IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • Chinese Embassy supports Imbuto Foundation’s COVID-19 prevention efforts

    Donated items included 520 boxes of respiratory masks, 500 bottles of hand sanitizer, 200 thermometers and 300 Mara smartphones. These items will help hundreds of Community Health Workers and vulnerable households, mainly in rural areas and are a welcomed addition to the Foundation’s efforts in contributing to national response efforts in various sectors.

    The ceremony took place at Chinese Embassy, where Mrs. Xing Yuchun, DCM, Political Counselor at the Embassy, handed over the donations to Mrs. Radegonde Ndejuru, Senior Advisor in the Office of the First Lady and Board Member of Imbuto Foundation, as well as Ms. Sandrine Umutoni, Imbuto Foundation’s Director General.

    In her remarks, Mrs. Radegonde appreciated the long term partnership between Imbuto Foundation and the Chinese Embassy, which started in 2012. Apart from the donation of PPE equipment, the Embassy has also supported the construction of a playground for children in Kacyiru Primary School and provided annual secondary scholarships for Rwandan students through Imbuto Foundation’s education programmes, since 2012.

    Yuchun congratulated Imbuto Foundation for its achievements over the past 20 years, highlighting that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of China-Rwanda diplomatic ties. She further affirmed the Embassy’s commitment to the fight against COVID-19 in Rwanda.

    “During this time of the pandemic, the Chinese Embassy wishes to further our cooperation by supporting local Rwandans’ fight against COVID-19. We hope what we donated can provide better protection for Community Health Workers and better educate people about the pandemic,” she said.

    To-date, the Foundation has collaborated with governmental bodies, institutions and other key stakeholders to fight the spread of the COVID-19. More specifically, the Foundation has supported the raising of USD 100,000 to the purchase of a new Covid-19 testing machines to be used in increasing the testing capacity of the country and; has developed and disseminated information and material on radio, aimed at helping young listeners and their parents cope with COVID-19 related restrictions, encouraging positive parenting and promoting healthy lifestyles.

    Going forward, Imbuto Foundation seeks to continue supporting national efforts in protecting Community Health Workers, as their role continues to expand and place them at the frontline of this pandemic.

    Among others, the Foundation is looking to support young learners, especially those from vulnerable families, to access educational and school content via local radios.

    Through the Connect Rwanda initiative that aims at ensuring that each household in the country owns at least a smartphone especially during these uncertain times; Imbuto Foundation seeks to support at least 300 vulnerable families.

    The ceremony took place at Chinese Embassy.
    Mrs. Xing Yuchun, DCM, Political Counselor at the Embassy (L), handed over the donated items to Mrs. Radegonde Ndejuru, Senior Advisor in the Office of the First Lady and Board Member of Imbuto Foundation (R)..
    Through a partnership established in 2012, the Chinese Embassy has supported various initiatives under Imbuto Foundation's Education Programme.

  • U.S. Development Bank supports small businesses, job creation in Rwanda

    The entrepreneurial couple credit much of their success to their partnership with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which provided insurance that supported their early expansion and gave local lenders confidence in their venture.

    “Once you get the backing of DFC, suddenly the local banks are knocking at your door,” Josh Ruxin said last month at a virtual town hall to educate local businesses about the ways DFC can support their expansion.

    DFC, the U.S. Government’s development bank, mobilizes investment in developing countries and is seeking to partner with more local businesses in Rwanda to support economic growth. DFC has more than $33 billion invested around the world, more than $8 billion invested in Africa, and supports multiple projects in agriculture, financial services, and hospitality in Rwanda.

    The Ruxins initially moved to Rwanda to work in public health, but Alissa Ruxin later began exploring hospitality sector as a way to create jobs and opportunity for local Rwandans. After mortgaging their New York condo, and then borrowing from friends and family, they wanted to ensure that their family and friends would be protected in case of a loss. So they purchased DFC insurance.

