[Amb. Kacyira died of natural causes on June 12, 2025->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/amb-aissa-kirabo-kacyira-dies-at-61], leaving a profound void among colleagues, friends, and the international community.
According to The New Times, the final vigil is scheduled for Monday at her home in Kabeza, Kigali City.
After Kacyira’s demise, the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extended sympathies to her family and to the people of Rwanda.
The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Souef Mohamed El-Amine, also expressed sorrow over her passing, describing her as a leader dedicated to building connections between people from Kigali to the United Nations.
Dr. Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles both in Rwanda and abroad. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2006 before becoming Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011. She was then appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, serving briefly in that capacity.
During her tenure as Mayor of Kigali, she was recognised in 2008 by UN-Habitat for transforming the city into a model of cleanliness, tranquillity, and sustainable development.
Her efforts also included promoting affordable housing and creating accessible job opportunities for residents.
From 2011 to 2018, Dr. Kacyira was the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She also held the role of Project Director in Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and worked with international organisations such as Oxfam and Care International.
In 2020, she was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her passing.
Dr. Kacyira held a master’s degree in Veterinary Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.
The initiative reflects Uganda’s broader strategy to enhance local mineral processing, add value to natural resources, and increase national revenue.
The Bank of Uganda reports that the country earned $3.4 billion from gold exports last year. This figure includes both domestically mined gold and gold imported from other countries.
President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly emphasized that exporting unprocessed minerals undermines Uganda’s economic potential, while nations that refine their minerals locally generate substantially higher profits.
On August 16, 2025, President Museveni officially inaugurated the Wagagai gold processing plant, located in the Busia District. The facility spans nine square kilometers and is equipped to refine gold to a purity level of 99.9 percent.
During the inauguration ceremony, President Museveni ruled out the possibility of exporting unprocessed gold in the future , to ensure that Uganda captures the full value of its resources.
The Wagagai plant is expected to significantly contribute to Uganda’s economic development by creating jobs, increasing revenue, and fostering a sustainable gold industry that retains more of the country’s wealth within its borders.
In 2024/2025, Kigali had set a goal of collecting Frw 60 billion, which was achieved. Building on that success, the city has now raised its target for the coming year.
The Director General in charge of Communication and Education at the City of Kigali, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya explained that strategies to meet this target include raising awareness among business owners about the importance of timely tax payment and guiding them through the process.
“We continue to remind taxpayers about deadlines and show them the systems they can use to pay, since many get caught up in their work and end up missing the due dates,” she said.
According to Ntirenganya, higher tax revenues directly strengthen the city’s ability to finance infrastructure projects such as roads, health centers, and other public services.
Officials from the City’s Department of Economic Development acknowledged that some business operators still do not fully recognize the value of paying taxes, a gap that slows down economic growth. New measures are being introduced to improve compliance.
The City of Kigali’s total budget for 2025/2026 is projected at Frw 250 billion. If the Frw 80 billion revenue target is achieved, the city will cover nearly one-third of its budget through its own resources.
Speaking about RRA’s new targets, he highlighted the ambitious goal of collecting Frw 3.628 trillion in taxes during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, explaining how the Authority intends to achieve this and why citizens should better understand their role in building their country’s economy.
For the 2025/2026 fiscal year, RRA aims to collect 54% of the national budget, which amounts to Frw 7.032.5 trillion. This collection effort aligns with the government’s introduction of new taxes, expected to significantly contribute to financing Rwanda’s development.
Niwenshuti stressed that citizens should appreciate the benefits of taxation, as revenues are reinvested in public infrastructure and services across the country.
“A nation can rely on its future if its people work, pay taxes, and grow the economy,” he explained. “Think of taxes as the blood in a body. Taxes are the blood of a country’s economy because when we collect them, we build roads, schools, hospitals, ensure security, and most importantly, we create jobs.”
He further noted that taxes stimulate employment through infrastructure projects, which generate jobs for citizens who, in turn, support their families. Taxes also create business opportunities through public tenders and contracts, expanding economic activity year by year.
{{Is collecting 54% realistic?}}
According to Niwenshuti, entrusting RRA with the responsibility of collecting 54% of the national budget is a remarkable milestone.
He recalled that when RRA was established in 1998, it collected just Frw 66 billion, yet since then tax revenue has grown by an average of 13% annually.
The 2025/2026 budget allocates 62.8% to economic development projects such as roads and infrastructure, and 21% to social welfare initiatives.
“Much of this money will directly benefit citizens through infrastructure and services,” he explained. “But to achieve these targets, RRA cannot do it alone. It requires collective effort and citizen cooperation.”
