Author: IGIHE

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda.

Their discussions focused mainly on partnerships in various areas of policing, including fire and rescue operations, as well as traffic and road safety.

Hon. Stich and his delegation were given an overview of RNP’s history, its current structure in terms of training, deployments both locally and in international peace support operations, community policing and cooperation, among others.

IGP Munyuza emphasized that cooperation remains an important factor in modern policing to exchange best practices and to be ready and ahead in responding to safety and security needs.

RNP and Rhineland-Palatinate have had a partnership in various areas of policing, especially in traffic and road safety, and crime-scene management.

The Police Chief also said that RNP is a people-centered force adding that “we value much partnership with the citizenry as a force multiplier; we also work with other institutions both locally and cross-border.”

RNP also signed about 40 bilateral and multilateral MoUs with other Police institutions and organizations.

Local active community policing partners include over 260, 000 Youth Volunteers in Community Policing, Anti-crime Ambassadors, 170,000 Community Policing Committees (CPCs), over 2000 Anti-crime clubs in schools, transport associations, media fraternity, artists, faith-based organizations as well as government and private institutions that have signed MoUs with RNP

Hon. Stich, whose docket is in charge of Police in Rhineland-Palatinate, commended Rwanda’s “safety and cleanliness”

“We feel safe every time we are here in Rwanda; Kigali is also a clean city. It is also very motivating to see how Rwanda police are organized with many responsibilities to keep everyone safe,” Hon. Stich said.

He added: “It was very interesting for us to see a good structured and trained police that is responsible for a safer Rwanda. This partnership between Rwanda Police and our Police in Rhineland-Palatinate is good for us all to learn from each other and exchange best practices.”

The first smartphones ever to be made in Rwanda have already rolled off the assembly line a few days before the official launch.

The launch of the USD 50 million factories was also attended by Government officials and private investors among other guests from the region, the continent and beyond.
It will at the outset manufacture Mara Z and Mara X models respectively costing Rwf 175, 750 and Mara X costs Rwf 120,250.

Mara Phone offers unlimited, free high-quality photo storage, automatically keeps information secure and ensures that your phone is clean, fast and performing at its best.

The Mara Z phone has up to 128GB, 3GB Ram and 32GB storage, Dolby Sound, 13 MP Back and Front Camera with Front Flash, Gorilla Corning Glass, Fingerprint Sensor, Facial Recognition and Turbo Charger while the Mara X has 1GB Ram and 16GB storage support up to 128GB, Dolby Sound, 13 MP Back Camera and 5MP front Camera, Gorilla Corning Glass, Fingerprint Sensor and Turbo Charger.

Speaking at the launch of Mara Phones Rwanda, Kagame said that the Mara Phones plant ‘is a complex manufacturing operation requiring significant technical skill and expertise’.

He highlighted that it is another milestone on the journey to high-tech, ‘Made-in-Rwanda’ industry and the latest addition to Rwanda’s ongoing partnership with Mara Group showing the company’s confidence in the business prospects of Rwanda and the wider region.

Considering the services it is set to offer including the integration of Government services, the President observed that the smartphone is becoming a prerequisite for daily life.

“The smartphone is no longer a luxury item. It is rapidly becoming a requirement of everyday life. That trend is bound to increase in the years to come, as more and more services migrate to digital platforms,” he said.

“In Rwanda, we have Irembo which is already the city’s primary gateway for many public services. Integration of Irembo into Mara Phones is an innovative feature,” added Kagame.

At least 15% of Rwandans own smartphones. The President said the factory is promising to increase smartphone ownership.

“The percentage is still really low of Rwandans, who are already using smartphones, but we want to enable many more who would like to, and this is why dealing with cost and quality is very important. We are gradually dealing with those obstacles through what Mara group has established here in Rwanda,” he said.

“The introduction of Mara Phones will put smartphone ownership within reach of more Rwandans. The product is backed by a warranty and the price can be paid in installments over two years. They have tried to make it as simple and possible for Rwandans as they could,” noted Kagame.

Kagame stressed that the private sector is the engine of the progress desire for African continent pushing for the need to compete regionally and globally, at the high-end of the technology spectrum.

He thanked the management of Mara Group for making a good choice to invest in Rwanda.

Ashish J. Thakkar, the CEO of Mara Phones said that the launch of a smartphone manufacturing factory in Rwanda is proof that Africans can produce high quality international standard products on their continent.

