Leadership at the National Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has imploded following widespread allegations of financial misconduct and systemic sexual abuse.
Leadership at the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has imploded following widespread allegations of financial misconduct and systemic sexual abuse.
Ferwacy president Aimable Bayingana and his executive committee have resigned en masse, leaving the nation’s premier cycling body in governance limbo while law enforcement steps in.
Both the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and the Ministry of Sports have opened formal inquiries into the federation. Bayingana and outgoing board members firmly deny any wrongdoing, framing the accusations as baseless. However, government officials acknowledge the gravity of the situation.
“We are aware that sexual assault and corruption happen, and it is our prerogative to fight it,” said Shema Maboko, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports.
Much of the scandal’s momentum stems from an open letter written by former national team coach Jonathan Boyer, the first American rider to compete in the Tour de France. Boyer, who dedicated over a decade to building Rwanda’s cycling program following the country’s mid-1990s devastation, directly accused Bayingana of failing to protect female riders from coaches who subjected them to ongoing sexual harassment.
Insiders confirm that Boyer left Rwanda months ago as conditions within the organization deteriorated.
The immediate focus for local sports authorities now shifts to institutional recovery. An interim committee will be elected to stabilize operations and ensure the upcoming Tour of Rwanda proceeds as scheduled, all while the country maintains its bid to host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
