IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • Kagame swears in

    {Paul Kagame was sworn in as the new president of Rwanda and the country’s head of state in front of thousands of people and continental leaders on Friday, August 18th at Amahoro Stadium.}

    The ceremony was opened by prayers from religious leaders.

    Clerics thanked God for the peace and security witnessed during the August 3 and 4 polls. And asked for more peace and prosperity in Rwanda as President Paul Kagame takes on the next seven years as president and father of the nation.

    While welcoming the Heads of States and other special delegatiosn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushyikiwabo said:

    “Amahoro stadium named after the word peace- and Kagame has fodged that peace for Rwandans,”

    “Through all, we have passed through, Rwanda is a blessed country,: Rwanda is a country that has come far away. I wish to welcome former Heads of States from different countries.” She added

    Heads of State, Top Government Officials and Friends of Rwanda who attended Kagame inauguration, among them, was former Botswana President Ketumile Masire, Obasanjo Nigeria, Pierre Buyoya of Burundi, Ivory Cost and special envoys from China.

    The function was led by Cheif Justice Prof. Rugege, alongside his wife and first lady Jeannette. President Paul Kagame was sworn in to uphold the constitution, strengthen Rwanda’s unity and development.

    “May God help me,” Kagame said after taking the oath, before signing the oath and later received symbols of the statenamely; the Constitution, Court of Arms, National Flag and National Anthem.

    Ballet National Urukerereza Rwanda also entertained the guests

  • Africa Travel Association to host 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Rwanda

    {Africa Travel Association has announced that is set to host 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Kigali, Rwanda on August 28-31,2017. }

    The conference is aimed at highlighting the opportunities the tourism sector can bring to African economies.

    Hosted by the Africa Travel Association (ATA), a division of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the conference is expected to attract African leaders, international investors and travel professionals. This year will highlight how tourism can spur economic growth and job creation across the continent.

    In less than 15 years Africa’s travel and hospitality sectors have quadrupled in size, and according to the World Tourism Organization, the continent remains one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, second only to Southeast Asia. The sector’s growth presents enormous opportunities provided it is managed sustainably.

    The conference, hosted by ATA and the Rwandan Development Board (RDB), will particularly focus on the innovative business models, new technologies and strategic partnerships growing the sector, and recognize the countries and businesses leading the way in sustainable tourism.

    President and CEO of the Corporate Council of Africa, Florizelle Liser, said that CCA aims to use the conference to encourage investments and policies that contribute to the sector’s growth.

    “The tourism conference will highlight opportunities in the tourism sector and intersecting sectors such as infrastructure, ICT, health, real estate development, and finance. Through strategic partnerships, we will also offer capacity building workshops for travel professionals of all levels,” she said.

    Adding: “I look forward to working with [RDB CEO] Ms. Akamanzi and her team at RDB to showcase what Rwanda has to offer.”

    This year will be the first time ATA’s Tourism Conference will be hosted in Rwanda, one of East Africa’s premier tourism destinations and one whose sector continues to grow. According to the RDB, Rwanda’s tourism sector generated US$303 million in revenue, in 2014 up from three percent in the previous year.

    On the sidelines of what is expected to be a packed agenda, ATA is working with Facebook to deliver training to SMEs in Kigali. ‘Boost Your Business’ is a training initiative, developed by Facebook and facilitated by Digify Africa, designed to train and upskill small business owners on how to leverage digital tools to grow their businesses. The training will be held on August 26 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

    The conference also aligns with Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony, a national celebration that that creates awareness of the country’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas and their habit, the jewel of Rwanda’s tourism crown.

  • Uhuru arrives for Kagame’s inauguration

    {President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya is in Kigali to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame.}

    Uhuru who is accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta is attending the ceremony to show Kenya’s solidarity with the people of Rwanda and their government.

    In his congratulatory message, Uhuru said the re-election of President Kagame renews friendship and alliance between the two countries.

  • Germany to extradite first Genocide Suspect

    German will today extradite to Rwanda a man identified as Twagiramungu Jean who is suspected to have been involved in the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

    Twagiramungu the former teacher in Gikongoro municipality was arrested two years ago and has been battling extradition in different courts of the European country until he exhausted all legal means.

    He was arrested from the German city of Frankfurt, according to Rwandan prosecution.

