They were apprehended on 12th July 2023 through a joint operation between the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP).
The RIB disclosed that the suspects were caught red-handed at the residence of one of the teachers, where they found a 21-year-old girl who had consumed drugs to induce an abortion. The student was immediately transferred to a hospital for medical attention.
Notably, one of the arrested teachers also held the position of prefect in charge of discipline at the school.
Dr. Murangira B Thierry, the spokesperson of RIB, expressed appreciation for individuals who provide information to combat such crimes.
“RIB would like to commend residents for their collaboration through sharing of information. This is an exemplary display of efforts to combat and prevent crimes. We encourage them to continue working together.”
The suspects are currently detained at Ruhango RIB Post while investigations are ongoing.
The IOM, a UN migration agency, in its latest situation update issued Wednesday, said the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to neighboring countries.
It said as of Tuesday, more than 64,000 people had arrived in Ethiopia through multiple border crossing points in the country’s Amhara, Benishangul Gumz and Gambella regions.
Amid the increasing number of people crossing into Ethiopia, the IOM said heavy rains have made the conditions and terrains very difficult for aid workers to provide timely support.
The IOM said it has scaled up its presence at border crossing points and its migration response center in Metema, the major crossing point, providing multi-sectoral assistance to arriving people, including health, water and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support, onward transportation, as well as tailored protection assistance.
Brutal fighting erupted in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, on April 15 and swiftly escalated in different parts of the country. The ongoing fighting is pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating the conflict. Deep differences had emerged between the SAF and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter’s integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022.
“The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will tax non-resident providers of digital services in Uganda such as Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Netflix, etc.,” the parliament said in a brief statement on Twitter Tuesday evening.
Some legislators, however, criticized the bill, saying it might lead to an increase in the prices of internet services and gag social media users.
The finance committee of the parliament insisted that the bill “is not a social media tax and will not affect an ordinary Ugandan in any way,” according to the statement.
The signing ceremony was attended by a number of officials from both sides.
The project is part of a wider Energy Access and Quality Improvement program whose objective is to improve access to reliable and cost-effective electricity services for households, public institutions, and productive use in Rwanda.
The project aims to build a network of medium and low-pressure power lines and electricity distribution transformers to provide electricity to homes, government institutions, and social facilities in the Kamonyi District.
This forms part of the comprehensive project to deliver electricity to several of the most underserved areas in the country. This project will benefit approximately 30,769 people and enhance economic, agricultural, and industrial activities, create direct and indirect employment opportunities, improve livelihoods, support Rwanda’s economic growth, and promote sustainable living.
During the signing ceremony, the CEO of SFD, Sultan Al-Marshad, stressed the importance of this project, which will support the Kamonyi region with electricity infrastructure and enhance sustainable economic and social development in Rwanda. He also praised the 47-year development of relations between SFD and Rwanda.
In addition, Al-Marshad said, “Based on the cooperation, we hope that this project will be a source of development and bring benefits to Rwanda and its people to achieve the sustainable development goals.”
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana noted that the financing will contribute to electrification efforts in Kamonyi District which currently stands at 58.9%.
Minister Ndagijimana said, “At the completion of this project, electricity access in Kamonyi District will increase by 6.8%, thus contributing to increase economic and social development within the framework of our National Strategy for Transformation by connecting electricity to more households. It is another step towards our ultimate goal of ensuring every Rwandan citizen has access to electricity by 2024.”
Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to Rwanda’s economic development by financing various vital projects and developmental programs. Since 1976, SFD support has enhanced Rwanda’s developmental sectors and advanced toward the desired economic and social objectives to achieve sustainable development goals.
The attack by unknown assailants on the patrol from the MINUSCA mission occurred just a few kilometres from the town of Sam Ouandia.
The mission has immediately opened an investigation into the exact circumstances, said a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson for António Guterres on Tuesday.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the people and government of the Republic of Rwanda”, it continued.
The UN chief recalled that attacks targeting peacekeepers “may constitute war crimes under international law. He called on the Central African Republic authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice swiftly.”
