Category: News

{{Kigali’s progress has received praise regionally particulary due to its cleanliness and security, Nairobi though a bigger and old city wants to replicate our city’s style.
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In this respect a group of Nairobi City officials are in the country to study some of the measures that makes Kigali stand out in the region.

Certainly, Kigali is not only praised for its tidiness but also its infrastructure which facilitates competitive business.

Commenting on the progress, Kigali mayor Fidel Ndayisaba encouraged the councilors to involve citizens in both decision making and implementation of programs. He added that this promoted accountability at the same time boosted the morale of citizens towards building their country.

He further pointed out that joint effort was essential since citizens discuss solutions or conduct self regulation amongst themselves without waiting for any intervention from authorities. For instance traders in a mall encourage each other to have a litter bin.

The mayor of Nairobi George Alandwa noted that they intend to review some of their city laws especially those that promote cleanliness in the city . “Kigali is amazing and we intend to form laws that guarantee the same which we hope we would also spur development in our city,” he remarked.

Former Nairobi mayor Joe Akech was also quick to point out that they’re going to replicate some of Kigali’s best practices. The order in various bus terminals was also praised unlike in Nairobi where con men take advantage on the disorganized terminals to steal from commuters.

“Recently I was in London and I must say that Kigali is comparable to the UK city than our Nairobi which is inhibited by slum dwellers and indecent houses,” said Peter Muchiri councilor representing Kariokor suburb.

{{The Commonwealth secretariat’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of development, Ranford Smith has condemned the occurrence of a genocide war in any part of the globe; he gave his reactions at Gisozi Memorial Park where he led a four man delegation to pay tribute to those killed in the war.}}

Speaking shortly after lectures on the country’s history particularly referring to the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, Smith explained that it is a painful experience that befell the nation and that survivors should have hope and progress with their lives.

“Its quiet paining that’s why this experience should serve a lesson to all and I hope the war will never happen again,” Smith pointed out.

The Deputy Secretary General added that in the humanity nature, all people should draw from this experience and develop humanity cooperation.

“We should all know that we are all human beings and future humanity lies in cooperating with each other’s dignities and rights,” he said.

The delegation is in the country to attend a weeklong conference bringing together members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

{{The mastermind of the 1998 twin bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam Fazul Abdullah has been killed by Somalia government forces in Mogadishu}}.

Mr Abdullah, who holds a Kenyan passport, was wanted for the fatal bombing of US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that left at least 250 people dead and many injured.

He was reportedly killed by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces on Wednesday at a roadblock.

The run-away terrorist, who was on the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) watchlist of most wanted terrorists, is believed to have taken over the leadership of al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, al-Shabaab from where he directed world attacks and African terror operations.

Confirming the reports, Kenya’s Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said he was working with security officers in Somalia to get a comprehensive report.

“TFG forces have confirmed they gunned him down at a roadblock on Wednesday,” Mr Iteere remarked.

Somalia militant group al Shaabab told the AFP news agency that Mr Abdullah was one of those killed.

“One of the men that was killed near Mogadishu was Fazul Abdullah, may Allah bless his soul. He is not dead as thousands like him are still in the fight against the enemy of Allah,” a senior Al Shaabab commander had earlier told AFP on condition of anonymity.

In 2007, there were reports that he had been killed in a US airstrike on the remote Coastal village of Hayo, near the Southern Somali town of ras Kamboni but a senior official later denied that the al Qaeda terrorist was dead.

Mr Abdullahis purported to be the leader of the al Qaeda East African presence. He was born in Moroni, Comoros Islands and holds Kenyan and Comorian citizenship. He speaks French, Swahili, Arabic English and Comorian.

He was also wanted for the car bombing of Paradise Beach Hotel at Kikambala at the Coast in 2002. Thirteen people were killed and more than 80 people injured.

The FBI had offered a Sh400 million for information leading to his arrest.

“The Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction of Fazul Abdullah Mohammed,” a posting on the FBI website reads.

According to the FBI, Mr Abdullah used 18 aliases. this story was first published by the Nation newspaper

{{The government has suggested the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to cancel the transfer of two cases to France for trial involving Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and ex-governor Laurent Bucyibaruta, if their prosecutions would continue to be delayed.}}

Rwanda Representative to the UN, Eugène-Richard Gasana on Monday “urged the Council to obtain an official report on the status of prosecutions of the two cases transferred to France for trial in 2007”, according to the UN Department of Public Information.

He stated that “the Tribunal has the duty to revoke those referrals if they continued to delay prosecution of Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and Laurent Bucyibaruta”.

In his response the ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow “assured Gasana that there were extensive arrangements to monitor the two cases being tried in France”.

“Both cases were now before an investigating judge and the monitoring arrangements would continue to provide information on their status,” he said in the statement, adding that during his recent trip to Europe he had received assurance from French authorities of their effective procedure in connection with the cases.

In November 2007, the ICTR referred to France the cases of Munyeshyaka, a Priest at the Holy Family Parish in Kigali between 1992 and 1994 and that of Bucyibaruta, former Governor of Gikongoro prefecture and the prosecution appointed monitors to observe and report on progress made in investigations and prosecution.

Father Munyeshyaka, who lives in exile in Gisors (North-west of France) since 2001, is accused by ICTR prosecutor of killing and raping several persons and handing over dozens of Tutsis to the Interahamwe militiamen, who then killed them. In Rwanda, Father Wenceslas was sentenced in 2006, in absentia, to life in jail.

Bucyibaruta lives near Troyes (North-east of France). The ICTR alleges that he incited the Interahamwe to perpetrate the genocide in Gikongoro (South of Rwanda).

