Author: IGIHE

The coffee farmers are from Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Huye,Nyaruguru and Muhanga and sell coffee to 9 industries owned by IMPEXCOR in Shangi, Kinunga,Nyakabuye, Muhari, Shyogwe, Nyakabuye,Muhari,Kiyumba, Gatare and Busanza sectors.

Normally, a kilo of coffee was sold between Rwf 190 and Rwf 195 but recently, US based San Fransisco Bay Coffee LTD which also exchanges with the farmers, requested an upgrade in the purchasing price to Rwf 300 per kilo.

Oreste Baragahorana, the Executive Director of IMPEXCOR LTD said that after coffee buyers praised the good quality they were provided with, IMPEXCOR LTD found it only just to upgrade the value of the coffee by increasing it’s purchasing price.

“We normally purchase a kilo of coffee from the farmers at between Rwf 190 and Rwf 200 but given the good quality provided by farmers, we increased the price by Rwf 100. We have been working with San Fransisco Bay Coffee LTD since 2014 and they requested for this change after countless praises for the coffee we obtained from Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Muhanga, and Nyaruguru ”

Coffee farmers in Shangi, Bushenge, and Nyabitekeri told IGIHE that with the increase of the purchasing price, they will be able to cover financial expenses and also improve the quality of the coffee they sell.

Muramira Pheneas, one of the farmers said that since he started growing coffee in 1971, not once has he felt that he received the just value of his coffee but that the new price will at least solve his financial needs.

” I have just collected Rwf 300,000 for 3 tons of coffee and I will also collect another amount in Shangi where I own a coffee farm as well.”

Uzamushaka Theresia said that she had just collected Rwf 52,000 after yielding from more than 500 coffee trees. “It is wonderful news that we will now be paid rationally. My children were out of school but I will immediately pay the school fees.”

Baragahorana called upon coffee farmers to treat their coffee so that the purchasing price could keep increasing.

Coffee farmers in Rwanda have long suffered from being at the wrong end of the value chain. With the increase in the purchasing price of coffee, farmers will be able to solve financial needs including school fees, medical insurance and other life necessities they could not afford.

Through IMPEXCOR LTD, 8096 coffee farmers will receive Rwf 202, 286, 745 in total for 2,056,441 tons sold.

IMPEXCOR LTD is a Rwandan company which buys, processes and sells coffee. It was established in 2008 and currently operates 20 coffee industries in three provinces in Rwanda. It works hand in hand with more than 20,000 coffee farmers across the country.

Arsenal Football Club is based in Islington, London and plays in the Premier League.

However, its recent performance has been questionable given that the team has dropped to 10th place in the Premier League and last took the cup in 2004.

For five years now, Arsenal FC has not participated in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) as it keeps failing to appear in the top 4 teams which qualify directly to the group stages of the UCL.

President Kagame said that he has often criticized the performance of the team especially when Unai Emery was the head coach of Arsenal and said that something needs to be changed.

“Arsenal used to be in the top three teams to qualify in the Premier League but its performance downgraded with time to a point it is ranked 10th now. Something needs to change.”

Even after Unai Emery was sacked in 2019, Arsenal has not improved its performance and remains at the 10th place. Mikel Arteta Amatriain is currently Arsenal head coach and was formerly an attacking and defensive midfielder.

President Kagame said he has hope that the team will improve since the new coach knows the field and is more qualified than his predecessors.

He suggested that the new head coach should be given the means to buy new players since those currently playing in the team were transferred under Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery.

“I still am a big fan of Arsenal and I am hoping they will win more championships in the future. As a fan, I have no say to how the players should perform but I can only watch with the hope they will win. I will keep supporting them regardless.”

On the partnership with Arsenal FC through the ‘Visit Rwanda’ initiative, President Kagame was asked if the partnership was necessary. He said that he undoubtedly believes it will contribute to the tourism sector.

“The partnership has so far borne fruits. The number of visitors in Rwanda has remarkably improved and the Government of Rwanda earned at least five times the amount invested.”

Rwanda also expects profits from the recent partnership agreement that was signed between Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Paris st. Germain with the aim of enhancing tourism.

Bugesera district has 9 lakes including Rweru and Cyohoha.

Despite being one of the districts in Rwanda with as many lakes, no concrete lucrative activity in tourism, agriculture or irrigation has been initiated yet as a district that faces drought problems, the aforementioned activities could greatly benefit it.

Mutabazi Richard, Bugesera District Mayor recently told IGIHE that opportunities are open for those who want to invest in lakes by building hotels and hence enhance the tourism sector.

