Category: News

Gen Muhoozi landed at Kigali International Airport on the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, where he was received by his counterpart, Gen Mubarak Muganga.

Gen Muhoozi had announced his plans to visit Rwanda in February 2025 .

During his visit, Gen Muhoozi is expected to discuss with the leadership of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) the ongoing collaboration between the two countries and regional security issues.

This marks Gen Muhoozi’s second visit to Rwanda, having previously been in the country in August 2024 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Paul Kagame.

The rain which poured down on the evening of March 18, 2025, affected the entire district, with the hardest-hit areas being the sectors of Remera, Murambi, Kiziguro, and Kiramuruzi. These sectors saw severe damage to homes and infrastructure.

Gatsibo District Mayor, Richard Gasana, told IGIHE that, as of the latest count, 126 homes, including kitchens, were destroyed. Additionally, 60 hectares of banana plantations, which are widespread in the affected areas, were severely damaged.

“This rainfall impacted the whole district but caused the most destruction in Remera, Kiziguro, Murambi, and Kiramuruzi. We’ve counted 126 destroyed homes, including kitchens. We are still collecting data. Some residents had their roofs blown off, while others saw their kitchens destroyed. Additionally, 60 hectares of banana plantations were heavily damaged,” he said.

Gasana explained that immediate relief efforts included providing temporary shelter for affected families, with many seeking refuge with neighbours. The district is currently working to secure roofing materials to repair the damaged homes.

He noted that some families are managing to source their own roofing materials and carry out repairs independently, while the district is focusing on assisting those without the means to do so.

Gasana also urged residents to take preventive measures, such as reinforcing their roofs, as the region continues to experience heavy rainfall, often accompanied by strong winds that can cause further damage to homes if not adequately secured.

The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) recently issued a warning to Rwandans to remain cautious during this period of heavy rainfall, as flooding and lightning strikes can sometimes prove fatal.

MINEMA’s statistics show that disasters resulted in the loss of 191 lives in 2024.

The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has requested an expanded investigation into Kanziga’s alleged involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

According to previous investigations, PNAT noted that the inquiry had been conducted on a limited scope and called for hearing more witnesses and further investigating additional actions.

Attorney Richard Gisagara explained that the French judiciary had initially examined Kanziga’s involvement in crimes committed from April 7, 1994, despite it being known that French forces evacuated her from Rwanda on April 9, 1994.

He further stated that PNAT is now requesting an investigation into crimes committed as early as March 1, 1994. Gisagara also revealed that the prosecution seeks to add the charge of participation in the planning of the genocide, which would hold accountable individuals who played an indirect role in the crimes.

The prosecution’s request was originally set to be reviewed in a closed-door session on March 19, 2025. However, according to the French international broadcaster RFI, the hearing did not take place due to missing documents required by the Court of Appeal. The court has now rescheduled the review for May 21, 2025, as reported by the media outlet.

In 2007, the Rwandan government issued an arrest warrant for Kanziga, accusing her of genocide and crimes against humanity. However, the French judiciary refused to extradite her and later suspended its investigation.

The Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR), an organization advocating for justice against genocide fugitives in France, stated that Kanziga provided financial support to RTLM, a radio station that broadcasted hate speech targeting the Tutsi.

The CPCR also claimed that Kanziga, a prominent member of the “Akazu” inner circle, was involved in compiling lists of influential Tutsis to be killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

M23 entered the city after seizing surrounding areas, including Ngora, Kisima, and Mubanda, on March 19, 2025. The DRC forces guarding the city retreated toward Kisangani, located in Tshopo province.

The fighting followed an offensive launched by the DRC army coalition on M23 positions in areas recently captured by the group in Walikale, including Mpofu and Kibua, which forced the coalition to retreat.

Clashes in Walikale began in early March after days of fierce battles between M23 fighters and the DRC military coalition in the western part of Masisi territory.

After M23 captured Nyabiondo and Kashebere on March 13, the American and Canadian-owned Alphamin company suspended tin mining operations at the Bisie mines.

Bisie produces 4% of the world’s tin supply. In the first quarter of 2023, Alphamin extracted 3,187 tons of the valuable mineral from the site.

M23 has, in recent months, captured large swathes of territory in the North and South Kivu provinces, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, in an escalating conflict with the Congolese government.

The rebels accuse President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration of poor governance and decades of marginalization of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the region, which has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Speaking on the matter, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that his ministry is actively working to secure clemency for Nduta, though it is not seeking to overturn the charges against her.

Nduta was arrested in Vietnam after being caught with cocaine at the airport. Reports indicate that she had managed to pass through security screenings in Ethiopia and Qatar before being apprehended.

Vietnam, known for its strict anti-drug laws, imposes harsh penalties, including capital punishment, for drug-related offenses.

Mudavadi also revealed that Nduta’s case is not an isolated incident. According to the ministry, over 1,000 Kenyan nationals are currently facing various legal charges in different countries. However, further details on these cases remain undisclosed.

The news of Nduta’s looming execution has sparked widespread concern, with many Kenyans calling on the government to intervene and prevent her from facing the death penalty.

Advocacy groups and members of the public have urged authorities to engage in diplomatic negotiations to secure a more lenient sentence.

As efforts continue, the government remains in discussions with Vietnamese officials, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement in such cases. The fate of Nduta now depends on the success of these negotiations, as well as Vietnam’s response to Kenya’s appeal for clemency.

The government noted that many imported hybrid cars were outdated, with their hybrid technology often malfunctioning or failing after a short period. Between July 2021 and July 2024, data revealed that 45% of hybrid vehicles imported into Rwanda were between 10 and 14 years old.

