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Rwandan filmmakers, Waterville students collaborate on coffee documentary premiering this summer

Mugisha John — 2026-05-06T11:57:51Z

A film project three years in the making is set to premiere in Waterville this summer, tracing the journey of coffee from Rwanda to cups in central Maine while highlighting the people behind it.

The documentary, “Ikawa,” began as a classroom assignment for students at Mid-Maine Technical Center but quickly expanded into an international collaboration involving filmmakers in Rwanda and the United States.

“This was about bringing students together to tell the story of coffee from Rwanda to the cup people enjoy here in Waterville,” said Mike Perreault, executive director of the Maine International Film Festival.

Perreault, who also works with the Mashariki African Film Festival, said the project grew out of connections between the two communities.

“We're bringing Waterville to the world and the world to Waterville,” he said. “And the students are telling that story.”

The idea evolved into a broader narrative about the global coffee supply chain, from growers in Rwanda to distributors, roasters and consumers in Maine.

“What it quickly became was the story of the people involved in growing, distributing, shipping and finally roasting and consuming coffee,” said Dave Boardman, a media design instructor at Mid-Maine Technical Center.

Students who took part in the project said the experience shaped both their creative interests and career paths.

“It was a lot for me,” said Brenden Beckwith, one of the filmmakers. “I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and this helped me find my path.”

What began as a small assignment soon grew beyond expectations, said filmmaker Allison Dorval.
“We never expected it to be this big,” she said. “We thought it was just a project, but it became something much more.”

The film also features Waterville-based coffee roaster Churchhill Elangwe-Preston of Mbingo Mountain Coffee, who grew up in a coffee-producing community in Africa and now supports those communities through his business.

Students said one of the project's key themes is the importance of personal and cultural connections.

“It shows how important people are and remembering where you come from,” Dorval said.
While the Maine-based students worked on their portion of the film, student filmmakers in Rwanda documented the production process on their end. The teams later met in Rwanda to combine their work during a film festival.

Participants said the trip challenged assumptions and broadened their perspectives.
“One of the biggest things we were told was that Rwanda wasn't safe,” Beckwith said. “But going there, it was the complete opposite. People were welcoming and friendly.”

For the students, the project left lasting impressions beyond filmmaking.

“The whole experience being there with friends and creating something meaningful is something we'll always carry with us,” said filmmaker Louis Williams.

“Ikawa” is scheduled to make its North American premiere in July at the Maine International Film Festival.

Rwanda Ready to Host African Volleyball Club Championship, Officials Say

Administrator — 2026-04-21T17:39:44Z

The vice president of the African Volleyball Confederation, Louis Rwakiranya, said there are no concerns about Rwanda's ability to host the upcoming African Volleyball Club Championship, citing the country's strong track record in organizing international events.

Rwakiranya made the remarks on Tuesday during a news conference held at BK Arena ahead of the men's African Volleyball Club Championship, scheduled to take place in Kigali from April 22 to May 3, 2026.

He pointed to Rwanda's infrastructure, security and ease of access for visitors as key factors that give organizers confidence in the success of the tournament.

“Rwanda is among the few countries you can enter without many complications. Considering the level of infrastructure in Kigali, along with the country's security, we are fully confident the tournament will be successful,” he said.

The president of the Rwanda Volleyball Federation, Ngarambe Raphael, said Rwanda has requested to host the competition for at least three consecutive years and remains optimistic despite competition from other countries.

Ngarambe also urged local teams — REG VC, Kepler, APR VC and Police FC — to perform strongly and aim to keep the trophy in Rwanda.

The 2026 African Volleyball Club Championship will feature 24 teams from 15 countries, selected from 37 applicants. The event further reinforces Kigali's reputation as a hub for international sporting events, following recent competitions such as the FIFA Series 2026 and the 2026 African Handball Championship held earlier this year in the city.

In recent years, Rwanda has hosted several major sporting events attracting athletes and fans from across Africa and beyond, including the UCI Road World Championships.

Kagame congratulates Arsenal on Champions League progress

Administrator — 2026-04-16T08:51:41Z

President Paul Kagame has congratulated Arsenal FC on reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, praising the club's progress as part of its partnership with Rwanda through the Visit Rwanda campaign.

Arsenal secured a place in the last four on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, after a 0-0 draw against Sporting CP in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie, advancing 1-0 on aggregate.

