Category: News

The government has suggested the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to cancel the transfer of two cases to France for trial involving Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and ex-governor Laurent Bucyibaruta, if their prosecutions would continue to be delayed.

Rwanda Representative to the UN, Eugène-Richard Gasana on Monday “urged the Council to obtain an official report on the status of prosecutions of the two cases transferred to France for trial in 2007”, according to the UN Department of Public Information.

He stated that “the Tribunal has the duty to revoke those referrals if they continued to delay prosecution of Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and Laurent Bucyibaruta”.

In his response the ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow “assured Gasana that there were extensive arrangements to monitor the two cases being tried in France”.

“Both cases were now before an investigating judge and the monitoring arrangements would continue to provide information on their status,” he said in the statement, adding that during his recent trip to Europe he had received assurance from French authorities of their effective procedure in connection with the cases.

In November 2007, the ICTR referred to France the cases of Munyeshyaka, a Priest at the Holy Family Parish in Kigali between 1992 and 1994 and that of Bucyibaruta, former Governor of Gikongoro prefecture and the prosecution appointed monitors to observe and report on progress made in investigations and prosecution.

Father Munyeshyaka, who lives in exile in Gisors (North-west of France) since 2001, is accused by ICTR prosecutor of killing and raping several persons and handing over dozens of Tutsis to the Interahamwe militiamen, who then killed them. In Rwanda, Father Wenceslas was sentenced in 2006, in absentia, to life in jail.

Bucyibaruta lives near Troyes (North-east of France). The ICTR alleges that he incited the Interahamwe to perpetrate the genocide in Gikongoro (South of Rwanda).

The ministry of trade and industry (MINICOM) in conjunction with Rural Small and Medium promotion projects (PPPMER) has donated, 32 bicycles and one computer to a potters cooperative (COPORWA), the aim is to facilitate their work.

While handing over the equipments to the cooperative, MINICOM minister Francois Kanimba encouraged the potters to be more hard working rather than basing their progress on sponsorships.

In addition, Kanimba advised the potters to come up with quality products since it not only promote their sales locally but also in foreign markets. The intervention is in line with the ministry’s program to support (SMEs) to acquire latest technology aimed at improving their delivery.

What’s more, PPPMER will offer literacy training to the potters in a bid to advance their communication skills particularly when dealing with foreign clients.

On the same occasion the Rwanda Cooperation Agency (RCA) was also given 21 motorcycles meant to facilitate the staff in awareness activities.

The RCA director Damien Mugabo noted that the donation will help them to reach out to members specially those under the crop intensification program which has so far shown progress in various parts of the country.

The sixth national agricultural show has opened its doors at Mulindi agricultural grounds till 12 June, while residing at opening ceremony Prime Minister Bernard Makuza urged leaders to work closely with farmers and stakeholders in order to develop the agricultural industry rather than waiting experience sharing during agricultural shows.

He further encouraged the use of mechanized farming especially in rural areas adding that expo was a good opportunity for leaders to work together with farmers as well as stakeholders to encourage agricultural transformation.

The advice is in line with the expo theme Irrigation and mechanization in agriculture transformation.

The Task force of mechanization and Irrigation department under the ministry of agriculture has prepared demonstrations on how a farmer can use farming machines to not only save their time but also increase their produce.

What is more, exhibitors are demonstrating some of the irrigation methods aimed at discouraging farmers to depend on rainfall; however some famers have adopted the irrigation strategy as one of the ways to fight climate change imposition.

The exhibitors represent 28 cooperatives including those from neighboring countries.

The annual road safety week conducted by Rwanda’s traffic police will emphasize on discouraging reckless driving. The campaign is themed make every journey home a safe one.

speaking at the awareness launch in Nyamirabo, traffic commander Chief Superintendent Vincent Sano explained that the aim was to ensure orderly traffic to all as way of reducing road accidents.

Certainly, drivers are advised to avoid reckless driving especially those who drive under the influence of alcohol, a habit which causes the majority of road accidents.

The police Inspector General Emmanuel Gasana was quick to support Sano by further warning that out of 365 deaths and over 30,000 serious injuries from road accidents each year are caused by uncalculated maneuvers, ridding without helmets and pedestrians carelessness while crossing roads.

In this respect, the weeklong campaign will sensitize drivers on some of the road signs which are repeatedly ignored by some drivers, among the overlooked signs are zebra crossing, sharp corners and speed limits.

In order to address the issue of negligence, traffic police will issue flyers to drivers showing causes of accidents. What is more there will be a reward for best drivers especially those who work in public service vehicles (PSV).

“Road accidents have affected our economy through loss of productivity and infrastructure such as road lights and destroyed city gardens,” said the mayor of Kigali Fidel Ndayisaba.

The mayor further encourages PSV drivers to ensure etiquette while transporting passengers. “Playing music in your taxis for instance is ok but avoid loud volumes since not everyone is comfortable,” Ndayisaba warned.

Ndayisaba was backed by James Musoni the minister of local government who encouraged passengers to stop a vehicle once there not comfortable with the driving situation. “It is your right to stop the bus which is over speeding or inform the police,” Musoni remarked. He further assured drivers that the government has plans to provide good road networks in the country.

