Speaking in Kigali yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT) Ltd, André Gashugi advised Diaspora members to use the fund for securing their own and families’ future.
A number of Diaspora members are in the country for festive holidays and participated at the National Dialogue Council, locally known as Umushyikirano, early this week.
He told them to save in the fund to support the government’s saving initiative and promotion of investment in the country.
“A person always thinks about where they have invested their fortune. If you want to keep thinking about Rwanda, you should invest in here. The fund should link Rwandans in Diaspora and their families in the country. Rwandans should save for their children. The more develops, the more profit investors get from their investments,” he said.
Rwandan Diaspora member in Norway, Etienne Murenzi, hailed the fund saying that it is paramount to spur the Rwanda’s development.
“This fund is good for raising saving culture among Rwandans. It is a good programme that should be supported by every individual who is proud of their country’s development. We, as Rwandans living in Diaspora, have many unnecessary expenses that we can stop and save in this fund,” he said.
President of Rwandan Diaspora, Daniel Murenzi said that the fund is crucial for the development of the country and committed to promote the initiative among Rwandans living abroad.
“I’m very pleased with how people expressed interest in saving in the fund,” he said.
Iterambere Fund currently, has 2,000 shareholders with Rwf1.45 billion of savings.
Yamamoto was responding to IGIHE reporter’s question during the Africa Conference Call about U.S strategic priorities in Africa. The discussion with the reporter from different countries around Africa revolved around Yamamoto’s recent visit on the continent.
Yamamoto visited Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda early this month.
Yamamoto said that Kagame is the right person to address different issues in AU countries, considering all he has articulated over the years in the leadership of Rwanda.
He said there are commonalities towards some basic fundamental issues to think about and act.
Yamamoto said that Kagame is very situated to think about how to stabilize security in Somalia, to respond to crisis facing South Sudan, the G5 issues facing ISIS and Boko Haram, stability in Nigeria as well as the Nile River issue with Egypt.
“I think President Kagame, being a very neutral person on a lot of these issues, is situated very well. But again, we also all agree that we’ve got to move forward on institution building. And as we always say, if you take Africa as a snapshot today, we see a lot of challenges,” he said.
Yamamoto lauded democracy strides in Africa, saying that the number of democratic or democratic-leaning countries with fair and open elections has increased to almost two dozen over the last years.
“And so that means you have greater stability in Africa, and what we want to do is to build on that, and the fragile democratic state, is to strengthen them,” he added.
Yamamoto promised good relationship with Kagame during his one-year term at the helm of the continent as the Chairperson of AU.
“And I think we’ll have a great relationship with President Kagame, but also other leaders from the African Union and the regional states. I look forward to a very dynamic, open, and progressive movement when he takes over the African Union,” he added.
Rwanda was elected to head the AU Commission in the 29th AU summit that took place in Ethiopia in July, this year. President Kagame will lead AU in 2018, taking over from Guinea President, Alpha Condé.
Tigo Rwanda will hand in all operations to Airtel as soon as Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority (RURA) approves the merger which is expected to take between one and three months, starting the deal signing early this week.
The deal might have caused uncertainty among subscribers, retailers, agents, distributors and any other person in touch with the two companies but, in fact, the merger is more of benefits than liabilities in all angles, according to Airtel.
Airtel has answered the questions most people might be wondering about in these interview excerpts:
{{General information}}
{{Question 1. What is happening now?}}
Airtel and Tigo are awaiting the requisite regulatory approvals and everything remains the same for now.
{{Question 2. When the transaction has received regulatory approvals, what is next?}}
The two entities will commence the actual integration process which entails consolidating our customers, operations, people and infrastructure.
{{Question 3. Why are the two companies combining their operations?}}
We strongly believe that consolidation will lead to a greater industry stability, scalability, and better quality of service and innovation that will benefit the customer. The integration will allow us to leverage the strengths of both entities to better serve our customers.
