Author: IGIHE

Held under the theme “Legislate Peace”, was hosted by an international peace NGO called HWPL in South Korea for 2 days from 18th to 19th of September.

With the aim of building sustainable peace and development, the host organization has carried out global initiatives including the establishment of international law for peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War’ (DPCW), promotion of religious harmony through interfaith dialogue, creation of a culture of peace with peace education as well as building peace-actors’ network in the field of media, youth, and women.

The 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW – Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War – were drafted with the intent of representing marginalized voices of all those yearnings for peace at the same time calling the united efforts of states to practice the principles of the Declaration, ultimately ceasing all conflicts and hostilities and facilitating peace in a cultural asset.

“On the day of the Peace Summit 5 years ago, politicians determined to support drafting an international law for peace, religious leaders pledged to make religions one under peace, and social representatives promised to encourage and support these efforts. We are gradually achieving the promises. Each country in the globe holds this event. These efforts will be the light in global history. We must be one to fulfill the promised goal – peace,” said Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL.

This year’s summit, in particular, addressed the “Legislate Peace (LP)” project that urges national leaders to support to build a legally binding international framework for peace and cessation of war. The LP project is a global citizen-led peace movement that includes the “Peace Letter” campaign, “Sign your Support” campaign, and “Peace Walk.”

Starting with the peace festival that promoted the spirit of peace and harmony on 18th, various sessions on 19th covered the following topics:

1) Expanding support at international level for introducing the DPCW to the UN General Assembly as a draft resolution; 2) Spreading a culture of interfaith understanding and dialogue based on religious scriptures; 3) Strengthening the ability of youth and women’s peace network; 4) Implementing peace education for building the character of global citizens with peace values; 5) Expanding a global peace media network.

Kagame revealed it yesterday as he delivered Rwanda’s Statement at the General Debate of the 74th United Nations General Assembly held in New York, United States of America.

As he delivered the remarks, Kagame said that Africa itself is also a source of solutions to address complex problems including issues related to health equity access, migrants among others.

The President observed that the two-thousand-twenties (2020) could be remembered in history as a turning point, or as the moment when multilateralism lost its way.

“Fortunately, the path forward is clear. Never before have we had such well-defined road-maps for joint action on development, climate change, and global health,” he said.
He also reminisced on Rwanda’s preparations to host refugees from Libya following signed agreements to host migrants stranded in Libya on 10th September 2019.

“In the coming weeks, Rwanda is preparing to receive and protect a number of refugees and asylum-seekers from detention camps in Libya. The support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the African Union is greatly appreciated,” he said.

Kagame called on every member of the United Nations to uphold their legal obligations in a spirit of solidarity noting that this partnership is a clear sign that cooperation can address complex problems.

“Africa itself is also a source of solutions. There is no doubt that the challenge of global inequality can only be addressed by working together. Rwanda stands ready to do our part. That includes guaranteeing the rights and opportunities of women and girls,” he said.

Kagame also thanked the outstanding leadership of the World Health Organisation and many other stakeholders for efforts that put the transformational potential of Universal Health Coverage at the top of the global health agenda.

In Rwanda, more than 90 percent of the population has insurance coverage.

Kagame said that this has contributed to significant improvement in health outcomes and shows that it is possible for countries at every income level to make health care affordable and accessible for all.

He, therefore, called the world for commitment to replenishing the Global Fund, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Kagame emphasized that the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals are also Africa’s goals because it has the means and feels it is a responsibility.

“This is despite the fact that our continent is home to several of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Growth must be fully inclusive so that inequality within countries continues to diminish. The fundamentals needed to unlock this transformation are already in place,” he said.

“With a concerted push, involving all partners, including the private sector, it is indeed possible to make up for lost time with the Sustainable Development Goals. Closer cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations is streamlining the implementation and measurement process,” Kagame further stated.
This year’s general debate is themed “Galvanizing multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action, and inclusion”.

All 193 Member States of the Organization are represented in the General Assembly – one of the six main organs of the UN – to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations, such as development, peace and security and international law among other subjects.

The 73rd UN General Assembly took place from 24th to 27th September 2018.

President Paul Kagame and Secretary-General Patricia Scotland yesterday evening announced that CHOGM 2020 will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre during the week starting 22 June.

Leaders from all 53 Commonwealth countries are expected to attend.

Kagame and Scotland made the statement in New York, United States of America.
The theme for the meeting is ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT, and Innovation, Youth, Environment, and Trade.

Building on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London, leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.

