Category: News

GISENYI: {{The National Police at Gisenyi town is holding a group of Congolese and Rwandan men for smuggling an infant mountain gorilla from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
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The smuggled male baby gorilla less than a year old was seiezed by Gisenyi Police yesterday night.

Veterinarians from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving gorillas through health care, were called to the scene to help the infant gorillas.

While primarily working with wild gorillas, MGVP also provides care to gorillas orphaned as a result of the illegal wildlife trade or armed conflict.

“The MGVP team arrived at Gisenyi police station at 10 pm to find a very stressed, exhausted mountain gorilla infant of less than one year old,” revealed Dr. Jan Ramer, Regional Veterinary Manager of MGVP.

However, the arrested men claimed that the gorilla was taken from the Bukima area of Virunga National Park in DRC. They said they had kept the gorilla for about a week, feeding him bananas and sugar cane. No other details were provided.

“MGVP Orphan Caretaker Fabien Bahati, who has raised many orphan gorillas, scooped the gorilla up, and after a discussion with police we headed to Kinigi to reopen the MGVP Orphan Quarantine Facility,” says Dr. Ramer.

MGVP closed this facility only two weeks ago after transferring six lowland gorilla orphans to the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) center in DRC.

“We got to Kinigi around midnight and performed a short health inspection of the male baby gorilla: He had a very bad cough and a runny nose, but was strong,” said Ramer. “Bahati stayed with him overnight, and this morning the gorilla is even stronger.”

MGVP will work in close partnership with the Congolese and Rwandan wildlife authorities (L’Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature and the Rwanda Development Board) and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) to determine the best course of action for the gorilla’s future.

The orphan will most likely be transferred to the Senkwekwe center in Virunga National Park currently home to four other orphaned mountain gorillas: Ndeze, Ndakasi, Maisha, and Kaboko.

Meanwhile, the gorilla rescued last night will undergo 30days of health quarantine at Kinigi facility, where he will receive 24-hour care provided by the MGVP staff and DFGFI Orphan Caretaker Jean De Dieu.

“We are cautiously optimistic about this little guy, he is tense, but accepting of people, and is eating,” commented Ramer. “All are good signs for his eventual recovery.”

{{A one week training for the National Police force on forensic techniques of criminal investigation started August 8 at the police headquarters in Kacyiru.
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The Director of Kigali Forensic Laboratory Supt.Maurice Murigo said the training aims at keeping the scene of crime recordings, preservation, assessment and also some basic evidence recovery techniques.

He further pointed out that the training is intended to equip police corps and other officials in charge of crime scene investigations, with skills to investigate well and to make proper assessments at the scene of crime.

“Such trainings will help police staff to understand and investigate properly the scene of crime as a first step that will help to know where that crime originated from, what caused it and who are culprits victims.” He emphasized.

Supt. Murigo added that the trainings will help police to create awareness to the public about the packaging methods and storage conditions of recovery materials got at the scene of a crime.

Each phase trains 20 people and it is now the third time such trainings are conducted with the hired professional trainer from the United Kingdom.

The further revealed that after 100 trainees graduate, some of them the trainees will be selected to train the public that is both local and foreign people living in the country who reach at the scene of crimes about the same course.

By: Dianah Mutimura

{{It would be tough to picture the progress of Cultural Life in Rwanda without spaces of creation and diffusion of Art works.}}

However, Ishyo Art Center, in partnership with Mashirika group, Institute of General Studies for Children( IGSC) and the University of Brown of America organized a cultural exbhition show.

The exibition concluded saturday, Showcased traditional songs, drammer, proverbs, poems and cultural dances in promoting culture at the Ishyo art center in kacyiru and at the Rwanda Revenue Authority in kimihurura.

Carole Karemera the head of Art Center told {Igihe.com},“creating meaning through Art through Imagination you can create your future we should always be original and that way we can keep our culture alive”.

She added that they are very pleased with the way they are working with the upcoming artists and also the good management they are having with the famous artists within and outside the country.

“We are strengthening the relationship we have with them; we do this by inviting them in such events so that even our people here can learn other cultural and customs from other countries”. She speaks.

“We established a new tool of active cultural development to emphasize the Cultural significance of Rwandan traditional and modern level at the national and international level”. She stress in her words.

In this cultural exbhition titled “Center by Center” you will find tremendous cultural dances which are combined with Rwanda culture and other culture from the invited countries, comedy show which are acted in three languages, English, French, and Swahili, with the experienced actors.

