concepts rather than relying mainly on classroom theory.

What learners will do

The activities will vary depending on the level of education.

In primary schools, learners will take part in physical education and sports, creative arts, Itorero and life skills, as well as language and reading activities.

Reading clubs, debates and writing competitions, for example, will complement lessons in Kinyarwanda, English and French while helping learners develop communication skills.

Remedial activities will also be organised for learners who require additional academic support.

At lower secondary level, activities will include physical education and sports, technical and survival skills, Itorero and life skills, as well as language and leadership activities.

Technical and survival skills will complement elective subjects such as farming, home science, music, dance and drama, and fine arts and crafts.

At upper secondary level, the programme will include physical education and sports, pre-technical and survival skills, Itorero and life skills, language and leadership, as well as STEM and innovation.

Learners taking science and mathematics, for instance, will have opportunities to conduct practical experiments and work on innovation projects. Digital skills will also receive greater attention.

Schools to design programmes

While REB will provide guidelines and sample timetables, individual schools will determine how the activities are organised.

At the beginning of each term, schools will be expected to identify competencies in the curriculum and link them to appropriate co-curricular activities.

These may include competitions, indoor and outdoor activities, guest speakers, clubs and practical projects.

Each activity will have a designated teacher. The teacher does not necessarily have to be the learner’s regular classroom teacher, with schools encouraged to assign teachers according to their interests, knowledge and skills.

Schools will also track the programme using indicators such as sports competitions held, reading clubs, debates, public-speaking events, guest speakers and innovation projects completed.

Mutezigaju said schools should not wait for perfect facilities before implementing the programme.

“Start with what is available, not with what we wish we had,” she said.

Where additional resources are required, she said partners would be mobilised to support schools.

Learning beyond the classroom

The shift is part of a broader global emphasis on holistic education, where schools seek to develop not only academic knowledge but also creativity, teamwork, leadership, communication and practical skills.

Countries such as Finland, Singapore and Japan have long incorporated sports, arts, clubs and practical activities into school life. Schools in the United Kingdom, United States and South Africa also commonly offer programmes covering sports, music, debate, leadership, community service and cultural activities.

Rwanda already has sports, debate clubs, scouting, arts and other activities in schools. The new framework seeks to give such activities a clearer structure and stronger connection to classroom learning.

For Mutezigaju, the ultimate goal is to ensure that learners have opportunities to discover and develop their different abilities.

“Every child is unique and every child has a potential,” she said.

While some learners may excel academically, others may show stronger abilities in sport, arts, communication, leadership or other areas.

The new approach, she said, is intended to give all learners more opportunities to discover where their strengths lie—and turn classroom knowledge into practical skills.

The post Why schools are giving co-curriculars more time appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested 80 suspects, including public servants, over alleged involvement in the production and distribution of illicit alcoholic beverages as a nationwide crackdown intensifies.

The suspects were arrested across the country in an operation that started on July 20, RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira said.

Speaking at Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Murangira said RIB had arrested 80 suspect including 16 suspects who were arrested in Kigali.

“Those arrested over the past days are in five categories. There are public servants involved in standards and certification of affected products, owners of companies which were involved in illicit alcoholic beverages production and distribution, employees who worked in those companies, local leaders as well as other individuals who had no businesses but were involved in the trade of the affected illicit alcoholic beverages,” he said.

He added that investigations were still ongoing and warned that the number of suspects could increase as investigators continue to establish the full network behind the production and distribution of the beverages.

The arrests are part of a wider crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages, which authorities have described as a serious public health threat.

More than 130 manufacturers shut down

The crackdown has already resulted in the closure of more than 130 facilities involved in the manufacture of illicit alcoholic beverages, according to figures from the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA).

Authorities have in recent weeks stepped up inspections, recalls and enforcement measures against manufacturers, distributors and retailers suspected of producing or selling non-compliant alcoholic products.

The government has also warned that individuals and businesses found violating the directives will face legal action.

The crackdown follows growing concern over the health consequences associated with the consumption of illicit alcoholic beverages.

The Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana previously said more than 50 people had died and over 100 others had lost their sight after consuming illicit alcoholic beverages. More than 500 people had also sought medical treatment, he said.

The issue has also raised concern over the impact of illicit alcohol on young people.

The Minister of Local Government Dominique Habimana said illicit alcoholic beverages were a leading factor among young people taken to rehabilitation centres, with more than 95 per cent of those admitted having consumed illicit alcoholic beverages.

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The meeting took place during Muhoozi’s visit to Rwanda over the weekend, where he also met President Paul Kagame and other senior leaders from various sectors.

Among the key issues discussed was a proposal to collaborate with Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports to establish a Junior NBA League.

The post Gen. Muhoozi, NBA Africa boss discuss continental basketball appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

The playoffs, which run until August 28, will feature best-of-five semi-final series before culminating in a best-of-seven championship final.

Patriots and REG booked their places in the last four after finishing second and third, respectively, in the regular-season standings. Patriots enjoyed the upper hand during the regular season, winning both meetings between the two Kigali-based rivals.

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