“We are excited to open Mihindi Café and campsite this Saturday. Planning to visit this weekend? Pass by the coffee shop for a coffee or a craft beer from Kweza Craft Brewery, who are partnering with us for the official opening,” reads the tweet.
Located in the northern part of the park, Mihindi Campsite expected to be opened on Saturday 21st August 2021 and will have a coffee shop known as Mihindi Café.
The park’s management has also revealed that 100% of the profits from sales at the coffee shop and camping will be reinvested back into the conservation activities of the park and subsequently help to reach self-sustainability target.
It was built upon the request of tourists who would not find all services needed in the northern part of Akagera National Park.
The northern part of Akagera is among most visited sites but had lacked infrastructures where tourists would stay for refreshment yet it takes approximately six hours to reach the southern part of the park which is home to several facilities for tourists.
The campsite is expected to accommodate 15 tourists per day. Children and adults spending a day at the camp will pay US$30 and US$50 respectively.
Mihindi is an addition to existing similar facilities including Shakani Campsite, Muyumbu Campsite and Mutumba Campsite.
Few weeks after launching this campaign, IGIHE caught up with Sharon Mazimhaka, General Manager, Corporate Services and Company Secretary at MTN Rwanda to shed light on anticipated outcomes of the campaign to be rolled out countrywide for four-months.
Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the campaign was launched early July 2021 with the objective to reinforce awareness around the importance of properly wearing face masks as a way of curbing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
The campaign seeks among other things to encourage the public to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures instituted by the Ministry of Health.
As Mazimhaka explained, MTN Rwanda is deeply invested in the well-being of the communities within which it operates where the telecom is convinced that setting an agenda to extend awareness on recommended health guidelines would be a step further to ensuring safe communities and returning to normalcy.
“Wearing face masks properly is one of key initiatives individuals can take to play their part in containing the spread of COVID-19. The aim of the campaign is to motivate individuals to push through and continue to wear face masks properly and also adhere to other containment measures including social distancing, washing hands among others. This campaign is an opportunity for us to support national efforts in response to the pandemic,” she said.
In addition to the four-month campaign, MTN Rwanda contributed 20,000 face masks and 500 Oxygen saturation monitors as further support towards the ongoing public health needs.
In light of the campaign, MTN Rwanda pledged to support 40 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are running e-commerce businesses by zero-rating access to their websites for MTN customers and granting them 3 months-FREE access to MoMo Biz (a digital platform that enables businesses to easily conduct end-to-end MoMo transactions).
“The Government has encouraged people to go cashless and embrace digital transactions which is another way of reducing transmission of the virus. By supporting SMEs with zero rate access to e-commerce platforms, we are convinced that it will help to reduce crowds in market places and complements guidelines to keep social distancing,” stated Mazimhaka.
She stressed that the telecom is not only concerned about generating returns but also takes heed on the wellbeing of members of the community.
“We are much concerned about our communities and understand that it is our responsibility to use the resources we have to play whatever role we can, especially during this pandemic, to help them to stay safe,” she noted.
Apart from ‘One More Push’ campaign, MTN Rwanda has been engaged in diverse projects that are geared towards positively impacting communities in the areas of Economic Empowerment, Education and Health.
These include recent partnership with HeHe, a technology company that enables businesses in operation optimization. This partnership consists of financial support for SMEs in the agribusiness sector and providing trainings in digital marketing to better equip them to market their products on local and international ecommerce marketplaces.
In June this year, MTN Rwanda pledged to construct six hand washing facilities at various schools in Nyamasheke District to underwrite efforts in place to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus.
Through the annual ’WeCare Month’ campaign held in June 2021, the telecom also donated Rwf100,000,000 to the Ministry of Education through its newly established institution Rwanda TVET Board to facilitate the infrastructure of 10 computer labs in various TVET schools across the country.
The One More Push campaign was adopted from MTN Group as a way to reinforce the message of wearing face masks properly to combat any further spread of the coronavirus.
It runs for four months and will be present on radio, TV, outdoor and digital media channels.
Among others, MTN Rwanda has pledged to offer its communication channels to the Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) to disseminate important messages to the public on COVID-19 preventive measures.
According to a statement released yesterday, organisers of Aviation Africa 2021 have taken the decision based on the increased cases of the delta variant across the African continent and hope that by moving to 2022, the event can transition to safer times when global travel confidence is back.
