Currently 206 classrooms are under construction across the country and some of them reached the final stage in different districts such as Kayonza, Gatsibo in Eastern Province. Classrooms are about to be finished in Gasabo and Kamonyi Districts.
Habanabashaka J Baptist, Director at Groupe Scolaire Kagugu in Gasabo District, told the Press that the joint initiative by RDF and citizens to construct classrooms was very timely. He said that GS Kagugu has 80 students per class and used morning and afternoon shifts to deal with the high number of students.
Currently 12 modern classrooms are under construction at the School.
“This will reduce overcrowded classrooms and impact on quality of our education. RDF is doing us good because the development commences with these young students,” he said.
At Groupe Scolaire Mbati in Kamonyi District, classrooms accommodate from 60 to 70 students. To address this, 7 classrooms are currently under construction and this will reduce the classroom congestion down to 50 students.
The standard and target classroom occupation is 45 students per class in the near future according to School Authorities.
Every year the day is celebrated by Olympians across the world on 23 June, to rejoice the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.
RNOSC First Vice President, Madam Felicite Rwemalika who was present said that to mark the day, the Olympic week celebrations kicked off Wednesday with mini football competitions like this one taking place at Kamena Huye stadium.
“The Olympic week celebration is aimed at ensuring that the positive values of the Olympic Movement, excellence, respect and friendship, are promoted among the children, “She revealed.
In his message, Thomas Bach, the IOC President has reminded the National Olympic Committees that the Olympic day is an excellent way to encourage all people to lead healthy and active lives, while promoting the role of sport in society.
Following the inaugural event in 2016, this year’s Forum brings together leading figures from Africa’s public and private sectors to discuss policies and partnerships that can drive sustainable growth and investment across the continent.
The two-day forum offers an opportunity for the private sector and other non-state actors to engage on ways to help shape the course of economic transformation in Africa.
President Kagame will join the Heads of State panel alongside President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan of Côte d’Ivoire where he will share his vision for Africa’s transformation, including the key role of foreign and domestic investment.
The two Heads of State will later be joined by Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Executive Vice President of Unilever, Yaw Nsarkoh in a panel discussion on the benefits of a strong partnership between the public and private sectors to enact—and maintain—a successful transformation strategy.
During a press briefing, ACET President Dr. K.Y. Amoako commended the event saying “These are exciting times. Too often African economies have missed opportunities to get ahead because they have not worked together or learned from each other. That is changing now, and this Forum is a driving force. It’s a unique event which aims to deliver practical, progressive policies that can drive our economies forward over the next decade.”
The event brings together high-level government officials, CEOs, as well as other leaders from the private sector to discuss solutions and make commitments towards accelerating job growth, boosting investment, and implementing transformation policies.
The event has been dubbed ‘Rwanda Cultural Night’ and is expected to be an opportunity to celebrate Rwanda’s unique culture and its role in transforming the country. It will be part of many cultural shows that will serve to spread and celebrate Rwanda’s culture throughout the world.
According to Kagabo Jacques, the Director of Rwanda Updates and organizer of this event, his innate desire is for Rwandans living abroad to put Rwandan cultural values at the centre of their lives and not be taken with Foreign Cultures.
Kagabo Jacques added that these shows will link Rwandans living abroad, give them an opportunity to celebrate the successes of their country, and reflect on their cultural values.
Among those who will be performing at the event, features Knowless Butera, who recently hinted that she would be performing in Mozambique and Zambia; King James, Masamba Intore, Impala Orchestre and Mr Bow, a Mozambican who will be performing at the event.
Speaking with IGIHE, Louis Baziga, a Rwandan living in Mozambique, said that the Rwandan Diaspora was impatiently awaiting for the performers and the show in general.
“Our Culture is what makes us who we are. It is of immense value and pride to have Rwandans united here in Mozambique, as it is a time to put a limelight on what glues us together, and it is none other than our culture,” he said
Baziga added that the show will be a great opportunity to uphold Rwandan Cultural values.
Beneficiaries who spoke to IGIHE hailed the RDF Citizen Outreach Programme (RDF-COP) saying that they could not have been able to afford the cost of medical operation.
