IGIHE

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  • Fuel Prices Fall

    {{From 1st October 2011, the price of petroleum products will cost lower. This follows an announcement by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.}}

    According to the ministry announcement, Kigali fuel price for super and diesel must not exceed Frw1000 per liter. MINICOM had always attributed the trend to the international oil prices, which are governed by the forces of supply and demand.

    The current status of petroleum products has been frw1025per litre in Kigali but some taxi drivers say that in suburbs it costs more .

    Pump prices for both petrol and diesel went up by 5%, recording the highest hike in pump prices the country has ever experienced early this year where petrol rose by 5% (Rwf965 to Rwf1,015 per litre) and diesel, 6%(from Rwf958 to Rwf1,015).

    This has come again after the pump price for gasoline in Rwanda was last reported at 1.63 in 2010, according to a World Bank report released in 2011. The Pump price for gasoline in Rwanda was reported at 1.37 in 2008, according to the World Bank. Fuel prices refer to the pump prices of the most widely sold grade of gasoline

    The Minister of the trade and commerce informs the general public, that the reduction of the pump prices reflects the current dynamics in the international oil prices as observed during the month of September.

    Rwanda being the fastest country growing economies in central Africa has recorded sustained and widespread economic growth on the African Continent, a senior official at the World Bank in a report.

    90% of Rwandan population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, new industries such as tourism, cut flowers and fish farming have been gaining importance. The major source of foreign trade is coffee, tea, tin cassiterite, wolframite and pyrethrum.

    It said in a statement released in May that growth would slow to 7% this year due to the adverse impact of higher food and fuel prices, which would also push the inflation rate to 7.5% by the end of 2011.

  • Furniture Fabricator Says ‘Minds Matter More Than Money’

    {{Andrew Dukuzumuremyi 32, a Rwandan furniture and interior designer urges youth to save a little they earn for the better future, “Starting out with a solid design isn’t necessary, but neither is tying your shoes after you put them on.”}}

    Andrew Dukuzumuremyi (pictured above) is the proprietor of Malina Interior Sarl. His company deals in home and office furniture’s, carpets, curtains, vertical blinds, cleaning services, construction and general supplies. He says every project has a starting point and desire to see its success.

    Dukuzumuremyi started with frw 500,000 however, has accumulated between Frw 20-25 million. He says the most important thing is not money, it’s the mind, even it does not require much time, what matters it how you manage the little time you have got.

    Dukuzumuremyi developed interest in decoration at the age of 17 while in Uganda. He lived with his uncle. When he returned Rwanda, he started with hanging and selling curtains and pillows, doing interior designs in rooms and painting homes and the hardest part of the project was to know how to save and invest, he says.

    I like modern and beautiful furniture that’s why I got the idea of making L shape sofa affordable compared to other places, the 7 seat of Malina sofa costs almost Frw 700,000, he told Igihe.com

    Dukuzumuremyi says his success depends on the trainings he acquired from USA and China for an 8 month period that gave him knowledge of how to find nice fabrics and supply better qualities to Rwandan, he says.

    “No matter how you approach the development of your business, there will always be issues to deal with”, Andrew noted.

    Malina interior Sarl trust in what they produce and place importance on design which has given the company a strong foundation with a unified goal.

    Dukuzumuremyi urges youth to desist from old fashion mindsets and embrace the vision the government wants to put the citizens while creating and innovating.

  • Rwanda, South Sudan Police to Professionalise

    {{Thirty senior police officers including five from the newly formed state of South Sudan have gathered in a two-week training aimed at proffessionalising the force.}}

    The training has been organised by Rwanda National Police in conjunction with the British High Commission to Rwanda.

    The training is in line with the implementation of the resolutions adopted the recent Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) meeting to join in combating trans-border crimes.

    In the meeting, EAPCCO member states agreed to help in training the police of the newly formed South Sudan state.

    The Inspector General of police Emmanuel Gasana who also chairs EAPCCO says 21 other officers are undergoing various courses with 14 of them doing online degree courses at Cambridge University and two attending the international strategic and leadership course and international commanders’ course at Bramshill College.

    Two other officers are scheduled to enrol at Teesside University for Masters’ degrees in forensic science while three others are slated for Leicester University on the online Masters’ degree.

    Ten officers have so far graduated with Masters’ degrees from Teesside University.

