IGIHE

Author: admin

  • ICPAR Trains SACCO Staff On Financial Reporting

    {{The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) yesterday trained over 40 SACCO workers and their leaders including others from auditing firms on financial reporting.}}

    The training was held at Golden Hills Hotel in Kigali.

    (ICPAR) is a Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) mandated by law to regulate the Accounting profession in the republic of Rwanda.

    Peter Rutaremara president of ICPA Rwanda explained to the press that the workshop was meant to create awareness to the participants on corporate laws and financial report framework among others to institutions in order to become better accounting members.

    “We also meant to impart them with skills that can help them do their work in a polite manner,” Rutaremara added.

    He also said that the institution signed a MoU with Auditors in Micro Finance Institutions intending to uplift their skills to reach the international standards.

    Among other trainees, Emmy Manzi heading Munyiginya SACCO based in Rwamagana district Eastern Province said that the people in the area still lacked proper information to create awareness adding that at the end of the workshop he will be able to get a solution on how to create awareness about SACCO in his area of work in order to attract many people.

    Joan Nyanzi of Garry White Knight (Auditors) based in Uganda but has a branch in Rwanda said, “The ICPAR workshops I have attended yet have helped me to know how to follow laws in Rwanda and I have leant standards and knowledge of operating in this country.”

    Nyanzi also quoted, “when the company is not following laws properly, there are high risks of affecting Auditors during auditing.” She added that such trainings help them to overcome such kind obstacles during auditing.

  • Scientists Address Climate Change

    {{A group of climate change scientists from East and Central Africa have urged governments and donors to establish a regional platform aimed at addressing climate-related disasters.}}

    Scientists want an early warning system to help local communities prepare for drought and other climate-related disasters in the region.

    The meeting also focused on exploring options to produce a product tailored to local conditions, including parts of the region that were devastated by a severe drought between 2010 and 2011.

    Researchers visited a weather centre in Rwanda for an overview of techniques used by Rwanda for weather forecasting and dissemination.

    “This project (in Rwanda) shows how a small initial investment in the weather can make a major difference in providing accurate information to prevent another catastrophe,” said John Ntaganda, the president of meteorological services in Rwanda.

    Scientists included those from; Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda.

    “It was wonderful to come to Rwanda and see how the government deals with the problem, assuming a leadership role and developing clear strategies for mitigation of climate change,” said Mr. Laban Ogallo.

    Mr. Ogallo is the Chief of the Forecast Climate and Applications with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in the regional bloc.

    The scientists also stressed the need to increase food production in the region to meet the needs of the growing population of Africa.

  • Varsity Students Angry With Academic Rector

    {{Students in their final academic year at School of Finance and Banking(SFB) long dispute continues as they are accusing the Vice Rector in charge of academics Dr Papius Musafiri.}}

    The students accuse Musafiri for blocking them from sitting for suplimentary papers after failing the exams saying it is a common practice in many universities around the world more especially in common wealth countries of which Rwanda joined recently.

    Over 200 of the 500 students largely from Finance and Accounting Departments supposed to graduate June this year now face missing their graduation due to failed exams and not allowed to sit for supplementary.

    “We petitioned the administration but the Vice-Rector in charge of academics says that their policy prohibits supplementary examinations,” Steven Nankunda who is also the Guild president said.

    The policy seems to be hinged on only business interests as students are asked to pay Rwf 80,000 in order to retake one examination even when they have to repeat the class.

    The students continue pointing an accusing finger to Vice Rector Musafiri as a more complicated and don’t mind about the problems of the students claiming that their education environment does not favour them.

    They claim that facilities at the institution were stretched and lecturer rooms are overcrowded that even can’t hear the lectures giving examples of also the library and computer laboratory.

    Other students complained that lecturers at times refuse to assist them complete their studies.

    “We have students who do a lot of work on their project proposals because some supervisors do not respond to their queries. Sometimes they even refuse to pick up calls from students,” claimed Livingstone Byakatonda, one of the affected students from the Department of Finance.

    The accused Vice Rector Dr Papius Musafiri question the claims of the students yet they have failed examinations however saying the final list of those to graduate is yet to be released.

    Musafiri says the objective of the graduation should not be the number of graduates, but the quality of students that the institution is discharging into the labour market.

