Author: Samson Iradukunda

Gahigi assumes office as Director General of Rwanda Meteorological Centre

Semafara who has led the Rwanda Meteorological Centre (Meteo Rwanda) for the last 24 years has retired. His retirement request was approved by the Cabinet meeting held on January 28 this year which also appointed Aimable Gahigi as his successor.

Speaking after handing over the office instruments to Gahigi, Semafara commended the Government of Rwanda for the trust conferred on him in climate data services and urged his successor to build on what was achieved before.

“Meteo Rwanda has a main duty to timely share weather and climate information which helps different institutions in planning. You have all it takes to achieve goals you set,” Semafara said.

Semafara urged the remaining staff members to help the Director General in delivering the best services to Rwandans.

The incoming Director of Rwanda Meteorological Centre, Aimable Gahigi has pledged to improve the timely dissemination of weather related information and climate services to all sectors of the economy including agriculture, health, and energy among others.

“It requires working hand in hand with every sector to know information they need and disseminate it to them on time. We will focus on working well with partners,” Gahigi said.

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Vincent Biruta who chaired the handover ceremony said Meteo Rwanda has grown into a large institution and collaboration among staff will help it get to another level.

Minister Biruta handed Semafara a certificate of appreciation and thanked him for his role in the growth of the Centre.

“The outgoing Director General has had a big role in the growth of this Centre. He retired after serving the Government with commitment,” Biruta said.

“We hope the new Director General will use his experience to build on what was achieved. You should know that all you do is for the service of Rwandans. We promise our full support in your work to help the citizens access weather related information,” Minister Biruta added.

Semafara has been in meteorological services since 1972 while the incoming Director General Aimable Gahigi previously served as a researcher at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

February 15, 2019
Japan grants Rwanda Rwf78 million for water supply

The project implementation deal was signed by Japan Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Mishayita and Paul Murenzi, the President of the Rwandese Endogenous Development Association (ARDE/KUBAHO), a local NGO that will run the one year project to benefit over 38,000 people in Runda Sector.

Under the project, a water source will be rehabilitated and a water tank constructed along with a 3.6 kilometre water pipeline supply system. Three water houses and one public water tap will as well be constructed.

Speaking to IGIHE, Japan’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita said they chose to fund ARDE Kubaho’s water project after realizing that residents of Runda Sector need access to clean and safe water.

He said though it is a small project, it means a lot for the population who will be supplied with clean water.

“We (Japan) want to contribute to Rwanda Government’s plan to see all Rwandans access clean water,” Ambassador Miyashita said.

Paul Murenzi, the President of ARDE Kubaho said lack of access to clean water was a threat to health of residents in Runda Sector.

“Children would get late to school as they first went to wetlands to look for water which was unclean. When clean water facilities are introduced in the area, their lives will change as we witnessed it in other parts of the country,” Murenzi said.

Murenzi added that the project will create jobs for different people focusing on the youth who will be receiving a wages of between Rwf2,000 and Rwf5,000 per day.

February 14, 2019
Government recovers Rwf300 million in loans local leaders owe SACCOs

In January this year, a committee made of staff from the Ministry of Local Governance, Rwanda Cooperative Agency and Security organs released a report showing that local leaders owed SACCOs a non-serviced debt worth Rwf600 million.

Effective from January 15 this year, a crackdown to recover the money started and it has now recovered more than a half of the folio in one month according to the Director General of Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Prof. Jean Bosco Harerimana.

“Now, they [local leaders] have paid Rwf300,216,184 and we hope to recover the remaining part so soon that the SACCOs continue to contribute to development of members and the country in general,” Prof. Harerimana told IGIHE on Wednesday.

Harerimana added that those failing to pay the whole debt were given two months and in case they fail to pay they will be subjected to the law.

Managers of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in different districts say local leaders have less respect for SACCOs and often fail to meet their debt-servicing obligations.

“They don’t lack money because they get salaries which they present as collateral. They don’t pay the loans because they just disrespect the SACCOs, and their managers,” a manager of SACCO in Burera District who talked to IGIHE on condition of anonymity said.

There are 17 SACCOs in Burera District which are owed Rwf42 million by local leaders.

In July last year, RCA had said the non-performing loans in SACCOs had reached 16% way above the considered 5%.

February 14, 2019
We left many Rwandans in Ugandan prisons, repatriated Rwandans say

Four men and one woman were handed to Rwanda by the Ugandan Police at Kagitumba Border in Nyagatare District.

They had been held at Ntungamo and Kasese Prisons which they say hold many more Rwandans.

Speaking to journalists, they said they had been arrested in Uganda where they had gone to look for a living whereas others had gone to visit families and friends.

