Category: News

The medal ceremony took place at the Bossembele Base Camp, located in Ombella-M’Poko Prefecture. It was presided over on behalf of the MINUSCA Force Commander, by Col Mohamed Said, Deputy Sector Commander for Sector West.

Col Mohamed Said appreciated the Rwandan contingent for their contribution to the peacekeeping mission.

He also emphasized that the UN service medals symbolize appreciation for peacekeepers who demonstrate dedication, professionalism, and commitment to protecting civilians and restoring peace in accordance with the mission’s mandate.

“On behalf of MINUSCA force commander and entire MINUSCA leadership let me congratulate you, for the past ten months in which you have served with unwavering courage, professionalism and dedication in one of the most challenging peacekeeping environments.

“Your commitment in protecting civilians, supporting stability and upholding the principles of the United Nations has left a lasting impact on the local communities in your areas of responsibility, “he said.

He further expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Rwanda Defence Force for maintaining a highly trained, well-equipped, and mission-ready force, underscoring Rwanda’s continued commitment to international peacekeeping effort.

Lt Col Ndanyuzwe Muzindutsi, the RWABAT-2 contingent commander, appreciated the MINUSCA Leadership and local government for their support and collaboration during the mission. He said the medals are a motivation to peacekeepers to continue their duties with courage and sacrifice.

Throughout their deployment, the Rwandan contingent, RWABAT-2, conducted a range of operations along Main Supply Route One linking Bangui to Cameroon.

These included patrols, supply convoy escorts, and road clearance activities—all aimed at ensuring the security and accessibility of the vital corridor linking Bangui to Cameroon.

The sanctions target PARECO-FF for overseeing mining sites in Rubaya, a mineral-rich region, where the group collected illegal fees, engaged in smuggling, and committed human rights abuses, including forced labour and executions.

The group emerged in 2022 as a successor to PARECO, in response to the rise of the M23 rebel group.

In addition to PARECO-FF, the Treasury sanctioned the Congolese mining company Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC), which operated on Rubaya’s largest mining concession and sold minerals sourced from areas controlled by PARECO-FF. Two Hong Kong-based companies, East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited, were also sanctioned for buying minerals from CDMC.

“The conflict minerals trade is exacting a deadly toll on Congolese civilians, fueling corruption, and preventing law-abiding businesses from investing in the DRC,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.

“The Treasury Department will not hesitate to take action against groups that deny the United States and our allies access to the critical minerals vital for our national defence.”

Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated entities within the U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked. Transactions involving these entities are prohibited unless authorised by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

They are accused of offences linked to the alleged illegal purchase of airline tickets using a Ministry of Defence account.

The case relates to APR FC’s trip to Egypt in September 2024 to play Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League, a visit that included members of the press among the travelling party.

Those appearing before the court include RCS spokesperson CSP Hillary Sengabo, CSP Olive Mukantabana, and three RDF officers, among them Captain Peninah Mutoni and Captain Peninah Umurungi.

Civilian defendants include journalist Ndayishimiye Reagan, known as Rugaju, Ishimwe Ricard, and former journalist Mucyo Antha Biganiro.

Military prosecutors accuse the group of complicity in receiving and issuing unauthorised documents, as well as complicity in the misuse of public funds for purposes other than those intended.

The lawyer representing Capt Mutoni stated that their client was not ready to stand trial because they received the prosecution’s case at 8 p.m., and the lawyer only saw it in the morning on August 13.

Additionally, Capt Mutoni’s lawyer explained that she is pregnant and does not have the strength to proceed, especially since she was scheduled to visit the doctor that day.

The prosecution countered, arguing that despite Capt Mutoni’s condition, the 27 other co-defendants should continue with their trial. They requested that Capt Mutoni be granted a new trial date.

Capt Mutoni’s lawyer further argued that because all the defendants are charged in the same case, her client’s trial should not be separated from the others.

The lawyer also mentioned that Capt Mutoni is dealing with serious health issues, having recently fainted due to low blood pressure while in detention.

Lawyer Ibambe Jean Paul, representing one of the accused, Nemeye Olivier, argued that the trial should proceed despite Capt Mutoni’s objection. He stated that if she is not ready to stand trial, the other defendants were prepared to proceed.

The lawyer clarified that his client also has a wedding on August 16 but did not request a delay for the trial. He also asked for his client to be allowed to attend the trial while not in detention.

After reviewing the situation, the court accepted the objection based on Capt Mutoni’s pregnancy and ordered that she be taken to the hospital. Her trial has been rescheduled for August 18, while the trial for the other 27 defendants will continue.

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The prosecution explained that they accuse CSP Sengabo, CSP Mukantabana, and Capt Umurungi of being accomplices in the crime of providing unauthorized documents and misusing public funds.

The prosecution added that the other defendants face charges of aiding and abetting in receiving unauthorized documents, misusing public funds, and using forged documents.

The prosecution requested that the trial be held in camera to avoid public statements that could compromise national security and ethics.

“The crimes they are accused of are connected to the Ministry of Defence, and it is impossible to separate the Ministry of Defence from national security,” the prosecution stated.

