IGIHE

Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

  • Kayonza village leaders sign performance contracts on fighting crime

    The program kicked off on Wednesday 28th April 2021 in Gasabo village, Nkondo cell, Rwinkwavu sector in Kayonza district of Eastern Province where village leaders came together to sign performance contracts with district’s officials.

    Last week, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi held a visit in Eastern Province and reminded local leaders that they will be held accountable in case they fail to track drug traffickers.

    He explained that it is not understandable how village leaders can fail to do so yet they easily identify individuals suspected of other crimes.

    Following the advice, Eastern Province pledged to initiative the activity of signing performance contracts with village leaders to prevent crimes particularly in villages neighboring with borders.

    The activity started in Kayonza district yesterday as a gesture to mobilize village leaders to strive for drug-free communities.

    The mayor of Kayonza district, Jean Claude Murenzi has requested residents to report criminals threatening security.

    He particularly urged village leaders to avoid connivance with criminals threatening security and drug traffickers as well.

    “If we ensure that villages and their sub-units, cells and sectors are safe, the district will also be peaceful. Let us collaborate and oversee for our neighbors to make early reporting and counteract crimes,” he said.

    Village leaders pledged to strive for a crime-free community.
    Performance contracts were signed on Wednesday.
    Village leaders signing performance contracts.

  • Husband arrested over wife murder

    The incident took place last night around 9:30 pm in Muremure village, Kirwa cell, Murunda sector in Rutsiro district of western Province.

    Rwanda National Police (RNP) has via Twitter handle revealed that the man who escaped after committing the crime is detained at Murunda Police Station as investigation is underway.

    It is said that the man was fighting with his wife who accused him of wasting household resources to a cohabiting wife.

    If convicted of intentional murder, the man is liable to life sentence as per Rwanda’s Penal Code.

  • Kigali residents get fresh warning over violation of COVID-19 prevention directives

    The warning follows separate operations in different parts of the country where people have been arrested in illegal social gatherings.

    In the latest operation conducted on Tuesday, April 27, RNP arrested eight people in Kiyovu Cell, Nyarugenge Sector, Nyarugenge District where they were found in a bar drinking.

    The group, which also violated the curfew, was caught at about 11pm.

    Under the national Covid-19 prevention directives, bars remain closed and movements are prohibited from 9pm to 4am, except for those with permission.
    The eight violators were on Wednesday, April 28, showed to the media at Kigali Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Remera, Gasabo District.

    Among the arrested violators include Faustin Nshimyumukiza, the chief of Ingenzi village in Kiyovu cell, who was also found drinking.

    “We violated the government directives; it is true Police found me and my colleagues in the bar drinking but it was also during hours when everyone is supposed to be home. I broke the guidelines both as a Rwandan and as a leader, who should lead by example. For that, I ask for forgiveness,” said Nshimyumukiza.

    RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said concerned local residents tipped-off the Police about the bar, which was open with customers inside drinking, but also operating during curfew hours.

    “At about 11pm, Police was tipped-off by residents that there are people gathered in a bar drinking. Police responded to the information and found eight people at the same bar drinking, among whom was the village chief,” said CP Kabera.

    He added: “Anyone flouting the government directives will be arrested. It is embarrassing to see the chairman of the village, who should lead by example and guide others to adhere to government guidelines, instead he joined them to undermine the safety guidelines.”

    The RNP spokesperson thanked those, who continue to adhere to the government directives to contain Covid-19 pandemic.

    He further warned local leaders and other members of the public, who derail government efforts against the pandemic and expose other people at risk.

    The violators were educated on the government directives and health practices to contain the virus and also fined for the violation.

  • Rwanda records one more COVID-19 death, 74 new cases

    The statement released last night shows that 74 people have caught the virus, 86 recovered while 3 are critically ill.

    Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 24 888 people have been tested positive of whom 23 175 have recovered, 1381 are active cases while 332 have succumbed to the virus.

    A total of 349, 702 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program.

    The majority of new cases were found in Karongi: 17, Bugesera: 9, Nyaruguru: 7, Gicumbi: 7, Huye: 6 and Kirehe: 6.

    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.

  • Munyenyezi appears before court

    Munyenyezi Munyenyezi is facing seven charges linked to her role in Genocide and crimes against humanity. She faces charges of manslaughter as Genocide crime, preparation of Genocide, direct or indirect mobilization to perpetrate Genocide, conspiracy during Genocide, extermination as a crime against humanity and conspiracy to commit rape.

