First Lady Jeannette Kagame made the call on Friday August 20, 2021 as she co-chaired the first virtual AAB meeting of the UGHE along with Prof. Senait Fisseha, the Director of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.
The duo was named to chair UGHE African Advisory Board recently on 14th August 2021.
Speaking at the first meeting held virtually, the First Lady requested board members to continue striving for transformations of the health sector leveraging lessons learnt from COVID-19.
“I am extending to you an invitation to keep trailblazing a new and health centered path forward, because 2020 taught us many lessons on how interconnected we are as a global community. We can no longer afford to maintain the status quo,” she said.
UGHE is an institution that strives to train the next generation of global health professionals committed to providing equitable healthcare for all in Africa and beyond, with a focus on the most vulnerable. The creation of the AAB is critical to ensuring that UGHE’s work is informed by the local context vis-a-vis the wealth of knowledge and experience of African leaders on the continent.
Prof. Senait Fisseha highlighted that the opening of the university in Rwanda was an optimal choice.
“It is no accident that the University of Global Health Equity was born in Rwanda, which has for so long been a beacon of hope and an inspiration not just for those of us on the continent, but globally. This is what resilience, perseverance, and the road map to equity looks like,” he said.
During the meeting, the board members pledged to support UGHE to educate young leaders to be able to strengthen health sectors as a pillar of economic development and stability worldwide, especially in Africa. With this far-reaching mission, they are ready to accompany UGHE as it implements flexible and innovative solutions to address complex global health issues on the African continent and beyond. They will also advise on the creation of research and the needed types of professionals, as well as the collaboration required for future self-reliance based on Africa’s health needs.
Prof. Agnes Binagwaho, Vice- Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity said that the university looks forward to continuing the dialogue expected to ‘provide invaluable recommendations to UGHE as it works to attain excellence in global health education’.
“Ultimately, we hope that this provision of quality education will improve the health of the population worldwide, especially that of the most vulnerable in Africa,” she noted.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of synergizing regional efforts and improving the quality and quantity of the healthcare workforce and delivery, to guide the way forward for the institution’s strategic development to build healthcare systems in Africa and other parts of the world.
Other participants include Prof. Paul Farmer, the Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity who stressed the need to work hard to position UGHE as one important legacy of the Rwandan renaissance.
Inaugurated in 2018, UGHE releases graduates with Bachelor and Master’s in global health sciences.
UGHE focuses on quality, innovation and scientific-based learning and requires that students learn from and live within the communities facing the aforementioned constraints to healthcare access. By situating the university in the rural North of Rwanda, it provides proximity education that exposes our students to the challenges that they will be tasked to address on the continent.
Through a community-based learning approach that leverages community members as teachers, students are equipped with a deep understanding of the needs of the vulnerable, positioning them to adequately address them in their future professional life. By applying these principles, UGHE breaks down traditional boundaries between academic disciplines, fostering interprofessional teaching and learning.
With presence of dense forests, Mbau is located in 45 kilometers away from Mocimboa da Praia.
It was reportedly used by rebels for training of recruits. Following days of intense fighting, the joint forces seized Mbau on Friday 20th August 2021.
As they attacked Mbau, Rwandan and Mozambican troops maneuvered through Mocimboa da Praia and Mueda.
Before entering Mbau, RDF and Mozambican troops exchanged fire with approximately 100 rebels. The fight left several rebels killed while others escaped.
Eleven of killed rebels were found on the battle ground.
The joint troops also seized weapons including Submachine Guns (SMGs) among others.
The Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Col Ronald Rwivanga has told IGIHE that operations to defeat insurgencies are ongoing despite the victory in Mbua.
“We have quelled rebels and seized the region but operations are ongoing,” he said.
IGIHE has learnt that Rwandan troops started operations on Tuesday and followed tracks left by rebels as they fled with their vehicles from Mocimboa da Praia also seized recently.
The remaining regions under control of rebels include Siri I and Siri II.
During the ongoing fight, liberated regions are left under protection of Police forces as soldiers advance to chase out rebels.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique, recently on 9th July 2021, to fight rebel groups linked 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 have started yielding where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Zambia, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu have been seized from rebels.
The land linked East African nation has over the years seen more than 80 per cent of its exports and imports passing through the seaport which handles over 90 per cent of Tanzania’s cargo traffic.
Fielding questions from reporters , Rwanda’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Major General Charles Karamba said the Port of Dar es Salaam plays a significant role in Rwanda’s economy.
According to Major General Karamba, Rwanda continues to depend on the seaport for its imports and exports.