Felicien Ntigurirwa who was born in Gatsibo District, said he went to Uganda in 2018 to visit his family members and he spent a year. He was arrested at the border on his way back to Rwanda.

“I was asked to show my papers and I showed my Rwandan identity which they said was not enough. They asked a lot of shillings which I failed to give and they took me to jail,” he said.

At Ntungamo where he was held, Ntigurirwa says he was sentenced to six months in prison and he was forced to do farming activities in Buga area.

“We were forced to do farming activities and in case you failed to, you would be severely beaten. It is a life I wouldn’t wish any Rwandan to live because we used to cultivate from the morning to evening without rest and with beatings on our backs,” he said.

Ntigurirwa said that at least 10 Rwandans were brought at Ntungamo where he was imprisoned picked from different places in Uganda over ‘illegal’ entry.

Claudine Uwimana, a resident of Rulindo District said women are forced to weave baskets. She said she was together with 20 other Rwandan women who were also arrested in Uganda.

“Many Rwandans are arrested at the border,” Uwimana said, warning other Rwandans travelling to Uganda.

Jean Bosco Rwego from Kayonza District said there are 360 prisoners in the jail where he was held with 200 of them being Rwandans.

Rwego who had been living in Uganda since 2012, says he was arrested in September last year because somebody wanted to confiscate his property.

“He called the Police saying I was a Rwandan who had illegally entered in Uganda.
Without explanations, I was arrested. I had worked hard and had bought some land having earned a lot of money which I think is the reason why I was betrayed so that they could take it away,” he said.

February 14, 2019
Government to pay UR Rwf14bn debt

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance at the University of Rwanda, Françoise Kayitare Tengera said the debt was due to challenges that followed the merger of different institutions to create the University of Rwanda in 2013.

She said UR inherited debts from the merged public institutions owed to its staff and other suppliers.

Last year, the University of Rwanda officials outlined a 5-year plan of how to pay the debt.

“The Government has pledged to increase our budget part of which will service the debt,” Kayitare Tengera said, adding that it is the Government’s will to help the University progressing.

Government has pledged to have paid the debt in five years.

Tengera has said Government will be paying between Rwf.1.8 billion and Rwf.2.6 billion per year. It has already paid Rwf2 billion.

“The next Auditor General’s report will show the debt is no longer as it was. When we pay the debt, we start by priorities which have been unpaid for the longest time,” Tengera explained.

From 2015 the University of Rwanda has faced financial hardships which saw it fail to pay regular salaries for its staff, funding students’ internships and failing to pay suppliers.

February 14, 2019
Police intercept boat with 36 bales of used clothes on Lake Kivu

Rwanda National Police Marine Unit on Tuesday intercepted a boat loaded with 36 bales of used clothes on Lake Kivu.

The Police spokesperson for the western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, said the goods were being smuggled by six men, who were also taken into custody.

“On Tuesday at about 3am, fishermen called security personnel, reporting a boat from DR. Congo that was headed to Nyamasheke District. The marine unit responded and intercepted the boat in Gihombo Sector, Kibingo Cell loaded with 36 bales of clothes and took into custody the six people that were on board at the time,” he said.

In November last year, a marine unit in Rutsiro District intercepted at least 369 bales of second-hand clothes and shoes that were also being smuggled into the country through Lake Kivu.

At least 33 cases of smuggling of used clothes and shoes were recorded on Lake Kivu last year.

Meanwhile, Police said, a Fuso truck was also intercepted in downtown Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge District with four bales of smuggled second-hand clothes.

The bales had been covered with bags of vegetables. The vehicle and the goods were also impounded.

February 13, 2019
Rwandans in USA hold Prayer Banquet

The 17th Rwanda Prayer Banquet was held under the theme extracted from the Book of Isaiah 40:31, which says: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

In his message to the congregation, Rev. Dr. Charles Mugisha, the Founder of Africa New Life Organization, talked about living a purpose-driven life and urged participants to choose a firm life vision.

Bishop Darlington Johnson, a Pastor at Bethel World Outreach Ministries delivered the message that emphasized the theme of the Banquet and explained that when the Lord Almighty God gives you renewed strength, you receive God’s power and you achieve every goal you set the heart to.

Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira who represented the First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame at the event, talked about characteristics of a powerful and dedicated leader.

Kacyira urged Rwandans in diaspora to keep attached to their motherland, Rwanda.

The Head of Rwanda Prayer Banquet USA Ministry, Antoinette Kanyabutembo thanked all who participated in the event and urged them to keep united through the prayer so that Rwanda keeps blessed with the best from the Lord.

February 13, 2019
Optimism is Rwanda’s growth secret, Kagame says

Kagame made the remarks on Tuesday as he addressed the 7th World Government Summit in Dubai.

