Kadafi Manisure, 43, Justin Nkusi, 26 and Jean Paul Mugabo, 35, were arrested Saturday, March 12, in Murisanga Village, Kivumu Cell, Gisenyi Sector with Rwf113,000, which is part of the money they stole from the Italian national.
Also recovered from the suspects is a wallet containing a driver’s license, Identity Card and a gold ring.
Money amounting to Rwf150,000 and other valuables were stolen from the victim the previous day at El Classic bar located in Nyamyumba Sector also in Rubavu District.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the trio was located and arrested following information provided by the victim.
“The victim reported to the Police that he was being called by people claiming to be having his wallet and demanding money to return them. The victim first sent them Rwf200, 000, they returned the wallet with only a driver’s license and Identity Card, but they demanded more Rwf50,000 to give him his gold ring,” SP Karekezi explained.
He added: “This prompted the victim to call the Police and the suspected thieves were arrested red-handed as they came to collect the Rwf50000 they had demanded. The ring was recovered from the suspects alongside Rwf113,000. The suspects were handed over to RIB at Gisenyi station for further investigation.”
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary or the theft is carried out by more than one (1) person.
Karl Platt and Habimana Jean Eric won the fourth stage clocking 2 hours 36 minutes and 17 seconds.
Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi riding for Giant was the first to arrive at the finishing line in front of Palm Beach Hotel followed by Habimana Jean Eric who teamed up with German Karl Platt.
The last stage saw the duo leading the race on the general classification with 8 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds. They were 38 minutes ahead of Daniel Gathof and Renay Groustra who took the second position.
Karl Platt, 43, was participating in Rwandan Epic for the first time. He revealed that it was an amazing experience to take part in the race noting that he enjoyed wonderful sojourn in Rwanda where he plans to return.
“It was an amazing tournament. I enjoyed wonderful moments throughout the race’s route along with Jean Eric. I will come back to Rwanda because I have got many friends,” he said.
In the category of women, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn have won the last stage clocking 3 hours 54 minutes and 8 seconds while Umwamikazi Jazilla and Nirere Xaverine clocked 5 hours 34 minutes and 22 seconds.
On the general classification, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn led the race with 12 hours 39 minutes and 29 seconds. They are five hours ahead of next rivals.
In the mixed category, Jennifer Wagouman and Daniel Klemmer registered 5 hours 37 minutes and 6 seconds. They led the race in the category with 17 hours 43 minutes and 53 seconds.
The last stage of the tournament attracted more 11 riders from different countries.
Jakob Schule was the first among racers who joined on the last day registering 2 hours 57 minutes and 55 seconds.
His rivals include Reno Ziondato, Evan Meyers, Pelden Dorji, Arthur Franzon, Alexander Lamberts, Didier, Habiyambere Olivier, Neza Violette, Paulo van der Ven and Arjan Sleurink.
The ceremony to handover prizes to winners was also graced by the mayor of Rubavu district, Ildephonse Kambogo.
Sponsors of Rwandan Epic 2022 include Amstel, Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), Winnaz, Radisson Blu Hotel & Kigali Convention Centre, Trans Link, Qoryx Energy, Peloton de Paris and SunRace among others.
The organizer of the just concluded international tournament, Rwanda Alternative Riding Events (RaR) is making preparations for another tournament dubbed “Race Around Rwanda” to be held on 19th March 2022 and “Gorilla Gravel” to be held between 9th and 12th June 2022.
