Ecobank welcomes submissions from all start-ups and developers in any of Africa’s 54 countries to enter its 2020 Ecobank Fintech Challenge at https://www.ecobank.com/Fintechchallenge
All Finalists will be inducted as Ecobank Fintech Fellows, participate in a business boot camp followed by an Awards and Innovation Fair at the headquarters of the Ecobank Group in Lomé, Togo in June 2020.
Ecobank Group Executive, Operations & Technology, Eddy Ogbogu noted that “As a banking group we continue to be amazed at the many ways in which fintech are transforming banking across Africa. We look forward to the new innovations and partnership opportunities that will come with the 2020 edition.”
Fellows will qualify to explore the following opportunities including:
-* Multinational product roll-out: an opportunity to pursue integration with Ecobank and potentially launch products in Ecobank’s Pan African footprint
-* Service provider partnerships. Ecobank may select start-ups as a pan-African service partner within the bank’s ecosystem.
-* Access to Ecobank’s Pan-African Banking Sandbox: Fellows will be given access to Ecobank’s APIs to test and improve their products for the pan-African market.
-* Mentoring and networking support in the network of global and African partners of the Group.
Ecobank Senior Fintech Advisor, Djiba Diallo said “The Ecobank Fintech Challenge and fellowship have been improved upon to create even additional value for Ecobank and the Fintechs. We took feedback from the past editions and one of the major innovation this year is the opportunity for shortlisted Fintech’s to access our APIs through our Pan African Sandbox.”
Ecobank Fintech Challenge was designed in partnership with the advisory firm Konfidants and is supported by several partners across Africa and globally. Applications for the competition will close on the 12th of April, 2020.
More information on the competition, benefits, and how to apply can be found on the competition’s website at https://www.ecobank.com/Fintechchallenge
He said it should instead be a good time for Uganda to make amends and end tensions with Rwanda.
“The time for Kigaki to obtain all they want should be now when President Museveni is interested in the votes and heading to the elections.”
Currently, progress is being made on both parts to solve the conflicts with the mediation of President Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and President Lourenço of Angola.
After the fourth quadripartite summit which was held at Gatuna/Katuna border on February 21st, 2020, Uganda was given a month to verify all allegations that Rwanda dissidents and armed group operate on its territory and if found accurate, taking actions to stop those groups and prevent the situation from every happening again.
The summit agreed that if the resolutions taken are implemented, the Ad Hoc Comission between Uganda and Rwanda will convene at Gatuna/Katuna border within 15 days for the solemn reopening of borders and normalization of the movement of people and goods.
Closing borders caused unimaginable loss to Ugandans especially in trade and Ugandans kept urging President Museveni to take actions and find a quick remedy to solve tensions with Rwanda.
Mbidde said that it is a good time for Museveni to act right in a bid to rally support ahead of 2021 elections.
On his way back from the fourth quadripartite summit, President Museveni told swarms of supporters at Gatuna/Katuna border that the root of the conflict was within the government of Rwanda.
“We are not in any way responsible of creating Rwanda dissidents. There are internal conflicts within the government of Rwanda which they have failed to solve and gradually created enemies who fled to South Africa. Not Uganda.”
“I take this time to express sincere solidarity with the people who were affected by the closure of Katuna border. We are doing our best to make the situation better and sooner or later, you will all realize NRM has Ugandan people in its best interests,” Museveni was quoted.
However, Museveni’s propaganda was condemned given that he is notorious for rallying Rwanda dissidents and supporting them in their agenda of destabilizing Rwanda’s security. He has in the past years succeeded in executing vile conspiracies against Rwanda with the support of Kayumba Nyamwasa and Patrick Karegeya who founded the Rwandan National Congress (RNC).
Mbidde explained that there are no leadership issues in Rwanda and that all the propaganda against Rwanda is promoted by people who are not even in the country to witness the strides Rwanda is making.
Rwanda accuses Uganda of supporting terrorist and armed groups including RNC, FDLR and RUD Urunana and allowing them to freely operate on Ugandan territory.
