Category: News

{{A former Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for war crimes.}}

The International Criminal Court today sentenced Congolese militia leader Lubanga to a total of 14 years in jail for war crimes. The Prosecutor had asked for 30 years.

On March 14, the Court had found Lubanga guilty of war crimes for conscripting and using child soldiers to fight in Ituri (eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) from September 1, 2002 to August 13, 2003. At the time he was president of the Union des patriotes congolais (UPC).

Lubanga has been in jail in The Hague since March 2006, i.e. more than six years. The judges said this time spent in detention should be deducted from his sentence, meaning that he has just under eight years left to serve.

The judges have not yet handed down a decision on reparations which could be allocated to victims.

Lubanga is to serve his sentence in a third country. Six countries have so far signed agreements with the ICC to host its convicted prisoners in their jails : Mali, Serbia, Finland,Belgium, the UK and Austria.

Lubanga’s trial started on January26, 2009. He is the first person to be judged by the ICC since it was created ten years ago.

{{A man identified as Etienne Rutagengwa 28, is being detained by Police in Nyarugenge district in connection with theft of electric cables belonging to Energy Water and Sanitation Authority (EWASA).

Rutagengwa was arrested while stealing electrical cables in Rugunga cell at 1900hrs with intention to sell them to one Nzeyimana a resident of Gikondo, in Kicukiro district.

The most targeted cables are those made in copper because they are sold as scrap to dealers who in turn sell them outside the country borders.}}

{{Reports from Kenya indicate that over 400 students of Rwathia Girls Secondary school in Kangema district went on strike demanding shorter and more ‘appealing’ uniform.}}

The furious girls brokeout of school very early Monday morning in a peaceful protest demanding for shorter skirts (mini) as opposed to the long skirts (max) introduced as their new school uniform.

Among other concerns was the high handedness by the deputy principal and small portions of food.

According to Kenyan Press, the students started complaining on Saturday, but walked out of the school in the wee hours of Monday morning but were later intercepted by the police that escorted them to a police station until day break.

The girls complained that the new purple uniform were too long, ugly and not meant for their age. They are said to have cut their skirts to their desired length, only to attract the wrath of the deputy head.

According to area District Commissioner, Fredrick Muli, “They woke up their colleagues and decided to head home but police could not allow them to walk in the dark”.

{{East African Universities and other institutions of higher learning in the regional member states have agreed on a uniform teaching of science subjects.}}

The teaching of science courses such as medicine, agriculture, engineering and basic science must conform to the uniform minimum standards.

“We have also agreed as regional universities to adhere to the published minimum standards,” said the chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Prof Francis Gichaga during the official inauguration of the institution’s campus in Arusha.

He said students pursuing programmes covered under the harmonised education system in the region were now free to transfer their credits to other institutions within the East African Community (EAC) bloc.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), education authorities in the region have developed and established the East African Quality Assurance Framework.

“The measures introduced so far have not only improved the mobility and portability of students around the region, but also laid the foundation for improved higher education quality and improved comparability of the awards”, he said.

Moreover, harmonisation of standards will also facilitate mobility of faculty and researchers within the region, a situation that is likely to boost further regional integration.

Inaugurating the campus, the EAC deputy secretary general (Planning and Infrastructure) Dr Enos Bukuku, challenged the universities to set higher trends in higher education, research and innovation.

“We need to move from generalised research results to specific research findings targeted and particularised to relevant and appropriate technologies that would contribute to the fight against poverty,” he said.

JKUAT being an agricultural university, the EAC official stressed, should spearhead advancement in relevant agriculture research that could provide solutions for value addition in agriculture to raise incomes of farmers.

Value addition processes of agriculture products will contribute towards increased incomes and promoting trade and investment within the EAC and beyond.

The director of JKUAT Arusha Centre, Prof Ward Mavura, said the Kenyan university was registered to operate in the country by the Tanzania Commission of Universities (TCU) on March 18th last year.

It enrolled its first batch of students in July 2011, all of them for diploma and certificate courses. In September this year, it will enroll students for five degree programmes.

They are Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Information Technology, Bachelor of Purchasing and Supplies Management, Bachelor of Development Studies and Bachelor of Entrepreneurship.

Post-graduate studies will include MSc and MBA programmes in Human Resources, Enterprising, and Procurement.

{{Uganda Police is holding a Rwandan national in connection with genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.}}

The suspect has been identified as Kwitonda Thaddee 51, a lawyer by profession, has two diplomas in Public administration and Human Rights.

Kwitonda had formerly worked with SONARWA and as Deputy Secretary General at The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).

Kwitonda is wanted by the Brussels District Court for genocide under article 136A Criminal Code of Belgium and articles 16 and 34 of the statute of 20th July 1990.

His arrest follows an international Arrest warrant issued by Judge Jean Coumans of the Court of the First Insurance on 4/10/2011.

A publicist of the Uganda Police Asuman Mugenyi told local media, “We have been trailing him since April 2012 until today 05/07/2012 at 10:30 am. We arrested him outside Rwenzori Towers.”

Ugandan media reported that Kwitonda whose passport expired on 3/7/2012 had entered Uganda more than once including;in 2007,2009 and 27/3/2012.

Kwitonda left Rwanda in 1994 and stayed in Bakavu Refugee camp in DRC until 1997 when he left for Belgium where he lived as refugee with his family until 2000 when they acquired Belgium citizenship.

Mugenyi said that the Ugandan government through the ministry of Foreign Affairs is to effect the deportation of Kwitonda.

