The ceremony took place in the Akagera National Park.
The rangers underwent a six-week training course where they were taught different measures to observe the parks and fight poaching.
Speaking after the passing out parade, RDB Conservation Analyst, Telesphore Ngoga explained that the skills and discipline the rangers have acquired during this exercise is another step in our conservation efforts.
“With continued conservation, the country earns tourism revenues sustainably which benefits the Rwandan economy. It is my hope that these new rangers go on to become champions of conservation by working together to become the managers of these habitats,” he said.
Jes Gruner, the Akagera National Park Manager said that conservation is one of Rwanda’s key prerogatives because it supports tourism and ‘all of the rangers here are part of that vision’.
“ They are the first people who protect our environment. Today is the beginning of a life-long journey for these new rangers,” said Gruner.
Dickson Gato, one of the new park rangers who excelled in the training program said he had always wanted to contribute to conserving the environment. “This training exercise has given me the discipline and skills to do that and it is also a first step for me towards learning more about conservation and its importance to the economy,” he stressed.
The event was also graced by Rwanda’s ambassador to Mozambique, Amb. Claude Nikobisanzwe, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps Amb. Antoine Kola Masala of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Amb. Mónica Patrício Clemente Mussa representing Mozambique to Rwanda.
Minister Sezibera commended existing vibrant relationship between both countries hi9ghlighting that the inaugurated embassy will uphold relationships helping Rwandan investors to run businesses smoothly in Mozambique and facilitating Mozambique people interested to visit or investing in Rwanda.
He urged Rwandans in Mozambique to always be fond of their country and strive to improve welfare of their families in Mozambique or Rwanda.
The inauguration of the embassy in Mozambique follows an interactive event held on 16th June 2019 in which Amb Nikobisanzwe talked to over 400 Rwandans living in Maputo.
Amb. Claude Nikobisanzwe presented credentials to Mozambique president, Filipe Nyusi to represent Rwanda in Maputo on 3rd April 2019.
Rwanda and Mozambique enjoy good relationships. In 2016 and 2018, both countries signed cooperation agreements in politics, governance, tourism, agriculture, mining, air transport services, promoting investment, science and technology and professional trainings..
In July 2018, Mozambique president, Filipe Nyusi visited Rwanda following president Paul Kagame’s visit in Mozambique in 2016 when he talked to investors and invited them to invest in Rwanda.
Today, Mozambique accommodates over 3500 Rwandans involved in different businesses.
AFD is the implementing agency of different development-oriented interventions that France is engaged with globally.
Speaking after a private meeting with Minister Uwera, Mr. Rioux pointed out that the cooperation between both countries is on course to being rejuvenated that AFD will continue to support interventions in the financial sector which they have for the past 25 years.
“France wishes to not only support Rwanda but also get inspired by Rwanda’s development from a lot of innovations in the country as well as efficiency of public service,” Mr. Rioux said.
Minister Uwera said that both Rwanda and France look to mutually benefit development cooperation.
“We look forward to increased partnerships particularly through development cooperation and French private sector engagement which would contribute to realization of Rwanda’s vision,” Minister Uwera said.
France was a potential sponsor of Rwanda before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The partnership relented later over the role played by the country during the genocide and being reluctant to apologize for its involvement.
Both countries relations were revived in 2017 when Emmanuel Macron was elected France president.
Yesterday, AFD also signed with Bank of Kigali, a financing agreement of $ 20 million and one Technical Assistance Agreement to encourage the financing of Small and Medium Enterprises in Rwanda which, among others, fall under the ICT and Energy sector.
Mr. Rioux was expected to meet different government officials, mainly in agriculture, education and infrastructure sectors, to discuss possible areas of cooperation and projects that need financing
Constructed under the joint Rwanda – South Korea “Enhancing ICT Innovation Capacity in Rwanda” project, the new state of the art ICT Innovation Center is located in Kicukiro, Kigali.
