Rugege was speaking yesterday at the 14th East African Magistrates and Judges Association Conference and Annual General Meeting in Kigali.
“ICT has been more useful in Rwanda’s justice system; it is used while receiving cases, communication between court employees, court fees payment and registries of litigants” he said adding that ICT enabled transparency and reduced corruption.
He said embracing technology reduced in person contacts between litigants and court employees which previously created tendencies to corruption.
Rwanda’s justice system uses ‘Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS)’, a programme which was introduced in January, 2016.
{{Financial constraints in EAC}}
The president of Kenyan High Court Justice Nzioka Wa Makau said that technology in courts is helpful, but means to afford it is still a challenge.
“In Kenya, constitution says that courts are independent and should have own resources, but, till today no available resources. We are looking forward for a ‘fund’ to support courts. So, technology is good but we can’t afford to buy it,” he said.
The VisaFreeAfrica campaign, launched by the Kigali Global Shapers during the World Economic Forum for Africa in 2016 includes a global petition that calls for all 54 African countries to grant a 30-day visa on arrival to all African citizens by 2022.
For the past 30 years, the African Union has attempted to address free movement on the continent. The “Agenda 2063” plan to introduce a common African passport by 2020 is in motion but African citizens still need visas to travel to 42 out of 54 African countries.
The NAS and VFA partnership took roots at the World Economic Forum meeting held in Davos, Switzerland in January 2017 and was formalized almost immediately. NAS, the fastest growing aviation services provider in the emerging markets, has made a five-year commitment to support this campaign which will be implemented in several African countries in the coming months.
Michaella Rugwizangoga, Curator at World Economic Forum Global Shapers said, “With support from National Aviation Services, the Kigali Shapers will be able to better coordinate a continental effort towards open African borders and facilitate the removal of visa requirements on the continent.”
Hassan El-Houry, NAS Group CEO, said “As a partner in Africa’s development, we are aware of the mobility issues faced by youth and businesses in the region. With our investments in the region and by supporting Visa Free Africa, we continue to drive efforts for the development of the continent and its people.”
NAS operates across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, with a presence at 30 airports, managing more than 31 airport lounges and handling seven of the world’s top 10 airlines. The target is to achieve free movement of people across all African countries by 2030.
{{Labour mobility for Africa’s development}}
In addition to the petition, Global Shapers across the African continent are engaging their leaders and policy makers in dialogues about the need to ease mobility on the continent. Through this initiative, African youth will find a platform to voice the reasons why facilitating movement of people across the continent now can fast track the continent’s 2063 Agenda.
On a global scale, Africa’s competitiveness is tied to labor mobility. With the African market set to grow to two billion by 2050, greater integration and human mobility is the need of the hour. Liberal visa policies will help boost tourism revenues, foster new business opportunities and facilitate economic growth. It will also open up new job opportunities to the 60 percent of African youth that is currently unemployed.
The Kigali Global Shapers are part of a global network of 600 hubs under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum. Hubs are developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, achievements and drive to make a contribution to their communities. The community encompasses 7,000 change makers.
Established in 2012 by Founding Curator Diana Mpyisi, the Kigali Hub has now positioned itself as one of the most active and impactful youth-led groups in Rwanda.
The eight-man delegation led by the Minister of Women and Children Promotion in Ethiopia, Demitu Hambisa Bonsa, has visited Isange One Stop Center, Kacyiru and Gahaya Links, a Rwandan handicraft company dedicated to women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.
After being briefed about services provided by Isange One Stop Center, Minister Hambisa said that they learnt a lot that they believe could help their country in promoting lives of women and children.
“We have come to learn from Isange One Stop Center and other programmes aimed at fighting against gender based violence. We have seen how different problems are being solved through counseling and other support for a victim of gender based violence. Our country has started this move, but we are yet to align them. We have learnt how Police partner with different institutions in fighting against gender based violence” said Hambisa.
Hambisa said that Rwanda is a global model in fighting against violence.
