The “Five Fruit Trees per Household Awareness Campaign Football Competition 2026” has officially concluded in Rwanda’s Western Province, using the power of sport to promote nutrition, environmental conservation, and the fight against food insecurity.
The finals, which featured both men’s and women’s matches, were held in Ruhango Sector of Rutsiro District and attracted a large crowd of residents, local leaders, and development partners.
The competition was organized by Action pour la Protection de l’Environnement et la Promotion des Filières Agricoles in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and the Western Province, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of planting fruit trees to improve household nutrition, environmental protection, and community livelihoods.
The closing event drew several high-profile dignitaries, including Western Province Governor Ntibitura Jean Bosco, Senator Mureshyankwano Marie Rose, and APEFA Executive Director Oscar Nzabonimpa. Also in attendance were district mayors, security officials, and representatives from the Rwanda Football Federation and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, highlighting the broad institutional support behind the campaign.
The football competition brought together youth, elders, local leaders, development partners, and community members from across the districts of the Western Province, creating a vibrant atmosphere of unity, participation, and collective action.
Beyond the excitement on the pitch, the tournament served as a powerful platform for community engagement and public awareness. Through sport, participants and spectators were encouraged to protect and maintain planted fruit trees, promote environmental restoration, improve household nutrition, and strengthen long-term community resilience and project sustainability.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Oscar Nzabonimpa expressed appreciation to the campaign’s partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, for their continued collaboration and support. He noted that the project’s strong focus on the Western Province reflects ongoing efforts to address persistent challenges related to malnutrition and food insecurity in the region.
Nzabonimpa acknowledged the progress achieved through the initiative while emphasizing that significant challenges still remain. “In the Western Province, although important progress has been made, the challenge still exists. Child stunting has decreased from 40 percent in 2020 to 21.8 percent in the 2024–2025 period,” he said, adding that nearly 23 percent of households in the province continue to face food insecurity.
He explained that these figures continue to drive the project’s mission to promote good nutrition, increase the planting of edible fruit trees, and strengthen the capacity of citizens and youth to improve their livelihoods. “Today, we are not only celebrating sports, but we are also reinforcing the message of good nutrition, environmental protection, and improving the well-being of our communities,” Nzabonimpa said.
In the men’s category, the Murunda Sector team, representing Rutsiro District, emerged as champions after defeating Rugabano Sector from Karongi District 2–1 in a thrilling final match.
In the women’s category, the Bushekeri Sector team, representing Nyamasheke District, secured the championship title with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Muganza Sector from Rusizi District.
For their achievements, the winning teams in both categories received gold medals, championship trophies, and a cash prize of 700,000 Rwandan Francs. The runners-up were awarded silver medals and a cash prize of 300,000 Rwandan Francs.
The “Five Fruit Trees per Household Awareness Campaign Football Competition 2026” concluded on Sunday, May 11, after having officially kicked off on February 13, 2026.