Apart from songs, dances, poems and others activities, the participants are given trainings by the experts from different countries around the world such countries include Armenia, Pakistan, Brazil, and Russia

{{Some genocide stories about Rwanda are unclear perhaps due to either the authors are misled or have the intention to cover-up perpetrators who are likely their best friends.}}

While genocide deniers mostly based overseas continue distorting historical facts of the 1994 genocide,the Rwanda National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) hasn’t been at rest.

Three years ago, CNLG formed a team mandated to denounce any publications misrepresenting the genocide’s reality including films like that of Hotel Rwanda by Paul Rusesebagina whose negative role in the genocide is confessed by many yethe is portrayed as a savior in the film.

Progress has been registered yet there are many distorting articles about the genocide history.

Paul Rutayisire a lecturer at the National University of Rwanda noted that it was quite hard for the real war victims to write their experience immediately after the war since there were still adopting to post genocide survival.

“This is where the militias took advantage and mislead the world about the genocide that’s why there are many distorting publications circulating the western world,” he remarked.

CNLG works with various organizations globally supportive of promoting truth about the events of 1994 war. The commission has also been hosting scholars and academicians brainstorming on how to rectify the wrongly recorded history.

The commission together with Interdisciplinary Genocide Studies Centre (IGSC) met for one day international conference under the theme effects of Tutsi genocide on research in Africa.

Among the IGSC members Wandia Njoya a senior lecturer in literature and French at Kenya’s Daystar University, highlighted that Rwanda should invite more Africans to visit the country in order for them to learn more about the war’s history especially from the victims. The aim is to discourage similar fighting since the continent is known to have ethnic conflicts which might result to genocide.

Rutayisire and Njoya agree that the true story about Rwanda’s genocide should be preached out to the world since it did not only weaken the credibility of deniers but also inspired peace particularly in warring zones.

Officiating at the conference the minister of state in charge of primary and secondary education Mathias Haberamungu commended the interaction of CNLG and IGSC adding that the government had a policy to ensure basic quality education for all Rwandans as a means to prevent the recurring of similar atrocities, and to facilitate the critical thinking and indispensable challenge the crucial problems left out by the war against Tutsi.

{{As we earlier reported in our article concerning the All Kenyans in Rwanda association (AKR), their preparations for elections are in full gear amidst turmoil from members who are believed to have poor reputation.
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The majority who are in favor of Boniface Mutua and commonly referred to as the Mutua group received a communiqué from the Kenyan embassy two days ago postponing the elections without any tangible reason.

However this hasn’t discouraged the majority who want to proceed with elections scheduled to Saturday afternoon.

The Embassy communiqué signed by the Acting Ambassador Fred Eshilkuta read in part: “Following concerns raised by a cross section of Kenyans particularly regarding the issue of AKR membership, the elections scheduled to Saturday 6th August 2011 at the High Commission have been postponed to a date to be announced soon ”.

And the Ambassador declined to comment on the matter to the press and concerned AKR members.

“I’m not obliged to disclose any concerns raised by Kenyans or anyone who approaches us for help, “he said adding: “you know we’re like a family we don’t tell everyone our issues we try to settle them within us”.

But despite the embassy’s communiqué supporters of Mutua have decided to proceed with the election process tomorrow at Car Wash a Kenyan owned hotel in Kigali.

“I’ve not heard any good reason why the high commission postponed the elections yet they don’t have the mandate to do so or even mingle in our private affairs. My supporters are really discouraged by the embassy,” said Mutua, the aspiring chairman who is still unopposed.

Commenting on the matter, the current chairman John Kamwengu who’s disliked by many, allegedly due what they termed “mismanagement during his mandate” said that the Mutua group was taking decisions contrary to the constitution.

However, Kamwengu didn’t specify the clause in the AKR constitution that the Mutua group is violating but insisted that Mutua is impatient since there’s an election committee which is supposed to give a date for election.

But according to Mutua, the excuse was ridiculous since AKR had nominated an election committee on 16th July who were given ample time to conduct their duties and announced 6th August as the election date.

“These guys have ran out of ideas and nothing can stop Kenyans to vote for change, we have big plans for the association and among our main tasks is to contribute meals to those affected by famine back home,” he stressed.

But Kamwengu angrily reacted saying that. “We are not leaving power to them and even if they form a different association AKR won’t recognize them”.

To which Mutua fired back saying that the chairman words were like kicks of a dying horse since the constitution gave members the right to either revoke the embattled members or recall them.

“The constitutions says membership can be revoked on the recommendation of 2/3 of members and in a situation where the entire Executive Committee is recalled, the functions of the Executive Committee shall be automatically transferred to a caretaker,” Mutua stressed.

Apparently, the options will be among the agenda AKR members will discuss tomorrow to find whether it was appropriate to revoke membership of those alleged on embezzlement.

