Mouhamed Doumbia drives to the basket for a layup.
The United Basketball Generation (UGB) bounced back from their opening-game loss to Kepler in the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) with a statement victory over the powerhouse Patriots.
Steven Hagumintwari’s game-high 23 points were not enough to help the Patriots overcome UGB’s charge in Friday night’s game at Lycée de Kigali.
Yves Murenzi’s side rallied from a nine-point deficit in the first quarter (12-21) to dominate the remaining three quarters (21-18, 19-15, and 21-15), securing a much-needed victory that revitalized their campaign after the 67-71 loss to Kepler.
Central African Republic international Steven-Emile Perriere, the new team captain following Aganze Bazihima’s departure to REG, played a crucial role for coach Gael’s team on both ends of the floor.
Perriere and newcomer Mouhamed Doumbia contributed 39 points, making up 53.4% of the team’s total, while making significant contributions defensively as well.
Steven-Emile Perriere has recorded double-doubles in both of the first two games of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League.
Perriere recorded 17 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 39 minutes of play while Doumbia led the team with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals in 37 minutes.
For the Patriots, Steven Hagumintwari’s 23-point effort was the highlight of the game, which also marked a baptism of fire for new head coach Sunny Munyandamutsa.
Both UGB and the Patriots now hold a 1-1 record and will face REG and Tigers, respectively, on February 7.
Despite scoring a game-high 23 points, Hagumintwari left the court disappointed as his team suffered a loss.Kamndoh Frank from Chad and Steven Perriere from the Central African Republic faced off last night. two of the most formidable defensive players in the Rwanda Basketball LeagueCadeau de Dieu Furaha returned to the court after missing the season opener due to a preseason knee injury.
Keplerians will face Greater Virunga on the opening day of the Heroes Tournament. | Archive photo: Keplerians in an RBL D2 game against Elite.
The Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA and the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders, and Decorations of Honour, CHENO, have scheduled the annual Heroes Tournament from January 29 to February 2, featuring men’s Division 2 teams.
The Heroes Tournament, which is traditionally contested by top-flight teams from both the men’s and women’s categories, will this year focus on giving Division 2 teams, composed largely of youth players, an opportunity to compete.
The 2025 Heroes Tournament will feature nine Division 2 teams, namely UR Kigali, CBT, Black Thunders, Keplerians, Greater Virunga, Kicukiro Buckets, Agahozo Shalom, EAUR, and Kigali Elite.
The Rwanda Basketball League Division 2 tipped off on January 24, and the teams have been given another opportunity to compete for a trophy to enhance the competition.
The decision was made since Division 2 teams typically participate in only two tournaments per season, as most other open tournaments are contested by top-flight teams.
The opening games of the Heroes Tournament will take place at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium.
DAY 1 Fixtures | Wednesday, 29/01/2025
– 4 PM: AGAHOZO SHALOM vs EAUR
– 6 PM: UR KIGALI vs CBT
– 8 PM: KEPLERIANS vs GREATER VIRUNGA
The Heroes Tournament honors Rwanda’s national heroes through a multi-sport competition.
The National Heroes’ Day will be celebrated for the 31st time on February 1, 2025, under the theme: “Heroism and Unity of Rwandans, Pillars of Development.”
CHENO will use basketball as a platform to convey messages that honor the outstanding achievements of Rwanda’s heroes and the valuable lessons drawn from their contributions to the nation’s development.
Diarra helps APR debut in the RBL 2025 on a high note.
Defending champions APR started their 2025 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) title defense with an 85-71 victory over Orion, powered by Aliou Diarra’s game-high 25 points.
On January 25, at the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium, the Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) defeated Orion in their 2025 season opener.
After trailing by 4 points in the first quarter, 19-23, the back-to-back champions rallied to outscore Beleck’s Orion 25-17 in the second quarter, taking a four-point lead into the break.
Diarra and APR continued their strong performance in the third quarter, extending the gap with a 24-13 run, heading into the final period with a 15-point advantage.
Orion fought back in the final quarter, edging out APR 18-17, but suffered an 85-71 loss to the army team.
