IGIHE

Author: Samson Iradukunda

  • Two former Rwanda Education Board bosses arrested

    Information from the prosecution indicates that the duo is being interrogated for alleged complicity in the misuse of funds worth Rwf 249 million in One Laptop Per Child Project that is under REB.

    John Rutayisire was the first director of REB when the institution was created in 2011 out of merger of different institutions under the education sector including Rwanda National Examinations Council (RNEC), Teacher’s Service Commission (TSC),The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and Student Financing Agency for Rwanda (SFAR).

    He served until 2015 when he handed over to Gasana who served until 2017.

    Gasana was replaced in February 2017 by Dr. Irenée Ndayambaje who is still in service.

    One Laptop Per Child was initiated in June 2008 with the aim of making Rwanda a technology hub.

    So far, over 270,000 laptops of XO brand have been given to over 1500 primary schools.

    The project had numerous problems jeopardizing its implementation. Some of them were reported stolen while others were kept idle at schools with no access to electricity among other inconsistencies.

    The 2016 Auditor General report indicated that 583 laptops worth Rwf 101,607,187
    under the project were kept in school stores across the country instead of giving them
    to beneficiaries.
    John Rutayisire (left) handing over office instruments to Janvier Gasana as REB Director General in 2015

  • Special commission to investigate problems in implementation of agriculture programs

    The dissatisfaction was expressed yesterday as she responded for the second time to the summon of parliament that was not satisfied with provided explanations.

    Following unappealing answers last time, Dr Mukeshimana returned to the parliament yesterday with a written response to the 28 questions she had been asked.

    The responses were in relation to; inadequacy of multiplied seeds, malfunctioning milk collection centers, agribusiness produce lacking market and irrigation problems where farmers lament over expensive irrigation equipment.

    She was asked to provide clarifications on poor implementation of post-harvest handling leading to poor quality produce, lack of market over poor quality standards, high taxes paid by rice farmers in rehabilitated marshlands among others.

    Minister Mukeshimana tried to answer some of these questions though parliamentarians were not satisfied.

    Concerning ineffective performance of milk collection centers, she explained that most of the matter was caused by inadequate electricity supply that they are working with other institutions to address.

    Concerning irrigation problems, Minister Mukeshimana said that Rwanda has 36 500 irrigated hectares in marshlands and on hillsides and designing a master plan to identify areas of priority.

    She explained that they are going to work with concerned institutions to fix the issue of high taxes charged to rice farmers in marshlands. These taxes range from Rwf 80,000 to 100,000.

    Concerning expensive irrigation equipment, Minister Mukeshimana said that they have introduced Nkunganire program catering for 50% of the cost spent to such equipment.

    She revealed that the ministry is putting in much effort to multiply seeds locally . Currently, the country imports 50% of seeds.
    Parliamentarians were however not satisfied with the explanations.

    “ The first commission pointed out problems, the auditor general indicated that agricultural services don’t benefit farmers, RGB report indicated that citizens are satisfied with such services at below 50% yet you have provided explanations proving how the situation is better. What can we take as the truth?” wondered MP Euthalie Nyirabega.

    Veneranda Nyirahirwa observed that there is a need for reforms considering the problems rampant in agriculture yet it is practiced by 70% of Rwandans.

    She however noted that reforms cannot be possible if there is no acknowledgement of existing problems.

    “Based on provided answers, it seems like all problems in the agriculture sector are fixed yet it is not the case. When we visited farmers; they had a serious problem of seeds and fertilizers. The produce cannot be good while they still plant seeds that existed for 11 years like rice,” she said.

    Another MP, Marie Thérèse Murekatete highlighted that ‘the number of cattle and the quantity of milk don’t match. We have the problem of malnutrition among children.’

    Only 26 of 66 MPs who attended the hearing were satisfied with explanations from MINAGRI.

    They agreed on establishing a special commission to investigate problems in agriculture and livestock farming of which outcomes will be reported to the general assembly.
    Explanations by the Minister of Agriculture and Animanl Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana did not satisfy Members of the Parliament

  • Mpanga residents frustrated over long distances to access safe water

    With the capacity of treating over 5000 cubic meters a day, Mpanga water treatment plant was launched in 2017 to feed different sectors of Nyanza district.

    Some residents are however frustrated as they fetch water from marshlands exposing them to risks of diseases yet water from the plant is distributed to far distant population.

    “Imagine how frustrating it is having a water treatment plant in this village that can’t help us to get safe water while it supplies water to Bugesera district. You understand that it benefits only that area leaving us helpless,” said Révérien Mureramanzi.

    “We don’t have water at homes. We fetch from marshlands. This has resulted into contamination of infectious diseases like verminosis and malaria,” said another resident Annonciate Mukahigiro from Nyamazi village, Mpanga cell of Mukingo sector.

