Category: News

The public lecture, held as part of the ongoing 100 days of remembrance, was attended by institutional leaders, senior police officers, and other officials. Participants were taken through the genesis, planning, and execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as current strategies to counter the persistent ideology behind it.

Dr Bizimana outlined how colonial rule laid the foundation for ethnic divisionism in Rwanda. He explained that identity-based segregation, introduced by colonial administrators and reinforced by missionaries, paved the way for decades of discrimination and, eventually, the Genocide against the Tutsis.

“The genocide was not a spontaneous act—it was a long-planned political project,” Dr. Bizimana said. “Colonial structures and post-independence politicians fueled and institutionalized ethnic hatred supported by different media outlets, political parties, and the army [Ex-FAR]. This incited citizens to turn against their fellow Rwandans.”

The minister narrated the escalation of anti-Tutsi violence since 1959, through waves of persecutions and exiles, to the extermination campaign between 1990 and 1994. Dr. Bizimana further highlighted the critical role of propaganda and state institutions in spreading hate speech and justifying mass killings.

To combat genocide ideology today, he emphasized on Rwanda’s holistic approach through education and other sectors by educating youth through school curricula, promoting national identity through the “Ndi Umunyarwanda” program, engaging communities through Itorero and dialogues, and preserving memory of the victims through visits to genocide memorials. There has also been legal accountability on the perpetrators, reintegration of former convicts into society, and digital strategies to counter online hate.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Felix Namuhoranye, commended the Minister for his in-depth presentation and called for the extension of such programs to police academies, stating that every officer should be grounded in this history, since it shapes the institutional commitment to unity and justice.

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The attack hit the village of Sukharevo, where the New Jerusalem church complex, a significant local landmark, was set ablaze after Ukrainian drones dropped explosives, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported Thursday on his Telegram channel.

No injuries were reported in the aftermath.

The New Jerusalem church complex, an entirely wooden construction, is a major monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, Secretary Rubio will oversee the signing of a “declaration of principles” on Friday, alongside DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.

A declaration of principles is defined as a formal document that outlines the shared values, intentions, and commitments of parties entering into a diplomatic or peace process.

While not always legally binding, it serves as a foundational framework for future negotiations or agreements.

The State Department has yet to release further details about the content of the agreement.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed to IGIHE that a signing is indeed scheduled, but did not disclose specific terms of the agreement.

Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, of Bridgehampton, Long Island, was arrested on April 24, 2025 and is facing three federal charges; one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. Prosecutors say he lied on his immigration and naturalization applications to hide his involvement in one of the 20th century’s most horrific mass atrocities.

According to court documents, Nsabumukunzi held the position of “Sector Counselor” in Rwanda during the genocide between April to July 1994, a period during which over a million people were killed.

As detailed in the indictment, Nsabumukunzi is accused of using his local authority to organize and direct attacks on Tutsi civilians. He allegedly supervised roadblocks used to identify, detain, and execute Tutsis and participated directly in the killings. A Rwandan court later convicted him in absentia.

Despite that history, Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in the United States in 2003 and was granted a green card in 2007. He later submitted naturalization applications in both 2009 and 2015. In each of these cases, he allegedly denied any involvement in acts of genocide or persecution.

“For over two decades, he got away with those lies and lived in the United States with an undeserved clean slate, a luxury that his victims will never have. Thanks to the tenacious efforts of our investigators and prosecutors, the defendant finally will be held accountable for his brutal actions,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York.

Federal officials emphasized that the charges are part of a broader commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals who committed human rights violations overseas and entered the U.S. under false pretenses.

“As alleged, the defendant participated in the commission of heinous acts of violence abroad and then lied his way into a green card and tried to obtain U.S. citizenship,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

“No matter how much time has passed, the Department of Justice will find and prosecute individuals who committed atrocities in their home countries,” he warned.

“This defendant has been living in the United States for decades, hiding his alleged horrific conduct. We will never tolerate the safe-harboring of individuals linked to such unimaginable crimes,” added Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren B. McCormack of Homeland Security Investigations New York.

If convicted, Nsabumukunzi faces up to 30 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, with support from Homeland Security Investigations and the Interagency Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators residing in the United States are encouraged to contact law enforcement through the HSI tip line or email.

The event, which brings together student leaders from across East Africa, marks a major highlight in the region’s youth leadership calendar.

The news was shared by Sarah Kagingo, the CEO of Soft Power Communications, via her X account, where she expressed her honor at joining Uganda’s Vice President, Jessica Alupo, and fellow Guild Presidents in welcoming the former Kenyan head of state.

“Honoured to join H.E. the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, and fellow Guild Presidents in welcoming H.E. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Fourth President of the Republic of Kenya, to Makerere University for the guild leaders’ summit, where he will deliver a keynote to East African student leaders,” Kigingo posted.