Shortly after the match, Kagame posted a message on X expressing support for the club's continued run in the competition.

“Well done to our Visit Rwanda partner for reaching the UEFA semifinals. We will continue to support you in the next stage,” he said.

Arsenal is among several European clubs partnered with Rwanda to promote tourism. Others include Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid, both of which have also reached the Champions League semifinals.

Bayern Munich, another club linked to Rwanda through a football development partnership, is also in the competition's final stages.

In the semifinals, Arsenal will face Atlético Madrid, which eliminated FC Barcelona. Paris Saint-Germain will take on Bayern Munich, which advanced after defeating Real Madrid 6-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona, Liverpool eliminated as Atlético, PSG move on

Mugisha R. John — 2026-04-15T07:49:43Z

Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals on Tuesday, eliminating Barcelona and Liverpool in the quarterfinals.

Atlético Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in Spain in the second leg, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory. Barcelona, which had lost 2-0 at home in the first leg, responded quickly with goals from Lamine Yamal in the fourth minute and Ferran Torres in the 24th.

The Spanish side appeared on course to force extra time before Ademola Lookman scored for Atlético in the 31st minute to swing the aggregate in Atlético's favor. Barcelona thought it had equalized in the 57th minute through Torres, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Despite late pressure, Barcelona could not find another goal and was eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.

In England, Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield to complete a 4-0 aggregate win. Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring in the 72nd minute with a long-range strike that eluded goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. He added a second goal in stoppage time.

Liverpool created multiple chances through players including Rio Ngumoha and Virgil van Dijk, but PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov made several key saves. A potential penalty for Liverpool in the 66th minute was overturned after a VAR review determined no foul on Alexis Mac Allister.

PSG will face the winner of the Bayern Munich–Real Madrid tie in the semifinals. Bayern leads 2-1 from the first leg ahead of Wednesday's return match. Atlético Madrid will meet the winner between Arsenal and Sporting CP, with Arsenal holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

Liverpool's exit means it will finish the season without a trophy. The club is currently fifth in the Premier League and has already been eliminated from the FA Cup and the English League Cup.

The match also marked the final Champions League appearance for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson with Liverpool. Both players are expected to leave the club this summer after helping it win the competition in 2019.

Police FC Beat APR FC on Penalties to Win 2026 Heroes Trophy

Mugisha R. John — 2026-02-02T07:53:05Z

Police FC claimed the 2026 Heroes Day Trophy after edging APR FC 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time Sunday night at Amahoro Stadium.

The match, played in front of a packed crowd, marked the third straight final between the two rivals in the annual Heroes Day tournament. Police FC won the title in 2024, APR FC lifted it in 2025, and Police reclaimed it this year.

APR FC struck first early in the second half. In the 54th minute, William Togui headed home from close range after Hakim Kiwanuka delivered a cross into the penalty area. APR pressed for a second goal and nearly doubled their lead six minutes later, but Police defender Nsabimana Eric, known as “Zidane,” cleared the ball off the goal line.

Police FC found an equalizer in the 68th minute after a defensive mix-up in the APR back line. Nshimiyimana Yunussu collided with goalkeeper Ishimwe Pierre, allowing Gakwaya Leonard to slot the loose ball into the net.

APR FC dominated much of the closing stages, creating several chances, but Police goalkeeper Rukundo Onesime produced key saves to keep the match level. With no winner after 90 minutes, the title was decided by a penalty shootout.

Police FC converted seven penalties, with David Chimezie, Iradukunda Simeon and Byiringiro Lague among the scorers. APR FC missed three spot kicks, including attempts by Togui and Dauda Yussif, sealing the victory for Police.

The win marked Police FC's second Heroes Trophy and the second title under coach Ben Moussa in his first season at the club. Police FC received 6 million Rwandan francs ($4,600) in prize money, while APR FC earned 3 million francs.

Earlier Sunday, Rayon Sports Women FC won the women's Heroes Trophy for the second straight year, defeating Indahangarwa Women FC 2-0. Goals from Emeline Murekatete and Angelique Umuhoza secured the title.

Unprepared National Teams Will No Longer Represent Rwanda, Says Sports Minister

Mugisha John — 2025-11-05T13:00:00Z

Government enforces strict accountability and performance measures in sports funding.

The Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, has announced that Rwanda will no longer send unprepared national teams to international competitions, as the government moves to ensure that all sports investments deliver tangible results.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Mukazayire said the decision follows repeated cases of teams receiving large sums of money but failing to perform.

“It has been observed that some national teams travel abroad after receiving over 300 million francs, yet they come back without any results,” she said. “From now on, no team will be cleared to travel unless there is a clear training plan and realistic performance goals. If we cannot expect results, we will not fund it.”

The minister emphasized that the new approach is part of a broader effort to promote accountability and efficiency in sports management. The Ministry of Sports has instructed all federations that public funds will only be disbursed when there are detailed plans for activities and transparent reporting mechanisms.

Mukazayire added that no federation will receive new funding without submitting reports on how previous allocations were used. “Federations must present financial reports within 15 days after receiving funds. Those that fail to comply will not receive further support,” she said.

She further noted that by the end of 2025, all federations must have submitted complete financial reports for the fiscal years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The ministry has already addressed audit concerns related to 9.7 billion francs previously allocated to federations, ensuring that all expenditures are now properly documented.

Mukazayire also highlighted ongoing initiatives to build sports from the grassroots, including interschool and university competitions aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent.

Permanent Secretary Candy Basomingera reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to transparency and performance. “These measures are not meant to limit sports,” she said, “but to ensure that every franc spent contributes to real progress for Rwanda's athletes and the nation.”

Rwanda to Host ATP Challenger Tennis Tournaments Again in 2026

Mugisha John — 2025-10-23T09:05:08Z

Rwanda will host two back-to-back professional tennis tournaments the ATP Challenger 75 Tour and the ATP Challenger 100 Tour for the second consecutive year, strengthening its growing status as a tennis destination in Africa.

The tournaments are scheduled for March 2–15, 2026, at the IPRC Kigali / Kicukiro Ecology Tennis Club, with the Challenger 75 taking place in the first week and the Challenger 100 in the second.

Rwanda made history in 2024 as the second Sub-Saharan African country, after South Africa, to host an ATP Challenger event when it staged the Challenger 50 Tour, which attracted over 60 international players ranked inside the world's top 150.

The tournaments offer valuable ATP ranking points — 75 and 100, respectively — and provide a key platform for players aiming to break into the top 100 and qualify for ATP Tour and Grand Slam events.

In 2025, both Kigali tournaments were won by Frenchman Valentin Royer, who defeated Slovakia's Andrej Martin and the Netherlands' Guy Den Ouden in straight sets during the two consecutive weeks. The 2024 editions were claimed by Poland's Kamil Majchrzak and Argentina's Marco Trungelliti.

The ATP Challenger series is known for nurturing future stars of tennis. Notable players who once competed at this level include world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, as well as former champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, and Juan Martin del Potro.

Rwanda's continued hosting of these tournaments highlights its growing investment in sports and infrastructure, positioning the country as an emerging hub for international tennis in Africa.

Ministers Kick Off School Sports Season, Urge Students to Balance Learning and Sports

Mugisha John — 2025-10-21T10:21:48Z

Education and Sports leaders officially launched the 2025/26 school sports year at Lycée de Kigali on Monday, reminding students of the importance of balancing academics with sports.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, senior school sports officials, and representatives from national sports federations.

Minister Nsengimana emphasized that sports and studies complement each other and that students can excel in both. “The reason the Ministries of Education and Sports have come together is to remind you that these two things go hand in hand. You can study and play sports, but it is important to do both,” he said.

He added that the event was also meant to show students that the government values their talents and is committed to nurturing them. “This year, the Ministries and federations agreed that it is important to open the sports year together so that you, the students, see that we care and are ready to support you,” he said.

State Minister in the Ministry of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, highlighted plans to strengthen sports talent development. “We are prepared to invest fully, increasing the number of sports teachers in schools and providing technical support through federations, including training camps and continuous teacher development,” he said.

Former national football team captain Haruna Niyonzima, who rose through school sports, encouraged officials to involve skilled personnel and improve infrastructure to ensure young talents thrive. “I thank the leaders who have invested in school sports. Our achievements started in schools, and to develop talents, infrastructure and qualified mentors are essential,” he said.

