Author: IGIHE

Kagame lured investors today in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he joined other Heads of State including the President of South Africa, Ghana, Mozambique Prime Minister among others for a panel discussion on Investing in Africa at the second edition of Africa Investment Forum.

Organized by the African Development Bank and its partners, the second edition of the Forum runs from 11th to 13th November 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The multi-stakeholder transactional marketplace is aimed at raising capital, advancing projects to a bankable stage and accelerating financial closure of deals.

Kagame said that present opportunities are ideal for Africa to foster development.
“I have always thought it is Africa’s time, we Africans we have let ourselves down. We are now realizing it is Africa’s time and we need to seize every opportunity to be where we should be,” he said.

Kagame also thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for providing a good environment to be discussing these issues and the President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina.

He explained that Rwanda has concentrated on creating a good environment for people to do business, a predictable governance system, security, in a region of East African Community ‘that is probably the fastest growing region on our continent and Rwanda being part of and benefiting from that’.

Talking on investment opportunities in Rwanda; the President said: “We have created a number of things: Agri-business hub, between 15-20,000 hectares we are trying to put under irrigation and partner with private sector in agribusiness for exports.”

The President presented Kigali Innovation City, where technology companies and higher institutions of learning come together with financial services to allow Startup Company to develop and grow and encouraged private investors to maximize opportunities from it.

“We expect private capital to come in and grow that,” he said.

Kigali Innovation City is a huge project expected to help Rwanda advance technology. It is being developed in the Special Economic Zone in Gasabo district and expected to be completed at a cost of US$ 2 billion.

KIC features an innovation and knowledge hub consisting of world-class learning institutions and tech companies with room for additional firms.

The project also has a component of Rwanda Innovation Fund, a privately managed $100 million fund for the development of world-class technologies with the private sector invited to join in.

It will also be a hub for international universities, tech companies with solutions in agriculture, health, financial sector and provide a contribution to infrastructure development. The project will be spread on 70 hectares parcel.

“Kigali Innovation Fund, created with the support of the AfDB, Government has put in money. We want private people to come and invest as well,” enthused Kagame.

Talking on what Africa needs to do to attract investment, the President said: “There is nothing new that we don’t know we have to deal with. The main difference will come when in one place or another, they are actually doing what they know they ought to. It does not just know what you ought to do or being capable of it, it is about actually doing it,”

He further called for women’s involvement.

“Let’s do what we know we have to do, let’s involve our women, we see many who are CEOs, there are many who are capable so we should not leave them behind. We should have an accountable transparent system of governance, create rule of law, for people to know what to expect,” noted Kagame.

African Investment Forum to be concluded on 13th November 2019 brings together 2000 participants.

The former Forces Armee Rwandais (ex-FAR) officer was a member of the FDLR/FOCA before joining RUD-Urunana, the armed wing of Victoire Ingabire’s FDU Inkingi, then under the command of General Ndibabaje alias Musare.

The spokesperson of the special force called Sokola 2 of the Congolese army (FARDC) told IGIHE that Musabyimana was killed close to the border with Uganda in Binza, Rutchuru, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Gen. Musabyimana grew within the ranks of FDU-Inkingi becoming its overall military commander until his death.

The Congolese army(FARDC) has revealed that Gen Musabyimana was found with classified information linking him to Uganda’s top security officials.

The information shows that Gen. Musabyimana had been frequenting Uganda and had been in constant communication with that country’s officials.

Sources reveal that RUD-Urunana was created by Uganda’s intelligence with the specific mission of destabilizing Rwanda under the coordination of Philemon Mateke.

Mateke has also been the contact person between the FDLR and Uganda’s leadership.

The classified intelligence on Musabyimana aka Jean-Michel Africa also shows that he was in constant contact with Uganda’s Minister of State for Regional Affairs, Philemon Mateke who has been working tirelessly to coordinate the forces that seek to destabilize Rwanda and that leaders of the “P5” like Major Frank Ntilikina (deputy to Kayumba Nyamwasa in the P5 armed wing) FDU Inkingi have been in frequent communication with him. Maj Ntilikina is based in France, and have been frequenting Uganda and remain in constant communication with senior officials of that country.

