Author: Sam K. Nkurunziza

Through the Swedish Energy Agency, the Kingdom of Sweden has voluntarily supported a cooperation initiative for countries willing to reach their respective mitigation targets as per the provisions of the article.

By working together and trading carbon credits, countries can achieve larger emission reductions than what they otherwise would have been able to with their own resources.

The MoU, signed in Kigali, marks a significant step in the joint efforts to
address climate change and deepen the cooperation between the two countries in relation to their climate mitigation efforts.

The partnership sets the stage for both nations to collaborate on areas of mutual interest, particularly in climate change mitigation, as well as in supporting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of each country.

Shortly after signing the cooperation pact, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, explains that this will foster joint initiatives such as technical analysis, capacity building, and the development of joint work plans.

According to her, this is very important since it supports Rwanda’s already existing targets on climate change mitigation and paves way for potential legally binding agreements that can further both parties’ joint objectives.

“This partnership with the Swedish Energy Agency reinforces Rwanda’s commitment of implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and advancing our Nationally Determined Contributions,” she said.

“Rwanda is eager to leverage this partnership to not only to meet our climate targets but also foster sustainable development that benefits both our environment and our people,” she added.

Through this collaboration, both Rwanda and Sweden will also engage in dialogue and organize activities and meetings with stakeholders, aiming to promote bilateral cooperation in achieving climate mitigation goals.

Martina Fors Mohlin, Chargé d´affaires Embassy of Sweden in Kigali also highlighted the significance of the agreement, commending Rwanda for its efforts.

“Rwanda has shown that it is possible to combine economic growth with ambitious climate mitigation goals. Through its initiatives for a long-term green transition, Rwanda is an inspiration for other countries,” she said.

Martina emphasized that Sweden is committed to financing high-quality greenhouse gas mitigation activities in Rwanda that provide substantial contributions to the energy transition in the country

The MoU sets the foundation for Rwanda and Sweden to develop a Bilateral
Cooperation Agreement which would enable Sweden to finance emission reduction projects in Rwanda.

According to her, this will support Rwanda and Sweden’s national efforts to meet their climate targets and drive sustainable development.

The Swedish Energy Agency is the country´s lead agency on Article 6, with a mandate from the Swedish government to enter into bilateral agreements with other countries.

“This was unveiled on Wednesday October 2, 2024 during the data & information engagement workshop for Protected and Conserved Areas at the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Nairobi, Kenya.

“The workshop offers a platform to showcase our progress on data for Protected and Conserved Areas and to explore how data can drive impactful conservation efforts,” said RCMRD Director General, Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza.

It will serve as a one-stop platform for up-to-date data, interactive mapping, and analytical tools aimed at enhancing ecosystem monitoring and decision-making.

The portal will also enable users to track biodiversity, forest cover, and seascape ecosystems across borders, helping stakeholders respond proactively to environmental challenges.
It is also expected to promote data-sharing between countries and institutions, ensuring cross-border cooperation for effective ecosystem management.

The RCoE data geoportal provides access to key data for the conservation of the ecosystems in Eastern and Southern Africa. It is seen an essential resource for governments, conservation organizations, researchers, and local communities across the region.

At the launch, Dr. Faith Nyokabi the Head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the Ministry of Environment and represented Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in charge of the State Department for Environment and Climate.

“The ability to track environmental changes in real-time, analyse trends, and predict future scenarios will enable us to make informed decisions that protect our environment while promoting sustainable development,” she said.

The workshop, themed “Leveraging Data Insights for Impactful and Sustainable Ecosystems,” brought together conservationists, policymakers, and data specialists from 24 project countries, including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini and Ethiopia.

Other countries represented were Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the hosts Kenya.

Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro, the Chief Executive Officer at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Director General of ICRAF explained that the goal is to equip communities, governments, and organizations with the information and tools they need to manage ecosystems sustainably.

“By bringing together experts from across eastern and southern Africa, we are fostering a culture of shared learning, innovation, and collaboration,” she noted.

The four-day workshop which ends today Friday October 4, 2024, has strengthened relationships with institutions managing data on protected areas and demonstrated the importance of data in decision-making for governance and conservation.

The RCoE’s data management process was showcased and defined its role in helping countries track progress on global biodiversity framework targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The RCoE expressed commitment to providing access to actionable data that will enable various communities to participate in conservation efforts and take ownership of local ecosystem management.