The summit is expected to focus on youth leadership, regional integration, and the role of young people in shaping East Africa’s future.

Kenyatta, who has remained an influential figure in African diplomacy since leaving office in 2022, is seen as a symbol of peaceful leadership transition and regional cooperation.

His presence at Makerere underscores the university’s historical role as a breeding ground for East African leadership.

Organizers say the summit will offer an opportunity for young leaders to engage with one of the region’s most experienced statesmen on issues ranging from governance to innovation.

John Mpunga, an official from RPPA, told local media that the 105 companies were sanctioned under the 2018 and 2022 public procurement laws.

According to data published on the transparency portal, the bans range from one to seven years, depending on the severity of the offenses.

The affected companies failed to fulfill contractual obligations, implemented projects in ways that deviated from agreed terms, submitted false information, or acted as a front for previously blacklisted entities.

The public procurement law stipulates a seven-year ban for companies that provide false information about their identity, documentation, or capabilities, violate procurement rules in pursuit of a contract, or use fraudulent contracts to obtain loans from banks.

Sanctions also apply to companies that fail to pay workers or suppliers during contract execution, change their registered address without notifying the contracting authority, employ experts whose work is found to be flawed, or collude with public officials in the preparation of tenders or bidding documentation.

Article 145 of the 2022 Public Procurement Law states, “A contractor who implements a contract in a way that deviates from agreed terms, fails to meet quality standards, or neglects obligations without justifiable cause, commits a violation.”

The law imposes a one-year exclusion from tenders and an administrative fine equal to 5% of the contract’s value, in addition to the termination of the contract.

Although RPPA does not pursue legal action itself, it forwards cases involving criminal offenses to the prosecution for follow-up.

Mpunga noted that excluding non-compliant companies from future tenders has significantly improved the overall execution of public contracts compared to previous years.

Becciu, 76, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in December 2023 after becoming the first cardinal ever tried and convicted by the Vatican’s own criminal court. His conviction stems from a financial scandal involving a failed London real estate deal that cost the Church tens of millions of dollars, as well as allegations of misuse of Church funds.

Though Pope Francis personally stripped Becciu of his “rights and privileges” as a cardinal in 2020, the cardinal has retained his title and continues to live in a Vatican apartment while his appeal is pending.

Under Church law, cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote in a papal conclave. Becciu remains within the age limit and argues that no formal decree has barred him from voting.

“There was no explicit will to exclude me from the conclave, nor a request for my renunciation in writing,” Becciu told Sardinian newspaper L’Unione Sarda on Tuesday, renewing debate over his eligibility just days before the College of Cardinals gathers.

The Holy See’s press office has listed him as a non-elector, but legal ambiguity is fueling tensions. The final decision on whether Becciu can cast a vote will fall to Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who will oversee the proceedings in the Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican now faces a delicate balancing act. Excluding Becciu without clear legal grounds could open the conclave to future challenges, while allowing a convicted fraudster to vote could cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the process.

Pope Francis, who died Easter Monday at age 88 after complications from pneumonia, made financial reform a cornerstone of his 12-year papacy. He personally amended Church law to ensure that even cardinals could face criminal prosecution by Vatican courts, a move that ultimately led to Becciu’s conviction.

The conclave is expected to begin within 20 days of his death, following centuries-old traditions, with 135 cardinals currently eligible to vote.

Among them is Rwanda’s Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, 67, who will make history as the first Rwandan to take part in a papal election.

To elect a new pope, a two-thirds majority is required. Until that consensus is reached, black smoke will rise from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Only white smoke will announce to the world the election of Pope Francis’ successor.

The essence of good business lies in placing your products on the market, whether local or international. That is the foundation of meaningful commerce.

Fortunate Uwitonze, a businesswoman based in Kigali, began importing goods from China in 2020. At the time, she believed that everything she bought was coming directly from the factories. But in 2023, she discovered the truth.

She had the opportunity to visit several factories in China and was surprised to find that none of them had ever heard of her. Instead, the factories only recognized the intermediaries who helped her source the products.

That’s when she realized that the price she had been paying for her goods was nearly three times higher than the factory price, because every intermediary in the chain was trying to make a profit.

“I thought I was dealing with a factory, but it was actually a middleman. Everything I was buying was extremely overpriced compared to the factory rates,” said Uwitonze.

She’s not alone. Many Rwandans engaged in cross-border trade face similar challenges. Some even lose their goods along the way simply because they don’t know the intermediaries they’re working with well enough.

To solve this problem on a larger scale, UZA Solutions Ltd., in partnership with Alibaba Group, launched the UZA Bulk platform, a marketplace designed to directly connect manufacturers and their customers.

This platform helps African traders access over 10,000 verified Chinese factories. Users can safely, affordably, and quickly browse and order a wide variety of products.

