The inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 9th February 2022, was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, the Vice-Chancellor of Kibogora Polytechnic, Dr. Dariya Mukamusoni, teachers and students of the university and neighbouring secondary schools among others.
The center is composed of computers, 3D printer and a soon to be completed electronic laboratory. The facility is the third of its kind set-up in Rwanda by STEMpower- a partner of the Israel Embassy in Rwanda that established alike centers across Africa.
The other two facilities were established at Ines-Ruhengeri and University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST).
In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Adam underscored that the idea behind establishing STEM Centers is to promote quality education.
“I find education very important and regard it as a prerequisite to achieve everything else. It is through quality education that we get skilled human resource that come up with problem-solving innovations. This STEM Center comes to serve that purpose and it will benefit students at this university, those in high school, and the surrounding community,” he said.
Ambassador Dr. Adam went on to reveal that there is another STEM center which will be inaugurated soon at University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE) located in Rukara, Kayonza District. He added that four more centers will also be established across the country before the end of this year.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of the higher-learning institution, the facility will greatly benefit students pursuing STEM studies.
“Among 2,500 students we have at Kibogora Polytechnic, 900 are studying STEM-related faculties. These are the number of students to benefit hands-on skills from this facility, not to mention neighbouring high schools and members of the community who will use it,” she said, adding that “We are grateful to STEMpower and the Israel Embassy in Rwanda.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, noted that promoting STEM is one of the priorities of Rwanda’s education sector.
“It is in our country’s vision to promote STEM studies and to become a knowledge-based economy. This can’t be achieved if students do not receive hands-on skills of what they learn in theory. This STEM Center is an essential contribution to this cause,” he said.
They were arrested in separate coordinated operations conducted on Monday and Tuesday in Gasabo and Nyarugenge districts.
They are Therese Nyirankundakwizera, 40, and Vestine Dukuzumuremyi, 22, both arrested on Monday, February 8, in Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District with 300 pellets of cannabis.
One Seraphine Muhawenimana, 26, was apprehended on Tuesday, February 9, in Kimisagara Sector, Nyarugenge District in possession of 2,546 pellets of cannabis.
The District Police Commander (DPC) for Gasabo, Superintendent of Police (SP) Octave Mutembe said that the suspects were arrested due to a tip off by local residents.
“Residents of Kinyinya reported on Monday, that Nyirankundakwizera is a dealer in narcotic drugs. Police rushed to her home, took her into custody, and disclosed her supplier as Vestine Dukuzumuremyi, who hails from Kimironko sector, who was at the time on her way to bring more narcotics,” SP Mutembe said.
“Dukuzumuremyi arrived shortly after with 300 pellets of cannabis to supply them to Nyirankundakwizera, she was also taken into custody and the narcotics seized,” he added.
After her arrest, Dukuzumuremyi also revealed that she got the narcotics from one Seraphine Muhawenimana, who hails from Musanze District.
ANU got credible information that Muhawenimana was to bring more consignments of cannabis on the next day, Tuesday, February 8, to supply Dukuzumuremyi.
ANU trailed Muhawenimana to Nyabugogo in Nyarugenge District, where she was arrested on arrival with 2,546 pellets of cannabis.
Muhawenimana also disclosed that she sneaks the narcotics into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The successful act comes on heels of increasing operations in different parts of the country where major drug dealers have been arrested, an impact attributed to the growing ownership of the public through community policing.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB for further legal process.
Cannabis is listed among very severe drugs in Rwanda.
Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
DIG Nayame and her delegation were received at PTS by the commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti.
The Zambia Police Service delegation is in Rwanda since Sunday for a six-day working visit particularly to get deep understanding on the feasibility management of private security service providers.
At PTS, DIG Nayame was showed different training disciplines given to private security personnel selected by their respective firms as well as other policing programmes for RNP officers.
She was also given a guided tour of different wings of the school.
Private Security Service Providers in Rwanda are regulated by Rwanda National Police. Currently, there are 16 registered private security firms in Rwanda.