“Rwanda is a good model for many African countries in terms of gender promotion and children’s rights protection. We believe that Rwanda is a country to learn from towards success,” she added.
She said that in Ethiopia, lives of women and children are hampered with early marriages, rape and family violence among others. She said the government continues to fight them using different campaigns and legal actions against offenders.
During their tour, the delegation also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site where they paid tribute to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi victims.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mpayimana lashed out at Mwenedata, accusing him of using his status of self-imposed exile as a platform to launch his political missiles against the Rwanda government instead of using all the available means he can muster in consolidating what Rwanda has been able to achieve.
“If it is enough to want to enter politics because you are in exile or because you have the means to flee, there are several thousand Rwandans who would apply for each election. But if we have taken the time to build our political project that uses the same language both inside and outside the country, we are not many to start this exercise,” said Mpayimana in a statement.
Mpayimana was responding to the statements made by Mwenedata, who was speaking on a foreign radio criticizing political independence in Rwanda.
He specifies that on the 13th minute of the statement, Mwenedata does not encourage Rwandan citizens to contribute to the national political edifice.
Mpayimana said that a politically astute and courageous person is one who maintains the same stand of transparence whether in or outside the country.
“Mpayimana Philippe ran in the presidential elections in complete independence and freedom, far from giving the impression of a manipulated politician. I have thanked and I still praise the acceptance of my candidacy, as a great step towards democracy in our country,” reads the statement in part.
The Governor was speaking yesterday in Ngoma District where he addressing a community gathering in Kazo Sector.
This was after the exercise to dispose of about 680 kilogrammes of cannabis and over 3200 litres of illicit brew.
The destruction exercise came a day after other 34000 litres of illicit brew were also disposed of in Kazo.
The poured illicit drinks were seized from one resident in Kazo, who was operating an illegal distillery. The illegal plant was discovered during the ongoing Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Standards Bureau (RBS) joint operations against illegal or substandard distilleries.
While addressing the residents, Governor Mufurukye warned those operating illegal distilleries and drug dealers in general.
“It has come to light that only 20 percent of the 104 distilleries in this region are licensed. All entities are going to work with security organs and you the people, to dismantle these illegal plants that make hazardous substances that are harmful to your health,” the Governor said.
So far, the ongoing joint operation by RNP and RBS has closed 45 illegal breweries in the Eastern Province alone.
According to the report, out of 27 distilleries inspected in the Northern Province, only seven fulfilled the requirements while 19 out of 32 found in the Southern Province were also closed.
Only one distillery each was closed in the City of Kigali and the Western Province. In all the closed illegal or substandard breweries, the substances were also disposed of.
“The safety and security is your responsibility as well, for without it development will derail. Drug dealers and abusers are a threat to your lives, health and the overall wellbeing,” Mufurukye said, citing school dropouts, domestic conflicts and child abuse as some of the repercussions of illicit drugs.
He wondered how someone can invest Rwf20 million in operating an illegal distillery, which is “more than enough to start a lawful and standard licensed brewery.”
About 58 breweries recently applied for the standard mark with RSB, but only eleven of them were given the S-mark after an inspection and fulfilling all the requirements.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dismas Rutaganira, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, commended the role of the public in fighting making, selling and consumption of illicit substances.
“The operations are still ongoing across the country. We are aware that some distilleries are even not known, others operate without license; even some of those with license don’t follow the standard criteria, use hazardous raw materials and operate in unhygienic places, which are all considered in this operation to prevent health implications that might arise out of these dangerous substances,” ACP Rutaganira said.
Meanwhile, Phillip Nzaire, the director of Quality Assurance at RSB, said that there are specific standard procedures that should be followed.
“Banana based alcoholic beverages have specifications; only food grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture. There are also content limits that shouldn’t be exceeded,” Nzaire said.