Geoffrey Muli who’s among the victims of the registered members whose names were scrapped off the register noted that the association was stuck and he hoped that a new team would revive the once strong team.

By: Igihe.com Reporter

{{Rwanda Revenue Authority is introducing new tax collection reforms expected to help the agency to attain its 2011/12 goal with a projection to collect Frw501Bn
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The Revenue Authority’s target rose from Frw 476bn for 2010/11 which ended June this year after Rwanda adjusted her financial calendars to those of member states of the East African Community.

“Despite our obligation of collecting taxes, specifically the way we should do our tax collection, should be instrumental so that the introduced reforms can be favorable and the cost of doing business becomes favorable taxed other than being a barrier,” Richard Tushabe Deputy Commissioner General and Commissioner for customs service said.

Tushabe revealed that his institution will introduce electronic tax device which will help to increase tax from VAT tax collection, e-filing & e-payment system which will help declaration and payment without going to RRA offices.

Others include electronic single window which is a system that will be largely used on customs where, an exporter will make declaration process of one’s goods while sitting in the office, electronic cargo tracking and authorized economic operator which will identify an exporter with integrity in the region.

This the commissioner said will help Rwanda continue taking a step towards achieving self-funded budget after having been able to attain 48 per cent of budget support last year.

While responding to the impact of the government’s waiving off taxes on petroleum products, Tushabe said Frw 9Bn a year will be lost compared to Frw 14bn which could have been attained and that only Frw 5bn will be attain using new tax collection reforms.

He further explained that the new tax collection reforms are expected to also recover a lot of tax invasions that had been evident in VAT tax collection.
The development comes in a time RRA is preparing to celebrate tax payer’s day due August 13, 2011.

Several tax payer’s days organized in different parts of the country since July 15, 2011 when they celebrated tax payer’s day in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province the rest will follow.

BY : Igihe.com Reporter

{{Rwanda’s land registrar Dr William Nkurunziza has said the use of Geographic Information System(GIS) that provide geo-solutions needs to be privatized.}}

Nkurunziza said there is an untapped opportunity for businesses in geo-solutions that needs to be explored.

According to Nkurunziza Geo-solutions or geographic information system (GIS) products don’t have to be provided by the government.

Nkurunziza says the National Land Center which has been renamed to Rwanda Natural resources Authority is looking at how an entrepreneur element can be added to potential GIS expected business personalities.

“For me I see a lot of business potential in geo-solutions, here we get extremely high demands for maps of all kinds everybody wanting to carry out a project comes here, so they overwhelm us despite the other work we have every day,” he added.

He said that visitors to his office needing maps of all sorts like those carry out projects after winning tenders, others from energy sector for hydro power scheme, road constructors and from security.

“Sometimes we tell them we are giving you the information but we are not a commercial entity that will do the printing of these large format maps, people out there should be able to do this and sell the Geo-information,” Nkurunziza emphasized.

Nkurunziza noted that several meetings await and a first meeting scheduled August with a Netherlands based geo-service company to see how Geo-solutions can be taken away from the public sector for private entities.

Previously, Rwanda introduced GIS to help in land demarcation and registration that was also seen as away of solving land wrangles.

He said GIS should be seen beyond land registration process currently in Rwanda, but as a strong tool in a spatial analysis where it helps in decision-making because it can easily show location of schools, hospitals,thus helpful in urban planning.

In cases of any epidemics and pandemic outbreak, Nkurunziza said it can also indicate and map which area the outbreak is most susceptible.

“For me much as we are using it, I am really hoping that it’s a tool that can be taken on by all sectors, basically every sector needs it,” Nkurunziza emphasised.

Mid July, the National Land Center before changing to Rwanda Natural Resources Authority received a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award at the ESRI International User Conference in San Diego, California.

The award acknowledged vision, leadership, hard work, and innovative use of geographic information system (GIS) technology.
The National Land Use Master plan developed using GIS spatial analysis capabilities will ensure rational and optimal use of land across the country.

Organizations from around the world honored for outstanding achievement in GIS use span industries including agriculture, defense and intelligence, economic development, education, health and human services, and utilities.

By: Dianah Mutimura.

{{During the 1994 Rwanda genocide, while other foreigners hurriedly flew back to their countries save their lives Carl Wilkens only sent his family and he remained behind to help vulnerable innocent Tustis.}}

17 years later, Carl wilkens has written a book titled {{“I’m not leaving”}} that tales about the journey he passed through during the genocide and he launched it at Kigali Memorial Center with the minister of foreign affairs who is also government Spokesperson Louise Mushikiwabo.

