Two members of Rwanda’s national cycling team are reportedly unaccounted for after travelling to Montréal, Canada, for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Rwanda sent a 15-member team to the championships, which were held from September 20 to 27. The team included riders competing in the elite, Under-23 and junior categories for both men and women.
According to the team list released by the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), the delegation comprised Shemu Nsengiyumva and Samuel Niyonkuru in the men’s elite individual time trial; Kevin Nshutiraguma and Shadrack Ufitimana in men’s U23; and Jonathan Muhawenimana, Pacifique Byusa, Bryan Ishimwe and Jackson Nkurikiyinka in the men’s junior category.
The women’s team included Diane Ingabire, Xaverine Nirere and Claudette Nyirarakundo in the elite category; Mariate Byukusenge and Jazilla Mwamikazi in U23; and Donatha Akimana and Yvonne Masengesho among the juniors. The FERWACY graphic lists the championships as running from September 20 to 27 in Montréal.
Sources now say that two of the cyclists did not return with the delegation and are believed to have remained in Canada.
How the two were able to leave the delegation remains unclear.
The development is particularly significant because Rwanda has in recent years put greater emphasis on security and supervision around national teams travelling for international competitions. The Ministry of Sports says it has responsibility for following up national teams during preparation and competitions, while national sports federations are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for teams taking part in international events.
Questions therefore remain about what arrangements were in place for the cycling delegation in Montréal, including whether security personnel accompanied the team and how the two cyclists were able to remain in Canada.
FERWACY has not publicly commented on the reported incident. The cycling authorities have also not explained what measures were put in place to prevent members of the delegation from leaving the team or remaining abroad after the championships.
The Ministry of Sports has also not made any public statement on the reported disappearance of the two cyclists.
It is not yet clear whether the two athletes have sought asylum, remained in Canada for personal reasons or taken another course of action. Their identities and the circumstances surrounding their absence have not been independently confirmed.
The incident raises questions about how national teams are supervised when travelling abroad and what procedures are followed to account for athletes before, during and after international competitions.
For now, however, several important details remain unanswered, including who the two cyclists are, when they separated from the delegation, whether FERWACY reported them missing and what measures were in place to ensure the entire delegation returned as planned.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available and the relevant authorities respond.
