Author: IGIHE

He made the observation yesterday in Seattle, Washington during discussions held with employees from Gates Foundation after interacting with founders including magnate Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates.

Kagame was with First Lady Jeannette Kagame for the discussions on Achieving Impact at Scale in Africa.

He highlighted that the growth of the economy should be about the wellbeing of people and what can be done to improve their living standards and for most of them to achieve their aspirations.

Kagame explained that Rwanda’s progress rooted in putting citizens’ welfare at the center.

He pointed out an example of community-based health insurance where the country had to cultivate in people’s minds even for the category of poor people at the bottom that if they contribute even the smallest amount they can afford, ‘they own it and they feel it is theirs’.

“We have to do more with less. We have been thrust into this position because of history and geography: the tragic history we have gone through and being a small country and landlocked. There is no way you can survive if you do not innovate,” Kagame said.

The President said that it had a positive impact on reducing maternal and child mortality rates significantly as well as have hugely increased life expectancy by 20 and 21 years.

“Prioritizing is a problem for people in our situation, everything is a priority, putting priorities in order is difficult. We prioritized healthcare, we looked at ordinary people, that is where we started from,” stated Kagame.

“How do you save children and mothers and make sure that they take the next day, week and year for granted. Especially when the history has been different and people have not been sure their babies will last until five. We have reversed that,” added the President.

Kagame observed that in the next 25 years, Africa should be in a much better place than now.

He underscored that the latter will emanate from deep integration into different areas.

“In the next 25 years, Africa should be in a much better place than we are now. This will be based on how deeply we integrate, on trade, investment, sharing best practices and how we leverage the resources the continent has. The continent has a huge capacity. We have been let down by the quality of governance,” Kagame observed.

He stated that the good thing is that every leader, every country, every African is talking about what needs to be done to make this improvement which he believes is good and starting point that must be translated into action.

The World Bank figures indicate that in 2015, 41 % of the Sub-Sahara African population lived in poverty while 27 of 28 of the world poorest countries are from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa has developed the Agenda 2063 which encapsulates not only Africa’s Aspirations for the Future but also identifies key Flagship Programmes which can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.

The figures have been released ahead of the upcoming edition of Rwanda Day scheduled on Saturday 5th October 2019 where Rwandans and friends will meet President Paul Kagame in Bonn city, Germany.

According to BNR, Funds transferred by Rwandans from abroad ranged from US$3.6 to 8.8 million before the introduction of Rwanda Day between 2000-2005.

The funds increased from US$ 25 to 98.2 million between 2006 and 2010.

The introduction of Rwanda Day saw the funds tremendously increasing by 158% from US$ 98.2 million in 2010 to US$ 250 million in 2018 translating into over Rwf 250 billion.

Thomas Kigabo, Chief Economist at BNR said the contribution of Rwanda Day to the increase of funds transferred from the diaspora is self-evidencing.

“Rwanda Day editions made Rwandans from abroad to trust national economy. When someone working abroad spends earnings to invest in his home country signifies long-lasting trust bestowed to his country. He/she invest in their own country with a belief that deeds will induce pride in their advanced age,” he said.

Louis Antoine Muhire was 12 years old when he left Rwanda in 1994. He returned after 20 years following Rwanda Day held in Toronto, Canada in 2014.

“My family was among perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. I always felt guilty and wondered whether I won’t be charged for what my family did. I went to Rwanda Day in Canada to interact with officials from Rwanda and ask them whatever kind of questions because I believed my security was guaranteed in a foreign country,” he said.

“All the fears I had disappeared after engaging with them and later visited Rwanda as a tourist. I was attracted with the beauty of my native land. I returned to Canada and bid farewell to my former employment at Mont Real police. I came back home for good in the next month and have now spent five years enjoying the beauty of the motherland,” added Muhire.

Michaella Rugwizangoga, the chief executive officer of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda who spent seven years studying in Germany requests fellow Rwandans to be fond of their country.

