For years, residents in Southern Province have been voicing their concerns about the limited access to clean water and electricity, which has left many feeling isolated.
In light of these concerns, a recent meeting was convened, bringing together officials from the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), WASAC, and representatives from the Southern Province.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the progress and challenges associated with the implementation of the Nyaruguru water treatment plant project.
Dr. Omar Munyaneza, the Chief Executive Officer of WASAC, revealed that the Nyaruguru water treatment plant project would receive partial funding from the African Development Bank, guaranteeing 100% clean water access for the affected districts.
Regarding the provision of electricity, Zingiro Armand, CEO of REG, assured that significant efforts were underway to improve access. The goal is to achieve an 80% electricity access rate next year, up from the current 73.3%. He also emphasized ongoing projects in the Northern Province aimed at electrifying all households and underscored the significance of the Rukarara hydro-power plant in Nyamagabe for the Southern Province.
It’s important to note that out of the 353.40 megawatts of electricity produced in Rwanda, only 208 are currently being effectively utilized.
Alice Kayitesi, the Governor of the Southern Province, acknowledged the progress made but emphasized the remaining work that needs to be accomplished. However, she remained optimistic and highlighted forthcoming projects that are expected to further enhance the situation. Currently, access rates in her province stand at 78.4% for clean water and 70.9% for electricity.
As outlined in the the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) launched in 2017, Rwanda is committed to achieving universal access to these two essential resources by 2024.
Nzamutuma made this momentous announcement during a recent event that aimed to highlight the accomplishments of Rwandans.
Coincidentally, the event coincided with a finance-focused conference organized by CTC. The consulting firm has forged a formidable partnership with the European Business University of Luxembourg, collaborating on diverse initiatives and offering comprehensive training programs encompassing business, economics, and finance to the African diaspora residing in Europe.
This training equips individuals with a profound understanding of banking operations, enabling them to combat issues like money laundering and terrorism financing. At the event, CTC welcomed the esteemed Professor Alain Ruttiens, a renowned economic expert from France, to shed light on the latest developments in the realms of finance and banking.
Regarding the invitation to Prof. Ruttiens, Nzamutuma revealed, “We invited Prof. Alain Ruttiens as part of our preparations to establish the first African Bank in Luxembourg, which will extend its presence to Rwanda and Belgium. We are actively seeking endorsements for this endeavor.” He emphasized the importance of demonstrating the significant impact Africans can have in the fields of economy, finance, and banking.
Nzamutuma pledged to continue their initiative of offering training to aspiring finance and banking professionals, recognizing the high demand for these skills. He explained, “At CTC, we provide virtual investment training as part of our programs, enabling students from around the world to access our courses. Upon course completion, we organize conferences for direct interactions with industry experts.”
Nzamutuma highlighted the need for such initiatives by pointing out that Africans often face isolation in the finance and banking sectors. He stated, “Africans are frequently marginalized in the world of finance management, but we offer a gateway for individuals to enter the banking industry. This is why we organize conferences, which are also covered by the media, to bring our activities to public attention.”
In a recent achievement, CTC proudly graduated 57 students, with a majority hailing from the African diaspora in Europe. Impressively, 12 of them were swiftly employed by leading financial institutions in Europe, underscoring the relevance and effectiveness of CTC’s courses in meeting labor market demands.
The Saturday conference drew attendees from various parts of the world, including Canada, Austria, and Cameroon, among others. Prof. Alain Ruttiens expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to contribute to the finance sector, while Leila Mutesi lauded CTC’s efforts in unleashing African potential. She stated, “It is time for Africans to unite and undertake projects of the caliber of the African bank. We eagerly await the establishment of the bank as an addition to the homegrown solutions introduced by CTC.”
CTC’s overarching mission is to equip individuals with essential financial skills sought after by employers, including leading insurance companies. Moreover, the firm extends its expertise to financial institutions, guiding them in aligning with international standards. CTC also provides invaluable support to investors, aiding them in making well-informed investment decisions and ensuring the seamless operation of their enterprises.
Nzamutuma’s pioneering vision stands as a testament to the transformative potential of Africans in the world of finance.
UoK has grown its programmes portfolio to 23 market-driven undergraduate and graduate academic programmes in the fields of Business Management, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Computing, Education that have attracted students from 32 countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, USA, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Haiti among others and provided quality labour for different private and public-sector employers locally and internationally.