DIG Nayame commended the training offered to private security personnel, which she said will help to redefine private security service providers back home.
“The facilities and quality training programmes offered at this school speaks volume and it is always good for institutions to learn from each other,” DIG Nayame said.
Rwanda and Zambia Police institutions signed the cooperation pact in 2015, which was reinforced in December 2020 to strengthen cooperation and communication in combating transnational organized crime as well as exchange of information on wanted persons, property and exhibits, crime intelligence and training, among others.
Since its inception in 2010, Mobile Money has evolved in the financial technology space in Rwanda and has The Biva MoMotima Promo will reward MoMo customers and MoMoPay merchants for using MoMoPay as a digital payment solution. The 7-week long Promo allows both MoMo customers and merchants to participate.
MoMo customers and MoMoPay merchants with the highest and most unique payments made using MoMoPay services will be eligible to win various prizes on a weekly basis. The prizes to be won range from airtime, smartphones, shopping and fuel vouchers, motorbikes, television screens among others, every week, while only one winner will be selected for the grand prize of a brand-new Toyota Rush.
Speaking at the launch of the promo, Chantal Kagame, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd Chief Executive Officer said: “We are pleased to see the growth of MoMoPay since it was introduced to the market in 2017. With currently around 50,000 merchants registered and over nine million transactions per month, MoMoPay continues to play its part in contributing to the Nation’s cashless agenda and in promoting digital financial education and inclusion.
During this month of love, all the way to April, we want to extend the love to our customers and merchants through this Impano Ziva MoMotima Promo, thanking them for their continued support on MoMoPay and what better way to show our gratitude than through prize-giving.”
To enter this Promo, MoMo customers can dial the short code *182*13# to opt-in and participate in the reward Promo. Upon successfully joining the Promo, the customers will receive a confirmation SMS that refers to customer’s consent to terms and conditions of the Promo. MoMoPay Merchants, on the other hand, automatically join the Promo by default if they are active.
The more customers and MoMoPay merchants transact via MoMoPay, the higher their chances of taking home any of the prizes up for grabs. Terms and Conditions can be found on www.mtn.co.rw/ and winners will be notified on a week-on-week basis by this MTN number 0788159000.
{{About Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd}}
Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd is MTN Rwanda’s FinTech subsidiary, established on 27th April 2021 to provide and manage Mobile Money services in Rwanda. The company has over 50,000 Mobile Money agents and 50,000 MoMoPay merchants across the country.
The penetration of Mobile Money has seen a continuous rise with the enhancement of existing offerings such as MoMoPay, MTN m-Ticketing as a digital user-friendly ticketing solution, Tap&Go payments for bus services, Bill Payments, Bulk Payments, Electricity purchase, Payment of Government services, Bank Push & Pull, MoKash Loans & Savings, and more.
Many people still consider mental illness as a light subject and an issue affecting a small percentage of our population.
Most of us walk the streets, go to work or school, enjoy shows without really knowing that we are walking around with depression while others don’t even know they have mental health problems.
Many people endure and hide pain while others make fateful decision to take their lives. Losing someone you love is a great pain to deal with and it becomes much more painful when you lose them by suicide.
In such circumstances, the bereaved family and friends are left with guilt and resentment amidst worries that they did not help the deceased to overcome depression. Here below are things that can help you get through the situation and cope with associated grief.
{{Understanding your grief }}
IGIHE has spoken to a psychologist and lecturer at the University of Rwanda, Dr. Jeanne Marie Ntete who defined suicide as an unexpected situation that no one is ready to deal with where it is hard to accept the reality.
He explained that there are stages of grief people go through after losing and mourning loved ones and advised on how to cope with trauma emanating from losing a loved by suicide.
{{The first stage is denial.}} Denial attempts to slow this process down, helps to survive the loss pretending that it didn’t exist and take us through it one step at a time other than the potential risk of feeling overwhelmed by our emotions.
{{After denial, comes anger.}} It can often be manifested or expressed in puzzling ways to people around us. We may be angry with the loved one who left us in sorrow or be angry with God for taking him/her.
