The New Times Publications

03/08/2026

BREAKING: FDA has closed 111 alcoholic beverage manufacturing facilities and revoked their licences following regulatory inspections and compliance assessments.

The authority has ordered the withdrawal and recall of products from the affected facilities, urging distributors and consumers to stop the sale and consumption of the listed products.

03/08/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

A new continental initiative to nurture the next generation of women political leaders has been launched in Kigali.

The African Academy for Women in Political Leadership will equip women leaders with skills, mentorship and networks to strengthen their participation in decision-making and drive transformative leadership across Africa.

The academy is a partnership between the African School of Governance (ASG), UNDP, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN).

Its inaugural cohort brings together 40 women selected from more than 1,300 applicants across Africa’s five regions for a four-week blended leadership programme combining learning, peer exchanges and mentorship.

Organisers said the initiative will help build a lasting network of ethical and transformative leaders committed to advancing the continent’s development.

Read more: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/37890/news/women/new-academy-launched-in-kigali-to-train-africas-women-leaders

03/08/2026

𝐀𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 – 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Artificial intelligence is enabling 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes across Africa making attacks faster, more scalable, and increasingly difficult for victims and platforms to detect, according to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026.

With more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers recorded in 2025, Africa’s digital transformation is expanding rapidly.

However, cybercrime legislation is fragmented and AI readiness in law enforcement agencies remains alarmingly low.

The 40-page report draws on survey data from 36 African member countries and highlights a defining shift: cyber-criminality has evolved from isolated incidents into an industrialized, borderless ecosystem.

In the report’s findings, East Africa emerged as a hub of mobile money fraud and infrastructure-targeted ransomware, while business email compromise and romance scams targeting both corporate and individual victims were prolific in Central and West Africa.

Southern Africa’s ultra-high connectivity makes it a magnet for global threat actors seeking maximum disruption.

Since 2024, cybercrime-related losses have more than doubled, from USD 192 million to USD 484 million, driven primarily by AI-facilitated scams, credential harvesting, and automated social engineering campaigns.

Read more: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/37888/news/technology/ai-linked-to-half-of-cybercrime-in-africa-interpol-report

03/08/2026

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐊 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐭

King James has announced plans to take his 20-year music anniversary celebrations across Rwanda after his two sold-out concerts at BK Arena over the weekend.

The singer said the idea was inspired by fans outside Kigali who could not attend the shows due to financial and travel challenges, adding that his team will share more details soon.

King James became the first Rwandan artiste to sell out BK Arena on two consecutive nights, with concerts held on August 1 and 2 attracting capacity crowds.

The anniversary concerts featured performances with several artistes, including Bull Dogg, Chris Eazy, Uncle Austin, Safi Madiba, Mico The Best, P Fla and Clement Ishimwe.

The singer also confirmed upcoming performances in Brussels, Belgium, while exploring opportunities for concerts in the United States and Canada.

Read more: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/37885/entertainment/music/king-james-hints-at-nationwide-tour-after-bk-arena-double-sellout

03/08/2026

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖: 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬

🔹 Rwanda Institute of Computing (RIC) is set to begin operations in September as a specialised institute under the University of Rwanda, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity training.

🔹 Located in Nyabihu District, adjacent to Rwanda Coding Academy, RIC will build on a project-based learning model to train students through practical experience, applied research and innovation.

🔹 The institute will initially offer two undergraduate programmes: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, with the first two intakes reserved for Rwanda Coding Academy graduates.

🔹 RIC will work with technology companies, research institutions and global partners to provide students with industry exposure, internships, innovation projects and opportunities to develop technology solutions.

🔹 The institute aims to address Rwanda’s ICT skills gap by producing professionals in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, data science and other emerging technologies while supporting entrepreneurship and digital transformation.

Rwanda is set to strengthen its digital transformation agenda with the launch of the Rwanda Institute of Computing (RIC), the country's first specialized institute...

03/08/2026

𝟓𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

🔹 At least 50 people have been arrested over the production and distribution of illicit alcohol as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on illegal manufacturers linked to dangerous alcoholic beverages.

🔹 Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said investigations are ongoing, with more suspects being pursued over violations including unlicensed production, use of prohibited substances and operating concealed production sites.

🔹 Authorities said at least 90 production facilities have been closed in recent days, with officials warning that illicit alcohol has become both a public health and security concern.

🔹 Investigators identified cases involving the use of industrial chemicals, including methanol, which officials said has previously caused deaths and blindness among consumers.

🔹 The crackdown follows Rwanda FDA’s decision to close eight alcoholic beverage manufacturers and order the recall of their products from the market.

Read more:

At least 50 people have been arrested over the production and distribution of illicit alcohol as the government intensifies a nationwide crackdown on illegal manufacturers...

03/08/2026

OPINION: A tribute to my mentor, leader and patriot Senator Donatille Mukabalisa

“There are people whose lives leave an imprint not only on the institutions they serve, but also on the hearts of those privileged enough to know them.”

✍🏾: Germaine Mukabalisa

Read more: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/37880/opinions/a-tribute-to-my-mentor-leader-and-patriot-senator-donatille-mukabalisa

03/08/2026

WATCH: “Jamus SC surprised many, but we will give everything to win.”

Rayon Sports coach Francis Haringingo ahead of the CECAFA Kagame Cup semifinal.

03/08/2026

WATCH: “The spirit is to rewrite history. Secondly, it is to defend this title and make sure it remains in the country.”

Rayon Sports captain Emmanuel Nshimiyimana on the team’s mission.

03/08/2026

WATCH: “The fans have been amazing, that’s why we pushed hard to get that result… We want to go all the way and take this thing.”

Jamus SC goalkeeper Godwill Yogusuk praises the support behind the team’s campaign.