IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • One&Only becomes Rwanda’s first Five-Star establishment outside of Kigali

    The 1-5 grading system helps to differentiate the quality of services that establishments render to their clientele.

    The facility awarded a five-star rating is One & Only Nyungwe House in the Nyungwe Forest National Park.

    The criteria used to grade the establishments range from their location, site and environment, architectural design and features, capacity, reception area, information services, hours of service, decor, amenities and accessories and regulation of temperature among others as per the ‘East African Criteria for Standardization of Hotels, Restaurants and other Tourist Accommodation Facilities’.

    The criteria stipulates the standards that should be met for any accommodation establishment to be one, two, three, four or five star and are mandatory for any prospective property developer in the accommodation sector in all EAC member states.

    Four-star facilities are High Ground Villa and apartments in Kigali city, Classic Lodge and Fatima Lodge in Musanze, Epic Hotel & Suites in Nyagatare and Moriah Hill Resort in Karongi Districts.

    19 hotels received three-star category, 26 fell into the two-star category while six were ranked as one-star facilities.

    Speaking while presiding over the ceremony, the Guest of Honour, Prof. Anastase Shyaka said: “The establishment and compliance with these standards is very important for our country as a tourist destination in order to sustain a competitive advantage and attract more tourists. Tourism plays a fundamental role in Rwanda’s economy and is the leading foreign exchange earner. In 2017, tourism generated about US$ 438 million in revenues, and we aim to double the revenues from the sector to US$ 800 million by 2024. This will be done through provision of consistent and high quality services.”

    One & Only Resort Manager, Jacques Le Roux expressed his delight at having the five-star crowning of the hotel.

    “We couldn’t have made it without the spirit of togetherness. Rwandans are lucky to have to be so attuned to development. We are planning to give trainings to our workers in Dubai, Capetown so to sharpen their skills in service providing.” Le Roux said

    Emmanuel Hategeka, the RDB Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer said: “As Rwanda increases the number of four to five star category of hospitality establishments, it is a good sign of how the destination has grown and ensures our visitors of the quality in accommodation as well food & beverage services. Today we have an opportunity to award a five star to one establishment outside Kigali, which is an indication of Rwanda’s commitment to spread tourism activities across the country. In the past, five star establishments were only found in Kigali, the capital city but we are striving to make sure that facilities in other cities of the country also offer high quality services.”

    One & Only Nyungwe House was opened in 2010 where it was known as Nyungwe Forest Logde before changing to One & Only Nature Resorts in 2017.

  • President Kagame and First Lady awarded two prestigious titles in Ivory Coast

    Loosely translated as ‘The National Order of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the honorary title was created in 1960 to reward personal merit and outstanding service to the Nation. This is the highest in the country.

    This follows their official visit to Côte d’Ivoire on 19 and 20 December 2018, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

    President Kagame thanked his Ivorian counterpart Alassane Ouatara, and the people of Côte d’Ivoire, for the great honor they have bestowed on them.

    “We dedicate this distinction to the people of Rwanda, with whom we share the journey to build a united, prosperous country,” he said.

    President Kagame also said that Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire may be at opposite ends of the African continent, but they share more than their African heritage.

    “Like Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire has lived through extremely difficult circumstances. But we also have in common the drive to break with the past, and create a brighter future for our people,” Kagame noted.

    He congratulated his Ivorian counterpart, and the people of Côte d’Ivoire, for overcoming many obstacles and the ongoing work to restore Côte d’Ivoire as an economic powerhouse in the region.

    President Kagame said that they want to build on the friendship and solidarity, between Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire, for the benefit of their two peoples.

    Meanwhile, the two countries some agreements earlier yesterday, following which, RwandAir will be executing flights from Kigali to Abidjan.

    Kagame said they look forward to an even more productive partnership.

    “The regular RwandAir flights from Kigali to Abidjan, are a good starting point. Rwandans and Ivorians should visit each other more,” said Kagame.

    President Kagame also thanked Ouattara for his support of the new Secretary General of the Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo.

    “The success of her candidacy is proof that nothing is impossible when Africa comes together,” he noted.

    President Kagame pledged that Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire will continue to work together for a stronger and more united continent, particularly through the ongoing reform of the African Union.

    President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara was last in Rwanda in April 2018 for a three-day visit.

    He too also took part in the presentation of Mo Ibrahim Prize that was given to the former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

    President Paul Kagame was last in Ivory Coast in November 2017 when he attended the 5th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) summit.

  • President Kagame and First Lady in Ivory Coast for State Visit.

    “As part of the strengthening of bilateral relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda, President Paul Kagame will pay an official visit to Côte d’Ivoire on 19 and 20 December 2018,” said Sidi Touré, spokesman for the Ivorian Government.

