IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • JCI Rwanda commemorates, urges youth to strive for unity

    JCI is an international Non-Governmental Organization that builds the capacity of the youth through training in entrepreneurship, leadership, fellowship and self-responsibility in over 115 countries.

    The organization opened doors to Rwanda in 2005 where it has 200 members.

    The event coincided with the visit of Zandile Makhoba, JCI Vice President for Africa and Middle East who is in Rwanda for five days.

    As she visited the memorial with JCI Rwanda team, Makhoba called on the youth to learn from what happened to prevent reoccurrence of Genocide.

    “You feel pain after visiting the memorial. I have seen messages of Genocide survivors and pictures of the extreme cruelty. It is clear that helping survivors to rebuild is a long journey but it reminds everyone of responsibility to strive for a peaceful world and unity. Rwandans should build their hope upon self-reliance to shape their future,” she said.

    “It should be our collective responsibility to prevent reoccurrence of the dark past. We should take the lead as Africans and think about possible impact before reacting. As this year’s theme goes ‘remember-unite-renew’, we need to strive for that resilience. The youth needs to learn from this history and should always remember their responsibility to shape Rwanda’s better future,” added Makhoba.

    The President of JCI Rwanda, Origene Igiraneza also reminded the youth to stand united and strive for positive transformations to the community.

    “As Rwandans, remembering is a responsibility to honor victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. It is also an opportune moment for the youth to reflect on what happened and seek how best we can bring positive changes. It also leaves a lesson to concert efforts for good causes, strive for peace, and fight Genocide ideology in Rwanda and elsewhere across the world. The country can only progress when we work together to build a common identity and a peaceful country,” he stated.

    The commemoration continued through virtual event featuring talks on how the youth should actively be involved in the fight against Genocide ideology and helping trauma victims during commemoration events.

    JCI delegates observed a minute of silence in honor of Genocide victims laid at Kigali Genocide Memorial.
    Zandile Makhoba, JCI Vice President for Africa and Middle East who is in Rwanda for five has urged the youth to learn from the dark past to prevent reoccurrence of Genocide.
    The President of JCI Rwanda, Origene Igiraneza also reminded the youth to stand united and strive for positive transformations to the community.

  • Ghana to establish chocolate production plant in Rwanda

    As part of the partnership, Ghana will supply processed organic cocoa in a form of coca nibs or cocoa Liquor as shall be determined.

    Rwanda will also establish a formulation plant in Ghana for the production of organic pyrethrum-based pesticides for crop protection, veterinary use and public health.

    This will help cut on transportation costs and bring affordable organic products closer to the Ghanaian farmers.

    Madam Ariella Kageruka, the Head of Tourism and Conversation Department, Rwanda Development Board disclosed this on Saturday as part of recommendations from Ghana-Rwanda familiarisation tours between the two countries.

    She said both countries have agreed to undertake a collaborative research on pyrethrum and Cocoa to ensure greater yields to the benefit of farming communities in Rwanda and Ghana.

    “In order to facilitate easier access to Rwanda and Ghana markets, we recommend urgent establishment of an MoU between product registration and standard agencies of both countries,” she said.

    Ghanaian officials between March 14 and 20, 2021 embarked on a familiarization tour to Rwanda while a 32-member delegation of Rwandan officials also visited Ghana from June 13 to 20, 2021 to explore business opportunities.

    The two countries have also agreed to forge partnerships between tourism stakeholders to develop Rwanda – Ghana joint packages for international tourism.

    Other areas to explore include the creative art industry, travel and hospitality sector, education, culture and agriculture.

    Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, said both countries were proud product of great leadership and pledged to maintain the relationship to bring sustainable development to the citizenry.

    He said the policy environment to be spearheaded by both countries was critical to realisation of these partnerships in boosting trade and investment.

    The Special Adviser called for support from stakeholders for the collaboration to succeed, adding that Ghana- Rwanda had set the tone for others to follow.

    Ms Afua Asabea Asare, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, said the collaboration between the two countries was the beginning of the journey to explore more business opportunities.

    She called for commitment between the two countries for the partnership to work, saying “we need to operationalize these concepts to be fruitful.”

    Mr Akwasi Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, said government had laid a good foundation and charged the private sector operators to make the partnership work.

    He said multi- destination tourism was necessary to position the African brand on the global map.

    Dr Aisa Krabo Kacyira, the Rwanda High Commissioner to Ghana, commended Ghana for the warm reception, describing it as a passionate moment to uphold the dignity of Africa.

