Pierre Nkurunziza - Personal Life

Personal Life

Nkurunziza was one of seven siblings. Two of his siblings were killed after civil war erupted in 1993, and three others died while fighting in the CNDD-FDD. Only one of his siblings, a sister, is alive today.

A self-described born again Christian and a big fan of sports. President Nkurunziza is a talented sportsman who enjoys playing soccer and riding a bicycle. He began playing football at the age of five, and was always among the best at secondary school and University. As a University lecturer, Nkurunziza used his football talents as a coach of “Union Sporting”, a first division club side which was rated among the best at the time. As a President, he has re-called some of his former players to form a new team of veterans, “Helleluia FC”, where he plays as a striker and scores regularly. Back in 2004, when he was a State Minister, Nkurunziza created a “Soccer Academy ” which is home to nearly 300 kids learning skills in various training centres across the country. The President is using sports as a tool for reconciliation and development, and his soccer academy could become a reference in Africa in the near future. Pierre Nkurunziza married his wife in 1994 and is the father of five children.

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