Shema Ngoga Fabrice, who took over as President of FERWAFA in 2025, has resigned from his position after serving for only 13 months. His resignation comes after he was sentenced to six months in prison for embezzlement and forgery. Although his sentence was suspended, he cited reasons related to integrity as the cause of his resignation. Prior to his resignation, Ngoga had been under scrutiny for his leadership style and had faced criticism from various stakeholders.
Ngoga's brief tenure is not an isolated incident, as FERWAFA has experienced a high level of turnover in recent years. Since 1995, the organization has had at least nine presidents, with some serving for as little as a few months. The instability has raised concerns about the impact on the development of football in Rwanda. Many have questioned the ability of the organization to implement long-term plans and achieve its goals.
The trend of short-lived presidents at FERWAFA began with Lt Gen (Rtd) Caesar Kayizari, who served for 10 years from 1995 to 2005. His successor, Gen. (Rtd) Jean Bosco Kazura, served two terms from 2006 to 2011. However, his decision to step down mid-term led to a series of interim presidents, including Ntagungira Céléstin and Nzamwita Vincent de Gaulle. De Gaulle served from 2014 to 2018 but failed to secure a second term due to internal conflicts.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Sekamana Jean Damascène took over in 2018 but resigned in 2021, citing personal reasons. His successor, Nizeyimana Olivier, served for only two years before resigning in 2023. The constant changes have led to concerns about the organization's ability to implement its programs and achieve its objectives. Many stakeholders have called for a more stable leadership to oversee the development of football in Rwanda.
With Ngoga's resignation, Me. Gasarabwe Claudine has taken over as interim president. According to FERWAFA's regulations, an extraordinary general assembly will be convened within three months to elect a new president. The assembly will bring together members of FERWAFA to discuss the organization's future and elect a new leader. The new president will face the challenge of restoring stability and implementing a long-term plan for the development of football in Rwanda.
The frequent changes in leadership at FERWAFA have also raised concerns about the organization's governance structure. Many have questioned the effectiveness of the current system, which allows for the president to serve for a short term. There are calls for reforms to ensure that the organization is more stable and accountable to its members. The new president will have to navigate these challenges and work towards creating a more stable and effective leadership.
As the search for a new president begins, stakeholders are hopeful that the next leader will be able to provide stability and direction to FERWAFA. The new president will have to work towards rebuilding trust and implementing a long-term plan for the development of football in Rwanda. With a more stable leadership, FERWAFA can focus on promoting the sport and developing the country's football infrastructure.
Key points
- Shema Ngoga Fabrice resigned as FERWAFA president after serving for 13 months due to integrity concerns.
- FERWAFA has experienced a high level of turnover in recent years, with at least nine presidents since 1995.
- The organization's governance structure has been questioned, with calls for reforms to ensure stability and accountability.
