IGIHE

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • Police law students on study visit

    {Police students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District, on Thursday visited Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) as part of their practical study tour.}

    Headed by the acting Principal of Rwanda University-College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS), Dr. Didas M. Kayihura, the aspiring legal practitioners were received by the Executive Director of KIAC, Dr. Fidele Masengo, who took them into the five-year journey of the centre in arbitration and mediation services in commercial dispute resolution.

    The National Police College is one of the three police schools including Police Training School (PTS) Gishari and Counter Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, Bugesera District, that are instrumental in academic, career and professionalism of the officers.

    The College in partnership with the University of Rwanda, offers bachelor’s of Law, Forensic Science, Information Security, and Bachelor’s of Arts in Professional Police Studies (PPS). It also offers a master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.

    According to Dr. Kayihura, they chose to visit KIAC because the students are currently undergoing a course on arbitration.

    “Though arbitration has a bigger part of it in theory, but it’s something that is practical. So we needed to have practical aspect, and that involves visiting such a centre for the students to get first hand information on how it conducts its day-to-day business,” said Kayihura

    Dr. Masengo explained to the students on what it requires for one to file an arbitration case, the centre’s response within 14 days and confidentiality.

    The centre, he said, is independent and impartial, with six out of seven arbitrators selected by the Private Sector Federation.

    “We mainly offer two services; arbitration and mediation, but we can also offer other components like negotiation and reconciliation.”

    “We do case administration management; we register claims, participate in appointment of arbitrators, monitor the work of arbitrators until the completion of their work, review the awards and notify the parties,” he said.

    While choosing an arbitrator, he said, they consider three essential aspects; impartiality, independence and availability of the person.

    Besides offering easy and affordable legal services, Masengo said, KIAC also promotes tourism when foreigners come to Kigali to file their cases adding that the fairness and independence of this centre also markets the country.

    “It’s very important for future lawyers and legal practitioners in different fields to know about arbitration because they are the people who will become legal advisors and lawyers of various institutions,” he said.

    “It’s crucial for them to know how effective they will advise their institutions on the benefits of arbitration rather than sending them to court; we also see this as capacity building…giving then basic training.”

    Currently, the arbitration centre which started with no single trained arbitrator in the country has more than 350 certified arbitrators.

    Rwanda is the third country in Africa with the big number of people that have been certified arbitrators after Nigeria and Kenya, and this is a great achievement in the last few years.

    According to Dr. Masengo, the centre has received 54 cases since its official commencement in 2012, involving petitioners of ten different nationalities.

    “It is the first time that a centre that has been in existence for less than five years has registered 54 cases. People might think that 54 is not a big number, but these cases involve about US$100 million. When you compare most other centres around the world, it takes between three and five years for an arbitration centre to register at least one case.”

    “This is an international centre in arbitration and mediation. So far we have registered cases from ten different nationalities including those from the USA, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, Italy, Kenya, and Uganda.”

    “The handled cases include private against public institutions, foreign firms against government entities including tenders and procurement, and private entity or business person against the other.”

    Source:Police

  • Gene found to cause sudden death in young people

    {Researchers from Canada, South Africa and Italy have identified a new gene that can lead to sudden death among young people and athletes.}

    The gene, called CDH2, causes arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is a genetic disorder that predisposes patients to cardiac arrest and is a major cause of unexpected death in seemingly healthy young people.

    The discovery, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, is the result of international collaboration that began 15 years ago. It is led by a South African team headed by Bongani Mayosi, a professor of cardiology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, along with researchers of the Italian Auxologico Institute of Milan and the University of Pavia. A team of investigators from the Population Health Research Institute of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, led by Dr. Guillaume Paré, performed the genetic sequencing, as well as the bioinformatics analysis for the study.

    “This is important news for families who have had a young family member suffer a sudden cardiac death, for them to know a genetic cause has been identified,” said Paré, who is an associate professor of pathology and molecular medicine with the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

    “Our team was happy to contribute to the finding that a mutation in CDH2 is the underlying culprit in a portion of these patients. This will pave the way for preventative interventions and genetic counselling.”

    According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, there are about 40,000 cardiac arrests in Canada each year, and less than one in 10 people are estimated to survive a cardiac arrest that happens outside of a hospital.

    Inherited forms of cardiomyopathy often cause sudden cardiac arrest death in young people under the age of 35. In ARVC, the heart tissue is replaced by fatty and fibrous tissue. This process encourages the development of cardiac arrhythmias such as tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which cause loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. In the case of ventricular fibrillation, without a ready electrical defibrillation, it causes sudden death in a few minutes.

