The local rugby governing body (RFF) has confirmed that the 2025 league season will commence on March 22.

This was one of the resolutions of the federation’s annual general assembly that convened in Kigali on Sunday, February 09.

This year’s league will attract 12 teams including Alpha Kagugu RFC, 1000 Hills and Muhanga Thunders which were approved by the assembly as new members of the federation.

Muhanga Thunders and 1000 Hills will mark their return to the league which they missed last season due to various reasons. Muhanga Thunders at the time made a last-minute withdrawal just few days before kickoff citing financial constraints while 1000 Hills were banned from all competitions organised by the federation until fulfilled documents required to become a member.

Other teams that confirmed their participation in the 2025 season include champions Lions de Fer, Resilience, Kigali Sharks, UR Grizzlies, Gitisi TSS, Puma Kamonyi RFC, Rwamagana Hippos and Burera Tigers.

All teams that will participate in this championship have been divided into two groups, which will play preliminary and relegation matches between them. They will then the play-offs, which will determine the champions.

Kigali-based Lions de Fer won the championship after defeating Resilience in the final.

Habimana elected federation Secretary General

Members of the federation also held elections to fill in vacant positions in the current executive committee.

Samuel Habimana was elected Secretary general of the federation replacing John Livingston Muhire who resigned from the position in June 2024 to join local football governing body (FERWAFA) as Club Licensing Manager.

Sandrine Murekatete of Rwamagana Hippos was elected as the Secretary of the Audit Committee while Albert Kayiranga of UR Grizzlies was elected as chairman of Arbitration Committee. Felix Uwitonze of Lions de Fer RFC and Mathieu Muvunyi of Kamonyi Panthers Womens RFC were elected Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the committee.