Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The initiative centres on the nationwide rollout of e-Ubuzima, a digital health platform that enables both doctors and patients to access medical records online. Already in use in 15 districts, e-Ubuzima is set to become the backbone of Rwanda’s health data management.

“We’ve set a target: by December this year, all health facilities in Rwanda should be fully digital and paperless,” said Muhammed Semakula, Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Health Financing at the Ministry of Health, in an interview with The New Times.

While the system is ready for full deployment, Semakula acknowledged that logistical hurdles remain.

“You need computers at every health facility. One facility needs a minimum of 25 computers to be fully digitalised,” he said, noting that larger hospitals may require even more due to multiple departments.

In addition to hardware, the ministry is focused on equipping healthcare workers with the skills needed to operate digital tools.

“We’re noticing that many from the older generation have lower computer literacy… This is why consistent training is needed,” Semakula explained.

Each health facility requires approximately two weeks of intensive work to fully transition to the digital system, which also relies heavily on stable internet access.

“We also need to ensure every facility has reliable internet,” he added.

Efforts are also underway to digitise community-level health services by mid-year. By June, the ministry aims to equip community health workers with internet-enabled smartphones to streamline data collection and service delivery.

The digitisation initiative is expected to improve efficiency, data accuracy, and continuity of care across the country’s health sector.

Earlier this month, Rwanda made another major leap in technology by rolling out a state-of-the-art Health Intelligence Center to enhance real-time monitoring of healthcare services, decision-making, and policy development.

The hub was launched on the sidelines of the Global AI Summit on Africa on April 3, 2025, by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and the Minister of State, Dr. Yvan Butera. They were joined by fellow African health ministers and development partners.

Speaking to reporters at a White House news event, Trump said the tariffs, which have soared as high as 145%, would “come down substantially,” though he stopped short of promising a full rollback.

“It won’t be zero,” he clarified, “but it won’t be anywhere near that high.”

The remarks marked a notable shift in tone for a president who, just weeks ago, doubled down on escalating tariffs as part of what he called “Liberation Day” economic measures aimed at curbing Chinese dominance in key sectors.

Trump’s softer rhetoric followed earlier comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the current tariff levels are “effectively embargoing” trade between the world’s two largest economies.

At a private investment conference hosted by JPMorgan Chase, Bessent reportedly told attendees the trade war is “unsustainable” and hinted at a near-term de-escalation.

Markets responded swiftly to the changing narrative. All three major U.S. indexes closed near their daily highs following Bessent’s remarks, while Asian markets surged overnight. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.5%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2%, and South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.5%.

Despite the economic optimism, Trump’s comments come amid a deeply entrenched and high-stakes trade war that has seen China retaliate with its own sweeping tariffs, most recently raising duties on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% in response to Trump’s hike earlier this month.

Beijing also returned two Boeing jets to the U.S., restricted the number of Hollywood films allowed in Chinese theatres, and added more American firms to its export control and “unreliable entity” lists.

China’s Ministry of Finance blasted the U.S. actions in a scathing statement, calling the tariff hikes “unilateral bullying” and warning that further escalation would “become a joke in the history of world economy.”

Still, both sides appear to be leaving space for dialogue. Trump reiterated his hope for a deal, describing his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very good” and suggesting diplomacy may yet prevail.

“We’re going to be very nice. They’re going to be very nice, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “But ultimately, they have to make a deal, because otherwise they’re not going to be able to deal in the United States.”

However, diplomatic momentum has been hampered by internal tensions. A Chinese government source is said to have told the media last week that while Beijing is open to talks, they must be conducted with “respect” and greater “consistency and reciprocity” from Washington.

Trump’s unilateral style, including his decision to serve as his own negotiator, reportedly complicates efforts to establish a stable channel of communication.

The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.

The ambush left one senior Ugandan officer, Col. David Byaruhanga, dead and triggered a fierce response from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who reported killing more than 240 CODECO fighters in the aftermath.

“We were misled by malicious actors into opposing the presence of the UPDF in Fataki,” said Dunji Kulukpa Etienne, Vice President of the Lendu community in eastern DRC, who led the CODECO delegation.

“We regret what happened and reaffirm that the Lendu, Bahema, and Balega communities have no quarrel with Uganda or its army.”

