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328 Children Live With Incarcerated Mothers, 44 Yet to Be Placed

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-20T07:55:34Z

Rwanda's Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion said 328 children are currently living with their incarcerated mothers in four women's prisons across the country, including 44 who have surpassed the legal age limit of 3 for remaining in correctional facilities but have yet to be placed with foster families.

The ministry, known as MIGEPROF, disclosed the figures Thursday during a parliamentary session reviewing the 2024/2025 report of the National Commission for Human Rights.

The children are housed in women's prisons in Musanze, Nyarugenge, Nyamagabe and Ngoma districts. Eight pregnant women are also currently detained in those facilities.

Gender Minister Consolee Uwimana said data collected in November 2025 by the National Child Development Agency found 171 girls and 157 boys living in the prisons. Of those, 149 are enrolled in early childhood development centers.

Under Rwandan law, children may stay with their incarcerated mothers until age 3. After that, authorities work to place them with foster families.

Lawmakers raised concerns about the welfare of children living in prisons and those separated from their mothers when they are incarcerated. Some legislators urged authorities to consider alternative sentences for mothers of young children.

“It is true that those who commit crimes must be punished, but imprisonment should not always be the first option when a child's rights are at stake,” lawmaker Gloriose Sibobugingo said.

Other members of Parliament echoed the call for noncustodial penalties, arguing that community-based sentences could allow mothers to continue caring for their children.

Concerns were also raised about foster placements. Lawmakers warned that some children are placed with families motivated by financial assistance rather than genuine care. Others, particularly children with disabilities or serious illnesses, struggle to find foster homes.

Uwimana said discussions are ongoing with justice officials to explore sentence reductions or alternatives for mothers with young children. She added that foster caregivers, known locally as “Guardian Angels,” must meet integrity and age requirements, and placements are monitored.

The ministry acknowledged ongoing challenges but said protecting children's rights and securing suitable families for those affected remain priorities.

Kigali Warns of Rising Child Abuse, Urges Parents to Be More Watchful

Mugisha John — 2025-11-11T07:33:35Z

Kigali city officials are raising alarms over a surge in child abuse cases, saying most reports of sexual violence against minors are substantiated and many more go unreported because of parental neglect and lack of supervision.

City of Kigali spokesperson Emma Claudine Nitenganya said the problem persists partly because some parents fail to pay close attention to their children's daily lives, leaving them vulnerable to abuse that often goes unnoticed.

According to recent data from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), 4,901 people were prosecuted nationwide in the 2023–24 fiscal year for sexually abusing children. Those cases involved 4,767 men and 134 women. During the same period, 4,849 children were identified as victims — 4,646 girls and 203 boys.

Nitenganya said the figures highlight the seriousness of the problem, noting that roughly 75 to 76 percent of the reports received were confirmed as valid.

“What worries us most is that these numbers only reflect cases that reached court,” she told Isango Star. “There are other children who are abused but whose cases are never reported or investigated. Some parents don't even realize what their children are going through.”

She added that unreported cases often stem from parents' failure to fulfill their responsibilities in monitoring and protecting their children.

“Some parents don't follow up on their children to know if they're facing problems, yet they're the ones who could intervene,” she said. “Even if a parent is busy, they must check on whoever they leave the child with at home. When a child is in school or daycare, that's also a key time to detect signs of abuse.”

Nitenganya urged communities to show compassion toward victims, particularly girls who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.

“We shouldn't stigmatize or abandon them,” she said. “They are victims of serious crimes that can carry life imprisonment. The offense is severe, and the child has already suffered enough — we shouldn't add to that pain.”

Kigali officials are calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to stay alert and report any suspected cases of child abuse to authorities.

Supporting young women entrepreneurs builds stronger families, communities, and economies

Administrator — 2025-10-12T13:53:04Z

Every October 11, the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a moment to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing girls as they grow into young women.

This year, we ask governments, policymakers and private-sector stakeholders to consider the impact those same young women could have as business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Across Rwanda and Africa, young women are creating businesses, driving innovation, and transforming livelihoods. Yet too often, they are (…)

Every October 11, the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a moment to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing girls as they grow into young women.

This year, we ask governments, policymakers and private-sector stakeholders to consider the impact those same young women could have as business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Across Rwanda and Africa, young women are creating businesses, driving innovation, and transforming livelihoods. Yet too often, they are doing so without the social and institutional support that enables success.

