Category: News

{{President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya also the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State is expected to deliver the annual State of EAC Address at a Special Sitting on Wednesday, January 25.}}

From January 24 to February 2, 2012 the East African Legislative Assembly will hold its plenary which is the Second Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Second Assembly due in Kampala, Uganda.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is expected to address a Special Sitting on January 24.

The Assembly to be presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi, shall during the two-week period discuss matters of legislative business including debates on bills; Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Bill (2nd & 3rd Reading), bill, the EAC Trans-boundary Ecosystem Management Bill, 2010.

Other bills to be debated during this period include the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill (2nd & 3rd Reading).

Legislative members will also receive and consider reports from various Committees of the Assembly and consider Motions and Questions brought before the House.

EALA shall also hold briefing sessions with the Deputies Secretaries General of the EAC who shall apprise the Assembly on progress concerning Political Federation, Social Sector, Customs and Trade, Planning and Infrastructure and Finance and Administration among other areas.

{{Lt. Col. Dr. John Nkurikiye, the only Rwandan Ophthalmology specialist Consultant has disclosed that 67% of blind Rwandans lost sight due to Cataract disease.}}

Dr. Nkurikiye announced the percentage during the end of the free surgery week that saw at least 60 people with cataract eye disease getting operated.

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light.

According to Dr Nkurikiye, there are about 50,000 blind Rwandans in the country, adding that some of this blindness can be cured through surgery.

Among the beneficiaries, Hamim Rutayisire, running a spare-parts shop in Gatsata narrated, “I have lived with the eye problem for over six years. At some point I had almost completely lost my sight.

This derailed my business which suffered losses since I wasn’t able to attend to it all the time due to my eye problems. Both my eyes have been operated upon and now I can see clearly.”

The free surgery is an outreach service of the Rwanda Institute of Ophthalmology in collaboration with The Rwanda Military Hospital.

Meanwhile with the ever increasing interaction of citizens in the member states of East African community, caution has to be considered following a deadly and fast spreading outbreak of Trachoma infection reported in Uganda’s Moroto district with more than 5, 000 cases confirmed.

Sister Emily Akuru, the in charge of Moroto Eye Clinic at Moroto Referral Hospital, told local media on Monday that they are overwhelmed with the number of the trachoma patients visiting the clinic diagnosing between 35 to 45 patients daily.

Trachoma infection presents with among others, the itching of the eye, eye discharge, and swelling of the eye.

If left untreated or not treated immediately, trachoma causes the inflammation of the conjunctivitis of the eye resulting in subsequent blindness.

Trachoma is the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness and occurs where people live in overcrowded conditions with limited access to water and health care.

{{With the aim of enhancing security on water bodies in the country, Rwanda National Police Marine Unit has increased patrols to deal with maritime crimes especially smuggling of goods from neighboring countries.}}

The Marine Unit has also moved to contain maritime accidents through ensuring proper functioning of boats, use of life jackets, and that boats operators are registered in associations and have their boats insured.

Superintendent Eugene Mushaija, of the Marine Police Unit told media, “We hope that these measures will drastically reduce maritime accidents which over the past years have claimed people’s lives.”

Other responsibilities of the unit include recovery of property lost under water, combat trans-border crimes including drug trafficking. It also combats use of illegal fishing nets that cause extinction of some fish species.

According to the police statement, like any other Units, Marine Unit started off with challenges of few staff and insufficient equipment but is now able to conduct operations effectively.

“We have trained our police officers and we continue to do so. They are now equipped with maritime skills that facilitates their work,” said Mushaija.

Through extensive training, police officers are now able to swim long distances to rescue drowning persons, conduct night navigation operations aimed at curbing illegal business on waters.

{{After days of thorough investigations, Police in Kamonyi District has arrested four suspects in connection with the cruel death of Fanuel Niyomufasha that occurred on December 28th 2011.}}

Among the arrested include Philemon Niyitanga a brother to deceased Niyomufasha. His head was chopped off from the rest of the body and thrown in a pit latrine.