Uwizeyimana Jean Baptiste, 28, from Rulindo District who suffered a broken Femur in December 2017, and had spent to the last coin of his savings on treatment was found by IGIHE Reporter in Ruhango hospital, where he was waiting with some other 100 patients to undergo a second phase operation by RDF medics.
“My Femur bone was broken to tiny pieces, and after several attempts with other doctors, I gave up. Now I can now walk, and it’s all because of RDF Doctors,” said Uwizeyimana who is now recuperating, capable of putting to use his limbs.
Ruhango Hospital’s Director, Dr Usabyineza Richard, hailed the RDF activities saying when soldiers go beyond security provision and partner with people, it helps spur the development of the country and welfare of the communities.
“These days, the number of patients we usually receive at our hospital has multiplied. It is obvious that the people have faith in RDF medical personnel. We received a number of specialists that we didn’t have at our hospital which has greatly helped the locals residents,” he said
Other RDF Outreach activities carried out in the past two months include building 206 classrooms, 1493 houses for the vulnerable and planted Irish Potatoes at a total of 407.6 hectares.
Over the past nine years, RDF Citizen Outreach Program has benefited communities by providing free health care, infrastructure development, environmental protection and building classrooms across the country.
‘Ysolde and Her Magical Shoes’ is a fairy tale that takes the reader on the journey of a little girl whose courage and big heart saves her village. At a young age, Ysolde is entrusted with a big responsibility of feeding her whole village, a task which gets harder with the absence of her mother. Things take a bad turn as a villain who lived in their village was sent away, cursing the village in her leave. Luckily, Ysolde saves the day with her magical shoes.
Authored by Dominique Uwase Alonga, this fairy tale was inspired by the amazing story of Ysolde Shimwe, a talented Rwandan entrepreneur who co-founded with Kevine Kagirimpundu, UZURI K&Y Designs, a Rwandan Fashion brand making handcrafted women and men’s shoes; ‘Ysolde and Her Magical Shoes’ is a fairy tale that portrays courage, creativity and a joyful personality— all traits of the talented entrepreneur.
“It feels like having your heart exposed to the public. It’s pretty amazing having my story going out there and being read by the world. I am nervous. I hope they see the love and hard work that I put in this story and I hope that we deliver to the hype. ” Dominique Uwase Alonga told IGIHE.
Dominique Uwase Alonga who’s also the CEO of Imagine We Rwanda expressed her wishes to have the first family of Rwanda support and encourage the works of young creative minds.
“My dream is for Rwandans to see that we also can have fun stories and travel magical worlds. We also can have courageous princesses and heroines. We do not have to always read Cinderella when we can read Ysolde. I hope this book will encourage little girls in Rwanda. I hope parents will also enjoy this book and I hope Rwandans will join together and make sure this book gets read by all children in Rwanda but also beyond. Let’s take this beautiful fairytale all over the world!” Dominique gushed
Published by ‘Imagine We’ an African Publishing house producing books for children and young adults representing Rwanda and cultures from the region; ‘Ysolde and Her Magical Shoes’ is now available in bookshops around Kigali like Ikirezi Bookshop, Charisma bookshop and Uzuri K&Y.
“We believe that there’s power in stories, power to inspire young children and power to teach valuable lessons about life through fairy tales. Fairy tales teach young children about courage, hope, love and kindness which are the most important lessons to learn at such a young age. We live in a world where our children need to constantly be reminded of their self-worth and potential.” Said Malika Helene, Imagine We’s Communication & Public relations officer.
“We want to challenge the current representation of our country, and continent in general, through our stories. Our hope is to get this book in the hands of as many young girls as we can, and we would like to invite you all in this journey. Get a copy for your daughter, for your niece, your cousin, your neighbours’ daughter, or buy a copy for any young girl in your community. Help us get this book in every corner of the world.”
The attack took place in the night of Tuesday, 19th June 2018, on the premises of Nyabimata sector Offices, where they shot the executive secretary of the sector and burned her car.
Speaking to IGIHE, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Kayitesi Collette, confirmed the attack adding that authorities were pursuing the culprits.
“The attack took place around 11:30 and 12 PM. Two locals were shot to death while they burnt the car of the Executive secretary who at the moment is at the hospital. They stole a computer from Sacco but did not steal any money.” She said.