“If our people have high quality and affordable smartphones, it will truly enable financial inclusion, digital education, digital health care, agriculture efficiency and so much more,” he said.

It started operations with 200 employees.

The financial brand is organizing a week-long celebration from 07th to 11th October 2019 across its retail outlets to honor its customers.

Unimoni will also recognize and reward its various teams who continue to be pivotal in delivering and sustaining exceptional customer service and experience.

The week-long celebrations will also witness various programmes that focus on themes such as self-awareness, product & service knowledge, problem-solving, empathy, and commitment.

The 2019 International Customer Service Week theme recognizes that good service is magical. It can turn an unhappy customer into a satisfied long-term customer.

It can turn an occasional customer into a repeat customer, and it can turn any customer into your biggest fan & advocate.

Surviving attackers said they were from FDLR and had come on a mission to take control of the country. They wore military uniforms.

14 victims of the attack in Kinigi sector of Musanze district killed Friday night were yesterday laid to rest.

Initially, Rwanda National Police (RNP) announced that eight people were killed during the attack but death the toll rose to 14 victims yesterday.

Some of the victims were laid to rest in Nyabageni village, Kabazungu cell in Musanze sector.

Before laying killed residents to rest, officials comforted residents and assured them of their security.

The burial was attended by different Government officials including, Northern Province Governor, Gatabazi Jean Marie Vianney, parliamentarians, Police and Soldiers.

The 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.

“Some of the residents were found home killed with knives and stones. This proves the extreme cruelty of these assailants. The operation to hunt down the attackers resulted in killing 19 assailants while 5 have been arrested,” reads part of the statement.

CP Kabera said that security is guaranteed in Kinigi sector.

According to a statement from Rwanda National Police, the assailants were armed with traditional arms and guns.

” During the night of 4th to 5th October 2019, armed gangs of whom the majority were equipped with traditional arms raided Kinigi sector in Musanze district where they killed and injured residents,” reads part of the statement signed by Police Spokesperson, John Bosco Kabera.

” These assailants killed eight people including six, with traditional weapons and two-shot dead. They also injured 18 others who were taken to hospital,” adds the statement.

Security officials rushed for intervention and comforting residents affected by the attack.

Masterminds behind the attack are on the run.

The development was confirmed by Minister of State in charge of primary and secondary education, Dr. Isaac Munyakazi yesterday as he visited ‘Centre de la Fraternite’ where the students will be tutored as they prepare to resume normal studies next academic year.

He also explained that Congolese living in Rwanda wishing to further education in Rwanda are welcome for the program.

“We stopped them from studying in DRC because the country has what it takes to advance their knowledge. Indeed, there are Congolese who appreciated our education and find no need to return to DRC yet they can afford courses of their choice in where they run businesses,” said Munyakazi.

According to Munyakazi, Rwandans were stopped from studying in DRC over the Ebola outbreak recurrently reported in DRC.

Every student will resume from the previous level of education without repeating courses so long as they are familiar with the English language.

During her previous visit to Rubavu district, the Minister of Health Dr Gashumba Diane advised residents against unnecessary travels to DRC over the Ebola outbreak reported in Goma.

Rwandan students were stopped from crossing the border from Gisenyi town to DRC on 2nd September 2019 as they were crossing to start the academic year 2019-2020 in Goma.

The Minister gave the advice yesterday as he administered oaths of 50 professional court bailiffs, 78 non-professional bailiffs, 20 public notaries, and 30 public notaries.

“Your duty as court bailiffs is key to equitable justice delivery. We cannot presume justice was rendered when court cases were not handled effectively without delays,” he said.

“You have the ultimate duty of delivering justice in all situations. Doing it effectively shall reflect your role towards building a country respecting laws,” added Busingye.
Busingye advised them on professionalism respecting legal provisions.

He specifically emphasized that Rwandans expect improved notary services delivery, hence pushing for the need to put citizens at the center of national development.

“I take this opportunity to remind you that we shall not tolerate whoever tends to deviate from the oath taken today leadership is keen on promoting common interest leading them into positive social-economic transformations,” advised Busingye.

Rwanda has 500 professional court bailiffs. Non-professional court bailiffs include local leaders from cell levels, sectors and others from public institutions.

His body was discovered yesterday around 7 am after his wife who had gone to take care of her elder sister in hospital returned home the evening before and found the house locked, spending the night neighbors.

The woman broke the doorknob next morning and found her husband hung dead.

The executive secretary of the Rubona sector, Byaruhanga John Bosco has told IGIHE that the man might have drunk excessive alcoholic drinks leading him to suicide.

“We found him hung dead in the morning. We immediately took him to hospital for postmortem,” he said.

“Neighbors told us that he had no reported wrangles with members of the community but we have learned that he used to abuse alcoholic which is a thought to have driven him to take his life. Investigations are underway,” he added.

Lody Hakizimana, 44, allegedly offered the bribe in an attempt to rescue his vehicle, which was impounded with smuggled goods, and his driver, who had been taken into custody over the same crime.

The vehicle; RAB 471X Fuso type was intercepted at about 3:30 am in Kibuye along Karongi-Nyamasheke highway.
The District Police Commander for Karongi, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Julien Nkurikiyinka, said that the vehicle was intercepted at a check-point mounted in Bwishyura Sector.

“Police officers stopped the Fuso, searched and found it was loaded with smuggled bales of secondhand clothes; they first arrested its driver identified as Lorien Nteziryimana,” CIP Nkurikiyinka said.

He added: “The driver called his boss [Hakizimana], who was in another vehicle ahead; Hakizimana came back and tried to seduce the officers with a bribe of Rwf1 million in order to release his vehicle, goods and the driver; he was immediately taken into custody.”

The DPC warned against smuggling and bribery, and appealed to the general public to “respect and follow the law.”

“It is one crime to engage in smuggling activities but worse when you try to offer bribes, which is a serious crime,” he warned.

Clause 2 of article 2 of Law N° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting corruption, defines corruption as “any act performed or caused to be performed in public organs, private institutions, civil society and international organizations operating or wishing to operate in Rwanda, which is aimed at soliciting, receiving or offering an illicit benefit in order to unlawfully obtain illicit enrichment or a given favor of sexual nature to unlawfully render a service or carry out an activity whether carried on by himself or herself or through another person.”

Article 4 of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between five and seven years, and three to five times the value of the offered bribe, upon conviction.

Under the East African Community Management Act, especially in its article 199, anyone caught driving a vehicle with smuggled goods is slapped a fine of US$5000 while the vehicle and the goods are auctioned.

Murangwa replaces Uwamurera Salama elected previously and denied a senate seat by the Supreme Court attributing her disqualification to inadequate experience.
Elections to replace Uwamurera took place today at the headquarters of NFPO in Kacyiru.

Murangwa Hadidja from PDI won out of three contestants with 32 votes. Other contestants include Athanase Nahimana from PS Imberakuri who obtained four votes while Jacky Masozera Icyizanye from Democratic Green Party of Rwanda got 7 supporting votes.

The Chairman of PDI, Fazil Harerimana thanked representatives of the political forum for trusting the party he heads.

He said that Hadidja has experience qualifying her for good cooperation with other members of the Senate.

“We have greatly welcomed the trust bestowed to our party and promise them, good candidates, whenever necessary,” he said.

The Chairperson of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations, Christine Mukabunani expressed optimism that the newly elected representative will be approved by the Supreme Court.

MURANGWA Ndangiza Hadija (LLM), is a Senior Tax Expert and Legal Practioner, with massive experience in tax advisory work.

She is a member of Kigali International Arbitration Center (KIAC) with a Certificate of Associate of The Chartered Institute of Arbitration (London).

{{Career achievements }}

She was engaged in tax and legal advice in the Rwandan Public and Private sector; · Conducted and participated in influential reviews of various Tax and Trade projects supported by the Government of Rwanda, the GIZ, IFC – World Bank Group, ATAF and · Instrumental in delivery of East African Community Tax harmonization programs.

Notable Advisory Positions: International Finance Corporation (IFC – World Bank group) EAC Tax Harmonisation project; · GIZ, Senior Advisor, Tax advisory project; TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) EAC Regional Integration Specialist – Legal Reform; · African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF): Consultant; and ·
She currently works as a Consultant in charge of Strategy and Institutional Sustainability at the Institute of Certified Public Account of Rwanda (ICPAR).

Hadija has served on various Boards, including; The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD); The Military Medical Insurance (MMI) and Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
Murangwa joins Nkusi Juvenal from PSD elected previously to represent NFPO.