IGIHE

Author: admin

  • Burundi to emulate Rwanda on corruption fight

    {{The Burundi Ombudsman has told {Igihe.com} that his team is in Rwanda to familiarize themselves with Rwanda’s success story in the fight against corruption. }}

    In November 2010 the world bank recognised Rwanda government’s commitment to business reforms and the zero-tolerance approach to corruption making Rwanda a better place to do business each day.

    In the same year, Rwanda was ranked sixth less corrupt country in Africa and 66th globally in the Transparency International’s global Corruption Perceptions Index 2010.

    Globally, the other East African Community states – Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi are ranked as 116th, 127th, 154th and 170th, respectively.

    The Corruption Perception Index helps to highlight the propensity of domestic corruption and its damaging influence.

    Exclusively speaking to {Igihe.com}, Donavine Niyongabire, the Cabinet Chief in the Burundi’s office of the Ombudsman said that Burundis anticipated target is Zero tolerance to corruption. This follows a pleadge by President Pierre Nkurunziza during recent presidential campaigns.

    “In the previous presidential elections, our president talked about corruption saying it’s a major issue he will address during the next five years of his term”.

    She explained that Burundi government will deal with corruption using the possible measures like other countries have used in sighting a good example of Rwanda.

    The Corruption Perception index previously confined to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, expanded to include Rwanda and Burundi in 2010.

    According to the 2010 East African Bribery Index Burundi is on the top position with a corruption prevalence of 36.7%.

    Uganda comes second with a corruption prevalence of 33%, while Kenya takes the third position after registering an improvement, by moving from a prevalence rate of 45% in 2009 to 31.9% this year.

    Tanzania is fourth with a prevalence of 28.6% while Rwanda is the least corrupt country in the region with a corruption prevalence of 6.6%.

    The East African Bribery Index is a governance tool developed to measure bribery levels in the private and public sectors in the region.

    The survey was conducted among thousands of respondents selected through random household sampling across all the administrative provinces in the five countries between January and March 2010.

  • Banana crop occupies big space with low harvest

    {{ {Banana plantation harvest in Rwanda is still very low yet the crop occupies the biggest arable land, the Minister of Agriculture Agnes Karibata has revealed.
    } }}

    “We face a challenge of productivity. The Banana plant occupies the biggest land area in Rwanda but many of these banana trees bear nothing- output per acre is very low,” She stressed.

    The minister, however, pointed out that the problem of low productivity is not unique to Rwanda but prevalent to most tropical African countries and the constraints causing low productivity can only be solve through effective collaboration between the countries in the region.

    She further emphasised that although banana plantations still serve a fundamental role in combating soil erosion, they still need to bear fruitful productivity.

    In an international conference that bought together delegates from Burundi, Tanzania and DR Congo at Mubano Hotel over the weekend, participants, highlighted Bacterial wilt as an issue which the regional and local agriculturists should carry out adequate prevention measures.

    Jean Pierre Busogora technical assistant in the Integrated Post Management (IPM) project funded under the Belgian BTC on his part, said farmers have complete lack of knowledge of the constraints such as tilt bacterial control, pest and other crop diseases that is killing their crop

    He observed that Banana is a big crop, a major source of food for the population as well as a raw material for the brewery industry in Rwanda. “That is why we are trying to come up with the right measures for its improved production” he emphasised.

    The three day conference recommended for introduction of improved banana genotypes, suitable implementation of integrated banana production methods, diversity of banana pests and diseases and promotion of appropriate methods and benefits of banana research for the farming community among many others.

  • Burundi ombudsman honors Rwandan 1994 genocide

    {The staff of Rwandan office of the ombudsman led by Dr.Tito Rutaremara have this morning led the newly elected Burundian Chief Ombudsman, Mohamed Rukara and other four delegates to Kigali Memorial site, Gisozi to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi.}

    Speaking to {Igihe.com} shortly after the visit, the Director of Cabinet, office of the ombudsman of Burundi, Donavine Niyongabire said: “Actually we know all that happened to Rwanda since it’s our immediate neighbour but it’s really sad about the history and we don’t wish any other nation across the world to experience what happened in Rwanda. We can say; never again to Rwandan genocide.”

    The delegation is in Rwanda for a three-day study tour aimed at obtaining better information on dealing with injustices and ensuring sustainable development back in Burundi.

    “Since the Rwanda’s office of the Ombudsman is older and has better experience in dealing with injustices, we want to learn from them and do better when we return back home,” Niyongabire said.

