A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office on Sunday, July 28, indicated that the two leaders discussed their mutual commitment to addressing illegal migration.
“They acknowledged that illegal migration remains a pressing global challenge and emphasized the importance of dismantling the business model of criminal gangs profiting from human suffering,” the statement reads in part.
Illegal migration was a major challenge for the previous administration of Rishi Sunak and his predecessors in the Conservative Party. It remains a significant issue for the new administration as well.
Early this month, Starmer announced that he was terminating the UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
The agreement, signed in December 2023, stipulated that asylum seekers arriving illegally in the UK would be transferred to Rwanda, where their claims would be processed.
In response to the intention to terminate the deal, the Rwandan government highlighted its adherence to the agreement.
“Rwanda has fully upheld its side of the agreement, including with regard to finances, and remains committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis,” said the office of the Government Spokesperson.
With the new leadership in the UK, the future of migration policies and international partnerships remains uncertain. However, the commitment demonstrated by both Starmer and Kagame to address global challenges collaboratively sets a hopeful tone for ongoing and future cooperation between the two nations.
Issues involved include some loan recipients complaining of being tasked to repay amounts higher than what they originally borrowed and others who have completed repayments but still appear on the debtors’ lists.
According authorities, some people have even been listed as debtors without ever having applied for a loan.
Wilson Rurangwa, the Head of the Education Department at BRD, told IGIHE that periodic audits have revealed that some employers continue deducting loan repayments from employees’ salaries without remitting these funds to BRD.
“There are cases where employers deduct loan repayments from employees’ salaries but keep the money instead of transferring it to BRD. This has been observed for several months in some instances,” he said.
Rurangwa implored individuals who still appear on debtors’ list s despite having repaid their loans to approach BRD for correction and possible refunds if overpayments are identified.
He pointed out that some institutions deduct repayments from employees’ salaries without notifying BRD, leading to discrepancies in records.
An audit conducted on of 28 companies operating in Rwanda indicates that none complied with regulations for loan repayment collections, which contributed to the errors in the system.
Initially managed by the Ministry of Education since 1980, the responsibility shifted in 2008 to the Students Financing Agency of Rwanda (SFAR).
In 2013, after merging institutions under the Ministry of Education, SFAR was integrated into the Rwanda Education Board (REB) as a department responsible for student loans.
Some of these disparities stem from loans granted over 20 years ago but BRD lacks detailed records on repayments because these transactions were handled by other entities without proper documenting.
Rurangwa says that BRD is actively compiling reports from these institutions to update records and clear debts where possible.
Based on the existing structures, students who have or intend to apply for loans from BRD are required to open accounts with BRD Minuza, a platform created to make student loan services easily accessible.
The accounts help individuals monitor deductions from their salaries and ensure accurate remittance to BRD.
In case excess detections are made, the extra amounts are refunded. So far, Rwf300 million has been refunded to individuals who were overcharged.
Individuals with concerns about their loan repayment processes are encouraged to contact BRD for further assistance by calling 3288.
Between 2016 and 2023, BRD has disbursed over Rwf370 billion in scholarships and loans to more than 96,000 students in universities and higher learning institutions.
The Rwandan government began providing direct student loans in 1980, and in 2016, BRD was selected as the channel through which the process would be sustained.
The institution was handed the responsibility to offer these loans and collect outstanding debts amounting to Rwf70.9 billion from previous recipients. BRD has since recovered over Rwf31 billion.
President Kagame won the presidential election held on July 14-15, 2024, with 99.18% of the vote, defeating Dr. Frank Habineza of the Green Party, who received 0.50%, and Philippe Mpayimana, who garnered 0.32%.
Following the election victory, Sheikh Mohamed joined other world leaders in extending his wishes for President Kagame’s continued success in advancing Rwanda’s development. He acknowledged Rwanda’s remarkable progress in lifting its citizens out of poverty over the past 30 years.
In a phone conversation, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his best wishes for President Paul Kagame’s success in leading his nation and “fulfilling the aspirations of his people for development and prosperity.”
He also underscored commitment to continue working with President Kagame in the coming period to strengthen UAE-Rwandan cooperation at various levels, benefiting both nations.
In response, President Kagame thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his message and reaffirmed his commitment to further deepen the existing cooperation.
“It was an honor and a pleasure to receive a congratulatory call from my brother and friend President HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and I thanked him for his very good wishes,” Kagame posted on his X handle.
“Rwanda remains committed to continue deepening the productive bilateral cooperation with the UAE, and I look forward to further strengthening key areas of partnership between our nations and our people,” he added.
