Kigali, Rwanda | Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and Police Volleyball clubs added the 2025 Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT) to their trophy cabinet after beating Kenya’s Chema and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in thrilling men’s and women’s final matches held at Petit Stade Indoor Gymnasium on Sunday.
The three-day annual tournament, organized by the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) in collaboration with the Rwanda National Olympic Committee (RNSO), is part of the commemoration activities to honour the victims of the 1994 Genocide.
This year’s edition featured 10 women’s teams and 11 clubs in men’s category. Kenya and Uganda were represented while and Rwanda’s U21 men’s national team also participated as part of their preparation for the forthcoming CAVB African Nations Championship which will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from July 20-August 2.
In the men’s final, REG came from behind to defeat Kenyan side Chema VC in four sets (13-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-18).
Chema dominated the opening set 25-13, but REG, under newly appointed Ugandan head coach Benon Bavuga Mugisha, regrouped to claim three straight sets 27-25, 25-22, and 25-18 to clinch the trophy.
For Mugisha, the 2025 GMT triumph felt like a sweet welcome back.
“I feel good about this trophy after my return to the squad. The boys put in hard work and we’re here on the podium. We’re going to prepare for the Liberation Cup to follow and I hope to achieve more,” he said.
In women’s category, Police VC clinched the trophy after overcoming Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in a tightly contested four-set thriller. Police won the first set 25-15 but RRA struck back to take second set 22-25 to bring the game level. Then Police came back strong to dominate the third set 25-15.
RRA were close to tying the game but Police held on to with the fourth set 27-25 to avoid an upset.
In third place matches, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) outclassed CHAZPIR VC with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 25-14) victory while, in the women’s category, APR defeated Kepler in straight sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-23) to finish on the podium.
Individual awards
Women
Best server: Sandre Ayepoa (Police WVC)
Most valuable player (MVP): Terry Merline (Police WVC)
Best receiver: Olive Nzamukosha (RRA WVC)
Best setter: Iris Ndagijimana (Police WVC)
Best attacker: Elisabeth Ejoma (RRA WVC)
Best blocker: Hope Musaniwabo (Police WVC)
Best Libero: lea Uwimbabazi (RRA WVC)
Men
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Thon Magembo (REG VC)
Best server: Gideon Angiro (REG VC)
Best Receiver: Patrick Kamali Akumuntu (REG VC)
Best setter: Mathias Kembo (Chema VC)
Best attacker: Joshua Kaprono (Chema VC)
Best blocker: lenard Muvara (REG VC)
Best Libero: Hudson Kipchumb (Chema VC)