    President Kagame’s visit takes place eight months after that of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in Rwanda. In April 2018, Alassane Ouattara made a visit to Rwanda. At the end of this visit, the decision was decided by the two personalities, for an official visit of the Rwandan President to Abidjan.

    Welcomed at FHB Airport today, the two personalities had a tête-à-tête at the end of which several cooperation agreements were signed.

    The agenda of President Kagame, who is also the current President of the African Union (AU), is very busy. After a dinner in his honor, as well as his delegation at the Palace of the Presidency, he will be given the keys of the city of Abidjan and the parchment of the honorary citizen by the Governor Robert Beugré Mambé in the District of Abidjan. He will also have a working session with the Ivorian employers to establish business relations between companies from both countries.

    First Lady Jeannette Kagame, will visit the mother-child hospital in Bingerville this Thursday with the first lady Dominique Ouattara. The First Ladies are strongly involved in social actions in their respective countries as well as on the continent.

    It should be noted that the exchange between Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda has so far been very low. But with this double visit, Ivorian-Rwandan cooperation will see a real boom. This is the vision of Presidents Ouattara and Kagame.

    This will be the second arrival of President Kagame in Ivory Coast, under the mandate of Alassane Ouattara.

  • AMLA workshop closes, 61 participants graduate

    The African Mining Legislation Atlas (AMLA) started in Kigali Serena Hotel on December 9th and closed yesterday on December 20th after the participants learnt on different topics ranging from local participation in mining and transparency to the proper use of fiscal incentives.

    The AMLA Workshop brought together university researchers in law, geologists & mine engineers, as well as many law students from some 23 universities in Africa. They were, in all, 61 participants who graduated, after eloquently summarizing their work in front of their peers.

    “We thank the University of Kigali (UoK) for hosting this workshop,” said Stephen Karangizi, CEO of the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF); an organization which seeks to promote learning through the delivery of legislative resources materials on the mining sector in Africa.

    He was very appreciative of the various discussions held during the workshop, which will have a clear impact in improving the production conditions of the African mining sector.

    “The participants in this conference will put in motion, positive changes in the sector by ensuring a new legislation,” said Philibert Afrika, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Kigali.

    In the ten-day workshop, Mining law experts, geologists and other mining engineers from South Africa, DRC, Senegal, Mali and other African countries, discussed the challenges of this sector including the issue of illegal mining.

    “The African mining sector is sufficiently regulated, however, it turns out that some mining explorers avoid this mining code and work illegally without having the operating license,” said Prof. Idi Gaparayi, Dean of Faculty of Law of the UoK during its communication entitled Illegal Mining in Africa.

    Dr. Fidèle Masengo, CEO of Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) spoke about the importance of the Centre in the settlement of litigation that can arise between partners and investors in the sector.

    Law students from African universities appreciated the quality of the debates during this conference, particularly the procedural issues of the need to obtain mining exploration and exploitation permits and the need for transparency in mining production.

    AMLA Graduate Christella Umutoni Butoyi who studies law at the University of Kigali receiving a certificate from organizers
    AMLA Graduate Serigne Ahmed Sene from Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal, receiving his certificate
    Joy and Exuberance as students closed the AMLA Workshop

  • Tanzania bans Diamond Platnumz from performing in the country

    Basata, the regulatory arts board in the East African nation, said it had taken the decision because he had performed one of his songs that had been banned a few weeks ago.

    On Sunday the singer, who popularised “bongo flava”, Tanzanian hip hop, performed the song Mwanza to big crowds during a festival in the port city of the same name.

    Mwanza was banned as the lyrics contained the Swahili word for “horny” and because the authorities considered some of the dance moves in the video to be lascivious.

    The statement from Basata said Diamond Platnumz and another musician, Rayvanny, who also features in the song, had also been banned from doing shows outside the country – although it was not clear how this would be enforced.

  • Two WASAC staff arrested over bribes

    They were arrested on December 17, 2018, in Rebero Village, Gikondo Sector in Kicukiro District.

    Police Spokesman for the City of Kigali, CIP Emmanuel Kayigi said the two men were caught red-handed asking the resident for bribes, after receiving information that two people had been harassing him.

    The citizen is a Rwandan living in Belgium. In the area where he was building, he lacked water which delayed his activities and made him believe that they would not be completed within the time he gave himself before he returns to Belgium.

    The men who were arrested asked him to give them money so as to help him get water easily. He refused to oblige and, instead, exposed them.

    CIP Kayigi thanked the resident for providing information, emphasizing that corruption has no seat in Rwanda.

    “We will continue operations aimed at arresting and handing the suspects of such crimes to the prosecution,” he said.

    A Public Relations Officer at WASAC, Pascal Tuhabwa condemned the act and said that the personel should not ask citizens for money for the services offered.

    The suspects were handed to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for further investigation.

