The estate is a joint venture between The ADHI Corporate Group and the Government of Rwanda.
Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million.
ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
It deploys latest technology to build modern and affordable units for people of different economic backgrounds.
For the past ten years, the company has been building housing units with materials that reduce carbon emissions from the buildings.
ADHI Rwanda Ltd also runs a school dubbed ADHI Academy which trains people on constructing ecofriendly buildings. Graduates are hired to assist the company in its operations.
ADHI Academy project is expected to train 6250 not later than 2033.
The latter will be similar to Kinigi Model Village inaugurated in Musanze district last year in the context of Liberation Day. It will feature a market, schools, and connected with water and electricity. The village will also be comprised of sheds for residents’ livestock among others.
Early January 2022, IGIHE visited the plot of land where the village will be constructed in Nyiragongo Territory, in the plain located at the foothills of Nyiragongo volcano, few meters from Rwanda’s border with DRC in Busasamana sector of Rubavu district.
Demarcations separating individual’s parcels have been marked at the site. The plain is also home to Kanyanja camp accommodating people affected by Nyiragongo eruption. They are sheltered in provisional canvas tents awaiting completion of the model village.
A member of the camp’s management who got information from superiors, has told IGIHE that a village comprising of 7000 building units is set to be constructed on support of different donors including the wife of Joseph Kabila, Marie Olive Lembe di Sita known as Mama Olive.
He explained that they have started registering the first batch of beneficiaries once the model village is completed.
“Mama Oliva donated 2250 plots of land while the Government plans to build five thousand housing units. They are more than seven thousand in total. We have learnt that that the Government will build decent homes. Mama Oliva has already donated plots of land but the design of houses from her support is yet to be revealed,” he said.
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The majority of residents to be resettled are those living in the vicinity of Nyiragongo volcano particularly those with houses destroyed during the volcano’s eruption last year.
IGIHE has learnt that there are more citizens living in risky zones at the foothills of the volcano to be relocated.
James is among citizens living in Kanyanja camp in Nyiragongo Territory whose houses were destroyed by earthquakes.
“We live in the foothills of the volcano. Moving to that place will be helpful. This place we live in is very stony but I hope we can find arable land to grow vegetables once resettled,” he said.
James revealed, they are always scared that the volcano might erupt anytime.
“The place where the model village is set to be built is closer to Rwanda. When the volcano erupts again, it is possible to flee to Rwanda before magma reaches our residence, “he noted.
“We will be very thankful once the model village is completed,” James added.
Another Congolese identified as Kasongo has said that the construction of the model village should not be delayed to alley their worries.
“We are currently exposed to fire in the current residence because it can take long to reach Rwanda. That is why we need to be relocated to the village nearby Rwanda’s border to be safe from eruption’s risk,” he said.
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Citizens living in the foothills of Nyiragongo continue to endure hard life due to eruption’s devastating effects despite the support from various organizations operating in the area.
Their arable land has turned rocky following eruption but reveal that water scarcity is the most pressing issue. Some residents have said that it has been long without receiving water that was previously supplied by MONUSCO.
The place neither has markets nor access to water. They mainly rely on rain water while others have to walk for an hour to fetch water in Goma. Kasongo says that the village comes in handy as it will be connected with water.
One of the camp’s managers expressed worries that some people might die during times of hot sun in February and March.
“We are extremely desperate as we wonder how we will get along at this border without water. Some people might die if it doesn’t rain,” he said.
There is no source water nearby the construction site but DRC mulled discussions with Rwanda to connect water to the village.
The village was initially expected to be inaugurated on 4th July 2022 coinciding with Rwanda’s 28th Liberation Day but construction activities are still in the initial phases.
Nyiragongo’s eruption on 22nd May 2021 destroyed several infrastructures, took lives over 32 and left many people displaced.
The eruption saw Congolese nationals fleeing to Rwanda where they were warmly welcomed until they returned home.
Few days later, Kagame appealed for global support to manage the crisis on the border with DRC.
The volcanic eruption was reported to have destroyed hundreds of houses, water and electricity supply systems that some parts of Goma were left in blackout and pulled electricity from Rwanda.