The University has highly-qualified academic staff with international exposure. 38% of UoK’s academic staff are PhD-holders, Associate Professors and Full Professors who facilitate the university’s consistent maintenance of high academic standards and quality service-delivery to all stakeholders.
Since August 2016, UoK has consistently increased the number of students registering to study professional courses at the university. This growth is as a result of the high standards that the University implements in providing tuition to students. The university has adequate, competent and high-quality teaching staff with international experience in delivering professional courses.
The University also provides study notes and past examination question banks to all students registered for professional courses. Additionally, UoK offers 100% discount on tuition fees to all internal undergraduate and graduate students pursuing professional programmes.
The University is also an accredited tuition provider of professional programmes such as CPA (R), CPA (K), CAT, ICDL, etc. As a result of the standards implemented, UoK has consistently delivered pass rates which are above the national pass rates in exams over the last 10 examination sittings. This high pass rates are a major contributor to the increase in the enrollment of students pursuing professional programmes.
As at August 2023, UoK had produced 83 CPA finalists who have completed CPA (R) qualification out of 390 students nationwide, thereby contributing to 21.3% of the CPA (R) qualified professionals nationally. The University in partnership with the Government of Rwanda has also been offering Certified Public Accounting (CPA) and Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) training to all Government Accountants and Internal Auditors.
From August 2016 to date, the programme has attracted over 3,000 Government Staff. Apart from the certification, it is proven that all the staff who have gone through the tuition process have had a significant increase in productivity and the country has benefited tremendously.
UoK is committed to enhancing training, professionalism and capacity-building across all Public Financial Management (PFM) disciplines identified by the Government of Rwanda as one of the main factors which may negatively impact the sustainability of the NST1 if the overall level of capacity in PFM skills and knowledge across government is not adequately addressed. It has been indicated that the number and qualifications of existing accountants and internal auditors is not enough to cope with the current and future requirements of the PFM system, which is critical in the case of central government entities (ministries, departments and agencies).
Currently the public service (Government) is in need of 7,800 professionally-qualified accountants, yet as at August 2023, only a total of 390 persons had completed training as professionally-qualified accountants; leaving a huge deficit of 7,450 which needs to be filled as soon as possible.
Consequently, the University is fostering valuable partnerships with relevant stakeholders to continuously ensure that this huge deficit is filled and therefore encourage all and sundry to register for professional education at University of Kigali. Registration for January 2024 admissions is open for professional programmes, while the September 2023 Intake for undergraduate and graduate admissions is still open.
Apply online via: mis.uok.ac.rw/apply or Call: +250 781 833 731 for professional programme admissions and +250 788 303 386/ +250 789 009 221 for undergraduate and graduate programme admissions.
Mohammed Ali Guyo, the IGAD special envoy for the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Somalia, said that the situation had been exacerbated by the recent drought, which displaced thousands.
“We have seen a rise in terrorism, piracy, armed robbery and sea kidnappings in the region, and the lack of security cooperation among member States has worsened the situation,” Guyo told journalists in the Kenyan lakeside town of Naivasha.
He made these remarks after a task force appointed by IGAD to identify challenges and opportunities in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea presented its report to the eight member states. Guyo also highlighted that illicit routes were being used for trafficking drugs, weapons, human beings and contraband.
He called for concerted efforts among all member states, as climate change disrupted livelihoods and led to a rise in insecurity as affected communities struggled for food, water and pastures.
Moi Lemoshira, the director-general of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, noted that insecurity in the region had negatively impacted development, and the rise in terrorism and extremist groups affected all member states, hence the need for joint collaboration.
“The Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea have enormous potential, but insecurity, political transitions, and instability in some member countries have hindered efforts to reap the benefits of the region,” he said.
The Kenyan official commended the task force launched to examine the opportunities and challenges of the IGAD region, adding that their report would assist in developing a roadmap.
“The full effects of climate change have been felt in the last two years, and this, coupled with instability in some countries, has created a window for insecurity and terrorism,” Lemoshira said.
Additionally, Article 225 addresses the custody of children during divorce proceedings. In the best interest of the children, the judge may assign provisional custody to one of the spouses or a third party, and determine each spouse’s contribution to child support.
Laws pertaining to divorce and custody matters can vary significantly. Filing for divorce and parental rights can differ from one state to another. It is crucial to understand your state’s divorce laws and parental rights before proceeding.
