Speaking at a State Banquet hosted in their honor by President Geingob and First Lady Geingos, President Kagame reiterated that Rwanda and Namibia share a lot in their history and therefore have to reinforce the cooperation.
“Struggle and sacrifice mark the history of both Namibia and Rwanda. Reclaiming our sovereignty and dignity came at a very high price. It is therefore natural for us to work to deepen the bilateral relations between our two countries, in terms of trade, investment, and development. Namibia and Rwanda will be cooperating much more closely, in a variety of ways going forward” he said.
Addressing members of the press alongside President Geingob, President Kagame emphasized that Rwanda’s and Africa’s development efforts are not meant to impress anyone but to serve their people’s needs.
“ (…) it originates from stereotypes and prejudices out there. It’s as if Africans can’t do fine, they must be doing things that must be validated by others, somewhere. We don’t need any validation, we want to do things that benefit us, that put us in a place where we want to be” Kagame added.
Also during the visit to Namibia, First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame, First Ladies Jeannette Kagame and Monica Geingos, attended the Be Free Nation Building Public Lecture, at the Nampower Convention Centre, where they joined youth, members of government, leaders of the academia, among other stakeholders under the theme “Rebuilding the Identity of a Post-Conflict Society’.
Namibia and Rwanda enjoy bilateral cooperation in the areas of security. The two countries’ Police institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 2015.
The efforts were unveiled yesterday following the visit of Western Province Governor, Alphonse Munyantwali and his delegation to Bukavu in Southern Kivu Province, DRC on the invitation of his Congolese counterpart, Théo Ngwabidje Kasi.
The visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between both provinces, discussing problems affecting them particularly drawing measures enhancing the smooth flow of movements at shared borders and prevention of Ebola outbreak.
As reads a joint communiqué released yesterday, both parties discussed joint Ebola prevention measures focusing on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed by both countries’ health ministers on 6th June 2019 in Rubavu district.
“ Following the meeting, delegates from both countries reiterated commitment to further smoothen the free movement of people and goods between both provinces and strengthening Ebola prevention measures as explained by the joint technical team,” reads part of the communiqué.
“Both parties agreed on the exchange of information to keep working closely to address problems that might ruin common interests. It particularly concerns sharing lists of people who had direct contact with Ebola contaminated people, Ebola patients and those who died of the outbreak,” adds the statement.
Both parties commended efforts earmarked towards Ebola prevention mechanisms and willingness to strive for common interests between both provinces.
Two patients were recently diagnosed with Ebola in Bukavu.
At least 1,676 people have died from the virus since the current outbreak started in DR Congo in August 2018 translating to more than two-thirds of those who had contracted the virus.
Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) or simply
Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by Ebola viruses.
Signs and symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after contracting the virus with a fever, sore throat, muscular pain, and headaches.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and rash usually follow, along with the decreased function of the liver and kidneys.
At this time, some people begin to bleed both internally and externally. The disease has a high risk of death, killing between 25 and 90 percent of those infected, with an average of about 50 percent. This is often due to low blood pressure from fluid loss and typically follows six to sixteen days after symptoms appear.
The virus spreads through direct contact with body fluids, such as blood from infected humans or other animals. Spread may also occur from contact with items recently contaminated with bodily fluids.
Rwanda has not yet recorded any Ebola cases.
Rwanda has in recent past stepped up efforts to prevent Ebola from spreading to the country, including scaling up screenings at all points of entry, surveillance, vaccinating frontline workers including health and immigration officers, public sensitization, among other measures.
The pact has been signed in Luanda, Angola today during a quadripartite summit bringing together the host President of Angola João Lourenço; the President of Uganda, Museveni, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
The signing was also witnessed by President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville.
It is the second quadripartite summit hosted by Angolan President, João Lourenço aimed at strengthening regional security and cooperation.
Kagame went to Angola after concluding a three-day state visit to Namibia.
After signing the pact, President Kagame thanked the leaders of Angola and DRC for their attitude and brotherly commitment ‘to helping us find solutions between Uganda and Rwanda.’
