The ceremony took place at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world.
The Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church, represents the Pope’s spiritual and administrative authority. It is a sovereign entity that oversees the global operations of the Church and conducts diplomatic relations with countries around the world.
Prior to the formal presentation of credentials, Ambassador Ngango engaged in important discussions with senior Vatican officials.
On Friday, December 6, 2024, he met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, for talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and the Vatican, particularly in the areas of education and health. The fruitful discussions underscored the growing collaboration between the two institutions.
Additionally, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, Ambassador Ngango met with Monsignor Roberto Campisi, the Assessor for General Affairs, where he presented copies of his credentials.
The meeting laid the groundwork for continued diplomatic dialogue and cooperation between Rwanda and the Vatican.
Ambassador Ngango resides in Geneva and also represents Rwanda in Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Switzerland, and other Geneva- and Vienna-based international organizations.
Organized annually by the BK Foundation in partnership with Inkomoko Rwanda, the initiative supports entrepreneurs in various sectors with funding and mentorship to grow their businesses.
From December 2nd–4th, the top five businesses were recognized and awarded zero-interest loans from Bank of Kigali, ranging from Frw4 million to Frw7 million each.
These loans aim to scale their operations and drive further innovation and social impact. The winners, with business operations in Kigali, Gicumbi, Kayonza, and Musanze, were selected for their creativity and their positive contributions to their local communities.
Many participants from this year’s cohort expressed their intentions to use the funds to invest in equipment, expand their teams, and streamline their operations.
Ingrid Karangwayire, Executive Secretary of BK Foundation highlighted that BK Urumuri Initiative is committed to fostering economic growth and resilience by addressing key business themes each year.
“This year, we exclusively focused on women-led businesses, offering them the chance to pitch for zero-interest loans from the Bank of Kigali. Many participants highlighted plans to expand their teams, automate operations, and access higher-quality inputs. These women entrepreneurs are driving solutions in traditionally underserved sectors, championing inclusivity and innovation,” she said.
This year’s program engaged 25 women-led businesses, offering tailored business acceleration, interest-free loans, and access to a network of 60,000 MSMEs across East Africa.
Emmanuel Mugabo, Managing Director of Inkomoko Rwanda, emphasized the program’s success: “The initiative equips entrepreneurs with the skills to grow their businesses, track performance, and create jobs across the country.”
The five winning businesses include those from agriculture, food production, and hygiene.
For instance, Bountiful Farmers Ltd supplies high-quality potato seeds, Hope and Future for Women Development Ltd grows fresh strawberries, and Eastern Alpha Co Ltd produces hygiene products.
Skai Foods is known for its chili sauce and other value-added food products, while N5 Business Group manufactures nutrient-rich porridge and peanut flour.
Winner Yvette Umutoniwabo, founder of N5 Business Group, shared her success story: “Through the BK Urumuri program, I learned to track transactions, target markets, and prepare for investments. Now that we have won this loan, it will really help us automate production and double our revenue.”
Since its inception, the BK Urumuri Initiative has supported over 200 businesses. Past participants have seen an average monthly revenue growth of 388% and created, on average, four new jobs per company.
BK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the BK Group, advances societal progress through education, innovation, environmental conservation, and financial literacy.
Meanwhile, Inkomoko supports entrepreneurs across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan by providing coaching, training, financing, and market access.
The BK Urumuri Initiative was launched in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bank of Kigali and aims to support young entrepreneurs in developing projects with the potential to grow into successful businesses in the future.
Since its inception, the initiative has provided over Frw234 million in interest-free loans to emerging entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth of Rwanda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
While presiding over the swearing in ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, urged the officials to abide by their oaths as it would help them fulfill the nation’s expectations. He asked them not to betray the trust placed in them by the RDF leadership.
“The nature of the work you do, which involves upholding the law and human rights, requires wisdom, discretion, dedication, and professionalism. We strongly encourage you to embrace technology because it accelerates work and simplifies the preparation of cases,” he cautioned.
Ngirente also advised the newly appointed officials not to use their authority for personal gains but to strive and uphold the integrity of the RDF. He reminded them to continue to educate themselves to ensure their actions keep pace with time.