Police reports that Niyitanga later confessed to have beheaded his brother with the help of the other three. He also offered to take police officers to where the head was buried.

During investigations police had established that both Niyitanga and his brother had been genocide suspects who had served time in prison.

Investigations further discovered that the two had been feuding over property for a long time that the dispute became irreconcilable.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege strongly denounced the act calling it stupid and gutless.

“It’s a shame. This should not happen in society. People should always seek justice and arbitration through the right channels rather than take the law in their own hands that leads to such catastrophes,” Badege said.

All four suspects are due to be paraded in court to answer charges. They are likely to be handed life imprisonment once found guilty.

{{Rwanda’s prosecutor general Martin Ngoga has condemned a delay in the deportation of Rwandan genocide suspect Leon Mugesera held in Canada, saying the delay is ‘disgrace to genocide victims’.}}

The delay resulted from United Nations Committee against Torture highlighting further investigation into Mugesera’s concerns of fearing for his life once deported to Rwanda and that he would be given a fair trial under the Rwandan judicial system.

Another reason for the delay is his sudden illness which Quebec tabloids attribute to a suicide attempt.

Ngoga has rejected Mugesera’s allegations of being tortured and lacking fair trial since the accusations were baseless given progress in the Rwanda’s judiciary.

The prosecutor general noted that torture for instance was abolished in Rwanda and that the country is a signatory to an international agreement on the same. “We have also abolished death sentence I wonder why he is making such complaints,” he remarked.

He also criticized UN decision of delaying his deportation adding that the body wants to mislead and prolong the case yet UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC) has sent Sierra Leone war prisoners to be jailed in Rwanda.

“I wonder how they doubt our judiciary yet they entrust us with trying other deported suspects for example the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has sent several suspects here and they’ve got fair trials,” he said.

As Mugesera recovers from what his physicians term as severe fatigue and stress, Quebec’s Justice William Fraiberg has ordered a stay of deportation until Jan. 20, when Mugesera’s lawyers are due back in court.

{{Clinical Psychology Students at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) claim to have been abandoned by the Ministry of Health in regard to accessing jobs.}}

Students explained that when they were previously under the faculty of Education, they were considered for Jobs, however, when they were shifted to the faculty of medicine, they have since been ignored in the Job market.

They complain that the ministry of health should consider them like it does for students from medicine since it is the same field.

Rugege Geoffrey, the head of Education High Council told media that students have to know that the government’s abilities cannot handle all those problems.

He added that once government is able, the issue of Clinical Psychology students shall be handled otherwise they have to compete for jobs just like others from different fields in the job market.

However, unlike for students of Clinical Psychology, the Ministry of Health dispatches students from medicine department to different hospitals at the end of their university studies.

{{For the first time, a Rwandan national has been named director of the Karisoke Research Center located at Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.}}

According to the press statement Clare Richardson, president and CEO of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), announced yesterday January 15, that Felix Ndagijimana, who has served as deputy director for the last four years, will assume leadership of Karisoke.

The Karisoke Research Center is the world’s centerpiece for the study and protection of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

The statement reveals that the historic appointment also comes on an historic date Jan. 16, which would have been the 80th birthday of Dr. Dian Fossey, who founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967 and the Fossey Fund, originally the Digit Fund, which has operated the center since her death.

In the speech Richardson pointed out, “Ndagijimana is the first Rwandan to lead Karisoke as its director.”

“He is a prime example of the Fossey Fund’s effort to conduct capacity building in Africa, through support for education and training so that local people can become stewards of conservation in their own lands,” added Richardson.

As director, Ndagijimana will oversee all of Karisoke’s research and protection programs for mountain gorillas and other species in Volcanoes National Park, as well as health and education programs in the communities surrounding the park, administering a staff of more than 100, including trackers, anti-poachers, research assistants, and administrative personnel.

He succeeds Katie Fawcett, Ph.D., who held the position since 2002.

Ndagijimana began working at Karisoke as a research assistant in 2004. Through a scholarship created by Fossey Fund supporter Mary Ann Parker in memory of her son John Eric Peckham, he earned a master’s degree in primate conservation from Oxford Brookes University (UK).

