Gatsinzi was kidnaped in Uganda a fortnight ago by men clad in Uganda’s military uniform suspected to be agents of Chieftaincy Military Intelligence (CMI).
He was captured when he was visiting his son who studies in Uganda and was returned to Rwanda on Friday.
Seated in a wheelchair and recounting his ordeal to journalists at Rwanda National Police Headquarters in Kigali, Gatsinzi said that he was detained incommunicado with his face covered. He said the torture lasted for 12 days.
{{How he was detained}}
Gatsinzi says that he was in Kampala city when one of military men deceived him that there was a Rwandan colleague identified as Rugema who wanted to talk to him.
It is in that time when men clad in military uniform forced him into a car and Rugema told Gatsinzi “you shot Kayumba and the bullet remains still inside him.” Rugema is Kayumba Nyamwasa’s niece.
Kayumba is former Lieutenant General and Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Army. He fled to South Africa in 2010 and was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison by the Military High Court in Kigali over terrorist acts. Nyamwasa was shot in the stomach in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2010. He blamed the murder attempt on the Government of Rwanda which rejected the allegations.
Another Rwandan citizen, Rutagungira, was kidnapped by Ugandan security operatives in August this year and held incommunicado at Mbuya military barracks for months where he was subjected to terrible torture before being dragged into court.
Presiding over the swearing-in of newly appointed prosecutors at the primary level in Kigali on Friday, Ngirente told them to consider their oath adding that it is the foundation that binds them to the pact they have made with Rwandans.
Sworn-in are Marie Louise Igena, Angélique Uwimana and Ildephonse Twagirayezu who were appointed by the cabinet meeting of 5th December, 2017.
“The Government of Rwanda expects you to effectively execute your responsibilities. You should work tirelessly and collaborate with others in the profession,” he said.
“Upholding honesty, fairness, flexibility, respect and listen to clients, time management and use of ICT in service delivery should be on top of your targets,” he urged.
Citing examples of recurrent crimes that continue to frustrate the society, Ngirente urged the prosecution body to work on them ruthlessly.
“I call on the prosecution body to take into account cases of corruption, embezzlement of public resources, drug and human trafficking, gender based violence and cyber-crimes,” he urged.
The Premier said the Government of Rwanda recognizes the work of prosecution in litigating cases of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi fugitives who still are inciting genocide ideology around the world.
Akamanzi was speaking to the Diasporas during a discussion with the Senatorial Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security.
The discussion held at the Parliament Buildings on Thursday aimed at engaging the Diaspora community in the country’s development.
Akamanzi said that for Rwanda to become a middle-income country, they need concerted efforts from everyone including the Diaspora.
“For us to become a middle-income state, statistics show that every sector’s income needs to double. Investment stands at $1.5 billion, so, we need at least $3 billion. Tourism is estimated at around $4 million and we target at least $8 million, this is not such an easy job,” she said.
“We ask you to sell the image of the country as a place where people can safely invest their money. Whoever wants to invest their money needs to be ensured of their security and profitability.”
Akamanzi urged them to refer to available reports, like Doing Business Reports that rank Rwanda among best countries globally in easing business, to attract many investors.
Akamanzi said there are many opportunities in different sectors in which foreign investors can invest.
The World Bank Doing Business 2018 report released in October shows that Rwanda is the second country in easing business in Sub-Saharan countries and 41st globally.
The coordinator of Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN), Daniel Murenzi, said that RDB should partner with different embassies and reach out to Rwandans in Diaspora give them insights into opportunities available in the country.
“As we continue to strive for the country’s development, we need some new approaches. In addition to embassies we have out there, you should introduce progrommes aimed at visiting Rwandans in their host countries and show them how they can contribute in the desired development,” he said.
Rwandan Diaspora had also participated in the National Dialogue Council locally known as Umushyikirrano early this week.
Oxfam Rwanda will offer financial assistance to rape victims to help rehabilitate and improve their lives. The project running until 2022 was launched in Kigali, Thursday.
Oxfam Association and Rwanda’s Ministry of Family and Gender Promotion (Migeprof) were aghast at the proportions of rape against underage girls often sitting school bench and the very negative effects of the phenomenon on their future. The effects include school dropouts, deterioration of living conditions, uncertain future and death as some attempt self-induced abortion.
