Once confirmed by the Supreme Court, Dr. Habineza and Nkubana will replace Senator Alexis Mugisha and Clotilde Mukakarangwa, whose terms will end on October 22, 2025.
Dr. Habineza is a politician and environmental advocate in Rwanda. In August 2009, he officially entered politics by founding the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (GDPR), a party focused on democracy and environmental protection.
In 2017, Dr. Habineza ran for president, but was unsuccessful. The following year, he started serving a single term as a member of parliament, which ended in 2024.
In the same year, he once again ran for president but did not win. Since last year, he has dedicated more attention to the activities of the GDPR, where he serves as the party president.
Meanwhile, Nkubana is the president of the Social Democratic Party (PSP) and has also served as the spokesperson for the Forum during a six-month mandate from September 2024 to March 2025.
PSP is a party focused on solidarity and development, promoting policies based on social unity, justice, and sustainable development for building an inclusive country.
In both 2017 and 2024, PSP allied with other parties to support Paul Kagame of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) in his presidential campaign.
This commitment was reiterated on October 10, 2025, when management visited clients at various COPEDU Plc branches, including the Remera branch, which was acknowledged for its exceptional service delivery.
Customers shared their satisfaction with the event and appreciated the company’s thoughtful gesture.
COPEDU Plc’s CEO, Raïssa Muyango, emphasized that providing excellent service is the responsibility of every employee. Muyango particularly thanked the clients who engage with the institution daily.
“I want to reaffirm that providing top-notch service is our duty as COPEDU Plc employees, and we thank you for daily cooperation because no financial institution can exist or function without clients,” she said.
She went on to highlight some of COPEDU Plc’s services, including “E-kash,” which enables clients to send and receive money across different banks, and the “Umurabyo uratinda” loan, which allows customers to receive their requested loans within three days.
One of the standout customers at the Remera branch, Yvonne Murebwayire, shared with IGIHE that the ten years she has spent working with COPEDU Plc has significantly contributed to her sustainable development.
“I thank COPEDU Plc because over the past ten years, they have helped me grow through loans, making repayment easier and allowing my business to thrive,” she said.
Devota Umuhoza Nyiraruhango, who has also been with the bank for ten years, explained that after her husband passed away, COPEDU Plc helped her resolve financial challenges.
“I had taken a loan elsewhere with my husband, but after his death, repaying it became impossible. COPEDU Plc stepped in and gave me a loan, enabling me to settle the debt,” she said.
The Manager of the Remera Branch, Théodette Uwineza, expressed her gratitude for the award the branch received for providing exceptional service.
“We are thrilled that the management recognized and motivated us to continue performing well,” she said.
Additionally, the company has introduced a new offering in collaboration with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), where clients earning at least Frw 1,200,000 per month can access a housing loan of up to Frw 40 million with an interest rate of just 11%.
Those earning Frw 1,500,000 monthly can access loans of up to 60 million RWF, with a 15% interest rate.
For the past 28 years, COPEDU Plc has focused on empowering women, offering various programs to help them take on entrepreneurial ventures that generate profit.
Amid failed ceasefires and polarised narratives, a new peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump has emerged, promising a lasting truce, hostage releases, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. But as headlines proclaim “the war is over,” questions linger about its durability.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, offered a candid perspective on the ceasefire, Israel’s stance on accountability, the emotional toll of the conflict, and the fragile hope for peace.
Speaking from Kigali, where she began her diplomatic mission just 50 days before the war erupted, Weiss reflected on the human and strategic dimensions of a conflict that has reshaped Israel and its global relationships.
{{A personal and national trauma
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The war’s onset was deeply personal for Weiss. “When October 7 happened, it was deeply traumatic,” she said, recalling the chaos as 1,500 Israelis were killed, hostages were taken, and missiles rained across the country. Her husband, Aviad, driven by what she describes as Israel’s “deep patriotism,” volunteered as a reservist, serving multiple tours in the Southern Command until recently.
“My parents and family were in shelters,” Weiss added. “As a human being, it was challenging to start a new diplomatic mission amidst such uncertainty.”
She highlighted the resilience shown by many Israelis, noting that around 500,000 people, over 5% of the population, gathered in Hostages Square to mark the recent peace agreement.
“If terror is abandoned and its sponsors held accountable, a positive future is possible,” she said.
{{A historic ceasefire
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The Trump-brokered deal, finalised in October 2025, marks a turning point. Weiss described Monday, October 13, 2025, the day the hostages were released, as “the most optimistic day we’ve experienced in the last two years,” with all 20 known hostages released from Gaza, either after crossing the border or while in Red Cross custody.
