Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The boxes, including banned skin bleaching lotions, had been covered with charcoal bags in an attempt evade taxes.

It was stopped shortly after take-off from the border after information emerged that it had other goods covered under charcoal bags.

The trailer was enroute from Tanzania, and the driver had declared to customs that he was carrying only charcoal bags.

Two people, including the driver and the alleged owner of the smuggled goods, have since been arrested.

Further investigations later recovered other big quantities of vehicle spare parts at the suspect’s home in Kigali.

Jean Paulin Uwitonze, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Taxpayer Services and Communications Division at RRA, while addressing the media on Friday, November 29, in Kigali, said that the importer had evaded taxes amounting to Frw77 million.

He added that these are results of close collaboration with law enforcement agencies against smuggling and fraud, including over 2 tonnes of smuggled second-hand clothes, which were auctioned recently.

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that one of the responsibilities of the force is to detect, prevent and fight anything that is against the law, affects the national economy and the wellbeing of Rwandans, including smuggling, a reason why the Revenue Protection Unit was created.

“We all thrive on the economy of the country, which can be affected by such fraudulent businesses. These operations are meant to protect legal businesses, protect Rwandans from substandard and harmful products, which can be brought into the country through such unlawful means,” ACP Rutikanga said.

He added that individuals engaged in smuggling and fraud are the same people, who sometimes attempt to de-campaign the national policy on the use of EBM.

“There are some people, who want to thrive on such fraudulent businesses and when they are identified, they try to use the media; they will not succeed. We also urge the media to background checks not to be used by such people,” he added.

He cautioned that attempts to use such shortcuts to get rich can lead to business downfall.

Dr. Thierry Murangira, the spokesperson for Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said that the dossier for the two suspects has been transferred to prosecution.

“Smuggling and fraud carry severe penalties, including a prison sentence of five years and a fine of 50 percent of the total value of the smuggled goods, or one of these penalties,” Dr. Murangira said.

The vehicle spare parts are among smuggled goods at the RRA stores in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, Gasabo District, seized over the past few months, mainly wines and spirits, and second-hand clothes.

Meanwhile, Uwitonze said that RRA conducts stock analysis in businesses.

“It is through stock analysis that we discover smuggled liquors, forged tax stamps, and tax seals traders taken from cheaper liquors to expensive ones so as to evade taxes,” Uwitonze said.

The summit, themed “Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development, and Peace and Security for Improved Livelihoods,” coincides with the EAC’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Upon arrival at the airport, President Kagame was welcomed by Shariff Ali Shariff, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Work, Economy, and Investment of Zanzibar.

Along with President Kagame, other EAC Heads of State who have already arrived in Arusha include William Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who also serves as the current EAC Chairperson.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye is represented by Vice President Prosper Bazombanza.

EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva also jointed the the opening of the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State.

It remains uncertain whether Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo will attend, as he did not participate in the extraordinary summit held in June 2024, in protest of President Ruto’s comments regarding the M23 armed group not being Rwandan.

Over the past 25 years, the EAC has significantly expanded, growing from three founding members in July 1999 to eight current member states. While the community strives for political integration, this goal is often hindered by ongoing conflicts among its member states.

According to the EAC Secretariat, the Summit of EAC Heads of State acknowledged that the establishment of a Federation was first agreed upon in 1963 by the EAC’s Founding Fathers—President Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Dr. Apollo Milton Obote (Uganda), and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere (Tanganyika, now Tanzania). However, it was noted that the bureaucrats entrusted with advancing this goal failed to follow up on the matter.

It was noted that Tanganyika and Zanzibar went ahead to form the United Republic of Tanzania, adding that the federation should be extended to transform the region into one as envisaged by the three Founding Fathers.

The Summit members were speaking on November 29, 2024 at the Arusha International Conference Grounds in Arusha, Tanzania during the High-Level Side Event on the EAC’s 25th Anniversary.

The EAC leaders further agreed on the need to fully operationalise the Customs Union and Common Market protocols to enhance intra-regional trade which is still relatively low.

In his remarks, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that EAC should be celebrating more than 1,000 years of trade interconnectedness within the region instead of focusing on the achievements of the past 25 years only.

