Author: IGIHE

Gishwati-Mukura National Park was formed by the law Nº. 45/2015 of 15 October 2015 and gazetted on 01 February 2016.

RDB has appointed a chief park warden who will be assisted by 25 park rangers.

In addition, RDB is working on a multi-phased conservation and tourism management program with Imizi, a subsidiary of Wilderness Safaris, a conservation organization with a presence in seven African countries, to develop and operate an exclusive chimpanzee and primate trekking experience under the Wilderness Safaris brand.

RDB will oversee ecology and conservation initiatives including ranger presence, law enforcement, science, engagement of community cooperatives, human-wildlife conflict resolution, research, and monitoring.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Environment in Kigali, Minister Vincent Biruta said the objective for the Gishwati-Mukura National Park has always been to restore it after large parts were cleared before and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi resulting from human settlement, agricultural practices, and illegal mining.

“I commend the efforts made by different stakeholders whose work has led to the status we celebrate today. These partners include the Association Rwandaise des Ecologists (ARECO), the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) and Forest of Hope. They have all played a significant role and supported the work done by the government to restore and revitalize this regionally important biodiversity hotspot,” he noted.

On her part, the RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza observed that the ceremony marks a new step on the conservation agenda of the country.

“We believe that conservation is not only important to preserve our natural heritage for future generations, but also because of the role it plays in developing tourism as a pillar of the economy. Following the gazetting of Gishwati-Mukura National Park, I am proud to note that 8.9% of Rwanda’s national territory is protected as national parks,” she noted.

Kariza further explained that the new project in Gishwati-Mukura National Park is expected to offer another unique world-class tourist experience and draw even more visitors in Rwanda.

“The Gishwati-Mukura National Park chimpanzee and primate trekking experience will be one more great reason to visit Rwanda,” she said.

The increase of the human population in the 20th century led to the human pressures on mountain forests in Rwanda. By 1984, the mountain forest covered less than 7% of Rwanda’s area

The remaining forest area is entirely confined to five insular patches (Nyungwe, Cyamudongo, Mukura, Gishwati and Volcanoes National Park) scattered along the Congo Nile Divide and completely surrounded by areas of intensively cultivated croplands.

The area Gishwati and Mukura natural forests area was protected since colonial time by the Ordinance of Rwanda-Urundi (O.R.U) No 83/Bis/Agri of 12/12/1933 creating forest reserve in Gisenyi. Its borders were set by the “Ordonnance du Roi” Nº 52/114 of 25th October 1951 and it was estimated to cover 250,000 hectares. The law was modified by the Presidential decree Nº 494 of 09 October 1981 creating pasture land and Pine plantation of 100 square kilometers inside Gishwati.

A huge part of Gishwati Forest was cleared after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis and cultivated for cultivation and resettlement leaving, only 600 hectares of the forest, a loss of 99.4%.

In 1999, different decisions were taken in the framework of protecting the natural environment and wildlife in the Gishwati area. These decisions included the relocation of all self-settled families (in 1999), redistribution of Gishwati range-land (in 2007 and 2008) and evacuation of families living in high risk areas (in 2010) out of Gishwati followed by plantation of forests in high sensitive zone and demarcation and plantation of buffer zone around the remaining Gishwati natural forest.

The remaining part of the Gishwati Natural Forest was managed by the Great Ape Conservation Project (GACP) from 2007 to 2011. At the end of its term, the Forest of Hope Association (FHA) was created to continue the protection activities.

The other side Mukura natural forest faced the same challenges of deforestation for settlement and pastoralism of returnees after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Different interventions involving the local administrations (Districts), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Association Rwandaise des Ecologists (ARECO) and Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) have worked towards restoration of the remaining part of Mukura Natural Forest.

Since 2014, the two natural forests, Gishwati and Mukura, and their surrounding area have been in the process of being restored under the World Bank project Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC) administered through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

The LAFREC project was established to work concurrently in the three major elements of the landscape – rehabilitating forests and biodiversity within the Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserves, enhancing sustainable land management in the agricultural lands between them, and introducing sylvo-pastoral approaches in the rangelands of the central former Gishwati Reserve.