    As he attended the launch of Water Supply and Sanitation policy week yesterday, the mayor of Nyanza district, Erasme Ntazinda explained that water will be made available to residents gradually.

    He this will go hand in hand with upgrading Shyogwe-Mayaga, Butansinda-Agahombo-Mulinga and Busasamana-Rwabicuma-Nyagisozi watercourses.

    “We have projects to make safe water available by next year. Other areas of focus include Mukinga and Mpanga where the water treatment plant is constructed. We agreed with WASAC to make water accessible there,” said Ntazinda.

  • Man shot dead after stealing lottery machines

    It is said that two of the three men were in military uniform.

    The incident took place around 10:00 pm last night.

    The police spokesperson in Kigali city, CIP Marie Gorette Umutesi has told IGIHE that they were three thieves who left a car along the way.

    “They went to steal in a shop and asked licensing documents for lottery machines impersonating as security officers. Two of them wore military uniform, and had concealed the number plate of the car with cow dong. They parked the machines as owners tried to get documents,” she said.

    Umutesi explained that one of residents alerted Kanyinya police station as the suspects were departing.

    “After providing information that the car was driving to Kigali, police went on the road to stop it and the driver was shot escaping,” she said.

  • Bugesera residents warned against illegal access to Gako Military Camp premises

    Gako Military Camp is located in the forest covering Rweru, Rilima, Gashora, Mayange, Kamabuye and Ngeruka sectors of Bugesera district.

    The warning was made by the RDF Division commander for the City of Kigali and Eastern Province, Gen Mubarak Muganga yesterday in a meeting that brought together Eastern Province Governor Fred Mufulukye, security organs and residents living in the camp’s neighborhood.

    Some residents go into the camp’s premises for hunting purposes, collecting firewood, burning charcoal and grazing.

    Gen. Mubarak explained that some of them tend to confront soldiers as they go into the forest to hunt different animals including gazelles and hares.

    “We have two soldiers admitted at Kanombe who have recently been stabbed by residents who came to hunt in this forest. You understand that they started going beyond limits,” he said.

    He also revealed that some residents pass through the forest trafficking drugs from Burundi and reminded them that whoever is caught again will be seriously punished.

    Eastern Province Governor, Mufulukye also warned residents against such illegal entries and urged them to make a good use of the land the camp gave them.

    Talking to IGIHE, Maurice Musine one of the residents attributed the illegal entry to lack of firewood.

    “We often go into the forest to collect firewood but there are those who take the opportunity to hunt or traffic drugs through the forest,” he said.

    Musine asked the district to facilitate easy access to gas following the notice prohibiting them from accessing the forest.

    The mayor of Bugesera district, Richard Mutabazi said they are going to look for a partner to make it possible.

    “We take pride to have the population with such advanced mindsets. Following their request, we will look for a partner who can provide affordable Gaz matching with their financial means,” he said.

    Bugesera district advisory committee agreed on Rwf 150,000 fines for illegal movements to Gako Military Camp premises.
    The Governor of the Eastern Province warned the residents not to access Gako Military Camp premises illegally

  • Museveni’s letter to Kagame triggers funny reactions, raises more questions

    On Tuesday, The New Vision, a Ugandan government owned newspaper, published a letter- dated March 10, 2019- it said Uganda’s President wrote to his Rwandan counterpart over the meetings he held with different people the Government considers as hostile to its people.

    “I am writing to let you know that by accident, I, at last, had a meeting with a Rwandan who admitted to being a member of the group you told me about – Rwanda National Congress (RNC),” reads part of Museveni letter to Kagame.

    However, the letter has triggered so many reactions, many of them funny, due to the time it was published but also people asking how a Head of State can meet people a neighboring country considers hostile ‘by accident’.

    According to sources, the letter was received by Rwanda High Commission in Uganda on Monday evening and it was on its way to President Kagame on Tuesday morning when it started circulating in the Ugandan media, meaning it was published in the media before it reached its recipient President Kagame himself.

    Following what makes the letter; Twitter followers took on Twitter and raised different funny reactions on it in a Twitter thread that goes as #WritelikeMuseveni.

    A Twitter user by the name of Princess from North tweeted: “Rwanda: You are holding meeting with dissidents, why? What’s your motive?

    M7: I accidentally meet them and somehow give them passports”

    “So, FDLR Senior Cadres (Spokesperson Bazeye & Spy Chief Abega ) crossed ACCIDENTALLY to Uganda and met ACCIDENTALLY Ugandan Senior Officials who were sent ACCIDENTALLY by MUSEVENI and they left the country escorted ACCIDENTALLY by CMI to be arrested in DRC! #WriteLikeMuseveni,” tweeted another one called Kambanda Noel.