President Museveni said that East Africa’s Coastal, Great Lakes and Lake Victoria Basin regions were a Connected Trade Area (CTA) interlinked by trade routes along the current Central and Northern Transport Corridors extending all the way to Mesopotamia in present day Iraq. The partition of Africa into spheres of influence in 1884 by the European colonial powers disconnected the CTA by segmenting it into separate countries.

“The colonial powers succeeded due to the region’s internal weaknesses. We became a DTA – disconnected trade area. Kenyatta, Obote and Museveni took the bold step to form the East African Federation in 1963 in a brave effort to dismantle this DTA,” said President Museveni.

“However, some actors let us down and did not follow up on the three President’s idea of forming a political federation. Tanganyika linked up with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania, which played a significant role in liberating southern Africa from the yokes of colonialism,” said President Museveni.

President Museveni said that the formation of the East African Federation would have forestalled Idi Amin’s ascendancy to power in Uganda, solved in good time the problems Burundi and Rwanda, and mitigated the internal conflicts in the Federal Republic of Somalia and South Sudan that caused much suffering to the people of the two countries.

President Museveni affirmed that Uganda was fully committed to promoting free trade in East Africa and was against the practice of banning products, delicensing products to deny them market access or protecting markets to limit competition for locally produced commodities.

On his part, Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto said that a survey taken way back in 2010 indicated that East Africans were fully behind the integration process and supported the establishment of a political federation.

President Ruto hailed the Republics of Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, which have already undertaken national consultations on the drafting of the constitution for the EAC Political Confederation, and thanked Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania for having set dates for national consultations on the process.

President Ruto said that EAC was the foremost regional economic community in Africa with intra-regional trade standing between 25 – 28%, which is the highest in Africa.

On trade, President Ruto disclosed that more Partner States were benefiting from the share of intra-regional trade with Tanzania having overtaken Kenya in terms of the volumes of intra-regional trade.

The Kenyan Head of State underscored the importance of peace and security as prerequisites for local and foreign direct investment, adding that it should be a collective responsibility of Partner States to keep the region peaceful and to invest in its stability.

President Ruto said that towards that end, Kenya had provided a forum for South Sudan’s political actors to talk to one another in order to stabilise the country. Kenya was also working with Somalia and Uganda to reduce tension and stabilise the Horn of Africa region.

President Ruto said that Kenya was in agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s desire to merge the Luanda and Nairobi peace process under the Luanda process, adding that Kenya had no reservations with the Nairobi Process mediator, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, being enjoined to the Luanda process.

Speaking at the event, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored her country’s commitment to promoting environmental conservation and combating climate change through transition to clean energy and an aggressive afforestation programme.

On his part, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that his country’s entry into the EAC was the culmination of a long desire to join her neighbours in East Africa as part of a robust economic and political entity.

Also present at the event were Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva, Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Community, Development Partners, among other delegates.

The launch of this initiative took place during a key workshop held in Addis Ababa from November 27 to 29, 2024.

The strategy focuses on strengthening integrated health systems, with a special emphasis on the prevention and control of major health threats like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

In his opening speech, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed the significance of the event, stating, “It is indeed an honour to address you today and to participate in this important workshop with the expectation that we come out of it stronger with strategies and renewed commitments for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Hepatitis and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on the continent.”

Delegates from all 55 African Union Member States gathered at the workshop, where they reviewed and endorsed the Africa CDC’s blueprint for 2024–2027.

This plan is not only a reflection of the continent’s commitment to addressing urgent health concerns but also aims to integrate prevention and control strategies into the national health systems of all African countries.

The challenges in Africa are severe, with infectious diseases continuing to have a disproportionate impact. The continent accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths.

Moreover, it carries 40% of the world’s burden of NTDs, with every African country facing at least one endemic NTD. Despite this, the region faces significant barriers to progress, including underfunding, weak health systems, limited research, and poor access to treatment.

Dr. Kaseya, addressing these challenges, called for a unified effort to change the current health narrative in Africa. “We need to brace up to change this narrative by intensifying our efforts to find lasting solutions for the control and eventual elimination of these diseases,” he said, reinforcing the need for urgency and commitment in the battle against these widespread health threats.

