Tuyishime attributes the low numbers of Malaria patients to sensitization that has been made to inform Nyanza residents about the transmission and prevention of Malaria. All residents also received free insecticide-treated mosquito nets and houses sprayed with residual insecticides.
“In 2015, we welcomed at least 180,000 Malaria patients but in 2019, the number reduced to 50,000. In 2019, there were no cases of death by Malaria and it is an incredible step given that we used to record at least 44 deaths annually.”
Tuyishime said that apart from spraying Nyanza residents’ houses with insecticides and distributing mosquito nets, most stagnant waters were removed as they are a breeding ground for the mosquitoes that transmit Malaria.
Nyanza residents who were interviewed by IGIHE confirmed they had not contracted Malaria in the past 3 years.
Ntihinyuzwa said “Ever since I received a mosquito net and my house was sprayed I haven’t had Malaria. I have also cut bushes around my house as well as stagnant waters.”
Nyirakamana Francoise, a resident of Kigoma sector, Nyanza district said “We have been instructed about all the preventive measures against Malaria and my family and I have been safe ever since.”
Ntazinda Erasme, Nyanza district Mayor said that the district has expanded access to vector control interventions and applied effective insecticide resistance management strategies.
2020 is the fourth year since Nyanza district started spraying insecticides inside residents houses. This year, at least 80,000 houses will be sprayed.
In 2019, statistics from Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) showed that 80% of Malaria cases were reported in the Southern and Western Provinces and that residents from Nyanza, Gisagara and Huye districts were at a considerably higher risk of contracting malaria.
The album, which is the worship team’s first, is titled Ndakwihaye and has 10 songs; the entrance will be free.
The album title is adopted from Romans 12:1-2 where Christians are asked to offer bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, true and proper worship, also, these words are part of the mission of the Evangelical Restoration Church, led by the Apostle Ndagijimana Yoshua Masasu.
The inauguration of Evangelical Restoration Church Remera Parish, formerly called Casa Bonita, in 2003, saw the birth of the Shekinah Worship Team Masoro. Back then, the team faced a rough time as singers had to move from Kimisagara Parish to Remera.
As time moved on, the team expanded and saw the entrance of new members to the level that currently, thanks to God, it has become established and sings in such gospel concerts as Gentil Misigaro’s, Nice Ndatabaye’s, Patient Bizimana’s, Gaby Kamanzi’s, and Serge Iyamuremye’s.
One of this team’s chorists, Pastor Lysette had this to say about this album launch.
“Offering our bodies, lives, and all our possessions to God is what pleases Him. We have come to an understanding that true worship, true service to God is not only talents and intelligence, instead is voluntarily giving Him all our things, letting him lead us day by day. The idea of an album launch came long ago. However, it officially started in 2017 and the main album was finalized in 2019.”
Shekinah Worship Team Masoro is one of a kind, having a huge number of renowned gospel singers like Serge Iyamuremye, Arsene Tuyi, Patient Bizimana, Justin Cubaka, and Christian Irimbere.
Other gospel singers who will perform in the overnight are Rene Clever, Yvan Ngenzi, and such teams as Alarm Ministries, Choeur d’adoration from Goma, RDC, and Shining Stars that is already part of Evangelical Restoration Church Masoro. Also, both Apostle Ndagijimana Yoshua Masasu and his wife Pastor Lydia Masasu will be present in the overnight.
The victim was a resident of Ndera sector, Gasabo district and the injured victims are from Gasabo, Rulindo, and Rutsiro districts.
The rain also destroyed 16 houses and barns in Rutsiro district.
MINEMA announced that citizens whose houses were damaged will be compensated and that they have sought shelter with their neighbors in the meantime.
IGIHE sources confirmed the death of a 44-year-old resident of Musenyi sector, Bugesera district. Reports state that the victim’s house crumbled on him and that he died on the spot.
Meteo Rwanda predicted torrential rains in March, April, and May. The heavy rainfalls are attributed to the change in the distribution of heat and wind across the Pacific which alter rainfall patterns.
In Ngoma, Kayonza, Kirehe, parts of Rwamagana and Bugesera districts, Meteo Rwanda predicts heavy rainfalls between 320 and 400 millimeters per day.
In the Northern Province, the City of Kigali, all districts of the Southern Province except Nyamagabe and parts of Nyaruguru district, there will be heavy rainfalls between 400 and 500 millimeters per day. The same applies to Nyagatare, Gatsibo, and parts of Rwamagana and Bugesera districts.