    “We never had any concern about actual risk here in Rwanda … but when you are taking money from your family you want to make sure that they are insured,” explained Josh Ruxin.

    After obtaining insurance from DFC, local financing became easier to obtain.

    “Without this security I don’t know that we would have been able to expand as we did, as fast as we did,” said Alissa Ruxin. “Heaven and the Retreat hotel and Heaven Tours all grew so rapidly after we began working with DFC.”

    The Ruxins have recently launched an addition to their luxury hotel, The Retreat — 8 new luxury pool villas as well as a conference facility and expanded spa.

    While DFC supported the Heaven venture with insurance, it also provides a full suite of investment products, including loans, guaranties, equity, and technical assistance, to eligible investors.

    DFC invests around the world in a variety of sectors, and is particularly focused on supporting the small businesses that are the engines of the local economies. DFC also has a women’s initiative focused on closing the gender credit gap with loans to female entrepreneurs and small business owners.

    Now that DFC can support businesses that don’t have U.S. sponsors, the agency is hosting a series of town halls to educate local businesses around the world about the investment tools DFC offers to support their expansion.

    “The fact that borrowers are no longer required to have a U.S. Sponsor creates an amazing opportunity to diversity our client base and ensure that we are reaching an under-served population, its exciting” Roxanne Ryan Alozie, Managing Director for Business Development and co- lead for the DFC Townhall outreach efforts.

    Entrepreneurs credit much of their success to their partnership with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation which provided insurance that supported their early expansion and gave local lenders confidence in their venture.

  • BAL, AFD to advance education and inclusion in Africa

    The inaugural BAL season will tip off Sunday, May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams from across Africa competing in the new professional league. The first BAL Finals will be held on Sunday, May 30.

    Through the partnership, AFD will use the game of basketball to advocate for social development across the African continent, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

    The partnership aims to advance access to education, wellness and greater inclusion of girls and women in all aspects of society as part of AFD’s support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Together, AFD and the BAL will promote Sport en Commun (Sport in Common) (www.SportenCommun.org/en/), a pan-African initiative established by AFD aimed at using sport as a tool for economic and social development in Africa.

    Based in Dakar, Sport en Commun supports and finances sports projects that impact development and social cohesion in Africa. AFD and the BAL will use this platform to highlight inspiring initiatives that provide skills and opportunities to young Africans.

    “I am thrilled with this partnership between the Basketball Africa League and the Agence Française de Développement, which will help make sport a lever for sustainable development in Africa,” said AFD Chief Executive Officer Rémy Rioux.

    “This trailblazing league is a testament to the dynamic sports environment of a continent undergoing rapid economic and social change, and ushers in a new era of cooperation, working together through sports to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

    “AFD’s experience in driving social projects, combined with the love and passion for the game of basketball across the continent, will create a unique platform that will reinforce our belief that sports has the power to transform lives,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.

    “The BAL is the latest milestone in our efforts to grow the game in Africa, with the ultimate goal of impacting communities well beyond the court. We will use this partnership to provide Africa’s youth with resources, skills and opportunities they will utilise throughout their lives to influence positive social change for the continent.”

    Following the conclusion of the inaugural BAL season, the BAL and its partners – including AFD – will host an Africa Youth Summit in Dakar, Senegal, where youth leaders and other stakeholders will discuss socioeconomic challenges and collaborate on practical solutions to address them, particularly through sports-related initiatives.

    Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the inaugural season.

    The remaining six teams, which come from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda, secured their participation through BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Regional Office Africa across the continent in late 2019.

  • Rtd Col Rutabana presents credentials to represent Rwanda in Uganda

    He presented credentials along with other diplomats accredited to Uganda during a ceremony which took place on Thursday 6th May 2021 at the State House in Entebbe.

