IGIHE

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • MTN connects off-grid electricity to 419 households

    {MTN Foundation has connected 419 vulnerable households from Gisagara and Nyaruguru districts with off-grid electricity installations worth Rwf 25 million in line with supporting government efforts of getting 70% households connected by 2018. }

    The off-grid solutions of solar panels were unveiled yesterday to residents of Mukindo sector in Gisagara district and Busanze sector of Nyaruguru district, Southern Province.

    The chairperson of MTN Foundation, Zulfat Mukarubega said they have pledged to allocate 1% of earned income to activities uplifting citizens’ welfare.

    “MTN as a commercial company has committed to donate 1% of its income to support government programs meant to enhance citizens’ wellbeing,” she said.

    The off-grid solutions were availed to 233 households in Gisagara and 186 households from Nyaruguru districts.

    Augustin Nyandwi, a business man, resident of Mukindo sector lauded the facilities saying they used kerosene lanterns or torches in the night.

    “I would buy torches batteries or oil but were not enough to allow my children revise. Life has become better as we are now connected,” he said.

    An old man, Anastase Rwaje from Busanze sector said it is exciting to have electricity at home unlike the past where he would use firewood for lighting in the night.

    Only 16.5 of Gisagara residents are connected with electricity while connectivity in Nyaruguru stands at 16%.

    The official inauguration of off-grid facilities to Gisagara and Nyaruguru residents was also attended by the CEO of Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Jean Bosco Mugiraneza who asked residents to maximize benefits of availed electricity to realize development.

    Officials during the inauguration of off-grid facilities in Gisagar and Nyaruguru districts, Southern Province yesterday.
    A beneficiary testing installed facilities.
    The chairperson of MTN Foundation, Zulfat Mukarubega addressing beneficiaries yesterday.

  • Government loses billions in incomplete, extended contracts

    {The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro has revealed that a total of 98 contracts worth Rwf 95.6 billion in 2016 were not fully executed as they were abandoned by tender winners leaving a big toll of financial losses to the government. }

    He revealed this yesterday as he presented the financial audit report of government entities for the year that ended on 30th June 2016.

    “Activities for 75 contracts were delayed while 23 contractors abandoned the projects. Some of the implementers of the abandoned projects had already been paid colossal sums of money,” he said.

    Biraro said that Rwf 1.6 billion were misused, Rfw 590 million released without authorization documents, Rwf 906 were misappropriated while Rwf 1.5 of 1.6 billion indicated as missing in previous audit reports was not recovered in 2016.

    Talking on contracts management, Biraro said there is still a poor use of funds.

    He pointed out an example of Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) saying; “RTDA never completes contracts on time. We have realized that contracts execution time was extended at 90%.”

    The report shows that RTDA revised and extended 26 contracts of road constructors in 2016 which attracted extra Rwf 18.6 billion in expenses.

    The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro

  • Special RDF Army Week to last two months

    {Rwanda defense Forces (RDF) has organized a Special Army Week from 04 May to July 2017 ahead of the celebration of 23rd Liberation Day Celebration on 04th July 2017.The latter would be held for one week in the past. }

    According to a statement from MINADEF, the current Special Army Week will cover a variety of activities aiming at uplifting Rwandans’ lives, especially the most vulnerable.

    The Army Week planned activities countrywide will includeOffering Free Medical services in Orthopedics, Dental, ENT, Ophthalmology & Gynecology, Rehabilitation of 18 bridges and 01 feeder road, Marshland and hillsides farming, Construction of water access point/ facilities, Construction/rehabilitation of shelter, Construction/rehabilitation of classrooms and sanitation structures, Environmental protection campaign, and Access to energy using Off Grid Solar installations.

    Free medical services in particular will be offered in all Districts at the following Hospitals and Health Centers: Shyira, Gisenyi, Ruhengeri, Butaro, Nemba, Rutongo, Byumba, Muhororo, Murunda, Kibuye, Kirinda, Kibogora, Gihundwe, Bushenge, Munini, Kigeme, Kaduha, Kibilizi, CHUB, Kabutare, Nyanza, Ruhango, Kabgayi, Remera-Rukoma in Kamonyi, Nyamata, Rwamagana, Kibungo, Kirehe, Gahini, Rwinkwavu, Kiziguro, Ngarama, Nyagatare, Kibagabaga, Rwanda Military Hospital, Masaka, and CHUK.

    “As provided in the following guidance from the Commander-in-Chief, H.E Paul KAGAME: ‘The battle for liberation did not stop at the victory over tyranny and stopping the genocide against the Tutsi’; the RDF remains committed to the liberation struggle, this time in the form of human security and specifically transforming Rwandans’ lives,” reads the statement signed by RDF spokesperson Lt Col Rene Ngendahimana.