    She appeared before court for the first time with her defense lawyer, Gatera Gashabana. The second defense lawyer, Buhuru Pierre Célestin was not present.

    Gatera told the court that they were informed of the hearing in the evening of Tuesday 27th April 2021 before sending files to the client and sitting with her for preparations.

    Gatera told the court that he met with his client once on Tuesday and spent together 20 minutes only. He requested the court to adjourn the hearing for further preparations.

    Gatera said that his client was not granted access to documents connected to her case.

    Munyenyezi was deported from USA to Rwanda in the night of 16th April 2021 after completing 10-year sentence handed by US court for making false statements on her role during Genocide against Tutsi to obtain nationality.

    Gatera told the court that they wrote to her clients’ defense lawyers in USA to send evidences connected to Munyenyezi’s hearing.

    Munyenyezi has also said, she didn’t receive her files, that she should be granted access to the archives brought from USA and be allowed to speak to her family.

    The Prosecution explained that the lawsuit was filed to the court on Monday noting that the suspect has rights to review her files and consult with defense lawyers once the court analyzes the request and confirms another date.

    The court postponed the hearing to Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 9am.

    Munyenyezi and her children fled to Kenya after Genocide against Tutsi. She applied for US refugee status in 1995 disguising as one of people affected by Genocide.

    Munyenyezi settled in Manchester, New Hampshire, with three young daughters in 1998 after claiming to have been persecuted in Rwanda.

    She was granted US nationality in 2003.

    Ten years later, she was stripped of US nationality on 21st March 2013 after Manchester Court in New Hampshire State convicted her of complicity during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and making false statements to obtain nationality.

    She appealed against the ruling in 2017 but the decision was retained.
    Munyenyezi was born in 1970.

  • Police shoot five escaping detainees in Kirehe

    The Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police (RNP), John Bosco Kabera has said that detainees were shot after declining to move back.

    “We are informed that Police officers were serving washing water to detainees in the morning. As they entered in, some detainees stepped out the detention facility and run away. Police on duty fired five detainees after declining to obey the warning shot,” he said.

    It is said that the detainees were held at a RIB station in the area awaiting their cases to be transferred to the Prosecution.

  • Coventry University to open Africa Hub in Rwanda

    The hub will open in Kigali to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June.

    It is part of the university’s plan to develop a sustainable network of multi-faceted overseas offices. The ambition is to have a presence near to its stakeholders in key regions and follows the success of the Singapore and Dubai hubs.

    The aim is to provide organisations and individuals throughout the world with regional access to the growing academic, research and commercial expertise that exists within all areas of the Coventry University Group.

    According to the university’s management, the Africa Hub will serve as a base for Coventry University Group in the region with the aim of enabling new relationships as well as strengthening established ones.

    The Africa Hub is expected to promote the university group’s research, globalisation, enterprise and innovation work throughout the region through the development of closer relationships with embassies, government bodies, research institutes, universities and private sector entities.

    The hub will be located in Kigali Heights, a mixed use development situated adjacent to Kigali Convention Centre.

    Commenting on the development, Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor, Coventry University Group expressed delight for the university’s progress in establishing a representation office in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    “The hub aligns with the UK International Education Strategy and will respond to the growth opportunity we have identified on the continent. Africa has a growing population largely composed of young people and economies that are among the fastest growing in the world. The Africa Hub will join our successful hubs in Singapore and Dubai to fulfil our strategic objective to be a global university delivering at a global scale.”

    According to John Uwayezu, Country Director and Market Access Officer for UK Department for International Trade, British High Commission in Kigali; the regional hub is in line with DIT’s targeted plan of action to increase trade and investment flows between the UK and Rwanda.

    “The hub will accelerate progress in human capital development. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest when it comes to economic growth and productivity. I congratulate the Government of Rwanda’s strong commitment to investing in people,” he noted.

    Coventry University was ranked the top 13th best university in the United Kindgdom by the Guardian University Guide 2019.

    Coventry University is set to open a new overseas hub in Rwanda in June 2021.
    Coventry University will be located in Kigali Heights, adjacent to Kigali Convention Centre.

