IGIHE

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • RNP holds 8th ‘Women Police Convention’ today

    {The Rwanda National Police annual ‘Women Police Convention’ kicks off today at the Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwamagana District as women officers from different parts of the country join ideas to deliberate on various policing issues and service delivery.}

    The three-day 8th convention will be held under the theme: “Towards Gender Equality and Professional Policing.”

    According to Supt. Pelagie Dusabe, the director of gender promotion directorate in RNP, this year’s event will bring together about 500 women police officers, representing others, to discuss on enhancing “gender equality and capabilities of women officers in the force, information sharing and experiences towards professional policing.”

    Through the forum, women officers also get guidance and encouragement from the RNP leadership and partners.

    “Rwanda National Police has put in place several initiatives for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment like gender policy which acts as a guiding tool in streamlining gender in the force,” Supt. Dusabe said.

    She noted that the establishment of the directorates of gender promotion, anti-GBV and child protection, Isange One Stop centre and participation of women in peacekeeping missions, are part of the gender policies that the force has achieved over the years.

    “When we come together, we celebrate such achievements and in particular our significant roles in various areas of policing like command and administration, traffic and airport security, but also look at the existing challenges, and inform our leadership on how best they can be addressed,” she said.

    “It enables us to meet as women officers deployed in different units across the country, associate and share experiences in order to improve and perform our respective duties professionally.”

    She explained that the overall aim of the convention is to ensure effective service delivery.

    Source:Police

  • Study finds knowledge gaps on protecting cultural sites from climate change

    {North Carolina’s Cape Lookout lighthouse has survived threats ranging from Civil War raids to multiple hurricanes, but the Outer Banks site can’t escape climate-related changes such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding from stronger storms.}

    A North Carolina State University study in Climatic Change found little research exists on how to protect cultural resources like those at Cape Lookout National Seashore, a 56-acre site that includes historic buildings in addition to the iconic lighthouse and scenic beaches.

    “Cultural heritage sites provide a lot of benefits, from sociocultural value in giving a community its unique identity to economic benefits from recreation and tourism,” says lead author Sandra Fatorić, a postdoctoral researcher with NC State’s College of Natural Resources. “We see a significant gap in knowledge of how to adapt to climate change and preserve cultural resources for future generations.”

    Researchers searched worldwide for peer-reviewed studies of cultural resources — archaeological sites, natural landscapes and historic buildings — at risk due to climate change. About 60 percent of the studies referenced sites in Europe, most commonly in the United Kingdom. Another 17 percent of the research covered sites in North America, a majority of them in the United States. About 11 percent dealt with resources in Australia and the Pacific Islands and 10 percent mentioned Asia, mostly China. All but six of the 124 studies were published in English-language journals, with South America and Africa rarely represented in the research.

    “We were struck by how recent much of the research was, with the first article appearing in 2003,” Fatorić says, adding there’s a need for more multidisciplinary work and research that involves local residents and stakeholders. “That process reveals what a community most values about a site.”

    Co-author Erin Seekamp, an associate professor and tourism extension specialist in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at NC State, is working with stakeholders to set priorities for protecting cultural resources at Cape Lookout as part of a project with the Department of Interior’s Southeast Climate Science Center. Seekamp and Fatorić are evaluating 17 buildings in terms of their significance and their value to the site’s operations, working with managers from the National Park Service and North Carolina State Preservation Office. The research team, which includes U.S. Geological Survey analysts Mitch Eaton and Max Post van der Burg, is combining this information with earlier research by Western Carolina University’s Rob Young which found that most of the buildings at Cape Lookout are at high risk from flooding, erosion and rising sea levels.

    “We’re looking at all of the options for each structure,” Seekamp says. “Which buildings should be maintained? Which could be moved to higher ground? Does that change the character of the site? Does changing a building’s use — from storage to visitor programs, for example — affect its relative value?”

    An overview of Seekamp’s research is part of a National Park Service report titled “Cultural Resources Climate Change Strategy,” which ranked as the most downloaded government website document in the week following the 2017 presidential inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

    “Park managers face difficult decisions in prioritizing which resources to protect,” Seekamp says. “We hope to develop a method that will help with decisions on protecting Cape Lookout’s historic buildings as well as informing policy for protecting cultural resources at other national parks facing climate adaptation.”

    The Cape Lookout lighthouse and 1873 keeper's dwelling on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

    Source:Science News

  • Huye: Woman arrested with counterfeit Euros

    {Police in Huye District have arrested a woman, who was wanted over counterfeiting and circulating currency notes.}

    Clotilde Nyiraminani was arrested on March 7 in Rwabayanga market in Ngoma Sector where she was at the time found in possession of counterfeit Euros amounting to €2.850.