Families and communities have a critical role to play in ensuring that when young women take risks by building businesses – and in turn, generating jobs for others in their communities – they are rewarded by being able to access networks that support financial inclusion, rather than being held back by systems that traditionally exclude them.

Rwanda's efforts in this space offer both promise and perspective. It has made remarkable strides in advancing financial inclusion and increasing access, with 96 percent of adults reporting access to some form of financial service.

Yet research from the Mastercard Foundation reveals persistent gaps in these gains. Only about 22 percent of adults hold formal bank accounts, and just one in four can access formal credit.

For young women in particular – as well as young people in rural areas, refugees, and persons with disabilities – access remains constrained by collateral requirements, financial products (such as business loans, savings accounts, or insurance schemes) that do not reflect their realities, and digital divides that limit opportunities.

Access to finance alone is not enough. For women to succeed, that access must be fair, appropriate, and linked to real opportunities. In practice, this means loans and savings options designed around the real situations women face — such as limited collateral and balancing household and business responsibilities — alongside financial literacy, coaching, and access to markets that help their enterprises grow. It also requires reshaping institutional practices so that women, refugees, and persons with disabilities can benefit on equal terms.

When these barriers are addressed, opportunities increase. For example, we've seen partners of the Mastercard Foundation achieve success by enabling young women's access to agricultural value chains.

Programs like the Supporting and Enhancing Resilient and Viable Employment (SERVE) have helped hundreds of young women by providing low-interest loans, digital savings tools, and financial products that reflect young women's realities and help them devise strategies for success.

Consider also the example of Allen Umulisa, Founder of RAI Green Stalks Ltd., who turned her vision for export-ready agribusiness into reality through the Value-Adding Initiative to Boost Employment (VIBE), another partner program supported by the Mastercard Foundation.

With access to technical expertise, trade facilitation, and financial networks, Allen built a thriving company that exports avocados, chillis, and French beans to international markets. By partnering with youth-led cooperatives, she is creating jobs and income for smallholder farmers (with a focus on women), while proving that young African entrepreneurs can compete globally.

These efforts point to what is possible, yet real change can only be sustained when systems shaped by families and communities change too. The path to entrepreneurship is less lonely when parents share the burden of care, spouses recognize women's right to invest and lead, and communities normalize young women owning assets such as land.

Women's entrepreneurship does not just change households – it strengthens communities and contributes to national growth. Research by the McKinsey Global Institute indicates that advancing women's equality in Africa could add an estimated $316 billion to the continent's GDP by 2025.

As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, we call on policymakers, financial institutions, civil society, families, communities, and development actors to work together to ensure that young women entrepreneurs are not held back by financial, social, or cultural barriers. We challenge other stakeholders to design finance that works for women, create enabling policies, and build environments that support and nurture young women's success.

Let's all commit to ensuring that girls and young women who dare to dream of enterprise and leadership grow into women who have the finance, networks, and supportive systems they need to succeed. In doing so, we will strengthen families, communities, and economies for generations to come.

Ivan Ntwali is the Country Director at the Mastercard Foundation in Rwanda.

Imbuto Foundation Opens Hub for Early Learning and Family Support in Masaka

Mugisha John — 2025-10-09T16:27:33Z

The Imbuto Foundation officially inaugurated the Masaka Model Early Childhood and Family Centre on Thursday, October 9, 2025, offering a safe space for young children to learn and grow, while providing parents and caregivers with guidance to support family well-being. The centre, built in partnership with Mount Kigali University, is part of Rwanda's national program to strengthen services for children under six and their families.

The centre has been operating for nearly a month, delivering early education to children up to six years old. It also provides shared services for parents, helping them support their children's nutrition, health, and development. Currently, 169 children attend the centre—90 girls and 79 boys.

Masaka Sector is the most densely populated of Kicukiro's 10 sectors. The 2022 national census shows its population more than doubled over the past decade, from over 35,000 in 2012 to more than 72,000 in 2022.

Before the Imbuto Foundation expanded the facility, only two classrooms served 25 children, leaving many without early learning opportunities. The new centre adds four classrooms and a kitchen, enabling more children to engage in play, songs, and guided learning with trained caregivers. A special room for parents hosts monthly training sessions, equipping them to support their children's growth at home.

After touring the centre, Imbuto Foundation Executive Director Élodie Shami emphasized the long-term impact of early childhood development.