The delegation, which included both political and military leaders of CODECO, met with Gen Muhoozi after being received in Uganda by Land Forces Commander Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and Maj Gen Felix Busizoori of the 4th Infantry Division.

The meeting comes amid increasing concerns over the high number of armed groups in one of Africa’s most volatile zones. Uganda, whose troops have operated in eastern DRC since 2021 under Operation Shujaa, has shifted from focusing solely on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to targeting other militias, including CODECO, following a surge in attacks on civilians.

“Uganda has always stood for peace and stability in eastern Congo,” Gen Muhoozi said during the meeting. “We call on all armed groups to end the violence and work with us to protect civilians.”

As a sign of goodwill, the UPDF offered free medical treatment to wounded CODECO fighters in Ugandan military facilities—an offer the rebel leaders reportedly welcomed.

CODECO, short for Cooperative for the Development of Congo, has been one of the most active and brutal armed groups in Ituri, accused of targeting the Hema ethnic community and undermining local peace efforts. Its apology to Uganda signals a potential shift in tone, but observers remain cautious, noting the group’s history of splintering and inconsistent leadership.

Whether the meeting results in lasting cooperation or merely a temporary pause in hostilities remains unclear. However, the exchange in Entebbe represents a rare diplomatic opening in a region desperate for stability.

“Since the release of the January WEO Update, a series of new tariff measures by the United States and countermeasures by trading partners have been announced and implemented, ending up in near-universal U.S. tariffs on April 2 and bringing effective tariff rates to levels not seen in a century,” the report said.

Noting that the tariffs alone are a “major negative shock,” the IMF said that the “unpredictability” with which these measures have unfolded negatively impacts economic activity and the outlook.

“The global economic system under which most countries have operated for the last 80 years is being reset, ushering the world into a new era. Existing rules are challenged while new ones are yet to emerge,” IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said at a press conference.

Under the reference forecast that incorporates information as of April 4, global growth is projected to drop to 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026 — down from 3.3 percent for both years in the January WEO Update, and much below the historical (2000-2019) average of 3.7 percent, according to the latest WEO.

Growth in the United States is expected to slow to 1.8 percent, 0.9 percentage points lower relative to the projection in the January WEO Update due to “greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and softer demand momentum,” the report noted.

Euro area growth is projected at 0.8 percent in 2025, 0.2 percentage points lower than the January forecast.

Growth in advanced economies is projected to be 1.4 percent in 2025, while in emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to slow down to 3.7 percent in 2025.

The report also noted that intensifying downside risks dominate the outlook. “Ratcheting up a trade war, along with even more elevated trade policy uncertainty, could further reduce near- and long-term growth, while eroded policy buffers weaken resilience to future shocks,” it said.

“Divergent and rapidly shifting policy stances or deteriorating sentiment could trigger further repricing of assets and sharp adjustments in foreign exchange rates and capital flows, especially for economies already facing debt distress. Broader financial instability may ensue, including damage to the international monetary system,” it said.

Gourinchas said the IMF’s policy recommendations call for “prudence and improved collaboration.”

“The first priority should be to restore trade policy stability and forge mutually beneficial arrangements,” said the IMF chief economist. “The global economy needs a clear and predictable trading system addressing longstanding gaps in international trading rules, including the pervasive use of non-tariff barriers or other trade-distorting measures.”

Lin said Trump’s methods reflect a businessman’s mentality that overlooks the cooperative, rules-based foundations of global trade.

He made the remarks during a press conference held under the theme “China’s Medium- and Long-Term Development Prospects and the Significance of Its Stable Economic Growth to the World.”

Lin was answering journalists’ questions regarding the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States.

“Since I am not Trump, I can only infer his thinking from his policies. As a businessman, Trump takes great pride in his negotiation skills. He believes that international trade, economics, and politics can be handled like business deals—by creating advantageous bargaining positions to strike better terms,” Lin said.

He explained that Trump’s strategy is based on the belief that other countries are more dependent on trade with the U.S. and will therefore be forced to yield to pressure. However, Lin warned that such thinking is both flawed and dangerous.

