They were found on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, during excavation work for a fence’s foundation.
Alphonse Mutsindashyaka, the Executive Secretary of Ngoma Sector, confirmed to IGIHE that the property owner promptly alerted local authorities when the remains were initially discovered.
“We immediately initiated a search for more remains and recovered a total of 35 on the first day. Excavation efforts will continue on Wednesday, as darkness fell towards evening hours,” Mutsindashyaka said by press time on Tuesday.
He emphasized that discovering these remains in an area where people lived before the Genocide against the Tutsi serves as a stark reminder that the truth about this dark chapter in history still needs to be acknowledged.
He further explained that various mechanisms have been put in place to facilitate the sharing of information, even for those who wish to remain anonymous, through designated suggestion boxes.
As of now, no one has been arrested for concealing information regarding the discovered remains.
The disclosure was made during an interview with IGIHE on the sidelines of a 3-day retreat for foreign ministers of African Union member countries in Kigali where Pandor stated that this matter could be resolved before the end of 2023.
It has been nine years since South Africa suspended visa issuance to Rwandans traveling with ordinary passports. During this period, individuals were required to obtain diplomatic or service passports to enter South Africa. This decision led to mutual expulsions of diplomats, with three Rwandan representatives sent back from Pretoria and Rwanda reciprocating by expelling six South African diplomats from Kigali.
The tensions stemmed from Rwanda accusing South Africa of supporting subversive activities on its territory, which had resulted in attacks. In return, South Africa had accused Rwandan diplomats of involvement in an attack on the residence of Kayumba Nyamwasa.
Despite numerous summit discussions on this issue, a compromise had remained elusive. While the South African President had hinted at a resolution during his recent visit to Rwanda, years had passed without tangible progress. In her interview with IGIHE, Pandor assessed the progress of negotiations on this matter as a 6 out of 10.
“We are addressing it. We have been having good discussions between our two countries’ ministries of foreign affairs and I believe the matter will be resolved very soon. We did have these problems just before Covid-19 and it interfered with the work already done. I believe we will resolve it,” she said.
“We are having very good discussions, minister Biruta and myself, and I think between the two of us and our ministers responsible for immigration, we will find a solution,” added Pandor.
She also discussed the presence of Rwandan forces in Mozambique, emphasizing their close coordination with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the initial stages of their mission.
The Dutch prosecutors revealed this development on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
He was initially taken into custody in July 2022, but later, the Dutch High Court denied his extradition to Rwanda.
Despite Rwanda’s extradition request in 2012, the Dutch Court rejected his extradition, citing concerns about an unfair trial.
Rwanda accuses Karangwa of his alleged involvement in the massacre of nearly 30,000 Tutsis in April 1994, who sought refuge at Mugina parish in the current Kamonyi District, in the former Mugina commune, Gitarama prefecture.
During a hearing in December 2022, the former officer vehemently denied these accusations. He had been residing in the Netherlands since 1998 and acquired Dutch citizenship in 2002, but his Dutch nationality was revoked due to these charges.
Although his extradition was initially denied due to his current role as a quasi-political opponent, numerous voices, both in Rwanda and internationally, have risen against this initial decision of non-extradition.
Karangwa was born in former Mugina Sector, in the current Kamonyi District.
Between 1992 and 1993, he served as an intelligence officer in the former Rwanda Armed Forces (EX-FAR).
During the Genocide against the Tutsi, thousands of Tutsi citizens had sought refuge in the nearby parish of Mugina in April 1994.
It is said that the mayor of Mugina, who had tried to protect fleeing Tutsis, was killed by militia members, giving the army, police and militias free rein.
According to sources, Maj Karangwa was closely involved in the planning and execution of the massacres in Mugina, including the supply of weapons to militias that killed Tutsis.
The man and his accomplices are said to have led some 80 Tutsi civilians that had managed to escape the parish massacres to a house that was subsequently set on fire. Karangwa is also accused of having supplied the fuel.