The annual Summit has brought together over 4000 participants from 140 world countries including the Heads of States and Governments, International Organizations and different experts.

The Summit is dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.

Kagame said the United Arab Emirates is an inspiration to many countries including Rwanda, for its example of placing high value on people and the private sector to achieve remarkable result.

“You have shown the world how vision, leadership and good stewardship of natural resources transforms scarcity into prosperity,” Kagame said.

In the 7th World Goverment Summit, Rwanda was selected as the guest country.
“In the last 25 years in Rwanda, we have worked to build a new nation based on the values of unity and opportunity for all our citizens,” Kagame said.

“We have made significant progress over the years, but there is much more to do. However, none of this would have been possible without the right foundation,” he added.

Kagame explained that civic participation and the culture where leaders and institutions exist to respond to citizens’ expectations was key in this journey.

“This was complemented by a focus on civic participation and trust ensuring that everyone is included in shaping the country’s future,”Kagame said, adding that Bringing all Rwandans together in a common enterprise also meant guaranteeing the rights of those who were previously marginalised, particularly women.

“As a result of this social contract, the government has been able to simultaneously invest heavily in our human capital and also in ambitious infrastructure and technology for our future prosperity,” he revealed.

“Although the means available do not always match the scale of our ambitions, we have done our best to get the most out of the resources we do have and find creative ways to fill the gap,” he emphasized.

Kagame explained: “Good governance and accountability is central to everything we do. In Rwanda’s case, we are working to reverse a legacy of extreme corruption and division in our society that nearly completely destroyed our country.

“If there is one lesson from Rwanda’s experience, it is optimism. If Rwanda can make it to this point it means that there are no insurmountable challenges, provided that people work together towards a common goal,”Kagame said.

February 13, 2019
Rwanda earns $52 million in meetings and conferences in 7 months

RCB said that Rwanda received an estimated 35,000 delegates who attended globally recognized events such as the Africa Green Revolution Forum, the GSMA Mobile 360 Africa, Youth Connect Summit and the 5th International Conference on Family Planning that registered one of the largest number of delegates, of over3,800.

RCB has set a target to collect $74 million from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector in 2018/2019 financial year and $88 million in 2019/20 up from $42 million collected in 2017.

Among notable international conferences slated to be hosted by Rwanda this year is the Africa Fine Coffee and Exhibition to take place in February expected to bring in 1500 international delegates, the Africa CEO Forum in March, Africa Health Agenda International Conference and the International Conference on AIDS and STI’s in Africa (ICASA) expected to receive between 7000 and 9000 delegates.

“We will keep on the frontline in getting Rwanda known. When Rwanda hosts an international meeting, we ensure that they are successful that foreign delegates keep looking to Rwanda as the best in conference hosting. We also call the guests to spend long in Rwanda so that they spend more in Rwanda which benefits the private sector,” Mukazayire said.

The President of the Private Events’ Organizers, Aimable Rumongi said: “When a conference takes place in Rwanda, private businesses gain a lot, from the eggs’ supplier, the tomato seller and the event’s organizer.”

RCB says that Kigali now boasts of approximately 5000 rooms in the 2 to 5-star hotels with another 8000 rooms in modern motels available for travellers.

Rwanda was last year ranked the 3rd in Africa as the best country in conference hosting according to International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

February 12, 2019
RRA collects Rwf666 billion in six months, exceeds target by 0.8%

From July to December 2018, RRA collected Rwf654.4 billion in tax revenue while the target was Rwf651.5 billion. Compared to Rwf582.9 million collected in the first semester of the financial year 2017/18, there is additional revenue of Rwf71.5 billion translating a growth of 12.3%.

Non-tax revenue collected amounted to rwf11.6 billion compared to the target of Rwf8.9 billion, a 130.2% performance.

The performance in tax revenue collection was attributed to lower inflation, increased agricultural production, improved voluntary compliance of taxpayers and administrative measures taken such as audits among other reasons.

Local Government (LG) taxes and fees collection totaled Rwf22.7 billion, with a shortfall of Rwf0.4 billion to the target of Rwf23.3 billion that had been set.

“The economy was projected to grow by 7.5% during the 2018/19 financial year and the data released by the National Institute of Rwanda shows a growth of growth of 7.7% for the first quarter of (July to September 2018) of 2018/19 fiscal year,” said the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali.

Ruganintwali said that RRA recovered Rwf20 million among people who had debts in taxes and tough measures are under implementation to recover all the money the Government is owed by debtors.

Ruganintwali also thanked the taxpayers who fulfil their duties and asked for a participative hand in fighting those who don’t comply with paying taxes though he said they are few.

February 12, 2019