Category: News

{{At Rusororo Sector, Kabuga a Kigali suburb along the Highway to Eastern Province highway, Police have detained a man(photo above) for brutally cutting to death his wife with a machete due to a dispute over cash equivalent to Frw5000.}}

According to the police statement, Philbert Bazatoha, a 28 year old resident of Bumbogo sector, Gasabo district, used a machete to hack his wife to death. He also chopped off his mother in law’s arm.

The incidence happened after the father of the seven month old baby wrangled with the wife after she used Frw5000 that he had given her. It is said that the lady was brutally punished and she took refugee to her mother’s house.

In the statement Bazatoha told the police that, he tried on several occasions to talk to his wife to end the dispute but in vain. “I tried to convince her to return back home but she could heed saying that she was still praying about it.

“She could not accept us to get divorced a situation that left me in limbo.”
After a time of misunderstandings, Bazatoha further took his wife’s cloths to her as a way to show his resolve but had also carried a machete.

As they argued over the issue Bazatoha snapped killing his wife and severely injuring the mother-in-law.

“I had planned that if she refused to come with me I would kill her,” Bazatoha confidently confessed before police.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege said that there was no plausible reason or explanation for one to kill the wife noting that domestic crimes were a result of family wrangles and called on Rwandans to share such information very fast to help prevent grave criminal activities that may arise.

“Rwandans should always try to amicably solve any disputes that may arise within their families and where impossible seek outside intervention from courts of law or even arbitration,” Badege appealed.

Badege further urged Rwandans to use machetes in productive ways and avoid using them to take life or injure others.

{{Last evening (Saturday) at around 5 pm Gratien Nzabakirana slashed a bar owner to death with a machete because of being denied alcohol on credit worth Frw 200.}}

Eye witnesses at the bar located at Kagano sector that specializes in serving local brew (urwarwa), noted that the incident happened so fast that no one would save the life of Desire Siraguma on time.

But the killer didn’t go away with it since the public immediately attacked him; he could have died too but was saved by the police.

According to Police spokesman Superintendent Theos Badege, “we received an alert from our police in Kagano, and we rescued the suspect then took him to the hospital since he had serious injuries, but for the meantime processes to prosecute him are underway,” he said.

The suspect aged 39 is also undertaking community service punishment also known as TIG, he took away the life of Siraguma aged 27 who had just completed his primary education.

{{PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT}}

{{Following complaints by buyers and owners of the houses at Hill View Estate, the Government of Rwanda is facilitating a solution for all parties involved.

During this time, the Rwanda Development Board advises the public not to engage in any property transactions specifically belonging to DN International or Nathan Lloyd whether within or outside the Hill View Estate until this matter is resolved.

Whoever does so will do it at their own risk.

Management of the Rwanda Development Board.}}

{{ActionAid Rwanda has urged local non-state actors to contribute towards the development of agriculture in the country.}}

Josephine Uwamaliya the ActionAid Rwanda country director, noted that the training was in line with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan (CAADP) a continental movement of social transformation for agriculture and food security in Africa.

“The plan was endorsed by African Heads of State in 2003 through the Maputo declaration as a vision for restoration of agriculture growth, food security and rural development,” she remarked.

She further pointed out that CAADP objective is to achieve growth rates of agriculture production to 6% per annum by 2015 in each African country, and also increase resources for agriculture programs to at least 10% of government spending, developing dynamic regional markets and integrating farmers into those markets.

“The government can’t do all these alone, our contribution is also essential so we better work hard and understand very well the issue we’re addressing and food security is one challenge we need to tackle,” Uwamaliya advised.

Uwamaliya’s NGO has several initiatives that promote agriculture production in various rural areas,” I was inspired to conduct this training after realizing that our local NGO’s were not doing enough to promote agriculture, secondly they are not fully aware of the CAADP declaration,” she said.

Raphael Rurangwa who represented the ministry of agriculture at the training’s closing ceremony urged the non-state actors to take part in the policy formulation process including contribution of ideas and assisting in the implementation process.

He noted that government was enforcing policies that promote agriculture and among the efforts include distributing high yield seeds to farmers, fertilizer, pesticides and encouraging farmers to merge their lands for bigger produce.

Rurangwa noted that MINAGRI was working closely with cooperatives in order to ensure better management and one of the ways involve using ICT especially in marketing their produce.

Christine Muhongerwa who represented Safer Rwanda which deals with peace building noted that the training has encouraged her to present issues the society face in various policy formulation processes.

