Category: News

For the first time, Shazia experienced childbirth with access to doctors, medicines, and professional care. Her daughter was also the first baby delivered at one of ten new maternity clinics built by the UAE across Afghanistan, marking the start of a new chapter for maternal health in rural areas.

”Our economic condition was pretty bad all through. Now, thanks to the help we have received, we are much better off. We thank the UAE for this transformation in our lives,” Shazia said.

Her husband, Ramadan Mohammadi, recalled their struggles to access care in the past. ”Six of our children were born at home because we couldn’t afford transportation to distant hospitals. This is the first time a clinic has been built near our house, and it has been a blessing for us.”

These UAE-funded clinics have brought much needed medical care to communities that have long lacked access to even the most basic health services. Located in seven provinces – Nangarhar, Balkh, Herat, Paktia, Paktika, Helmand, and Kandahar – the facilities offer maternity and paediatric care, counselling, contraceptive services, emergency care, medicines and referrals for high-risk cases. They also serve as hubs for community outreach, offering health education, awareness programmes, and life-saving vaccinations, including for COVID-19 and BCG to protect against tuberculosis, to more than 20 people each day.

Dr. Ikramullah, a doctor at one of the clinics described the change underway, “Previously, childbirth happened at home, without any medical support, in unsafe, unhygienic conditions. It is changing now, and the people here are so delighted. We not only ensure safe deliveries, but also provide vaccinations, nutritional assistance, and continuous medical care for mothers and newborns.”

He pointed to a young child named Ayesha Qamari as an example of the progress being made, “The impact of these maternity centres is already being felt. This baby is just one of hundreds of children receiving crucial health checks and vaccinations. This will help bring down the high infant mortality rate in Afghanistan, one of the highest in the world.” According to UNICEF, more than 57 children out of 1,000 in Afghanistan die before reaching the age of five.

Ayesha’s mother shared her experience, “We have come to the clinic three or four times. Earlier, we could not afford the cost of transport to the city hospital. Many times, the sick children would not survive the long journey. We are deeply indebted to the UAE for building this clinic in our vicinity.”

Beyond healthcare, the initiative is also revitalising the local economy. Small businesses – offering services such as transportation and food supply – have emerged around the clinics and over 100 Afghans have been employed in a range of roles, from medical support to administration.

Mawlawi Ameenullah Sharif, Health Director of Nagarhar Province, noted the broader impact, “We thank the UAE for their investment in Afghanistan’s healthcare. This clinic was urgently needed, and now, the poor have access to essential services, including vaccinations, maternal care, and nutrition support.”

The clinics are all state-of-the-art, equipped with advanced medical equipment, solar power, mobile units, and ambulances – and staffed by dedicated healthcare professionals. They reflect the UAE’s commitment to improving quality of life, empowering women and children, and strengthening local communities in Afghanistan.

Expected to impact the lives of more than 100,000 women in the coming years, these facilities represent a transformative step toward accessible healthcare in some of the country’s most underserved areas.

The high-octane event has received a major boost from BPR Bank, which has committed Rwf 40 million to support four standout drivers: reigning ARC champion Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Uganda’s Michael Muluka, and Rwanda’s celebrated female rally star Queen Kalimpinya.

Speaking ahead of the event, BPR Managing Director, Patience Mutesi said: “Our continued support for motorsport is a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and elevating the sport to greater heights. The Rwanda leg presents another exciting opportunity for our drivers to showcase their skill and resilience on the continental stage.”

Karan Patel and his navigator, Tauseef Khan, will face a fierce battle as they go head to-head with Uganda’s Yasin Nasser, who currently leads the Africa Rally Championship standings with 63 points. Hot on his heels are Kenyan drivers Nikhil Sachania and Carl Tundo, tied in second place with 50 points each.

Fellow Kenyan Jeremiah Wahome holds fourth place with 42 points, closely followed by Samman Vohra on 36 points. Karan Patel currently sits sixth in the rankings with 35 points, as he looks to climb higher in the standings.

“We are the defending champions of the African Rally Championship. The first two rounds could have been better, but we have a point to prove in Rwanda. The terrain has always favored us, so I think we are more than ready to fly the BPR brand high at the event that will be graced by top rally drivers on the continent,” noted Karan Patel.

