Author: IGIHE

Coach Paolo Povia and Captain Guy Landry Edi were showed StarTimes’ studio and facilities before giving an interview to StarTimes Sports channels and Chinese media.

Regarding StarTimes’ development in Africa, Captain Guy Landry Edi mentioned that “To give the Ivoirian people, even the poorest, the opportunity to watch the World Cup, it will give us strength as we know that all across the country people will be watching us.”

Coach Paolo Povia said about StarTimes’ plans for FIBA World Cup: “I am very surprised. It is an incredible organization with a lot of enthusiasm. I see there are a lot of nice projects about Cote d’Ivoire, about basket-ball and about this World Cup. I think the best way to let people know about our sport is to show it on TV.”

Africa will be represented by five teams: Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.

Guy Landry Edi said Cote d’Ivoire “clearly wants to get qualified to the second stage because it would open the way to the Olympic Games. But in general, playing a World Cup is something delightful, you have to enjoy the moment. And the best way to do that is to win.”

It is the first time China is organizing such a high-level basketball event since the 2008 Olympic Games. And for the first time in FIBA’s history, World Cup will be played with 32 teams instead of 24.

Paolo Povia said that ” This World Cup is very balanced. All teams have something that can make a difference. Serbia has been very solid these past two years, Spain too. Greece, where the current NBA Most Valuable Player is playing, could surprise everybody. Team USA is still an excellent team and China is the host country. This World Cup is very open.”

StarTimes, Africa’s leading pay-TV operator acquired exclusive media rights in Sub-Saharan Africa for FIBA’s national team competitions during the period 2017-2021, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

StarTimes Francophone Africa General Manager, Philippe Zou, said he was “much honored that delegates from Cote d’Ivoire national team visited our studio as we are putting a lot of effort into promoting basketball in Africa.

“Several African countries have a long tradition of basketball and Africa’s potential is huge. There are five African countries competing this year. We hope the FIBA World Cup 2019 will be the opportunity for Africa to shine and for African people to fall in love with basketball.”

FIBA World Cup 2019 will take place in eight cities from China from August 31st to September 15th. StarTimes will air all matches live and in HD.

StarTimes Sports Director Shi Maochu said “We expect a great show as the tournament is very open with a ‘weak’ Team USA and a strong Serbia. We prepared special TV shows to review the tournament and teams, and for each match day, we will have analysis and highlights to make sure fans can fully enjoy the World Cup. All shows and matches will also be available on our streaming application StarTimes ON.”

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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”.

KIC is a pan-African focused innovation hub that will house four international universities, innovative firms focused on agriculture, healthcare, and financial services; and supporting infrastructure including commercial and residential space. Africa50 will apply its expertise in infrastructure development to ensure the effective implementation of the project.

Under the JDA, RDB and Africa50 will establish a joint venture company and work with strategic partners to co-develop, finance, construct and operate commercial components of KIC.

The Government of Rwanda will provide land and fund ancillary infrastructures such as roads, lighting, power supply, and other horizontal “plug and play” enablers.

RDB, along with the Government of Rwanda, will also ensure the facilitation of macro and micro enablers including policy-led tax incentives that aid the bankability of the transaction and allow for effective private sector participation.

“It will attract innovation-driven enterprises and stimulate strategic partnerships that will further develop our growing tech sector, by nurturing inclusive growth and impacting the lives of thousands of people in Rwanda and beyond,” she noted.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of RDB who signed the agreement on behalf of the Government emphasized that it of great relevance to have reached another key milestone and to partner with Africa50 in the development of Kigali Innovation City.

“Africa50 has the expertise to speed up project development, and the ability to structure the financing while leveraging funds from development finance institutions and private sector investors. KIC will build on our economic success, helping us further diversify and modernize our economy while positioning Rwanda as a business hub in the heart of Africa. KIC will enable investors to develop technologies, prove new concepts and scale in Rwanda,” she said.

commenting on the signing, Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda said that Kigali Innovation City is a key component of Rwanda’s strategy to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy and leading investment destination.

Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobissé emphasized that the agreement is in line with ambitions to promote infrastructure development on the continent.

“We are proud to be part of this landmark infrastructure project, working with the Government of Rwanda, RDB, and the private sector. Innovation and technology are critical for Africa’s sustainable development, providing higher value-added exports and improved services. Signing the JDA will help crowd in private sector investment, which is in line with our mandate to mobilize financing to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure in Africa,” he said.

