The incident took place in Nyabiranga Village, Muhororo Cell of Murambi Sector on 28th June 2022 around 12:00 as a teacher went for break and passed by the lady’s tea shop to buy beignets for children.
It is said that the lady asked the man to pay Rwf18000 but the teacher complained that it was too much money and transferred Rwf10000 via Mobile Money.
After sending the money, sources reveal, they got in heated argument where the lady brought a knife and stabbed the old man on the chest below the heart.
Twagirayesu has been a teacher at Groupe Scolaire Nkoto.
The Executive Secretary of Murambi Sector, Phanuel Uwimana has told IGIHE that the Head Teacher of GS Nkoto called him around 12:30 to alert him about his teacher’s critical condition after the incident.
Uwimana called for an ambulance but found Twagirayesu dead upon arrival.
“We have convened residents in a meeting and reminded them to seek assistance from leaders whether at village, cell or sector level to settle disputes amicably,” he said.
Witnesses said that the lady asked for excessive money noting that they didn’t understand how 15 students ate beignets worth Rwf18000.
The lady aged 25 has one child. She hails from Biguhu Cell of Ruganda Sector but moved to Murambi when she was pregnant.
She is currently detained at Gashari RIB Post pending further legal process.
The body of Twagirayesu was taken to Kilinda Hospital for autopsy.
The warning follows the arrest of a number of commercial motorcyclists, who tried to bribe Police officers after they were caught in varies traffic offences.
On Tuesday, June 28, a taxi-moto operator identified as Salim Iradukunda, 20, was arrested in Buhaza Village, Buhaza Cell, Rubavu Sector, Rubavu District after he tried to give a bribe of Rwf6,000.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for Western region, said that Iradukunda was using a foreign registered motorcycle as a taxi-moto.
“Iradukunda was riding a foreign registered motorcycle to transport people. When Police officers stopped him for the traffic offences, including having no transport authorisation permit, he instead tried to bribe them with Rwf6,000 leading to his arrest for the alleged criminal act,” SP Karekezi said.
SP Karekezi took time to remind motorcyclists to follow and respect all the traffic rules and regulations which are meant to ensure effective control of traffic and to prevent road carnage.
Iradukunda was handed over to RIB at Gisenyi Station for further legal process.
Under article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
Inside one of the rooms in the applied microbiology block of the laboratory, yeast isolates are grown in incubators.
In a bid to address the issue of banana based alcoholic beverages production, NIRDA has developed a locally Made-in-Rwanda starter culture – Umusemburo in this laboratory.
The starter culture was developed under funding of the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST).
“The starter culture was developed from traditionally made banana beer products to ensure quality and consistency of Banana Based Alcoholic Beverages,” explained Hubert Kageruka, the Director of NIRDA laboratory Unit.
The samples of nine starter cultures were selected from Urwagwa in the four districts namely Nyabihu, Muhanga, Ngororero and Kirehe, to come up with a high standard locally made starter culture.
“The laboratory supports the growing industries that are still at nascent stage so that their products go to the market with quality standards. This helps the industries to compete both at the local and international market,” he said.
NIRDA intends to engage members of the private sector to start mass production of the developed starter culture which will later be sold on the market.
{{Other services }}
NIRDA supports firms in the private sector in product development and quality testing in different areas.
According to Kageruka, the laboratory looks at developing new products, improving the quality of existing products in areas such as drugs and pharmaceuticals especially herbal based products, agro-processing products, among others. The laboratory also intends to incubate young innovators / companies ideas / prototypes to marketable products.
{{In pharmaceuticals}}
Kageruka said that NIRDA’s laboratory can work with private sector with pharmaceutical products in both product development and product testing for improvement.
He also revealed that they were also working on reviving pharmaceutical products that were developed by its predecessor Institut de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (IRST).
“There are pharmaceutical products, developed by researchers in the now dissolved IRST that were once admired by Rwandans. We are planning to revive them through our laboratory, we will work with private investors to produce them and put them back on the market,” Kageruka said.
Some of the 10 phytoproducts, including the one dubbed “Rusendina” pomade for rheumatoid arthritis as well as Calendular, will soon be back on the market.
“We will start with skin care and massage products, and follow with other products such as cold medicines and product for internal diseases as the means and interest by private sector arise,” he noted. other cosmetic products are being developed.
{{In Agriculture-related products}}
NIRDA Life Science laboratory also has modern equipment used to test agro-processing products in development and testing. The laboratory has also special section for sensory evaluation.
This section is especially used taste developed food products for their organoleptic quality. This section is also available to private sector that wants to test consumer appreciation before their product reach the market.
