Category: News

{{The government of Rwanda has officially rejected recommendations by the UN human rights council arguing that that they are either full of misconceptions or unfit for Rwanda’s progress.}}

This was announced today by the Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama.
He was reacting to a report on the Universal Periodic Review that has recommendations for the country to improve its human rights, yet out of the 73 suggestions, Rwanda has rejected 6 of them.

The rejected recommendations appear to be out of Rwanda’s context, “some recommendations are a mockery to our human rights progress; I agree that not all is roses but they shouldn’t forget that a lot is being done to improve the situation”.

Karugarama wondered how the UN human rights council would urge Rwanda to deal with militias recruiting children which was untrue even the citizens themselves would confess there are no militia groups in the country.

In another recommendation, Rwanda is discouraged from recruiting underage people in the military. Minister Karugarama says that this allegation was also incorrect compared to the army’s enrollment procedure in which only those 18 and above are allowed.

“I wonder where they get this wrong information but I highly suspect they interview the country’s enemies who have fled the country on counts of various crimes and would criticize Rwanda as a way to cover up for their mistakes.

“It is also similar comments from the same renegades that incite that there’s arbitrary arrest yet according to laws one is taken to court after being jailed for not more than 72 hours,” he remarked.

On this note the chairperson of the National Human Rights commission Sylvia Zainabu rectified that some policemen that jail people against the law, their mistakes shouldn’t be attributed to the government. Those involved are always apprehended.

In another false recommendation, it is claimed that minority religions should be allowed to practice their faith. However, Karugarama stresses that no religion has been denied their right to operate in the country once they have fulfilled all the requirements.

In an accusation, Rwanda is advised not to discriminate against marginalized people (Abatwa). However, government rejects the accusation saying the Abatwa have a representative at the parliament and they are entitled to all resources just like any other citizen.

“Those who feel that they’ve been denied their rights can simply report the matter to the National Human Rights commission or the office of the ombudsman and justice will prevail,” Zainabu advised

The suggestions also demand that government respects the rights of indigenous people(Abatwa) which is contrary to Rwanda’s concept particularly on the fact that there’s no law that promotes discrimination.

“This is just a misconception from other countries like Australia where the majority invaded the country from other parts of the world,” he remarked.

However, Rwanda scored high in several sectors such as the social economic sector, this is well reflected in infrastructure, education, health, security amongst others.

Currently the government has approved the remaining 67 recommendations of which some were being implemented even before Rwanda delivered its human rights report to the UN in Geneva.

In this respect, Karugarma urged locals not to be incited by international reports since some are written without the right context of the country while others are false hoods to tarnish the stable leadership Rwandans are enjoying now.

“In the past we have suffered a lot and no one would teach us better how to enhance human rights, security for instance is enjoyed by all now, free education too not forgetting food really this are basics we wouldn’t have got in previous regimes.”

{{In the past two months, residents of Kicukiro have been fetching water at past midnight because during day the taps are dry. }}

However, the Energy Water And Sanitation Authority (EWASA) denies any knowledge about the problem because to them, no complaints have been submitted at their major branches situated in the district.

In the real sense this sounds as if someone has been sleeping on their job, because EWASA’s uninformed director James Sano boasts that EWASA is extending its pipelines due to the rise in water levels.

Despite Sano’s comment, affected residents seem not satisfied. Angry Patricia Uwabaho aged 59 from Isangano cell stresses that she has been waking up late at night to fetch water for weeks.

Uwabaho seemingly ill doesn’t have a house help and stays with her grandchildren who are still minors to assist her. “Just imagine we stay alert during the night as if we’re waiting for robbers, it’s really annoying because sometimes we fail to get water after a sleepless night,” she remarked.

In this situation, residents don’t have a choice but to stay awake the whole night since during the day water is scarce. “In case one does a mistake and is taken away by slumber the following day is often a bizarre and among the consequences is that they either buy the water which is extremely costly or have to travel for miles to fetch water from streams,” she remarked.

However, many residents have acquired water storage containers yet the vulnerable can’t afford the giant tanks for instance. So far Sano has assured the residents of a quick response.

