Category: News

{{Prostitutes in Rubavu District are being senstised on family planning practices.

The campaign aims at raising awareness among the sex workers over family planning issues and encouraging them to consider other economic options. }}

Residents of Rubavu District pointed out that some of the reasons why the number of sex workers is increasing in Rubavu District is the fact their District is bordering with DRC, where a number of women abused by their husbands leave DRCongo to Rubavu to engage in Prostitution.

MP Mporanyi Théobard, a Rwandan parliamentarian urged District authorities to find a solution to the problem since it is among the causes that hinder economic progress in the western province.

Last year, the western province came last in securing family
planning issues.

The vice-Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Ruvu District, Nyirasafari Rusine Rachel said the District has taken tangible measures including eradication of prostitution and sensitisation of citizens on HIV prevention and birth control programs.

Some women join prostitution due to abject poverty.

{{The office of the prime minister has turned down the request to allow the start of a Police Radio station saying the government has no money to finance the radio.}}

A source quoted by Great lakes voice says, “Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi argues that the radio will need staff and budget which adds more burden to the government in terms of expenses.”

According to the greatlakesvoice website, Police radio equipment had already arrived in the country and that a Rwanda utility Agency, RURA had automatically granted a frequency to the Police radio.

However, the website says that Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana is taking the matter to the cabinet with prospects of securing a greenlight.

Souces quoted by greatlakesvoice claim the IGP has prepared a document to present his argument to the cabinet to secure the radio which is seen as a booster in community policing.

“The radio Project is still there. We’re in administrative issues,” said Supt. Theos Badege.

{{The Rwandan troops deployed in Darfur, Sudan, UNAMID have contributed over US$120,000 (Frw 75 Million) for the Agaciro Development Fund.}}

One hundred twenty thousand US Dollars (above Rwf 75 millions)were
raised September 27, by Rwandan peacekeepers in Darfur at a
fundraising dinner organized at the mess hall of Rwanbatt 33 in El
Fasher for Agaciro Development Fund (Ag DF).

The ceremony was attended by civilians, police and military officers from all the corners of
Darfur.

At the beginning of the fundraising event, the gathering watched and
listened to a video of the statement made by HE Paul Kagame, President of the republic of Rwanda, on the occasion of formally launching the Agaciro Development Fund on 24 August 2012.

Speaking at the end of the fundraising function, Lt Gen Patrick
Nyamvumba, UNAMID Force Commander, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm displayed by all Rwandans at the event who contributed to the Agaciro Development Fund.

General Nyamvumba reminded the jubilant gathering that Rwandan peacekeepers in Darfur have up until now been known for promoting the dignity of Darfuris by way of committed and professional peacekeeping even at the cost of many lives.

“Tonight”, General Nyamvumba reiterated, “you have taken the battle for agaciro to another level”.

Present at the event was the Head of Rwanda’s Diplomatic Mission in
Sudan, Colonel Muzungu Munyaneza, who thanked the organizers of the event and also made a contribution to the fund.

The event was also attended by seven officers from RDF headquarters headed by Brig Gen Dr. Charles Rudakubana, head of Peace Support Operations Department at RDF Headquarters in Kigali.

The team, which is in Darfur for routine inspection, also made a contribution to the Agaciro Fund. The Agaciro fundraising event was accompanied by ibyivugo and traditional dance performed by women and men of Rwanbatt 31 and Rwanbatt 33.

{{One child was killed and three others were seriously wounded on Sunday morning when a blast ripped through a church in Nairobi in a suspected grenade attack, police said.}}

“One child has died and three others have been seriously injured,” said Moses Nyakwama, Nairobi police chief. “We suspect it was a grenade.”
The explosion targeted the part of the church set aside for children.

“I just heard two loud explosions and then everything went quiet before screams erupted,” said Faid Kassim who resides in an estate near the church.

A dozen worshippers were also injured in the blast or while trying to help the victims at the ACK Saint Polycarp church on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital.

Churches in Kenya have become increasingly targeted by the terrorists, mainly in Nairobi and at border towns near Somalia.

The attacks, which have not been claimed are thought to be in retaliation for the Kenyan army’s intervention in neighbouring Somalia, where it is fighting the country’s Al-Qaeda-linked Al Shabab Islamist fighters.

The church blast came a day after the Shabaab abandoned their last stronghold in Somalia, retreating from the southern port city of Kismayo in the face of an assault by African Union troops.

Police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and volunteer any information to authorities.

{{Pupils of Kabagera primary school have been given shoes as an appreciation to their better performance.

Kabagera school is located in Gahara Sector of Kirehe district. The shoes were handed to the pupils on September 29.}}

The Donation was made possible through the colaboration of a non governmental organisation (Partners in health) and the district authority

{{Rwandan Minister of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata has been presented with a prize for promoting agriculture.

The prize was presented to her by African Green Revolution Forum. }}

Kalibata recieved the 2012 Yara Prize for her work to increase food security.

She shares the prize with Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, the outgoing CEO of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange.

Dr. Kalibata is a member of the IFDC board of directors.

Since Kalibata’s appointment in 2009, Rwanda has become food secure. The maize, rice and wheat commodity value chains have experienced tremendous progress.

Under Kalibata’s leadership, all 30 districts in Rwanda now produce enough food to meet their needs, and more than half produce enough surplus to generate income.