“The labeling is also a prerequisite; the name of the products, physical and postal address of manufacturer; net contents in millilitres or litres; ethyl alcohol content; date of manufacture and expiry date; storage instruction; statutory warnings; and list of ingredients in descending order; all these are part of the standard requirements,” he added.
Some of the distilleries were found packing in disposed of water and Heineken bottles.
Headed by its chairman, Dr. Jean Nepomuscene Sindikubwabo alongside his deputy Gertrude Kazarwa, the commission was received and briefed by Commissioner of Police (CP) Daniel Nyamwasa, the Director of Kigali Forensic Laboratory.
In his briefing, CP Nyamwasa said that the centres, which offer free medical, psycho-socio and legal services to victims, are a voice especially to the disadvantaged, who would otherwise find it hard to get justice and acquire medical services.
“These centres have been established in all the 44 district hospitals across the country, and offer similar services. They have doctors, judicial police officers, social workers, psychologists, who all work together to ensure that the victim acquires all the services required under one roof,” CP Nyamwasa said.
“When victim comes, he or she is directed to the judicial officer, who assesses the condition and sends them to medical-legal personnel for scientific evidence and treatment. It’s the same medical report that facilitates the judicial process. The judicial officer also works with police stations in that district to ensure that victims are located and helped,” he added.
Since July 2009, Isange one stop centre at Kacyiru hospital has received over 16, 900 cases with majority 71 percent related to sexual abuse; domestic violence account for 29 percent.
According to statistics, about 81 percent of the total victims of sexual assault are aged below 18 years, those below five years account for 17 percent while male victims are 2 percent.
Overall, male victims of domestic violence account for 19 percent, with majority victims being women at 82 percent.
Between January and August this year, all the 44 Isange centres across the country have received a total of 3,378 cases with a quarter of them received at Isange Kacyiru.
Isange model also has provisions for emergency contraception, HIV prophylaxis, Sexual Transmission Infections (STI) prevention and other medications. It provides free referral and specialized services like medico-legal, gynecology and obstetrics, mental health, legal and investigation, psychosocial, safe room and social integration services to victims of GBV and child abuse.
It also has provisions for preventing pregnancies that might arise out of rape and defilement.
Isange is under the supervision of the ministries of Gender and Family Promotion, Health, and Rwanda National Police (RNP).
CP Nyamwasa also briefed them on future expansion plans and the decentralization of the centres down to all health centres across the country as means to effectively and efficiently reach out to victims and further raise awareness on preventive measures.
In an interview, Dr. Sindikubwabo hailed the impact of Isange and the role of RNP is raising awareness on preventing gender based violence and child abuse.
“When you analyze its responsibilities, you will find that the specific duty of the police is to receive and support victims of GBV and child abuse. These efforts need to be supported by everyone and all institutions because,” Dr. Sindikubwabo said.
“We found out that Isange has enough and qualified staff; the idea to expand the services of Isange to health centres will also be a big step to also respond to the high cases of child pregnancy, break silence and prevent under-age pregnancies,” he added.
Recently, the social media has been awash with footages showing black African migrants being sold as slaves in an auction.
Footages also showed different humiliating acts like human trafficking, torture, rape, kidnapping and other inhumane practices.
The world was shocked to see such actions saying that they should not happen in 21st century.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Chairperson of African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the actions saying that they are degrading humanity.
“The African Union strongly condemns these actions from past, we express our condolences to our relatives who became victims of such intolerable activities,” he said.
Mahamat expressed deep anger and called upon collaboration to bring people behind such acts into account.
“Referred to the AU Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, I call for relevant investigations and other legal and judicial procedures, so that perpetrators of such acts are prosecuted,” he said.
He requested AU member states to provide logistical support to the repatriation of migrants who would wish to return to their countries.
Mahamat also called for financial contribution to help alleviate grief of migrants in Libya.
“I urge member states that have necessary logistic means to facilitate the resettle of African migrants who would wish to do so,” he said.
“I am pleased to note that Rwanda has contacted us not only to help transport migrants from Libya, but also to host a large number of them on her soil,” he said.