    “Receiving Rwandan High Commissioner Designate to Uganda H.E Col (rtd) Joseph Rutabana and Zimbabwe Ambassador-Designate to Uganda H.E Mrs. Winpeg Moyo at State House Entebbe yesterday. I welcome them to Uganda and wish them a fruitful term,” President Museveni said in a tweet.

    The cabinet meeting held in September 2020, appointed Col Joseph Rutabana as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda replacing Maj Gen (Rtd) Frank Mugambage who held the position for 11 years.

    Rutabana previously served as Rwanda’s ambassador to Israel.

    Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017 when the latter started arresting Rwandans in different operations. The Government of Rwanda has since 2017 been condemning such arbitrary detentions and advised Rwandans not to travel to Uganda in March 2019.

    Later on, Angola launched discussions to mend Rwanda, Uganda relations which led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Angola, Luanda known as Luanda Agreement in 2019.

    The memorandum was signed on August 21st 2019 in a bid to solve conflicts between Rwanda and Uganda.

    Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state, CMI continues arbitrary detention of Rwandans who endure torture in its facilities.

    Rtd Col Joseph Rutabana has presented credentials to President Yoweri Museveni to represent Rwanda in Uganda.

  • Tour du Rwanda: Pierre Rolland wins stage 6

    Rolland was the first to cross the finishing line clocking 3 hours 46 minutes 03 seconds.

    Alexis Vuillermoz riding for Total Direct Energie was the second to cross the line followed by Adne van Engelen of Bike Aid and Lennert Teugels (Bel) Tarteletto-Isorex.

    Cristian Rodriguez Martin riding for Total Direct Energie has taken the yellow jersey.

    Tour du Rwanda 2021 will continue on Saturday 8th May with riders making laps in Kigali covering 75.3 kilometers.

    Classified under UCI 2.1 category, the 13th edition of Tour du Rwanda runs from 2nd to 9th May 2021.

  • Discussions to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines in Rwanda underway

    He made the revelation on Thursday 6th May 2021 appearing in RBA talk show revolving around the country’s responsiveness to COVID-19 pandemic.

    Dr. Mpunga explained that a lot need to be done to defeat COVID-19 because the country has not yet secured enough vaccines. He however observed that highlighted Rwanda has registered good progress with regards to preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

    A total of 350 352 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.

    Dr. Mpunga revealed that vaccines distribution seems to be on stand still because of their scarcity despite huge demand.

    “Many vaccines were distributed from India but the current situation of the pandemic that requires mass vaccination reduced the number of vaccines on African continent,”he said.

    India has been hit hard by the pandemic where it is the first country with death toll surpassing 400,000 in 24 hours. India started registering the worst COVID-19 records following the emergence of new coronavirus variant.

    Dr. Mpunga has said that Rwanda’s pace to roll out vaccination programme was impeded by worsening situation countries manufacturing vaccines.

    India manufacturers AstraZeneca vaccines of which a large number of Rwandans received the first shot awaiting the second dose.

    Dr. Mpunga expressed optimism that these vaccines might be available this month.

    Even if things might not go well as expected; he revealed that recipients of the first dose should understand that they are more protected than individuals who didn’t receive any shot.

    Dr. Mpunga has further stressed that Rwanda is analyzing how Covid-19 vaccines can be manufactured locally to facilitate access for Rwandans and Africans at large.

    “Rwanda is seeking how these vaccines can be manufactured locally. I am hopeful that it can be a great milestone that would help us to get vaccines and distribute to other countries on African continent as well. The Government is engaging with partners which could pave the way for local manufacturing. Discussions are on good progress but I cannot precise if it is going to happen tomorrow or after tomorrow. We are optimistic that discussions will bear good fruits in the near future,” he said.

  • Ntamuhanga, Ndayizera convicted of terrorism charges

    Ntamuhanga who was tried in absentia has been sentenced to 25 years while Ndayizera was handed 10-year sentence.

