The mayor of Nyaruguru district, François Habitegeko has told IGIHE that they had received complaints of poor management of funds from members of the cooperative.
“A survey conducted by Rwanda Cooperative Agency pointed out the misappropriation though we had received complaints concerning misuse of funds from members of the cooperative,” he said.
“We assure members of other cooperatives that officials are watchful. Their property must be managed well. Anyone involved in misappropriation will be held accountable,” added Habitegeko.
The spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Modeste Mbabazi has told IGIHE that they are accused of misallocating Rwf 6,383, 698 while more seven suspects are being interrogated.
“Investigation that might lead to the arrest of more suspects is underway. There is evidence of funds taken illegally,” he explained.
The incident took place today morning when the man went to the parents of his wife Joel Bizimana and Jeanne Mukamana where he killed the wife with three knife stabs in the heart.
Police spokesperson in Kigali city, CIP Marie Gorette Umutesi has told IGIHE that Nizeyimana and Niyomukiza have been conflicting for long until the wife fled to their home today morning.
“They spent three years living together but didn’t have a legal marriage. They had no child. We are informed that they have been in conflicts for long related to drunkard behavior while the husband suspected her wife of adultery,” she said.
The husband escaped after killing his wife. He was caught by security officials after drinking pesticide. He was taken to Rubungo health center where he was treated and taken to Ndera police station.
“You can protect the country against enemy assaults. We have no gaps with this. But there emerges the issue of development. When citizens understand that all activities are their concern making it their own, it triggers a good culture of dedication and love for the nation,” he said.
“A citizen must understand that activities done in Rwanda are meant to enhance his/her welfare. You cannot assume to be in comfort while citizens are not safeguarded,” added Maj Gen Murasira.
He was launching Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) Citizen Outreach Programs 2019 (COP2019) which focuses on addressing human security issues in the areas of agriculture, health, and providing shelter for vulnerable people and building infrastructure among others.
The program will be conducted from 17th April until 30 July 2019. It aligns with RDF mandate to support Government efforts in poverty reduction, infrastructure development, healthcare, education and other activities aimed at addressing human security challenges.
Maj Gen Murasira was accompanied by Kigali city officials during activities in which they joined residents of Kigali sector in Nyarugenge district to launch the three-month-long activities.
They laid a foundation stone to the construction of 3.8 km water conduit to distribute safe water to residents of Kigali sector, especially in Karama model village.
Minister Murasira said that the uniqueness of the program is the mobilization of citizens to play an inclusive role in development projects brought to them and urged them to make it their own.
Other activities planned during RDF COP2019 include: Providing free medical services, improving health and sanitation to 137,900 patients, construction of 1,141 houses for the vulnerable in selected areas, cultivating 11,139 hectares, controlling erosion and protecting the environment on 453 km, and developing terraces on 1,114 terraces.
The Mayor of Kigali city, Marie Chantal Rwakazina unveiled that RDF will give them the support of renovating bridges, building water conduits, roads, conserving marshlands and building houses for vulnerable residents in different districts.
Antoine Uzabakiriho, one of the residents told IGIHE that it is of great value to engage in development activities with soldiers, unlike the past where citizens were afraid of approaching soldiers.
“It is apparently a commendable milestone collaborating with our soldiers in such activities. We are thankful to God because the country has changed for good. Nothing will hinder our way to happiness and development,” he said.
RDF Citizen Outreach Progam was launched in 2009. Figures from the Ministry of Defense indicate that activities worth over Rwf 200 billion were conducted last year.
Umulisa, 23, became famous in 2017 when she fell in love with Lil G before breaking off the relationship to love Producer Pacento.
Both Pacento and Umulisa currently live together as though they haven’t gone through religious and legal marriage rituals.
News of the newborn has been confirmed to IGIHE by Akimana Patience Dedithe [Pacento]
“It is true that we have begotten a baby boy. He will take over my duties in my older age. The mum has delivered at King Faisal Hospital,” he said.
Benitha Umulisa has been recently featuring in video clips of different artists. She featured in the video clip of ‘Mfumbata’ song of Urban Boyz, ‘Every Thing’ of Uncle Austin and Meddy, ‘Bikakubera’ of Marina among others.
Pacento has also gained fame for producing songs of different popular artists in Rwanda.
Rwanda’s Prosecutor General, Jean Bosco Mutangana has told IGIHE that they request the USA to investigate the presence of the suspect to be brought to book.
“We request USA investigation departments to follow up the matter, establish whether the man is on their territory to seize him and bring him to book based on the evidence we shared with the USA pinning the suspect for a role in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Nyanza,” he said.
He highlighted that Rwanda’s Prosecution is ready to collaborate with USA for investigation in case they want to try him in the USA.