A visiting team representing a Chinese business community has donated US$ 1million to support the construction of primary school classes; members of the conglomerate will use the tour to examine Rwanda’s investment opportunities.

Prime Minister Bernard Makuza said the initiative was timely with the country’s activities in improving access to education especially in rural areas. He further encouraged the Chinese business community to take advantage of Rwanda’s investment opportunities which range from mining, tourism, construction amongst others.

In this respect, Makuza applauded the country’s bilateral ties with china which has seen several joint operations in areas including education, health and energy.

The fund will be used in the first phase of construction which will take place in five districts namely Kirehe, Nyagatare, Kamonyi, Nyaruguru and Ngororero.

Junqing Lu, the chairperson World Eminence Chinese Business Association (WECBA) explained that they have a plan to build several classrooms in Africa and Rwanda was an ideal country to benefit from the initiative. “We have a 20 year project of building hope primary schools in Africa and we intend to build more and more here,” he remarked.

In addition, the program will support the curriculum by offering scholastic materials such as computers and laboratory equipment.
Juqing Lu further pointed out that out of five countries selected; Rwanda is a favorable beneficiary due its good entrepreneurial climate which requires an educated population in order to sustain the progress.

WECBA is among Chinese largest business network organizations which provides services in the areas of finance and investments, management, human resources, corporate branding among others. The organization also aims to improve the welfare of vulnerable people and the construction of schools which are currently taking place in four other countries namely Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi seeks to provide education to all.

Jurors in the trial of Lazare Kobagaya accused of ordering atrocities during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide revealed to the media the panel agreed unanimously that he had nothing to do with the mass killings.

In their first public comment since the trial ended earlier this week, two jurors also said that some questioned the amount of money spent to prosecute 84-year-old Kobagaya.

The jury convicted Kobagaya of visa fraud for lying about his whereabouts during the Rwandan genocide, but deadlocked on a count over his citizenship paperwork.

The two jurors said prosecutors failed to prove that Kobagaya incited others in Rwanda to kill members of another ethnic group. They also said some jurors felt the government failed to show criminal intent on the paperwork charge.

Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has expressed hope that Japan will balance its efforts to rebuild from the March 11 quake and tsunami and keep supporting the world’s needy.

According to Japanese news agency Kyodo, the minister, who was visiting Japan for a two-day international meeting on poverty reduction, said in a recent interview she appreciates Tokyo hosting the conference as scheduled, despite the catastrophe.

“I applaud Japan for making sure that some of its important commitments are maintained,” Mushikiwabo said.

“That does not take away from the necessity for Japan to pay close attention to investing into this reconstruction,” she said. “But in this global world, it is also to the benefit of Japan, as a country that is quite well-positioned globally, to keep its commitments.”

Rwanda respects Japan’s decision to cut its official development assistance by around 10 percent for fiscal 2011 from the initial plan to raise funds for recovery efforts from the March calamity, Mushikiwabo said, adding, “I have no doubt that this reconstruction is going to cost money, and it’s quite normal that the Japanese people want to rebuild their own nation.”

A Ugandan born initiative, Inspire Africa, Friday, launched its operations in Rwanda and Burundi during an event held at Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali, .

The initiative principally targets young and successful entrepreneurs in Africa, whose desire is to enthuse other young people willing to make it to the summit of the business world.

The co-founder and Chief Executive officer of Inspire Africa Nelson Tugume, who started as a shop attendant at the age of 11 and a taxi operator, challenged the younger generation to be part of the project.

“I couldn’t believe that with my background as a shop attendant and a taxi operator, I could make it to stand here today to launch this initiative not only in Rwanda but also in other countries in Africa,” Tugume pointed out during the launching ceremony.

“Today, I come as a prophet to tell the African youth and others with a business mindset that we can achieve our targeted dream,” he added.
The government welcomed the initiative and promised its support if required.

“The initiative fits in Rwanda’s strategic goal of boosting entrepreneurship. We do believe that we will support the initiative among young people to bring it to its peak of success,” Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Operating Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Francis Kanimba challenged the Inspire Africa to facilitate young entrepreneurs and particularly those involved in small and medium enterprises by equipping them with requisite business skills.

Tugume said that Inspire Africa would run a television reality show dubbed ‘Project Inspire” would soon be launched to test their business skills and abilities. It will bring together young entrepreneurs across East Africa to compete, with the winners walking away with US$50,000 (Rwf29.6m) as startup to their business.

According to Tugume, “Project Inspire” is a great opportunity for East Africans to showcase their business acumen besides winning the grand prize.

Project Inspire is an eviction based TV game where locally selected and trained entrepreneurs will tussle it out in several competitions.

The winner and the last three runners-up will share US$50,000 prize money depending on the level at which they will be evicted.
Application forms can be obtained at all Eco Bank branches and Simba Telcom outlets.

Inspire Africa is a human capital development organisation with the sole goal of engineering successful entrepreneurship in Africa through identifying the best business minds and supporting their entrepreneurial cause.