Nsengiyumva Shemu led Rwanda’s riders in the final road race at the 2026 African Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya, finishing seventh as the competition concluded on Sunday, October 25.
Shemu’s performance came in the 153-kilometre men’s elite and under-23 road race, won by South Africa’s Callum Ormiston in three hours, 44 minutes and two seconds.
Morocco’s Driss El Alouani took second place, finishing 20 seconds behind Ormiston.
Another Rwandan, Niyonkuru Samuel, crossed the line in eighth place, 43 seconds behind the winner. Uwiduhaye Mike finished 18th, while Mugisha Moïse placed 20th.
Muhoza Eric and Masengesho Vainqueur were among the riders who did not complete the race.
Rwanda also had three under-23 riders — Ufitimana Schadrack, Ntirenganya Moïse and Ruhumuriza Aimé — who failed to reach the finish.
The race proved difficult for many competitors. Of the 128 riders recorded in the event, 18 did not start, 45 failed to finish and 28 completed the course outside the permitted time.
Rwanda takes six medals
Although Rwanda did not win a medal on the final day, the team finished the championships second in the overall medal standings with six medals: three gold, one silver and two bronze.
South Africa topped the standings with 13 medals, including five gold, five silver and three bronze. Mauritius finished third with five medals, comprising two gold and three silver.
Rwanda’s second-place finish capped its campaign at the continental championships, which brought together cyclists from across Africa in Kisumu.