    “This is a clear manifestation of our effort towards professionalising the police force. I am sure the knowledge that will be acquired here will increase their capacity in leadership, management of crucial incidents, command and control, strategic planning and management and community policing,” Gasana said.

    Ben Llewellyn Jones, the British High Commissioner to Rwanda says that it is very important his government to support the Rwandan police and South Sudan too plus supporting links that exist between the two countries.

    “It’s important that police becomes professional, which is central to good governance,” Jones said.

    They will be trained in leadership, management and community policing, the latter, which aims at enhancing the cooperation between police and the local communities.

    It will also cover topics such as intelligence-led policing to further improve the exchange of information between the police and the general public.

  • Safety Of Clients Is Vital-–Montel Manager

    {{The marketing manager of Hello’s Corner has observed that safety of their clients is vital for the growth of their business and other business across the country.}}

    Augustine Munyangabo told igihe.com in an interview that progress of doing business in Rwanda was a contribution of peace, security and stability in the country.

    “Our success in business can be attributed to the security in the country in addition to customer care we give to our clientele,” Munyangabo said in an interview.

    “Given the fact that Rwanda has been recently ranked the top country in the region in doing business despite having minimal resources Rwandans should attribute this achievement to the peace and security experienced in the country today where everyone is free to work 24hours a day with no interference,” he added.

    In order to make their clients more secure, the Montel-pub has introduced metal detectors used to search their clientele whether they seeking for accommodation or getting their services and leave.

    “We have equipped our security staff with security skills and in addition purchased metal detectors that we use to ensure security of clients and their property.”

    Hello’s Corner is a Motel-Pub located in Remera opposite control techniques. This facility operates 24hours 7days a week and offers variety of services such as Sauna, Massage and Lodges.

  • One Dollar Campaign lacks Frw4Bn To Complete Work

    {{The popular ‘One Dollar Campaign’ which was aimed at fundraising money to solve shelter problems of genocide orphans wants Frw$4billion to complete its work whose deadline is december. It’s now two years since the campaign kicked off.}}

    The campaign was launched by members of the Rwandan Diaspora to source funds with an aim of solving the issue of homeless orphans of the 1994 Genocide.

    December this year is the deadline set by One Dollar Campaign officials to complete the first phase of constructing homes for genocide orphans.

    The campaigns director Apollinaire Sayinzoga Nkongoli has been quoted saying there is still a deficit of 4 billion to complete the work.

    The first phase of buildings is composed of a four storey house with rooms, a dining hall and kitchen.

    It is expected that by December this year, 192 orphans will move into the new building after all the necessary amenities are installed inside.

    The completion of the whole phase of construction will see the accommodation of 600 children many of whom do not have a place to call home especially during school holidays.

    The one dollar campaign was initiated by the Rwandan Diaspora to contribute funds mainly to construct houses for orphans of the genocide against the Tutsi and {Igihe.com} had an interview with One Dollar Campaign Director Apollinaire Sayinzoga Nkongoli and the following are the excerpts.

    {{How did One Dollar Campaign Project develop?}}

    One Dollar Campaign is a project that emerged from discussions in 2009 among the Rwandan Diaspora through their forum Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN).

    Léonie Rutanga the vice president of the forum told IGIHE.com that during the Diaspora meeting in 2008, suggestions of how we can help genocide orphans who had no where to stay especially during the holidays which would often lead to isolation of children and self neglect.

    We then thought of collecting money which would be used to construct houses for the children.

    Parfait Gahamanyi the commissioner in charge of Diaspora in the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation said that the Diaspora quickly without hesitation agreed to start the process of fundraising.

    The government of Rwanda also supported the initiative by sensitizing all Rwandans in the country on the project.

    {{What has been achieved?}}

    Sayinzoga Nkongoli the head of “One Dollar Campaign Project” says there was a delay in implementation but now there is what can make someone to smile since 2009 when we the fundraising begun, getting the construction site and securing the necessary documents for the work to begin.

    The real construction process kicked off in January this year and now the first block is almost getting completed at an average of 70%. When completed this single complex will accommodate up to 192 children.

    {{How much work is left? }}

    As narrated by the Diaspora committee and “One Dollar Campaign organizers, this complex is one of the three complexes that have to be completed and all together will accommodate about 600 children.

    The second phase of the construction phase is soon starting. One Dollar Campaign authorities are still calling upon Rwandans for their support which is most needed especially at this crucial stage of the construction.

