The 2019 GGS takes place at the Kigali Convention Center between 25-27 November 2019 under the theme “Unpacking constraints to gender equality”.
It is hosted by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with African Development Bank.
The 2019 GGS focuses on three key dimensions to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment: scaling up innovative financing; fostering an enabling environment (legal, regulatory & institutional); and ensuring women’s participation & voices.
These dimensions will be articulated around three main thematic areas: climate change, private sector development, and human capital and productive employment.
The digital revolution will also be addressed throughout the sessions as a cross-cutting theme.
The fresh reminder follows incidents in Lake Burera on Saturday when two boats capsized.
Marine Unit Commanding Officer (CO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said that earlier that morning at about 5 am, two boats left Kinyababa sector carrying traders going to Kirambo market, with their goods.
One of the boats carried five people, while three others were in the second boat.
“The boats were washed away by strong wind and capsized. All traders who had life jackets survived and were rescued; however, a mother and her one-and-half year child drowned,” ACP Mwesigye said.
The body of the child was recovered while the search for the mother is still underway.
The CO explained that the deceased was trying to withdraw the child from the back so as to swim and both drowned in the process.
“Everyone using water transport or any business in waters, like fishing, must wear a life jacket as a policy; that jacket is your life when in waters, so no one should be forced to wear it… it should be your primary responsibility to take your safety first,” ACP Mwesigye emphasized.
He further urged those using water transport to always not force through bad weather, which is risky.
He was arrested after breaking into the shop of one Phocas Nkurunziza located in Nyirangarama Cell, Bushoki Sector.
Nkizamacumu is also said to have broken into another shop in Muyongwe Sector, Gakenke District, on November 17, where he stole money and goods.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Northern region Police spokesperson, said that Nkizamacumu was found with some goods stolen from Nkurunziza’s shop.
“Nkizamacumu was found in possession of 130kgs of sorghum, 50kgs of beans, a radio and Rwf40, 000, all stolen from Nkurunziza’s shop. He has been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Bushoki station with exhibits,” said CIP Rugigana.
He thanked residents who called the Police immediately after witnessing the crime and called for continued partnership and real time information sharing on such wrongdoers.
Theft, under article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties, is punishable with an imprisonment of between one and two years, and a fine ranging between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million; community service of up to six months or one of these penalties.
The suspects; two men and two women were arrested during a Police targeted operation conducted Thursday.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for Eastern region identified the suspects as Eric Mwiseneza, 21, Clement Ndahiro, 23, Claudine Uwera, 24, and Leoncie Umurerwa, 20.
“There was information from victims and witnesses about a group of boys and girls in Nyamata town, who ambush people late in the evening and snatch their valuables,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
“With the help of residents, the wrongdoers were identified and arrested on Thursday. They were arrested on the same spot where they had also set an ambush to steal from other people,” he added.
One of the victims, Joseph Hakizimana, said that on November 11, the same group attacked him in the evening and forcefully took his two handsets worth Rwf80, 000, each.
Another victim Ntwari Abdallah, who also identified the same suspects as his attackers, said they ambushed him and took his two mobile phones, two pairs of shoes and a cap. Ntwari had just bought the stolen items in Nyamata town.
The suspects, who admitted to the crimes, said that they were targeting people with valuables like mobile phones, necklaces, shoes and jackets as well as women handbags and others bags they suspect to be containing worthy goods, which they later sell on black market in Nyamata town.
CIP Twizeyimana thanked residents, who facilitated successful operations to identify and arrest the prime suspects and called for continued information sharing on people they suspect to be engaged in such criminal tendencies.
Theft, under article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties, is punishable with an imprisonment of between one and two years, and a fine ranging between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million; community service of up to six months or one of these penalties.
The pass-out was held at the Canine Brigade headquarters in Masoro, Gasabo District.
The one-month training focused on basic explosive and narcotic detection and kennel management. It was conducted in partnership with the Police Dog Center of Holland.