{{Why new taxes?}}
The Commissioner General explained that the introduction and revision of new taxes is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen the taxation system.
Rwanda’s ambition is that by 2029, tax revenue should reach 19% of GDP.
“The more taxes we collect, the more the country can prosper — just like a household striving to improve its wellbeing. When you approach a bank for a loan, it first checks your ability to repay. Similarly, a nation must demonstrate its capacity to grow, and that capacity comes from tax revenues. Taxes give the country the strength to borrow and invest in development projects early, instead of postponing progress to the future,” he noted.
This year marks one of the most significant shifts in Rwanda’s taxation framework, designed to help Rwandans clearly understand the nation’s development path.
“Taxation itself is not enough. People must understand why it matters,” he added. “First, it’s about raising more revenue. Second, it reduces the deficit between what people earn and what is needed for national services. Third, it changes citizens’ mindset toward embracing their role in development.”
He noted that some taxes, such as those on alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, might be enacted to serve a social purpose, discouraging harmful habits that can negatively affect citizens’ wellbeing.
Niwenshuti urged Rwandans to shift their mindset and recognize that paying taxes is not merely an obligation but a direct contribution to the nation’s progress.
The ministry announced in a press release that Hussein Moallim Hassan, a key figure in the al-Shabab terrorist group for over 15 years and one of its most wanted senior leaders, was killed on Saturday night.
The deceased had played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of terrorist attacks against civilians in the central and southern regions of Somalia, said the ministry.
It added that the elimination of Moalim provided strategic impetus to the intensified campaign to degrade al-Shahab terrorists, including those in the group’s leadership structure.
Somalia’s security forces have vowed to step up air and ground operations to flush out al-Shabab militants in the central and southern regions of the country.
The case gained public attention after several journalists, including Ndayishimiye Reagan (Rugaju), Ishimwe Ricard, and former journalist Mucyo Antha Biganiro, were implicated in the investigation. Authorities allege that both military personnel and civilians colluded to misuse public resources for personal benefit.
On 5 August 2025, the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) issued a statement identifying suspects as two RDF officers and 20 civilians. They are alleged to have committed offenses such as complicity in issuing and receiving unauthorized documents and misusing public resources for unintended purposes.
In the following days, the number of defendants rose from 20, reaching 28 individuals brought before the court on 5 August 2025. Among them were three military officers: Capt Peninah Mutoni, Capt Peninah Umurungi, and Maj Vicent Muligande.
Also charged were the spokesperson of the Rwanda Revenue Authority, CSP Hillary Sengabo, and his colleague CSP Olive Mukantabana.
The case further involves 23 civilians, including sports journalists, as well as Kalisa Georgine, a former treasurer of APR FC, and Mugisha Frank (known as Jangwani), the former spokesperson for the club.
The Military Court ruled that all defendants should be tried in-camera for national security reasons, given that the allegations are closely connected to the Ministry of Defence.
{{Charges against key defendants}}
Capt Peninah Mutoni faces accusations including granting unauthorized documents to individuals, misusing public funds, and collusion in producing and using falsified documents, harges shared with Maj Vicent Muligande and Kalisa Georgine.
Capt Peninah Umurungi, CSP Hillary Sengabo, CSP Olive Mukantabana, and journalists Ndayishimiye Reagan and Ishimwe Ricard are accused of being accomplices in fraudulently obtaining documents issued by authorized institutions and misusing public resources for personal gain.
{{Case background}}
Reliable sources indicate that most allegations focus on Capt Peninah Mutoni, who worked in a department responsible for requesting airline tickets for Ministry of Defence staff and other designated individuals. She held the responsibilities from 2017 until late 2024.
It is alleged that Capt Peninah Mutoni exploited this position to fraudulently purchase tickets for individuals who were not eligible for Ministry-funded travel, including fans and journalists attending APR FC matches against Pyramid in Egypt and AZAM in Tanzania.
Capt Peninah Mutoni reportedly collaborated closely with Kalisa Georgine to solicit payments from individuals seeking these tickets. However, the funds provided were not used for their intended purpose but were instead added to the Ministry of Defence’s accounts. The two allegedly shared the proceeds for personal gain.
During the investigation, journalist Ndayishimiye Reagan reportedly admitted that in September 2024 he paid Kalisa Georgine $540 for a ticket and an additional $100 for a visa, after which Kalisa delivered the ticket at the airport. Similarly, Ishimwe Ricard reportedly paid Kalisa $700 for a ticket, which Kalisa then forwarded to Capt Peninah Mutoni.
For the APR FC versus Pyramid match, Ndayishimiye Reagan and Biganiro Mucyo Antha had tickets paid for by the Ministry of Defence. RwandAir invoiced the Ministry $1,013 for Mucyo Antha’s travel to Tanzania, billed as official duty.
