Amputee football grows in Rwanda, fostering unity and resilience 06.05.2026

Amputee football is experiencing significant growth in Rwanda, providing a vital community and sense of belonging for individuals with amputations, including survivors of the 1994 genocide. This seven-a-side sport, played on crutches with one-armed goalkeepers, is not only facilitating physical rehabilitation but also fostering social cohesion and healing in a country still recovering from past trauma. Players like Nyiraneza Solange, who lost her leg at age five, have overcome stigma and fear, finding freedom and resilience through the sport. Louise Kwizera, vice president of the Rwanda Amputee Football Federation, highlights the sport's role in rebuilding trust and unity in a society that was once divided, with the field serving as a place of peace for individuals from diverse backgrounds.


