“We had the opportunity to broadly and extensively discuss many issues as we understood them, that underlined this problem, hence the MoU we have reached today which stipulates the path to follow as we continue to try to resolve this problem,” he said.
Kagame also thanked President Lourenço and Tshisekedi for the work and wise counsel they put into the process of bringing him together with President Museveni to resolve any problems that have been existing between Uganda and Rwanda.
He highlighted that the signed MoU is meant to address existing problems clearly.
“I think it is not very difficult to address many of the problems we have had, it may take a bit of time to understand each other but I think we have come a long way. I see no problem in Rwanda working with President Lourenço, President Tshisekedi and more specifically with President Museveni to address what we have agreed to address,” said Kagame.
“If there are difficulties going on by trade not going on across the border and there are also problems when people can’t cross the border when you have people who get arrested when they cross the border, that affects the movement of people, of goods and trade. We are going to address all these problems. By doing that indiscriminately, we will get where we want to be,” he added.
The meeting is a follow up of the July 12 summit also held in Angola’s Luanda which brought together the heads of state of the four countries.
The July meeting was devoted to regional security, cooperation and strengthening of ties among the four countries. It also reviewed the regional situation and reinforced coordination within the framework of multilateral concertation mechanisms.
In the July summit’s final communiqué, the heads of state stressed the importance of a permanent, frank and open dialogue that should be strengthened both bilaterally between the states of the region and multilaterally, for the consolidation of peace and security as a fundamental premise for economic integration.
It has been two years since Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened.
Uganda has been deporting different Rwandans who accuse it of inhumane imprisonment and torture on false accusations by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and rebel groups against the Government of Rwanda.
Over 900 Rwandans have been reportedly detained in Uganda.
This saw the Government of Rwanda advising Rwandans not to travel to Uganda for their security until the situation gets back to normal.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of conspiracy with rebel groups intending to destabilize state security.
The second edition that will bring together 10 bands from across the country is expected to kick off on Friday 23rd August 2019 with two bands.
Held at Kigali Marriott Hotel’s Iriba Bar and Terrace, concerts will be organized every week. The entrance will be free.
Kigali Marriott Hotel introduced the ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition with the aim of boosting the entertainment in Rwanda and promote the visibility of local bands by showcasing their music. It is the first hotel in Rwanda organizing such a competition.
Victoria N. Obiakor, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Kigali Marriot Hotel has told IGIHE that the rationale behind organizing the competition was to promote young talents.
“As Kigali Marriott Hotel we want to play a role in pushing entertainment. There are a lot of young talents out there and we have the opportunity to showcase these talents. We are giving people the chance to sign up, to present their talents in front of our guests by doing the battle of the bands,” he revealed.
Obiakor explained that this year’s edition is definitely unique given that fans will themselves decide the best.
“The winner is by popular vote, the public decides not us. The winner progresses to the next stage until the finale. It is better that people can prove themselves, showcase their talents and let the public decide. Sometimes we do not know what the public wants, by having them select, it is better for us,” he noted.
Obiakor said that the feedback bout the competition has been exciting from the first edition
“We have not received any negative feedback; we have seen encouragement to continue doing this and hopefully setting an example for other people to do this,” he stressed.
One of the bands that competed for the finale in the first edition held in 2018 affirmed to have acquired new skills.
Dior Serge, a member of Neptunez Band which won the 2018 competition said: “We gained repute, increased trust from the public and got new opportunities. It was very beneficial for us.”
The project is to be done on a yearly basis while bands can renew contracts or find new talents.
The Battle of the Bands is basically a competition that Kigali Marriott Hotel hosts in partnership with Made Beats and Royal FM.
The first battle is scheduled Friday, and no entrance fee is charged for anyone attending the event until the finale.
The winner of the competition will get a one year paid contract with Marriott Hotel, to be its resident band and open the performance of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The winning band will be also be offered a recording session with Made Beats.
