‘It’s safe’: Rwanda dismisses security concerns ahead of historic cycling championships in Kigali

The 2025 Championships, set to take place from September 21 to 28, will be the first to be hosted on African soil and will bring together cyclists from around the globe to compete in one of the most prestigious events in professional road cycling.

By Bashir Mbuthia
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Speaking in Glasgow, Scotland, after the final stage of the Tour of Britain Women, FERWACY President Samson Ndayishimiye reassured the global cycling community that the country's security situation does not pose any threat to the tournament.

The Rwandan Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has dismissed concerns about the country's security ahead of the 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road Championships, scheduled to take place in Kigali in September, amid ongoing tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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Speaking in Glasgow, Scotland, after the final stage of the Tour of Britain Women, FERWACY President Samson Ndayishimiye reassured the global cycling community that the country's security situation does not pose any threat to the tournament.

He was also quick to separate sports from politics, stating that the country's ongoing political issues fall outside the scope of his work.

"First of all, I'm in sports. So everything that is going on has nothing to do with me. One thing for sure though, the UCI has confirmed that the World Championships are taking place in Rwanda. It's safe, it's a safe country," Ndayishimiye told Cycling News.

Further, he stressed that Rwanda has consistently demonstrated its capacity to host international sporting events without incident, pointing to the successful organisation of the Tour du Rwanda earlier this year, which included stages near the country's borders, as proof that Kigali remains a capable and secure host

"There are other issues that are happening around the borders of Rwanda. There was the Tour du Rwanda, for example, which happened in February; we went all the way to the border," said Ndayishimiye.

"So, as a sports person, that's the position where I'm in. When it comes to anything else political or anything, in sport we are neutral people."

According to Ndayishimiye, hosting the UCI World Championships is not just a proud moment for Rwanda but also for the African continent as a whole, as it marks the first time the prestigious event will take place on African soil.

"It's the biggest event in the cycling world. So, for me as the President of the Federation, and for the Federation, the country, the continent, it's a pleasure," he said.

"We appreciate the good relationship we have with the UCI and the rest of the world for giving us this opportunity and trusting us to deliver."

Ndayishimiye also downplayed recent concerns raised by some European national federations over the cost of participating in the Championships.

While acknowledging that organising a global event of this scale comes with logistical and financial hurdles, Ndayishimiye dismissed suggestions that Rwanda's edition would be unreasonably expensive.

Responding to claims, including those from Belgian Cycling CEO Nathalia Clauwaert, that costs had more than doubled compared to the 2022 Championships in Australia, he clarified that efforts are already underway to ease the financial burden on teams.

"To be honest, I think realistically our sport is expensive wherever we go. There was a World Championship in Australia, that's as far as I think they've gone. Now it's just around the corner, most of the countries in Europe have a chance to just jump on a plane, on a non-stop plane," he said.