Mbundu takes over from Mrs. Evelyn Rutagwenda who retired after serving the board for the past four years as chairperson.
Mbundu joins MTN Rwanda Board of Directors with experience as the owner of MFK Group, a company with diverse investment portfolio.
As she welcomed the new Board Director and Chairperson; the CEO of MTN Rwanda, Mitwa Ng’Ambi said: “We are extremely pleased with the appointment of Mr. Mbundu to our board and his election as chairperson. He comes with a wealth of experience and we look forward to receiving his guidance and tapping into his expertise. His entrepreneurial background will play a vital role in executing our ambition 2025 strategy, as we lead digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.”
Mbundu has served on various Boards, including being the Chairperson of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) as well as East African Business Council (EABC), Chairman of MBEA Financial Services Rwanda, Chairman of Cotraco Rwanda and the Vice Chairman of the Rwanda Fine Coffee Association among others.
Commenting on his appointment, Mbundu said: ” I am honoured to be joining MTN Rwanda Board of Directors , considering the 23-year journey of MTN in Rwanda and especially at a time when MTN Rwanda is rolling out the new Ambition 2015 strategy ,which is already resulting in impressive results. I look forward to continuing the remarkable work Mrs. Evelyn Rutagwenda and the outgoing Board of Board of Directors accomplished and being part of MTN’s mission to ensure everyone enjoys the benefits of a modern connected world.”
As she concluded, Ng’Ambi expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson Rutagwenda saying: ” Mrs. Evelyn Rutagwenda played an instrumental part in our success for the past four years, and it goes without saying that her active participation, dedication and continued support resulted in our year in year growth across the entire business.”
Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Sunday, August 29, also took four people into custody in connection with the theft.
Three of the suspected thieves were employees at the school construction site. They are Enias Hafashwimana, 32, Erneste Mukiza, 30, and Justin Hitayezu, 29, who were arrested on August 28, in Rushubi Village, Gihorwe Cell, Kabatwa Sector.
The fourth suspect, only identified as Niyomugabo, is a local welder who had bought the metal door and window frames from the trio.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, said that the arrest followed investigations on the theft and information exchange between the Police, the school administration and the public.
“Police received information from the school administration that the metal door and window frames meant for the new classrooms that are under construction, were stolen by unknown people at night. During related investigations, Police identified and took into custody the three prime suspects working at the construction site (Hafashwimana, Mukiza, and Hitayezu). Following their arrest, they disclosed that they sold the metal door and window frames to Niyomugabo, who was also arrested with all the stolen frames,” CIP Karekezi said.
Niyomugabo said that he bought the five frames from the trio for Rwf30,000. The school management thanked the RNP for their quick response to recover the frames.
CIP Karekezi also thanked the local residents, who shared information that led to the recovery of the stolen construction materials and arrest of the suspected thieves.
He reminded the public that theft of such materials affects the education system and denies children from getting classrooms. He urged residents to guide such construction materials jealously and report anyone that attempts to embezzle or steal them.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Kabatwa station for further legal process.
Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two 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.
The penalty doubles, if the theft was carried out at night or by more than one person.
The drivers were shown to the media this Monday, August 30, at Nyarugenge District Police Unit in Rwezamenyo Sector.
Paul Mutangana Nsengiyumva, one of the drivers said that he had taken a bottle of beer before he was arrested at about 9pm, in Kicukiro District for impaired driving.
“I took one bottle of beer when I was having my meals at a restaurant in Kabuga, I thought that one beer could not be detected but I was surprised when the Police tested the blood alcohol content with a breathalyzer and showed me that it was 2 millilitres,” Nsengiyumva said.
One is considered a drunk driver when the blood alcohol content goes beyond 0.8 milliliters.
“I have been in custody for five days now, and this might even result in dismissal from my job. I have learnt my lesson and I wish no one goes through the same situation, which is to do the right thing; not to drink and drive,” Nsengiyumva said.