{{The third stage is bargaining.}} In the bargaining stage of grief, you attempt to postpone your sadness by imagining “what if” scenarios. You may also feel a sense of guilt or responsibility, leading you to bargain for ways to prevent more emotional pain or future losses.
{{Depression is also a feeling that you may encounter after loss.}} In this stage, we begin to realize and feel the extent of death or loss. Common signs of depression in this stage include sleeping troubles, poor appetite, fatigue, lack of energy, and crying spells.
We may also have self-pity and feel lonely, isolated, empty, lost and anxious.
The last stage of grief identified by Kübler-Ross is acceptance. Not in the sense that “it’s okay my husband died” rather, “my husband died, but I’m going to be okay.” In this stage, your emotions may begin to stabilize.
People can experience these aspects of grief at different times. What is crucial is understanding your emotions and letting them out without hiding anything.
Dr. Ntete has said people struggling to cope with the suicide yet they have not yet reached acceptance should seek professional help.
“When you have been struggling for a long time, usually after six months, it is considered as pathology. You need professional help,” he said.
In this case, doctors listen to you and provide necessary assistance as much as they can.
You can read more about the stages of grief in a book titled ‘Death and dying’ by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross a swiss-american psychiatrist. She talks about the five stages of grief and how you should understand them to better understand yourself and your emotions.
{{Remember your loved one’s life was about more than suicide}}
Your memories should not be tainted by suicide. It is a common perception that we often consider suicide as a horrific act in our society but you should remember the person as they were not the painful act committed.
Hold on to the memories, whatever you have of them left, texts, gifts, pictures and videos among others and go through them every once in a while with gratitude.
{{Take care of yourself }}
Losing someone can seriously affect your mental health. It is in your best interest to take care of yourself mentally and physically.
{{Look forward }}
With time, there comes acceptance. You let go of the grief or whatever resentment there is, stop wondering why and understand it is time to move on.
Moving on is not forgetting about the person, moving on is accepting reality and allowing yourself to be free from the pain and horrible memories.
When a person faces such a situation and they cannot properly move on because of the trauma, it is a probability that they may also commit suicide.
Dr. Ntete has revealed that it is possible for a grieving person to commit suicide because of depression if he/she receives no special attention.
He stressed that it is important to stay close to those people to help them overcome sorrow.
A person facing such problems can seek professional help and allow those around you to help. If you are struggling with mental health, bear in mind that there are always people willing to help out. The Rwandan suicide hotline is 8015.
The ex-convicts are Protais Zigiranyirazo, Maj Francois Nzuwonemeye, Capt Innocent Sagahutu, Col Alphonse Nteziryayo, Lt Col Tharcisse Muvunyi, André Ntagerura, Col Anatole Nsengiyumva and Prosper Mugiraneza.
They were transferred to Niger in December 2021 as per agreements signed with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT).
Rwanda expressed concerns that it was not consulted for the transfer of its citizens to a third country.
Today, Niger has already returned these Rwandans to Arusha to the headquarters of IRMCT awaiting transfer to a third country.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukurarinda has told IGIHE that Rwanda did not take part of discussions leading to returning these Rwandans to Arusha.
“Rwanda was not involved in agreements signed between Niger and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals because signatories have total rights to do so. However, it would be better if Niger as a partner country informed Rwanda on the collaboration with Arusha court because it concerns Rwandans,” he said.
On 1st February 2022, Rwanda’s Minister of Justice wrote to the Chairperson of UN Security Council, Vasily Nebenzya which also oversees works of IRMCT expressing Rwanda’s concerns over the eight Rwandans transferred to Niger.
In the letter seen by IGIHE, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja has said that Rwanda is ready to host these nationals if they are willing.
He said, Rwanda has experience in reintegrating Genocide convicts who finished their sentence noting that the eight Rwandans are welcome.
“There is no reason for IRMCT to continue carrying unnecessary load of people whose home country is willing to host them. It is against its mandate,” Mukuralinda revealed.