    Nyiraminani, currently detained at Ngoma Police station, had eluded police arrest since January following reports that she was involved in the criminal act.

    The District Police Commander of Huye, Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Karegeya said that the suspect’s alleged crime came to light after they arrested her accomplices in January.

    “Late last year, she was reported at a police station in Muhanga over counterfeit related crimes. Later in January, we arrested another man in Huye in possession of fake €100, who also said he got them from Nyiraminani,” Supt. Karegeya said.

    “On Monday at about 2:30pm, we received information that Nyiraminani was in Rwabayanga market trying to buy goods and to defraud unsuspecting people. Officers were immediately dispatched and she was arrested red-handed with €2.850, in the denominations of €50, all fake,” he added.

    “We are still investigating to ensure that everyone connected to this financial criminal act is brought to Justice. So far, we have information of two other women said to be residing in one of the neighbouring districts, suspected to be connected to this act, and in partnership with our counterparts, we are still searching for them.”

    “Although cases related to currency counterfeit are rare in Huye, it’s a crime we give due attention due to its impact on people’s businesses and the economy, and we appealed to the public to be vigilant and always report anyone they see or suspect to be involved in such,” the DPC said.

    Under articles 601 and 603, circulating fake currencies attracts a prison sentence of up to three years, upon conviction, while counterfeiting legal tender attracts a term of imprisonment of between five years to seven years.

    Source:Police

  • Revealed:The irreparable damage soft drinks can do to your teeth

    {Taking a bottle of a cola drink or energy drink regularly is like a ritual to most people these days but how healthy are these drinks to our teeth?}

    According to Dr Tom Bierman, a dentist at the San Diego Dental Studio in the United States, sugary drinks can cause irreparable damage to our teeth.

    The image above shows the staining caused by a cola drink on a tooth after just two weeks.

    The image below shows the destructive effect of an energy drink on a tooth.

    Dr Bierman, 34, decided to check the effect of sugary drinks on the teeth after reading a book, Rust: The Longest War by Jonathan Waldman, which claims that one in seven energy drinks are too corrosive to put in aluminum cans, according to a Daily Mail report.

    “I thought: If that’s what these things do to a can, what on earth are they doing to our teeth?” Bierman told Good Health.

    To perform the experiment, Bierman put a tooth into a bottle of a popular energy drink, another into cola, a third in diet cola and the fourth into water as control.

    After two weeks, the tooth placed in diet cola didn’t do much damage but it was stained while the tooth in the cola drink was stained nearly black.

    The biggest damage was caused by the energy drink. The energy drink was a lot more destructive to the enamel than the cola drink.

    “Even more concerning is that this was the sugar-free version of the energy drink. It’s very potent stuff,” Bierman added.

    However, Biermam admitted the experiment wasn’t the same as consuming the drinks regularly but he insists the damage to the tooth can be the same in the long run if these drinks are consumed daily or almost every day.

    Source:Elcrema

  • Police warns against self-administered justice

    Rwanda National Police (RNP) has cautioned the public against taking matters in their own hands and called for partnership in exchange of information to fight and prevent crimes, and apprehend suspected criminals.

    Self-administered justice means the unlawful retaliation for an injustice that the affected person carries out himself.

    The call comes after four people were arrested on Monday in Nyamagabe District for allegedly assaulting a suspected thief, who succumbed to injuries.

    The deceased identified as Jean Bikorimana, a resident of Mbazi Sector, had been accused of stealing rabbits.

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) André Hakizimana, the Police spokesperson for the Southern Province condemned the acts adding that “it’s criminal and punishable by the law to administer self justice.”

    He warned that investigations are still under way to ensure that justice is served.

    “A crime can’t be rectified by a crime. The justice sector is there to ensure that when a crime is committed, professionals and accredited institutions handle it appropriately. When you take matters in your own hands, you will have committed a crime and you will be prosecuted,” the CIP Hakizimana said.

    “If suspects are identified or caught, they should be reported or handed over to police for proper course of action.”

    “Everyone has a chance and a right to defend himself or herself in courts of law.”

    Article 151 of the Penal Code stipulates that a person found guilty of beating, injuring or killing a person will face a term of imprisonment of between 10 and 15 years.

    It further states that any person, who commits such a crime in a manner that is premeditated, faces life imprisonment.

    Source:Police

  • Scientists stimulate immune system, stop cancer growth

    {A chemical found in tumors may help stop tumor growth, according to a new study.

    Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago report that increasing expression of a chemical cytokine called LIGHT in mice with colon cancer activated the immune system’s natural cancer-killing T-cells and caused primary tumors and metastatic tumors in the liver to shrink.}

    LIGHT is an immune-stimulating chemical messenger previously found to have low levels of expression in patients with colon cancer metastases.

    The results are published in Cancer Research.

    Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and, despite advances in treatment, long-term survival of patients with liver metastases is rare.

    “For most patients with colon cancer that has spread to the liver, current treatments are palliative and not curative,” says Dr. Ajay Maker, associate professor of surgery in the UIC College of Medicine and corresponding author on the paper. “And while studies have suggested that immunotherapy may be a promising approach for advanced cancers, the use of such treatments for advanced gastrointestinal metastases have not yet been very successful.”

    Maker, a surgical oncologist, says that this study is exciting because it looks at an immunotherapy intervention for a previously unresponsive gastrointestinal cancer. The intervention, he says, essentially trains the immune system to recognize and attack the tumor, and to protect against additional tumor formation — a significant issue in colon cancer.

    Maker and his colleagues established colon cancer tumors in a mouse model, in which the animals had an intact and unedited immune system. Once tumors were sizable, the mice were randomized into two groups — one group had the cytokine LIGHT turned on in the tumors, and the other served as a control group for comparison.

    Tumors exposed to LIGHT showed an influx of T-cells that resulted in rapid and sustained diminishment in size, even after expression of the cytokine stopped. In mice with liver metastases, expression of LIGHT similarly provoked a potent immune response that resulted in a significant decrease in tumor burden.

    “We demonstrated that delivery of a therapeutic immune-stimulating cytokine caused T-cells to traffic to tumors and to become activated tumor-killing cells,” Maker said. “This activity is especially exciting because it resulted in a profound anti-tumor immune response without any other chemotherapy or intervention. The treatment manipulates our natural defenses to fight off the tumor in the same way it has been trained to attack other foreign invaders in our body.”

    “Not only did we find that LIGHT expression promoted tumor regression, upon further study we also identified the specific type of T-cell — CD8 — that was responsible for shrinking the tumor,” Maker said. “These findings are powerful and have great clinical potential.”

    Co-authors on the paper are Guilin Qiao, Jianzhong Qin, Nicholas Kunda, Jed Calata, Dolores Mahmud, Peter Gann and Bellur Prabhakar of UIC; Yang-Xin Fu of the University of Texas Southwestern; and Steven Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute.

    The study was funded by grant number K08CA190855 from the National Cancer Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health.

    Source:Science Daily

  • Ngororero: Community Policing Committees tipped on professionalism

    {Members of community policing committees in Ngororero District have been urged to always involve masses in ensuring safety through timely information sharing.}

    Police says adequate information sharing facilitates timely response to crime prevention, recovery of stolen item and arrest of suspected criminals.

    The call was made Monday in Muhororo Sector by the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO), Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Ange Muhorakyeye while addressing 160 CPCs of Muhororo.

    Flanked by the executive secretary for Muhororo Sector, Adrien Harerimana, the DCLO reminded the CPCs that “Information is a powerful method of preventing crimes because this will facilitate police in quick response and investigations.”

    “Be vigilant at all times, work with the residents because they are the source of information and the beneficiaries of safety and security.”

    She further appealed to grassroot leaders to always register newcomers in their community, which in turn helps them to identity people that could be involved in unlawful activities like drug dealers and thieves.

    Similar exercise was also held in Kayonza District where over 100 CPCs were asked to also put much emphasis in identifying and reporting drug dealers.

    They were also told to look out for people that could be involved or trying to seduce people to take them abroad for jobs, who end up being human trafficking victims.

    Source:Police

  • Blueberry concentrate improves brain function in older people

    {Drinking concentrated blueberry juice improves brain function in older people, according to research by the University of Exeter.}

    In the study, healthy people aged 65-77 who drank concentrated blueberry juice every day showed improvements in cognitive function, blood flow to the brain and activation of the brain while carrying out cognitive tests.

    There was also evidence suggesting improvement in working memory.

    Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Dr Joanna Bowtell, head of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, said: “Our cognitive function tends to decline as we get older, but previous research has shown that cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods.

    “In this study we have shown that with just 12 weeks of consuming 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day, brain blood flow, brain activation and some aspects of working memory were improved in this group of healthy older adults.”

    Of the 26 healthy adults in the study, 12 were given concentrated blueberry juice — providing the equivalent of 230g of blueberries — once a day, while 14 received a placebo.