Michel Shyirakera also claimed that he had taken one bottle of beer at home and that he tested 2.3 when Police stopped him as he was going back to work.
The Deputy RNP spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Africa Sendahangarwa Apollo warned that these are part of the daily Police operations to fight impaired driving and to prevent road fatalities caused by drunk driving.
“We always remind people that driving under the influence is a serious road safety violation and suicide. It is one of the avoidable behaviors causing fatal accidents. Police will continue to sensitize and educate the public on safer road usage but also ensure that such errant individuals putting lives of people at high risk, are penalized accordingly,” CSP Africa said.
He further warned drivers that the rules and regulations determining penalties to traffic offenders are currently under review, particularly on the serious issue of drunk driving with proposed cancellation of the driver’s permit for anyone caught for the offense.
The statement released last night shows that 518 people have succumbed to COVID-19 out of 8766 sample tests while nine recovered.
A total of 631,522 people have been fully vaccinated while 1,502,249 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program.
Rwanda is among African countries that have started administering vaccines since March this year starting with people whose line of duty puts them at risk of catching the virus.
On Monday 23rd August 2021, Rwanda started COVID-19 mass vaccination targeting all people aged 18 and above.
The mass vaccination campaign started with Kigali City expected to be extended countrywide later depending on available vaccine doses.
Rwanda plans to vaccinate 30 per cent of the population by the end of 2021 and continues efforts to acquire sufficient doses through direct purchases and other arrangements, to ensure as many Rwandans as possible are protected from COVID-19.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Habineza breathed the last on 20th August 2021 succumbing to natural cause in Kenya where he had been taken for medical attention.
The ceremony to bid last farewell took place at his home where different mourners gave testimonies reflecting on late Habineza’s kindness, compassion and self-less love which characterized him throughout his life.
The Senate President, Dr. Augustin Iyamuremye was also among mourners.
After prayers led by pastors from Presbyterian Church in Rwanda, ceremonies continued at Rusororo graveyard in Gasabo district where Habineza has been laid to rest.
Speaking at the funeral, Habineza’s father said that God has recalled his servant.
“I am grateful to God because he gave him life and has recalled him. I have nothing else to do except thanking God because Job said ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there’. I am convinced that Habineza is in the hands of God,” he said.
The son of Habineza, Jean Michel Habineza has also reflected on indelible memories with his father who always taught them to lead humble life and live in harmony with members of the society.
“I visited grandmothers two weeks ago. I heard him criticizing my father that he trusted everyone as if they all wished him well. It gave me inspiration to lead humble life and leave a good legacy by the time of my advanced ages,” he said.
Joseph Habineza was born in Kamonyi district in Southern Province on 3rd October 1964.
He served in various positions where he worked with Heineken in Kinshasa between1994-1998 and headed the digital power arm of Heineken in Nigeria between1998-2000.
Habineza started his political career in 2004 after returning from Nigeria. At the time, he was appointed the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.
In 2008, the Ministry was split into the separate institutions where Habineza continued to assume duties as the Minister of Sports and Culture until 2011.
He was later appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Nigeria and Ghana.
Habineza rejoined the cabinet in 2014 following his new appointment as the Minister of Sports and Culture. He held the position for 183 days and replaced on 24th February 2015.
In November 2016, Habineza started own businesses where he was involved in the wholesale of noodles produced from Egypt based firm known as Antoniou.
He was appointed the CEO of Radiant Yacu Ltd in 2019 and left the position in August 2020.
Karema made the pledge on 22nd August 2021 as she took over from the outgoing president, Sarah Doukouré hailing from Ivory Coast.
Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen was established 55 years ago.
Karema has previously served as the head of funds mobilization department at the club.
Speaking to IGIHE, Karema revealed that she will draw attention to promoting charitable activities funded by the organization.
“Normally, members of Rotary International are experts with different backgrounds. Some of them are entrepreneurs or work with different institutions. It is therefore our responsibility to bring them together and consolidate efforts towards common goals to conceptualize and implement projects beneficial to the community,” she said.