    This first phase is projected to cost about 812million Francs, while the whole complex which will be constructed in three phases will cost almost 5billion Francs. Since the project kicked off, 985 million Francs has been collected meaning that this will only complete the first phase.
    Two hands are better than One

    This comment came from Parfait Gahamanyi the commission of Diaspora in the ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation MINAFFET, who was expressing on the achievement made so far noting that since every Diaspora agreed to contribute at least $1 and today we are registering such achievements.

    The remaining phases require much support and effort. The executive secretary of RDGN Aimable Rwamucyo told {Igihe.com} that whoever wishes to know the progress of the construction in detail and who ever wishes to give his contribution no matter the location to visit

    “http://www.rwandandiaspora.gov.rw/” for more information.

  • Quality Health Services a National Priority -Binagwaho

    {{The Minister of Health Dr. Agnes Binagwaho has re-emphasized that delivery and access to quality health services is a national priority.}}

    The Minister was referring to the government’s commitment to invest more in health sector upon handover health tools worth over Rwf 200 million to health workers.

    In partnership with Global fund, the Ministry of Health donated 4 cars and 101 motorcycles to facilitate District health workers across the countries.

    “We are aware that investing in health infrastructure is an engine to making provision of quality of care a national priority,” Binagwaho said adding that the donation of the motorcycles and cars was an indication of the government’s commitment to invest in health.

    The Minister also said that an increased investment in health infrastructure has put Rwanda on track towards attaining the MDGs and the government’s vision 2020.

    Binagwabo added that Ministry of Health has put extra efforts to develop health infrastructure and bridge the geographical access gap through construction of new health facilities.

    Other efforts include rehabilitation of the health facilities, purchasing of new ambulances for Health Centers, generators to rural health centers, improvement of the laboratory system and the development of Telemedicine.

    According to the minister motorcycles will be distributed to District Hospital Technicians, Community Health workers Supervisors and Health Centers for HIV services integration.

  • Justice Stakeholders Review Sector Performance

    {{At Lemigo Hotel, Justice stakeholders held a meeting with different donors for an in-depth analysis of performance during the past fiscal year 2010/11 in the implementation of EDPRS results and policy matrix and an assessment of the CPAF targets and policy actions in order to come up with policy recommendations for the coming year.}}

    The meeting is held annually bringing together justice sector stakeholders including the ministry of justice, security organs, the Supreme Court, reconciliation commission and civil society organization and donor partners focusing on human rights.

    “This annual meeting is mainly oriented towards review and evaluates the past set objective and what was achieved. We develop strategies so that the coming year they can realize. For instance last year we had four major objectives; decentralization of justice, fight against genocidal ideology, enhancement of laws in the country and consolidating peace and security in the country.” Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwari the permanent secretary in the ministry of justice told igihe.com.

    Stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives of the lead sector ministry (MINIJUST), representatives from other concerned ministries and government institutions, representatives from the National Budget, National Development Planning and Research and External Finance Units of MINECOFIN, representatives from donor organizations, Civil society representatives and other delegates from government institutions as deemed by the lead ministry.

    According to Jolke Oppewal the head of cooperation at the Netherlands embassy and the co-chair for the Justice and Reconciliation Sector told igihe.com that the objective of the meeting was to look at the sectors performance in the year 2010/11 that ended 30th June.

    “Currently the sector is getting much better as institutions work together, they have much better planning and monitoring and they have well set targets and indicators on what they want to achieve related to a number of issues that are very important; what is the capacity of prisons compared to the number of prisoners, access to justice houses at the district level; are they there, how long do people have to wait before their trail? All these are indicators in this framework and the present conclusion of this morning is that a big majority of these targets has been achieved.” Jolke Oppewal

    According to the coordinator of the Legal Aid Forum Mr. Andrews Kananga “Much has been achieved not only in 2010/11 even before because we have a framework that we are working in called EDPRS.

    For the past three years, we have been working in that strategy and a lot has been achieved in terms to access to justice, we have a lot of achievement as far as decentralization of justice is concerned where by the government has put in place access to justice houses, equipment and trained officers working in those houses to be able to assist people in legal matters”

  • ICTR Upholds 25-year Jail Terms Imposed on Setako & Munyakazi

    {{The United Nations war crimes tribunal for Rwanda based in Arusha Tanzania, has upheld 25-year jail terms imposed on a former Rwanda military officer and a landowner for Tutsi genocide in 1994.}}

    The appeals chamber of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) dismissed the appeal by Lieutenant Colonel Ephrem Setako(photo above), who was also head of the defence ministry’s division of legal affairs, upholding his conviction for genocide for ordering the killings on 25 April 1994, of 30 to 40 ethnic Tutsis at Mukamira military camp and some 10 other Tutsis there on 11 May.