As of recently, the research centre has also worked on new products such as biscuits from orange fleshed sweet potatoes rich in vitamin A with a private partner.
“The products are in the final phase and will be soon on the market because their quality was tested,” he said.
Also developed products include organic fertilizer from home based wastes collected from Huye district. The fertilizer is being produced by a Huye based youth company and there it was proven to be efficient and boost productivity.
{{Response to COVID-19}}
The National Industrial Research and Development Agency has secured a grant from the National Council for Science and Technology to conduct research to respond to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Dubbed: “Bioethanol and hand sanitizer production from sugar cane molasses to quickly respond to their local increasing demand towards Covid-19 pandemic,” the project has been successfully completed and handed over to the private company.
The grant was used to conduct research and produce two products namely bioethanol from sugar cane molasses and Aloe vera gel-based hand sanitizer.
“Both the developed products were handed over to the private sector that is set to take over for the mass production,” said Kageruka.
{{More is expected}}
According to Dr. Christian Sekomo Birame, NIRDA’s Director General, NIRDA Life Sciences came as a response to issues affecting the private sector engaged in areas of Agribusiness, drugs and pharmaceuticals to ensure they come up with quality products.
“We want to work with private sector actors to develop new products, test their existing products and conduct more research to ensure that local firms are competitive and productive,” he said.
He said that the industrial research agency will keep working hard to ensure more products are developed through the partnership with the private sector and higher learning institutions.
{{The laboratory uniqueness}}
He said that the NIRDA laboratory starts with an innovator at the nascent stage to increase quality of their products in line with standards required by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
“Along the journey, we will be recommending firms on what to improve until the products reach the market with required standards. NIRDA is ready to work with any private company seeking products development and quality testing services from us” he said.
The laboratory has different equipment including microbiology equipment to help produce starter cultures, equipment that test ingredients and quality of agro-processing products, equipment that help to produce pharmaceutical products as well as sensory laboratory equipment.
The research centre is also a medicinal garden with herb species used in producing pharmaceutical products.
“We have worked on solid and liquid soaps as well as cosmetic products and mosquito repellents from medicinal plants,” he said.
NIRDA is a government institution that has been mandated with a mission to enable a generation of industrial innovators to become competitive through technology monitoring, acquisition, development and transfer & applied research.
Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) says that plastic bottles can continue to be used as the country seeks an alternative for packaging.
In a bid to support efforts aimed at curbing the use of plastic bottles, SKOL Brewery Ltd, a company which manufactures soft and alcoholic drinks introduced its water brand dubbed Virunga Water in glass bottles.
The water was also served to nearly 4,000 participants of the CHOGM 2022 and other forums that took place in Kigali between 20th and 25th June 2022. Hadn’t the government opted for the alternative, nearly 10,000 plastic bottles could have been served to delegates every day.
This is considered as a great milestone to efforts meant to curb the use of plastic bottles which have harmful effects to the environment.
The Chief Executive Officer of SKOL Brewery Ltd, Ivan Wulffaert has told IGIHE that Rwanda’s decision to serve water to delegates at different hotels in glass bottles is commendable.
“It shows Rwanda’s commitment to sustainability and the big step done in keeping the country green. The country has initiated different sustainability programs like rehabilitating wetlands, planting trees and more, but what was the most remarkable one during CHOGM is the usage of water in glass bottles, whereby delegates attending different meetings and social events could keep consuming water without worrying about polluting the environment,” he said.
Wulffaert went on to explain that it was a great achievement for the country, and it showed that it is possible to move from plastic bottles to glass bottles.
“As a way forward to the journey of fighting pollution and have a more environment-friendly and sustainable country and world, Rwandans should take example on this and change their consumption behaviours and spirit by shifting to eco-friendly products,” he noted.
Wulffaert highlighted that the support from private sector is very needed to make this journey a success, as it would not have been easy and possible to have a plastic free CHOGM without the present manufacturers on the market providing water in glass bottles like SKOL Brewery Ltd with its Virunga Water.
SKOL unveiled Virunga Water in glass bottles towards the end of December 2020.
The meeting saw Rwanda reaping eight fruits throughout the week-long event where the country landed different deals with Commonwealth members and other institutions for implementation of projects expected to promote national economy.
Besides, talks between Heads of Government are expected to yield results in the near future. Resolutions taken during the meeting will also touch lives of people from member countries that increased to 56 after admitting Gabon and Togo during the meeting.
This article will focus on fruits Rwanda reaped during the CHOGM week that run between 20th and 25th June 2022.
{{Vaccine manufacturing facility}}
As CHOGM was underway on Thursday 23rd June 2022, President Kagame laid broke the ground for construction of vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro of Gasabo District.
