Kagame attended the launch of the hotel hours after concluding the 15th National Leaders Retreat that was taking place in Rwanda Defence Forces’ Combat Training Center at Gabiro.
The Head of State thanked people who contributed in the construction of the hotel saying that it represents the progress they want.
He said that the hotel will play a role in the promotion of tourism and the growth of the country’s economy.
“I thank all those who played a role in the realisation of this hotel. It represents the progress that we want. This hotel will play a big role in the promotion of tourism and the growth of our economy,” he said.
He encouraged Nyagatare residents to own the hotel and use it.
“The people of this district should come and make use of the recreational facilities of this hotel,” he said.
He said the project should serve as a catalyst for similar or different investment projects elsewhere in the country.
“A hotel that started off as an idea and is today fully operational. Rwandans need to know that this facility is as good as any in the world and I encourage everyone to make use of it. I thank all those who played a role in the hotel’s realization,” he added.
The Head of State was speaking Thursday while closing the 15th National Leaders Retreat (Umwiherero) at Rwanda Defence Force’s Combat Training Center in Gabiro.
Kagame reminded leaders that the main objective of the retreat is to effect change as they strive to develop the country.
He said that the key to transformation is harnessing the strength of culture. Among the strengths of those who have attained development are humility and hard work.
“We must instill a culture of firmness about what we stand for, and resist those who may want to make us be what they want us to be. Without firmness, disorganization will be imposed on you from elsewhere, and you will be obliged to accept it,” he said.
He said that the discussions at the retreat should focus on why the good policies the country don’t produce the results wanted, and they should not focus on a review of these policies.
“Where we have failed, the right culture was lacking,” he said.
“It is due to lack of these values that people tend to cover up the reality on the ground, and only implement projects when the President is coming to visit,” he added.
Kagame said that the cost of standing on ceremony is bad habits that distract leaders from the things that matter.
“Why should a Minister’s visit to a district outside Kigali be seen as a favour to citizens?” he questioned.
He urged that professionalism should be a habit among leaders if they want to get the results wanted. He added that in order to achieve this, the efforts must be collective.
Speaking to Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, Kagame advised; “You are new and will probably be discouraged by advisors who resist change or reject a new work culture. If it hasn’t already happened, it will. Don’t accept it,”
He cited cases of lack of communication between leaders, to the extent where a Minister may give a report contradicting that of his Director General.
He urged new and young public servants to resist attempts to discourage them, or slow them down.
“Fight back. Do what you know is right for your country, what you have been trained to do,” he said adding that there should be consequences for officials who try to discourage those who want to change things for the better.
Started on Monday, the four day retreat brought together over 300 leaders from the central and local government and parastatals as well as private sector.
On the panel discussion about enhanced quality of health care and Early Childhood Development services was the Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba; Dr. Anitha Asiimwe, the National Early Childhood Development Programme Coordinator and investor in health services, Dr. Dominique Savio Mugenzi.
About knowledge based economy discussion, on the panel was Education Minister Dr. Eugene Mutimura, the Minister of Information, Technology and Communication, Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa; the Director of ICT in Rwanda Online, Faith Keza and Didier Nkurikiyimfura, the Head of Technology and Innovation at Smart Africa Secretariat.
The National Leadership Retreat commonly known as Umwiherero, meaning retreat, refers to a tradition in Rwandan culture whereby leaders would convene to reflect on issues affecting their communities. The objective of these meetings was to identify solutions and commit to achieving them.
Today, Umwiherero has become a unique governance tool that allows Rwanda’s leaders to hold themselves accountable. It provides with them an opportunity to reflect on the country’s progress and identify strategies to accelerate delivery of national priorities while solving on-going challenges.
Supported by international development organisation, Trócaire, the funds will go to develop different programmes like environment conservation, irrigation, tree plantation, rain water harvesting and providing timely information about climate change to the population among others.
RCCDN Chairperson, Eugene Rwibasira said that climate change is a matter of concern for both the country and the world.
“Climate change is a boundless issue and is not the particularity for Rwanda but it is global. We can’t say that it is going to be terminated today, but we want to tackle it by focusing on prevention measures to minimise effects,” he said.