Through her twitter handle, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo said that Rwandan history taught Rwandans to feel the pain of stateless people, the reason why they chose to resettle some of the migrants in Rwanda.
“Indeed, Rwanda’s political philosophy and the experience of many Rwandans for many years not having a country they call home, have led this country to feel for refugees, migrants, stateless persons…For Africans being sold in Libya, Rwanda is small, but we will find some space,” the tweet reads.
We have put together a few tips we believe will help you in landing that dream salary or job.
{{Wait for an offer}}
Some people are usually too quick to name their expected pay during an interview. Don’t jump the gun, and mention your salary expectation. It throws the employer off and it shows you off as someone who is after the money and not for the love of the job. Always wait for when the recruiter makes you an offer.
{{Don’t be in a hurry to name your price}}
There’s an accepted salary structure for every employment position, depending on your qualifications. When your recruiter asks you to tell them ‘how much you’d like to be paid’, don’t hurriedly mention a particular amount, because you risk either overrating or underrating yourself. When that kind of question gets thrown at you, your best response should be that they should use the salary structure for someone of your level. If they persist, and pressure you for an amount, you could then narrow it down to a certain range. This puts your employer in a tight spot.
{{Don’t be in a hurry}}
Don’t rush to accept an offer. The goal is to always sleep over an offer and make a decision. If the contract details doesn’t sit well with you, refuse it, not all jobs we get are meant for us. Sometimes, thinking over an offer can give you a better offer.
If the job offer is below your expectation say NO. It’s not by force. Refuse it. Most times you will get a call back on a salary revision. Don’t just say yes and swallow it.
{{Don’t refuse a job offer you’re sure you need}}
Intuition is a winner all the time. Don’t refuse a job offer you have always wanted in an industry and company you admire. A lot of people have left better paying jobs to start off another job that paid less but was a CV booster to them and they went on to occupying better positions and earning more money. The goal is to look for a better position than in your previous place.
{{Source: elcrema.com}}
Speaking to IGIHE, the Communication Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Ange Soubirous Tambineza, confirmed the move but did not reveal reasons behind their suspension.
Others are the Head of Land Husbandry, Irrigation and Mechanization, Innocent Nzeyimana, the Head of Corporate Services Division Violet Nyirasangwa, and the Head of Finance Theogene Bimenya.
Last month, as RAB top officials appeared before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer queries on resources management raised in the 2016 Auditor General report, Gahakwa did not attend and officials described her absence as a sign of disrespect.
The Director General of RAB, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe said that administrative action would be taken against Gahakwa.
The 2017 report by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has revealed that EAC states have bigger numbers of children suffering from malnutrition and stunting growth than other African countries.
Under the report dubbed ‘Global Nutrition Report 2017’, 38 million children in EAC suffer from malnutrition whereas 1.7 million suffer from stunting growth.
The report indicates that EAC states top other African countries with malnutrition that stands 33.9%. In Northern region it is 8.3%, Central region 25.8%, Southern region 8.0% whereas in Western region stands at 11.5%.
Speaking in the meeting in Kigali yesterday, Dr Dia Sanou, in charge of Nutrition in the United Nations of Food and Agriculture Organisation in EAC stressed that parliamentarians in the region have a critical role in addressing food security problems.
He said that, food security problem was mainly due to insecurity and prolonged droughts in the region.
“It has been observed that EAC is among most affected regions with food security problem and stunting growth among children, but the main cause is insecurity, famine and armyworms that are damaging crops across the region” he said
“If agriculture is able to provide the right food, if economy and finance are able to provide the right resources for people to buy, if we can protect the most vulnerable through social protection, if we can educate people at school, there will be minimum challenges in having healthy lives,” he said.
He urged parliamentarians to increase agricultural budget saying that when you invest one dollar in agriculture activities, you harvest $16 from the invested value.
The speaker of parliament Donatille Mukabalisa said that they are committed to sensitizing population about possible approaches to ending food insecurity.
