The Project brings together African troop-contributing countries, the other UN Member States and the UN Department of Field Support.
It aims at enhancing the capacity of engineering contingents or sub-units through training and equipping.
While giving his closing remarks on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, RDF Chief of Logistics, Brig-Gen Dr. Ephrem Rurangwa emphasized that RDF has no doubt that the trained personnel will use the acquired skills to effectively perform their tasks.
“Having an operator graduating from using one machine to using more than two machines is quite an achievement for our operators. Being able to train our personnel is important in capacity building, and this requires skills improvement for a good instructor as well as a good student,” he said.
“You will work with trainees all over the country where we have projects.
Take care of the reference materials that you have been given, they will make your work easier,” Brig-Gen Rurangwa added.
He further stated that the skills acquired are also crucial for deploying Engineering Component Squadron in UN Peacekeeping Mission, noting that the squadron is composed of combat engineers, construction engineers, and equipment.
The training was organized in partnership with the governments of Rwanda, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and the UN.
Theogene Nsabimana, 40, was arrested Monday in Gitaraga Cell, Masaka Sector in Kicukiro District following several complaints from victims, some of who were his passengers while others fell victims of his sporadic ambushes in late hours of the night along different pathways in the cell.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali has said that law enforcement agencies and the cooperative of motorcyclists in Masaka have been working together to locate and arrest Nsabimana and two others still at large said to be part of the gang.
“We understand that Nsabimana was working with other two people to grab bags and other belongings, especially from women and girls. All the victims described Nsabimana and two other men still at large, as their attackers,” CIP Umutesi said.
Following the arrest of Nsabimana, a number of his victims showed up and indeed identified him as one of the men, who attacked them and stole their belongings that included mobile phones and money.
Most of the victims are women from Gitagara and Rusheshe cells in Masaka, who would be attacked on their way from Biryogo market. It is the second time he has been arrested over the alleged criminal acts.
Meanwhile, the cooperative of commercial motorcyclists in Masaka also said that Nsabimana was not a registered motorcyclist and that “such unregistered members take advantage of their being incognito to steal from their passengers.”
The federation of motorcycle cooperatives—FERWACOTAMO—is building a database and registering every commercial motorcyclist and owners of motorcycles, including installation of GPS, to help trace implicated wrongdoers, keep records of their members’ behavior and help them to take action against errant members.
The AG100 motorcycle, RA 965N was stolen on October 8, from Munyangoga’s home in Nyamata Sector. It was recovered on October 14, in Rilima Sector.
The Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that on the fateful evening, Munyangoga returned home and parked his motorcycle on the veranda.
Later that evening, he came out of the house only to find that his motorcycle was nowhere to be seen and he immediately called law enforcement agencies which commenced the search for the motorcycle and suspected thief.
“On October 10, Rilima Police station received a call at about 10pm from a local resident, who saw a motorcycle hidden in a banana plantation; apparently the suspected thief was looking for a buyer,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
“The suspect was selling the motorcycle at Rwf700, 000. Although he managed to flee the arrest that very night, we know him and law enforcement officers are working together to locate and bring him to justice,” the spokesperson added.
He thanked the resident, who was quick to provide information, which facilitated the recovery of the motorcycle and called for strengthened partnership and information sharing on anyone they suspect to be a wrongdoer.
Munyangoga, on his part, thanked the resident who helped the Police efforts to recover his motorcycle, and commended the impact of community policing in fighting and preventing crime.
Disasters followed a warning by the Weatherman predicting heavy rain from Thursday 10th October to Sunday 13th October 2019.
The rain was predicted at the precipitation of between 10 and 25mm per day.
“The rain predicted by Meteorology Agency left five people dead and destroyed some houses. Those who died include the motorcyclist crushed by a tree, some were carried by flowing streams while a house fell on another died of house fall,” said the Minister Kamayirese.
She appealed on citizens to be cautious during the rainy season and relocate from susceptible risky zones.
Upon arrival, Kagame is expected to hold bilateral talks with his counterpart.
Different posters have been erected along roads in CAR to welcome Kagame.
The President heads to CAR following a visit to Abidjan in Ivory Coast where he attended the 8th edition of Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) Academy 2019 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as the guest of honor.
Both heads of state are not meeting for the first time. Touadéra was previously in Rwanda attending Rwanda’s 25th Liberation Anniversary.
Kagame and Touadéra are expected to hold talks aimed at promoting cooperation and trade.
According to RFI, the mining sector, as well as a strengthening of military cooperation are among other areas of discussion.
The two heads of state are also expected to establish a joint commission, which organizes regular meetings between delegates from both countries.
The visit aligns with Rwanda’s initiatives to strengthen cooperation with Francophone countries three years after joining The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) which it had left in 2007.
Rwanda and CAR enjoy good relations in security cooperation. Rwanda is ranked the 3rd largest contributor to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic with over 1389 soldiers and police officers.
Rwanda started sending troops to CAR in 2014. CAR is rich in minerals like Gold, Diamond, and Uranium among others.
The president received the award from the Federation of West African Entrepreneurs (FOPAO) yesterday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire where he took part in the 8th edition of Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) Academy 2019 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as the guest of honor.
CGECI Academy is one of the largest forums of the Ivorian Private Sector.
During the opening ceremony of the summit, the President of Private Sector Federation in Ivory Coast M. Jean-Marie Ackah said: “As African entrepreneurs, we grant you this special prize on behalf of the Federation of West African entrepreneurs for your outstanding leadership.”