The workshop focused on several key objectives, including validating strategic priorities for disease prevention and control across HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, hepatitis, and NTDs. It also aimed to engage stakeholders to strengthen multisectoral collaboration and finalize a detailed implementation plan, complete with clear monitoring and evaluation indicators.

Another crucial element discussed was the establishment of sustainable partnerships to support long-term health system strengthening across the continent.

This initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa CDC’s “New Public Health Order,” which emphasizes boosting Africa’s self-reliance in health security.

Political leadership will play a critical role in driving these efforts forward, and several African leaders have taken on specific health-related initiatives.

Among them are Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who will serve as the Champion for Pandemic Preparedness and Response; Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Champion for Health Workforce and Community Development; Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Champion for Cholera Elimination; and William Ruto of Kenya, Champion for Local Manufacturing.

As the workshop came to a close, delegates produced a validated strategic priorities document and a costed implementation plan, which will serve as a roadmap for improving health responses across Africa.

Dr. Kaseya remarked on the transformative role of Member States in this endeavor, stating, “The involvement of Member States is transformative. Together, we will create a more resilient, integrated, and inclusive health future for Africa.”

This strategic blueprint represents a critical step toward tackling the health challenges that have long plagued the continent, with the Africa CDC leading the charge for a healthier and more resilient Africa.

The announcement came during a discussion between the Ministry and the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on November 27, 2024.

Minister of Emergency Management, Maj Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, explained that many refugees in Rwanda’s camps seek resettlement in countries like the USA, Canada, and others. “This year alone, 5,000 refugees have been resettled, bringing the total to 36,000 since 2006,” he stated.

The recent influx of refugees includes around 15,000 Congolese fleeing the ongoing M23 conflict, bringing the total number of refugees currently residing in Rwanda to approximately 16,000.

Rwanda continues to support its refugee population through employment programs and the provision of documentation that enables them to compete for jobs across various sectors of the economy.

Senator Evode Uwizeyimana raised concerns about some refugees who fabricate family connections to be resettled in specific countries, pointing out that those selected for resettlement may struggle to adapt or thrive in their new environments.

“Some refugees lie about family relationships with those who have already been resettled abroad. These individuals often feel disconnected, with no strong ties to either the host country or their country of origin,” Uwizeyimana said.

Minister Murasira acknowledged these challenges, emphasizing that individuals preparing for resettlement receive counseling from mental health professionals to ensure a smooth transition despite the difficulties.

He also noted that Rwanda hosts refugees from diverse regions, which contributes to the large refugee population in the country. However, he encouraged refugees to embrace both their host country and their home country.

Resettlement to third countries remains a key solution for refugees who are unable to integrate into their host country or return to their countries of origin.

As of the latest statistics, Rwanda is home to over 135,000 refugees. Mahama camp, houses 68,115 refugees, while other camps such as Kiziba, Kigeme, Mugombwa, Nyabiheke, and Nkamira shelter a combined total of over 67,000 refugees.

According to Egypt Today, the two ministers explored ways to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including health, trade, economic cooperation, and capacity building. They also discussed the exchange of expertise through training programs facilitated by the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development.

The ministers expressed a shared desire to convene a joint committee between the two countries at the earliest opportunity and to organize a business forum during the committee’s proceedings. This forum would aim to foster stronger ties between the private sectors of both nations.

Additionally, the ministers reviewed progress on the “Egypt-Rwanda Magdi Yacoub Heart Center,” a significant initiative that expands the reach of one of Egypt’s leading heart treatment centers to Rwanda. The center is expected to be a major healthcare facility in Rwanda and the wider African region.

In the broader context, the two officials also discussed developments across the African continent. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the African Union’s institutions and promoting sustainable development in line with Agenda 2063. They also pledged mutual support for nominations in regional and international forums.

Rwanda and Egypt share a rich history of diplomatic relations. The Egyptian Embassy in Kigali was established in 1976, and Rwanda re-opened its embassy in Cairo in March 2015. The two countries have forged strong ties across multiple sectors, including political, economic, cultural, and development cooperation.

