Rwanda Premier League

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Rwanda Premier League
Organising bodyRwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA)
Founded1969 (1969)
CountryRwanda
ConfederationCECAFA
Number of clubs16
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toRwandan Second Division
Domestic cup(s)Rwandan Cup
Rwandan Super Cup
International cup(s)CAF Champions League
CAF Confederation Cup
Current championsAPR (24nd title)
(2025–26)
Most championshipsAPR (24 titles)
Broadcaster(s)RTV Magic Sports TV StarTimes
Websiterwandapremierleague.rw
Current: 2025–26 Rwanda Premier League

The Rwanda Premier League is the highest division of football in Rwanda. The league was formed in 1975. It was known as the Primus National Football League in 2004 and from 2009–10 to 2012–13,[1] after which sponsorship was taken over by Turbo King.[2] The league was renamed the Azam Rwanda Premier League for the 2015–16 season after Tanzanian television broadcasters Azam TV were announced as sponsors in a deal worth US$2.35 million covering five years.[3] From 2019–20 season Azam TV announced the termination of its contract with Rwanda FA.

The Rwanda Football Federation announced in October 2025 that two clubs from Sudan—Al Hilal and Al Merrikh—would compete in the Rwanda Premier League due to the ongoing civil war. They had been playing in the top-flight Mauritania league and returned to Sudan for a shortened season tournament to determine continental qualification.[4] The Confederation of African Football approved the temporary transfers on 19 November after the season had already begun.[5]

Clubs

As of the 2025–26 season[6]
Team Location
Amagaju Nyamagabe District
APR Kigali
AS Kigali Kigali
A.S. Muhanga Muhanga
Bugesera Nyamata
Etincelles Gisenyi
Gasogi United Kigali
Gorilla Kigali
Gicumbi Byumba
Kiyovu Sports Kigali
Marines Gisenyi
Mukura Victory Butare
Musanze Ruhengeri
Police Kigali
Rayon Sports Nyanza
Rutsiro Rutsiro

Previous champions

Performance by club

Club City Titles Last title
APRKigali242026
Rayon SportsNyanza92019
Kiyovu SportsKigali71993
Panthères NoiresKigali51987
MukungwaRuhengeri21989
ATRACOKigali12008

Top goalscorers

Season Player Club Goals
2001 Luleuti KyayunaAPR9
2002 n/an/an/a
2003 MillyAPR12
2004 Rwanda Abed MulendaRayon Sports14
Rwanda Olivier KarekeziAPR
2005 Rwanda Jimmy GateteAPR13
2006 Rwanda André LomamiAPR13
2006–07 Democratic Republic of the Congo Labama BokotaRayon Sports14
2007–08 n/an/an/a
2008–09 Rwanda Jean LomamiATRACO12
2010–11 Rwanda Meddie KagerePolice16
2011–12 Rwanda Olivier KarekeziAPR14
2014–15 Rwanda Isaie SongaAPR14
2016–17 Rwanda Dany UsengimanaPolice19
2019–20 Rwanda Samson BabuaSunrise15
2022–23 Burundi Hussein ShabaniKigali14
2023–24 Nigeria Ani Elijah Bugesera 15
Nigeria Victor Mbaoma APR

References

  1. "The New Times | Rwanda".
  2. "Turbo King to take over league sponsorship". newtimes.co.rw. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  3. "Azam TV to broadcast Rwanda's top tier league". Kawowo Sports. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  4. Millar, Colin (25 October 2025). "Rwanda accepts top Sudan clubs into domestic soccer league due to ongoing civil war". The Athletic. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  5. Kamasa, Peter (19 November 2025). "Al-Merreikh, Al-Hilal SC cleared to compete in Rwanda Premier League". The New Times. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  6. "Standings". Rwanda Premier League. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. "Rwanda - APR FC crowned league champions | CAFOnline.com".
  8. "Rwanda - APR FC crowned league champions | www.ktpress.rw".