Kagame arrived in Zambia’s touristic capital, Livingstone in the morning of Monday 4th April 2022 for an official visit during which both countries signed bilateral agreements in the areas of taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
Kagame also toured the country’s finest touristic attractions in the city including Musi-O-Tunya (smoke that thunders) at Victoria Falls and Mukuni Big 5 Safaris, a private nature reserve where tourists can walk with lions and cheetahs.
Among others, Kagame along with his counterpart of Mozambique and First Lady Hichilema planted trees at the Kazungula One-Stop Border Post and toured the Kazungula Bridge which supports trade and transport linking Zambia and Botswana over the Zambezi River.
After concluding his visit to Zambia, Kagame thanked his counterpart for a warm welcome.
“My brother President Hakainde Hichilema just arrived back home safely I wanted to thank you very much and to the 1st Lady for the very warm hospitality and productive engagements. All the best to you and the people of Zambia!” he tweeted.
In the latest operation conducted on Monday, April 4, Rwanda National Police (RNP) intercepted one of the major drug suppliers in Mizingo Village, Nyamirango Cell, Kanzenze Sector, Rubavu District with a sack containing 5421 pellets of cannabis.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Aphrodis Gashumba, the Distric Police Commander (DPC) for Rubavu, Clementine Umuhoza, one of the members of drug trafficking racket identified, was arrested by the Anti-Narcotic Unit (ANU) due to information provided by a resident.
“Umuhoza was transporting the sack of cannabis from Bugeshi sector to deliver the narcotics to another dealer in Kanzenze sector, but she was being trailed by ANU officers following credible information from a responsive resident,” said SSP Gashumba.
“These are fruits of strong partnership with the people and grassroots leaders, who share names of dealers, routes and tricks used in trafficking, and houses used as stores,” SSP Gashumba added.
This strong partnership, he added, has led to the arrest of 13 suspected major drug traffickers in Rubavu between January and March this year, with combined 51kgs of cannabis.
All of the 13 drug dealers, some of them currently serving their sentences or pending court process, were arrested in Rugerero sector.
Rugerero, Gisenyi, Bugeshi and Busasamana are identified as main transit routes due to their strategic location on the borderline with the DRC.
The DPC called upon communities especially those residing on borderlines, to give no room for drug trafficking groups or individuals that try to use their villages as transit routes, stores or destination.
“If you know any person dealing in drugs in Rubavu District, call the Police on 112 (toll free line), 0788311149 and 0788380235,” SSP Gashumba emphasized.
Cannabis is classified as a “very severe narcotic drug” in Rwanda with liability to between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
COVID-19 adversely affected different activities including small businesses owned by women and girls, hence prompting UN Women to intervene with its support extended to beneficiaries countrywide to revive their activities and recover the economy mainly targeting female headed household, SGBV victims, teen mothers, domestic workers, and refugees among others who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Beneficiaries have revealed that they were hit hard, stricken by poverty with little hope for tomorrow as the pandemic broke out.
The assessment conducted by UN Women, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion in 2020 to review effects of COVID-19, indicated that women are among unpaid workers seriously affected by the pandemic.
This prompted these organizations to extend support to these beneficiaries through capacity building to up-skill women and girls to recover from effects of the pandemic.
The project mainly targeted women headed households and vulnerable women and girls including GBV victims, teen mothers, domestic workers, refugees and other segments of the population affected by COVID-19.
A total of US$831,514 was allocated for the project funded by UNCHR and UN Women.
The eight-months project supported 1,774 poor women-headed households who were drastically affected by Covid-19 from 3 districts (Nyamasheke, Musanze and Nyagatare), 169 teen mothers and their families in Nyagatare, 50 SGBV victims received legal support, 41 former domestic workers increased their skills in entrepreneurship.
Beneficiaries have expressed delight to the great support extended to them.
“During COVID-19, we faced economic shortfalls that we could not even access capital to resume businesses. After benefiting from this project, I designed a project of making liquid soap. It has so far changed my livelihood status, thanks to received funding,” said Alphonsine Mumporeze.
According to Christine Mukarebura from Musanze District, the support came in handy to transform their lives.
“We hardly got food due to the pandemic’s related restrictions. Today, my life has changed for good that I have joined a saving group created to help women spur economic growth,” she said.
She added that each cooperative group member was receiving 1,100 Rwandan francs weekly but after the grant; the share increased to 22,000 Rwandan francs weekly. This enabled them to expand their small businesses.