Contemplating divorce is a major decision, particularly when minor children are involved. When assessing a custody case, the family court prioritizes the best interests of the child or children.
Minimizing disruptions to the child’s life and preserving their relationships with both parents are key considerations. In some states, the child’s preferences regarding their living arrangements may also be taken into account.
{{Types of child custody arrangements}}
Various child custody arrangements exist for co-parenting families. {{Physical custody}} involves sharing a home with the child and handling their day-to-day care. {{Legal custody}} entails making important decisions about the child’s life, including healthcare, religious upbringing, education, and extracurricular activities.
{{Joint custody}} allows both parents to share parental rights and the child’s living arrangements. {{Joint legal custody }} involves equal decision-making power, while {{joint physical custody}} means the child spends nearly equal time with both parents. Courts typically prefer this arrangement as it is often deemed in the child’s best interest.
{{Sole custody}} occurs when one parent or guardian has sole physical and legal custody of the child. This arrangement is appropriate when one parent is deemed unfit, perhaps due to domestic violence or child abuse. However, the non-custodial parent may retain other parental rights, such as visitation or parenting time.
{{Child custody decisions in Rwanda}}
Article 243 addresses the effects of divorce on children in Rwanda. Custody of the children is awarded to the spouse who obtains the divorce, while the other spouse gains visitation rights or the right to contact or be visited by the children.
The judge determines appropriate terms to uphold these rights during the judgment. However, the court may, on its own motion or upon application by either spouse or another interested party, decide to entrust the children to the care of the losing spouse or a third party based on the children’s best interests.
Children under the age of six (6) years are generally required to live with their mother, unless the children’s interests are at risk. The court may also order shared custody between both spouses if it is in the best interests of the children.
Measures ordered by the court under this Article are always provisional and can be revoked upon request by any interested party through a unilateral petition.
According to USA Today, this achievement not only establishes her as the most successful gymnast, regardless of gender, in history but also elevates her medal count at world championships and Olympics to an astounding 34, of which a remarkable 21 are gold.
Biles now shares the record for the most all-around titles with Japan’s Kōhei Uchimura, who also clinched six between 2009 and 2015. Remarkably, Biles’ journey is far from over as she has qualified for all four event finals, providing her with an opportunity to replicate her feat from the 2018 world championships when she medaled in all six events she participated in.
Her final score in the all-around competition stood at an impressive 58.399 points, leaving her more than a point ahead of the second-place finisher, Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, who had secured last year’s world championship. Shilese Jones, another American gymnast, secured the third position. The excitement in the arena was palpable as Biles gazed at the scoreboard and witnessed her final score, prompting jubilant reactions from the audience. She promptly embraced her coach, Cecile Landi.
Simone Biles’ accomplishments are extraordinary, particularly considering the breaks she took from the sport following the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. After experiencing anxiety due to immense expectations and the isolation imposed by COVID restrictions during the Tokyo Olympics, Biles encountered the disconcerting “twisties,” which prevented her from determining her mid-air position and posed a substantial risk to her health. Consequently, she withdrew from all events except one. However, she made a triumphant return in early August by capturing her eighth U.S. title, yet another record.
Biles’ current tally of six world titles is twice as many as any other female gymnast has achieved. She effectively sealed her victory in the all-around competition right from the outset. Although she opted for a “less-difficult” vault compared to her Yurchenko double pike, her execution of the Cheng vault was superior to the reigning world champion, Rebeca Andrade, leaving her with a 0.400-point lead after the first rotation.
Andrade would have needed a major error from Biles to have any chance of catching up, but Biles displayed unwavering consistency throughout the competition. This victory was pivotal for her, as she had her eyes set on clinching medals in all four event finals, a feat she had last accomplished in 2018, marking the first time in three decades that a female gymnast had achieved such an accomplishment.
The upcoming vault and uneven bars finals are scheduled for Saturday, with the balance beam and floor exercise finals set for Sunday.
When asked about her performance, Biles shared her thought process, saying, “I actually wasn’t sure, because I didn’t know if I needed that leap for credit or for start value purposes. So I started rethinking, I was like OK, if I get to my double A quick, I can do a leap and we’ll be good. But then I was like no, no, don’t do that again.”