The event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Mubarakh Muganga, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and other dignitaries.
Other officials who were sworn in for new roles include Lt. Darcy Ndayishimiye and Lt. Thérèse Mukasakindi, who were appointed as judges at the Military High Court, and Capt. Moses Ndoba and Lt. Victor Kamanda, who were appointed as judges at the Military Tribunal.
On his part, Brigadier General Patrick Karuretwa vowed to focus on promoting integrity within military ranks, with more severe punishments for violations of the law.
“Integrity is highly significant due to the responsibilities the military holds. Integrity is where we will focus most of our efforts, meaning that when we punish soldiers who violate the law, we do so with the required severity,” he said.
He reaffirmed that justice in Rwandan society is crucial, especially within military ranks, given the power, equipment, and training that soldiers have, saying they must be more vigilant than ordinary civilians to prevent misuse of their authority.
The newly appointed officials were confirmed by a Cabinet meeting held on November 9, 2024.
The decree also announced other changes within the Military Tribunal where Lt Col Gerard Muhigirwa has been appointed as Vice President.
Among others, Lt Darcy Ndayishimiye and Lt Thérèse Mukasakindi have been appointed as Judges in the Military High Court.
The appointments were confirmed during a Cabinet meeting on November 9, 2024, after a review of military personnel proposals submitted by the Minister of Defence.
Prior to his new appointment, Brig Gen Karuretwa served as the Director of International Cooperation within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) following his tenure as Head of Operations in the RDF’s Second Division in the Northern Province.
He has a long history of service, having spent 10 years in various roles within the Presidency.
From July 2011 to March 2016, he served as the President’s defence and security advisor, and from November 2013 to July 2021, he was the Principal Private Secretary to the President of the Republic.
Brig Gen Karuretwa joined the military in 1992. He holds a degree in Law from the National University of Rwanda (2000) and a Master’s in International Law from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA.
Funding to support the supply of seeds and seedlings of native tree species to enable their planting is being provided by a new project, the Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Purpose (RTRP-Seed) initiative.
RTRP-Seed, launched in the Kigali meeting for Rwanda, runs from January 2024 to December 2029 and focuses on Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as Rwanda. All these countries have urgent restoration needs and targets.
The project, financially supported by the German International Climate Initiative, known as IKI, is being implemented in Rwanda under the Ministry of Environment, with CIFOR-ICRAF leading the work in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), unique land use GmbH and national institutions.
Lars Graudal, a lead researcher on the RTRP-Seed initiative from CIFOR-ICRAF, explained that while Sub-Saharan Africa has long had policies supporting the planting of native tree species, the practical implementation of these policies has been hindered by a shortage of quality planting material and by a lack of clear guidance on which species should be planted, and where.
“This has significantly slowed down restoration efforts across the region, and there is the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice by improving the production and distribution of native tree seedlings,” he said.
The RTRP-Seed initiative seeks to enhance national enablling conditions for tree seed supply, strengthen local tree nurseries, develop business models, provide guidance on species selection and create long-term solutions for the restoration of degraded lands.
Graudal pointed out that addressing the supply of quality native tree seeds and seedlings is a critical first step in achieving successful landscape restoration. “Without sufficient high-quality planting materials, restoration efforts can never truly succeed. Our primary goal is to work with partners to ensure the availability of these materials in key areas, and to build local capacity for long-term native tree seed and seedling production,” he said.
The ultimate goal is to create a robust supply chain for native tree species, from sourcing seed to profitable tree businesses, that will help meet national and regional restoration targets.
If handled rightly, the restoration of degraded landscapes using native tree species offers significant economic opportunities for local communities, as Dr. Ivan Gasangwa, the Division Manager of Research at the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), explained.
“The benefits of landscape restoration extend far beyond the environment. By linking restoration efforts to local livelihoods such as through the development of local tree nursery businesses, we can create sustainable, income-generating opportunities for communities. This way, restoration becomes a win-win, both for the environment and for the local economy,” he said.
Gasangwa further highlighted that successful landscape restoration requires more than just the availability of tree seeds and seedlings to plant. To be effective, it demands collaboration between the government, the private sector and local communities.