APR’s success stemmed largely from their shooting accuracy, making 34 of 71 field goals, including 13 of 38 from three-point range. on the other hand, Orion hit 28 of 71 field goals, with only 4 of 21 from beyond the arc.
Diarra led APR with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Antino Jackson Alvalezes added a double-double of 14 points and 12 assists in his debut with the team.
On the other hand, Garba Chingka Kennedy had an impressive debut for Orion, recording a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Former REG BBC and Orion captain also contributed 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in his debut.
APR began the season with the same strong form that led them to back-to-back titles in the previous seasons.
The RBL defending champions will face Azomco in their next game on Friday night at the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium (LDK).
Beleck Bell, former REG BBC player, now the captain of Orion.American-Rwandan point guard Antino Jackson Alvalezes delivered a stellar performance in the RBL 2025 opening game and his APR debut.APR head coach James Edwards Maye and assistant Aimée Karim Nkusi instructing the players during a RBL game against Orion.Orion’s Garba Chingka Kennedy left his mark in his RBL debut.Ntore Habimana cheers on his teammates from the stands as he misses the RBL 2025 opening game.Orion Basketball ClubThe back-to-back defending champions and RBL 2025 favorites, APR.
Chandelier Cyiza Twizeyimana scored a game-high 26 points to lead Kepler past United Basketball Generation (UGB) in their Rwanda Basketball League 2025 opener.
Kepler defeated UGB 71-67 in a game played across two different venues on January 25.
The match began at Kepler’s outdoor courts but moved to the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium due to heavy rainfall in Kinyinya and throughout Kigali.
With Chad Bowie Jordan, last season’s MVP, extending his contract, Kepler, coached by Mandy Juruni, had Elie Kaje in the starting five for his debut at the home court in Kinyinya.
Twizeyimana a former U-18 Rwanda national team forward and 2024 FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup silver medalist put on a stellar performance leading Kepler to victory over UGB in their league opener.
The 20-year-old played 26 minutes, recording 26 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, making him the standout player of the game.
Twizeyimana, who had an impressive season with Kepler, helped the Kinyinya-based team finish in the top 4 and secure a playoff spot in their debut season.
His 26-point performance on opening day was the highest of any player.
Twizeyimana will return to the court on Friday night, January 31, as Kepler hosts Azomco.
The game started at Kepler’s outdoor court…. | Courtesy Photo…and continued at LDK Gymnasium.Former Patriots, REG, and APR big man Elie Kaje recorded 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and one block in his Kepler debut.RBL 2024 MVP Chad Bowie Jordan attempts a block during the Kepler vs. UGB game at LDK.
The unbeaten streak of Police VC in the 2024-25 Rwanda Volleyball National League came to a dramatic end on Friday night as the determined APR team defeated them in a thrilling four-set match at Petit Stade.
APR, the defending champions, avenged their 3-0 loss in the first leg of the season by handing Police their first defeat of the year.
Denis Esokon faced Police for the first time in the Rwanda Volleyball League and helped the army side recover from a 3-0 setback in the first leg.
Police, who had only conceded two sets in their first eight league games, came out strong and clinched the first set 25-18, showing early signs of maintaining their unbeaten record.
However, APR, led by Sammy Mulingye, fought back and refused to let Police dominate. The second set was a back-and-forth battle, and at 23-23, APR capitalized on their momentum, claiming the final two points to win 25-23 and tie the match at 1-1.
In the third set, APR came out with renewed determination, aiming to be the first team to win a second set against Police. They succeeded, securing the set 25-21 and taking a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set, full of energy and confidence.
The fourth set saw standout performances from Vincent Mbonigaba, the middle blocker, and Merci Gisubizo, the outside hitter, who stepped up in place of Denis Esokon, who had been leading the team since the start of the match.
Their efforts helped secure crucial blocks and contain Police’s top player, Elphas Makuto.APR narrowly edged out Police 25-23 in the final set, making history as the first team to defeat Police in the 2024-25 season of the Rwanda Volleyball National League.
Captains Prince Kanamugire (APR, back and white) and Olivier Ntagengwa posed with international referee Alphonse Ndayisaba (wearing glasses) and Placide Gatsinzi before the game.
