Author: Keisha Murenzi

Elsa Iradukunda to represent Rwanda in 2017 Miss World Pageant

Iradukunda will be competing with 130 participates from across the globe in a final scheduled to take place on 18 November 2017, at the Crown of Beauty Theater Sanya, China PR.

“Of course it is something very difficult but when you love what you’re doing it’s an honor to represent your country. I have to be careful in showing how our culture. It is not something to play with or take for granted. I’m proud that Rwanda trusts me enough to send me to represent our country.” Iradukunda said

Meanwhile, the competition will have a new format this year, which will give greater emphasis on social media and interactivity with netizens across the planet through the 28 days leading up to the finals.

Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico will crown her successor at the end of the event.

July 25, 2017
Cultural nourishment as Inganzo Arts stages art exhibition, poetry

A couple of artists, as well as poets, are preparing this event dubbed “Ubugeni Bugema Umugani”. They’ve had in mind for a while to showcase their art pieces. They also have a plan to strengthen the art of Rwanda proverbs.

The artists portraying their pieces will consist of Uwase Crista, Epa Binamungu and the renowned poet Jean de Dieu Nsanzabera.

During a discussion held with the media recently, Epa Binamungu, founder of Inganzo Arts Center revealed the event will be mainly to display the culture and mostly to bring back the practice of Rwandan poetry.

Those who will attend the exhibition will admire the work of distinctive artists, purposely painted to flourish Rwandan traditional culture and transmit this to the youth, especially the exquisite practice of proverbs that has been forgotten by many over the years.

“As we know, many people forgot some of what makes our traditional culture such as the reciting of proverbs mostly among the youth.”

July 19, 2017
Top Tower Hotel demolition starts

Located at Kimihurura opposite the magnificent Kigali Heights and the Convention Center, Top Tower Hotel was closed on July 12, 2016, over standards queries.

In an interview with IGIHE on Tuesday evening, Fred Mugisha an official from Kigali City said that the building did not meet construction standards and not in line with the Kigali Master Plan.

“The Kigali Master Plan around the Kimihurua roundabout requires well developed commercial units that meet international construction standards.”

Officials from the City of Kigali have said that they have been working closely with the plot owners around Kimihurura, KBC roundabout to redevelop their plots to fit into the urban City Plan. It is, however, not yet clear what will be constructed on the plot formerly occupied by the hotel.

July 12, 2017
Rwanda ranks 2nd in cyber-security in Africa

The report released recently indicates that Rwanda being the 36th comes right after Mauritius in the world ranking, and is followed by Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa.

The report says Rwanda has been ranked the second in Africa because it has good cyber-protection policies and practices. The GCI analyses each country’s level of cyber-security development within five categories, namely; legal measures, technical measures, organisational measures as well as capacity building and cooperation. Singapore leads the world in cyber-security, followed by the USA, Malaysia, Oman, Estonia, Mauritius, Australia, Georgia, France, and Canada.

The report further observes that there is still a gap between countries concerning the knowledge, understanding, and capacities to establish policies that deter cyber intrusion.
Universally, 50% of countries have no policies in place on supervising cybersecurity.

July 7, 2017
Liberation from poverty continues—Kagame

The President who presided over the 23rd Liberation anniversary in Shyira, Nyabihu district yesterday noted that although bad leadership was defeated, they left about long-term damages to the economy and politics which must be cleaned by the current leadership.

He observed; “Bad leadership under bad leaders has bad consequences in which poverty, famine, disease, hunger, and dependency were fueled. These must be done away with,” he said.

He explained that in the past 23 years, the government has been preoccupied with reversing the evils that were left behind by the bad leadership of yesteryears. “We are achieving it, but there is still a long way to go.”

July 5, 2017
Cabinet approves Rwf 290 billion Affordable Housing Financing Fund

With government efforts towards realization of affordable housing taking a good stead of progress, another policy framework has been added to boost the initiative throughout Rwanda. The Cabinet meeting that convened in Urugwiro, Friday last week under the chair of President Paul Kagame, approved to establish an Affordable Housing Financing Fund.

The Rwf290 billion Affordable Housing Fund will be utilized in constructing houses for low income earners payable over a period of between 25-30 years up from the current 10-20 years, benefitting many Rwandans who cannot afford to raise funds for building homes with no chances of accessing long-term mortgage loans at low interest rate of 10% instead of the current 17%.

The Fund is targeting Rwandans who earn a monthly income of between Rwf200,000 and Rwf700,000. The initiation of the Fund follows a research carried out by the Rwandan Housing Authority along with other organizations which, in 2012, established that by the year 2012, there will be a need of over 340,000 dwelling units.