Uganda also allows the armed groups to recruit new members, torture those who refuse to join with the complicity of Uganda government officials such as Philemon Mateke, Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Mbidde said that “Ugandans will not support terrorist conspiracies against Rwanda.”
Yusuf Serunkuma, a Ugandan and an expert in historical studies and political economy said that the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) should do its part to solve the tensions between Rwanda and Uganda.
However, Mbidde replied that it is not in EALA responsibilities to solve conflicts between member countries of the EAC.
“The main objective of EALA is to promote regional integration, establishing a common market and constructing a powerful and sustainable EA economic and political bloc.”
Mukasa Mbidde: The time for Kigali to obtain all they want should be now when President Museveni is interested in the votes and heading to the elections.#NBSMorningBreeze#NBSUpdates
SKOL Brewery Brand Manager, Emilienne Benurugo said that the race is going smoothly so far.
“We are ready to keep serving SKOL beverages to cycling supporters and make this competition more lively. We have also prepared talent shows and competitions where winners are rewarded with bicycles.”
It is expected that by the end of ‘Tour du Rwanda 2020’ which will last for 8 days, SKOL will have given out 14 sports bicycles.
SKOL Rwanda has been at the forefront in supporting cycling in Rwanda. Since July 2018, SKOL supports young cyclists to advance in their careers by sending them for training in Belgium.
SKOL Brewery recently partnered with cycling icon Adrien Niyonshuti to launch a joint team called Skol Adrien Cycling Academy (SACA) which is currently competing in ‘Tour du Rwanda 2020’.
Two stages have so far been completed. The first stage kicked off on Sunday, February 23rd from Kigali to Rwamagana and saw Yevgeniy Fedorov, a Kazakh cyclist winning the yellow jersey.
The second stage kicked off at MIC shopping mall heading to Huye; Ethiopian Mulu Kinfe Hailemichael outrun his counterparts, winning the stage.
During the second stage, SKOL held mini-cycling competitions and awarded the winners their own bicycles.
Hakorishaka Jean Claude, a resident of Ndora sector, Gisagara District won the competition and went home with a brand new bicycle. He expressed his contentment saying “I am very passionate about cycling and if I ever get a chance to exercise as a professional or race for a cycling team, I will not hesitate to go.”
Hakorishaka said that winning a bicycle will allow him to do more training and improve his skills in cycling. “I used a ballon bike to exercise but the new bike I won is more adequate for steep slopes and has more speed.”
The Eastern Province police spokesperson Chief Inspector of Police Hamdun Twizeyimana has said that police found the contraband of 200 kg of tin at the home of Sindikubwabo Gerard, 20, who is still at large.
“His neighbors knew that he was involved in illegal sell of precious stones. On Saturday, February 22, 2020, one of the neighbors saw him take into his house some bags and informed the police that promptly responded.”
He explained that the suspect had fled the parents’ home by the time police arrived with tin locked in one of the rooms.
On the same day, in the Gisenyi Sector, Rubavu District, at the Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo border, two men were arrested as they smuggled manganese into the country which they had mixed with other goods to disguise as ordinary merchandise.
CIP Twizeyimana has called on Rwandans to stop the illegal trade in minerals and argued the public to share information leading to arrest of individuals involved the vice.
Article 54th article of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations states that any person who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two months and not more than six (6) months and a fine of not less than one million and not more than five million Rwandan francs.
Since Tour du Rwanda was classified under 2.1 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) category, Huye has been the finish line for the second stage in 8 Tour du Rwanda editions. In five of the editions, the winner of the stage also won the entire race. It was the case for Jelloul Adil from Maroc in 2009, Darren Lill in 2012, Areruya Joseph in 2017, Mugisha Samuel in 2018 and Merhawi Kudus in 2019.
{{The second stage is a lucky stage for Rwandans}}
In 2018, Mugisha Samuel won the second stage which gave him the chance to win the yellow jersey worn by the overall leader of the race and eventually the winner while in 2017, Areruya won the second stage which kicked off from Rusizi to Huye.
