The competition aims at identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs with digital tools and technology to improve communities and impact future generations. Tigo Rwanda is looking for innovations that focus on broadening financial inclusion and digital inclusion.
After an extensive selection process that involves both Tigo, Reach for Change and external experts, three winning initiatives will each receive a financial award and support to grow their organization in the Reach for Change Incubator program.
In addition to the cash prize of Frw 8,2 million each, the selected ideas will receive tools to support their social enterprises and develop as leaders and access to a global network of existing social entrepreneurs. The application period for the competition is now officially open and applications will be received until November 17, 2017.
“Together with our partner Reach for Change we have supported 12 social entrepreneurs in the Reach for Change Incubator, who have impacted the lives of over 66,000 children in Rwanda. These social entrepreneurs have made use of funding, coaching, mentorship and more to create impressive impact in Rwanda. We are also excited to bring even more young innovators to the fore with this competition” said Tigo Chief Business Officer, Amit Chawla at the launch event at KLab
“We are looking for the best innovative digital ideas that can provide genuine solutions to problems facing children and society, while at the same time promoting connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital inclusion particularly in deprived communities. We believe social entrepreneurship has the power to drive change in our communities,” said Lindy Larson, Reach for Change Africa Programs Manager.
Applications are open from the 13th of October to the 17th of November. Individuals with initiatives that use digital tools and technology to create impact are encouraged to apply. More information about the competition can be found on the site below;
[Apply to the 2017 Tigo Digital Changemakers Competition!
->http://rwanda.apply.reachforchange.org/en/app/accounts/login/?brand=tigo]
To stand a chance to win the competition, the applicants must have a working prototype in place that fits into financial Inclusion or digital Inclusion; have potential for a great social impact, be scalable, financially sustainable, and system changing.
The SPT will also assess the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, as well as the measures taken for their protection against torture and ill-treatment.
“Rwanda ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in June 2015 so it is required to set up an independent and sufficiently-resourced monitoring body that has unrestricted access to all places of detention,” said Arman Danielyan who will head the SPT delegation.
Among the places the SPT delegation is due to visit are prisons, police stations, detention facilities for women as well as juveniles and psychiatric institutions. The experts will also meet high level Government officials, the Judiciary, the National Commission for Human Rights, UN agencies and representatives of civil society.
At the end of the visit, the SPT will submit a confidential report to the Government of Rwanda, containing its observations and recommendations on the establishment of the NPM.
For the SPT, the key to preventing torture and ill-treatment lies in building constructive relations with the State concerned, and its guiding principles are cooperation and confidentiality.
According to Police, all the automobiles were impounded following different traffic rules violation and owners did not go to claim them.
The Commissioner for Road and Traffic Safety Department at RNP, CP George Rumanzi said that all automobile are held at Kacyiru Police Headquarters.
“We have seized over 1200 motorcycles without insurance; like the law says, after 30 days they will be auctioned” he said.
He continued to explain that these motorcycles had different problems like lack of insurance, drivers without driving permits and stolen motorcycles among others.
He said that they will auction different cars, some of which had been stolen and others had no insurance.
Closed are Nile Source Polytechnic of Applied Sciences (NSPA), Rusizi International University and Singhad Technical Education Society (STES)
Early this year, MINEDUC had provisionally closed some universities and some faculties in different private universities asking them to meet standards requirements.
In August, the Executive Director of the Higher Learning Council (HEC), Dr. Emmanuel Muvunyi said some universities had worked towards meeting the requirements, but still had a few requirements to meet.
Those universities are Mount Kenya University, Mahatma Ghandi and Polytechnic Institute of Byumba (IPB).
Reports indicated that Rusizi International University, Nile Source Polytechnic of Applied Arts (NSPA) and Jomo Kenyatta University were missing many requirements.
Particularly STES and Open University of Tanzania did nothing to meet the required standards.
