Category: News

{{A high power delegation of United States including three Congressmen said they were impressed by Rwanda’s socio-economic development within just one decade after the catastrophic inhumane mayhem of 1994.}}

The delegation of ten Americans led by Jim McDermott from Washington DC held closed meeting with the Premier Bernard Makuaza at his office in Kimihurura.

Talking to journalists after their discussions with the Premier Senator McDermott said Rwanda had made invaluable progress after the 1994 genocide.

“Our visit is in form of learning tour on behalf of CARE International to review its programs together with those supported by the US government within the healthcare sector.

He further told the press that their discussions with the prime Minister were mainly about strengthening the mutual relations existing between Rwanda and the US government.

“We are very impressed by the recovery this country has shown in the last 17 years, after the Genocide and being able to bring about the reconciliation process, improve education, health programs, among other activities.”

“It’s really unbelievable that a country with such a pitiful history has made such progress is among those with attractive foreign investment and tourism destinations.

The congressman from New Jersey hailed President Paul Kagame and his leadership for moving the country forward with a clear vision of 2020.

“The investment the US government is doing here is a very sound and the results speak for themselves,” he noted.

Premier Makuza on his part said that the US delegation was impressed by the country’s vision to promote development across all sectors of the economy.

“We held talks on the current situation in our country, the region as well as the global community,” he said.

He emphasized that the delegation were also impressed by the country’s tremendous development after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“We extensively discussed matters concerning their support to Rwanda and the relationship that exists between the two countries,” he noted.

Makuza further pointed out that he briefed the delegation about the country’s target in the next few years, and how it has progressed in terms of fighting against HIV/Aids, reducing infant mortality rate and promoting maternal

CARE International is a leading American-based humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.

{{With the continued transport challenges during the opening of new school term, students this week have not been able to reach their schools on time as demanded by the ministry of education Monday deadline.}}

Its under this challenge that students have resorted to walking to school. The Ministry of education has however, not responded to the situation as the deadline reached sunday for all resident school students.

By Monday evening, students were still stranded along the roads across the country and at major bus terminals as the numbers of students couldnt be served by the limited number of buses.

{{Extreme disagrements that resulted into a fight marred the annual general meeting at Alpha Palace hotel held by tailors operating under an umbrella association COTRA .}}

The tailors disagreed on the voting process aimed at choosing new association executives. The meeting was called off and postponed as a means of easing tension.

Although members of the association accuse the incumbent management of poor performance, tailors disagreed mostly on candidates to be voted. Majority want the old executives to be replaced however, outgoing leaders seem hesitant.

According to COTRA voting process the candidates are required to move out of the room as they are voted. However, some members didn’t trust the vote casting process criticizing it as fishy.

One of the candidates Jean Paul Binama who seemed to have the majority of suppoters was quick to point out how unlucky his day went.

“You see the old leaders don’t want to leave the executive and they made it clear when they designed unfair voting process which my supporters didn’t like and were forced to fight due to anger,” he explained.

“I have always had worries that the outgoing team wanted to favor some of their friends, I wonder why some people jealous of each other and they don’t want to see their colleague progressing,” he argued.

Rugero paulin the outgoing president of the association admitted that there were some disagremments which he didnt want to disclose.

“I dont want to say anything now but what I i can assure you is that we’re going to have an organaised election next Monday,” he remarked.

The Alpha Palace hotel management at some point had to intervene in order to calm the situation since the fracas was feared to vandalize some of the hotel’s propety.

{{A Rwandan filmmaker, Edouard Bamporiki made a generous professional gesture and offered cows to the two Rwandan popular singers, Mani Martin and Dieudonnee Munyanshoza, in an event held on August 21 at Gatobotobo, Giti sector, Gicumbi district in the northern Province.}}

Exclusively speaking to igihe.com Bamporiki noted,“I love artists more than anything else. For the case of Munyanshoza I can say, he raised me from 2,000 to the year of 2006 while staying with him in Kigali and I therefore I picked a lot of interest in him and that’s why I am giving him this crossbreed cow.”

Regarding the present given Mani Martin, Bamporiki said: “I was in Czech Republic schooling and I missed my homeland Rwanda. So I could hear Mani Martin’s songs that touched my heart.

“When I came back, I heard that he was going to launch his album and when I attended the launch, he sang a song titled ‘Isokoya Nilnukame’ authored by the Abadahogora choir from Gisenyi.

“This song really impressed me and enriched my heart and that’s why I gave her this cow in appreciation and to support his professional endeavours.”

On his part one of the happy recipients Mani Martin said: “When I had that I am given a cow during the launch of my album, I proved that my messages in my music had reached far into the hearts of the people.

“As a dream I had before, I just felt tears of joy coming from my eyes because of emotions and said thanks God for my talent.”

Overwhelmed with happiness Munyanshoza observed: “Culturally, giving a cow to someone is a sign of brotherhood. So I am really amazed of that and I will take it myself to my farm in Umutara”

Bamporiki said he wants to promote unity and love to the Rwandan community through the cultural activities and delivering messages of unity using his talent through films-related initiatives.

Bamporiki is an award-winning filmmaker, actor and poet. As young Rwandan artist, he has received national and international attention for his stories of hope, unity and reconciliation.

The Filmmaker was born in a small village in the Western province, educated in Rwandan schools, and lives in the capital city of Kigali. He wrote, directed, acted, and produced Long Coat.