These interventions were synergistic, enhancing biological connectivity at the landscape level and have enabled the park to gain strong potential for global recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and longer-term re-orientation of the local economy towards nature-based tourism.

A nomination file was submitted to UNESCO for Gishwati-Mukura Landscape to be recognized as a Biosphere Reserve.

The Gishwati-Mukura National Park today is composed of the Gishwati Natural Forest with an area of 1,439.72 hectares and Mukura Natural forest with an area of 1,987.74 hectares and a buffer zone for this National Park covering the surface of 992.48 hectares.

Statistics released by the Ministry during a press conference held today indicate that more disasters left more than 177 people injured and 4095 houses destroyed.

Among others, disasters took lives of 167 livestock, destroyed 163 classrooms, one health center, six roads, 49 churches, 11 bridges, 15 administrative offices, three water distribution lines, 60 electricity distribution lines, three markets, and one factory.

Rwamagana district had the largest number of residents who died of disasters totaling 15 followed by Ngororero with eight people while Rusizi, Kirehe and Nyanza districts recorded a big number of injuries.

Kirehe district has the largest number of destroyed houses accounting to 1946, followed by Ngororero with 222. Kirehe also recorded the largest portion of destroyed arable land totaling to 5477.5 hectares followed by Ruhango with 202 destroyed hectares.

Landslides, floods, lightning among other disasters took lives of over 200 last year, destroyed infrastructure, killed livestock and crops among other ravages.

MINEMA has recently announced preparations of advanced mechanisms to forecast and alert people from disaster-prone zones to flee before.

During these rainy seasons, MINEMA appeals to the public to take possible measures counteracting disasters by clearing and building waterways, digging ditches, strengthening roofs lest they are shattered by the wind, check the robustness of houses and relocate from risky zones among others.

The court explained that Uwamurera has no experience qualifying her to become a senator.

The development has been confirmed to IGIHE by the spokesperson of NFPO, Christine Mukabunani.

“It is true that she has been disqualified from entering the senate citing inadequate experience. The next thing on the agenda is to vote for another one. We are preparing for a meeting on Thursday this week,” she said.

Nkunsi Juvénal from Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Uwamurera Salama from Ideal Democratic Party (PDI) were elected on 19th September 2019 to take up senatorial seats representing NFPO at the senate.

Uwamurera is the executive secretary of PDI and assumed different functions in Rusizi district for 10 years.

Mukabunani said that disqualification doesn’t mean things have fallen apart because what the Supreme Court did analyzing the latter’s expertize falls under its attributions.

She further stated that all members of the forum are eligible to propose a candidate during the next elections not necessarily seeking a replacement from PDI.

Selling off premature harvests is common in sectors neighboring with DRC where farmers sell crops yet to be harvested to be reaped by buyers.

According to district officials, this has deprived the farmers of huge profits that they would have reaped, if they had sold the produce during the harvest season.

Some merchants say the sale of premature crops leads into a chaotic market that cooperatives encounter loss over failure to obtain enough commodities.

“We often face the shortage of commodities because Congolese buy premature crops before harvest. Many of us got bank loans but failed to pay because the market is chaotic,” said Bahati Jacqueline, a vendor of fruits in Bugarama sector

The sale of premature crops was reported in Rusizi district since 2015.

The mayor of Rusizi district, Ephrem Kayumba has told IGIHE that farmers should not rely on such trade noting that whoever caught red handed shall be penalized.

“We have instituted regulations that everyone should sell mature crops. Selling them prematurely incurs losses to farmers. Whoever found bleaching the regulation shall be subject to appropriate penalties,” he said.

Some of cross border commodities grown in Rusizi district include maize, mean cassava, vegetables and fruits like mango and oranges.

