Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The President who was Thursday launching inaugurating headquarters of Carnegie Mellon Africa, in Kigali Special Economic Zone under the Kigali Innovation City Project observed that since the reconstruction of Rwanda started after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis, one of the greatly improved areas is education.

Carnergie Mellon University (CMU) opened doors in Rwanda in 2012 with 20 students, a population that has since grown to 196 from 19 countries.

Kagame said that Rwanda embarked on the reconstruction journey, the country was always challenged by lack of local required expertise that Rwandan students had to always be sent abroad to study from countries such as India, South Africa, Europe, and America among other places.

“As the country grows, we now have means and partners to build up the education system in Rwanda, so as to address the needs we had and no longer have to send people abroad for education,” Kagame said.

Kagame talked of the discussions that took place in the USA with the directorate of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and how they supported the idea of bringing the university to Rwanda.
“Not everyone thought this project would succeed; some even thought is was a waste of time, but there were also many that supported the project and they put a lot of effort until it came through,” Kagame said.

President Kagame thanked the leadership of CMU for having trust in Rwanda and its leadership and all that played a part in getting the project completed including; MasterCard Foundation, Smart Africa and Africa Development.

The President of CMU Africa, Farnam Jahanian, thanked president Kagame for his good leadership that led to the success of Carnegie Mellon Africa project.

“The inauguration of this new building marks a great step for Carnegie Mellon in Rwanda and in the world. This great building will play an important role in promoting technology and engineering in the Kigali Innovation City project,” he said.

In the next ten years, about 800 experts in technology will have graduated from CMU Africa.

CMU-Africa is the first center of excellence to be located in Kigali Innovation City, whose goal is to drive Rwanda’s economic growth through digital transformation. With a major focus on the continent’s emerging knowledge-based economy, CMU-Africa’s graduate programs are educating future leaders who will use their hands-on, experiential learning to advance technology innovation and grow the businesses that will transform Africa.

On 19 November 2019, the management of Water Aid Rwanda shared sanitation and hygiene practices as they joined Bugesera residents in marking the World Toilet Day (WTD).

The Head of Policy Research and Advocacy at WaterAid, Vestine Mukeshimana said that lack of proper sanitation does not only bring about diseases, it also rips people of their dignity.

“Lack of proper sanitation can cause many diseases; but more than that, it rips you of your dignity. It is improper to see a parent defecate in bushes.” She said

WaterAid built 328 toilets in Nyamagabe and 76 toilets in Bugesera districts as a way of marking the World Toilet Day.

Epiphanie Gahongayire, one of the beneficial of these sanitary facilities from Water Aid, thanked them saying she is now very proud of the toilet facilities she has.

Bugesera vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Yvette Imanishimwe encouraged all citizens to build proper sanitation facilities for it is their responsibility but the district will work with partners to support those who do not have the capacity to do so by themselves.

WaterAid started operations in Rwanda in 2010, supporting the government in extending water, hygiene and sanitation services to citizens in mainly Bugesera and Nyamagabe districts.

The bodies of Aswab Mudatenguha, from the family of Ahmed Nsengiyumva, and his cousin Afia Benimana, both three years, were found in a pit in the middle a banana plantation in Buhaza cell, Rubavu sector on Monday 18th.

Confessing her crime, Nyirarukundo explained that the second wife of Nsengiyumva a one Umubyeyi Bibienne, had given her the poison and paid her Rwf 10,000 to poison the children. It is reported that she threw them in a pit as poison started causing them excruciating pain and were still agonizing.

The spokeperson of RIB, Marie Michelle Umuhoza confirmed the gruesome act and arrest of both women.

“Both Nyirarukundo Claudine and Umubyeyi Bibienne are in custody at Rubavu RIB station; they are both accused of the murder of two children. For now, we are doing a deep investigation on the case,” she said.

After he was taken through the different facilities of the Ministry of Defence yesterday, Omar Faye held discussions with Rwandan minister of defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, at the Ministry headquarters.

Among the issues they talked about is how to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Gambia minister said: “Rwanda and Gambia have a strong friendship; we appreciate how both President Kagame and President Adama Barrow are expending efforts in improving our countries’ collaboration and the unity of African continent.”

“Our goal here is to reinforce that cooperation; we shall, in the near future send some of our officers to train from here and Rwandan officers will also be welcome to train from Gambia. Our cooperation will continue to focus on building our defence forces and other institutions,” he added.

Sheikh Omar Faye was appointed the minister of defence early this year by President Barrow, after serving Gambia for many years in different capacities.

This next meet for meat event will take place on the 30th November 2019. All the more unique and special, parents will be able to take out their children that are already in holidays, for the delectable experience.

The ‘Nyama Choma’, Swahili for ‘roast meat’, is eaten on special occasions, such as a weekend family get-together, with ‘Ugali’ and the fresh vegetable salad, ‘Kachumbari’. The roast meat can be goat, chicken, beef, among others, served up as a kind of social lubricant, often aided by copious amounts of the local beer or any desired drink.
The management of Kigali Marriott Hotel observed that this event prepared more especially for their customers wanting to enjoy the last Saturday of the month out with friends and family.