The relationship between Rwanda and the UAE spans multiple sectors, including education, technology, trade, and agriculture. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $1.1 billion in 2023, a significant contribution largely driven by Rwanda’s exports of vegetables and fruits.
Every week, Rwanda exports over 60 tons of vegetables and fruits to the UAE. In 2022, Rwanda exported goods worth $514.5 million to Dubai while importing goods valued at $143 million from the UAE.
This partnership has also facilitated the increase of exports to other Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In March 2024, 26 Rwandan companies were registered to do business in Dubai, and 100 Rwandan companies were offering services through Dubuy.com, a platform by Dubai Port (DP) World that helps deliver products like coffee and tea.
DP World, an Emirati company, manages the Kigali Logistics Platform in Masaka, Kicukiro District, a dry port that stores imported and exported goods before distribution across the region.
RwandAir operats three weekly flights between Kigali and Sharjah, the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2022, a new initiative was launched to export Hass avocados via sea, strengthening the trade relationship between the two nations even further.
Under the theme “Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems,” the exposition serves as a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, explore business opportunities, and foster partnerships that can contribute to the growth and development of Rwanda’s agriculture sector.
According to Dr Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, the show aims to showcase the latest advancements and technologies in the agricultural sector.
“It offers an unequalled opportunity to leverage the showcasing of agricultural technologies and innovations, access to financial and entrepreneurship opportunities to fast track agriculture sector transformation,” he said in a statement.
The Agrishow has become a flagship event in the agricultural sector, attracting farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers, researchers, and international exhibitors.
This year’s show promises to be bigger and better as it has already started attracting engaging discourse.
Elie Mugisha, a modern farming and communication enthusiast says that sustainable farming and conservation agriculture are some of the issues he is expecting to acquire more knowledge about.
“You will meet expertise in fish farming who are making it a big business nowadays. Do not plan to miss this one,” he said ahead of the event.
The organizers have already received an overwhelming response from exhibitors, with various participants registering for the event so far.
They expect a diverse group of participants from within the region and beyond highlighting the international interest and recognition of Rwanda’s agricultural potential.
Visitors will expect a wide array of exhibits, including agricultural machinery, livestock, seeds, fertilizers, agro-processing technologies, and innovative solutions for sustainable farming practices.
The show will also feature live demonstrations, expert presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, making it a comprehensive and interactive experience for all attendees.
Farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and anyone interested in the agricultural sector are encouraged to seize this opportunity to learn, connect, and explore the future of agriculture in Rwanda.
The two leaders met on the side lines of the ongoing Olympics in Paris, France, on Saturday.
In a brief statement, President Kagame said they discussed their shared commitment to fruitful bilateral cooperation, including strengthening partnerships in trade, sports, technology, and environmental protection.
The UK and Rwanda have been developing a strong commercial relationship in recent years, with growing interest in expanding trade volume.
The UK is a leading investor in Rwanda, particularly in the tea sector. More than 150 British companies are registered in Rwanda.
Additionally, the UK government is actively involved in supporting Rwanda’s business environment through initiatives like the Rwanda Investment Climate Reform Program.
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Saturday’s meeting was the first since Starmer’s Labour Party was voted into government earlier this month, ending the 14-year dominance of the Conservative Party.
Starmer’s ascent to the high office was, however, marked by controversy following his decision to scrap the UK-Rwanda migration deal introduced by the Conservative Party.
The UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership was signed in April 2022. The deal aimed to deter unauthorized immigration, especially people arriving by small boats, by referring the asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The migration scheme was set to kick off in July after a two-year delay occasioned by court battles and opposition from a section of Members of Parliament.
Starmer argued that the policy was neither a deterrent nor value for money. He has pledged to tackle the issue ‘upstream’ by getting rid of people-smuggling gangs behind the movements.
In response to the termination of the deal, Rwanda reaffirmed that it was committed to addressing the global migration crisis despite the setback.
“We remain committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis, including providing safety, dignity and opportunity to refugees and migrants who come to our country,” the Government said.
Police alongside Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) and Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) occupied Kampala streets starting on Sunday evening in anticipation of massive anti-corruption protests.
The heavy deployment followed days of mobilizing people mostly on X to participate in anti-corruption protests which had been dubbed #MarchToParliament. The forces perceived the anti-corruption protests to be a copycat of what is transpiring in Kenya where Generation Z has put President William Samoe Ruto’s government on tenterhooks.