This follows the 45th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) held Thursday September 3, 2024 chaired by IOF Secretary General Loiuse Mushikiwabo, also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Held under the theme “Create, innovate, and do business in French,” the 19th Francophonie Summit, also called Villers-Cotterêts Summit, will have a special focus on youth employment.

During the preparatory meeting, Minister Nduhungirehe announced to his peers the anticipated reception of the 46th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie in Kigali in 2025.

On the first day of the Summit tomorrow, the President and First Lady will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts, a town 80 km north-east of Paris where French was declared the official language of France in 1539, replacing Latin.

Later in the evening, they will join other dignitaries for a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Élysée Palace.

On the second day of the Summit, President Kagame will attend a closed roundtable session on “Renewed Multilateralism” chaired by President Macron, followed by a closed door session.
The Summit will conclude with the adoption of the Villers-Cotterêts Declaration.

The event was graced by Khalid Musa, the Chargé d’Affaires at the Sudanese Embassy in Rwanda.

Speaking at the inaugural event to welcome the new students, Dr. Rose Mukankomeje the Executive Director of the High Education Council (HEC) emphasized the importance of education and health for Rwanda’s development.

“Education and health are very key for us as a country and we thank the government’s support in expanding higher education institutions in the medical field,” she explained

“We need more such institutions, but the quality is paramount,” she added, stressing the goal of improving medical services within Rwanda to reduce reliance on foreign healthcare.

She said that Rwanda’s reputation for beauty, security, and cleanliness is not enough. The country is constantly striving to transform into hub for knowledge and welcoming new students like these is a good step in the right direction.

“Health goes hand in hand with wealth to produce better results in terms of development. I welcome you to feel at home here in Rwanda kindly remember to work hard. Work until it hurts and work until it heals,” she told the new students.

She encouraged them to prepare for life beyond school, emphasizing the importance of discipline and forward planning for the future.

Today, Rwanda has four medical training schools including the University of Rwanda College of Medicine, School of Medicine at the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA), Africa Health Sciences University based at King Faisal Hospital and UMST.

On her part, Dr. Suzan Homeida, the Deputy Chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, implored the students to understand that impacts of joining a university that is deeply committed to excellence in education and healthcare.

“Medicine is a noble profession that requires hard work, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. In the coming years, you will grow, learn, and develop the skills needed to make a real difference in people’s lives. We are here to guide and support you on this journey,” she said

In the same spirit, Prof Samir Shaheen, the Vice Chancellor at UMST advised the new students to embrace Rwanda’s rich culture and history saying it is a place that values unity, progress, and resilience—qualities that should inspire the students during their time of studies

He reminded them that the path they have chosen is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and reiterated commitment to help them achieve their goals and dreams

“The University’s dedicated teachers and staff are here to provide you with the best education possible, and to help you become the best healthcare professionals you can be. We believe in your potential to not only succeed but also to contribute to the betterment of healthcare in your communities and beyond,” he said.

Dr. Africa Gasana, the Chairperson of Rwanda Medical and Dental Council (RMDC) says that a moment to receive new medical students at UMST is a milestone not just for the students but the entire healthcare sector in Rwanda.

“We recognize that training and nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals is a responsibility of immense importance as it addresses the growing need for skilled, dedicated and ethical medical practitioners in Rwanda,” he pointed out.

He tasked the new students with the unique responsibility to set a high standard for those who will follow after receiving the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to navigate the complexities of healthcare.

“One of the most important lessons you will learn throughout your journey is the value of interprofessional collaboration. Healthcare is a team effort that involves working closely with other professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients,” he said.

UMST was established in Sudan’s capital Khartoum in 1996 with a main campus comprising two Faculties namely, Medicine and Medical Laboratory Technology.

From 2 faculties and 60 students, it grew over the years and in 2021 it had 17 faculties and over 7000 students, and more than 27 postgraduate degrees in both medical disciplines and humanities.

Earlier this year, the consultations were halted but after rigorous efforts and interventions, the group was finally given the green light by the Uganda Police Force.

In a letter addressed to Hon Dr Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the Association’s National Legal Adviser, dated September 30, 2024, the Police agreed to UMUBANO’s notification seeking permission and security request for consultative meetings on an ongoing constitutional amendment.