{{Question 4. How will this merger benefit customers?}}
The benefits of the merger will include improved coverage and enhanced customer experience across a wider network of customer touch points. Our combined customers will now be part of a bigger family benefiting from competitively priced services.
Our Mobile Financial Services footprint will be greatly enhanced with combined agent networks and platforms.
{{Question 5. What will happen to customer’s SIM cards? Will they have to change their phone numbers?}}
Customers’ SIM cards and mobile numbers will not change. There will be no interruption to customers’ experience on both networks for the moment.
{{Question 6. What will happen to funds in customers Airtel Money and Tigo Cash wallets?}}
Their funds are safe and secured and they will continue to use their Airtel Money and Tigo Cash to pay for goods and services. Funds on customers’ wallets are always held in trust by our partner banks.
{{Question 7. What will be the name of the joint entity?}}
Airtel Rwanda.
{{Question 8. Which number will be used by customers?}}
Both. Our joint customers will continue to use their current SIM cards and phone numbers.
{{Question 9. Do customers need to re-register their SIM Cards?}}
No. If they have already registered their SIM cards, there is no need to re-register.
{{Question 10. Will employees be affected by this merger? How many?}}
It is early in the process to comment on this. As the integration process unfolds, details on this will become available.
{{Business to Business (B2B) information}}
{{Question 1. What will happen to retailers like me? Shall we lose our business? }}
No. Retailers will continue their business. They will now have the opportunity to serve a wider customer base of Airtel and Tigo customers – increasing their incomes
{{Question 2. Where do I pick my stock from now? Will my distributor change?}}
No. You will continue to take stock from your current supplier or distributor. We will inform you if this changes in the future.
{{Question 3. Which TSEs or Sales representative should I contact now if I need help?}}
Your current TSE or Sales representative will still be your point of contact. If this changes, we will let you know.
{{Question 4. As a retailer, should I stop stocking SIM Cards and recharge cards of one of the companies because of the merger?}}
No. Continue stocking Airtel and Tigo SIM cards and recharge cards and make these available to customers. You now have the opportunity to serve a wider customer base.
{{Question 5. Where should I go for services e.g. to buy a SIM Card/recharge cards or for SIM replacement?}}
You can go to your current Airtel or Tigo shop, agent points and vendors to access these services.
{{Question 6. What number can I call now if I have an issue with my services?}}
You can call your call center number (for both Airtel and Tigo). You will continue to be served by your call center agents.
{{Question 7. Who will be my main point of contact to resolve issues I may have?}}
Your current relationship manager will continue to serve you. They will remain your point of contact. We will communicate to you if this changes.
{{Question 8. What will happen to my current contractual arrangement or services on Airtel or Tigo Business?}}
You will continue to enjoy your services uninterrupted.
{{Question 9. Am I required to take any action?}}
No. Continue enjoying your current services on Airtel or Tigo.
{{Question 10. What else should subscribers expect?}}
Only the best. Continue to enjoy all the services you currently have on Airtel and Tigo.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags were being trafficked alongside other illegal goods, in a vehicle registration number RAD 870M, which was also impounded, Police said.
Police spokesperson for the Northern region, Inspector of Police (IP) Innocent Gasasira said that the vehicle was intercepted by the marines unit after loading the illegal goods in the vehicle, which had been trafficked through Lake Burera.
“The vehicle was intercepted at about 9pm in Nyamabuye Cell of Kagogo Sect loaded with 60 boxes of plastic bags and 60 boxes of Blue Sky – an illicit gin,” IP Gasasira said.
“Two people, who were trafficking the unlawful commodities have also been taken into custody,” he added.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags have been outlawed in the country since 2008.
Article 433 of the penal code provides a term of imprisonment of between two to six months and fines of up to Rwf3 million to anyone, who manufactures or sells plastic bags.
Using polythene also attracts a fine of between Rwf5000 and Rwf100, 000 in addition to confiscation of the non-biodegradable products.