Nzigiyimfura known as the butcher of Nyanza for a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has been hunted by Rwanda’s Prosecution and was reported living in Lilongwe, Malawi 10 years ago.
Reports indicate that he was accused by genocide convicts who narrated how Nzigiyimfura who was a businessman in Nyanza led different attacks during the genocide.
He had changed his names to Vincent Nzigiye when living in Malawi and run his businesses smoothly.
The African Rights report in 2009 released testimonies accusing Nzigiyimfura that he collaborated with soldiers, politicians, local leaders, business people and civilians who led killings in Nyanza, Kavumu, Remera and in different areas like Nyabisindu and Kigoma.
It is said that he also worked closely with Celestin Ugirashebuja who was the mayor of Commune Kigoma who fled to the United Kingdom.
Nzigiyimfura is also accused of having supported different people accused of role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to escape justice. His name was for several times heard in Gacaca courts alleged of involvement in setting roadblocks to seize Tutsi to be killed during the genocide.
It was unveiled towards the end of last week as they marked the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The ceremony was preceded by a walk to remember that started from premises of the hospital to Kibagabaga genocide memorial. It was attended by different leaders, employees of the hospital and health centers under its control, security officials and residents in the neighborhood of Kibagabaga Hospital.
The Director of Kibagabaga Hospital Dr. Avite Mutaganzwa hailed those who joined them for the commemoration and honoring victims of the1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said that medical practitioners who took part in killing people during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi should feel ashamed for failure to comply with professional ethics of saving lives.
Dr. Mutaganzwa assured survivors that what happened will never happen again. He asked them to remember and renew.
Joselyne Mukabalisa, one of the employees of Kibagabaga Hospital shared a testimony that the premise of the hospital was their home where she survived though other family members were killed.
She explained that working at the hospital induces pride to her because it always reminds her of their home and what happened during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Following his release, Gisa was welcomed by artiste Social Mula and his advisor Twahirwa Theo.
Talking to IGIHE, Twahirwa has said: “ I saw him in good health without any problem. He has even grown bigger. He has not yet developed any plans because he needs to have a rest first and refresh his brains.”
Gisa is known for songs that gained popularity including ‘Genda ubabwire’, ‘Umuturanyi’ among others.
He was once taken to Iwawa rehabilitation center after being caught with drugs in 2015.
He had promised to never use drugs again when he graduated from Iwawa prior to the time he was arrested again for a similar offense in 2017.
During the ceremony that attracted over 300 participants in Bamako at Amitié Hotel, the president of the Rwandan community in the country, Alice Gasarabwe reminded participants that genocide was a result of a long-term plan which took lives of over one million innocent Tutsis.
Rwanda’s ambassador in Mali headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Dr. Harebamungu Mathias thanked RPF Inkotanyi soldiers for heroism and stopping the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and leading Rwanda to apparent transformations.
Harebamungu said that Rwanda was an abandoned country but was resurrected, gained strength and international repute under the good leadership of President Paul Kagame.
Talking on the importance of remembrance, he emphasized that it aims at mobilizing the youth to be always on alert to ensure what happened never occurs again.
The Minister of Sports in Mali, Lawyer Jean Claude Sidibe said that his country supports and lauds what Rwandans have achieved in economic development, social welfare, security and democracy under the championship of president Paul Kagame.
Minister Sidibe revealed that Mali citizens learn a lot from Rwanda especially the process of resilience after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations in Mali, Mbaranga Gasarabwe expressed delight for Rwanda’s initiative of seeking own solutions and promoting self-dignity.
He said the latter enabled the country to fast track unity and development with the aim of preparing a bright vision for its children.
Upon arrival at Ndjili airport, RwandAir aircraft (Boeing 737-800NG) was welcomed with plumes of water salute ceremony.
The Boeing 737-800NG set off from Kigali International Airport with 119 passengers on board.
Vano Ol one of passengers expressed delight for the flight via a tweet saying it is a great milestone because “The situation was complex before as a passenger from countries like Ivory Coast or Benin had to fly through Bruxelles or Paris to reach Kinshasa.”
RwandAir will be conducting three weekly direct flights to Kinshasa on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. RwandAir plans to increase more three-night flights effective next month.
Delegates from both Rwanda and DRC signed agreements to open airspace in March 2019 enabling RwandAir to conduct flights to Kinshasa and Congo Airways doing the same.
RwandAir flights are expected to promote cooperation and trade between citizens from both countries.
With its 12 aircrafts, RwandAir conducts flights to 26 destinations in East, Central, West and Southern Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
RwandAir also plans to launch flights in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from April this year to be followed by flights to Tel Aviv in Israel and Guangzhou in China. It also expects to launch flights to other destinations in New York.