The project will run for five years.
Rwibasira said they will do different activities including constructing infrastructure in the next five years .
“We shall raise people’s awareness about climate change, construct infrastructure, invest many efforts in irrigation, plant trees all around as well as encouraging population about forest conservation,” he added.
The Director General of Environment and Climate Change, Juliette Kabera said that climate change is among the issues of concern to Rwanda.
“Rwanda’s economy is largely based on agriculture and animal resources, sometimes the country suffer prolonged droughts or heavy rains which cause erosion and destroy many things. So, the government welcomes this network that will help face these effects,” she said.
She hailed the programme through which farmers will change mindsets and use reliable information about good planting season.
The awarding ceremony was presided over by President Touadera along with various members of his cabinet in a national event held at the presidential palace, Palais de la Renaissance, in Bangui City on Monday.
In his address, President Touadera lauded the Government of Rwanda in general and Rwanda peacekeepers in particular for their professionalism, discipline and commitment.
“We recognise your efforts in bringing peace and stability in our country, your love and contribution to the peace and well-being of the Central Africans are highly appreciated” President Touadéra told Rwandan Contingent.
The Commanding Officer of Rwanbatt 4, Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Nyirihirwe thanked the Central African Republic President, his government and the people of Central Africa for their warm hospitality and spirit of collaboration that enabled his unit complete successfully its mandate and mission.
He cited some of the many operations Rwandans in MINUSCA jointly conducted with Central Africans to restore peace and normalcy in Bangui, Bria, Bocaranga and Pombolo.
The Commanding Officer also thanked the MINUSCA leadership for their guidance and confidence entrusted in Rwanbatt 4 to be part of the President’s VIP protection and that of other high-ranking dignitaries.
He requested that the same hospitality and support be accorded to their replacement as has been the case over the years.
The ceremony was also attended by members of Rwandan Diaspora in Central Africa Republic. The outgoing Rwanbatt 4 will start their rotation with their compatriots of Rwanbatt 5 on Wednesday February 28th 2018 after a year-long tour of duty in a routine relief operation in the place.
The four-day retreat started on Monday and is attended by over 300 leaders from Central and Local Government as well as the private sector.
While opening the retreat on Monday, President Paul Kagame reminded that the retreat is an opportunity for leaders to ask themselves why some issues keep coming up even when they have been discussed several times, adding that the retreat should help devise strategies to improve how government does business and build on what has been done thus far.
“This is the 15th National Leadership Retreat. It is now part of our culture of self-assessment, to ensure that what we are doing helps us deliver our vision. This time of reflection and discussion helps us change what needs to be changed. Leaders must provide guidance working with whoever they need to work with to set the vision for the country”, said President Kagame.
The day two of the retreat featured discussions on measures to use in order to improve agricultural production as the sector dominated by many Rwandans.
According to the Director of RPA, Col. Jill Rutaremara, the aim of the course is to familiarise peacekeeping trainers with the newly developed Comprehensive Protection of civilians course package in order to enable them deliver the same course in their respective countries.
Speaking while opening the course, the Director General of Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Defence, Maj Gen Ferdinand Safari said that the course will equip participants with a comprehensive and holistic view of contemporary armed conflicts.
“Effective Protection of Civilians (PoC) requires a comprehensive and holistic view that combines elements from PoC, child protection, and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence while at the same time treating each element with unique considerations. It also requires proper interpretation of mandates within the boundaries of the UN policies, guidelines and principles … Coordination, collaboration and information sharing among the relevant stakeholders is also necessary for effective implementation of PoC mandate” he said.
One of the participants from Zambia, Capt. Mainza Chipunza said that she expects to learn more on the protection of civilians especially how to engage with the local women and children who are the most vulnerable.