{{Stage four classification of Rwandan Epic 2022:}}
{{Men}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 2h36’17”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 2h48’38”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 2h55’45”
4. Mitch Elliot: 2h58’10”
5. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 2h59’05”
6. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 3h06’38”
7. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 3h13’57”
8. Nduwayo Eric & Nkurunziza Yves: 3h15’44”
9. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 3h41’40”
10. Ishimwe Jean Claude & Nshutiraguma Kevin: 4h18’56”
{{Women}}
1. Leone Verster & Catherine Colyn: 3h54’08”
2. Umwamikazi Jazilla & Nirere Xaverine: 5h34’22”
{{Mixed category}}
1. Jennifer Wagouman & Daniel Klemmer: 5h37’06”
{{General classification:}}
{{Men}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 8h22’55”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 8h54’50”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 9h26’46”
4. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 9h57’58”
5. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 10h53’18”
6. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 11h05’52”
7. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 12h03’41”
Gen Kazura will be accompanied by three senior military officials from RDF on the three-day official visit.
These include Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, the Head of International Military Cooperation; Brig Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, RDF Head of Military Intelligence and Col Jean Chrysostome Ngendahimana, RDF Chief J3 (in Charge of Operation and Training).
The senior military officers are to visit France following giant strides to normalize relations between Rwanda and the country.
Rwanda, France relations wavered in the past over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
However, both countries’ relations have been on good progress since Macron took office in 2017.
In 2021, Macron came to Rwanda for a two-day maiden visit from 27th to 28th May where he admitted his country’s responsibility during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“Standing here today, with humility and respect, by your side, I have come to recognize our responsibilities,” said Macron as he visited Kigali Genocide Memorial.
At the time, he said that France had a duty to admit the “suffering it inflicted on the Rwandan people by too long valuing silence over the examination of the truth.”
Macron said that only those who had survived the horrors “can perhaps forgive ; give us the gift of forgiveness”.
The visit was held shortly after the release of Duclert report that reviewed archives on France’s role during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
It was made by an expert committee of French historians led by Prof. Vincent Duclert.
The report by French historians revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
On the first day of his visit to Rwanda last year, Macron visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
He also participated in a joint press conference with his host, President Paul Kagame, visited Tumba College of Technology where a Department of Mechatronics would be set up through a partnership with French Agency for Development (AFD).
On the same day, Macron visited Gikondo Health Center before officiating the launch of French Cultural Center located near Kigali Convention Center, Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District.
The center has a section dedicated to learning French, culture-based training and providing official French language certification, boasts a large outdoor stage that can host shows and concerts.
On Thursday night, Macron and Kagame also watched quarter-finals of the inaugural season of Basketball Africa League (BAL) during which Patriots BBC representing Rwanda beat Ferroviário de Maputo representing Mozambique73-71 at Kigali Arena.
Among others, his visit left various agreements signed between both countries. The pacts include a framework for bilateral cooperation signed between French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta.
The two countries signed an agreement for sports and talent development which saw Rwanda receiving €1.5 million (approximately Rwf1.84 billion) for sport and talent development.
Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana also signed a Euro 60 million financing agreement with Rémy Rioux the Director-General of French Agency for Development (AFD).
His coming to Rwanda is considered a major milestone to turning a new page for both countries relations blurred by France’s failure to admit its role during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
In May 2021, President Paul Kagame also held talks with former French senior military officers who served in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994 for a candid discussion about history of Genocide against Tutsi.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
The health services included medical screening for non-communicable diseases such as blood pressure, and other diseases such as malaria where rapid tests were performed, and treatment provided to those who were positive.
Bossembele District Mayor, Aristide SEMUNGUBO thanked Rwandan peacekeepers for maintaining peace and their devotion to health care assistance to local community. He emphasized that the medical services provided will contribute to improve residents’ health conditions.
RWABATT9 Commanding Officer, Lt Col Patrick Gasana RUGOMBOKA commended the local community and their leaders for good working relations and collaboration with Rwandan peacekeepers.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Western region Police spokesperson, said that Ndaribitse was traveling in a Fuso truck transporting 20 cows but had no livestock movement order.
