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 Tutsi 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. View photos here.

 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. View photos here.

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. View photos here.

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.

• View all photos from David’s trip to visit Rwanda here.
• Download video clips from David’s experience in Rwanda here
  
  Important Update – Press Conference
  
  A press conference with David Luiz and Peter Silverstone, Arsenal Commercial Director, as well as the Rwanda Development Board will take place today, Saturday 12 October 2019 at 17:00 at the Kigali Convention Centre. More Information
  
  Learn more about the Visit Rwanda and Arsenal Football Club partnership at www.visitrwanda.com/arsenal/