The ground-breaking event of BioNTech Group vaccine manufacturing facility, based on BioNTainer modular system was attended by different dignitaries including the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; the CEO of BioNTech, Prof Dr Uğur Şahin ; the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat ; the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aïssata Tall Sall among other partners.
The facility will be used to manufacture vaccines for COVID-19, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
{{Kigali Financial Square}}
On the second day of CHOGM 2022, President Paul Kagame laid foundation stone for the construction of Kigali Financial Square, a commercial building of Equity Group which owns Equity Bank Rwanda Limited.
The building is expected to be the tallest in Rwanda.
He said that the US$100 million project will see two identical tall skyscrapers (Twin Tower) erected in Kigali.
The eco-friendly building is expected to be completed in 24 months.
One section will be comprised of 24 floors that will house offices while the second will be a 20-floor building comprised of a hotel and residential structures.
{{FIFA President to be elected in Kigali}}
During CHOGM 2022, the world football governing body (FIFA) confirmed Rwanda as the host of the 73rd edition of the FIFA Congress, where the election of its new president is due to take place. The congress was scheduled for Kigali in Rwanda on 16th March 2023.
An election timeline was approved by the FIFA Council at its meeting in March this year in Doha, where current President Gianni Infantino announced he would stand for re-election.
Rwanda was confirmed as a host after proving its competencies in hosting high-profile events.
{{Air Canada to commence flights to Rwanda}}
As the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) drew to the end in Kigali on Saturday 25th June 2022; the Government of Rwanda and Canada signed Air Transport Agreement (ATA) expected to boost connectivity between both countries.
The agreement signed between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his counterpart of Canada, Mélanie Joly; will see Air Canada and RwandAir allowed to use each country’s airspace.
Canada also announced plans to open embassy in Rwanda and appoint new ambassador with residence in Kigali with a view to deepen bilateral ties.
{{Commonwealth School of Compliance in Rwanda}}
The government of Rwanda also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DLA Piper and FTI consulting to set up the Commonwealth School of Compliance aimed at raising standards of compliance and governance across the Commonwealth. The MoU which is crucial to trade and investment was signed on 22nd June 2022.
The Commonwealth School of Compliance will be a platform for increasing shared understanding, knowledge and interconnectivity between member countries and will help train future leaders from across public and private sectors in best practices of sustainability, governance, risk and compliance.
{{Rwanda and Jamaica signed tourism development partnership}}
The Government of Rwanda and Jamaica, on 25th June 2022, signed an agreement for tourism collaboration that will see both tourism sectors mutually benefit from each other.
Following the deal, Edmund Burtlett, the Jamaican Tourism Minister announced via Twitter handle that he had started discussions with the Rwanda national carrier, RwandAir paving the way for direct flights between Kigali and Kingston in the near future.
In April this year, President Paul Kagame visited Jamaica where both countries signed bilateral agreements in different areas.
The Memoranda of Understanding were signed on political consultations as well as tourism development and promotion.
During the visit, leaders from both countries also held discussions on critical areas of interest for cooperation. These include investments in agriculture, special economic zones, manufacturing and logistics with additional commitment to further explore collaboration in culture, health, youth engagement, energy and digital technology.
On the margins of 26th Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM); Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Invest Barbados signed an agreement to promote and implement strategic private sector investments in both countries.
The agreement was signed between Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of RDB and Kaye-Anne Greenidge, the CEO of Invest Barbados.
Invest Barbados is the main investment promotion agency that attracts and facilitates foreign investment. It offers guidance and direction to new and established investors seeking to pursue investment opportunities in Barbados.
Among sectors of partnership mentioned include Agro-processing for local and international export markets, tourism, health, mining, real estate and financial services.
{{Rwanda, Zambia agriculture development partnership }}
On 23rd June 2022, the CEO of RDB, Clare Akamanzi an MoU with the Director General of Zambia Development Agency, Albert Halwampa, to promote partnerships in agriculture between both countries.
The deal followed the commitments between President Paul Kagame and his counterpart of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema to promote trade and investment.
If any betPawa customer becomes concerned by their betting activity, they can now call a dedicated number for free specialist support.
As he announced the initiative, International superstar and CEO of betPawa Rwanda Mr Eazi explained why he believes in it so strongly.
He said: “We’ve done a lot of cool things already in Rwanda, including the opening of a betPawa shop in Gisimenti. However, this partnership with Imanzi Counseling and Rehabilitation Center is definitely the most important so far.
We believe in responsible betting completely. That you should think of betting primarily as a leisure activity, not a source of income, and never bet more than you can afford.”