“Arrangements are being made with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to have him deported,” he said.

{Additional Reporting: Chimpreports.com}

{{The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has transferred former top Rwandan Defence Ministry official Théoneste Bagosora and three other convicts to serve their sentences in Mali.}}

Seven others have been moved to Benin, according to a statement issued by the Tribunal on Wednesday.

Mali and Benin are among seven countries that have agreed to take ICTR convicts in their jails.

Bagosora, who was Cabinet Director at the Rwandan Defence Ministry, was first sentenced to life for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

However, the ICTR Appeals Chamber overturned some of the findings of the lower court and reduced his sentence to 35 years in a controversial judgment on December 14, 2011.

The Appeals Chamber found him guilty only on the basis of superior responsibility, for failing to prevent and punish crimes committed by subordinates.

He was found liable for the killings of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and other influential persons at various places in Kigali between April 6 and 9, 1994.

Bagosora was tried alongside three other former top Rwandan army officers. One of them was acquitted by the Tribunal for lack of evidence.

Bagosora was arrested in Cameroon on March 9, 1996, and transferred to the UN Detention Facility in Arusha on January 23, 1997. His trial began on April 2, 2002. The first instance judgment was issued on December 18, 2008.

{{The East African Granite Industries (EAGI) will this Friday will Launch the Ceremony of its quarry and plant in Nyagatare, Eastern Province.

President Paul Kagame is expected to officially inaugurate the manufacturing plant.}}

EAGI, the largest granite factory in the region, targets to become the leading manufacturer and supplier of affordable and high quality granite products in East Africa.

Products of EAGI present competition to domestic and regional granite industry and is dedicated to producing the most durable and authentic stone-building products for local, regional and international markets.

The Factory Plant is built on 72 hectares valued at US$15 Million. It fitted with the most sophisticated and environmentally friendly equipment.

EAGI anticipates an annual production capacity of 200,000 tiles. The plant’s product spectrum includes granite slabs and standard sized tiles.

EAGI is owned and operated by Building Materials Investments Limited (BMI Ltd) – a joint venture between Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Crystal Ventures Limited.

The new plant is projected to bring financial relief to the country’s top contractors and architects, alleviating the need to import granite products, which in turn facilitates the growth of the Rwandan housing market.

{{The Rwanda Peace and Leadership Centre has began the third phase of 10 days of training for 345 Community Policing Committees (CPC’s) from across the country.

The institute is located in Nkumba, Kinoni sector, Burera district.}}

The training is aimed at also instilling value of the Rwandan culture, good behaviour, how to ensure Rwandans security, combating family conflicts, good governance, performance appraisal among others.

Addressing the CPC’s Chief Superintendent (CSP) Gilbert Gumira, the Northern Province Regional Police Commander urged trainees to champion development and play a central role in crime reduction.

William Ntidendereza, the vice chairman of Itorero ry’Igihugu noted that CPC’s are an important part of the Rwandan society as they form the pillars of security.

“It’s important that you get trained because Rwandans are now witnessing the reduction of crime as a result of impressive CPC’s work,” Ntidendereza said.

{{As Rwandans marked 100 days of commemoration of genocide against Tutsi, genocide survivors expressed that they are very hopeful about their future and some say they are already successful in various domains including business.}}

The Minister of Sports and Culture Mitali Protais was the guest of honour at the AVEGA Agahozo closing ceremony held on July 3, 2012.

“By remembering don’t be dominated by sorrow, don’t be threatened. Now we stop mourning for a while, we are going to feel some how happy, but it is not the end of mourning because even after we die, those victims will be remembered forever”.

The first lady Jeannette Kagame also participated in the ceremony at AVEGA marking 100 days of commemoration of Genocide against Tutsis.

Genocide survivors presented their testimonies of how they survived and explained about their daily lives, and future perspectives.

Most of them said that they were dispersed and despaired, because they lost spouses and relatives. Today they are very hopeful thanks to AVEGA that consoled and supported them after Genocide.

Murebwayire Console recounted what happened to her and said that she survived after being beaten and tortured. She was left in pain and wounded by Interahamwe militia and her husband was killed.

Another widow said that they wished they had died than living, before AVEGA helped them on managing trauma and tolerating killers.

She said that after all that happened to her and later forgiving the killers, she is turning into a successful business woman in Kirehe District.

She led Gacaca court in the sector level, and all citizens are have confidence in her that she sometimes works as Sector executive staff in the absence of Executive. Now She is also an exemplary farmer.

Kayirere Odette, the director of AVEGA, screened a film revealing the life of consequences of Genocide to survivors, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS, as long as some of violated mothers don’t know the names of their children’s fathers.

IBUKA’s Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu encouraged Genocide widows to live without fear and congratulated genocide widows upon using well their opportunity of suvivance,as some of them have become business planers of reference.

Kayirere added that most of vulnerable genocide widows of over 70 years are found in Southern province,at the level of up 1762 with high rate of helpless of 357 Widows.

{{A girl of twelve years drowned to death in lake Mugesera on Monday afternoon and her body was retrieved by the National Police and taken to Kibungo Hospital for a postmoterm.}}

Erica Mukadusabe, a resident of Mugesera Sector Ngoma district while swimming with other children, dived under but couldn’t surface.

A survey conducted by Police indicates that children who die from drowning fall in water, while adult people are absent or preoccupied with other activities.

“Drowning can be prevented when parents and guardians ensure that children are never left on their own,” Police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege said.

“It is parents and guardians responsibility to protect children from such demise”. Badege added