“We are very disappointed that we could not run Aviation Africa this year in Kigali as planned. The number of increased Covid-19 cases across the globe, mean we have to consider health & safety as our top priority whilst also ensuring we can bring a fruitful gathering to the event, and the current situation would not have allowed for that,” said Mark Brown, managing director, Times Aerospace, organisers of Aviation Africa.
“Rwanda has been one of the countries globally that has put in place a very secure Covid protection plan with strict entry and exit requirements and we remain extremely confident that holding Aviation Africa here next year will be the optimum option for our attendees,” he added.
Aviation Africa is a major trade event for the aerospace and defence industries. The event is a 2 day summit and exhibition. Speakers include leaders from African airlines, civil aviation authorities, business aviation and support industries.
Dr. Bienvenu was appointed to the position by the cabinet meeting held on 11th August 2021 chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The Senate approved his appointment yesterday during a plenary session after receiving a report from the senatorial Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights which also presented projections of Dr. Bievenu.
Dr. Bienvenu told the committee that he has expertise in drugs formulation and research beneficial to the country’s initiative to manufacture drugs and vaccines locally.
Dr. Bievenu pledged to fast track reforms aimed at revising guidelines for use of drugs in the country and draw attention to scrutinizing factories manufacturing drugs to ensure they meet international standards.
Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority was established by the law Nº 003/2018 of 09/02/2018 determining its mission, organization and functioning.
The mandate of the Authority is to protect public health through regulation of human and veterinary medicines, vaccines and other biological products, processed foods, poisons, medicated cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances, tobacco and tobacco products.
{{Who is Dr. Emile Bievenue?}}
Dr. Emile Bienvenu is a Pharmacist holding a Master’s degree (Pharmacology) from University of the Western Cape in South Africa, and a PhD (Medical Science) from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden in the area of Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Emile combines research, academic and managerial skills.
He has been serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences. He also served as University Director for Innovation since 2017 prior to new his new appointment and as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research.
Previously at National University of Rwanda where he served as Lecturer, he has been the Executive Secretary for the University Research Office for six years (2002 to 2008). Dr. Emile also served as External Examiner at Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences in Tanzania until 2016. From July 2011 until May 2013 he was the Head of Medical Procurement Division at Rwanda Biomedical Center. Since 2009 to 2020, Dr. Emile is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) for which he is a Member since 2002. He also served as Member of the Board of Directors at Rwanda Military Hospital (2012-2018).
Dr. Emile research focuses on therapy optimization based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic considerations, especially for HIV and TB co-infection. He is the Country Principal Investigator of a 5-year EU/EDCTP funded research project (2018-2023) focusing on Pharmacovigilance in East Africa. Dr. Emile authored a number of papers in peer-reviewed international Journals over the past 7 years and is a Reviewer for a number of peer reviewed Journals.
Dr. Emile is also an expert for hospital Drug & Therapeutic Committees (DTCs). He provided technical assistance as a resource person to the Ministry of Health in Rwanda (2006) in formulating the first editions of the Standard Treatment Guidelines and Drug Formulary.
Dr. Emile combines his pharmacology research with commitments in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Among others, he completed a research attachment at McGill University in Canada (2008), where he contributed to the project “The alternative modeling of Intellectual Property Systems in biotechnology innovation”.
Dr. Emile has been serving as the Country Principal Researcher for “StArfrica – Startup Germany-Africa”, a 4-year German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs funded project (2020-2024).
The ceremony which took place on Tuesday 17th August 2021 coincided with the signing of performance contracts related to promoting hygiene and sanitation among members of the private sector, district development partners and sector executive secretaries.
The outstanding cells include Karambo in Kanama sector and Nsherima in Bugeshi sector which received two motorbikes worth Rwf2,924,000.
The Governor of Western Province, François Habitegeko who also graced the event urged awardees to keep up the momentum and encouraged more cells to strive for excellence.
“The recognition aligns with government’s good policies to achieve performance contracts. It leaves a lesson when you reward people with outstanding performance and criticize others for inefficiency,” he said.
“We also want residents to work together, concert efforts to fast track performance contracts,” added Habitegeko.
