APR FC has been challenged to win the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup as the club begins its quest for a fourth regional title, with Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff Gen Mubarakh Muganga calling on players to uphold the team’s winning tradition.
Gen Muganga, who serves as APR FC’s honorary vice president, delivered the message during a visit to the club’s training camp in Shyorongi, where the team is preparing for the tournament set to be held in Rwanda from July 24 to August 7, 2026.
The RDF chief welcomed APR FC’s new signings and reminded the squad of the club’s history and responsibility as one of Rwanda’s most successful football teams. He urged the players to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup and ensure the trophy remains in Rwanda.
APR FC has lifted the regional title three times, in 2004, 2007 and 2010, with all three triumphs coming when the competition was hosted in Rwanda.
“APR FC was founded in 1993 by His Excellency President Paul Kagame and has a great history. This is a club that has achieved a lot, and the CECAFA Kagame Cup is a trophy we want to bring home again,” Gen Muganga told the players.
He praised the team for its outstanding 2025/26 season, in which APR FC secured three domestic trophies—the Rwanda Premier League title, the Peace Cup and the FERWAFA Super Cup.
Gen Muganga thanked the players for their contribution and encouraged them to carry the same determination into the regional competition.
“Last season, you gave us three trophies. We want you to continue with that spirit and add the CECAFA Kagame Cup to your achievements,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment over some decisions made during the Rwanda Premier League BK Pro League Awards, arguing that APR FC’s achievements were not fully recognised. He supported head coach Taleb Abderrahim’s view that he deserved the Coach of the Year award ahead of Laurentiu Reghecampf of Sudanese side Al Hilal SC Omdurman.
Gen Muganga urged the team not to lose focus because of the awards and said there would be time to discuss the matter after the CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign.
APR FC vice-captain Ronald Ssekiganda thanked Gen Muganga for his continued support and promised that the players would work to surpass last season’s success.
“We appreciate the way you continue to stand with us. We promise to go beyond what we achieved before and fight to win this trophy because it belongs to Rwandans and should stay here,” Ssekiganda said.
APR FC will compete in Group A of the CECAFA Kagame Cup alongside Uganda’s Vipers SC, Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC and Djibouti’s Garde Républicaine.
The Rwandan champions open their campaign on Friday, July 24, against Gor Mahia at Amahoro Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
APR FC has won the CECAFA Kagame Cup three times and has reached the final on six other occasions, including the most recent appearance in 2024.