The Acting Representative of UN Women in Rwanda, Emma Carine Uwantege has revealed that provided support hugely strengthened gender equality, highlighting that registered achievements are in line with the Government’s bold vision to empower women.
Josephine Ulimwengu, Strategic Planning and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Team Leader has reiterated commitment to maintain efforts aimed at advancing Rwanda’s development.
“Our role is to continue supporting Rwanda to achieve sustainable development by consolidating gains through UN agencies in Rwanda that will play a big role to help vulnerable citizens benefit from development initiatives,” she noted.
Immaculée Umuhoza Mukarwego, Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA)’s Specialist for Minimum Package for Graduation has requested beneficiaries to strive for self-reliance as the project is wrapped up.
She assured continued support but urged them to take advantage of received funding to prosper.
UN Women also supported Rwanda Women Network to continue availing its hotline for SGBV cases asking for support, equipped 16 women’s safe spaces with an emergency support fund for SGBV victims. Through Legal Aid Forum, UN Women also supported SGBV cases, and 50 victims of violence were represented in court, facilitated with DNA test-search for paternity in 10 cases.
The implementation was spearheaded by different partners; the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), Faith Victory Association (FVA), AJIPRODHO-JIJUKA, Legal AID Forum(LAF), and Rwanda Women Network(RWN).
In 2021, RDB registered investments worth US$3.7 billion, up from US$1.3 billion in 2020. This is the highest investment registration to date and was driven by strategic investment projects. The new investments are expected to create 48,669 jobs – representing a 97% increase from the previous year. The government aims to create 214,000 new jobs from investments and other employment sources every year.
Economic sectors that attracted the most significant registered investments in 2021 include Construction, Real Estate, and Manufacturing (including agro-processing), which accounted for 72% of all investments registered. Construction accounted for 31%, Real Estate 26%, and Manufacturing (including agro-processing) 15%. Other sectors that attracted significant investment are Financial and Insurance Services, Agriculture, Accommodation and Food Services, Energy, Health and ICT.
Growth of investments in Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing and Agro-Processing is attributed to the Manufacture and Build to Recover program that provides tax incentives to investors in these sectors. This is in addition to the New Investment Code that has made it easy for investors to thrive in Rwanda.
Some of the investments registered in 2021 include; US$ 237.9 Million by Ultimate Developers Ltd for the development of Vision City, Phase Two, a US$145.9 Million investment by Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course Ltd into the Kigali Golf Resort and Villa Project, a US$20.7 Million powdered milk project and a US$22.5 Million by Global Electric Vehicle Ltd to manufacture Electric Vehicles.
Tourism was one of the sectors heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The government implemented several initiatives to revive the sector, including the Rwf100 billion Economic Recovery Fund, half of which was dedicated to tourism and hospitality.
Tourism revenues increased by 25%, from US$131 million in 2020 to US$164million in 2021. The MICE sector generated US$12.5 million in 2021 compared to US$5.4illion in 2020. Total visitor arrivals increased by 2.8%, from 490,000 in 2020 to 512,000 in 2021. Sports events hosted during this period significantly contributed to visitor arrivals and revenues.
In exports, receipts from the export of goods and services increased by 9.4%, from US$1.9 billion in 2020 to US$2.1 billion in 2021. This growth is attributed to the gradual opening of international supply chains in 2021.
In Skills Development, over 5000 people were trained to bridge the skills gap in priority sectors such as information technology, data science, engineering, tourism and cross border E-commerce.
Under the employment program, over 1400 fresh graduates were supported to perform professional internships in private and public institutions. In partnership with the Business Development Fund, over 1000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were supported with guarantees to access financing in different financial institutions.
Additionally, over 8500 MSMEs were coached in business development by Business Development Advisors and acquired business development skills. Among these, 85% accessed finance in different financial institutions, mainly SACCOs.
Commenting on the 2021 performance, RDB Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi, said: “The 2021 performance demonstrates the gains of our economic recovery efforts. In investment registration, not only have we surpassed our pre-pandemic figures, but we also registered the highest investment registration to date. Achieving this feat against the odds of the pandemic that has negatively impacted the world economy is a sign of continued investor confidence in Rwanda by both local and foreign investors.
As the world economy continues to open up, we are optimistic that we will register more growth in tourism, exports, and other critical sectors this year. We are committed to ensuring that Rwanda remains one of the most competitive economies in Africa and the world.”
The growth trajectory is expected to continue in 2022. It will be aided mainly by manufacturing and construction investments, regional and international trade, and anchor projects such as the Kigali Innovation City.