    The two men have been tried along with 12 co-accused people on account of three charges including plans to manufacture dynamite bombs which would be detonated in different parts of Kigali specifically targeting public infrastructures including power plants and fuel depots.

    The duo was involved in the same case with deceased Kizito Mihigo.

    The 14 people involved in the case faced three terrorism charges with Ntamuhanga as the main financier of the plot.

    Prosecution told the court that Ndayizera had communicated with Ntamuhanga, (who had previously been sentenced to 25 years on terrorism and treason charges and escaped later in 2017) to finalize plans to make explosives using dynamite.

    Ndayizera, a former freelance journalist of BBC Gahuzamiryango was arrested with explosives in 2018.

    The Prosecution said that they would detonate these explosives using mobile phones and later escape through Uganda after finalizing their plans.

    They had hired a group of people to lay these explosives in targeted locations including Jali Power Station, Nyabugogo near the butchery and other places including Maison de Jeunes in Kimisagara.

    During trial proceedings, the Prosecution said that Ntamuhanga requested Ndayizera to hire someone who can manufacture wirelessly controlled explosives that can be detonated using mobile phone.

    The Prosecution also alleged that Ndayizera and Ntamuhanga had plans to detonate explosives to destabilize established leadership.

    It was said that Ndayizera had rented a house in the Southern Province district of Muhanga at Rwf 70,000 where the dynamite bombs would be made.

    He had hired Eliaquim Karangwa, who had knowledge on making explosives using different materials.

    The court said that Ntamuhanga was accused by Ndayizera based of the fact that they held negotiations where the latter asked him if he could find someone to make explosives.

    It is said that Ndayizera and Karangwa came up with the budget of UD$15,000 to make the explosive devices. They shared with Ntamuhanga who claimed that the amount was high that he could only afford UD$1500, which he considered enough to make the bombs.

    The Prosecution also revealed that Ndayizera and Karangwa used code language to disguise their activities.

    The court revealed that there are enough evidences that Ndayizera and Karangwa admitted their plans with Ntamuhanga to detonate bombs.

    It is said that Ndayizera had previously pleaded guilty to the charges and said that he was misled by different individuals that he wrote to different institutions apologizing for his actions and seeking forgiveness.

    Karangwa also pleaded guilty but claimed that he was not aware of the purpose of the explosives.

    The court said that what they admitted during investigations is evidenced by WhatsApp messages exchanged with Ntamuhanga showing Ndayizera’s research on ‘Dynamite’.

    It was also revealed that Karangwa and Ndayizera conspired with Ntamuhanga to detonate explosives.

    The court convicted Ntamuhanga, Ndayizera, Karangwa and five co-accused of plots to unlawfully use explosives in public places and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism.

    The court however acquitted them of plans to destabilize or overthrow established leadership by means of war or other powers.

    Ntamuhanga was sentenced to 25 years considering for being a major mastermind, while Ndayizera, Karangwa and five of his colleagues were sentenced to 10 years in prison because their activities were neutralized before happening.

    The court also acquitted the remaining six co-accused and ruled their release.

  • Kigali: More arrested in operations against house break-in

    Three flat TV sets were stolen from the motel in the night of May 4.

    All the three TV sets were also recovered from the trio identified as Jean Paul Habineza, a security guard at Auberge motel, Theoneste Barigora, 29, and Jean Pierre Rulinda, 26.

    The suspects were showed to the media on Thursday, May 6, at the Police metropolitan headquarters in Remera.

    The arrest came few days after other nine burglars were arrested with seven flat TV sets, six smart phones and a laptop.

    Theoneste Barigora, one of the suspects, admitted that he collaborated with Habineza and Rulinda to steal the TV sets.

    “I was caught in Masoro with one of the TV sets, which was given to me by Rulinda and Habineza. They had three TV sets but they left me with one, 32 inches, which I sold for Frw65, 000. When they came to collect the money, they paid me only Rwf5, 000 but left another TV set with me, which I was also supposed to sell. I was arrested before selling it,” said Barigora.

