Author: IGIHE

Full statement:
We are now in the rainy period and experiencing heavy downpour in different parts of the country. Whereas this, to some extent, is good for farmers and alike, it brings risks to motorists, which requires extra attention and precaution measures.

It is always advisable to take extra caution when it is raining or after it has rained. Besides dealing with heavy downpour, drivers also have to contend with likely strong winds, which call for one to exercise extra caution when driving in such weather conditions.

In case you are driving or riding in the rain, it would be safer to anticipate how to deal with wet roads as well as poor visibility that characterize such weather; as usual your car should be in good condition with head and tail lights, brakes, turn signals, and windshield wipers working. Ensure that tires are in good shape and properly inflated to contend with the slip. Tire treads should also be the proper depth to provide good traction on wet roadways.

Turn on headlights when it’s raining to challenge the low visibility and fog. Rain impedes visibility. This signals the equally affected motorists coming from behind and those from the opposite direction.

As usual, drive in your lane, go slow, give each driver space, don’t enter flooded roads, stay alert and pull-over where necessary; exercise extra caution when overtaking because heavy rains and fog can affect your visibility leading to head-on collision.

When driving under such weather conditions, you don’t have to move at 40km per hour or 60km per hour just because the traffic signpost grants that speed; it comes back to your individual responsibility to set your rules below the set maximum speed as the weather dictates. Be a responsible driver and always take safer decisions when on road.

In a report that was shared this Thursday, 28th November, BK Group Plc recorded a Rwf 10.4 billion net profit in the third trimester that is equal to a 66.6% growth comparing to Rwf 6.3 billion reported in 2018.

Diane Karusisi, BK Group Plc, Chief Executive Officer says that all subsidiaries of BK Group Plc including Bk Capital, Bk General Insurance, Bank of Kigali and Bk TechHouse recorded profit in 2019.

“The Bank offers preferential rates on loans to entrepreneurs and business owners in a bid to contribute to the development of the country. We have recorded an increase in profit of 20% and an 80% profit increase in BK General Insurance. Combining all our subsidiaries, there was a 27% profit increase only by September, 2019”

This profit is also partly due to very low non-performing loans with a growth from Rwf 30.1 billion to Rwf 651.1 billion coupled with IKOFI services that continue to help farmers easily access financial services.

Dr. Karusisi added that the Bank strives to reduce its cost of operations in order to generate sustainable value for shareholders and customers and bigger profit on shares.
In BK Insurance, profit escalated to Rwf 1039 billion in the third quarter of 2019 compared to Rwf 559 million in 2018. BK TechHouse recorded a Rwf 788 million net profit in 2019 compared to Rwf 458 million in 2018 while BK Capital recorded a 27% growth.

To this date, Bank of Kigali owns 28% of all banking services in Rwanda. On this Thursday, BK Group Plc also welcomed Rohit Dhawan who joined the team as the Chief Information Officer in September 2019.

Mutemberezi Fulgence, a resident of Rubavu district who was also detained in Kisoro had established a restaurant business ten months ago in Uganda and got arrested this week by Ugandan authorities.

“When I showed up to work on Monday, police officers and soldiers were surrounding the area saying they were looking for Rwandans. I was captured too, taken to prison and the following day, I was brought to court with many other Rwandans where we were accused of being in Uganda illegally. This was not true because I had papers allowing me to be there but they took them and shredded them to pieces.”

She continued saying that her money was taken by the police officers when she was arrested but when she asked for it at her release, they refused to give it back.

“I had 10 note bundles when I was arrested, but when I asked for it upon my release, they said I have no right to take Ugandan Shillings to Rwanda. I left more than two million Ugandan Shillings at the station. It is considered a sin to step on Ugandan territory as a Rwandan and anyone who considered it should just know it is a very bad idea.”

Musabyimana Angelique, a resident of Nyabihu district said “Rwandans are treated like garbage in Uganda. I have been working in a salon for a year now but even the Ugandans I work with despise me. I once overheard a Ugandan soldier saying that if he was given a chance to have all the Rwandans living in Uganda in one room, he would pour gasoline on them and burn them. I have never felt the same way ever since.”

