At least 63 bales were recovered when Police officers searched the house located in Rungu Cell, Gahenerezo Village on Wednesday, January 24.
One person said to be part of the ring, was arrested at the scene, Superintendent of Police (SP) Twizere Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.
“A local resident tipped-off the Police about a house in Rubavu District, Mudende Sector, Rungu Cell, Gahenerezo Village used by smugglers as store for caguwa sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Indeed, when police officers attached to anti-smuggling unit searched the house at about midnight, they recovered 63 bales and arrested one person,” SP Karekezi said.
The suspect, who claimed that he was paid Rwf50,000 to keep the goods, disclosed that the bales were sneaked into Rwanda, recently, by a notorious smuggler, who is yet to be arrested.
“They were mainly using porous routes in Kibaya and using the same house as store before smuggling them to other destinations, including Kigali.
The same suspect still at large, has been implicated in similar crime several times,” SP Karekezi said.
He thanked the resident, who shared information leading on the illegal acts, and commended the role of the public in fighting and preventing crimes.
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years. Seized smuggled goods are also auctioned.
Article 87 of the law on tax procedures provides an imprisonment of between two and five years, for tax evasion.
Tshisekedi’s disparaging remarks about Rwanda during the December 2023 presidential campaigns, including intentions to overthrow President Paul Kagame, were reiterated by Ndayishimiye on January 21, 2024.
During the opening of the National Dialogue Council, President Kagame cautioned Rwandans not to be alarmed by ‘swollen things, as they are sometimes filled with air.’
On the second day of Umushyikirano on January 24, Minister Bizimana echoed this sentiment, advising Rwandans to ignore provocative messages.
Minister Bizimana urged the youth to remain resilient against hate speeches, exemplified by the recent comments from the Congolese and Burundian Presidents, portraying Rwanda as their enemy.
He emphasized that Rwanda, under excellent leadership, has transcended its dark past and emerged as a prosperous and transformed nation.
The Minister of Youth, Utumatwishima Abdala, took the spotlight on the second day, emphasizing the positive strides in youth-led job creation and initiatives showcased in the Car Free Zone.
Notably, Minister Abdala conveyed a message from artists, expressing their appreciation for the President’s presence in previous events.
He quoted, “The artists felt valued and expressed a desire to be invited to present their art at various forums, including events like these council meetings, showcasing their talent and contributing to national development.”
As the council kicked off on Tuesday, President Paul Kagame’s emphasis on resilience set the tone, emphasizing safety as a prevailing theme.
While acknowledging achievements in self-sufficiency in food production, the discussions also addressed challenges in fortifying the healthcare system among others.
President Paul Kagame assured these students, who are facing financial challenges due to tripled school fees compared to their previous fees in Ukraine, that the government would address their concerns.
Delice Sine, a fourth-year medical student currently studying in Poland, expressed gratitude for the support received so far but emphasized the ongoing struggle with increased tuition fees. She pointed out that Polish schools now charge three times more than what the students used to pay in Ukraine before the war. Representing a group of six students, four of whom are in their final year of university, Sine requested assistance during the Umushyikirano session.
In her appeal to the President, Sine highlighted that the primary issue faced by the students is the soaring school fees and requested any form of support, regardless of the amount, to ensure the continuity of their studies.
She stated, “We would like to request any type of support regardless of the amount. It can be helpful for us to continue our studies effectively.”
President Kagame responded by assuring the students that the government would intervene to resolve the issue. He delegated the responsibility to key ministries, including the Prime Minister, Minister of Education, and Minister of Health, urging them to address the challenges faced by the students.
Kagame emphasized, “The Prime Minister, Minister of Education, and Minister of Health have to address the issue so that no one fails to study because of that, unless they fail to perform well. But they told us that currently they perform well.”
Sine also took the opportunity to encourage her fellow students who had discontinued their studies abroad to resume their education. She concluded by pledging her commitment to becoming a proficient medical professional upon completing her studies.
Dr. Bizimana asserts that the Congolese regime is endorsing the proliferation of ‘Tutsiphobia’ on social media as part of a manifest plan to incite and execute a genocide against the Tutsi community.
He points out that this animosity towards Tutsis is not a new phenomenon in the DRC, recalling historical instances such as the 1998 statements by Yerodia Abdoulaye Ndombasi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, who advocated for the extermination of Tutsis. Ndombasi had likened Tutsis to “insects” and “vermin” to be eradicated.
Bizimana draws parallels between Ndombasi’s statements and derogatory terms like Inyenzi (cockroaches), inzoka (snakes), and inda (lice) used against Tutsis on the RTLM radio and television in 1993 and 1994.