“Given that the report of the follow-up assessment of NSPA conducted on 12/07/2017 and the verification exercise conducted on 21/09/2017 by HEC indicated that NSPA had not been able to address the issues that led to the suspension of Institution’s operation within the given time frame of six months” MINEDUC letter to NSPA reads in part.
The letter goes on to say that the university was closed following law governing the organization and functioning of Higher Education in Rwanda.
“It is in this regard that the management of NSPA is hereby informed that, the legal procedures concerning permanent closure of NSPA have been initiated. Hence, NSPA management is requested with immediate effect to meet all the necessary and due financial and academic obligations to the affected students to allow them continue their studies in other higher learning institutions” reads the letter.
NSPA was approved to operate in Rwanda by the Cabinet meeting of September 11, 2013.
{{Other closed universities}}
Speaking to IGIHE, Muvunyi confirmed that Rusizi International University and Singhad Technical Education Society (STES) were also closed.
Muvunyi said that Jomo Kenyatta had informed them that it had left Rwandan market and that Rusizi International University had had ownership, management and academic problems.
He said that STES did not implement any of recommendations.
Ngirente was speaking Friday while presiding over the ‘2017 Taxpayers Appreciation Day’ in Kigali.
The day was celebrated under the theme ‘My Tax, My Development, My Dignity’
Statistics show that in 2016/207 fiscal year, taxes contributed 56.4% whereas in 2017/2018 will contribute to 66% to financing the national budget . According to Ngirente, this is a proof of how taxes contribute to developmental activities like constructing infrastructure, classrooms, hospitals and electricity among others.
He challenged people who are reluctant to pay taxes, to change their mindsets towards understanding tax payment as a contribution in building the nation.
“I would like to remind people who evade taxes and those who delay to pay them to change their mindsets and understand that tax payment is everyone’s responsibility. It benefits both taxpayers and the country in general.
We should know that no country could develop without the contribution of its population” he said.
He said that in seven years, the government will achieve the target of being self-reliant through increasing tax revenues.
Ngirente said that the government target to increase investment by promoting Made in Rwanda and increasing exportation and their added value.
The Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Richard Tusabe hailed the role of government in mobilizing more taxpayers.
He stated some challenges like tax evasion and called upon the government’s contribution in tackling the problem
According to RRA, in 2016/2017 fiscal year, they collected a total of Rwf1,086.5 billion whereas they target Rwf1,215 billion in 2017/2018
A report released on July 5, 2017, HRW says that different people were killed by the Army, Police, Reserve Forces and DASSO while others were killed by individuals following orders by local leaders.
Dubbed ‘All Thieves Must Be Killed’, the report says that at least 37 people were killed in Rubavu and Rutsiro Districts of Western Province over petty crimes like robbery, drug dealing, illegal cross border crossing and illegal fishing among others.
According to the Chairperson for the Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights, Madeleine Nirere, people who were claimed executed are still alive and others who were confirmed dead, had died following natural diseases.
{{A look into the findings }}
According to the Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights, seven people reported executed in the HRW report are alive and these include; Tharcisse Nsanzabera, Alphonse Majyambere, Daphrose Nyirabavakure, Jovan Karasankima, Elias Habyalimana, Donati Nzamwitakuze and Emmanuel Hanyurwabake.
In the HRW report, names of one person are mistaken.The report talks about Pascal Nsabiyeze while the commission says correct names are Alias Nsabiyeze.
According to the commission, four persons reportedly killed in the report, have died of natural diseases. These
are; Thaddé Uwintwali, Jean Kanyesoko, Innocent Habimana and Jean Damascène Ntiriburakaryo
Rwanda National Commission says that six persons died as a results of various accidents though HRW reports that they were executed by the Rwanda Defence Forces, National Police or DASSO officers.
These include, Jean de Dieu Bihibindi, Samuel Minani, Amurani Bazangirabate, Djuma Ntakingora, Vedaste Renzaho, Emmanuel Ntamuhanga.