She said that when she was arrested, the police officers asked her for money but she refused to give it to them. Then, they forcefully took her mobile phone and asked her for her mobile money PIN code which she did not give. They took the phone anyway and when they brought it back, there was no money left on her account and they had replaced her SIM card with a non-functioning one.

“I asked them where was my money and they replied, I had nothing to claim as long as I was on Ugandan territory. Even if we were released, we are scared for the lives of hundreds of other Rwandans who are still being chased and tortured in Uganda”

Those who were released talked about how they were tortured and accused of hate crimes they never committed because anything that happens in a territory occupied by Rwandans in Uganda is blamed on them. All their belongings were stolen and their crops destroyed because they were told they had no right to own anything in Uganda. Some of them were also separated from their families.

Musanabera Clementine from Musanze district is married and have been living in Uganda for 19 years now. She says she was forcefully separated from her husband and her two children.

“On Monday night, we heard people banging on our door and when my husband opened, they told him to hand over the Rwandan sleeping in his house. He explained I had papers allowing me to live in Uganda but they would not listen. They forced me out of the house, naked, and my husband threw me a dress as they dragged me with them and threw me in a police truck with other Rwandans they had captured. They imprisoned us and released us today and said we were forgiven but I cannot live without my children.”

The released Rwandans say that as days go by, Rwandans continue to be inhumanely treated in Uganda and even those who purchased lands and houses are despises by Ugandans who reproach them daily of invading their territory. They strongly advise Rwandans who ever had even a slight thought about going to Uganda, to forget about it since they are unwanted.

The screening of the movie was organized by the Embassy of Rwanda in the United States and will happen on the 6th December, 2019 at the Arent Fox LLP in Washington DC. There will be a reception and a plot summary session from 5:30 P.M to 6:30 P.M that will be followed by the screening from 6:30 P.M to 8:00 P.M.

Before the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi happened, the third battalion of the RPA made of 600 soldiers was sent to guard opposition leaders residing in Kigali in regard of the 1993 Arusha Peace Treaty.

This documentary film recounts the bravery and sacrifice the 600 soldiers showed as they were getting outnumbered by the enemy and their journey towards the liberation of the country. The film was written and produced by Richard Hall; an Emmy Award winning Television Producer based in Los Angeles and brought to the screen by Great Blue Productions and Kigali-based ‘A WIZE Media’ of Annette Uwizeye.

Richard Hall says this documentary film gives a memorable lesson about the values to champion not just as soldiers but as human beings and that it is one way of paying tribute to the soldiers who made the Liberation of Rwanda, a reality.

It shows the unity that reigned between the 600 RPA soldiers and the Tutsi families they rescued. Throughout the movie, different rescue mission throughout Kigali are shown including the rescue of nearly two thousand Tutsi who were about to be executed at Saint Paul church between the 16th and 17th June, 1994. Escorted by RPA soldiers, these families passed by Kinamba, Gisozi and through Batsinda and were brought to Kabuye which was already an RPA Camp.

The movie also gives an account of Sergeant Theogene, one of the ‘600’ soldiers who rescued many families from his village with the help of his comrades and the distressing journey they had to bring them to safety including dodging bullets and passing by barriers guarded by the Interahamwe militia.

The last bit of the movie shows the chronicles of St Andre where RPA soldiers rescued hundreds of Tutsi families and brought them to safety amidst flying bullets and bombing by the enemy.

The ‘600’ premiered in Kigali from the 5th to the 14th of July at the Century Cinema.

This event happened on this Wednesday, 27th November in Mayange sector, Bugesera district as part of an initiative started by Rwanda Correction Service (RCS) and the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) with the aim of linking genocide convicts to their victims and promote national reconciliation.

This event gathered citizens from Mbyo cell, Ubumwe n’Ubwiyunge village. Among the convicts were Musabyimana Elia who admitted to have killed 17 Tutsis and apologized for his crimes.

Government officials including the Executive Secretary in the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Ndayisaba Fidele, Rucagu Boniface and Mark Kabandana from the National Elders Forum as well as CP Jean Bosco Kabanda from RCS also attended the event.

Musabyimana Elie, a resident of Musenyi sector, Bugesera district is one of the convicts who publicly apologized for his role in the genocide against Tutsi.