    Before and after the 12-week period, participants took a range of cognitive tests while an MRI scanner monitored their brain function and resting brain blood flow was measured.

    Compared to the placebo group, those who took the blueberry supplement showed significant increases in brain activity in brain areas related to the tests.

    The study excluded anyone who said they consumed more than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, and all participants were told to stick to their normal diet throughout.

    Previous research has shown that risk of dementia is reduced by higher fruit and vegetable intake, and cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods.

    Flavonoids, which are abundant in plants, are likely to be an important component in causing these effects.

    Source:Science Daily

  • RDF concludes relief in place operation for peacekeepers deployed in Central Africa Republic

    {Rwanda Defence Force has concluded the relief in place operation (started on 28 Feb 2017) for its Peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), 13 Infantry Battalion replacing 101 Inf Bn.}

    Rwanda Defence Force has concluded the relief in place operation (started on 28 Feb 2017) for its Peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), 13 Infantry Battalion replacing 101 Inf Bn.

    While welcoming the last group of 101 Infantry Battalion returning from UN Mission in Central Africa Republic, the 2 Division Commander, Brig Gen Eugene Nkubito thanked the Peacekeepers for the job well-done under MINUSCA for the last 12 months.

    “RDF thank you for concluding your mission successfully. The fact that HE the President of CAR decorated you with CAR Recognition Medal is a testimony of your invaluable work done for the People of Central African Republic”, Gen Nkubito pointed out. He further briefed the returning Peacekeepers on the security situation in Rwanda and the country’s development progress. He finally urged them to maintain discipline and RDF values, and to be ready to perform correctly their future assignments.

    The returning Battalion CO, Lt Col Claver Kirenga expressed their deep satisfaction for concluding successfully their mission under MINUSCA despite challenges they faced. “We were not only charged of protecting the People of Central Africa in general, but also we were responsible for VIP protection including the President of the Republic, HE Faustin-Archange Touadéra. We played correctly our role and we are happy of that”.

    Amongst the challenges encountered while on Tour of Duty under MINUSCA, Col Kirenga cited arms that are still in hands of individuals and armed groups, noting that disarmament remains a challenge and security threat.

    On 25 February 2017 HE President Touadera of CAR decorated Rwanda Peacekeepers with CAR Recognition Medal (Médaille de Reconnaissance Centrafricaine) for their professionalism, commitment at work and discipline with view to bringing peace and stability in his country.

    Source:Minadef

  • EALA projects stall, member contributions below 50%

    {The Speaker of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Daniel Fred Kidega has said that member countries have only paid 44% of the required contributions yet the financial year 2016/2017 remains with only four months to end. }

    The constraint has led to suspension of some activities and projects in addition to some staff working for long hours without extra payments.

    EALA is conducting business in Kigali from 6th to 17th March 2017, the last general assembly before a new parliament is ushered into office on 5th June 2017.

    In a press conference, Kidega has said that EALA suspended some activities of its commissions in September and October 2016 while other activities were completed within a short time which increased working hours for MPs and staff.

    “Given such a scenario, Members of Parliament devoted to work without receiving their emoluments. I appreciate them for such commitment which rarely happens in other parliaments worldwide,” he said.

    {{Study on genocide ideology jeopardized }}

    “We had many other businesses to conduct. For instance we have a commission to study genocide ideology, trivializing it and spread of hatred words in the region.The commission can’t do the work because we have no financial means,” said Kidega.

    “EALA took a decision of facilitating its commissioners to visit refugee camps in various areas in East Africa to make a report and recommendations which, too cannot be done for lack of funds,” he added.

    EALA approved a budget of $450,000 in 2016 (Rwf 356 million) to be allocated to a study on genocide ideology in the region which was forfeited. Kidega observed that much as economies in the region are hard-up, EAC member states have to fulfill their pledges.

    “The budget is approved by EAC council of ministers based on willingness and capacity to provide funding. We request member states to fulfill promises and bring contributions in 2016/2017 budget,” he said.

    A total of $45 316 812 was set to be contributed in 2016/2017budget following August 2016 EAC council of ministers’ sitting.

    At the time Tanzania had $ 356 492 in EAC arrears, Burundi with $ 5 606 800 added to $ 8 378 108 each member state should contribute in the 2016/2017 financial year.

    Until October 2016 Uganda had contributed 26.37% ($ 2 209 712), Kenya with 3.94% ($ 330 306), Tanzania with 6.66% ($558 287), while Rwanda and Burundi had not yet provided any contribution.

    The Speaker of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Daniel Fred Kidega.