Rwanda’s football federation president, Shema Fabrice, has been arrested over an allegation that he issued a bounced cheque, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau said.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said Shema was arrested on Aug. 11 and is being held at the agency’s Kicukiro station as investigators continue their inquiry.
“RIB arrested Shema Fabrice on Aug. 11 this year over allegations of issuing a bounced cheque. He is being held at the Kicukiro RIB station while investigations continue into other offences related to the case,” Murangira said.
RIB said the investigation is ongoing and that the case will be submitted to the prosecution after the inquiry is completed.
Shema was elected president of the Rwanda Football Federation, known as FERWAFA, on Aug. 30, 2025, alongside members of an executive committee that called itself the “Dream Team.”
After taking office, Shema said his priorities included developing women’s football, nurturing young talent and improving football infrastructure.
He also said he would not take a salary from FERWAFA. The $200,000 he was due to receive over his four-year term was instead to be directed toward developing young football talent.
Before joining FERWAFA, Shema spent six years as president of AS Kigali. During his tenure, the club won the Peace Cup in 2019 and 2022 and the 2022 Super Cup.
Outside football, Shema is the managing director of Africa Medical Supplier, a company involved in the supply of medical equipment in Rwanda.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged bounced cheque and the other offences under investigation have not been disclosed by RIB.
Shema has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations remain under investigation.