{{The Ambassadors of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to the United Republic of Tanzania have presented letters of credence appointing them as their countries’ representatives to the East African Community.}}

The Zimbabwe Ambassador to Tanzania H.E Chimonyo was the first to present his letter of accreditation to the EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera appointing him as his country’s envoy to the bloc.

Amb. Sezibera warmly welcomed the Zimbabwe envoy and said he considers Zimbabwe as part of EAC region because of the rich history between Zimbabwe and some of the EAC partner States.

The Secretary General welcomed the move to enhance cooperation between the EAC and Zimbabwe.

The EAC Chief appraised the Zimbabwe Ambassador on the progress being registered by the Community so far, including the coming into force of Protocols on the Customs Union and Common Market, and the ongoing negotiations on the protocol to establish a Monetary Union.

He also informed the Ambassador about the Tripartite initiative especially the negotiation to establish a grand Free trade area between three regional blocs; EAC, COMESA and SADC.

The Zimbabwean Envoy lauded the progress registered by the Community and said it was important for his country to build a stronger relationship with the regional bloc.

He said Zimbabwe was already enjoying strong relationships with individual EAC Partner States.

The Sweden Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Republic of Tanzania H.E Lennarth Hjelmaker was the second to present his accreditation to the EAC Secretary General.

In the accreditation letter, the Sweden Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Carl Bildt informed the Secretary General of EAC that H.E Lennarth Helmaker had been appointed as Permanent Representative to the East African Community.

Ambassador Helmaker noted the progress in integration process of EAC and re-affirmed to the Secretary General his country’s continued support to the EAC Project and programs.

‘’We are very happy today to formalize our relationship with EAC and am looking forward to a strong partnership in the development of the regional bloc’’, asserted the Swedish Envoy.

Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera welcomed the move to enhance cooperation between the EAC and Sweden and appreciated the support accorded to the Community by Sweden especially through the EAC Partnership Fund.

Amb. Sezibera briefed the Swedish Envoy on the developments in the integration process.

He informed the Ambassador that the move towards a single customs territory was high in the region’s agenda; as well as implementation of the Common Market Protocol.

The region was also focussing on infrastructure development, energy, rail, and conclusion of the negotiations of the Protocol on the East African Monetary Union by the end of this year.

{{143 Rwanda National Police (RNP) officers who have been serving under the United Nations for Stablisation in Haiti (MINUSTAH) returned home on September 29 after successfully completing their nine months mandate.}}

The officers have been serving under Formed Police Unit 2 (FPU2). they arrived in Kigali aboard Air Europa.

FPU2 led by Chief Superintendent, Toussaint Muzezayo, was received by Senior Rwanda National Police officers who included the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Stanley Nsabimana and graced by the police band.

The FPU2 later proceeded to the Police General Headquarters in Kacyiru where they were briefed by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana.

IGP Gasana commended the officers for exhibiting professionalism and discipline during their spell, which he said has earned Rwanda a name and confidence in the UN.

“Due to the exceptional work exhibited by Rwanda National Police officers on missions, the UN has requested Rwanda to also send FPU in Liberia and also consider sending contingents of FPU composed of only female officers,” said the IGP.

{{The headmaster of Mazane Primary school in Bugesera District has
said that immediate steps are required to avoid more children
dropping out of school following a recent decision of not feeding them
at school. }}

The school feeding program was initiated in 2002 by Government of Rwanda in partnership with WFP.

WFP announced the decision to stop feeding schools noting the fact that some contributors to the program have stopped their support.

Mazane Primary School is located to the Island of Mazane in Lake
Rweru in Bugesera District.

The school comprises of 260 children and 7 teachers. All children
were enrolled in school feeding program.

The Headmaster of Mazane said the school is expected more children
leaving school due to poverty.

“Children will leave because some of them come because they
were to be fed at school. If the program stopped we expect some
to drop out school” Said Sebanani.

Earlier parents paid Frw500 per month as a part of their contribution to the feeding program at school.

Sebanani added that if the program is to continue, parents will have to pay Frw4,700 in a period of 3 months.

However, parents revealed they are poor to get such money to keep
the school feeding program.

Earlier this month, floods destroyed crops of Mazane residents, hey said “Since then they are unable to feed their children”

Local Authorities have said more donor supports is needed to avoid children to drop out schools.

Misigaro Thomas 72, says, “At this time, we used to have potatoes from wetlands. However, when water from lake Rweru spread into our fields we were unable to harvest.”

Désire Kabila is a P6 pupil at Mazane Primary School. He said the program used to help them hence there is a need to seek an immediate help for them to continue their classes.

The Bugesera vice-Mayor in charge of social Affairs has said the District will continue to encourage support from residents.

WFP recorded 635,000 School children had been enrolled in the program country wide.

However, due to financial problems, the program is expected to end this Sepember, 2012.

{{A contingent of 160 police officers under the Formed Protection Unit 3 (FPU3), on Thursday night departed for Haiti to serve under the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH).}}

The officers left Kigali International Airport at about 10:00 pm aboard Air Europa.

The contingent is led by Chief Supt Desire Twizere will replace the same number under Formed Police Unit 2 (FPU2) which successfully completed its nine months mandate and scheduled to return on September 28.

The FPU2 to be replaced was headed by Chief Supt Toussaint Muzezayo.

The departure of the officers at Kigali International Airport to the Caribbean nation where they will serve nine months was presided over by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K Gasana who was accompanied by other senior officers in Rwanda National Police (RNP).

The FPUs provide humanitarian assistance, conduct patrols and guard VIPs and key installations, train the local police on best democratic policing methods among others.