Our guest this week is Lt (Rtd) Joseph Sabena, a soldier who fought and was gravely wounded during the Liberation War (1990-1994). He joins us to discuss his life growing up as a Rwandan refugee in Uganda, surviving the camps, joining the Ugandan army in 1987 and later the RPF-Inkotanyi in the Virunga mountains. He also takes us to the fateful day …

Our guest this week is Dr. Richard Mihigo, Senior Director, The Vaccine Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland. He joins us this week to discuss his personal journey, his work and why he is standing for the post of World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa YouTube/ @thelongformrwanda Listen to the Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya podcast on Apple…

Our guest this week is is Dr. Jack Kayonga, the CEO of Crystal Ventures Limited (CVL). CVL was established in 1995, initially under the name Tri-Star Investments Limited. CVL is a company owned by the Rwanda Patriotic Front, the ruling party of Rwanda. We discuss his career so far, unpack public perceptions about CVL, its future plans and the effec…

Our guest this week is Eugene Rutagarama, the owner of the Emeraude Kivu Resort. He shares his life; opening up about surviving childhood discrimination, multiple instances of exile, imprisonment, numerous near death experiences to finally build a 4-Star hotel in Rusizi. YouTube/ @thelongformrwanda Listen to the Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya podca…

Our guest on The Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya is Tesi Rusagara, the CEO of the Agaciro Development Fund. Agaciro Development Fund is Rwanda's sovereign wealth fund. She shares her experience as CEO, why the government created the sovereign wealth fund, its valuation today, as well as the strategies that are being used to grow the fund and shield …

Our guest on The Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya is the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, John Rwangombwa. As the National Bank celebrates its 60th anniversary, we discuss the efforts that were put into rebuilding the Bank after 1994, the future of the East African common currency and where he sees our economy in the next decade. YouTube/ @th…

This week, we are joined by Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of NBA Africa. The former RDB CEO, oversees the NBA's business and basketball development efforts in Africa and is responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League across the continent. We discuss her experience so far as CEO and her goals f…

My guest this week on The Long Form podcast is Carl Wilkens. Carl is an American author and public speaker. As Country Director of ADRA, he was the only American who stayed in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He refused to abandon Rwanda in its darkest time. He shares his story with us. If you want to share your thoughts on the to…

This week, we are joined by the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju. We discuss the business of sports and Rwanda’s ambition to become home to world class sports infrastructure; the newly revamped Amahoro Stadium being is one such facility. She will answer the question, does everything Rwanda is doing make any financial sense? Or are we bu…

This week we are joined by Frank Habineza , Member of Parliament and President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. The Opposition Leader discusses his early life as well as his political awakening and journey. We also converse about the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the role he believes the political opposition plays in Rwandan politics…

This week we are joined by Andrew Wallis, an English author and researcher. He joins us to discuss the infamous 'Akazu' and its leader, former first lady, Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana, and his belief that France played a major role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He wrote about these two subjects in his books, 'Stepp’d in Blood: Akazu and the…

This week we are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Dele Olojede. He joins us to discuss his experience reporting about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, its aftermath and the effect the tragedy had on its victims. SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya content: YouTube/ @thelongformrwanda Listen to the Long Form wi…

This week we are joined by international lawyer and former prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Dr. Charles Adeogun-Phillips. He joins us to discuss his work investigating and prosecuting the crime of genocide at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), shares his biggest regret and divulges the evidence provi…

#Kwibuka30 This week we are joined by Christian Intwari, the Founder and director of 'Our Past Initiative. He shares memories from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, reveals acts of activism in high school, opens up on how ‘Our Past’ begun and suggests how memory can be transmitted to young people. SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Long Form with Sanny…

Our guest this week is Dr. Didas Kayihura, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda. An expert in international business law, Dr. Kayihura not only the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the former National University of Rwanda. He discusses the challenges that the University of Rwanda has faced, why its global rankings are so low, and rejects th…

This week we are joined by business tycoon Faustin Mbundu. We discuss his childhood and life in Uganda, navigating Rwandan identity, his first forays in international gold trading in the 80's, doing business in Rwanda just after the Genocide and what advice he'd give to aspiring entrepreneurs SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Long Form with Sanny Ntayomb…

Our guest is Innocent Tuyubahe, an ex-FDLR rebel. He unveils the anti-Tusti ideologies taught by the FDLR, the real members of the anti-M23 coalition, how we discovered the truth about Rwanda from a captive and his journey for redemption after joining the Demobilization and Reintegration center in Rwanda. SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Long Form with …