    Rwanda Prosecution spokesman Nkusi Faustin has told IGIHE that the fugitive is expected to arrive in Rwanda today at 2:00 pm.

    “He is the first Genocide fugitive to be extradited from Germany, but in 2014 a court there handed a 14-year jail sentence to Onesphore Rwabukombe, a former district mayor, after he was convicted of a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.”

    Rwanda has continued to request other countries to extradite fugitives of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, however, some countries remain reluctant to send fugitives to Rwanda, or even try them in their courts of law.

  • Over 20 Heads of State, Government in Rwanda for Kagame’s inauguration

    {About 20 Heads of State and Government as well as representatives of various governments and organizations are at Amahoro stadium for the inauguration of President Paul Kagame who is taking Oath this Friday.}

    On, Thursday, Kigali International Airport was very busy with different Presidents and delegates arriving for the inauguration ceremony.

    The Central Africa Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera was the first continental President to arrive followed by Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

    The Djibouti President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, followed shortly after, just ahead of Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou. Former Tanzania president Benjamin Mkapa is around for the ceremony. Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe Patrice Emery Trovoada also arrived yesterday.

    The other delegates who arrived yesterday include the Vice President of Cote d’Ivoire Daniel Kablan Duncan, the African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, Speaker of the DR Congo Parliament Aubin Minaku, former Botswana President Festus Mogae and, Prime Minister of Madagascar Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana

    Other Heads of State and Governments who had arrived included: Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Sassou Nguesso of Congo, and Hage Geingob of Namibia.

    Kagame takes the oath two weeks after he was re-elected into office after winning with a landslide victory of 98.7 per cent beating, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate, and opposition party leader Frank Habineza, of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda.

  • Police assures safety during Presidential swearing-in celebrations

    {Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called upon the general population to exercise their rights safely and to follow all rules and regulations to ensure maximum security during the Presidential swearing-in celebrations.}

    RNP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege, observed that Rwandans, since the start of the election process and election D-Day, exhibited high moral and respect for the law, and urged them to maintain the same spirit as they celebrate or run their errands.

    “The swearing-in ceremony falls in the general security plan before, during and after elections to ensure that safety and security remain the order of the day. It entails safe movement of people on roads and safety at celebration sites countrywide where people will be expected to follow inauguration proceedings, among others,” ACP Badege said.

    The spokesperson also observed that the inauguration ceremony will also affect the usual traffic-flow especially in the City of Kigali, and appealed to the public to safely use the provided alternative roads to ensure smooth traffic flow.
    Heads of State and Government, as well as several high profile dignitaries and thousands of Rwandans from across the country, are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony

    “In order to receive and host our guests in a customary manner, priority will be given to guest on some main roads. The road stretching from Kanombe-Giporoso-Gisementi-Gishushu-Kimihurura-City Centre will be very busy until 19.”

    “We advise motorists to use other provided routes; Kanombe-Nyandungu-Kigali Parents-Kimironko/Mushumba Mwiza-Rwahama-Kibagabaga-Gacuriro-Utexrwa-Kinamba to City Centre, Nyabugogo or Poidslourd to Gikondo,” he said.

    Other alternative routes include Kanombe-Busanza-Kabeza-Niboye-Sonatube-Rwandex-Kanogo to Nyamirambo, City Centre or Kinamba and Kacyiru.

    “These alternative routes are meant to control the expected heavy traffic flow and minimize inconveniences to road users. Police officers will be deployed along the road to facilitate and direct road users,” ACP Badege said.

    He further appealed to those commuting from the countryside to attend the ceremony, to drive responsibly, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy to prevent any likely accidents that may arise out of “irresponsible road use.”

  • Police returns money recovered from theft

    {Rwanda National Police has returned to the Wahejuru Travels, owners of money amounting to Rwf 13,563,500 recovered from a thief that was formerly working with the company. }

    The company belonging to Indians dealing in Air-ticketing in Nyarugenge district, was given back the money this morning at the police headquarters in Kacyiru.

    The former employee of the company was apprehended in Kayonza district after a one day intensive hunt for his whereabouts after running away with the money he was supposed to deposit on the company’s bank account.

    The Regional Police Commander-Central, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rogers Rutikanga told IGIHE that the culprit was put on wanted after the employers reported the said theft.