DIGP Marizamunda thanked the course participants, the facilitators and the Canine brigade for the successful completion of the training.
He commended the canine specialists for the important role they play in supplementing national safety and security.
“We all know that the primary responsibility of the Police and other security organs is to make sure that there is peace and security in the country as they are the pre-condition for sustainable development. You play a significant role in ensuring that security,” DIGP Marizamunda said.
He, however, reminded participants that the criminal landscape is becoming more complex and challenging, especially with criminals taking advantage of advancement of technology.
“Criminals are dynamic, they are now using technology; capacity building must be the priority to ensure we always stay many steps ahead of criminals. The course you end today fits well in that objective,” he added.
He emphasized that Rwanda National Police (RNP) will continue to invest in capacity building, acquire more dogs and expand areas of specialization such as apprehension and attack dogs.
RNP, he further said, will continue to upgrade Canine Brigade infrastructure including training facilities and developing a dog breeding center.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benoit Kayijuka, Canine Brigade Commanding Officer said that the training was designed to equip police officers with the required standard skills and knowledge for effective use of dogs while searching.
“RNP is strengthening the Canine capabilities. These officers completing training today have been taught the maintenance of gear and kennel, handler safety, canine health and welfare, search techniques, among others. The acquired knowledge will help us in our daily duties,” ACP Kayijuka said.
Andres Isaksson, the chief trainer from the Police Dogs Centre Holland commended the discipline, commitment and energy displayed by the trainees.
“Dogs have the ability to perform better, under the supervision of more experienced handlers,” Andres noted.
Police Constable (PC) Nadine Ingabire, one of the course participants said that she learned many things and she is committed to use the knowledge acquired.
“Before coming here I did not know that dogs obey and respect orders given. My dog searches for explosives and it is interesting to work with it. I am now familiar with it, we form a team and we are ready to work for our country,” PC Ingabire said.
K-9 means a dog that is specifically trained to assist Police and other law enforcement personnel in, for example, searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime scene evidence, and protecting their handlers.
Dr. Binagwaho has been appointed alongside Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting: Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., headquartered in Nigeria.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Agnes and Ndidi to our Board of Trustees. As the Foundation works to lift up the most vulnerable people in communities around the world, their deep global development expertise and longstanding commitment to improving lives will be invaluable to the organization,” said Board Chair Richard D. Parsons.
Dr. Binagwaho has served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, an initiative of Partners In Health, since 2017.
From 2002-2016, she served the Rwandan Health Sector in high-level government positions, first as the Executive Secretary of Rwanda’s National AIDS Control Commission, then as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and later spent five years as the Minister of Health.
Dr. Binagwaho is also a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, a Professor of the Practice of Global Health Delivery at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, and an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.
She completed her MD in General Medicine at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles and her MA in Pediatrics at the Universite de Bretagne Occidentale.
“Agnes has helped change the national health landscape as a member of the government of Rwanda, and is an important leader in the field of global health,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation.
« I have long admired the work of the Rockefeller Foundation and I am delighted to join the Board of Trustees. The Foundation’s work advancing new frontiers, especially with respect to health and science, continues to touch the lives of so many around the world, and I look forward to helping support the advancement of that work, » said Dr. Agnes Binagwaho.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission to inspire and foster large-scale human impact that promotes the well-being of humanity throughout the world; it’s efforts to scale innovations that help meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities around the world are just as important now as they were when the foundation was founded.
The Rockefeller Foundation was established in 1913 and was ranked the 39th largest foundation by total giving in the United States in 2015.
The 20 ambulances acquired through Imbuto Foundation under Baho Neza project, worth around Rwf 1 billion Rwandan francs and were donated to the hospitals and health centres in most need, to enhance Rwanda’s efforts in decreasing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates as one of the goals of the Baho Neza project.
