Author: IGIHE

The Eftar Dinner was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation Hon. Dr. Richard Sezibera, the Vice Mufti of the Rwanda Muslim Community Sheikh Saleh Nshimiyimana, His Grace Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kigali, Bishop Samuel Kayinamura Head of the Protestant Council of Rwanda, Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Rwanda and media institutions.

“The Inter-Faith Eftar organized by the Embassy comes within the framework of the 2019 UAE Declaration of “Year of Tolerance” in order to consolidate the values of mutual understanding between peoples of different cultures and religions”. Ambassador Al-Qahtani said.

The Ambassador stressed that tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect are important values that the United Arab Emirates believes in and seeks to contribute to spreading in the region and the world.

The Ambassador pointed out that this invitation was aimed at bringing Islamic clerics and their brothers, representatives and church leaders, as well as government officials and diplomats, around an Eftar table to familiarize themselves with the customs of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. Contributing to the promotion of understanding and highlight the tolerance of Islam and its moderation, which the UAE is working to root.

6

He was shot dead after him and colleagues from Uganda smuggled goods to Rwanda and confronted security officials attempting to intercept them.

The officers shot two people, one Rwandan who died instantly and one Ugandan who later died.

The colleagues with whom they attacked security officials took the bodies to Uganda.

As the body of the Rwandan was returned yesterday through Gatuna border in Gicumbi district, the mayor of Nyagatare district Mushabe David Claudien leading Rwanda’s delegation told Uganda’s officials led by parliamentarian Kansiime Caroline that they should release and repatriate Rwandans detained in Uganda’s prisons like they did for the body.

“We appreciate the gesture of deporting the dead Rwandan but it would be even better if you deport many Rwandans detained in Uganda. Even two days before, you have arrested two more Rwandans in Uganda. You should bring all those Rwandans detained in Uganda like you returned this body. It would leave us happy if you do so,” he said.

According to a statement released by Rwanda National Police, the two Rwandan nationals were abducted by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on Sunday around 12:30 pm.

They are identified as, Samvura Pierre, 47, and Habiyaremye Eric, 25 who were abducted at Gasheke, 1.5km inside Uganda where they had gone to attend a baptism ceremony of the son of their friend Muhwezi Silver.

Recently in March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 800 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.

Some of the deportees testified that they were forced to join the rebel group of Kayumba Nyamwasa which pins Uganda to be supporting rebel groups against Rwanda.

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.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that Uwihanganye was arrested on Sunday after being reported by local residents.

“At about 6:40pm, Police in Gicumbi responded to a call from residents reporting a man, who was cutting trees in a gazetted forest in Rwamiko, and Uwihanganye was arrested red-handed felling the trees,” CIP Rugigana said.

“He had already cut a number of trees at the time, and we suspect he has been into this illegal practice for a while. In most cases, trees are cut to burn charcoal and selling in communities,” he added.

According to CIP Rugigana, residents also pointed at Uwihanganye to have been cutting trees in their forests at night for sale and spends much of his money taking alcohol.

He thanked the residents for their “environmental activism” and urged them to maintain the spirit against any environmental degradation activities.

“Cutting trees is only authorized by local leaders, contrary to that you will be breaking the law and you will be arrested,” CIP Rugigana warned.

He was shot dead after him and colleagues from Uganda smuggled goods to Rwanda and confronted security officials attempting to intercept them.

The officers shot two people, one Rwandan who died instantly and one Ugandan who later died.

The colleagues with whom they attacked security officials took the bodies to Uganda.
The body of the Rwandan was returned yesterday through Gatuna border in Gicumbi district.

Uganda was represented by the delegation of local leaders, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, security officials and nine head of missions representing their countries to Uganda a delegation led by parliamentarian Kansiime Caroline from Rukiga region.

Rwanda delegation was led by the mayor of Nyagatare district, Mushabe David Claudien.

Mayor Mushabe hailed the return of the body and reminded them about circumstances under which the shooting happened.

He said they illegally crossed the border and shot on Rwanda’s land as they attacked security officers intercepting them.

Mushabe also told them that Ugandans dragged the bodies to Uganda though their motorbike remained on Rwanda’s land.

The body was however returned through Gatuna border yet the incident took place at Kagitumba border.

The mayor said the body should have been deported through Kagitumba where the incident took place.

Mayor Mushabe also told Ugandan officials that it would be better if they bring Rwandans abducted and detained in the country.

According to a statement released via Rwanda National Police’s Twitter wall, two Rwandan nationals were abducted by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on Sunday around 12:30 pm.