  • Six arrested in police crackdown on illegal mining

    {Police in Karongi District have arrested six people in connection with conducting illegal mining activities as stipulated in article 438 of the Rwanda panel code. }

    Police identified the suspects as Claude Habukwiha, Celestin Gahigiro, Emmanuel Niyigena, Patrice Uzabumwana, Frodouard Gashirabake and Emmanuel Nzanzubuhoro, they were found extracting minerals in Musogoro River in Rubengera sector.

    The Western Region Police Spokesperson Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire confirmed the developments and warned that the crackdown will continue if offenders don’t desist from such illegal activities.

    “We shall not relent in carrying out operations day and night to enforce the law” he warned, adding that, illegal miners pose a lot of risks to themselves, the environment and lose to the national economy since whatever they do is contrary to state laws that govern the mining sector.

    He noted that illegal mining is not only a criminal act but leads to loss of lives, which he said RNP cannot afford to keep looking on while lives are being lost and cited safety precautions that govern mining procedures.

    Illegal mining is punishable under article 438 of the penal code, which attracts a jail term of one year in prison and a fine of Rwf10 million, if convicted.

  • First Lady tasks graduands on improving early childhood education

    {First Lady Jeannette Kagame has called upon the public to offer significant consideration of early childhood education.}

    Mrs Kagame was speaking in Kigali, Thursday, at the inaugural graduation of Premier ECDE Teachers College (PECDTC) where 41 teachers completed early childhood education studies. She urged graduands to seriously consider the education of children to provide them with good foundation while building good nation’s future.
    She also reminded that good foundation starts when the infant is conceived up to six years old, urging graduands to consider that and help everyone understand the theory.

    “We need your contribution in helping people understand the importance of considering infants’ education even before they are born. It is your responsibility to educate children and train their caregivers on good early childhood education,” said the First Lady.

    She was also optimistic that their skills will be instrumental in building the country and urged them to create jobs in the education sector.

    PECDTC was established in 2013 to help improve early childhood education and contribute to the country’s Vision 2020.

    Nyirantagorama Françoise, principal of PECDTC, said a good education foundation helps children into seamless socialization and adapting to different learning environments.

    That foundation, she said, helps a child learn different sports, feel comfortable with colleagues, develop love for school and discover talents they might have.

    “Strive for starting nursery schools around the country and teaching in early childhood development centres in order to help improve the country’s education,” Nyirantagorama told graduands.

    Nursery schools in Rwanda have increased in number from 1,870 in 2012 to 2,757 in 2016

    Isaac Munyakazi, Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, said the first graduation ever in the field of early childhood development and education is a milestone in addressing the challenge of qualified teachers.

    He asked graduands to put into practice their skills to bring change in Rwanda’s education.

    Diane Kayitesi, a graduand, said they have acquired extensive skills that will bring about a change in childhood education. She said they have committed to help other teachers and parents understand better how to offer early childhood education.

    Graduands include 21 who have been awarded with diploma in early childhood education and 20 received certificates after completing short courses.

  • American pharmaceuticals firm establishes Rwanda subsidiary, to manufacture cancer medicines

    {An American pharmaceutical company, LEAF Pharmaceuticals LLC, has announced the establishment of L.E.A.F. Rwanda Ltd. a biotechnology company that is to be headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and will focus on establishing Rwanda as a hub for biotechnology Research and Development (R&D) as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa.
    }

    This Kigali-based company will work to attract and retain highly skilled biotechnology scientists and clinical researchers from Africa and beyond, in a quest to discover and develop innovative medicines against diseases that predominantly afflict the health of the African population. L.E.A.F. Rwanda will partner with L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals to facilitate advanced skills transfer to the continent, for long term sustainability of a robust biotechnology industry in Africa.

    “Historically, innovative lifesaving medicines have taken too long to reach the African population, if at all. A key component of L.E.A.F. Rwanda’s mission is to focus on expeditiously making available such medicines to the African population,” says Dr. Clet Niyikiza Founder, President, and CEO of L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals.

    Since L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals began operations in August 2014, the company has filed nearly a dozen patent applications to protect its intellectual property. L.E.A.F. Rwanda, in partnership with L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals, anticipates making available its first anticancer medicine in Africa starting in 2019.