In the Eastern Province, Nyamagabe district and parts of Nyaruguru district bordering Rusizi district, rains will range between 500 and 600 millimeters.
Marie Michelle Umuhoza, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said that further investigation is being conducted.
“The suspect is currently held at RIB Gisenyi station in Rubavu district while investigation proceeds.”
Article 133 in the Rwandan Constitution states that “any person who is convicted of rape shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years, and a fine of not less than one million Rwandan Francs and not more than two million Rwandan Francs.”
The penal code stipulates 20 to 25 years of imprisonment to defilement convicts. When rape or defilement is done on a minor of less than 14 years old, the penalty is life sentence.
Last week, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) published a book titled ‘Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi mu cyahoze ari commune Cyangugu’ loosely translating to ‘The genocide against Tutsi in former commune Cyangugu.’
The book was released as a result of a research which was conducted by Donatien Nikuze, a genocide scholar under the supervision of Dr. Gasanabo Jean Damascène, Director General of the National Research and Documentation Centre on Genocide at CNLG.
It elaborates on allegations that French military forces worked closely with Interahamwe militia during the genocide, supplied them with weapons and offered them cover, under the United Nations (UN) auspices.
The book also shows that France was not in Rwanda to rescue thousands of Tutsi families who were trapped amidst ruthless and brutal massacres but that they were sent to halt FPR Inkotanyi soldiers which had outstripped the Armed Forces of Rwanda (FAR), the army of the ethnic Hutu-dominated Rwandan regime which executed the genocide.
{{Rape allegations}}
The book shows that French soldiers who were sent in Rwanda for ‘Operation Turquoise’ a French-led military operation in Rwanda in 1994 under the mandate of the United Nations reached former Cyangugu Prefecture and divided into two units.
One unit stayed at Kamembe airport in Cyangugu while the other unit went to Nyarushishi, Bugarama, Ntendenzi and Kirambo sectors. In Nyarushishi, French soldiers patrolled through the camps and a few days later knew which tents sheltered women and girls.
The soldiers then started a rape spree, dragging women and girls from their tents to rape them every day while they were supposed to protect them.
Kambongo Constance who witnessed the atrocities committed by French soldiers in Nyarushishi said “French soldiers would come in the morning, pick women and girls in their tanks and raped them. Later on, we learned that the women and girls were not picked to clean French soldiers’ houses as they lied about but that they were violently raped once they reached French camps.”
Claudine who survived the rape spree in Nyarushishi was 14 years old at the time. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of rape. Other rape survivors include Mukayiranga Mado, Mukayeze Pascasie, Mukayitesi Jacqueline, Umulisa and girls from Ecole Agricole Et Veterinaire (EAV) Ntedezi.
Page 360 of the book reads “Women and girls were subjected to unimaginable atrocities where French soldiers would insert pepper in their genital parts, force them into oral and anal sex and take naked pictures of their victims. The soldiers would then offer them portions of their field ration to buy their silence.”
The book also shows facts that French soldiers raped women at Kamembe Airport and Kamarampaka stadium.
Habimana Jean Bosco, a genocide convict and former member of the Interahamwe militia worked closely with French soldiers. He said that French soldiers asked him to collect Tutsi women for raping and that he executed their orders because they had supplied him with firearms.
The first time, he brought them Beata, a 15-year old Tutsi girl from Mururu. After they raped her, they ordered the Interahamwe militia not to kill her.
The second victim Habimana brought was 14-year-old Mukasine Florence from Winteko sector, former Bugayi cell whom he found hiding after her entire family was decimated.
On page 361, the book reads “At Kamarampaka stadium, Mukasine was gang-raped to a point she was unable to walk. The soldiers then ordered that she shall not be killed as well.” Habimana said that the soldiers would reward him with food.
Beata and Mukasine were captured as they moved out of Nyarushishi camp to look for food. They were brought to French camps, raped and sent back to Nyarushishi where they fortunately survived the genocide.
Another victim was an unidentified 19-year-old girl whom Habimana brought to a French soldier. After raping her, the soldier denied Habimana a portion of his field ration as it had become the routine. He got angry and threatened he was going to kill the girl. The French soldier was indifferent to the threat and said he did not care at all. Habimana then killed the girl in front of the soldiers and left her corpse lying there.