    For 20 years, Mayosi followed a South African family affected by ARVC that had experienced several cases of juvenile sudden death. Excluding all genetic causes known at the time, the Italian researchers sequenced all the coding regions of the genome in two ill members of the family. The genetic mutation responsible for the disease in the family, CDH2, was narrowed down from more than 13,000 common genetic variants present in the two ill patients.

    CDH2 is responsible for the production of Cadherin 2 or N-Cadherin, a key protein for normal adhesion between the cardiac cells. The gene’s discovery was validated by finding a second mutation on the same gene in another patient with ARVC from a different family. It was known from previous studies that genetically modified mice without this protein tend to have malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death.

    The researchers said identifying the gene is important because it helps to clarify the genetic mechanisms underlying ARVC, and it also makes the early detection of ARVC possible in otherwise unsuspecting people.

    Often, the diagnostic clinical signs of the disease only become clear after many years. However, if a subject with ARVC is a carrier of a mutation on the gene CDH2, other members of his family who are genetically affected can be identified within a few weeks and preventive strategies could be started immediately. This may lead to a reduction of cases of sudden death in patients with the mutation, the researchers concluded.

    Identifying the gene responsible for arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in young people is important because it helps to clarify the genetic mechanisms underlying ARVC, and it also makes the early detection of ARVC possible in otherwise unsuspecting people.

    Source:Science Daily

  • Japan boosts child refugee support with USD 636,000

    {The Government of Japan has provided the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) USD 636,000 to expand refugee children’s access to essential services in Mahama Camp, including child protection, early childhood development and education. }

    These programmes will be implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) in close coordination with UNHCR and partners.

    “Reinforcing these programmes will make a significant difference in the lives of children in Mahama Camp and in the host communities. This holistic approach ensures that young children are cared for in a nurturing environment, have the knowledge to stay healthy and safe, and have access to quality education. We are very thankful to the people of Japan for their continued generosity,” said Ted Maly, UNICEF Representative.

    Previous contributions of the Government of Japan have supported refugee children in Rwanda affected by other humanitarian crises, with a focus on child protection, health, sanitation and hygiene, early childhood development and education. Funding from the Government of Japan to UNICEF provided psychosocial support to more than 8,000 children and their families to prevent and respond to violence, family separation, exploitation, and abuse.

    “I am happy that I can go to school every day knowing that my siblings are safe and have food,” said Jeanine, a 17-year-old refugee from DRC. “We were worried about our future, but now we have no despair.”

    The new funds from The Government of Japan will continue to focus on critical needs of Burundian refugees in Mahama Camp. “When children are protected, have access to early learning and quality education, they have a better chance at optimal development. We are proud to cooperate with the UNICEF to ensure refugee children not to miss opportunities for a good start in life,” concluded H.E. Mr.Takayuki Miyashita, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda.

    The funds will cover a period of one year, reaching 50,000 Burundian refugees in Mahama Camp and 3,000 beneficiaries from the host communities.

    Provided fund will be allocated to expanding refugee children’s access to essential services in Mahama Camp.

  • Former Gicumbi mayor arrested again

    {The former mayor of Gicumbi district, Mvuyekure Alexandre along with four other people have been arrested following investigations that have linked them to abuse of office at the time they served.}

    Mvuyekure was arrested along with former Gicumbi district executive secretary, Fidèle Byiringiro; president of district’s advisory committee Bizimana Jean Baptiste, businessmen Nsengiyumva Faustin and Mutabaruka Dieudonne.

    They were all arrested on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the National Prosecution has told IGIHE.

    “It is true that they are arrested. Our department investigating economic crimes is pursuing all the five individuals,” he said.

    Nkusi explained that they are accused of crimes committed in different times between 2013 and 2014.

    He said that investigations will continue.

    IGIHE has obtained information from credible sources that they suspects are accused of rendering early payments to a contractor who constructed a road near the district’s office before all works were completed.

    Mvuyekure was arrested with Phocas Mukunzi, deputy chairperson of governance department in Gicumbi district over misappropriation of Rwf 33 million through using forged documents, a crime they had been alleged to have committed in 2010 when Mvuyekure was the executive secretary of Rubaya sector.

  • Rwanda, World Bank sign agreement to boost Agriculture and Livestock

    {The Government of Rwanda and World Bank Group have signed a US$ 46 million credit to support the government’s efforts to increase and intensify the productivity of Rwanda’s agricultural and livestock sectors and expand the development of value chains.}

    The funds have been provided through International Development Association (IDA).

    “The funds will provide sustainable increases in agricultural productivity which benefits the poor. It will contribute to the impact of achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty given the fact that agriculture constitutes 33% of our GDP,” Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said.

