A handover ceremony was held on Thursday at the headquarters of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), with former president Fabrice Ngoga Shema officially transferring responsibilities to interim president Me Claudine Gasarabwe.
Shema resigned from his position on September 29, 2026, with elections to choose his successor scheduled for January 2027.
He thanked everyone who supported him during his tenure, saying Rwandan football was making progress and urging stakeholders to build on the achievements made so far.
Although he has stepped down from leadership, Shema said he would remain involved in football by attending matches at stadiums and continuing to support the national team, Amavubi. He also expressed confidence that Rwanda would qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I am not leaving football behind. I will come to the stadium to watch matches and accompany Amavubi on different occasions. I believe we will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. Let us continue developing our football and enjoying it,” he said.
Me Claudine Gasarabwe thanked Shema for his achievements during his time at the helm of FERWAFA and pledged to continue the initiatives he had started.
She said the programme that secured her election would not be abandoned but would instead be refined where necessary to promote the development of football in Rwanda.
“We will not abandon the programme we presented when we were elected. Where necessary, we will improve it for the benefit of Rwandan football. Last year, we achieved results, and we want to build on that progress,” she said.
Gasarabwe stressed that football development requires unity, professionalism, improved performance and accountability.
“What is required of us is to maintain unity, uphold professionalism, improve the way we work and embrace accountability,” she said.