The much-awaited event is set to attract at least 35 drivers battling for glory in the 386- kilometer ride, which will kick off with the opening round at Kigali Convention Center before heading to Bugesera for another two rounds of battle on the dusty roads of Gako and Nemba.

The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, known originally as the Fraternity Rally, is an international rally racing event organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club.

The rally is based in the Rwandan capital of Kigali. The event is a round of the African Rally Championship and the Rwandan National Rally Championship.

The lively and heartwarming installation ceremony took place at the Mythos Boutique Hotel in Kigali, drawing an audience of Rotarians from across Rwanda, friends, and distinguished guests—including Antoine Anfré, Ambassador of France to Rwanda, who honored the gathering as Guest of Honor.

The evening was a beautiful showcase of Rotary’s spirit of service and solidarity, bringing together people of action, united in friendship and committed to transforming communities.

{{Reflecting on a year of “Rotary Magic”}}

Outgoing president Rtn. PHF Freddy Mutanguha took the stage to reflect on a vibrant year of service under the 2024/2025 Rotary theme, “The Magic of Rotary.” He highlighted key milestones that defined his presidency—from impactful community initiatives to celebratory moments that strengthened club unity.

“Our club witnessed the true magic of Rotary—reaching those who needed us most,” he said. “We stood by people living with albinism, children with autism, women in correctional facilities, and families in need of clean water.”

Among the notable achievements, the club has made significant strides in several key areas. In partnership with the Organization for the Integration and Promotion of People with Albinism in Rwanda (OIPPA), the club provided essential support to individuals with albinism.

This included distributing skin-protective lotions, sun-safe eyewear, and facilitating access to cancer screenings.

Additionally, the club made a meaningful impact at the Nyamagabe correctional facility, where 12 sewing machines were donated to women learning vocational skills.

“These machines are not just tools; they are a pathway to reintegration, dignity, and renewed purpose,” Mutanguha shared.

The club also collaborated with Autism Rwanda to raise awareness and provide support for children on the autism spectrum and their families.

Through advocacy, funding education, and fostering inclusion, the club has played a crucial role in promoting the well-being of individuals with autism.

Another significant project was the partnership with Rotary Club Vitré (France), which facilitated access to clean and safe water for communities in Rwinyoni, located in Rutsiro District, Western Rwanda.

Rtn. Mutanguha also led the club in celebrating its 25th anniversary—a milestone marked by pride, reflection, and recommitment to the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.

{{A new dawn: “Unite for Good”}}

Stepping into leadership for the 2025/2026 Rotary year, Rtn. Claver Irakoze energized the audience with a forward-looking vision grounded in compassion and collaboration. Under the global Rotary theme “Unite for Good,” he emphasized the importance of unity, innovation, and impactful service.

“I stand here deeply honored and ready to lead with a heart for service and a mind for solutions,” he said. “We will grow our membership, strengthen our club’s dynamism, and launch flagship projects that uplift vulnerable communities—not just in words, but with measurable, lasting impact.”

He pledged to champion cross-club collaborations, engage youth, and position RC Kigali Mont Jali as a model of purpose-driven action. “When we unite for good, we amplify our impact. Rotary is not just about giving—it’s about connecting, empowering, and transforming,” Claver affirmed.

{{A voice of diplomacy and encouragement}}

In his address, French Ambassador Antoine Anfré shared heartfelt remarks that connected Rotary’s mission to the universal values of empathy and civic responsibility.

“Rotary does what diplomacy often dreams of—changing lives through daily acts of compassion,” he said. “What you do matters deeply. By providing clean water, supporting children with special needs, or empowering women to stitch a new chapter for their future, you remind us that service knows no borders and no small actions.”

{{Celebrating growth and generosity}}

The installation night was also marked by two major Rotary milestones: growth in membership and giving.

Three new members were officially inducted into Rotary Club Kigali Mont Jali, joining a global network of over 1.4 million Rotarians. Their induction (intronisation) was met with cheers, pins, and a heartfelt welcome.

Additionally, four members were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows (PHF)—a distinction given to Rotarians who contribute $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation.

These contributions help fund high-impact projects across the globe, including in Rwanda. Each PHF was honored with the iconic PHF pin, symbolizing not just generosity, but a shared commitment to building a better world.