Funded by the Government of Scotland, Oxfam’s rape aid project worth £ 1.3 million (about Rwf1.3 billion) will operate in Violation Alert Centers (One Stop Centers) located in Remera-Rukoma in Kamonyi District, Kabgayi in Muhanga, Gitwe in Ruhango, Kabutare in Huye, Shyira in Nyabihu and Gisenyi in Rubavu District. The centers locally known as ‘Isange’ operate within the districts’ hospitals.
Part of this fund will be offered as capital to rape victims for starting income-generating projects to help them prosper.
“We want to support them financially so that they can be self-sufficed.” There are 1,000 teenage girls raped in four districts of the Southern Province and two of the Western Province who will benefit from this fund. They will receive training and start-up funds for their business, “said Patrick Wajero, Country Director of Oxfam.
“For our part, we shall continue to raise awareness of the consequences of rape, a crime that can be eradicated with the assistance of all Rwandans,” said Minister at Migeprof, Esperance Nyirasafari.
She insisted on the repressive effects of this crime which is wrapped in taboos and ignorant mentalities whereby some victims believe that rape is a taboo that must be kept secret.
Statistics of the National Public Prosecution Authority indicate that 1,951 trials of rape and other domestic violence cases were recorded in the financial year 2016-17, leaving 1889 men and 62 women convicted.
Migeprof also recorded alarming statistics showing that 17,500 underage girls acquired early pregnancies that forced them to drop out of school in 2016.
Speaking in Kigali yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT) Ltd, André Gashugi advised Diaspora members to use the fund for securing their own and families’ future.
A number of Diaspora members are in the country for festive holidays and participated at the National Dialogue Council, locally known as Umushyikirano, early this week.
He told them to save in the fund to support the government’s saving initiative and promotion of investment in the country.
“A person always thinks about where they have invested their fortune. If you want to keep thinking about Rwanda, you should invest in here. The fund should link Rwandans in Diaspora and their families in the country. Rwandans should save for their children. The more develops, the more profit investors get from their investments,” he said.
Rwandan Diaspora member in Norway, Etienne Murenzi, hailed the fund saying that it is paramount to spur the Rwanda’s development.
“This fund is good for raising saving culture among Rwandans. It is a good programme that should be supported by every individual who is proud of their country’s development. We, as Rwandans living in Diaspora, have many unnecessary expenses that we can stop and save in this fund,” he said.
President of Rwandan Diaspora, Daniel Murenzi said that the fund is crucial for the development of the country and committed to promote the initiative among Rwandans living abroad.
“I’m very pleased with how people expressed interest in saving in the fund,” he said.
Iterambere Fund currently, has 2,000 shareholders with Rwf1.45 billion of savings.
Yamamoto was responding to IGIHE reporter’s question during the Africa Conference Call about U.S strategic priorities in Africa. The discussion with the reporter from different countries around Africa revolved around Yamamoto’s recent visit on the continent.
Yamamoto visited Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda early this month.
Yamamoto said that Kagame is the right person to address different issues in AU countries, considering all he has articulated over the years in the leadership of Rwanda.
He said there are commonalities towards some basic fundamental issues to think about and act.
Yamamoto said that Kagame is very situated to think about how to stabilize security in Somalia, to respond to crisis facing South Sudan, the G5 issues facing ISIS and Boko Haram, stability in Nigeria as well as the Nile River issue with Egypt.
“I think President Kagame, being a very neutral person on a lot of these issues, is situated very well. But again, we also all agree that we’ve got to move forward on institution building. And as we always say, if you take Africa as a snapshot today, we see a lot of challenges,” he said.
Yamamoto lauded democracy strides in Africa, saying that the number of democratic or democratic-leaning countries with fair and open elections has increased to almost two dozen over the last years.
“And so that means you have greater stability in Africa, and what we want to do is to build on that, and the fragile democratic state, is to strengthen them,” he added.
Yamamoto promised good relationship with Kagame during his one-year term at the helm of the continent as the Chairperson of AU.
“And I think we’ll have a great relationship with President Kagame, but also other leaders from the African Union and the regional states. I look forward to a very dynamic, open, and progressive movement when he takes over the African Union,” he added.
Rwanda was elected to head the AU Commission in the 29th AU summit that took place in Ethiopia in July, this year. President Kagame will lead AU in 2018, taking over from Guinea President, Alpha Condé.
