Author: IGIHE

The first edition of the “Gender Cafes” will take place on Wednesday 23rd October 2019 from 3 to 6 pm at Park Inn by Radisson.

This official launch of the Gender Cafés in Rwanda will be followed by the second edition in December 2019 before becoming a quarterly gathering at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung offices in Nyarutarama, Kigali, starting 2020.

The Gender Cafés aim at achieving the following:

-* Engage diverse actors on real-life gender issues and stimulate dialogue and debate yielding to higher gender literacy

-* Introduce the latest research, emerging theory, and innovative tools and techniques that can be applied to foster positive masculinity in our communities.

-* Spark new ideas, new theories and social change strategies, and new networks that can lead to more impactful research, new forms of advocacy, the dissemination of innovative and effective practices, and to raise the profile of gender expertise in Rwanda and beyond.

-* Create a dynamic space for women and men to self-reflect, analyze and then voice their concerns while fostering a spontaneous dialogue where the conversation is controlled as much by the audience as it is by the presenters.

Gender Equality is gaining increased attention in societies, but despite progress in various sectors, historical and emerging forms of gender-based discrimination call for more innovative ways to address the sometimes hidden manifestations of gender inequalities.

Widely shared, hegemonic cultural beliefs about gender and their impact on social relations are among the core components that maintain and change the gender system. In order to progress and allow for a true equality, society needs to understand where they stem from.

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women is the United Nations entity working for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

For enquiries, contact Martha Wanjala at martha.wanjala@unwomen.org or call on +250 789 054 095 or tumaini.ochieng@unwomen.org, +250 787 168 023.

Six of the course participants were trained as trainers.

The pass-out of the second cohort was held on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu District and presided over by the Commissioner for Operations and Public Order, Commissioner of Police (CP) George Rumanzi, who represented the RNP leadership.

The eight-week special course was conducted in partnership with the Kenya National Police Service.

CP Rumanzi said that such career courses prepare law enforcement officers to readily confront complex policing and security threats.

“Marine courses were initiated and designed mainly to equip unit officers with essential skills and tactics to effectively tackle and deter crimes committed on water bodies,” CP Rumanzi said.

During the eight weeks, participants drawn from various marine unit stations in the country covered various subjects including; maritime law enforcement, life-saving and water survival skills, seamanship skills and boat engine mechanical and maintenance, among others.

CP Rumanzi said that RNP considers capacity building through training as “a top priority in law enforcement professionalization programs.”
He urged the trained marine officers to “close gaps in maritime operations,” adding that “RNP will continue to provide necessary means, ways, and resources to enhance policing skills of its officers at all levels.”

CP Rumanzi also commended the existing partnership between Rwanda and Kenya police institutions especially in training of officers in the two countries, in various policing disciplines.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye, Marine Unit Commanding Officer (CO), said that before these courses were introduced, the unit lacked required maritime security skills.

“Maritime knowledge, skills, profession-related jargon and the morale of marine officers has increased, and this has strengthened our professional operations against crimes committed on water bodies,” ACP Mwesigye said.

He identified illegal fishing, use of substandard fishing nets and boats, smuggling and drug trafficking as some of the crimes committed especially in Lake Kivu.

The CO Marine added that such training coupled with the acquisition of more and modern marine equipment will significantly facilitate in addressing these challenges.

The trio is in Europe for a tour to hone their knowledge. They left for Europe early October to attend Rwanda Day held in Germany.

On 13th October 2019, the ladies met with Rwanda’s ambassador in the Netherlands, Jean Pierre Karabaranga and held exclusive talks.

Their itinerary shows that they have to visit different Europe countries including Germany, France, Netherlands, and Luxembourg to learn from their cultures and explore ways of life.

They also take advantage of this opportunity to meet with Miss Rwanda partners based in Europe, expected to return to Rwanda on 25th October 2019.

They have so far toured France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and will conclude with Luxembourg.

