Rwanda’s national cycling team has begun a training camp in Musanze ahead of the 2026 African Road Cycling Championships, which will be held in Kisumu, Kenya, from Oct. 21-25.
Coach Alexandr Pliuschin selected the squad that reported to the UCI Regional Satellite Centre on Oct. 5, with preparations expected to continue until shortly before the continental championships.
The team will enter the competition seeking to build on a strong performance at last year’s championships, when Rwanda won 10 medals — two gold, four silver and four bronze — from a 23-rider delegation.
Rwanda finished third among 30 participating countries in 2025, behind South Africa and Eritrea. South Africa won six medals, including four gold, while Eritrea collected 10 medals, including three gold.
The 2026 squad includes riders across the under-17, under-19, under-23 and senior categories for both men and women.
The under-17 men are Byiringiro Mubarak, Ntwari Réponse and Mukwende Fuadi, while Liza Jehovaire, Mwamikazi Joy Cynthia and Agasaro Gloria will compete in the women’s category.
The junior men’s team comprises Nkurikiyinka Jackson, Ishimwe Brian, Mugabo Jules, Niyonkuru Yassin and Shema Emmanuel. The junior women are Masengesho Yvonne, Akimana Donatha, Kanyange Zawadi and Uwizeyimana Uwase Ancille.
In the under-23 women’s category, Rwanda will field Mwamikazi Jazilla, Byukusenge Mariate and Uwiringiyimana Liliane. The senior women are Nirere Xaverine, Ingabire Diane, Nyirarukundo Claudette, Ntakirutimana Martha and Nzayisenga Valentine.
The under-23 men include Twagirayezu Didier, Ruhumuriza Aimé, Ntirenganya Moïse and Ufitimana Shadrack, while 12 riders make up the senior men’s squad.
Akimana and Shema will continue training in Kenya, where they are part of a UCI programme preparing athletes for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, later this month. The rest of the team will join them there.
Kenya is hosting the African championships for a third consecutive year.
