The past week has served variety: good and bad, depending on your stand as a ‘citizen’. For the Americans, we can say all was ‘rainbows’-having had the Cardinals vote-for the first time in history, an American Pope.
The same applies to fashion enthusiasts. Our belief is that the Met gala didn’t disappoint. This however cannot be said for those in Rwanda, and beyond ‘maybe’, as he is believed to be an international fashion icon. The remand of Moses Turahirwa, aka Moshions.
The same week saw RGB (Rwanda Governance Board) revoke ‘Grace Room Ministries’ operating License with immediate effect. Not to mention the launch of the IFRS standards roadmap. Not familiar with any of these, read on to plug yourself in the know.
The Catholic Fraternity gets New Pope
For centuries, the Catholic church has ‘refrained’ from electing an American pope. Reason, among others, “the desire to prevent the impression that the papacy is aligned with a superpower.” Let alone the view that “the American church is too immersed in individual liberty and capitalism.”
This however changed on 8th May 2025 as the Conclave elected Robert Francis Prevost, born and raised in Chicago, the 267th Bishop of Rome.
Choosing to go by the name Leo XVI, the incumbent pope is known for his humanitarian efforts, aims to bridge gaps between different faiths and promote social justice, promising progressive reforms and a focus on global peace and unity.
Met-Gala 2025
Two days after the world’s most prestigious and glamorous fashion event: Met Gala occurred last year, social media users took to their accounts and unfollowed celebrities from the fashion and entertainment industry who had graced the event; demanding they add their voice to the fight for ‘peace’ in Palestine instead of flaunting the latest fashion trends. Termed ‘the Blockout 2024’, the campaign yielded a fair reception, enough to make many of us think that this year’s edition would be cancelled-after all peace has yet to prevail in Palestine, among other countries.
Well, our ‘wishes’ weren’t granted as May 5, 2025, served us yet another edition of this historical fashion event. Themed ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, the event had celebrities and fashion icons dazzle in stunning outfits that celebrated the richness and diversity of Black fashion, while they raised funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Check out our Instagram account for the best dressed celebrities.
Rwandan Fashion Icon-Moshions Remanded
Could the rise of fresh talent in Rwanda’s fashion scene be a threat to Moses Turahirwa aka Moshions’ ‘couturedom’? We are yet to decide. Though news reaching our desk suggest so.
Since 2023, Turahirwa has made controversial headlines to what he was originally known for-fashion. Getting himself into a tumultuous relationship with Rwandan authorities.
His troubles continued into 2025, culminating in his remand on May 9, 2025, by the Kicukiro Primary Court for 30 days on charges related to drug use, storage, and transportation. Turahirwa admitted to using cannabis but disputes the quantity he was allegedly found with, citing personal use for coping with depression.
RGB revokes ‘Grace Room Ministries‘ Operating License
“Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) wishes to inform the general public that it has revoked the legal personality of Grace Room as an interdenominational Ministry due its failure to comply with laws governing the organization and functioning of Faith-Based Organizations,” read the first clause of a public notice issued by RGB on 10 May 2025 on its ‘X’ account.
RGB went ahead to state that, “Grace Room has been engaging in prayer-related activities that are inconsistent with its stated mission as an interdenominational Ministry,” reminding all Faith Based Organizations to uphold the integrity of their legal personality and to comply fully with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.
According to the New Times, Grace Room Ministries is registered under the Jubilee Revival Assembly Church, led by Stanley Kabanda. However, the day-to-day leadership of the ministry falls to his wife, Julienne Kabanda, who is not recognized by the RGB as a legal leader within the church’s official structure.
Rwanda Launches the IFRS Standards Roadmap
On May 7, 2025, Rwanda took a significant step towards enhancing its financial reporting standards by launching the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Road Map.
This tremendous milestone unfolded during the recently concluded 8th Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA) held in Kigali.
According to Wilson K. Kaindi, Chair of the ISSB Steering Committee at ICPAR (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda) and Country Director of KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler Rwanda, this initiative aims to align Rwanda’s financial practices with global standards, fostering transparency and attracting international investments.
