Author: IGIHE

$48 million Renewable Energy Fund to connect 445,000 households launched

Financed by World Bank, the project will provide solar power systems in rural areas, most specifically in the districts of Nyaruguru, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Gakenke and other parts of the country with small number of population that have no access to the national grid.

The fund will also support entrepreneurs who will wish to invest in projects that seek to improve access to energy in households.

The Chief Executive Officer of BRD, Alex Kanyankore noted that his institution will fund and partner with financial institutions like banks, Microfinance institutions and SACCOs to ensure proximity and easy access.

He said BRD will provide loans to these institutions at the interest rate of below 10% which will in turn provide loans to citizens to be able to buy solar systems.

“Umurenge SACCO will be given ample opportunity as it is the institution close to beneficiaries. This is a good move from banks and private sector in contributing to access to electricity in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, $44 million of the fund will go into electricity related activities while $4 million will go to support financial institutions.

The project is expected to add 19% to the current access to electricity status in the country.

The energy division manager at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Robert Nyamvumba said current access to electricity is at 40.8% and with new connections, the project will spur development among population.

“This project will enable the government achieve its target of having all households connected to electricity by 2024” he said.

The World Bank indicated that though 445,000 households will directly benefit from the fund, it could yield an indirect impact on more than a million people.

Moise Dusingizimana who was representing Nyamagabe District-based Kira Buruhukiro SACCO emphasized that the project will benefit people that would otherwise not afford electricity by providing with them loans to pay for accessories and connections.

November 15, 2017
Kagame to award nine individuals in inaugural ‘Igihango’ medals

“The National Order of Outstanding Friendship is awarded to distinguished individuals who performed specific outstanding acts in promoting friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and other countries, as well as acts that promoted the dignity and honor of the People and Nation of Rwanda, on the international scene,” the Minister of Culture, Julienne Uwacu has said.

This awarding ceremony, is governed by the Presidential Order determining the nature, awarding and declaration of national orders.

Besides Igihango, other National Orders are National Order Of Honour (Agaciro), National Order Of Performance (Indashyikirwa), National Order Of Culture (Indangamirwa) and National Order Of Bravery (Indengabaganizi).

November 15, 2017
Gasabo closes unlicensed, substandard dispensaries

It is now a week since Gatsata sector officials started the exercise.

The Executive Secretary of Gatsata Sector, Gertrude Urujeni, said that most of dispensaries were closed due to poor hygiene, selling expired drugs, unqualified a unlicensed medical services providers.

“Some had a very poor services and hygienically wanting. Others were not authorized by the Ministry of Health.”

The Gasabo District Vice-mayor in Charge of Social Affairs, Languide Nyirabahire said that the inspection and, where deemed fit, closure, will continue in other sectors of the district.

“This inspection will reach all sectors. Wherever we find a dispensary lacking the necessary requirement, bad hygiene or poor service; we shall immediately close it,” she said.

{{With Emma-Marie Umurerwa
{emma@igihe.rw} }}

November 15, 2017
Another tragedy in the soccer world as legend Hategekimana dies

Speaking to IGIHE, Jean Bosco Nzambimana, the Director of Kabutare Hospital said that Gangi died in the morning of Wednesday around 2:00am

“He died at around 2:00am; he spent a month under our care. He has been hospitalized since 9th October.”

The Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe and FERWAFA President, Vincent De Gaule Nzamwita were among the officials that contributed the footing of medical bills in Gisenyi Hospital.

Gangi officially announced his withdrawal from soccer in February 2017 over his failing health.

Gangi leaves an unforgettable tribute as a player who played in prominent soccer teams such as APR FC, Rayon Sports, Police FC, Atraco, Kiyovu Sports, Mukura VS, Espoir, Marines, Etincelles, AS Muhanga and Musanze.

Gangi’s passing comes at the same time when the assistant Rayon Sports head coach Hamad Ndikumana commonly known as ‘Katauti’ also passed on.

November 15, 2017
Rayon Sports assistant head coach Ndikumana passes on

The news of his death started to spread around 2:00am, but the details of the cause of his death are still unknown.

It is said that yesterday, Ndikumana was in a training session with his team and that he was involved in the drill. After the training session, he went back home in Nyamirambo, a Kigali suburb where he had went ill.

Sources say that, though he got basic treatment, his illness persisted. As his condition got worse, he was taken at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK)from where he died.

Speaking to IGIHE; the Spokesperson of Rayon Sports,Olivier Gakwaya, confirmed the news and added that he would announce the details later.

November 15, 2017
First Lady presents Imbuto Foundation projects to Bloomberg Philanthropies board

Mrs. Kagame, the founder of Imbuto Foundation explained that the mission of the Foundation is to support the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society.

While in London, the First Lady met with Bloomberg Philanthropies Founder, and former Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has been engaged in Rwanda since 2007, and has a special focus on programmes that promote Women’s Economic Development.

The organisations’ work scope has over the years, developed to also include a literacy programme for children and supporting innovations in tracking birth and death data systems, among other things.

Imbuto Foundation has for the past 16 years, implemented 15 diverse health, education, youth and economic empowerment programmes that target different segments of the Rwandan population.

November 15, 2017
Second National Moot Court Competition underway

The competition consists of four teams each with three law students, and its format is a simulated war-crimes trial, in which the teams take turns playing the roles of both the prosecution and the defence.