“The consultative meetings scheduled to take place at various regions of Uganda are hereby cleared. Coordinate with the respective Regional Police Commanders to provide security during the consultations. You are further advised to follow all necessary procedures for such gatherings,” reads the letter, signed by Okoshi Simon Peter on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.

The association has since rolled out a plan to have concluded the general public countrywide consultations by December 01, 2024.

In an interview with IGIHE, Simon Kayitana, the Chairman, UMUBANO Task Force and also member of Buganda Lukikko explained that the consultations will culminate with a major public hearing at Kololo Independence Grounds.

“By then we shall have engaged all Banyarwanda in Central Uganda (Buganda), Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda’” he said.

“We have also engaged several Uganda government officials including the Attorney General, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Parliament, security agencies and the Immigration authorities,” he added.

Kayitana disclosed that Local Government authorities, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the diplomatic community, media and the entire Civil Society have also been approached.

On December 01, 2023, the consultative possess was launched to sponsor and solicit public views on the proposed law. The Banyarwanda and Other Roving Communities, Identification and Management Bill, 2004 to identify, certify, manage, protect and dignify the Banyarwanda.

The bill seeks to reinstate the law that grounds and assimilates Banyarwanda legally into the Ugandan society as an indigenous ethnic group with equal rights as other Ugandans.

It will align with the relevant articles of the Constitution including provisions to address the past injustices on violations suffered by the Banyarwanda.

The association argues that although the 1995 Constitution recognizes Banyarwanda as an official tribe, hundreds of thousands of Banyarwanda have been denied travel and citizenship documents hence incapacitating their livelihoods.

In addition, Banyarwanda are harassed and persecuted by different state agencies on several occasions.
The draft model of the proposed Bill for amendment of the Constitution will introduce an amendment of Art. (10) (a) to delete and replace 1926 with 1962.

It will Introduce “Jus soli” of citizenship by birth for all persons born in Uganda with management certification, identification, recognition and equal opportunities for both roving and borderline ethnic groups.

According to the plan, amendment of the immigration law “mutatis mutandis” is among the proposals and finally meeting the Head of State and for guidance and the proper procedure to take.

Banyarwanda is a group of Kinyarwanda Speaking people who were born and raised in Uganda, most of whom are descendants of people originating or migrated from neighboring communities across borders before Africa was fragmented and partitioned during the colonial times.

A 1948 National Census in Uganda placed Banyarwanda as the fifth largest tribe (5.9%) after Baganda (17%) Itesot (9.4%) Basoga (8.7) and Banyankole (7.9%).

Geopolitically, the mistreatment of such groups of people in cross border countries for being referred to as Rwandans has on several occasions raised tense political tension to the level of suspending cross border relations.

In February 2019 escalating tensions between Rwanda and Uganda led to a deterioration of diplomatic relations, culminating in the closure of the Gatuna/Katuna border post. The closure caused significant disruptions to trade and movement between the two countries until when it was reopened in January 2022.

A lawsuit was filed by the Rwandan community in France following various interviews and books in which Onana claimed that there was no genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Onana has also been influenced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to further deny the Genocide, instead portraying a so-called genocide against Congolese people that has never been internationally recognized.

Since the news of Onana’s trial broke, his supporters, many of whom have long opposed the Rwandan government, have launched what resembles a campaign to paint him as an innocent man being unjustly persecuted.

Among those rallying behind Onana are a large number of Rwanda’s critics, who intentionally refuse to say anything positive about the country as long as it is governed by the RPF Inkotanyi, which stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Others include former Rwandan officials who committed crimes and fled to avoid prosecution. These individuals eagerly support anything that tarnishes Rwanda’s leadership, as a way to obscure the wrongs they committed.

Youth from Jambo asbl at the forefront

At the forefront of the campaign defending Onana is a group called Jambo asbl, which consists of children of individuals who planned and participated in the genocide against the Tutsi.

This group, based in Belgium, has historically provided support to the FDLR rebel group, with some of its leaders traveling to Congo for activities aimed at destabilizing Rwanda. The youth involved have embraced the extremist ideology of Parmehutu, which led to the genocide.

FDU Inkingi

FDU Inkingi and Jambo asbl share a connection, with the only difference being that one is a political party, and the other is an organization. FDU Inkingi was founded by Victoire Ingabire, who was convicted by Rwandan courts for denying the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The party’s agenda aligns with Parmehutu’s ideology, which advocates for Rwanda to be governed solely by Hutus.