    Kanangire Christian also tweeted: “Museveni got his presidential letter accidentally leaked to the media before it actually reached its recipient. #Museveni accidentally addressed his letter to the #Media first. #WriteLikeMuseveni,”

    Museveni finally admits he met tycoon Rujugiro

    As he launched the 16th National Leadership Retreat, President Kagame said he had to prove to Museveni who denied knowing Rujugiro, a tycoon owning businesses in Uganda and supporting the Rwanda National Congress (RNC).

    “At first Museveni said he did not know him [Rujugiro], but later on, I proved to him how he knows him,” Kagame said.

    “He (Museveni) told me you guys in Rwanda don’t know how to differentiate business and politics and I said: thank you Sir, but sometimes business and politics has no dividing line. I was trying to mean that if someone is supporting some groups, then there is no dividing line between his business and politics.” Kagame added.

    In his letter, Museveni finally agreed to have met Rujugiro whom he said opposed the idea to sell his businesses in Uganda.

    Mr. Rujugiro also came, separately. He seems to be resisting the idea of selling his businesses, which he had accepted (to do) before. He countered the idea of giving money to Kayumba by saying that even if he sells the factories in Uganda, he still has more lucrative factories in Angola, DR Congo, etc., a total of eight of them. He can send money from those,” Museveni wrote.

  • Eastern Province youth challenged on fighting drug abuse, unexpected pregnancies and school drop outs

    He made the call on Sunday as he launched the general assembly of the youth from Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF)-Inkotanyi held in Kayonza district of Eastern Province bringing together over 300 participants.

    According to figures from the Ministry of Health, 3,375 children aged between 15 and 19 in Eastern Province gave birth in the first six months of 2018 while 2,749 dropped out of school but 1,867 were returned to school after mobilization, 353 never returned while 509 had moved to other regions.

    Mufulukye observed that it is possible to address these issues if the youth play an active role.

    “When I see an impregnated young girl, children abandoning schools, and young addicted to drugs; I find it a serious problem and wonder what you do to help them to get rid of it,” he said.

    “I believe it can be addressed within short time if you play an active role in advising girls and boys on good behaviour,” added Mufulukye.

    Mufulukye tasked the youth to draw resolutions enabling them to change youth’s attitudes from grassroots levels and seek assistance from the government where they face challenges.

    Lea Batamuriza from Gatsibo district said they will conduct increased mobilizations following advice from the governor.

    The youth in general vowed to improve performance and deepen collaboration with local government leadership.

  • One arrested for killing his mother

    The incident took place in Gahengeri village, Karambi cell in Muhazi sector of Rwamagana Sunday night.

    It is alleged that the suspect whith his colleague returned home drunk with pushed his mother down as they got in heated argument where after the suspect hit an object on the head of her mother who died instantly.

    The two were immediately detained at Kigabiro police station.

    IGIHE has learnt from residents that the suspect was a notorious drug addict to which they attribute the evil acts.

    The spokesperson of Rwanda investigation Bureau (RIB) Modeste Mbabazi has confirmed the arrest.

    “It is true that the young man is arrested suspected of killing his mother. He was still drunk by the time he was to be questioned,” he said.

    The deceased identified as Agnes Muhongerwa was 52 years old. Her body has been taken to Rwamagana hospital for postmortem.

  • Suspected murderer of 4 children caught with dead bodies

    The quartet aged five, seven, eight and thirteen years old were children to neighbors of the suspect who is a resident of Katabagemu Sector of Nyagatare District.

    According to the Spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Modeste Mbabazi, the suspect was found with the four dead bodies after neighbors suspected him following cases of children missing in the area and they reported him to security officials.

    “They went and searched his house where they found four dead bodies. He immediately admitted to have killed the children but he doesn’t reveal the reason he killed them. We are still investigating the matter to know what his intent was,” Modeste Mbabazi explained.

    Mbabazi added that the victims are children to suspect’s neighbors who have no family relationship with him.

    Murder attracts a life imprisonment sentence according to article 107 of the penal code.

  • Seninga resigns as Bugesera FC coach

    In a letter he wrote to the Management of Bugesera FC of which a copy IGIHE has received, Seninga accused of Bugesera FC officials of not honoring some terms of the two-year contract he signed with the club on August 20 last year and requested for contract termination.

    As part of his contract’s breaching, Seninga said he was not paid salary ies for the last two months and Rwf500,000 of his recruitment fees.

    Speaking to IGIHE, Bugesera FC Secretary General, Sam Karenzi said they received Seninga’s resignation letter and they are working to help the Club keep good performances without Seninga.

    Seninga was appointed as coach of Bugesera FC on August 20 last year. He leaves the club sitting 10th with 24 points on the Azam Rwanda Premier League season 2018/19 standings.

    As Bugesera Football club head coach, Seninga won five games, lost eight and drew seven games.

    Before his appointment as Bugesera FC coach, Innocent Seninga had previously worked as coach of SC Kiyovu, Ettincelles FC, Police FC and Isonga FC. He also doubles as the second assistant coach of Rwanda National Football Team (Amavubi).