{{Complicity with killers}}
Bisengimana Elisée who was a teacher at Groupe Scolaire de Gihundwe at the time of the genocide said that the French government was a close ally of the Rwandan regime that planned and perpetrated the mass slaughter of more than a million Tutsi.
In Rusizi, French soldiers collaborated with Interahamwe militia at roadblocks and barricades.
They verified identity cards and those who were identified Tutsi were sent to Interahamwe to be killed. The soldiers also provided firearms and grenades to the killers.
On page 355, the book reads “soldiers sent in the United Nations-sanctioned humanitarian mission in Rwanda in 1994 only offered back up to the killers and pushed further their agenda of totally wiping out the Tutsi minority in complete impunity.”
Sinzabakwira Straton explained that French soldiers also joined the killing spree. In Gasare, former Karengera commune, French soldiers killed Tutsi, packed the corpses inside bags and dumped them in the middle of the Nyungwe forest.
The victims were accused of supporting FPR Inkotanyi. The soldiers helped genocide perpetrators erase evidence of the genocide by picking corpses of Tutsi in Kamembe and dumping them in the Nyungwe forest.
{{Erasing evidence}}
The French government thought the Interahamwe militia to erase all evidence of the genocide. In Cyangugu, French soldiers saw corpses floating in Lake Kivu and alerted the killers that if anyone took a photo of it, it would cost them a lot. Habimana said, “the soldiers instructed us to incise the victims’ bellies and fill them with stones so that they could sink into the lake.” The killers used bayonets to execute the evil plan.
Kayitsinga Abdallah who lived in Kamembe during the genocide explained that not only did the French soldiers participate in the genocide, they also looted processed tea from Shagasha and Gisakura tea factories and exported it to be sold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ndikubwabo Jean who admitted having been a broker for French soldiers said they also looted cars and sold them in DRC. He was paid between $20 and $30 for each car they sold.
FPR Inkotanyi victory was disadvantageous to the French Government
By July 17th, 1994, FPR Inkotanyi had conquered almost all the country with the exception of the ‘zone humanitaire sure’ (ZHS), a safety zone spreading over former Gikongoro, Cyangugu and Kibuye prefectures where French soldiers had established camps.
The book explains that after realizing that FAR forces were outnumbered on all fronts, French soldiers in ‘Operation Turquoise’ urged génocidaires in Cyangugu to flee the country. French soldiers and government officials patrolled through Cyangugu calling killers to flee Rwanda as soon as they could
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Bisengimana Elisée said, “they used microphones to call upon all génocidaires in Kamembe to leave the country.”
The message was informing génocidaires that the next day, French soldiers would leave the country and that they would have no protection. “Tomorrow, FPR Inkotanyi will conquer Cyangugu and will kill every Hutu on their way. We urge you all to flee to DRC before the last French soldier leaves Rwanda. You are warned!”
Upon realizing that they would be killed, génocidaires destroyed their houses and moved to Congo in search of permanent asylum.
Surwumwe Bernard, an ex-FAR soldier said that as they fled to Congo, they were shielded all the way by French soldiers.
“When we reached DRC, French soldiers helped us move our weapons across Lake Kivu to Panzi military camp. General Bizimungu and Minister Kambanda later came to see us accompanied by two French soldiers.”
In Panzi Military Camp, FAR soldiers and other génocidaires conspired to come back in Rwanda to finish the ‘job’ they had started and destabilize its security.
Despite independent reports released by the Government of Rwanda and accusing French officials of complicity in the 1994 genocide, France continuously denied playing any role.
Last year, President Macron appointed a panel of experts to investigate France’s actions in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. He also announced the creation of a judicial unit in charge of prosecuting genocide suspects.
The meeting will be held at the French National Assembly, Palais Bourbon, in Paris under the pretext of studying issues Great Lakes countries are currently facing.
The agenda shows that genocide deniers and other researchers who in the past advanced the double-genocide theory will be invited to freely express their ideologies.
CRF and IBUKA France stated “It is highly inappropriate for a respectable government body to give a platform to genocide deniers and double-genocide theorists especially when France prepares to commemorate the 1994 genocide against Tutsi as stated in Decree No. 2019-435 of May 13th, 2019 that “The 1994 Genocide against Tutsi shall henceforth be observed and commemorated in France every year on April 7th.”
“We demand that senators and the French parliament condemn genocide ideologies and deny support to all forms of hate propaganda.”