Our guest on is Eugene Ubalijoro, a Rwanda business executive who serves as Vice President at Molson Coors beverage company responsible for sales in Central region states of the US. We discuss his career journey from starting as a sales rep at Bralirwa, to becoming the first African Regional Manager in the entire Heineken system and now Vice Presid…

Our guest this week on The Long Form with Sanny Ntayombya is Michael Fairbanks. Michael is the Executive Chairman of Akagera Medicines, bestselling author, development expert and member of President Kagame's Presidential Advisory Council (PAC). We discuss his life journey, Akagera Medicine and delve into his personal relationship with Rwanda and Pr…

In today’s episode, we are joined by fitness guru and wellness advocate, Ivan Munyengango. Ivan is not only a personal trainer with a certification from the International Sports Science Association, he is the founder of FitPipo, a health and wellness management firm. Ivan also owns Cali Fitness, a popular Gaculiro-based gym. SUBSCRIBE to get the la…

My guest this week is Samson Ndayishimiye, newly elected president of Ferwacy, the Rwandan cycling federation. He shares his personal journey, talks representing Rwanda at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, his ongoing tenure as FERWACY president and what to expect from this year’s edition of Tour du Rwanda. SUBSCRIBE to get the latest Long Form wit…

My guest this week is Yseult Polfliet Mukantabana. Yseult is a Rwandan Jewish Queer woman who has worked in advocacy, hosted a podcast and is a published author. She is also currently co-directing a romantic comedy “The heights of Kigali” a film portraying a Rwanda Queer couple. She is going to give perspective on what life is like through the lens…

My guest this week is Dr. Frederick Golooba-Mutebi. Fred is a veteran Ugandan political scientist, researcher and writer. He is also a member of the Parliament of the Buganda Kingdom, The Lukkiko. He will give us his perspective on the controversial Banyanrwanda question in Uganda If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the h…

My guest this week on this special edition of The Long Form podcast recorded from Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, is the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga. If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter and follow us on Twitter and Instagram on our handle @TheLong…

My guest this week is Christian Irakoze, the co-founder and CEO of Eza Neza, a agriculture company that specializes in hydroponic greenhouse farming of berries. If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter and follow us on Twitter and Instagram on our handle @TheLongFormRw Be a part of the conver…

My guest this week on The Long Form podcast is Annet Uwizeye, the founder of both Nano Studios Africa and A.Wize Media. She She is one of the few women at the top of the Rwandan film industry, and she has a great story to tell. If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter and follow us on Twitter…

Our guest this week is Yamina Karitanyi, the CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Gas and Petroleum Board. She help us better understand the mining industry and the role it plays in Rwanda. If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter and follow us on Twitter and Instagram on our handle @TheLongFormRw Be a p…

Jes'ka Washington (popularly known as Jai Essence) is an educator, author, Youtuber and businesswoman. Jai's pursuit of new horizons led her from the United States to Rwanda in November 2020. This journey inspired the creation of Jai Essence Enterprises, encompassing My Cousin Connection, 365 Rwanda, and the Inzozi Center, and also led to the estab…

As Rwanda welcomes the world, the world will change what Rwanda is. How shall we navigate this? What are the risks and what are the opportunities? Is Rwanda ready to become a multicultural country? Dr Alphonse Muleefu, Acting Principal of the University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences joins us on The Long Form podcast this week If yo…

He is an artists favorite artist. He has fans in Rwanda, East Africa and across the globe. He’s been bubbling over for the last few years but I think its his time now. I am excited to have Mike Kayihura on the week’s episode of The Long Form podcast If you want to share your thoughts on the topics I discuss use the hashtag #LongFormRw on Twitter an…

For far too long, Rwandans have spent their hard-earned money enriching other countries, especially when it came to apparel. we either were the target market for second hand clothes from the West, or new, cheap clothes from the East. Since the Government of Rwanda decided to ban second hand clothes, and facilitate a local clothing industry, we have…

Human Rights Watch recently released a report titled “Join us or die: Rwanda’s extraterritorial repression”, in which they accuse the Government of Rwanda of committing human rights abuses on Rwandan nationals living abroad. In reaction, local writer and activist Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuliza, penned a rebuttal titled ‘Human Rights Watch: Rwanda’s ‘…

Rwanda is many things. On one hand, it is among the poorest countries in the world and on the other hand, it is, to me at least, one of the most forward-thinking nations on the globe. Actually, when you think about it, the lack of resources perhaps creates the innovation. Let’s look back at what’s been done so far. Rwanda partnered with an American…

Rwanda, like many other developing nations, has borne the brunt of climate change. We’ve seen searing hot temperatures over the last long dry season and now, when it rains, its not the gentle drizzle of the past. Rather we suffer rain storms that destroy farmers fields, and cause killer landslides. What is most unfair about this climate change is t…