Last month on the night of October 4, RUD-Urunana carried out an attack in Kinigi, Musanze district, in the Northern Province, which claimed 14 lives and injured 18 people. The security forces repulsed the killers, killing nineteen and apprehending five. Three of the commanders who managed to escape withdrew to Uganda. Sources say that they are in Uganda under protection in a UPDF barracks.

This prompted Rwanda government to write a note verbale to the authorities in Uganda demanding the extradition of the killers who had retreated to its territory. However, no response has been received to-date, sources say.

Translated as ‘inform me’, the mobile facility which was initially launched in November 2017 in English version enables customers of financial institutions to efficiently monitor their credit rating on their mobile phones in real-time.

As of now, customers seeking information on the account in either Kinyarwanda or English will send a short message detailing Identity number to 2272 and receive information on all outstanding credits.

It is mainly applied to Rwandans in rural areas whose majority are not English literate yet they require similar services.

With Menyesha system, borrowers will be able to monitor and improve their credit rating and address any inaccuracies to avoid preventable loan rejections thus increasing access to finance.

The system helps to improve the quality of loan applications and enables customers to grow their loan portfolios.

The Managing Director of TransUnion mu Rwanda, Mugwaneza Jacqueline has said that the number of users increased gradually since the system was launched in Rwanda which pushed for facelifting services.

“We got positive feedback from customers over the past two years since we launched. They have a growing appetite to use credit ranking system. Our objective is to help all Rwandans access enough information on the credits to meet their needs buying homes or getting an education loan,” she said.

“We attach great importance to make information accessible influencing people in good decision making,” added Mugwaneza.

Currently, TransUnion operates in over 30 countries across the globe.

Before the coming of TransUnion to Rwanda, people were required to get loan-free certificates that would prove that they are not indebted.

President Kagame has arrived at the Sandton Convention Center where he joins President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Nana Akufo Addo, Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário of Mozambique for a panel discussion on Investing in Africa at the Africa Investment Forum,” reads a tweet from the Rwanda Presidency.

Organized by the African Development Bank and its partners, the second edition of the Forum will take place from 11 to13 November 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The multi-stakeholder transactional marketplace is aimed at raising capital, advancing projects to bankable stage and accelerating financial closure of deals.

The first-ever Africa Investment Forum took place in Johannesburg from November 7-9, 2018.

The AIF will harmonize processes among the Bank and its partners, reduce intermediation costs, improve the quality of project information and documentation, and increase action-oriented engagements between African governments and the private sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa currently participating in the opening panel discussion at the second annual #AfricaInvestmentForum that aims to strengthen cooperation with the private sector and stimulate investment in areas of strategic interest #AIF2019 pic.twitter.com/VyKu6I35Yg

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) November 11, 2019

The incident happened yesterday in the wee hours around 3 am.

The statement released by Rwanda National Police reads that police officers on patrol saw people crossing to Rwanda’s land but the latter confronted the police asking them to stop.

“Today, November 10, 2019, at around 3 am in Tabagwe sector, Nyagatare district, Police officer son patrol intercepted a group of suspected smugglers who crossed inside Rwanda territory at an ungazetted border point with Uganda,” reads the statement in part.

“The smugglers became violent and assaulted police officers who reacted in self-defense shooting dead two while the rest escaped. The deceased were identified as Job Ebindishanga, 32, and Bosco Tuheirwe, 35, both Ugandans,” adds the statement.
Police further stated that an investigation into the incident is underway.

“Rwanda National Police condemns violent behavior by smugglers and urges the public especially those residing along the common border to focus on legal commercial activities using official border points,” reads the statement signed by RNP spokesperson, CP JB Kabera.

In May 2019, more smugglers including a Rwandan and Ugandan were shot dead in the same area as they got physical with security officers.

She will support them for three months providing Nootri Toto, a fortified porridge floor rich in nutrients complementing balanced diet they receive.

Miss Nimwiza launched the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to implement her project to eradicate malnutrition and stunting among children in Rwanda.

She expressed optimism that stunting among Rwandan children will become history in the near future.

“Rwandans are renowned for keeping commitment. We shall undoubtedly eradicate the matter if we are to expend much effort like we eradicated Nyakatsi (thatched cottage houses) among other pressing issues,” she said.