“When we invest in early childhood, we invest in life itself,” Shami said. “These formative years lay the foundation for confidence, compassion, and creativity. A child nurtured early grows with love and values that guide their entire life.”

Parents welcomed the expanded services. Adeline Niragira, a mother, said, “My child could not speak or play before, but now I see growth in language, confidence, and social skills. I no longer worry, because we can leave our children here safely, knowing they are learning.”

Prof. Simon Gicharu, founder and chair of Mount Kigali University, praised the collaboration with Imbuto Foundation, calling it vital for national development. Assumpta Ingabire, CEO of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), noted that Rwanda aims to provide early childhood services from birth until at least age six, ensuring children start primary school prepared.

The first early childhood centres were launched by Madam Jeannette Kagame in 2013, with national policies now being implemented. In a related development, a foundation stone was laid for a new early childhood centre in Murama Sector, Gasabo District, with Mount Kigali University donating Rwf 150 million to support construction.

Message from Mrs. Jeannette Kagame highlights the Role of Parents in Caring for Children

Administrator — 2025-10-01T08:23:40Z

In recent days, we shared a special message about couples. Today, I return to reflect on another extraordinary blessing of marriage: being called “parents.”

A child is truly a blessing! Allow me to take you on their first journey so we can understand that nothing is greater than a child. When a newborn grasps their parent's finger in their tiny fist, you feel their sense of security.

And for the parent too, there is an instinct to always remain close. Even when a child grows up, they remain a child in their parent's eyes.

A parent loves their child more than they love their own life! It is not always easy. Often, parents are guided by the deep desire to prepare their child for tomorrow, worrying about what could harm them. This may appear as strict monitoring, correcting, or constantly reminding them to do better.

Although this can sometimes be misunderstood, a parent never does it out of selfish interest or ill will.

There are moments one wishes children could feel what parents feel—the sleepless nights, the constant prayers, the sacrifices. Perhaps then children would not see only rules or pressure, but would recognize the love and kindness behind it.

The Role of Parents

You know I often write to you about family. The reason is simple: I believe a united and secure family creates a foundation for a peaceful nation.

When I write, it is not because I have all the answers, but because I want us to reflect and advise one another.

Today, I wish us to talk about parenting—raising children within secure families, raising children who will defend Rwanda!

Parenting is not always an easy calling or responsibility. As the saying goes, “no one is without flaws.”

Just as a child does not choose where to be born, parents also do not choose the children they will have, nor can we shape them to fit our ideal image. So—can one really parent well? What does “good parenting” even mean?

Human beings live on faith and hope, always striving for the best, yet never free from worry.

In today's world, which has become a “global village” shaped by technology, a person can live and act like those from distant places without ever being there. This creates many challenges for raising children.

It leads us to ask: how do we raise complete Rwandans, future leaders who will love their country and place it above all else?

These are no longer just questions for reflection; too often we are distracted by the lure of technological trends and competition, forgetting that a strong nation is not only built on vision but also on upright citizens who will carry that vision forward.

We often say a child belongs to the family. But let us pause—what is the family like today? Does it still comfort the child, or does it burden them, especially when they fall short of expectations?

As Rwandans, we believe that dignity and integrity require resilience. While instilling this in the young, we must also remember that kindness, listening, and guidance are vital. Children need understanding, companionship through growth, mistakes, and corrections.

When children feel unheard or neglected, mocked for their differences, or nicknamed unfairly, their feelings may be deeply wounded. Some may go silent, but silence is not permanent. Suppressed emotions may later erupt in anger, withdrawal, or harmful behavior.

Non-violent Parenting

Every parent loves their child beyond measure, believing they are destined for greatness. Yet when things do not go as hoped, some parents quickly label their children in negative ways—“quiet,” “difficult,” “troublemaker”—forgetting that every child is complex and cannot be defined by a single word.

Depending on their stage in life, a quiet child may be mistaken for disabled, a cautious child undervalued, a curious child called disobedient, and an energetic child seen as disruptive. Such labels may comfort parents and teachers but wound children deeply, restricting their freedom and growth.

We forget that each child has unique traits and gifts, often linked to their family background.

Parenting has no rigid formula. Firstborns often grow with inexperienced parents learning along the way, while younger siblings are raised by parents who may be more tired but more knowledgeable. Even siblings raised together differ.

By insisting children behave exactly as we wish, we sometimes fail to value the sacred responsibility of parenting.

Correcting with kindness, listening more than scolding, and guiding without humiliation—these are not signs of weak parenting, but of mindful parenting that recognizes the different stages of childhood.

