Former Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) secretary general Kalisa Adolphe, commonly known as Camarade, has been sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to embezzlement and forgery.
The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court approved a plea agreement between Kalisa and the prosecution on July 14, 2026, sentencing him to one year in prison and a fine of $16,040.25, equivalent to more than Rwf23 million.
The court suspended the fine for one year.
Kalisa was convicted of embezzlement under Article 10 of Law No. 54/2018 on combating corruption and forgery and use of forged documents under Article 276 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general.
According to the court decision, Kalisa voluntarily admitted both charges and agreed to waive the ordinary trial process as part of the plea agreement. The agreement, however, does not affect any civil proceedings related to the case.
Case linked to Amavubi trip
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested Kalisa on September 4, 2025, as investigations into alleged misconduct involving officials at FERWAFA were underway.
He was accused of embezzling about $21,000, reportedly equivalent to more than Rwf30 million, in connection with the Rwanda national football team’s trip to Nigeria in 2024.
The alleged offences were committed while Kalisa was serving as FERWAFA secretary general. He admitted the charges in court and agreed to repay the money he was accused of embezzling.
Kalisa had repeatedly sought release on medical grounds, telling the High Court that he had begun receiving treatment in Algeria before his arrest and that detention made it difficult for him to access the medical care he needed.
His requests were rejected during the proceedings.
He was released from Mageragere Prison on August 12, 2026, after spending nearly 11 months in custody.
The court’s approval of the plea agreement now brings the criminal proceedings against the former FERWAFA official to a conclusion, subject to the terms of the agreement.