Fifty-eight Police officers from nine EASF member countries, including 22 females, are taking part in the ninth intake.

Participating countries are Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda, the host.

The theory and practical course are also in line with the EASF mission to maintain and sustain a fully operational and multidimensional integrated standby force ready for peace support operations.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, while opening the course, said that part of the African continent continues to be tormented by intrastate conflicts.

“Such conflicts, coupled with international and organized crimes seriously hamper our continent’s development efforts; peacekeeping remains one of the most effective tools available to AU/UN in their efforts to respond to such threats to peace and security,” DIGP Marizamunda said.

In a bid to find ‘African solutions to African problems’, especially in relation to peace and security, the AU established a standby force–African Standby Force–with five regional standby forces. The EASF is one of the five regional multidimensional forces with a mandate to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region.

“Drawing lessons for her recent past, Rwanda is determined to be an active and responsible member of the international community. Rwanda has a firm conviction that there cannot be sustainable development without peace and security,” DIGP Marizamunda said.

He emphasized that attaining and maintaining regional and international peace and security requires concerted efforts and commitment from member states.

Rwanda has been participating in peacekeeping missions in the last 15 years and currently ranked the second troops and Police contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

DIGP Marizamunda further observed that peacekeepers, today, are deployed in increasingly hostile and dangerous environments, which necessitates future peacekeepers, individually and collectively, to be well equipped with attitudes, skills, and knowledge required to competently and efficiently discharge their tasks.

The Head of Police component at EASF, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dinah Kyasiimire, said that the role of Police has increased in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, early recovery and stabilization, post-conflict reconstruction and development, security, rule of law and the creation of a basis for development.

This, she said, requires Police officers to be deployed for peace support operations to understand their roles in the multidimensional setting.

The objective of the course is to introduce participants on the concept and mandate of peace support operations, multidimensional nature of peacekeeping, EASF, AU and UN organs’ relations in line with peace and security as well as challenges in peace support operations.

Vision City has a variety of homes including multi-floored buildings with 3 to 5 rooms and apartments.

The buildings are built in a way that gives ultimate luxury and comfort.

The village is served with infrastructures, entertainment, and sports grounds and lush green gardens all designed for the comfort of dwellers.

This follows the previous announcement where the developer had reduced prices by 60 percent exclusively for public servants who seek to own their first homes and are at a grade not above the head of department or equivalent.

Under this arrangement, the opportunity has been extended to non-public servants where a 2-bedroom apartment will be sold at Rwf63,000,000 down from the standard price of Rwf108 million

An apartment of three bedrooms, which normally goes for Rwf163 million will go for Rwf94,000,000 while a 4-bedroom apartment, that ordinarily goes for Rwf187 million will cost Rwf108,000,000.

UDL revealed that interested buyers transacting with banks find it easier to own the home.

“Usually, the bank requires the owner to have at least 10% of the desired loan but it is not mandatory. The bank will offer the loan at the interest rate of 11% to be paid within 20 years in monthly installments,” reads a statement from UDL.

The executive secretary of the Cyanzarwe sector, Heritier Kazendebe attributed the death to drunkenness.

“It was around 8 pm when the duo shared a drink but the deceased was drunk at the time. The bar owner forced the drunk person to get out because we instituted regulations to close any bar found serving alcoholic drinks to drunk people,” he said.

Kazendebe went on to say that the bar owner took the drunk person outside and pushed him, hitting his head on the ground. His colleagues came to take Vuganeza home without knowing that he had sustained head injuries after falling down.

“He was seen around midnight with foam coming out of his mouth, taken to hospital and died along the way,” he explained.

Kazendebe said that the bar owner escaped after learning that the person he pushed had died.

The event that took place respectively on Saturday and Sunday was characterized by performances of Micho Band, children games, enjoying foods and drinks while participants participated in a raffle draw during which lucky winners walked away with different gifts among others.

Participants ranged from Rwandans and foreigners, especially from Germany.

