Shema Fabrice, who has been serving as the President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) for a year, announced his resignation on September 30, 2026. In a letter addressed to the members, Fabrice stated that his decision was made in good faith and aligns with his personal integrity. He emphasized that stepping down is essential to protecting the federation's reputation, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the smooth continuation of its activities.
Fabrice's resignation comes after a month of controversy surrounding his external activities. On September 22, 2026, the Nyarungenge Primary Court sentenced him to six months in prison for offenses related to issuing bad checks and using forgery and threats to obtain 3 million Rwandan francs from someone. According to FERWAFA's regulations and the requirements for presidential candidates, a person holding the position must not have been convicted and imprisoned for more than six months.
During his tenure, Fabrice was initially well-received by both football enthusiasts and stakeholders due to his primary goal of securing funds for clubs and helping them become self-sustaining. He played a significant role in raising funds for well-performing clubs, with the best-performing team receiving 80 million Rwandan francs and eight other teams receiving 10 million Rwandan francs each.
Under Fabrice's leadership, a total of 484 million Rwandan francs was distributed as prizes in his first year. He also contributed to recruiting talented players from abroad to join the national team, 'Amavubi.' However, his recent court case raised concerns about his integrity, ultimately leading to his resignation.
In his resignation letter, Fabrice expressed gratitude to the General Assembly of FERWAFA, which elected him, the Executive Committee, and other stakeholders, including the national team, fans, and partners. He wished the football community in Rwanda continued success and offered to facilitate a smooth transition to ensure the federation's activities continue uninterrupted.
Following Fabrice's resignation, Claudine Gasarabwe, who previously served as the First Vice President in charge of Finance and Governance, has taken over as the interim President of FERWAFA. The federation will likely focus on finding a suitable replacement and regaining the trust of its members and the public.
The sudden resignation of Shema Fabrice highlights the challenges faced by sports organizations in maintaining integrity and trust in leadership. FERWAFA will need to address these concerns and work towards restoring confidence in its governance and operations.
Key points
- Shema Fabrice resigned as FERWAFA president due to integrity issues arising from his recent court case.
- Fabrice was sentenced to six months in prison for issuing bad checks and using forgery.
- Claudine Gasarabwe has taken over as the interim President of FERWAFA.