“One of the biggest challenges to landscape restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa has been the lack of coordination between stakeholders. To achieve large-scale restoration, stakeholders need to come together and partner toward common goals,” he said.
The RTRP-Seed project aims to help the region to overcome the barriers that have hindered previous collaboration. It will help to restore ecosystems, rebuild biodiversity and ensure that communities are benefiting from the restoration process.
As Sub-Saharan Africa faces increasing challenges from land degradation and climate change, initiatives like RTRP-Seed are vital for ensuring that restoration efforts are both effective and sustainable.
Maurice is recognized for his pioneering work as the founding CEO of KCB Bank Rwanda, where he was instrumental in shaping the bank’s market presence and operational foundation.
His tenure as Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda further cemented his reputation, having successfully overseen its evolution into one of the country’s leading financial institutions. He has also previously served as Chair of the Rwanda Bankers Association.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Benjamin Rugangazi, Chairman of NCBA Bank Rwanda’s Board of Directors, said: “Maurice’s track record speaks volumes. He joins us at a time when we are deepening our efforts in corporate banking and expanding our retail footprint. With his leadership, we look forward to accelerating the bank’s growth trajectory and delivering enhanced value to our customers and shareholders.”
Maurice’s expertise as a Certified Public Accountant and Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers is complemented by his academic credentials.
He holds an MBA from Strathmore University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi. As a certified Executive Coach, Maurice is passionate about empowering teams and fostering a culture of excellence.
Maurice’s leadership is rooted in transformative strategies and a commitment to robust governance, which resonate with NCBA Bank Rwanda’s mission to drive financial inclusion and innovation.
In his first remarks as Managing Director, Maurice shared a forward-looking vision.
“I am excited to build on the great work my predecessors have done and on the bank’s strong foundation as we steer NCBA Rwanda into the next phase of growth. I look forward to working closely with the team at NCBA and the wider financial sector in Rwanda to deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders and the country at large,” he noted.
The announcement signals a confident step forward for NCBA Bank Rwanda as it aims to redefine its role in the market, fostering resilience and innovation in an increasingly competitive financial landscape.
NCBA Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of NCBA Group, a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers.
NCBA Group operates a network of 115 branches in five countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers, it is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.
NCBA Bank Rwanda is currently present in Kigali with four branches and in other districts of Musanze, Nyagatare, and Kayonza. The bank will soon be unveiling new branches in Rubavu and Rusizi.
Through the partnership with MTN Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd on “MoKash,” a mobile savings and loan product, the bank has attracted over 4.7 million customers and disbursed over 13 million loans worth Frw386 billion.
MoKash continues to play a critical role in expanding financial inclusion in Rwanda by serving 2 million women and 2.5 million youth.
During a plenary of the National Transitional Council, over 90 percent of councilors approved the elevation of the president’s military rank, the council said in a statement.
Deby, 40, a former army general, assumed power after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, died from wounds sustained on the front line in the country’s north in April 2021.
He won the presidential election in May 2024 after leading a transitional government for three years.
According to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Syria, targeting such sites as Syrian navy vessels docked at Latakia Port, military depots in coastal areas, and arms depots in Damascus.
In addition, the attacks hit the 112th Brigade between the cities of Sheikh Miskin and Nawa in the west of Daraa province, as well as military depots near the Mahja town in northern Daraa.
Two civilians were killed in the assaults on the 12th Brigade in the city of Izraa, the observatory added.
In Damascus, a Xinhua correspondent witnessed Israeli warplanes flying overhead.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told reporters on Monday that the Israeli army launched strikes targeting “strategic weapons systems, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missiles and rockets” in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of “extremist elements,” claiming that Israel does not aim to interfere in Syria’s internal politics.
He also said that “the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) carried out a targeted and temporary operation to take control of areas near the border” with Syria because Syrian militants crossed into the buffer zone between the two countries over the weekend, violating the Agreement on Disengagement signed in 1974 between Israel and Syria.
Airstrikes are expected to continue in the coming days, an anonymous Israeli official told Xinhua.