They are identified as, Samvura Pierre, 47, and Habiyaremye Eric, 25 who were abducted at Gasheke, 1.5km inside Uganda where they had gone to attend a baptism ceremony of the son of their friend Muhwezi Silver.

MP Kansiime said she don’t know about Rwandans detained in Uganda.
“I know that many Rwandans live in Uganda. They are siblings and neighbors but I don’t know of those arrested in Uganda,” she said.

Since 2017, Rwanda raised concerns over its citizens arrested and illegally detained in Uganda without consular access while others are deported after enduring torture.
During the event of handing over the body, Uganda was accompanied by ambassadors from nine countries including Britain, France, South Sudan and Burundi.

Rwanda announced that a delegation made of representatives from both countries was sent to the shooting scene to investigate the situation.

The warning comes after Rwandan security forces on patrol intercepted last Friday, a suspected smuggler on a motorcycle in Tabagwe Sector, Nyagatare, who had crossed the border from Uganda at an ungazetted border point.

The suspect resisted arrest and turned violent, and was joined by others who attacked the officers with machetes while attempting to flee back to Uganda.

The officers shot two people, one Rwandan who died instantly and one Ugandan who later died.

The deceased left behind a motorcycle (RE736G) laden with smuggled used clothes (caguwa).

Following the incident, Governor Mfulukye has held a meeting with residents and motorcyclists this Monday urging them against such acts.

“Our security is guaranteed and we are aware that you play a role to make it possible. We however need to advance measures to preserve security. You should stop crossing to Uganda through illegal entry points. Some people doing so are seized on accusation of being spies while others smuggle drugs, goods and confront security officials intercepting them. Such vices should not characterize us,” he said.

Governor Mfulukye asked them to abandon illegal trade crossing through unauthorized points and report those declining to respect the law.

Col. Albert Rugambwa, the Brigade commander in Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts has requested residents to work together to combat smuggling and report lawbreakers on time.

The president of the association of motorcyclists in Nyagatare district, Leonard Ntare said they are going to work closely with local leaders to deal with smugglers.

Mützig Class was first launched on 24th May 2019, in an event that took place Chillax which is located at Century Park Nyarutarama.

This new beer brand is predominantly targeting millennials that appreciate style and class. This drink will be available in a 33cl (330ml) pack size; it is easy drinking, for those consumers that have been looking for an alternative to strong beers.

Mützig Class will be sold at an affordable price of 500 RWF only and has been massively distributed nationwide from Monday, 27th May 2019.

Bralirwa PLC has been lunching on the market every year a new brand, for now, three years. “Mützig class” was introduced five months after Bralirwa PLC had started brewing in Rwanda the beer brand Heineken.

Peter Karadjov, BRALIRWA PLC’s Marketing Director remarked, ‘’ Mützig Class is the perfect brand for millennials, a stylish complement to our Mützig brand. It is for those who want to express their style and class’’.

Rwanda is the fourth country to introduce this beer brand right after countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire.

The brand manager, Eric Manzi stated that “every time we lunch a new beer brand on the market, we have a follow up on how it is received by our clients so that a large number of people can feel included in Mützig family.”

Those who had their first taste of Mützig class confirmed that it is appropriate to their style and class.

The founder of House of Tayo, Mathew Rugamba, said “the launching ceremony was beautiful; it brought together different kind of people. I loved the taste of the beer itself it fits my style.”

Mützig was launched in Rwanda in 1987 as a brand for consumers with a passion for stronger, more refined quality and taste.

It has sponsored big live music events, with the Mützig beer fest being one of its biggest assets and the Kigali Jazz junction that is growing in popularity every year.

The invited guests of the Mützig class brand were entertained by the artist Raoul John Njeng-Njeng (Skales) from Nigeria who happens to be in a relationship with the Rwandan artist Patricia Masozera.

In Rwanda Mützig is a beer that is loved by many. Last year on 31st December 2018, Bralirwa PLC announced that their sells had increased on about 14.6% mostly because of Mützig beer brand; their benefices also increased on about 14.6%.

Kagame made the surprise yesterday at 1:15pm where he stayed for 15 minutes greeting the crowd that was excited to see him unexpectedly.

The president often surprises citizens stopping in different centers to greet them. He did it previously during the citizen outreach program in Northern and Western Province where he stopped in Musanze to greet residents.

Such moments leaves great memories to citizens who interact with President Kagame face to face and have a chance to shake hands with him.