The commission says that one person reportedly executed by the Rwanda Defence Forces or police officers was shot dead by the Congolese soldiers. The person was identified as Moise Tuyisenge.
Also one person reportedly executed by an RDF soldier in HRW report; the Commission says they found out that the perpetrator was procecuted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was identified as Emmanuel Nzitakuze.
The commission rejects accusations of two people reported by the HRW to have been killed by individuals on orders from authorities, saying that they established that perpetrators were prosecuted and sentenced by courts as they committed the offence on their own behalf. These include, Jean Claude Barayavuga and Théoneste Uzamutuma.
Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights also said that ten people were reported to have been executed, but the commission says that they are unknown in local administrative entities singled out in HRW report.
These people include, Innocent Mbarushimana, Jean Damascène Ntahondereye, Emmanuel Niyigena, Nzabandora Ndayishimiye, Hakuzimana Basabose, Naftal Nteziriza, François Buhagarike, Alexandre Bemeriki, Jean de Dieu Habiyaremye and Vincent Nshimiyimana.
“The allegation that 10 persons reported by HRW to have been executed by the Rwanda military or police officers after being accused of theft and executed on orders according to which all thieves must be killed is not true. At different times, those individuals were shot while crossing the Cyanzarwe Valley from the DRC, during the night; a pathway usually used by FDLR elements to cross to Rwanda and disrupt security. Local authorities have forbidden residents to cross the valley during the night for security purposes”, Madeleine said.
These people include; Ernest Tuyishime, Jeanine Nirere, Benjamin Niyonzima, Innocent Nshimiyimana, Fulgence Rukundo, Gasore, Prosper Iradukunda, Joseph Mukeshimana, Pierre Hakizimana, Muke Flavien alias Basare.
The event is set to venture into the Rwandan renewable energy market and provide an international business and partnerships platform by highlighting attractive investment opportunities.
The two-day conference and exhibition for renewable energy will engage private and public sector players for networking, dialogue, technology exhibition and knowledge exchange to scale-up the use of renewable energy for sustainable growth and focus on small and medium hydropower project development in Rwanda and the region.
The conference will bring together over 200 participants from international, regional and local players in the energy sector, through a combination of in-depth panel and expert discussions with senior-level members from the government and key business leaders and pioneers.
The conference is expected to forge strong connections with potential business partners through extensive networking sessions and business match-making, identify technology solutions from leading providers.
Also the meeting will help engaging financiers and investors interested in the Rwandan renewable energy market, exchange know-how with counterparts.
The current energy generation (2017) is at 210.9 MW installed capacity. Power Generation mix is currently diversified as follow: hydro power 48%, thermal 32%, PV 5.7%, methane-to-power 14.3%.
According to the Rwanda Energy Group Report as of August 2017, Rwanda has achieved 40.5% access rate, of which on-grid access represents 29.5 % and off-grid access 11%.
Rwanda plans to achieve Universal access of 100% by 2023/2024; with on grid connections representing 52% and off-grid 48% by 2023/2024.
While you can choose to have whatever relationship you feel like with anyone else in your life, it’s different with your co-worker because you need each other to survive in the work environment, so you must have a good working relationship with them, as that may be the difference between your stay and exit from any organisation.
Now, let’s talk about how to make things work for you two.
{{Show respect for your co-workers}}
For any relationship to succeed, the individuals who are part of it must show respect for each other.
One way to demonstrate respect is by avoiding doing things others might find offensive. For example, don’t leave your mess behind and don’t steal credit for someone else’s work.
Everyone has bad days. Show your co-workers some kindness when they seem to be struggling. You don’t have to do anything extravagant. Offering to stay late to help him/her work on a big project with a looming deadline or bringing them coffee and a cookie on a stressful day can light up their face. It won’t make your colleague’s problems disappear, but it could help make them feel better.