It has equipment designed to provide high quality training to individuals seeking to enhance their skills in multimedia and mobile applications development.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the RDB Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi said: “The Government of Rwanda is actively driving the ICT industry through various initiatives, such as the Kigali Innovation City project and the Smart Rwanda Masterplan.
However, capacity building and skilled human resource development programs have been in short supply in the sector. This ICT Innovation Center established by KOICA and RDB is expected to bridge the gaps in capacity building and contribute to the development of the ICT sector.”
The KOICA Vice President for Projects and Regional Coordination in Africa, Middle East and South America, Baek Sook Hee said they hope that Rwandan youths will be able to transform their ideas into innovative ICT products through services from the ICT Innovation Center that have the potential to vitalize the African economy beyond Rwanda.
“KOICA will continue to support the economic development of Rwanda by focusing on job creation and business development in the ICT sector in alignment with the Government of Rwanda’s strategies and policies,” she said.
Nsabimana went to a mobile money agent apparently to deposit money on his mobile account, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.
“He took the mobile money agent’s phone pretending to insert in his account where the money would be wired. He knew the agent’s sending PIN so he sent the money himself and after he told the victim that he had changed his mind and no longer wanted to go ahead with the service,” CIP Twizeyimana added.
He explained that Nsabimana immediately took a motorcycle towards Gishari, but the victim, out of suspicion, checked her phone only to find that Rwf 135, 000 had been stolen from her mobile account. He immediately called the Police, the motorcycle was traced and intercepted in Gishari where the suspect was arrested.
CIP Twizeyimana called for vigilance against such fraudulent individuals.
“People should beware that we have such criminals, who also include those with counterfeit money and in most cases targeting telecom banking agents, so they ahould watch out and always be quick to share information whenever they suspect one to be engaged in such criminal tendencies,” he said.
As he officially inaugurated the meeting, the Prime Minister insisted on the importance of this meeting as a platform for local and international experts to dialogue on how the quality of standards and competitiveness of higher education should be enhanced and maintained to respond to the needs of the community in terms of social and economic development.
He explained that this year’s theme carries an underlying message that the East African region needs to transform Higher education and adapt to a new era of technological advancement and appreciated the fact that this theme is linked to the Global 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
In order for East African universities to deliver to the optimum quality of digital and ICT expectations, Premier Ngirente said, institutions must implement academic programs that allow them to develop students who can think and reinvent themselves within the changing world they will graduate into.
He stressed the need to ensure that pupils who complete their primary schools are well equipped with relevant basic numeracy skills while those who complete their secondary schools have a minimum proficiency in Mathematics regardless their ambitions to prepare them for any field of study in Higher learning.
To ensure quality education, the Prime Minister called upon the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to elaborate clear accreditation requirements that public and private universities must fulfill before they start to operate.
“No university should be accredited on the basis of fulfilling merely the minimum requirements as it can undermine the quality of our education” he noted.
He also applauded the Inter-University Council for East Africa for facilitating the establishment of the East African Centre for Mathematical Research that has among other objectives to promote and coordinate research and Postgraduate Training in Pure and Applied Mathematics in the East African Region.
Dr. Christophe Bazivamo, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors lauded IUCEA efforts in facilitating research.
He explained that EAC member states concerted efforts in building citizens’ capacity in which Universities and Higher Institutions play a key role.
The Vice Chairperson of IUCEA, Prof Joy Kwesiga said that the World Higher Learning Institutions and Universities continue to embrace technology as the World moves towards digital revolution.
The Minister made revealed the statistics yesterday as he graced the inauguration of community mediators’ office in Ngarama sector of Gatsibo district built by residents to improve and fast track service delivery.
The facility worth Rwf 18 million was constructed within 8 months through community work, donating roofing sheets among other equipment bought from residents’ contributions.
Minister Busingye hailed residents for the good work highlighting the facility was the first community mediators’ office built by residents.
He explained that community mediators greatly support the judiciary in resolving disputes and handling cases that would be transferred to courts.
“Currently, community mediators solve 70% of cases that would be handled by courts. We voice our appreciation to them for such great work,” he said.