    Francois Xavier Bwanakeye, the Manager of Auberge Saint motel thanked Rwanda National Police for the quick response to recover the TV sets.

    “A cleaner, while in hygiene services in the morning, noticed that the screens were missing. We did not know who stole the TVs but I reported the theft to law enforcements that very morning. I was surprised when Police called me later in the evening that the screens had been recovered and prime suspects arrested,” said Bwanakeye.

    RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that timely reporting on the theft and partnership with the public facilitated the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the stolen TV sets.

    “When Police received information on the burglary, an operation was swiftly conducted, suspects traced and all the stolen screens recovered,” CP Kabera said.

    He warned that Police will continue to track down anyone connected to these burglaries, including buyers and dealers in stolen items.

    Article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.

    In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles, if; the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out in an occupied house or in a building used for habitation or in its surroundings; the theft is carried out during the night; the theft is carried out by more than one person.

  • COVID-19: Rwanda records 166 recoveries

    The statement released last night shows that the majority of new cases were found in Nyamagabe: 25, Kigali: 8, Karongi: 6 and Nyaruguru 6.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 25 486 people have been tested positive of whom 23 876 have recovered, 1272 are active cases while 338 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 350, 465 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.

    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.

  • Police calls for precautionary measures against burglary

    Breaking doors and windows of homes, offices and business facilities is a common denominators the majority of the reported burglaries.

    As part of the efforts to strengthen the fight against house break-in, RNP is engaging the general public on safety precautionary measures to detect and deter such criminal acts.

    To strengthen this crime prevention strategy, four methods can be undertaken to reduce the opportunity for crime to occur at your home, your place of work or your business.

    Deny – access to the criminal;
    Deter – the criminal from choosing you as his victim;
    Delay – methods used to slow down the criminal;
    Detect – the criminal(s) before or after the crime has been committed

    The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera says investing in security is key to preventing and detecting intruders in your premises.

    CP Kabera said: “The fence and the gate are the first form of security against intruders to your home. Make sure the fence is secure all round and has no gaps that people could use to access, or weak spots that someone could easily break through.If the fence has rails, make sure they are on the inside of the fence to avoid a potential burglar using them as a foothold to climb the fence. Mind the gap between the fence and the ground not leaving space that can allow a potential burglar to pass underneath.”

    Adding security toppings such CCTV cameras and wires, he said, facilitates to intimidate a burglar from climbing into the premises such as cameras or wires.

    “Barbed wires or other security toppings will intimidate an intruder to climb over. Visible security cameras in the compound can scare away intruders. You may also consider installing a video enabled Intercom system.
    Light up the compound. Vandals, burglars and other criminals don’t like to be in the spotlight. Place lights around your front and back yards, along pathways, near the garage and other outdoor structures.”

    CP Kabera further advised on cutting down the electricity cost by installing solar powered lights, installing motion detection lights to save energy but also to scare
    away intruders.

    “Don’t help a burglar to enter your house through an easy to open door or window. Make sure the door and window frames are strong and the hinges are protected.
    Use strong locks with deadbolts. You might also upgrade to smart locks. Strong window bars are recommended,” he recommended.

    He further advised on reinforcing sliding glass doors or windows, going old-school and use a window bar in the track to keep the door from being forced open.

    “Add a door sensor or glass break sensor that will alert you if the glass door or window is tampered with—and should scare off thieves with noise.
    It is vital for the public to plan and invest in security of their home because it gives you a peace of mind and relieves you from most of the negative effects that come with dealing with intruders into your compound or even house,” said CP Kabera.

    “It is likely that you might succeed in the burglary or other criminal acts, but security organs will not wither until the offender is brought to justice,” he warned.

    Members of the public are further encouraged to play part in security through strong partnership with security organs by sharing information in real time before or after the crime is committed for quick intervention.