He also highlights that despite Belgium issuing an arrest warrant against Ndombasi in 2002 for incitement to hatred, the DRC regime protected him until his death in 2019, and he never faced prosecution for his actions.
The event, conducted through an online ZOOM meeting, saw the participation of 20 African dignitaries, including representatives from South Sudan, Sudan, Rwanda, and HWPL IPYG team members. Together, they discussed the peace activity plans for the year 2024.
In many countries across Africa, autocrats continue to seize power, and coups and civil wars persist. The continent grapples with harsh environments, political instability, as well as ethnic and religious conflicts. Despite these challenges, numerous African youth organizations collaborating with HWPL and IPYG have been actively conducting various peace initiatives both online and offline.
Recognizing the need to prepare peace projects suitable for the post-COVID era, HWPL had discussions with the african individuals to plan diverse peace activities and to address the pressing issues facing the continent in the perspective of peacebuilding, acknowledging the critical moment to bring African leaders together.
At the New Year’s Meeting, HWPL presented the results of peace activities conducted in Africa in 2023, along with the peace activity plans for 2024. As part of the New Year HWPL peace activities, they first introduced HWPL’s three major events – the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War Commemoration on March 14th, the Peace Walk on May 25th, and the Peace Summit on September 18th. Additionally, they introduced the Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) and a Peace Documentary Screening.
YEPC, an educational program under IPYG, has been planned to address the lack of educational opportunities faced by youth worldwide who are practitioners of peace. This NGO-driven education program aims to provide education for citizens worldwide, including youth. Initially, through the IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop, global youth opinions on the necessary education were gathered and subsequently the IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Class platform was established, offering courses on HWPL peace education, global citizenship education, youth health education, and parent education.
Furthermore, HWPL has also produced a documentary titled “Great Heritage – Africa Edition,” showcasing successful instances of peace education initiatives actively conducted in Africa.
Through screening this peace documentary to university students and youth across various African countries, HWPL aims to share successful cases of peace activities, educate young people about the spirit of peace, and contribute to promoting a culture of peace.
Patrice Nsengiyumva, Foundation Saint Dominique Savio (FSDS) and Chief Director, from Rwanda, expressed gratitude for the invitation and passionate involvement in the event for peace saying, “Despite some participants facing difficulties with internet connectivity, it was a successful gathering. The presentations were also interesting and concise. Let’s unite as peace messengers and work together. Unity for peace is our strength, and our voices will be heard beyond borders.”
Jean Paul Ndemeye, Youth Led Musical Therapy (YLMT) and Deputy Legal Representative, from Rwanda, said, “The event was great, and I would like to share our projects for peace promotion.”
Participants in the 2024 HWPL Africa Unity New Year’s Meeting recognized the need for mutual cooperation among dignitaries and HWPL’s peace activities for the development and peace-building of African nations.
Going forward, African leaders are expected to join HWPL and IPYG, not only in YEPC but also in a broader range of peace activities, contributing collectively to building and sustaining peace.
Prince Mpabuka has been appointed as the leader of the Rutshuru territory, with the support of Dr. Bolingo Salomon. Additionally, Kanyamarere Désiré is now the mayor of Bunagana town, while Katembo Julien and Maguru Célestin have been respectively named mayors of Kiwanja and Rubare.
Bisimwa has restructured the peace and security committee into a territorial development committee, to be led by designated officials.
Within the internal structure of M23, Rukomera Désiré has taken on the role of heading the department of campaign and recruitment of new members, with the assistance of Uzamukunda Pascal and Kulu Jean-Louis.
Lawrence Kanyuka, the current spokesperson of M23 for political matters, retains leadership of the communication and media department, with Balinda Oscar as the deputy.
A department of finance and production has also been established, led by Bahati Musanga and assisted by Nzabonimpa Mupenzi Jean-Bosco.
These reforms come as M23 continues to face offensives from the armed forces of the DRC and their allies, including Burundi, SADC, as well as the armed groups Wazalendo and the FDLR terrorist group.
Key positions of M23, notably in Bunagana (captured in June 2022), Kiwanja, and Rubare, are primarily situated in the Rutshuru territory.
In 1895, the Germans, led by Gustav Adolf von Götzen, arrived in Rwanda, making it one of the last African nations to be colonized. Initially, the German colonizers focused on supporting King Musinga, who was in power at the time.
The German presence in Rwanda saw periods where Rwandans lost their lives merely for supporting their king, leading up to the outbreak of World War I, which saw the king’s departure for the front lines.
