It was approved during the cabinet meeting held in September 2018.
Amb Nikobisanzwe becomes the first Rwanda’s ambassador in Maputo after president Paul Kagame revealed in July 2018 that Rwanda is willing to open embassy to Mozambique president who was on a visit to Rwanda.
As announced by Rwanda’s embassy in Mozambique “the president and the ambassador held talks aimed at promoting bilateral relationships.”
In 2016, Rwanda and Mozambique signed cooperation agreements in politics, culture, tourism, natural resources, governance, and animal and fish husbandry.
During the visit of president Nyusi in Kigali last year, they discussed new cooperation including air travels, exempting visa, science and technology, promoting investment and skills transfer.
Nikobisanzwe was previously the permanent secretary in foreign affairs ministry.
The announcement follows recent discussions during which officials from Rwanda and DRC signed agreements to open airspace enabling RwandAir to conduct flights to Kinshasa.
“We are thrilled to add this new destination to our fast growing network! Starting from 17th April 2019 and flying 3 times a week: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday,” RwandAir has tweeted.
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.
He said that there should be explanations of why the international community received files and kept custody of the archives other than sending them back to Rwanda.
Busingye raised the issue in discussions bringing together different government officials including the Minister of Justice and the President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), Judge Carmel Agius who is in Rwanda for a visit.
Rwanda has for several years been arguing its right to keep custody of the archives on behalf of the UN which are currently housed in Arusha, Tanzania.
The archives include tons of video recordings of testimonies, written requests to the court and written decisions. Some of the testimonies were held behind closed doors to protect the security of witnesses
Having ICTR keeping the archives in Tanzania despite the demand to transfer them to Rwanda is among the issues discussed.
Carmel Agius who has recently replaced Theodor Meron former president of tribunal said he can do nothing to have Rwanda keep the archives.
“There are obstacles beyond my powers for Rwanda to get the archives. The United Nations has already decided to keep all ICTY and ICTR documents as the property of the UN over the next 25 years. The organization ruled that these archives should not be transferred to any other country,” he said.
“I can’t say anything about it because the decision was taken by superiors,” added Carmel Agius.
He however explained that they will help researchers, lecturers, and families of genocide survivors and others to obtain desired information.
Minister Busingye said that Rwanda already knows the decision of UN but never welcomed it.
“Some of these documents include original copies as a property of the Republic of Rwanda which we never offered to UN permanently. How do they become the property of UN? If we don’t explain things right there might be someone to clarify so that we can understand how these documents became the property of the UN,” he said.
Three projects selected during the campaign are related to chili pepper farming, recording patients’ database digitally at hospitals and a photo studio .
The chili pepper belonging to CCE Farms received Rwf 2 million; David Ntihinduka the founder of a photo studio received Rwf 1 million while SalutemTech Ltd walked away with Rwf 500,000.
Selected winners are followers of I&M Bank social media platform who pitched their projects on Twitter using the hashtag #IMPushToStart attracting a large number of likes and retweets.
The three awardees were selected among five projects presented to designated I&M committee.
After receiving cheques yesterday at the headquarters of I&M Bank, beneficiaries pledged to expand their projects.
Candide Ushorewenimana, one of the founders of CCE Farms growing chili pepper in Musenyi of Bugesera district revealed that the money will be utilized to invest in the establishment of an excellent horticulture center.
“We plan to use the award to build a small plant enabling expansion of our activities. We started trading but we have found the need to plant chili pepper to satisfy the market because we previously supplied only a ton collected from different markets to the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) in a week,” she said.
CCE Farms has 4 permanent and 20 temporary employees.
David Ntihinduka from Gatsibo district, the winner of Rwf 1 million from his Holy Movie Studio said the money will enable him to buy a decent camera, a printer and other equipment to be used in his business.
The Managing Director of I&M Bank in Rwanda, Robin Bairstow said the number of university graduates surpasses available jobs which compelled the bank to support small and medium projects.
