Rwandan cyclists have begun a training camp at the UCI Regional Satellite Centre in Musanze as they prepare for the 2026 African Cycling Championships, which will be held in Kisumu, Kenya, later this month.
Kenya will host the continental competition for the third consecutive time. The championship brings together cyclists representing their respective African countries and is scheduled to take place from October 21 to 25, 2026.
National team coach Alexandr Pliuschin selected the cyclists who began their training camp on October 5, 2026. Their preparations will continue until shortly before the African Championships.
Rwanda Includes Under-17 Cyclists
As was the case at the 2025 African Championships, this year’s team includes cyclists in the Under-17 category. In Rwanda, young cyclists in this age group have regularly competed in the monthly Youth Racing Cup since 2023.
In the Under-17 boys’ category, the selected cyclists are Byiringiro Mubarak, Ntwari Réponse and Mukwende Fuadi. The girls’ team comprises Liza Jehovaire, Mwamikazi Joy Cynthia and Agasaro Gloria.
In the Under-19 boys’ category, Rwanda has selected Nkurikiyinka Jackson, Ishimwe Brian, Mugabo Jules, Niyonkuru Yassin and Shema Emmanuel. The girls’ team consists of Masengesho Yvonne, Akimana Donatha, Kanyange Zawadi and Uwizeyimana Uwase Ancille.
The Under-23 women’s team comprises Mwamikazi Jazilla, Byukusenge Mariate and Uwiringiyimana Liliane, while the senior women selected are Nirere Xaverine, Ingabire Diane, Nyirarukundo Claudette, Ntakirutimana Martha and Nzayisenga Valentine.
In the Under-23 men’s category, Rwanda will be represented by Twagirayezu Didier, Ruhumuriza Aimé, Ntirenganya Moïse and Ufitimana Shadrack.
The largest squad is in the senior men’s category, which has 12 cyclists: Niyonkuru Samuel, Muhoza Eric, Mugisha Moïse, Nsengiyumva Shemu, Byukusenge Patrick, Ngendahayo Jérémie, Masengesho Vainqueur, Nkundabera Eric, Tuyizere Étienne, Niringiyimana Jean Pierre, Uwiduhaye Mike and Ikundabayo Ruben.
Two Cyclists to Continue Training in Kenya
Akimana Donatha and Shema Emmanuel are expected to continue their training in Kenya, where they will be joined by the rest of the team.
The two cyclists are part of a UCI training programme designed to prepare them for the Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from late October.
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Rwanda Targets Another Strong Championship
At the 2025 African Cycling Championships, Rwanda was represented by 23 cyclists and won 10 medals: two gold, four silver and four bronze.
Overall, Rwanda finished third among the 30 participating countries, behind South Africa, which won six medals, including four gold, and Eritrea, which won 10 medals, including three gold.
In 2024, Rwanda won four medals in Kenya with a team of 20 cyclists, while in 2023, Team Rwanda won eight medals in Accra, Ghana.