    Activities of the army week will be executed in collaboration with various partners including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion and Ministry of Youth and ICT.

    RDF spokesperson Lt Col Rene Ngendahimana

  • Rwandan community in Malaysia commemorate

    {On 22 April 2017, the Rwandan Community in Malaysia observed the 23rd Commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi in ceremony held in Kuala-Lumpur. }

    The First Counsellor at Rwanda Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, represented the Embassy he highlighted the importance of coming together to honour the memory of more than 1 million innocent people who were atrociously murdered during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

    He reminded participants that denial, revisionism and trivialization of the genocide against the Tutsi have been openly going on in the Media, in academic works and in conferences which should all be fought. He emphasized the need for all Rwandans to actively challenge Genocide deniers and those who continue to propagate genocide ideology.

    He stated that Rwandan society was able to heal and the country to register a remarkable progress due to the visionary leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame.

    He urged the youthful Rwanda community in Malaysia to know their history in order to fully understand and commit to a society free of discrimination, divisionism and genocide ideology that almost destroyed Rwanda, but instead work together to build a united, democratic and prosperous Rwanda.

    The representative of Rwandan Community in Malaysia, Mr. Patrick Rwema emphasized the need to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi by working hard and being successful in all constructive endeavors.

  • City of Kigali upgrades online building permit issuance

    {In line with easing doing business and improving service delivery, City of Kigali and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), in collaboration with Rwanda Investment Climate Reform Program (RICRP3) of the World Bank Group, have upgraded and migrated from the current online Construction Management Information System (CPMIS) to Building Permitting Management Information System (BPMIS) for City of Kigali and its districts (Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge).}

    City of Kigali has been using the CPMIS since its launch in May, 2013. However in order to adopt and integrate new features such as e-payment, link to Land Administration Information System, streamline inspections and notifications, it was prudent and necessary to upgrade and migrate from the current Construction Management Information System(CPMIS) to Building Permitting Management Information System(BPMIS).

    The Building Permitting Management Information System (BPMIS) has already been launched and deployed in 4 Secondary Cities (Musanze, Rubavu, Huye and Rusizi) with Muhanga and Nyagatare coming up in the next couple of months. The system is designed to allow applicants to submit online permit requests, shorten the time required for One Stop Centers to assess, approve and report on permit applications and efficiently provide feedback on sites/plots inspections.

    RHA and CoK cooperated with the WBG/IFC through the Investment Climate Reform Program in Rwanda to design, test and deploy the system. The objective of the project was to avail a single online BPMIS to serve all Districts in Rwanda in order to facilitate the urbanization process and see that the number of days and cost to obtain permits have reduced by at least 10% (based on results in City of Kigali)

    The BPMIS is expected to deliver permitting services in a transparent and harmonized manner. Similarly, the system will reduce time and resources needed by applicants to access permitting services, Applicants will now be able to track the progress of their applications online and through SMS and email notifications.

    Emphasizing on this, during the Summit on Transform Africa 2015, H.E the President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame said: “Technology is not just about gadgets, but results on the ground that benefit citizens. It can transform the lives of people who may have never touched a smartphone themselves. Behind the scenes, ICT enables government to provide more efficient and accountable public services. This leads to better health outcomes, quicker customs procedures, and computerized land titles”.

    This initiative will attract more investors in the construction industry and will boost their trust and confidence in services delivered by the permitting and inspection entities. The BPMIS
    will enhance the accountability of staff dealing with permitting and will provide a helping hand in reducing informal settlements. It will also improve Rwanda’s ranking in World Bank Doing Business Report related to Dealing with Construction Permits.

    Didier Sagashya, the City of Kigali Executive Secretary, pointed out that the new platform will ease doing business in the construction industry as it addresses challenges that affected the performance of the old system.

    “It will shorten the time required for one-stop centres to assess, approve and report on permit applications and efficiently provide feedback on sites and plot inspections”, Sagashya indicated.

    Additionally, the online system will contribute towards the promotion of a paperless and cashless economy through reduction of paper and the use of E-payment systems through Irembo. It will also store data at the national data center for efficient and secure archiving.

    Kigali city headquarters

  • How fishing cooperatives in Rubavu boost maritime security

    {The shoreline of Lake Kivu in Rubavu District used to be a beehive and pathway of both legal and illegal activities.}

    Whereas fishing is legal in this lake, it was habitual for fishermen to use substandard and unauthorized fishing nets and netting immature fishes. They were a danger to the species.

    Smuggling and trafficking of narcotic drugs through this lake was also the order of the day.

    Today, however, it is a different story. It is a story of safe waters, holidaymakers basking in the sun enjoying the lakeside gentle winds and swimming.

    Visiting the lake, you will find passengers alight from the water vessel while a man stands at the mainland entry point checking their luggage and screening their identification.