He lauded awarded projects promising transformations among Rwandans and promised them support to acquire loans through Business Development Fund (BDF).
“We will help you in whatever way in relation to banking services. We facilitate access to guarantee which is an obstacle to many. I am here as your adviser when you require,” said Robin Bairstow.
Awardees become an ambassador of the bank in their areas of operation. I&M Bank will visit beneficiaries in six months to assess the implementation of their projects.
The campaign also awarded Christian Turimumahoro with Rwf 100,000 as I&M Super Saver and recognized Edmund Kagire for his impressive message on the Celebration of International Women’s Day.
The campaign saw the number of I&M Bank Rwanda social media platforms followers rising to 1845 from 1444 on Facebook; to 2027 from 1854 on Twitter and rose to 315 from 218 on Instagram within 30 days.
The annual event which takes place every last Saturday of March, saw Kigali Marriott Hotel participating in the global initiative by turning its lights down and encouraging energy conservation, from 8:30PM-9:30PM. This is the third time that the Five-Star Hotel has joined in the efforts to raise awareness of climate change since its opening in 2016.
Prior to that, the hotel made the hour more enjoyable for the guests with the ‘Nyama Choma Grill and Chill’, an event which brings together meat lovers at every end of the month. The event includes all kinds of meat from goat, beef, chicken, all served roasted. It is often paired with local beers such as Mutzing draught, with a 50% discount off for kids 6-12 years.
Alyson Hayes, the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at Kigali Marriott Hotel said the event was designed to provide meat-lovers with a place to relax and enjoy savory food.
“Our aim is to provide guests with an enjoyable time at the end of the month. We bring them together to have a good time in a great setting with fine music and even better food.” says Alyson Hayes.
Kigali Marriott Hotel provides a luxurious home away from home for business and leisure travelers. The hotel features Soko Restaurant, Cucina Restaurant, and Iriba Bar and Terrace for all guests to enjoy. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, Saray Spa, and gift shops.
She made the call today as she addressed 250 youth attending talks on preparations of 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Statistics indicate 70% of Rwandans are aged below 30 falling in the category of youth.
Minister Mbabazi said that such figures demonstrate that the majority of Rwandans were born after the genocide and asked them to recognize their value as the future of the country.
“You are the future of the nation. When Rwanda sees the youth making 70% of the population, we expect more strength than problems from you. We expect solutions as you consolidate gains for a better future and hope for improved life tomorrow that you can pass on to generations,” she said.
“We talked about the mayhem of genocide we experienced with the involvement of the youth. On the other hand, the youth in RPF Inkotanyi stopped the atrocities,” added
Mbabazi reminding the youth to take the lead in building a better future of Rwanda.
Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, Raphael Morav was previously based in Ethiopia. It is the first time the envoy of Israel gets an office in Kigali over the past 50 years ago.
The move reflects unwavering diplomatic relationships expected to open doors for cooperation in the development of different including but not limited to agriculture, technology and tourism.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Amb. Yuval Rotem said that opening the embassy in Kigali highlights the thirst to scale up relations.
“This step mainly focuses on strength and benefits between both countries. I think you will see relationships improving more as both heads of states president Paul Kagame and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu share similar economic and political ambitions,” he said.
Rwanda and Israel share common history as countries which experienced tragic history during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and Holocaust targeting Jews in the 2nd World War. From these scars, emerged courage and strength to work hard during the resilience process.
“The fact that we were able to overcome hard times, choosing not to sink into sorrow but building strength and self-reliance is shared between both countries. We can root on it to build trust and spread a message of hope to many countries across the globe,” he said.
Rwanda, Israel relations date back in 1962 when the country obtained independence. In 2014, Rwanda became the first African country signing cooperation agreements with Israel and later in 2015 opened embassy headquartered in Tel Aviv.
Israel worked with Rwanda as a bridge to expand again ‘our community in Africa’ enabling to open an embassy which had last existed in 1973.