“Trump assumes that, apart from China and the EU, which have economies as large as the U.S., other countries are much smaller. In his view, if you refuse to trade with me, your loss is bigger than mine… But I think there’s a major flaw in his logic. The world still depends on public goods and international rules. Without them, it’s hard to maintain order.”

He added that even small countries shouldn’t give in to unilateral pressure, as doing so could lead to repeated demands—a pattern already seen in U.S. dealings with Canada and Mexico. Lin urged the global community to restore a system based on trust and shared rules.

“Countries like China and the EU won’t easily give in… Even small countries shouldn’t surrender, because if you give in today, tomorrow he’ll ask for more. That’s already happened with Canada and Mexico. Therefore, the world now realises that deals with Trump cannot be trusted. We should restore a rule-based international order. This benefits us, American businesses, and ordinary Americans.”

Lin emphasised that the rest of the world, representing 85% of the global economy, must work together to resist isolationist trade tactics and promote open cooperation.

China urges closer ties with Africa

As global trade tensions continue to rise, China is also calling for stronger alliances with developing countries, especially in Africa, to push back against protectionism and safeguard multilateralism.

Recently, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, Xue Bing, addressed a high-level seminar in Beijing and warned that moves such as decoupling supply chains, erecting trade barriers, and weaponising tariffs are endangering the global economic system, particularly for smaller economies in Africa and the Global South.

“We need to jointly shoulder historical responsibilities and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. China is ready to work with Africa to remember history, forge ahead together, and jointly uphold the basic rules of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Xue said.

In 2024, trade between China and Africa reached a record $296 billion, marking a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. South Africa remained China’s largest African trading partner, with trade totalling $52.4 billion.

To further strengthen these ties, China abolished customs tariffs on imports from 33 African countries in December 2024. The decision aligns with President Xi Jinping’s announcement at the September FOCAC summit of a $50 billion funding package for Africa over three years.

The museum will honour the lives of thousands of Tutsi who were killed in the former Commune Ntongwe, a region that witnessed some of the genocide’s most harrowing atrocities. The facility will feature two sections and is projected to cost Rwf470 million.

“It is a memorial house dedicated to the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi in the Mayaga region,” said Valens Habarurema, the Mayor of Ruhango District.

“It will serve to explain, in detail, how the Tutsi in what was formerly known as Ntongwe Commune were killed. It will be built with the help of experts using advanced tools to preserve and interpret this history.”

The update on the museum’s timeline came as residents, survivors, and government officials gathered at the Ruhango Genocide Memorial to lay wreaths and honour more than 60,000 victims buried at the site. During the ceremony, 38 newly recovered remains were also laid to rest with dignity.

Once completed, the museum will join Rwanda’s growing network of genocide memorial sites. Six major memorial centers—Kigali, Nyamata, Murambi, Bisesero, Ntarama, and Nyarubuye—currently serve as national remembrance spaces, with four of them recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2023.

Beyond serving as a memorial, the Ruhango Genocide Museum is envisioned as an educational and research hub that will remain active year-round. Officials hope it will play a vital role in preserving memory, promoting understanding, and reinforcing Rwanda’s commitment to ensuring such heinous acts never happen again.

“Once completed, it will be visited regularly, not only during the official commemoration period,” Habarurema added.

In a situation update, the Ministry of Health said nine cases of the viral disease had been confirmed in the previous week—five at Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements in Isingiro district and four at Matanda transit centre in Kanungu district.

All three settlements are located in western Uganda.

“Active case searches are ongoing at the community and facility level. VHTs [village health teams] are continuing with door-to-door sensitizations and active case searches,” the ministry said, noting “ongoing screening at the points of entry at the facilities by the triage teams for fever, rashes, dry cough and runny nose.”

Health authorities have launched a measles and rubella vaccination campaign targeting newly arrived refugee children aged 6 months to 15 years, the update said.

At least 105 children were vaccinated against measles and rubella at the Matanda transit center on Sunday, it said.

In March, at least two children died from measles and 68 others were diagnosed with the viral disease in a refugee settlement hosting South Sudanese refugees in Uganda’s mid-western district of Kiryandongo.

Measles is a highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing and can lead to severe complications. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

According to the World Health Organization, the symptoms of measles appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected.