Category: News

{{Belgian chief of defense Gen. Charles-Henri Delcour, is expected in Rwanda tomorrow Monday January 6th, 2012 for a two-day official visit.}}

The visit aims at strengthening ties between the two countries’ defence forces, according to official website of Rwanda’s Ministry of Defense.

While in Rwanda, General Delcour will hold talks with his Rwandan counterpart, Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff among high profiled officials.

“General Delcour and his team will also visit Zigama CSS, Rwanda Military Hospital, after which they will lay wreaths at Camp Kigali (memorial for Belgian peacekeepers killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi) and Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre,” a statement from Ministry of Defence reads in parts.

Belgium has been among countries that have good military relations with Rwanda in an efforts modernize and proffessionalise Rwandan army.

As technologies advance so it is needed for security organs to advance and get skills to adopt latest technology.

Several specialized trainings have been offered to several individuals in the army Belgium has been one of them.

Three specialist medical doctors graduated in the Royal Military Academy in Belgium and other 50 students also passed through the same academy pursuing different courses, especially in engineering.

Other 60 Rwandans students also enrolled at the Defence Engineering College in Debre Zeit in Ethiopia and 25 more joining later.

2nd Lt. Stephen Semwaga graduated from the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK with Steven Mutabazi and Ramsey Simba also followed suit.

Roland Kalisa has graduated in electronic engineering at another USA top military academy, West Point. Ivan Cyomoro Kagame successfully passed his entry exam at the same Academy.

Engineer Danny Gatsinzi has also graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

South Africa is another country that has seen many young Rwandan men and women pass through its academies including Sgt Emery Gakuba who holds a Masters Degree from one of the South African Universities.

Many pilots, avionic engineers, medical doctors, lawyers, managers and economists have successfully had their studies in different countries and more others are still benefiting from bilateral relations Rwanda has her allies.

Gen. Delcour’s visit comes within the context of a military cooperation between the two countries.

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{{A national plan to conserve forests in the country will be unveiled next month, according to stakeholders and experts in forestry management.}}

The team which met for a retreat in Ruhengeri town unanimously agreed that more emphasis should be put in planting more trees, the target is to have 30% forest coverage in the country by the year 2020.

Jean Gapusi the head of forestry and agro-forestry research station of Rwanda noted that there’s a 21% forest coverage, a fact that also shows good results in environmental conservation.

“Today 13 percent consists of natural and planted forests above 0.5 hectares the remaining is 8 percent of agro-forestry and woodland-lots of less than 0.5 hectares,” he said.

Claudien Habimana the director of A forestation Support Program (PAREF in French) noted that in order for forestry to be improved some key measures will be taken, and among them include, planting trees, sustainable management and income generation.

Some of the activities will be implemented under PAREF a four year program which is funded by the Belgian Development Agency (BTC) to the tune of Euro 6 million.

Habimana further pointed out those planting trees will be among the program’s priorities; hence they intend to support the growth of eucalyptus trees since they germinate in a short time and can do well in various climates.

“In terms of reducing cutting down of trees, we intend to introduce other alternatives of fuel like pit and biogas so that people don’t depend mainly on charcoal which is obtained from trees,” he said.

Gapusi was quick to advise that Eucalyptus trees shouldn’t be planted close to the source of rivers since they absorb a lot of water.

He however noted that the tree can be used for economic growth since its hard wood timber has demand in both local and international market.

The program will also train people from the private sector on how to manage their forests since the majority of big hectares of land containing trees is owned by individuals.

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{{The Michigan court of appeal, has decided to deny Jean Wyclef Ndayisaba exile and he is likely to be deported soon to Rwanda and be tried for his possible participation in 1994 Tutsi genocide.}}

Another option is to deport him Burkina Faso where UNHCR had managed to acquire him a refugee status. he has lost a asylum seeker cases he filed in 2008.

A ruling published January 31 in the US State of Michigan maintains earlier rulings by two lower courts which ruled that the grounds of his asylum application were baseless.

In asylum documents filed in June 2008, Ndayisaba claimed that he was fearful of his life from the Rwandan government because he had testified at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in the defence of Elizaphan Ntakirutimana. He also made several other allegations, which were all dismissed.

Ntakirutimana was convicted at the ICTR for genocide. The elderly Adventist clergyman served his 10-year sentence and was released in December 2006 and continued to live in Arusha. He died early the following year aged 82 years.

Ndayisaba had testified for Ntakirutimana because they belonged to the same sect, and Ndayisaba had been an active member of the congregation.