When questioned about whether winning world titles was becoming routine for her, given her six victories, Biles responded, “No, I think it’s always interesting. I think we had a really good group going today, so I don’t know, it’s just every year gets a little bit better and a little bit more exciting.”
She also shared a moment of emotion during the national anthem, reflecting on her journey, “OK, I was emotional because it’s — it was my first world, here, 10 years ago. And now, my sixth one. So it’s crazy,” Biles said. “But I swear, I do have something in my eye that’s been bothering me for like four hours and I cannot get it out. So while I was looking up there, it was like a combination of both.”
Even a stumble during her floor routine couldn’t deter Simone Biles from securing her sixth world championships all-around title. With a score of 14.533, she claimed the top spot and solidified her status as the most successful gymnast in history.
Biles humorously recounted her experience, saying, “For some reason, I could not pick up my feet on my lips because I actually kicked the ground in my tour jeté leap too. And then on that one, I just kicked the ground so bad and I just had to laugh at myself. I was like, am I supposed to do another leap? Because I don’t know the code THAT well. I just do whatever I’m told. So I was like, I think I need to take another leap. And I was like, no, I don’t have time, my music’s going to run out.”
Upon his appointment, the Secretary-General has extended his appreciation and gratitude to the former Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe of Cameroon, as well as to the Deputy Executive Secretary, Programme Support, Antonio M. A. Pedro of Mozambique, who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Secretary until Mr. Gatete assumes his functions.
Amb. Gatete is currently Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations in New York.
A seasoned economist, he brings to the position extensive strategic leadership expertise, coupled with international experience in the political and financial landscape of the African continent.
Amb. Gatete has served in senior government positions, notably as Minister of Infrastructure (2018-2022) and Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (2013-2018).
He has also served as Governor (2011-2013) and Deputy Governor (2009-2011) of the National Bank of Rwanda, Rwanda’s Central Bank, and Secretary General and Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Rwanda (2003-2005).
He was Director General for Economic and Social Affairs in the Office of the President of Rwanda (2000-2003), during which time, he served as the President’s Representative to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and Coordinator of the National African Peer Review Mechanism.
Amb.Gatete began his diplomatic career in 2005 and was based in London until 2009 as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland. Prior to this, he served as National Economist of the United Nations Development Programme in Kigali (1998-2000) and Economist of Agriculture and Agri-Food and of Statistics Canada, in Ottawa, Canada (1993-1997).
Amb.Gatete holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of British Columbia in Canada. He is fluent in English with working knowledge of French.
Officially launched on Friday, October 6th, 2023, Winner Rwanda is distinguishing itself from traditional gaming companies by operating exclusively online, without physical betting locations.
Shaul Haztir, the Managing Director of Winner Rwanda, expressed his gratitude to the Rwandan government for creating a safe and welcoming environment for investors and businesses.
He emphasized that they offer various gaming options and are hopeful that Rwandans will enthusiastically embrace their offerings.
Paul Kigula, Winner Rwanda Country Manager highlighted their commitment to online betting to enhance convenience for enthusiasts, allowing them to place bets from anywhere. He explained, “Apart from aligning with the government’s tech-friendly ambitions, our online platform enables enthusiasts to bet using their phones or other electronic devices, saving both money and time that would be spent traveling to physical locations.”
Clement Mbabazi, the Marketing Director at Winner Rwanda, emphasized the unique features of their platform. He said, “Winner Rwanda stands out with several innovations, offering a wide range of games to place bets on. We provide a 100% refund option in case one of the two teams you bet on disappoint your predictions.”
Winner Rwanda offers multiple betting options on various sports, including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Rugby, Tennis, Cricket, Hockey, and more. Enthusiasts can place bets before matches or during live events through Winner Rwanda’s website: https://winner.rw.
One particularly enticing option is the Jackpot, which starts with a minimum bet of Rwf500. If all seven teams selected by a player perform as predicted, they could walk away with a staggering Rwf65 million. The Jackpot game takes place every week, offering continuous excitement and opportunities for big wins.
As per media reports, the individual in question allegedly possessed top-secret information concerning China, which he purportedly shared with the Chinese Consulate in Turkey and Chinese security services shortly after his departure from the military, as indicated by court documents.