    It also confirmed his convictions for extermination as a crime against humanity and for violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons as a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions that govern the treatment of prisoners of war.

    The chamber also upheld the 25-year jail term imposed on Yussuf Munyakazi, a former farmer and landowner, for genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity based on his role in the killings of ethnic Tutsi at Shangi and Mibilizi parishes on 29 and 30 April 1994, respectively.

  • Macadamia Nut Essential For Economic Growth

    {{A study released by the Belgian development agency, BTC shows that Rwanda has a great potential for macadamia production.}}

    The Belgian development agency, BTC, mobilises its resources and its expertise to eliminate poverty in the world.

    Introduced in the country in early 1980’s, macadamia had not attracted a big interest from various stakeholders whether public or private sector operators or even international development partners.

    According to current findings, estimates are that between 85,000 and 200,000 macadamia trees in Rwanda that produce 700 metric tons of nuts-in shell or the nuts after the husk has been removed annually.

    The estimates put the production at about 16,000 metric tons over the next 15 years to generate more than USD 30 million annually by 2020.

    Currently, production is largely organized through farmers’ cooperatives.

    Furthermore, the data generated by the study, anticipates that production growth calls for the setting up of a primary and secondary processing factory to add value for the local production in order to maximize returns.

    However, this fact makes it difficult to have a large body of knowledge about this cash crop especially on diseases and parasites, economic and business opportunities and available transformation technologies.

    Commissioned by Kayonza District with support of the Belgian – Rwandese Study Fund, the feasibility Study for Macadamia development and processing in Rwanda, aimed at promoting modern and cost effective technologies to develop macadamia plantations and a processing factory to ensure an export oriented economic growth in the district.

    The study also gathered data and information around the country to assess current state of production and project potential growth as well as economic significance of the development of Macadamia as a cash crop in Rwanda.

    “The climatic condition in Rwanda is ideal for high quality macadamias and high yields.Trees will produce much nuts for a year from multiple flowerings. This will keep a processing plant operating for longer and give farmers a more consistent income,” The report reads in parts.

    “Moreover, the introduction of new and appropriate varieties and a proper post harvest management remain key guarantees for high quality product,” Preliminary findings indicate.

  • Tigo Sensitizes Staff on HIV/AIDS

    {{Rwanda’s telecom company Tigo has launched an in-house HIV/AIDS program aimed at promoting the pandemic awareness amongst its employees and partners.}}

    Tigo staff

    The program will involve providing and encouraging voluntary HIV testing, treatment, care and support at the workplace.

    Four years program will be conducted by the support of Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS Program (SWAHAP), an NGO that aims at contributing to the private sector response towards awareness of the virus and medical support.

    Tigo’s acting CEO Diego Camberos encouraged his staff to utilize the services which he believes would help them to know their health status.

    “Most of you are young and we’re building the future hence a need to fight and achieve our goals so this pandemic shouldn’t let us down.” Camberos said at the launch of the program one hour ago.

    Nina-Claudia Ndabaneze the company’s marketing manager was quick to point out that, “the impact of HIV/AIDS on any business and its employees is patent in many ways.

    “Sometimes it leads to absenteeism of workers seeking health services which reduces productivity, high medical bills due to health conditions, increased costs due to terminal benefits and many more,” Ndabaneze remarked.

    According to reactions from various employees, the program is essential especially to those who might be infected since they will get medical support at work hence improving their productivity.

    “Indeed this program is interesting but my fear is a need for privacy for those affected, really this is an issue to consider or else people will be hesitant to go for the services,” noted Alpha Bundu.

    Reacting on the matter Daniel Mwaura the SWAHAP regional coordinator assured the staff that confidentiality will be highly considered and that Tigo will only be given numbers of people infected but not their names.

    “We have a contract with Tigo and among our terms is not to disclose the names of people infected. What we will disclose is the number of people they should support financially, the funds will be channeled through our organization in order to assist those who are in need of help,” said Mwaura.

    He also added that there will be a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) tent in the company’s compound which will offer services related to testing HIV/AIDS, counseling and awareness of the pandemic.