“The law is very clear; plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and that’s why it falls in the Police responsibilities and usual operations to arrest anyone found smuggling, selling or using them, but also to sensitize the people against it,” the spokesperson said.
Two months ago, Police in Burera also seized 24, 000 pieces of plastic bags, which were being trafficked from the neighbouring Uganda, and arrested four people behind the illegal act.
In February this year, Police in Gicumbi also intercepted 60 cartons of Plastic bags. In December last year, a joint operation by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) seized 2,175 cartons (435,000 pieces) of the non-degradable bags.
Source: Police News
The MoU signed on Thursday will see at least 1,000 young entrepreneurs acquire hands-on training by next year.
Chief Executive Officer of PSF, Stephen Ruzibiza said the agreement focuses on youth businesses in a bid to promote their development and production through adequate knowledge.
“The new programme is tailored to equip our young members with adequate knowledge and this will further enhance competitiveness and production”, said Ruzibiza.
He said the programme was originally designed for the youth but opportunities will reach out to others later in order to reduce the rate of business losses in the country.
“Lack of is of business skills is among major causes of business failures. Therefore, your prospective business ideas may go at waste just because you lack the capacity to explore them,” he observed.
The new training programme is expected to create between 10,000 and 30,000 jobs in the Country.
IBDL Chief Development Officer-Africa, Dr Mohamed Galal emphasized the importance and necessity of the programme, saying it help develop Rwanda’s business sector.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Kigali, Philibert Africa, assured of the university’s competences for offering business skills and strongly build the capacity of young entrepreneurs as agreed in the MoU.
The United Nations general assembly has delivered a stinging rebuke to Donald Trump, voting by a huge majority to reject his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The vote came after a redoubling of threats by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, who said that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it.
Despite the warning, 128 members voted on Thursday in favour of the resolution supporting the longstanding international consensus that the status of Jerusalem – which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians – can only be settled as an agreed final issue in a peace deal. Countries which voted for the resolution included major recipients of US aid such as Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Although largely symbolic, the vote in emergency session of the world body had been the focus of days of furious diplomacy by both the Trump administration and Israel, including Trump’s threat to cut US funding to countries that did not back the US recognition.
But only nine states – including the United States and Israel –voted against the resolution. The other countries which supported Washington were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
Twenty-two of the 28 EU countries voted for the resolution, including the UK and France. Germany – which in the past has abstained on measures relating to Israel – also voted in favour.
Thirty-five countries abstained, including five EU states, and other US allies including Australia, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. Ambassadors from several abstaining countries, including Mexico, used their time on the podium to criticise Trump’s unilateral move.
Another 21 delegations were absent from the vote, suggesting the Trump’s warning over funding cuts and Israel’s lobbying may have had some effect.
While support for the resolution was somewhat less than Palestinian officials had hoped, the meagre tally of just nine votes in support of the US and Israeli position was a serious diplomatic blow for Trump.
Immediately after the vote the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, described the result as a “victory for Palestine”. The Palestinians’ UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, described the result as a “massive setback” for the US.
“They made it about them,” Mansour told AFP. “They did not make it about Jerusalem, so when you make it about them and to only be able to get nine votes to say ‘no’ to it, I think it was a complete failure for their campaign.”
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the UN vote out of hand.
“Israel thanks President Trump for his unequivocal position in favour of Jerusalem and thanks the countries that voted together with Israel, together with the truth,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
Speaking to the assembly before the vote, Haley – who earlier in the week told members that the US “would be taking names” – returned to the offensive.
“I must also say today: when we make generous contributions to the UN, we also have expectation that we will be respected,” she said. “What’s more, we are being asked to pay for the dubious privileges of being disrespected.”
Haley added: “If our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our investment in other ways … The United States will remember this day.”