Karema explained that the organization seeks to raise approximately Rwf30 million from members and other donors to execute different projects aimed at impacting the community within which they operate.
“We have several projects to in the pipeline. For instance, we started building hand washing facility for students last year complementing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We also have a project to plant trees to contribute to environment preservation efforts, prevent erosion and plan to subscribe vulnerable residents for community based health insurance, support teen mothers and hospitals to acquire medical supplies during times of COVID-19 among others,” she noted.
Karema pledged to work with other clubs to execute a number of mega projects and increase Rotaract clubs.
The outgoing president, Sarah Doukouré revealed that last year’s activities prioritized interventions to people affected by COVID-19.
“I would like to call upon members to maintain acts of benevolence to members of the community and remain committed to changing the world into a better place to live in,” she advised.
Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen plans to increase members from 36 to 46 this year.
Rotary club is an organization purposed to bring together businesses and professionals to provide humanitarian services and providing support in addressing problems facing the world by combating illiteracy and poverty, contributing to the provision of safe water, handling disputes and fighting disease.
Rotary Club International was established 116 years ago. It is currently comprised of 1.2 million members from 200 countries.
In Rwanda, the organization has 157 members from seven clubs including Rotary Club Kigali Doyen, Mont Jali, Musanze Murera, Butare, Gasabo, Kigali-Virunga and Bugoyi Ibirunga.
These clubs get new leaders every year on rotational basis.
Siyavula is a digital platform for S1 – S4 students studying Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. The platform allows students to practise what they are learning in class, immediately marking their answers and showing step-by-step solutions. This helps students see where they may be going wrong.
Since launching in Rwanda, Siyavula has run regular competitions to award outstanding teachers and students for the work they have done on the platform. Prizes have included smartphones, airtime, and laptops.
The latest competition, held in June 2021, brought together 24,138 students from different schools across the country. There are more than 600 teachers signed up to the Siyavula platform in Rwanda, and they were also encouraged to take part in the competition.
Students who emerged among winners of the competition have revealed that it was an opportunity to weigh their performance in comparison to other students countrywide.
“I was very excited to emerge among the winners of the competition. It helped me to become self-confident and allayed fears I had before entering the competition,” said Elissa Nshuti Rumanzi, a senior four student from Kagarama Secondary School .
Sandrine Uwamahoro, another student from Lycée Notre Dame de Cîteaux, commended Siyavula for making life easy.
“Siyavula is very helpful during course revision because regular exercising helps me to be familiar with other assignments. I recently obtained excellent grades in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics during exams and owe the performance to Siyavula in no small part,” she said.
{{Teachers speak out}}
Jérémie Habumugisha, who teaches mathematics at College du Christ Roi, emerged as the top teacher for the competition. He explained that he joined the competition to inspire students to develop an interest in Mathematics, and to assess their performance at national level.
“I wanted my school to earn a reputation and encourage students to be passionate about Mathematics by introducing the competition to them,” he noted.
College du Christ-Roi emerged the best overall school and walked away with a laptop as the grand prize, while outstanding teachers were awarded with smartphones.
Martin Habumugisha, another teacher of Mathematics from the same school also revealed that Siyavula exercises helps students to understand courses better and instills self-confidence.
“Siyavula has built confidence among students, where they can gauge their level of understanding without teachers’ presence,” he said.
Nicodème Usanase, another winning teacher from Groupe Scolaire Paysannat, said that Siyavula motivates students to use technology and gain a deeper understanding of Mathematics.
Usanase revealed that he created a WhatsApp group to bring together educators from all districts of the country and show them the benefits of the Siyavula platform, and encourage them to embrace it.
Like his colleagues, Frederic Uwizeyimana, a teacher of Mathematics at Lycée Notre Dame de Cîteaux, said that the platform came in handy to facilitate course revision, but he highlighted that the internet is still a challenge hindering them to fully embrace the technology.