As the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said, children see the world differently than adults; we should not demand that they think like grown-ups. They have their own ways of understanding life appropriate to their age.

If we respect this, we will not misinterpret their behavior as illness or disobedience. Intelligence does not appear the same in every child. The restless child might become an extraordinary entrepreneur. The misunderstood one might grow into a gifted artist.

Too often, families and schools categorize children, thinking it will help their growth, but instead this isolates them, leaving them feeling excluded. Such alienation can lead to problematic behavior—not because they were born that way, but because society failed to nurture them properly.

What Should We Do?

Parents must learn to correct with kindness, discipline without humiliation, and respect children's feelings and aspirations. We need families that are inclusive and attentive, where children feel safe and valued.

Children should be given the space to explore, to err, and to learn. They should not be constantly compared to others or crushed with negative words, but encouraged with affirmations that build confidence.

Love should not blind parents into overprotection. It should guide them to prepare children to face life's challenges with resilience.

Allow me to leave this message:
A well-raised child is not one shielded from hardship, but one nurtured with love, taught compassion, self-confidence, ambition, and resilience. A child who learns that mistakes are lessons, not the end of life.

To our young people: sometimes you may feel parents pressure or control you, but know it comes from love and experience. If it were possible, parents would remove every obstacle from your path—but life does not work that way. You must play your part in shaping your own purposeful life, with the support of those who love you.

To parents: remember, “A seed planted in fertile, well-prepared soil and given all essentials will grow into a strong tree unshaken by the winds.”

If we want children to become capable Rwandans—undaunted by life's struggles, but creative, resilient, and driven by curiosity rather than fear—then we must instill in them resilience and confidence.

In conclusion, let me remind us once again: the family is the foundation of the nation. The uniqueness of our country begins in the family. Unity in the family and the nation has shown us that together, we can achieve more than we imagined. Let each of us care for every child as our own, raising a generation ready to serve and defend Rwanda.

Thank you sincerely for receiving this message.

I wish you all a happy day of patriotism.

Community Program Reduces Child Stunting in Huye District

Administrator — 2025-09-28T11:13:17Z

Stunting among children under five in Huye District has dropped from 19% to 15%, thanks to the community-focused “Village Without Stunting” program that brings growth monitoring and nutrition services directly to every child.

Etienne Habyarimana, Head of the District Health Department, said the initiative strengthened community-level interventions, enabling health workers to track children's growth from birth. “In 2023/2024, stunting was 19.8%. By 2024/2025, it had decreased to 15.3%, a 4.5% drop,” he said.

Habyarimana added that the program is helping the district progress toward the five-year NST2 target of 15% by 2029. “Previously, children were monitored mainly at health centers, which were far for many parents. Now, all children are screened in their villages, ensuring none are missed,” he said.

The program also uses early childhood centers and community-based nutrition hubs, encouraging parents to enroll children to support their physical and cognitive development.

Rosine Tuyishime, a mother of a child with speech difficulties, praised the program. “My child had cognitive delays and did not speak. After a year at the center, he is more active, plays with others, and communicates through gestures. There is hope he will start speaking soon,” she said.

Nzabamwita Espérance, a health worker and early childhood educator in Runga village, said that when the program began in 2019, five children in the community suffered from malnutrition. As awareness grew and more children attended the centers, parents learned to prepare balanced meals, and no children in the village now experience stunting.

Rwanda's government launched the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program in 2011 to reduce malnutrition and stunting among young children.

Currently, Huye District has 1,221 early childhood centers, including 1,087 community-based centers serving 38,976 children.

Northern Province Puts Children First in Fight Against Malnutrition

Administrator — 2025-09-26T16:32:04Z

Leaders in Rwanda's Northern Province have pledged to intensify efforts against child stunting by focusing on household-level solutions that address both malnutrition and poverty.

The commitment was made during a provincial coordination meeting in Musanze District, attended by Minister of Local Government Dominique Habimana, provincial officials, and local leaders. Stunting remains a key concern, affecting one in four children in the province.

Minister Habimana urged leaders to act with urgency, stressing that the health of children today shapes Rwanda's future.
“Do everything possible. Treat this issue as urgent and special, because these children are Rwanda's tomorrow,” he said.

Leaders acknowledged that poverty is a major driver of stunting. More than 130,000 households still need support, while 3.2% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Habimana called for full eradication, not gradual reduction.
“Do not settle for lowering poverty from 3% to 2% or 1%. The goal is total eradication,” he said.