Busingye requested community mediators to keep on integrity in solving disputes.
“You know that your job requires commitment and integrity. We request you to stand firm to solve community disputes effectively,” he said.
The President of community mediators in Ngarama sector, Jervais Murisa said the new decent office will improve service delivery.
“With the new decent office building, we won’t be exposed under hot Sun or rain among other challenges including hiring offices. We assure residents of continued mediation services and conveniently solving disputes,” he said.
The plot of land was provided by the Government while the rest of equipment necessary for the completion of the building were catered by residents who raised funds starting with Rwf 1000 each.
Ngaramo sector has 42 community mediators.
Gatsibo district counts 581 community mediators including 327 females and 254 males who last year solved 1337 out of 1349 cases.
Community mediators at country level handled 49 528 court cases equivalent to 97, 3% in 2017/2018.
He explained as a shame on Rwanda to continue implementing laws established by colonizers and requested abolishment of the outdated laws that were enacted by the colonial regime.
Minister Uwizeyimana made the observation yesterday as he responded to the summon of the parliamentary standing committee on political affairs and gender in the Chamber of Deputies during the assessment of the government proposal to abolish 1000 laws established before Rwanda’s independence.
The said laws were enacted between 1885 and 1962 when Rwanda obtained independence from Belgium.
The cabinet meeting of April 03rd, 2019 chaired by President Paul Kagame approved the draft law repealing all laws established before Rwanda’s independence.
As indicated by the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), these laws are over 1000 and said to be obsolete.
Rwanda was a colony of two countries, German (1900-1916) and Belgium between (1916-1962).
Minister Uwizemana told parliamentarians that it brings shame on Rwanda to be guided by colonial laws enacted for interests of colonizers.
He explained that former President Grégoire Kayibanda declared publically that all laws established by Belgians have to be implemented in Rwanda in what he termed as blindness which spread to the regime of his successor President Habyarimana.
“Kayibanda and Habyarimana had adhered to colonial laws on specific reason. Apparently, Kayibanda was given political freedom but they retained control of the rest. This is evidenced through the fact that he had Belgians as part of leadership and advisors at his Presidency office. They were also part of the military without official ratifications. This spread to the regime of Habyarimana who had quite a number of France nationals as advisors,” he said.
Minister Uwizeyimana stressed that the latter reflects how Kayibanda independence was idle.
“Some implications of these obsolete laws still considered today include approved laws during the colonial rule with clauses limiting black people in accessing some places reserved for Belgians. For instance, in the place where Serena Hotel is currently based was the premise of Diplomate Hotel on which it was written ‘The area is restricted to dogs and black people’. These laws still exist,” he said.
Minister Uwizeye reiterated that such laws should have been set by Rwanda’s parliament knowing better what suits Rwandans.
The chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on political affairs and gender in the Chamber of Deputies, Emma Furaha said they shall sit together to analyze the situation considering suitable choices for Rwandans.
Speaking to IGIHE recently, Alain Songa Gashabizi, the acting head of the department for law research, reform, and revision at the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC) said that some laws in Rwanda are outdated.
He explained, after the independence of Rwanda in 1962, the then president announced that all international agreements signed by Belgium during the colonial rule have to be applied in Rwanda.
“This means, if Belgium signed agreements with France on a particular issue, they may bring these agreements to say Rwanda has such duties in France and Belgium based on the announcement,” said Gashabizi.
He highlighted that some approved laws during the colonial rule incorporate clauses limiting black people in accessing some places.
Today, Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development joined the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR and other stakeholders to salute the courage and resilience of more than 150,000 refugees currently living in Rwanda.
In support of MINEMA’s and UNHCR’s joint strategy for the economic inclusion of refugees, Inkomoko has also supported 4500 refugees who have chosen to start and grow businesses for self-reliance.
Inkomoko offers refugee entrepreneurs training and financial tools needed to start and grow businesses, improve their personal financial sustainability, regain dignity, and become self-reliant. After completing the Inkomoko program, 92% of these businesses are still operational.