By Supreetha Gubbala

{{Aspire, a new local NGO has started a family health and nutrition education program aimed at assisting illiterate and semi-illiterate women in addressing their basic family constraints, {Igihe.com} has established.}}

In an event held on Sunday at their headquarters in Kigali, Aspire in partnership with Medical Students’ Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR) instilled what was termed: “Body Mass Index” to women and a number of their spouses on health nutrition for their families.

The organizations Founding Director, Ms. Peace Ruzage revealed that the Aspire program was founded in 2007 after she had seen an idle and frustrated group of women in her neighborhood.

“It really started as community outreach, because the women neighbours would gather on my veranda and I would hear them arguing in desperation about their family problems and that’s when I started interacting with them”. She added that the number grew and she decided it was high time they could do something to overcome their constraints.

After much discussion with her neighbors Ruzage says she discovered that the women were bored and marginalized from society due to lack of education and basic training to help them shape their destiny.

“Most of the women were illiterate, unskilled widows and single mothers with many children” she passionately stressed explaining they started teaching them simple vocational skills like reading and writing.

Later in 2009 she realized the need to do something more formalized by getting partners and register the NGO with government and international partners assistance in helping the vulnerable households.

Ruzage pointed out that every year Aspire adopts 100 women in Kigali into its twelve month training program, which currently has three hundred graduates and 175 currently still enrolled in the basic education focusing family health nutrition.

She emphasized that the organization strongly makes sure that women passon these skills to their children and communities. She further stressed that without the men also taking part, there exist barriers to any sustainable changes.

“Before they graduate we evaluate their progress and when we are doing the evaluations the women tell us: “you talk to us, but you are only talking to only one side. Men are still decision-makers in households be it family planning, be it nutrition because if it is the man who is giving money for food, they must also decide what to eat.” She clarified adding: “This is the first time we are talking to men as an organization.

“ We hope to continue the program at least for two Sunday’s a month.”

More often, health organizations focus on educating the women in households as they are seen traditionally as caregivers. However, says Aspire and MEDSAR have partnered up to successfully create a dramatically different approach to including men in addressing household challenges faced.

Jean Baptiste Habiyambere, the President of MEDSAR and a fourth year medical student told Igihe that it is part of their mission to serve the Rwandan people.

“I was called by the coordinator and we met and discussed how we can be involved in their health related issues.

“That is how we planned for these activities where we can screen for some diseases that affect spouses, teach them about various health issues like family planning, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.” He observed adding that on Sunday they were screening for their Body Mass Index, where the results can indicate their cardiovascular health and risk for developing diabetes.

“But the main purpose today is to get the men here and teach them about nutrition for their families and teaching women while the men remain uneducated is useless.”

The event attracted dozens of men who commented after their nutrition lesson that they able to know much better what their wives had been talking about and the importance of diet to their own health.

{{150 patients suffering from cataracts are expected to receive free treatment from Kanombe Military hospital during the course of the next four days in a project as part of the army week annual event.}}

A cataract is a clouding that develops in the lens of the eye that eventually results in the loss of vision.

“During this annual army week event, the Rwanda Defense force tries to reach out to the community by accessing vulnerable areas in activities aimed at improving the lives of the residents.” says Lt. Col. Dr. Dr. Ben Karenzi, Director of Kanombe military hospital.

” We went to Gisagara and treated around 4,000 patients that previously had no access to healthcare. Among those patients, we encountered 71 cases of cataracts which led us to bring them here for proper diagnosis and treatment “. He said.

The Military hospital is the only health institution in the country with the available medical equipment required in carrying out the surgical procedure for treating cataracts.

It is expected that 150 patients in total would receive the treatment, including the 71 were from Gisagara while 40 more are expected to come from the same region as well 39 more from Bugesera.

“It is reported that approximately 0.5% of the population is suffering from a case of blindness among those cases it is estimated that about 80% of them which amounts to around 200,000 individuals have cataracts according Munana, Joseph Ophthalmology clinical officer.

“The major issue with the victims is that they don’t come for treatment. Not just in the case of cataracts but in general, patients are unaware that most of these illnesses are insidious and report to the hospital only when they are critically suffering “he highlights.

One of the patients who would undergo treatment Martha Kubwimana, a resident of Gisagara, gave her testimony saying: “ I am really grateful that I am receiving this treatment, I have been blind for two years and because of that I was unable to cater properly to my family.”