On his visit to DRC in June last year, Kagame and Tshisekedi toured Kibati road among other infrastructures damaged by volcanic eruption.
Amb. Adam visited the district on Thursday 10th February 2022 where he was taken through touristic attractions including Nyungwe National Park and tea plantations in Kitabi among others.
After concluding his tour, he promised his country’s support to work with Nyamagabe district to advance its development and uplift residents’ wellbeing.
“I was invited by the mayor of Nyamagabe district. It is a good move that will forge partnerships between us in consideration of held discussions. Generally, tourism is broad and needs investment to maximize huge opportunities it presents. We are optimistic that it will be possible through budget allocation and thorough planning,” he said.
The mayor of Nyamagabe district, Hildebrand Niyomwungeri has said that the good cooperation with Israel Embassy will help them achieve great things.
“We want to uplift residents’ livelihoods in our district. The journey requires us to work with different partners. The ambassador of Israel is among those partners invited to walk with us,” he noted.
Niyomwungeri revealed that they have discussed on various area of concerns and agreed on the way forward to begin implementation phase.
Erneste Mugabo, a resident of Nyamagabe thanked the Government of Rwanda for continuously connecting them to development partners.
“Nyamagabe district located the former Gikongoro Prefecture was renowned for hunger but it has become history due to our far-sighted visionary leadership bringing development partners,” he said.
Amb. Adam also visited Murambi Genocide Memorial and a science school known for its French alias as Ecole des Sciences de Nyamagabe where he joined students to plant fruit trees.
The ceremony took place on Thursday 10th February 2022. With residence in Sweden, Amb. Gashumba also represents Rwanda in other countries including Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
Amb. Gashumba has said that discussions with the King of Norway revolved around strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in the next two years.
She told King Harald V upholding peace and security is among lessons Rwanda learnt from the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Amb. Gashumba reiterated Rwanda’s openness for green investment and encouraged investors and partners across the world and Norway to work with Rwanda to achieve environmental preservation and climate change resilience targets.
During her visit in Norway, Amb. Gashumba met with different officials and held talks with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bjørg Sandkjær among others for discussions on areas of mutual interests.
Musemakweri was at the time attempting to sneak the minerals into Rwanda from the Uganda, Nyarugina Village, Nyamabuye Cell in Kagogo Sector.
The District Police Civic Education Officer (DPCEO) for the Northern Region, Superitendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, said that the suspect was reported by local residents, who at first thought that he was smuggling second hand clothes.
“Police received information from residents in Nyamabuye reporting Musemakweri, who had sacks of consignments, which they suspected to be second hand clothes and had crossed into Rwanda from Uganda. Police swiftly mounted a check point in Nyarugina village where a cab that Musemakweri had hired to transport the mineral was stopped, the driver fled but the suspected smuggler was arrested and minerals seized,” SP Ndayisenga said.
Musemakweri, the alleged rightful owner of the minerals, said that he was going to sell them to another dealer in City of Kigali.
SP Ndayisenga thanked residents, who shared information that led to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the smuggled minerals.
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Cyanika station for further legal process.
Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned. The driver also faces a fine of US$5000.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.
The people had drowned in Rwabicuma pond in Rwabicuma sector of Nyanza District and Bishya water pond in Busasamana sector.
The deceased, Jean Claude Niringiyimana, 26, committed suicide by drowning on February 8, in Rwabicuma pond in Rwabicuma Sector.
The body of one Jean Pierre Harindintwari was also retrieved in Bishya pond, Busasamana Sector, where he was fishing earlier that day.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that information about the incidents was reported by the family members.
“The RNP marine divers managed to recover both bodies, which have been taken to Nyanza hospital for a postmortem examination before they are handed over to their respective families for decent burial,” said SP Kanamugire.
He further advised the public against playing in water bodies, sometimes alone and without swimming skills or life jacket.
DIGP Nayame and her delegation are in Rwanda since Sunday for a six-day study visit, which is guided by the existing cross-border cooperation between RNP and ZPS.