  • Global Youth Issue Joint Statement on Myanmar’s Human Rights Crisis

    “We urge the head of state of each country and the international community to actively pursue peaceful measures to safeguard the lives of Myanmar’s citizens.” It added, “We urge people and media worldwide to raise their voices in support of finding peaceful resolutions to the current crisis,” reads the statement in part.

    The statement highlighted the global youth’s ‘commitment to work toward ceasing conflicts, countering violence and establishing sustainable peace through the 2018’s UN Youth Declaration’.

    Mr. Mainza M Hiyamwa, Chairperson of Chosen Generation Youth Club Solwezi (CGYC) of Zambia, said, “The UN and international society are being the main pillars of peace and security, human rights, and development. It’s more vital that we gain access and disseminate information on the range of issues affecting the people of Myanmar. By so doing it would carry more impact and help in the restoration of peace, human rights promotion, and development of the country.”

    Facing the current deadlock of counteractions against the humanitarian crisis from the deaths and injuries continually occurring in Myanmar, this global movement by youth organizations has been led by the International Peace Youth Group, an affiliated organization of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light registered in the UN ECOSOC.

    This joint statement was sent to the UN Secretary General, international organizations, governments and civil society organizations.

    Mr. Mainza M Hiyamwa, Chairperson of Chosen Generation Youth Club Solwezi (CGYC) in Zambia.

  • We will miss Rwanda–Burundian refugees returning home

    Returnees have been dwelling in different parts of the country including Kigali, Nyamata town in Bugesera district among others.

    Most of these refugees arrived in Rwanda in 2015 when Burundi was plunged into political turmoil following the re-election of late President Pierre Nkurunziza.

    Speaking to the media, returnees expressed delight for returning to their mother land but revealed that they will miss Rwanda where they had great memories.

    “I am extremely happy to return home in Bujumbura. I will miss Rwanda; the traditional mixed food and beans because we are accustomed to eating fishes at home,” said Uwimana Nadine who has spent six years in Kacyiru, Kigali city.

    Another returnee who was living in Nyamata town said that he was amazed with Rwanda’s tight security and caring leadership that responds to the needs of citizens on time.

    “From the village up to other levels of leadership, security was tightened. The country has caring leadership that interacts and understands needs of citizens. One of indelible memories is the time when President Paul Kagame stopped in Nyamata to greet us. I received a great support from Rwanda that I immersed my education in Theology at Africa Mission Bible College. I will also miss churches in Rwanda.”

    The returnee requested both countries to reopen borders to facilitate movement and trade which he considers a barrier to advanced economic growth between citixens of both countries.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Kayumba Olivier has revealed that Rwanda’s doors are open to everyone seeking refuge or refugees returning home.

    “Even though borders are closed, we are ready to welcome whoever seeking refuge with reasonable cause. Burundians themselves have the right to decide whether they want to stay in Rwanda or return,” he affirmed.

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi thanked the Government of Rwanda and Burundi for their support to the repatriation of refugees and shed light on advantages to Burundians returning home.

    “We commend both countries. Rwanda has thoroughly prevented COVID-19. Returnees were all tested and no one tested positive. Their repatriation is beneficial because some of them are set to resume work,” he said.

    “Some children were not studying and will be able to receive needed services at home land. We are going to partner with Burundi to reintegrate returnees,” added Grandi.

    Over 23,000 Burundian refugees have returned home since August 2020. It is expected that approximately 40,000 refugees will have repatriated by 2021.

    A total of 159 Burundian refugees returned home voluntarily through Nemba border in Bugesera district.
    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi interacting with a child in the process of returning to Burundi with parents.
    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi thanked the Government of Rwanda and Burundi for their support to the repatriation of refugees .

  • Burera: Floods claim one life

    It is said that the flooding occasioned by water flowing from Volcanoes has ravaged crops (beans and irish potatoes) on five hectares, killed 3 sheep, 20 chickens, destroyed two bridges and Gahunga-Kinigi road.

    The mayor of Burera district, Marie Chantal Uwangirigira told IGIHE that they are still assessing losses occasioned by flooding.

    “The heavy rain that fell last night caused flooding which destroyed crops , houses, livestock and the road connecting Gisizi to Kinigi. We have established that floods have claimed one life. We are still assessing occasioned losses,” she said.

    The deceased, Habanabakize was living in Rusenyi village, Kidakama cell, Gahunga sector in Burera district.

    Flooding has occasioned losses in Burera district.
    Flooding has destroyed houses.
    The flood destroyed infrastructures.