For so long, widespread poor refereeing has marred the Rwanda Premier League, leading to numerous suspensions as the leadership of the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) took action. The problems, which include match-fixing allegations and specific game-changing errors, have drawn criticism from fans and officials. ALSO READ: VAR set to be introduced in Rwanda Premier League Now, the new Ferwafa administration of Fabrice Shema, having seen enough poor refereeing and at times blatant cheating by their own match officials, has decided to take decisive action. The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the local league marks a decisive step toward restoring integrity, accuracy, and fairness in the country’s top-flight football. Following weeks of controversy, suspensions, and fan outrage over poor officiating, Ferwafa and the league’s leadership have moved to address one of the sport’s most persistent problems: refereeing errors that have sometimes changed the course of matches. Shema announced on Monday, October 27, that VAR will be tested during the second round of the 2025/2026 Rwanda Premier League season, with full implementation expected next year. The announcement comes amid growing criticism over officiating standards, with several referees recently suspended for big mistakes, leading to increased accusations of corruption and match-fixing. The early weeks of the 2025/2026 campaign have been dominated by refereeing controversies rather than football brilliance, which is rather unfortunate for a country which prides itself in being a corruption-free society. ALSO READ: Ferwafa suspends two more referees Already this season, matches such as Rayon Sports vs Gasogi United, and APR FC vs Mukura Victory Sports were marred by questionable decisions that changed the outcomes and angered fans. Referees Emmanuel Habumugisha and Claude Ishimwe were among those suspended after making key errors, while assistant referee Eric Mugabo was also penalised for wrongly disallowing a goal. These errors, intentional or not, have profound effects not only on the outcome of matches but most especially the clubs’ final positioning at the end of the season. There is so much at stake to be in the hands of corrupt, and or inept officials to decide. In May, Ferwafa took an unprecedented tougher stance by banning three referees for alleged involvement in match-fixing and betting. In the eyes of so many, such decisive action was a long time coming. Among them was female official Amida Hemedi, who was stripped of her refereeing badge. These cases underscored the deep-rooted issues of poor officiating, integrity lapses, and inadequate accountability that have plagued the league for years. The coming of VAR represents a revolutionary step for Rwandan football. It allows referees to review key decisions such as contentious goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity, using video footage. The technology, which is also not perfect, serves as a second layer of assurance, reducing the margin of human error in critical match situations. The system has already been installed at the newly refurbished Amahoro Stadium, and if the pilot phase proves successful, Rwanda will join a growing list of African nations including Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, using VAR in domestic competitions. Restoring integrity and trust The importance of VAR in Rwanda cannot be overstated. In recent years, controversial refereeing decisions have eroded fans’ confidence in the fairness of competition. Teams have frequently accused officials of bias, while mainstream, and social media debates have intensified after nearly every major fixture. ALSO READ: One Sudanese club withdraws from joining Rwanda Premier League By introducing VAR, Ferwafa hopes to restore trust among clubs, players, and supporters. Video review will provide a layer of transparency and accountability previously absent in Rwandan football. Officials will no longer get away with either incompetence, alleged bias or cheating. Referees will be able to make more informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of match-defining mistakes. I am all for the technology. Importantly, VAR will help protect referees themselves. With video evidence available, officials will no longer bear all the public criticism for split-second decisions. Instead, decisions will be made collaboratively, with the support of technology and a team of trained video assistants. Beyond fairness, VAR is a symbol of Rwanda’s broader ambition to professionalise the game. We can't afford to be left behind by the fast-paced world where technology has become part of the societal fabric. Under the new Ferwafa leadership, several reforms have already been introduced, which too, was a long time coming. Shema and his team need our full support as they endeavour to take Rwandan football to the next level. Match allowances for referees have been doubled, if what we read in the media is anything to go by, and the federation is now reviewing refereeing regulations to enhance standards and integrity. One step at a time until we get there. The appointment of a new league Chief Executive Officer (CEO) also comes with a promise to improve officiating and ensure competitive fairness. Hopefully Jules Karangwa will live up to the task, and not drown into what had become a culture of corruption during previous administrations. Moreover, training local referees to operate VAR will further enhance their professional development, aligning Rwandan officiating with international best practices. This not only benefits the domestic league but also positions Rwandan referees for future international assignments. The proposed VAR trials signal a new era for Rwandan football, one defined by transparency, professionalism, and technological advancement. While no system is perfect, VAR offers the promise of reducing costly mistakes and restoring the integrity of the game. For players and coaches, it means fairer results. For the fans, it restores faith in the beautiful game. And for Rwanda, it reflects a bold commitment to raising the standards of its football to continental and global levels. If successfully implemented, VAR could become more than just a tool for officiating; it could symbolise the rebirth of trust and credibility in Rwandan football.