“Police officers stopped the Fuso truck along Musanze-Rubavu transporting cows from Burera to Rubavu. When officers asked the driver for the movement clearance order, the driver said that the cows belong to Ndaribitse. Instead of providing the required documents as asked, Ndaribitse tried to seduce the officer with the bribe of Frw5,000 and he was taken into custody for the criminal act,” SP Karekezi said
SP Karekezi warned against such criminal mindset and advised those engaged in such businesses to always seek for the required documents instead of offering bribes leading to serving many years in prison.
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Gisenyi station for further investigation.
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.
The third stage held on Saturday 12th March 2022, started one hour late at 3:00 p.m. due to heavy rain that poured down in Northern Province.
Cyclists raced for 30 kilometers and crossed the finishing line at the usual venue for Gorilla naming ceremony in Kinigi.
Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi was the first to arrive but he could not win the stage as his colleague, Mael Desrieux was left behind
He was followed by the team of German Karl Platt and Habimana Jean Eric who won the stage clocking 2 hours and 53 seconds. The team of Daniel Gathof and Renay Groustra came third and arrived four minutes behind Habimana Jean Eric.
Karl Platt and Habimana Jean Eric are leading the race on the general classification with 5 hours 46 minutes and 38 seconds, 22 minutes ahead of the team of Daniel Gathof and Renay Groustra taking the second position.
In the category of women, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn won the third stage registering 3 hours 3 minutes and 56 seconds while Umwamikazi Jazilla and Nirere Xaverine clocked 3 hours and 48 minutes.
On the general classification, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn have registered 8 hours 45 minutes and 21 seconds. They are 28 minutes ahead of female Rwandans participating in the race.
In the mixed category, Jennifer Wagouman and Daniel Klemmer clocked 3 hours 55 minutes and 13 seconds. They have so far registered 12 hours 6 minutes and 47 seconds since the start of the race.
The average speed on the third stage is 14.9km/h for men, 9.8km/h for women and 7.6km/h in the mixed category.
After winning the third stage, Karl Platt expressed delight for winning three stages in a row and attributed the victory to team work spirit despite poor weather conditions and muddy road.
Habimana Jean Eric said that they will keep the competitive spirit on the fourth stage and take advantage of registered performance to be crowned champion.
The final stage on Sunday will see racers riding through Nyabihu and Gishwati to cross the finishing line in Rubavu at Lake Kivu shore covering 71 kilometers.
More ten players from different countries are expected to join the race on the last stage.
Sponsors of the race include Amstel, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Winnaz, Radisson Blu Hotel & Kigali Convention Centre, Trans Link, Qoryx Energy, Peloton de Paris and SunRace among others.
{{Third stage classification}}
{{Men:}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 2h00’53”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 2h04’41”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 2h15’49”
4. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 2h19’25”
5. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 2h29’25”
6. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 2h40’28”
7. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 2h51’52”
8. Ishimwe Jean Claude & Nshutiraguma Kevin: 3h09’05”
9. Nduwayo Eric & Nkurunziza Yves: 3h14’24”
{{Women}}
1. Leone Verster & Catherine Colyn: 3h03’56”
2. Umwamikazi Jazilla & Nirere Xaverine: 3h48’00”
{{Mixed category }}
1. Jennifer Wagouman & Daniel Klemmer: 3h55’13”
{{General classification }}
{{Men:}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 5h46’38”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 6h06’12”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 6h31’01”
4. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 6h58’53”
5. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 7h46’40”
6. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 7h51’55”
7. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 8h22’01”
She was speaking at the 8th “Ring the bell for gender equality” ceremony held on Friday 11th March 2022.
The ceremony seeks to bring to limelight the importance of private sector collaboration towards attaining gender equality and women empowerment.
It was organized by Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) in partnership with UN Women and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), aims to attract attention to the pivotal role the private sector can play in advancing gender equality to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Hakuziyaremye said that BNR has put in place initiatives to support women through financial inclusion and access to financial services from all relevant institutions in Rwanda.
She stressed that research is of critical significance to identify the gaps and challenges that women face in the financial sector.