“These exercises on Siyavula platform require fast internet but ours is sometimes slow, and we do not have enough computers connected to the internet. We would be most grateful if concerned stakeholders could increase the number of computers connected to the internet to make learning easier,” he said.
The Siyavula team worked with 10 schools in a pilot schools programme, from January to the end of June 2021. These schools were assigned a local in-country Siyavula Ambassador to help them integrate Siyavula into their classrooms.
{{The schools that participated in the pilot school programme were:}}
{{King David Academy
College Saint Andre
GS Juru
GS Kigali
GS Mwendo
GS Duha
Lycee Notre dame de Citeaux
GS Nsanag
ES Rokomo (SOPEM)
GS Bumba}}
During a visit held at King David Academy on 29th April 2021, the company’s management said that it would like to see its platform used across all schools in Rwanda. The platform, which has been endorsed by the Rwanda Basic Education Board, is currently freely available to all S1-S4 students, and teachers.
“We have faced several challenges to introduce the technology as many schools don’t have internet while others have inadequate computers. That is why we started with a select group of schools and others with adequate resources. Since October last year, we have seen a total of 1,138, 825 questions answered on our platform.
Teachers are also encouraged to sign up and register for a free account and to incorporate Siyavula in their day-to-day teaching. We are also excited to share that REB have provided us with a letter of endorsement, encouraging schools and teachers to take advantage of our Edtech solution. We would love to see Siyavula rolled out in all schools in Rwanda,” explained Chiara Walsh, the Project Manager at Siyavula Rwanda.
Students or teachers interested to learn about Siyavula can reach out to the company on the provided phone number: 0789 068 321.
Dr. Abiy along with his accompanying delegation arrived in Rwanda yesterday where he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
He was later hosted by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro where they held tête-à-tête discussion during which they discussed various topics of mutual interest including issues specific to both countries and the region as well as global current affairs.
In the evening, Kagame hosted Prime Minister Abiy to a dinner.
In a message released via Twitter handle, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has revealed that Premier Abiy has completed his visit to Rwanda.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta bids farewell to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali as he concludes his two-day working visit to Rwanda,” reads the message.
Dr. Abiy last visited Rwanda in 2019 as he attended the 25th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Kagame also visited Ethiopia on 25th May 2018 the election of Dr. Abiy as Prime Minister replacing Hailemariam Desalegn who resigned.
Rwanda and Ethiopia enjoy cordial relations rooted on mutual respect and cooperation agreements for the interest of both countries’ citizens.
The areas of partnerships are in the fields of education, tourism and mutual legal assistance, media, sports and culture among others.
Created in 2012 with the purpose to tackle the global sanitation challenge, SATO is an award-winning social business which aims to empower underserved communities so they can live safer and more confident lives. Sato offers innovative, aspirational yet affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions for a better toilet experience.
The company’s products have been developed based customers’ needs. They range from toilet pans and connection systems to tap for hand washing. SATO’s solutions are associated with durability and are easy to install.
SATO’s toilet pans are made of plastics and placed directly over pits.
During the handover of the toilet pans to Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique on Friday 27th August 2021, SATO Rwanda management took the school’s administration and teachers through the use of such facilities and provided deeper explanations on how they are designed to improve hygiene and sanitation among students.
The Managing Director of SATO Rwanda, Cyrus Ntaganira stressed that the way the company’s toilets are designed allays fears for children using them and help to prevent poor hygiene related diseases.
“These toilets will promote hygiene among students and prevent diseases emanating from poor hygiene because they are easy to clean helping to eliminate odors and keep away flies. The school has over 2000 students including learners from kindergarten. Some of them feared to use existing toilets lest they fall in holes. Our toilets are safe for children and used easily,” he said.
Ntaganira also revealed that Sato Rwanda provides unique toilet pans easily cleaned without using much water.
SATO pans can be placed on pit latrines covered with trees, cement or tiles.