KIC has set ambitious targets: to create over 50,000 jobs, over the life of the project, to generate $150 million in ICT exports annually and to attract over $300 million in foreign direct investment.

For the traditional Rwandan dance, “Intore”, that plays to welcome the warriors who have won the war, has a special musical instrument called “Ingoma” to inspire dancers and engage the audiences. This September, “Ingoma” will be played to promote peace and harmony in Kigali, Rwanda.

Marking the 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit, the event is hosted by an international peace NGO called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light(HWPL) and its affiliated organization, International Peace Youth Group(IPYG) in cooperation with Friends Peace House organization.

IPYG has been working for the support for the legally binding international norm for a sustainable peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW).

One of the members of the IPYG, Mr. Jean Bosco Nshimiyimana who is a president of Simple Servants said, “IPYG Rwanda is now hosting a special day with youth groups for peace. The 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit will be a good activity to make people realize the role of youths to build a peaceful world. Youths have to sing for the implementation of DPCW for a cessation of wars in all societies “.

According to the HWPL staff, ‘2019 HWPL World Peace Summit: 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit’ will be hosted over 150 locations in 110 countries including South Korea, France, Australia, Russia, India, Zambia, and the United States of America in cooperation between an international peace NGO and international actors – civil society organizations and governments.

The two-day global summit is set to open on August 28.

It is the 7th of its kind bringing together Africa and Japan. This year’s edition is dubbed Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

It will be a good opportunity to discuss how to promote investment and trade between both parties.

The participation of President Kagame has been confirmed by Rwanda’s State Minister in Charge of East African Community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Nduhungirehe said that the President will feature in a panel session on ‘deepening sustainability and resilient economy’.

Other topics to be discussed include; universal health care, science, technology and infrastructure, disaster risk reduction and climate change, as well as human resources development and education.

Nduhungirehe also said via a twitter account that the partnership between African countries and Japan remains concrete and strong, mainly in infrastructure, agriculture, ICT and human resources.

The summit follows the last one held in Kenya in 2016.

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is a conference held regularly with the objective of promoting high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners.

Japan is a co-host of these conferences. Other co-organizers of TICAD are the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (UN-OSSA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

TICAD has been an evolving element in Japan’s long-term commitment to fostering peace and stability in Africa through collaborative partnerships.

In this context, Japan has stressed the importance of “Africa’s ownership” of its development as well as of the “partnership” between Africa and the international community.

Nkurunziza was a domestic worker at Béatrice Batamuriza living in the Gatenga sector, Kicukiro district until 10th August 2019 when he escaped after allegedly stealing US$ 3000.

RIB has announced that Nkurunziza was yesterday apprehended from a hideout in Muhanga district.

The spokesperson of RIB, Modeste Mbabazi has told IGIHE that people should stand against robbery vice lest they face penalties.

He also thanked residents for continued efforts tipping them off on suspected criminals.

Article 166 of Rwanda’s penal code stipulates that theft convict is liable to a sentence between one and two years and paysNkurunziza was a domestic worker at Béatrice Batamuriza living in Gatenga sector, Kicukiro district until 10th August 2019 when he escaped after allegedly stealing US$ 3000.

RIB has announced that Nkurunziza was yesterday apprehended from a hideout in Muhanga district.

The spokesperson of RIB, Modeste Mbabazi has told IGIHE that people should stand against robbery vice lest they face penalties.

He also thanked residents for continued efforts tipping them off on suspected criminals.

Article 166 of Rwanda’s penal code stipulates that theft convict is liable to a sentence between one and two years and pays the fine ranging from Rwf 1 to 2 million, serve community service for six months or one of three. the fine ranging from Rwf 1 to 2 million, serve community service for six months or one of three.

He is said to have committed the offense on Sunday 25th August 2019.

RIB has revealed that the suspect was arrested yesterday in collaboration with residents who provided information. He is detained at Gihango police station.

Speaking to IGIHE, the Executive Secretary of the Mushubati sector, Christophe Mudahemuka has attributed the offense to a drunken stupor.

“The neighbors shared a drink with him before he stabbed the cows. The suspect lost his phone which he suspected might have been stolen by his neighbor and went for revenge by stabbing his cows,” he said.

Rwanda joined Australia, Burkina Faso, Chile, Egypt, India, Senegal, and South Africa as the 8 non-member states taking part in this year’s G7 summit.