“Everyone coming here, investors you see, officials from the ministry always talk about Rwanda differently. It took time but we are going to concert much effort to catch up lost time. Indeed, having an embassy here signifies a lot to this relationship,” he observed.
The opening of the Israel embassy coincided with the opening of Rwanda – Israel Horticulture Centre of Excellence, based in Mulindi which is expected to help Rwandans widen their knowledge in horticulture.
“The centre will promote agriculture in the country,” he said.
Both countries expect to launch cooperation in technology, aligning with the country’s goal to become an innovation hub in the region.
“Talking on areas of biodiversity, science, innovation and jobs creation, you can’t find good friends beyond Rwanda and Israel. I think we are prepared in this area. When you want to improve the economy, you expand from agriculture projects to technology. And I think we have that in common, ” he said.
The future projects include exchanging flights through national carriers.
“Measuring the extent of cooperation is assessing the implementation of direct flights between both countries. I know Rwanda is willing to use RwandAir in Kigali-Tel Aviv flights and will go into effect in the near future,” he said.
He explained that such cooperation will boost tourism, trade and joint investment.
Arrested suspects are identified as Jean Bosco Munyandinda, the Administration & Finance Manager and Gashabizi Egide and the Data Entry clerk, RIB has revealed in tweet.
RIB spokesperson, Mbabazi Modeste has told IGIHE that suspects are detained at RIB Station in Kimihurura and their files have been submitted to Rwanda’s Prosecution.
Graduates sitting for examinations to join the National Council of Nurses and Midwives have been complaining of the bribery of between Rwf 200,000 and Rwf 500,000 asked to join the council.
During a recent meeting with Rwanda Senate Commission for Social Affairs on 19th February 2019, the chairperson of NCNM, Innocent Ndahiriwe denied the claims noting however that graduates who failed the exam several times tend to offer bribery to be favored.
The mayor of Kirehe district, Gerard Muzungu has confirmed to IGIHE that the workers were involved in an accident today morning on their way to work.
They were coming from their residence on the side of Tanzania, a few kilometers to River Akagera which is between Rwanda and Tanzania where the hydroelectric power station is being built.
“They were in a Coaster this morning towards the power station under construction. It was then that they got involved in an accident in which two workers died; including a Burundian and Rwandan. Two others sustained serious injuries,” he said.
Rwandans of which number has not yet been established are among workers who sustained injuries.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Gatete Claver has, via twitter account, expressed condolences to bereaved families.
“Our condolences to the families of our staff at Rusumo hydro power project who lost their lives this morning due to an accident. RIP,” he said in a tweet.
The Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project (RRFP) is a hydropower project under joint development by the Governments of the Republic of Burundi, Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania through a commonly owned Rusumo Power Company (RPCL).
The new song follows another released recently called ‘Abarinzi b’amateka” carrying the message of commemoration, fighting against trivialization and denial of the Genocide against Tutsi.
“Kubabarira ntibivuga kwibagirwa” becomes the sixth song released since Kizito Mihigo was released from presidential commutation adding to songs like “Aho kuguhomba yaguhombya”, “Uzabe intwari” and “Vive le pardon” among others.
The chorus of the new song reads: “We, Genocide survivors are never extinguished even though our sorrow still remains, there emerged bravery and energy and we are happy to work with our fellow citizens in rebuilding our Rwanda.”
Speaking to IGIHE, Kizito Mihigo said the song appreciates efforts of genocide survivors who don’t get sunk into sorrow over the past 25 years after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“After the Genocide against Tutsi, there are survivors who had positive anger, who didn’t sink into sorrow but took bravery and energy for their interests and the country in general. I think those people induce pride to the country and are hope for many human beings in the world,” he said.
The five minute song was produced by Producer Nicolas while the video was captured by Mussa, the owner of Rday Entertainment.
Kizito Mihigo is also the author of commemoration songs including ‘Twanze gutoberwa amateka’, ‘Umujinya mwiza’, ‘Ijoro ribara uwariraye’ among other he released before his imprisonment in 2014.