Participants are given different types of meat, food, and drinks like Mützig draught on a 50 % discount. This is done with the purpose of bringing together their clients and give them moments of fun and relaxation.

Just with Rwf20,000, a person can enjoy meat with a drink.

All this takes place at Iriba Bar & Terrace where the evening is given pomp with soothing music played out by professional DJs and famous live bands like Mico Band to cap off their week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation yesterday wrote to the EAC Secretary General requesting him to notify partner states that the meeting that was set to be in Arusha – Tanzania on November 30 will not take place.

According to a letter signed by Olivier Nduhungirehe, the State Minister for EAC affairs, the postponement was at a request sent by a member of the Summit who was not disclosed in the announcement.

However, the meetings of senior officials, the coordination committee and the Council of Ministers, as well as the Business and Investment Summit that were meant to take place alongside the meeting will take place as initially planned, according to Nduhungirehe’s letter.

The session of the Council of Ministers and Heads of EAC Organs and institutions is scheduled to take place November 29, looking into issues like reviewing and finalization of the new structure of EAC Organs and institutions approved in October this year.

The council of ministers will also look into the budgeting and recruitment processes and the administrative and budgetary matters, including reduction of the recurrent budget and elaboration of an Administration of the EAC Secretariat Act.

Rwanda is the current chair of the six-member regional bloc.

Gen Nyamvumba announced this yesterday as he took over the reins of the ministry that was previously under the Ministry of Justice.

On 4th November 2019, President Paul Kagame made some changes in different institutions of government where some functions where added to the Ministry of internal security under the stewardship of Gen Patrick Nyamvumba who has been Chief of Defence since 2013.

As Gen Nyamvumba received office yesterday, he pledged total commitment towards upholding Rwandan security.

“I am very familiar with security, and so is everyone else that we are partnering with; but it is the responsibility of everyone to work hand in hand in assuring the security. This means there is still a lot to do and we will have to combine our efforts where needed,” he assured.

“To be given responsibilities is one thing, but to fulfill them is a very different thing. When you are entrusted with a job, you have to put all efforts and all knowledge to fulfill it,” he added.

Nyamvumba asked all Rwandans to work hand in hand with authorities to ensure their own security, stating that security starts with an individual.

The Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye thanked staff in all the institutions they have been working with for three years, especially the Rwanda National Police (RNP), which was restored under the leadership of the Minister of Internal security.

It has been 5 months that the new year of mutual health insurance started but some residents of Muyumbu sector had not been able to subscribe for lack of money.

In their campaign on teaching on leading a healthy life and the benefits of environmental protection, Access Bank, in addition, built a house for one citizen who was homeless.

Olive Batamuriza, head of a family of four, praised this initiative that will enable her and members of the family to access medical services.

Nadine Rutabayiro, the Team Leader of Woman Banking at Access Bank said that the campaign was organized to teach citizens on leading a healthy life while protecting the environment.

“We desire to help people contribute in their wellbeing and take care of the environment. We cannot say we serve the country when its citizens lead a miserable life,” she said.

The executive secretary of Muyumbu sector, Gilbert Simpunga lauded the support to vulnerable families.

He added that Clotilde Mukankuranga, the resident who received the new house has a family of six all of who were living a miserable life. ”Thanks to the Access Bank’s initiative their lives are turning for the better.”

During a consultative meeting between promoters, RRA staff, and artistes, it was emphasized that artistes should understand workings and why they should pay.

RRA has assured that the majority of Rwandan artists now understand tax mechanisms and regimes and are now embarking on working with promoters that ship in international artists to ensure that they are, too, taxed.

{{Taxing international artistes}}

RRA representative, Innocent Kayitana told IGIHE that normally there are two types of taxes concerning foreign artistes.

“They are to pay 18 % of VAT and 15% tax on profit. This means that the total tax on their income is 33%,” he said.

Kayitana added that this has to always be categorically well stated in contracts drawn between the artist and the promoter, failure of which the cost eats into the organizers’ profits.

In the past, international artistes have been coming to Rwanda, entertain revelers and get paid, leaving with all their pay without benefiting the economy

In 2016, there were 17,000 reported minors who carried unwanted pregnancies throughout the country, a number that rose to 19,000 in 2018, according to information from the Ministry of Health.

On November 5, as he inaugurated the new judicial year, President Paul Kagame observed that the efficiency in the delivery of justice but expressed concern over light sentences given to the perpetrators of crimes.

Statistics reveal that RIB received 2091 defilement cases in 2016/2017 that rose to 3060 in 2017/2018 and 3512 in 2018/2019.

The number of related suspects arrested was 3417 in 2018/2019, 3001 in 2017/18 and 2092 in 2016/2017.