The defense lawyers requested that the trial be held in public, but if necessary, the military-related charges should be heard in camera.

They argued that closing the trial was unnecessary since it does not threaten national security but pertains to national assets, which concerns the people of Rwanda.

The court ruled that the trial will be held in camera due to its connection with national security. All non-participants were asked to leave before the further proceedings.

Maiga, along with his chief of staff and several financial and administrative officials, was detained by the National Economic and Financial Unit over alleged embezzlement of public assets and forgery related to the Prime Minister’s Office accounts for 2021-2024.

Maiga’s lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konare, also confirmed the detention in a Facebook post.

Maiga, a key figure in the “Movement of June 5 – Rally of Patriotic Forces” (M5-RFP), served as prime minister from June 2021 to November 2024, when he was replaced following tensions with the ruling junta.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva announced the plans on August 12 while presenting the Government’s 2024–2029 program to a joint session of Parliament.

He said the projects are aimed at enhancing connectivity, particularly for farmers and livestock keepers, by making it easier to deliver produce to markets. The government also expects the improved road network to support broader economic growth.

“Agriculture and livestock production are projected to increase by 50%,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said, adding that the new transport infrastructure will be complemented by the promotion of electric vehicles to reduce environmental impact. Public transport in Kigali will also be expanded to ease congestion during peak hours.

In the aviation sector, Rwanda plans to increase RwandAir’s destinations and double passenger numbers by 2029, while expanding the airline’s cargo capacity to boost exports. The Kigali International Airport is expected to be completed in 2027/2028, further strengthening the country’s air transport network.

The government projects that average per capita income will rise from USD 1,040 to over USD 1,360 by 2029.

According to the newspaper, preparations are underway to schedule a visit by Modi to the U.S. in the last week of September.

“The key objective will be to iron out the issues on trade and arrive at a common ground on tariffs,” the newspaper said.

The delegation, comprising representatives of 15 members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), engaged with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and other political leaders on the ongoing implementation of the revitalized peace accord as well as the December 2026 elections, which will end the transition period in the conflict-hit country.

“The council stressed the need to ensure the full implementation of the remaining tasks in the revitalized agreement, and called for a permanent ceasefire and protection of civilians and humanitarian workers,” the AUPSC said in a statement.

Commending the commitment expressed by South Sudanese political leaders for the completion of the transition process, the council called for “an inclusive political high-level dialogue among the political leaders for an amicable resolution of the current political situation in the country.”

The AUPSC reaffirmed its “continued dedication to support South Sudan to end the conflict and ensure a successful completion of the transition period,” expressing its unwavering support to South Sudan toward the organization of the December 2026 elections.

According to the AU, the field mission was undertaken as an expression of the AU’s solidarity with the people of South Sudan. The delegation’s visit came as regional diplomatic efforts intensified to shore up the faltering revitalized peace deal.

South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 following decades of struggle and a protracted peace process, has navigated a precarious path between restoring peace and enduring instability, most notably in 2013 and more recently in 2016, when widespread conflict triggered the initiation of internal peace processes.

Her death has drawn condolences from across Africa and the international community.

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extended sympathies to her family and to the people of Rwanda.

The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Souef Mohamed El-Amine, also expressed sorrow over her passing, describing her as a leader dedicated to building connections between people from Kigali to the United Nations.

Dr. Kacyira’s career spanned senior roles both in Rwanda and abroad. She served as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2006 before becoming Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011. She was then appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, serving briefly in that capacity.

During her tenure as Mayor of Kigali, she was recognised in 2008 by UN-Habitat for transforming the city into a model of cleanliness, tranquillity, and sustainable development.

Her efforts also included promoting affordable housing and creating accessible job opportunities for residents.

From 2011 to 2018, Dr. Kacyira was the Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She also held the role of Project Director in Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and worked with international organisations such as Oxfam and Care International.

In 2020, she was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, with concurrent accreditation to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia. In 2023, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed her Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a position she held until her passing.

Dr. Kacyira held a master’s degree in Veterinary Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.

Weasel was admitted to hospital on August 7 following an altercation during which his wife allegedly knocked him down. Teta Sandra was immediately [ arrested ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ugandan-police-confirm-arrest-of-sandra-teta] but was later released after her husband forgave her, with police deciding to drop the case.

A witness told police that Teta Sandra struck Weasel three times, causing an injury to his leg. The incident occurred at a parking lot of a bar called Chans, located in Munyonyo.

Weasel and Teta Sandra have been living together since 2018 and have two children.

However, their relationship has been marked by frequent public disputes, culminating in Teta Sandra leaving for Rwanda in 2022.

In April 2023, she returned to Uganda and reconciled with her husband. In May 2025, Weasel visited Kigali to attend a concert by his elder brother, Jose Chameleone, and at the time told IGIHE he planned to visit his wife’s family.

The plant, struck in the drone attacks launched by the Main Intelligence Directorate under the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Monday, is Russia’s sole producer of helium used in rocket manufacturing, space and aviation industries, the report said.

Local residents reportedly witnessed drones flying near the plant, and a series of explosions were reported in the targeted area.