Category: News

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->https://en.igihe.com/health/article/rwanda-rolls-out-health-intelligence-hub-for-real-time-service-monitoring?var_mode=calcul] 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.

Catholic Church Cardinals were summoned to the Vatican on April 22, 2025, to organize the burial ceremony for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

Cardinal Kambanda departed Rwanda on the evening of Tuesday April 22, 2025 and arrived on Wednesday morning. More than 135 Cardinals are expected in the Vatican for the preparations.

Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Heads of state and government leaders from around the world, including Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Prince William, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have confirmed their attendance at the funeral.

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, rather than the traditional Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Zimbabwe has for some time been hosting its home matches either in South Africa or other countries due to not having a stadium approved by FIFA.

Although they had been holding most of their matches in South Africa recently, Zimbabwe chose to take this particular game to Rwanda since both teams are familiar with South African venues.

This Match day 9 game is part of the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign and will follow another match in which Zimbabwe is set to host Rwanda on September 8, 2025.

This will not be the first time Zimbabwe hosts a game in Rwanda. In 2023, they also played Nigeria there during Match day 2 of the same qualification series.

These teams are in Group C, which is currently led by South Africa with 13 points. Rwanda and Benin are tied in second place with eight points each. Nigeria follows with seven points, Lesotho has six, and Zimbabwe is at the bottom with four points.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed on state television on Monday that the conspirators planned to attack the presidential palace, intending to sow chaos and place the country under international supervision.

According to government officials, the coup was allegedly orchestrated from neighboring Ivory Coast, with two former army officers identified as key figures behind the plot. Sensitive information was reportedly passed to terrorists to incite attacks and rebellion.

Authorities disclosed that several military personnel, including two officers, were arrested last week for planning to destabilize the government. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other suspects involved in the conspiracy.

This incident marks the latest in a series of coup attempts since Traoré seized power in 2022 amid escalating militant attacks. The government continues to face challenges in maintaining stability.

Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has withdrawn from the West African bloc ECOWAS, forming a new alliance and aligning more closely with Russia, distancing itself from former colonial power France.

Despite promises to improve security, the situation remains dire, with frequent insurgent attacks and approximately 40% of the country under jihadist control. Efforts to reclaim territory continue amid ongoing violence.

The Burkinabe government has previously accused Ivory Coast of harboring opponents in exile, though Ivorian authorities have yet to comment on the latest allegations regarding the coup plot.

As the government works to secure the nation, the foiled coup underscores the persistent threats to Burkina Faso’s stability and the complexities of its political and security landscape.

Maj Gen Nzabamwita was appointed to the post on December 20, 2024, replacing Lt Gen Mushyo Kamanzi, who had served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia since 2019.

Prior to this appointment, Maj Gen Nzabamwita served as a President’s Senior Security Advisor. He is expected to play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties between Rwanda and Russia.

Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union, just over a year after Rwanda gained independence.

The partnership between Rwanda and Russia is rooted in cooperation in political, military, education, human resource development, training, and cultural ties.

Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students in various fields and provides training for some officers in the Rwanda National Police.

Over the past 50 years, more than 800 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities in fields such as technology, law, international affairs, medicine, and political science.

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.”

Flight prices are soaring, with the cheapest return ticket from Dublin Airport to Rome from Friday to Sunday costing €457 (approx. Frw 750,000) with Ryanair. This is more than double the price of the following weekend, with the cheapest return ticket costing €205.

To fly with Aer Lingus for the Pope’s funeral this weekend, passengers will have to fork out €782 for return flights on the same dates. Accommodation is also hard to come by, with Booking.com saying nine in ten rooms are already gone and the remainder have hiked fees.

Travel website On the beach saw bookings begin to surge just hours after ‘the people’s Pope’ passed away on Easter Monday. The firm’s Zoe Harris said: “His passing prompted an outpouring of grief around the world and what followed was a flurry of bookings to Rome.

“With the Pope’s burial due on Saturday and the historic process of the conclave beginning in two weeks, it’s clear that people will want to be in the heart of Italy for this historic moment. We’re expecting bookings to rise further over the next 48 hours following Tuesday’s confirmation of dates of service.”

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, were seen signing condolences for Pope Francis at the Holy See Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin, and will travel to the Vatican for his funeral.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish travelers to prepare for significant crowds. “Following the Pope’s passing, it is expected that there will be significant crowds gathering in Rome over the coming days, particularly in the area of St. Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione,” a new travel alert reads.

“Irish citizens who are gathering in Rome to pay their respects should monitor local news and consult Italian authorities for the latest updates. The Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See and the Embassy of Ireland to Italy are monitoring the situations closely and will be posting relevant updates on their social media pages.”

“If you wish to attend the public elements of the funeral rites, including the lying in state, please be aware that queuing will be mostly outdoors and waiting times are expected to be very long. You should check the weather forecast and ensure that you have adequate food and water for the duration of your wait,” said the advisory.

RIB Spokesperson, Dr. Thierry B. Murangira, confirmed the arrest in a brief interview with IGIHE. “It is true that Moses Turahirwa was arrested and is being investigated for drug use, as confirmed by the results of tests conducted and analyzed by experts from the Rwanda Forensic Institute (RFI).”

When asked whether the drug use could be linked to his recent behavior, which has drawn widespread criticism, Murangira said, “The amount of drugs found in his system was significant. We cannot ignore the impact that might have had on his behavior. As for the rest, the investigation is still ongoing.”

This is not the first time Turahirwa has faced drug-related charges. In 2023, he was similarly investigated but was released on provisional bail by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.