“It is the concern of everyone including parents to respect family planning,” added Miss Nimwiza.

Mukarukundo Irène one of parents with malnourished children thanked Miss Rwanda for the cause to eradicate malnutrition that gives hope for her child’s recovery.

The mayor of Nyamagabe district, Uwamahoro Bonaventure 27 of 340 children with malnutrition problems are in critical conditions. He attributed it to parents taking all agricultural outputs to the market without taking into account children’s growth.

Miss Nimwiza Megahn is funded by Africa Improved Food, AIF to provide fortified porridge floor to the 50 chidren with malnutrition issues in Nyamagabe district.

It will be delivered to beneficiaries through community health workers.

ACP Jean Bosco Kabanda, RCS Commissioner in charge of correction said that seeking forgiveness from genocide convicts leads to accessing information on location of remains of genocide victims crudely dumped to be accorded decent burial.

He explained that these numbers might go up due to ongoing campaigns mobilizing convicts to apologize.

ACP Kabanda however said that some inmates are not willing to provide information harboring mindsets that FDLR, rebel outfit will release them.

“A lot remains to be done to change such mindsets,” he said.

CNLG reveals that concealing information on location of remains of genocide victims are is still an obstacle to unity and reconciliation efforts among Rwandans.

According to information from convicts at Nyarugenge prison, Kigali city reports over 120 mass graves for genocide victims located in Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo districts.

The new Foreign Affairs Minister urged them on cooperation to deliver to the best of their abilities.

Biruta, formerly the Minister of Environment is among top leaders appointed to new posts recently on 4th November 2019 by President Paul Kagame.

Minister Biruta thanked his predecessor DR. Sezibera and his team for the commitment and exemplary commitment in fostering Rwanda’s relations with other countries.

He asked the team to keep the teamwork spirit to deliver on promises and walk the talk in line with the country’s vision.

Titled Ein Zerrocheness Leben, the book recollects horrible memories of the dark times endured and survival with her two brothers out of large family of seven in the former commune of Rutongo, currently in Gasabo district, Kigali city.

Kayitesi, the mother of 3 currently lives in Germany since 2010.

The written horrific moments of her painful survival will be presented on November 12th at WT Tiengen.

She decided to write the book as a testimony of the cruelty that characterized the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi leaving a message to the world to strive for humanity.

“During the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi, I was beaten and wounded with a machete on my head. It erased my memory and I was deaf for a long time. Little by little, I found my memory. When someone spoke to me, I heard what he said but I was unable to answer him. I had lost the power of using my tongue,” She narrates.

“I made the decision to write my story showing what my family and I had suffered during this period of the genocide. The fact that I was deaf had frightened me to the point that I thought I should not leave this world without talking about the horror we experienced during the genocide, “she says.

In 2018, during the commemoration of the genocide perpetrated against Tutsis in Rwanda, Kayitesi started delivering testimonies publicly which motivated her to keep on track his project.

The fact that her children repeatedly wanted to learn more about the tragedy that befell Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is among reasons that inspired her to tell the world.

“I hope that the youth will read this book to learn from history not to fall into the trap of hatred,” she says.
Kayitesi plans to translate the book into French, English, and Kinyarwanda to spread the message to a wider readership.

“I made the decision not to let these atrocities haunt my life nor the pain to lead my life,” she told IGIHE inviting the public to buy this book that will be released in 2020.

According to the Police Spokesperson for Southern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the minerals were stolen from COEMIKA, a mining firm in Kamonyi. The suspects were arrested in collaboration with local leaders and residents of the area, who provided information on their whereabouts.

“There were complaints about mineral theft in a concession in Kamonyi owned by COEMIKA, and Police at Kayenzi Police station responded. Residents had reported some people they suspected to be involved in illegal mineral business, including the four suspects,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

“During the operation Police officers and local leaders first arrested one suspect, who disclosed all the members of the ring. One of them was found with 28kgs of minerals; they were violent in an attempt to resist arrest but they were restrained,” he added.

CIP Twajamahoro explained that the suspects would steal the minerals and sell them to other illegal dealers. He called for strengthened partnership and information sharing on any suspected unlawful acts.

Article 54 of the law 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, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.