Tigo Rwanda will hand in all operations to Airtel as soon as Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority (RURA) approves the merger which is expected to take between one and three months, starting the deal signing early this week.
The deal might have caused uncertainty among subscribers, retailers, agents, distributors and any other person in touch with the two companies but, in fact, the merger is more of benefits than liabilities in all angles, according to Airtel.
Airtel has answered the questions most people might be wondering about in these interview excerpts:
{{General information}}
{{Question 1. What is happening now?}}
Airtel and Tigo are awaiting the requisite regulatory approvals and everything remains the same for now.
{{Question 2. When the transaction has received regulatory approvals, what is next?}}
The two entities will commence the actual integration process which entails consolidating our customers, operations, people and infrastructure.
{{Question 3. Why are the two companies combining their operations?}}
We strongly believe that consolidation will lead to a greater industry stability, scalability, and better quality of service and innovation that will benefit the customer. The integration will allow us to leverage the strengths of both entities to better serve our customers.
{{Question 4. How will this merger benefit customers?}}
The benefits of the merger will include improved coverage and enhanced customer experience across a wider network of customer touch points. Our combined customers will now be part of a bigger family benefiting from competitively priced services.
Our Mobile Financial Services footprint will be greatly enhanced with combined agent networks and platforms.
{{Question 5. What will happen to customer’s SIM cards? Will they have to change their phone numbers?}}
Customers’ SIM cards and mobile numbers will not change. There will be no interruption to customers’ experience on both networks for the moment.
{{Question 6. What will happen to funds in customers Airtel Money and Tigo Cash wallets?}}
Their funds are safe and secured and they will continue to use their Airtel Money and Tigo Cash to pay for goods and services. Funds on customers’ wallets are always held in trust by our partner banks.
{{Question 7. What will be the name of the joint entity?}}
Airtel Rwanda.
{{Question 8. Which number will be used by customers?}}
Both. Our joint customers will continue to use their current SIM cards and phone numbers.
{{Question 9. Do customers need to re-register their SIM Cards?}}
No. If they have already registered their SIM cards, there is no need to re-register.
{{Question 10. Will employees be affected by this merger? How many?}}
It is early in the process to comment on this. As the integration process unfolds, details on this will become available.
{{Business to Business (B2B) information}}
{{Question 1. What will happen to retailers like me? Shall we lose our business? }}
No. Retailers will continue their business. They will now have the opportunity to serve a wider customer base of Airtel and Tigo customers – increasing their incomes
{{Question 2. Where do I pick my stock from now? Will my distributor change?}}
No. You will continue to take stock from your current supplier or distributor. We will inform you if this changes in the future.
{{Question 3. Which TSEs or Sales representative should I contact now if I need help?}}
Your current TSE or Sales representative will still be your point of contact. If this changes, we will let you know.
{{Question 4. As a retailer, should I stop stocking SIM Cards and recharge cards of one of the companies because of the merger?}}
No. Continue stocking Airtel and Tigo SIM cards and recharge cards and make these available to customers. You now have the opportunity to serve a wider customer base.
{{Question 5. Where should I go for services e.g. to buy a SIM Card/recharge cards or for SIM replacement?}}
You can go to your current Airtel or Tigo shop, agent points and vendors to access these services.
{{Question 6. What number can I call now if I have an issue with my services?}}
You can call your call center number (for both Airtel and Tigo). You will continue to be served by your call center agents.
{{Question 7. Who will be my main point of contact to resolve issues I may have?}}
Your current relationship manager will continue to serve you. They will remain your point of contact. We will communicate to you if this changes.
{{Question 8. What will happen to my current contractual arrangement or services on Airtel or Tigo Business?}}
You will continue to enjoy your services uninterrupted.
{{Question 9. Am I required to take any action?}}
No. Continue enjoying your current services on Airtel or Tigo.
{{Question 10. What else should subscribers expect?}}
Only the best. Continue to enjoy all the services you currently have on Airtel and Tigo.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags were being trafficked alongside other illegal goods, in a vehicle registration number RAD 870M, which was also impounded, Police said.
Police spokesperson for the Northern region, Inspector of Police (IP) Innocent Gasasira said that the vehicle was intercepted by the marines unit after loading the illegal goods in the vehicle, which had been trafficked through Lake Burera.