“We make research-informed decisions to advocate for women. Research has proved that informal traders pay loans at 95%. When these women face challenges, we intervene as the National Bank of Rwanda through advocacy to enable access to requested loan” she said.
Hakuziyaremye underscored that BNR remains committed to support women and encouraged financial institutions to use research findings to accelerate women empowerment.
Pierre Célestin Rwabukumba, the CEO of RSE observed that financial institutions need to give attention to gender equality and women empowerment for sustainable development.
“If people are given needed resources, they will contribute to national development. We call upon the private sector to increase its efforts in gender equality and women empowerment because it is not only beneficial to individuals but also to the country at large,” he said
Rwabukumba also talked about various RSE initiatives for women empowerment like the investment clinic and advocating for investment in profitable women startups.
Denise Umwali wa Ngoga, the Gender Joint Programme Manager at UN Women said that their partnership with RSE gives a clear picture of what can be achieved with regards to gender equality and women empowerment.
“Our strong partnership has evidenced that it is possible to achieve desired outcomes in women’s economic empowerment and gender equality,” she noted.
Even though there is still a long way to go, other participants of the event called for multisectoral collaboration to meet envisaged objectives.
The ruling issued on Friday 11th March 2022, rejects the previous ruling of Kicukiro Primary Court towards the end of January 2022 which had remanded him for 30 days.
The suspect who was not satisfied, appealed against the decision in Nyarugenge Intermediary Court which issued a ruling in favour of his bail application.
Dr. Igabe is required to present himself to the prosecutor handling the case every Friday for the period of three months, and is subject to Rwf500,000 surety , according to the bail’s conditions.
During the recent hearing, Dr. Igabe requested the court to release him so that he can take care of his sick child and proposed surety worth Rwf500, 000.
Dr. Igabe was arrested on 6th January 2022 over suspicion of using a forged document to secure a job at various universities operating in Rwanda with a PhD degree he said he obtained from the Atlantic International University (AIU) in the United States.
Rupiah Banda, who served as president of Zambia from 2008 and 2011, died Friday evening in the capital Lusaka at age 85 after a two-year battle with cancer. His son Andrew confirmed the former leader’s death, saying, “He is gone.”
On Friday evening, Zambia’s current president, Hakainde Hichilema, made a special televised address to the nation in tribute to his predecessor. “We recognize with fondness his long and illustrious career in public service and we appreciate his service to the nation,” Hichilema said.
Banda was vice president of the southern African nation when the surprise death of President Levy Mwanawasa in 2008 propelled him to the top job, making him the fourth leader of the country after it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
Banda was narrowly elected on a ruling party ticket in October 2008, and served three years in the post.
His tenure saw great economic growth paired with allegations of widespread corruption.
The former leader oversaw major infrastructure projects — building schools, hospitals and roads — as the country’s economy flourished amid rising copper prices and a flood of Chinese investment.
Despite the wealth generated during his time in office, Banda was trounced by opposition leader Michael Sata in his 2011 bid for reelection, largely due to the fact that the cash generated never reached the people but ratherended up in the hands of a small number of powerful individuals.
{{From colonial Rhodesia to the UN, and back to independent Zambia}}
Banda was born on February 19, 1937, in the British colony of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He later returned to his parents’ original home of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, before pursuing studies in Ethiopia and Sweden, where he earned an economics degree.
Upon completing his studies, he embarked on a diplomatic career in Europe in the early 1960s. He was later appointed ambassador to Egypt, the United States and the United Nations.
His domestic political career began in 1975, taking up posts as foreign and then mining minister under Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president.
Banda was also one of the country’s most prominent businessmen and a long-time member of Zambia’s ruling United National Independence Party.
In that capacity, Banda was tapped to run several of the country’s state businesses. He was also the owner of KB Davis, supplying equipment to copper mining outfits in north-central Zambia.
An avid soccer fan, Banda also served a short stint as vice president of the Football Association of Zambia.
