IGIHE

Author: Samson Iradukunda

  • Rwandan attends wedding in Uganda, gets kidnapped

    News of Kayibanda’s abduction was released by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe who said Kayibanda was kidnapped in Kampala, Uganda by the County’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) agents.

    In a tweet, Olivier Nduhungirehe posted two pictures of Kayibanda and said: “This is Rogers Donne Kayibanda . He arrived in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday 10 January 2019 to attend the civil wedding of his brother, which took place the following day Friday 11 January 2019.”

    “He was kidnapped after the ceremony in Kisasi, Kampala suburb, by CMI [Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence] operatives,” Nduhungirehe’s tweet continues.

    News of Kayibanda’s kidnapping follows several other kidnappings faced by Rwandans in Uganda with some of them subjected to torture.

    On Sunday, following the abduction of Fidel Gatsinzi, another Rwandan citizen who was also arrested in Uganda, one Rama Isibo asked what the Government of Rwanda is doing about the ‘illegal detention of Rwandans in Uganda” to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Richard Sezibera replied: “[Rwandan] Government is doing all that is feasible to bring Rwandans home …and asking them to be prudent in harm’s way.”
    Rogers Kayibanda was kidnapped in Kampala, Uganda, where he had gone for a wedding of a brother

  • Man shot dead resisting Police arrest after killing wife

    Bavugayabo, 38, killed Nyirabenda whom they co-habitated as wife and husband in the fateful night of January 11, 2019 following property disputes. He used a machete to murder the victim.

    The Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police (RNP), CP John Bosco Kabera said the suspect fled to Rulindo after committing the alleged crime.

    CP Kabera said: “On January 11th, Police launched an operation to search him after we received information that he was hiding in Rulindo. He was trailed in Rweya Village and he was caught trying to cross to Kamonyi District through Nyabugogo River.”

    “However, Bavugayabo became violent and resisted arrest and tried to flee. He was shot and succumbed to injuries,” CP Kabera added.

    The RNP Spokesperson, Kabera called the public never to take law into their hands and report family conflicts in their neighborhoods before they turn violent.

    “Police, local leaders and other entities in justice sector are there to ensure that misunderstandings you can’t resolve amicably are addressed to prevent violence and bloodshed,” CP Kabera said as he appealed to the public to always cooperate and avoid being violent.
    CP John Bosco Kabera, Rwanda National Police Spokesperson appealed to public to report family conflicts before they turn violent and never take law by hand

  • We have to think beyond the next day, integrate Godly values in leadership– Kagame to leaders

    During the 23rd edition of the annual special prayer breakfast themed “Transformative Leadership” held at the Kigali Convention Centre, the President particularly reminded those present that Rwanda cannot be people who need to be taught values continuously: “Like a watch you have to keep resetting or a ball with a hole that you have to keep inflating.”

    “What mindset will we take home? How will we take what we have learned and apply it to what we do? Instilling godly values in leadership means those values have to be part of who we are,” Kagame urged those present.

    The president advised leaders to be defined by unity, thinking big and accountability for their responsibilities as leaders.

    “Being a team is about bringing people together. We are one team working for the country, fulfilling our responsibility and thinking big. We have to think beyond the next day, think about the generations ahead and what we want to accomplish. Accountability is about the discipline of work, upholding the values that define us,” President Kagame noted.

    Casting light on what would elevate one beyond petty actions, the Head of State advised on reflecting on one’s actions and evaluating each other honestly. “This is what will allow you to practice the values that should define us,” he said

    “Let us uphold the right values and give ourselves the respect we deserve,” he added

    President Kagame also warned that Religion should not be seen as an anesthetic that allows one to be numb to the hard challenges one must face.

    “I don’t think there is any other continent that prays more than the African continent. But prayers must be met with action. Actions towards what we want to accomplish and our goals,” President Kagame advised.

    Organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF), the prayer meeting brings together leaders in top positions for fellowship around a breakfast, to reflect on the milestones that the nation has achieved praying for the nation and its leaders.

    Initiated in 1995, the RLF is attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, members of the judiciary, police and military top brass, private sector and civil society, including church leaders.

  • Dr. Byamungu, 4 children laid to rest, widow’s eulogy leaves mourners with wet faces

    Dr. Livingstone Byamungu and his four children, twin boys Calvin Ngabo and Caleb Nziza, who were 17 years old, Carl Manzi, 15 and Bless Chelsea Uwase who was four years old passed on following the car accident that occurred in the night of December 30, last year.

    Byamungu died on spot with his children after his car collided with a trailer in a crash that involved three cars.

