IGIHE

Author: Abou-Shadadi

  • Father’s Day should be more than issuing gifts

    Though in Rwanda Father’s day is celebrated with a few, the day should serve as a wakeup call in appreciating male parenting as well as identifying some of the challenges the house heads encounter.

    The day which is celebrated worldwide highlights how valuable fatherhood is to the children and society in general. It is also marked by issuing of gifts to fathers as well as taking them out to dinners

    Jessica mbabazi, a student at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is among the few who honor this day. She attributed her happiness to the day since it coincided with her birth day.

    In this respect, she took her father for an average shopping at Nakumat Kigali’s renowned supermarket. In the shopping process Mbabazi hardly kept her joy and would be seen encouraging other shoppers on the relevance of the day.

    “I prefer celebrating this day with my father since he has raised me to who I am now and on such a day I have to make sure that I’m the first person to hug my dad and tell him how much I appreciate him, “She emphasizes.

    Innocent Mugabo, a civil servant explains that the day should also be celebrated by those whom their father’s have passed away since by doing so one would be cherishing their memories which could serve as an inspiration to their lives.

  • Nairobi envy’s Kigali’s tidiness

    Kigali’s progress has received praise regionally particulary due to its cleanliness and security, Nairobi though a bigger and old city wants to replicate our city’s style.

    In this respect a group of Nairobi City officials are in the country to study some of the measures that makes Kigali stand out in the region.

    Certainly, Kigali is not only praised for its tidiness but also its infrastructure which facilitates competitive business.

    Commenting on the progress, Kigali mayor Fidel Ndayisaba encouraged the councilors to involve citizens in both decision making and implementation of programs. He added that this promoted accountability at the same time boosted the morale of citizens towards building their country.

    He further pointed out that joint effort was essential since citizens discuss solutions or conduct self regulation amongst themselves without waiting for any intervention from authorities. For instance traders in a mall encourage each other to have a litter bin.

    The mayor of Nairobi George Alandwa noted that they intend to review some of their city laws especially those that promote cleanliness in the city . “Kigali is amazing and we intend to form laws that guarantee the same which we hope we would also spur development in our city,” he remarked.

    Former Nairobi mayor Joe Akech was also quick to point out that they’re going to replicate some of Kigali’s best practices. The order in various bus terminals was also praised unlike in Nairobi where con men take advantage on the disorganized terminals to steal from commuters.

    “Recently I was in London and I must say that Kigali is comparable to the UK city than our Nairobi which is inhibited by slum dwellers and indecent houses,” said Peter Muchiri councilor representing Kariokor suburb.

  • Commonwealth official condemns genocide war

    The Commonwealth secretariat’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of development, Ranford Smith has condemned the occurrence of a genocide war in any part of the globe; he gave his reactions at Gisozi Memorial Park where he led a four man delegation to pay tribute to those killed in the war.

    Speaking shortly after lectures on the country’s history particularly referring to the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, Smith explained that it is a painful experience that befell the nation and that survivors should have hope and progress with their lives.

    “Its quiet paining that’s why this experience should serve a lesson to all and I hope the war will never happen again,” Smith pointed out.

    The Deputy Secretary General added that in the humanity nature, all people should draw from this experience and develop humanity cooperation.

    “We should all know that we are all human beings and future humanity lies in cooperating with each other’s dignities and rights,” he said.

    The delegation is in the country to attend a weeklong conference bringing together members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

  • Tripartite integration on progress


    In a bid to bolster intra regional trade through creation of a wider market,
    member states under the Common Market for East and Southern Africa
    (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern Africa
    Development Community (SADC) have signed a declaration to strengthen
    one market within the bloc.

    The high level summit held over the weekend in Johannesburg South Africa
    adopted a developmental approach aimed to enhance tripartite integration process through market integration, infrastructure and industrial development.

    In addition, the declaration done by heads of state and government officials under the bloc which also makes half of the AU membership, will oversee the harmonization of Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations aimed at forming the integrated market.