Earlier today, President Kagame made a surprise stop on his way from Bugesera and greeted residents in Nyamata city center pic.twitter.com/y9zQ6jyUC3

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) May 27, 2019

Lt Gen Kamanzi was appointed UNMISS Force Commander by the United Nation Secretary General António Guterres on 6th April 2017.

He has been replaced by Indian Army officer, Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar who was appointed by the UN Secretary General on Friday.

A farewell parade has been held at UNMISS Force headquarters, Juba, in South Sudan on the occasion and was attended by UNMISS military officials which included Deputy Force Commander, Staff Officers, all contingents from Rwanda, China, Nepal, India, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Before leading UNMISS, Lt Gen Kamanzi has led the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) since 2016, he served as Army Chief of Staff in the Rwanda Defence Force (2012-2015).

Lt Gen Kamanzi served as Commander of the Rwanda Military Academy (2010-2012) and commanded an infantry brigade (2007-2010).

He held the position of Deputy Force Commander in the African Union Mission in Sudan (2006-2007) and also served as a member of Joint Military Commission, Lusaka Peace Process for the DR Congo (1999-2000).

The accused include Thomas Mugabe, Sostène Ndibwami, Alexis Kagame and David Murekezi who were previously acquitted of all charges by the High Court annulling the ruling of the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare taken in 2014.

The case was filed by six girls from secondary schools in Nyagatare district who claimed that the four men are part of a group seducing young girls for sexual acts.
They were convicted of defilement where Mugabe Thomas, Kagame Alexis and Murekezi David were handed 10 year sentence while Ndibwami was handed a suspended sentence of one year and fined one million francs.

They were released after proving that the girls with whom they had sex were mature and that they did it after mutual consent.

The four men were brought again to the Supreme Court on 21st May 2019 where prosecution requested to nullify the decision of the High Court to consider the sentence they had been handed previously by Nyagatare court.

Prosecution had earlier pleaded that the High Court didn’t take into account the enormity of defilement and claimed that these men submitted forged documents to prove that the girls were 18 years old.

It is alleged that the hearing was attended by a woman living in Uganda who had been told that her daughter is jailed in Rwanda and the only way to get her out of prison is to confirm the daughter is aged over 18 years.

The woman is said to have facilitated the provision of a forged documents for her daughter’s identity. The woman later revealed the truth after learning that she was dragged into dirty affairs tampering with justice for her daughter.

She provided daughter’s immunization card which helped the prosecution to establish she was not of consent age.

The four accused men requested court to uphold the previous ruling saying it was decided after a deep investigation into the case.

As the accused appeared in the Supreme Court today to provide explanations on alleged offenses, one of the defense lawyers was absent for ill-health leading to the postponement of the trial.

The court adjourned the next sitting to 11th June 2019 at 8am at the Supreme Court.

The campaign targets 900 schools in 30 districts countrywide.

As per statement of MINEDUC, the objectives of the Campaign are to advise Head teachers to supervise in-class teaching activities, to advise teachers to be present and punctual on duty, to advise teachers to plan and teach lessons respecting the Competence Based Curriculum Standards and to take measures to prevent issues of absenteeism, class repetition and school dropout.

“The campaign will involve a combination of school visits, in class inspection and outreach sensitization, and thereafter feedback will be shared at the debriefing meeting,” reads in part the statement released by MINEDUC.

The campaign outcomes include better teaching delivery, improved teaching and learning practices, improved head teacher supervision of in-class teaching activities, improved regular attendance of teachers, improved regular assessments (formative and summative), improved pupils’/student’s attendance and reduced drop out, increased engagement of parents in better pupil’s/students’ learning.

MINEDUC and its affiliated Agencies, other stakeholders such as Governors and Mayor of Kigali City, Local Government Leaders, District/Sector Education Officers, School Owners, School General Assembly Committees, School Head Teachers, RDF, RNP, National Reserve Force and Key Opinion Leaders will be involved in the campaign.

Previous campaigns left teachers and schools failing to comply with quality education standards suspended.

The previous phase of the campaign held on 10-21 September 2018 to 899 schools countrywide left 118 teachers punished while 118 schools were suspended until regulations they meet standards.

MINEDUC revealed that the majority of suspended schools were from Kayoza, Kirehe, Rubavu, Rulindo, Kamonyi and Nyagatare districts.

Some of reported cases include boarding schools with inadequate equipment, having same bathrooms for girls and boys and shortage of water. Other schools were blamed for poor hygiene among others.

In August 2018, 57 secondary schools were suspended and opened the third school term later after meeting required standards.