“None of our lakes has a beach and it is a setback since lakes are known to attract tourists. We urge investors to build hotels and finance other entertainment activities in Bugesera.”

Bugesera is one of the districts in Rwanda which is evolving at a remarkable rate especially around Nyamata where a new airport is under construction.

Mutabazi said that many people are moving from cities to come live in Bugesera but that the district lacks in the entertainment sector.

“We need Bugesera to be more than just a residential district and we are working on introducing various other activities mostly in the entertainment sector.”

He called upon investors to build hotels and clubs to enhance Bugesera’s nightlife. “One of the reasons why the youth in Bugesera migrate to Kigali is because there barely is any entertainment activity here so they go to Kigali which offers a remarkable nightlife experience.”

Mutabazi said that if lakes in Bugesera were exploited to their full potential, it would attract tourists and on top of it, avail employment opportunities to locals.
The 9 lakes in Bugesera district combined spread on 10,365 Hectares.

She gave the advice during a press conference which brought together Miss Rwanda organizers and Miss Rwanda 2020 contestants. During the press conference, the contestants received advice on how to behave during the competition before they headed to a two-week boot camp.

Ishimwe Dieudonné, Rwanda Inspiration Back-Up Director, the society that organizes Miss Rwanda, told the contestants they should at all costs ignore negative comments directed towards them especially on social media.

“There are so many rumors online that the crown has already been won and that Miss Rwanda system is corrupt.”

He reassured the contestants that the crown is given based on merit and on the three pillars Miss Rwanda was founded upon which are ‘Beauty, Brains, and Culture’.

“Miss Rwanda is all about empowering girls and availing a platform for them to give back to society. The crown will never be given to the undeserving, I can assure you.”

Ishimwe said that most negative comments about the Miss Rwanda contest are meant to discourage contestants and trivialize the purpose of the initiative. “If you ask former contestants, they will tell you they received the exact negative comments but regardless of that, we will strive to improve the contest and reassert its original purpose as I mentioned before.”

Nimwiza Meghan advised the contestants not to listen to negative comments when they will be preparing for the finale in the boot camp. ” You will witness a lot of internet slurs while you will be preparing for the finale but remember none of those who discourage you has the power to give you the crown. It will all depend on your performance”

On Sunday, February 9th, 2020, 20 contestants who passed the pre-selection contest headed to a two-week boot camp. The finale is scheduled on February 22nd, 2020 at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).

In the new changes, Rugaza Julian becomes the City Manager; Asaba Katabarwa Emmanuel, City Engineer; Niyongabo Joseph, Director General of Corporate Services; MUHIRWA Marie Solange, Head of Urban Planning and Rubangutsangabo Jean, Urban Economist.

In Gasabo district, Umwali Pauline becomes the District Executive Administrator and Mudaherwana Regis the Deputy District Executive Administrator.

In Kicukiro, Umutesi Solange is the District Executive Administrator and Rukebanuka Adalbert, Deputy District Executive Administrator.

In Nyarugenge, Ngabonziza Emmy is the District Executive Administrator and Nshutiraguma Esperance, Deputy District Executive Administrator.

Members of families that were resettled in the modern village have told IGIHE that they now have peace of mind and thanked the government for getting them from risky areas.

In 2018, City of Kigali management and other partners made a household survey whereof they established that 13 670 families were settled in high-risk zones especially alongside the hills of Jali, Kigali, and Rebero.

Families that were settled on Mountain Kigali were most affected with 55.4 % being susceptible to risks.

It was thereafter resolved that vulnerable families in high-risk areas be relocated to Karama modern village, seated at 39 hectares.

Other families in Gatsata, Mpazi, and Gashyekero villages at the foothills of Rebero were not relocated but the drainage systems in the said areas were fixed and other infrastructures established to ensure their lives are not in danger in any way.

The first phase of the Karama Modern Village Project that accommodates the 240 families has been completed at a cost of Rwf 8 billion.

It has six blocs, with the first three having 120 semi-detached houses, each with a bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet.

The village is connected with water and electricity, paved roads, water taps, flowers, fruits and vegetable gardens. It also has a school that can accommodate 840 students.

The families have been supported with 7500 chicken, layers, with ample space to grow vegetables for home consumption and for the market.

The Vice Mayor in charge of welfare for the City of Kigali, Ngarambe Wellars, says that it is a great stride in improving the livelihoods of the beneficiary households.

“In the high-risk zones from where they were relocated, they could not have decent sleep because when it rained, they could get immersed in fright, fearing houses could collapse on them any time.”

Their letters of resignation were given to the Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente on Thursday evening.

