Category: Diaspora

{{Rwandans living in Burundi have contributed US$ 114,927 to Agaciro Development Fund.}}

The contributions were made during a dinner held October 26, in Burundi capital Bujumbura at Royal Palace Hotel.

During the event US$ 84,700 and 44,585,000 Burundian Francs (approx. US$ 30,227); total: USD 114,927 was raised.

Ambassador Augustin Habimana and Silas Sinyigaya, the President of the Association of Rwandan Professionals living in Burundi, explained the Agaciro concept updated the gathering on the amount raised so far.

“Your money will be used adequately. The Fundraising process is also still ongoing and the new pledges are still welcome,” Habimana said.

{Newtimes}

{{Ambassador Vincent Karega has presented his credentials to the Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag October 26.}}

HE Karega will represent Rwanda in Mauritius.

President Rajkeswur Purryag commended Rwanda for the progress made since the 1994 Genocide against ethnic Tutsi that claimed a million lives.

Ambassador Karega noted that Mauritius has also made a huge economic stride despite the lack of natural resources.

He also commended the existing cooperation between the two countries.

{{Kaneza Elisabeth, a Rwandan living in Germany initiated the network Ruanda Connection bringing together Rwandan youths in Germany. Until now they have realized many activities intended to connect the youth.

During an exclusive interview,Kaneza Elisabeth explained to IGIHE the idea behind the initiative and also how she was able to realize it. }}

{{IGIHE: Could you tell us something about yourself?}}

Kaneza: My name is Kaneza Elisabeth, I’ve lived in Germany for 18 years now. I was born in Rwanda and I’m 25 years old. currently studying a Master’s degree.

{{IGIHE: As a young person, what do you think about your country?}}

{{Kaneza: }} I didn’t acquire German nationality. I see myself as a Rwandan who could return to live in Rwanda. I think that the country should create opportunities for the youths so that they can make use of their knowledge. But a lot has been achieved already and I really see that Rwanda has a bright future.

{{IGIHE: How do you intend to bring news to the youths who don’t get the chance to travel to Rwanda?}}

{{Kaneza:}} The youths lack news because they have stayed abroad for a long time. The lack of sufficient news leads to insecurity and arouses fear among youths thus fear to visit their country.

Having understood this, I felt that it was important to bring good news about Rwanda to the youths. Most importantly, I wanted to tell those living abroad that there are youths in Rwanda as well who are helping to rebuild the country, and that we all share the same country.

A country which is different from the one of our parents. Because now there is a country of the young generation which is strong, hardworking and very progressive. And I wanted them to understand that we have the same interests and aims.

We all share the interest for technology and development, and much more. This is how the word “Connection” came into my mind and I developed the idea to connect the Rwandan youth living abroad.

{{IGIHE: When was the network founded and what have you achieved?}}

{{Kaneza:}} The network was founded in 2011. We started by organizing a Christmas Celebration for Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in Berlin – which was great because it was initiated by the Rwandan youth who had not been to Rwanda for a long time. In fact, some had not even been there.

We also created a network in Kigali so that the youths in Rwanda can provide us with news. There are some young people who returned to Rwanda and can tell us about their experiences. The idea is basically to promote exchange between the young people.

{{IGIHE: What do you do exactly in the network?}}

{{Kaneza:}} We know that there are youths who would like to know what is out there in Rwanda. They ask themselves: What are my opportunities in Rwanda?

Some young people living abroad don’t know what they can do in Rwanda. In some cases, their complete families are abroad or they have no relatives left in Rwanda. Therefore, our aim is to inform the youths about the life in Rwanda and the opportunities it can offer.

The first thing we did was to connect the youths in Germany, to start meeting and preserving our culture – bringing Rwandan culture into our lives. Often you see that the youths adopt foreign cultures and still people keep asking them where they come from, even when they have their nationality. You need to know where you come from.

{{IGIHE: Which message do you have for parents abroad?}}

{{Kaneza}}:No matter what they have been through, good or bad, they should not allow the children to be the victims of our history.

Let us unite in correcting our past, but let us not allow the past to make the children dislike their mother country.

