Author: IGIHE

The president made the observation today in Belgium as he attended Europe’s leading development forum, European Development Days (EDD).

President Kagame said that Africa is also starting to come together to assert its interests with one voice referring to the African Continental Free Trade Area as one of the most significant recent achievements in expanding the horizon of opportunities on the African continent, which will be formally launched next month at the African Union Summit in Niger.

Kagame stressed that there is more work ahead to make sure that this agreement results in increased prosperity for all people noting that the continent is eager to get started because the task of addressing inequality has always been the primary responsibility of each individual country.

He explained that in the current global context, it is more imperative than ever that developing countries take more effective lead of their general development agenda, as well as raising the level of prosperity.

“It is not something that can be done by external actors alone. The starting point is an inclusive politics that puts citizens at the centre. Community ownership of development empowers citizens to hold government accountable,” said Kagame.

The President highlighted that the latter builds public trust without which it is difficult for governments to define the challenges that impede progress, and implement appropriate solutions.

Referring to Rwanda’s situation, Kagame explained that Rwandans have been able to get some good results relative to the limited level of resources at their disposal, particularly in areas including health, access to education, and environment.

“This shows what is possible in other areas, and on a larger scale, especially by investing in human capital and technology,” he said.

“In addition, we are working to create new employment opportunities for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, so that they are able to make full use of their talents and innovation to achieve a better standard of living,” added Kagame.

He also lauded the President of the European Union, Jean-Claude Juncker who is completing his mandate for his committed leadership as well as the strong and productive partnership that has been built over time, between the European Union, and both Rwanda and Africa.

This Year’s European Development Days (EDD) forum was organized under the theme: ‘Inequalities: trends and challenges in the context of globalization.’

Kagame was invited to deliver a keynote speech on ‘Addressing inequalities: Building a world which leaves no one behind’ at the two-day summit held on 18-19th June 2019.

European Development Days was launched in since 2006.

It is organized by the European Commission, the European Development Days (EDD) and brings the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

In 1987, Tanzania offered Rwanda 17, 5-hectare (ha) piece of land additional to 12 ha received from Kenya in 1986 at the regime of President Daniel Arap Moi.

Again in 2013, Djibouti offered Rwanda a 20-hectare piece of land at the port of Djibouti which it expanded buying more 40 ha. The latter was in reciprocity to a plot of land in the Kigali Special Economic Zone.

Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye has said that the process of defining the implementation modalities and the development of her land in Djibouti is on course with already designed blueprints for exploitation.

She revealed this on Monday during a press conference to disclose advantages Rwanda gains from admission to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“There have been delays in exploiting those pieces of land like the case for Djibouti. We engaged into discussions with the country and gave them the proposal on modalities to exploit the land,” said Minister Hakuziyaremye.

She explained that utilizing the donated land will attract both the Government because the private sector as some have demonstrated willingness to put it to use.

“Private investors demonstrated willingness given that they already run businesses in the country. We tasked them come up with a proposal to be presented to Djibouti so they can operate from the place if approved,” she said

Minister Hakuziyaremye said, the Government is following the project and communicates outcomes from discussions.

In May 2018, MPs asked the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Munyeshyaka why it has been four years since Rwanda’s land received from Djibouti remains unexploited.

Munyeshyaka explained that the Government had signed a contract with a Chinese company ‘Tourchroad International Holding Group’ which had to prepare the land but cancelled the agreements later.

“The company had no competencies to prepare the land and decided to look for another contractor,” he said.

Munyeshyaka said the tender was won by three contractors while Rwanda Development Board (RDB) still assesses the feasibility of the project.

“During previous discussions, they demonstrated willingness to start working on the project because the proposal was well elaborated,” he said.

In April 2017, the then Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo said exploiting the land was a priority. She revealed it on the occasion of working visit along with President Paul Kagame to Djibouti.

In June last year, the senators’ general assembly urged the Government to closely follow up the project and communicate on the progress.

The lawsuit was filed by three Rwandans accompanied by their lawyer Richard Mugisha yesterday at the branch of East African Court of Justice based in Kimihurura, Kigali city.

The complainants include Ezechiel Muhawenimana, 36, and his wife, Esperance Dusabimana who spent nine months in Uganda’s prison where the woman who was pregnant at the time of arrest delivered a baby.