    I learn his name is called Jean Pierre Habarurema. He is a member of UCOPERU, a union of six fishing cooperatives operating in Lake Kivu with 364 members, and in charge of security.

    His role, according to management of the union, is to ensure that illicit and smuggled products are not carried on their boats to the mainland.

    “As fishermen, we know trans-boundary waters are used by criminals as means to carry out illegal acts including drug trafficking and fraud,” says Jean Baptist Gakuru, the head of the fishing union.

    Indeed, to ensure no illicit activity goes on in the lake, and to support the Rwanda National Police (RNP) marine unit, the cooperative has a standby motorboat used to curb any act of criminality and disaster response on the lake.

    {{Impact on Security}}

    “We are partners in policing; in the same way, police has supported us in various ways including financial contribution which helps us to acquire professional boats as well as boosting security on the lake and bring sanity in the fishing business,” Gakuru says.

    “Today, when there is a disaster or when an accident occurs, we are part of the response team to support marine efforts. We intercept drug traffickers and smugglers, who are either handed over to police or whenever we have information we inform marine and police in the area to respond.”

    Gakuru recalls the challenging times when the union used to hire engine boats to conduct monitoring exercises or call on police marines during accidents.

    “We used to call marine police for even the smallest of suspicion of illegal activity or accidents but now we can rapidly attend to any call,” he said confidently.

    {{Limiting depletion of fish stocks}}

    “We also fight illegal fishing or use of substandard fishing nets; we have seized a lot of fish caught using illegal fishing gears, because of this boat, which we bought from a financial support by Police,” Gakuru said

    “When authorities impose a ban on fishing activities for a specific period to allow fish to restock, this boat again plays the role to monitor and implement the policy to ensure fish matures.”

    Senior Supt. Callixte Kalisa, the District Police Commander of Rubavu, speaks highly of the significant role played by these fishermen in crime detection, prevention and generally ensuring that the waters are safe.

    “They have boosted the vigilance and guaranteed sanity on the lake; they are instrumental and have created positive impact on activities in the lake,” said the DPC.

    Source:Police

  • Surprising link between blood sugar, brain cancer found

    {Diabetes raises risk for many cancers, but not most common malignant brain tumor}

    New research further illuminates the surprising relationship between blood sugar and brain tumors and could begin to shed light on how certain cancers develop.

    While many cancers are more common among those with diabetes, cancerous brain tumors called gliomas are less common among those with elevated blood sugar and diabetes, a study from The Ohio State University has found.

    The discovery builds on previous Ohio State research showing that high blood sugar appears to reduce a person’s risk of a noncancerous brain tumor called meningioma. Both studies were led by Judith Schwartzbaum, an associate professor of epidemiology and a researcher in Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. The new glioma study appears in the journal Scientific Reports.

    “Diabetes and elevated blood sugar increase the risk of cancer at several sites including the colon, breast and bladder. But in this case, these rare malignant brain tumors are more common among people who have normal levels of blood glucose than those with high blood sugar or diabetes,” Schwartzbaum said.

    “Our research raises questions that, when answered, will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in glioma development,” she said.

    Glioma is one of the most common types of cancerous tumors originating in the brain. It begins in the cells that surround nerve cells and help them function. The disease is typically diagnosed in middle age. At present, there is no treatment that ensures long-term survival, but several potential options are being studied.

    The Scientific Reports paper included data from two large long-term studies. One, called AMORIS, included 528,580 Swedes. The second, Me-Can, consisted of 269,365 Austrians and Swedes. In all, 812 participants developed gliomas.

    Schwartzbaum and her collaborators evaluated blood sugar and diabetes data and its relationship to subsequent development of brain cancer and found that those with elevated blood sugar and diabetes had a lower risk of developing glioma.

    “This really prompts the question, ‘Why is the association between blood glucose levels and brain cancer the opposite of that for several other cancerous tumors?” she said.

    The researchers found that this relationship was strongest within a year of cancer diagnosis.

    “This may suggest that the tumor itself affects blood glucose levels or that elevated blood sugar or diabetes may paradoxically be associated with a protective factor that reduces brain tumor risk,” Schwartzbaum said.

    “For example, insulin-like growth factor is associated with glioma recurrence and is found in lower levels in people with diabetes than those who don’t have the disease.”

    The brain accounts for only about 2 percent of body weight, but consumes about 20 percent of the body’s available glucose, Schwartzbaum said.

    The body of research on restrictive diets and their effect on brain cancer development has shown mixed results and more work is needed to determine if there’s something about the sugar/tumor relationship that can be modified in a way that’s beneficial to brain cancer patients, she said.

    Glioma is one of the most common types of cancerous tumors originating in the brain.