The petition condemning the meeting and its agenda has so far been signed by 2693 people of 5000 needed and follows various social media posts urging the French Senate to cancel the meeting.
Some notorious genocide ideologists expected in the meeting include Charles Onana, Judi Rever, Hubert Vedrine, and Vincent Hervouët.
Vedrine is a French Socialist politician and was President Mitterand’s diplomatic and advisor, spokesperson and finally as Secretary General of the French Presidency from 1991 to 1995. Mitterand’s government vehemently supported the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
Judi Rever is a Canadian freelance print and broadcast journalist. She is the author of many books denying the 1994 genocide against Tutsi as it is the case for Charles Onana.
Vincent Hervouët is a journalist on the LCI channel who is notorious for offering a platform to genocide perpetrators and ideologists.
Organized by Ithraa, Oman’s investment and export development agency, Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Madayn, the high-profile four-day show is designed to boost trade relations between Rwanda and Oman.
The exhibition is expected to showcase a host of leading Omani businesses from food and beverage, plastics, textiles, metals and minerals, construction and logistics.
Mrs Maymuna Al Adawi, Ithraa’s Director for Export Facilitation said: “With its economy expanding by 8.6% in 2018, Rwanda has proven to be an economic role model for the continent, with leading business analysts singling it out as one of the emerging economies to watch for in terms of investment opportunities, value for money and economic growth.”
He added that while many African economies are known for distinct exports or income streams that have remained unchanged for years, Rwanda has chosen a different path by embarking on a concerted effort to diversify exports and revenue streams. “Indeed, this approach has seen services become the leading driver of GDP growth in the past few years, taking over from agriculture. Given the economy’s success, we see multiple opportunities in Rwanda for Omani exporters. It’s clearly an exciting time to be showcasing Oman-made products in this important African market.”
Mr. Ayman Al Hsani, OPEX Committee Head explained that Omani products have built a strong reputation internationally, and given Rwanda’s diversification plans “we’re looking to forge long-term and mutually beneficial trade ties. OPEX is an excellent opportunity for us initiate those connections and take trade partnerships forward. As we’ve seen at recent OPEX shows in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE I’m confident the Kigali event will deliver positive results for everyone involved.”
OPEX is a trade show designed to promote Omani products exported to over 140 countries. Since its launch in 2012 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, OPEX has seen a steady increase in the number of participating companies.
During the exhibition, Rwanda Development Board will organize a special session at the Kigali Convention Centre on Monday 2nd March to present the various business and investment opportunities in Rwanda to key business leaders from Oman.
Besides, B2B meetings between the Omani industries and the investors, business owners and commercial agencies in Rwanda will also take place ion Monday co-hosted and supported by the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF)
An announcement from the office of the Prime Minister says Dr. Ngamije Daniel has been appointed minister of health, replacing Dr. Diane Gashumba who recently resigned.
Dr. Daniel is a physician and public health specialist. He previously worked for the World Health Organisation in Rwanda. He has 23 years of experience working in the public health sector. Before joining WHO, Dr. Daniel worked for Global Fund as a Coordinator to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria and worked as coordinator of Single Project Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Uwamariya Valentine was named Minister of Education, succeeding Dr. Mutimura Eugène who was appointed Head of Science and Technology Commission.
Dr. Valentine was Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Training, Institutional Development, and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic, a post she held since 2018. She was also a senior lecturer at University of Rwanda.
Dr. Valentine holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from former National University of Rwanda (NUR). In 2005, she got her Msc degree in Chemistry from Witwatersrand University (Johannesburg-South Africa). In 2013, she obtained her Ph.D. from UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) in Environmental Engineering and Water Technology.
Dr. Valentine has been involved in teaching/research for 18 years at University and served as Dean of the School of Science at the College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda.
Among other changes made, Dr. Bayisenge Jeannette replaced Nyirahabimana Solina as the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion.
Dr. Bayisenge was the President of the City of Kigali Council and served as Director and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS), Center for Gender Studies.
She has a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden; a Master’s degree in Development Cooperation with a specialization in Women and Development obtained from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul- South Korea and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from National University of Rwanda.
In 2004, she was a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, with her research interest being in the areas of gender and development and women and children’s rights.
Dr. Jeannette also held other such important positions as being the director of the National Women’s Council, the Chairperson of Gasabo District Council, and being on the board of directors of LODA (Local Administrative Entities Development Agency) and NIDA (National Identification Agency).
