IGIHE

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • SADC summit nods Action Plan 2015-2063

    {An extraordinary Summit of the SADC Heads of State and Government has carried out an in-depth discussion of the Action Plan of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap 2015 – 2063.}

    At a meeting held at lozitha, Swaziland on March 18th led by SADC Chairman, King Mswati III, the leaders went through the strategic plan and the time set for its implementation.

    A statement made available to the ‘Daily News’ by Ambassador Innocent- Shiyo noted that the industrialization strategy would bring about better lives for the people in the region within its regional and global value chains.

    Ambassador Shiyo, from the Department of Regional Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation argued that, for positive results, implementation of the strategic plan would involve both public and private sectors.

    The meeting was attended by all member countries, at which the Tanzania delegation was led by the Vice-President, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan – who represented President John Magufuli.

    Others in attendance were: the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Dr Augustine Mahiga and the Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Charles Mwijage – who has been on the forefront on industrialization agenda.

    President Magufuli is the current Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Zanzibar was represented by Ambassador Amina Salum Ali, who is the minister responsible for industries, commerce and markets in the Isles Government.

    The meeting was preceded by a Council of Ministers that took place from March 15th to 16th, a meeting of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials that took place from 9th to 10th March and the Ministerial Task Force Committee on Regional Integration – MTF on March 11th.

    In another development, the heads of state and government approved the appointment of seven judges to the SADC Administrative Tribunal – SADCAT, four of whom are women.

    After a careful and strict vetting, Tanzania got a slot, in Judge (Rtd) Regina Rweyemanu, who joins counterparts from Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe – all of whom will serve on their capacities for two years. Vice-President Hassan led the Tanzanian delegation to a Double Troika that took place on March 17th at Lozitha.

    The Double Troika involves six member countries now made up of Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania.

    The Double Troika reviewed and discussed political, defence and security situation in the region, specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Lesotho Kingdom. According to Ambassador Shiyo, the two countries, noted have been going through political challenges that needed detailed discussion in order to forge a better way forward.

    The leaders also received and discussed the SADC Oversight Committee for the Kingdom of Lesotho from the SADC Facilitator for the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, who is South African Deputy President.

    Following a vote of no confidence to Lesotho Government, its Parliament was dissolved and an election is due to be held next June. On the DRC, the leaders received a progress report on preparations for the general election slated for later this year.

    They hailed the DRC Government for efforts taken to ensure peace and tranquility are observed.

    Source:Daily News

  • Arusha to host single EAC monetary seat

    {The Proposed Central Bank of East Africa, the single monetary institution to preside over financial matters across the six Community states of Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and now South-Sudan will be established in 2024.}

    The ‘Bank of East Africa,’ is more likely to be built in Arusha and operate from here. A statement from the East African Community Secretariat in Arusha, revealed that the East African Monetary Institute will be a transitional mechanism to the East African Central Bank which will issue the single currency for the region which is expected to be in place by the year 2024.

    Apparently, almost forgotten in matters concerning the East African Community, the Regional Monetary Union subject is coming up again here in the next few days with ministerial meeting to that effect, kicking off in Arusha next week.

    The 35th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC’s Council of Ministers is scheduled to take place in Arusha from Thursday, the 30th of March to the 4th of April 2017. A statement from the Community Headquarters here explained that the EAC Secretariat has drafted two Bills, namely, the East African Monetary Institute Bill and the East African Statistics Institute Bill.

    The two bills will be considered at the scheduled 35th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers to be held in Arusha from March 30 to April 4, 2017 which lays carpet for the Summit of the East African Heads of State.

    Topping the bills, the issue of the East African Monetary Institute is described to be a transitional mechanism to the East African Central Bank which will issue the single currency for the region that is expected to be in place by the year 2024.

    The East African Statistics Institute on the other hand is critical for macro-economic convergence and harmonisation as it will provide accurate data and information to guide decision making as the region progresses towards a single currency.

    It was noted that the Monetary Union would only function efficiently if the Customs Union and Common Market protocols were fully implemented. During the recent EAC delegation to Juba, it was revealed that the Bank of South Sudan was already working closely with the other Central Banks of East Africa, towards realising the EAMU plans, adding that the bank will fully participate in EAC activities especially the Sectoral Committee on Finance and Economic Policy.

    Secretary General Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko led the delegation from Arusha to Juba to address such matters and he was accompanied by a number of officials from the Secretariat here.

    Among them was the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Mr Charles Njoroge, the Director of Customs, Mr Kenneth Bagamuhunda, Director of Finance, Mr Juvenal Ndimurirwo and Defence Liaison Officer (Uganda), Col. James Ruhesi.

