The development was announced on Wednesday 26th January 2022 at the official inauguration of an innovation hub built in Musanze district of Northern Province.
The room is expected, among others, to tackle joblessness through the creation of new jobs.
After entering agreement with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, JICA has built innovation hubs in different districts across the country including Huye, Rwamagana and Musanze.
Speaking at the inauguration of Musanze Innovation hub; the mayor of Musanze district, Janvier Ramuli said that the facility is expected to bring positive transformations and create new jobs through digital innovations.
“This will serve as a platform to bring together the district’s youth for job creation. It will also extend access to technology and nurture their talents. We are confident that expended efforts will yield big for our youth,” he noted.
The Governor of Northern Province, Dancille Nyirarugero also highlighted that the hub signifies a lot to the area considered as a tourism hub.
She urged the youth in the province to tap into opportunities made available given that training and digital access at the center are free of charge.
The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Masahiro Imai has said that his country and Rwanda have common aspects as countries not rich in natural resources which requires to rely on human resources development.
He explained that Japan has been promoting technology since 2010 with a view to create jobs and attain sustainable development.
“As we all agree, human resources are the foundation for sustainable growth. We are trying as much as we can to support Rwanda’s Vision 2050. Human resources and technology will play a critical role to this journey of building knowledge based economy. Therefore, it is no brainer that Vision 2050 will be achieved by leveraging the power of human capital with digital means,” Amb. Imai said.
Under this program, JICA has agreed to provide training at the center and latest equipment.
The Chief Representative of JICA in Rwanda, Maruo Shin has told IGIHE that attaining needed transformations, requires substantial efforts at different leadership levels to ensure the program is successful.
The youth from Musanze will turn up to the center to craft different innovative artworks.
They can design maps in different shapes, eye catching drawings, writing on sign posts using digital means and carpentry among others.
Desailly Mupenzi who has been undertaking training as a facilitator said that the center is poised to bring positive impact.
“Musanze is a touristic district. The artworks produced at this center are splendid. We are optimistic that the center will help us to generate more than expected money,” he said.
Diana Mutoni Gahima, Business and Market Intelligence Analyst at Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) has stressed that setting up the innovation hubs in secondary cities aligns with programs to discover and nurture new talents in rural areas.
As manufacturing remains one of a strategic contributors national economy, the automobile industry presents huge potential in accelerating Rwanda’s industrialization process, promoting the innovative development of manufacturing industry, increasing employment and promoting consumption upgrading. In the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Rwanda cooperation is expected to accelerate Rwanda’s transportation infrastructure. With the continuous improvement of infrastructure, the range of people using cars is also expanding, and the demand for cars is growing rapidly.
With the rapid development of economy and strong manufacturing capability, China’s automobile industry system improves day by day. China’s automobile production is increasing by a large margin every year. Currently, China has the ability of exporting large-scale industrial technology. In recent years, Chinese automobile brands have been going to southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and many other countries and regions, and the market share is constantly increasing, competing with other well-known international brands. This shows that the product quality of Chinese auto brands has been tested by the market.
As Chinese auto brands are slowly forming influence and competitiveness in the international market, Rwanda has been added to the large network with the coming of two Chinese automobile manufacturing firms namely; Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd. and Liuzhou Wuling Motor Co Ltd which have been represented by Carcarbaba in Rwanda.
The latter have thirty years of automobile manufacturing experience, and gradually shift from simple vehicle export to targeting at professional research of localized plant construction and local distribution.
In the future, Dongfeng and Wuling are expected to continue to accelerate innovation and transformation to provide consumers with more comprehensive automobile products. China, which has formed a world-class automobile manufacturing system, would like to share the high-quality cars of these two automobile brands with more Rwandan people
Generally, the biggest challenge of the economic cooperation between two countries is the trade barrier, which will increase the complexity of products entering the market. Therefore, the Rwandan government provides many preferential and convenient policies for the enterprises that come to Invest in Rwanda. Rwanda has a good business environment, which lays a good foundation for the development of Chinese auto brands in Rwanda. Chinese enterprise is not only selling products to Rwanda for the sake of profit but also brings high quality cars in Rwanda and cooperates with the well-known technical colleges IPRC to discuss automobile teaching courses.