The act of violence takes place a week after some criminals armed with guns attacked civilians of Ngera sector in Nyaruguru district and injured them, stealing their properties including money, Television and other items.
IGIHE reporter visited the injured at Kabutare Hospital, in Huye District; where they confirmed that they had been attacked by a gang of 30 men who were wielding machetes, knives, with one of them using a gun.
On 19 June, the Rwandan delegation led by the Air Force Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Charles Karamba was received by Lt Gen Enzo Vecciarelli, the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff at Italian Air Force Headquarters in Rome where they exchanged progress of the two defence forces cooperation.
During their five-day visit to Italy, Maj Gen Charles Karamba and his delegation will visit the Italian aviation company named LEONARDO, one of the key players in global Aerospace, Defence and Security and the Italian pilot training Centre at Italian Air Force Base at Venegono.
The Rwandan delegation visit in Italy follows the visit of Lt Gen Enzo Vecciarelli, the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff in Rwanda from 25 to 27 July 2017.
Gen Karamba is accompanied with Mr. Enrico Lalia Morra Honorary Consul of Rwanda to Italy and two RDF Pilots, Lt Col Jean Kamana and Maj Jackson Kalisa.
Jean Claude Nshimimana was arrested on Monday in Nyagatare after he attempted to bribe a police officer to release his impounded motorcycle.
Nshimimana abandoned the motorcycle recently after he was intercepted transporting illicit drugs. The motorcycle was impounded to Musheri station.
“Nshimimana later called the officer requesting to meet. On June 18, Nshimimana went to the station to meet the officer and tried to bribe him with Rwf25000, he was arrested in the act,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobard Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, said.
The spokesperson warned against such criminal attempts. “Offering or soliciting bribes, or any sort of corruption will not be tolerated, whoever tries it will be arrested to face justice.”
Meanwhile, another motorcyclist identified as Eric Ishimwe was also arrested in Ngororero District for attempting to bribe a traffic officer. Ishimwe had been found without a driver’s license and other traffic related documents and attempted to give the bribe to escape legal penalties.
Article 641 of the Penal Code stipulates that any person who directly or indirectly offers a gift in order to get an illegal service or refrain from carrying out their duties, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of between five and seven years or a fine of twice to 10 times the value of what they had offered in bribes, or both.
The event took place yesterday at the new Masaka Creamery’s factory in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Gasabo District.
In the start of the year, Masaka Creamery received a Rwf234 Million grant from USAID, that it used to acquire new dairy processing equipment, cold storage equipment, and milk quality laboratory equipment.
USAID’ support to Masaka Creamery has helped the company build and equip a new processing facility in Kigali SEZ, where the firm successfully transitioned equipment and operations from a previous factory in Masaka District. The new factory has an additional processing line, new packaging equipment, a laboratory to monitor and improve product quality and food hygiene, as well as ample room to grow with the company.
The investments made by Masaka Creamery with USAID support have boosted the company’s annual domestic sales by 200 percent, supported the development of eight new products (fresh cream, sour cream, butter, ghee, mascarpone, fruit yogurt, thick yogurt, ikivuguto), and contributed to local economic development by enabling an increase of income by 20 percent for 2,000 milk farmers in the Eastern and Northern Provinces.
The new products have received the Rwanda Standards Board quality standard certification and are currently being sold to high-end hotels, restaurants and retail markets.
Masaka Creamery, which sources milk directly from small family-owned dairy farms, cooperatives, and milk collection centers also provides extension services and training to farmers. The company has established a new partnership with KOZAMGI milk cooperative located in Gicumbi District, which provides raw milk from 2,000 farmers, supplying between 6,000 – 7,000 liters per week to Masaka Creamery.
‘‘Working with Masaka Creamery is a relief to our cooperative. We can now invest in new projects, because we have a regular client who consistently pays us on a weekly basis”. Says Ntabanganyimana Rachid, the president of KOZAMGI milk cooperative
In addition to its expansion, Masaka Creamery’s operations has helped create 11 new jobs for which nine of the new hires are persons with disabilities. ‘‘We are grateful to Masaka Creamery for having particularly employed the youth regardless of their disability status. This is a perfect example of social inclusion and we hope that other businesses will draw into their footprints”. Says Jean Damascene, a representative of disabled workers at Masaka Creamery.
