The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) is set to elect its new leaders for the 2025–2028 term in an Elective General Assembly scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali.
The quadrennial election, a key feature of the Olympic movement’s commitment to good governance and democratic leadership, was confirmed during the Ordinary General Assembly held on March 30, 2025. As Rwanda’s sporting landscape prepares for a series of high-profile international events, the incoming RNOSC leadership will play a critical role in steering the country’s Olympic agenda through the next cycle.
After a transparent and thorough vetting process, the RNOSC Legal and Ethics Commission has released the final list of candidates vying for leadership positions across the Executive Committee, Internal Audit Committee, and Conflict Resolution Committee.
Executive Committee Candidates:
- UMULINGA Alice – Candidate for President: Currently the Acting President of RNOSC since 2023, UMULINGA was recently elected Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone V. A former professional Volleyball athlete, she previously served as RNOSC’s First Vice President from 2021 to 2022.
- GAKWAYA Christian – Candidate for First Vice President: The outgoing Treasurer General of RNOSC and President of the Rwanda Automobile Club.
- UMUTONI Salama – Candidate for Second Vice President: A key figure in Rwandan Basketball, UMUTONI has held the position of RNOSC Second Vice President during the outgoing term.
- KAJANGWE Joseph – Candidate for Secretary General: Seeking re-election, Kajangwe has held the Secretary General role for the past four years. He is known for his background in sports law and previously led the Appeals Commission at FERWAFA, Rwanda’s football governing body.
- GANZA Kevin – Candidate for Treasurer General: A member of Rwanda Badminton Sports Federation, Ganza is expected to bring fresh financial oversight to the committee.
- BUTOYI Jean – Candidate for Advisor: A seasoned sports journalist and current advisor to the RNOSC, Butoyi is the President of the Rwanda Sports Journalists Association and a recognized voice in Sports Media.
- RUYONZA Arlette – Candidate for Advisor: Ruyonza currently serves as Secretary General of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) and is known for her administrative acumen.
Internal Audit Committee (IAC) Candidates:
- MBARAGA Alexis – Running for re-election, Mbaraga currently leading the RNOSC’s Internal Audit Committee, he is also President of the Rwanda Triathlon Federation.
- DUSINGIZIMANA Thierry – A member of the Rwanda Rugby Federation, Dusingizimana is seeking a second term as an IAC member.
- BUGINGO Elvis – A new contender, Bugingo is the Secretary General of the Rwanda Karate Federation. If elected, he is expected to bring renewed energy and fresh oversight perspectives to the audit function.
Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC) Candidates:
- RWABUHIHI Innocent – Returning candidate, RWABUHIHI is Secretary General of the “Association Rwandaise Pour la Promotion du Sport au milieu du Travail (ARPST)” and served on the outgoing CRC.
- KAGARAMA Clementine – Also a returning CRC member, she is a member of the Rwanda Schools Sports Federation.
- NKURUNZIZA Jean Pierre – New to the CRC, Nkurunziza is an active member of the Rwanda Skating Federation and brings conflict mediation experience to the candidacy.
This leadership transition comes at a time of heightened activity and ambition for Rwandan sport. In addition to preparing athletes for the Angola 2025 African Youth Games, Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and LA28 Summer Olympic Games, Rwanda is also set to host several high-profile events over the next four years—beginning with the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference Phase in May 2025, followed by the UCI Road World Championships in September 2025.
Notably, the elected leadership will also oversee the operations of Commonwealth Games Rwanda (CGA Rwanda), making this election consequential beyond the Olympic realm.
As Rwanda continues to position itself as a hub for international sporting events and elite athlete development, the upcoming RNOSC elections represent a defining moment for the future of sports governance and performance in the country.