    Others were Ms Geraldine Umugwaneza, Deputy Registrar at the East African Court of Justice; Mr Bakaye Lubega, Principal Culture and Sports Officer; Mr Stephen Agaba, Principal Legal Officer; Dr James Njagu, Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary General, and; Emmanuel Niyonizigiye, Police Liaison Officer.

    Source:Daily News

  • Two suspected motorcycle thieves arrested

    {Police in Nyagatare have arrested two men in connection with attempting to steal a motorcycle and stabbing and strangling the owner with in intention to kill him.}

    The suspects were identified as Jean d’Amour Nisingizwe and Jean Bosco Kanani.

    They are alleged to have stolen a motorcycle belonging Feneas Kabeza.

    Narrating how the ordeal unfolded, the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi said that on the morning of March 18, Kabeza was on his routine duty looking for passengers when Nisingizwe approached him as a client, after moving for a short while, the latter started strangling him.

    “In the process of the scuffle, Kanani came and stabbed him with a knife in the chest which weakened him. Residents who witnessed the incident immediately called the police and our officers arrived at the scene and managed to arrest the two men before they escaped,” he said.

    The spokesperson thanked residents saying that, a life was saved because residents alerted the police in time.

    The victim is currently admitted at Mimuri health center and recovering from the chest wound while the two suspects are held at Mimuri police station as police finalise their case files for prosecution.

    The duo risk a jail sentence of up to eight years as stipulated in article 304 of the penal code.

    Source:Police

  • 4 dangerous habits you should avoid

    {A habit is basically a way of life. It is something you have become used to because you do it very often. A habit or habits can either be bad or good, and obviously, the bad ones are unhealthy and dangerous to your. I have a few examples.}

    {{1. Pride }}

    Pride is a major obstacle to growth and success. Pride gives you the impression you’re better or good, even while you’re far from it. People who are fond of moving with a chip over their shoulders eventually end up becoming deformed. You have absolutely nothing to be proud of. Pride has succeeded in reducing men to nothing and has sent lots of dreams to the gutters. Many have missed lots of opportunities to become great just because of their pride.

    Proud people cannot learn. They cannot get help, and they remain stuck in their difficulties without a way out.

    {{2. Procrastination }}

    This is a major killer of dreams and visions. If you can do it later, you can definitely do it now. What we always fail to understand is that our plans, dreams and visions have an expiry date. Think of all the greats of today, they never would have been where they are without acting on their dreams and aspirations. People who leave today’s work for tomorrow end up wishing they hadn’t. Today is always the best time to do that work or pursue that dream because let’s face it, while you have the necessary ingredients to get success off it today, you may not enjoy the same tomorrow.

    Tomorrow’s market may not need the dreams and visions of today. Never let procrastination take hold of your life, if you can do it later, you can do it now.

    {{3. Addictions}}

    Addiction to anything at all is a terrible shackle to be under. When you’re addicted to something, it means you’re under the control of that thing. Now check out some common addictions today, and tell me if it’s worth it. Alcoholism, drug abuse, sex, theft, tech use, etc are some of the things people let control their lives today. They dedicate more of their time to living out those addictions than actually doing some good to their life.

    Addictions lead to loss of quality time and visions. Give addictions a break and invest that time into your life.

    {{4. Eating so much }}

    As humans we cannot do without food, understood! But you must eat to live and not the other way round. Excessive eating of junks has been the major cause of cancer and other diet related health complications. To live a healthy life, we need to watch what goes into our mouth all in the name of food. Everything is permissible by the body but not all that enters keeps it in a healthy state.

    Source:Elcrema

  • Police seize over 200 sachets of Zebra Waragi in Gatsibo bar operations

    {Police in Gatsibo District conducted a targeted operation in eight bars located in Kabarore District and seized over 200 sachets of Zebra Waragi- an illegal gin.}

    The operation conducted on the morning of March 19 also resulted to the apprehension of the bar owners on accusation of selling illegal substances.

    The suspects in custody are Agnes Umuhoza, Mathias Humvumugabo, Hamdun Barayavuga, Theogene Karekezi and Alexis Ndayisaba.

    Others are Alias Bizimana, Straton Uzabakiriho and Alphonse Nsabimana.

    According to the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi said that alcoholic substance packed in plastics are not allowed in Rwanda since they don’t measure up to the required standards.

    He reminded that such substances are classified as drugs basing on the dangers the cause on human health.

    “Drug addicts usually make impaired decisions and end up committing crimes. Most of the petty criminals have acted under the influence of drugs,” said IP Kayigi.