Kigali Marriott Hotel has been operating since October 2016. Apart from hospitality services, the hotel has been contributing to the improved wellbeing of the community participating in community works and subscribing to vulnerable residents for Mutuelle de Santé and visiting patients among others.
Kagame was yesterday speaking at the Namibian State House Banquet hosted in their honor by President Hage Gottfried Geingob and First Lady Geingos.
Accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Kagame arrived in Namibia yesterday for a three-day state visit aimed at promoting bilateral relations.
“President Geingob and I, together with other African leaders, will continue to work together to resolve the problems that have prevented our abundantly blessed continent, and its resourceful people, from reaching our full potential,” pointed out Kagame.
“There is no reason Africa should continue to be marginalized if we collaborate and speak with one voice to achieve a mutually respectful and beneficial partnership with the rest of the world,” he added.
The President also expressed delight to be in Namibia to reinforce the friendship between both countries which is crucial to growing opportunities for their people.
He highlighted that Namibia and Rwanda share ambitions towards supporting African integration and solidarity which should be rooted to make Africa a respected continent.
“It is also no accident that both Namibia and Rwanda attach tremendous importance to African integration and solidarity. Namibia has been a firm supporter of African Union reforms and was among the first countries to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area. Through President Geingob, Namibia is also a highly respected voice in regional security and other matters. I have benefited from his counsel,” said Kagame.
The President stressed that it is natural for both countries to work to deepen the bilateral relations in terms of trade, investment, and development.
“Namibia and Rwanda will be cooperating much more closely, in a variety of ways going forward,” he assured.
According to the Head of Delegation of the Zimbabwe Staff College, Colonel Teddy Ndlovu and the Chief Instructor of Joint Command and Staff Course, the purpose of the visit is to give an opportunity to future leaders/officers to learn from the special history of Rwanda to prevent the recurrence of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Rwanda has got a special history that we need to tap in and learn from in the future. It has seen genocide, went through it and managed to recover. In terms of satisfying the geopolitical studies of the College, it is very important that these officers understand the importance of security, learn lessons from failures of some international organizations during the Genocide”, Col Ndlovu said.
“Our Student-officers will use that knowledge, use the experiences to stop and prevent such occurrences,” he added.
The Zimbabwe Staff College delegation, composed of Students and Directing Staff from Botswana, China, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial and paid respect to the Victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi before heading to Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters.
At the RDF Headquarters, the delegation was received by the RDF Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jean Jacques Mupenzi and briefed later on RDF roles and organization.
During their study tour in Rwanda, the Zimbabwe Staff College delegation will also visit some RDF institutions in and out of Kigali.
The quartet was arrested separately in operations conducted Monday in Gakenke, Nyabihu, and Musanze districts.
Police identified the suspects as Theogene Twizerimana, 28, Edmond Iradukunda, 25, Ange Uwimana, 18, and one only identified as Twizerimana, 24.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said the “targeted operations” were conducted concurrently at about 10 pm, in the three districts as a response to “credible information from the public on their criminal dealings and their whereabouts.”
“Twizerimana Theogene is a distributor in Gakenke District and is supplied by Iradukunda, who was picked in Kazirankara Village, Nyanitana Cell of Shyira Sector in Nyabihu. But the whole distribution chain starts with Ange Uwimana, who supplies both,” CP Kabera said.
Theogene Twizerimana was at the time arrested with 1003 pellets of cannabis supplied to him by Iradukunda earlier that day.
Another member of the ring only identified as Twizerimana was arrested in Musanze, Muhoza Sector, Kigombe Cell in Nyamuremure Village with 503 rolls of cannabis.
“These were coordinated operations by the Anti-Narcotics Unit, which responded to credible information from the public, and this proactive ideology is playing a great role in breaking chains of supply by targeting identified major dealers, knowing the tricks and routes they use in an attempt to beat security,” CP Kabera said.
Last month, Police and partners in Justice, health and governance sectors disposed of 1600kgs and 8324 pellets of cannabis, 34157 sachets of assorted illicit gin packed in banned polythene bags and over 241,000 liters of Kanyanga and locally distilled illicit substances, which were seized in separate Police operations countrywide in the previous three months.