“It is a very important point for Rwanda and I’ve been routinely meeting senior port officials with a view of scaling up the use of the port,” asserted the envoy after he paid the East African Business Council (EABC) a courtesy call.
Rwanda uses the Port of Dar es Salaam for much of her inbound and outbound cargo, through what is commonly known as the Central Corridor.
Rwanda remains the leading country within the East African Community capitalising on the presence of the Dar es Salaam Port.
It boasts of about one million tonnes of cargo recorded at the port per year, according to Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) figures.
Burundi depends on the port for 99.2 per cent of its international cargo while the figure for Rwanda is 86 per cent, comprising both imports and exports.
It is estimated that about 90 per cent of Tanzania’s international trade transactions depend on Dar port.
Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo are the target destinations for cargo offloaded at the principal port.
In 2018, Tanzania and Rwanda agreed on joint construction of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Isaka (northwestern Tanzania) to Kigali, a move which will facilitate movement of goods between the East African neighbours.
Earlier, EABC Executive Director John Bosco Kalisa informed the envoy that the regional apex body of Private Sector associations and corporates had established a Technical Working Group (TWG) which is meant to spearhead initiatives that will benefit the private sector in East Africa.
TWG will also be crucial in providing a platform for addressing concerns raised by the business community in the region.
“We’ve had support and vision from our Heads of State and we are very optimistic that it will address challenges that impede trade within the EAC,” he explained.
Following his demise, friends and Rwandans eulogized him as a man of peace who strived for everyone’s progress irrespective of their background.
Edouard Bamporiki, the State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture has said that Amb. Habineza was a valuable person who had become an intimate friend apart from official duties.
Speaking to IGIHE, Bamporiki revealed that he sought advice from Amb. Habineza as a person who had long-standing experience.
“He is my minister. I knew him before when I was seeking his support to promote my artistic talent. It happens that a talented artiste might not have an opportunity to directly engage with the minister. I visited him for the first time being with an American called Lee Isaac Chung as we planned to produce Munyurangabo film,” he said.
“Joe was pleased to see a native from Nyamasheke being with an American talking about film projects. I later called him via provided phone number informing that our film had won an award. He helped us to get travel documents to receive the award in USA. This reflects his humility,” added Bamporiki.
He explained that Habineza continued to support his works of arts and enjoyed the privilege of becoming his intimate friend.
“The most important thing people can learn from him is humility. I know him as a humble person who assumed duties in difficult conditions. He particularly played a major role in sports where he brought foreign celebrities and worked hard to uphold culture in tough times,” he said.
Bamporiki revealed that he was saddened by the passing of Amb. Habineza as someone with whom they had built strong relationship.
“Hearing that Joe Habineza has died at such younger age is beyond imagination,” he said.
Bamporiki expressed optimism that Habineza’s kind heart and friendly interactions with members of the society give hope that he has gone to Heaven.
“His kind heart, compassion, love and humanity that characterized him gives us hope that we shall meet him again as believers because he has been granted seat in Heaven,” he noted.
Aimable Karirima Ngarambe, a journalist representing IGIHE in Europe and the United States knew Habineza since 1988.
At the time, both Karirima and Habineza were players of Electrogaz Volleyball Club and later played together in Amasata Volleyball Club between 1994 and 1995.
“I knew him as a professional and disciplined player who was always characterized by kind heart. He was friendly and interactive with everyone around. In fact, he was always charming” he stressed.
“He was a ardent player during exercises and matches. Such qualities continued to characterize him at work. I remember one day when he denied wearing the jersey of Electrogaz because it carried the names of Pepsi Cola which sponsored the team. Habineza was avoiding to promote products of a competitor because he was working with Bralirwa,” he added.
Karirima also highlighted that Habineza will always be remembered for his good attributes as a bright, amiable, disciplined and humble person.
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.
{{Contribution to Miss Rwanda, music industry}}
Ishimwe Dieudonné, the Managing Director of Rwanda Inspiration Back Up which organizes Miss Rwanda contest is among people with indelible memories to late Habineza.
“I knew him when he was re-appointed the Minister of Sports and Culture at a time when we were organizing Miss Rwanda. I had heard many people describing him as a kind person but I had not yet witnessed the reality until I worked with him and realized how he was friendly and social interactive to everyone,” he said.
“It is also important to mention his brilliance. He was clever and constantly worked hard to bring innovations. I remember some days when we would feel desperate saying that some works are beyond our capacity. He instead encouraged us to push through insisting that we can make it. We followed his tips and succeeded,” added Ishimwe.
He stressed that Habineza was honest and humble man who strived for positive development of everyone around him.