The fund will help to squarely address the problem of expensively imported building materials that increase the cost of rent and housing units for sale.
The Fund will be managed by the Development Bank of Rwanda.

July 3, 2017
Diamond promises musical bliss in the Fiesta Rwanda show

Naseeb Abdul Juma, a Tanzanian music star, popularly known as Diamond Platnumz, arrived in Kigali Thursday night of 29th June 2017 and briefed media on his upcoming concert where he promised to give his musical best. The singer who arrived with an entourage of more than ten people among who is his manager, will stage what is expected to be a mega show dubbed Fiesta Rwanda on 2nd July at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nyamata, Bugesera.

Diamond who first went to to Goma on the 30th will come back tomorrow to prepare for his performance. The ordinary entry ticket will cost Rwf10000 and Rwf 25000 for VIPs. He will feature other time-honoured artistes including American singer Morgan Heritage, Vanessa Mdee and Chege from Tanzania, Charly and Nina and Dj Pius from Rwanda.

During a short media briefing, Diamond promised to give Rwandan revelers a show full of vigour and delight. “I came with a large group composed of musicians; dancers will assist us in delivering the show. I can promise Rwandans that the concert will be great, they should come with shoes appropriate for dancing, because I have a great deal of songs to dance to. They should come ready because I have some songs that might trigger emotions and make them cry.”

Diamond has over the years presented himself as a a talented artiste. The songs to which he owes his success are mostly “Mbagala”, “NtakaKelewa”, “MoyoWangu”, “Nana” and “Number One” in which he featured the famous Nigerian singer Davido, a collaboration that enhanced his celebrity in Africa. When asked if he is accustomed with Rwandan music, he responded; “I know it very well, I know many of the singers.”, only he did not mention their names.

June 30, 2017
Maid arrested over attempted infanticide

A housemaid who was working for a family in Gihara cell, Runda sector in Kamonyi district has been arrested and detained at Runda police station, suspected of being in the process of committing infanticide.

The maid, was caught red handed as she allegedly prepared to kill the two children by drowning them in River Nyabarongo. The children’s lives were saved by people who were passing by and got to their rescue.

IP Emmannuel Kayigi the police spokesperson in the Southern Province has told IGIHE that the maid was just about to kill the children of four and three years.

“She immersed the head of the first born in the river who cried loudly, attracting the attention of people in the neighbourhood. When they realized what was happening, they instantly grabbed the maid and rescued the children.” said IP Kayigi.

The children were then safely returned to their parents who claimed they’ve never had any conflict of any sort with the maid during her three years of service under their roof. The accused will be charged with attempted murder.

June 30, 2017
Tom Close cheerful as second baby arrives

The king of Afrobeat and dancehall in Rwanda Dr. Tom Muyombo a.ka. Tom Close and wife Niyonshuti Ange Tricia are preparing themselves to welcome a new born in a few days. Their first child was born in 2014.

The couple got married on 30th November 2013 at Saint Etienne church Nyarugenge.

Their first daughter, Ineza Ella, was born 16th August 2014.

During an exclusive interview with IGIHE stringer, the Mbababrira Ugaruke singer revealed that they are prepared to receive the new baby.

The R&B, Afro-beat and dancehall singer explains how he is ready to be father of two children. “It’s a normal thing. It isn’t an easy task but when someone wants to or becomes a man he must be ready to have children.”

The music star-cum-medical doctor is also involved writing books as well as serving at the National Center for Blood Transfusion under the Rwanda Biomedical Center.

June 24, 2017
Premier administers oath to Military court vice president

The Prime Minister,AnastaseMurekezi yesterday administered the oaths of allegiance to the new vice president of military court Lt .Col Deo Rusizana and judge in the court CaptGerard Ntaganira, a judge in the court.

They were appointed by the cabinet meeting of 26th May 2017.

Premier Murekezi reminded them that trust bestowed upon them by President Paul Kagame and the oath are a symbol of contract they have with Rwandans.

“ Your duty is to respect the principle of human rights and freedom of expression the government of Rwanda committed to respect,” he said.

Premier Murekezi advised them that vigilance and justice must be core values to their job.

“ This will define you as justice administrators that do not turn innocent people into criminals and have criminals declared innocent; be honest and ensure that those that lose court cases are satisfied with the rulings and be people of outstanding character,” he advised.

“ A good judge especially from RDF known for high discipline must be exemplary. You must work hard to avoid backlogs. You must know that justice delayed is justice denied,” he added.

June 23, 2017