Schmidt’s journey led him to Hong Kong in March 2020, where he primarily resided until his recent return. He was arrested at San Francisco International Airport upon arriving from Hong Kong, as confirmed by officials.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington expressed her astonishment at Schmidt’s alleged actions, stating, “Members of our military take a sworn oath to defend our country and the Constitution… the alleged actions of this former military member are shocking – not only attempting to provide national defense information, but also information that would assist a foreign adversary to gain access to Department of Defense secure computer networks.”
Schmidt faces serious charges, including an attempt to deliver national defense information and retention of national defense information, both of which carry potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is the sole individual charged in the indictment, and there are no related charges against any other individuals, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Court documents reveal that Schmidt served as an active-duty soldier from January 2015 to January 2020, with his primary assignment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. He held a position involving the supervision of human intelligence reporting, analysis, and products directly related to the Indo-Pacific Command, which covers the Pacific and Indian Ocean region, including China. Schmidt had access to classified information classified as “Top Secret,” a level that could pose “exceptionally grave damage” to national security if disclosed without authorization.
While on active duty, Schmidt took personal leave to visit China in 2017 and expressed a recurring interest in Chinese culture. After transitioning to inactive duty in January 2020, he traveled to Beijing for a brief stay and later to Istanbul. In February 2020, he conducted internet searches related to extradition and treason.
Court documents indicate that Schmidt initiated contact with the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul in February 2020, expressing his willingness to share information. He also created a Word document titled “Important Information to Share with the Chinese Government.”
Multiple emails attributed to Schmidt were listed in the court documents, along with documents containing national defense information that he allegedly created. Authorities did not confirm whether China received the information but noted that Schmidt attempted to transmit it.
Following his arrival in Hong Kong in March 2020, Schmidt endeavored to secure employment in China and obtain immigration papers to relocate there. While his application for a visitor status extension in Hong Kong was rejected due to overstaying, he was eventually granted a work permit in China in August 2020. He continued to pursue legal immigration status in Hong Kong while awaiting his move to China.
In a May 2020 email to his sister, Schmidt expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. government and mentioned his intention to “go off the map for a long time,” citing disagreements with American policy and unsettling experiences during his military service.
Schmidt is scheduled for an identity and detention hearing in San Francisco, followed by appearances in Western Washington District Court for further legal proceedings, as informed by a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This year’s eagerly awaited Global Summit, set to unfold from the 1 – 3 November 2023, takes place in Africa for the first time, recognising the phenomenal growth the Travel & Tourism sector across the continent has witnessed in recent years.
Commenting on the development, Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, said: “This Global Summit is a rallying cry for leaders, innovators, and change-makers from all corners of the globe to come together and craft a new vision for the sector.
“It’s an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping a sector that is not only resilient but is also committed to the principles of sustainability and inclusivity.
“Rwanda is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world’s youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel & Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in the sector. This demonstrates the huge potential the continent’s sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa.”
Co-hosted by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the annual event is the most influential on the Travel and Tourism calendar that brings together thousands of industry leaders and experts and key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s growth and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
With sessions on resilience and sustainable growth, the growing impact of AI and understanding new and emerging markets, the Global Summit is set to cover the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said that Rwanda is proud to host the first ever WTTC Global Summit in Africa.
“While this important gathering will take place in Rwanda, it is for the whole continent. Africa has some of the most spectacular tourism properties and experiences in the world, and the sector plays a significant role in the continent’s continued economic development by creating millions of jobs.
This year’s WTTC Global Summit will provide a great platform to build bridges across the tourism and travel ecosystem, and co-design a sustainable future for the sector to achieve its full potential,” he noted.
{{African Travel and Tourism Sector’s Potential}}
The latest Economic Impact Research from the global tourism body reveals a staggering ten year forecast for Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector. In 2033, WTTC predicts that the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $300BN to Africa’s economy and jobs in the sector will grow significantly, reaching more than 36MN in total.
In Rwanda, WTTC is forecasting that by 2033 the Travel & Tourism sector will contribute more than $2.1 billion to the national economy and will support almost 568,000 jobs. This is testament to Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the experiences it offers, and promoting awareness of its rich biodiversity, culture and heritage, and art.
Rwanda aims to double its tourism revenues from $445MN earned last year, to more than $800MN, in its ongoing seven-year National Strategy for Transformation and become one of the world’s leading luxury ecotourism destinations.
The 2023 WTTC Global Summit seeks to be the catalyst for this change, offering a platform where vibrant ideas meet opportunity, and where the future of Travel & Tourism will be redrawn and redefined.