    The group will also pay a call courtesy to MINALOC, Rwandan Chambers of Deputies and Senators, Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) and officials in the Rwandan office of the Ombudsman.

    The visit will end with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen ties between the two institutions in order to ensure justice and promote development in the two countries.

  • Burundian girl commits suicide over Rwandan lover

    {{Moments before her death on Tuesday 5th July Mika Kaneza announced on her face book status that her life was coming to an end. }}

    This terrible tragedy as she mentions in her status was caused by her love troubles with local RnB singer Ollili Oli.

    It is unknown whether this was just mere groupie love or a long time love affair but in the end it all went wrong for this Burundian girl who was pursuing her studies in the UK.

    Through the various comments and status’s updates on face book, her cyber activity evidently portrayed the profound obsession she had developed with Ollili Oli, the latter who was reported to be having an affair with another girl, Grace Buyoya the daughter of the former Burundian president.

    Reports of their intense rivalry and feud were the subject of many Burundian headlines which circulated on the internet.

    Ollili Olii, a Rwandan, was recently apprehended by the Burundian police for questioning on his affair with the daughter of the former president.

    The relationship between the two had somewhat turned into a public affair.

    After his detainment he later vowed never to return to the country due to his fear of the police.

    Kaneza Mika on the other hand seemed to be very well aware of the relationship that her lover was having with this other girl.

    She even went to extent confront him on facebook by questioning him on who he really loved.

    Following her death , Ollili responded to that terrible incident by saying that , he wished her well and that God be with her on a facebook comment.

  • Mother’s education vital for child survival- Report

    {A mother’s education is key in determining whether her children will survive their first five years of life.}

    In the 2011 Millennium Development Goals report, the highest levels of under-five mortality continue to be found in sub-SaharanAfrica, where one in eight children dies before the age of five.

    In all developing regions, children of mothers with some education are at less risk of dying.

    A child’s chances of surviving increase even further if their mother has a secondary or higher education.

    In addition to education, child survival rates can also be improved by increasing equity in other social services.

    Empowering women, removing financial and social barriers to welfare, encouraging innovations to make critical services more available to the poor and increasing the accountability of health systems at the local level are examples of policy interventions that could improve equity, with benefits for child survival.

    Despite substantial progress in reducing child deaths, children from rural households are still at a disadvantage, according to household survey data from 80 countries. This holds true for all developing countries.

    Disparities are most pronounced in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia (excluding China), where overall child mortality is low.

    According to data from 66 countries, children from the poorest households are also at a disadvantage when it comes to surviving their first five years of life.

    In the developing countries as a whole, children from the poorest 20% of households have more than twice the risk of dying before their fifth birthday as children in the richest 20% of households.

    The greatest disparities are found in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Eastern and South Eastern Asia (excluding China), where the risk is nearly three times as high.

    Steady progress is being made in reducing child deaths. Globally, the mortality rate for children under five has declined by a third, from 89 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 60 in 2009. All countries, except sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and Oceania, have seen reductions of at least 50 per cent.

    Despite population growth, the number of deaths in children under five worldwide declined from 12.4 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2009, which translates into nearly 12,000 fewer children dying each day.

    The greatest success is found in Northern Africa and Eastern Asia, where under-five mortality declined by 68 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively.

    Among countries with high under-five mortality (above 40 deaths per 1,000 live births), 10 countries reduced their rates by at least half.

    Among them, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Nepal and TimorLeste recorded a 60 per cent drop or more.

    The highest levels of under-five mortality continue to be found in sub-Saharan Africa, where one in eight children die before the age of five (129 deaths per 1,000 live births), nearly twice the average in developing regions overall and around 18 times the average in developed regions.

    With rapid progress in other regions, the disparities between them and sub-Saharan Africa have widened. Southern Asia has the second highest rate—69 deaths per 1,000 live births or about one child in 14.

    All of the 31 countries with under-five mortality of at least 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, except Afghanistan, are in sub-Saharan Africa.

    At the same time, major inroads are being made. Four of the ten countries with more than a 50 per cent reduction in child deaths between 1990 and 2009 are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Furthermore, five of the six countries with a reduction of more than 100 deaths per 1,000 live births are in this region.

    Increasing evidence suggests that the MDG target can be reached, but only with substantial and accelerated action to eliminate the leading killers of children.

    In sub-Saharan Africa, diarrhea, malaria and pneumonia are responsible for more than half the deaths of children under five.

