RAFA launches nationwide awareness matches ahead of IDPD 2025

The Rwanda Amputee Football Federation (RAFA) has kicked off a nationwide campaign of amputee football matches aimed at raising public awareness on disability inclusion ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), set to be commemorated on December 3, 2025.

The initiative is designed to spark national conversations on disability rights, challenge stigma, and highlight the capabilities and resilience of amputee athletes.

Through matches scheduled across various districts, RAFA seeks to ensure that disability inclusion moves beyond policy discussions and becomes a lived reality in communities throughout Rwanda.

This year’s global theme, "Building inclusive societies for persons with disabilities to drive social progress", resonates strongly with Rwanda’s efforts to create an environment where everyone can participate equally.

With national celebrations taking place in Nyabihu District, the spotlight will be on strengthening inclusion and accessibility, particularly in rural areas where persons with disabilities continue to face structural and social barriers.

Recent national census data indicates that Rwanda has more than 391,000 persons aged five and above living with disabilities.

Despite ongoing government initiatives, including the distribution of wheelchairs and assistive devicesm, any remain excluded from essential services such as education, health care, and employment opportunities.

RAFA believes sport is one of the most impactful tools to accelerate inclusion. By bringing amputee football into communities, the federation aims to shift perceptions, inspire young people with disabilities, and demonstrate that physical limitations do not diminish talent or potential.

The games also provide a platform to engage families, leaders, and institutions on the importance of equal opportunities.

RAFA President Audace Rugwiro says the initiative is a call to action for all Rwandans to rethink how they view disability, insisting that visibility and participation are fundamental to an inclusive society.

His message is echoed by Louis Kwizera, RAFA’s Vice President for Administration and Awareness, who stresses that awareness cannot be treated as a one-off event but as a national commitment that must be sustained.

As the countdown to IDPD 2025 continues, RAFA’s nationwide matches serve as both a celebration of ability and a powerful statement of inclusion.

The federation’s campaign underscores that persons with disabilities should not be left on the sidelines, whether in sports, education, employment, or public life.

Rwanda’s journey toward full inclusion may not be complete, but each match played under RAFA’s banner brings the nation one step closer to a society where everyone has space to participate, contribute, and thrive.