Victoire Ingabire, who co-founded the FDLR, continues to promote Genocide denial, aligning herself with other groups that seek to overthrow Rwanda’s government. FDU Inkingi has also been involved in establishing the P5 rebel group, which launched attacks on Rwanda in 2018.

The current leader of FDU Inkingi, Kayumba Placide, is a member of Jambo asbl. In 2015, Kayumba led a delegation from Jambo asbl to meet with FDLR leaders in eastern DRC to discuss cooperation aimed at toppling the Rwandan government.

Kayumba’s father, Ntawukuriryayo Dominique, was the Southern Province Governor (formerly reffered to as Butare) during the genocide and was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for his role in the killings.

The FDU Inkingi party includes individuals responsible for the genocide, and they are among those most eager to see Onana’s case dismissed. They recognize that Onana’s punishment could set a precedent for their own accountability, as they share his views.

Marianne Baziruwiha

Marianne Baziruwiha, a former employee of Rwanda’s embassy in the United States, is another key figure backing Charles Onana. Baziruwiha has distanced herself from Rwanda ever since being dismissed from the embassy for allegedly embezzling government funds.

Since then, she has surrounded herself with Rwanda’s critics and joined the RNC, despite its leader, Theogene Rudasingwa, being responsible for her dismissal from the embassy.

Congolese youth in Europe

Due to the close relationship between Onana and Felix Tshisekedi’s government, some Congolese youth, acting like extremists, have been organizing protests across Europe in support of the Cameroonian.

These youths are reportedly funded by the Congolese government to present Onana as being silenced by Rwanda for telling the truth. Onana’s books, which have recently been treated as reference materials by the Congolese government, have raised concerns due to their content.

The situation escalated to the point where Congo’s national radio and television station (RTNC) broadcasted a program calling on Congolese people to support Charles Onana in his trial.

Journalists opposing Rwanda

Several journalists, many of whom are long-time critics of Rwanda, have joined the campaign to defend Charles Onana. Among them is Michaela Wrong, who has made it her mission to discredit Rwanda through her books, media appearances, and other outlets. Her animosity toward Rwanda intensified after the body of her friend, Patrick Karegeya, was found in a South African hotel in early 2014.

Patrick Mbeko, a journalist from the DRC with Canadian citizenship, is also among Onana’s supporters. Mbeko, who is often described as an expert on African issues, has consistently blamed Rwanda for the problems in the DRC, despite being repeatedly accused of denying the genocide against the Tutsi.

When Felicien Kabuga was arrested in 2020, Mbeko stated that Kabuga was innocent and that the media was exaggerating the situation.

It is impossible to discuss tourism without mentioning hotels, as after visiting the natural attractions of a given country, tourists need an adorable place to rest and receive excellent services.

In Rwanda, this has been a key focus, as in the last five years, the country had only 10,000 rooms, which means that in less than 60 months, 15,000 additional rooms have been established.

Yves Ngenzi, the Director of the Tourism Department at PSF, stated that this is a significant step forward in increasing the number of hotels that accommodate tourists visiting Rwanda.

“These are just rooms for sleeping. There are many others which provide other services such as dining facilities. The growth is impressive and we count hotel rooms to assess our progress,” he said.

Ngenzi also revealed that they are working hard to ensure that within the next five years, Rwanda will have 35,000 hotel rooms. Last year, tourism brought in $620 million for Rwanda.

As part of the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), it is projected that by 2029, tourism will generate $1.1 billion for the country.

“This clearly shows that we need to expand our infrastructure, increase the number of hotels, improve our services, and attract more conferences, among other things. That is why we are committed to adding 10,000 more hotel rooms in the next five years,” he said.

Currently, the Tourism Department has registered 1,360 businesses and seven different tourism associations. This is a substantial number compared to five years ago when there were only about 450 businesses.
Ngenzi also highlighted that many others have not yet registered with PSF’s tourism department.

“This is a growing sector. Tourism used to be underestimated, but if you look at the revenue it generates, it’s significant. Currently, tourism has created 165,000 jobs when we consider those directly involved,” he said.

According to him, this is a considerable number of jobs, accounting for 10% of all new jobs created in the country, excluding agriculture and livestock.