Between July 2018 and July 2019, Police seized over 5500 liters of kanyanga and over 200kgs of cannabis in the three districts of Nyagatare, Gicumbi, and Burera alone. Over 1900kgs of mayirungi (khat) were also seized in Gicumbi alone in the same period.
“Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are a serious concern to which we respond decisively and collectively with other security, justice, health and governance institutions as well as the general public,” CP Kabera said.
“We strengthened operations to bring suspected dealers to justice; and awareness campaigns to educate especially the young people on ill-effects of abusing in an effort to prevent new users,” he added.
Last week, Police arrested three other major drug dealers with combined 10kgs and 11, 618 pellets of cannabis.
Last month, a couple was arrested in Gacuriro, Gasabo District with five bundles (40000 pellets) of cannabis, and a Congolese registered vehicle was impounded on July 14, in Rubavu District transporting about 200kgs of cannabis, concealed in 14 sacks.
Anyone convicted as a major drug dealer, under the new penal code especially in its article 263, faces between 20 years and life imprisonment.
This is consistent with what we know, as well as the findings of all international organizations.
The same IMF report states that “the quality of the national accounts data in Rwanda is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Indeed, the only reason this debate can take place, whether in good faith or bad, is because of Rwanda’s robust and publicly accessible data systems. I was therefore profoundly surprised by your Big Read article “Even poverty data must toe Kagame’s line” (August 14).
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda responded fully to the Financial Times’s questions, but the author ignored those responses, as well as data from global institutions, including the World Bank, IMF, S&P, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum.
More seriously, the alacrity with which your reporters dragged the president’s name into a debate ostensibly about statistical methodology is astonishing, to say the least.
Your readers have not been exposed to an honest debate on poverty data, but rather to a series of anonymous and baseless claims.
Beyond statistics, Rwanda’s progress is plain for anyone to see. Rwanda is open to scrutiny and conversation with all who are interested in our journey of socio-economic transformation.
{{Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Rwanda}}
Held under the ‘Conservation is Life’ theme, this year’s naming ceremony will take place in Kinigi at the foothill of Volcanoes National Park, Northern Province on 6th September 2019.
Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event, was introduced in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas. 25 infant mountain gorillas will be named this year.
As part of this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony, Rwanda will host the first-ever Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) from 8-9 September.
The BCC, organized in partnership with the African Leadership University (ALU), will bring together global conservation leaders, providing a unique platform linking conservation with sustainable tourism by embracing all layers of the value chain.
Furthermore, a conservation exhibition focused on conservation trends and practices will take place on 7, September. The exhibition is open to the general public.
On 23, August, RDB will donate 729 cows to communities surrounding the Volcanoes National Park in Burera, Nyabihu, Musanze, and Rubavu districts as part of the RDB Tourism Revenue Share Programme. This program, initiated in 2005 by the Government of Rwanda, aims to guide investment in the areas surrounding the various national parks in Rwanda by ensuring that 10 percent of all park revenues are given back to the communities.
Over Rwf 5.2 billion has been distributed by RDB to 647 community-based projects since 2005.
These projects have availed clean drinking water, milk, health centers, classrooms and housing to members of the communities living around the three national parks; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Speaking to the media, the RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza, said that the increasing number of mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park is proof of the strides that Rwanda has made in gorilla conservation which could have not happened without the support and collaboration of conservation partners as well as the cooperation of the members of the community surrounding the park.
“Initiatives such as the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony play a major role in conserving gorillas. Thanks to the conservation efforts, we have been able to improve the gorilla trekking experience for our visitors and also increase the amount of support we have given to the local communities through the revenue sharing program,” she said.
Rwanda’s tourism strategy has always focused on two important areas namely: sustainability through responsible tourism and conservation and community involvement.
According to Kaliza, it has always been about protecting natural heritage, providing world-class experiences that highlight the diverse natural beauty of Rwanda while ensuring that Rwandans benefit from tourism and conservation without leaving anyone behind.