The police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke has now given an update revealing that the first week of the protests expected to be held every Tuesday and Thursday like it is happening in Kenya led to the arrest of 104.
According to ACP Rusoke, between July 22 and July 25, demonstrators attempted to march to Parliament in Kampala, leading to significant police intervention. He said on July 22 nine individuals were arrested and charged with common nuisance and traffic regulation violations, all of whom were taken to court.
“One July 23, a total of 75 suspects were apprehended; 74 were subsequently taken to court, while one remains in police custody. On July 24, three individuals were arrested and charged with common nuisance offenses, all of whom were taken to court,” ACP Rusoke said.
Security has further explained that on July 25, sixteen people were arrested of which 13 were taken to court, and three are still in police security. “Overall, 104 individuals have been arrested during this period, with 100 already taken to court. Among those arrested, 13 had prior criminal charges,” ACP Rusoke said.
President Yoweri Museveni has since dubbed the anti-corruption protests as being bankrolled by foreigners with the intention to destabilize Uganda. He said if the anti-corruption protests were not having hidden intentions, he would have been informed and invited to participate as the chief walker.
According to Museveni, anti-corruption protesters are playing with fire as his regime and security agencies won’t allow anyone to throw the country into anarchy.
Police said mobilization placards that called upon Ugandans to occupy all streets in Kampala as part of their march to parliament was going to result in significant traffic congestion, disruption of trade, and disturbances to public order.
Among those arrested before the protests were Francis Zaake, Hassan Kirumira, and Charles Tebandeke from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), along with seven others.
The program was officially inaugurated in Kigali on July 26, 2024, with a focus on promoting inclusive service delivery and the proper use of sign language while interacting with patients with disabilities.
The first cohort of nurses and midwives will commence their training in early 2025, in collaboration with the National Council of Persons with Disabilities in Rwanda (NCPD).
Emmanuel Ndayisaba, Executive Secretary of NCPD, highlighted the importance of having sign language interpreters to bridge communication gaps between deaf patients and healthcare providers.
He noted that these gaps often lead to patients feeling uncomfortable discussing their health issues, which can result in inadequate health care provision.
“We face significant challenges in delivering services to people with disabilities, particularly in the healthcare setup. Patients sometimes struggle to communicate directly with doctors, a situation that should be handled with confidentiality,” Ndayisaba explained.
“Reliance on others for interpretation can lead to embarrassment and incomplete communication about health matters,” he added.
Caroline Ikiriza, an RNMU staff member, expressed enthusiasm for the training program. As one of the few healthcare workers already fluent in sign language, she is eager to share her expertise with her colleagues.
“We are here to learn so that we can train our peers. This initiative is a vital advocacy effort by RNMU to prepare training sessions for nurses and equip them with sign language skills,” Ikiriza said.
RNMU Chairperson André Gitembagara outlined the program’s objectives, emphasizing the need to address challenges faced by people with disabilities in healthcare settings, particularly in rural areas where these issues are more pronounced.
“Consider a woman coming to give birth who cannot speak or hear. Providing appropriate care in such cases is a significant challenge for nurses or midwives,” Gitembagara said.
“In rural areas, the absence of interpreters further complicates communication with healthcare providers. Additionally, some nurses and midwives themselves have disabilities,” he emphasized.
In 2023, RNMU trained 40 nurses in Kigali who work at patient reception services. The current initiative begins with training national RNMU leaders on inclusive service delivery, with plans to extend the training to district-level RNMU leaders, and eventually to hospital and health center staff.
By the end of 2025, RNMU aims to have 200 nurses and midwives proficient in sign language, with ongoing training efforts planned for subsequent years.
The meeting occurred on Thursday, July 26, 2024, before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, which bring together over 10,000 athletes from various sports disciplines.
“President Infantino and President Kagame met at FIFA’s new offices in Paris ‘to discuss ongoing cooperation and new opportunities to further develop football in Rwanda,” reads a statement from the President’s office.
During the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, Rwanda is represented by eight individuals who will compete in cycling, athletics, swimming, and fencing.
Last year, Infantino was re-elected to head the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) for a second term running from 2023 to 2027, during the 73rd FIFA Congress held in Kigali.
President Kagame thanked him for his role in the initiative to renovate Amahoro Stadium, which is among the top stadiums in Africa.
Murangira B. Thierry, the RIB spokesperson, stated that these incidents have occurred since 2019. However, the number of cases has shown a gradual decline: 91 cases in the 2019/20 fiscal year, 61 cases in 2020/21, 41 cases in 2021/22, a slight rise to 58 cases in 2022/23, and 46 cases in 2023/24.
