Shema Fabrice steps down to protect FERWAFA’s integrity

Shema Ngoga Fabrice has resigned as president of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), just over a year after taking charge, saying his decision was intended to protect the integrity and credibility of the country’s football governing body.

Shema announced his resignation in a letter to the FERWAFA General Assembly on Tuesday, September 29, saying the decision took immediate effect.

He said he had stepped down in accordance with his personal principles and believed leaving office was the most important step to protect public confidence in the federation and allow its activities to continue without disruption.

“I have submitted my resignation as President of the Rwanda Football Federation, effective immediately,” Shema said in the letter.

He also said he was ready to facilitate a smooth handover and expressed his wish for Rwandan football to continue under transparent leadership.

The resignation comes less than a week after Shema’s criminal case was concluded through a plea agreement with prosecutors.

He had been arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau on August 11 over allegations involving two bounced cheques and obtaining another person’s property through fraudulent means in connection with his private business activities.

The case was unrelated to his work at FERWAFA, according to RIB and subsequent reporting.

Shema’s business, Africa Medical Supplier, was involved in the transactions at the centre of the case.

Under the agreement approved by a Nyarugenge court on September 22, he admitted the charges, paid $600,000 linked to the bounced cheques and received a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year, together with a RWF3 million fine. He was subsequently released.

The conviction had raised questions over whether Shema could continue leading FERWAFA.

The federation’s electoral regulations require candidates for its Executive Committee to be recognised as people of integrity and state that candidates must not previously have been found guilty of a criminal offence.

However, legal interpretations differed over whether the suspended sentence automatically made Shema ineligible to remain in office.

Reports said that, lawyers and football officials had differing views on the application of FERWAFA’s regulations to a suspended sentence.

Shema was elected FERWAFA president on August 30, 2025, winning 51 of 53 votes cast as the only candidate. His mandate was due to run until 2029.

During his campaign, Shema promised to increase financial support for clubs.

His programme included a RWF484 million prize-money package across competitions, including RWF80 million for the men’s top-flight champions.

He also sought to strengthen the national team by attracting Rwandan-eligible players based abroad and improving preparations for major competitions.

But his presidency was cut short after 13 months, leaving FERWAFA to manage a leadership transition while Rwanda continues its campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

First Vice-President Claudine Gasarabwe, who had assumed leadership responsibilities during Shema’s absence, is now expected to oversee the federation on an interim basis.