These Rwandans have been denying transfer to Rwanda claiming that their security would not be guaranteed. However, the Government of Rwanda says that there are other nationals deported after finishing their sentence.
In letter sent to UN Security Council, Minister Ugirashebuja also said that negotiating third parties for released convicts is not part of IRMCT‘s mandate.
He explained that it is unusual for courts to continue interfering with cases of released or acquitted convicts and demanded action to counter related negative impact to the international justice.
In 2014, Reuters reported that UN spends US$1500 every month on each of Rwandans tried by the court based in Arusha.
The money is used to cater for accommodation, communication, food and security among others.
Minister Ugirashebuja has said contributions raised by UN country members should not be spent to people whose countries accept to welcome them.
Rwanda has through the letter requested the UN Security Council to send these Rwandans home assuring their protection.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Mukuralinda has said that Rwanda is ready to welcome them.
“Rwanda is ready to host them whenever they are willing to come. However, they have rights to refuse. Rwanda will not put pressure on anyone to return home but will not cease expressing its views on matters concerning its nationals,” he said.
Many countries, including those where their families live and those from where they were arrested, have denied residence to these individuals owing to their role in the Genocide.
After receiving them on 6th December 2021, the authorities of Niger later issued an order on December 27, 2021 requiring, for diplomatic reasons, that the eight leave the territory of Niger within seven days of notification of the expulsion order. A court filing indicated that Niger’s decision was that the presence of these men on its territory constituted a threat to public order and national security.
On 31st December 2021, a United Nations court ordered Niger to suspend its expulsion of eight Rwandans.
Bahati’s disappearance first reported towards the beginning of the year 2021.
It is reported that he went missing in Nyanza district, Southern Province.
CP John Bosco Kabera has told IGIHE that he learnt about Bahati’s disappearance upon information provided by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
“Police followed up the issue after learning about the disappearance. Conducted investigation came up with details that will be communicated in coming days,” he said.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that the disappearance was reported to Busasamana RIB Post in Nyanza district on 9th February 2021.
“RIB started investigation as soon as he was reported missing. I hope the investigation findings will be disseminated in one or two weeks,” he said.
Bahati’s disappearance is not the first case of a missing person reported to RIB.
He was mostly renowned for his poem dubbed ‘Rubebe’.
Kagame made the revelation as he officiated the swearing-in ceremony of recently appointed leaders including the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsanzimana and the State Minister in the same ministry, Patricia Uwase.
“Starting with Burundi, our leaders have been meeting with Burundian counterparts. Recently, the President of Burundi sent envoys with a message, all aimed at continuing to improve the relations between our two countries. There is good progress that we are happy about,” he said.
“As we move forward, our bilateral relationship will continue to improve. Burundians and Rwandans will be living together as it used to be and should be. What used to be a security issue at the border in Kibira and Nyungwe , people who cross to attack Rwanda and then disappear in Kibira; we are working with Burundi and are coming to an understanding to address this issue permanently,” Kagame added.
The Head of State further stated that those behind the issue will face even worse consequences.
On relations with Uganda, Kagame said that there are issues that triggered the closure of Gatuna border highlighting that his discussions with the envoy of President Museveni, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba left both countries reaching consensus on the way forward.
“Rwanda closed the border. But there was a reason for closing it. People did not wake up one morning and decide the close the border. The problem has always been that the border cannot be reopened unless the root causes that led to this closure are resolved. he said. Recently, Uganda sent envoys. But there were other who used to come and it used to be arguments with no conclusions. The envoy from Uganda brought a message and in our conversation, we agreed that there is something we can all do,” he said.
“I maintained that opening the border would be good but opening the border without addressing the reason it was closed would be wrong and would not work. We agreed that reasons for the closure will be resolved.
The border has been reopened; Uganda has been taking steps to resolve the issues that led to the border’s closure. We are following it up closely, we are discussing it with them and I believe we are on a good path,” Kagame added.
Among cited reasons that led to the border’s closure, Kagame pointed arrests of Rwandans who were accused of being spies. He explained that it would be weird to conduct espionage using people all age groups including young people, middle-aged people and others in their advanced ages.