Despite the loss, Police remains at the top of the standings with an 8-1 record and 24 points, while APR follows behind with 18 points from one fewer game.
In the women’s category, Police WVC claimed a straight-set victory over APR.
Police secured a 3-0 victory over APR, completing a season double in the Rwanda Volleyball National League.
Police’s Christian Hatumimana showed no mercy against Peter Kamasa’s side, who had come from one game down to beat Police and claim the league title in last season’s playoffs.
Police WVC celebrates a well-deserved victory over their bitter rivals from another security entity.
The win keeps Police WVC in close pursuit of the unbeaten RRA, who cruised to a 3-0 victory over EAUR.
Volleyball action continues this Saturday at both Petit Stade and NPC Gymnasium, with Gisagara facing EAUR, who shocked them in the first-leg match.
The Friday night matchup between the two security entities packed Petit Stade to full capacity.
The Patriots and Tigers Basketball Club started the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) season strong, each claiming wins against Azomco and Espoir BBC, respectively.
The 2025 season of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) officially began on Friday, January 24, at Lycée de Kigali. Last season’s finalists, the Patriots and Tigers, both started the season with impressive wins.
The Patriots, who lost to APR in last season’s playoff finals (4-2), welcomed a familiar face to the bench in a new role. Munyandamutsa’s influence was evident as the team dominated newcomers Azomco, securing an 89-64 victory.
The Patriots’ win was driven by Frank Betoudji Kamndoh’s dominant double-double of 18 points and 18 rebounds in 31 minutes.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year added 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in his RBL 2025 debut. Steven Hagumintwari added 17 points to the team’s effort.
In the second game of the day, Nyamirambo-based Espoir faced off against Tigers BBC, a team that had a very active offseason.
Tigers, bolstered by key signings such as Pascal Niyonkuru and Herve Icyishatse from REG, Marius Ntwari, Dan Manzi, and Bruno Shema from the reigning champions APR, and 26-year-old Gabonese-Canadian Anthony Tsegakele, made an early statement by defeating Espoir 80-73.
Bruno Shema led the charge with 18 points, while Espoir’s Fortunate Mwanabene matched that effort with 18 points of his own.
The adverse weather in Kinyinya forced the rescheduling of the REG BBC vs. Orion game to Sunday, January 26.
More basketball action awaits this Saturday, including the debut of the women’s league.
Patriots’ Frank Kamndoh recorded a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds.Steven Hagumintwari (#23) and Azomco’s Blaise (#2) Mugisha both scored 17 points in the game.Sunny Munyandamutsa made his head coaching debut.Former Espoir player Ronald Nato Kolmia made his debut for the Patriots.Herve Icyishatse tried to defend Mwanabene during the Tigers vs. Espoir game at LDK.Bruno Shema attempted to get past Fabrice Muhoza, the RBL top blocker and Most Improved Player (MIP) from last season.
The Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) provides an overview of the 2025 basketball league and annual calendar while also explaining why the men’s league will feature a limited number of nine teams.
The governing body for basketball in Rwanda, on Friday, January 24, at BK Arena, outlined that the men’s league would feature only nine teams and clarified the decision to demote Flames during a media briefing.
Among the topics discussed, the decision to exclude Flames from the teams competing in the top tier drew the most attention and required detailed clarification.
FERWABA highlighted challenges encountered by previously promoted clubs, which struggled to sustain themselves financially throughout the season, leading to unfulfilled contracts and a tarnished reputation for the league.
To address these issues, the general assembly required newly promoted teams to submit a detailed action plan, including player and coach contracts, and demonstrate financial stability with a capital of 100 million Rwandan francs or a clear source of funding to support the entire season.
Despite being given a deadline of Friday, January 17, Flames failed to meet these requirements, resulting in their demotion to the lower division.
Claudette Mugwaneza Habimana, FERWABA’s technical advisor responsible for player eligibility and licensing, clarified the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing that it stemmed from the general assembly rather than the executive committee.
“We have experienced situations in previous seasons where promoted teams start the league strongly but face financial crises midway. This often leaves them with only five players or no coach, disrupting the league,” Mugwaneza explained.