    In Southern Asia, over half of all childhood deaths occur in the first 28 days after birth, pointing to the need for better post-natal care. In both regions, under nutrition is an underlying cause of a third of these deaths.

    Special efforts to fight pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, while bolstering nutrition, could save the lives of millions of children.

    The Millennium Development Goals report is based on a master set of data compiled by an Inter-agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators led by the Department of Economic and Social affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, in response to the wishes of the General assembly for periodic assessment of progress towards the MDGs.

    The Group comprises representatives of the international organizations whose activities include the preparation of one or more of the series of statistical indicators that were identified as appropriate for monitoring progress towards the MDGs.

  • Guma Guma super star on its end

    By Diana Mutimura

    {If you complain that Rwandan artists do not play live music, you must have got the satisfaction over the weekend at Gikondo Expo show ground- the Primus Guma Guma live concert.}

    Being one of the first evictions among the competitors, every performer had to give it their greatest, and give their chances of taking home the top spot.

    However, in the Saturday’s concert the first three had to leave the competition because they had received few votes from the public, though they walked out with Frw200,000 consolation each.

    Mani Martin Faycal and Dr. Claude were the ones whose luck of continuing the battle ended last night but this did not mean that they don’t qualify to be the among the famous artists we have in our country.

    During the show the first top seven artists; Tom Close, Dream Boyz, Urban Boyz, Rafiki, Jay Polly, Rider man and King James were first announced before they started their second show.

    The three artists who were evicted because of getting few votes from the public were given the microphone to have few words to tell their fans. And all grateful to their supporters and even promised them to continue doing their best.

    “What I can tell my fans is that I will continue working hard and give my best to you all my fans and I don’t think it is the end of it.”

    “Through you I am optimistic that I will reach very far,” Mani Martin said after being announced among the evicted competitors.

    Faycal said, “I came in this competition when I was hardly known to the public and being out of it first, hasn’t surprised me because of lack of enough public support.

    “But I am very grateful to Bralirwa that organized the competition because I have managed to capture some public support though I were unable get enough votes”.

    Dr. Claude said he does not regret being in Primus guma guma super star. “Even if I am out, it does not stop me from singing and going high. Besides, it was not my chance to win but I’ll continue with my career of singing”.

    Even if these famous artists did not manage to complete the competition, they were very happy for other candidates that remained in the completion and they did this by putting a stunning performance to wish them good luck.

    July 14 among the seven participants that qualified, three will be eliminated paving way for the best four that will perform at grand finals with the international artist Sean Kingston on July 30, at Amahoro National Stadium.

    Mushyoma Joseph aka Boubou, managing director of East African Promoters said that the winner on July 30 will record a song in USA and scoop Frw 6 million Prize.

    The East African Promoters in partnership with Brarirwa sponsored the Guma Guma Primus super star concert.

  • New Business initiative to promote Rwanda’s Young Entrepreneurs

    {{Rwanda’s Junior Chamber International (JCI) organizers for Terimbere Business Plan Competition have advised the youth to continue sending their business proposals before end of August.}}

    The business competition which was initiated by the JIC- Rwanda Chapter in collaboration with stakeholders aims at promoting private entrepreneurship, with emphasis on business proposals showing viable employment opportunities.

    According to Fabrice Shema Ngoga, the JCI World Assign in charge of Africa and Middle-East, the business proposals show a reasonable sustainability for at least more than three years.

    He explains that application forms are currently available from JCI’s website www.jci/cc/local/rwanda then the filled forms can be sent to terimberechallenge@gmail.com.

    He, however, explained to {igihe.com} that applications will be obtained from those that want to improve their business ventures and those willing to start new viable ones and that those interested are only allowed to send one business proposal.

    “Even those who are in groups will be required to nominate a representative who will defend their single business plan,” he stressed.

    JCI’s executive secretary in Rwanda, Albert Nzamukwereka was quick to clarify on how the selection process will be conducted: “Those nominated will be taught how to professionally write business proposals by mentors that will also advise on the execution process,”.

    After the second phase, all nominees will defend their business proposals before a panel of judges most of whom are foreigners.

    Applicants are therefore obliged to draft their proposals in international renowned languages such as French and English.

    Ngoga also pointed out that those in the second phase have high chances of proceeding with their business whether they are chosen or not since at that stage their proposals will be financially viable to attract credits from banks.

    The winners at the competitions will be given loans ranging from US$ 5,000 to US$1 million.