Students attending the launch expressed excitement at the ministers' presence, seeing it as recognition of the value of school sports. Basketball player Manzi Brain said, “It is inspiring to see the Education and Sports Ministers attend. This shows that sports in schools are valued. I aim to perform well this year to develop my talent.”

Football player Gatesi Uwase Neema added, “Launching the sports year with senior leaders shows that girls are equally supported in sports. I am motivated to continue training and bring pride to my school.”

The school sports program will run from the sector to national level, with top-performing schools representing Rwanda in FEASSA competitions. Events include football, volleyball, basketball, handball, athletics, swimming, karate, judo, taekwondo, sitting volleyball, table tennis, rugby, beach volleyball, and three-on-three basketball. The season is scheduled to conclude in May 2026.

Police VC, Police WVC Win Medwell Pre-Season Volleyball Tournament Titles

Administrator — 2025-10-12T14:13:39Z

Police Volleyball Club (VC) in the men's category and Police Women's Volleyball Club (WVC) in the women's division claimed the top honors at the 2025 Medwell Pre-Season Volleyball Tournament, while Kinyinya VC triumphed in the veterans' category.

The finals were played on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Petit Stade in Remera, marking the conclusion of the first edition of the Medwell Pre-Season Volleyball Tournament, organized to help teams prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 national league season.

The men's competition brought together seven top-tier clubs — APR VC, Police VC, REG VC, Kepler VC, Gisagara VC, EAUR VC, and KVC. In the women's division, Police WVC, APR WVC, RRA VC, Kepler WVC, and EAUR WVC battled for the title.

In the women's final, Police WVC defeated APR WVC in straight sets, 3–0 (25–20, 25–21, 25–16), to lift the trophy. Police's Ndagijimana Iris was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

In the men's category, Police VC cruised past Kepler VC with a 3–0 (25–22, 25–19, 25–21) victory to secure the championship. Police's Angiro Gideon earned the MVP award after a standout performance throughout the tournament.

The veterans' competition brought nostalgia to the court as Kinyinya VC, featuring players such as Ndamukunda Flavien, Dusabimana Vincent “Gasongo,” Kwizera Pierre Marshal, and Gahire Mandela, defeated the Rwanda National Team Legends 2–1 (19–25, 25–21, 18–25). The legends' side included former national players Yakan Guma Laurence, Nsengiyumva Alphonse, and Nshimiyimana Robert.

Speaking after the match, Dusabimana Vincent “Gasongo” said their participation aimed to motivate young players and strengthen ties between the current generation and the sport's pioneers.

“We joined this tournament to inspire the young players and show them what's possible if they stay committed,” he said.

Organized in partnership with the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB), the Medwell Pre-Season Tournament is expected to become an annual event, offering teams a competitive platform ahead of the national league, which kicks off on October 17, 2025.

Visit Rwanda Scores Big with NBA and NFL Sponsorships

Administrator — 2025-09-29T17:49:15Z

Rwanda's tourism brand, Visit Rwanda, has officially become a sponsor of the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA and the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced Monday. The partnership marks the first time an African organization has joined top-tier American basketball and football teams.

Under the deal, the Clippers will help renovate basketball courts across Rwanda and provide annual training programs for Rwandan coaches through their G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers. The program also includes technology-driven coaching workshops and exchange visits to Kigali, aimed at developing young basketball talent.

Visit Rwanda will also be a principal partner of the Rams, with branding featured at SoFi Stadium, which seats 70,000, and at Hollywood Park, a sports and entertainment complex under construction. Branding will also appear at the Clippers' new arena, the Intuit Dome. Players from both teams will feature the Visit Rwanda logo on practice and game-day apparel.

“This partnership strengthens ties between Rwanda and Los Angeles through sports,” said RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika.

The announcement comes as Rwanda aims to raise tourism revenue to $1 billion by 2029, up from $650 million in 2024. It follows the country's other international sports partnerships, including deals with Arsenal in England, Paris Saint-Germain in France, Atlético de Madrid in Spain, and Bayern Munich in Germany.

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, owner of both the Clippers and Rams, said it was “delighted that Visit Rwanda will promote tourism and travel opportunities here at Hollywood Park, a future hub for international events.”

The sponsorship represents a major milestone in Rwanda's global sports and tourism strategy, boosting the country's international profile while supporting youth development and sports talent at home.