“As a result, the general assembly decided that newly promoted teams must provide an action plan with a budget of at least 100 million Rwandan francs. Flames failed to fulfill these requirements by the deadline, which led to their demotion,” she added.
Following this decision, Flames, a youth-based team, returns to the second division as FERWABA revises the lower division’s schedule, and Flames will receive their fixtures next week.
The demotion of the Flames means the Rwanda Basketball League will proceed with 9 men’s teams with no other team being promoted to replace the Flames, as the same financial challenges could arise with a new team.
This decision aligns with FERWABA’s broader vision to transform the Rwanda Basketball League into a professional league. According to José Eduard Munyangaju, the vice president in charge of competitions, ensuring club stability is a key step in this transformation.
José Eduard Munyangaju, the vice president in charge of competitions at FERWABA
“We are starting with club stability to ensure financial sustainability. Soon, we will share a document outlining the terms of reference for consulting on how a professional league can operate in Rwanda. Discussions will follow, and by the 2026 season, we hope to have a clear roadmap for the league’s future,” Munyangaju stated.
The 2025 men’s league games will take place entirely in Kigali, at LDK, Kepler, Petit Stade, and BK Arena.
The defending champions, APR, who were originally scheduled to face the Flames on opening day, will now tip off their season against Orion on Saturday, January 25, at LDK.
FERWABA reports that the Rwanda Basketball League is the fourth most followed championship in Africa.
Munyandamutsa (black t-shirt) and his predecessor Henry Mwinuka
Patriots Basketball Club has promoted Sunny Munyandamutsa Niyomugabo to Head Coach, succeeding Henry Mwinuka, to lead the team in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) starting this Friday.
Munyandamutsa, 33, has been part of the Patriots since their inception in 2014, serving as the club’s first captain. According to the club’s statement, he exemplifies the values of the Patriots, making him the ideal candidate to transition from captain to assistant coach and now head coach.
PATRIOTS NATION: We have a new Head Coach. SUNNY NIYOMUGABO.🏀
Coach Sunny, has been a pivotal figure in Patriots Basketball Club since day one. As Head Coach, he brings Passion, commitment, discipline and vision to the team. Join us in welcoming him.👇#TuriPatriotspic.twitter.com/JYvpU3A35m
The new head coach has extensive experience in the RBL, having won the 2010–11 league title with KBC before moving to APR in 2012. After three seasons with APR, he joined the Patriots during their inaugural season in 2014, where his leadership earned him the captaincy.
In 2016, he joined IPRC South, leading them to a historic RBL playoff title—the last team outside Kigali to win either the league or playoffs. Munyandamutsa returned to the Patriots in 2017 as a player and took on coaching duties as a player-coach in 2019.
From 2018, Patriots BBC and Munyandamutsa won three consecutive league titles.
This promotion makes him the second local coach to lead the Patriots, after Cyrille Karima, who coached the team from 2014 to 2015 while Munyandamutsa was captain.
Munyandamutsa succeeds Henry Mwinuka, under whom the Patriots finished second in the RBL last season, behind APR, and fans expect him to reclaim the league title, which the Patriots last won in 2020.
Patriots finished 2nd in RBL 2024
Munyandamutsa has been actively preparing the team during the offseason, overseeing preseason training at Kimironko Sports and Community Space.
He will make his head coaching debut this Friday in the league opener against Azomco.
Here’s a list of all-time head coaches for Patriots BBC :
Cyrille Karima 🇷🇼 (2014-2015)
Henry Mwinuka 🇹🇿 (2016-2019)
Carey Odhiambo 🇰🇪 (2019-2020)
Dean Murray 🇺🇸 (2020-2021)
Bernard Oluoch 🇰🇪 (March 2021 – April 2021)
Alan Major 🇺🇸 (April 2021 – May 2021)
Ogolla Benson 🇰🇪 (2021-2022)
Henry Mwinuka 🇹🇿 (2023-2024)
Sunny Munyandamutsa 🇷🇼 (2025 – Present)
Munyandamutsa was an assistant coach for the Patriots, who lost to APR 4-2 in last season’s playoffs.