As we were waiting to go through the security clearance process, a very humorous lady approached me and asked me with a huge smile on her face: “Are you from here?”
I replied with a smile of my own: “Why do you want to know?”
“Because you were saying hello to people you don’t know, with an open face, on a crazy cold morning, Lady!” she said, also laughing. “We rarely do that here, you know,” she continued. “You must be from Africa,” she suggested. “You people are always happy despite the hardship we read about in the news. Gosh, how do you guys do it?”
“I am indeed from Africa and specifically from Rwanda and we also get very worried about you from what we see in the news! Media can exaggerate. We are fine as you can see.”
“A few unfortunate incidents should not define who the people of a certain country are” she concluded.
“Exactly,” I commented. Many great things happen in Africa but only the bad ones make it into the news. We are trying to change that narrative,” I informed.
Then suddenly in a tone that could be misinterpreted as an attack, she asked; “Talking about great achievements, if you are from Rwanda, what are you doing here? You do not have any dog in the fight. Your country is leading the World in female representation in the parliament.”
At that very moment, my mind started to wonder. “What would she say if she knew that also 50% of the Rwanda ministerial cabinet is made up of women, and the woman right in front of her was also one of the leaders in Rwanda? What would have been her comments if she had learned that women empowerment was reached without a struggle because the Rwandan president believed, and keeps saying that involving women in rebuilding the country, ‘just makes sense’? Everything being equal, with such a beautiful story to tell, I should not have been in that particular room. I should have looked for the one hosting a panel on a theme that would read more appropriately; “The Rwandan Women Leaders’ Challenge: What do they do to deserve the trust?”
Unfortunately, everything is not equal. As Rwanda commemorates the Genocide Against Tutsi for the 25th time, as a woman, a genocide survivor, and a citizen of the World, I now feel, more than ever, that I have a responsibility to be anywhere that peace is discussed as an alternative to violence of the kind that brought my country to ashes in 1994.
In fact, when I decided to respond to the USIP invitation, I was not intending to go there to brag about how Rwandan women are lucky to have an empowering leadership while my sisters on the panel were telling stories of their hardships and struggles for basic human rights. No. I just wanted to listen to them, eventually, hug them and inform them that even though Rwandan women presently enjoy that empowerment, they were also in painful situations in the past.
Before and during the genocide against Tutsi, Rwandan women knew the worst of human rights abuse. They were humiliated on a daily basis, unjustly incarcerated and tortured just because of who they were – Tutsi. During the genocide, our grandmothers, our mothers, aunts, and cousins were raped in public – sometimes by men young enough to be their sons. Babies were forced out of the wombs of those who were pregnant using spears and other tools before forcing flashlight batteries, needles and pieces of bottles into the victims’ private parts. My own mother, 64 years old, was cut alive into pieces before being thrown into a deep hole with my cousin, his wife and children, and our neighbors from elders to babies. Most of the women in the country from the Hutu ethnic group, forced into exile by the extremist government, were often used as human-shields and sex slaves. Twenty-five years later, some of those women still living in exile in those deadly forests, especially in Congo, are now made to watch their daughters as young as 9 years old being impregnated by negative forces and eventually dying from those premature pregnancies or suffering from fistula, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases with no medical care available.
When Mahdouba Seraj from Afghanistan spoke about hoping for peace for too long- like our mothers did, while women are threatened and sometimes shot on the streets, or when Scovia Arinaitwe talked about how she was incarcerated and tortured in Uganda right after a c-section, similar images of Rwanda’s sour past rose in my mind and brought back a bitter taste in my mouth. I suddenly felt like screaming, echoing Seraj’s closing questions: “This is it? When will women’s struggles end?”
It was equally troubling to watch a young woman like Isabella Picón from Venezuela, advocating for peace like women of my generation did. Why couldn’t she be given a chance to enjoy her beautiful, tender, and inspiring age? I was also angry to see Judy Richardson on her own country’s US stage speaking of the fights for human rights since 1963. Does it really make sense that Syrian Mariam Jalabi, who has a great degree from McGill University, has to spend hours and hours in conference rooms claiming obvious rights instead of being given the opportunity to use her knowledge for the betterment of this World we share with men?
Why did this World’s setup put women like Kathleen Kuehnast, Maria Stephan, and Marie Berry in the position of going to school to “focus” on conflict, violence and the like, instead of mastering in Sharing Peace for a change? Maybe then, Bonnie and Michon who now use media to promote peace, would have the opportunity to produce a documentary about the first woman on the moon for instance? Where are all those HeForShes to reassure women of the World that this is NOT it?
{{The Author, Claudine Delucco Uwanyiligira is the Deputy Director General – Rwanda Broadcasting Agency
}}
