Mount Kigali University (MKUR) has celebrated a historic milestone after being crowned the inaugural Rwanda Varsity League Football Champions (2025–2026) following a remarkable unbeaten campaign.
The champions were received by MKUR Founder and Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, during a special ceremony attended by university leaders, staff, students, coaches and members of the university community.
MKUR secured the title after a commanding 3-0 victory over East African University Rwanda (EAUR) in the national final at Kamena Stadium in Huye on June 28, 2026. The triumph capped an outstanding season in which the team remained unbeaten throughout the competition.
Prof. Gicharu congratulated the players for their discipline, teamwork and determination, saying the achievement demonstrated the importance of nurturing student talent and providing opportunities for learners to excel beyond academics.
He challenged the student-athletes to continue pursuing excellence, noting that sport plays a vital role in personal development, career growth and building national pride. He also praised the team for upholding the university’s values through exemplary sportsmanship and discipline.
MKUR Vice- Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia described the victory as a proud moment for the institution, attributing the unbeaten campaign to the commitment, unity and hard work of the players, technical team and supporters.
He thanked the university leadership and the entire MKUR community for their unwavering support, noting that the historic achievement had laid a strong foundation for the continued growth of sport at the university.
“This victory is a reflection of discipline, teamwork and determination. It will inspire future generations of students to pursue excellence both on and off the field,” said Dr. Kimemia.
Team captain Mbanza Joshua expressed pride in leading the side to the historic title, thanking the university leadership for investing in sports facilities and creating opportunities for students to balance academic excellence with athletic development.
He said the championship had inspired the players to target greater success, including the East African Inter-Universities Championship, while appealing for increased support through sports scholarships and more competitive fixtures.
The Vice Chancellor also congratulated the team, describing their unbeaten championship run as an extraordinary achievement. He commended the university leadership for nurturing a strong sporting culture at MKUR and noted that a future match between MKUR and MKU Football Club would create an exciting rivalry between the sister institutions.
The celebrations concluded with the recognition of the players, coaches and officials whose dedication made the historic triumph possible.
Following the reception, Prof. Simon Gicharu hosted the unbeaten football team for a celebratory dinner at Kigali Paramount Hotel. During the dinner, he congratulated the players, coaches and technical bench for their historic achievement, commending their discipline, teamwork and dedication.
He encouraged them to remain humble, continue striving for excellence and serve as worthy ambassadors of Mount Kigali University both on and off the pitch.
The university has now shifted its focus to the East African Inter-Universities Championship, scheduled to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in December 2026.
As Rwanda’s inaugural Varsity League champions, MKUR will represent the country on the regional stage, with the university expressing confidence that the team will build on its unbeaten domestic success and compete strongly against the best university football teams from across East Africa.