The graduates are Joseph Abakunda, Ivan Irankunda, James Kagwisage, Aaron Kamugisha, Yahya Kanyamaza, Richard Kayumba, Faustin Mugeni Jean Bosco, Mushambo Habimana, Winston Ngoga, Alexander Ruramba and Robert Shema.
Awarding certificates to graduates on Thursday, State Minister in charge of Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said that graduating 11 pilots is a good step towards addressing the country’s need for pilots.
“Aviation is among major sectors in which different activities are performed. It is in this regard that we wish to see Rwandans do this job. We don’t have many people in the sector and graduating these 11 is an advantage as we continue to increase the number,” he said.
He said the country is set to launch another school under Akagera Aviation that will train pilots for big aircrafts, contrary to the current training in flying helicopters.
“We will start training others next year, starting from pilots and aircraft technicians that will work for our national career, RwandAir. Registration for the programme has already begun,” said Uwihanganye.
The Managing Director of Akagera Aviation School, Patrick Nkurikiyimfura said the graduates are capable enough to pilot helicopters.
“We are glad to say that we have now trained people capable of piloting helicopters. We are striving for the next phases to offer training in flying big aircrafts like those of RwandAir,” he said.
Akagera Aviation started offering aviation courses in 2004 and has so far graduated 50 pilots.
The Head of State was speaking Thursday at International University of Africa in Sudan.
Kagame is on a two-day state visit in Khartoum, Sudan, where he arrived yesterday and held bilateral talks with Sudan President, Omar Al-Bashir.
He said that his visit to Khartoum aims at strengthening the friendship between Rwanda and Sudan, and advancing cooperation on the continent.
“The need to work together as Africans has always been pressing and we now have more reasons than ever to reinforce our solidarity. Our continent is young, dynamic, and growing fast. Africa already plays an active and positive role in global affairs,” he told students.
He said that solutions for Africa’s biggest challenges are in Africa. He said there was time Africans were conditioned and sometimes forced to rely on others for the interests of those outsiders.
“Your generation has everything it takes to make our continent what it should be,” he said.
“It is no small matter that the students in this university come from more than 70 different countries, most of them African. You represent a wealth of ideas and perspectives and you have a critical role to play in building a better continent,” Kagame noted.
Three pillars of focus
Kagame cited three pillars that Africans can focus together to attain the desired development and welfare of the population.
He said the first pillar is special efforts that must be directed to managing the diversity and deepening national cohesion and consensus.
“This means always striving to nurture good and productive politics in keeping with our respective situations and historical contexts,” he said.
He said Africa’s diversity should be seen as a source of vitality and dynamism, adding that it is up to everyone to contribute to the African character, one that is confident, at peace with itself, and open to partnership with the wider world.
“Ultimately, we should be responsible for our own security and well-being. No one will hand these to us for free,” he urged.
The second, Kagame said, Africans must accelerate African integration both economic and political. According to Kagame, Africa’s tremendous resources and opportunities have benefitted others for far too long.
“One way to also make them work for us is to stay united and collaborate closely on the things that have the most impact on the lives of our people. Trade and investment is a primary example, which is why implementing the Continental Free Trade Area is so important,” he said.
“It should not be harder to do business within Africa than it is between Africa and other parts of the world. That is a recipe for exploitation and poor terms of trade. Solidarity gives us the means to tackle these challenges more effectively rather than as individual countries with less leverage,” he said.
Kagame said that the ongoing institutional reform of the African Union aims to make the continental organization more focused, effective and financially sustainable, a target he said is critically important for Africa’s future.
He noted that a good number of countries including Sudan and Rwanda have already begun to implement the new 0.2% levy on eligible imports to finance African Union programmes.
He explained that the measure is designed to make the African Union less dependent on external partners and more attuned to the interests and priorities that Africa has defined for itself.
He said a better organised African Union (AU) will allow more mutually beneficial partnerships between Africa and other parts of the world.
The third pillar, he said, is that Africans must do the right things to seize the opportunities presented by globalisation.