Both countries are active members of regional organizations such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, the African Union, and the Nile Basin Initiative.

The Egypt-Rwanda Joint Commission, which was established in 1989, has seen significant collaboration. In 2009, the second round of the Joint Commission led to the signing of ten cooperation agreements spanning agriculture, education, health, industrial development, and other sectors.

Notably, Egypt played a pivotal role in facilitating the construction of the Magdi Yacoub Rwanda-Egypt Heart Centre, which is set to become the first dedicated cardiac hospital in Rwanda and Sub-Saharan Africa. The $20 million facility, currently under construction in Masaka, Kicukiro District, is expected to be completed in 2025.

In August 2024, the Rwandan government agreed to allocate land for the establishment of an Egyptian logistics hub. In return, Egypt committed to providing land for Rwanda to enhance trade and investment opportunities.

Additionally, Rwandan and Egyptian officials recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the supply of medical equipment and devices for the heart center once it is completed.

These developments reflect the ongoing strengthening of relations between Rwanda and Egypt, underscoring a shared commitment to mutual growth and cooperation across multiple sectors.

Attendees of the 3-day meeting include the Second and Fifth Infantry Division Commanders from RDF, the Second Infantry Division Commander and his delegation from UPDF, and Defence Attachés from both nations. These leaders convened to discuss strategies to combat negative activities impacting the border region.

Brig Gen Frank Mutembe, RDF’s 2nd Infantry Division Commander, welcomed the UPDF delegation and emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing illicit activities on the border.

“Such meetings are aimed at discussing challenges our border communities usually face, including drug dealing, illegal border crossing, smuggling, and deforestation,” he noted.

The head of the UPDF delegation, Brig Gen Paul Muhanguzi, expressed gratitude to the leadership of both armies and their Chiefs of Defence Staff for facilitating the meeting.

“We continue to thank our Heads of State for creating this enabling environment. It is a great honour to fulfil the vision of our great leaders and review security requirements for our border communities,” he said.

Before the meeting officially commenced, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Musanze district officials, joined by the Mayors of Burera and Gicumbi districts, which border Uganda.

Rogers Taitika, a spokesperson of Elgon region police, told Xinhua over the phone that local officials and relatives report that over 100 people are missing in the landslides that happened Wednesday night, burying dozens of houses.

Taitika said 14 bodies have so far been retrieved and about 15 people who were critically injured have been admitted at a local health facility. “The search for victims is still going on but more than 100 people are still missing according to local leaders and relatives,” Taitika said.

The landslides, triggered by torrential rains Wednesday night in the mountainous region, buried 40 houses and partially damaged others, according to the URCS.

Ramazan Twalla, a district official, told Xinhua by telephone that urgent humanitarian assistance, including food and temporary shelter, is needed for the affected families.

The URCS said that heavy rains across Uganda are intensifying the adverse effects of climate change. “As a national society, we remain vigilant, delivering early warning messages through our community radio networks and providing timely support to those affected,” the agency said.

Landslides have become frequent in Uganda during periods of heavy rainfall. In August, more than 30 people lost their lives in a landslide at a garbage dump site in central Uganda, following days of torrential rain. Earlier in May, landslides in the western district of Kasese killed eight people.

This came during the eighth Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa Week (PIDA Week 2024), held on Nov. 25-29 under the theme “Fostering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure for Africa’s Sustainable Growth: Leveraging Transformative Financing and Regional Integration” at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

Addressing the closing session Thursday, Kamugisha Kazaura, director for Infrastructure and Energy at the AU Commission, underscored the urgent need to address financing and capacity development gaps as a crucial enabler for the realization of major infrastructure development projects in Africa. Noting the critical gap in financing infrastructure projects in Africa, he stressed the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to bridge the gap.

“We need to mobilize domestic as well as international financing. This is very crucial to be able to bridge the financing gap. In order to be able to implement complex development projects, we need the right requisite technical and capacity building,” Kazaura said.

According to the AU, as a continental initiative spanning until 2040, the PIDA aims to address infrastructure deficits across the continent. The PIDA is a continental initiative adopted by all African countries to mobilize resources to transform Africa with modern infrastructure.

