Sports minister Nelly Mukazayire has emphasised the role of sport as a unifying force for society. She was speaking on Sunday, August 24, at the closing ceremony of Ride For Unity (RFU) at Zaria Court in Kigali. Over the past week, RFU, a global movement that fuses sport and social impact brought together 20 cyclists from around the world for an eight-day journey across Rwanda, aimed at promoting unity, reconciliation, and grassroots resilience. The activities also focused on inclusion of people with disabilities. The riders also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, before they continued to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to explore wildlife conservation efforts. “I want to take this moment to appreciate your visit. I have witnessed your interactions and the good moments you have shared with Rwandans. I believe that sport brings communities together and connects people. Let us continue sharing our stories through it, while preserving our future,” Mukazayire told them. ALSO READ: Ride for Unity to establish permanent hub in Rwanda The closing ceremony featured a wheelchair basketball match between professional wheelchair players and some of the cyclists. Minister Mukazayire thanked the organisers for emphasizing that sport is a powerful tool for inclusion. Daniel Bernard, RFU Co-Founder, expressed his gratitude, noting that Rwanda’s recovery journey after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has inspired the movement. “Through sport, we learn more from how Rwanda overcame tragedy to how leadership and resilience brought joy back to communities. This is also why our movement prioritises inclusion, especially for people with disabilities,” he said. “It’s my fourth time here in Rwanda. The resilience and spirit of togetherness we witness here inspires us to keep learning from Rwandans.” Faith Umutesi, a professional wheelchair basketball player, stressed that people with disabilities always have something to contribute to national development, particularly through sports. “Being here gave me the chance to learn from different people, beyond just the national league where we meet those like us. Opportunities like these allow us to share ideas that can drive development and inclusion,” she said.