{{The ministry of trade and industry (MINICOM) in conjunction with Rural Small and Medium promotion projects (PPPMER) has donated, 32 bicycles and one computer to a potters cooperative (COPORWA), the aim is to facilitate their work.}}

While handing over the equipments to the cooperative, MINICOM minister Francois Kanimba encouraged the potters to be more hard working rather than basing their progress on sponsorships.

In addition, Kanimba advised the potters to come up with quality products since it not only promote their sales locally but also in foreign markets. The intervention is in line with the ministry’s program to support (SMEs) to acquire latest technology aimed at improving their delivery.

What’s more, PPPMER will offer literacy training to the potters in a bid to advance their communication skills particularly when dealing with foreign clients.

On the same occasion the Rwanda Cooperation Agency (RCA) was also given 21 motorcycles meant to facilitate the staff in awareness activities.

The RCA director Damien Mugabo noted that the donation will help them to reach out to members specially those under the crop intensification program which has so far shown progress in various parts of the country.

{{The sixth national agricultural show has opened its doors at Mulindi agricultural grounds till 12 June, while residing at opening ceremony Prime Minister Bernard Makuza urged leaders to work closely with farmers and stakeholders in order to develop the agricultural industry rather than waiting experience sharing during agricultural shows.}}

He further encouraged the use of mechanized farming especially in rural areas adding that expo was a good opportunity for leaders to work together with farmers as well as stakeholders to encourage agricultural transformation.

The advice is in line with the expo theme {Irrigation and mechanization in agriculture transformation.}

The Task force of mechanization and Irrigation department under the ministry of agriculture has prepared demonstrations on how a farmer can use farming machines to not only save their time but also increase their produce.

What is more, exhibitors are demonstrating some of the irrigation methods aimed at discouraging farmers to depend on rainfall; however some famers have adopted the irrigation strategy as one of the ways to fight climate change imposition.

The exhibitors represent 28 cooperatives including those from neighboring countries.

{{The annual road safety week conducted by Rwanda’s traffic police will emphasize on discouraging reckless driving. The campaign is themed {make every journey home a safe one.}
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speaking at the awareness launch in Nyamirabo, traffic commander Chief Superintendent Vincent Sano explained that the aim was to ensure orderly traffic to all as way of reducing road accidents.

Certainly, drivers are advised to avoid reckless driving especially those who drive under the influence of alcohol, a habit which causes the majority of road accidents.

The police Inspector General Emmanuel Gasana was quick to support Sano by further warning that out of 365 deaths and over 30,000 serious injuries from road accidents each year are caused by uncalculated maneuvers, ridding without helmets and pedestrians carelessness while crossing roads.

In this respect, the weeklong campaign will sensitize drivers on some of the road signs which are repeatedly ignored by some drivers, among the overlooked signs are zebra crossing, sharp corners and speed limits.

In order to address the issue of negligence, traffic police will issue flyers to drivers showing causes of accidents. What is more there will be a reward for best drivers especially those who work in public service vehicles (PSV).

“Road accidents have affected our economy through loss of productivity and infrastructure such as road lights and destroyed city gardens,” said the mayor of Kigali Fidel Ndayisaba.

The mayor further encourages PSV drivers to ensure etiquette while transporting passengers. “Playing music in your taxis for instance is ok but avoid loud volumes since not everyone is comfortable,” Ndayisaba warned.

Ndayisaba was backed by James Musoni the minister of local government who encouraged passengers to stop a vehicle once there not comfortable with the driving situation. “It is your right to stop the bus which is over speeding or inform the police,” Musoni remarked. He further assured drivers that the government has plans to provide good road networks in the country.

{{A visiting team representing a Chinese business community has donated US$ 1million to support the construction of primary school classes; members of the conglomerate will use the tour to examine Rwanda’s investment opportunities. }}

Prime Minister Bernard Makuza said the initiative was timely with the country’s activities in improving access to education especially in rural areas. He further encouraged the Chinese business community to take advantage of Rwanda’s investment opportunities which range from mining, tourism, construction amongst others.

In this respect, Makuza applauded the country’s bilateral ties with china which has seen several joint operations in areas including education, health and energy.

The fund will be used in the first phase of construction which will take place in five districts namely Kirehe, Nyagatare, Kamonyi, Nyaruguru and Ngororero.

Junqing Lu, the chairperson World Eminence Chinese Business Association (WECBA) explained that they have a plan to build several classrooms in Africa and Rwanda was an ideal country to benefit from the initiative. “We have a 20 year project of building hope primary schools in Africa and we intend to build more and more here,” he remarked.

In addition, the program will support the curriculum by offering scholastic materials such as computers and laboratory equipment.
Juqing Lu further pointed out that out of five countries selected; Rwanda is a favorable beneficiary due its good entrepreneurial climate which requires an educated population in order to sustain the progress.

WECBA is among Chinese largest business network organizations which provides services in the areas of finance and investments, management, human resources, corporate branding among others. The organization also aims to improve the welfare of vulnerable people and the construction of schools which are currently taking place in four other countries namely Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi seeks to provide education to all.

{{Jurors in the trial of Lazare Kobagaya accused of ordering atrocities during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide revealed to the media the panel agreed unanimously that he had nothing to do with the mass killings.
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In their first public comment since the trial ended earlier this week, two jurors also said that some questioned the amount of money spent to prosecute 84-year-old Kobagaya.

The jury convicted Kobagaya of visa fraud for lying about his whereabouts during the Rwandan genocide, but deadlocked on a count over his citizenship paperwork.

The two jurors said prosecutors failed to prove that Kobagaya incited others in Rwanda to kill members of another ethnic group. They also said some jurors felt the government failed to show criminal intent on the paperwork charge.