    Dorcas Mukagatare, wife to Byamungu and mother to the deceased four children survived the accident with her brother Dan Rutaremara who was driving the car on the fateful night.

    The accident took place in Lwengo on Masaka-Mbarara road in Uganda where they had gone for festive holidays to visit Byamungu’s mother who lives in Uganda where Byamungu was born in May 1968.

    In her sad testimony, Dorcus Mukagatare who was left alone in her 7-people family after losing her husband and her four children- with the oldest daughter who had died in March 2018- said she felt she had no reason to keep living and if it had not been God, she would have committed suicide.

    “I am alive only because I know God. Hadn’t I known God, I would have taken pills to kill me. Knowing God lives helped me understand everything happens for a reason,” she said.

    “God left me to thank you in the name of Dr. Livingstone and live with you while Ngabo, Nziza, Manzi and Bless [Chelsea Uwase] are not around,” she said crying adding: “Please bear with me, I would not have wished to be here without those people I have just mentioned but the Lord’s plans differ much from human’s.”

    She said: “Except the days we laid our brothers and sisters who died in the 1994 genocide against Tutsi to rest, I have never attended a funeral of three, four people who died together.”

    “Dr. Livingstone [Byamungu] was a very good and responsible husband. We had been together as wife and husband for almost 20 years. He loved me and our children very much. He helped me study and graduate. I have nothing to tell you or blame you. Only, rest in everlasting peace in Lord.

    “I had very good children who loved God and people. They helped me and they have been at my side even after our first born passed away.”

    Mukagatare told a story that brought many to tears when she recounted how she gave birth to her last child, Bless Chelsea Uwera.

    She said Uwase was born 12 years after she had decided to stop giving birth and said she was born for a reason. “I am very much sad she is not here today with me.”

    “After our first child who was a girl passed on in March last year, my sons told me Bless had been born in her place as she came later being a girl. I was very shocked that God took Bless away from me but he knows why. For me, I would have wished to have gone with them all where I would be together with them but it didn’t happen like that,” she said with a slow sad voice crying leaving a minute of silence before she emphasized to say “Lord knows the reason.”

    Mukagatare said what happened to her also happened to Lord’s servant Job and he remained faithful to God.

    “Like Job, I want to let you know today that Almighty God will always be my God in the good and the bad and he reigns eternally,” she said.

    Mukagatare promised to the mother of his husband, Livingstone to be her daughter though she can’t fit in his son’s shoes.

    In other testimonies told about Dr. Livingstone Byamungu, he was described as an ardent follower of God and had contributed to construction of St Peter Anglican Church house in Remera, reason why he was bid last farewells inside that church.

    “He always told me the ‘best is yet to come’ and it was the word on his WhatsApp profile picture,” said his younger brother who now lives in Uganda.

    Dr. Livingstone Byamungu was the Chief Investment Officer at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) after having served several other roles in Private Sector Federation (PSF), Health Poverty Action, World Vision and German Agro-Action.
    Unlike times when bodies of victims of the 1994 genocide againts Tutsi were laid to rest in honor, Mukagatare said she had never attended the mourning of five people who died all together
    The widow has not yet recovered from wounds she got through the accident
    Faces filled with sadness
    Minister Johnston Busingye at the mourning
    Dorcus Mukagatare vowed to keep faithful to God like Job despite losing all her family members

  • Rwanda launches Medusa, the first climate observatory instrument of its kind in Africa

    The launch of the Observatory operating in the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology (CST) will serve to provide data related to meteorology, climate change, and solar intensity among other operations.

    Rwanda Climate Observatory is under Rwanda-MIT Climate Observatory Project implemented by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education in partnership with Massachusetts Institute (MIT) in order to develop a world-class research program in Rwanda and build the capacity of climate change, air pollution and meteorology.

    Efforts to set up the observatory were inspired by President Paul Kagame’s visits to USA in 2008 and 2009 looking for ways to enhance science and technology and Rwanda chose MIT as the implementation partner.

    The project saw Rwandan graduates from the University of Rwanda go to be trained at MIT as it was requested by President Kagame.

    Rwanda-MIT Climate Observatory Project’s first phase started operating in 2011 while technical instruments were first placed at sites in 2013. The project is worth $2 million.
    The observatory has four technicians who operate at Mugogo Mount in Nyabihu District where more instruments measuring the climate locate.