MINUSCA was deployed in 2014 to help end intercommunal violence that erupted a year earlier when mainly Muslim militants ousted the then president, prompting reprisals from mostly Christian militias.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the solidarity of the UN with the people and Government of CAR.
The members of the Security Council joined Mr. Guterres in condemning the attack and paid tribute “to all peacekeepers who risk their lives.”
They urged the Government to investigate the killing with the support of MINUSCA, “promote accountability for such acts by bringing perpetrators to justice and keep the relevant troop-contributing country informed of the progress consistent with Security Council resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2589 (2021).”
Ambassadors underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. They stressed that being involved in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions.
They stressed the importance of MINUSCA being able to fulfill its mandate and fully equip peacekeepers to carry out their duties in safety and security.
Council members reiterated their “strong support” for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and MINUSCA head, Valentine Rugwabiza, and for the mission to assist CAR authorities and all citizens there in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability, as mandated by the Security Council.
The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Rubariro Village of Juru Cell, Gahini Sector of Kayonza District as four individuals removed the church’s roof as part of a demolition process to construct a new one.
Two masons and two mason-helpers were involved in the roof removal when the church collapsed.
Unfortunately, a 45-year-old mason lost his life in the incident.
Joseph Rukeribuga, the executive secretary of Gahini Sector has told IGIHE that the church collapse occurred after a request was made to ADEPR leaders to either renovate or demolish the old structure due to its deteriorating condition.
“At around 4:15 PM, the ADEPR Juru church collapsed on four people who were removing roofing sheets. The church was old, and we had requested ADEPR to renovate it or demolish it to build a new one,” explained Rukeribuga.
“They had already made bricks and were in the process of requesting a construction permit for the new church. Masons and helpers were assigned to demolish the old structures. As they removed the roof, the walls collapsed, resulting in one fatality,” he further elaborated.
Rukeribuga mentioned that residents, local leaders, and security officials quickly responded to the incident, providing assistance and transporting the victims to a nearby health facility.
Unfortunately, one of the individuals was confirmed dead upon arrival. The injured victims, including the deceased mason, were taken to Gahini Hospital. Two of them sustained minor injuries, while one was severely injured.
The church’s construction primarily consisted of wood, much of which had rotted over time, according to Rukeribuga.
At the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru, the youth were received by the Commissioner for Community Policing, Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, who gave them an insight on the Police history and strategies in peace building and national development through community policing.
He explained to the youth about the RNP mission and vision as well as activities and priorities of police in and out of the country where Rwandan Police officers are serving in peacekeeping and security operations.
“The involvement in the Genocide by the defeated security forces led to people’s loss of confidence in law enforcement agencies. There was need to adopt a more people-centered policing approach in order to rebuild the community’s trust in the newly established law enforcement agency,” CP Munyambo said.
The RNP, he said, is founded on strong partnership with the public in crime prevention.
“This partnership has contributed in developing a mindset change both among the community and police officers on the collective role in developing the culture of peace and security,” he added.
CP Munyambo mentioned about the Police mission, which combines professionalism, service delivery, community engagement and human security activities.
“The RNP activities are not limited to the Rwandan community alone; they are exported to other countries where it contributes to peacekeepers, where we donate blood, distribute clean water to communities, participate in Umuganda, health, hygiene, environmental and children protection activities,” CP Munyambo said.
He urged the Rwandan youth living abroad to be policing and security ambassadors.
Sheja Vaillant, a student in Belgium, who is visiting Rwanda for the second time, reacted on the impact of the Police and security organs in general, for making people feel safe in Rwanda.
“What I have seen here in Rwanda is that people are not afraid of the police but feel safe with them… they know that there will be no harm when the police is around which is different from other countries where a police officer tells you to pull over, most of the time you become scared not knowing what is going to happen. Here in Rwanda, the Police even partners with the public in certain activities,” Sheja said.
He continued: “This tour will help us to know more about our country, it is an honour to come home to the people we share culture, heritage and history. Every Rwandan who lives abroad should know that they are welcomed here in Rwanda.”