He explained that performance contracts signed yesterday are meant to promote hygiene and sanitation in Rubavu as one of secondary cities.
“As a tourism destination town, Rubavu must maintain highest hygiene standards. That is why they have signed hygiene and sanitation performance contracts to engage all stakeholders in sensitization for improved hygiene practices among residents,” said Habitegeko.
He stressed that the Western Province is also committed to eradicate malnutrition, tackle school drop outs among other priority areas to address challenges affecting residents’ welfare.
The Government of Rwanda introduced performance contracts known as ‘Imihigo’ since 2006 as a home-grown performance management tool to promote decentralization of governance, enhance accountability and efficiency to fast track national development.
The “designation is based on his command and control, flexibility, discipline, performance, and professionalism of the contingent commander personally and his unit as well,” the salutation published in the MINUSCA UNPOL monthly magazine–ECHO de la Police–reads in part.
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 557 people have caught the virus out of 8435 sample tests while 88 recovered.
The majority of new cases were found in Gicumbi: 52, Kigali: 45, Karongi: 41, Rusizi: 38 and Ngororero 35.
A total of 951,795 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program.
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.
The meeting brought together Rwandan and International experts who offer strategic advice to the President and the government.
The meeting was attended by cabinet members including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta; the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije; Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana; Minister of Infrastructure, Claver Gatete and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Beata Uwamaliza Habyarimana.
Also present at the meeting were Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, John Rwangombwa among others.
International experts who attended include Ashish Thakkar, the Founder of Mara Group which established phones manufacturing plant in Rwanda; Dale Dawson, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Bridge2Rwanda.The latter is a foundation formed to help expand Rwanda’s global network of friends, to encourage foreign direct investment and to create opportunities for Rwandan students to study abroad.
The council also hosted Kaia Miller, Mauro De Lorenzo, Joseph Ritchie, Michel Roux, Dave King, Paul Davenport, Rod Reynolds, Pastor Rick Warren, Scott Ford and Christian Angermayer.
The road had been closed since the ISIS seizure of Mocimboa da Praia a year ago.
Reopening the road was possible, because the joint command of the Mozambican and Rwandan forces put an alternative bridge across the Quinhevo river on national road R782.
According to a report in Monday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”, the bridge, built of metal and timber, can bear vehicles with a weight of up to 60 tonnes. It will facilitate the movement of motorised infantry in operations to clean out terrorists from other parts of Mocimboa da Praia district.
A team from the National Roads Administration (ANE) visited Mocimboa da Praia on Sunday to assess the requirements for a more thorough intervention to improve the road.
Previously the main link to Mocimboa da Praia and its port was along road N380, which is currently impassable due to terrorist destruction of another bridge.
Further north, in Palma district, people displaced from their homes in Palma town by the ISIS raid of 24 March, are beginning to return, according to a report in the independent newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”.
The security provided by the joint Mozambican-Rwandan forces has made it feasible for some residents to return to their homes in the town. Since late March many of them had been living in the resettlement town of Quitunda, which was initially set up for workers of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project run by a consortium headed by the French oil and gas company, TotalEnergies.
After the terrorist attack, Total withdrew all its workers, and people displaced from Palma town fled to the relative safety of Quitunda.
One of those who returned to Palma town, Aruna Nchute, told “Carta de Mocambique” she had seen no signs of any new fighting in the town. Others are more cautious and prefer to stay in Quitunda, or make their way to the provincial capital, Pemba.
When the Secretary of State for Cabo Delgado, Antonio Supeia, visited Palma last week, he guaranteed that the government is committed to restoring normal life to the town, starting with the re-establishment of public services.
There are also reports of displaced people begin to drift back to the towns of Macomia and Quissanga.
The incident took place today morning around 9a.m.
Witnesses have told IGIHE that the fire outbreak emerged as workers welded metals and quickly caught mattresses.
“The fire gutted the facility when welders joined metal parts. Flames spread to mattresses which immediately started burning uncontrollably,” said Uwase Clarisse.
She revealed that encouraging workers at the furniture market to own fire extinguishers would be helpful in case similar incidents occur.
Another witness identified as Selemani Habimana has said that mattresses should be sold separately from the main business workshop to avoid similar incidents.
As fire gutted the furniture workshop, police rushed to intervene with five firefighting trucks.