Last year, Eritrean Merhawi Kudus won the second stage of Tour du Rwanda and the entire race. South African Darren Lill who also won Tour du Rwanda in 2012 had finished first during the race’s second stage.
Mulu Kinfe is the second Ethiopian to win a stage in Tour du Rwanda after Bereket Desalegn Temalew who won stage 6 from Rubavu to Kinigi during Tour du Rwanda 2018. He races for team Nippo-Delko-One Provence, a French UCI ProTeam.
The minister proposed an increase in the national budget by Rwf 3,017.1 billion from Rwf 2876.9 billion that was proposed last year in the original budget. He explained that government expenditures will increase from Rwf 1726.2 billion to Rwf 1081.9 billion showing a Rwf 75.7 billion increase.
The National Budget will be revised as a response to changes in recurrent spending, capital expenditure, and lending outlay. “Foreign aid is expected to reduce from Rwf 409.8 billion to Rwf 403 billion.
Dr. Ndagijimana said that the increase in national budget will allow timely payment of salaries to health staff, promoting medical staff and allowing the operations of newly established embassies in Accra, Ghana, Doha in Qatar and Rabat in Morocco. It will also enhance health-based insurance subsidies, milk support programs under the National Early Childhood Development Program as well as planned international sports activities.
In his statement, Ndagijimana told parliamentarians that the budget allocated to government projects will increase from Rwf 1152.1 billion to Rwf 1156.2 billion.
Government investment will increase from Rwf 244.2 billion to Rwf 257.2 billion while domestic resources are projected to increase by Rwf 75.7 billion from Rwf 1726.2 billion.
In general, Minister Ndagijimana noted that in 2019, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 10.9% compared to 8.3% recorded in 2018. He explained the increase was brought about by improvements in agriculture, industries and the service sector. Only 9 months into 2019, agricultural yield increased by 5.7%, industries by 17.7% and the service sector by 11%. “On the increase of market prices, during the first and second term of 2019, prices were rated low but in the third term, prices increased on a rate of 2.4% and 6% during the fourth term.”
He announced that there will be a general decrease in market prices due to a great performance in the agricultural sector.
The money supply increased by 11.1% in November 2019 and loans to SMEs increased by 12.5% between December 2018 and November 2019.
However, Ndagijimana noted that the Rwandan currency has lost its value compared to the dollar with a 3.9% depreciation but that it had no significant impact on the foreign exchange market.
In December 2019, Ndagijimana said that government revenues increased from Rwf 871.6 billion to Rwf 907.3 billion showing an additional increase of Rwf 35.7 billion compared to the projected revenues. The increase in government revenues comes from taxation and foreign aid.
Minister Ndagijimana informed parliamentarians that the revised budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year is part of the revised medium-term Macro-economic framework that aims at continuing the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST).
The partnership was announced on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 in Gasabo district during the flagging off of the 12th edition of ‘Tour du Rwanda’. The ceremony was led by Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa, Minister of Sports, Commissioner of Police (CP), John Bosco Kabera, Murenzi Abdullah, Ferwacy President and CP Rafiki Mujiji, RNP Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety Department.
CP Kabera said that the partnership adds on the usual collaboration between RNP and the cycling federation especially during Tour du Rwanda. “Following road safety measures is critical during Tour du Rwanda. We expect the race to end with no fatalities.”
RNP and Ferwacy partnership follows a countrywide campaign in different churches across Rwanda.
CP Kabera asked the general public to bear with the changes brought about by Tour du Rwanda and respect road safety measures throughout the race.
“Tour du Rwanda covers all districts of the country. Some roads will be closed during the race and it might create unusual jams. Traffic police officers will be at all junctions to facilitate movements. We urge Rwandans to bear with the changes so that road safety can prevail.”
Kabera asked cycling fans to support the racers but also keep in mind not to stand in the road or other behaviors that might cause accidents.
“Tour du Rwanda is scheduled from February 23rd to March 1st, 2020. During all this time, racers will use roads in Kigali heading to different districts across the country. Fans should at all times observe road safety measures to avoid accidents.”
