The Rwanda Premier League (RPL) is the highest division of football in Rwanda. The league was formed in 1975. It was known as the Primus National Football League in 2004 and from 2009–10 to 2012–13, after which sponsorship was taken over by Turbo King. The league was renamed the Azam Rwanda Premier League for the 2015–16 season after Tanzanian television broadcasters Azam TV were announced as sponsors in a deal worth US$2.35 million covering five years. From 2019 to 2020 season Azam TV announced the termination of its contract with Rwanda FA.
The Rwanda Football Federation announced in October 2025 that two Sudanese clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merrikh, would compete in the Rwanda Premier League due to the ongoing civil war. They had been playing in the top-flight Mauritania league and returned to Sudan for a shortened season tournament to determine continental qualification. The Confederation of African Football approved the temporary transfers on 19 November after the season had already begun. Both teams returned to the RPL for the 2026-27 season.
Clubs As of the 2025–26 season
Team Location Amagaju Nyamagabe District APR Kigali AS Kigali Kigali AS Muhanga Muhanga Bugesera Nyamata Etincelles Gisenyi Gasogi United Kigali Gorilla Kigali Gicumbi Byumba Kiyovu Sports Kigali Marines Gisenyi Mukura Victory Butare Musanze Ruhengeri Police Kigali Rayon Sports Nyanza Rutsiro Rutsiro
Previous champions
1968 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1970 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1973 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1975 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 1976–79 : unknown 1980 : Panthères Noires (Kigali) 1981 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 1982 : no championship 1983 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1984 : Panthères Noires (Kigali) 1985 : Panthères Noires (Kigali) 1986 : Panthères Noires (Kigali) 1987 : Panthères Noires (Kigali) 1988 : Mukungwa (Ruhengeri) 1989 : Mukungwa (Ruhengeri) 1990 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1992 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1993 : Kiyovu Sports (Kigali) 1994–95 : APR (Kigali) 1996 : APR (Kigali) 1997 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 1998 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 1999 : APR (Kigali) 2000 : APR (Kigali) 2001 : APR (Kigali) 2002 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 2003 : APR (Kigali) 2004 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 2005 : APR (Kigali) 2006 : APR (Kigali) 2006–07 : APR (Kigali) 2007–08 : ATRACO (Kigali) 2008–09 : APR (Kigali) 2009–10 : APR (Kigali) 2010–11 : APR (Kigali) 2011–12 : APR (Kigali) 2012–13 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 2013–14 : APR (Kigali) 2014–15 : APR (Kigali) 2015–16 : APR (Kigali) 2016–17 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 2017–18 : APR (Kigali) 2018–19 : Rayon Sports (Nyanza) 2019–20 : APR (Kigali) 2020–21 : APR (Kigali) 2021–22 : APR (Kigali) 2022–23 : APR (Kigali) 2023–24 : APR (Kigali) 2024–25 : APR (Kigali) 2025–26 : APR (Kigali) ** Al-Hilal (honorary champion)
Performances Performances by club ClubCityTitlesWinning Years APR Kigali 24 1994–95, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26 Rayon Sports Nyanza 9 1975, 1981, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2018–19 Kiyovu Sports Kigali 7 1968, 1970, 1973, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1993 Panthères Noires Kigali 5 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 Mukungwa Ruhengeri 2 1988, 1989 ATRACO Kigali 1 2008
Top goalscorers SeasonPlayerClubGoals2001 Luleuti Kyayuna APR 92002 n/a n/a n/a2003 Milly APR 122004 Abed Mulenda Rayon Sports 14 Olivier Karekezi APR 2005 Jimmy Gatete APR 132006 André Lomami APR 132006–07 Labama Bokota Rayon Sports 142007–08 n/a n/a n/a2008–09 Jean Lomami ATRACO 122010–11 Meddie Kagere Police 162011–12 Olivier Karekezi APR 142014–15 Isaie Songa APR 142016–17 Dany Usengimana Police 192019–20 Samson Babua Sunrise 152022–23 Hussein ShabaniKigali 142023–24 Ani Elijah Bugesera15 Victor MbaomaAPR
References
External links League overview at FIFA.com (archived 26 June 2007) Competition history at RSSSF