Whatever the case, if you grow up abroad, the day will come when you want to know where you come from. And the parents should also make an effort to learn about the developments in their country.

{{Theogene Turatsinze a former BRD bank director (2005 -2007) has been found dead in Mozambique where he has been living.He had gone missing for two days.}}

Turatsinze disappeared on Friday evening after parting with a delegation of investors he had dropped off at a hotel.

Rwanda’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Vincent Karega confirmed the death.

HE. Karega said Turatsinze’s body was discovered’ tied with ropes and floating on a lake.

Turatsinze was businessman and a vice Chancellor at a private university in Maputo.

{{How It All Evolved}}

According to the Rwandan Mission in South Africa, On 12th October 2012, after dropping some of his business partners at hotel,Turatsinze went home for few minutes and then left for another meeting following a phone call that he received.

Turatsinze had another meeting with the wife who called him to find out why he was not coming.

She called him only to find out he was not free to talk and apparently close to sea. She could hear the wind of the sea.

It is alleged that Later on,she called him again to find out but the phone was off.

An sms was later sent to her saying ” Darling, you know i love you. Please pray for me. I am in a difficult situation.”.

As time clocked away, she decided to contact the police with her family. Patrol was conducted throughout the beach until his car was
found about 7 kms from the beach in a good condition.

On sunday 14th October 2012, in the wee hours of the morning, a body was found on the ocean and dropped to the mortuary and the family identified the body.

The body is to be flown for burial to Rwanda. Arrangments are being finalized.

Investigations are going on to determine the culprit.

{{Rwandan nationals living in South Africa have contributed over Frw60Million to Agaciro Development fund.}}

The contributions were made during a dinner event held at Sandton, Johannesburg, presided over by the High Commissioner, Vincent Karega.

The event was organised by the Rwandan Diaspora committee in collaboration with Rwanda’s High Commission in South Africa.

Over US$ 92,356 (Frw 60 million) was raised at the saturday event.

{{The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda in Mozambique with residence in South Africa, H.E Vincent Karega, presented a letter of credence to HE. Armando Guebuza, of the Republic of Mozambique and current chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC).}}

In his exchange with H.E President Armando Guebuza, H.E Vincent Karega reiterated October 10, the value that Rwanda gives to her relations with Mozambique, particularly because of the historical political similarities that Rwanda share with Mozambique.

Both countries went through liberation struggles and are actively involved in bringing stability and economic development in their respective nations.

H.E President Armando Guebuza expressed his appreciation on booming investment in Rwanda. He reiterated the need to trade and work together.

Prior to this ceremony, The High Commissioner Vincent Karega held a lengthy discussion with Mozambique Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Henrique Banze, with whom they exchanged on progress registered in Rwanda, the revival of Joint Permanent commission between Mozambique and Rwanda and opportunities offered by the invocation of the cessation clause to Rwandan refugees.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Mozambique’s continuous will to work with Rwanda and the need to multiply meetings between different key stakeholders in a view to exchange experience and information for the welfare of their respective people and the stability of both countries.

At the end of his visit in Mozambique, the High Commissioner Vincent Karega took this opportunity to visit some of the businesses of Rwandans in Maputo (Mozambique).

It was noted that they are well established and are contributing to both their well-being and their country through different personal projects in Rwanda.

The High Commissioner called upon them to make a contribution to the economic development of their country.

The Rwandan community in Mozambique pledged to make available their contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund. An announcement in that regard will soon be made public.

The number of Rwandans living in Mozambique is estimated to be around 4,000 people from different sectors, but mostly in small scale business.

Mozambique is currently holding the chairmanship of SADC and has got good relations with Rwanda. Both Presidents have been meeting in different international fora.

{{The Rwandan Diaspora in USA and Canada have pledged to help consolidate Rwanda’s achievements promising to mobilise themselves to heavily invest back in Rwanda.}}

In a highly packed hall, the Rwanda communities in Boston are excited to hold the annual Rwanda Day for the second time. The first was held in Chicago in USA.