President Kagame said: “It will be a great pleasure to welcome leaders of the Commonwealth when they gather in Kigali. We will work hard to make everybody feel Rwanda is an extension of their home.

“The distinctive aspect of CHOGM 2020 will be connectivity including what young people can do with technology to create vibrant societies and develop our economies.”

Secretary-General Scotland stated: “I think the youth demographic we have now is a real opportunity. It’s going to be a very exciting chance for us to enable our young people to develop and deploy the skills they need so they can fulfill their potential.

“By connecting, innovating and transforming, the Commonwealth opens up scope for mobilizing the talent of people of all ages and backgrounds.”

As well as the meeting of heads of government, the week will include a meeting of foreign ministers and forums to engage young people, civil society, women and the business community.

Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in November 2009, becoming its 54th member.
The previous Commonwealth meeting took place in the United Kingdom.

The forum attracted the participation of current and former famous basketball players from the United States of America.

These include Congolese with Belgian nationality, Didier Ilunga-Mbenga who played for New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers; Bismack Biyombo from DRC playing for Charlotte Hornets as well as Dikembe Mutombo from DRC who played for Houston Rockets among others.

It was also attended by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Toronto Rapters President Masai Ujiri and NBA Africa VP Amadou Fall.

Kagame told participants that Kigali Arena was completed in Rwanda to create opportunities for those who are coming up and have the potential.

“We were thinking of putting facilities so that young people who like the game and have the potential can tap into this opportunity. I couldn’t think of any better thing than creating this facility for them. It took 6 months to build it with 70% of 1000 people building it being Rwandans while the remaining 30% were external experts. The main issue is not money, it is always possible to find the money for what you are committed to do,” he said.

Kagame said that when it came to the finals of the best teams (REG BBC and Patriots BBC,) in Rwanda recently, ‘the arena filled up 100%’.

“When I saw it filled I started wondering why we didn’t build it for 15,000 or 20,000.
Anywhere you go in Africa, young men and women want to express themselves in different ways and when something like that comes up they want to make use of it. What has happened is much bigger than what anyone ever imagined,” he noted.

“What we are doing is because of the inspiration you are creating around us. We have come together to make some of these ambitions a reality and that arena is part of that reality unfolding,” shared Kagame.

As he inaugurated Kigali Arena on August 2019, Kagame urged the youth to take advantage of the facility to train and become international players.

MINALOC shared with them the country’s long journey of state rebuilding, administrative structures, Local Economic Development, with more emphasis on the decentralization process, community empowerment and citizen participation, rural transformation, and social protection.

According to MINALOC, the delegation commended huge progress made by Rwanda in just 25 years after the tragic events of Tutsi Genocide in 1994, and thanked the Government of Rwanda for opening doors for them, and to exchange experiences with Namibia.

The parliamentarians study tour follows, the visit of President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame to Namibia towards the end of August 2019 for a three-day state visit aimed at promoting bilateral relations.

Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame concluded the visit to Namibia, with the two countries expressing renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation and increase opportunities for their people.

Speaking at a State Banquet hosted in their honor by the President of Namibia Geingob and First Lady Geingos, Kagame reiterated that Rwanda and Namibia share a lot in their history and therefore have to reinforce the cooperation.

Also during the visit to Namibia, First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame, First Ladies Jeannette Kagame and Monica Geingos, attended the Be Free Nation Building Public Lecture, at the Nampower Convention Centre, where they joined youth, members of government, leaders of the academia, among other stakeholders under the theme “Rebuilding the Identity of a Post-Conflict Society’.

Rwanda and Namibia enjoy cordial diplomatic relations which have seen the two sides cooperate on various matters including security.

The two countries’ Police institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2015.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that Mbarukuze’s permit was identified after he was involved in a road crash.

“Mbarukuze, who was driving a vehicle, registration number RAD 610J was involved in a road crash in Musanze town. As traffic officers were investigating the accident, they noticed that his driver’s permit was forged, and he was taken into custody,” CIP Rugigana said.

The confiscated fake permit indicates that it was issued on September 13, 2019.

“Two people have so far been implicated to have been part of this whole criminal act, law enforcement agencies are working together to arrest them to face justice,” CIP Rugigana said.

It is said that Mbarukuze took the criminal shortcut and was also duped Rwf300, 000 believing that he would get a genuine driver’s licence.

The Traffic and Road Safety department uses a Hand-Held Terminal (HHT) device to check the authenticity of driver’s licence and motor-vehicle inspection certificate.