If there is no systematic automobile after-sales service system, it will be very difficult for the car brand to thrive in the market. Through joint training repair mechanics, the company provides staff support for auto after-sales service, which raises Rwandan consumers’ confidence and experience of DONGFENG & Wuling automobile. The Chinese company does not only help to upgrade Rwanda’s automobile industry, but also brings more maintenance technology to increase employment opportunity.
Rwandan government is making new energy development strategy as a long-term development goal. It aims to ease air pollution. In line with the natural conditions and economic development planning, green travel is recommended. Dongfeng and Wuling are also expected to actively promote the new energy automotive technology industry research and industrial upgrade. In the future, they plan to continue exploring the deep integration of new energy and automobile industry so that they might meet Rwanda’s future development strategy.
After setting up showroom in Rwanda, IGIHE has caught up with the management to give more details about the new investment, uniqueness of these brands and advantages for local customers.
{{Q1: Why did you choose these two brands–Dongfeng and Wuling?}}
Because Dongfeng and Wuling are very popular with Chinese consumers, the auto groups of both brands sell millions of cars in a year in China. These two brands not only have considerable sales volume in the Chinese market, but also have been recognized by local consumers in South America, Southeast Asia and other markets.
Therefore, we hope to introduce the product lines of these two brands into the Rwandan market to offer local consumers more choices.
{{Q2: In which context did the company set up an automobile showroom in Rwanda?}}
Before I came here, I had heard that Rwanda had a reputation as the “land of a thousand hills”, with clean streets, high levels of anti-corruption and a good business environment, which are all positive signs for foreign investors. Meanwhile, we also know that the local car market in Rwanda is highly competitive, and consumers would like to have more choices to buy cars with higher quality, more competitive prices, and consistent quality service. So, we finally decided to set up our first automobile showroom and garage in Kigali.
{{Q3: Which model is the most recommended for Wuling and Dongfeng?}}
Dongfeng currently promotes an SUV called T5EVO, which is defined as a Trendy SUV. Wuling, on the other hand, promotes RONGGUANG series of small trucks, which can meet the transportation needs of small and medium-sized merchants at a lower price. In short, we have both passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, which meets the needs of consumers.
{{Q4: What kind of after-sales service support do you offer?}}
We know that for local car users, perfect after-sales service is the biggest weak spot in their daily use of cars. Accordingly, warranty policies will be provided for different brands of vehicles. Besides, since we are the agent of these brands, customers do not have to worry about after-sales parts. We have professional maintenance engineers dispatched by manufacturers to provide automobile service guidance. Furthermore, we explore to train technical maintenance personnel with local schools. Through these measures, we hope to create a perfect after-sales service system to give users a better car use experience.
{{Q5: What do you think of your brand’s advantage}}?
The Chinese auto industry has the advantage of being a late bloomer. The quality of the core parts is as good as other brands and the design of the exterior and interior is even better. Product quality can be guaranteed while maintaining a reasonable price. And we are the sole agent of the manufacturer, setting up the showroom on behalf of manufacturer, with a strong after-sales service system.
{{Q6: Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?}}
In the future, Carcarbaba will set up an automobile sales service chain network in other African countries to provide local people with more choices of high-quality products and offer perfect after-sales service.
{{Q7: Now, Rwanda is promoting green travel. Will you bring new energy vehicles in Rwanda?}}
In the past few years, countries have actively participated in carbon neutralization, including China, and the Rwandan Government is unwilling to lag behind. We have learnt that the Rwandan government issued a policy to provide various free tax incentives for the import of electric vehicles. Our existing electric MPV, electric SUV, sightseeing vehicle, golf cart, new energy truck, new energy motorcycle and other electric vehicles will be introduced to Rwanda in due time to bring more purchasing choices to local consumers. We also plan to set up car charging stations in Rwanda.
{{Q8: How are you positioned to create job opportunities in Rwanda?}}
For now, we have reached a project cooperation with IPRC Kigali, the largest vocational training school in Rwanda, to provide local students with the maintenance technology training of new energy vehicles and of other products, and provide more professional talents for the local automobile after-sales service market.