A Prime Minister’s Office’s tweet posted shortly before midnight reads: “This evening the Rt Hon. PM Ngirente received letters of resignation from the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education Isaac Munyakazi & Minister of State in charge of Constitutional & Legal Affairs, Evode Uwizeyimana, to be delivered to H.E the President.”

{{Evode Uwizeyimana’s misconduct}}

Uwizeyimana resigns following news that he assaulted a female security guard at Grand Pension Plaza.

On Monday, news spread that he arrogantly pushed and shoved an ISCO guard after she insisted that he goes through the security scanner.

A journalist, Joseph Hakuzimuremyi, took to Twitter and highlighted the unfortunate incident as he saw it, noting that the guard may not have recognized the minister.
Three hours later, Uwizeyimana too took to Twitter to apologize and said that what he had done was unethical.

He wrote: “I deeply regret what happened. It should not have happened to me as a leader and public official. I already apologized to the ISCO staff and I now do so publicly and apologize to the public as well.”

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) started investigating the incident and said the outcomes would be released to the public.

On Tuesday, ISCO announced that Uwizeyimana had met Mukamana Olive, the assaulted guard, at the headquarters of the company to apologize over the assault.

{{Dr. Isaac Munyakazi’s dishonesty}}

Dr. Isaac Munyakazi is under investigations over dishonesty he displayed in the 2019 national examination results.

Trusted sources indicate that Munyakazi doctored the ranking of the first ten schools by inserting one that had not even made the first hundred schools’ list in the national examinations.

It is said that he did the incongruous act with the help of staff from the Rwanda Education Board (REB), with a bribe from the principal of that favored school. However, there are other offenses for which he is being investigated.

Dr. Munyakazi Isaac has a Ph.D. in Education Management while Evode Uwizeyimana has a Masters Degree in Law.

Uwizeyimana Evode was appointed at the same time as Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs in the ministry of justice (a position that had not existed in the ministry before) on October 4, 2016. Before that, he had served on the constitutional review commission.

Dr. Munyakazi Isaac was appointed Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education in October 2016. Before that, he had served at the University of Kigali, joining the university as the Director of Academic Quality in 2013 and later on serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Business Management and Economics.

His passion to continuously learn and explore his craft has resulted in an impressive career spanning from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia with previous work experiences that include working for 5-star hotels from the Radisson Hotel group.

In a candid talk with IGIHE, Chef Hassan Massood discussed his wide-ranging experience, creative flair and ardent passion for the culinary arts that made him the ideal chef to oversee and maintain the culinary legacy of the award-winning Radisson Blu Kigali.

{{IGIHE: Would you share your journey with us? }}

Hassan Masood: I started my career at 17 years old, while I was pursuing my studies in college. I started working as a steward in a luxury hotel because in Mauritius when you don’t have a background in hospitality, you have to start from scratch.

I was there for a period of 6 months where I gained experience from great people. In that period, I worked very hard as the hotel had just opened and I eventually got promoted to the ‘Cuisine principale’. I was juggling between stewarding and helping Chefs because sometimes, the chefs were absent or sick and I was the replacement.

I was so keen on learning that I did overnight shifts after school. I worked for 18 hours every day, without a day off. This experience taught me hard work, perseverance and turned me into a self-motivated person.

{{What was the turning point in your career? }}

In 2000, I was an employee of the year in the hotel. I was offered a ticket to go to one of the islands next to Mauritius. It was a one-weekend stay but since I wanted to learn more about hospitality, I refused it and asked that it be converted into a study trip to Italy. I met one lady Chef who trained me. She is one of the people who molded me to become who I am today.

Once I finished my training in Italy, I moved to Dubai. I was 22 years old at the time. That was when I started participating in competitions. One time I was invited to the competition but I didn’t feel ready. My Chef told me he trusted me. I went to the competition that day and won a gold medal. This was very meaningful for someone like me who had just started a career in hospitality.

In 2012, I won the fourth prize for the Young Leader of the Year Award at Radisson. I was 34 years old. In 2013, I was shortlisted for the youngest Executive Chef in the Middle East. I also participated in The Black Box Cooking Competition that challenges students to come up with a salad and entree using surprise ingredients. I won the Art of Hospitality Award in Italy as well.

I have had the privilege to work with famous chefs from around the world and gained insights from them but at the end of the day, it all depends on one’s hard work and passion to make it in the hospitality industry. After my journey in Mauritius, Italy, and Mauritius, I traveled to the UK, rebranding hotels and finally moved back to Mauritius where I helped rebrand two hotels. I have also worked in hotels in Dubai, France, Russia, China, United Kingdom to mention a few.