He was named deputy director in 2008 after completing his master’s, and has been responsible for overseeing field activities and for expansion of research programs.

Ndagijimana also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Mysore, India.

He has represented the Fossey Fund at numerous gatherings including International Primatological Society Congress meetings in Uganda and Scotland; the 2010 Poverty and Conservation Learning Groupworkshop; and at annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremonies in Kinigi, Rwanda.

He also served as a field assistant for the production of the critically acclaimed PBS Nature program, “The Gorilla King.” “I am greatly honored to be chosen for this important role,” says Ndagijimana.

“I look forward to leading the dedicated team of trackers, scientists, and administrative personnel at Karisoke in continuing the legacy of Dian Fossey and our leadership in gorilla conservation.”

“I am very excited to build on the achievements of the past directors of Karisoke and to continue working with the Fossey Fund’s partners, both in Rwanda and elsewhere, to further our mission of conserving and protecting gorillas and their habitat.”

Tara Stoinski, Ph.D., has been promoted to vice president and chief scientist for the Fossey Fund. Dr. Stoinski is based at the Fossey Fund’s U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

The center was founded over 40 years ago by Dr. Dian Fossey and operated since her death by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

Today, Karisoke is the greatest hope for the future of the mountain gorillas, and has become a significant resource for the people who live near the gorillas.

{{IGIHE.com has reliably learnt that Canadian Police of the City of Montreal (SPVM) is looking for Umugwaneza Clemence(photo above) who has been missing since last Wednesday.}}

The police are asking the public to find Umugwaneza aged 26. She left her home sector Cartierville on January 11 to go get some fresh air.

She has not been seen or heard from since the day she left her home.

According to the SPVM, Clemence Umugwaneza would not be considered suicidal and had never gone missing before.

Umugwaneza measure 1.70meters, weighs 90 kg. She has black hair and brown eyes.

When she left the family home, she wore a black hat, a long black coat with hood black.

Anyone wishing to provide information concerning this matter may do so anonymously and confidentially by calling 911 or your local ward office.

{{The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has with effect from today Monday January 16, announced new fuel prices showing a slight fall as compared to the previous prices.}}

The Kigali price of Super petrol will no more go beyond Frw 940 per liter while Kigali price of Diesel also won’t exceed Frw 940 per liter.

According to the announcement, the reduction in prices has been possible due to government’s decision to once again reduce prices on fuel products with effect from January 16, 2012 and also due to the slight reduction in fuel prices on international market.

{{As battle to fight illicit drugs consumption expands, more people are getting involved.}}

Rwamagana District authorities in conjuction with other relevant authorities have set ablaze illicit drugs impounded in the area.

This follows passenger who also arrested their colleague when he entered a taxi smelling marijuana and they alerted the police after they found him with five kilogram tied on his body.

“Those suspects are now going to face trial and if found guilty will face 5 years sentence in jail or a fine not less than Rwf250, 000 if convicted,” said Docile Gapira Kigabiro court prosecutor.

“However are experiencing a decrease though in this kind of business. This is due to heavy punishments given to such suspects once convicted,” she said adding that prosecutors prefer a jail term as a deterrent measure.

The burnt illicit drugs included Chief Waragi, Suzie Waragi, crude Waragi Marijuana, and local brews allegedly smuggled from neighboring Uganda.

Among the burnt illicit drugs were also 457 bottles of juice expired in 2009 that were destroyed.

Rwamagana District Mayor, Nehemie Uwimana, called upon the residents to be vigilant so that they could end the drugs and their consequences.

According to police officials the dealers of the brew and drugs have been cautioned several times but the problem still persists.

Most of them had earlier been arrested and punished, but they have failed to reform, the officials said.

Asuman Nsengiyunva one of the residents said that illegal brew causes insecurity and poverty among families, and asked people to give up the illegal activities.

Police burnt 128 litres of kanyanga, 38 kilos of drugs and 1614 small ones packets, 4344 packets and 25 suzi pieces.

{{ENDS}}