Author: IGIHE

Rwanda plans to connect three million people to the World Wide Web as part of the “Internet for All” project.

The project is a World Economic Forum initiative that aims to connect 25 million new Internet users in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda by 2019.

This goal will partly be achieved by addressing the challenges of affordability, digital skills gap, lack of local content and limited infrastructure, which are hindering growth in the use of Internet across the region.

“All those challenges are present in Rwanda, but the country has made great progress in infrastructure,” said project head Eric White.

Internet penetration stands at 37 per cent, which translates to around four million users.

Data from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) released last year shows the geographic coverage of 3G by MTN was at 75 per cent; TIGO 16 per cent; and Airtel at 17 per cent as of June 2016.

Meanwhile, the 4LTE wholesaler Kt Rwanda network recently announced the 4G geographic coverage was at 62 per cent of the population, but there are no recent statistics on 4G users.

Officials said that as part of the Internet for All project, they are now focusing on digital literacy, connectivity and access to devices.

A pilot of “Smart Villages,” which involves ISPs working with service providers and digital literacy trainers to provide Internet connectivity to rural communities was launched in Rwanda recently.

While the new initiative could increase Internet users in rural areas, what remains to be seen is its scalability. “If the project is successful, it will be piloted across the country,” said Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and ICT at the launch.

A similar initiative known as “digital ambassadors,” which focuses on digital skills, was launched in February. It aims to provide basic digital literacy skills to five million people.

Rwanda Today learned that only 23 per cent of people in Tumba — the pilot smart village — own phones, which reflects the significance of affordability to increase access.

“The cost of smart devices are a bit high, but as competition increases the prices will go down,” said Fabrice Dukuze, secretary-general of Internet Society (ISOC) Rwanda chapter.

According to Mr Dukuze, when more manufacturers and device sellers join the local market the prices will go down.

The connectivity gap represents a $200 million opportunity in Rwanda for device vendors based on a price of $50 per device.

Affordability has also been linked to high data costs that lock out many users in urban and rural areas.

This has also been reflected in a higher phone penetration rate of 79 per cent than Internet penetration, which is at 37 per cent.

In the region, Kenya had the highest penetration rate at 82 per cent while Uganda and Rwanda were at 37 per cent and South Sudan at 16 per cent in 2016.

Source:The East African

Kigali has renewed its bid to crack down on public service vehicles not complying with the legal speed limit or installation of speed governors, as implementation continues to face difficulties a year past the set deadline.

All public service vehicles or those transporting goods public had been given up to February 2016 to install speed governors set to a maximum speed of 60km/h but a recent assessment by the regulator found that not even half of the vehicles had complied with the law.

Statistics show that 63 per cent of the fleet are yet to install speed governors.

“Our assessment also showed that even among vehicles that installed these devices, some were tampered with and don’t operate properly. Others do not meet the required standards,” said Emmanuel Katabarwa, head of transport department at Rwanda Regulatory Agency (RURA).

Mr Katabarwa was speaking after a closed door meeting between RURA, the police and representatives of transport associations.

The meeting resolved, among other things, to embark on a nationwide operation to stop all non-compliant vehicles with immediate effect.

Over the past two weeks the joint operation led to the suspension of several vehicles, which were found to not have any speed governors or had ones that had been tampered with.

RURA officials said many more non-compliant vehicles risk suspension and other penalties.

Mandatory installation of speed governors in public transport vehicles was introduced to reduce accidents amid an increase in the number of vehicles on the country’s roads.

Initially, a short-lived promotion for installation of the gadgets saw a few provincial and city public service vehicles get fitted with the gadgets.

According to the drivers, the vehicles that had the speed governors installed found themselves competing with vehicles that did not have the gadgets and so they opted to remove them or tamper with them.

Operators also told Rwanda Today that the high cost of speed governors remains a major barrier even after the number of licensed suppliers rose to five.

Prices range between Rwf180,000 and Rwf260,000 depending on the technology and the supplier.

However, RURA officials dismissed the operators’ concerns as unfounded with Mr Katabarwa arguing that even if the prices are high, vehicle owners have had enough time to raise the money.

Source:The East African

Does the country’s size (geographically) match with its history? From experience, the answer is –NO. Drawing aspirations from both traditions as well as modernity, Rwanda is not a young nation, and telling her past is never easy because of its long legacy, courage, and sense of dignity.

