The duo was arrested at Bunagana border in December 2018 returning from Uganda to attend a meeting held between15-16 December bringing together representatives of RNC belonging to Kayumba Nyamwasa and FDLR.
They are accused of being part of FDLR rebel group, treason and inciting the public to engage into terrorism, developing relationships with a foreign country intending to provoke a war, propagating messages abroad with the intention to incite the public against the government of Rwanda and forming an illegal military group.
The court has read the ruling today on Tuesday around 3 pm on remand or release on bail following a hearing held yesterday.
It ruled handing them another 30 days remand because the first remand was completed. The ruling has been read in absentia of both accused Bazeye and Abega and the prosecution.
Bazeye and Abega were previously handed the first 30 days remand on 10th April 2019.
At the time, the court said that there is evidence pinning them where Nkanka admitted his position as FDLR spokesperson; that he went with co-accused to Uganda to meet RNC and he held speeches on FDLR attacks in the media like BBC among others.
Nsekanabo admitted to the prosecution that he was aware of some attacks to Rwanda like the ones carried in 2001 among others. He also admitted to having traveled to Uganda to meet RNC to plan different attacks to Rwanda; all of which considered as evidence pinning him.
The court remanded them considering the severity of accused crimes and suspicion that they would join the rebel group again if released.
She made the request on Tuesday as MINISANTE and associated institutions presented the draft budget of 2019/2020 fiscal year to the Parliamentary Public Accountant Committee.
Dr. Gashumba said that building health sector infrastructures is supplemented with renovations needed to preserve the facilities.
“The allocated budget is still small. We can’t build new facilities and forget to renovate existing ones,” she revealed.
Minister Gashumba explained that there is a gap of Rwf 700 million in the budget allocated to the health sector.
“We were allocated Rwf 598 million and still have the gap of Rwf 700 million for such urgent issue,” she said.
Dr. Gashumba highlighted that the budget allocated to MINISANTE to renovate hospitals and building other health infrastructure is inadequate.
“Experts in the construction sector told us that there are no problems in first days after completion of buildings because renovation activities are under responsibilities of the contractor,” stressed Gashumba.
She said in the second year after completion of new facilities, there should be a reserve of at least between 1 and 2% of the budget spent on construction allocated for maintenance activities.
“It means, considering the percentage of money spent to build the hospitals, at least Rwf 45 million up to Rwf 90 million should be provided for maintenance other than giving us Rwf 17 million,” said Minister Gashumba.
She revealed that advice from experts suggest 2.5% of the money spent on construction activities in case a facility has existed between 6 to 10 years for maintenance. Beyond 10 years, renovate budget should be at least 5%.
“The budget is still small. Building without provisioning the budget for renovation is useless. We want you to conduct advocacy on this issue,” said Minister Gashumba.
The parliament promised MINISANTE continuous collaboration to improve the draft budget so it can address Rwandans needs.
On the other side, experts acknowledge the reason for concealing such information but raise worries that the budget might not be used for national interests in some cases.
This issue was also discussed yesterday on Monday at the opening of the seventh National Security Symposium hosted by Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in Nyakinama of Musanze District Northern Province.
A lecturer at Makerere University in Uganda, Dr. Peter Kasaija explained that they failed to obtain information when they conducted research on the utilization of military budget at different times.
“They sometimes say that the information is secret. Why does the military fear to be asked what it does? Why don’t you want us to know how the budget is spent,” he wondered.
The concern was highlighted by Senegalese counterpart, Abdoulaye Bathily revealing that they often faced the challenge in parliament.
“Whenever we enquired into the use of the budget, they would inform us that the information is confidential that the military is trusted that the budget must be approved without any queries,” he said.
Bathily explained that details should be provided lest the budget is misused in activities that have no national interests.
Rwanda Defense Chief of Staff, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba who was among panelists explained that African countries don’t often provide details on how military budget is spent because the information it might be used negatively.
“It is true that soldiers use resources from citizens’ efforts that they have to know how the budget is utilized. There is no reason why we cannot tell citizens what we do but considering the situation in Africa, citizens need to be mature,” he said.
Gen Nyamvumba said that most Government opponents in Africa need to change their mindsets because they stand against everything including policies meant to protect national security.
“We still have a problem in Africa. When you look at how government opposition operates in Africa; you oppose everything when you are not part of the Government, […] to the extent that you may use such information for negative intentions,” he explained.
Gen Nyamvumba explained that some Africans in the past have been involved in betraying own citizens that leaking information on security issues may lead to consequences.
On the budget for security institutions that might be misused, he explains that it depends on existing credibility of the Government.
Gen Nyamvumba said that the military would not be left behind in case the Government is corrupted noting that the military becomes transparent when there are policies to address corruption.
The report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an international institute based in Sweden, dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament released in November last indicated that many of Sub-Sahara African countries continue to make a progress revealing how the military budget was spent.
Between 2012 and 2017, the institute revealed that at least 45 of 47 Sub-Sahara African countries provided one report explaining how the military budget was utilized.
The motive for this combination was to try and more effectively reach out to the ever-growing consumers of professional real estate services in Rwanda.