{{Be kind}}
Everyone has bad days. Show your co-workers some kindness when they seem to be struggling. You don’t have to do anything extravagant. Offering to stay late to help him/her work on a big project with a looming deadline or bringing them coffee and a cookie on a stressful day can light up their face. It won’t make your colleague’s problems disappear, but it could help make them feel better.
{{Avoid gossip, especially malicious ones}}
Gossip can get you into trouble. Resist the urge to share juicy bits of news about anyone with whom you work. When you do, it sends a bad impression to your colleagues, and they will wonder if they will be your next subject.
Know that while you should refrain from gossiping, you should know how to make the grapevine work for you. Listen to all the news that come your way, filter out what is false and ignore anything that isn’t helpful.
{{Get along with everyone}}
The truth about the work environment is that you are unlikely to have any control over who your co-workers are and what they are like – a few may have some annoying qualities. Whether you work with a chatterbox, a gossip, a delegator, a complainer or a credit grabber, your life will be much easier if you find a way to get along with them.
{{Uphold good work etiquette}}
Good manners are as important on the job as they are anywhere else. This is an important point to remember whenever you are around your co-workers. Make sure to make phone calls in a way that doesn’t distract anyone who is trying to work. Keep your voice down and, if possible, have private conversations away from others.
Take care when writing or replying to email. Always say “please” when making a request and don’t drive your co-workers crazy by hitting “reply all” in a group email when only the sender needs to see your response.
Be mindful of proper table manners when eating lunch with your co-workers. For example, avoid tending to matters of personal hygiene at the table, put your cell phone away and be polite to waitstaff. Just avoid stepping on a toe.
Here are some reasons to consider joining the entrepreneurship circle.
{{Guaranteed income flow}}
If you have always worked for somebody else, your employer determines your income. As an entrepreneur, there are no limits placed on what you can earn. Instead, you determine your earnings.
{{You’re presented with a rare opportunity to impact life}}
You have come up with an idea for a product or service which can make people’s lives easier. So, by putting your idea to work and starting a business, you are actually contributing to making the lives of people better.
{{You gain valuable experience}}
Starting a business in most countries is very tough. If you are able to navigate these challenges, you will definitely gain invaluable experience that will come handy in your future dealings.
{{It helps you grow mentally}}
Entrepreneurship will help you up your accountability game. When you have your own business, you are your own boss. There is no one looking over your shoulder making sure you do the work. As an entrepreneur, you have to learn to hold yourself accountable, or you will not succeed
{{Confidence level increases}}
The fear of failure will evaporate and your interaction or engagement with people will significantly improve.
IGIHE has caught up with William McIntyre, Regional Director for Southern Africa for Carlson Rezidor, on the sidelines of African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Kigali on Tuesday, to learn about the giant brand’s ambitions in Rwanda and the region.
About Rwanda, McIntyre said, “We are very confident of our investment in Rwanda and everything is set perfectly for Kigali in particular to become a hub of meetings and events, and a tourism hub. We are currently focusing on increasing our occupancy which will tie in with the increase in tourism in the country.”
He said, in the region covering South Africa, Mauritius, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Gabon and Rwanda, Carlson Rezidor boasts of 20 hotels in operation and six under development while they target to add at least 40 hotels under their strategic Destination 2022.
Carlson Rezidor put its footprint on the continent in 2000 with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa but over the last three years, it has signed a new hotel deal in Africa every 37 days and improved its hotel openings to open a new hotel every 60 days, leading to a great expansion currently featuring 80 hotels with 17,200 rooms in operation and under development. The target is to have over 23,000 rooms in Africa by 2022.
South African national, McIntyre has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with his most recent role as COO for the largest hospitality real estate fund in Southern Africa, Hospitality Property Fund.
He elaborated on Carlson Rezidor’s ambitions and his own perception of the industry in interview excerpts below:
{{IGIHE}}: Who is William McIntyre in brief?
