Author: John Mbaraga

Hazza Mohammed Falah Kharsan for UAE promised to support the promotion of Rwanda’s tourism sector through encouraging people from his country to visit Rwanda.

Speaking to journalists after presenting his credentials, the first UAE’s envoy to Rwanda said that his country is committed to the development of both countries’ relations in all sectors through different projects.

He said that his priorities will be Rwanda’s infrastructure development, healthcare, education and tourism. He said that he will encourage UAE residents to visit Rwanda.

“We will promote visits of our nationals to Rwanda. Our people go to do spend their vacations in Europe, this should change because Rwanda is a safest and friend country, these factors will attract our people,” he said.

He said that as Rwanda is a secure country and not tolerating corruption, it will attract investors from UAE to explore areas of investment.

In March this year, UAE opened its embassy in Kigali.

Also received are credentials of Russia’s Karen Chalyan. Karen said that he is coming to promote relations between both countries.

“For example, through scholarship cooperation, we will increase the number of Rwandan students admitted to Russia starting from next year. Both countries also have relations in army, healthcare and politics,” he said.

Also received is Tanzania Ambassador to Rwanda, Ernest Jumbe Mangu who said that he will promote the relations and business between the two countries.

“Our job is to use efforts and make sure that we foster good relations so that Tanzanians engage in businesses with Rwandans to noticeable levels,” he said.

When combined with a separate mountain gorilla population living in Bwindi National Park in Uganda, according to the census, it brings the number of mountain gorillas to more than 1,000 primates.

The Virunga Massif Mountain gorilla census was conducted by the Protected Area Authorities in the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda (l’Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority) under the transboundary framework of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

The census results revealed on Thursday reconfirm the mountain gorilla’s status as the only wild ape population whose numbers are known to be increasing, and research shows the increase is due to the type of intensive daily protection provided by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the park authorities of Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board), Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Today’s announcement represents a huge success for conservation at a time when such success stories are increasingly rare. All those working to protect mountain gorillas, the governments of Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo; conservation organizations; and local communities have a lot to be proud of,” says Dr. Tara Stoinski, President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Fossey Fund.

Research has shown that the consistent increase in the mountain gorilla population is a result of the intensive daily protection provided by the national park authorities of the respective countries and conservation organizations, like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

However, due to small numbers and the high level of threats, which include limited habitat, snares set for other animals, disease, and climate change, continued protection of the mountain gorilla population is crucial and must continue.
“The success that we see in gorilla conservation is in large part due to the high level of collaboration among the different stakeholders,” said Felix Ndagijimana, the Fossey Fund’s director of Rwanda programs and Karisoke Research Center.

Ndagijimana added that they were pleased to have played a part in the census.

{{The importance of conducting a census}}

The current census represents the ninth population count of the Virunga mountain gorilla population since the early 1970s. After more than a decade of documented decline, the Virunga mountain gorilla population reached a low of 242 individuals in 1981.

The censuses conducted since that time show a consistent increase in the population to the 604 figure found today.

“The mountain gorilla census is a great example of why continued research is essential to long-term conservation efforts. These repeated counts provide critical insights into overall population trends, confirm that intensive protection efforts are working, and provide all partners with a basis for good conservation planning,” Ndagijimana said.

The gorilla population continues to grow but is confined to a very small area. The Virunga habitat is roughly 451 square kilometers underscores the need for continued research to understand the longer-term impacts of population growth in relation to their conservation.

Today’s news coincides with the Fossey Fund’s building of a new gorilla conservation center in Rwanda named the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The multi-acre, purpose- built campus will be the new home of the more than 50-year-old Karisoke Research Center, which is the hub of the Fossey Fund’s protection, research, training and community outreach programs in Rwanda.

It will also include traditional and living laboratories; classrooms for training and public education; meeting spaces; a library and computer lab; an interactive public exhibit; and housing for visiting researchers and students.

According to the Fossey Fund Research Manager in Rwanda, Dr. Winnie Eckardt who also played an important role in conducting the census as a co-instructor for the team members, the census outcomes are reliable.

“The census outcome is only as accurate and reliable as the quality of data collected by the teams. Therefore, all teams underwent an intensive five-day training, including theoretical and practical lessons,” says Dr. Eckardt.

“Using handheld electronic devices for data entry for the first time in a mountain gorilla census added another challenge for the instructors, but their implementation became a great success,” she adds.

The current census of the Virunga mountain gorillas does not include a separate population of mountain gorillas living in Uganda’s Bwindi forest. A census of those gorillas in 2011 showed approximately 400 gorillas and a new census is currently underway there.

The Cabinet meeting approved the resolutions of the Cabinet Meeting held on 27/04/2018 and 02/05/2018.

1. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on:
– Disaster Situation and Government Interventions;
– CIMERWA Performance;
– 2018/2019 Imihigo preparation and 2017/2018 Imihigo Evaluation progress;
– The Capital Market Master Plan.