    This is expected to favor the bloc’s population which is estimated at 600 million people and a total Gross domestic product of about USD 1 Trillion.

    Under the theme deepening COMESA-EAC-SADC integration with a common vision towards a single market, the forum targets to increase investment in the region by enhancing competitiveness as well as developing cross-regional infrastructure.

    Moreover, the tripartite initiative is a crucial step to achieve the African
    vision of an economic community envisioned in the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980, the Abuja treaty of 1991 which is in line with the resolution of the African Union summit held in Banjul Gambia in 2006.

    The Rwanda delegation was led by the Right Honorable Prime Minister
    Bernard Makuza who represented the President.

  • zoo comes to kigali

    Preparations to the oncoming expo are in full gear as more exhibitors confirm their attendance. What’s unique there will be a zoo meant to showcase wild animals to particularly urban dwellers who rarely visit the parks.

    According to sources Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in conjunction with the Initiative for Development Consultant Services (IDECOS) will showcase the first of its kind zoo in Rwanda’s international trade fair scheduled on 28 July.

    Confirming the matter, Ephraim Karangwa the acting director of investments and special projects at Private Sector Federation explained that over 10 different types of animal species will be exhibited. UWA is known to exhibit lions, giraffes’ antelopes and snakes.

    Rwanda also intends to replicate this as a way to encourage locals in tourism. Karangwa further pointed out that that there were in talks with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to find ways of establishing similar zoos in urban areas.

    “So far RDB has shown interests to a start a zoo in the city as a way to promote the tourism sector,” he remarked.

  • First Aid reduces infant mortality

    Applying first aid to infants before taken to hospital would save their lives especially to those with less access to health centers. In this respect the Belgian Development Cooperation (BTC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is training pediatric nurses on how to deal with emergency cases.

    Despite the fact the nurses should be aware of first aid skills, the lessons builds their capacity particularly in attending to patients in rural areas. Another advantage is that while in the field they can use medical equipments for instance to conduct minor surgeries.

    The 30 trainees are from Kibagabaga and Muhima hospitals which deal with the majority of pediatric cases in both the city and outskirts.

    Commenting on the efficiency of the training, Samuel Van Steirteghem a pediatric expert from BTC noted that the same skills would also be applied to teenagers.

    Steirteghem further pointed out that they also intend to train more in first aid skills as a way to reduce infant mortality. In this regard more capacity building will be conducted to physicians in various disciplines.

    Dr Anaclat Ngabonziza who’s among the trainees from Muhima hospital highlighted that the lessons would improve his attendance to patients. “We will now do our best to ensure that babies in critical conditions are stabilized before being admitted,” he remarked.

    He further advised parents to rush their kids to hospital whenever they got sick since negligence was among the reasons that complicate the infants’ health conditions.

  • Ensuring better child welfare should be a concern to all

    Celebrations for this year’s international child day should serve as a wakeup call in ensuring better welfare to children, yet more needs to be done especially in civilizing street kids.

    In line with raising the awareness, the event scheduled to take place in Huye district will also observe two more relevant global celebrations including child labor day and African family.

    The minister of labor and public service, Anastase Murekezi noted that some children were exposed to harassment due to poverty. He proceeded by warning those who take advantage of the poor kids’ situation by employing them to hard tasks and end up paying them pea-nuts.

    Murekezi also encouraged the public to play a role in ensuring children rights were adhered and that they should report cases of child labor or harassment. In addition vulnerable parents were informed to group themselves into cooperatives in order to access credit which would facilitate them in forming a descent income generating activity.

    The minister also discouraged financial contribution to physically fit beggars especially adults who use their children to beg money in the street. “It would be better if you advised them on useful activities or give them jobs instead of providing them with coins since it makes them reluctant,” he remarked.

    Moreover, constructions of two more rehabilitation centers are underway, the target is to eliminate all street kids and train them on vocational skills while those who perform well will be given scholarship to pursue their career in academic institutions.

    The event will also pay tribute to those who took part in South Africa’s Soweto Uprising back in 1976 meant to change the quality of education given to locals during the Apartheid war.