It is said that, prior to the massacres, the man had chaired a meeting calling for Tutsi civilians to be attacked and killed. He is also alleged to have played a part in the assassination of the mayor of Mugina.
Sources suggest that his anguish may have stemmed from a romantic disappointment, as it is believed he was let down by his girlfriend in favor of another man.
The tragic news of his demise shook the public on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023. His body was found in Remera Village, the Kigoma Cell, Jarama Sector of Ngoma District in Eastern Province.
The young man, who resided with his parents, had been involved with a girlfriend who recently developed feelings for someone else. This change deeply affected him, especially when the girl ceased to answer his calls. This rejection seemingly led him to contemplate suicide, convinced he could not endure life without his beloved.
Charles Mugirwanake, the executive secretary of Jarama Sector, acknowledged the suspicion surrounding the young man’s suicide, which appeared to be driven by love’s betrayal. However, he refrained from confirming this speculation. He did, however, reveal the unsettling fact that the young man had previously made two unsuccessful suicide attempts.
“Indeed, this morning, the lifeless body of the young man was discovered hanging from a jackfruit tree. According to his relatives, this marked his third attempt at taking his own life. They informed us that he had a girlfriend who eventually shifted her affections to other young men, abandoning him. It is rumored that he confided in his friends, expressing his belief that he could not go on without the girl,” stated Mugirwanake.
Further details disclosed that the night prior to the tragic incident, the young man had spent time with friends, sharing his despair over life’s burdens. Local authorities, alongside security officials, promptly responded to the scene, ensuring that the body was transported to hospital for a postmortem before its final resting place.
Mugirwanake urged residents to reach out to friends or community leaders for support and guidance during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of seeking help rather than resorting to drastic actions.
The three-day conference, which started on Tuesday, October 3, brings together 160 senior law enforcement officials to discuss challenges, reassess strategies and reaffirm their cooperation as a region in responding to security threats facing the African continent.
The conference was officially opened by the vice president of Angola, Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa, who emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation between law enforcement institutions to tackle the growing transnational organized crimes.
During the three days, delegates will look at the overview of Interpol activities in Africa, assess the regional crime threats and trends, and the use of Interpol databases and other capabilities to tackle security threats in Africa.
They will also share experiences and strategies in fighting terrorism and transnational organized crime; and the partnership between the global Police body, African Union and regional bodies.
This development follows a recent price increase in August 2023 when petrol and diesel were respectively priced at Rwf1639 and Rwf1492.
The new prices will result in a Rwf183 per liter increase for petrol and a Rwf170 increase for diesel.
RURA has attributed these price adjustments to the rise in petroleum product costs on the international market.
The new prices are scheduled to take effect on October 4, 2023. Fuel prices are reviewed every two months, depending on international market fluctuations.
RNP Spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga has told IGIHE that Nsengimana was shot dead on the evening of Monday, October 2, 2023 while leading security officials to the location where he had concealed the stolen items.
“He was among those recently apprehended for vandalizing infrastructure and stealing electricity wires. He was awaiting justice. He had agreed to reveal the whereabouts of some of the stolen wires, but it seems it was a ploy to find a way to escape. That’s when he was shot dead while attempting to flee,” noted ACP Rutikanga.
Another individual suspected of the same crime was shot dead not long ago in Muhanga District after allegedly assaulting police officers with a machete.
ACP Rutikanga emphasized that both suspects’ cases are linked, as they had committed the same crime and showed reluctance to face the consequences of their actions.
“When they choose this path, it hinders our ability to obtain valuable information from them that could lead us to apprehending more criminals,” he added.
ACP Rutikanga further explained that investigations are always carried out to ascertain the circumstances surrounding such shooting incidents since resorting to lethal force is not the primary option.
He also called on citizens to refrain from resisting security officials and instead cooperate, accept the legal process, or provide information that can help in the arrest of additional suspects.
The police have been conducting operations to combat the vandalism of public infrastructure and the theft of electricity wires. Individuals found innocent after thorough investigations are released, while other suspects are brought before the court.