“The vehicle was intercepted at about 9pm in Nyamabuye Cell of Kagogo Sect loaded with 60 boxes of plastic bags and 60 boxes of Blue Sky – an illicit gin,” IP Gasasira said.
“Two people, who were trafficking the unlawful commodities have also been taken into custody,” he added.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags have been outlawed in the country since 2008.
Article 433 of the penal code provides a term of imprisonment of between two to six months and fines of up to Rwf3 million to anyone, who manufactures or sells plastic bags.
Using polythene also attracts a fine of between Rwf5000 and Rwf100, 000 in addition to confiscation of the non-biodegradable products.
“The law is very clear; plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and that’s why it falls in the Police responsibilities and usual operations to arrest anyone found smuggling, selling or using them, but also to sensitize the people against it,” the spokesperson said.
Two months ago, Police in Burera also seized 24, 000 pieces of plastic bags, which were being trafficked from the neighbouring Uganda, and arrested four people behind the illegal act.
In February this year, Police in Gicumbi also intercepted 60 cartons of Plastic bags. In December last year, a joint operation by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) seized 2,175 cartons (435,000 pieces) of the non-degradable bags.
Source: Police News
The MoU signed on Thursday will see at least 1,000 young entrepreneurs acquire hands-on training by next year.
Chief Executive Officer of PSF, Stephen Ruzibiza said the agreement focuses on youth businesses in a bid to promote their development and production through adequate knowledge.
“The new programme is tailored to equip our young members with adequate knowledge and this will further enhance competitiveness and production”, said Ruzibiza.
He said the programme was originally designed for the youth but opportunities will reach out to others later in order to reduce the rate of business losses in the country.
“Lack of is of business skills is among major causes of business failures. Therefore, your prospective business ideas may go at waste just because you lack the capacity to explore them,” he observed.
The new training programme is expected to create between 10,000 and 30,000 jobs in the Country.
IBDL Chief Development Officer-Africa, Dr Mohamed Galal emphasized the importance and necessity of the programme, saying it help develop Rwanda’s business sector.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Kigali, Philibert Africa, assured of the university’s competences for offering business skills and strongly build the capacity of young entrepreneurs as agreed in the MoU.
The United Nations general assembly has delivered a stinging rebuke to Donald Trump, voting by a huge majority to reject his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The vote came after a redoubling of threats by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, who said that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it.
Despite the warning, 128 members voted on Thursday in favour of the resolution supporting the longstanding international consensus that the status of Jerusalem – which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians – can only be settled as an agreed final issue in a peace deal. Countries which voted for the resolution included major recipients of US aid such as Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Although largely symbolic, the vote in emergency session of the world body had been the focus of days of furious diplomacy by both the Trump administration and Israel, including Trump’s threat to cut US funding to countries that did not back the US recognition.
But only nine states – including the United States and Israel –voted against the resolution. The other countries which supported Washington were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
Twenty-two of the 28 EU countries voted for the resolution, including the UK and France. Germany – which in the past has abstained on measures relating to Israel – also voted in favour.
Thirty-five countries abstained, including five EU states, and other US allies including Australia, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. Ambassadors from several abstaining countries, including Mexico, used their time on the podium to criticise Trump’s unilateral move.
Another 21 delegations were absent from the vote, suggesting the Trump’s warning over funding cuts and Israel’s lobbying may have had some effect.
While support for the resolution was somewhat less than Palestinian officials had hoped, the meagre tally of just nine votes in support of the US and Israeli position was a serious diplomatic blow for Trump.
Immediately after the vote the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, described the result as a “victory for Palestine”. The Palestinians’ UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, described the result as a “massive setback” for the US.
“They made it about them,” Mansour told AFP. “They did not make it about Jerusalem, so when you make it about them and to only be able to get nine votes to say ‘no’ to it, I think it was a complete failure for their campaign.”
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the UN vote out of hand.
“Israel thanks President Trump for his unequivocal position in favour of Jerusalem and thanks the countries that voted together with Israel, together with the truth,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
Speaking to the assembly before the vote, Haley – who earlier in the week told members that the US “would be taking names” – returned to the offensive.
“I must also say today: when we make generous contributions to the UN, we also have expectation that we will be respected,” she said. “What’s more, we are being asked to pay for the dubious privileges of being disrespected.”
Haley added: “If our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our investment in other ways … The United States will remember this day.”