As a chef, you have to make sure that everywhere you go, you go as a leader and a winner, and that is what made me the person I am today.
{{
When did you start working at Radisson?}}

I started at Radisson in February 2016. I came here four months before Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre opened in Kigali just so I could study the environment so that by the time the hotel opened, everything would be impeccable. We opened just in time for the 27th African Union (AU) Summit where we hosted between 6000 and 7000 people. We gained a lot of experience from that.
{{
What has been the secret to your success?}}

Working with people from different nationalities and traveling to many countries shaped me into the person I am today. A lot of people have helped me grow and I can say that success is a team effort.

{{How would you describe your style of cooking?}}

My style of cooking is really just a mix of everything. Mauritius is rich in cosmopolitan cuisine, being an amalgam of knowledge from Indian, European, Asian and Arabic cuisines and this helps me to keep up with the latest trends, wherever I am.

{{You’ve been all over the world, working with various great culinary Chefs. Which one, in particular, inspired you?}}

It is hard to only name one because I have learned something new from every Chef I met and worked with. [He chuckles] But I can name Fabio De poli – the first Chef who took me out of Mauritius, and Marco Aveta among others.

{{What sparks-up your day at Radisson Hotel Kigali?}}

The team of people I work with on a daily basis, who contribute to Radisson Kigali being a top-notch destination in Rwanda. I also like the ingredients that we find in Rwanda that helps us diversify our cuisine.

{{Which special offers is the Radisson Hotel Kigali offering for Valentine’s day?
}}

Filini Italian Restaurant: set-menu + glass of wine and live band entertainment for 40,000 RWF
Larder all-day-dining: Lavish buffet spread for 30,000 RWF
Amani Spa: Couples Aromatherapy massage + dinner for two at Filini Italian restaurant for 120,00 RWF only (offer valid for the full month of February)

Tanzanian and Rwanda governments signed agreements to build the railroad that will connect Tanzania’s dry port of Isaka and Kigali on March 9, 2018. The project was formerly a 532-kilometer railway, budgeted to cost USD 3.6 billion.

On the side of Rwanda, the railway will be from Rusumo to Kigali, having a short jut to Bugesera International Airport, 138 km long at a cost of USD 1.3 million.

In a recent press conference, the Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Gatete Claver announced that DRC has joined the project.

“DRC has expressed commitment to join the railway project from Tanzania, through Rwanda to RDC. That is our new plan.”

Gatete said that the three countries and the African Development Bank are in negotiations that are slated to have been completed by March 2020.

He added that many private companies are willing to invest in the project.

In June 2019, President Magufuli announced that he had held talks with his DRC counterpart President, Felix Tshisekedi with whom the discussed extending the railway to east DRC.

“I told him about our project to construct a railway that passes from Isaka, through Rusumo, to Kigali. He liked the project and asked that the railway could reach the east of DRC..”

Every year, 1.76 billion worth of goods pass via the Dar es Salaam port from or to DRC. DRC touches the Atlantic Ocean, so it also uses the Port of Matadi for goods coming from or going to the Americas.

It is costly for DRC to import or export goods to Asia.

The railway will help Rwanda reduce transport costs of imports and exports by 40%

Al Baker said that apart from the 49% stake in Rwanda that both parties are negotiating, there are several projects in which Qatar has interest, including the New Bugesera International Airport being built by Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund.

“We are attracted to Kigali because of its location, the stability of the country and the very favorable business environment that exists. Besides, in Africa there’s a big demand for air travel which today Africa is very poorly connected with. So we always look at the opportunities in our field to do investments,” Akbar Al Baker considered.

The development comes after December last year where the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways concluded an investment partnership for New Bugesera International Airport, with three agreements to build, own, and operate the state-of-the-art facility.

Qatar Airways has agreed to take a 60% stake in the project, which as a whole is valued at around $1.3 billion. The new airport will have a throughput of seven million passengers per year, during the first phase. It will be completed and become operational by 2022.

Passenger capacity is set to increase in subsequent phases of the airport expansion.

Rwanda has been tipped as one of the best touristic destinations in the world, apart from positioning itself as the conference hub of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

This is good news for RwandAir and its passengers, as Qatar Airways holds the ‘World’s Best Airline’ in the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards. It is the only airline in the competition’s history to win it five times; 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

With a fleet of twelve aircraft including two wide-body, Airbus A330 acquired last year, RwandAir currently reaches out to 29 destinations across East, Central, West and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Rwanda and Qatar enjoy very fruitful bilateral relations. The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was in Rwanda last December for International Anti-Corruption Excellence Awards named after him.