For some others such as Twagirayezu Theodore , who had been blind for much longer ( 20 years) looking forward to the treatment: ” I had grown accustomed to my condition and accepted it as fate so knowing that it can be changed is like a miracle.

”I look forward to this treatment and encourage many others like me to come and get treated as well.”

According to Dr. Karenzi, there are various types of cataracts such as those that naturally due to old age and Traumatic cataracts after an eye injury.

Radiation cataracts is infected through direct exposure to some kind of radiation such as ultra violet rays from the sun and congenital cataracts which can be acquired from birth.

By: {Igihe.com}

{{In the ongoing Primus Guma Guma Superstar competition, four contestants have been selected to continue in the competition for the final prize winner.}}

The contestants selected this night include DREAM BOYS, JAY POLLY,TOM CLOSE and KING JAMES.

The Primus Guma Guma Superstar competition is designed to bring together the best of Rwanda’s local artists and engage the whole nation in an exciting and energetic music journey.

The winner of the competition THE PRIMUS GUMA GUMA SUPERSTAR 2011 will win 10 000 USD; perform live with Sean Kingston on July 30th and fly with the star to the USA to record a track and a music video – boosting his career to a higher level and giving his talent tremendous exposure.

{{Despite a few irregularities in the recently concluded local leaders’ election, the Rwanda Civil Society (CSEOM) in it’s report has given recommendations aimed at avoiding reoccurence of mistakes that were highly due to lack of capacity and corruption among some polling officers.}}

However, the chief observer Eugene Rwibasira noted that the elections were fair and the voter-turn-up was impressive. “In general the elections were free and fair, there was high turn-up of voters that freely elected candidates of their choice,” he remarked.

The elections that started on 4 February to 5March saw the nomination of leaders from the cell to the district levels, other elections included representatives for both women and disabled people.

For the disabled and women elections, a good number of hindrances were seen especially in polling stations where voters arrived late and voting had to be postponed, while elections involving people with disabilities, in some districts they lacked candidates with the required academic qualification that allows only those with high school certificates to compete. The majority haven’t studied to this level.

Lack of adequate awareness was a challenge even though the election guidelines were published late since in some areas some voted without any legal documents (national identity or voter’s card).

Some election supervisors abused their powers by voting on behalf of some voters that had not turned up to vote. However,the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman Chrysologue Karangwa noted that disciplinary measures were taken against the fraudulent polling officers.

“In our future trainings to polling officers we will insist on honesty and transparency and of course we will also make the penalties clear hoping they wouldn’t favor anyone,” he remarked.

Another challenge was seen in the withdrawal of some candidates in the last minute which made it hard to inform voters on latest changes. “ There should be a time limit for the withdrawal of candidates that ends before candidates photographs are sent to the printer since this would not only avoid confusion but also reduce the printing costs and other resources,” Rwibasira pointed out.

By Supreetha Gubbala

{{The past week has unraveled a horror story for all those involved in high stakes media and one of the richest men in the world. Rupert Murdoch’s British media giant News Corporation took a tumultuous fall amid rising accusations of
The News of the World’s involvement in hacking of 13 year-old girl’s cell phone who was murdered earlier this year and the father of a victim of the London train bombings in July of 2005.
}}

The hot scandal although providing ample stories for top media sources worldwide, will also hugely impact the media worldwide, including Rwanda.

The New’s of the World is Londons most widely read Sunday tabloid, and has long been involved in minor scandals involving hacking. Former Editor Andy Couslon resigned in 2007 over a phone-hacking scandal of the royal family, which eventually resulted in the jailing of the royal editor. However, currently the New’s Corp is facing is biggest scandal yet.

It was uncovered recently that The New’s of the World reporters and editors had long been involved in hacking of cellphones in order to gain tips and information. Bribes were also given to mid-level police officers to provide more information on crimes and tips for stories. Just recently, it was accusations arose against News of the World for hacking a 13 year-old girl’s phone who was founded to be kidnapped and later murdered by a London night club doorman in 2002.

When Milly Dowler’s parents detected her missing, they had repeatedly left voicemails, in great concern of her not returning home from school. Allegedly News of the World hackers had deleted some of these messages in order access newer ones, therefore giving false hope to investigations, and her parents, that Molly remained alive.

After accusations of this hacking incident were made, further connections to hacking of victims families in the London train bombing also surfaced. Later investigation narrowing down the hacking to a father of a bombing victim.