Youth make up 90% of these victims, with 168 individuals aged between 18 and 30, 102 under the age of 18, and 27 over the age of 30. Additionally, women constitute 75% of the trafficked individuals, while men account for 25%.
Murangira explained that the trafficked individuals include both Rwandans and foreigners transiting through Rwanda due to its well-established international transportation network.
Many are enticed by promises of jobs and other opportunities abroad, particularly in Asia, but often fall victim to human trafficking due to naivety and a lack of critical thinking, trusting strangers who offer help without expecting anything in return.
“There is an element of human gullibility because the victims often do not receive complete information from their traffickers. Some people leave to marry someone they met on Facebook or Instagram, without knowing anything more about them,” Murangira noted.
“Others are lured by promises of education or marrying wealthy men abroad. Some knowingly go to work as prostitutes under the impression that it is respectable, only to find themselves exploited,” he added.
Murangira emphasized that people should not be swayed by everything that glitters, mistaking it for gold, and should be cautious of strangers offering lucrative jobs without knowing them. As he explained, every country has unemployed citizens, noting that such offers should raise suspicion.
Regarding the tactics used, Murangira said, “The first thing traffickers do is tell the victim to keep everything secret, warning them that ‘if you talk about this, it won’t happen.’ This secrecy is intended to prevent the victim from seeking advice and questioning the trafficker’s intentions.”
He also mentioned that some individuals are intercepted at borders, appearing reluctant to disclose their destination, and are subsequently returned. Parents have also approached RIB upon noticing their children seeking travel documents under suspicious circumstances, believing they are being lured by promises of education or marriage abroad.
From 2019 to June 2024, 85 people have been rescued through collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with 79 of them being women. These individuals often used social media, particularly WhatsApp, to send distress messages back to Rwanda, prompting RIB to coordinate their rescue with other agencies.
Murangira called on the public to avoid being lured by vague promises of benefits abroad, as this provides loopholes for trafficking. He revealed that some of those rescued now work with RIB in campaigns against human trafficking.
Kabarebe made the remarks on Thursday, July 25, 2024, while taking youths from the diaspora on a tour of the Gikoba Liberation Trail in Nyagatare District, a site used by the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) during its liberation struggle from 1990 to 1994.
At the time, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe was the commander of the forces protecting the RPA leader Kagame during the war.
During the tour, Kabarebe told the Rwandan youth from various countries that during the early months of the war, there was constant fighting day and night as government forces attempted to dislodge them, but their determination helped them to prevail.
From January to May 1991, the struggle consisted of guerrilla attacks aimed at weakening and confusing the enemy, causing him to disperse his forces.
In June of that year, Kagame, who was the commander of the RPA, decided to send his troops to an area called Muvumba, choosing it because the abundant banana groves provided good cover and food to sustain the troops.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe revealed that they were preparing to engage in a new, entrenched form of combat rather than guerrilla attacks.
“He decided to move the troops from the mountains, changed the tactics from mobile guerrilla warfare to positional warfare. He instructed all the commanders and the soldiers to dig trenches just across here. He brought all the military leaders to show them his trench and asked them to dig their own. They were to face the enemy. The enemy well equipped with artillery, with mortars, with APCs, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, and everything,” he revealed.
Kabarebe disclosed that he was the one who dug that historic trench, which is still visible today.
“I was the commander of the force that protected the president and I am the one who dug this trench,” he added.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe noted that the battle was tough because then Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana had put all his efforts into fighting the RPA forces. However, sustained attacks on the government army forced the former Head of State to give some concessions, allowing for peace negotiations in Arusha, Tanzania.
“There was a time when Habyarimana sent many troops, heavily armed. The fighting was intense. Do you know what the Chief of Staff told us? He said, ‘We will never leave this place, even if we have to dig trenches under those mountains and hide there, but we will stay here.’”
“He wanted to tell us that no matter what happens, we should not leave this area and fight until we win.”
From that time, the RPA forces began to encircle the enemy, digging trenches that surrounded the government forces, cutting off all supply routes for food and other necessities, and also blocking their own escape routes.
Whoever starved first would be forced to abandon their positions.
“There was no point in time when our force ever succumbed and left its defence because of hunger. Our level of resilience was very, very high,” he stated.
The war would go on for more than three years until the RPA forces captured Kigali and ended the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Meanwhile, during the tour, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe urged the young people from the diaspora to emulate the patriotism of the youth who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle.