  • FDLR spokesperson, Bazeye to be extradited to Rwanda

    Bazeye was arrested back from Uganda on Sunday, December 16 this year.
    Radio Okapi reported that according to Major Ndjike, Bazeye was arrested with one of FDLR spies, an outfit whose members took part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.

    He further stated that they are both under the custody of the DRC military intelligence department and that they may soon be extradited to Rwanda.

  • Skol Brewery Rwanda launches new beer, ‘Skol Select’ signs deal with Arsenal

    On Tuesday, December 18th, the management of the brewery represented by Ivan Wulffaert, who is the General Manager for Skol Brewery Ltd in Rwanda, announced that they have added one more kind of beer to already existing seven other brands.

    The new beer branded ‘Skol Select’ is available in 33cl green bottle, with 5.5% Acl.

    Wulffaert reasserted that the new beer is going to be as good as most of their favorite beverages.

    “We are pleased to launch this new beer. Expert brewers and our staff team have been long working on this unique brand. We hope our customers will be pleased and Skol Select will always be in their choice,” he said.

    The manager added that the marketing program is on top of the agreements between Skol Rwanda and Arsenal.

    Skol Select will be sold wherever all Skol beverages are already available, in 24-bottle containing crates. One bottle costs Rwf700.

    The factory already manufactures non-alcoholic beverages such as; Skol Panache and alcoholic beverages like Skol Lager, Skol Malt, Skol 5, Virunga Mist, Virunga Gold and Skol Canette.

    On Tuesday, December 18th, the management of the Skol Brewery announced the new addition 'Skol Select'

  • Europeans should view Africans as partners, not mere beneficiaries- President Kagame

    He announced this on Tuesday when he held a joint press conference with Sebastian Kurz, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, AU Commission chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament.

    President Kagame who is also Chairman of the African Union said the development of the two continents will be achieved in collaboration with the private sector.

    He said that for the co-operation to be strong, it will require that each side reforms itself and make some corrections.

    “There are some reforms that should be undertaken on our part, but it should also go in line with the side of those working with Africa or those Africa works with. Africa has a wealthy contribution to its integration with Europe and contributes to the benefit of everyone,” he said.

    He further said that Europe is also required to change the relationship with Africa.

    ” Europeans should view Africans as partners and not beneficiaries of their generosity. People of Africa have to be able to look after themselves and look at what is required to meet global demands and the expectations of our people,” he said.

    He highlighted that on the African side, many reforms have been underway including the reform of the African Union Commission, the signing of the Continental Free Trade Area and the re-launch of the Peace Fund mark a turning point in the continent’s ability to relate effectively to its partners, among others.

    When he opened the forum, President Kagame explained that Africa should not continue being considered a continent of problems.

    He said Africa wishes to promote technology and the private sector to generate work for young people, emphasizing that it is a challenging, yet possible journey.

    “Partnership would be more rewarding than doing things as usual. For a long time, Africa has been the source of opportunities, not challenges. All potential constraints can be addressed collaboration,” he noted.

    President Kagame also talked about the problem of migrants who have been drowning in the sea for a better life in Europe.

    He said that if both sides discussed the matter, they would be able to remedy it and prevent it from delaying other cooperation programs.

    The Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, said he believes this forum contributes to the strong partnership based on bilateral benefits between Africa and Europe.

    “It also has an impact on the strong economic cooperation between our continents,” he noted.

    Africa – Europe High-Level Forum has in attendance leaders of the two continental blocs, the African Union, AU, and the European Union, EU.

    In 2017, Europe exported to Africa commodities worth140 billion euros and imported goods worth 131 billion euros.

    Among the commodities exported to Africa, 70% were manufactured, while over 60% of Africa’s exports to Europe was comprised of food commodities, beverages and other crude products.

  • RDF kills three attackers of Kitabi Sector

    On Saturday, December 15th unknown attackers set fire to three passenger vehicles, killing two civilians and injuring eight the following day, in Cyitabi Sector of Nyamagabe District in Southern Rwanda.

    After the attack, the Military Spokesperson, Lt Col Innocent Munyengango said the RDF was pursuing the attackers who he said had fled into Nyungwe Forest.

    “Following Saturday’s attack in Kitabi Sector, the RDF has pursued the assailants and killed three while the rest fled to Burundi. The RDF also rescued civilians who were missing after the attack,” says RDF statement released yesterday December 17th, 2018.

    “The RDF engaged and killed three of the fleeing assailants and the rest escaped into Burundi. We have also rescued all the civilians that the assailants attempted to abduct, some received counseling before being sent home. We also recovered several items stolen from victims but many of them had been destroyed. Of the civilians injured in the Saturday attack and undergoing treatment, two have succumbed to injuries,” the Military Spokesperson Lt Col Innocent Munyengango said.

    The RDF reiterates that the road is clear, safe for all the traffic and the area secure.