Detained officials include; Marie Claire Kayitesi the officer in charge of disaster management; Espérance Dukundimana, the director of administration and human resource, Epimaque Hagenimana the director of social protection and Martin Habimana the advisor to the district executive committee.

The four are being detained at Gisenyi police station on account of the negligence of duty and waste of public property.

The spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Modeste Mbabazi has confirmed their arrest adding that investigations are ongoing.

Damaged cement was provided by the Ministry of Defense through the Reserve Forces one year ago following the heavy rain that left a number of houses destroyed in Rubavu district.

The heavy downpour of 3rd March 2018 that struck Rubavu district resulted in the flooding of River Sebeya, destroying 26 houses and dampened over 900. Most of the victims are still housed by good Samaritans.

RIB appealed to other public officials to efficiently manage public properties in their custody lest they face the law.

Following the relocation of inmates, Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) announced that the land was left under the trust of the Government which has to determine how it should be utilized.

Some people advised that the land and building should be preserved as a museum with a history of being the first prison in Rwanda while others were of the view that housing units for low and middle-income earners would be ideal.

The mayor of Kigali city, Pudence Rubingisa recently told IGIHE that some investors have expressed interest, pitching projects that might be run on the land of ‘1930’.

“These include Champion Investment Corporation (CHIC) investors who expressed interest to raise more buildings. We have so far received demand from many investors. We are currently under the phase of examining what investment suits the master plan so that the project can start,” he said.

The chairperson of CHIC, Tharcisse Ngabonziza has told IGIHE that they decided to build apartments and waiting for the City of Kigali’s approval.

“We have pitched the project, agreed on all the basics and waiting for the City of Kigali’s feedback. It is obvious that the case is being examined with urgency,” he said.
Ngabonziza explained that they plan to build apartments for low and middle-income earners in three categories.

“The land is made of over 8 hectares. We observed that only five hectares can be exploited because the rest is located on elevated land where it is impossible The budget to put to use the land has not yet been established but the number of apartments is estimated between 700 and 800 units.

Police said that Benjamin Tuyishimire, 22, was arrested in Masaka Sector carrying the machines which were stolen from Gako Cell.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorrette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that the arrest of Tuyishimire followed a complaint filed by Chinese nationals in Masaka about the alleged theft of their betting machines.

“Law enforcement personnel in Masaka responded immediately but in the process they received information from local residents about a commercial motorcyclist whom they saw transporting a betting machine,” CIP Umutesi said.

“Indeed, when security tracked down the alleged motorcyclist that night in Cyimo cell, they caught him with the same machine and other electronics which were stolen from the Chinese,” she added.

According to local residents, Tuyishimire allegedly works with thieves who break into houses especially at night targeting valuables including television sets, computers, home theatres and gas cylinders.

Tuyishimire was last year also implicated in the theft of television sets from different homes in Kicukiro.

CIP Umutesi also mentioned another motorcyclist, who was caught in Jali Sector of Gasabo District transporting a calf, and warned of “breaking the law.”

“There are lawful ways of transporting livestock but not on a motorcycle,” she said.

She warned taxi-moto operators against abetting crimes and called for information sharing on “errant motorcyclists, who engage in criminal activities and tarnish the image of motorcycle transport business.”

Owned by Dubai Ports World, the Kigali Logistics Platform has been operational since September 2018 in test mode and has an annual capacity of 50,000 TEUs. When operating at full capacity, it has the potential to save Rwandan businesses up to $50 million a year in logistics costs.

President Kagame toured the facility and taken through benefits it is posed to bring to Rwandans.

Following the tour, the President said he was impressed by its operations and considered it a high-tech operation that offers real-time cargo tracking to customers.

He congratulated Dubai Ports on successfully completing the test phase, which has already demonstrated significant reductions in truck turn-around time.

“Rwanda is a member of the East African Community, the Economic Community of the Central African States and COMESA. The future of trade and integration on our continent is the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is already in force. Trading will commence in July next year. But trade agreements and economic policies won’t have much impact, without actual infrastructure,” he said.