“They are on their way back to their families,” she said, though their physical and emotional conditions remain unclear.
Unlike previous ceasefires, which failed to hold, Weiss said the latest agreement is bolstered by its concise 20-point framework and “strong American safeguards.”
She credits the timing with Hamas “weakened” after two years of Israeli operations targeting its leadership, and President Trump’s personal pressure on all parties. The plan aims to demilitarize Hamas, dismantle its 600 kilometers of tunnels, and create a safe zone for Israel’s security.
“This is the first time Hamas agreed to these terms,” Weiss noted.
{{Accountability in the wake of heightened criticism
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The war’s toll of over 67,000 reported deaths in Gaza, half of them women and children, according to human rights organisations, has fueled accusations of genocide and the use of disproportionate force by Israel.
Weiss denied accusations of genocide and excessive force as “false,” framing the conflict as an “asymmetric war” against a terror organization. She accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, operating from hospitals and homes, and blocking evacuations to provoke global condemnation.
“Israel has done more than most armies to minimize harm,” she stated, pointing to warnings via pamphlets and instances where soldiers’ lives were risked to avoid civilian casualties.
However, critics argue that Israel’s extensive airstrikes and ground operations in densely populated Gaza, resulting in over 67,000 reported deaths, raise serious questions about proportionality and the effectiveness of these measures, especially given Israel’s advanced intelligence capabilities.
Weiss dismissed calls for independent investigations into Israel’s actions, arguing that equating a state with a terror group like Hamas, which she says “openly disregards international law,” is misguided. She defended Israel’s judicial system as “robust” and capable of meeting international standards for self-investigation.
“We investigate thoroughly, even during the war,” she said, acknowledging mistakes but stressing efforts to learn from them.
However, critics contend that Israel’s internal probes may lack impartiality, given the scale of destruction in Gaza and allegations of war crimes, raising doubts about whether self-investigation can adequately address international concerns over accountability.
{{Rebuilding Gaza and Israel’s role
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The peace plan prioritizes Gaza’s reconstruction, redirecting funds to health, infrastructure, and economic growth. Weiss notes Israel provided aid throughout the war, though much was looted by Hamas. The agreement aims to ensure aid reaches civilians.
Before October 7, 2023, Gaza saw economic growth through Israeli work permits, she says, yet critics argue Israel’s blockade and restrictions stifled Gaza’s potential long before the war.
The plan’s transitional technocratic government, backed by the U.S. and Arab states, seeks to replace Hamas’ rule. An International Stability Force will work with the IDF to ensure demilitarization, but Weiss emphasizes Hamas must cease as a terror entity.
{{Palestinian statehood and global perceptions
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On the contentious issue of Palestinian statehood, Weiss reiterated Israel’s conditions: the Palestinian Authority must stop encouraging terrorism, including compensating families of attackers and promoting anti-Israel material in schools. Only then, she said, can a U.S.-led dialogue proceed, as outlined in the agreement’s final points. Critics argue that Israel’s conditions delay negotiations, maintaining the status quo.
Global opinion, especially among African youth, remains polarised, with many viewing Israel’s actions in Gaza as disproportionate due to the high civilian toll and widespread destruction. Ambassador Weiss attributed these perceptions to misinformation on social media, often driven by anti-Israel agendas. She urged audiences to look beyond the conflict, emphasising that Israel offers significant contributions in areas like agriculture and technology.
While some African nations criticised Israel, she added, others strengthened their support, visiting Israel and its border areas.
“Criticism often reflects specific agendas,” Weiss said, “but Africa remains a key friend. Israel has increased its focus on Africa, with frequent high-level visits reflecting mutual interests and support, including at the UN.”
The ambassador also dismissed concerns that the conflict could escalate to involve Hezbollah or Iran, pointing instead to a de-escalating trend and urging critics to focus on Iran’s role in militarizing the region.
“The situation is de-escalating, not escalating. Hezbollah is weakened, and Iran’s influence is being countered. The focus now is on stabilization and rebuilding,” she said.
Even as Trump declared the war over on Monday, Weiss struck a cautious tone. “The war is officially over, with Israel withdrawing as agreed,” she noted, “but Hamas must fulfill its obligations, including surrendering weapons and addressing the tunnels.”