The same day, Kagame attended a luncheon hosted by African Union Chairperson, the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ahead of G7 Summit.

It was also attended by the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, Roch Kabore of Burkina Faso, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Later in the afternoon, Kagame participated in the G7 and Africa partnership meeting, Sunday afternoon.

The session discussed security in the Sahel region and also looked into the key achievements of the G7 and Africa partnership with a special focus on women entrepreneurship, digital transformation and the fight against corruption.

On Monday, Kagame also addressed the G7 Summit session on “Climate, biodiversity and oceans”.

The summit that ran from 24th to 26th August 2019 was concluded yesterday evening.

Following the conclusion of the Summit yesterday, Kagame thanked G7 leaders for inviting the participation of Africa to discuss how to address global challenges.

“Credit and thanks to Emmanuel Macron and the G7 leaders for inviting the participation of Africa to think and act together to confront the various Global Challenges. That is what it should be!” he said in a tweet.

Kagame also thanked African leaders who attended the Summit noting that they made an excellent representation of the continent.

During his stay in France, Kagame also met with President Emmanuel Macron.
G7, also known as the Group of Seven, is made up of seven countries – which are among the largest economies of the world.

G7 is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of the seven largest advanced economies in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Between 1997 and 2014, the group included Russia and was known as the Group of Eight, and had for a year been known as the Group of Six before the 1976 inclusion of Canada.

As of 2018, the seven countries involved represent 58% of the global net wealth ($317 trillion) and more than 46% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) based on nominal values, and more than 32% of the global GDP based on purchasing power parity.

She made the call on Saturday 24th August 2019 during a bidding farewell ceremony organized by Rotary Club members in Rwanda.

The event brought together members of Rotary Club from Burundi and Rwanda, the Chief Operations Officer at Business Development fund (BDF), Albert Mugisha among others.

Nkodia from Cameroun started her visit to Rwanda on 7th August 2019 during which she visited different projects of Rotary clubs in Rwanda.

These include the project of building the accommodation of cancer patients from Kanombe Military Hospital, the project training women on sewing and cook using biogas to preserve environment and Rotary club’s public library in Kacyiru.

During her visits, Nkodia tasked members to enlarge the club’s activities.

“You were not a small number over the past three years but we need to keep growing. There are a lot of activities to be done for the needy people requiring kind people. You have to think about such activities beneficial to the society,” she said.

Rotary in Africa has approximately 33,000 members whose activities support Governments’ initiatives promoting citizens’ welfare.

Governor Nkodia reminded members that such activities will thrive if members keep increasing to be extended to more beneficiaries.

She called for increased mobilizations to inform people of Rotary Club activities which might lead to attracting new members.

Governor Nkodia said more solutions addressing problems affecting the society will undoubtedly if the club is widely expanded.

“That is why I always ask you to keep bringing in new members who will sit together and discuss peace. I joined Rotary Club not for the sake of credits but to cement universal initiatives extending support to everyone including access to water and education among others. This will make Africa, a peaceful continent if we share what we have,” she advised.

Nkodia observed that donating to the needy doesn’t require a large amount of wealth but a kind heart is enough to engage in acts of generosity.

Rugera Jeannette, the Assistant District Governor who represents the District Governor in Rwanda. explained that the training meant to expand the club was held before bidding farewell to the District Governor. It was also attended by members from Burundi.

“When people learn about the Rotary club’s activities supporting citizens, they get an inspiration to join its initiatives. That is why we are encouraged to be active in mainstream media and social media communicating our deeds,” she said.

Rotary Club Rwanda has been contributing to various community projects in education, agriculture, and health among other sectors of development.

For instance, Rotary Club Butare partnered with Rotary International to buy a scanner among other medical equipment; Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen partners with King Faisal Hospital in Rwf 100 million project to bring heart surgery services for kids.

Rotary Club also organizes Medicare initiative under which Rotary Clubs from Rwanda and India collaborate to bring specialist doctors to conduct surgery for most complicated conditions.

Rugera welcomed that everyone with a kind heart to join the club. Joining Rotary Club is free.

Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services and providing support in addressing problems facing the world by combating illiteracy and poverty, contributing to the provision of safe water, handling disputes and fighting disease.

Rwanda has six clubs of Rotary Club including, Kigali Mont Jali, Musanze, Kigali Virunga, Kigali Doyen, Gasabo and Butare with 104 members.