    Professor Geoffrey Rugege, the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education has backed the SFB for its “tough stand”.

    “Institutions of higher learning have the full freedom and autonomy to change their academic regulations to adopt what they consider the best practices,” he said.

    He added that all academic regulations are under review with the aim of making all universities adopt uniform standards by September this year.

    Unlike the SFB, other universities in Rwanda are yet to abolish supplementary examinations.

    Contrary however the celebrated professor Silas Lwakabamba the Rector of National University of Rwanda (NUR) says “Its part and parcel of our regulations that students should be given another chance once they fail an examination,”

    SFB has vowed to produce quality students for Rwanda’s labour market with skills in Finance, accounting mostly to bridge the gap of incompetence in finance, procurement and accounting sectors.

    {{ENDS}}

  • Man Beheads Father, Strangles Mom

    {{Police in Kirehe District has arrested a suspected murderer while on the run to Rusumo after killing his parents in Rwamagana District.}}

    The suspect identified as Sindayigaya Gilbert 24 reportedly beheaded his 75year-old father and consequently strangled his own mother aged 65 years.

    The murder incidence occurred at Munayinga sector in Rwamagana district.

    Sindayigaya decision to murder his elderly parents resulted from a property dispute.

  • Private Sector Urged to Invest in Energy

    {{About 250 Investors have convened in Kigali for an Energy Investment conference.

    Officiating at the opening of the conference, Prime Minister Dr.Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI encouraged private sector to consider investing in the Energy sector saying the government policy supports such a move.}}

    The conference is organized by Rwanda Development board in partnership with the World Bank, the ministry of infrastructure and national energy agency EWSA.

    The Minister of State for Water and Energy Ms. Emma Francoise ISUMBINGABO said Rwanda has a plan to generate over 1000 Mega watts of Electricity but currently the total output stands at 100Mega watts.

    She thus emphasized that this target cannot be attained without the collaboration with the private sector.

    Government also projects that by 2017 about 70% of Rwandan homes shall be connected to the national electricity grid.

    Rwanda Development Board’s Deputy CEO in charge of Business Operations Claire Akamanzi said energy production increase is needed to for the current and future economic development.

  • American Tourist Robbed

    {{An American Tourist Lauren Brom visiting Rwanda was today robbed by a motorist pretending to be a cab driver.}}

    Brom arrived this afternoon in Rwanda by Bus from Nairobi Kenya. After reaching Nyabugogo bus terminal, she sought service of a cab driver but wasn’t aware of how genuine cabs look like.

    Brom said the driver spoke good English and thus trusted him to deliver her to a hotel.

    The runaway driver quietly approached her and asked her where she was going in English. She gladly entered his vehicle and placed all her bags in the back seat and sat in the co-drivers seat.

    She wanted to be delivered to Kacyiru residential apartments which she had pre booked on line before she arrival.

    Brom narrated to IGIHE.com that when they reached a narrow road that had no houses or roads branching off, She noticed the driver locking the doors with the child safety switch but was convinced it was just safety manners until he put his hand in his left pocket and pulled out a Swiss army knife.

    She panicked asking the driver where they were and what he was going to do to her when all of a sudden he swerved the car and parked on the side of the road.

    The driver told her to not to try anything funny or he would hurt her but if she just gave him all her money and get out of the car she won’t be harmed, he took her money and threatened to find her if she was to report it to the cops.

    Brom said she was simply glad to get out alive that she quickly gave him the money and left the car, in her haste to get out of the car she left her belongings in the back and simply went with her empty purse and her passport.

    She said she only remembers the driver was wearing a cap and his car was white but had no orange lining that she didn’t know represented taxi cabs.

    She was helped by area residents that escorted her to a proper cab. Brom reached her apartments where the staff helped her locate a western union branch where she sent for more cash.

    Brom says she hasn’t been fazed by this episode since her experience in Kenya has taught her a few things about African robbery. She will still use taxis but only those she knows are official cab drivers.

  • Kimicanga Residents Evicted

    {{Residents of Kimicanga suburb are angry at their eviction with only two days remaining to have the area secured. Locals are literally collecting their belongings including; bricks and roofing materials from structures they have always known as home.}}

    The residents who have resided in the affected houses are outraged at the manner in which local officials as well as landlords have begun demolishing the houses while residents are still inside.