At the same time, since our business has been localized, we will recruit local employees for sales, operations, after-sales service and other related positions. We hope to expand our business and recruit more local talent in the future.
“Following the visit to Rwanda of Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on 22nd January 2022, the Government of Rwanda has taken note that there is a process to solve issues raised by Rwanda, as well as commitments made by the Government of Uganda to address remaining obstacles,” reads part of the statement.
“In this regard and in line with the communiqué of the 4th Quadripartite summit held at Gatuna/Katuna on 21st February 2020, the Government of Rwanda wishes to inform the public that the Gatuna border post between Rwanda and Uganda will be reopened from 31st January 2022,” adds the statement.
As is the case for other land border posts in the country, the statement reads, health authorities of Rwanda and Uganda will work together to put in place necessary measures to facilitate movement in the context of COVID-19.
The Government of Rwanda has reiterated commitment to ongoing efforts to resolve pending issues between Rwanda and Uganda.
Rwanda also expressed optimism that the announcement will contribute positively to the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Gatuna border had been closed in 2019 following Rwanda’s concerns over Uganda’s support to dissidents intending to threaten its security and series of arrests of Rwandans incarcerated illegally in the country.
At the time, Rwanda advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
The decision has had negative impact to citizens’ of both neighboring countries.
Apart from worsened relations, the value of trade between both countries dropped from US$250 million in 2018 to US$10 million.
On 22nd January 2022, Lt Gen Muhoozi who is also the first born son of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held talks with President Paul Kagame on his visit to Rwanda.
It is said that the discussions bore fruits leading to a step further towards restoring relations to normal.
Before the visit of Lt Gen Muhoozi, Rwanda and Uganda had tried to mend relations through the mediation of DRC and Angola nut ended up in vain.
Despite the tensions, both countries did not close embassies until the current milestone.
On Tuesday, January 25, other 70 Police officers from Ruhango and Huye districts also donated blood.
The voluntary exercise is meant to support the National Center for Blood Transfusion (NCBT), which is conducting the blood donation campaign.
It is also in line with the agreement signed between RNP and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) in March 2017 to partner in aspects of health and security related healthcare.
The long-term partnership also focuses on blood donation, fighting narcotic drugs especially among the youth; mental health interventions and fighting sexual and gender based violence.
The agreement also include cooperation in enforcing laws and regulation against risks of Non-Communicable Diseases, fighting counterfeit, selling and smuggling of pharmaceuticals; research activities, creation of data base for healthcare provision; prevention and detection of fraud and public funds embezzlement in healthcare agencies.
Yvonne Twiringiyimana from the National Center of Blood Transfusion commended RNP for the spirit to donate blood to save lives.
“RNP has always donated blood, and this is the will that continues to define our Police officers, who take the lead in ensuring the safety of the people in all aspects of human security,” Twiringiyimana said.
She pointed out that donating blood is donating life but added that this also provides an opportunity for the donor to know the status of their health.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Police has a duty to protect the public safety including their health.
“The blood donated will be used to save lives of patients in need, which also falls under the Police human security aspect. As Police conduct operations meant to promote the national security and development, the same way it also supports the health development activities,” said CP Kabera.
The cabinet meeting also approved the Ministerial Order to promote 4483 personnel of RNP including non-commissioned officers and constables.
Four of the officers have been elevated from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Commissioner of Police (ACP). These include CSP Sam Bugingo, CSP Aloys Munana Burora, CSP Rutagarama Kanyamihigo and CSP Edmond Kalisa.
Three officers at the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) have been also promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), two are promoted from Superintendent of Police (SP) to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) while 100 have been elevated from Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) to Superintendent of Police (SP).
The Ministerial Order related to these promotions shows that 266 have been promoted from Inspector of Police (IP) to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) as 638 are promoted from Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) to Inspector of Police (IP).
A total of 56 non-commissioned officers have been promoted from Senior Sergeant (SSGT) to Chief Sergeant (CSGT), 355 from Sergeant (SGT) to Senior Sergeant (SSGT), 928 from Corporal (CPL) to Sergeant (SGT) while 2,240 are promoted from Police Constable (PC) to Corporal (CPL).