“Taking criminal shortcut is one thing but beware that you will be arrested to face the law. The process of acquiring a driver’s permit was made easy, no need to take criminal channels, which will land you in prison,” CIP Rugigana advised.

Forgery or using a forged document, under article 276 of the penal code, attracts an imprisonment term of between five and seven years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.

Daniel Niyonzima, 27, Madua Ndondo Safari, 46, and Tito Mukeshimana, 47, were at the time of their arrest found with two fake dollar notes in the denominations of US$100. They were also found with papers and ink, which they were using to forge dollar notes.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the Central Region, said that the successful operation was enabled by information provided by the would-be victim in Nyarugunga Sector, where they were arrested.

“It was recidivism; in July they conned a woman of Rwf5 million and gave her fake dollar notes. This time they were caught defrauding another person with fake US$200. Fortunate enough, the would-be victim suspected something was wrong and called the Police,” CIP Umutesi said.

The trio was arrested red-handed making fake dollar notes, which they were supposed to give to the would-be victim.

CIP Umutesi noted that such crimes are connected and usually conducted by the same groups of individuals. We urge the public to partner and disseminate information on anyone they suspect to be engaged in such financial crimes.

“Everyone has a role to play in fighting all sorts of criminality, maintaining safety and security. If you suspect or know someone to be engaged in any unlawful act, immediately alert Police,” CIP Umutesi said.

Article 269 of penal code states that, any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or banknotes, which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, 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.

The mayor of Gicumbi district, Felix Ndayambaje has told IGIHE that the roof was blown off by winds that destroyed more infrastructure.

“Yesterday’s rain characterized by violent wind blew away the stadium’s roof which also destroyed latrines at King Salomon Primary School. One classroom at the school was also smashed,” he said.

Ndayambaje explained that the stadium’s perimeter wall was also ravaged.

The results were announced yesterday during a ceremony of presenting awards to the district with outstanding initiatives enabling effective implementation of unity and reconciliation performance contracts.

It was organized by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC).

Nyanza emerged the first district with 96 %, followed by Gisagara with 85 % and Burera district with 84.5 % while Nyarugenge district from Kigali city closed the rear with 48 %.

The mayor of Nyanza district, Ntazinda Erasme expressed delight for the place and attributed the good performance to close collaboration with residents and district’s partners.

He explained that Nyanza expended much effort promoting unity and reconciliation in 2015 when the district occupied the last place in similar performance contracts.

The Minister of Local Government, Prof Anastase Shyaka said that unity and reconciliation is the foundation of security.

He commended best performing districts and others with poor performance to strive for a better position.

“Security and unity go hand in hand. Whatever progress we might reach cannot be sustained without unity and reconciliation. We must achieve these performance contracts without waiting for external assessments. It is central to Rwandan’s life and the nation,” he said.

Gicumbi was the first while Ruhango district took the back seat during last year’s unity and reconciliation performance contract. Nyanza was 18th with 68 % last year.

{{Results}}

1.Nyanza 96 %
2.Gisagara 85 %
3.Burera 84.5 %
4.Gakenke 83 %
5.Kamonyi 82 %
6.Huye 80.5 %
7.Bugesera 80.5 %
8.Nyamasheke 80.5 %
9.Kayonza 79.5 %
10. Kirehe 79 %
11.Karongi 77 %
12.Nyagatare 77 %
13.Rulindo 76 %
14.Kicukiro 73.5 %
15.Ngororero 72 %
16.Ngoma 72 %
17.Muhanga 71 %
18.Ruhango 71 %
19.Nyamagabe 70.5 %
20.Gicumbi 70 %
21.Rusizi 70 %
22.Nyaruguru 66.5 %
23.Rwamagana 66 %
24.Musanze 63.5 %
25.Rutsiro 62.5 %
26.Nyabihu 62 %
27.Rubavu 61
28. Gatsibo 60.5 %
29. Gasabo 60 %
30. Nyarugenge 48 %

The incident took place today morning.

It is said that Mukakaremera is a single mother with three children from different men.

Some residents testified that the suspect was at different times stopped from attempts to kill the baby claiming that the man with whom they sired the child doesn’t support her.

Police spokesperson in Southern province, CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro told IGIHE that the suspect has been arrested as investigations are underway.

“She is held by Rwanda Investigation Bureau to establish real circumstances of the child’s death. The suspect is contradicting herself that she applied medicine for curing pimples to the child and later claims that the elder sister sat on the baby resulting in death,” he said.

The body has been taken to the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) for postmortem.
Mukakaremera is detained at Ngoma RIB station in Huye.