The Murdoch’s have been thrown into the spotlight internationally, especially due to their recent bid to purchase Britain’s largest broadcasting network, British Sky Broadcasting, or BSkyB. News Corp already own 39.1% of the companies shares and has recently made a deal to broker the largest deal in Murdoch’s history of 14 Bil. to own it entirely. The entire corporation however, will now be under investigation and the big for BSkyB thrown into question with a possible vetoe in the near future.

In a public statement made Wednesday, Rupert Murdoch took his stance on the matter saying, “Recent allegations of phone hacking and making payments to police with respect to the ‘News of the World’ are deplorable and unacceptable. We are committed to addressing these issues fully and have taken a number of important steps to prevent them from happening again.”

Moreover, Britain’s new Prime Minister Cameron has also been throw into question, causing the entire scandal to hit even the upper echelons of British politics. Cameron hired Andy Coulson in 2007 as his spokesman despite his former involvement in the royal family hacking case and kept a close relationship with the most recent chief executive, Rebekah Brooks. Coulson resigned in January due to accusations of his possible involvement in the current scandal and a call for his arrest.

“Very bad things had happened at the News of the World, he had resigned, I gave him a second chance, he had proved himself as an effective person in opposition and it was acceptable for him to come into Downing Street,” Cameron told the press Friday when questioned about his judgment.

The atrocious abuse of freedom of press signified a dark day in the world of the press and the official closing of the 168 year-old newspaper on Friday. The Times published a 10-page editorial entitled, “ Hacked to Death” announcing the official closing of the tabloid and summarizing the papers path to its own downfall.

However, more than the loss of over 600 jobs and resignation of current Prime Minister’s spokesman Andy Coulson, the scandal a major step backwards for those who have defended freedom of press.

As Times editorial concluded, “A handful of people have trampled upon others in grief and despair. They have shamed themselves, destroyed a newspaper and damaged trust in the free press. It will be a long time before that trust is regained.”

Rwanda has a hit its era of fighting for its freedom of press, and the shuttering of News of the World has displayed clear support for conservative press rights. Moreover the quick closure of the company, proved to be economically efficient for the Murdoch’s as they bid to a move to television, also signifying a new push for televised journalism.

We need ot do a lot of dialogue and media reuglartion in this country.as we come up with new laws to govern media, we make them in order to make responsibility.

Unfortunately, as Rwanda enters its novel press era, this scandal could put the government and all those working within media here to take a giant step backwards. It is time for the press here to also ponder how much freedom is too much freedom, along with their fight for access and rights.

Patrice Mulama, the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Media High Council, told Igihe, “For our part of the world, I think this something that is very important. We have discussed with colleagues and have noted that what is happening in the UK is a serious challenge to media, and to us as well.”

“In the first place, in a country like Rwanda that is under going media reforms, this represents major media self-regression. So it presents a very interesting challenge. We need to do more in terms of discussion, critical thinking as a country, given he level the media is and where we want to go,” he revealed to {Igihe.com}

The lessons learned from this scandal should also ensure that Rwanda Bureau of Information and Broadcasting are taking adequate measure to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future of Rwanda’s advancing media.

When questioned about what the Media Council is doing to ensure this does not occur in Rwanda, Mulama told Igihe.com, “ What happened in the UK put in question, very seriously, the role of a self-regulatory organization in ensuring media responsiblities.”

“You see one of the questions being asked today in the UK is the role of the Press Complaint Commission (PCC). Since the commission was established and managed by the media itself, there is a conflict of interest because they don’t want to criticize their colleagues. It was under their watch that the invasion of privacy occurred,” he explained to Igihe.com.

Ultimately, Mulama believes the question for Rwanda remains, “Do we want to emulate the UK model of self-regulation or pursue a different model?
Lastly, it seemed that those who may have been involved in the scandal did so out of pressure to obtain “hot” stories. As competition arises between the media moguls of Rwanda, it is vital to keep in mind what exactly we are training journalists to see as important. Their ethics or a good story?

For many in the profession, it’s a task that is often dealt with daily. From the use of off-the-record quotes to source anonymity to invasion of citizen privacy, ethics are at the core of good journalism. With the large number of young people entering media in Rwanda today, training in ethics may easily be lost in the growing competition.