On the other hand, Kagame said that Rwandans claiming to have issues with their country were welcomed while those fond of Rwanda were easy preys.
“If you remember well, there are people who attacked Kinigi. The few remnant attackers [others were killed] crossed to Uganda where they were welcomed. They told us that the remnant assailants were imprisoned but we later heard that they returned to their hideouts in Congo. We discussed all these issues with Ugandan leaders,” he said.
The Head of State further stated that enemies of Rwanda living inside or outside the country ‘will end up in vain’.
He revealed that Gatuna border was reopened in adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures where health officials from both countries can agree on guidelines to prevent risks.
Kagame also said that Rwanda wishes peace for the country and the country noting that the country remains standby to defend its sovereignty.
“What we hope for is peace in our country, in the region and for everyone. We do not wish insecurity and lack of peace on anyone. But for those who wish us war, we are ready to fight. We have professionals who are trained to do it and who do it well, whether here or elsewhere,” he noted.
The President disclosed that Rwanda’s doctrine as a small country ‘is to meet the threat where it is coming from. We do not allow it to come to us’.
For the last two days, Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) and Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) secured the general area of Nhica do Ruvuma and Pundanhar, west of Palma District, 55 Kms away from Palma Town; which are known for large cassava farms.
The villages were recently occupied by terrorists as temporary hideouts as they sought to undertake operations to retake the territories lost during the initial Joint Moz and Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) offensive operations conducted last year.
SADC Forces were also alerted to support in blocking the enemy fleeing towards their area of responsibility.
The Joint Task Force Commander, Maj Gen I Kabandana visited the troops in Pundanhar shortly after Joint Forces secured the area.
In his remarks, he congratulated the Joint Forces and emphasized the need to maintain vigilance, discipline and high level of force protection in order to successfully accomplish their mission with minimal casualties.
The campaign that start this Tuesday, February 8, in City of Kigali before being rolled out to other parts of the country, target groups of road users, who are either the majority victims or who cause accidents.
Statistics from the department of Traffic and Road Safety indicate that pedestrians were the majority victims of road accidents last year with 225 fatalities.
And now the campaign, which was conducted on various roads of Kigali, has started with pedestrians to teach them on road safety rules and how to use the road safely.
Motorists are also targeted to respect the pedestrian rights and to drive or ride responsibly.
Mary Wihogora and Jean Bosco Karangwa are some of the pedestrians, who benefited from the campaign.
“This campaign is important because some of the pedestrians use the road recklessly, especially when crossing without first taking precautionary steps to ensure that there are no vehicles coming from either direction. But there is also a concern of motorists, who do not respect pedestrians or drive carelessly leading to loss of lives,” said Wihogora.
To Karangwa, who attended the campaign in Nyabugogo, road safety knowledge is important and those who have it should spread the message and make it a collective responsibility to save lives on the road.
“I now know that before crossing at the road on traffic light junction, a pedestrian must waits for the green light and when it turns red, I have to wait until it turns green. I have learnt that while crossing, I should not run but walk quickly, I should not use a phone while crossing since it distracts and I should be careful to ensure that no automobile coming from either direction. My safety is my responsibility,” Karangwa said.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the campaign is meant to curb the increasing road accidents and related fatalities.
“Last year, road accidents claimed 655 lives and the majority 225 were pedestrians. Out of 684 victims of serious crashes, 175 were pedestrians, and out of 5,244 minor accidents, 1262 involved pedestrians.
In January this year, it was the same trend with 12 pedestrian fatalities. When observed closely, in most cases these accidents are caused by careless pedestrians,” CP Kabera said.
He pointed out that there are still obstacles posed by pedestrians, who do not know how to use the road safely, use the road inattentively, have less knowledge on traffic rules and some drivers, who do not respect pedestrian rights on the road.
CP Kabera added that although there are still challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the enforcement of prevention measures will be combined with the campaign to influence behaviours on safer road usage and at the same time reminding the public to continue adhering to health guidelines against the spread of Covid-19.