Speaking on this year’s Business of Conservation Conference, Fred Swaniker, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALU expressed delight for promoting Rwanda as a destination for events, conferences, and meetings.
“Kwita Izina is the perfect platform for the Business of Conservation Conference. Our goal is to use this forum to promote economic development by bringing together influential leaders in sessions that foster collaboration and deal-making. This year we are asking, “What does it take to make conservation a ‘growth industry in Africa?” We know part of the answer is leadership. That is why Rwanda is a perfect partner for BCC,” he said.
As a result of conservation efforts such as Kwita Izina, the population of the endangered mountain gorilla increased to 604 in 2016 in the Virunga Massif compared to 480 in 2010. The Virunga Massif is comprised of the Mikeno Sector of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorilla numbers in the entire region had fallen as low as 242 in 1981.
It was revealed yesterday in a press conference on Kwita Izina activity roadmap for 2019 held at the Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village.
Held under the ‘Conservation is Life’ theme, this year’s naming ceremony will take place in Kinigi at the foothill of Volcanoes National Park, Northern Province on 6th September 2019.
Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event introduced in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas. 25 infant mountain gorillas will be named this year.
Rwanda became the official tourism partner of Arsenal last year. The three-year partnership saw the new “Visit Rwanda” logo featured on the left sleeve of all first team, under-23 and Arsenal Women’s matches from the new season that started in August 2018.
The deal highlights Rwanda’s tourism offerings such as the National Parks, which are attracting the number of tourists due to growing numbers of wildlife including black rhino, lions, zebra, chimpanzees and the famous mountain gorillas, as well as the investment opportunities in the country.
RDB revealed that the cost of the partnership was catered by funds dedicated to promoting Rwanda, attracting investors and tourists.
RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kaliza has told the media that Rwanda, Arsenal partnership has borne fruits within one year.
“Before the signing of the partnership between Arsenal and RDB last year, 71% of Arsenal fans globally did not think of Rwanda as a tourist destination. At the end of the first year of the partnership, half of Arsenal fans would consider Rwanda as a destination to visit,” she said.
“In terms of overall value, the partnership so far, in year one, is worth £ 36 million (over Frw 36 billion). This number is based on TV viewership and social media. These statistics were compiled by Nielsen, Blinkfire Analytics and research agency Hall, and Partners,” added Kaliza.
This year, using the park revenues in 2018, RDB distributed Rwf1.4 billion in total to the revenue share program. This was up from Rwf 741 million in 2017.
In 2018, Rwanda hosted 1.711 million visitors. Visitor arrivals increased by 8% compared to 2017.
Figures from RDB indicate that Akagera National Park was the most visited park with 51, 724 visits in 2018, an increase of 17% since 2017. Nyungwe received 15, 665 visitors in 2018, up 9%. Overall park revenues reached over $ 21,153,292 in 2018
In 2018, RDB sold 15,132 gorilla permits worth US$ 19.2 million, a 25% increase compared to 2017. In 2016, before the increase in the permit price, RDB sold 22,219 permits worth US$ 15 million.
US tourist visits to Rwanda have grown by 114% according to Virtuoso. The luxury agency network, Virtuoso in their latest data release noted that Rwanda was among the top 10 countries that have experienced significant increases by percentage in year-over-year bookings among American travelers.
US visitors spend an average of $12,000, making them the most lucrative source market. Chinese nationals spend an average of $1,084, ranking 10th. Nigerians are the top African spenders, spending an average of $1,498 per stay, raking higher than Australians and only slightly below the French.
In terms of accommodation, Rwanda now has up to over 14,000 hotel rooms, up from only 4,000 in 2009.
Since 2010, RDB saw a jump of over 200% in the number of Rwandans visiting Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks. Just in one year, from 2017 to 2018, RDB saw a 21.5 % increase.
Through the Tembera u’Rwanda local campaign, RDB has given over 400 young Rwandans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek the endangered mountain gorilla for free.