He concluded urging spectators to keep a reasonable distance from the roads, tend to children to prevent them from wandering in the road and avoid any other behavior that might cause fatal accidents.
Rutabana, formerly a soldier in the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), currently stands in the ranks of the opposition with RNC. 5 months ago, he was reported missing and the news brought discord in the already precarious terrorist organization.
The family and friends of Rutabana wrote countless letters to the RNC and the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking for help and asking about his whereabouts and safety. Given that Rutabana has French nationality, it reached a point where the family sought help from the French government but to no avail.
After his disappearance, a lot of rumors were heard that he was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while others brought to light several conspiracy theories that he was assassinated by his RNC fellows. Kayumba Nyamwasa, the leader of the terrorist organization was the prime suspect in the disappearance of Rutabana.
Many months later, Ugandan media announced that Rutabana had been incarcerated in Uganda although the motive behind it was not mentioned. Rutabana coordinated most of RNC activities and frequently held talks with Philemon Mateke, the Ugandan Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Rutabana went missing at a point where a hostile atmosphere reigned within RNC. The group faced hurdles since last year due to feuds between members, conspiracies, the sacking of several members and the death of an important number of its fighters who were also part of the P5 terrorist group financed by Rutabana and others.
Uganda admitting that Rutabana is in custody once again proves the country’s agenda of providing shelter and protection to dissidents aiming at destabilizing the security of Rwanda.
The Daily Monitor announced that Kampala High Court has ordered security authorities including Uganda Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) to bring to justice Ben Rutabana.
The request was signed by Justice Esta Nambayo on February 20th, 2020 although Rutabana was apprehended in September 2019. He was reportedly brought to the CMI in Mbuya, later transferred to ISO headquarters and brought back to CMI. All the transfers were conducted in utter secrecy.
His trial is highly anticipated mainly due to the fact that he was initially supported by the government of Uganda.
Rutabana left Belgium on Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 at 21:45 pm on board Emirates Airlines heading to Entebbe, Uganda. The flight made a stop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates before landing in Entebbe on September 5th at 13:50 pm.
All the while, he was communicating with his wife, Diane Rutabana between the 5th and the 8th of September but after that, he completely went MIA. He was expected to return back to Belgium on September 19th but he never came back.
After news that he went missing, many people wondered why he went missing in Uganda despite the fact that he had for years been moving in and out of the country with no security concern whatsoever.
News about his indictment were announced after the government of Uganda and CMI appeared in court to justify the reason behind the arrest of Rwandans, Theogene Sendegeya and Emmanuel Mageza. The two were arrested for 11 months and were not allowed to appear in courts to respond to alleged crimes. Mageza died from torture while Sendegeya reportedly escaped to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.
Uganda stands accused of hosting and financing Rwanda dissidents and terrorist organizations and for issuing a Ugandan passport to Charlotte Mukankusi, RNC Commissioner for Diplomacy. On Thursday last week, however, Uganda announced that her passport had been revoked.
On Monday last week, Uganda dropped charges against Fidele Nzabonimpa and Seleman Kabayija who were accused of illegal possession of firearms. The two Rwandans fled to Uganda after taking part in a terrorist attack in Kinigi, Musanze District claiming 14 lives. They were handed over to Rwanda where they are expected to appear in court.
Rwanda requested to Uganda that Mugwaneza Eric and Captain Nshimiye alias ‘Governor’ should also be handed over to Rwanda as they are the main suspects of the attack.
During the fourth quadripartite summit which was held at Gatuna/Katuna border on February 21st, 2020, Uganda was given one month to verify allegations that it hosts Rwanda dissidents and if found true, take actions to definitively stop all support to those groups and preventing it from happening again.
Uganda and Rwanda also signed the Extradition Treaty which established a legal framework to handle legal cases of justice.
Bamporiki expressed the concern Friday, February 21, on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day which was celebrated in Kirehe District.
During the event, people from Kirehe District who speak Ururashi, a branch of Kinyarwanda, had time to showcase their language, through conversations, dances, and songs.