The one-week course is the outcome of an ongoing collaborative effort between Rwanda Peace Academy, Government of Netherlands, the United States of America and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
Course participants are from Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Netherlands, Rwanda, Switzerland, Uganda, the United States of America and Zambia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, a native of Rwanda, concealed the fact that he previously used the name “Fidele Twizere.” Kalimu answered “none” to the question on his naturalization petition that asked “If you have even been known by any other names, provide them below.” In November 2014, the defendant provided a letter to Homeland Security agents claiming that he had never used another name (other than Peter Kalimu) and that he did not use any other name (other than Peter Kalimu) in Rwanda. Those statements prevented the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for determining if foreign nationals are qualified to become U.S. citizens, from fully investigating the defendant’s background.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, under the direction of Edward A. Newman, Buffalo District Director.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. before Chief Judge Geraci.
According to several researches that have been carried out over time, exercising body diminishes the chances of catching over 20 diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
IGIHE has compiled some of the must-have tools for those who want to enroll in exercising and workouts, or those who are using wrong tools.
{{A bottle of water
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Nearly two thirds of the human body is water; 73% of the heart and mind is water. Water is an essential nutrient that is involved in every function of the body.
Moreover, for anyone who takes part in sports, it is important to have a bottle of water. With runs of an hour or longer, you will benefit from the water for rehydration and feeding the muscles.
You should also know that drinking water is not only for those who take part in sports; your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Water is needed for overall good health, and as doctors recommend, you should do it at least twice a day
{{Jumping rope
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Another must-have for sportsmen and women is a jumping cord as it is a great calorie-burner and body-strengthener. The rope is easily flexible and portable, so you can easily take it with you as you are going for sports or a gym.
It is an important tool for slimming veins as it warms up the blood and facilitates it to flow around the body easily. Before starting other forms of sports like running, it is better to start by jumping ropes, because it warms the blood and prepares the body for other exercises.
As the Daily Science once stated, jumping rope for 10 minutes is more efficient and effective than running for 8 minutes.
{{Running belts and smartphone holders
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If you like to take part in sports which mainly involves running, cycling, etc; you should have a running belt in your workout kit. This special tool lets you comfortably carry exactly what you need i.e a water bottle.
And while smartphones are undeniably handy to have with you to use running apps to track runs and stream music or podcasts to Bluetooth headphones; keeping them somewhere becomes a problem. So, for a better and comfortable run, you should not forget the smartphone holder that goes with the running belt. Very practical indeed!
{{Yoga mat
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Whether you’re a seasoned sportsman or just a beginner, Yoga mats are essential for a smooth workout. They are comfortable, supportive, and easy to maintain. You will not miss them in gyms, as they prevent you sore muscles in the morning of your post-workouts.
{{Weight lifting gloves
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Weight lifting gloves improve your grip on weights. Hands get sweaty during a workout. When they do, your hands can slip. This can be annoying if you are doing pull ups and keep falling off the bar. It is also dangerous if you are holding heavy weights over your body. Weight lifting gloves make workouts safer
With expertise in research, training medics in cancer surgery among other diseases using technology, the centre will be the first of its kind in Africa.
The establishment of the Centre in Kigali was announced by IRCAD France President, Prof. Jacques Marescaux during his visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre on Tuesday.
“We are here because we are also preparing to establish a centre of excellence in research and surgery with the aim of saving people’s lives. We expect to construct the centre in Kigali, but, it will serve all Africans,” he said.
Prof. Marescaux said that the centre will not be the first to be constructed as there are different centres constructed in France, Asia, South America and Africa is the next.
In Rwanda and the whole Africa experts from the institute used to come and provide temporary training.
The institute is expected to be constructed at Masaka, Kicukiro District around the place where University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) is set to relocate to.
Materials for construction activities will cost over $7 million and will come from IRCAD France whereas the plot will be provided by the Government of Rwanda.
No commencement date has been revealed as discussions between the Government of Rwanda and IRCAD France are still underway.
The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Malick Kayumba said that the institute will be constructed for the whole Africa and will help Rwandan medics to improve skills about treating cancer and will raise awareness among cancer patients who need to travel abroad for medication.
In July 2017, the Ministry of Health announced that they had entered in partnership with IRCAD France with an aim of providing ‘Micro invasive surgery training’ to Rwandan medics.
