Arsenal Football Club star David Luiz landed in Kigali on the evening of Thursday, 10 October 2019 for a two day visit as part of the Visit Rwanda and Arsenal Football Club partnership.
Upon arrival, David was greeted by a team from the Rwanda Development Board and Akagera Aviation. He interacted with fans at the airport, took selfies and spoke to local media about how excited he was to visit the gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
David itinerary begun with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid respects to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutst in Rwanda. He learned about the causes, reality and consequences of the Genocide as well as how Rwandans have built a new national on the foundation of dignity.
After visiting the memorial, David wrote in the guestbook:
“Hello friends, I just want to remind you that we are all born one for the other, we all need each other. It doesn’t matter where, we need to live with love, peace and happiness. God bless you all. From your brother, David.”
Audience with H.E. President Paul Kagame
After visiting the memorial, David visited the offices of the Rwanda Development Board where he interacted with staff and met with the Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi. Shortly after, H.E. President Kagame received David at this office, Urugwiro Village. In meeting with the President, David was accompanied by his fiancé Ms Bruna Da Conceicao Loureiro, mother Regina Celia Moreira Marinho and Peter Silverstone, Arsenal Football Club Commercial Director. They were also joined by the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi.
Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Musazne
After meeting the President, David traveled to Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Musanze where he planted an indigenous species of tree as part of efforts to expand Volcanoes National Park and reforest at Singita Kwitonda Lodge.
At the property, David also met with the Governor of the Northern Province, JMV Gatabazi, the Chief Park Warden of Volcanoes National Park, Prosper Uwingeli and Eugene Mutangana from the Rwanda Development Board Tourism and Conservation Department.