The Long Form Podcast

In this week’s episode of The Long Form, we speak to Ambassador Joseph Mutaboba — one of Rwanda’s most experienced diplomats . We talk about what really went wrong between Rwanda and the DRC, the quiet role Rwanda played in averting a war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and what the future holds for peace in the region. Consider supporting this podcast via our Momo code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250 795462739 Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya...

Dr. Claire Karekezi is Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon — one of just seven neurosurgeons serving over 14 million people. In this compelling episode of The Long Form Podcast, she opens up about the life-and-death pressure inside the operating room, the leading causes of brain trauma in Rwanda, the role of AI and robotics in African medicine, and what it takes to keep your brain healthy. From treating stroke and accident victims to mentoring young doctors, Dr. Karekezi’s journey is a s...

In this week’s episode of The Long Form, I sit down with Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo — a man whose life mirrors the turbulent history of Rwanda. Born in 1951 in Nyaruguru, he lived through the Kayibanda years, endured exile, trained as a surgeon in France, and then left a comfortable life abroad to join the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in Uganda. From the battlefields of the liberation war where he treated wounded fighters, to rebuilding Rwanda’s shattered health system and leading its biggest hos...

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Sheila Kyarisiima — Partner at NISK Capital, Co-Chair of Spelman Estates (owners of Silverback Mall & Pinnacle Hotel), and a member of Kenya’s National Investment Council appointed by President William Ruto. We dive into her personal journey from Harvard and Wall Street to Kigali real estate, unpack the challenges of running luxury properties like the Pinnacle Hotel, and explore how Rwandan SMEs can raise capital beyond bank loans. S...

My guest this week on The Long Form is Amjad Taha — one of the Arab world’s most outspoken and controversial political analysts. From Israel and Palestine to Sudan’s war, Middle Eastern influence in Africa, and the rise of extremism, Amjad doesn’t hold back. In this unfiltered conversation, we challenge him on his support for Israel, accusations against the UAE, and what terrorism means for East Africa and Rwanda. This episode goes beyond headlines to uncover the hard truths about globa...

Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha is not only one of Nigeria’s greatest ever footballers — he’s one of Africa’s most gifted to ever grace the game. From dazzling stepovers in Frankfurt and PSG, to battling legends like Keane, Viera, and Gerrard in the English Premier League, Okocha carved a place in football history. But behind the flair lies the untold story: the pressures of fame, the silence after retirement, and the hard financial lessons every African player must learn. In this excl...

In this explosive episode of The Long Form, I sit down with Richard Mugisha, one of Rwanda’s most prominent lawyers and Senior Partner at Trust Law Chambers. Mugisha opens up about his 20+ year legal career, the future of law in the age of AI, and his landmark 2018 petition at the Supreme Court challenging the criminalization of adultery. We also dive into the evolution of free speech in Rwanda, legal integration in East Africa, and the challenges of practicing law across borders. This ...

In this explosive episode of The Long Form Podcast, I sit down with Ukrainian journalist and political commentator Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, to unpack the Russia-Ukraine war — from its origins to its global consequences. We discuss what drives Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, the daily reality of Ukrainian civilians under bombardment, and the dangerous uncertainty of relying on the United States under Donald Trump. What does Ukraine’s war mean f...

In Rwanda today, girls are completing school at higher rates than boys, yet young men make up over 85% of prisoners and more than 60% of drug-related arrests. Why are boys being left behind — and what does it mean for Rwanda’s future? In this live-recorded episode of The Long Form, I sit with Alain Numa — a former RPF liberation fighter, Pastor, and founder of Boys to Men, an initiative mentoring teenage boys into responsible men. We discuss Rwandan manhood, masculinity, trauma, fatherh...

What drives an American real estate developer from Denver to invest $26 million into Rwanda’s sports infrastructure? In this episode of The Long Form, I sit down with Andrew Feinstein, the man behind Kigali’s stunning Zaria Court project in the heart of Kigali Sports City. We explore his partnership with NBA executive Masai Ujiri, his insights into the man that is President Paul Kagame, and his bold vision to revitalize Africa’s sports complexes—from BK Arena to Amahoro Stadium—wi...

In this explosive episode of The Long Form, independent photojournalist Teddy Mazina — now living in exile after fleeing Burundi in 2015 — reveals untold truths about his homeland’s political chaos. From witnessing the failed coup against Pierre Nkurunziza to his recent trip deep into M23-controlled territory in Eastern Congo, Mazina unpacks the roots of Burundi’s crisis, the reality of life under President Évariste Ndayishimiye, and why the conflict in the DRC could reshape the entire ...

This week on The Long Form, I speak with Damien Vassallo, the Head of School and CEO of Ntare Louisenlund International School, one of Rwanda’s most elite and forward-thinking institutions. From his journey as an American educator to his role shaping education in Bugesera, Rwanda we explore the stark realities of academic inequality, the challenges of transitioning students from local schools, and the high cost of quality education in a low-income country. We also tackle Rwanda’s education re...

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Dr. Lassina Zerbo — former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso and current Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board. In this high-stakes conversation, we explore why Dr. Zerbo believes that Africa’s development depends on nuclear energy — and why Rwanda is betting big on atomic power. We also discuss his brief but historic tenure as PM, the legacy of Thomas Sankara, the geopolitical risk of nuclear conflict, and the role of African innovation in the gl...

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Caroline Mutoko, a legendary voice in African media and a fearless advocate for women’s leadership and bold African futures. From ruling Kenya’s airwaves to redefining what female power looks like in public spaces, Caroline shares the costs of being an unapologetic woman in media, why she walked away at the height of her power, and whether digital creators can surpass traditional media’s influence. We unpack what “African audacity” looks like in 202...

This week on The Long Form, I sit down with Polycarp Otieno, aka Fancy Fingers, guitarist, composer, and ¼ of the award-winning Kenyan supergroup Sauti Sol. We explore what’s next for Polycarp now that Sauti Sol has ended, how he is navigating life after global tours and fame, and whether East Africa truly has a culture and sound that unites it. We also unpack what makes Kenyan music special, the rise of Rwandan music, and whether African artists should chase “going global” or stay rooted in ...