Having started in Germany in 1810, Oktoberfest has become popular in different countries where people organize a two-week party from the end of September until the first week of October celebrating achievements.

The event started in Munich city and spread to other towns later.

During such celebrations, people enjoy drinks, visit touristic attractions, play different games and cook traditional food among others.

Kigali Marriott Hotel is one of the hotels with the exclusivity of serving clients with great perfection on a daily basis maintaining their loyalty in return.

It has introduced an initiative aimed at entertaining clients at the end of every week bringing iconic artistes and Deejays for their excitement.

It also organized competitions like “Battle of the Bands’ bringing together legend live bands to promote music talents in Rwanda.

“UNHCR estimates that US$10 million will be spent on initial investments and to run the Emergency Transit Mechanism between Libya and Rwanda through the end of the year. This includes initial costs of construction and renovation works and basic aid and services for evacuated refugees. UNHCR is using flexible funding for the Rwanda ETM, which was not budgeted at the beginning of the year, and is actively soliciting additional donor support,” he said.

A group of 66 vulnerable refugees was evacuated from Libya to Rwanda on Thursday night last week on a UNHCR-chartered flight. They are the first to benefit from the Emergency Transit Mechanism, recently agreed and set up by the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the African Union.

The group which landed at Kigali international airport around 9:30 pm local time included a baby born in Libyan detention just two months ago. In total, 26 of the evacuees were refugee children, nearly all of them unaccompanied, without a family member or parent.

One evacuee had not been outside a detention center for more than four years. All evacuees were Sudanese, Somali or Eritrean.

Upon arrival, refugees were registered and provided with documentation, before being taken to a transit center in Gashora some 60 kilometers south of the capital, Kigali, where UNHCR will provide them with accommodation, food, water, kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets, and other core relief items.

A team of nine health professionals, including a psychologist, will work alongside counselors specialized in working with children and survivors of sexual violence to provide health care and assist evacuees who survived torture, sexual violence, and human rights abuses during their time in Libya.

The entire group has been granted asylum-seeker status, pending an assessment of their refugee claim by UNHCR. They have the same rights as other refugees in Rwanda, including access to education and healthcare, and freedom of movement and to work.

All evacuees will be invited to attend language and vocational training classes to help them integrate with local communities during their time in Rwanda.

Further solutions will then be pursued for refugees, including resettlement for some. Other solutions include voluntary return to countries where they had previously been granted asylum, return home if safe and voluntary, or integration into local Rwandan host communities.

Anyone found not to be in need of international protection will be either assisted to return home or given the possibility of regularizing their status in Rwanda.

A second evacuation flight is expected in the coming weeks as UNHCR continues every effort to get vulnerable refugees in Libya out of harm’s way and to safety.

According to UNHCR, faster and increased evacuations and initiatives such as the Emergency Transit Mechanism, are urgently needed and urges the international community to support Rwanda’s gesture of solidarity with refugees by providing financial support and resettlement places.

They were joined by other Juba Sector Contingents and Officials from Juba City. The community work was done on different roads in Juba City Council.

While addressing the media after community work, the Deputy Mayor of Juba City Council, THIIK THIIK Mayardit said that Juba City leadership is thankful for what Peacekeepers in general and those from Rwanda, in particular, are doing in terms of protection of civilians and helping South Sudanese people particularly Juba residents to clean and protect their environment.

The UNMISS Sector Juba Commander, Brig Gen Eugene Nkubito thanked the Juba city leadership and all participants for sparing their time to carry out such an activity that aims to protect the environment. He urged Juba residents to adopt the community work concept as a solution for a clean and safe environment.

The Juba Sector leadership has opted to conduct community work in Juba City every last Saturday of the month.

This was initiated in order to share with brothers and sisters of South Sudan the idea of homegrown solutions as Rwandans often do back home.

The participants included members of Chinese Battalion, Rwanbatt3; Ethiopia Battalion; Nepalese High Readiness Company and officials from Juba City.