Author: Jane Babirye

NBA superstar, Kawhi Leonard has today, August 2, 2025, made a powerful impact off the court by unveiling three brand new basketball courts in Kigali, Rwanda. Situated at St. Ignatius school in Kibagabaga, a Kigali suburb, the courts were built in partnership with Giants of Africa as part of its initiative to boost basketball on the continent. According to Sarah Zeinab Chan, South Sudanese former professional basketball player and lead scout in Africa for NBA’s (National Basketball Association) Toronto Raptors, the courts make 43, out of 100 that are to be built by GOA. Speaking during the event, two-time NBA…

Rwanda is now the official champion of Giants of Africa (GOA) 2025 basketball tournament after defeating Senegal 27-24 in an exciting game played on August 1, at Zaria Courts in Kigali. Throughout the season, Rwanda demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and resilience; consistently outperforming their opponents. The match against Senegal however was a nail-biter, with Rwanda pulling ahead in the final quarter thanks to strategic plays and unwavering crowd support, including the Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire. This triumphant victory saw Dylan Lebson Kayijuka, Canada-based Rwandan basketball prospect named GOA 2025 Most Valued Player (MVP) for his spectacular performance, over-powering the…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference concluded with Rwanda’s Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) emerging victorious in a dramatic showdown against Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) on 25th May 2025. APR’s clash with NCT was a game of momentum swings, with both teams fighting for control. In the first quarter, NCT started strong, leading 23-22 at the buzzer. This aggressive offense, spearheaded by Tylor Ongwae, kept APR on their toes. However, with an Arena filled with enthusiastic supporters, including the head of state and first family, APR responded with a defensive masterclass in the second quarter, limiting NCT’s scoring opportunities. By…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) delivered another electrifying day of competition on May 20th, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda with fans witnessing two intense matchups: APR vs. Al Ahli Tripoli and MBB vs. Nairobi City Thunder (NCT). Each game was a showcase of skill, strategy, and resilience, with teams battling for supremacy in the Nile Conference. APR vs. Al Ahli Tripoli The highly anticipated clash between Rwanda’s APR and Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli ended in a 90-68 victory for Al Ahli Tripoli, securing a spot in the BAL5 Playoffs set to take place in Pretoria, South Africa. While the final score…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference witnessed an intense battle on Sunday, May 18, 2025, as APR Kigali faced off against MBB South Africa at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. The game tipped off with APR’s Ntore Habimana electrifying the crowd with a deep three-pointer right from the start. However, MBB’s Pieter Prinsloo quickly responded, setting the tone for a back-and-forth first quarter. The lead changed hands four times, and the score was tied on four occasions, but MBB edged ahead 26-23 by the end of the first quarter—marking their first quarter win in BAL history. In the…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference continued with an electrifying matchup between Al Ahli Tripoli and Nairobi City Thunder on 19th May 2025 at BK Arena Kigali, Rwanda. The game was a high-scoring spectacle, with Al Ahli Tripoli setting a new BAL record for most points in a single game, defeating Nairobi City Thunder 115-87. Starting off, Al Ahli Tripoli made immediate control, scoring two consecutive three-pointers to establish a 6-0 lead thanks to; Nassen Badrush and Deon Thompson who led the charge. This forced Nairobi City Thunder to call a timeout just three minutes into the game. However,…

During the thirtieth commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Irma Ihumure, through a thirty series podcast-Voices of Hope, interviewed thirty courageous women survivors. Their accounts, like many others from survivors of such atrocities, carried a weight too heavy to ingest—rape, HIV/AIDS contraction, firsthand witness of brutal killings, among other inhumane actions.  A survivor herself, Irma couldn’t help but see beyond their words—scars of a past that will never fade, homes that had fallen into disrepair and stories too heavy to bear alone. “I was shocked to learn that the majority of these women were sharing their testimonies for…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference continued its thrilling action at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda on 17th May 2025 as Rwanda’s APR (Armees Patriotique Rwandaise) faced off against Nairobi City Thunder from Kenya. The game, a high-energy spectacle filled with electrifying performances from cheerleaders, MC Brian and King Promise, not to mention passionate fans was graced by H.E Paul Kagame, Clare Akamanzi, CEO NBA Africa, Hon. Nelly Mukazayire, Minister of Sports in Rwanda, European Union (EU) Ambassador in Rwanda, Ambassador Belén Calvo Uyarra, among others. The match tipped off with Nairobi City Thunder making an early statement, as…

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference kicked off in spectacular fashion at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with Al Ahli Tripoli from Libya facing off against Made by Basketball (MBB) South Africa on 17th May 2025. The game was a thrilling showcase of talent, determination, and the growing influence of basketball across Africa. From the opening tip-off, Al Ahli Tripoli wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring three points within the first seconds. However, MBB South Africa quickly responded, ensuring the game remained competitive. The first quarter ended with Al Ahli Tripoli leading 12-9, setting the stage for an…

Ecole d’Arts de Nyundo, Rwanda has produced the best creatives in the country. To say the least, you’re not an artist if you’ve never set foot in this prestigious facility. Let alone, caught sight of its chalkboard. Among its exceptional multi-disciplinary talent is Jennifer Agnes Tuyishimire—a 23-year-old female sculptor. You read that right, a sculptor—an unusual form of art, more so in women. Now let me put this straight. I’m not trying to define gender roles here. Instead, I’m stating what reports say.  On joining Nyundo, Jennifer was ‘set’ to upskill her drawing skills–according to her definition of ceramics and…