Data from the AU show that through PIDA projects, nearly 30 million people in Africa have gained access to electricity, bringing the continent’s overall electricity access rate to approximately 44 percent. Since the start of PIDA, more than 16,000 km of roads and 4,000 km of railway lines have been developed across the continent.

While addressing the opening session Monday, Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the AU Commission, underscored that the African continent is at a critical juncture in its development. He said the structural transformation of African economies, as envisioned in Agenda 2063, the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint, requires modern, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure.

Faki underscored that the theme of PIDA Week 2024 reflects Africa’s common commitment to building a prosperous and integrated future for all. He said the PIDA remains Africa’s flagship program for developing cross-border infrastructure that promotes integration and sustainability.

Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime noted that a significant amount of investment is needed to meet core infrastructure development in developing countries.

“Half of Africa’s population still lack access to electricity, and millions of people have no access to clean drinking water. On top of that, a few people in the continent have access to all weather road and railway network, and Africa is below the global average almost in all aspects,” Sime said.

He said poor physical and digital infrastructure remains the most formidable challenge to boost intra-Africa trade and spur development. Inadequate financial resources and high investment costs are key impediments to Africa’s infrastructure development.

“We cannot rely solely on traditional financing mechanisms. We must leverage innovative funding sources especially public-private partnerships and international financing options to turn our visions into reality,” Sime said.

Leaders and experts from the agriculture and food security sectors gathered to discuss innovative solutions and strategies to strengthen global food security and build resilient food systems.

The summit brought together 21 ministers and government officials responsible for global food security, as well as leading experts and scientists from around the world. Discussions focused on current challenges, future opportunities, and the importance of ensuring food systems are resilient and sustainable to address future crises.

Organized by ADNEC in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the summit highlighted the alarming statistic that over 733 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, a crisis that threatens peace, stability, and human dignity.

The summit also emphasized the vital role of the Islamic Organization for Food Security in tackling these challenges, noting significant progress in 41 member states through initiatives focused on governance, sustainability, and resource mobilization.

A proposal was made for a dedicated Food Security Day for members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, offering a platform for ongoing action and reflection to improve food security systems.

{{Focus on Africa}}

A key highlight of the summit was the focus on sustainable agri-food systems in Africa, particularly in West Africa, where approximately 73% of farming households have improved their resilience to climate shocks.

Held for the first time in the region, the summit took place under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, as part of Global Food Week, which ran from November 26–28 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi. The event also featured the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition, the Abu Dhabi Date Show, and the Abu Dhabi Coffee Platform.

{{Key recommendations}}

Summit participants stressed sustainability as a key pillar of food security. Recommendations included more efficient resource utilization, the adoption of renewable energy in agriculture, and support for value-added food production. The importance of diversifying export markets and attracting foreign direct investments to stimulate economic growth was also emphasized.

The empowerment of women in agriculture was a central theme, with participants recognizing the critical role women play in advancing economic sustainability within the food sector.

Despite the challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions, the summit also highlighted opportunities for a transition to clean energy. A six-pillar framework—encompassing inclusivity, incentives, information, investments, institutions, and innovation—was proposed to drive an effective and inclusive transformation in global food systems.

{{Innovative solutions}}

The summit showcased cutting-edge solutions to feed the growing global population, emphasizing the need for investments in advanced agricultural technologies and sustainable practices to ensure reliable food supplies for future generations.

{{Call for global action}}

The summit concluded with a strong call for global collaboration across food value chains to overcome current challenges and build resilient food systems. Participants stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to create a fair, resilient global food system that guarantees sustainable and healthy food for all.

{{UAE’s leadership praised}}

Participants praised the UAE’s leadership in food security, with the summit reaffirming the nation’s commitment to addressing this critical global issue.

The UAE’s Ne’ma initiative, aimed at transforming consumer behavior and reducing food waste, was also commended.

The summit reinforced the importance of investing in scientific research, promoting crop diversification, and adopting sustainable practices, all of which are essential for building resilient food systems and ensuring reliable, sustainable food supplies for future generations.