The minister appreciated the profound sympathy of Carl Wilkens saying that, “Carl Wilkens has valuable ethics towards others than the way he values himself. You are an example to many of us”. The minister emphatically stressed.

She concluded by promising to make sure that the book will be publicised within and outside the country the country so that the truth can be known everywhere.

Carl Wilkens pointed out that he wrote the book with the intentions of letting the whole world know the history of the Tutsi genocide because he believes it’s important to be known worldwide.

He said apart from writing the book, he visits diverse high schools worldwide talking about the history of Rwanda Tutsi genocide so that they can make a difference even in the midst of chaos.

He argued Rwandans to help him and spread the gospel of what happened in the country because it even adds him more courage whenever he is doing the work with some Rwandans.

Carl Wilkens further explained that Rwandan history is very important to the entire world community saying that: “This history is more valued. Everyone has his or her own history which can be of great support to people and this can change people’s philosophy”.

Carl Wilkens rescued more than 400 people during the genocide who run to save their lives in an orphanage place called Gisimba Damas, where he used to bring for them water and food because he would freely pass on many roadblocks imposed by the interahamwe.

Pie Mugabo one of the survivors rescued at the orphanage expressed his gratitude to Wilkins invaluable efforts saved him and other hundreds of genocide survivors.

“You gave us another chance to live again. You and other rear selfless people will automatically get the blessing you deserve from God” Mugabo said amidst applauds from the people present.

The money which will result from the sales will facilitate the Gisozi memorial center and the remainder will aid him in his different trips while testifying what he observer during the Tutsi genocide.

By: Andrew Kareba

{{The access to information bill seeks to promote public participation in democratic and development processes where government and private bodies should provide to journalists public information in possession by those bodies.}}

The Minister of Information Musoni Protais while presenting to the Chamber of Deputies announced the development.
Musoni was defending the long awaited bill on free access to public documents and other relevant information to the media upon request.

He also emphasized that in order to promote greater accountability by all public office holders, the media and all members of the public must enjoy the rights and freedoms enshrined under the constitution.

All public organs have to facilitate and encourage the disclosure of information, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost where necessary, he elaborated.

However, he told the lawmakers that “Exempt information” may be withheld by a public organ or certain classes of private bodies in case release of such information is believed to cause harm to the national security, involve the unnecessary invasion of privacy of an individual or damage a public organ’s position.

Hon. Theobald Mporanyi presented that every public organ shall take steps in accordance with requirements to provide information at regular intervals through media with no charge.

Hon. Marie Rose Mureshyankwano wondered whether access to reasonable information will be charged for and not be considered as corruption.

Minister Musoni said, offences and penalties shall be provided by the Ombudsman’s office.

Without reasonable cause for refusing a request for access on information, bad faith in denying a request for information or knowingly give incorrect, incomplete or misleading information, he says.

Fines will range from One hundred thousand (Frw 100.000) to three hundred thousand Rwandan Francs (Frw300, 000) before the Ombudsman’s office while before the court, it will range from One hundred thousand (Rwf 100,000) to five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (Rwf

By: Andrew Kareba

{{The chamber of deputies August 2 adopted the three draft laws regulating media.}}

Among the bill which were assessed is the draft law modifying and completing the law No 22/2009 of 12/09/2009 on Media, draft law determining the responsibilities, structure and functioning of the Media High Council (MHC) and Draft law determining responsibilities, organization and functioning of the Rwanda broadcasting agency (RBA).

Hon. Protais Musoni, who was representing the government, said that though the 3 draft laws are closely related, their aim is to promote a constructive and educational media for all Rwandans.

“ORINFOR will be replaced by Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) which will no longer be a state broadcasting Agency but a Public broadcasting group for the purpose of serving public interest and this law will enable RBA to fully run its duties and work independently in managing its affairs, said Musoni.

As the enacted law states, 20 per cent will be Government shares and 80 per cent private investors and this will enable RBA to run its normal activities with no Government regulations, Musoni elaborated.

Like any other media group, RBA will Educate, inform and entertain and it will be in the contest of changing the Rwandan society through media, he said.

With regard to Self-regulation of the print media, a state organ will be established for intervention when necessary, he elaborated.

“Media Self Regulation is of a great importance in promoting Rwandan media and this will reduce Media High Council’s tasks and leave it with observing freedom of expression.” The minister stressed adding that further MHC duties will be put in Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA).

RBA is going to be the second Semi-autonomous body in East Africa Community to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to be public oriented .

The pillars of the plan to be the leading, cutting edge public service, multimedia network in the region while the mission is being at forefront of engaging audiences with quality information, programs and multi-media services.

The minister observed that RBA’s core values will focus on integrity, quality, and professionalism, forward-looking and caring both public and staff welfare.