Today, the UZA Bulk platform offers over 20 million products at true factory prices. Users communicate directly with the manufacturers, completely bypassing intermediaries.

“UZA Bulk isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement for transformation. We import smarter and export better. This will help us grow our own industries and fully harness our potential,” Yves Iradukunda, CEO of UZA Solutions Ltd., said.

UZA Bulk also supports Rwandan and African manufacturers in listing their products on the platform, helping them access regional and international markets.

Eric Nshimiyimana, a phone dealer in Kigali, is one of the traders who has benefited from the platform. He shared that he now sells at lower prices while earning “a solid profit.”

This platform is ideal for everyone, from new small-scale entrepreneurs to established factories looking to expand their sales reach.

Anyone, from anywhere, can connect with manufacturers around the world through UZA Bulk. It’s more than a marketplace, it’s a gateway to scaling African commerce. To join UZA Bulk, visit [www.uzabulk.com->https://www.uzabulk.com/].

Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, this is part of the discussions we are having with the U.S.”

Among the minerals the U.S. is eyeing is tantalum, which could soon be processed locally for use in automotive components, such as capacitors.

Rwanda is among the top global producers of tantalum, producing more than 9% of the world’s tantalum used in electronics manufacturing, and only ranks third after Australia ( 54%) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (11%).

The talks come as the U.S. intensifies efforts to diversify its sources of critical minerals, amid similar ongoing negotiations with the neighbouring DRC.

Earlier this month, Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African Affairs, visited Rwanda and met with President Paul Kagame to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional security.

As part of his visit, Boulos toured Rwanda’s Nyakabingo Mine on April 9.

Located in Shyorongi Sector, Rulindo District, the site is one of Africa’s top producers of wolfram, the primary ore used to extract tungsten, a metal essential for aerospace, defence, and technology industries.

Trinity Metals Group, which operates the Nyakabingo site, confirmed hosting Boulos. In a statement, the company said it was “honoured” to welcome the U.S. envoy, noting he was briefed on the mine’s operations and expansion plans.

Producing over 1,000 tonnes of wolfram annually, Nyakabingo plays a vital role in Rwanda’s mining sector. Trinity Metals has committed $40 million in investments across its mining operations, with plans to more than double wolfram production within four years. The mineral is currently exported at 68% purity, primarily to Austria, before being refined abroad.

Rwanda’s mining sector has seen rapid growth, emerging as the country’s top foreign exchange earner. According to figures shared by Prime Minister Dr. Édouard Ngirente in March, mineral exports brought in $1.7 billion in 2024, up from $373 million in 2017.

Gold dominated export revenues, generating $1.5 billion, followed by coltan ($99 million), cassiterite ($96 million), and wolfram ($36 million). The Prime Minister also revealed that Rwanda exported 2,384 tonnes of coltan, 4,861 tonnes of cassiterite, and 2,741 tonnes of wolfram last year.

Dr. Ngirente attributed the sector’s success to modernised mining methods, strategic investments, and a shift toward value addition. He cited the launch of three mineral processing plants—Gasabo Gold Refinery, LuNa Smelter, and Power Resources International Ltd.—as milestones in Rwanda’s journey towards refining its own resources.

“Production has increased significantly, and we are discovering new minerals like lithium and beryllium, which are in high demand globally,” he said.

A formal deal with the U.S. would signal deepening economic ties and highlight Rwanda’s growing influence in the international minerals market.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation to Counter Terrorism, Transnational, Organized, and Emerging Crimes,” the meeting has brought together top law enforcement officials from the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO), representing 14 member states.

In his remarks, IGP Namuhoranye described the gathering as an important platform for reinforcing joint strategies to address the region’s crime threats and those beyond its borders.

“There is no silver bullet that can replace trust and mutual understanding among ourselves. That is why partnership remains our major strength and our priority,” he said.

“I urge all of us to open real-time communication channels and remove any barriers—small or big—that disrupt collaboration and information sharing,” he added, stressing the importance of putting strategies into action to build a safer region.

IGP Namuhoranye also challenged participants to identify key areas needing intervention or improvement, based on a review of progress made on previous decisions and recommendations.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Africa Apollo Sendahangarwa, Chief Executive Officer of EAPCCO and Head of the Interpol Regional Bureau, said the meeting was timely in orienting actions based on resolutions from recent Annual General Meetings, including those of the Chiefs of Police Council.

“The focus will include assessing crime trends, the modus operandi of criminals, and recommending more effective ways to tackle crime—not only within individual member countries, but also as a unified region,” noted the EAPCCO CEO.

On the first day of the meeting, members of EAPCCO witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the Permanent Coordinating Committee (PCC) from Col. Aimable Mutagatifu, Director of Criminal Investigation in the Burundi National Police, to Jean Marie Twagirayezu, Director General of Criminal Investigation at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).