MPs call for Governance Board intervention as Rayon internal chaos linger

Members of the parliament have tasked Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to step in and help resolve ongoing disputes within Rayon Sports FC administration. The call was made during a joint parliamentary session convened to review RGB’s 2024/2025 performance report. It has emerged that the club is experiencing administrative crisis, with its members takings sides among club president Thaddée Twagirayezu and board chair Paul Muvunyi, two of the club’s leaders who, it was reported, haven’t got along since the crisis escalated the club was eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup in September. The lawmakers noted that the club’s internal wrangles are damaging not only its reputation but also the broader social and economic value of sports in Rwanda. They argued that the prolonged instability within Rayon Sports, marked by leadership disputes and governance inconsistencies, has the potential to erode unity among supporters and its administrators and affect the clubs' contribution to national development. ALSO READ: The Unique Story of Sports Development in Rwanda “Sports, when well-managed, can be a powerful tool for social cohesion and economic growth,” noted MP James Kanamugire, stressing that football has a unique ability to bring people together and generate revenue across multiple sectors. Kanamugire highlighted the wider economic impact of major football matches, pointing out how transportation services, hotels, restaurants and local businesses benefit whenever a game takes place. “Rayon Sports attracts thousands of supporters, and when fans trust club leadership, they show up in large numbers. Their presence drives local economic activity,” he said. ALSO READ: Rayon Sports’ ExCo dissolved, interim committee to take over within 48 hours However, Kanamugire warned that the current leadership struggles within the club risk discouraging supporters. “Rayon Sports should be safeguarded not only because of its fan base but also for the sake of strengthening national unity. Poor governance discourages fans and undermines confidence in the club,” he added. MP Gloriose Sibobugingo echoed these concerns, calling on RGB to re-engage with the club as it did in 202o, when it helped mediate and stabilize internal disputes right by dissolving the executive committee that was at the time led by then president Sadate Munyakazi. “There is growing unrest within Rayon Sports. This is a club beloved by many Rwandans. RGB stepped in before and brought order; it should once again intervene to protect the interests of supporters who deserve transparency and stability,” she argued. Rayon Sports, one of Rwanda’s oldest football institutions, has arguably the largest fan base in the country. But recent years have seen frequent internal disagreements, particularly within the executive board, leading to uncertainties about club leadership and long-term direction. Responding to the concerns, Doris Uwicyeza Picard, the CEO of RGB, assured parliament that the institution is already working closely with the club’s management to ensure compliance with governance standards. She stressed that when the club was registered, it committed to respecting operational guidelines and ethical values outlined in the registry. “Rayon Sports undertook specific commitments during its registration process. There are updated governance principles they must comply with. We have been engaging them regularly to support administrative restructuring, enforcement of rules and alignment with national legal frameworks,” Uwicyeza said. She added that RGB’s role is not to replace club leadership but to guide it toward professional management that meets expectations of both supporters and stakeholders. Lawmakers insist that failure to resolve internal disputes could diminish fan engagement and compromise investments made in the country’s sporting infrastructure. With RGB expected to intensify monitoring and advisory roles, MP said that the intervention will bring stability. “A club that unites people should not become a source of division,” Sibobugingo concluded.