Shema Ngoga Fabrice has resigned as President of the Rwanda Football Federation, FERWAFA, following his brief imprisonment. The resignation comes after the Nyarugenge High Court had sentenced him to six months in prison, which was suspended for a year, and fined him RWF 3 million. Fabrice had pleaded guilty to charges including issuing unsecured checks and using fraud to obtain another person's property.
In his resignation letter to FERWAFA members, Fabrice cited concerns about his integrity as the reason for his decision. He emphasized that his resignation was necessary to protect the reputation of FERWAFA, ensure the organization continues to adhere to good governance principles, and allow relevant authorities to continue their work without further disruption. Fabrice stressed that his decision should not be seen as an admission of guilt.
Fabrice had been in prison since August 11, 2026, after being arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau. On September 2, 2026, the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court had ordered his 30-day detention, pending further investigation. However, an agreement was reached between the parties, leading to his release. As part of the agreement, Fabrice had also paid $600,000 in restitution for the unsecured checks.
In his resignation letter, Fabrice expressed gratitude to FERWAFA members, the Executive Committee, staff, partners, fans, the national team, and others he had worked with during his tenure. He described his time as FERWAFA president as an honor. Fabrice also pledged to support the transition process to ensure the organization's activities continue uninterrupted.
On September 22, 2026, the court approved the agreement between Fabrice and the prosecution. As part of the agreement, Fabrice accepted the suspended prison sentence and fine. The case had raised concerns about governance and integrity in Rwandan football.
Fabrice's resignation has sparked discussions about the need for stronger governance and oversight in Rwandan sports organizations. The incident highlights the challenges faced by sports administrators in maintaining integrity and transparency in their operations. FERWAFA will now need to find a replacement for Fabrice and ensure a smooth transition.
The resignation of Shema Fabrice as FERWAFA president serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and good governance in sports administration. The incident is expected to have implications for the future of football administration in Rwanda. Key stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure that the organization continues to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency.
Key points
- Shema Fabrice resigned as FERWAFA president due to concerns about his integrity following his brief imprisonment.
- Fabrice had been sentenced to six months in prison and fined RWF 3 million for issuing unsecured checks and using fraud.
- He pledged to support the transition process to ensure FERWAFA's activities continue uninterrupted.