    The spokesperson further noted; “Drug consumers are usually a threat to security, not productive citizens that’s why as law enforcers we usually embark on enhance operations to ensure we wipe out this vice so as to have secure, healthy and productive citizens.”

    Fighting drug abuse is one if the priorities of RNP as an effort to break other crimes largely committed by drug abusers.

    Source:Police

  • For a modest personality trait, ‘intellectual humility’ packs a punch

    {Trait increases tolerance, improves decisions, study says.}

    “Intellectual humility” has been something of a wallflower among personality traits, receiving far less scholarly attention than such brash qualities as egotism or hostility. Yet this little-studied characteristic may influence people’s decision-making abilities in politics, health and other arenas, says new research from Duke University.

    In a time of high partisanship, intellectual humility — an awareness that one’s beliefs may be wrong — is nonpartisan. Researchers measured levels of the trait, and found essentially no difference between liberals and conservatives or between religious and nonreligious people.

    “There are stereotypes about conservatives and religiously conservative people being less intellectually humble about their beliefs,” said lead author Mark Leary, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke. “We didn’t find a shred of evidence to support that.”

    As defined by the authors, intellectual humility is the opposite of intellectual arrogance or conceit. In common parlance, it resembles open-mindedness. Intellectually humble people can have strong beliefs, but recognize their fallibility and are willing to be proven wrong on matters large and small, Leary said.

    The researchers, whose work is featured in the March 15 issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, conducted four separate studies to measure the trait and learn more about how it functions. In one study, participants read essays arguing for and against religion, and were then asked about each author’s personality. After reading an essay with which they disagreed, intellectually arrogant people gave the writer low scores in morality, honesty, competence and warmth. By contrast, intellectually humble people were less likely to judge a writer’s character based on his or her views.

    People who displayed intellectual humility also did a better job evaluating the quality of evidence — even in mundane matters. For instance, when presented with arguments about the benefits of flossing, intellectually humble people correctly distinguished strong, fact-based arguments from weak ones.

    The characteristic also affected people’s views on politicians who “flip-flop.” Intellectually humble Republicans were more likely than other Republicans to say that they would vote for a politician whose position on an issue changed over time, due to new evidence. They were also less likely to criticize that politician for “flip-flopping.” There was less variability among Democrats: Democrats, whether intellectually arrogant or humble, were generally less likely to criticize a politician for changing his mind.

    Leary said intellectual humility bears further examination.

    “If you think about what’s been wrong in Washington for a long time, it’s a whole lot of people who are very intellectually arrogant about the positions they have, on both sides of the aisle,” Leary said. “But even in interpersonal relationships, the minor squabbles we have with our friends, lovers and coworkers are often about relatively trivial things where we are convinced that our view of the world is correct and their view is wrong.”

    The quality has potential benefits in the business world, too, he said.

    “If you’re sitting around a table at a meeting and the boss is very low in intellectual humility, he or she isn’t going to listen to other people’s suggestions,” Leary said. “Yet we know that good leadership requires broadness of perspective and taking as many perspectives into account as possible.”

    Leary and his co-authors suggest that intellectual humility is a quality that could be encouraged and taught. And some of their colleagues hope to do just that. Leary’s team worked in collaboration with other psychologists and philosophers to refine their studies. One of those philosophers helped launch a charter school in California, the Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach, aimed at promoting qualities such as intellectual humility.

    Leary applauds the effort.

    “Not being afraid of being wrong — that’s a value, and I think it is a value we could promote,” he said. “I think if everyone was a bit more intellectually humble we’d all get along better, we’d be less frustrated with each other.”

    Source:Science Daily

  • 19 Infantry Battalion relieved from peacekeeping mission in South Sudan

    {Rwanda Defence Force has completed the rotation exercise for RDF peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), 4 Inf Bn replacing 19 Inf Bn.}

    On this Sunday 19 March 2017, the last group of 263 RDF personnel departed for Juba aboard RwandAir Aircraft, while 253 concluding their Tour of Duty under UNMISS were received at Kigali International Airport (KIA).The rotation exercise had started on 12 March 2017.

    Addressing the departing peacekeepers on behalf of the RDF Leadership, the 201 Brigade Commander, Col Alex Kayumba urged them to uphold RDF values and be good ambassadors of Rwanda. He strongly recommended them also to perform their duties throughout their Tour of Duty with commitment and professionalism.