Dr. Egide Karuranga hailed Rwandan government under the guidance of President Paul Kagame for having transformed the country into a respectable country on the world map.

Dr. Karuranga the representative of the Rwandan Diaspora in Canada gave an eloquent speech in which he hinted on the past sufferings in the 1970’s and 80’s which forced many citizens to flee into exile.

However, Dr. Karuranga was very excited to note that Rwanda government today has excelled in promoting unity and reconciliation among citizens.

“I remember at the National university of Rwanda when we were being asked to sign forms indicating our ethnicities before writing exams.

The same discrimination was also prevalent in colleges and primary schools. However, today there are many Universities in Rwanda and many schools where primary education is free for all.”

Bobby Sager told the gathering that “We are here tonight because we all realize we are making a difference for Rwanda.

What is it you can do to make a difference for Rwanda? The idea that we all can do our little part which can be summed to make a huge difference. Do you know any seeds inside an apple?

It’s easy to find out seeds in an apple but it’s impossible to know how many apples can come out of the seeds.”

We are here to plant seeds. Rwanda would not be where it is without the leadership of President Kagame. That leadership has attracted admirers across the world including business dealers and political leaders. ”

{{This Friday, the Annual Rwanda day event kicked off in Boston city of Massachusetts in the US. With deligent organisation and glamour, the event has attracted several Rwandans and friends of Rwanda from across the globe and mostly Rwandans living in the United States.}}

The chief Guest and also Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo officially opened the event which will showcase government services by different agencies including Rwanda Development Board (RDB),Private sector agencies especially Rwanda Mountain Tea,Bank of Kigali among others.

The Opening day of Rwanda Day was dominated by speeches from notable persons including Senator Tito Rutaremara who highlighted the path of Rwanda’s development story and what needs to be done to achieve the country’s future goals. Senator Tito encouraged all Rwandans to contribute towards the countrys development.

Professor Shaka Anastase of the Rwanda Governance Board told the gathering that 88% of Rwandans are very happy with the leadership in Rwanda and 98% want to be identified as Rwandans and not their ethnicities.

Prof. Shaka added that Rwanda managed to deal with most problems through pro people programs including one-cow per family, performance contracts by local leaders, Ubudehe and development of grassroots leadership through the local government policy.

Sky Miller representing the friends of Rwanda said, the Rwandan Diaspora has evolved into a strong force because it has a big stake in the the development of Rwanda through promoting Rwanda abroad.

The day was graced by colourful performances by local Rwandan artists including: Meddy, The Ben, K8, Alpha Rwirangira and Emmy.

The Rwanda Day in Boston this year is held under the theme “Agaciro, Urugendo Ruracyakomeza”(Value or Diginity, the Journey Continues).

{{President Paul Kagame is currently in Boston where he visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.}}

{{The Rwandan High Commissioner to Kenya her Excellency Yamina karitanyi has presented her credentials to the Kenyan President His Excellency Mwai Kibaki at state house in Nairobi.}}

High Commissioner Karitanyi replaces George Kayonga. She presented her credentials accompanied by the First Counsellor Mr. Ephreim Murenzi and the First Secretary Gerald Mbanda.

During the ceremony, High commissioner karitanyi informed President Kibaki that The government and the people of Rwanda treasure the existing warm relations between the two countries.

She said she will endeavor promoting the existing good relations and active bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Kenya strengthening the excellent solidarity and friendship, among the people of the two countries.

The government of Rwanda remains firmly committed to bringing and maintaining peace and regional stability, and in this regard, Rwanda will continue to play a leading role in the East African Standby Force, and also support regional initiatives aimed at enhancing peace, integration and development; the new High Commissioner emphasized.

High Commissioner Karitanyi thanked President Kibaki and his government for the role played in regional integration, noting the encouraging progress of the Customs Union and Common market Protocol which underscores the serious determination of the East African leadership and citizens to construct a powerful and sustainable East African political and economic block.

President Kibaki informed the new High commissioner and her delegation, that he is happy to be working with the government of Rwanda as one of Kenya’s strategic partners noting that already a lot has been achieved in various areas of cooperation.