“Young Rwandans studying abroad should closely follow up the development of their native country and develop strong partnerships with the rest to build the nation. You better come to Rwanda often, take part in Rwanda Day programs to learn about the country’s progress and future and be part of it. The country wants to create innovations from your abilities,” she enthused.

During Rwanda Day held in Belgium in 2017, President Kagame emphasized that the contribution of the diaspora should not be disregarded.

The President also emphasized that Africans who are living in Europe can greatly contribute in positively changing lives back home in Africa because they have gained skills that can be used on the continent.

“Living abroad does not mean forgetting your home. You can use what you gain to improve your nation from where you are,” Kagame told participants.

Rwanda Day 2019 is a gathering that brings together Rwandans living abroad and their friends.
It was previously set for Saturday 24th August 2019 but has been postponed to 5th October 2019 in Bonn city, Germany as announced by Rwanda’s embassy in Germany.

Rwanda Day has been held since 2010 and serves as a platform for bringing together all Rwandans from the diaspora and their friends to discuss how to further advance the development of the country and get up to speed on the current progress.

The latest Rwanda Day took place on 10th August 2017 in Flanders Expo, a multipurpose hall in Ghent town, Belgium.

Rwanda Day presents opportunities for attracting foreign investments and networking.
Participants are given the floor to address their questions directly to the Head of State, share ideas and express their wishes as well.

At the occasion, Rwandans get insights into Rwanda’s progress and share ideas on ways forward.

Since 2011, Rwanda Day has been taking place in Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta in the United States of America, Paris in France, Toronto in Canada, London in the United Kingdom, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, San Francisco in USA (Rwanda Cultural Day), and Ghent in Belgium.

According to sources, the man was estranged with her wife Rebecca Umumararungu who had left two children sired together.

A domestic servant at their home said that Nshimiyimana took his life as he returned home on Tuesday and found the two children taken away by her wife.

The man is believed to have climbed onto the top of an avocado tree and hang himself with a rope. The domestic worker alerted residents to rescue the hanging man but it was too late to save his life.

Speaking to IGIHE, the executive secretary of Nyamata sector, Innocent Mushenyi attributed the man’s suicide to estrangement with his wife.

“The cause is not yet established but he had persistent conflicts with his wife that was no longer reported to officials,” he said.

Mushenyi appealed to residents to report domestic conflicts on time and take part in Government’s programs including parents’ forum where various issues are collectively addressed.

The Pick-up vehicle, RAB 384Y was intercepted on Monday in Runda Sector, Kamonyi district with three sacks of poultry meat while the motorcycle registration number RE 581E was intercepted in Sheri cell, Rugarika sector transporting 75kgs of pork.

The driver and rider identified as Albert Nzabagerageza, 46, and Theoneste Uwamahoro, 26, respectively, were taken into custody.

The Ministerial Order n°013/11.30 of 18/11/2010 on transport and trade of meat, particularly article 2 stipulates that “…the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust, and flies.”

Article 3 of the same order states that the motor-vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non-packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless material.

The acting District Police Commander for Kamonyi, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Gaspard Ndayisaba said that the motorcyclist was at the time transporting pork to someone at Giti cy’Inyoni from Gacurabwenge Sector.

The vehicle was also transporting poultry to Kigali from Musambira Sector, he added.

“A concerned resident called the Police at about 9:30am about a motorcycle, which was transporting untested pork, as a prerequisite. Indeed, when it was tested by veterinary personnel they found it had gone bad and not for human consumption. The poultry meat had also gone bad,” CIP Ndayisaba said. The vet ordered for immediate burial of the pork and chicken meat.

While thanking those who informed the Police about the “illegal and harmful acts”, the DPC advised the general public against “unhealthy and unlawful transportation of meat” and called for real time information sharing on anyone, who breaks such health standards.