The apps were unveiled on October 13 during the Africa HealthTech Summit at Kigali Convention Centre.
e-Buzima is a digital health platform designed to digitise medical records and synchronise patient information across all public health facilities. The system allows doctors and patients to access medical records in real time, reducing waiting times and improving treatment accuracy. It also eliminates the need for patients to repeat their medical histories when referred from one facility to another.
e-Banguka, on the other hand, focuses on emergency medical response, enabling real-time ambulance tracking and identifying the nearest available ambulance to a patient. Together, the two apps create a connected network linking community health workers, health centres, hospitals, pharmacies, and patients, streamlining information flow and care coordination.
“These applications will help citizens access health services more quickly while ensuring seamless information sharing,” said Dr. Yvan Butera, Minister of State for Health.
He added that the platforms also allow patients to consult doctors remotely, providing professional guidance over the phone.
The digital systems are expected to reduce patient costs by eliminating repetitive paperwork and supporting evidence-based planning at the Ministry of Health.
According to the ministry, the apps are locally developed and comply with national data protection and cybersecurity regulations, ensuring that all patient information is stored and managed securely within Rwanda.
Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, praised the initiative as a model of partnership-driven innovation, highlighting collaboration between government, UN agencies, private sector actors, and local tech developers. The platforms are interoperable, cost-effective, and tailored to Rwanda’s context while adhering to ethical standards in handling patient data.
By leveraging artificial intelligence and digital tools, Rwanda is taking significant steps toward modernising its healthcare system, improving service delivery, and expanding access to quality care for all citizens.
“This is getting serious. It’s starting to affect the real economy,” he told Fox Business on Monday, without providing further details.
Bessent added that the government has been forced to “shuffle things around” in order to ensure military pay, leading to delays or suspensions of payments to other federal employees and services, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. He also confirmed that workers are being furloughed nationwide.
On Oct. 1, the first day of the shutdown, consultancy EY-Parthenon estimated that each week of closure would trim about 0.1 percentage point from quarterly U.S. GDP, equivalent to roughly 7 billion U.S. dollars in losses, while Politico, citing a White House memo, reported that the weekly economic hit could reach 15 billion dollars, potentially resulting in 43,000 additional job losses if the shutdown persists.
The Senate is due to reconvene on Tuesday and vote again on a House-passed funding measure. But it has already fallen short of the 60-vote threshold seven times. Senate Republicans have tried to win Democratic support, yet largely failed.
The political stalemate centers on disputes over health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act — Democrats insist they must be preserved, while Republicans demand the government be reopened first.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Monday that he would not negotiate with Democratic lawmakers until they dropped policy demands on healthcare.
Accusing Democrats of “hostage-taking” with their posture in the government shutdown, Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said, “We don’t negotiate with a person who has taken the entire federal government hostage over a health care policy dispute.”
Public sentiment is fracturing on the deadlock. A poll led by Reuters and Ipsos last week showed that 67 percent of Americans place significant blame on Republicans, compared with 63 percent on Democrats.
As the impasse between the Democrats and Republicans drags on with no end in sight, the Trump administration has activated large-scale layoffs across federal agencies, including Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services and Treasury.
According to USA Today, nearly 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed and ordered not to report to work. Others, including military personnel and air traffic controllers, are required to continue working without pay until a budget deal is reached.
The U.S. government has experienced 15 shutdowns since 1980. Triggered by Democrats’ opposition to Trump’s proposed funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the previous 35-day shutdown from 2018 to 2019, the longest in U.S. history, forced some 800,000 federal employees to work without pay or take unpaid leave.
“We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” warned Johnson, who leads Republican lawmakers, as the current standoff shows little sign of resolution.
“The National Assembly is dissolved, in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 of the Constitution,” the decree said.
The dissolution announcement came when the National Assembly was “in the process of collecting signatures to convene an extraordinary session aimed at impeaching the head of state,” according to local media.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled to France following intense protests, which were joined by the military. Before leaving on Sunday, he had warned of an “attempt to seize power illegally” after soldiers participated in anti-government protests in the capital, Antananarivo, marking the most significant challenge to his rule since his re-election.
In a statement, Rajoelina condemned the actions as unconstitutional and undemocratic. The warning came after dramatic scenes on Saturday when soldiers from the elite CAPSAT unit, which played a key role in the 2009 uprising that brought Rajoelina to power, joined protesters at the Place du 13 Mai.
The troops, welcomed by cheering crowds, urged security forces to “refuse orders to shoot” and condemned police violence against demonstrators.
The protests, initially sparked by power outages and water shortages, have expanded into a broader call for political reform, demanding Rajoelina’s resignation, an apology for police violence, and the dissolution of the Senate and electoral commission.
According to the hospital’s annual performance report covering July 2024 to July 2025, patient numbers have been on a steady rise for the past three years. The hospital treated around 94,000 patients in 2023, and the figure climbed to over 101,000 in 2024, before reaching nearly 120,000 in the latest reporting period.