“I am ashamed for my deceitful ways and for executing the plans of genocide ideologists. I killed men, women and children and I humbly ask for apologies especially to Muhire Emmanuel for killing his father, his big brother, his three children and his little brother. I apologize to Gatete for killing his sister and to all the families I caused sorrow to, just because they were Tutsi.”

Musabyimana who is currently serving his sentence in Bugesera prison regretted his actions and the unbearable pain he caused to the victims. He also expressed regrets for not telling the truth before and for putting a permanent stain on his country, Rwanda.

Muhire Emmanuel whose family was exterminated during the genocide said that when Musabyimana came to apologize, he found it so difficult to forgive him but after attending reconciliation talks, he took the resolution to accept his apologies.

“Even if my entire family was decimated, I understand that forgiveness is the only way to healing and from the bottom of my heart, I accept his apologies.”

NURC Executive Secretary, Fidele Ndayisaba says there are still problems of unrecovered remains of genocide victims and that make the reconciliation process difficult.

“Some people are still not willing to provide information on where the victims were dumped. We are requesting genocide convicts to step forward and say where the remains of their victims are so that they can be given a decent burial”

The warning follows an operation on Tuesday in Kinazi Sector of Ruhango District where two motorcyclists were found transporting meat in “unlawful and unhealthy conditions.”

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that at about noon on Tuesday, Police and local leaders were called by residents of Kinazi cell in Kinazi sector reporting people, who transport meat in unhealthy conditions using motorcycles.

“During the operation, two motorcycles transporting meat in sacks were trailed; however, one of them abandoned the motorcycle and the meat, and run away. The other managed to flee. The impounded motorcycle RC 817Z was carrying 80kgs of meat packed in sacks,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

“There are set standards related to the whole meat business including transportation and packaging, which must be followed.”

The Ministerial Order n°013/11.30 of 18/11/2010 on transport and trade of meat, particularly article 2 stipulates that “…the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain, mud, dust, and flies.”

Article 3 of the same order states that motor-vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non-packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless material.

At its upper part, the van shall be provided with rails to facilitate the handling of meat. In addition, its interior layout shall allow daily cleaning using water with detergent.

In article 4, people employed in the transportation of meat shall be wearing washable overcoats and hats, and properly shod.

CIP Twajamahoro thanked residents, who provided information on the illegal practices, which pose health risks to people, and called for continued partnership against such practices.

On Tuesday, 26th November, The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza briefed the police officers on operational and professional conduct as they get ready for service in in South Sudan.

IGP Munyuza urged the officers to fulfill the mission for which they are being deployed and make their country proud.

He urged them to put to use the knowledge and skills they acquired during the preparations which will reinforce the reputation of professionalism Rwandan Police Officers have built during such missions over the years.

“You have been trained adequately and we expect that you will fulfill the obligations you will be given with professionalism. Uphold discipline and unity virtues and respect your superiors as teaches the Rwandan Police code of ethics.”

IGP Munyuza added that one of the aspects that will help them fulfill their duties is respecting the citizens in the host country and learning from other police officers they will meet on the ground.

“Always respect the citizens in the host country and their cultures. Never forget that learning is a continuous process. Learn from the experience of other peacekeepers.”

This is the fifth cohort that will be deployed in South Sudan. It is under the command of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Fabien Musinguzi, who will be replacing Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Gatambira.

Currently, Rwanda has 1055 police officers in peacekeeping operations in Central African Republic, Sudan and South Sudan. Rwanda is the second country with most deployed police officers under UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

Statistics of underage rape cases collected by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) show that the bureau received 2091 cases in the year 2016/17, 3060 cases in the year 2017/18 and 3512 cases in the year 2018/19.

Only a very low number denounce their abusers especially given the fact that only in 2016, 17,000 underage girls were impregnated as shown by the statistics released by the Ministry of Health. Last year, this number escalated to 19,000 cases.

IGIHE talked to some of the girls below 18 years of age who were impregnated and asked them the reason behind not denouncing their abusers for them to face justice.

The girls told IGIHE that getting impregnated at their tender age had numerous negative impacts on their lives including dropping out of school, getting chased from their families and stigmatization.

