The incident happened Sunday evening, where two died immediately after the meal.
Uwamahoro has been an employee at Minani’s home in Gabiro village, Buhaza Cell, Rubavu Sector of Rubavu District.
The deceased are Pascal Ndamyebuke, 10, and Benjamin Ndikubwimana, 5.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Western Region Police Spokesperson, IP Eulade Gakwaya said that they have launched investigations to ascertain the motive behind the poisoning.
“We cannot confirm that the food was poisoned but we are waiting for results from investigations,” he said.
Organised by Messe Berlin, the Asia’s leading travel trade shows, ITB Asia took place from 25th to 27th October 2017 at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the show in bringing together experts within the travel trade industry from all over the world to engage in dynamic B2B discussions.
Rwanda’s participation is expected to boost the rising number of visitors from Asia and Australia and to further introduce Rwanda to new emerging markets, especially for high-end and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) visitors.
In a press conference organised in side lines of the event, media was briefed with different speakers including Lucas J Murenzi from the High Commission, KhassimBizimungu from Rwanda Development Board and Jacqui Sebageni, the Managing Director of ‘Thousand Hills Africa’.
Murenzi emphasised the determination of the Government of Rwanda to promote tourism and wild life conservation that has led to a sharp and steady increase in the numbers of visitors to Rwanda as well as tourism revenues.
On the diversity of tourism attractions and potential in Rwanda, Sebageni said that besides the flagship gorilla trekking experience, Rwanda offers a variety of other attractions in wildlife, culture and people experiences as well as MICE visitors.
She further highlighted the beauty of Rwanda’s nature and the energy of its people.
Bizimungu stated that a solid foundation has been laid at ITB Asia.
“These three days have been very fulfilling for me as a representative of Rwanda at ITB Asia. We have managed to establish business contacts with people who have shown genuine interest in selling and promoting Rwanda,” he said
Sebageni echoed her optimistic sentiments saying “ITB Asia has been a great success for me, as it has provided an introduction to this interesting, lucrative and high-growth potential market that is Asia. We found people curious and interested in Rwanda, and once they heard what we had to offer, they became even more interested. I believe we can grow the numbers from Asia and Australia quite significantly,”
Regarding efforts in conservation, like protecting endangered species and the re-introduction of Black Rhinos and Lions to Akagera National Park, Bizimungu shared RDB’s strategy of focusing on eco-tourism and involvement of local communities in the program that has so far been very fruitful.
Ngirente was speaking Saturday after monthly community work (Umuganda) in Nyagatare District where a total of 30,000 trees were planted.
He called on residents to protect forestry saying that it is the foundation of sustainable development.
“When a big section of the population uses bio-fuels for cooking, it negatively impacts the conservation efforts. Today 83% of Rwandan population use bio-fuel for cooking, but the government targets to reduce that to 43% by 2020,” he said.
“In order to achieve this target, it requires adoption of energy efficient cooking methods including gas for city dwellers and biogas and saving stoves (Rondereza) for the rest” he urged the public.
Rwanda targets to have 30% of her surface planted with trees by 2020. However, Ngirente said that achieving the target will require everyone’s contribution.
The Minister of Land and Forestry, Francine Tumushime requested Nyagatare residents to plant more trees as well as sustaining the existing forests, Which are decreasing.
Mushikiwabo who was speaking Sunday to different French journalists in Kigali said France has for so long been characterized with insolent behaviors on matters concerning Rwanda.
“We have observed some behaviors, sorry to call them insolent, but we Rwandans today require that they admit their role in genocide,” she said.
“I can tell you that France will not succeed in this struggle they are fighting, it is indeed baseless. You can shield some evidence, but there are others you can’t. So, we recalled our ambassador because we are concerned with these endless accusations,” Mushikiwabo explained.
In July, France launched fresh investigations in the shooting down of Habyarimana’s plane.
French courts called Defence Minister Gen. Kabarebe in France by December to testify about the shooting down of a plane that was carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana in April 1994 which prompted Rwanda to recall Jacques Kabale, her ambassador to France.
Gahanga Cricket Stadium in the capital Kigali is built on a 4.5 hectare (11 acre) ground and cost $1.3 million (1.1 million euros), the majority of the funds raised by international cricket players eager to see the game take off in Rwanda.