The decision to go to USA for exile was an advice from Ramsey Clark, the former USA general prosecutor and an advocate for Ntakirutimana.

Before being denied the exile, the decision had been refused by 2 courts in Michigan state for the reason were not reliable.

After that decision Ndayisaba is likely to be deported to Rwanda where he is accused of 1994 Tutsi Genocide crimes or Burkina Faso where he was allowed a refuge.

Though Ndayisaba was attrubuting innocence to him, Pastor Elizaphan Ntakirutimana was later proved guilty and was given a 10 year jail which he finished in 2006 and died in 2007 at 82 years old.

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{{Claudine Yambabariye, a 20 year old woman in Muhanga District, has been accused of striking her husband on a shoulder using a machette.}}

According sources, Leon Sebaganwa 31 who is currently at Kabgayi hospital, says that they were not involved in any dispute prior to the incident.

“Except a slap I had struck her long ago which caused us to separation for a short time but later we remarried,” said Sebaganwa.

Police is currently investigating the wife to determine the cause of the crime.

The executive secretary of Shyogwe sector, said that there have recently been a reduction of domestic violence. “citizens should report such kinds of problems.”

Leon Sebaganwa and his wife are used to live on hand work and they are characterized by a good collaboration but neighbours agree that the couple had consumed alcohol before nightfall on Thursday.

The husband is said, apart from having a 2 year kid with Yambabariye, an accused, to have abandoned another wife in Nyaruguru district with whom he had three children.

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{{Reliable sources have disclosed that the recent deported 1994 Genocide suspect Leon Mugesera may have a defense team of 3-4 lawyers.}}

The defense lawyers’ team will be composed of Canadian origin and local lawyers which is also yet to be named by next week.

According to Leon Mugesera, his case has to be defended by lawyers familiar with his case and recently he said that he cannot fully trust a local lawyer.

His first hearing, Mugesera was defended by a local lawyer identified as Donat Mukunzi who may also end up in his defense team.

When contacted Mukunzi, told Igihe.com without disclosing details that negotiations are still ongoing about how the legal battle for Mugesera will go.

“By now nothing has changed so far but we still have another time to talk to my client about the forward,” Mukunzi said by cell phone.

Mugesera who pledged more one-two months preparation; his next court date is billed on April 2, and that’s when he will enter a plea on charges related to arms trafficking, as well as those related to planning to make the 1994 Tutsi genocide inevitable.

Bertrand his former lawyer in Canada said that for financial reasons, Mugesera may end up defending himself, with only legal advice from Mukunzi.

Bertrand admitted the now infamous speech Mugesera made in 1992 was harsh and hateful but did not incite people to kill, despite the fact the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously in 2005 that there were reasonable grounds to believe Mugesera had committed crimes against humanity.

As for the other charges of arms trafficking, planning and participating, Bertrand said he is perplexed. His client left the country two years before the mass killings began and “probably hasn’t seen a gun in his life.

“It’s only this speech they have against him. That’s all.”

A Montreal retired public and international law professor said it would be too sweeping to suggest that Mugesera has no chance at a fair trial, given the number of international observers watching the highly publicized case.

“I think if you have a good and impartial judge, he or she should be able to distinguish between what is fabricated and what is serious,” Peter Leuprecht said. “I think there has been some progress in that respect.”

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{{Rwanda National Police, Traffic department announces that they have set theoretical and practical driving licenses at the district level.}}

The institution also says it is another way to avoid treachery and corruption in the whole process of driving tests and giving of driving permits.

The department says that police officers used to be fewer and accessing driving tests both theoretical and practical could be easily accessed due to being carried out in separate periods in districts.

Nowadays, the traffic police department declares, both tests will be conducted at the district level in the same time to avoid cheating and corruption.

The new regulations will see the tests taking place every two months.

The traffic police encourage driving license seekers to attend driving schools controlled by the police in order to get required driving standards.

With regard to the technology, the traffic police have introduced an online application to improve its services.

Traffic police also implores driving license seeker to apply for their driving licenses online and even check their results online.

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{{Rwanda’s First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame has said that Rwanda was a good example that people are capable of the best and the worst, and evil can be overcome}}.

The First Lady, Jeanette Kagame, was addressing over 3,000 guests who attended the 60th American Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC on Thursday.

“We pray to our Lord for leadership that values life, forgiveness and solidarity among the people. We also pray for a world at peace -a world where our children can grow and flourish, guided by the words of God,” Mrs Kagame said.

“Looking back to Rwanda’s post genocide journey, we may feel a legitimate sense of pride, yet we do not lose sight of how far we have come”.