The Head Teacher of GS Remera Catholique, Odette Mujawamariya welcomed the donation which came in handy to help the school improve hygiene.
“We encourage students to embrace hygiene. These toilet pans will be very helpful to prevent bad odour. We have also received water saving hand washing facilities. It is therefore our responsibility shall take good care of provided facilities and replace damaged ones,” she said.
Marie Louise Umutesi who represented parents with children studying at GS Remera Catholique thanked SATO Rwanda for the great gesture and pledged to extend awareness about its products.
“Hygiene is the foundation of good health and will be helpful to children as they pursue studies. We shall also mobilize our neighbors to use such toilet pans to promote hygiene at home,” she said.
With footprints in different countries, SATO has been operating in Rwanda since 2017.
So far, it has three types of smart toilets some of which have uniqueness of a trap door that automatically opens and closes itself. They are particularly self-sealed or unsealed after use. Among others, these toilets allow immediate flow of disposed human waste and do not require much water while cleaning.
In April 2021, SATO Rwanda also donated six self-sealing toilets to Gahanga II Primary School located in Gahanga sector, Kicukiro district.
The visit was climaxed with the signing of the joint communique between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Lesotho Mounted Police Service, which emphasizes their commitment to the cooperation pact signed on Tuesday, August 24, during the bilateral meeting held at the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru.
“Cooperation in the field of policing constitutes one of the important spheres of bilateral relations to serve the parties’ common interest and to contribute to the peace and stability of the respective countries,” reads the joint communique signed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Commissioner of Police for LMPS, Holomo Molibeli.
They further re-affirmed their commitment to cooperate for a “better policing environment.”
Commissioner of Police Molibeli was in Rwanda since August 23, at the invitation of his counterpart, IGP Munyuza.
“The objective of the visit was to establish cooperation in policing between Rwanda National Police and Lesotho Mounted Police Service by identifying areas of mutual interest,” said Commissioner of Police Molibeli.
The memorandum of understanding signed by the two Chiefs of Police on behalf of their respective institutions, formerly laid down key areas of cooperation and collaboration in policing matters.
The pact brings the two Police institutions together combat terrorism, drug trafficking, organized and transnational crimes as well as capacity building in community policing and exchange of information and expertise.
Other areas highlighted by the two institutions include joint training, operations and expertise development, sharing advanced training programmes in crime investigations, crime intelligence and records management; combating proliferation of small arms and light weapons; timely exchange of information on criminals and criminal activities.
The two parties also agreed to establish a permanent forum at operational level to frequently meet and discuss “ever-evolving threats and security challenges affecting the two countries and the region and explore other ways in which the two institutions may collaborate.
During the bilateral meeting, IGP Munyuza said that the visit was timely as the region is facing violent Islamic extremism such as terrorist activities in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique.
“We shall be sharing information and intelligence since our two countries have forces fighting terrorists in Mozambique,” IGP Munyuza said.
He added that Rwanda is a “reliable partner” and ready to move fast to identify and implement the priority areas, share advanced training programmes in crime investigation, crime intelligence and records management for the benefit of security and peace in the two countries.
On his part, Commissioner of Police Molibeli said that the partnership “lies in the joint responsibility to make the world a better and safe place for human habitation and co-existence.”
“Globalization has made access to information very cheap and easy hence this cooperation through which sharing of best policing practices, exchange of training programs, joint bilateral operations and sharing of information on issues of mutual interest shall all be exhibited. We can achieve and realize positive prospects in shaping for the better policing environments,” the Lesotho Police Chief said.
During his visit to Rwanda, Commissioner of Police Molibeli and his delegation visited some of the RNP facilities including National Police College (NPC), Police Training School (PTS), Regional Police Units, One-Stop Border Post with the DRC in Rubavu District and Marine Police operations.
They also visited Isange One-Stop Centre, Campaign against Genocide Museum and Kigali Genocide Memorial where he laid wreaths to pay tribute to more than one million people killed during the 1994Genocide against the Tutsi.