“He was a righteous man who always stood for the truth. It is hard to believe that he has died but one sure thing is that he was a blessing to everyone who met with him. Habineza leaves a good legacy. I also take this time to condole with his children and the bereaved family during these difficult times,” said Inshimwe.
Joseph Mushyoma [Boubou]; the CEO of East African Promoters (EAP), an event management company which organizes concerts including Iwacu Muzika Festival among others described Habineza as a great icon who contributed to the growth of music industry.
“If you remember well, he closely followed up artistes; he was enthusiastic about arts and music and warmly welcomed everyone seeking his support. He was a peaceful man who lived in harmony with others, valuing everyone’s views and offering advice where necessary. As he worked with Radiant, he was among EAP partners with whom we toured the country together. Our industry loses an important and experienced person,” he said.
Singer Mani Martin is also among artistes who are grateful for the support of late Habineza to the growth of music industry.
“Joe Habineza was an outstanding person to me. His higher ranking positions didn’t favor arrogance. He however, interacted with everyone. He played a big role to my career development and Rwandan music industry at large,” he said.
As he started Kesho Band in 2011, Mani Martin sought advice from Habineza introducing him to his engagement in live performances.
“He gave me a message of encouragement that paved the way for my success. I owe the current progress to him in no smaller part,” he revealed.
“His death is a great loss,” added Mani Martin.
{{Social media users mourn Habineza}}
Rwanda’s embassy in Germany has also sent condolences via Twitter handle notoing that Habineza will be missed.
” RIP Joe – you will be missed. It was a pleasure and honor to work with you, particularly in sports. Condolences to the family and loved ones left behind,” reads the tweet.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Shema Maboko Didier also condoled with the bereaved family.
“I am saddened by the passing of Joe Habineza. May your soul Rest in Eternal peace. Sports fraternity will always remember you,” he tweeted.
The President of FERWAFA, Olivier Nizeyimana also wished him to rest in eternal peace.
“FERWAFA President, Olivier Nizeyimana and everyone at FERWAFA is saddened by the passing of former Sports Minister, Amb Joseph Habineza. The football fraternity stands with his family in these despairing times. Rest well Joe,” the federation tweeted.
The Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), Fred Mufulukye also said that Habineza will always be membered for his humility and comforted the bereaved family.
“Heartfelt condolences to Joe Habineza’s family. We will always treasure the memories of your simplicity and warmth. Your gentle soul will always be in our hearts. RIP Joe,” he tweeted.
CP Bizimungu made the call on Friday, August 20 as he visited the RWAPSU base camp in the capital Bangui.
At Mamica RWAPSU base camp, the Head of MINUSCA Police component was given a presentation of the unit’s deployments and operational activities.
CP Bizimungu appreciated their contribution to security and peace in CAR. He reminded them that high level of discipline and team work are inevitable factors for a successful peacekeeping duty and urged them to maintain the spirit and the good work they are doing.
MINUSCA, he said, will continue to support Police units to address any challenges that may affect their performance in the execution of peacekeeping responsibilities.
This is part of CP Bizimungu’s visit to all Police units deployed under MINUSCA having taken over as the new Head of the Police Component in late June.
RWAPSU 1-6 of 140 Police officers was deployed in Bangui in May. The unit is assigned to perform various VIP tasks including close protection of the Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly and Minister of Justice.
The Rwandan unit is also charged with close protection to the UN Special Respresentative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to MINUSCA and static guard at his residence as well as the protection of the two deputy SRSGs
They also conduct other assigned tasks including escort duties but also support the local communities in human security activities.
RWAPSU is one of the three Rwandan Police contingents deployed in CAR with two of them composed of 140 officers and another Formed Police Unit (FPU) of 180 officers.
The statement released last night shows that 380 people have caught the virus out of 12772 sample tests.
A total of 419,715 people have been fully vaccinated while 980,082 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
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.
They include 31 officers of Rwanda National Police (RNP), five from Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and three from Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP/AP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, presided over the graduation of the eighth intake.
While speaking at the closing of the course, DIGP Ujeneza said that training is one of the essential tools to equip officers with professional knowledge and skills that match with the operating context required in the contemporary policing dynamics and challenges.
“The contemporary dynamics and challenges in policing environment require that security and law enforcement personnel at all levels to be equipped with necessary tools in terms of professional knowledge and skills that match the context they are operating in,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
This, she added, is the reason they were selected by their respective institutions to attend the course.
DIG Ujeneza observed that the training offered a unique golden opportunity to build on their competencies towards professionalism and urged them create positive impact in the performance of their respective institutions.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Flora Niyongira, who was awarded as the overall best trainee, said that the course enriched her understanding in command, operational and tactical policing.