Banda was intent on stepping away from politics, retiring to a farm in the east of the country in 2000. In a 2008 interview, he said: “In addition to my political experience I am also a farmer, I am a man of the land.”
{{Presidency and allegations of corruption}}
That retirement did not last long, however. In 2002, he joined the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy and in 2006 was named vice-president after President Mwanawasa defeated Michael Sata in Zambia’s presidential election.
Soon after Banda became president in 2008, he was accused of corruption and nepotism while at the same time winding down his predecessor’s anti-corruption task force, ultimately disbanding it altogether.
He was sharply criticized, for instance, for allowing the acquittal of former President Frederick Chiluba to stand without appeal and was characterized by Sata as a “friend of thieves.” Banda was suspected of embezzling more than $11 million (€10.08 million) of state funds during his tenure.
In 2013, he was stripped of his immunity but was never convicted of any crimes.
Banda was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020 and had been receiving medical treatment at the time of his death.
Lega app downloaded through Google Play store, features different modules on financial literacy.
It was developed through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under a program designed to extend financial services to refugees and Rwandans in the camp’s neighborhood.
The application ‘Lenga’ targets people who wish to build skills in creating savings plans, drawing a budget, understanding different types of savings groups, comparing financial services, and deciding whether to borrow.
The app currently has six modules that target the financial and digital skills.It includes both video and audio content with quizzes and activities, along with demonstrations and explanations of key content areas like creating one’s own budget, using mobile money products safely, or thinking about one’s own capacity to borrow money.
UNCDF in collaboration with Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd have trained over 300 people from Mahama camp to use the application.
To ensure a successful training, UNCDF partnered with Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd donated 10 tablets to ten trainers who had to extend digital financial literacy skills to all dwellers of Kigeme camp through segmented groups.
Initially, residents were enlightened on benefits of working with financial institutions, how to efficiently spend their money for income generating activities as well as recording business transactions.
Immaculée Kayitesi, one of trainees said that the training changed mindsets on financial services.
“After receiving training on digital financial literacy, efficient funds management through Lenga application, we and neighbours witnessed improved livelihoods. We realized that making a step forward to use Lenga changes individual and families’ livelihoods,” she said.
“We were trained on efficient funds management, budget planning, saving techniques, saving in groups, financial institution or phone and needed preparations to borrow money,” Kayitesi added.
Communications & Programme Analyst at UNCDF, Emile Ndayambaje has told IGIHE that the project was designed to enlighten people on financial services, how tehya re integrated with technology and how to make savings using digital means among others.
“After receiving training on digital financial services, beneficiaries no longer need to walk long distances to access services. We have witnessed this particularly before the onset of COVID-19. We conducted sensitizations on financial services that attracted a large number of people and enhanced financial services penetration,” he noted.
Ndayambaje revealed that UNCDF plans to roll out the technology to more citizens across the country to facilitate access to financial services.
{{Access to finance}}
The recent event to celebrate achievements since the Lenga app was unveiled coincided with the launch of a new branch of Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd in Kigeme cell, Gasaka sector of Nyamagabe district.
The Manager of Umutanguha Microfinance Ltd, in Gasarenda of Nyamagabe district, Emmanuel Gumyusenge has told IGIHE that opening the new branch is part of ambitions to enhance access to financial services.
“We have more than 17,000 clients in Nyamagabe. Of these, nearly 3000 live in Kigeme. We have opened the branch to facilitate access to financials services for refugees in Kigeme camp and residents in surrounding communities,” he said.
The management of Umutanguha Microfinace Ltd in Gasarenda has revealed that more than 1000 residents have already acquired loans after the training on financial literacy.
Nyamagabe district vice mayor for economic development, Thaddée Habimana thanked partners including UNCDF for supporting Rwandans and refugees to spur their economic growth.
“It helps residents to run income generating businesses. Receiving the training on financial services helps them to work with financial institutions, acquire loans and design projects instead of heavily relying on UNHCR support,” he explained.