2. The Cabinet Meeting approved the followng Draft Laws:

– Draft Law approving the ratification of the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda signed in Istanbul, Turkey, on 2nd November 2016;

– Draft Law approving the ratification of the Agreement on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda signed in Istanbul, Turkey, on 3rd November 2016;

– Draft Law approving ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments signed in Dubai, UAE on 1st November 2017;

– Draft Law approving the ratification of the Loan Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda, on 15th May 2018, between the Republic of Rwanda and the Export-Import Bank of India, relating to the credit of sixty-six million six hundred thousand American Dollars (USD 66, 600,000 USD) for Base-Butaro-Kidaho Road Project;

– Draft Law approving the ratification of the Financing Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda on 31st May 2018, between the Republic of Rwanda and the International Development Association (IDA), relating to the Credit of sixty-nine million six hundred thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR 69 600 000) for Transformation of Agriculture Sector Program 4 Phase 2;

– Draft Law Governing Credit Reporting System;

– Draft Law establishing the Institution in charge of Military Medical Insurance.

3. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Orders:

– Presidential Order determining organisational structure of the of the Judiciary, salaries and fringe benefits for Career Judges, Inspectors and Registrars;

– Prime Minister’s Order determining salaries and fringe benefits for staff in General Secretariat of the Judiciary;

– Prime Minister’s Order determining organization structure, salaries and fringe benefits for employees of Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA);

– Prime Minister’s Order dismissing Mr. MUTIJIMA Vedaste, who was a Director of Procurement Unit in the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) for misconduct;

– Prime Minister’s Order dismissing Mrs. GATAYIRE Marie Claire, who was a Director of Research, Extension, Publication and Documentation Unit in Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) for misconduct;

– Prime Minister’s Order dismissing Mr. BIMENYA Théogène, who was a Director of Finance in the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) for misconduct;

– Prime Minister’s Order dismissing Mr. NTWALI BAZIYAREMYE Nathan, who was a Director of Media content, Research and Development Unit in Media High Council (MHC) for misconduct;

– Ministerial Order on court fees in civil, commercial, social and administrative matters.

4. The Cabinet Meeting approved the agrément of Eduardo Filomeno Leiro Octávio, to represent Angola to Rwanda at the level of Ambassador, with residence in Kigali;

5. The Cabinet Meeting appointed Mr. MUDAHERANWA Laurent as Director of Finance and Administration Unit in the Ministry of Land and Forestry/MINILAF.

5. In AoBs:

a) The Minister of Environment informed the Cabinet that:

– From 26th to 30th November 2018, Rwanda will host the 1st Africa Green Growth Forum.

– The National Environment Week has been launched on 29th May and World Environment Day celebration is scheduled on 5th June 2018. The theme for 2018 World Environment Day is ‘’Beat Plastic Pollution”.

b) The Minister of Infrastructure informed the Cabinet that from 5th to 7th June 2018, Rwanda will host meetings of the Statutory Bodies of the Central African Power Pool (CAPP) at Kigali Marriot Hotel.

c) The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources informed the Cabinet that:

– On 28th June 2018, Rwanda will host the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP III) high level stakeholders’ meeting at Kigali Convention Centre.

– The National Agricultural Show will be held from June 26th to July 3rd 2018 at Mulindi, Gasabo District. The Theme for this year’s Agrishow is “Invest in innovations and agribusiness to transform agriculture’’.

d) The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning informed the Cabinet that from 20th – 22nd June 2018, Rwanda will be hosting the SWIFT African Regional Conference (ARC) at the Kigali Marriott Hotel. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Transforming the future – driving a new digital economy’.

e) The Minister of Justice informed the Cabinet that in preparation to celebrate the 18 years of its establishment, Rwanda National Police in collaboration with citizens organized a “Police Month activities” from 15th May to 15th June 2018, under the theme: “Strive to live in a crime free Village”.

f) The Minister of Trade and Industry informed the Cabinet on:

– Licensing Internet Gaming Activities in Rwanda;

– The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) Extraordinary Council of Minister Meeting which will be held on the 12th June, 2018 at Serena Hotel.

g) The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion informed the Cabinet that on 16th June 2018, the day of the African Child will be celebrated at National level in Gakenke District under the theme “Embracing the Early Childhood Development Program to prepare for the future of Rwanda”.

This Statement was signed By Marie Solange KAYISIRE, the Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs

Both officials told the media that they also discussed about preparations of the Commonwealth Heads of States Meeting that will take place in Kigali in 2020.

Mukabalisa said that Rwanda will benefit from the meeting in terms of attracting new investors.

“We are pleased to host the Commonwealth meeting, we discussed how both parliaments can cooperate along its preparations,” she said.

“People who will attend the meeting and those who will be around facilitating the preparations will explore Rwanda’s Investment Opportunities, so, this will help to market Rwanda,” she added.

Ambassador Lomas said that they discussed about Rwanda’s Members of Parliaments elections slated in September.

She said that they discussed ways to explain the Commonwealth to people so that they understand its role.

Both officials hailed the relations between both countries which are founded on cooperation in different sectors like agriculture, education, trade and investment among others.