  • Museums harbor useful historical lessons

    This year’s “cultural tourism” event scheduled on 14 June at Rukari former king’s house will have a variety of cultural activities compared to previous ceremonies. The event is part of a campaign meant to revive the country’s heritage.

    Indeed, the awareness led by the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) also seeks to increase the number of museums as well as attract tourists. However locals are also encouraged to visit museums in order to learn more about the culture.

    Alphonse Umulisa, the head of INMR stressed that some cultural practices were at a risk of becoming extinct if people ignored their lessons. In this respect, the institution has adopted 20 traditional cattle known as “Inyambo “. The latter was used to entertain the king during ceremonies a fact that makes it a historical creature. “A cow plays a big role in our culture since it symbolizes partnership, collaboration as well as togetherness,” Umulisa remarked.

    He further pointed out that cattle were also used as wealth especially in paying dowry. In addition Inyambo’s characters are widely used in traditional dances commonly seen in the stretching of arms which reflects the cow’s horns.

    Apart from Inyambo, traditional handcrafts will also be showcased including cultural outfits. Mashirika a renowned drama group is expected to the grace the event. Later on guests will be served Urwagwa a local brew made from ripe bananas. Other traditional beverages include Ikigaje brewed from fermented millet or sorghum.

    In order to enhance the awareness Umulisa noted that he was in talks with several mayors in order to establish more museums in districts which have historical backgrounds or have ancient materials.

  • Eco-friendly stove will reduce the use of charcoal

    Charcoal users will soon be relieved from chocking smoke as the new eco-friendly stove sets to dominate in Rwandan homes, the first of its kind cooker was introduced by Enviro Fuel a Florida based company in the US. The stove is in line with the governments’ campaign to combat air pollution through the use of bio fuel.

    Moreover, what makes the stove pro-poor is its design which is cost effective given that it only uses only 10 ounces of coal to cook a day’s meal, what’s interesting is that the cooker is attached with a gadget that uses the heat to charge cell phones as well as light up to three bulbs, a fact that makes it useful in rural areas.

    Manuel Onege the company’s Africa representative added that stove reduced the cost of fuel from US $175 to US $90 annually. He was backed by Enviro President Harry Hunt who praised the stove’s durability which lasts for more than 25 years.

    However, Onege further pointed out that despite the fact there’s a challenge in getting coal locally, the company aims to do tests on peat (Nyiramugegeri) a type coal obtained from clay merged with charcoal.

    Enviro Fuel also aims to start an industry in Rwanda which will serve as a market to other African countries. So far the stove has been introduced in neighboring Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Nigeria.

    Still its US$ 92 cost is unaffordable to the vulnerable that’s why the company is in talks with microfinance institutions to provide credit to interested buyers.

    Yussuf Uwamahoro, who is in charge of energy at the Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA commended the stove adding that it contemplated governments efforts to enhance use of bio fuel. He added that 85 percent of the population relies on biomass as a source of energy while 4 percent depend on electricity and 11 percent on other oil products.

  • Agricultural Expo emphasizes on the use of mechanized farming

    The sixth national agricultural show has opened its doors at Mulindi agricultural grounds till 12 June, while residing at opening ceremony Prime Minister Bernard Makuza urged leaders to work closely with farmers and stakeholders in order to develop the agricultural industry rather than waiting experience sharing during agricultural shows.

    He further encouraged the use of mechanized farming especially in rural areas adding that expo was a good opportunity for leaders to work together with farmers as well as stakeholders to encourage agricultural transformation.

    The advice is in line with the expo theme Irrigation and mechanization in agriculture transformation.

    The Task force of mechanization and Irrigation department under the ministry of agriculture has prepared demonstrations on how a farmer can use farming machines to not only save their time but also increase their produce.

    What is more, exhibitors are demonstrating some of the irrigation methods aimed at discouraging farmers to depend on rainfall; however some famers have adopted the irrigation strategy as one of the ways to fight climate change imposition.

    The exhibitors represent 28 cooperatives including those from neighboring countries.