Alfred Twahirwa has expressed interest in serving a second term as president of the Rwanda Handball Federation (FERWAHAND) after becoming the only candidate to submit an application for the top position ahead of the federation’s November 1 elections. Twahirwa, who was first elected in March 2022, is seeking to continue leading the federation for another term as Rwanda’s handball community prepares for a new leadership cycle. ALSO READ: New-look handball league kicks off October 10 According to Moses Rurangwa, president of the FERWAHAND Electoral Commission, the deadline for submitting candidacies was Thursday, October 8, at 5 p.m. The commission subsequently released the list of candidates who had submitted their applications. Twahirwa is the sole candidate for the presidency, meaning there will be no direct contest for the federation’s top position. Other positions, however, will be contested. Dr Joseph Akumuntu is the only candidate for first vice president, while the second vice president position has attracted two candidates — Dominique Masengesho and Aime Elias Nayirarora. The secretary general position has also attracted one candidate, Pascal Tuyisenge. The treasurer position will be contested between Marie Chantal Niyomutuje and Florentine Dusengimana. The election campaign will begin on Saturday, October 10, and run until October 25, with the elections scheduled for November 1, 2026. Twahirwa’s bid for another term comes as Rwandan handball enters a new phase, with the federation implementing changes to domestic competitions while national teams and clubs continue to seek stronger results on the continental stage. Under the current administration, Rwanda has continued to participate in African competitions at both youth and senior levels, including the Africa Handball Cup of Nations held in Kigali in November 2025. Local clubs have also represented the country in regional and continental tournaments. The 2026/27 domestic season is also getting underway with changes to the competition format, including a best-of-seven final and a new recruitment window that will allow teams reaching the playoffs to strengthen their squads. The federation will also face the challenge of building on recent youth-team campaigns, with Rwanda’s U20 and U18 teams competing in African championships in September. With Twahirwa standing unopposed for the presidency, attention during the campaign will largely focus on his programme for a second term and the leadership team that will work alongside him. The November 1 elections will determine the federation’s executive leadership for the next term and come at an important period for Rwandan handball, with ambitions to improve domestic competitiveness, strengthen national teams and increase the country’s impact in continental competitions.