From the recent assessment done by the Ministry of Health, almost half of the fleet is old and there is a gap of around 174 ambulances if these old ambulances are to be replaced to meet the Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 4 target.
The Ministry of Health aims at ensuring that at least one ambulance is available for every 40,000 citizens. In order to reach this target, the MOH has engaged districts for more ownership in terms of planning and budgeting for new ambulances each fiscal year in order to replace the old fleet.
The recipients of the new ambulances were advised to keep improving the fleet management, ensure proper maintenance of the cars and work with the districts to come up with a strategic replacement plan.
This comes after several people have been arrested for either conducting illegal mining operations or unlawful trade in minerals.
In the latest case, Police in Gatsibo District, on Wednesday, arrested two illegal mineral dealers with 70kgs of wolfram.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the police spokesperson for Eastern region identified the suspects as Eliezel Musengimana, 27, and Fraterne Shyaka, 28, over illegal mining.
“The suspects were arrested in Rugarama Sector with the minerals after the locals called the Police. They were buying minerals from miners, who were also mining illegally,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
“Mining or trade in minerals has to follow the law; right people being in the right concession at the right time. A dealer has to be licenced to do so and transportation has to be done in the right way—minerals have to be tagged to show the origin partly to fight fraud and tax evasion.”
“Illicit mining activities don’t follow legal and safety provisions. They take place at abandoned mineral concession and illegal miners often operate under dangerous conditions. Not only is illegal mining risky from a safety perspective for those who choose to participate, risking their lives and that of others; but it leads to outcomes that have negative long-term consequences,” said the spokesperson.
Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offence
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
Liliane Musabinema, 31, was at the time of her arrest found in possession of 5,200 pellets of cannabis.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Musabinema was arrested following a tip-off by area residents in Muyira.
“The Anti-Narcotics Unit received reliable information that Musabinema, who was suspected of being a major drug dealer, had brought another consignment of narcotics,” said CIP Twajamahoro.
“ANU responded and arrested her red-handed with 5,200 pellets of cannabis. Musabinema disclosed another drug dealer whom she identified as Emmanuel Niyirora, as her supplier. Law enforcement organs are working together to track and arrest Niyirora as well,” he added.
The spokesperson also said that it is a chain of drug traffickers from the neighboring countries to their local suppliers and retailers, which is being targeted in the ongoing operations.
“It is a chain of distributors and local suppliers, but we commend the role of the general public in identifying these individuals and their groups, which continues to ease Police operations to break these chains,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
Article 263 of Rwanda penal code stipulates that any person who, unlawfully, produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offense with a sentence, upon conviction, ranging between 20 years and life in prison, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The certificates which were presented by Digital Jewels, a specialized cybersecurity and IT solutions firm, after a period of evaluation and capacity building in regard to digital security measures for the well-functioning of the bank in line with the standard best practice.
In their evaluation prior to certification, the experts examined backup memory storage capacities, staff capacities and cybersecurity against outlier access.
The evaluation included also the security of the Cards used, to improve their experience with the ATM machines and other channels.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Jewels Ltd, Adedoyin Odunfa noted that the certification awarded were well deserved, considering the cybersecurity solutions that have been introduced at the Bank and they act as a game changer as they give the Bank confidence to become more competitive and more effective in service delivery and data system protection.
“Access Bank Rwanda Plc has upgraded their security infrastructure and can now detect any electronic breach if there is any,” She aid
The Managing Director of Access Bank Rwanda, Mr. Jean-Claude Karayenzi assured customers of the safety of their deposits.
“These certificates mean a great deal to this international bank; now cyber hacking has grown on an international level; this means that we have to work even harder to ensure the safety of our customers’ accounts. We made this extra effort to help our clients feel safe with their accounts in our hands.”
John Karamuka, the Director of Payment System at the Central Bank of Rwanda congratulated Access Bank Rwanda for being the first Commercial Bank in Rwanda to attain these three certifications at the same time.