IGIHE has learned that the launch was successfully completed using the H-2B rocket.
A press conference with RURA, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and Japan embassy in Rwanda is scheduled next week to provide details about RWASAT-1 launch into space.

‘RWASAT I’ is expected to be used in agriculture monitoring aligning with the country’s vision to prioritize technology.

The project to acquire the satellite was implemented in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and Japan through Tokyo University.

The project was designed to have the first institution in Rwanda helping to reduce expenses spent on obtaining data from foreign satellites.

In December 2018, three Rwandans went to Japan to work on the project and acquire knowledge that would lead into making their own satellite and giving technical services for ‘RWASAT-1’.

‘RWASAT I’ was exhibited for the first time at Kigali Convention Center on the sidelines of the 5th edition of Transform Africa Summit in May 2019.
RWASAT I project was designed two years ago.

The satellite has two major duties of collecting data from the earth. The satellite is made with advanced technology enabling it to record data even from remote areas without phone network.

It is equipped with a small technology device that can test the quantity of water, warmth, humidity among other climate measurements.

Among others, taken measurements can be synchronized and combined into the device before sending them using weak signal.

The satellite has the capacity to monitor different directions using its two cameras that can capture pictures on Rwanda’s earth.

The satellite weighs 3.8 Kgs.

Gaspard Twagirayezu, Science and Technology Knowledge Transfer Analyst at the National Commission of Science and Technology (NCST) who was in Japan during the construction of the satellite previously told the media that the target is to have more satellites made in Rwanda.

“Many parts of a satellite can be made in Rwanda but there are some parts involved in testing it that require firms and laboratories not available here in Rwanda. Otherwise, other parts can be made in Rwanda,” he said.

“This is what we are assessing in coming days so that large parts of coming satellites can be made in Rwanda and conduct other tests abroad,” added Twagirayezu.
Based on experience acquired from Japan and his colleagues, Twagirayezu said that Rwandans will be able to build own satellite starting from scratch.

At the time, Takayoshi Fukuyo, advisor at Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat said that Tokyo University has a partnership with Tumba College of Science and Technology where Rwandans will be trained on monitoring data provided by satellites.

“The idea doesn’t end with making the satellite only. It is crucial to building the capacity of people who can monitor and use this technology,” he revealed.

A team of 15 Rwandans was involved in making RWASAT-1.

RWASAT I is the second satellite Rwanda launches in the space following the launch of ‘Icyerekezo’ satellite on 28th February 2019 expected to expand internet access in rural areas.

It was launched by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with OneWeb.

It is in this regard that the Government of Chad looks to borrow Rwanda’s best practice in Public Financial Management especially the automation of public financial management processes.

According to a statement from MINECOFIN, the cooperation is motivated by the desire to establish a framework of strengthening technical and human capacities in order to achieve better governance of public finances and will focus on the following fundamental areas:

• Reform of public financial management
• Development and implementation of the integrated system of public financial management
• Taxation (Taxes and Customs)
• Management of the State Staff and the Salary Mass
• Investments
• Any other area that the two Parties will agree upon.

The statement further reads that the two parties undertake to exchange technical resources and experts in the field to support the other party in the development of the Integrated Financial Management Information System and its implementation.

As part of this Memorandum, the development and implementation of Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) will be coordinated by the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative and will be tasked with assisting Chad in the implementation of IFMIS.

The remains were found yesterday in Nyarucyamo II village, Gahogo cell, Nyamabuye sector of Muhanga district.

Diggers immediately alerted officials who rushed to the place.

The mayor of Muhanga district, Jacqueline Kayitare has told IGIHE that they joined them to search for more remains.

“There is evidence that more victims were dumped there based on pieces of clothing and detached remains exhumed,” he said.

Nyamabuye sector officials have revealed that the search for more remains is continued as well as talking to survivors to establish the truth about numbers of genocide victims that might have been dumped at the place.