Rwanda has got a unique history that the traveler can time and again always boast of a trip to Rwanda is more than wildlife or the scenery; the real Rwandan face is found in the country’s heritage, culture and the people who, in essence, bring a destination to life. Many visitors come to see wildlife, the primates, the stunning scenery-yes, this is nature tourism but it is important to draw their attention on the real and silent feature of tourism; the people, culture and traditions. They actually dip a toe into a pool and call it swimming. Rwanda has a lot of potential for cultural heritage tourism.

The aspect of cultural tourism does not only expose visitors to Rwanda, to its rich cultural history, to its people and its ways but also helps local communities in terms of infrastructures such as schools, roads, hospitals, and income for its people. Historical evidence in the fields of archaeology, social and natural sciences in Rwanda have made some of the most important discoveries about human history that stretches back in time.

The depth of history, if well preserved, can act as cultural attractions. The country’s cultural richness classified into diversification of crafts and dance, strong traditions does offer unique opportunities in positioning well the image of the country both at the national and international level. The historic buildings, monuments, archaeological and natural heritage sites do not only represent a storage of knowledge about the country’s distant human past and settlement but also score as a major asset in keeping Rwanda’s history in motion.

Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) operates a consortium network of 8 museums (operational) and varied historical, archeological, and natural heritage sites purposely to explore the country’s national historical display with the best cultural and natural legacy. They make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of Rwanda’s cultural heritage by offering a traditional menu alongside with silent touristic features that need to be fully exploited, explored and marketed.

Walking through these spectacular museums(Ethnographic, Kings Palace, and National art gallerymuseums-southern province, Natural history, Presidential Palace museums -Kigali city, National Liberation Museum Park- Gicumbi, and Museum of Environment-Karongi) is a wonderful journey that brings visitors and guests much closer to national heritage and gives them a glimpse into personal moments and celebrations.

They represent and bring to view the past lifestyles of Rwanda as a monarchial state (pre-colonial) and colonial era with a historical recipe of reign of Kings that ruled Rwanda at a time, in relation to, before and arrival of Europeans.

The collections exhibited in museums of Rwanda and other heritage assets are of great historic value and portray an image of a country of resilience. The multicultural layers become more vivid as one comes into contact with the cultural industry in Rwanda. A visit to the Kings Palace Museum will enchant one to the historical/traditional dwelling built in a traditional style, with a warm and cozy environment, the modern palace and more striking displays of “inyambo” traditional cows that give a rich insight into Rwandan culture.

To a stone throw away, but still in Nyanza, the National Art Gallery-the only contemporary art museum in Rwanda and probably the only one in the Great Lakes Region, the genius artwork will inspire one into continued creativity. Thebuilding itself has architectural and historical value. It is unique in style for its location and for the time period in which it was built. That is why this museum is a place for inspiration, a place for meetings, and a place for exchanges of experiences between local and international artists.

Because of time and limited space, I conclusively say that, travelling has always been about discovery, and it’s through visiting other countries that we can learn about the world. And despite the risks that haunt our cultural and natural heritage sites across the country, the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) nevertheless has made tremendous efforts to identify research, promote and educate through exhibitions and outreach programs. These communicate and contribute to knowledge that holds humanities deepest values, attitudes and actions towards cultural and natural heritage sustainability.

By David Nkusi- Heritage studies analyst/ Philosophical studies expert

nkusidavid@rocketmail.com

Union of rice growers’ cooperatives that supply to Gikonko rice firm (UCORIBU) have launched the first phase of the hospitality buildings that will fully be completed in the next three years at the tune of Rwf400 million.

UCORIBU is a union of 10 cooperatives including seven, two and one from the districts of Gisagara, Nyanza and Huye, respectively. The union’s equity stands at Rwf280 million. It has 13,014 rice growers who own 40% of the shares in Gikonko rice firm while Australian investor, Mr. Douglas Shears has 60% through his ICM company that owns shares in other rice firms in Rwamagana and Bugarama.

Speaking at the launch of the project’s first building, Jean Pierre Mushokambere, the president of UCORIBU, said the union first ventured into COOPEC Impamba, a microfinance institution that boasts of the Central Bank’s license and equity of Rwf80 million.

