Author: IGIHE

{A total of 112 Muslims who had gone to the Holy Land in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia for Hajj have all arrived in Kigali this morning.
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All Pilgrims from Rwanda returned peacefully after three-week pilgrimage.

It was a time of happiness when families and Muslim community were welcoming them at Kigali International Airport.

Speaking to IGIHE, Alima Uwamahoro one of pilgrims said that she has learnt much from there.

“I learnt humbleness and assisting poor people. Most especially I learnt to be close to God” she said.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islamic faith and is observed once a year. It is a must for every Muslim who is physically and financially capable.

{Lightening has killed one child and injured a sibling in Rukandabyuma cell, Rugengabari sector of Burera District.}

Speaking to IGIHE, the executive secretary of Rugengabari sector, Emmanuel Mbarushimana said that the incident happened yesterday around 6:00pm, when both children were at home.

“It is true; both have been struck by lightning. The youngest was 13-year-old and died instantly, whereas the elder was taken to the hospital” he said.
He said that the injured has been discharged by the hospital today, following his improvement.

Mbarushimana said that it was the first time the incident happened in the sector and urged residents to install thunder arresters in public spaces.

{The Umbrella for Genocide Survivors (Ibuka) in France has this Wednesday announced the death of Bernard Patureau one of the organization officials.}

Patureau who has been the head of Ibuka in Charlettein Loiret District died in Paul-Brousse Hospital in Paris.

Patureau and his wife Espérance Gahongayire have been living in Loiret District where, in 2007, they formed a Ibuka organization called ‘Cellule Locale du Ibuka”
After forming the Ibuka office in their district, they started different activities of supporting genocide survivors living in Rwanda.

{Chiefs of Military Intelligence from the East African Community (EAC) member states have converged in Rubavu for a four-day retreat where they will discuss ways of improving coordination and sharing information among their respective institutions. }

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Maj Gen Jacques Musemakweli, the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces, called for deepened cooperation in fighting pockets of terror groups operating in the region.

“This meeting should be the baseline for communication, experience and brotherhood. Our region is threatened by armed rebels like Al Shabaab, FDLR and CNRD. You should discuss how to combat these rebels that continue to kill innocent people. I hope that together we will win,” he said.

The chairperson of EAC Defense Liaison Officers, Col James Barigye Ruhesi said that their main purpose is to discuss how they need to strengthen cooperation in intelligence gathering and information sharing.

“In these four days, we shall discuss how we should cooperate in information sharing and mutual collaboration as EAC members,” he said.

Maj General Marial Nuor Jok,the chief of intelligence in South Sudan said they will learn much related with their job in the meeting.

“South Sudan has come to learn from Rwanda’s experience in security. I should have delegated but I decided to come. We are a new country and we still have a lot to learn,” he said.

Save for Burundi, all EAC member states have sent in representatives in the meet.

{The City of Kigali (CoK) and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) staff have this Wednesday started closing different businesses and buildings located in wetlands.}

Among institutions and companies that have fallen to the crack are the ‘Umurage w’Abera Silowamu’ church, Shekner industries, Chinese Roads and Construction Company and TEDMER Rwanda, all located in the wetland between Kacyiru and Gisozi.

Valens Mugisha, one of TEDMER Rwanda Industries officials said that they were informed about the decision early but there have been delays in relocation process.

The exercise is in line with the implementation of City of Kigali master plan and will be extended to other parts of the city.

The Director General of REMA, Eng. Collette Ruhamya said that the exercise aims at getting the masses to understand the importance of conserving wetlands that directly feed into sustainable usage of resources by the current population without compromising and mortgaging the livelihoods and quality of life of the future generations.

{Heavy rainstorms that were experienced yesterday evening left a total of 221 families in Ndekwe cell, Remera sector in Ngoma district homeless after their houses were destroyed. Local government officials confirmed the news saying that the rains destroyed many houses and gardens. }

Speaking to IGIHE, the acting Executive Secretary for Remera sector, Claudine Mukazayire said that more counting is still underway to establish the exact number of families affected.

“Big houses have been destroyed, kitchen roofs were blown off and banana plantations have been razed down,” she said adding that they are making arrangements of supporting the affected families.

“Roofing materials will be provided and some houses shall be reconstructed under community work (umuganda) program.”

Staffs from the Ministry for Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs have visited the area to assess the extent of the damage and possible quick interventions.

{The newly appointed Ombudsman, Anastase Murekezi has said that he will not spare any efforts fighting corruption, nor will he handle any issue with any favour regardless of the suspects’ position, including the so called ‘big fish’. }

Murekezi who was being ushered in as the Chief Ombudsman where the outgoing Ombudsman Aloysia Cyanzayire handed over office, pledged to invest all possible efforts in tracing every corrupt individual including those called ‘big fish.’ “All fish live in water and it is easy for the fisherman to get a big fish because it comes in the trap first than small fish. Fighting corruption and injustice will therefore be carried out indiscriminately,” Murekezi promised.

The outgoing ombudsman, Ms Cyanzayire requested the new ombudsman to keep sensitizing people about reporting corruption cases.

“This is a problem indeed; different studies show that Rwandans do not report corruption cases. Like the recent Transparency International Rwanda study shows that only 15% report corruption cases. This is a small number. It requires much sensitization and mobilization to let Rwandans understand that it’s their responsibility to aggressively fight corruption,” Cyanzayire said.

{President Paul Kagame has advised all cabinet members to commit to continued spearheading of the transformation that Rwandans need and work together towards achieving this common goal.
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During an extra-ordinary cabinet meeting held in Village Urugwiro chaired by His Excellence, the President gave guidance to ministers to always coordinate their activities under the stewardship of the Prime Minister, emphasize ; communication among themselves and to serve with humility, putting citizens first, regardless of being high-ranking officials in their Institutions.

The cabinet was, among other issues, briefed on the Seven Year Government Programme: A National Strategy for Transformation (NSTP 1/2017-2024), which was approved after some adjustments.

The Cabinet also approved the proposed Ambassadors/High Commissioners designated to represent their respective Countries to Rwanda, including; Mrs. Oliver Wonekha, of the Republic of Uganda, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda; Mr. Oumar Daou, of the Republic of Mali, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda, Mr. Adamu Onoze Shuaibu, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda, Mr. Fernando Estellita Lins De Salvo Coimbra, of the Republic of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya, Ms. Alison Helena Chartres, of the Government of Commonwealth of Australia, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr. Nguyen Kim Doanh, of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with residence in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Also approved was Mr. Nicola Bellomo, Head of European Union Delegation to Rwanda, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda.

{City of Kigali officials have this morning been visiting different business activities conducted in wetlands, ordering owners to relocate them forthwith to acceptable locations within the city precincts, failure of which enforcement will forcefully evict them. }

The City of Kigali Mayor Pascal Nyamulinda has said that property owners are aware of the impending evictions as several communications from city authorities have been delivered to them on several occasions.

The director general of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) Eng. Collette Ruhamya has appealed to individuals operating from wetlands to think of the future generations and sustainably utilize the resources, minding what the children of their grand children will be able to harvest from nature.