During a parliamentary session on March 19, 2025, where amendments to the VAT law were discussed, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Godfrey Kabera, explained that several previously exempted items had become obsolete and needed to be taxed.

“The list of goods now subject to VAT includes technology equipment and services related to media and telecommunications, road transport for goods, mobile phones that use SIM cards, hybrid vehicles, and their batteries,” Kabera stated.

Some exemptions remain, but only for a limited period. Fully electric vehicles and electric charging station equipment will continue to be tax-free until June 30, 2028.

Equipment related to renewable energy will remain tax-free until June 30, 2028, while industrial machinery and raw materials for manufacturing will be exempt until June 30, 2026.

{{Rwanda’s environmental and economic justification}}

Kabera pointed out that many imported hybrid cars were too old to function effectively as hybrid vehicles and ended up relying solely on gasoline or diesel, thereby defeating the environmental purpose of tax exemptions.

“When these cars are too old, they operate only on gasoline or diesel, meaning that our environmental goals are not being met. Now that people are familiar with hybrid cars, we want to encourage the purchase of newer models. That is why we introduced a tax system that varies based on the car’s age,” he explained.

Kabera emphasized that Rwanda aims to encourage the importation of new or fully electric vehicles to align with its environmental protection policies. “For VAT, we believe it is time for people to adapt. Fully electric cars remain exempt, and we want to ensure that our environmental protection and climate preservation strategies focus primarily on promoting fully electric vehicles,” he added.

The new VAT policy on hybrid cars will be based on their age at the time of importation. Vehicles under three years old will be taxed at 5%, those between three and eight years old at 10%, and those older than eight years at 15%.

{{VAT reintroduced on mobile phones}}

The government has also decided to reinstate VAT on mobile phones, citing the fact that over 80% of households in Rwanda already own one. Initially, telecommunications devices were exempt from VAT to encourage digital adoption, but the high penetration rate has led to a policy shift.

Kabera clarified that the new tax would not significantly increase phone prices or discourage their use.
“The issue is not the cost of smartphones but the fact that many people lack the knowledge to use them effectively,” he noted.

MP Jean Claude Ntezimana raised concerns about how taxing mobile phones could impact Rwanda’s digital transformation efforts.

“In the past, the government encouraged citizens to adopt digital technology to accelerate development. Now that over 80% of households own phones, I worry that introducing taxes could hinder efforts to achieve 100% penetration, which is crucial for national progress,” he said.

Kabera reassured lawmakers that the government was working on initiatives to improve digital literacy so that more Rwandans could effectively use smartphones and other technological tools.

The warrant was issued by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who was satisfied that Ssemakadde is on the run outside the country. The court has ordered Interpol to arrest him on sight.

The charges against Ssemakadde stem from allegations that he insulted the modesty of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo during a symposium in November 2024. The remarks, which went viral on social media, sparked public outrage.

Ssemakadde’s legal team had argued that he should not be compelled to appear in court in person, citing his illness and a pending High Court ruling. However, the prosecution insisted on his physical presence to formally address the charges.

This development marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against Ssemakadde, who is also facing separate charges for contempt of court.

The Uganda Law Society president has been at the center of controversy in recent months, with his comments sparking widespread debate about free speech and the limits of public discourse.

In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, he reflected on his recent meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Qatar and addressed the region’s conflicts and resource challenges.

Tshisekedi and Kagame met in Doha under the mediation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The talks aimed to ease hostilities between the two nations, but no concrete agreements emerged.

“The meeting was conducted in a good atmosphere. The first step was taken with the support of Qatari envoys. The key issue was ensuring an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Talks must continue to reach a sustainable solution,” Tshisekedi said.

Despite efforts to engage the M23 rebel group in peace negotiations, talks in Angola collapsed after M23 refused to participate, citing sanctions imposed by the European Union on its leaders. Tshisekedi insisted that solutions must come through regional dialogue processes.

“The search for a definitive solution to the Congolese crisis is guided by the Luanda and Nairobi dialogue processes, initiated by the African Union and supported by regional organizations and the United Nations,” he said.

{{Mineral resources and military reforms}}

Tshisekedi also addressed concerns about the DRC’s vast mineral wealth and ongoing negotiations with the United States. He rejected fears of rushed deals and emphasized the need for fair trade agreements.

“What I absolutely want to avoid is a sell-off or rushed agreements,” he said. “The goal is a win-win partnership that allows the DRC to process its minerals locally, create added value, and develop a value chain.

As much as possible, raw material processing should take place here with investors who contribute to building the energy infrastructure that we lack.”

Another major issue is the presence of the FDLR, an armed group accused of harboring former génocidaires from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda sees them as a security threat, but Tshisekedi downplayed their influence.

“Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration are key. The FDLR is a residual force with no more than 750 fighters. It is insignificant compared to M23,” he stated. Tshisekedi acknowledged the weaknesses of the Congolese army, including corruption and poor pay, but noted ongoing reforms.

“Our army has about 100,000 soldiers,” he said. “A soldier’s salary was $100 per month, but we have now increased it. A soldier on the frontlines can now earn up to $500 per month.”

He also reaffirmed the DRC’s neutral stance on global conflicts, despite condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We are not in conflict with Russia,” he said. “The DRC is an invaded country, just like Ukraine.”

Despite the ongoing challenges, Tshisekedi remains adamant that the DRC will not be divided. “I have always believed in the Congolese people’s desire for a united and indivisible Congo,” he asserted. “I promise you that it will not happen, at least not in my lifetime.”