This agreement was formalized by Dr. Vincent Biruta, the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Maneesh Gobin, the Mauritian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, further solidifying their already fruitful cooperation.
This agreement aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aimed at transforming Africa into a leading global player by removing internal economic barriers.
It’s worth noting that Rwanda and Mauritius already maintain vibrant bilateral relations. In 2014, they signed an agreement to boost investments, trade, and mutual cooperation.
Both nations are recognized for their significant efforts in facilitating investments on the African continent. This signing follows President Paul Kagame’s visit to Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in June 2022.
Jugnauth had also visited Rwanda where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial.
According to a report from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, Mauritius significantly increased its investments in Rwanda, growing from $386.4 million in 2020 to $543.8 million in 2021, representing a growth of 40.7%. In 2021, Mauritius dominated foreign investments in Rwanda, holding an impressive share of 32.4%, particularly in the financial, energy, technology, and tourism sectors.
Besides, several Mauritian companies, including Mauritius Union Assurance and LOLC Mauritius Holdings Limited, have established a presence in Rwanda. The latter, a subsidiary of the Sri Lankan firm LOLC Holding PLC, recently acquired 90% of the shares of Unguka Bank PLC.
Located in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar, Mauritius is composed of other islands such as Rodrigues to the east, Agalega, and Saint Brandon, which are part of the Mascarene Islands.
The island nation has a population of approximately 1.3 million people over an area of 2,040 square kilometers.
Brewed locally in Rwanda with the same passion and craftsmanship that has characterized its production for over a century, Bralirwa ensures that Rwandan beer lovers enjoy the same high-quality of Heineken® brewed around the world.
Bralirwa Plc, which was founded in Rwanda in 1957 became a subsidiary of HEINEKEN in 1971 and started brewing Heineken® as one of its premier brands in 2018 as well as selling Heineken® 0.0 the alcohol-free beer, in December 2022, to empower consumers with choice and options for all drinking occasions. The iconic beer brand evolved the way it measures success – focusing not just on the volume of beer it sells but also the good times it delivers for its customers in over 190 countries.
“Brewing good times has been in our DNA for 150 years. That is why we are evolving our brand metrics to show that creating good times is equally as important as the beer we produce” said Bram Westenbrink, Global Head, Heineken® Brand.
To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Heineken® is putting good times front and centre of its global birthday festivities. Part of the celebrations include the anniversary’s tongue-in-cheek campaign taking viewers on a journey around the globe to embrace all the different ways people adapt and enjoy social moments and memories with Heineken® – ranging from an incorrectly spelt tattoo of the logo to a Heineken® Original being served with a lime, straw, and ice. The light-hearted video sees the brewer celebrate the good times it provides – even if the way consumers spell or enjoy it isn’t 100% correct or as originally intended.
In celebration of Heineken’s 150 years, Bralirwa is introducing a limited-edition bottle label and embarking on promotional and experiential initiatives across various outlets. These endeavours are designed to deliver the true essence of the Heineken® brand – the enjoyment of life.
Customers are invited to come with an open mind and to expect the unexpected as bars and outlets will be serving up the Heineken® you know and love in surprising ways you have never seen before. Cheers to the Rwandan Heineken experience!
The delegation led by Col CM Munachilemba is in Rwanda for a study tour from 1st October to 7th October 2023.
The RDF Spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga briefed them on the RDF’s Structure, Roles, Organisation and Transformation Journey.
Col CM Munachilemba emphasized that their tour is aimed at equipping students with practical experience of whatever they learn at the College and be able to compare with other countries “so that we see how we can improve our curricula and the wellbeing of our country,” he said during an interview.
He said that as they are focusing on regional peace in Africa, their key interest will be mainly learning from Rwanda’s experience on peacekeeping activities.
During their tour, they visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Campaign against Genocide Museum.
The delegation will also visit Zigama CSS, Military Medical Insurance, Rwanda Military Hospital, RDF Command and Staff College and few other Government and private institutions.