Following a 2-all draw in normal time, AS Kigali won their maiden title through penalties where they recorded a 3-1 win.

Rayon Sports took an early lead thanks to a 29th-minute own goal from Bishira Latif who failed to clear a pass from Iradukunda Eric, only for the ball to go past his goalkeeper onto the goal post.

AS Kigali forward, Ssentongo Farouq Saifi equalized for the Kigali City-sponsored side in the 31st minute before Gabonese import Allongo Martel Mba Rick doubled the lead six minutes later.

Rayon Sports managed to secure the equalizer in the dying minutes of additional time through Rutanga Eric who struck a header past Ndayishimiye following a good cross from Mugisha Gilbert to force the match to be decided on penalties.

In Penalties, AS Kigali emerged the winner following a 3-1 win with Ntamahanga Tumaine, Haruna Niyonzima and Fosso Raymond converting their spot kicks for AS Kigali while Benedata Janvier missed his penalty.

AS Kigali goalie Ndayishimiye Eric played a vital role in the goalposts as he denied Rayon Sport’s attempts taken by Michael Sarpong, Yannick Bizimana and Mugisha Gilbert leaving Rugwiro Herve as the only player who converted his penalty.

Following the victory, AS Kigali were handed the trophy and a dummy cheque of Rwf. 5 million worth of cash prize.

The Super Cup Match was a curtain-raiser for the 2019/20 league season that kicks on October 4 with Super and Peace Cup holders AS Kigali will host record champions APR FC at Stade de Kigali at 15h00.

Defending champions Rayon Sports FC will begin their title defense away to newly-promoted side Gasogi United at Stade de Kigali on October 5, 2019.

The other games scheduled on matchday one include Bugesera FC hosting Heroes FC at Bugesera Stadium, Etincelles FC host SC Kiyovu at Stade Umuganda, Mukura VS hosts Espoir FC at Stade Umuganda, all set to be played on October 5, 2019.

On October 6, Marines Fc hosts Gicumbi FC at Stade Umuganda, Musanze FC will be away to AS Muhanga at Stade Muhanga while Sunrise FC plays away to Police Fc at Stade de Kigali.

It is said that the husband committed suicide yesterday after strangling his wife dead.

Burera district vice mayor for economic affairs, Joseph Munyaneza has told IGIHE that they learned about the bad news and rushed to their home where they found the man hanging on a rope with the wife’s body straddled on the bed.

He explained that the household had cases of domestic conflicts emanating from the husband’s huge debts used outside the family interests.

“The family had rampant disputes. Sector officials had summoned them twice to mend their relations. Precursors showed the man was positively changing. Investigations are underway to confirm if the woman was killed by her husband,” he said.

Munyaneza called on residents to prevent domestic conflicts to deter similar incidents.

The currency notes in the denominations of US$100 were recovered on Sunday from Patrick Ishimwe, 27, and Theogene Kagiraneza, 21, who were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kacyiru station.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorrette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that the duo was identified after they attempted to pay their bill at a bar where they were having drinks.

“Ishimwe and Kagiraneza were having drinks together at a bar located in Kacyiru Sector; they approached the counter to inquire if they can pay in dollars which were granted, instead they paid a fake note of US$100, fortunate enough the bar management observed that the note was fake and called the Police,” she said.

“Private security personnel at the bar apprehended them as they waited for the arrival of the Police. When officers searched them they recovered other seven counterfeit dollar notes in the denominations of US$100; they were immediately taken into custody for the alleged crime,” CIP Umutesi added.

According to the article 269 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, specifies that “any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies coins or banknotes which are legal tender in Rwanda or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with the knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offense.”
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.

The article further states that “any person who knowingly acquires or receives coins or notes knowing that it is falsified, even if he or she is not one of counterfeiters or importers of such monies commits an offense. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term not less than one year and not more than three years.”

CIP Umutesi called for vigilance and timely information sharing on people, who either counterfeits or circulates fake currencies.