Police HC and Kiziguro SS are the winners of the 2026 Genocide Memorial Handball Tournament in the men’s and women’s categories respectively, following the finals held at Petit Stade on Sunday, June 7.
The tournament, organised by the national handball governing body in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee, is held annually to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi through sport.
This year’s edition saw Police HC edge arch-rivals APR HC 32-27 in the men’s final, while Kiziguro SS narrowly defeated Nyamagabe 27-26 in the women’s category.
In the men’s final, Elyse Muhumure, the former U20 national team captain and bronze medallist at the 2025 IHF Intercontinental Championships, opened the scoring for APR HC. The two league rivals traded goals early on, with neither side managing to pull away, as Police HC trailed by a narrow two-goal margin for much of the first half.
Police HC gradually gained momentum, with Samuel Mbesutunguwe delivering a standout performance, scoring five goals, while Stower Raizi added four more to help swing the match in their favour. By halftime, Police HC led 16-14.
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In the second half, APR HC attempted a comeback, but struggled to contain Police HC’s Yves Kayijamahe, whose sharp attacking runs consistently broke through their defensive lines. Combined with Mbesutunguwe’s clinical finishing, Police maintained control of the game, sealing a 32-27 victory.
"We’ve won this trophy, which we needed most. Last year we fell short in the semifinals against Equity, but now we’ve claimed it again,” Police HC coach Antoine Ntabanganyimana said.
In the men’s bronze medal match, Pevic HC secured third place after defeating Ndejje University.
In the women’s category, Kiziguro SS claimed the title after a dramatic 27-26 victory over Nyamagabe in a tightly contested final. Elsewhere, Uganda’s Ndejje University secured the bronze medal after defeating UR Rukara.
At the end of the tournament, Josephine Iragena of Kiziguro SS and Samuel Mbesutunguwe of Police HC were named the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of the competition.