    Source:Science Daily

  • Police recovers stolen electronics, burglars arrested

    {Police in Gasabo District have recovered four stolen television flat screens and two decoders, and arrested four men behind the alleged theft.}

    Police spokesperson for the Central Region, Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu identified the suspects as Eric Hategekimana, Juvenal Minani, Fabien Habimana and Innocent Ntakirutimana.

    “Two television sets and decoders stolen in Kimironko Sector in the night of May 1, were recovered from Hategekimana and Minani,” said Supt. Hitayezu.

    “On the same night, Habimana and Ntakirutimana were found with a flat screen stolen in Kagugu (Gasabo) suburb while the other screen was recovered from other suspected thieves, who abandoned it in Ndera Sector and fled after seeing the night patrol,” he added.

    The screens have since been returned to the rightful owners.

    Some of the electronics were stolen after thieves forged the key with the help of the house-help, and accessed the room where they were.

    “Victims had filed complaints to their respective police stations, and investigations and arrests became easy and quick because of community policing and community night patrols,” the spokesperson said.

    Source:Police

  • One step closer to finding out how wine may protect your neurons

    {Researchers have now found out how wine compounds are protective against neuronal death: they should pass through your stomach first}

    Let it be no misunderstanding: heavy alcohol intake has severe harmful effects. But already for several years, researchers have been finding that moderate wine intake can be beneficial in delaying the onset of cognitive impairments in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Esteban-Fernández from the Institute of Food Science Research in Madrid and her colleagues have been investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective actions of wine, recently published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

    Instead of investigating wine directly, they studied the compounds that are left after the wine has passed through the gut: the so-called wine-derived human gut metabolites. They selected some of these metabolites based on their presence in the urine and feces of people consuming wine on a regular and moderate basis. To explore the neuronal effect of these compounds, they added them to human cells under stress conditions that normally lead to neuronal cell dysfunction and death. These conditions are related to the initial stages of some neurodegenerative disorders.

    They found that the metabolites are protecting the cells from dying due to the stress conditions. The most striking result, however, was that the metabolites are active at different points in the cell signaling cascade that is leading to this cell death. The exact composition of the wine metabolites is therefore important in the protective neuronal effect. And this composition depends on your gut microbiota composition, as the intestinal flora breaks down the wine into the different metabolites.

    “In other words, differences in our gut microbiota are leading to the different metabolites. Which underpins the idea that humans benefit from food in different ways,” Dr. Esteban-Fernández explains. “This individual difference is a factor not to be neglected to understand the health effects of certain foods. We are now in need to advance our understanding of the effect of diet in the promotion of normal brain function.”

    “It is very important to understand that certain food compounds are responsible for this health benefit in protecting against the onset of neurodegenerative diseases; no medication was involved. I am not advocating to replace medicines by diet, but I want to raise more awareness how your diet is helping to prevent diseases or reduces the risk of getting sick. It is more than feasible to go to the supermarket and buy vegetables and fruit: it depends only on the individuals to maintain a balanced diet.”

    As she works on the role of diet in health maintenance and disease prevention, Dr. Esteban-Fernández takes her own nutrition very serious. “I am really aware about the importance of a healthy diet enriched in vegetables, fruits, and reduced industrial saturated fats. Although I try to maintain my dietary habits as good as possible, I think it is also important to not get too obsessed. Society is nowadays full of false myths about diet, and it is the role of both science and media to avoid the spread of these rumors, as well as make people aware of the importance of diet for your health.”

    Red wine.

    Source:Science Daily

  • A brisk walk instead of sitting down: Just ten minutes a day makes a difference

    {It is not the amount of time spent sitting still that matters. Instead it is the extent of physical activity that is essential in reducing the risk of elderly women developing cardiovascular disease, as shown in a new Örebro study published in PLOS ONE.}

    “We have studied women over 65 as they are among the least active groups of the population, at the same time as they run a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” says Fawzi Kadi, Professor at Örebro University.

    A sedentary lifestyle is associated with health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But the Örebro study shows that it is the daily amount of physical activity that is crucial to a person’s health.

    “The study shows how important it is to encourage more physical activity. We are not talking slow everyday pace, but at least one brisk walk or other physical activity requiring some exertion,” says Andreas Nilsson, researcher at Örebro University.

    120 women took part in the Örebro study. They had a medical examination and over the course of one week, their physical activity was measured using an accelerometer.

    The results may well apply to other groups since they are in line with a meta-analysis of previous research based on a million adult men and women, which indicated that physical activity rather than sedentary behaviour affects the risk of mortality.

    “Our study points in the same direction — that the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle decrease with the extent of physical activity,” says Fawzi Kadi.

    This means that if one person is jogging while another is only doing less strenuous activities, the first person runs a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than the second — regardless of the extent of their sedentary activities.

    “Getting up once in a while is naturally a good thing, but doing more exercise is better for our health,” concludes Andreas Nilsson.

    Source:Science Daily