An African Star Rises: Meet 2026 Rwandan Junior MTB XCO Jonathan Uwimana!

On 29 March 2026, 17-year-old Muhawenimana Rafiki Jonathan won the Rwandan Junior MTB XCO National Championships. This was a great win for this rising young Rwandan star.However, this journey began twenty years ago, three years before he was born, when his father, the famous Rafiki 'Kiki' Uwimana* joined Adrien Niyonshuti, coach Jonathan 'Jock' Boyer and the original members of the famous Team Rwanda.Fast forward 20 years, Rafiki's son Jonathan wins the National Champion jersey, is coached by Benin's Salami Avocetien (a protégée of Niyonshuti), supported by Africa Rising Cycling, has a grant from his Virunga Valley Academy school, a bike loaned by Estonian World Tour rider Rein Taaramäe, and was watched proudly by his father. African cycling development truly 'takes a village' and we than all our donors who made this, and many of our ongoing projects possible. Thank you! To donate, click here!*If you happen to be visiting Rwanda, Rafiki runs one of the country's best cycle touring companies - you can find out more on his Instagram page.