    She was confident that the collaboration would succeed to ensure the effective realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

  • Kagame holds talks with CEO of Wilmar International

    Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that Kagame also met with Teklay Teame, CEO of Simba Supermarket.

    Kuok Khoon Hong was accompanied by Santosh Pillai, Wilmar International Head for Africa.

    Before meeting with Kagame, Kuok Khoon Hong held talks with the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi.

    Even though areas of discussions with the Head of State were not mentioned, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) revealed via Twitter account that Wilmar International wants to open doors to Rwanda.

    RDB explained that the group intends to invest in manufacturing and agro-processing sectors, among others.

    Wilmar International Limited, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Singapore, is today Asia’s leading agribusiness group. Wilmar is ranked amongst the largest listed companies by market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange.

    Wilmar’s business activities include oil palm cultivation, oilseed crushing, edible oils refining, sugar milling and refining, manufacturing of consumer products, specialty fats, oleochemicals, biodiesel and fertilisers as well as flour and rice milling.

    President Paul Kagame yesterday held talks with Kuok Khoon Hong, Chairman and CEO of Wilmar International.
    Before meeting with Kagame, Kuok Khoon Hong held talks with the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi.

  • Kigali: 26 arrested over drunk-driving, violating curfew

    They were paraded at Nyarugenge District Police Unit offices in Rwezamenyo Sector.

    RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that all the 26 were arrested in a span of four days, (June 16 to June 19) in Kigali.

    “Some of them were driving while drunk during prohibited movement hours. They are knowingly violating traffic rules and setting a bad example because they are drivers with driving permit,” CP Kabera said.

    He added: “There is no exception in respecting traffic rules and observing Covid-19 guidelines. Alcohol is not prohibited but when you drink you must not drive. Again, if you want to drink, we expect you to drink from your home but it looks like these people were in prohibited social gatherings from where they had their drinks and went on to drive while drunk and violated the curfew.”

    Patrick Mazimpaka, one of the suspects said he was arrested at about 9:10pm.

    He added that he had taken a local brew called Kambuca.

    A taxi-moto operator, who only identified himself as Emmanuel, said that he was arrested on June 19, in Kibagabaga Sector, Gasabo District.

    He claimed that he was not drunk but admitted that driving while drunk is a “fatal decision.”

    CP Kabera cautioned of strengthened operations against anyone flouting the government directives and violating traffic regulations including drunk-driving.

  • Rwanda records three more COVID-19 deaths, 296 new cases

    The majority of new cases was found in Kigali: 166, Rubavu: 38, Musanze: 32, Burera: 15, Kamonyi: 8 and Muhanga: 8.

    The statement released last night shows that 126 patients have recovered.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 30 813 have been tested positive of whom 26 704 have recovered, 3727 are active cases, 11 are critically ill while 382 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 390, 777 people have been vaccinates since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program.

    Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

    Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.

  • Six arrested at wedding reception in Rulindo

    The six are part of the big gathering that had converged at Rulindo Catholic Church Hall located in Rulindo village, Gasiza cell, Bushoki sector where Justin Uwihanganye, 29, and Marie Claire Umwizerwa, 25, were hosting their wedding reception.

    Many others managed to escape during the operation.

    Justin Uwihanganye, the groom admitted that they violated the protocols and asked for leniency.

    “We are aware that what we were doing was against the government directives but we wanted to take a little time after my religious wedding to hold a reception. On behalf of all my guests, I ask for forgiveness,” said Uwihanganye

    The Acting District Police Commander for Rulindo, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Laurent Rafiki said that the violators were reported by the residents.

    “Police received a call from a resident at about 4pm, reporting a wedding reception at Rulindo Catholic Church main hall, which was being held contrary to the government guidelines.

    There were more than 40 people at the reception although many others managed to fleed but we arrested six people including the brides,” said CIP Rafiki.

    The recent Cabinet directives provides that civil and religious wedding receptions happening in hotels, public venues and gardens should not exceed 30 percent of the venue’s capacity and should follow all the Covid-19 prevention measures.

    Besides, all guests are required to have negative Covid-19 test not exceeding three days prior to the event and all Covid-19 prevention protocols such as handwashing facilities, wearing facemask and social distancing must be observed.

    “They had not taken Covid-19 tests as a prerequisite and were not authorized to hold the reception since they were not permitted by the local administrative authority.”

    Normally, anyone that wishes to hold a reception has to seek permission from local authorities at least five days prior.

    The brides, however, sent their letter two days before, on June 17, and were not permitted.

    The arrested violators were taken to Bushoki Police station where they were tested for Covid-19 on their own cost and handed administrative fines, accordingly.