In 1900, Catholic priests entered Rwanda, introducing religious teachings and other knowledge. However, these teachings were marked by discriminatory principles, both regionally and ethnically.
Figures like Mgr Léon-Paul Classe and André Perraudin were prominent in the Catholic Church in Rwanda, teaching at institutions like the Saint-Léon seminary in Kabgayi and the Nyakibanda seminary. Despite their contributions, history reveals divisions and schisms.
In June 1916, towards the end of World War I, the Germans, led by Captain Wintgens (Tembasi), retreated before superior Belgian forces, placing Rwanda under Belgian colonial control.
{{Dark moments for Rwandans}}
Unlike the German colonizers, the Belgians adopted a radically different policy upon their arrival in Rwanda. Ignoring the king, they directly imposed their orders on Rwandans, compelling them to engage in various forced labor activities.
During Belgian rule, religious leaders supported by the Catholic Church favored the Tutsis, elevating them to positions of power, especially in tea and coffee plantations where Rwandans were coerced into labor. Severe punishments, known as “shiku,” were imposed for incomplete work.
This policy, encapsulated in the phrase “divide to rule,” allowed the Belgians to convince the Hutus that the Tutsis had long oppressed them, sparking the need for change.
Racist ideologies advocated by figures like Mgr Classe, finding favor among the Belgians, spread in schools and other spheres of public life.
The so-called revolution of 1959, led by the Hutus with the support of the Catholic Church, resulted in persecutions against the Tutsis. Their homes were set ablaze, their belongings looted, and some were killed. This marked the prelude to Rwanda’s independence in 1962, an independence still influenced by Belgian colonialists.
Dr. Gakwenzire Philbert, President of Ibuka, criticizes past Rwandan leaders for their short-term vision, highlighting their continued adherence to colonial principles at the expense of unity and national development.
He states, “When the colonizers arrived in Rwanda, they established schools. The school, called Indatwa in Kinyarwanda, formed an official group of scholars. However, the graduates of these schools were mainly ‘assistants,’ meant to serve the Whites. As a result, leaders of the First and Second Republics, benefitting from an education, regarded other Rwandans as their assistants rather than contributors to the country’s development.”
A striking example is Minister Nzirorera Joseph, who, as the head of MINITRAPE, prohibited the Central University of Rwanda, particularly its SCAP branch, from awarding degrees in “Engineering” to prevent graduates from competing with his own level of education.
{{The state’s role in ethnic segregation in schools}}
In 1969, under President Grégoire Kayibanda’s leadership, the Central Council of the Parmehutu Party decided to implement ethnic dominance controls in Rwandan schools. The policy’s implementation began during the 1972-1973 school year.
Antoine Mugesera, a former student at Christ-Roi School in Nyanza, reports that the school’s director, Father Canon Ernotte, addressed President Kayibanda in a letter dated February 21, 1973. He questioned the reasons behind the ethnic dominance surveillance in secondary schools and raised concerns about the killing of Tutsi intellectuals.
In response, Kayibanda affirmed that this inspection program had been approved by the national administration and must be implemented without hindrance.
During this period, several Tutsi students, including Yosiya Senyonga, who had passed the entrance exam to the National University of Rwanda, were denied access to higher education.
Starting from February 1973, it became extremely difficult for Tutsi children to access the Central University of Rwanda. Tutsi high school students began to be persecuted, and those working for the government or in the private sector were gradually dismissed.
This policy led to a true national tragedy: the elimination of educated Tutsis and the flight of survivors to neighboring countries such as Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Simultaneously, another phenomenon emerged: the replacement of positions by individuals from families favored by the leaders, a process marked by corruption and nepotism. This situation represented a significant loss for the country, as competent individuals were sidelined in favor of less qualified people.
{{Discrimination policy is a dead end}}
From the Belgian colonial era to the First Republic, Rwandan political parties were primarily based on ethnic criteria, predominantly favoring the Hutus, often referred to as ‘the people.’ With the exception of the UNAR party, most politicians of this period favored discriminatory and divisive policies, ultimately leading to theGenocide against the Tutsis.
The Second Republic, established in 1973 under President Juvénal Habyarimana, claimed to correct the mistakes of its predecessor, Grégoire Kayibanda. However, it continued to follow a similar political line.
Apart from 13 politicians and a few other notable figures who opposed the genocide plan against the Tutsis in 1994, denouncing injustice and fighting for truth, the majority aligned with the government’s deadly policies.
During the closing of the 29th week of commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Education, Jean Damascène Bizimana, emphasized that few politicians, not involved in the persecutions, had the courage to oppose the murderous policy. He stated that without the ‘Hutu Power’ extremists, it would not have been possible to kill more than a million Tutsis across the country.