According to Abidjan News Agency, the award was presented to Kagame by Jean Kacou Diagou, the former president of Ivory Coast Private Sector
In 1994, Rwanda’s GDP posted a rapid decline at more than 40%.
Between 2001-2015, Rwanda’s economy consistently grew by 8%.
In 1994, Rwanda earned US$ 753.6 million in GDP, which grew to US$ 1735 million in 2000, Rwf 8.278 billion in 2015 and grew by 8.6 % in 2018 posting Rwf 8,189 billion compared to Rwf 7,597 billion of the previous year.
The national budget increased 14 times while domestic budget is 20 times compared to the past 20 years.
Rwanda’s economy grew by 8.5% last year. In the first quarter of 2019, there was growth of 8.4% and the second quarter was 12.2%.
As he gave remarks at the summit, President Kagame called on Governments to do their part, listen to, and work with the private sector, to overcome existing barriers to doing business and ensure that young people are equipped with the education and training required, to take advantage of new opportunities.
“We have to reach a point where our countries have the capacity to finance our own transformation. Development aid has been useful and it continues to be useful, especially when we work to get the most impact out of every cent that we receive. But the point has never been to remain dependent forever when we have always had the potential to be wealthy ourselves,” he said.
“There are much more productive ways for our continent to partner with various countries and regions, for mutual benefit. This remains an urgent task and the African private sector has an indispensable role to play,” observed Kagame.
According to Stéphane Aka-Anghui, the executive director of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI, Patronat) the Rwandan president was chosen as the guest of honor because his country has made considerable efforts to make the business environment attractive and could share its experience with Ivorian companies.
The World Bank Doing Business report 2018 rated Rwanda 29th globally in easing business and second in Africa following Mauritius.
The 8th edition of “CGECI Academy” was initially scheduled for October 17 to 18 and was rescheduled from October 14 to 15 in Abidjan for Rwandan President Paul Kagamé to participate.
Kagame was last in Ivory Coast on 20th December 2018 when he was conferred honorary citizenship of Abidjan.
The decision is the follow up on Law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
Plastic items prohibited under the law include all polyethylene bags, plastic straws, dishes, spoons, forks, and plastic paper carriages.
The banned items are deemed to catalyzing poor sanitation, blocking drainage systems, limiting soil-water absorption, silting and lowland flooding, among others.
Speaking to the media yesterday, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Vincent Biruta warned that no further import of such materials will be allowed.
“We have set a three-month deadline for plastic items available in different shops from today. We have given them that time to sell off all stock. Everyone dealer in such items should declare the quantity available in store so that we can see how to negotiate deadline adjustments if recorded items will not have been cleared from stock by close of the deadline. We are however optimistic all quantities will have been emptied from stores,” he said.
Biruta explained that factories have been given a two-year deadline to stop using plastic packaging items.
“We met on different occasions to assess if manufactured items were authorized and discuss possible alternatives. We have their database and some of the manufacturers have already pitched new environment-friendly projects. Talks are underway to assess the feasibility and seek how to collaborate in manufacturing authorized items without incurring huge losses,” he said.
As per Law N°, 17/2019 of 10/08/2019, every manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer of plastic carry bags or single-use plastic items must put in place mechanisms to collect and segregate used plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items and hand them over to recycling plants.
Illegal manufacturing of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items after the deadline is liable to closure, dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items and to an administrative fine Rwf 10,000,000; importers are subjected to an administrative fine equivalent to ten (10) times of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items; wholesalers to Rwf 700,000; and retailers to Rwf 300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
The Peacekeepers were composed of Rwandan Military, Police and Correctional Service serving under MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic).
In his remarks, Gen Nyamvumba commended the job being done by Peacekeepers and the partnership existing between the Military, Police and Correctional personnel of Rwanda.
“The population of CAR that you are serving, as well as the leadership of Peacekeeping Mission in New York all say that you are doing a commendable job. This has made you good ambassadors of Rwanda,” he said.
“What is required from you is to continue what you started and maintain and sustain the achievements attained. This requires you to uphold your discipline and maintain professionalism,” Gen Nyamvumba added.
Rwanda maintains the highest number of Peacekeepers serving in MINUSCA.
The warning follows the launch of Agriculture Season 2020 A at the end of September 2019. The majority of citizens in rural areas are currently busy sowing maize, beans, wheat and soy among others.
The statement prohibiting local leaders and non-governmental organizations organizing meetings or campaigns in morning hours was released yesterday.
Signed by the Minister of Local Government, Prof Anastase Shyaka, the statement reads that several meetings bringing together citizens in morning hours have been popular nowadays taking the time they would be spending at work.
“We request all relevant institutions to hold meetings afternoon especially during this planting season for them to spend morning hours in development activities,” reads the statement in part.
Minister Shyaka appealed to all concerned people to respect the regulation in favor of citizens’ common interests.
Mukakarangwa was arrested on Saturday following Prime Minister’s Order dismissing her from Public service due to gross misconduct.
Her dismissal was announced during resolutions of the cabinet meeting that was chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro on Thursday last week.
Speaking to IGIHE, the spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Modeste Mbabazi has confirmed the arrest of Mukakarangwa.
“She has been arrested for alleged favoritism,” he said.
Mukakarangwa is alleged of recruiting his brother in RCA and sending him to work on missions as a public servant as well as using work vehicles for personal interests.
She was detained following the arrest of Esther Batamuriza, RCA Director of Administration and Finance Unit on 11th October 2019 for financial mismanagement.