He said they have decided to venture into hospitality to reduce the expenses on venues for their members’ training.

“We have been spending on hiring conference rooms yet we have means to develop our own meeting facilities. This is the first part of the project but we shall expand it to provide accommodation facilities to serve our members and make more money from clients. The launched house offers facilities for training and wedding parties, among other services,” said Mushokambere.

The building unveiled on April 6,2017 cost over Rwf48 million, the second part comprising restaurant and bar will cost Rwf30 miliion while the third phase will add a flat building with guests rooms, taking the project at Rwf400 million.

Sharon H. Umuratwa, the ICM Operations Manager, hailed UCORIBU’s success over the last 10 years partnering with ICM, saying that the completed building conveys a message that the union will achieve much more.

ICM has has responded to farmers’ wishes for computers to their agronomists and scales weighing up to one ton of rice for each cooperative’s use in the farm.

“Computers will help agronomists to harmonize their work and that will benefit you (farmers). Let us work harder because as we develop ourselves, our district and entire country develop too through your taxes,” said Umuratwa.

Kayiranga Muzuka Eugène, Mayor of Huye District, encouraged rice growers to increase the production and supply all the produce to the firm instead of selling to illegal buyers.

“This production increment to six tons per hectare can be increased further to seven or eight tons. That will come from our commitment to better rice farming and growing good seeds,” he said.

Gikonko rice grows better

Umuratwa said that last year’s production was much bigger than all the previous years, resulting into sales growth and from the firm’s revenues, ICM has committed Rwf10 million to UCORIBU to benefit all members.

“Some middlemen often tell you that a fixed price is never exceeded but you will soon receive a bonus of Rwf77 million because we sold much rice in 2016. That money will reach every farmer according to the quantity they supplied to the firm. This is a sign of how far we can reach together as UCORIBU and ICM. Our rice quality has improved and is challenging Pakistani at the market,” she said.

In 2016, the firm’s revenues grew by 18% compared to 2015 due to the rice supplies growth by 36% leading to sales growth by 23% and the firm’s wealth grew by 24%.

Firm suppliers count benefits

Jean Baptiste Ntawuhiganayo, 45, told IGIHE that; “working closely with the firm has helped me to construct a house and relocated from a risky zone, pay children’s school fees and improved family’s welfare.”

He said farmers used to sell rice to different middlemen at giveaway prices before acquiring the firm but the price is now far better with the firm, “even giving us a bonus when the firm makes a good profit.” He says he earns at least Rwf1.2 million annually.

Celine Uwanyiligira , a member of Rusuki cooperative in Huye, said she is now providing well for her family which she was unable to afford including community health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) before starting rice faming.

Gikonko rice firm has installed capacity of processing 12,000 tons of rice per year but the firm is currently doing 6,000 tons as more efforts get summoned to increase production.

The firm and farmers’ progress is attributed to the government efforts in developing marshlands into good rice farms and eliminating middlemen in rice value chain.

By Jean d’Amour Mugabo

Five people from Mayange and Rilima sectors of Bugesera district whose identifications police has not divulged, have been detained at police stations in the said sectors over genocide ideology.

It is said that on 7th April 2017, a man residing in Kibirizi cell of Mayange sector told his colleague with whom they shared a drink in a bar in Rilima sector ‘how can I work for Tutsi?’ as confirmed by the executive secretary of Mayange sector,Nkurunziza François.

“The words were spoken in a bar. One told his colleague ‘how can I work for Tutsi’adding ‘I can’t even work with them’, he said.

The culprit has been detained at Mayange police station.

It is also said that another old man in Rilima sector has been held for having told a genocide survivor that Tutsi are fierce people.

He was arrested with a cell leader in one of cells of Rilima trying to reconcile them after receiving a bribe of Rwf 5000.

They are all detained at Rilima police station where other culprits are held for threatening a genocide survivor that they will execute Tutsis again.

The police spokesperson in Eastern Province, IP Emmanuel Kayigi has said that he is still following up information to give details later.

The identity of the culprits could not be established as the DPC Bugesera did not pick repeated IGIHE calls.

A convict of genocide ideology is liable to a punishment ranging from five to nine years of sentence and pay a fine from Rwf 100,000 to 1,000,000 as per article 135 of Rwanda Penal Code.