Rotary Club District 9150 was established in 1982. It comprises of Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroun, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Tchad, and Sao Tomé-et-Principe.

The evening was full of excitement and left indelible memories among live music fans who witnessed the competition taking place in Iriba Bar and Terrace at Kigali Marriott Hotel.

Each of the two competing bands was given one hour for performance at the inaugural ceremony starting with Umurage Live Band squad comprising six members.

The band was welcomed with a round of applause and entertained fans with various songs including “Attention” of Charlie Puth; “Versace on the floor” of Bruno Mars, “Give in to me” of Michael Jackson; “Don’t worry be happy” of Bobby McFerrin, “I feel it coming” of The Weekend among others.

Jambo Band, crew of seven was also warmly welcomed on stage and performed different Western songs among other African songs. These include “Fall” of Davido, “Selfie” of Koffi Olomide, “Girls like You” of Maroon 5 among others.

Following performances, fans voted Umurage Live Band as to qualify for the next stage.

The Manager of Umurage Live Band, Ngabo Evode [Evy] has told IGIHE that the competition was an opportunity to showcase their talent.
“We want to grow our talent and expect to gain popularity through this concert and learn from other competitors,” he said.

The competition which attracted 10 bands will be held on a weekly basis until October 2019 when the winner will be announced.

Alyson Hayes, the Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Kigali Marriott Hotel said the competition is unique and had a good beginning that with appealing performances.
“This year’s competition is unique in a way that it will last for long. It is an opportunity for contestants to exhibit their talents to fans coming to enjoy live music,” he said.

Kigali Marriott Hotel introduced the ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition last year with the aim of boosting the entertainment in Rwanda and promote the visibility of local bands by showcasing their music.

It is the first hotel in Rwanda organizing such a competition.

The winner of the competition will get a one year paid contract with Marriott Hotel, to be its resident band and open the performance of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The winning band will be also be offered a recording session with Made Beats.

He was released on 24th August 2019 and dropped to Rwanda’s border.

Imanizabayo went to Uganda in August 2018 to attend a market in Kisoro where he was arrested, imprisoned and tortured on the accusation of being Rwanda’s spy.

Speaking to the media, the deportee said that he was arrested on the way back home and told that his travel document expired.

Imanizabayo was arrested on 11th August and taken to court on 13th August 2019 where he was handed 1-year sentence. He was then taken to Kabale prison where he spent three weeks and later transferred to Gihihi prison in Kanungu.

As he narrated, they endured hard labor and beats on several occasions, tilling gardens, transporting woods and stones on heads among others.

One thing Imanizabayo said he won’t forget, is the hot casserole containing hot food for inmates which he was forced to carry on head leaving wounds which he endured for six months.

Imanizabayo testified that he left many Rwandans being mistreated in different prisons.

“I left over 100 Rwandans detained in Kabale while more 58 Rwandans of whom only 30 were convicted. We were subjected to hard labor mainly Rwandans while Ugandans would have time to rest and interact with prison warders,” he said.

Imanizabayo advised Rwandans against traveling to Uganda lest they experience similar troubles.

It has been over two years after Rwanda, Uganda’s relations worsened.

Uganda has been deporting different Rwandans who accuse it of inhumane imprisonment and torture on false accusations by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and rebel groups against the Government of Rwanda.

Over 900 Rwandans have been reportedly detained in Uganda which saw the Government of Rwanda advising Rwandans not to travel to Uganda for their security until the situation gets back to normal.

Rwanda also accuses Uganda of conspiracy with rebel groups intending to destabilize state security.

On 22nd August 2019, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and his counterpart of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at restoring both countries relations back to normal.

The agreement called for the two parties to refrain from engaging in actions that destabilize the other party (or actions perceived to) such as financing, training, and infiltration of destabilizing forces.

The agreement also calls on both countries to protect and respect the rights and freedoms of nationals of the other party residing or transiting in their national territory.

Both countries were also expected to resume cross-border activities, including the movement of persons and goods.

Following the signing of the pact, Olivier Nduhungirehe, the state minister for East African Community in told the media that all Rwandans who were illegally arrested in Uganda should be freed in the spirit of the signed agreement before the government of Rwanda lifts the travel advisory on Rwandans traveling to Uganda.

Since the agreements were signed, Uganda never released Rwandans arbitrarily detained and blocked access to different Rwandan-based news websites.