The report shows that neurological and psychiatric disorders remain the leading causes of admission, with epilepsy and schizophrenia accounting for nearly half of all cases recorded.
{{Epilepsy most common condition
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Epilepsy topped the list of illnesses treated at Ndera, with 36,097 patients, representing 29.08 percent of all those treated. It was followed by schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking and perception, which accounted for 24,991 cases (20.14 percent).
{{Surge in acute and bipolar disorders
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The hospital also treated 10,349 cases of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder (ATPD), a short-term mental illness that can be triggered by stress, trauma, or substance use, representing 8.34 percent of total admissions.
Bipolar disorder, characterised by alternating episodes of depression and mania, affected 7,235 patients (5.83 percent), while depression accounted for 4,076 cases (3.28 percent).
{{Rise in substance abuse and trauma cases
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Cases of Substance Use Disorders, including dependence on alcohol, cannabis, heroin, and other drugs, continued to rise, with 3,229 patients (2.7 percent) receiving treatment. These are primarily managed at the Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Center in Kicukiro District, which also provides specialized care for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In total, the hospital recorded 4,250 inpatients during the year under review.
{{Psychiatric and neurological cases
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Out of the total caseload, 66,335 were psychiatric patients, while 53,524 suffered from neurological disorders, making up 44.67 percent of all admissions. Neurological conditions treated include stroke, dementia, and chronic headaches, among others.
The report emphasizes that CARAES Ndera’s services extend beyond mental illness, countering the long-held perception that it treats only psychiatric conditions. The hospital now plays an expanding role in managing neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
{{Rising demand exceeds hospital capacity
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Hospital officials say that patient demand continues to outpace the facility’s capacity, pushing operations to 116 percent of what it was designed to handle.
“We are now operating beyond our capacity, treating up to 116 percent of what the facility was originally built for,” said Frère Nkubiri Charles, the hospital’s Director General.
Nkubiri noted that 45 percent of patients come from Kigali City, with the hospital experiencing sustained growth in mental health cases following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Globally, Covid-19 led to about a 30 percent increase in mental health disorders,” he explained. “Our figures were slightly below that, but we still observed noticeable rises in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions.”
The bank reaffirmed its commitment during the closing ceremony of Customer Week, where the management emphasized that any goal an individual sets is achievable, which was the central theme of this special week dedicated to the customers and employees of the bank.
Throughout the week, the bank highlighted various initiatives aimed at empowering customers, including the ‘Ikamba’ program, designed to help women engaged in small and medium-sized businesses access loans without requiring collateral.
The week also included a session where customers shared their feedback, expressing both their concerns and satisfaction with the bank, while exploring various technological solutions easing access to services.
During this week, BPR Bank honored some of its longstanding customers, including Louis Nsengiyumva, who was the first customer of the bank and received two cows as a token of appreciation.
BPR Bank Rwanda also acknowledged the contributions of its employees in delivering diverse services, with special recognition given to Marie Grace Nyinawabiru, who has been with the bank for over 30 years. She was awarded a two-million-franc prize for her outstanding long-term service.
Among others, the bank interacted with and expressed appreciation to potato farmers from various cooperatives in Musanze District, as well as rice farmers in the Bugarama Sector of Rusizi District. These farmers were commended for their trust and the continued collaboration they have maintained with the bank.
The bank, which began operations in 1975, currently has 73 branches across the country.
The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Gambia Armed Forces and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
As part of his visit, Lieutenant General Cham visited RDF Headquarters on Monday, October 13, where he held meetings with the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and the Chief of Defence Staff of the RDF, General MK Mubarakh.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Cham was briefed on regional security dynamics and Rwanda’s contributions to peace and security in Africa.
He also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Additionally, he toured the Campaign against Genocide Museum.
Throughout his visit, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces will also visit institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Defence and the Rwanda Defence Force.
Gathering leaders from more than 20 countries as well as regional and international organizations, the summit is co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.
The summit will discuss ending the war in the Gaza Strip, enhancing efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and ushering in a new phase of regional security and stability, according to the Egyptian presidency.
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas entered into effect on Friday, following three days of intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh between the two sides mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States.
The first phase of the plan includes Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the north, and the opening of five crossings for aid, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Hamas announced earlier in the day that it had handed over all 20 of the remaining live hostages, who were captured during the attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange deal.
More than two years of Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, killing over 67,000 people and triggering famine, according to Gaza’s health authorities and UN-backed food experts.