    The area comprised of restaurants, shops homes and all sorts of livelihood facets. The emotional attachment to the place seems strong at the moment but the decision has already been made.

    Some residents who have been renting in the suburb have been left stranded as their landlords have literally begun taking down the houses.

    Peter Shimimana a resident of Kimicanga has been renting in the area says he is troubled to find a place to go in just two days.

    “I have nowhere to go, this house only cost me 40,000rwf.other places are too expensive. I don’t know where to find money in just two days.”

    By last night demolition was ongoing in the area while residents were still occupying the houses. The House proprietors have begun removing bricks, windows, and all valuable items.

    Several residents claim they are now homeless while others will return to their villages.

    Agnes karuranga a widow,owned houses at Kimicanga with her five children, and grandchildren all in the same house. She has lived at Kinamba for over 35 years; her family depended on money from the houses that she had rented out for several years.

    Karuranga told IGIHE.com that the money the government has given her as compensation for her houses is what she will use to build a new house. But She says the biggest problem is that her family has been deprived of a source of regular income.

    Beatrice Isenga owner of a small resturant already demolished said this is the third time she is moving due to land expropriation and that everytime she moves it gets harder and harder for her to make her business work.she has no husband but only a schooling daughter.

    “I have no idea whether my business will thrive again. I have to start afresh. Places like Kimicanga have been helpful to small businesses like mine because the clients are also low income earners”.

    Local Officials and landlords have said that the people were given sufficient time and notice as stated by the law; last month was the official eviction announcement and all the people have been fairly compensated.

    Those who have any official complaint should contact authorities at the national land center.

  • Bank Seizes Conman Attempting to Steal Frw12M

    {{Police has arrested a man identified as Claude Uwintwari for attempting to defraud cash worth Frw12million from Banque Populaire branch at Nyamirambo.}}

    Police sources revealed that Uwintwari was intercepted at the bank where he had submitted a falsified cheque to withdraw Frw12million from an accunt belonging to a business woman identified as Esperance Mugande, a business woman.

    Uwintwari had allegedly connived with a team of fraudsters that illegally duplicated a telephone simcard belonging to Mugande through SIM swap.

    Therefore when bank authorities telephoned Mugande on the same line, it was answered by a different person confirming that indeed permission had been granted to withdraw the amount of cash inscribed on the cheque.

    The bank needed confirmation from the the Account Holder that such a massive amount had been authorized for withdrawal.

    However, as Luck would have it, Mugande coincidentally arrived at the bank as Uwintwari tried to cash the check. Mugande was immediately recognized by bank employees who asked her whether she had indeed authorized payment of Frw 12million.

    Mugande denied any authorization. She swiftly contacted her husband to find out whether he had authorized any payment which he also denied.

    Suspecting an ongoing fraudulent activity, the bank ordered its security detail to restrain Uwintwari as it notified Police.

  • Get More Information On How to Study in USA

    {{What?}}

    The Educational Advising Center at the American Embassy presents a student advising session on “Undergraduate Study in America.”

    {{When? }}

    These sessions will be held every first Wednesday of every month.
    The next one will take place on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

    {{Where?}}

    The presentation will be done in the Consular Waiting Room at the American Embassy in Kacyiru. Please enter through the consular entrance.

    {{RSVP Required}}: Please call or email to reserve a space as seating is limited.

    Email kaburenterx@state.gov or call 252 596-689.

  • New Law Extends Road Space to 22 Meters

    {{The new law that establishes Roads in the country has created major adjustments to the previous law.

    The current law provides that all major roads especially Highways extend upto 22 meters up from previous 15 meters in the old law.}}

    Dr. Alexis Nzahabwanimana the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure announced the changes in the provisions of the old law and urged respect of the new law (no 55 of 14 Ukuboza 2011).

    “Roads including those connecting districts in category One, are required subject to the new law to be 7 meters wide (two lane) and the reserve area has been adjusted to 22 meters from the previous 15 meters,” said Dr. Nzahabwanimana.

    Adjustments in the law imply that any developmental activities existing within the range of 22 meters from the Highway road and other roads provided for in the new law shall be affected.

    It is not yet explained whether proprietors of existing infrastructure such as Houses and other activities including arable land would be compensated.