2026 in Rwanda
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| See also: | Other events of 2026 List of years in Rwanda | ||||
Events in the year 2026 in Rwanda.
Incumbents
[edit]Events
[edit]Ongoing
[edit]January
[edit]- 27 January – Rwanda files a lawsuit against the United Kingdom in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, seeking £50 million ($68.8 million) in damages from the improper termination of the Rwanda asylum plan.[1]
February
[edit]- 22 February – Two spectators at the Tour du Rwanda are killed after being struck by an out-of-control vehicle in Gabiro.[2]
March
[edit]- 2 March – The U.S. Department of State imposes sanctions on the Rwandan Defence Force and multiple senior military officials, over support for M23 rebels in eastern DRC and violating the 2025 DRC–Rwanda peace agreement.[3][4]
- 6 March – The United States imposes sanctions on multiple unidentified senior Rwandan officials on charges of "fueling instability" in the eastern DRC.[5]
May
[edit]- 17 May – Rwanda closes the Goma-Gisenyi border crossing with the DRC amid the 2026 Ituri Province Ebola epidemic.[6]
- 19 May – Rwanda signs a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia.[7]
June
[edit]- 1 June – Rwanda loses its lawsuit against the United Kingdom before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejects Rwanda's claim seeking £60 million in compensation from the termination of the Rwanda asylum plan.[8][9]
- 2 June –
- The United States imposes sanctions on FDLR commander Gustave Kubwayo over his involvement in the ongoing DRC–Rwanda conflict.[10]
- L'Archive, a memorial in Paris commemorating the victims of the Rwandan genocide, is inaugurated by President Kagame and French President Emmanuel Macron.[11]
Holidays
[edit]Source:[12]
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 2 January – New Year's Holiday
- 1 February – National Heroes' Day
- 3 February – National Heroes' Day Holiday
- 30 March – Eid al-Fitr
- 31 March – Eid al-Fitr Holiday
- 7 April – Tutsi Genocide Memorial Day
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 21 April – Easter Monday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 6 June – Eid al-Adha
- 1 July – Independence Day
- 4 July – Liberation Day
- 1 August – Umuganura
- 15 August – Assumption Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
Deaths
[edit]- 16 January – François Bazaramba, 75, convicted war criminal.[13]
- 7 May – Aimable Karasira, 48, singer, youtuber, and university lecturer.[14]
- 16 May – Félicien Kabuga, 93, genocidaire and businessman.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Rwanda sues UK over scrapped asylum seeker deal". Al Jazeera. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Tour du Rwanda hit by tragedy as two spectators killed in road accident on first day". Africanews. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "US Slaps Sanctions On Rwanda Military Over DR Congo 'Violation'". Barron's. AFP. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
- ^ "US imposes sanctions on Rwanda military over east Congo fighting". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "The US imposes visa restrictions on Rwandan officials after sanctions targeting the military". AP News. 2026-03-07. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Rwanda closes Goma border crossing following Ebola emergency". Africanews. 2026-05-18. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Rwanda-Russia nuclear deal underscores Africa's shifting power balance". Al Jazeera. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ^ "UK wins court case over collapsed Rwanda asylum deal". BBC. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ^ van den Berg, Stephanie (1 June 2026). "Britain will not have to pay Rwanda millions over asylum deal, court rules". Reuters. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ^ Psaledakis, Daphne; Paravicini, Giulia; Bonnerot, Clement (2 June 2026). "US imposes sanctions on commanders over fighting in eastern Congo". Reuters. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ^ Vidalon, Dominique (2 June 2026). "Macron, Kagame inaugurate Rwanda genocide memorial in Paris". Reuters. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ^ "Rwanda Public Holidays 2025". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Keravalla kuoli vanki – Alibi: Kyseessä kansanmurhaaja" (in Finnish). Ilta Sanomat. 17 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ "Aimable Karasira: Rwandan singer dies as he was being released from prison". BBC. 2026-05-07. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
- ^ Sterling, Toby (16 May 2026). "Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga, 93, dies in custody". Reuters. Retrieved 17 May 2026.