“When you wear that pin,” said one club leader, “you’re telling the world: I believe in change that lasts.”

{{A night to remember}}

More than a formal ceremony, the installation night was a joyful celebration of purpose. Laughter, conversation, music, and a shared meal created an atmosphere of deep connection—a reminder that Rotary is not just an organization; it’s a family.

As the evening drew to a close, there was a renewed sense of energy in the room. Under Rtn. Claver Irakoze’s leadership, and with the theme “Unite for Good” as a compass, Rotary Club Kigali Mont Jali is set to embrace another year of service, action, and impact.

On July 1, 2025, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) announced new prices for petroleum products, with the price of a litre of petrol increasing by Frw 170, rising from Frw 1,633 to Frw 1,803 , while diesel rose to Frw 1,757 from Frw 1,647.

These prices came into effect on July 2 at 6:00 a.m. The authority also indicated that these new petroleum product prices include revised Value-Added Tax (VAT) charges.

Speaking to Rwanda Television, Dr. Jimmy Gasore explained that the new prices have risen due to the implementation of Cabinet decisions, as well as increasing costs on the global market.

“What is different from usual is that the resolutions arising from the Cabinet’s decisions have now been implemented. As Rwandans may recall, in February this year, the Cabinet established new taxes, in particular stipulating that, starting on July 1, the price of petrol would include value-added tax. That tax has now been applied, which is why the increase is higher than what we usually see for petroleum products,” he said.

Dr. Gasore stated that the Government had taken measures to prevent price increases from becoming excessively high, committing to retain certain subsidies on petroleum products.

As a result, the price of petrol rose by 11%, although it was initially projected to increase by 18%. Similarly, diesel was expected to increase by 14% but only rose by 6.8%.

Dr. Gasore explained that there should not be significant changes in transportation fares and costs.

He gave the example of motorcycle taxi rides, noting that for a ride costing Frw 500, the fuel portion should not exceed Frw 200. Therefore, the 11% increase in fuel prices would not justify raising the fare by more than Frw 20.

“We believe that, in reality, the recent increases should not lead to higher national transport costs.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Antoine Marie Kajangwe, noted that the recent price hikes are not alarming for business operations in general.

He explained that, typically, transportation costs for goods imported from neighboring countries or transported within Rwanda account for 22% of the total cost of the goods.

“That 22% is not significant enough for transportation to substantially raise prices for essential food items that every Rwandan needs on a daily basis,” Kajangwe noted.

He explained that, for example, for rice transported from Rusizi District in the Western Province, the new prices might add approximately Frw 6 per kilogram in transportation costs.

This means that for a 25-kilogram sack of rice from Bugarama, the price would increase by only Frw 150.

He further clarified that for other goods such as maize from Nyagatare District or potatoes from Musanze District, transportation costs might rise by about Frw 4.

“These are not amounts that should be perceived as significantly driving up the prices of essential daily food items. However, the government has also foregone certain revenues to ensure that these price increases remain manageable,” Kajangwe noted.

RURA emphasized that, in response to rising global petroleum prices and in order to ease the burden on consumers, the Government of Rwanda has maintained sufficient petroleum reserves in its storage facilities.

As he briefed the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently, the Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Telesphore Ndabamenye, explained that the projects, which will irrigate up to 4,000 hectares of land, include Mpanga, Mahama I, and Mahama II.

Ndabamenye highlighted that the Mpanga project, which has an $18 million budget, will irrigate 650 hectares. However, its implementation has been delayed due to the lack of electricity necessary to operate the water pumps that will draw water from the Akagera River.

“The engines needed to initiate the trials are expected to arrive in August, with operations scheduled to commence in October 2025,” he noted.

The Mahama I project, which will irrigate 1,225 hectares at a cost of $27 million, and Mahama II, covering 1,900 hectares at a cost of $32 million, are both expected to be completed by December 2025.

Ndabamenye explained that the variation in project costs is due to factors such as the size of the land to be irrigated, the nature of the soil, and the power requirements for water pumping.

In addition to these projects, Rwanda is also pursuing two other major initiatives. One, funded by the World Bank, is the CDAT project, which will irrigate 11,000 hectares and is expected to be completed by 2027.