The family hailing from Ngororero district requested USD $ 100,000 compensation for illegal detention and false accusations of illegal crossing of the border.

Muhawenimana and his wife were arrested in July last year on the way to attend the burial of a relative in Uganda.

The family filed the lawsuit along with Venant Hakolimana from Ngororero district who requested USD $ 1 million compensation for torture inflicted on him in Uganda.

Speaking to the media after filing the lawsuit, Richard Mugisha, the defense lawyer of the three Rwandans said that five more Rwandans tortured in Uganda have contacted him for legal assistance.

Mugisha said it is sad that his clients were tortured in a member state of East African Community and expressed optimism to get justice from the court.

“We trust the court to act within its mandate. EAC founders knew there might be problems and established the court to handle emerging issues. We believe in the court’s fairness while solving this issue,” he said.

Mugisha who was the Chairperson of East Africa Lawyers Association revealed he is representing these torture victims for free on request of Rwanda’s Lawyers Association.

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.

Last week, more 20 Rwandans were deported from Uganda after spending sometime in the country’s prisons.

A total of 900 Rwandans are reportedly detained in Uganda as at the end of March 2019.

This saw the Government of Rwanda advising Rwandans not to travel to Uganda for their security until the situation gets back to normal.

It has been two years since Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened.

Rwanda expressed concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being Rwanda’s spies.

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

Four people including the driver of the bus, plate number RAD 589J, were arrested in Sunday’s incident.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson of Northern region, said that the bus was headed to Kigali from Musanze District when it was stopped at around 4pm in Bushaki Sector.

He identified the suspects as Dieudonne Nsabimana (driver), Radjabu Muvandimwe, Issa Tuyisenge and Sharuma Mugabe. The bus was also impounded.

“There was information that some of the passengers aboard this bus were drug traffickers. According to credible information we received, these traffickers had a load of cannabis on the same vehicle, the bus was stopped in Rulindo, searched and found 576 pellets of cannabis,” CIP Rugigana said.

“It is suspected that the driver had connived with the traffickers to transport their illegal luggage to Kigali, but the matter has been handed over to RIB [Rwanda Investigation Bureau] to establish the circumstances surrounding the whole criminal act,” CIP Rugigana said.

He commended the increased information sharing between the Police and the public in breaking chains of drug supply.

In a related operation, Police in Nyabihu District also arrested another drug dealers identified as Norbert Mujyarugamba.

Mujyarugamba, who was arrested in Mukamira Taxi Park, was found in possession of 3500 pellets of cannabis.

CIP Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Mujyarugamba was attempting to board a Ngororero-bound commuter.

“Casual workers in the taxi-park, who were loading luggage on the public service vehicle, realized that Mujyarugamba’s luggage were cannabis, and they immediately called the Police, on searching the luggage in question officers found 3500 pellets of cannabis. The suspect was immediately taken into custody,” CIP Gasasira explained.

He thanked the casual laborers for their responsiveness against wrongdoers.

Under article 263 of penal code, any person who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence. Upon conviction, he or she is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine between Rwf15 million and Rwf30 million.

News about Ali’s death were spread out at around 14:00pm in ethiopia. he died at jimma hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.

according to ethiopian media, Ahmed Ali who was aged 105 is expected to be buried on Tuesday morning, aligning Islam’s beliefs.

President Kagame via his tweeter account, joined other leaders who sent their condolence messages to the family of Dr Abiy Ahmed.

“I have heard the sad news…My family and I send our deepest condolences to my brother and friend Dr. Abiy Ahmed. May God give you the strength to take you through this difficult period of mourning!’’ President Kagame tweeted.

I have heard the sad news… My family and I send our deepest condolences to my brother and friend @PMEthiopia Dr.Abiy Ahmed. May God give you the strength to take you through this difficult period of mourning!

— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) June 17, 2019

The Rwf 3 million cheque to subscribe for residents for Mutuelle de Santé were handed to the management of Bugesera district on Saturday coinciding with the launch of a week-long anti-drugs campaign.

Trust Industries partnered with Ambassadors of Christ Choir to roll out the campaign conveying gospel messages.