They say they cannot talk to the police for fear of their abusers being sentenced and then losing their only source of child support.

Ishimwe Yvonne who lives in Kigarama sector was raped and impregnated when she was 16. She says she could not denounce her abuser because of the fear of being stigmatized.

“I could not denounce him because my child will grow someday and learn that I sent his father to jail and will despise me for it. I will let his conscience judge him.”

19-year-old, Munezero Liliane who has a 3-year-old son says she kept it a secret because she did not want the father of her child to go to jail.

“The reason why I did not take him to court is that I would have been hated for it and I did not want my baby to grow without a father.”

Mukandori Rehema whose daughter was raped and impregnated said she did not think this was a matter to be taken to court because her daughter brought it onto herself by visiting his rapist.

“I could not do anything about it because my daughter willingly went to that guy’s house despite my countless warnings that she shouldn’t. She claimed she loved him and when she got pregnant, I only saw it fit to keep it a secret.”

RIB Spokesperson, Marie Michelle Umuhoza told IGIHE that it is a very simple process for these girls to press charges against their abusers.

“All we are asking for is for the victims to step forward and press charges so that their abusers can be tried in court. That is the reason why RIB established stations countrywide so that these crimes don’t remain a secret.”

Murwanashyaka Evariste, CLADHO (Collectif des Ligues et Association de Défense des Droits de l’Homme au Rwanda) coordinator says that there are four major reasons why victims don’t denounce their abusers.

“Some of the reasons why these underage girls stay quiet is because they fear that their abusers will harm them, or they bribe them into not talking. Another reason is that the victims’ families forbid the girls to talk under the pretext of keeping harmony among families”

Underage rape is a statutory offence in Rwanda that is punished with imprisonment between 20 and 25 years.

It had been two days since rumors circulated that Sudan was negotiating for Bashir, Sudan former Head of State not to be tried by the ICC. General Burhan confirmed that Bashir will not be sent to the ICC as it was communicated by RFI.

Sudan’s Ambassador to the United Nations said that the ICC has no right whatsoever on Sudan to the point of commanding Sudan to send Bashir for trial. He added Sudan never signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and therefore cannot abide by its rules.

Bashir was overthrown in a coup that happened in April this year after months of protests. He is currently being tried for crimes of corruption in Sudanese courts. The jury’s verdict will be announced in December 2019.

In the past two weeks, new allegations were submitted where Bashir is accused of overthrowing the democratically-elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and President Ahmed al-Mirghani in 1989.

News in circulation sustain that the detainees were apprehended and then taken to Kisoro Police Station in a dump truck. Among the captives were Congolese and Tanzanian citizens who were later released. Only Rwandans remained in custody.

Among the remaining captives, ten women and children were released as well and taken to the borders. The Rwandan Ambassador in Uganda, Frank Mugambage told IGIHE that they were not informed about these arrests and that they learned about it in newspapers.

“We should have been informed about this situation but nobody told us about these unlawful arrests. We only learned about it in newspapers and we are collecting evidence regarding these arrests”

Recent unjustified arrests happened in July this year where Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) arrested 40 Rwandans in Kibuye, close to Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. They were apprehended at a church located on the road to Entebbe International Airport.

There were only Rwandans in that church at the time who were immediately ordered to board a vehicle that was parked outside the church. The Ugandan Police said the arrest was on demand of the Ugandan Military.

The Ugandan Police Spokesperson in Kampala, Patrick Onyango stated that the police were not responsible for the arrest and that further information should be provided by the military.

It has been years now that Ugandan authorities started jailing Rwandan citizens who live, travel or conduct business in Uganda.

Those who are arrested are held in different stations where they are tortured to the extent of handicap. Others are forced to do physically draining work including cultivating and molding bricks. They are all alleged to be Rwandan spies.

In March 2019, The Government of Rwanda urged Rwandan citizens to stop going to Uganda for their security after testimonies of more than 900 Rwandans who were chased from Uganda after days of abuse and torture.

These arrests reached an unimaginable extent after Rwanda expressed its concern about the RNC terrorist group using Ugandan territory to conduct its activities helped by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) with the aim of recruiting more members to destabilize Rwanda’s security.