It’s been a trying few months for our pockets. Food prices are consistently rising and with new prices for fuel, transport costs will be higher. This will surely make life harder for each and everyone of us. In addition to all of this pressures, our national currency, the Rwandan franc, has been losing value against the US dollar, leading to what p…

Rwanda is just emerging out of its long dry season, and as if often the case during that time, food prices have risen around the country. What is particularly shocking this year however, is just how high prices of our staple foods have become. Kigali residents are seeing prices of potatoes, beans and rice double or even triple. The question that I,…

FDLR, FNL, and the other genocidal militia operating out of the forests and hills of Eastern DRC have one goal in mind, the violently overthrow of the Rwandan government and commencement of another genocide. In 2008, Chris McGreal, a journalist from The Guardian, travelled to the jungles of Eastern DRC and reported on the FDLR. In one extremely chi…

Over two months ago, veteran journalist, Marc Hoogsteyns, became the very first international reporter to pay a visit to the M23 rebel strongholds in Eastern DRC. As he recounted during an interview that he had on this very podcast in July, he not only spoke to a couple of M23 junior officers, he also met and interviewed young, Rwandan-born FDLR fi…

The announcement that Rwanda will partner with German-Canadian company, Dual Fluid, to conduct a Critical Demonstration Experiment is probably the biggest news this month. Why? Because this experiment is the first step in Rwanda’s nuclear journey. This partnership is really exciting for me because this means that Rwanda is on the cusp of joining th…

Adonis Filer currently plays point guard for the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) basketball team. He holds the BAL record for the most assists in a single game. Adonis has also represented Rwanda in the Afrobasket tournament. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois in 1993, Adonis Jovon Filer started his basketball career in high school and sustained to col…

With the announcement yesterday of the new partnership with German superclub, Bayern Munich, it brings to three, the number of European football teams that Visit Rwanda partners with. The first two being Arsenal FC, in England, and Paris Saint Germain in France. What is especially noteworthy is that this new partnership comes exactly half a decade …

The Government’s investment in building a world class conference and sporting ecosystem is obvious. It has spent a reported 300 million dollars on the Convention Center, 104 million dollars on the BK Arena and is spending around 130 million dollars on renovating the Amahoro Stadium. This is in addition to the close to a billion dollars that has bee…

On the morning of the 26th of July, a group of Nigerien soldiers from the presidential guard detained president Mohamed Bazoum and his family. This action was then followed by Presidential guard commander General Abdurahaman Tchiani proclaiming himself the leader of a new military junta. The events that followed included presidential guard forces c…

The concept of sheer luck giving us access to untold wealth is a tale as old as time. The other tale that is as old as time is, a fool and his money will be easily parted. The gambling industry is at the nexus of these two concepts. The multi-billion-dollar gambling industry is probably the lucrative in the world. In fact, gambling is the foundatio…

When we are asked to identify the East African region’s big brother, we look to Kenya. It’s the richest country in the 8-nation East African community, its home to the biggest metropolis, Nairobi, it’s the regional manufacturing hub and its currency is the strongest. Its Gross Domestic Product in 2021 was slightly over 110 billion dollars. In compa…

The never-ending crisis in Eastern DRC is often in the news. We watch the terrifying scenes of war and carnage on our tv screens, then read stories of rape and killing in our newspapers. And on social media, we see images of the EACs heads of state meeting in different East African capitals to discuss the insecurity that has bedeviled Eastern Congo…

For 4 days, from between 17- 20 July, Rwanda’s capital will welcome thousands of guests from around the world who’ve come to attend the Women Deliver 2023 Conference. With its slogan ‘Where the world comes together to advance Gender Equality’ the Women Deliver conference will host the great and the good of the global gender equality movement. Choos…

On the 30th of June, the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) released the second Rwanda NCD Risk Factors Survey, to quite a bit of media fanfare. The study surveyed 5,676 people from across the country, the majority between the age of 30 and 44. And while the study included findings about tobacco smoking, physical activity, and food choices, the finding…

What is it like being ambassador to the DRC representing Rwanda? What are the motives of the political class in Kinshasa when it comes to the violent escalation of the conflict in Eastern DRC? Will it rope in Rwanda? Or is it all part of the Congo’s election process? Former ambassador to the DRC, Vincent Karega, joined me last week to answer my que…

Once again, the decades long conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and its myriad of players in in the news once again. This time because of the UN Group of Experts Report that was leaked to media at the start of last week. The Report details the arming and financing of the FDLR by the DRC Government, M23 activity and makes allegati…