    Dr. Jimmy Gasore, a lecturer at the College of Science and Technology, who is also the Station Chief Scientist at Rwanda Climate Observatory, said Medusa started atmospheric data measurements worldwide since 1979 being used by the researchers’ team founded following the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

    “This instrument [Medusa] has played a paramount role in measuring the greenhouse gases. We are now happy as it will help us get data on air pollutants and see if we are reducing the production and consumption of greenhouse gases [known as hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)] and plan accordingly,” Dr. Jimmy Gasore.

    “It is the first time for Medusa to be in Africa and they are only twelve elsewhere in the world; in atmospheric research centers and in universities,” he said.
    The Minister of Education, Dr. Eugene Mutimura, who officiated the launch of the Observatory, said the observatory was set to measure climate change and atmospheric causes behind it.

    “It is a very good step because it helps us know what to do to implement strategies taken by Rwandan Government to reduce greenhouse gases that pollute the air,” Dr. Eugene Mutimura said.
    Education Minister, Dr. Eugene Mutimura officiated the launch of Rwanda Climate Observatory with Medusa

  • Police warns drivers on traffic offenses as school academic year opens

    Police says road traffic flow increases as academic term opens and reminds drivers to avoid all traffic offenses that can result into accidents.

    “During the beginning of school academic year, there are more passengers using the road and sometimes, drivers over-speed in a bid to do more turns to earn more money, others carry more passengers than usual with others driving under fatigue. We urge them (drivers) to avoid these behaviors as they are among the top causes of accidents that can result into loss of lives,” the spokesperson at Traffic and Road Safety Department at Rwanda National Police, SSP Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi said.

    SSP Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi reminded passengers it is their right to be driven in safety and should report any bad driving to police.

    “When a driver is overspeeding or speaking on phone while driving, remind him it is dangerous. If he does not understand, quickly let Police know that using numbers available in passengers transport cars. This will help the Police save your life,” SSP Ndushabandi said.

    Ndushabandi urged leaders of transport companies to control the conduct of their drivers.

    “It is necessary for students going to schools to be facilitated to get early tickets so as to help them turn up at school early and evade problems like theft and irresponsible activities they may face when night falls,” he added.

    SSP Ndushabandi reminded drivers and transports companies that nobody, save for Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA), is allowed to increase transport fares and offenders will face heavy penalties.

    Parents were also urged to send their children clad in school uniforms for easy identification and help in case the need so arises.

  • Baby rescued after six hours in a pit latrine

    The baby girl who was born with health complications was born at Kabgayi Hospital where her mother checked-in to give birth on January 6th, 2018.

    After giving birth, the mother was admitted at the hospital and on the morning of January 10th at around 6am, medics called her to breastfeed the baby in the room from where the baby was being treated but the baby was nowhere to be seen.

    According to investigations, when the medics got out from the room, the mother secretly took the baby out and dumped her in pit latrine.

    The Police Spokesperson for the Southern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), Bonaventure Karekezi said: “After she threw the baby in the pit, the mother came back crying and told her mother that her baby had been stolen from the medical room.”

    “The mother of the suspect called in the doctors who afterwards called Police but other women in the Hospital continued pressing and accusing her of killing her own child,” CIP Bonaventure Karekezi added.

    CIP Karekezi said that people at the hospital and neighboring communities started searching for the baby and that is when some of them heard it crying in a nearby pit at about 10:30am.

    The Fire and Rescue Brigade was called in and working with residents, they rescued the baby alive at about 11am.

    The baby is now still being treated by medics at Kabgayi Hospital while the mother was placed under custody.

    The rescue took about 15 minutes according to ACP Jean Seminega, the Commanding Officer of the Fire and Rescue Brigade at Rwanda National Police (RNP) who also said “this is a despicable and heartless act,” wondering “what kind of mother does that.”

    Seminega commended the residents for the quick response to search for the baby and facilitating the rescue which was successful.

  • New TV Station opens in Rwanda

    Izuba TV first aired on Friday, January 11th, 2018 at about 3pm on Channel 102 on Star Times and with no subscription fees paid to watch it. It started playing music and movies but it will soon start airing shows related to rural community development. in no long time to come.

    Izuba TV, the first Community TV in Rwanda and a sister television to Radio Izuba will work be focusing on community social life with headquarters in Ngoma District in Eastern Province where Izuba Radio has been operating from since 2004. when it opened.

    Speaking to IGIHE, the Director of Izuba TV, Alphonse Muhire Munana said Izuba TV has promotion of the community development life as the major editorial line.

    “It is a sister TV to Izuba Radio. They both work aiming at improving lives of community members and community development. Izuba TV’s specialty is that it is the first community TV station in Rwanda and operatimng from outside Kigali. It s daily editorial line will focus on citizens’ daily lives,” Muhire Munana said.

