The City of Kigali has set March 30, 2026 as the deadline for three football clubs it sponsors to agree on a proposed merger that would create a single team representing the capital in the 2026/2027 season.
The clubs concerned are AS Kigali, Kiyovu Sports and Gasogi United, all of which currently compete in the Rwanda Premier League.
In a letter dated March 12, 2026 addressed to AS Kigali, the city administration reminded the club of discussions held during a meeting between Kigali City officials and club representatives on June 27, 2025. During that meeting, the idea of consolidating financial and administrative resources to build a single men’s football team for the city was introduced.
According to the letter signed by Kigali City Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva, the financial support previously allocated to individual clubs will be redirected toward establishing the new Kigali City team currently under consideration.
The city informed AS Kigali that the funding it previously received from the municipal administration will now be channelled into building the unified club. Authorities therefore urged the club to coordinate with other teams that benefit from city sponsorship.
Kigali City also requested that AS Kigali, Gasogi United and Kiyovu Sports hold consultations with their respective members and reach a joint position on the proposed merger.
The three clubs have been given until March 30, 2026 to communicate their final decision to the City of Kigali.
The move reflects Kigali City’s plan to streamline financial support and strengthen the competitiveness of a single team capable of representing the capital more effectively in national competitions.
Currently, the three clubs benefit from financial assistance from the City of Kigali, which contributes to their operational budgets as part of efforts to support sports development and entertainment activities in the capital.
However, financial constraints have increasingly affected some of the teams. Last year, AS Kigali received more than Rwf257 million from the city despite presenting a budget exceeding Rwf700 million.
The funding gap later contributed to financial challenges at the club, including delays in paying players’ salaries. At one point, players suspended training for more than a week while demanding payment of their outstanding wages.
If the merger proceeds, it would mark one of the most significant structural changes in Kigali’s football landscape in recent years, potentially reshaping the competitive balance within the Rwanda Premier League.