A statement released by EAC secretariat shows that the event will be held in collaboration with the Tanzanian Local Authorities in Arusha, the Arusha and Moshi Rwandan Community, the Embassy of Rwanda in Tanzania, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), The Pan African Human Rights Court, the Religious Denominations based here in Arusha, the Representatives of Students from High Schools as well as Universities of the Arusha region and EAC staff.
Themed “Remember-Unite-Renew”, this year’s commemoration is once again an occasion to pay tribute to more than one million innocent lives lost through the heinous extermination of Tutsis in Rwanda 28 years ago.
Under the above theme, this year’s commemoration focuses mainly on the legacy of strengthening resilience, and unity that the new generation is called upon to sustain as well as safeguarding the strides Rwanda has been able to make over the past 28 years and carry forward the vision for Rwanda’s transformation.
The secretariat has also called on everyone to stand with Rwanda during the commemoration and play a role in the fight against genocide denial.
“The EAC Secretariat takes this opportunity to invite everyone to join the Government and people of Rwanda to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi by standing against genocide denial and its ideology and recognizing the incredible bravery of those who rescued others during the genocide at great risk to themselves and their families,” reads the statement.
Since the 20th commemoration in April 2014, EAC has taken a commendable route to supporting genocide survivors and recognizing genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda as a crime against humanity, first by building a genocide monument in the EAC gardens which was inaugurated by Heads of State and further by setting apart the 7th of April every year on the EAC calendar as a special day to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Following the visit, Rwanda’s Presidency has posted pictures via Twitter handle showing President Kagame touching a cheetah.
The Head of State was along with his counterpart of Zambia, Hichilema Hakainde as he visited the private nature park.
Situated in 3 kilometers from Victoria Falls, Mukuni Big 5 Safaris which President Kagame has visited, offers different tourism offerings including elephant rides and walks with lions and Cheetah.
The reserve is also the only company in Zambia that has a lure system that runs cheetah providing not only excellent stimulus for the animals but also great opportunities to see the magnificent animal at its top speed.
Mukuni Big 5 started in 2009 with lion, cheetah walks and interaction, then expanded to include elephants rides.
President Kagame arrived in Zambia’s touristic capital, Livingstone for a two-day State on Monday 4th April 2022.
On the first day of his visit, both countries signed bilateral agreements in the areas of taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
Apart from visiting the private nature reserve and Victoria Falls on the second day, Kagame along with his counterpart of Mozambique and First Lady Hichilema planted trees at the Kazungula One-Stop Border Post and toured the Kazungula Bridge which supports trade and transport linking Zambia and Botswana over the Zambezi River.
Lake Kivu also presents huge investment opportunities that can be tapped into through Bonded Warehouses and value addition to goods traded through the borders.
As one of secondary cities, Rubavu has enhanced its tourism offerings where it can accommodate 350 guests in 20 hotels. On average, the district receives at least 127,000 guests every year.
It will host The Ironman 70.3 Triathlon on 14th August 2022.
The district covers a total land area of 388.3 km² with 469,379 population of whom the majority are women (50.1%) as per 2021 figures.
Below are some of mega projects expected to boost the attractiveness of Rubavu town:
{{1. New hospital}}
Rubavu town will have a new modern hospital in coming days following risks associated with the location of Gisenyi Hospital and damages occasioned by Nyiragongo volcanic eruption.
The new hospital to be constructed on the funding of the Government of Hungary in Rwanda will be completed at Rwf32 billion.
The facility will offer more medical services than the previous one to Rwandans and neighbours from DRC.
{{2. Ports }}
A new port is being constructed in Rubavu where it expected to boost trade with DRC. Rubavu port is expected to be completed this year.
{{3. Rubavu market}}
The latter is a large project that had stalled for long. It is currently on track and implemented by investors in Rubavu Investment Company.
The project was initially executed by the district and later taken up by private investors after long time of irregularities.
It is currently in its final phases where the remaining work is predominantly about putting final touches and installing lifts.
{{4. Wilderness eco-resort in Nyamyumba}}
Rubavu District reveals that a new five-star hotel is set to be completed in Nyamyumba Sector in the near future.
The facility will offer unique services where customers will use hot spring water brought in their rooms.
{{5. Nengo Hill waterfront}}
This project popular in countries with high altitude mountains like Switzerland is being executed by Zipline.
Upon completion, it is expected that people will climb onto Nengo Hill and move through the air with harnesses to float down at Lake Kivu beach. Such projects are believed to attract a large number of tourists.