“Prior to joining Inkomoko, I was struggling with losses. In the program, I learnt how to save and reinvest in my business, the process and advantages of paying taxes.
The eye opener was to think about expanding my business and understanding market opportunities. In short, I acquired business management skills and best ways to sustain my business,” said Emima Nyiramasine, a refugee entrepreneur in Gihembe Camp.
The Rwandan government’s policies allow refugees to register a business with RDB, open a bank account, and pay taxes. Refugees in Inkomoko’s program have paid more than 73M RwF in taxes to date.
“These policies encourage refugees to contribute to Rwanda’s growth, so we are helping them make their own living, as well as contribute to their host community. It benefits everyone,” said Olive Ashimwe, Inkomoko’s Director of MicroBusiness Solutions.
Inkomoko’s refugee entrepreneurs have also created more than 2600 jobs, of which 90% were filled by Rwandans in the host community. This year, Inkomoko has seen even more mutually beneficial business linkages between Rwandan entrepreneurs and refugees by offering integrated training, expos, and networking events in partnership with the local districts.
“Since I joined the Inkomoko program, I’ve seen a great improvement in my family business and livelihood at large. My gratitude goes to the Government of Rwanda that is giving to refugees, like me and my husband, opportunities work and do business in Rwanda. We are living a dignified life,” said Esperance Musanigare, a refugee entrepreneur in Kigeme Camp.
“Walking alongside these refugees on their journey of entrepreneurship demonstrates our belief that anyone can make a difference and be self-reliant, no matter what their background is,” said Lydia Irambona, Inkomoko’s Regional Director of Refugee Affairs.
Rwanda’s World Refugee Day celebrations in Kigeme camp, one of the six refugee camps in Rwanda that Inkomoko works in, will commence with a marriage ceremony for registered couples in the camp, exhibition of items made by refugees and host community members, and testimonies from refugees and the host members about living and working in community together.
Dignitaries, including the Mayor of Nyamagabe, Governor of the Southern Province, UN Resident Coordinator, and UNHCR Deputy Representative, are to join the Honorable Minister of the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management as the Guest of Honor.
{{About Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development }}
Inkomoko, a local consulting firm, was founded on the belief that entrepreneurs will transform their country by driving economic growth in their communities and bringing to market relevant solutions to solve the community’s most pressing problems. Refugee entrepreneurs are no exception.
Inkomoko provides relevant and practical skills and resources to help entrepreneurs grow their business. We do this through a comprehensive program of one-on-one consulting, business training, and direct access to affordable financing. This year, Inkomoko’s refugee program has been funded by the US State Department through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migrants (PRM) and the Mastercard Center for Economic Inclusion.
Inkomoko’s ultimate goal is see businesses create jobs and improve in their communities. Inkomoko is the Rwandan affiliate of African Entrepreneur Collective.
The disease was reported recently at New Explorers Girls Academy (NEGA), a high school in Gashora sector of Bugesera District and Rambura Girls School in Nyabihu District.
The disease was first reported a month ago at Rambura Girls School where it weakened the knees, inflicted pain and incapacitated the victim to walk.
The Minister of Education (MINEDUC), Eugene Mutimura has via twitter account explained that the examination carried out by MINISANTE experts indicated that the disease relates to consciousness and individuals’ behaviors and can spread to a group of people simultaneously.
Mass hysteria is “the rapid spread of illness signs and symptoms affecting members of a cohesive group, originating from a nervous system disturbance involving excitation, loss, or alteration of function, whereby physical complaints that are exhibited unconsciously have no corresponding organic aetiology.”
Minister Mutimura said: “We assure parents and Rwandans in general that we take control of students’ wellbeing across the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and relevant parties. Students continue their courses uninterruptedly.”
When the disease was reported in Nyabihu, the Director of Shyira Hospital, Dr. Maj. Emmanuel Kayitare told IGIHE that the disease was identified on 25th May 2019.
He said some them recovered after taking tranquilizers.