Mpambara Inès was named Minister in charge of cabinet affairs in the office of the Prime Minister. She replaces Marie Solange Kayisire who was appointed Minister in Charge of Emergency Management, replacing Germaine Kamayirese.
Previously Inès worked as Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President and director of the school of journalism and communication at the National University of Rwanda.
Tushabe Richard was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Charge of the National Treasury. He was formerly the Director of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), a position he held after being at the helm of as the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority.
Nyirahabimana Solina who was the minister of Gender and Family Promotion was named Minister of State in Charge of Constitution and Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, replacing Evode Uwizeyimana who recently resigned.
Lt Col Dr. Mpunga Tharcisse who was Director General of Butaro Hospital was appointed Minister of State In charge of Primary Health Care replacing Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi.
Twagirayezu Gaspard was named Minister of State in Ministry of Education in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, replacing Dr. Isaac Munyakazi who resigned.
Irere Claudette was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge Technical and Vocational Education and Training. She was the permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation nd had been kLab General Manager till 2015. She holds a Msc. in Computer Engineering from Oklahoma Christian University and a Bsc. in Computer Science from the National University of Rwanda.
Rugira Amandin was appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Zambia while Dr. Sebashongore Dieudonne was made Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium.
Rugemanshuro Regis was appointed Director General of RSSB. He was the Chief Digital Officer in BK Group Plc.
Regis did his high school studies in Minor Seminary of Karubanda, did his undergraduate studies at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania, the same university from which he did his graduate studies.
He served in the United States consulting for the global Tech giants such as Hewlett Packard (HP) as a Program Manager and later with Accenture PLC in Seattle, Washington. During his time there, his main clients included Microsoft and T-Mobile.
The president also appointed Dr. Ndimubanzi Patrick as the Executive Secretary of the Human Resources for Health Secretariat, a new office.
Iradukunda Yves was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation while Gacandaga Jean Marie was made Deputy Director General in Charge of Fund Management in RSSB.
Registration starts on February 26th, 2020 and will close March 25th, 2020. Apply Now!
Applicants must be willing to focus on development strategies and agricultural practices that encourage inclusive rural growth and to work with local farmers, industry, and authorities to implement those practices.
Requirements include being a Rwandan national, demonstrating leadership and entrepreneurship skills, being fluent in English, and having completed high school in 2019 with not less than a note of 40 for those who sat for Rwanda Education Board (REB) national examinations and 36 for those who sat for Workforce Development Authority (WDA) examinations.
Applicants who are accepted receive a full, three-year scholarship covering school fees, insurance, accommodations, and meals.
RICA staff stated that they are looking for innovative students who have a passion for agriculture. Graduates are expected to identify solutions and leverage technology to put to maximum use of the available land resources in Rwanda.
Students in the three-year program earn a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Agriculture and can specialize in enterprises such as Animal Production, Crop Production, Mechanization and Food Processing.
RICA’s curriculum is designed to support students in learning, conducting experiments and practicing theories at different scales — from smallholder farming to irrigated/mechanized agriculture. Students are also taught leadership, entrepreneurship, and networking skills. RICA has the particularity of offering English-only lessons compared to other agriculture programs in different universities in Africa.
For more information, visit RICA website www.rica.rw, their Instagram @rica_rwanda and Facebook page at facebook.com/rica.education.rw or send an email to admissions@rica.rw
RICA operates as a partnership between the Government of Rwanda, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The technical testing and repairs will be done at the Hyundai Garage in Gikondo-Magerwa, KN 6, Ave Magerwa Road.
In order to avoid queues at the garage, customers that want to take their vehicles for the overhaul can call (+250) 786131 279, 0788873366 or 0788868099 for an appointment.
Hyundai-Rwanda has announced that the overhauling will be done by experts who will provide information and advice on vehicle handling. New spare parts will also be available for purchase at the garage at a good cost.
The Hyundai-Rwanda technical director, Tierry Fifield, has told IGIHE that the objective of the free technical test is to meet customers’ mechanical needs of customers’ vehicles.
“Our aim is meeting customer satisfaction. We will give them information about the Hyundai old models and current models. We will also check their vehicles and give technical advise accordingly.”
Hyundai-Rwanda is a branch of Hyundai Motors with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 1967 but opened shop in Rwanda in 2012.