Multiple regional countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, among others, condemned the occupation, calling for respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Also on Monday, Syrian online media outlet Sawt al-Asima reported that Muhammad al-Bashir, born in 1983 and an electrical engineer and head of the “Syrian Salvation Government” opposition group in Idlib under the aegis of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been tasked with forming a new Syrian government.
Following the latest developments in Syria, the international community has voiced concern about peace and stability in the country, as United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for calm and “avoiding violence at this sensitive time.”
“We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria,” said Guterres.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country would continue diplomatic consultations with relevant parties as well as the United Nations to help stabilize the situation, highlighting the necessity to hold dialogue among different segments of the Syrian society.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday voiced readiness to support and coordinate efforts with all stakeholders to secure Syria’s territorial integrity and stability, saying that Türkiye will make efforts for the safe return of over 3.5 million Syrian refugees residing in the country back home.
China hopes all parties concerned will proceed from the fundamental interests of the Syrian people and find a political solution to restore stability in Syria as soon as possible, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Monday, stressing that the future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said that Washington “will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process, led by the UN, to establish a transition away from” the Assad government, while President-elect Donald Trump said on social media that “The United States should have nothing to do with” the situation in Syria.
The merger, which resulted in the creation of the newly restructured IBUKA, was finalized during a meeting on December 8, 2024, aimed at strengthening the organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission.
Speaking to the press on December 9, 2024, Dr. Gakwenzire explained that the merger was not an overnight decision, but the culmination of long-term discussions and careful reflection.
“What you saw yesterday is the outcome of years of deliberation,” he stated.
He went on to explain that the decision was rooted in the need for a unified approach to remembrance, advocacy for genocide survivors, and preventing future atrocities.
“Our decision was driven by our shared history and the urgent need to ensure that these memories serve as a powerful lesson to prevent genocide—not only in Rwanda but across the globe.”
Dr. Gakwenzire highlighted that while the organizations had been operational for years, overlapping activities had led them to recognize the benefits of collaboration.
“We realized that our objectives were often aligned, and by working together, we could more effectively advance our shared goals: remembrance, support for genocide survivors, justice, and the well-being of our communities. Now, we will continue to pursue these objectives collectively,” he noted.
The newly reorganized IBUKA will be led by Dr. Gakwenzire as President. Other key leadership appointments include Christine Muhongayire as First Vice President, Blaise Ndizihiwe as Second Vice President, and Louis de Montfort Mujyambere as Secretary-General.
Additional members of the leadership team include Aline Mpinganzima as Commissioner for Youth, Education, and Culture; Lawyer Janvier Bayingana as Commissioner for Remembrance, Justice, and Peacebuilding; Monique Gahongayire as Commissioner for Health, Social Welfare, and Gender Equality; and Evode Ndatsikira as Commissioner for Research, Development, Capacity Building, and Investment.
On December 9, 2024, a French court convicted Cameroonian researcher Charles Onana for denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The conviction stemmed from his book, Rwanda, la vérité sur l’opération turquoise: quand les archives parlent (Rwanda, the Truth about the Turquoise Operation: When the Archives Speak), published on October 30, 2019.
The verdict followed a complaint filed by three organizations: CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. In his book, Onana claimed there was no deliberate plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The court ordered Onana to pay a fine of €7,400 within 120 days, while Damien Serieyx, his publishing director, was fined €5,000. The court explained that both Onana and Serieyx would be eligible for a 20% reduction in their fines if paid within 30 days, but the reduction would not exceed €1,500.
Onana and Serieyx were also ordered to pay €11,000 in damages to the parties who filed complaints.
Commenting on the ruling, Ambassador Nduhungirehe expressed his satisfaction with the “historic decision” of the court.
“I am pleased with the decision of the XVIIth Chamber of the Paris Criminal Court, which has just found Cameroonian writer Charles Onana guilty of denying the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” he said.
“This is a landmark decision that, I hope, will discourage all journalists, writers, and politicians who engage in genocide denial in Europe and our region,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.
Raphael Doridant from the Survie organization also welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that Onana’s statements in his book amounted to genocide denial.
Doridant further explained that Onana’s words were an insult to the memory and dignity of genocide victims and their families, calling the court’s decision a victory against genocide denial.
Onana’s legal team, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision.
