Author: IGIHE

The call was made yesterday by CGP George Rwigamba, the Commissioner-General of Rwanda Correctional Service, during a training session on unity and reconciliation with the aim of linking families that survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and genocide perpetrators detained in Musanze prison.

Musanze prison is home to 213 genocide convicts of whom only 150 wrote letters requesting to link with offended families to seek an apology.

So far, 38 families were linked to genocide convicts and accepted their apologies.
Bazimenya Ezechiel, a genocide perpetrator in former Mukingo commune told IGIHE that he was forgiven after expressing remorse for his evil acts.

“I was Brigadier in former commune Mukingo during Genocide. I was managing delivering of guns. My acts left many families wiped out while others were orphaned. I fled to DRC after genocide and arrested upon return in 1996,” he said.

“Following ongoing talks on unity and reconciliation, I made a step further and apologized to all families I offended. My heart feels relieved and encourages others to do so,” added Bazimenya.

Some of the genocide survivors who forgave perpetrators request convicts to reveal the location of remains of victims to enable them a decent burial.

“I am among survivors orphaned by guns delivered by this man Barimenya to kill Tutsis. I forgave him after seeking an apology and live in harmony with his family. We request convicts to reveal where remains of our beloved ones were dumped,” said Ndangamira James.

said unity and reconciliation program is on the Government’s agenda and requested inmates to support it by apologizing to families they offended.

“Some of the genocide convicts were radical without any remorse but their mindsets change overtime and apologize to offended survivors. We are committed to gradually educating them to change for good and apologize,” he revealed.

Over 6000 of 32,000 genocide convicts countrywide have written letters to be linked with offended families for an apology.

Under cooperation with the University of Rwanda, the Chinese University embraced for the first time the Kinyarwanda language course to Chinese students as the second African language after Kiswahili.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on the evening of 8th October 2019, the Beijing Foreign Studies University Vice President Professor Jia Wenjian applauded the launch of the Kinyarwanda language to Chinese students.

“We are honored to be the first Chinese University to introduce Kinyarwanda language course to Chinese students. This is a true symbolic relationship value that our two countries attaches to each other. Our students will learn and master the Kinyarwanda language,” said Prof Jia, the University Vice President.

Reiterating the friendship between China and Rwanda, Mr. Shu Zhan, the former Ambassador of China in Rwanda said that, China and Rwanda shares common vision of development.

“When I was Ambassador of China in Rwanda, I witnessed the good common vision and good values of Rwandans for finding homegrown solutions to their problems, this has enabled the country’s development over the past decade,” said Shu Zhan.

The company was awarded during an event organized by The Service Excellence Award that took place at Onomo Hotel on 5th October 2019, Kigali-Rwanda.

The award was given to StarTimes Rwanda mostly for the top-notch services the company has provided to its clients while being the only company in Rwanda which has all DTT, DTH and OTT services.

Organizers also gave special thanks to the Innovation of StarTimes ON App and the contribution the App had in helping hundreds of thousands of busy Rwandans follow the Football World Cup, other sports programs, news and enjoying VOD at their convenience on their Mobile phone.

StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving 28 million users with a signal covering the whole continent and a massive distribution network of 170+ brand halls and 30,000+ distributors in 37 countries.

StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 480 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, etc. The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”.

The incident took place yesterday in Rugomero village, Nyaruteja cell where she lived with parents.

Hagenimana was a senior 3 student.

One of the residents said the lady had spent three weeks in the village after returning pregnant from Kigali.

“The girl went to Kigali after her senior 3 examinations. She had spent only three weeks in the village from the time she returned being pregnant,” she said.

The executive secretary of Nyanza sector, Jean Baptiste Kayinamura said they were alerted by residents.

“We immediately went to the crime scene after a tip-off from residents and found the baby in the toilet, dead. The girl admitted to having dumped the baby after delivery,” he said.

Police spokesperson in Southern province, CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro said the girl was arrested and detained at Rwanda Investigation Bureau station in Nyanza sector.

The baby was taken at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) for postmortem.

At the time of his arrest, Nzamwita Innocent, 39, had killed two animals. He was caught with the meat said to be for the two animals he had killed.

Nzamwita, who asked for leniency after his arrest, told the Police in Nyaruguru District that he has been hunting wildlife in Nyungwe Forest National Park for a while.

He also stated that he was working with one Bosco Nzaramyimana, who managed to escape the arrest.

Nzamwita and Nzaramyimana are both residents of Muganza Sector in Nyaruguru District.

The suspect said they were selling wildlife meat to local residents.

Nyaruguru District Police Commander, Supt. Boniface Kagenza said the operation was conducted together with game rangers.

“Game rangers called the Police after information that there were poachers in the park. We worked together to locate and arrest them. We found them with meat from the two animals they had killed,” Supt. Kagenza said.

He explained that poachers sneak in the park especially at night and set traps.

“These are not domestic animals that you can slaughter at any time you want. These are animals protected by the law and in gazetted areas. We appeal to people residing near Nyungwe National Park and everyone with information on poachers to always share with the Police to ensure that they are arrested and to fight such criminal tendencies,” the DPC said.

The law no 48/2018 of 13/08/2018, in its article 58, states that any person who hunts sells, injures or kills a protected animal species and products thereof, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf7 million.

Visit Rwanda was presented with the award in recognition of its partnership with Arsenal Football Club as the Official Tourism partner. The innovative collaboration is enabling tourists and investors to discover the uniqueness of Rwanda as a travel and business destination. The partnership also includes coaching clinics for aspiring Rwandan footballers where they learn from some of the world’s best coaching staff.

The Best of Africa Awards, held annually in London, brings together some of the most influential members of the African diaspora living and working in the United Kingdom to highlight the positive contribution they have made at home and abroad. Now in their ninth year, this is the first time the ‘Partnership Category’ has been recognized by the Best of Africa Awards.