Among others, 481 have been dismissed from RNP. These include 40 non-commissioned officers and 441 with the rank of Police Constable.
The remains of Genocide victims current buried at Muhoza Memorial are expected to be relocated to the new decent one before April 2022.
The new memorial is being constructed at the former premises of Ruhengeri Court of Appeal where Tutsis from the former Bisengo Sub-Prefecture currently in Gakenke district and others from Commune Kigombe in Kinigi were killed as they sought protection.
They were lured there by leaders of the former Ruhengeri Prefecture as part of the strategy to gather Tutsi with intent to easily kill them.
They were killed on 15th April 1994 by Interahamwe militiamen on instructions issued by the then sous-préfet, Dismas Nzanana.
Victims were dumped in a mass grave behind the court’s premises.
Musanze district vice mayor for economic affairs, Axelle Kamanzi has said that the remains of Genocide victims from Muhoza will be relocated to Musanze Memorial nearing completion before Rwanda begins the 28th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“We expected to move remains from the Muhoza memorial with poor state to the new one if everything goes well. The new memorial is decent and features two sections; one for hosting remains of victims and the second dedicated for Genocide history particularly in the former Ruhengeri Prefecture,” he said.
Kamanzi requested Genocide survivors not to sink into tragic history they went through but rather strive to become resilient and prosperous.
He highlighted that the district remains committed to stand with them to preserve Genocide history and prevent reoccurrence.
Once completed, Musanze will be the third and main memorial in the district. Others include Kinigi and Busogo memorials.
Construction activities started in May 2021. It is expected to be completed in January 2022 at a cost of Rwf596, 630,277.
The measures are part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting that convened at Village Urugwiro on Wednesday 26th January 2022 chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The previous resolutions were released on 14th December 2021 where the country took stringent measures after confirming new cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant.
At the time, the Government prohibited movements from 10 p.m until 4a.m while concerts were put to halt.
The new measures to take effect starting Thursday 27th January 2022 follow the reduction of new cases and increased number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. They will be reviewed after one month upon health assessment.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 50% capacity, while other employees continue working from home on a rotational basis.
Private offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 75% capacity.
Motorbike and bicycle taxis are permitted to carry passengers in adherence with COVID-19 preventive measures. Operators and passengers are obliged to be vaccinated or, face penalties for non-compliance.
Social gatherings have been also allowed to resume without exceeding 50% for indoor and 75% for outdoor venues.
Services held at places of worship must not exceed 75% maximum occupancy, restaurants are allowed to operate with 75% occupancy limit. Church goers and clients must be vaccinated.
Among others, night clubs and live bands shall resume progressively upon assessment and approval by Rwanda Development Board.
IGP Munyuza was accompanied by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Eugene Kayihura, who is also accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The five-day visit is a move in the right direction to further strengthen ties between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), which is guided by the cooperation pact signed between the two police institutions in August last year, in Kigali.
The two Police Chiefs discussed ways to continue to reinforce the existing cooperation and to explore other areas of partnership against transnational organized crimes and capacity development.
Commissioner Molibeli thanked his Rwandan counterpart for honouring the invitation adding that the cooperation will continue to add value to policing.
IGP Munyuza is also expected to officiate at the pass-out of the Lesotho Police Basic Course, this Friday.
“Our visit to Kigali in August last year resulted in the of signing the cooperation agreement, which will benefit all of us. We will continue to build from that to ensure security of our people,” said Commissioner Molibeli.
IGP Munyuza, on his part, said that Rwanda values cross-border cooperation to effectively respond to the emerging security threats including violent extremism.
“Working closely together as security institutions is one of the best ways to counter security threats, which destabilize our countries and our continent in general,” IGP Munyuza said.
The pact signed in Kigali last year outlines key areas of cooperation, including partnership against terrorism, organized and transnational crimes; capacity building in community policing; exchange of information and expertise; as well as training opportunities and expertise development.