Some say Britain may never be able to regain the level of trust its citizens had in the media, lets make sure Rwanda never loses theirs.

By: Dianah mutimura

{{Dusengimana Ephraim aged 28, is under police custody at Nyamata police station in Bugesera district on charges of rape and murder {Igihe.com} has reliably established.
}}

The accused met the victim, Mukahirwa Annonciatha on July 12 at 7pm while on her way back home at Gakoni village, Kamabuye cell, Shyara sector in Bugesera District.

He reportedly confessed to police to have raped and later murdered the victim.

He allegedly claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol and stressed that he had no grudge against the victim.

During interogation by the Nyamata Police on why he killed the victim after rapping her, Dusengimana revealed to police that after rapping Mukahirwa, he realised that his actions were criminal and disgraceful in Rwanda and decided to kill the victim instantly by chopping off her head using a panga.

Mukahirwa 26 years, was reportedly preparing for her forthcoming wedding when she met the rapist on her way back from circulating her wedding invitation cards that had been slated for August 4, 2011.

The accused told police Spokesman Sup. Theos Badege that he will comply to any criminal punishments provided by law because he accepts that what he did is inhuman.

Sup. Badege urged the public to always avoid overdrinking and using drugs because they have side effects to people’s lives and the society.

He called on the general public to reporting such incidents to nearest police stations early enough for police to rescue victims.

If convicted by the competent court, a convict on rape and murder counts is sentenced to life imprisonment.

By: {{Supreetha Gubbala}}

{{Recent police reports have revealed that National Police are facing a novel increase in violence occurring against men.
}}

Their Gender-Based violence situation report from January-May 2011 recorded four men who were killed by their wives, seven who have committed suicide because of their wives and shocking17 men who have been assaulted by their wives.

In total, the number of men who have experienced violence from their partners stood at 28 in the five-month period, a number that has increased since 2010.
The leading causes of these cases were identified as family conflicts, dispute over land and adultery.

Director of Public Relations and Spokesperson for the police in Kigali,Sup. Theos Badege told Igihe that: “The figure of men killed by their wives is increasing, and therefore we are trying to increase awareness of gender-based violence against both men and women.

“We have encouraged men experiencing the violence to be more comfortable and report these incidents.” He stressed.

He outlined five preventative mechanisms currently being used by the Police and the GBV partners to resolve this rising issue.

He cited encouragement to resolve family problems amicably, seeking family and/ or relative mediation and the use of legal means to solve disputes as the major ways of curbing gender-based violence.

Badege further observed that better management of family property as well as choosing for divorce as a valid option instead of killing each other when cohabitation is no longer possible.

According to the police spokesman, due to this rise in cases of violence against men the Police have had to change some of the ways that they traditionally used dealing with GBV.

“We have a One Stop center which combines clinical and investigative care after one experiences domestic violence,” Badege said adding that the center was at first staffed with females because women were the victims but they have had to include males to balance the resolve.

Asked whether male victims might feel uncomfortable reporting to female police constables, Badege supported their methodology saying: “The protocol shows that dealing with the same sex is a better environment for victims.”

However, he did admit that further research should be conducted. Either way it is clear that they issue of GBV can no longer be only women as victims, and further investigation must be taken to uncover this dangerous trend occurring in and around Kigali City.

{Igihe.com} {{has learnt that Uganda’s Police RAPID Response Unit (RRU) operatives in Masaka district are holding two Rwandan nationals found in possession with fake Frw 6million.}}

The suspects identified as Eric Karinganire 30 allegedly pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Management at Kampala International University and Claude Nyirigira, 36 were arrested at Lukaya Town along Masaka-Kampala Highway following a tip-off that they were exchanging the fake Rwandan currency with genuine Ugandan currency.

The southern region RRU Commander Andrew Kaggwa says that police also recovered substances which the suspects have been using to mint the fake dime. According to Kaggwa, the suspects have been supplying fake francs in Lukaya, Nyendo, Mutukula and Katuna areas. They will be charged with supplying fake bank notes under police reference number CRB1597/2011.

When {Igihe.com} contacted Sup. Theos Badege Rwanda National Police spokesperson said, “I am not yet informed about the incidence. However, when a Rwandan is arrested in another country, it’s the authorities of the country where the crime has been committed that have jurisdiction over the suspects.”