    World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda Mr. Yasser El-Gammal noted that the support would particularly enhance irrigation, transport as well as research and technology to increase productivity.

    “Agriculture has a huge impact in Rwanda’s economy as it employs majority of the population. It is important that the sector is sustainable to positively impact the population,” Mr. Yasser El-Gammal said.

    Building on the achievement of the previous financing, the additional credit for the third phase of the Transformation of Agriculture Sector (PSTA 3) the third Program-for-Results (PforR3) will continue to support the government’s on-going efforts towards expanding and sustaining the increased productivity gains that have contributed, in the short and medium term, to strong agriculture growth, and have raised rural incomes and reduced poverty.

    The Additional Financing will be used to support four broad program areas of PSTA 3, specifically: (i) agriculture and animal resource intensification; (ii) research, technology transfer and professionalization of farmers; (iii) value chain development and private sector investment; as well as (iv) institutional development and agricultural cross-cutting issues. In addition, the new financing will support MINAGRI to both finalize the development of the new National Agriculture Policy and design and develop PSTA 4

    In consistence with Rwanda’s competitiveness, this P4R will help increasing and improving food and nutrition security for the rural population, including increasing agro-processing to create non-farm employment. It will also support Government’s efforts to increase commercialization of agriculture production, such as securing and strengthening domestic and international markets while increasing exports and reducing imports and enhancing the enabling environment to attract the private sector to invest and add value to the productivity and diversification increases.

    World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda Mr. Yasser El-Gammal and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Amb Claver Gatete signing agreement.

    Source:Minecofin

  • Women get free digital healthcare service

    {As the Rwandans joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day, babyl, an innovative digital healthcare service providing access to doctors through mobile phones, using either the feature phones or the smart phones, has initiated a project that will benefit women from Nyamirambo Women’s Center in Kigali and those in the City Market through a gift of access to quality healthcare. }

    babyl is gifting the hard working women of the famed Nyamirambo Women’s Center with free access to babyl’s digital healthcare platform for a whole year.

    This will allow the women to access quality nurses and doctors for non-emergency medical cases from their phone so they do not have to take long time and distance to reach the health facilities.

    “We know that if women can access timely and affordable healthcare, they can work, become economic activators, support themselves and their families and improve their daily lives,” stated Tracey McNeill, CEO babyl Rwanda.

    babyl has also set-up a booth in Kigali’s City Market for a week that will allow women in the vicinity who need medical consultations to access the babyl doctors via video at no cost to them.

    On a national platform, babyl is also offered women across the country with free consultations all day on International Women’s Day i.e. Wednesday 8th March 2017.

    ‘Today is a day to celebrate women and our Rwanda team wants to make a small contribution to an important day.’ stated McNeil.

    Babyl has been active in Rwanda since September 2016 and has registered over 300,000 users across the country who use the service to seek medical consultations for non-emergency cases from their phone in order to access qualified nurses and doctors to save time.

    To register, simply dial *811# and follow the instructions.

    You can also call the call center on 8111.

  • Europe strongly advancing renewable energies in Africa

    {The European Commission continues its leading role in the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative, in line with its wider efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.}

    On 4 March 2017 in Conakry, Guinea, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, announced the preparation of 19 new renewable energy projects, with a total potential investment of €4.8 billion.

    This was done during the second Board of Directors meeting of the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative. These sustainable energy projects have an indicative EU contribution of €300 million, which is expected to leverage total investments amounting to €4.8 billion, adding 1.8 Gigawatts of new renewable energy generation in Africa.

    The European Union is a key counterpart for Africa on sustainable energy cooperation. Commissioner Mimica said: “With these 19 new projects, potentially worth €4.8 billion of investments, the European Union is delivering on its promises.
    We are turning our pledges into real projects with true impact on the ground. The EU hereby reaffirms its leading role in supporting the African continent in the promotion of renewable energies for the improvement of energy access for African citizens.”

    This will contribute to the European Commission’s aim for 2020: to give 30 million more people access to sustainable energy, to save 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, and to help generate 5 Gigawatts of new renewable energy in Africa.

    This represents half of the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative’s overall target, as one of AREI’s key objectives is to generate 10 Gigawatt of new renewable energy in Africa by 2020, and to unlock Africa’s potential to generate as much as 300 Gigawatt from renewable energy by 2030.

    The EU’s development funding towards sustainable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2014-2020 amounts to approximately €2.7 billion. The European Commission, the EU Member States and the EU Financial Institutions have committed to support AREI through existing financial instruments and mechanisms.