He also acted in Munyurangabo, Kinyarwanda and Rwanda take two. He is coming up with other two movies; the storm is over and Two Major.

{{The appeals trial begins in Helsinki-Finland today, of an accused Rwandan genocide and other crimes against humanity described by prosecutors as “one of the most wanted perpetrators of the 1994 genocide that claimed over a million innocent Tutsis.}}

Francois Bazaramba, 60 appearing in photo above, was convicted of acts of genocide in a lower court in June 2010 and sentenced to life imprisonment, although he was acquitted of several of the murder charges, AFP reports

Exclusively speaking to igihe.com, Prosecuter general Martin Ngoga said, “The process in Finland is an appeal on extradition proceedings we initiated years back. we shall extend our cooperation to the extent its needed and see what the court decision will be. we appreciate the fact every step taken is towards finality of the matter.”

The defendant was accused among other things of murdering or ordering the murder of numerous Tutsis in the province, including women and children.

He was further accused of systematically persecuting and displacing Tutsis and seizing their property, and for participating in and partly ordering an ethnic purge in Cyahinda which left 37,000 people who had sought shelter in a church dead.

According to the ruling of the district court of Itae-Uusimaa last year, “For those crimes, the only possible punishment is life imprisonment.”

Bazaramba was arrested by Finnish police in April 2007 on suspicion of taking part in the Rwandan genocide, in which at least 800,000 people, most of them ethnic Tutsis, were killed within only 100 days by Hutu extremists.

Finnish courts decided to try Bazaramba since the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, set up in Tanzania by the United Nations, was no longer accepting new cases.

51 people were struck by lightening killing one person on the spot while attending a wedding ceremony on friday at Nyamasheke district.

The fateful incident happened at about 2pm at Mutogo cell of Cyato sector during presentation of gifts in a wedding of Nibigira Merkiyoro and Nyirakomeza Bernadette.

The lightening struck one person dead was without any drop of rain. Others were quickly delivered to nearby Kibogora health centre.

By press time, some had recovered and were being discharged from the health center.

{{Reports emerging from Libyas six month conflict indicate that President Muammar Gadaffis son Seif al Islam has been arrested and is under detention.}}

Seif- al- Islam and his father Muammar Gadaffi are wanted by the International Criminal Court.

However, unconfirmed reports also indicate that Col. Gadaffi has been arrested.

Ibrahim Dabbashi, the Libyian ambassador to UN has announced that he is willing to work with national transitional council. NATO has also announced that they are willing to work with the new government under the opposition forces.

Libyan rebels have entered the capital Tripoli and are within two miles of the city center. Hundreds of rebels in tripolis green square have triggered massive Jubilations.

Communication from reporters embedded with the Libyan rebels announced that rebels met little resistance late Sunday as Gadhafi’s defenders appeared to melt away.

Meanwhile the state broadcast headquarters have also been seized and rebels are reportedly seizing several parts of the capital Tripoli.
Several command centers belonging to Gadaffi defenders have also been seized by the rebels.

Heavy bombardment by NATO airstrikes continue to pound several targets against the Gadaffi defence line.

Internet has also been reconnected for the first time in six months.

{{The number of participants in this year’s CIO 100 award is expected to rise, following entry of Rwanda and Ethiopia in the competition, which is currently going on.}}

The CIO 100 Awards were introduced last year and seek to celebrate 100 organisations that have used information technology in innovative ways to deliver business value.

The survey is based on how the companies were able to create competitive advantage, optimising business processes, enabling growth or improving relationships with customers, the CIO director, Mr Harry Hare said.

The number of companies to be surveyed this year is expected to increase to about 500 due to new entrants from the two countries, up from 350 last year which were drawn from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The increase in the number of participants is also due to introduction of new awards that include Leadership, Green Edge, Security and CIO of the Year Award, recognising the best CEO in embracing IT.

With the entry of Rwanda this year, Mr Hare said, the number of government departments participating in the survey are expected to rise significantly, since the country is ahead of the rest in embracing IT technology due to its small size.

Last year the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) participated in the survey and received awards due to their levels in automating operations and relations with customers. Some parts of the story were first published at the Daily Nation.

{{Since Sunday, getting space on any public transport buses in the country has been a challenge as students return to school for their third term.}}

Huge bags and heavy metallic suitcases decorated most bus stops, trading centers and bus terminals in both the provinces and Kigali city main bus terminal at Nyabugogo.

On the eastern province route, Kayonza main bus terminal was over crowded by students and other regular travelers all competing for space on connecting buses. The regular taxis (twegerane) charged extra frw500 to any destination.

A journey that cost 1000frw on Friday had reached 1500frw. This abnormal hike left many students stranded who also get charged extra for language was ranging between 500frw and 1000frw excluding passenger seat cost.

Some schools especially gahini secondary school where students are mandated to report at school with their parents or guardians on the first day, the transport cost is very high at the beginning of the schooling period in case a parent has more than one child at the school and travelling from distant locations.

According to an official announcement from the ministry of education, all schools are required to begin classroom lectures (Monday) today- August 22, 2011. The communiqué also requests all boarding school students to have reached school on Sunday August 21, 2011.

It is also indicated in the communiqué that students who shall not arrive at their schools to attend lectures on Monday shall be punished and above all shall be required to report to school with their guardians or parents.