“With the launch of this facility, Rwanda is doing its part to connect with the larger market of more than 1.2 Billion consumers in Africa and beyond,” added Kagame.
The Chairman and CEO of Dubai Ports World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem thanked the Government of Rwanda’s support to make the construction of the first phase successful.

He said good leadership and a favorable business environment lured the company to expand footprints in Rwanda.

Since the commencement of its operations in the Rwandan capital last year, the Kigali Logistics Platform has reduced the truck-turnaround time which used to be an average of 10-14 days to just 3 days. The Platform has already contributed to socio-economic progress through the creation of 667 direct and indirect jobs, with 98% local employment.

Kigali Logistics Platform serves as a gateway to the heart of Africa, connecting Rwanda to neighboring countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. The facility will also access the port of Mombasa in Kenya and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, securing two trade gateways to the sea.

About 60 local investors were taken on a guided tour of the different areas in the Western Province district that present potential for investment in tourism and agribusiness.

Nyamasheke district’s potential in tourism is boosted by the Lake Kivu, Nyungwe National park and the soon to be inaugurated Gishwati National Park and a rich network of roads including the Kivu belt road that make it easily accessible.

Speaking at the function that attracted over 300 participants from the private and public sector, Ariella Kageruka, the RDB Head of Tourism and Conservation said: “I have talked to several potential investors today and they are excited about the tourism potential that Nyamasheke district presents. As RDB, we are ready to support your investment plans in the district.

Officiating the event, Prof Anastase Shyaka, the Minister of Local Government said that Nyamasheke district is endowed with natural beauty that offers great potential for tourism.

“There is also huge potential in agribusiness, especially in coffee processing. This potential needs to be exploited to have an impact on local transformation but also tourism in general,” he noted.
Barakabuye Nsengiyumva, a local investor and chairman of the Rwanda Hospitality Association said that there is huge potential especially in Nyungwe National Park that is rich in fauna and flora.

“This is an addition to national historical monuments in the district,” he stressed.

{{Investment opportunities in Nyamasheke district include;}}

{{In Tourism:}} There is huge potential in the development of tourism infrastructure along Lake Kivu and Nyungwe national park. The area around the lake presents scenic views that could be exploited for the construction of hotels and other tourism facilities. The lake is also dotted with islands that could be developed for tourism activities.

{{In Agriculture:}} The district has various agri-business opportunities for investors which include investment in tea and coffee processing. The potential for cross-border trade with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo also presents an opportunity for investors.

If everything is done in due course, the hospital shall start receiving patients in February 2019.

The construction of Nyarugenge Hospital began in February last year on funding from Belgian Kingdom.

The first phase took over Rwf 6 billion. Both the first and the second phase will be completed at a cost of Rwf 12 billion.

The progress of the first phase is currently at 90%.

The mayor of Nyarugenge district, Kayisime Nzaramba has told IGIHE that they have released a tender of equipment to be available not later than December this year.

“Construction activities are at 91%. We are hopeful that activities will be completed by the end of November. We will be left with the only task of installing equipment inside. We have offered tenders that they will have been provided by December,” he said.

“We are optimistic that the hospital might be operational early next year in February if there are no hindrances. As of now, we are on good progress,” added Nzaramba.
The first phase of the hospital built on 2.2 hectares will have the capacity of accommodating 120 patients.

Nzaramba revealed that the next phase will be equipped with 180 beds raising the number to 300 including 120 of the first phase.

It is the first hospital in Nyarugenge district.

Uwimbabazi was representing Eastern Province.

Apart from organizing parties at Hideout Lounge in Kampala, she is also a model.

Uwimbabazi took post at the facility as the successor of Teta Sandra at Hideout Lounge where she partners with another Rwandan to organize ‘Wednesday Bosslady’ party every Wednesday.

Uwimbabazi was involved in the fatal accident in Soya near Bunga, on 16th October 2019 hitting a person dead as she returned from work.

She was immediately arrested by Police in Kabalagala but has been released on bail to be reporting to Police every Monday.