The Rwandan Cricket Stadium Foundation was set up by Alby Shale, the son of a late British politician and cricket lover who visited Rwanda to do aid work.
“We are very happy to have this cricket pavilion and ground built, and by that, we remember Christopher Shale, in whose memory this has been built,” Kagame said at the opening.
“It is a great pleasure for us to have this facility which will see more young men and women playing and improving their skills. It is also good for us to have partners in the United Kingdom,” he said.
Eric Dusingizimana, the national team captain, helped raise funds for the stadium by setting a Guinness World Record by batting for 51 hours straight last year.
“This is an exciting development for us and the younger generation is going to benefit heavily from this,” said the 31-year-old captain.
Rwanda also holds the world record for women after Cathia Uwamahoro, a national team cricket player, became the first woman to bat for 26 hours.
Rwanda’s national cricket association estimates that only around 4,000 people currently play cricket.
The new stadium has been built to international standards, making it a rarity in East Africa.
Murekezi was speaking Sunday in Huye District under the fight against corruption campaign dubbed ‘Youth, it’s our responsibilities to fight against corruption’
“Youth have power and determination to fight against corruption in a way that can challenge old people. You should spearhead this battle and terminate any form of corruption in the generation to come,” he said.
He urged youth to use partnership along the process, saying that fighting against corruption is not an individual task.
“You should work in groups as none could work alone along the way. We assure you possible support from the government and the Office of the Ombudsman inparticular,” he said.
The youth committed to play their role in the fighting against corruption, calling upon government’s support in implementing their initiatives.
“We have a club that has different activities aimed at fighting corruption. We call for your support so that we can broadcast our initiatives on Radios as they have good messages” said Immaculée Ishimwe, a student in University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences.
The three-day New York tour held early this month was intended to provide travel agencies’ managers with experience of the products they are selling on behalf of the Brussels Airlines, according to Pascaline Kamanzi, the carrier’s Sales Supervisor in Kigali who participated in the tour too.
Nadia Keza, Managing Director for International Travel Agency (ITA) based in MIC Building, Kigali, said she has acquired a better understanding of the carrier’s products she sells and expects increase in sales as a result.
“We were selected among the best sellers of Brussels Airlines’ tickets to do a familiarisation trip to New York to test their products so that we sell what we know. It becomes easier to sell the products that we know well from experience. We will be able to increase our sales that include air tickets, visas, hotel reservations and travel insurance,” she said.
Marie Claire Sangwa, Managing Director for Sango Travel Agency also based in Kigali, said she benefited better understanding of the products she sells and learned from Brussels Airlines service that she wants to adopt in her service delivery.
“We tasted their flights’ comfort, lounges and services. The trip was wonderful, we had a memorable tour of the NYC, went to Manhattan… the tour was fantastic, we really enjoyed. Seats are good, single seats and for couples, all seats have comfort. In-flight service is good… music, games, movies and food are all good.”
The group of seven left Kigali on October 1 and landed back on October 5 from a tour that Brussels Airlines took care of everything.
Kamanzi said, “By attending Famtrip, travel agency can get the real picture of the services they are selling or of the place where they will send their customers. We wanted them to experience our new products such as good business class seats called “King Seat” where a passenger takes a seat alone, our economy privilege, our new access lounge in Brussels, etc.”
She added, “Fam travel is essential to the growth of a travel agency and we especially thank them for their sales and encourage them to sell more, setting up a network of first-rate suppliers for their customers. We understand this and that is why we are working so hard to put in place some of the most unforgettable Famtrips possible with a focus on small groups and educational opportunities.”
Brussels Airlines usually organises such trips and the previous one took different staff members of travel agencies operating in Kigali to Tel Aviv, Israel in July 2015.
This month’s Umuganda in Turkey focused on planting trees in line with the Rwandan Embassy’s performance contract this year to plant more trees across Turkey. Rwandan Embassy and Rwandan community in Turkey have conducted similar activities in the capital City of Ankara on a regular basis, each last Saturday of the month.