The other, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is KIIWP2, which will cover 2,200 hectares and is scheduled for completion by 2028.

To achieve its goal of irrigating 500,000 hectares of land to combat climate change, Rwanda will require substantial investment and swift implementation of these projects.

Funding for these initiatives has been provided through loans from the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), as well as other domestic financing sources.

These irrigation projects are expected to boost Rwanda’s irrigated land area from the current 70,000 hectares to 130,000 hectares by 2029, supporting sustainable agricultural growth and enhancing food security.

The Bank’s presence at the event reflects its continued efforts to build meaningful connections with the diaspora and offer convenient, tailored financial solutions that support long-term investment ambitions in Rwanda.

As part of its engagement, I&M Bank will provide on-the-ground support for account opening, showcase investment opportunities in Rwanda’s growing real estate sector including mortgages, construction loans, and plot acquisition financing—and introduce attendees to its high-interest savings accounts and one-on-one advisory services.

These offerings are designed to help diaspora clients secure and grow their assets back home, with greater ease and confidence.

This initiative aligns with I&M Bank’s broader mission to increase financial accessibility and promote prosperity among Rwandans living abroad. Over the past few years, the Bank has conducted similar outreach programs in Europe and several African countries, strengthening its role as a trusted financial partner for diaspora communities.

Speaking ahead of the convention, Yves Kayihura, Head of Retail Banking at I&M Bank, emphasized the importance of removing barriers for diaspora clients.

“For many Rwandans living abroad, the desire to invest or build back home is strong, but navigating the process can be challenging. Our role is to make that experience easier, more transparent, and ultimately rewarding,” he said.

By participating in the Rwanda Convention in Dallas, I&M Bank reaffirms its commitment to customer-centric banking and its promise to bring services closer to where Rwandans live, work, and dream, no matter how far from home.

“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal,” said Trump.

He also urged Hamas to accept the deal. “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better – IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump added.

The agreement, brokered by the United States, was expected to usher in a new phase of stability. However, observers say the success of this process depends on follow-up dialogue between the Congolese government, the AFC/M23 movement, and the eastern Congolese communities, especially the Tutsi and other groups that the movement says it is protecting. Final talks are expected to take place in Qatar.

But just three days after signing the accord, Kinshasa launched drone strikes on Minembwe, a highland town in South Kivu inhabited by Congolese Tutsi civilians, namely the Banyamulenge, many of whom are the very people the government is expected to engage in negotiations.

On June 30, as the country marked 65 years of independence, a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone bombed a civilian aircraft delivering humanitarian aid to Minembwe. The attack injured several people, including a traditional leader and an 8-year-old child.

The town has long faced isolation, an economic blockade, and a lack of state protection. Residents continue to survive under harsh conditions with little outside assistance. The drone strike did not target AFC/M23 fighters or their allies such as the Twirwaneho self-defense groups, but struck civilians instead, an incident many analysts describe as an attack on hope rather than a military target.

More troubling is the timeline: a full week before the Washington peace agreement was signed, Africa Intelligence reported that the DRC government had already taken delivery of the drones. This suggests that while Kinshasa was preparing to sign for peace, it was simultaneously preparing for war.

These developments raise fundamental questions about the government’s sincerity. How can a state pursue peace while investing in tools of destruction? How can it sit at the negotiating table with the same communities it targets from the air?

Observers say these actions undermine trust and cast doubt on Kinshasa’s commitment to a political solution. What was presented as diplomacy increasingly appears to be a performance aimed at the international community, rather than a genuine effort to achieve peace.

This approach, experts argue, does not reflect statesmanship but rather deliberate sabotage of the peace process.

For lasting peace in the Great Lakes region, political will must replace symbolic gestures. The cycle of violence will not end through drone attacks or coercion. The DRC leadership must abandon militarized responses and embrace inclusive dialogue, seeing its own citizens not as enemies, but as essential partners in building peace.

Because, as recent events have made clear, you cannot bomb your way into peace.

At the center of this secluded escape was a hotel known as Canard Sauvage, officially owned by a Belgian man named Paul Henrio. Yet, according to locals and those who observed events at the time, the hotel was effectively under the control of Habyarimana himself, along with Colonel Elie Sagatwa (his brother-in-law), Félicien Kabuga, and the then-mayor of the former Muhazi Commune, Nkurunziza.

