SOFAB Anchors Governance and Scales Community Impact at 2026 General Assembly.

Rwamagana, January 25, 2026 – The local NGO Solidarity Family Abakundana (SOFAB) convened its Ordinary General Assembly at the AVEGA Agahozo Reception Center in Rwamagana. Representing a growing network of 504 members, the assembly reviewed major 2025 milestones, ratified its updated Administrative and Financial Procedures Manual, and approved the strategic operational blueprint for 2026.

New Leadership Elections

To ensure institutional continuity and strict compliance with Rwanda’s NGO legislation (Law No. 058/2024), the General Assembly elected leaders across its three core statutory organs:

  • Executive Committee (3-Year Term): Led by Mr. Épaphrodite Mutsindantambara (President & Legal Representative), Mr. Jean-Yves Gasana (Vice-President), Ms. Françoise Ingabire (Secretary General & Treasurer), alongside Advisors Ms. Dative Musabyeyezu and Mr. Lambert Niyonshuti.
  • Supervisory Committee (3-Year Term): Tasked with financial oversight, led by Mr. Bosco Manirakiza (President), Ms. Aline Isingizwe (Vice-President), and Ms. Judith Uwineza Kaliza (Secretary).
  • Arbitration Committee (4-Year Term): Mandated for conflict resolution, led by Mr. Augustin Mugiraneza (President), Mr. Diogène Hashakimana (Vice-President), Ms. Alice Higiro (Secretary), and Commissioners Ms. Adeline Uwineza and Mr. Théoneste Mutsindashyaka.

Strategic Milestones & Policy Alignment

  • Legal Alignment: Officially adopted revised statutes fully harmonized with Rwanda’s new NGO framework (Law No. 058/2024).
  • Resource Mobilization: Formed a new Projects and Partnerships Commission to aggressively secure future funding streams and scale field programs.

2025 Impact Highlights

Community & Social Safety Nets

  • Network Expansion: Welcomed 94 new members, reflecting deepening community trust.
  • Family Twinning (Jumelage): Paired family clusters to strengthen mutual accountability and grassroots solidarity.
  • Holistic Outreach: Delivered timely moral and material relief during bereavement, conducted home-visitation campaigns for positive parenting, and provided youth mentorship.
  • Local Governance Integration: Collaborated with Rwamagana District authorities to roll out welfare support for vulnerable households.

SOFAB Donates 105 Roofing Sheets to Support Vulnerable Families  

SOFAB Donates 105 Roofing Sheets to Support Vulnerable Families

On June 15, 2026, SOFAB donated 105 roofing sheets and nails to support three vulnerable families in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana. The initiative is part of SOFAB’s commitment to improving housing and community welfare.

The Kigabiro Sector administration has commended SOFAB (Solidarity Family Abakundana) for its continued partnership and support to vulnerable residents through a donation of 105 roofing sheets to help provide decent housing for families in need.

The handover ceremony took place on June 15, 2026, at the Kigabiro Sector offices, where SOFAB officially delivered the roofing materials, including nails, as part of the sector’s performance commitments (Imihigo) implemented in collaboration with partners.

The Executive Secretary of Kigabiro Sector, Marc Rushimisha, appreciated SOFAB’s contribution, noting that support from partners strengthens local government efforts and allows resources initially allocated to specific interventions to be redirected to other activities benefiting residents.

“This support has enabled three vulnerable families to receive roofing materials. Beyond providing shelter, these families should also be connected to opportunities that help them improve their livelihoods. Every year, we set development targets, and SOFAB has been an important partner in helping us achieve them,” said Rushimisha.

He further praised SOFAB for its broader social support initiatives in the sector, including helping its members participate in the Ejo Heza long-term savings programme, where members collectively save up to RWF 2 million every quarter, supporting vulnerable residents with health insurance contributions (Mutuelle de Santé), and other community development activities.

“Today, we are among the sectors where vulnerable families have received quality houses thanks to SOFAB’s support. We sincerely appreciate this partnership,” he added.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude, highlighting that their contribution comes through providing land and participating in community works (Umuganda) to support the construction of their homes.

Mbabajende Salama, a well-known small-scale street vendor in Rwamagana town, said she had struggled for years with housing insecurity due to rental challenges. She explained that she had started constructing her own house but lacked roofing materials.

“We are very grateful for what has been provided to us. Our sector leadership thought about our situation and supported us,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Musorina Hamida, said that the roofing materials will enable her to complete her home and move into better living conditions.

“I have received the roofing sheets, and I will continue contributing my own efforts so that I can complete and live in this house,” she said.

The Chairperson of SOFAB, Mutsindantambara Epaphrodite, said the organization regularly follows up on the impact of its interventions to ensure that beneficiaries are using the support effectively. He explained that seeing positive changes among beneficiaries motivates SOFAB members to increase their contribution to community development.

“Our interventions are a contribution from our members. Our goal is to support better living conditions for Rwandans and play our part in improving communities,” he said.

Established as a solidarity-based organization, SOFAB (Solidarity Family Abakundana) currently brings together more than 500 members. The organization implements social welfare initiatives benefiting both members and the wider community, while also promoting economic empowerment through savings and investment activities, including the Ikimina Abakundana savings group and investments in the RNIT Iterambere Fund.

Through such initiatives, SOFAB continues to strengthen community solidarity, financial inclusion, and social development in Rwamagana and beyond.

SOFAB Partners with Local Leaders to Fight Gender-Based Violence

May 26, 2023

On May 26, 2023, SOFAB collaborated with the Rwamagana District Youth Council and other partners to hold a major youth awareness campaign. The event brought together over 700 young people, focusing on preventing gender-based violence, promoting human rights, and building strong families.

The campaign also included governance and accountability training for youth leaders. By working with local authorities, SOFAB continues to foster unity, peace, and responsible citizenship among young Rwandans.

SOFAB’s Savings and Loans Empower Members Economically

December 2023

By the end of 2023, SOFAB members had significantly grown their financial capacity through savings and loans. Members’ collective savings rose from 116M Frw in 2022 to 216M Frw in 2024, an increase of 86%.

Through SOFAB’s ikimina system, members circulated over 102.9M Frw among themselves. In addition, 315M Frw in loans were disbursed to support small businesses, family needs, and community development projects. With 10% annual interest, this system continues to strengthen the organization’s sustainability.

SOFAB Supports Youth to Build Strong Families

March 2022

In 2022, SOFAB supported 19 members in starting strong families. This included 13 parents preparing weddings for their children and 6 young members getting married. Together, they received 21.9M Frw in support.

Alongside the financial assistance, SOFAB also provided family counseling, encouraging peaceful and violence-free households based on love and respect. This initiative shows how solidarity can lay the foundation for stronger communities.

Over 1,000 Vulnerable People Receive Mutuelle de Santé Thanks to SOFAB

July 2023

SOFAB made a major impact in 2023 by covering Mutuelle de Santé (community health insurance) for vulnerable citizens. That year, 1,000 people benefited, amounting to 3M Frw.

Across the three years, SOFAB invested 6M Frw in total for health insurance: 300 people in 2022, 1,000 in 2023, and 700 in 2024. Working closely with local leaders in Rwamagana, SOFAB ensured that vulnerable families could access essential health services without fear of cost.