Throughout the campaign, residents in the neighborhood of Trust Industries located in Ntarama will convene at the plant every day afternoon for live concert by Ambassadors of Christ in which they will get mobilized on fighting drug abuse and free medical test for various diseases.

Trust Industries Chief Executive, Claver Mugabo said the donation is part of the company’s initiatives to give back to community surrounding its operations.

“We want healthy Rwandans. Ambassadors of Christ Choir is helping them spiritually while we provided them physical support donating Mutuelle de Santé,” he said.

Apart from 1000 Mutuelle de Santé from Trust Industries, more 200 were donated to same residents by Gospel Preacher Pastor Wycliffe Opio leading Mount Zion Church based in Texas of the United States who came to preach residents during Ambassadors and Trust Industries the joint-campaign.

Bugesera district official in charge of Mutuelle de Santé hailed Trust Industries and other partners for their increased support to the wellbeing of residents.

Payment of interest is in accordance with the E-money regulations set by the Central Bank of Rwanda to give Mobile Money customers interest earned on MTN’s escrow accounts.

This interest is calculated on an average monthly basis on the subscriber’s wallet closing balances and awarded on a quarterly basis to all MTN Mobile Money users who actively use the service to make payments, send and receive money, among others.

MTN’s Chief Business and Corporate Affairs Officer, Chantal Kagame, said, “MTN is committed to ensuring that its customers reap the benefits of using the Mobile Money service. With more and more digital transactions being done as we move towards a cashless society, we encourage our customers maintain an end of day balance on their wallets that earn them interest.”

In this phase of driving a cashless economy and boosting financial inclusion in the country, MTN Rwanda is repositioning itself as the MFS provider of choice in Rwanda and will continue to engage all its partners and customers to use and also save more on Mobile Money so they can get more interest on their money.

“MTN Mobile Money services have brightened the lives of all our customers as well as played a big role in developing Rwanda’s financial infrastructure. The introduction of ‘Mobile Money Cash Back’ will not only increase customers’ level of trust in Mobile Money services but increase money in the ecosystem backed by money in the bank”, added Mrs. Kagame.
Mrs Kagame also encouraged Rwandans to always transact using Mobile Money as a faster and safer way that reduces the bulkiness of carrying cash, improve overall efficiency in doing business and ultimately, save money.

In line with the Rwandan government drive for a cashless society, the penetration Mobile Money in the country has seen a continuous rise with the enhancement of existing offerings such as MoMoPay for merchants, Tap&Go payments for bus services, Bill Payments, Bank Push & Pull, Loans & Savings, Bulk Payments, Electricity purchase, Payment of Government services, Regional and International remittances and many more.

The tournament that took place at Tennis playgrounds in front of Amahoro Stadium in Remera over the entire week was concluded during finals held on Saturday in seven categories.

Umulisa Joseline won in women professionals beating Ingabire Meganne 2-0 sets ( 6-1, 6-1) while Niyigena Étienne won men professionals category beating Havugimana Olivier 2-0 sets ( 6-2,6-4).

In the category of amateurs (Men double), Kasim Ntageruka and Mutagoma beat Mugarura and Kaningu Christian 2-0 sets ( 6-4, 6-2).

In the category of amateurs (men single) Bahati Théoneste beat Serge 2-0 sets ( 6-4,7-6).
The Wheelchair Tennis (women category) was won by Mutesi Faith beating Imanishimwe Yvonne 2-1 sets (4-2,4-6,6-4) while Ndayishimiye Ernest beat Dusabe Viateur 2-0 sets ( 6-0,6-4) in men category.

The President of Tennis Federation in Rwanda, Karenzi Théoneste lauded all players that participated in the tournament to remember for the 25th time, Tutsi killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and highlighted that the federation shall keep organizing tournaments promoting their talents.

Identified Tennis players killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi include Kanyamahanga Gaston, Nyamunyura Samuel, Nyirarucyaba Emmanuel, Gatera Vincent, Rubangura François, Kwitonda Théogène, Ruzindana, Rutahira Vedaste, Rutayisire Fidèle and Bayingana Jean De Dieu.

An international Tennis tournament for children under 18 years bringing together participants from 16 countries is starting this Monday.