In addition to the victims of this genocide, many Tutsis were also killed in earlier attempts at genocide in the years before 1994.
The Rwandan economy, between 1973 and 1980, experienced a slowdown in its growth, dropping from 6.5% to 2.9%, a trend that continued until 1990. From 1990 to 1994, the economy underwent an average recession of 40%, severely affecting the country’s well-being.
After the country’s liberation, the RPF-Inkotanyi stopped the genocide and faced a nation depleted of its resources. Since then, Rwanda has embarked on a long path of reconstruction and now displays hope for development on the international stage.
Notably, 1,600 kilometers of tarmac roads have been constructed, connecting various regions and reducing travel times, exemplified by the Rukomo-Nyagatare road, enabling a shorter journey to Kigali.
Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente has highlighted the impact of these developments, emphasizing the importance of roads like Base-Rukomo, Nyagatare, Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo, Ngoma, Bugesera-Nyanza, Huye-Kibeho, Pindura, and Bweyeye in fostering connectivity and reducing isolation.
Moreover, the government exceeded its target of building 3,000 kilometers of feeder roads, with a total of 3,700 kilometers constructed and repaired. This initiative aimed to facilitate farmers in transporting their products to markets seamlessly.
In terms of lighting infrastructure, Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente reported the successful installation of lights on 2,160 kilometers of roads, against the planned 2,400 kilometers. The increased lighting not only enhances safety but also contributes to the overall development of the country.
Furthermore, the electrification efforts have been remarkable, with over 1.5 million new homes receiving electricity, increasing the overall electrification rate from 34% in 2017 to 74%. The government remains committed to achieving 100% electrification, addressing the remaining 26%.
Hydroelectric power plants, such as the Rusumo dam connecting Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, have played a crucial role in expanding the electricity supply network. Additionally, to ensure access to clean water, seven water treatment plants were constructed.
The water processing capacity in Rwanda has nearly doubled since 2017, surpassing the initial goal of 303,000 cubic meters and reaching 330,000 cubic meters. These initiatives signify a comprehensive and transformative approach to infrastructure development in Rwanda, contributing to the nation’s overall progress and well-being.
In various host countries, Rwanda Day has sparked tangible initiatives. Notably, the 2015 event in the Netherlands led to the establishment of schools teaching Kinyarwanda and Rwandan culture in Germany and other parts of Europe and America. In Liège, Belgium, a cultural school teaching the Rwandan language and culture was inaugurated in 2019.
Rwandans living abroad have significantly increased remittances to their homeland. Central Bank of Rwanda data indicates a substantial rise from $98 million in 2010 to $444 million in 2022/2023.
Contrary to misconceptions, these remittances are primarily directed towards family development and investments rather than mere consumption.
The United States stands out as a leading contributor to remittances, with Rwandans residing there contributing 46%, followed by Canada at 6%, and France at 4.8%.
Rwandans abroad actively contribute to various sectors upon their return, including the health and education sectors. Some have demonstrated a strong desire to contribute their skills to address the country’s labor needs, particularly in the health and education sectors.
Investments by Rwandans living abroad play a vital role in the country’s economic development. Encouraged by such programs, for example, in 2017, Rusingiza Rose, who lives in Belgium, decided to invest in Rwanda, especially in tourism.
The mother shared with IGIHE, “In 2017, I made the decision to embark on a construction project. After discussing it with my husband, who was supportive, we thoroughly researched the project. We commenced construction in 2018, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we remained undeterred. I am particularly grateful for the guidance provided by President Kagame during Rwanda Day; his advice truly inspired and motivated me.”
Manzi Aloys, currently residing in England, has been actively involved in investments across Rwanda for several years.
He established a maize flour mill plant in Kayonza and more recently founded ‘Manzi Finance Ltd,’ a financial institution that has received approval from the Central Bank of Rwanda (BNR).
Aloys expresses his goal to facilitate easy access to affordable financial services for Rwandans. His endeavors exemplify the influence of Rwanda Day, demonstrating how the event inspires and guides impactful investments.
Rwanda Day has not only strengthened connections with the diaspora but has also attracted international investors. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, the event continues to yield positive economic results. In 2022, Rwandans ranked first in new investments in the country, contributing $540.8 million (33.1%). China, India, Germany, and the United States follow with significant investments.
Rwanda Day has been hosted in various cities worldwide, including Brussels, Chicago, Paris, Boston, London, Toronto, Atlanta, Dallas, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Ghent, and Bonn. The event serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration, dialogue, and investments between Rwanda and its global diaspora.