Gaming enthusiasts feeling like betting is interfering with their daily life are encouraged to call +250790335358 to get the support their need from qualified people in the country, free of charge.
The Imanzi Counseling and Rehabilitation Center phone line will be open every Monday to Saturday between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
Interested individuals can also visit [{{betpawa.rw/responsible-gambling }} ->https://www.betpawa.rw/] for more information about staying in control of their betting.
This includes the warning signs to look out for and more advice on how to stop.
The three-day conference is one of Interpol’s regional events that brings together senior officials from member countries to discuss, exchange ideas and make decisions related to advancing law enforcement actions in fighting organized and transnational crimes on the continent.
It was officially opened by Minister of Interior and Public Security of Benin, Alassane Seidou.
Interpol President, Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, and the Secretary General, Jurgen Stock also attended the official opening of the conference.
Top on the agenda are regional challenges in the fight against crime in Africa with emphasis on organized and emerging crimes such as terrorism and cybercrime.
Law enforcement agencies on the African continent will also discuss ways to increase coordination among member countries, Interpol and other partners in enhancing policing capabilities; and the contribution by the international police towards the implementation of the African Union agenda 2063 as well as supporting the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) .
The AFRIPOL was established as a technical institution of the African Union (AU) for police cooperation among Member States against security threats on the continent.
Law enforcement organs will also discuss ways to break chains of drug trafficking, fighting environmental crimes, management of migration and fighting trafficking in human beings.
The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday evening that Pope Francis “has decided to send the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Kinshasa and Juba in order to show his closeness to the beloved peoples of the Congo and South Sudan.”
The move comes after the Pope had to postpone his Apostolic Journey to those African nations due to intense knee pain and at the insistence of his doctors.
The Vatican Secretary of State will carry out the visit in the Pope’s stead from 1 to 8 July.
Cardinal Parolin’s visit will take place during the period when Pope Francis’ 37th Apostolic Journey abroad was originally scheduled.
On 3 July, the Pope will however celebrate Mass with the Congolese community in Rome, on the same day in which he would have presided over Mass in Kinshasa.
He made the announcement on 13 June while receiving participants in the General Chapter of the Missionaries of Africa in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican.
Speaking at the launch event, Airtel Money Managing Director, Jean Claude Gaga said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce the Month of July the Airtel Money Month.
This comes on the heels of the recent launch of Interoperability, a service that makes it possible for anyone on our mobile network to send and receive money from any network as well as welcoming KNC to the Airtel Money family as our new Brand Ambassador.”
KNC, a widely known public figure made his name on Radio before extending his hand into entrepreneurship that has seen him grow into a media house owner and entrepreneur with interests in Hospitality, Football as well as Real Estate.
“The month of July will see Airtel Money customers continue to enjoy Free P2P a promotion that enables customers on our network to send and receive up to Rwf6 million per day, Payment of goods and services at any retail outlet such as shops, pharmacy or supermarket for Free in addition to the ability to send money to any network and so much more” added Gaga.
Speaking at the press event, Kakooza Nkuliza Charles expressed delight to have joined the Airtel family as a champion of the many unique services that the team has brought to market.
“I intend to use Airtel Money in all aspects of my personal life as well as my business transactions and use my voice to make sure that Rwandan consumers of Mobile Financial services are aware of and take advantage of the versatility of Airtel Money and how it can make their lives even better,” said KNC.
{{About Airtel}}
Airtel Africa Limited is a Pan-African telecommunications company with operations in 14 countries across Africa. Airtel Africa is driven by the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all and is supported in pursuing this vision by its largest shareholder, Bharti Airtel.
Its product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless voice and data services and mobile commerce through ‘Airtel Money’. Airtel Africa had over 100 million customers across its operations at the end of December 2019
The artiste has via his social media accounts informed fans that the concert will take place on 30th July 2022.
The Ben has promised a thrilling concert to his fans and urged them to remind each other to save the date.
He was invited to perform in the annual concert dubbed ‘Africa- Nordic’ introduced by a Rwandan called Blaise Ntezimana. It is aimed at connecting Africa to countries of Northern Europe through culture and music.
The Ben is expected to stage the concert in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It will also feature performances by other Sweden artistes including Nils Ström and Joseph Nordin, Ugandan Martin Luther Kintu and Inyaruguru Ballet comprised of Rwandans living in the country.
The organizer of the concert, Ntezimana has told IGIHE the concert will also feature a session dedicated for visuals giving a glimpse into Rwanda’s attractions and investment opportunities.
Recently, The Ben performed in two concerts held in Uganda.