Prior to being taken into custody, Ishimwe Ricard admitted the wrongdoing during a radio interview on SK FM on 31 July 2025, stating:
“What troubled me in this matter is that I traveled to Egypt, spending Frw 1.4 million for my ticket, and additional travel expenses […] How can a journalist be questioned about payment and even face imprisonment?”
{{CSP Sengabo designated as APR BBW employee}}
Beyond the funds reportedly used for APR FC matches, information indicates that military and correctional service officers returning from peacekeeping missions in South Sudan were provided with airline tickets by Capt Peninah Mutoni without proper authorization. Among them was CSP Hillary Sengabo.
According to sources, at the end of 2024, as CSP Sengabo prepared to return to Rwanda for leave, he coordinated with Capt Peninah Mutoni to purchase a RwandAir ticket. She reportedly provided her bank account details and transferred $534, after which Capt Mutoni arranged the ticket.
A similar situation reportedly occurred with CSP Olive Mukantabana, who is said to have received a ticket purchased by Capt Peninah Mutoni when she intended to travel from South Sudan. CSP Mukantabana stated that she received Capt Mutoni’s contact number through Capt Peninah Umurungi, with whom they were together in South Sudan.
Both were given tickets, but the funds they provided were not used to pay for the tickets; instead, they were registered as employees of APR BBW. Capt Peninah Umurungi also received a ticket purchased by Capt Mutoni. This arrangement is where the alleged forgery charges against Capt Mutoni originate.
It is reported that once Capt Mutoni realized the illegal transactions to secure the ticket for Capt Umurungi drew attention, she collaborated with a RwandAir employee to produce a false document indicating that Capt Umurungi had paid for it.
Another military officer involved in the case is Maj Vincent Murigande, who, according to Capt Mutoni, instructed her to purchase tickets for Sengabo and Mukantabana. He is also said to have received all emails requesting tickets, which were recorded under the Ministry of Defence, even though the recipients were not affiliated with it.
Brigadier General Déo Rusanganwa, Chairman of APR FC, recently stated that anyone who misuses Ministry of Defence resources must be held accountable.
“MINADEF provides us with budgets to uplift Rwandans, and if we misuse them, we will be held accountable. If someone among you is contacted to clarify matters and has no involvement, they will be cleared. Justice may take time, but it will prevail. I ask for patience from those affected, because our country cannot function like other places we know,” he said.
He added: “We must carefully manage the resources entrusted to us to nurture talent and ensure they are used for their intended purpose. Let us trust that justice will take its course. It may take a little time, but I am confident it will be resolved appropriately. We must also cooperate to safeguard the resources APR entrusts to us.”
The confrontation erupted on August 14, 2025, in the Tukolote area of Kindu city, Maniema province, following an incident in which the son of Amani Useni Josué, also known as Saddam, the Wazalendo commander, was assaulted by security personnel on duty.
Lt. Jérémie Gbe, spokesperson for military operations in eastern DRC, stated that among the dead were five of Saddam’s fighters, two soldiers, and two police officers, while eight others were injured.
The clashes prompted Maniema Governor Mussa Kabwankubi to place the Tukolote area under a curfew from 2:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Since the launch of the incentive programme in early 2024, the total amount disbursed has exceeded Frw1.5 billion, benefiting 130,000 end consumers.
According to the Ministerial Order relating to the VAT rewards, a final consumer is someone purchasing goods or services for personal use rather than resale or business purposes. This person is entitled to a reward equivalent to 10% of the VAT amount indicated on the invoice.
To qualify, consumers must register for the VAT reward programme by providing their name, a Rwandan mobile phone number, a Mobile Money or bank account, and a national ID. Registration can be done by dialing *800# or through the MyRRA platform. The same channels allow users to check their reward accounts and track issued invoices.
So far, nearly 200,000 end consumers have enrolled in the VAT reward programme, resulting in a total of over 4 million invoices requested, which have generated approximately Frw33 billion in VAT revenue.
To get the reward, the value added tax appearing on the invoice must have been declared and paid.
When requesting an EBM invoice, the consumer must ensure that the seller includes their registered phone number.
If a seller refuses to issue an EBM invoice, consumers are encouraged to report the incident to the RRA by providing details such as the trader’s name, Tax Identification Number (TIN), address, date of purchase, proof of payment, and any invalidated invoice.
Consumers, who report such cases receive an additional 50% reward from penalties imposed on the non-compliant trader.
Reports can be submitted to the RRA WhatsApp line: 0739008010. To boost participation, RRA last month launched a partnership with QT Global Software Ltd and AMBI Tech Ltd to provide additional incentives to final consumers.