In Ururashi, for one to say, “Amakuru ki?” one says, “Agandi shi?”
“Waruga hi?” stands for “Uvuye he?”
“Munuriwe,” stands for “Muryoherwe.”
“Murayire gi,” is for “Waramutse.”
Ururashi relates closely to Kinyankole as many of their phonetics sound alike. The people of Kirehe claim that Ururashi is on its edge because children no longer speak it but instead learn and speak Kinyarwanda.
Children who took speeches criticized some of their parents who mix Kinyarwanda with some other words in foreign languages, making some Kinyarwanda words to be forgotten. Such words include, “Masenge,” “Mwishywa,” “Nyokorume,” and “Nyinawabo,” all of which are replaced by such foreign language words as “Cousin,” “Uncle,” and “Tantine.”
Bamporiki took that opportunity and told parents that in speaking foreign languages they hinder their children’s exposure to Kinyarwanda terms.
He added that beside the parents who encourage foreign languages at home, there are some schools that favor the use of only foreign languages for their students.
“There are schools that fall into the trap of restricting their students from speaking Kinyarwanda as a way of encouraging their mastery of foreign languages. Rwandan children have no problem. If they were to be given enough time, they would learn well Kinyarwanda. There are some families in which children speak a language their parents don’t know or vice versa. It is a tragedy, that time might come when you might need to pass something down to your children and they will miss it because they couldn’t tell what you meant.”
Bamporiki noted that Kinyarwanda has a problem of slangs that are introduced into the language by public speakers who influence their audiences to use them.
“It is a challenge that there are many slangs being introduced into Kinyarwanda where we sometimes give a word that already existed a different meaning, leaving the former official meaning to die. We need to fight this with all our might.”
He said that the best way to overcome the challenge is for all leaders and public speakers to use a good Kinyarwanda without mixing it with foreign words whenever they address the public.
The Chairperson for the Rwanda Academy For Language and Culture, Sr Mukabacondo Therese said that Kinyarwanda is a crucial resource to the country as it brings all Rwandans together. She asked those who teach Kinyarwanda to put much effort into its good mastery by learners before they introduce to them other languages.
Nyiramatabaro Mariana, 67, one of the elders who speak Ururashi told IGIHE that a lot of effort is needed in protecting Kinyarwanda and all its branches as all of them are being weakened by development.
Rwanda celebrated this year’s International Mother Language Day for the 17th time under the theme: “Let’s use a proper Kinyarwanda.”
Starting Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, degree certificates will be issued following published schedules.
An announcement published on UR website reads: “From February 25th, 2020, graduates may collect their November 2019 degree and diploma certificates and academic transcripts in person upon presentation of official identification.”
The schedule for collecting the degree and diploma certificates shows that College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) and College of Business and Economics graduates will collect theirs at CBE in Gikondo starting February 25th to March 10th, 2020.
College of Agriculture, animal sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) and College of Education (CE) graduates will collect their degree and diploma certificates at the Registrar’s office in Remera.
College of Science and Technology (CST) graduates will collect their degree and diploma certificates at the registrar’s office in Nyarugenge.
However, from March 11th, 2020, CAVM graduates will be collecting their degree and diploma certificates from the registrar’s office in Busogo while CE graduates will be collecting them from Rukara Campus.
In January 2020, there were countless complaints of graduates reproaching the university’s administration of lateness in handing over degree certificates. They noted that it was a major hindrance for those who are searching for jobs.
UR administration explained that the university’s considered target is to always issue degree certificates during the graduation ceremony but that they are in most cases delayed by students who pay for all the necessary requirements at the last minute and others who fail to complete their payments.
UR promised that the degree certificates’ availability will be accelerated as they are no longer printed from Europe but locally. However, the university explained that since degrees are printed in Rwanda for the first time, they will be meticulous in executing it to avoid printing errors.
In 2019, a total of 9,382 students graduated with Bachelors degrees in various fields including 2488 women and 5894 men. They are all still waiting for their degrees.