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of Visit Rwanda, Emmanuel Ruhumuliza, Partnerships Manager at the Rwanda High Commission in the UK, said: “We are very proud to receive this award and more so, as Africans, it’s something very special for us to celebrate together.”

A total of ten awards were given at the event.

Members of the African diaspora and other initiatives honored include:

{{Eniola Aluka}}, professional footballer, for her work on leadership projects and improving access to water in Rwanda

{{Fuse ODG}}, musician, for his philanthropic work building schools in Ghana

{{Anita Asante}}, professional footballer, for her work giving back to the community and inspiring young people

{{Wilfried Zaha}}, professional footballer, for his philanthropic work in Côte d’Ivoire and his support of women’s football at Crystal Palace Football Club

{{Diamond Platnumz,}} musician, for his work to make music more accessible to young people in East Africa

{{Nuno Espírito Santo}}, Coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, for his outstanding year as their manager

{{Radhi Jhaidi}}, Coach at Southampton FC, for his outstanding achievements in coaching and mentorship

{{Afro Nation}}, the biggest urban beach festival in Europe (Portugal) and Africa (Ghana) celebrating African music, for its outstanding events

{{Stormzy, }} rapper and musician, for his outstanding contribution as a musical artist

{{Luol Deng}}, NBA player, for his excellence in sport

{{Fatma Samoura}}, FIFA Secretary-General and General Delegate for Africa, for her role as a history maker – the first-ever African Muslim woman to hold the role of Secretary-General at FIFA.

Following the deadly attack on residents of Musanze that left fourteen killed with traditional arms, Police mounted a hunt for the assailants and confirmed that 19 of the attackers were shot dead while 5 were arrested and paraded before the media yesterday.
A statement signed by RNP spokesperson, John Bosco Kabera reads that some of the assailants who killed residents with extreme cruelty are still on the run that whoever involved will be held accountable.

Surviving attackers said they were from RUD Urunana, united rebel outfits FDLR FOCA and RNC.

These rebel groups are affiliated to five united political parties known as P5. These include Amahoro People’s Congress, Forces Démocratiques Unifieés – Inkingi (FDU-Inkingi); People’s Defence Pact-Imanzi (PDP-Imanzi), Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and PS Imberakuri.

IGIHE has learned from credible sources that Ingabire Victoire has been summoned by the investigation departments because her political party is a member of the mentioned P5 suspected to be behind the attack in Musanze.

Following the attack, Ingabire Victoire was fast to release a statement condemning killers that they should return their swords in scabbards saying that killing citizens is contrary to patriotic ambitions.

IGIHE could not get further details from Rwanda Investigation Bureau by press time.

IGIHE has learned that the man killed his wife with a rake on Monday night by hitting him on the head.

The executive secretary of Kagasa cell, Harerimana F. Arsène said the Kabera is suspected of killing her wife with whom they had persistent clashes.

“The husband hit dead his wife with a rake around 1 pm. The spouses had recurring disputes,” he explained.

Rwanda Investigation Bureau spokesperson, Mbabazi Modeste has told IGIHE that investigations are underway.

Sources say the couple had three children.

The Luxperience Travel Trade Exhibition is a luxury Business event that connects the most innovative experiential tourism and premium events specialists in the travel market. The show is a considerable source market for leisure travel in Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Visit Rwanda was presented with the award in the destination category at the opening ceremony of the travel trade show on Monday.

Speaking after receiving the award, Belise Kariza, the RDB Chief Tourism Officer expressed delight for the award given to Visit Rwanda.

“Rwanda’s tourism sector participation at Australia’s leading high-end travel show is a very good opportunity to tap into a key market of tourists. Australia is currently a key source market for Rwanda and they are high spenders. In terms of visits to trek the endangered mountain gorillas, Australians rank third after tourists from the USA and UK,” she said.

This is second-time Rwanda is showcasing its remarkable attractions and opportunities in the tourism and hospitality at the show.

In attendance are representatives from the Rwandan tourism industry, including tour and travel operators, accommodation establishments and RDB showcasing tourism offerings to an audience of about 7,000 people.

Visitors to the Rwanda stand are taken on an incredible journey as they discover Rwanda’s breath-taking scenery and landscape; eco-adventure tourism like gorilla trekking, nature walks, and birding; the booming hospitality sector; and the advent of world-class conferencing venues.

The vehicle, Jeep Land Cruiser RAB 232S, was intercepted Monday in Nyamabuye Sector, Remera Cell. The minerals were concealed in 39 sacks, each weighing 70kgs, Police said.

“At around 1 a.m on Monday, Police in Muhanga received a phone call from a resident in Mata trading center, Tyazo Cell of Muhanga Sector reporting people, who were loading goods in a vehicle and suspected some foul-play,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern Region, said.

“Police officers were dispersed, and the vehicle was intercepted in Remera Cell, Nyamabuye sector, searched and indeed found it was transporting 39 sacks of coltan and cassiterite minerals. Two people, who were on board didn’t have legal documents for the minerals and they were taken into custody,” he added.

The minerals were being transported to Kigali, according to the spokesperson. Those taken into custody are identified as Eugene Nkundimana (driver) and his accomplice Jean D’Amour Masabo.

“We have since established that the minerals were stolen from three mining concessions; Execok of Karongi District, TMT of Rutsiro and Big Mining of Ruhango and other quantities from Ngororero. We have also established that a house belonging to one only identified as Kazuru located in Mata trading center, from where the minerals were loaded, was being used by the suspected thieves as their store.”

CIP Twajamahoro thanked the resident, who informed the Police about the illegal act and called for strengthened partnership and information sharing on any suspected unlawful acts.

Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offense.”

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.