In the Western province, she was received by the Regional Police Commander (RPC), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edmond Kalisa, who briefed her on the RNP operational activities and the community policing and development programmes in the region.
“This regional being on the borderline, RNP operations focus on fighting and preventing drug traffickers and smugglers. Other crimes in the region include assault and defilement,” ACP Kalisa said.
“The RNP policing strategy is largely built on community-oriented approach. So, we work with other security organs, local government entities and the public to fight and prevent crimes.
There are severe laws against smuggling and drug trafficking and it is the responsibility of Rwanda National Police to enforce them,” he added.
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The Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis alongside cocaine and heroin as a “very severe narcotics.”
The law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, especially in its article 263, provides an imprisonment of between 20 years and life, for anyone convicted for very severe narcotic drugs and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling, it is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.
DIGP Nayame and her delegation also visited various RNP facilities including hostels, mess as well as operational activities at La Corniche One Stop Border Post with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where they witnessed Rwanda’s IT systems used at the border.
They also visited the Brasserie brewery plant where they were explained on how private security personnel operate.
“We have witnessed how police operates in this region to fight cross-border crimes, how Police works with other institutions and the public to fight cross-border crimes like smuggling and narcotic drugs, and modern facilities and equipment, which facilitate officers to effectively executive their policing duties,” DIGP Nayame said.
Nyusi was last in Rwanda in April last year seeking support to fight terrorists in his country.
Following the request, Rwanda started deploying the joint troops of Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Defence Force that have so far reached nearly 2000.
Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that both Heads of State have discussed the good progress that has been made between Rwanda and Mozambique in the ongoing cooperation towards securing Cabo Delgado as well as other areas of bilateral collaboration.
President Kagame’s latest visit to Mozambique was in September 2021 where he interacted with Rwandan troops deployed to fight insurgents in the country.
Nyusi comes to Rwanda following his visit to European countries where he requested the European Union to support joint operations conducted by Rwandan soldiers and SADC forces to fight insurgents in Cabo Delgado.
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to Rwanda, Nicola Bellomo recently said that the bloc is holding discussions with Rwanda to determine needed support to its interventions to fight insurgents in Mozambique.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 25th January 2022, during the annual Article 8 Dialogue that took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Kimihurura.
Amb. Nicola Bellomo said that such dialogue is a good platform to share ideas on areas of cooperation between Rwanda and EU including trade and investment, governance, unity and reconciliation among others.
He also reminisced on cooperation with EU and the African continent, integration efforts and foreign policy.
“In this context, I will refer to operations in Mozambique. I am confident this dialogue will provide additional elements to inform the ongoing discussion on possible EU support to Rwanda and to identify new avenues to promote and preserve peace and security on the continent,” he said.
He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of recently appointed leaders including the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana.
The Head of State also reminisced on various issues including Rwanda’s security and state of relations with neighbouring countries among others.
He particularly singled out security matters and armed groups including FDLR which has been roaming in DRC.
“Our enemy who has been there for the last 25 years is still there. What was put in place to address this issue, instead looks like it is being used to nurture the problem and helping it to continue to grow. It seems like it is being used as a way to keep some people employed and paid under the pretext that they are addressing this problem.” He said.
“I cannot understand how this issue can last for over 20 years, costs billions of dollars but never gets solved. There is something incomprehensible here,” Kagame added.
UN deployed peacekeeping troops to Eastern DRC in 1999 under the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) which was later changed to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
23 years on, peace has not yet been restored in the region but armed groups continue to increase despite the huge budget of more than Rwf1000 billion spent annually.
President Kagame said, Rwanda is ready to deal with the issue that lingered for several years.
{{Rwanda is standby}}
Last year, Rwanda National Police (RNP) in collaboration with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) paraded before the media, 13 people who were arrested for planning to conduct terrorist attacks in different parts of the City of Kigali.
At the time, RNP revealed that the suspects were arrested with different improvised explosive devices (IEDs) materials that include; wires, nails, phones, explosives and videos for radicalization.
They were arrested at different times in Kigali City, Rusizi and Nyabihu districts.