He said investing in the capacities of people, especially youth, through education and information technology will allow Africans compete effectively in the knowledge industries that drive prosperity.
“Acquiring a mindset for success and ownership doesn’t require money but it is the most important condition for transforming our continent. We already have means and ability to do so, right here in Africa, and it is our responsibility. We must maintain a sense of urgency. Everything is in place and so we cannot allow time to work against us. Our people have already been waiting for too long,” he told the students.
“As university students, you are already on a path to leadership and useful service in your respective communities. I call on you to use your talents to create opportunity and well-being for others. We count on the young people of Africa to build a dignified and prosperous future for everyone on our continent.”
He told students that Rwanda has learnt lesson from her tragic history and established relevant institutions. “Rwanda doesn’t have a lot of resources but this proves that there is more in people and what they can achieve,” he said.
He noted that Africans have to deal with so many problems but they also have many opportunities to help them deal with those challenges as they also work together with other countries to maximise the opportunities.
The Strengthening Social Protection Project (SSPP) will help expand the coverage and effectiveness of Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP) to benefit a bigger number of vulnerable households.
It will also expand the number of working days for public works and the number of cash transfer beneficiaries
The project will extend eligibility criteria for direct support to more labor-constrained households including vulnerable households with people caring for disabled members.
SSPP will also introduce gender and child sensitive public works model to provide more accessible jobs to those ineligible for direct support but still with labor constraints including child caregivers.
The project will benefit vulnerable households primarily in Ubudehe Category One living in the 416 VUP direct support targeted geographical sectors, 300 sectors targeted for expanded public works as well as 270 sectors targeted for classic public works.
“Social protection remains one of the main priorities of the Government of Rwanda for meeting its ambitious poverty reduction and human capital development goals. To further this agenda, Rwanda has started building an integrated social protection system to ensure a minimum standard of living and access to core public services, boost resilience against shocks, promote equitable growth and strengthen opportunity through increased human capital development,” said Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Amb. Claver Gatete.
World Bank Country Manager, Yasser El-Gammal, said “SSPP is part of the wider program of the Government of Rwanda and World Bank to combat chronic malnutrition and invest in the early years development along with other World Bank supported projects namely the Stunting Prevention and Reduction, and Agriculture Projects.”
It is expected that direct support to approximately 95,846 households in Ubudehe Category One will continue and expand to about 11,000 same category households with one person working and caring for a person with disability.
It is also expected that beneficiaries of classic public works support will increase from the current 128,000 households in 240 sectors to approximately 141,361 in 270 sectors.
Major extension of gender and child-sensitive model is expected to reach 75,000 households in 300 sectors by the end of the project, up from 2,757 households in 30 sectors in Fiscal Year 2016-2017.
Suspected thieves broke into the computer laboratory of the school in the night of December 17, and stole seven laptops.
Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, said that two people including a student at the same school, found with the four recovered laptops, are currently in Police custody.
“During investigations, Police in Gisozi received information from a resident reporting a teenager, who was trying to sell him a laptop, and was suspicious that boy could have stolen it somewhere,” said Supt. Hitayezu.
“When officers apprehended the boy, he was cooperative; he identified his accomplice identified as Viateur Habinshuti, who was found with three others. Investigations have identified one of the people that bought one of the laptops from these suspects,” he added.
“This is part of the overall crackdown on both electronic thieves and dealers in stolen electronics. Investigations are also following leads on the theft of other seven laptops stolen from another school in Kicukiro, last month,” he said.
Last week, police handed over some of the electronics including computers and television sets to rightful owners, after they were recovered from suspected thieves, who were also arrested.
“In the two cases of theft of computers in the schools in Gisozi and Kicukiro, there is suspected involvement of students within those schools, who are conversant with everything and connive with other people to break-in to steal various items especially electronics. Investigations have also revealed that some schools have left no security after their break off for holidays, which is also risky,” Supt. Hitayezu said.