The Rwanda Basketball League tips off on Friday, with Kepler facing Azomco in the opener.
The Rwanda Basketball League 2025 will begin on Friday, January 24, with 8 teams starting their quest to dethrone the back-to-back defending champions, APR, in the men’s category, while REG Women will be aiming for their 4th title since 2021.
The Rwanda Basketball League will tip off the 2025 season this Friday at LDK Gymnasium, with only 9 teams in the men’s category following Flame’s failure to meet the financial criteria set by the league regulator for top-flight teams.
Flame, promoted from Division 2 last season and made up mostly of youth players, focuses on development rather than competition.
The Federation chose not to replace them, leaving 9 teams to compete for the league crown.On the way to professionalizing the Rwanda Basketball League, teams must provide proof of 100 million Rwandan francs or a verified funding source to register players. Failure to do so will result in demotion to a lower league.
The Rwanda Basketball League, one of the most competitive basketball leagues in Africa, will tip off the 2025 season with 8 teams: Patriots, REG BBC, Kepler, Espoir BBC, Orion, UGB, Azomco, and Tigers, all vying to end APR’s two years of league dominance.
The back-to-back defending champions and league record holders (15 titles), APR Basketball Club, will begin their campaign against Orion, not Flame, as previously reported.
The army side is poised to challenge the 8 other clubs seriously, having retained its key players and added some of the best in the league, including Antino Jackson Alvalezes, to strengthen the roster as they will also compete in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Last season’s runners-up, the Patriots, will face the newly promoted Azomco in the opening game on Friday at 6 p.m. at Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium (LDK).
FERWABA scheduled most games at LDK, with the regular season set to end on June 29. As usual, the crucial games will take place at the season’s tail end.
In the women’s category, Rwanda Energy Group (REG), the three-time champion and reigning champion, will begin their quest for a fourth title since the club’s inception in 2021.
The Super Cup winners will play UR Huye on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the league opener, and their main competition this season is expected to come from APR, their long-time rivals.
APR WBBC will play UR Kigali two hours after the REG-UR Huye game, with both games scheduled at LDK.
For the first time in Rwanda Basketball League history, a record 11 teams will compete in the women’s category: APR, REG, Kepler, The Hoops, UR Kigali, UR Huye, IPRC Huye, GS Marie Reine, GS Gahini, Azomco, and EAUR.
This is the largest number of teams in the women’s league, surpassing the 9 teams in the men’s category.
APR, the Rwanda Basketball League reigning champions and winners of inaugural Super Cup, are still the favourites for the titleREG WBBC are the defending women’s champions and winners of the Super Cup. They will facing a serious challenge from their rivals, APR, this season.
RRA easily defeated Kepler in straight sets to open the second phase of the Rwanda Volleyball National League on a high note. Police similarly stunned REG with a 3-0 win, enabling both teams to maintain their unbeaten records and remain at the top of the league.
Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) defeated Kepler 3-0 in a fast-paced match that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes at the Petit Stade. The victory was a repeat of their dominant performance in the first leg of the league, where they also beat Kepler 3-0.
Coach Elie Mutabazi’s RRA started strongly, with receiver-attacker Oliva Nzamukosha and setter Jennifer Tembo forming a solid connection, and the combination helped RRA dominate the first set 25-17.
Elie Mutabazi instructs his players during the game.
Nzamukosha and her teammates kept up the momentum, effectively neutralizing Kepler’s Binta Fatoumata, a key threat. RRA clinched the second set 25-18.
In the third set, Nigerian international and right attacker for RRA, Elizabeth Ijeoma, who had started slowly, took control and led RRA to a commanding 25-16 victory, securing all three points.
RRA leads with 22 points (8-0), while Kepler is 4th with 12 points (4-4).
In the day’s second match, unbeaten Police VC faced second-placed REG VC. Police also triumphed in straight sets, keeping their flawless record intact.
Police VC defeats REG to remain atop Rwanda Volleyball National League.
The victory keeps them on top of the men’s standings with an 8-0 record. Police VC’s next challenge will come on January 24, when they face APR at the Petit Stade.