    “We won’t much focus entertainment and sports only not ignoring the big number of Rwandans needing that. We want to link the agriculture, social welfare, child education, child growth and daily life of the Rwandan citizen in general with local the low governance organs as always as they always go hand in hand,” he added.

    Izuba TV is coming to Rwandan market for business or to compete with other TV stations already in Rwanda according to Muhire Munana.]

    “It is Radio Izuba’s continuing job as the first community radio station that opened in Rwanda. With 14 years in the media industry, the media house has been built on a durable foundation,” he said.

    All journalists of Radio Izuba have been trained and they are the ones to work start with Izuba TV.

    “We will add other journalists as shows increase or when we need other knowledge,” he said adding that the TV will be accessed across the country.
    Izuba TV is sister to Radio Izuba that operated since 2004

  • Mushikiwabo calls for calm in DRC

    According to provisional results announced on Thursday by the National Independent Elections Commission (CENI), opposition candidate, Felix Tshisekedi leads with 38.57% of the votes.

    However, after the announcing of provisional results, the Independent Candidate, Martin Fayulu protested against the results which attracted protests that have resulted into 11 deaths.

    In a statement released by OIF on Thursday following the announcement of the provisional results, Louise Mushikiwabo commended voter turn up and the peaceful environment under which elections were held.

    “Mrs Louise Mushikiwabo calls on the political and civil society actors, as well as the population, to maintain a peaceful environment and to privilege in all circumstances the dialogue and the best interests of the Congolese people while waiting for the proclamation of the final results by the Constitutional Court,” reads part of the statement released by the OIF.

    “OIF invites candidates to exclusively resort to legal channels in the event of possible disputes; encourage election-related institutions to make every effort to ensure transparency, sincerity and reliability of the crucial stage of managing election results,” the statement adds.

    CENI is slated to declare the election final results on January 15th this year with the swearing in of the new President replacing Joseph Kabila- who has ruled DRC as President since 2011- scheduled to be held on January 18th.

    Mushikiwabo stated the OIF contributed with all its international partners in helping the DRC hold peaceful elections and “it reiterates its determination to continue, beyond these elections, its efforts to support the consolidation of peace, democracy and the rule of law in this important member state of La Francophonie.”

    The OIF has 88 states and governments: 54 members, seven associate members and 27 observers.
    Felix Tchisekedi was elected as new President of DRC replacing Joseph Kabila according to provisional results announced by CENI

  • Police operations impound 100 errant motorcycles in Kigali

    The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety Department, Senior Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi said the operations target motorcyclists without driver’s license, transport authorization permit; those, who are not registered in cooperatives as well as those violating other varied traffic related rules

    “If we have to save lives, we have to make sure that every bit of the road safety standards is respected,” SSP Ndushabandi said.

    “When you park in the middle of the road or dangerous place to pick or drop a passenger; when you don’t go for riding lessons through which you acquire a driver’s license and you instead use your basic riding skills; or when you ride on high speed, make u-turn in a wrong or dangerous area, you are putting lives of other road users at risk, and these operations are meant to prevent such deadly behaviours,” he added.

    Majority 30 percent of road injuries and deaths registered last year were either caused or involved taxi-moto operators, according to statistics as written by RNP website with statistics indicating that most motorcycles used in criminal acts like transporting thieves or stolen items, trafficking drugs and snatching people’s valuables are those that are not registered in cooperatives

    SSP Ndushabandi said that continuing operations will also be extended to motorists.
    “We started with motorcyclists today but the operation will also be extended to other groups of motorists such as special hires, public service vehicles, private owned and trucks. We want to ensure that every road user understands and respects traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

    Reverien Ngendahimana from the Rwanda Federation of Motorcycle Cooperatives ( FERWACOTAMO), said that they are working with RNP, Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (RURA) and Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) to ensure that the motorcycle transport business is “organized and safety for all.”

    “It’s a policy that every motorcyclist has to belong to a certain cooperative; this helps in monitoring and control and at the same time easier to identify errant members involved in criminal acts or whose behaviors and actions on road put the life of other people at stake,” Ngendahimana said.

    With the ongoing installation and registration of all taxi-motos, the federation and Police say it will now be easier to track any motorcycle implicated in any criminal act or violation of traffic rules.

    This is because motorcycles registered in cooperatives are being fitted with GPS, and Police appeals to members of the public to always be quick to memorise or note down the number plates of the motorcycle they see or suspect to be involved in any wrongful act.

    This makes it easier to trace it back to the owner and to identify the person that was using it that very day or night it was implicated in the unlawful act.