Umuganda in Uşak province, near 500km from Ankara saw a big number of locals coming to attend and listen about the background of Umuganda and the Rwandan story before 200 trees were planted. Among the participants were the Province Governor Mr Salim Iron, members of Parliament, the Rector of Uşak University and many academic members for the same university, Rwandans and their friends from neighbouring provinces, local gendarme, students from high schools and Uşak university as well as a considerable number of locals. African Ambassadors and diplomats had also travelled from Ankara to support and participate in Umuganda. The approximate number of participants was over 400 people.
Television and radio stations had send their journalists to capture this extraordinary activity with Rwandan colours. Speaking to the press, Ambassador Williams NKURUNZIZA explained the {raison d’etre} for Umuganda and the context in which it is organised. With a background of the Rwandan history and its current development status; he drew from the country’s home solutions to its challenges and the results as seen today in many international publications and the current economic development standing of the nation that is characterised by many as a miracle.
Nkurunziza invited all participants to visit Rwanda at their individual convenient time to witness the beauty of the country and to explore business opportunities that are waiting for their investments.
Governor Salim Iron in his turn told the crowd that Uşak province has a long tradition of community work similar to Rwanda’s. He also encouraged everyone to travel to Rwanda to start conversations with mind like businessmen and women for a long-term collaboration between Rwanda’s private sector and Uşak industrialists.
In his intervention, the Rector of Uşak University Prof. Dr. Sayın DALKIRAN thanked Ambassador Nkurunziza who had given a public lecture to a 1,200 – audience at the university the previous day about Rwanda’s renaissance. He highlighted Nkurunziza’s contribution to the knowledge of the audience and pledged more collaboration with the University to further the education cooperation with Rwanda.
Dr Alim Tunc, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of Turkey – Rwanda Parliamentary Friendship Group, in his speech shared with participants his experience in Rwanda. Honourable Tunc was recently in Rwanda where he had a chance to visit different parts of the country. He expressed his satisfaction with Rwanda’s determination to success and the wellbeing of its citizens.
The African Diplomatic Corps that was composed of nine (9) Ambassadors and twelves (12) diplomats who had travelled to Uşak were pleased to stand with Rwanda and support Umuganda. The event offered an opportunity for the African diplomatic corps to network with local businesses where the Embassy of Rwanda had prearranged visits to the local organized industrial zones.
The call was made Thursday in a consultative meeting about past achievements as well as setting future targets.
The Policy Analyst at RGB, Emmanuel Kamasa Rugamba hailed KOICA’s developmental projects in the country and requested them continued partnership in government’s programmes.
“These activities are in line with government’s programmes like constructing schools and promoting sciences and technology among other activities. The government’s budget could not satisfy them. Having such partnership is of great value and their outcomes are self-explanatory” he said.
“We also want them to help us in introducing technology that promotes good governance through fast shared information. This will help us to avoid bureaucracy during services delivery” he added.
He said that their wish to KOICA to train many people capable of developing the country through ICT.
“They should go beyond partnership with government institutions and start working with different private companies and individual entrepreneurs” he said.
The KOICA country director, Lee Byung Hwa said that they will keep cooperation with Rwanda in different sectors.
“It is of great value for us to operate in a country like this, today, we are evaluating our achievements and seeking solutions for some encountered hindrances, we always wish to cooperate with a country that desire development, we hope to achieve much more through cooperation” he said.
KOICA started working from Rwanda in 2011 by supporting different development projects like rural development, agriculture and animal resources, education, good governance and technology among others.
The theme of this year’s season is “Forests – A Pillar of Sustainable Development”. Across the country, seedlings will be planted on more than 50,000 hectares as part of the 2017/18 Forest Planting Season.
During the season, a total of 3,253.95 hectares of forests will be planted, a total of 45,729.95 hectares of agroforestry will be planted and an area of 768 hectares of degraded forests will be rehabilitated.
To support the sustainable management of state forests, 5,350 hectares will be transferred to private investors through concession and co-management agreements.
The Government of Rwanda will use this Forest Planting Season as a chance to encourage citizens to invest in forestry, use less charcoal and adopt alternative sources of energy such as gas and solar.
To help reduce the use of biomass as a source of energy; 19,317 improved cook stoves are being distributed in Gatsibo District, thanks to support from the Rwanda Green Fund.
Rwanda’s forests cover 696,402 hectares (29.6%) of the country’s total land area. Over 258,000 hectares are natural forests and savannah. The forestry sector contributes significantly to Rwanda’s economy.