{{McIntyre}}: I am the Regional Director for Southern Africa for Carlson Rezidor, responsible for commercial performance, operations standards and owners relationships.
{{IGIHE}}: How did you get started in hotel industry?
{{McIntyre}}: I started in electrical engineering and construction, then moved to project management, within the project management I got into hotel industry as chief engineer, later changed career towards human resource. So, the combination of project management, engineering and human resource gave me a strong understanding of facility management. Coming to Carlson Rezidor, I understand the hotel owner’s perspective because we manage on behalf of them.
{{IGIHE}}: How do you make it in hospitality industry?
{{McIntyre}}: People often ask me, “How did you come to this job?” I like this sector as a knowledge-based facilitator of collective goals. My answer is always this, “incremental improvement” because today is 100% (successful) but tomorrow maybe 99%. We are never satisfied that we got it perfectly. We deal with people, with experiences, so every day we try to improve everything. The day you are satisfied in hospitality industry, it is the day you sink because competition never sleeps.
{{IGIHE}}: How well is Carlson Rezidor positioned in Southern Africa region?
{{McIntyre}}: Well, 17 years ago, Southern Africa was very much a region of independent hotel managers. There were not many international managers of hotels. In 2000, Carlson Rezidor took up the first hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town. Now we have 43 openings in Africa and 78 in the pipeline. We have grown faster than anybody else in Southern Africa specifically. In Kigali for example, we have Radisson Blu Hotel at the Kigali Convention Centre, this is a world-class facility exactly in the centre of Africa.
{{IGIHE}}: What can we expect from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group within Southern Africa in the next five years?
{{McIntyre}}: Carlson Rezidor has got new owners, the HNA Group (Chinese conglomerate). They have made it clear that they want to be in the top three hotel managers in the world in the next 10 years. We have had an aggressive expansion programme in Africa. You can expect nothing but expansion from Carlson Rezidor in the next five years. We plan to introduce two more brands but currently focusing on Radisson Blu and Park Inn as we look up to introduce two more brands to give people a range of choice.
{{IGIHE}}: Rwanda falls within your region of job, how do you see Rwanda’s hospitality industry?
{{McIntyre}}: Rwanda has acquired confidence, it is organised, clean and safe. The country was recently named the safest in Africa and ninth in the world. People are looking for places where they can have new experiences and feel safe amid the terrible things happening in the world. So, to be recognized as the safest destination works perfectly for the country’s ambitions to attract people here. We are very confident of our investment in Rwanda.
{{IGIHE}}: What defines most your interest in Rwanda?
{{McIntyre}}: I was speaking to some people in South Africa just last week, they were looking for locations for Pan-African conventions, and I said to them, “Come to Rwanda, come to Kigali, to understand the potential of the capacity that Rwanda has for tourism, meetings and events.” Anyone who is looking for a major and unique conference venue but still completely the African experience, I tell them, “Come to Rwanda”. I was speaking to someone here at AHIF earlier, and he said he has not felt this comfort of the function since Cape Town. People are comparing Kigali to Cape Town, that is a good thing. Cape Town is the best city for conferences on the continent.
{{IGIHE}}: Carlson Rezidor is managing only two hotels in Kigali, do you consider adding more on your list?
{{McIntyre}}: We are currently able to accommodate 5000 delegates at KCC and at least 400 more at the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali. The market in Kigali is very well stocked with hotel rooms, so we want to consolidate for awhile and raise occupancy rate.
{{IGIHE}}: What message would you leave to your clients in Kigali?
{{McIntyre}}: For any business, your client is your most important asset, you have to listen to your client. We have a strong brand with very clear brand identities and the people who are regular guests of Carlson Rezidor across the continent will experience the best services by Kigali in particular. I can tell our esteemed clients, “stay with us in Carlson Rezidor hotels. We are very confident we will continue to exceed your expectations. But if you are looking for something extra or something different, come to our hotels in Rwanda, I am a big fan, I am a big fan!