{{6. New Bus Terminal }}
The project is expected to improve public transport services between Kigali and Rubavu as well as other parts of the country or movements within the district. The new bus terminal in Rubavu will be built by JALI Investments.
{{7. Rugerero Real Estate Development}}
This project is expected to provide a large number of residential modern homes in a real estate to be built in Rugerero.
{{8. Fish farming}}
Rubavu District officials reveal that they are luring investors to promote fish farming to make it more productive and meaningful source of income.
{{9. Rubavu Shopping Mall}}
The project was designed to build a modern commercial building that can house different businesses. The district plans to set up the mall nearby the border with DRC.
{{10. Industrial Park }}
Setting up an industrial park in among mega projects anticipated in Rubavu. It is expected to give relief to residents who will access goods manufactured close to their homes. These investments also eye customers from DRC.
This was communicated during a General Assembly held on Monday 4th April 2022 at the Defence Headquarters, Kimihurura.
The 36th General Assembly was attended by the Minister of Defence, Major Gen Albert Murasira; Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana; Chief of Defence Staff, General JB Kazura and IGP Dan Munyuza, RDF service chiefs and other heads of security organs as well as a selected list of members from security organs.
Zigama CSS Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. James Ndahiro said that the main agenda of the meeting was to present to members the 2021 Audited Financial Statements.
“It was a successful year as the bank kept its growth and we are optimistic that it will grow even more in the years to come,” he said.
He further thanked members for their continued support and collaboration.
ZIGAMA CSS continues to expand the use of IT services to facilitate its members for different transactions. For instance, in 2021 the digital services transactions were 96% and 4% cashier transactions.
ZIGAMA CSS is a financial cooperative with membership drawn mainly from Security Organs namely Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National police, Rwanda Correctional Services, National Intelligence and Security Service and Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
{In Rwanda, production of alcoholic beverages is regulated by laws and rules. All alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws are classified as ‘simple narcotic drugs’ under article 5 of the Ministerial Order No.001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.}
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) specifies that “only food-grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture.”
All drinks with an alcoholic content exceeding 45 percent as well as all those without the standard mark (S-Mark) issued by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) are classified as narcotics.
In Huye District, efforts to fight production and sell of illicit drinks continue to yield positive results.
On Sunday, April 3, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local authorities seized and disposed of 1878 litres of illicit brew.
At least 1440 litres of illicit brew locally known as ‘Umuzabibu’ were seized from one Athanase Sibomana, 31, and 438 litres of ‘Intashyo’ seized from Jean Pierre Rugomoka, 45, both in Berwa Village, Gitwa Cell, Mbazi Sector.
This is one of many other successful operations against psychotropic substances in Huye, according to the District Police Commander (DPC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Boniface Kagenza.
“Last year, with the help of residents and local leaders, we seized over 68,900 litres of assorted illicit brew from 406 dealers, which were disposed of. Between January and March this year, we have seized 10,758 litres of illicit brew from 63 dealers,” said SSP Kagenza.
These substances, the DPC said, are mainly common in the sectors of Tumba, Huye, Gishamvu, Ruhashya, Simbi and Mbazi, where many distillers have been arrested.
“Due to strong collaboration and cooperation with residents through community policing, there is easy flow of information on people with illegal production plants in their homes and bars that sell these harmful drinks. This helps the Police in its operations against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” said SSP Kagenza.
He warned that these operations are continuous and advised residents to venture into legal businesses instead of wasting their resources in acts that will result into “preventable losses and Imprisonment.”
Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, anyone convicted for dealing in “simple narcotic drugs” faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf10 million.
The agreements were signed on Monday 4th April 2022 in the areas of taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
President Kagame is in Zambia’s touristic capital, Livingstone for a two-day State Visit.
Upon arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, he was received by his counterpart, Hakainde who extended a warm welcome to him.
Kagame also held a tête-à-tête with Hakainde on issues of mutual interest at bilateral and regional levels.
During his visit, the two Heads of State are expected to proceed for a tour at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls.
The two Presidents will then proceed to Sundowner where they are expected to have state dinner aboard the train.
On Tuesday, April 5, President Kagame, President Hichilema are expected to tour the Mukuni Big Five Safaris, the Mosi-o- Tunya National Park, and then proceed to the One Stop Border Post and Kazungula Bridge.
[{{Related story: Kagame arrives in Zamba for two-day official visit }} ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-in-zambia-for-two-day-official-visit]