The hotel was located in what used to be Kabare Sector, in the former Muhazi Commune. Eugène Mutamba, a 54-year-old man who was born and raised in this area, recalls growing up right next to this hotel and occasionally seeing President Habyarimana visit.

“This was Habyarimana’s hotel, shared with others close to him, what we could call a clique. I’ve known it since 1984–1985; we lived just across from it,” Mutamba told IGIHE.

When Habyarimana was present, the hotel was strictly off-limits to the public. “Whenever he came, we would go stand by the roadside, and our parents would say, ‘There goes the President,’ as he passed. Once he arrived at the hotel, no one else could enter. He had a house down the slope here, I don’t know if he ever stayed in it.”

Just nearby, Habyarimana’s son-in-law, Alphonse Ntirivamunda, had a large piece of land. Ntirivamunda, married to Jeanne Habyarimana, fled Rwanda and died in Belgium in 2020 after being accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Mutamba, like other locals, said Ntirivamunda acquired the land by force.

“They came and took it. They just measured land and displaced people without compensation. That’s what dictatorship was like. Today, under the Unity Government, that could never happen, a citizen cannot be removed from their land without due process.”

Another resident, Isaie Rusanganwa, shared similar experiences. “We were peacefully living there when Habyarimana and the white man came, surveyed the land, made us sign papers, and started construction. They even gave us jobs.”

But he said they were never compensated. “After construction began, they made us sign documents, but we never received a single franc. Later, my cousin and I went to ask the mayor, Nkurunziza, why we hadn’t been paid. We told him we were growing desperate.”
According to Rusanganwa, the mayor reacted angrily: “He told us, ‘How dare you question the President? The land belongs to him now. Who do you think you are?’”

Undeterred, Rusanganwa confronted the injustice: “I asked him, ‘Did Habyarimana come all the way from Gisenyi just to take our land? Where did he expect us to go—into the sky?’ The mayor told me, ‘Let me show you how I deal with people like you.’ We ran away. Later, I returned and became a worker there, just to survive.”

Rusanganwa said he worked at the hotel and frequently saw Habyarimana, Kabuga, and Sagatwa together.

“I saw Kabuga with my own eyes, with the President and Sagatwa. When they were there, I worked as a helper under military supervision. Our job was just to wash dishes in the lake. You’d only move if a soldier told you to.”

{{The tide turns}}

In 1993, as the liberation war intensified, the Canard Sauvage hotel became a training ground for French soldiers sent to protect Habyarimana. When defeat became inevitable, Paul Henrio, who was still listed as the legal owner, fled back to Belgium. From 1993 to 2004, the hotel was abandoned and overtaken by wild vegetation.

Donatien Murenzi, who had grown up nearby but later moved to Belgium, learned that the property had been deserted. In 2004, knowing the history of the area, Murenzi returned to Belgium and purchased the property from Henrio. He later acquired additional surrounding plots from local residents.

“I went to the Rwandan Embassy and made the purchase. When I returned, I expanded the land and took time to design a project,” Murenzi said.

He renamed the site from Canard Sauvage to Muhazi Beach Resort, which has since become a renowned hospitality destination in the Eastern Province.

“The idea to invest here came from the leadership’s encouragement to contribute to rebuilding the country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, especially by focusing on rural development. Kigali was already growing, so I wanted to create something outside the city.”

He added, “I chose tourism because I knew the history of this hill in Kabare, surrounded by the iconic areas of Umurambi w’Inyambo, Gakoni, and Kavumu, all connected to Lake Muhazi.”

{{A new chapter}}

Today, Muhazi Beach Resort spans seven hectares, with 63 guest rooms overlooking the lake.

It is peaceful, serene, and a world away from the past it once bore witness to. The resort features family suites designed for groups of more than two, each equipped with two bedrooms, a living area, bathroom, and essential amenities.

Spending a night in these suites costs $100. There are also double rooms for two guests, priced at $50 per night, and single rooms available for $30. Each space offers a unique experience, combining comfort with a tranquil view of the lake.

Once marked by forced evictions and military surveillance, this site now welcomes families, travelers, and tourists with open doors.

karirima@igihe.com