  • Inkomoko donates 500 smartphones to refugees, host communities

    World Refugee Day is an international day organised every year on 20th June by the United Nations to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world.

    Following the pledge; Inkomoko is working with MTN Rwanda, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, and UNHCR to distribute the majority of the 500 phones to refugee and host community entrepreneurs, increasing their access to Government services, financial products, and overall digital connectivity for their small businesses.

    Initiated by MTN Rwanda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Connect Rwanda campaign was launched in December 2019, with the objective of providing smartphones to unconnected households across Rwanda to leverage the digital economy. Since then, private companies, Government institutions and individuals have come together to connect all Rwandans through technology.

    Inkomoko’s phone donation, as part of World Refugee Day, aligned with its larger strategy to digitize services and provide increased access to finance for refugee and host community entrepreneurs. These pivots have emerged as Inkomoko adapted to helping entrepreneurs adjust to new ways of working during COVID-19. Phone distribution will launch in the Gihembe Refugee Camp where Inkomoko has been working since 2016.

    Commenting on the development; Olive Ashimwe, Inkomoko’s Regional Director of Refugee Affairs said: “During COVID-19, movement restrictions limited how we could provide services in refugee communities. Like most businesses, it forced us to quickly develop digital offerings that would work for our clients. Because we were able to make expedient digital implementations and because 39% of our Inkomoko staff are refugees themselves, we were able to continuously serve our entrepreneurs despite movement restrictions.”

    The 500 donated smartphones fortify Inkomoko’s track record of financial inclusion, as Inkomoko is also rolling out a new digital loan app that will increase access to business financing for refugee and host communities. This mobile loan app for smartphones is available in Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili, and will help Inkomoko to diversify access points for financing across the country, a key request from entrepreneurs. All of the phones donated by Inkomoko will come preloaded with their app.

    Last year for World Refugee Day, Inkomoko partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to release US$2.6million in COVID-19 relief grants to more than 3,500 refugee and host community entrepreneurs. One year later they have released data showing that as a result of their grants, businesses were able to generate more than US$10 million in new revenue and they employ more than 20,000 people throughout Rwanda. In addition, 98% of closed businesses have re-opened.

    Julienne Oyler, the CEO of Inkomoko has explained that working with entrepreneurs has consistently shown that investing in refugee businesses is catalytic for economic development at-large.

    “We are able to provide new growth opportunities for our clients in refugee communities by bringing new investments and digital solutions,” she noted.

    Looking ahead, Inkomoko has pledged to support more refugee and host community entrepreneurs, including providing 25,000 refugee households with access to affordable capital in the coming years, all facilitated by more digital solutions.

    {{About Inkomoko}}

    Inkomoko has supported more than 25,000 businesses in Rwanda to run their operations in a more efficient and strategic way, providing training, consulting, and affordable loans. Inkomoko has more than 120 staff serving entrepreneurs nationwide in Rwanda through offices in Kigali, Musanze, and all 6 refugee camps and hosting communities. Inkomoko is the Rwandan affiliate of African Entrepreneur Collective.

    For more information on Inkomoko please visit www.Inkomoko.com

    One of refugee entrepreneurs who who benefited from Inkomoko's financial support, trainings to start and grow business.

  • Rwanda among 14 countries allowed to resume flights to Europe

    Rwanda is allowed to resume flights to Europe along with Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States of America and China which is subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

    The statement released by the European Union Council yesterday indicates that the list will continue to be reviewed every two weeks.

    The council also urged member states to gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders for citizens from selected countries.

    Rwanda’s national flight carrier, RwandAir operates flights in different countries of Europe including Belgium and England.

    Despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Rwanda has heightened response to the pandemic where the prevalence of new infections is at 6% while the rate of deaths stands at 1.3%.

    Rwanda is among African countries that have been providing regular updates on status of the pandemic.

    The country confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 30048 people have been tested positive of whom 26 393 recovered, 3277 are active cases, 16 are critically ill while 378 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 390, 339 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.

  • Rwf 160 billion earmarked for infrastructure development in secondary cities

    These activities align with Rwanda’s vision to create new off-farm jobs and reduce migration to Kigali city.

    As enshrined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), Rwanda set ambitious targets to accelerate sustainable urbanization from 18.4 to 35 percent by 2024.

    In line with the country’s blueprint, six secondary cities have been undergoing infrastructure development including the construction of new roads expected to facilitate movements and connectivity and paving the way for economic growth.

    The six secondary cities include Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare where US$100 million have been allocated to build roads and water drainage channels.