Governor Maurice Mugabowagahune highlighted challenges including poor sanitation, school dropouts, and malnutrition, emphasizing that local solutions must align with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

Local leaders committed to identifying each child affected rather than relying only on statistics.
“We must know exactly who these children are and their family situations. That way, when partners step in to help, support can be directed effectively,” said one sector executive secretary.

This approach is expected to strengthen collaboration with partners and ensure vulnerable families receive targeted support. Leaders concluded that addressing poverty, nutrition, and education together will be essential to protecting children and building healthier communities in the Northern Province.

Nduhungirehe Encourages Children at Sherrie Silver Foundation

Mugisha John — 2025-09-15T08:12:19Z

Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has urged children supported by the Sherrie Silver Foundation to dream big and strive to achieve their goals during a weekend visit to the organization's center in Nyamirambo.

The visit came as the foundation finalizes preparations for The Silver Gala, a fundraising event scheduled for Nov. 1, 2025, at BK Arena. The foundation's leadership used the occasion to brief the minister on their mission and ongoing initiatives.

The gala will be co-hosted by Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi and Rwandan media personality Makeda Mahadeo. Renowned fashion creative Ugo Mozie, known for styling international celebrities, is also expected to participate. Performances will feature Butera Knowless, Massamba Intore, Ross Kana, Chriss Eazy, Sherrie Silver and the foundation's own troupe.

Tickets are priced at 120,000 Rwandan francs per person for regular table seating, or 1 million francs for a full table. Premium seating is set at 130,000 francs per person, while a VIP table will cost 1.2 million francs.

Proceeds from The Silver Gala will support children cared for by the foundation, established by award-winning choreographer and philanthropist Sherrie Silver.

Rwanda Launches Parenting App to Guide Families in Digital Age

Mugisha John — 2025-09-05T09:16:24Z

Government has launched a mobile phone application aimed at helping parents raise children in the digital era, offering structured content and parenting advice to counter harmful online distractions.

The Itetero Mobile App, unveiled Thursday by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) in partnership with the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), is designed to provide age-appropriate material and guidance to families.

Officials said the app is part of broader efforts to ensure children benefit from digital tools while being protected from abuse and exposure to harmful content.

“Proper parenting has always been the responsibility of parents, but do they know how to do it in today's context?” NCDA Director General Assumpta Ingabire said at the launch in Kigali. “We wanted this forum so we could discuss honestly and ask ourselves how best to raise our children.”

Parents welcomed the initiative, saying it would allow them to better monitor their children's phone use.

“It's a good initiative,” said Eugenie Mujawimwana, a mother of a 7-year-old. “With this app, when you give a child a phone, you can choose what they watch, instead of leaving them to access random content. It is also structured by age, so children won't easily get bored.”

Gender and Family Promotion Minister Consolée Uwimana said the app would provide families with reliable guidance.

“Today we are introducing an application that will provide accurate information on raising children,” Uwimana said. “But for it to have an impact, it requires collective effort and for families to take ownership of the responsibility.”

The initiative comes a decade after Rwanda Broadcasting Agency ended Itetero, a long-running radio and television program that educated children through games and songs and reminded parents about child rights.

Authorities said the new digital version reflects the changing landscape, where mobile phones have become central to children's daily lives.

Rwanda U16 Teams Gear Up for Africa Cup Kickoff in Kigali

Administrator — 2025-09-02T13:06:21Z

Rwanda's national under-16 basketball teams for boys and girls will face tough competition in the Africa Cup, set for September 2–14, 2025, at Kigali's Petit Stade.

In the boys' tournament, Rwanda is drawn in Group A alongside Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone. Group B features Guinea, Tunisia, Uganda, and Cameroon, while Group C includes Egypt, Morocco, Mali, and Liberia. Rwanda will open its campaign against Angola at 7 p.m.

The girls' team is in Group A with Tunisia and Tanzania. Group B comprises Mali, Angola, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire, and Group C includes Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon, and Kenya. Rwanda's first girls' match is scheduled against Tanzania at 1:30 p.m.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place finishers, will advance to the quarterfinals. The remaining four teams will play classification matches from September 9 to 12.

This marks the first time Rwanda will host the boys' tournament, while the girls' tournament returns to the country for the second time. The top two teams in each category will qualify for the 2026 Under-17 World Cup.