The Police Junior Command and Staff Course is a middle level training designed to equip junior officers with necessary skills to effectively perform command and staff responsibilities at operational and tactical levels.
They tell motorists and pedestrians what they must do at intersections along roads. They guide road users when to stop and go, when and which direction to turn, and to drive with extra caution.
To ensure maximum respect for the traffic control lights, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has started a campaign aimed at reminding motorists and other road users on their responsiveness to prevent accident.
The campaign was launched on Friday, August 20, at Muhima, Nyarugenge District as RNP engaged drivers, taxi-moto operators, passengers and pedestrians on responsible road usage, particularly respect for traffic lights.
“The purpose of this campaign is to remind road users that it is their responsibility to ensure safer road usage… that to be safe on the road starts with you, your behaviours and practices when using the road.
This is part of the usual campaigns, which were stopped by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, to remind everyone of their responsibility to save lives by respecting traffic control sign-posts, especially traffic lights,” CP John Bosco Kabera, RNP spokesperson said.
He added that although drivers go through the learning process to understand traffic rules and regulations as a prerequisite to acquire a driver’s license, they tend to ignore or pay little attention to road panels and signs, leading to fatal accidents.
He added that RNP has increased the use of technology to control and manage the traffic flow, and to identify violators.
The force has installed CCTV and speed cameras, however, it will soon launch Red-Light Cameras (RLC). The RLC is an automated system that detects and captures images of automobiles entering an intersection after the traffic signal controlling the intersection has turned red.
CP Kabera further reminded motorists to respect pedestrians cross-walks commonly known as zebra crossing. He also urged pedestrians to use the cross-walks where they exist and to cross at traffic lights, when they are given a green pedestrian light.
ACP Gerald Mpayimana, the commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety said that the red light cameras were thought about due to increased violations of traffic rules and regulations especially traffic rights, causing traffic jam and accidents.
“The red light cameras will reduce traffic jam often caused by the wrong stops and violations of road lines. With the red light cameras, when you drive over the road lines, they will detect the violation and you will also be fined for the offense,” ACP Mpayimana explained.
At least 29 are drivers, who were caught driving while drunk and four others were arrested for conniving to falsify Covid-19 test results.
The drunk drivers were arrested in operations conducted between August 17th and 19th.
The trio of Festus Ngabo, Madeleine Nikuze and Jean Luc Nsengamungu were arrested on Thursday, August 19, in Amizero Village, Rugarama Cell, Nyamirambo Sector of Nyarugenge District for allegedly conniving to forge Covid-19 negative test results.
Jean Luc Nsengamungu and Madeleine Nikuze are newly weds, who used the same falsified Covid-19 negative USSD messages at their wedding held on August 14.
Their fourth accomplice identified as Nelson Kwizera, is a clinical laboratory technician at one of the clinics in Remera, Gasabo District, who entered Nsengamungu and Nikuze into the system as Covid-19 negative without taking their samples.
Nikuze told journalists that the whole idea was brought by the best-man at their wedding, Festus Ngabo.
“He (Ngabo) called us prior to our wedding day, asking for our phone contacts… that he had someone to help us get the Covid-19 negative test results without going to the laboratory.
Indeed, we received the USSD messages indicating that our Covid-19 tests were negative even when we did not go to have our samples taken. Due to the short time we had, we fell for Ngabo’s ill-advice which we now regret,” Nikuze narrated.
Kwizera also said that it is Ngabo, who approached him to help his friends, Nikuze and Nsengamungu, who had a wedding.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) Jean Bosco Kabera said that the violators were arrested due to strong partnership that exist between the Police and public through information sharing.
He warned against disregarding the government directives through such criminal practices.
“Anyone still thinking of forging or using falsifies Covid-19 test results should know that they are starting their journey to jail. It is risky, unethical and criminal for a laboratory technician to enter people into the system as Covid-19 negative without taking their samples,” CP Kabera warned.
He reminded that “due process must be respected” and appealed to the public to adhere to the directives against the spread of Covid-19 instead of attempting to falsify the test results, which can spread of the virus leading to loss of lives as well as imprisonment for “avoidable behaviours and practices.”
The spokesperson further warned drivers against driving under the influence of alcohol, a serious traffic violation which can lead to fatal accidents.
Article 276 of law determining offences and penalties states that; any person who, in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
Any person who, knowingly makes use of a forgery document in any way, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to the same penalties.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Habineza was first flown to Nigeria for medical attention and later transferred to Kenya where he has succumbed to natural cause on Friday 20th August 2021.
Speaking to IGIHE last week as he celebrated 33 years of wedding anniversary, Habineza said he was grateful to have spent good times with his wife throughout the journey.
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 when he resigned.
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.