{{In a press communiqué, Rwanda’s National Institute of Statistics(NISR) has announced that it will be carrying out fourth national census for 2012.}}

Statistics instate say that initial work has already started such as preparing detailed maps that enumerators will use to count every household, using some of the latest equipment now widely used to streamline the complex process.

“The Population and Housing census is the most obvious source of comprehensive and disaggregated data to the lowest administrative level,”said Ms. Diane Karusisi, Director General of the National Institute of Statistics in the communiqué.

“The 2012 round will provide updated indicators for monitoring Rwanda Vision 2020, Economic and Development Poverty Reduction Strategy and how the country is achieving the international development goals such as MDGs, ICPD-Programme of Action, NEPAD among others,” she added.

The census is a critical planning tool as it assists policymakers plan for the future in terms of schools, clinics and hospitals, roads, urban infrastructure and more. It will help measure fertility, mortality and spatial distribution, so as to predict future demographic trends.

This will be Rwanda’s fourth population census. The first population census was conducted in August 1978, the second in August 1991, followed by the third in August 2002.

{{Ends}}

{{The government of Rwanda is dedicated to efforts aimed at finding market for the excess milk produced in the Eastern Province.}}

This follows today’s (18th November) Cabinet meeting that approved the report on the Milk market in the Eastern Province and instructed to quicken the measures agreed upon to find market for milk.

The cabinet meeting that convened in URUGWIRO Village was chaired by the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul KAGAME.

The Cabinet approved the report on Improvement of Trade Balance program instructing its quick implementation.

Also approved is the Draft Presidential Order ratifying the Convention of EAPCCO Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate among the Countries of Eastern African Region.

The Cabinet meeting approved the draft Prime Minister’s Orders including an order determining the supervising Authority and Category of Capital Market Authority (CMA) Organization, Functioning and Responsibilities of its organs;
Order determining modalities through which Government Institutions prevent and respond to gender based violence and order granting Leave of Absence for a non specific period to Mr. RWENDEYE Jean Marie, who has been working as Youth Economic Affairs Expert in MIJESPOC.

The Cabinet meeting approved Ministerial Order determining the Modalities to conduct inspections and investigations in Capital Markets in Rwanda; Ministerial Order determining the organization, functioning, and composition of the Capital Markets Independent Review Panel.

The Cabinet meeting approved the acceptance of the Protocol amending the Trade related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS);

The Cabinet meeting approved the Provisional release of 1667 civil and military prisoners fulfilling the required conditions.

The Cabinet meeting approved the agreement on the appointment of Mrs. HELENE LE GAL as French Ambassador to Rwanda.

The Cabinet meeting approved report on EAC Integration process: Maximizing Rwanda’s benefits from the East African Community Integration agenda.

The Cabinet meeting approved report on the status of Rwanda Honorary Consulates and their performance. The Cabinet meeting decided to maintain the active ones and terminate Rwanda Honorary Consuls that are inactive.

The Cabinet meeting approved the report on improved Doing Business Reform Plan-2013.

The Cabinet meeting approved the report on KINAZI Cassava processing plant located in Kinazi, Ruhango District, Southern Province and instructed speeding up the remaining works for operationalization of the plant.

During the Cabinet meeting new appointments were made including; Ms. KAGARAMA Ingabire Doreen appointed Senior Policy Analyst for the Economic Cluster in President’s Office.

Mr. NYAKANA Johnson appointed Director of Administration and Finance to the Road Maintenance Fund.

Mr. MUTANGANA Sendakize appointed Director of Administration and Finance RIAM.

Mr. MUSHIMIRE Olivier appointed Advisor to the Executive Secretary Public Service Commission.

Mr. RUTAGUMBA Samuel appointed Director of Finance Rwanda Bureau of Standards.

The Cabinet meeting approved the following programs, strategies and policies: Itorero National Commission Strategy; International Gateway Traffic Verification System (IGTVS)”; Options and recommendations on Gikondo Industrial Park relocation project;

Cabinet meeting approved the following draft laws including; Draft Law determining responsibilities, organization and functioning of ITORERO National Commission; Draft Law modifying and complementing law no 26/2006 of 27/05/2006 determining and establishing consumption tax on some imported and locally manufactured products and Draft law relating to management of abandoned property.