    The first phase of this project spanning from June 2016 to November 2018 saw 28.3 kilometer-roads and 13.3 kilometer water drainage channels completed at a cost of US$28 million.

    So far, more 43.9 kilometer-roads and 12.15 kilometer-water drainage channels have been constructed in the second phase that began in December 2018 expected to be completed in July 2021.

    These infrastructures are an addition to the upgrade of informal settlements in Kigali city including 12.46 hectares in Boryogo, 20.1 hectares in Kiyovu and 26.42 hectares in Rwampara.

    The project saw settlements equipped with decent basic infrastructures including tarmac roads which facilitated people’s daily businesses and easy access to other services.

    The two phases implemented under Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP) will be followed by two more phases to upgrade more slums in secondary cities and different parts of Kigali.

    Under the new phases, new roads will be built in four slums of Kigali city staring with 2021-2022 fiscal year.

    It will focus on building new roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity and others.

    In Kigali city, the project will construct a road in Gitega sector and set up more infrastructures reducing slums in Gatenga , Kicukiro; Nyabisindu in Remera sector; and Nyagatovu in Kimironko sector, Gasabo district.

    Of the Rwf 160 billion, US$ 40.2 million have been allocated for preservation of Gikondo wetland in the former industrial park and containing floods in most parts of Kigali prone to disasters including Kinamba, Rugunga, Rwandex-Majerwa, Mulindi, Masaka and Gacuriro.

    The Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete has told the media that containing floods is of crucial relevance to maintain other infrastructures including roads.

    “Preserving environment also needs special attention. For instance, floods might cause serious damages to roads in case no action is taken to build proper drainages to contain water flowing from Mont Kigali, Jali, Rebero and Magerwa,” he said.

    “That is why this phase will cater for the conservation of Gikondo Industrial Park. We need to build proper drainages for water coming from uphill to contain damages to infrastructures when it rains,” added Gatete.

    He explained that building roads in slums doesn’t intend to relocate residents but rather expand basic infrastructures.

    The second phase of RUDP II will be implemented from 2021 to 2025.

  • Men urged to back efforts geared towards eradicating gender inequality

    The call was made on Thursday 17th June 2021 at the Virtual Gender Café aimed at tackling issues lagging behind gender inequality.

    UN Women is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

    The discussions held for the 5th time was attended by various leaders including the Country Representative of UN Women Rwanda and Fatou Lo; the Minister of State in charge of ICT & TVET Claudette Irere among others.

    Fatou commended Rwanda for helping girls and women to meet their aspirations and reflected on the country’s efforts expended in ‘HeForShe’ campaign initiated in 2015.

    “HeForShe” campaign is geared towards encouraging men in tackling social and cultural barriers that prohibit women and girls from achieving their full potential.

    The campaign challenges governments, corporate institutions and members of the academia to commit to end gender inequality in their areas of jurisdiction.

    Even though a lot has been achieved in Rwanda, Fatou observed that more efforts are still needed to maximize gender inclusion.

    “As President Paul Kagame says, you cannot win a war or game while half of the team is on leave. So, it is paramount to eradicate gender inequality at this era when the world is adapting to new technologies. This requires everyone’s collaboration including men, women, boys and girls to become successful,” she said.

    Irere explained that Rwanda continues to support women representation in decision making positions and promoting girls in science and ICT.

    “Rwanda is moving fast towards involving more women in leadership roles. In our efforts to make sure that girls are accessing equal opportunities, we have over 23 girl schools that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics [STEM] subjects,” she noted.

    Men who attended the virtual discussions also urged fellows to actively contribute to the cause.

    “The world cannot maximize gender equality without men’s active involvement. The time is now to bring needed transformations,” said Sangwa Rwabuhihi.

    “Men should support women to realize their dreams especially empowering girls in ICT. Girls should also feel confident because they have potential to achieve great things like their male counterparts,” stated Aristide Mugabe, the captain of Patriots BBC.

    Gender Café’ was organized to exchange ideas paving the way to reaching common understanding on solutions for gender inequality in different aspects and gender based violence among others.

    These discussions coincided with the launch of a generation equality campaign organized by UN Women Rwanda themed “Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future” that backs using technology and innovation for Gender Equality.

    Figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) show that nearly one in four girls between 15 and 19 age bracket globally is neither employed nor in education or training compared to 1 in 10 boys of the same age.

    This suggests that even in childhood, girls’ aspirations for education and employment compete with gender biases in the labour market and societal expectations of girls.

    Some of panelists who participated in discussions.