The suspects disclosed that they were assigned to shatter different buildings including Kigali City Tower, Downtown and others in Nyabugogo.
Investigation report proved that arrested suspects worked with a terrorist group known as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
ADF operates in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in North Kivu.
The suspects revealed that the attacks were plotted in revenge for Rwanda’s intervention in Cabo Delgado.
As he delivered remarks recently, President Kagame said that Rwanda closely follows up on security issues in DRC because armed groups operating there have started plans to destabilize Rwanda.
He revealed that it is possible for ADF to work with FDLR as terror outfits sharing plans to threaten Rwanda.
Kagame said that Rwanda is following up what is happening in DRC due to the presence of FDLR and other armed groups that might cooperate with ADF. The Head of State underscored that the country will play its part to fix these issues conveniently.
“We consider several mechanisms including negotiations, there are times we plead, there are times we ask, but if need be, there are instances when we don’t do neither and instead act on the matter accordingly,” he noted.
The President said that currently, leaders have come together to negotiate for common ground, but should the issue turn out to be a threat to Rwanda, “We are ready to step up, and defend our territory. Our main priority which is security for Rwandans.”
The speech made members of the public wonder if Rwandan soldiers might enter DRC territory to fight armed groups as the case in 1997 when remnants of the genocidal forces plotted attacks to Rwanda.
Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuriza, one of political analysts following up regional issues has told IGIHE there should be no reasons hindering Rwanda’s intervention in DRC in case MONUSCO fails.
“Should MONUSCO fail to solve the issue, Rwanda will intervene in DRC if it turns out to be necessary. Rwanda cannot keep quiet on people disturbing us as they groan nearby our bed yet it has restored peace in Mozambique,” he said.
However, Gatete observed, President Kagame did not affirm that Rwandan soldiers are set to enter DRC territory.
Commenting on whether Rwandan and Uganda soldiers might work together to decimate ADF as they have entered a new area of normalizing ties, Gatete explained that Rwanda does not need to heavily rely on bilateral relations to solve its problems.
“Having started to normalize relations with Uganda is a commendable step that might ease the work but failure to reach common ground cannot prevent us from solving issues,” he said.
Tite Gatabazi, a journalist and political analyst observed that Rwanda needs discussions with DRC before entering its territory to maintain existing cordial relations between the two countries.
“It requires DRC’s consent. Otherwise, it can trigger conflicts,” he noted.
Taking into account the current situation, Gatabazi also explained that Rwandan soldiers are not likely to return to DRC given that FDLR is on the brink of defeat following the death of top commanders.
Rwanda and DRC enjoy cooperation agreements in different areas including security.
The Head of State hosted the legends on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at Village Urugwiro.
They were accompanied by their families and different officials including the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Shema Maboko Didier.
Kagame is a prominent fan of Arsenal FC.
The two Arsenal legends have been in Rwanda for five-day visit related to agreements signed between RDB and Arsenal to promote Rwanda’s visibility through Visit Rwanda campaign.
During their stay in Rwanda, they visited different touristic attractions of the country including Nyungwe and Virunga National Parks.
Before meeting with President Kagame, Robert Pires and Ray Parlour interacted with Arsenal fans in Rwanda at Kigali Serena Hotel on the same day.
As they met with fans, the duo revealed that they enjoyed memorable experience in Rwanda particularly hiking, visiting gorillas and other parts of the country being with friends and families.
Arsenal and RDB initially teamed up back in 2018 with Visit Rwanda becoming the Gunners’ official tourism partner, as well as the club’s first sleeve sponsor. That contract was reportedly worth US$30 million over three years.
By the end of the first year of the partnership, Rwanda’s tourism revenue increased by 17% to US$498 million in 2019 from US$425 million in 2018.
Leisure tourists from Europe increased by 22% and by 17% from the UK.
In 2021, RDB announced that the partnership with Arsenal Football Club was extended whereby the ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo will continue to feature on the Premier League club’s left sleeve.
At the time, RDB announced that the renewed partnership will build on the gains made over the last 3 years and ‘contribute towards Rwanda’s economic recovery strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism sector’.