The Statement was signed by Musoni Protais, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

{{The Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho has started a special twitting session known as ‘Mondays with the Minister’, aimed at bringing her closer to a cross section of people to discuss any areas of interest within the health sector.}}

This is also contained in a press release today

Going by a hash tag, RwandaMinisterMondays, Dr. Binagwaho intends to use this platform to exchange ideas on a wide range of issues on advancing health care not only for Rwandans but across the world.

“Twitter is a unique and interactive communication tool that can be instrumental in sharing experiences and best practices and advance different health concerns,” said Dr. Binagwaho.

“I intend to find time, at least twice in a month from 1700hsr-1900hrs to discuss on a wide range of cross-cutting issues that are of interest to people especially within the promotion of Health.”

Last Monday, the Minister twitted on Rwanda’s experience in promotion of family planning which the Rwandan government takes as essential for sustainable community development.

Rwanda aims to have 70 percent uptake of family planning services by end of 2012.

“With twitter, you are connected with experts, academics, partners and some many users and providers of health services or program managers—-all with great ideas that can help our local situation. This is why am dedicating two Mondays each month to discuss but also learn some great ideas on this platform,” the Minister said.

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{{Communications Officer}}
{{RBC/Rwanda Health Communication Centre}}

{{Rwanda has demonstrated economic resilience, against global and regional economic turbulence,rising food and fuel prices, a drought in neighboring countries and the looming crisis in the Euro zone.}}

This is according to today’s Rwanda Economic Update, published by the World Bank.

“This resilience is a result of sound macroeconomic management in times when regional and global shocks are having adverse consequences for many neighboring countries” said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director for Rwanda.

The report, entitled Resilience in the Face of Economic Adversity: Policies for Growth with a Focus on Household Enterprises,predicts Rwanda’s 2011 growth at over 8%, a growth rate that is stronger than forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.

The report also notes that: Rwanda’s economic growth in the first half of 2011 was led by strong performance in the industrial and service sectors; inflation has so far been contained below 10 percent; and the exchange rate remains stable to date.

Although agricultural growth in the first half of 2011 was weak as late rains resulted in a disappointing first planting season outcome, good rains since then as well as the Government of Rwanda’s concerted and continuing efforts to increase agricultural productivity, led to a successful second season harvest.

“Rwanda’s growth outlook is robust, but remains contingent upon sustained prudent macroeconomic management, moderate global growth in 2012 and declining fuel and imported food prices, which will help improve Rwanda’s current account position and enhance growth prospects.”

“We also expect to see an estimated 10.6% overall increase in food production in 2011, compared to 2010, and high agricultural and overall grow in the second half of 2011” said Birgit Hansl, World Bank Senior Economist.

The Economic Update contains a preview of a forthcoming joint report of the World Bank and IPAR on Household Enterprises.

The forthcoming report will conclude that Household Enterprises (HEs) are the source of livelihood for more than 30% of households, provide primary employment for 9% of the labour force and have grown rapidly over the last decade partly in response to the demand for additional services and goods generated by Rwanda’s growth and the relatively limited supply capacity of the formal sector.

“Although HEs are usually not the main source of family income, they provide an important second income source, which in rural areas can help cushion shocks brought on by adverse weather conditions and temporary declines in agricultural production and in urban areas can complement formal wages, allowing for overall greater household consumption and investment” said Louise Fox, World Bank Lead Economist.

The report will accordingly suggest that considering the significant contribution HEs have made and can make in the future to income and employment creation, the Government of Rwanda could broaden its policy framework to provide specific, targeted support for the HEs sector.

{{The Kigali based car dealer company, RwandaMotor Ltd through another new company RwandaAuto Ltd, officially entered a distributorship deal that now allows the company to import and sell the worldwide standard and high quality of Hyundai products. }}

According to the company’s Managing Director Hugues Lefebvre, RwandaMotors will now cope up with its mission as the leading distributor of cars in Rwanda.

RwandaMotors has been dealing with different types of cars including Land Rover, Suzuki, and Afford.

Among the state of the art’s Hyundai products, a new brand car named ‘Accent’ has been for the first time imported into the country with unique features and the unique character of sensing the owner before opening it.

{{The Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI) has ranked Rwanda’s Development Bank (BRD) as third best development bank on the African continent with A+ rating.}}

This was announced during the annual Forum of Africa Development in DRCongo.

BRD comes third best among the 73 financial institutions in Africa. BRD is considered to have exceptional financial condition with little or no nonperforming standards and operating standards.