Besides adding 10,000 more hotel rooms, Ngenzi explained that within the next five years, they will make efforts to boost local production to achieve the country’s goal of increasing tourism revenues by 13% annually and raising private sector investment to $4.6 billion by 2029, up from $2.2 billion in 2024.

Ngenzi said that this will go hand in hand with promoting conference tourism, religious tourism, and increasing the number of tourist attractions, so that the money tourists spend in Rwanda continues to grow.

When asked about domestic tourism, which helps the sector remain stable even when the number of international tourists decreases, Ngenzi said that it is doing well, but it is not yet at the required level.

“For example, visiting the gorillas costs $1,500 for foreigners. Few Rwandans can afford that. There are lower prices for Rwandans, but the revenue we want to generate won’t be achievable without foreign tourists. That’s why we are looking to attract more Africans to visit Rwanda,” he explained.

“These initiatives will also include building capacity for those in the sector, particularly in terms of knowledge, with students gaining internships, as we have seen that 30% of those who receive internships secure jobs,” he added.

These initiatives will also focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a significant role in the sector’s growth. For example, 80% of businesses offering tourism services in Rwanda are SMEs, showing the importance of closely monitoring this category.

On her part, Michaella Rugwizangoga, the Director of the Tourism Department at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), mentioned that as Rwanda’s tourism industry grows, so does the well-being of Rwandans, especially those living near tourist sites.

“We have a plan to share tourism revenues with the local communities, where 10% of the ticket value for visiting parks goes to projects like road construction, hospitals, schools, and others. This 10% is not tax but a portion of the revenue generated from visits to natural attractions.”

She mentioned that so far, 1,000 projects have been supported, and over Rwf 12 billion has been given to local communities, stressing that this will continue as the sector develops.

Statistics show that over 1.4 million people visited Rwanda in 2023, and this number is expected to double by 2029, with more destinations being added by RwandAir.

Launched on September 27, 2024 by GAIN Rwanda in collaboration with National Child Development Agency (NCDA), academic institutions like the University of Rwanda, the University of Global Health Equity and others, the Network will provide research-based evidence to advocate for policy and legislative reforms, as well as to promote collaborative efforts to address malnutrition in line with Rwanda’s NST2.

The University of Rwanda will take the lead in this initiative, working alongside researchers from various higher learning institutions with the support of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and partners like UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Rwanda.

Silver Karumba, GAIN Rwanda Country Representative, stated that the Network’s core mandate is to generate, share, and apply evidence-based knowledge while building capacity both horizontally and vertically. This effort aims to inform effective nutrition actions, policies, and programs, ultimately improving the health and nutrition of Rwandans.

“The Network will foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and nutrition practitioners, bridging the gap between theory and practice to enhance nutrition interventions,” he said.

Karumba further explained that by involving academic institutions, the Network will build the capacity of local professionals and students in nutrition, ensuring a pipeline of skilled personnel to advance Rwanda’s nutrition agenda.

Rwanda joined the SUN (Scale Up Nutrition) movement in 2011, focusing on the critical first 1,000 days of life to eliminate stunting. Launched in 2010 due to a growing global recognition of malnutrition as a fundamental development challenge, the SUN Movement has since gained traction, with many countries committing to reducing malnutrition by aligning national nutrition priorities and scaling up nutrition initiatives equitably and sustainably.

By joining SUN, Rwanda aims to leverage global resources, technical expertise, and partnerships to enhance nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific initiatives.

Existing SUN platforms, such as the SUN Government platform (coordinating multi-sectoral efforts across ministries), the SUN Civil Society Network (focused on advocacy and community-level implementation), and the SUN Business Network (engaging the private sector in nutrition), the SUN Development Partners Platform, and the SUN UN platform will complement the newly established SUN Academia Network, which has been the missing piece for the country to fully comply with all functional SUN platforms

Gilbert Mutuyimana, Deputy Director General at NCDA, noted that this launch is a significant milestone in supporting the country’s commitment to achieving national nutrition targets and international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He expressed optimism that academic institutions can contribute to developing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of nutrition programs, thereby improving accountability and facilitating continuous learning and program refinement.

“Academia will play a vital role in these commitments by providing research-driven insights and monitoring the progress of nutrition interventions,” he observed.