The company continued to grow over the years and increased customer base including landlords, tenants, banks, buyers, sellers, researchers, municipalities and developers.
Century Real Estate (CRE) began at a time when real estate agents were not popular in Rwanda and took time to convince people on such services.
Later in 2014, Rwigamba Paul joined Haba and Gakwandi to strengthen the capacity of CRE to offer services with improved convenience.
The long journey to success was reflected recently as the management, staff, and employees of CRE and stakeholders celebrated the 10-year anniversary since Century Real Estate was established. During the ceremony held at Century Park Hotel in Nyarutarama on the evening of 10th May 2019; CRE recognized loyal clients including individuals, government institutions and private institutions that contributed to its growth.
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The CEO of Blue Oceans, Diana Mpyisi expressed delight or joining Century Real Estate to celebrate 10 years anniversary.
“I am a client of Century Real Estate satisfied with offered services. My investment ‘Blue Oceans’, is a company specialized in media services and communications operating at Kigali Heights, managed by CRE. I work with them when I need accommodation. They offer convenient services and reliable security,’’ she said.
Evelyn Uwera, an estate agent with Century Real Estate said CRE has become unchallenged choice because of good performance.
“It has proven prowess to offer good services in real estate agency in Kigali and Rwanda in general,” she said.
Paul Rwigamba, the director of a commercial and residential realtor at Century Real Estate said they have an ambition of growing to maintain improved service delivery.
“It was difficult at the beginning to find a house for sale or selling it through us. As time evolved, people were convinced on the relevance of our services,” he revealed.
Rwigamba said what they have achieved over 10 years is a result of accumulated trust.
“When a person wants to sell a plot of land or house, he gives you related documents. When a tenant is not trustworthy, he can destabilize you or bring thieves,” he said.
Rwigamba highlighted that CRE envisages being an international company after delivering services with utmost efficiency to Rwandans and making good use of available opportunities within the country.
At the outset, Century Real Estate faced challenges of temporary workers but has now stabilized after entering a partnership with the University of Rwanda that provides students for an internship who also get jobs in the company based on performance. CRE has over 35 workers in different departments.
Ngabo Romeo Romaric who has worked with CRE since 2014 was recognized as the best employee during the celebration.
He told IGIHE that the reward is a symbol and recognition of his efforts. “We have good interactions with employers that are like staying with friends and family and is clear that no one can abandon his family.”
{{Century Real Estate’s Celebration in Pictures }}
He urged all delegates to use their expertise and advise Africa on how it can accelerate its sustainable socio-economic transformation and reiterated the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to the realization of Smart Africa’s vision.
“Technology is very important. It offers an opportunity to realize the integration of the continent faster and smarter. In addition, technology breaks the usual borders that have traditionally defined our countries,” he said.
“Because of this importance, the Government of Rwanda, through our National Strategy for Transformation, 2017-2024, aims at ensuring digital literacy for all youth, especially 16 to 30 years, by 2024. This will be possible by implementing a national digital literacy program. This program has the objective of achieving digital literacy of at least 60% among adults by 2024,” added Ngirente.
The premier who was today officiating at the opening of the 2nd Economic Forum of the Transform Africa 2019 welcomed to Rwanda all delegates and reminded them that the forum originated from the desire for African governments and the private sector to create a single continent-wide digital market.
This forum is part of the Transform Africa Summit 2019 that is being held at Kigali Convention Centre, from May 14 – 16, 2019.
The forum brings together ministers from across the African continent, together with Technology Business Leaders and other delegates operating new technologies from all over the world.
Premier Ngirente said that this market will enable Africa to fully reap the benefits of the digital transformation, attracting large scale investments and creating jobs.
He recalled that Africa has the fastest growing youth population who are considered as an opportunity to optimize adoption of technologies as the younger generation is eager to embrace the digital era.
“This is where we see the value for Start-ups. Globally, start-ups play a significant role in economic development. They bring new ideas to the table, much needed to stimulate innovation and generate competition. Across the world, start-ups are currently being championed by the youth who are actively creating jobs and transforming their communities.” Premier Ngirente explained.
Umurenge SACCOs are savings and credit co-operatives whose objective is to pool savings for members and in turn provide them with credit facilities while VUP is an Integrated Local Development Program to Accelerate Poverty Eradication, Rural Growth, and Social Protection.
The move follows complaints from VUP beneficiaries who raised concerns over a high-interest rate of 11%.
Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) has released a letter prohibiting all Umurenge SACCOs to offer VIP loans. It also announced the exemption of the higher interest rate.
The letter signed by the Director General of Rwanda Cooperatives Agency, Prof. Jean Bosco Harelimana indicates that the decision is based on resolutions of the 16th National Leadership Retreat related to improving performance of Umurenge Sacco especially management of VIP loans.
“The management of Rwanda Cooperative Agency is writing to inform you to stop offering VUP loans with immediate effect after receiving this letter but rather embark on recovering loans,” reads part of the statement.
Prof. Harelimana has told IGIHE that the VUP fund management was passed over to grass root leadership.