Inkesha has been an active member of the Rotary Club since 2015. He was a member of Rotaract and actively engaged in peace and conflict resolution initiatives.
She currently holds the position of Country Director at Alert International Rwanda and serves as the Vice President of Solid Africa, an organization that provides invaluable support to vulnerable patients in Rwandan public hospitals.
Inkesha’s extensive experience with agencies such as UNDP and InterPeace has instilled in her a strong emphasis on member unity and environmental preservation.
During an interview with IGIHE, Inkesha highlighted environmental preservation as a key priority for her presidency.
She plans to expand tree-planting efforts beyond Bugesera to other regions, building upon the club’s previous achievements in 2021.
Besides, she aims to address issues related to education in schools and improve hygiene standards, particularly focusing on the quality of toilets used by children.
Inkesha also intends to dedicate part of her tenure to promoting lasting peace and strengthening unity in Rwanda as well as involving neighboring countries in meetings and joint initiatives to foster collaboration and mutual understanding.
The outgoing President, Kayitare Florent expressed satisfaction with the club’s accomplishments in supporting children in need.
He encouraged Inkesha to continue the existing programs and emphasizes the importance of helping those in need. Kayitare also expressed confidence in Inkesha’s abilities as the new leader.
Established in 1966, Rotary Club Kigali-Doyen currently comprises 42 members and is one of the ten Rotary clubs in Rwanda, with a total membership of over 200 individuals.
Rotary in Rwanda is affiliated with Rotary International, an organization that brings together more than 35,000 clubs and over 1.2 million members dedicated to charitable actions worldwide.
He is particularly notorious for his involvement in the massacre of over 35,000 Tutsis at Murambi Technical School in Murambi, Cyanika Commune, and Kaduha parish.
As a high-ranking official in the ex-Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and a member of the Comrades of the ‘Fifth of July,’ Col Aloys Simba took part in a coup that brought former President Juvenal Habyarimana to power in 1973. He was not only a close friend of Habyarimana but also a member of ‘Akazu’ – an inner circle comprising Habyarimana’s allies.
Col Simba, a convicted perpetrator of the Genocide against the Tutsi, passed away in Benin on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, just a day before the ‘Fifth of July,’ which would have marked 50 years since Maj Gen Habyarimana ousted Kayibanda from power.
Col Simba remained one of Habyarimana’s few senior officers who stayed loyal, while others like Col Kanyarengwe and Col Lizinde were gradually being ousted from the Akazu circle. The Akazu members had started realizing that Habyarimana would not share power with them as agreed.
Retired Corporal Senkeri Salathiel, a former member of Habyarimana’s presidential guard has told IGIHE that Col Simba was among the few comrades of the ‘Fifth of July’ who helped Habyarimana seize power while still on duty, and he was highly respected for it.
Senkeri disclosed that Col Simba held a prominent status within the military and Rwandan society.
He used this authority to issue orders during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Gikongoro and Butare.
From 1989 to 1993, Col Simba served as a parliamentarian. He worked as a security adviser in Gikongoro Prefecture and Butare as the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi unfolded.
Col Simba played a role in the killings of over 50,000 Tutsi children, women, and men who had sought refuge in Murambi. He was also involved in the massacres at Kaduha parish, where he distributed traditional arms, guns, and grenades to the Genocide perpetrators.
In 2005, Col Simba was convicted for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He had been arrested in Senegal in 2001 and subsequently transferred to Arusha, Tanzania.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) sentenced him to 25 years in prison after finding him guilty of leading various attacks orchestrated by Interahamwe to exterminate Tutsis in the former Butare and Gikongoro prefectures, as well as committing crimes against humanity.
In 2019, Judge Theodor Meron, the former President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, granted Simba early release, sparking controversy. Rwanda contested the decision, arguing that they had not been informed beforehand, as Simba had not completed his full prison term.
After his release, Simba settled in Benin, where he resided until his passing without apologizing.
He was 85 years old at the time of his death. Simba was born on December 28, 1938, in Musebeya Municipality, Gikongoro Prefecture.