“Today, Rwanda is a secure, stable and developing nation. Having learned from its painful past, Rwanda is a major contributor to regional and global peace. About 3,500 Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed in UN missions around the world,” she said.

The First Lady was accompanied by the Minister of Familiy and Gender Promotion, Aloisea Inyumba, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States, James Kimonyo.

The Prayer Breakfast was attended and addressed by President Obama who was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama as well as US Vice President, Joe Biden.

“As I talk about Rwanda, however, I remain mindful that my country’s story is only a modest contribution to the collective search for peace, unity and stability. Indeed, we too continue to learn from both our successes and challenges,” Mrs Kagame said.

“When Rwanda emerged from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country was largely considered as doomed to failure. Our nation’s human and physical infrastructures were in ashes; and our society was deeply divided.

“Less than two decades later, most visitors to Rwanda find a people that have covered their dignity; they see a country back on its feet, fast-developing and resolutely oriented towards the future. Many talk of the “Rwandan miracle,” she added.

The First Lady said that Rwanda’s socio-economic recovery is a product of its people’s resilience, sacrifices and resolve to write a new and better chapter in history.

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{{The Norway Supreme court has ruled to repatriate Charles Bandora, a fugitive Rwandan businessman suspected of complicity in 1994 Tutsi Genocide.}}

Rwanda’s Alain Mukuralinda also a national prosecutor appreciated the decision saying it is one of the fulfillments of ICTR decisions, Swedish and European court of Human rights. “It’s a good thing. It shows that all countries believe Rwandan justice is able to equitably try a person.

He added that a person has to be tried in the place where he committed a crime; if not it can be done where he was arrested. “The most necessary is that a person is sued accurately regarding the law,” Mukuralinda said.

Friends of Bandora and militants of Human Rights have organised strikes on 4th February 2012 before the Norway embassy in Bruxelles to show disapproval against the decision.

They want Norway to send Bandora to another country for they don’t trust the justice of Rwanda.

The family of Bandora says that all the accusations attributed to him are not real, “the influence and responsibilities he is said to have had are a kind of hyperbole.”

Charles Bandora was born in former Gikongoro. He is accused of having participated in the killings that took place at Ruhuha-Bugesera, South East of Rwanda and having plundered properties of the citizens.

He was one of the richest in Bugesera region, he later became MRND president in Ngenda which he ceded to concentrate himself on his commercial activities he was doing in Ruhuha trading center and in Kicukiro district of Kigali city.

{{Dauphin Ayabateranya is an upcoming music artist advising the public not to be overtaken by modern music and rather show some passion on local oldies songs since they inspire them to reflect back to the country’s history.}}

Ayabateranya is getting popular in the city due to his live shows which he tries to blend with modern songs in order to capture the attention of younger audience.

“I won’t tell you the exact amount of money I make in a week but it exceeds US$100, I’m also motivated by the growing interest from my fans towards oldies, this has energized me to perform almost thrice in a week in various hotels including Alpha Palace Hotel, Kigali City Tower amongst other joints,” he remarked.

He says he receives from performances a reasonable amount of money.
Ayabateranya is a bass guitarist, performs together with four friends. He says he is inspired by some of the past renowned musicians like Makanyaga and Masabo. He started singing in 1991 but later stopped due to lack of finances.

His favorite song is ‘Karimi ka Shyari’ with a message about gossipers and their negative impact in society.

{{Nyagatare district police has arrested a man early this week in possession of counterfeit money worth Frw 350,000.}}

According to a police statement, Emmanuel Nsengiyumva was apprehended by local defense and residents when he attempted to buy airtime using Frw 5,000 fake note. They took the suspect to Nyagatare Police station.

Police sources in the area say, upon receiving a search warrant, police searched the suspect’s house in Nyamiyaga cell, Musheri sector and found more forged money and a scanner that he used to make the fake money.

Nsengiyumva who denied any wrong doing claimed that he was given the money by one Byaruhanga, a Ugandan national. He added that he had bought the scanner from an Indian trader that he intended to use in a photo studio he was soon to establish.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege cautioned against counterfeit activities saying they are criminal and punishable by law.

He called on citizens to help security organs in fighting such illegal business saying that counterfeit is dangerous to the country’s economy and also affects household income.

“Once counterfeit money gets into the monetary system of a country, it leads to inflation thus affecting the country’s economy”, Supt Badege added.

Rwanda National Police calls on Rwandans to shun such illegal activities and focus on earning money using honest means.