The competition intends to develop an increased awareness and interest in IHL among academic circles in Rwanda.

The competing universities include the University of Rwanda, The University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali Independent University (ULK) and the University of Kigali.

The winning team will be fully sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to represent Rwanda in the All Africa IHL moot court competition to be held from 18th to 25th November 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania.

On the first day of the competition, a public lecture themed “IHL and Terrorism” shall be delivered to law students, law lecturers, law experts and practitioners, diplomats, public and military authorities.

This competition is part of a larger ICRC programme which aims to promote IHL in the country. It has been organized by the ICRC in partnership with the University Law Schools in Rwanda and the Rwanda Red Cross Society (RRCS).

The first national IHL moot court was held on 5th and 6thOctober 2016.
In the last session, ULK team emerged victorious.

November 14, 2017
Rwanda supports Somalia with medical supplies

The attack also left different Government and private buildings demolished.

While handing over the support to the Somalia government yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Claude Nikobisanzwe said Rwanda has been saddened and touched by the atrocities.

“We have been saddened and touched by the atrocity that happened two weeks ago in Zobe area of Mogadishu. The donation of medicines is a humble contribution from Rwanda to Somalia’s efforts to rebuild the health system” he said.

He said Rwanda is ready to share experience with Somalia in many areas including public order and health among others.

Receiving the supplies at Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu were different Somalia government officials including, MP AbdinasirSaeed Muse and Deputy Minister of Internal Security and Amb. Ali Mohamed Ali.

The Minister of Health of Somalia, Fawziya Abaikar Nur thanked Rwanda for the support saying it is a sign of brotherhood.

“On behalf of Somalia government and people of Somalia, I would like to thank government of Rwanda and their people for the brotherly hand of support,” Fawziya said.

“This support responds to the tragedy that happened on 14th October. I would also like to thank Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwaboand Minister of Health Dr. Diane Gashumbafor the efforts put in supporting Somalia till today,” Fawziya added.

November 14, 2017
Right on right path in HIV fight–US embassy

Ruggles was speaking on Monday in a Press conference in Kigali, briefing media about the ‘World AIDS Day slated on December 1st’.

The World AIDS Day 2017 will be celebrated under the theme ‘Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships.’

Ruggles said that this year’s theme reflects the U.S. government’s longstanding leadership in global HIV/AIDS, increasing impact to move the epidemic from crisis toward long-term control.

She said that the theme highlights the historic opportunity all people have to accelerate progress toward controlling, and ultimately ending, the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in countries around the world.

She added it emphasizes the critical role of transparency, accountability, and partnerships in reaching these goals.

In Rwanda, she saidthe U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested more than $1 billion to support the HIV/AIDS response.
“That is part of the more than 70 billion the United States has invested globally through PEPFAR over the past fourteen years to fight this horrible scourge” she explained

“This is the single largest investment by one country in the health of humanity in the history. I am proud that together we are now on course to long-term control” Ruggles said

In Rwanda, PEPFAR supports lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for more than 94,000people, including over 1,800 children, representing 52% of all Rwandans on ART.

“We have a long term commitment that those people will continue to be able to get those life-saving drugs. While Rwanda is not yet at HIV epidemic control, with the right push it can be, and soon” she emphasized.

She said that part of their push is to raise awareness on how everyone can help achieve epidemic control.

She said that on November 18th at Stade Regional they will partnerwith the Global Livingston Institute and theRwandan Cycling Federation to host a free public health concert featuring some amazing Rwandan and artists.

“We are at a historic moment in the global HIV/AIDS response. For the first time in history, we have the opportunity to change the very course of the HIV pandemic, by actually controlling it, despite the fact that we do not yet have a vaccine and there is nocure” she said.

She said the U.S. government, through PEPFAR, is supporting efforts to control epidemic through a new Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control with ambitious targets to achieve epidemic control in Rwanda and other focus countries by the end of 2020.

November 14, 2017
Premier Ngirente tips African aviation on capacities

Ngirente who was speaking yesterday while officiating the opening of the 49th annual African Airlines Association General Assembly in Kigali under the theme ‘Rethinking strategies for airline profitability in Africa’ noted that to promote intra Africa trade, African Countries should facilitate and offer visas upon arrival to increase the number of air passengers and cargo. Premier reminded countries to sign the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of access to airport markets in Africa.

“It is our call that, countries which have not yet signed the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of access to air transport markets in Africa do so as a matter of urgency,” he urged.

He requested participants to use the assembly as an opportunity to discuss, share experiences and come up with recommendations to address the challenges facing the aviation sector.

“Let us all strive to work together to continue promoting the African Aviation sector for the better future of the entire African continent,” he urged participants.

However, Ngirente said as airline operations become more streamlined in Africa, startup airlines are increasing and are reaching out to take advantage of growing opportunities within the African aviation sector.

According to Ngirente, Rwanda has chosen to promote the aviation industry as an enabler of economic transformation.

Statistics have shown that the aviation industry is an enabling force for economic transformation.

According to 2017 report by Air Transport Action Group released September this year, air transport supports an estimated 63 million jobs globally and contributes $2.7 trillion to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to 3.5% of the global total.

November 14, 2017