    “Some amount will also be given to winners as an appreciation.” Ngoga said without specifying the amount.

    JCI is an international business initiative that currently has a membership of 200,000 people from 120 countries.

    Members are composed of young entrepreneurs, professionals and university students who are ambitious towards improving their lives and the community at large.

  • Mrs. Kagame in Uganda

    {{The First Lady of Rwanda Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has visited the St. Mary’s Namagunga Girls school accompanied by her host, the First Lady of Uganda, Mrs. Janet Museveni}}.

    Mrs. Kagame is on a 3-day private visit to Uganda.

    Namagunga Girls, established in 1942, is known for its stellar academic performance and is one of the best girls’ schools in Uganda.

    While at the school, the Ladies took a tour of the school, each planted a tree and later spoke to over 700 secondary school girls.

    The day ended with a lively interactive session between the girls and the First Ladies, where the girls heard inspiring words, in response to their questions that ranged from gender to music.

    In her message, Mrs. Kagame encouraged the girls to have a clear vision and know where they want to go.

    She also cautioned them that HIV/AIDS has no face, anyone can transmit it; she advised them not to diagnose it with a naked eye and always protect themselves.

    She reminded the girls to be confident and dignified; to hold on to strong values and make the most of the education they are receiving.

    She concluded by saying, “You are what you have been waiting for, your generation holds the promise of so many bright futures, if only you will open your minds to the possibilities and let your light shine.”

    Mrs. Museveni, whose daughters attended Namagunga Girls, noted how delighted she was whenever an opportunity arose for her to speak to young girls especially about HIV/AIDS.

    She advised the girls to be part of the youth that contributes to an HIV free generation. She thanked Mrs. Kagame for coming to Uganda and for creating an opportunity to visit Namagunga school.

    The First Ladies also toured the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara district the day before. The centre promotes regional understanding through cultural exchange.

    The centre consists of a cultural village and a museum that showcases the rich culture of Western Uganda.

    These activities were part of Mrs. Kagame’s 3-day private visit to Uganda. The First Ladies were accompanied by Ugandan Minister in the Office of the President, Mrs. Kabakumba Matsiko and Rwandan Minister of Gender Mrs. Aloisea Inyumba.

  • Electricity: Rwanda targets 50% supply by 2017

    {{Rwanda is yet again going green by strengthening reliance on renewable energy resources by establishing a third Rusizi power plant. The power plant will have capacity of 145 mega watts that will contribute towards the goal of supplying electricity to fifty percent of all the homes countrywide by 2017.}}

    In a joint collaboration of countries under the CEPGL and the European investment bank, a convention was held at Serena hotel for the implementation of a treaty for the management of the Kivu lake and river Rusizi basin which will be setting up a framework for the cooperation allowing them to initiate The Rusizi 3 hydro electric power project.

    “Our country has embarked on a steadfast development road and it can only be sustained by availability and affordability of power” says Minister of natural resources, Stanislas Kamanzi “ at this stage the rate of accessibility is very low , our ambition is actually to increase so by 2017 we can increase the accessibility to 50 percent from 10 percent presently.”

    Rwanda which is currently producing 80 MW is aiming to be producing 1000 MW by 2017.The region around lake kivu is a very densely populated region desperately in need of electricity. This area comprises of eastern DRC, Burundi and Rwanda.

    Apart from the hydro power project,there are other projects under way that will help in preserving the environment and biodiversity around the lake as well as promoting agriculture and fishing among others.

    The project is estimated to cost US$785,000. The European union has shown substantial interest in funding this project but mobilisation of funds is still under process.The minister adds on.

    The Minister of environment and natural resources in DR Congo Jose Endundo, observed that despite the fact that implementation of similar projects had failed in the past, there was no need to be pessimistic and he encouraged political determination as well as proper cooperation between countries in the CEPGL for successful completion of the project.

    Rwanda government has taken a big commitment in bridging the energy gap by turning to alternative energy sources. Most of the population relies on wood as an energy source and represents around 93 % of energy consumption nationwide.

    With the prevailing rate of exploitation, wood resources will completely be exhausted by 2015. This will not only upset ecological balance but also economic stability including environmental pollution.

    With the setting up of the hydro power plant, Rwanda strengthens its mission to sustainable development.