    This includes the Africa Investment Facility (AfIF), the Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI) and the new opportunities that will be made available under the future External Investment Plan, to leverage the sustainable energy investments that will unlock Africa’s potential and improve the lives of millions. Background The Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) is an Africa-owned and Africa-led initiative of the African Union.

    It aims at harnessing Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources to help African countries to support their development strategies and leapfrog towards low-carbon economic development. In so doing the Initiative will increase access to sustainable and affordable energy while addressing climate change. AREI was launched at COP21 in Paris in December 2015 and is receiving strong international support from development partners.

  • First Lady advises on family challenges

    {Madam Jeannette Kagame has urged Rwandans to reflect on why families continue to face rampant problems including premature pregnancies, malnutrition, poor hygiene and domestic conflicts requesting them to seek a long lasting solution. }

    The message was echoed yesterday during the celebration of Women Day on National level held in Shyira sector, Nyabihu district of Northern Province.

    Rwanda has become a model in promoting women and gender equality principles. Girls have been facilitated in education like their brothers while women have space in government leadership, private investments, involved in security, being, artists, traders and famers.

    Madam Jeannette Kagame said all these achievements are a result of good leadership which restored women’s value because the country would hardly progress without women inclusiveness. She requested women to uphold restored dignity.

    Jeannette Kagame however said that some problems affecting the family should have been addressed as the government has various counteractive measures.

    “Let’s ask ourselves again why serious problems affecting the family persist. Why do we still have premature pregnancies among girls under 18? There are many consequences of giving birth at a young age,” she said.

    “Why do we still have the matter of poor hygiene while hearts of the family (women) are known for maintaining hygiene in their residences? Why do some children still face malnutrition leading to stunted growth while there are childhood development centers, village kitchen, kitchen garden, Girinka, child’s milk gourd among others?” she wondered.

    Jeannette Kagame said that conflicts and violence should not occur again as the government established Umugorobaw’ababyeyi (parents’ forum), community mediators, and family’s friends among other religious programs to address the issues.

    The UN resident coordinator in Rwanda, Lamin Manneh commended Rwanda for the exciting drive to women’s progress.

    “Rwanda has durably achieved a lot in promoting gender equality and women in general. We can’t forget to laud Rwanda for reducing maternal deaths,” he said.

    Women Day is set aside for the world to contemplate on the role of women in national development, gauge achievements and embracing strict measures to continuously promote their rights for durable progress.

    Madam Jeannette Kagame during the celebration of Women Day yesterday in Nyabihu district.

  • Kagame recognizes women value in national progress

    {President Paul Kagame has recognized the value of women in building the nation where their inclusiveness has a great impact on the nation’s progress. }

    President Kagame conveyed the message as Rwanda joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. “Realizing women’s full aspirations is inextricably linked to achieving whole nation’s potential,” he said via tweeter account.

    Rwanda comes on top globally in having the majority of women representatives in the parliament at 63, 8% and having 30% of women in local government committees.

    Rwanda’s women have also been exploiting their potentials in the aviation sector, entrepreneurship, military and police among others.

    Ladies were among recently commissioned officers who completed one year cadet training at Rwanda Military Academy.

  • Bank of Kigali gets Rwf 30 billion profit

    {Bank of Kigali has announced to have boosted its profit by 1.3% in 2016, making Rwf 20.8 billion after paying Rwf 9.2 billion taxes. }

    During the presentation of generated income yesterday, the CEO of BK, Dr Diane Karusisi explained that profit had reached Rwf 30 billion before paying taxes. This saw BK gaining the increase of 16.5%to overall profit compared to 2015 where it had Rwf 25.7 billion.

    BK paid Rwf 5.3 billion taxes in 2015 which rose to Rwf 9.2 billion in 2016.

    BK also plans to offer loans via mobile phones.

    Dr Karusisi has explained that BK would open at least 10 branches annually which reduced to four last year as it allocates strength in embracing technology.

    “We plan to launch Mobile Banking in coming days where our clients will request loan using phone and get the feedback in not more than five minutes and have the money deposited on the client’s account or mobile money,” she said.

    By 31st December 2016, BK had served 236, 545 retail and 25, 477corporate clients.

    At the time BK had availed 91 ATM machines and 1002 Point of Sale System (POS)at 79 branches countrywide.

    BK plans to hold a general assembly on 5th May 2017 to decide whether 40% of 2016 profit equaling Rwf 8.3 billion will be distributed among shareholders.

    Each share will receive Rwf 12.3 while remaining fund will be allocated to the bank’s development projects.

    The CEO of BK, Dr Diane Karusisi