“The funds will be allocated to beneficiaries through accounts of grass root leadership levels in Saccos. Projects will be approved at the sector level, then Saccos transfer the funds to allocated accounts. It is unlike the past where Saccos would also get involved in the approval of projects,” he said.
“The 11% interest rate has been exempted. Saccos will, however, deduct 2% service fees,” he added.
During the 16th National Leadership Retreat, President Paul Kagame expressed concern over the raised interest rate for VUP beneficiaries from 2% to 11%. He requested concerned parties to revise the program to efficiently facilitate beneficiaries overcome poverty.
After the visit of Faure Gnassingbéwa of Togo to the recovering head of state recently on 7th May 2019, other expected visitors that have been announced including Mali president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and others who will head for Gabon on 8th June 2019 as the country marks 10 year-anniversary since Omar Bongo Ondimba passed away.
The visit will be a reinforcement of relationships with Gabon as president Ali Bongo Ondimba is recovering from a stroke. The latter returned to his country in January 2019 after opposition coup plot to dethrone him failed.
As announced by Jeune Afrique, President Keïta will visit Gabon after Ramadhan month.
The latter was a close friend of late Omar Bongo Ondimba and he once served as an ambassador to Gabon with residence in Ivory Coast between 1992-1993.
The Equatorial Guinea president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo was also supposed to visit Gabon president on 9th May 2019 but postponed to unknown date following the death of his brother Antonio Mba Nguema who breathed his last in a hospital of Johannesburg, South Africa.
The office of the Gabon Presidency has not announced when Ali Bongo will resume office but highlighted that preparation of more visits are underway given that Ali Bongo Ondimba is the chair of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC).
Other expected heads of states include president Macky Sall of Sénégal and his counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
The fifth Transform Africa Summit is taking place at Kigali Convention Centre from 14th to 16th May 2019 bringing together over 4000 participants including different Heads of States and Governments, private business people, international organizations to discuss how to accelerate Africa’s ICT driven economy.
The concert to be held on Thursday 16th May 2019 was named ‘Transformational Tunes of Africa’. It will feature Mfikizolo and singer Kidumu Kibido Kibuganizo starting from 7 pm to 11 pm.
Mafikizolo group was last in Rwanda in September 2018 performing at Kwita Izina Gala Dinner held at the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu district.
Kidum was also previously in Rwanda in Rwanda Konnect Gala concert on 21st December 2018 at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village featuring with different performers including Inganzo Ngari, Seburikoko, and Cécile Kayirebwa.
He revealed this yesterday in a joint press conference with Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Ministry of Infrastructure and WASAC on water tariffs.
The press conference has been held at a time when different people have been using social media lamenting that current monthly water bills are high.
“We should set policies on efficient use of water. Everyone needs to look back and think about how he/she can sparingly use water. We should check on regular water usage at home. People should learn to minimize the use of water,” said Muzola.
“We all don’t spend the whole day at home. It also happens to me that I see water tariffs going high. If the meter has a problem we correct it. The most important thing is to know how we use water at home,” he added.
Muzola explained that the country’s ambition is to help all Rwandans to access safe water at home.
Current water tariffs went into effect in February 2019.
The current water tariffs are classified into three categories. The 1st category comprises of people who use not less than 5,000 liters (250 jerry cans) per month or eight jerrycans per day. This category pays Rwf340 per 1,000 liters or Rwf6.8 per jerrycan.
The second category is composed of those who use over 5,000 liters but not more than 20,000 liters per month. This category pays Rwf720 per 1,000 liters, meaning Rwf14.4 per 20-liter jerrycan.
The third category includes those using 20,000 liters and not more than 50,000 liters per month which is between 33 and 83 liters per day. This category pays Rwf845 per 1,000 liters which is Rwf16.9 per one jerrycan.
The Director General of RURA, Lt Col Nyirishema Patrick has said: “We cannot say that water consumed at our homes is expensive.”
He explained that water tariffs are based on water treatment and distribution costs.
Nyirishema urged Rwandans to use water sparingly in order to control the bills.
He said residents pay only 26.2 percent of the actual cost of water supply in their homes as the government caters for 73.8 percent through subsidized investments.
The funding will be utilized in legal advisory services, protecting children against violence and enabling refugees to access advanced health services at health centers or hospitals.
The official unveiling of projects supported by the funding will be held on 6th June 2019.
The Representative of UNHCR in Rwanda, Ahmed Baba Fall has expressed delight over the funding from the Government of Japan assuring that it will be efficiently utilized.
Japan ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita has said that his country prioritizes development cooperation in protection and capacity building of different people especially vulnerable and disadvantaged people to enhance their wellbeing.
“Since I came to Rwanda three years ago, I have visited Mahama Refugee Camp seven times to ensure that the funding reaches beneficiaries. We laud UNHCR Rwanda and partners for implementing the potential projects,” he said.
The Government of Japan is among major partners of UNHCR Rwanda for the past six years. It has so far donated USD $ 7 million to support refugees.
By 31st March 2019, Rwanda had received 148,320 refugees living in six camps, four transit centers and different parts of the country.