  • People speakout on Family planning

    By: {{Dianah Mutimura}}

    { {{Igihe.com}} Reporter Diana Mutimura talked to different people around Kigali city and recorded divergent views about the use of family planning methods. }

    In Remera several married men understand and give value to the family planning methods because they believe that family planning initiatives help spacing children and according to respondents, this is healthy to both the child and mother.

    Mupenzi Ismail, the head of Remera mosque says that family planning methods are acceptable and even the Islam Quran advises to space children for at least two years of breast-feeding.

    However, he adds that the only problem of the family planning methods, is especially the women that misuse medications thus end up enduring the side effects. Otherwise the Islamic religion teaches followers to avoid anything that could affect their lives.

    He advises couples to opt for methods that would not bring conflicts to their homes. Mupenzi says he has been married for over 12 years and the couple have only four children who are healthy because they adhere to the family planning guidelines. Sometimes he uses a condom which he says has no side effects to their health.

    Mugabo Hassan, another married of islam faith and treasurer at Remera Mosque adds that using family planning methods is very important because he knew how great it was when the couple were able to space the birth to fifth child.

    He says his wife used to tell him to consider family planning to minimize the size of their family but he could not heed to her advice. But today all is well because they have embraced family planning methods.

    While some families may want many children, others may want only one or two. Certain families may choose not to have any children at all.

    Uwimana Eugenia, a married businesswoman at Remera market says that she and her husband decided they will have more children later and currently they use condoms.

    She says some people wonder how married couples can use condoms. But if it is for the good of the family and the communication between both makes them understand each other for the good of their health was well as better livelihood of their children, it is becomes one of the method which has no side effects at all.

    Many mothers like Uwimana say that family planning methods play a major role in strengthening their families.

    Mugabo Claria a mother of three who sells clothes at Remera market explains that all her children have a spacing of three years and she did that with the help of using contraceptive pills even if she would experience some challenges.

    She confesses that she cannot say that pills are 100% perfect but they are of great use to the married couples for spacing births. She advises young girls who are not yet married not to use them because they can affect their lives in future.

    Murekatete Jane, fruits seller and mother of 5children said that, she had arguments with her husband several times by trying to persuade him to consider family planning but the man would refuse fearing to risks involved.

    However, she explains, that as days went on he started understanding the importance of using family planning. Later he accompanied her to the health centre to have a coil fixed. She has since been using the coil for two years and sometimes he is the one to remind her to go back to the hospital.

    A gynecologist at Polyfam hospital at Remera who preferred to remain anonymous, says that ever since Rwanda embarked on teaching people the importance of family planning, women have managed to focus and appreciate the importance of family planning.

    Women can now have enough time to prepare for another child and that time is not wasted as they are involved with different income generation activities without hindrances related unplanned pregnancies.

    This doctor adds that at the Clinique they witness a number of women that seek for any family planning method and estimated 80% of women now understand the importance of family planning.

    Karemera Augustine, a pharmacist adds that many people now understand the meaning of family planning methods and especially the youth.

    He says their patients mostly are young boys and girls who come to buy pills and condoms for their safety from unwanted pregnancies and they no longer hear of many young girls being sent back home from school because of pregnancies, which shows how family planning methods have played a vital role in our country.

    However, social and cultural barriers in Rwanda make family planning a difficult package to sell. There cultural belief that children are a blessing from God. At traditional marriage ceremonies, newly married couples are urged to be fruitful, ‘may you have many sons and daughters’ is a regular blessing at many ceremonies.

    Majority of Catholic and born again churches do not support the use of family planning because the bible says that every couple should produce and multiply the world. God cannot judge you because of trying to figure out the world.

    Umutoni Christine a born-again convert believes that it is very important to use family planning methods because even God cannot punish you for that.

    She goes further to notes that, even if it were her she would use one but because she’s still single she can’t use them until the she get married.

    Niyomugabo Jean Bosco, 24 and a clothes retail seller at Remera market says he can never sleep with his girlfriend without using condom because he fears the risk of impregnating her when he isn’t yet prepared for cerebrating their marriage.

    He stresses he would rather use condoms because it protects both unwanted pregnancy and transmitted diseases like AIDS yet condoms do not have any side effect like other methods.

    Umurerwa Catherine says that she would rather use condom than pills because she believes she is too young to use other methods.

    It puts a positive twist on things by talking about the advantages of having smaller families in terms of improved health and education opportunities.

    In addition, family planning was seen as an essential way to reduce high levels of infant and maternal mortality, despite the fact that the interviewed did not accept the idea of vasectomy as method of family planning on the side of men.