Through TengaPromo, the more VATable invoices a consumer requests using their registered phone number, the more loyalty points they earn. These points correspond to weekly cash prizes they can play for, ranging from Frw5,000 to Frw1 million.
A total of 1,200 lucky winners can share up to Frw50 million in cash prize each month.
The veterans, currently on a seven-day visit to Rwanda, were commended on Friday, August 16, during an engagement with young people at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The dialogue aimed to inspire Rwandan youth with lessons of resilience, shared humanity, and moral courage.
Veneranda Ingabire, Executive Director of Memory and Genocide Prevention at the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), expressed deep gratitude to the peacekeepers for returning to Rwanda to retrace their steps and revisit sites marked by painful memories.
“Your decision to be here today is not a passive one, but an active testament to your enduring connection with our country. You chose compassion over comfort. Thank you. You stayed, and by doing so, you saved lives. Your decision was not just an act of defiance,” Ingabire underlined.
She told the peacekeepers that they have returned to a nation that is no longer defined by its past, but is now united and building a hopeful future that stands on the bare principles of courage and resilience they maintained.
“Look at these men. They are not just heroes of a distant past. They are living examples of what it means to be a person of that past,” Ingabire said.
Speaking on behalf of the Rwanda Defence Force, Defence Spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga also saluted the former peacekeepers for risking their lives to protect civilians.
“We are here not just to listen to history, but to engage with living witnesses who defied orders, stood their ground, and risked their lives to protect innocent civilians during one of the darkest chapters in human history, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
Brig Gen Rwivanga lauded the heroism of Ghanaian and Senegalese peacekeepers, who refused to abandon their posts and instead chose to stay on, protecting those under threat. He explained that in those days, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was under immense strain.
When the Belgian contingent withdrew and the UN Security Council voted to reduce the force, most countries pulled out their troops.
But soldiers from Ghana and Senegal refused to abandon their posts, making them direct targets. Despite this, they continued evacuations, escorted survivors to safety, and provided protection in desperate situations.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Clayton Boanubah Yaache who served with the Ghanaian contingent under UNAMIR in Rwanda explained why they chose to stay while other countries withdrew.
“We didn’t stay because we had superior weapons or a more defined mandate. We stayed because of something deep inside us, something that transcended orders or protocol told us that walking away from Rwanda would mean abandoning our shared humanity. As a soldier, I had sworn an oath to serve and protect,” he noted.
The visiting delegation includes Maj Gen (Rtd) Clayton Boanubah Yaache, Brig Gen (Rtd) Martin Owusu-Ababio, Brig Gen Elhadji Babacar Faye, Major (Rtd) Peter Sosi, Ex WO II Lucas Norvihoho, and Ex WO I Sampson Agyare.
Through this partnership, BasiGo Kenya and Rwanda will become CATL’s designated service agents for the region.
As an authorized service agent, BasiGo’s service teams in Kenya and Rwanda will receive specialized training and equipment from CATL to provide local maintenance and support for CATL battery technology.
CATL batteries are used in BasiGo’s electric buses, as well as in a growing number of electric vehicles across the region.
These teams will be equipped with diagnostic tools, training, and spare parts to enable rapid and reliable battery service and repair within the region.
“This is a major milestone for BasiGo and a strong endorsement of the capabilities we’ve built across Kenya and Rwanda,” said Jit Bhattacharya, CEO of BasiGo. “Batteries are the most important component in any EV and and CATL is the global leader in EV battery technology. Through this partnership, we are now equipped to ensure the uptime of CATL batteries in African EV’s, not just for our electric buses, but for the wider ecosystem of EV operators across the continent.”
BasiGo’s proven strength in after-sales service was a key factor in CATL’s approval as its service partner in the region.
“BasiGo’s experience and local presence make them a strong partner for supporting CATL’s expansion in Africa,” said Saba Azizi, Head of Service Network and After-Sales at CATL for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa region. Their strong track record in electric mobility makes them an ideal partner to support the growing demand for reliable EV battery solutions in the region. This collaboration is an important step in expanding CATL’s global service network and supporting sustainable transportation in Africa.”
The partnership will make CATL battery servicing available locally in both Kenya and Rwanda, significantly improving uptime for fleet operators and shortening the supply chain for spare parts needed to keep batteries operating in good health.
BasiGo’s service centers will also act as collection points for end-of-life batteries, supporting CATL’s global recycling efforts. BasiGo’s appointment as a CATL service agent comes at a time of rapid growth in the Africa’s electric mobility sector, with increasing adoption of EVs across both public and commercial transport segments.