Other areas include development and exchange of training materials and curricula, combating proliferation of small arms and light weapons, timely exchange of information on criminals and criminal activities, and joint operations.
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.
The dialogue seeks to share information to promote mutual understanding and facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas.
The latest dialogue was held in February 2019. In 2020 and 2021, representatives from both countries did not meet physically due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique on 9th July 2021, to fight rebel groups linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu were seized from rebels.
As at 5th September 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican troops who were joined by the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had captured almost all areas of Cabo Delgado Province where the remaining work was predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
Rwanda initially sent 1000 troops to Cabo Delgado honoring the request of Mozambique to support efforts to quell terrorist groups.
The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.
Cabo Delgado is rich in natural gas resources that lured French Firm, Total energies to bring an investment worth US$20 billion under a project dubbed ’Liquefied Natural Gas’.
The project was put to halt due to insecurity in the area.
The project’s resumption of operations in Mozambique will be good news not only for the company but also for French and EU as well.
Amb. Nicola Bellomo has 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.
Amb. Bellomo also commended Rwanda’s response to COVID-19 to save lives and mitigate the pandemic’s effect to national economy. He assured that the EU has also designed plans to support the health sector and social protection programs.
Amb. Bellomo welcomed Rwanda’s endorsed recommendations to respect human rights noting that EU and country members will continue discussions with Rwanda along the process to implement the recommendations endorsed during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said that, significant changes have taken place around the world since the last dialogue in 2019. He however highlighted that the collaboration between Rwanda and the EU remained strong, ‘especially with this pandemic and the need to work together to overcome it’.
He appreciated the support received from the EU since the beginning of the pandemic including vaccine donations and the strong contribution from the EU towards Rwanda’s efforts to produce vaccines locally.
Among others, Minister Biruta revealed that Rwanda is in the process to start implementing a new EU country strategy which is aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) NST1.
He said that the country looks forward to continue working closely with Team Europe on key priority areas including: education, skills and jobs for the youth; a green deal for inclusive development (with a focus on agriculture and urbanization), as well as political and economic governance, including support for private sector development.
Despite losing the match 4-2, it was all joy for the over 1585 young people currently undergoing rehabilitation at the centre, the vast majority for drugs, who have found an alternative to good and healthy life through sports and vocational training programmes.
Why addressing the youth, CP Bruce Munyambo, the commissioner for Community Policing in RNP, urged them to stay focused to the health and skills development programmes offered at the rehabilitation centre to live a positive life away from drugs and other criminal practices.
Iwawa isolated at the island in Lake Kivu, is one of the three national rehabilitation centres in the country.
It was established by the Government of Rwanda in 2010 with a mandate to rehabilitate delinquents of over 18 years old, who exhibit deviant behaviours.
Since then, the centre has graduated more than 27,000 former drug addicts, who were reintegrated into communities.
The nine-month rehabilitation programme offers pyscho-social health, education and TVET services to treat and transform the addicts into skillful people ready to start income generating activities when reintegrated into their communities.
“You have a chance to change your lives here, take this advantage. Draw lessons from the life you lived as addicts and focus on the new path.
Leave the past behind, do not leave here and again engage in abusing or dealing in drugs; leave here as reformed people ready to drive change, to inspire others still involved to stop it and to work with the police and other institutions to fight drugs and other criminal acts,” CP Munyambo told the youth.
He pledged the RNP support to practice what they will learn, when they are reintegrated back into their communities.
Triphose Murekatete, the Mayor for Rutsiro told the youth that the government will continue to monitor their development projects to ensure that they become successful.
She, however, pointed out the responsibility of families in supporting their reformed children not to reunite with their bad past but to follow the new beginning to productive life.
The mayor added that some young people are influenced to leave their homes because of domestic conflicts and they end up indulging in abusing drugs.
The event was also characterized by testimonies from some of the youth, who are undergoing rehabilitation.
“I wasted so many years in drugs and I became an addict. I am happy that Iwawa is giving me a new and meaningful life to take care of my wife and our two children,” said Frank Shema.
TVET courses offered at Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre include carpentry, masonry, tailoring, agriculture, literacy to illiterate youth and motorcycle riding.