    The last batch of 19 Inf Bn peacekeepers arrived home along with the Commanding Officer, Lt Col John Ndengeyinka. “We have performed many operations and all were conducted successfully”, he declared. He further explained some of the challenges they went through especially when armed fighting erupted in Juba last year. “We received 5 thousands IDPs that sought refuge in our Base Camp in Juba in July 2016. They spent 3 months with us and I’m happy to say that they received protection and good treatment by our forces”, Col? Ndengeyinka pointed out.

    Apart from security related duties, Lt Col Ndengeyinka said that they also performed civil military activities including roads maintenance, providing water to IDPs, medical outreach and school kits distribution to pupils at Kapuri School.

    Col A Kayumba welcomed and congratulated the returning peacekeepers for the good job done during their tour of duty. He updated the peacekeepers on Rwanda’s current progress and urged them to continue playing their role so that the country can achieve more.

    He asked them also to maintain discipline and be ready for future duties they will be assigned to.

    Source:Minadef

  • Kagame urges African ambassadors in China on achieving common goal

    {President Paul Kagame has called on African ambassadors in China to connecting Africa as one and work together for common interests.}

    Kagame made yesterday on the second day of his state visit to China where he arrived on Friday.

    “Africa is large and complex, we want to look at Africa as one, even when we are aware that it has different aspects to it, we refer to it as one. This oneness is very important,” he said.

    “I would like to emphasize that unity amongst Africans is key, all working towards a common goal. Now the task remains how we implement the needs of the people, our people,” he added.

    Kagame tasked African ambassadors to China to strive for united Africa to overcome challenges leading to successfulness of the minority.

    “Why only a handful of African countries should do well, while others continue to struggle and yet we are so interconnected and interdependent. As African ambassadors, you need to keep the message alive that we need to keep working together at all levels of leadership. We need to keep looking out for each other’s best interests. If we implement this belief, there is nothing stopping us from succeeding.”

    President Kagame who has concluded the two days visit to China was accompanied by first lady among other top government officials.

    As he arrived in China on Friday, president Kagame met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and discussed promoting bilateral relations.

    Xi hailed the growth of bilateral ties over the past 46 years, citing enhanced political trust, trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

    He called on both sides to further deepen trust, boost personnel exchanges, share governance experience and keep close contact in global and regional affairs.

    President Paul Kagame addressing African ambassadors in China yesterday.

  • Police seize 30, 000 pieces of plastic bags in Nyaruguru, one arrested

    {Police in Nyaruguru District is holding a man in connection with smuggling over 30, 000 pieces of plastic bags into the country.}

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Andre Hakizimana, police spokesperson for the Northern Province, said that the suspect, Jean Marie Vianney Nyirimpuhwe currently detained in Kibeho police station, was arrested in a police operation in the wee hours of March 17.

    “An operation was based on information we had received on the suspect, who was arrested red-handed in Munini Sector. Investigations have since established that the suspect has been dealing in this illegal business,” CIP Hakizimana said.

    Last month, police also seized about 20, 000 pieces of plastic bags in the same area, and arrested 17 people in connection with the act.

    Use of plastic bags was prohibited in 2008. From then, several mechanisms including legal provisions against use of plastic bags have been adopted.

    According to article 433 of the Penal Code, “any person who sells polythene without authorisation shall be liable to a fine of Rwf10, 000 to Rwf300, 000.

    Using polythene bags also attract a fine of up to Rwf100, 000, but in case the person repeats the offence, the penalty is doubled.

    Source:Police

  • Kirehe Mayor lauds residents for sense of security

    {The Mayor Kirehe district Gerard Muzungu has hailed the contribution of the public in sustaining security and aiding arrest of criminals.}

    He particularly lauded Rwanda National Police officers operating from the district for the display of professionalism in the investigation and eventually arresting criminals.

    Mayor Muzungu made the remarks in Nasho sector recently while presenting to the public stolen and recovered irrigation equipment.

    Present at the occasion was district police commander Superintendent of Police (SP) James Rutaremara who also thanked residents for collaborating with security agencies in preventing crime thought community policing practices.

    The irrigation control panel was stolen months back and it had hindered irrigation activities at the Nasho irrigation project.

    The theft of the water pumping machine had affected the irrigation system of the ten hectare maize plantation, district officials said

    SP Rutaremara told residents that; “if it was not from your collaboration our investigations couldn’t have yielded to the recovery”

    It was recently reported that Niyomugabo a former security guard at Nasho maize irrigation scheme and a commercial motorcyclist in Kigali, together with Fred Asiimwe, 37 and Jean Baptist Dushimirimana, 23, connived and stole the water pumping machine.

    Nasho and its environs are one of the places with generally low rains, where commercial farming largely depends on irrigation.

    Source:Police