The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2022 shows that women account for 31% in leadership positions.
Different partners in the areas of women empowerment continue to expend much effort to bridge the gender gap, which in turn has a negative impact to the economy and wellbeing.
In light of celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, different institutions have organized an event dubbed ‘Mentoring Walk & Environment’ which will bring together women and girls.
Participants will come from public institutions, private sector, non-governmental organizations and youth representatives among others.
Walking through Nyandungu Eco-Tourism Park, interactive talks, hearing testimonies, women’s performances, networking and sharing lunch are among activities expected to mark the event.
Managed by QA Venue Solutions, Nyandungu Eco-park was opened in 2022.
Stretched on 121.7 hectares in size, including 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest; the wetland also features a medicinal garden, a Pope’s Garden, five catchment ponds, three recreation ponds, a 10km network of walking and cycling paths, viewing areas, picnic areas, an information centre, and a restaurant among other facilities.
It is home to more than 62 local plant species and over 100 bird species.
Participants will sit in pairs at Nyandungu –Eco-Park for a networking session before walking through the recreational facility.
KORA Coaching Group designed the feasibility of the walk.
The company believes that coaching can help people especially women in leadership to shape their future.
It is also convinced that the youth accounting for 60.3% of the country’s population can benefit from coaching sessions as they are empowered to make the right decisions, hence fast tracking individual progress and national development as well.
Bourbon Coffee will host participants at its restaurant in Nyandungu and serve them with coffee and other courses.
The event will start from 6:00 a.m. to be concluded at 9:00 a.m.
The duo was arrested on Sunday, March 5, in Kamugani village, Umunini cell in Kansi sector with 13kgs of lightning rods.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the lightning conductors were unearthed on pylons from Kibirizi power plant.
“The vandalism was reported by Kansi residents. The two suspects were unearthing and cutting lightning rods from pylons. They were arrested red-handed after collecting 13kgs of rods from pylons. They were selling them as scraps,” CIP Habiyaremye said.
They were handed over to RIB at Ndora station for further investigations.
The suspects said that they were selling the conductors to dealers in scraps for Frw3,500 per kilogramme.
CIP Habiyaremye warned against destroying public infrastructure.
Article 182 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, states that “any person, who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions, which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years and not more than five (5) years with a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million.
The visit known as “Ad limina Apostolorum” is scheduled between 6th and 11th March 2023.
‘An ad limina’ is an obligatory visit made by all bishops to Rome during which they pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. In addition, they meet with Pope Francis and Vatican officials and present a quinquennial report of their respective diocese.
The Archbishop of Kigali, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has said that bishops in this visit meet with Pope Francis for presentation of a report on state of Catholic Church and evangelization in Rwanda over the past five years.
They also share challenges, new plans whereafter they receive advise and message to deliver to Christians.
Apart from meeting with Pope, Cardinal Kambanda disclosed that they also hold talks with other senior members of the Catholic Church and Vatican’s top leadership.
He explained that a lot has been achieved by the Catholic Church following the previous visit in 2014, such as the increase of Christians, priests, members of the clergy, Christian families and parishes among others.
These activities go hand in hand with the ‘quasquicentennial jubilee’ (125th anniversary) since evangelization was introduced in Rwanda.
Cardinal Kambanda said that they have a many things to be discussed with Pope Francis.
“Normally, we have a message to share with him during such the visit. As the church is expanding with new parishes and increase of Christians, we need new dioceses,” he said.
“It is about learning how larger dioceses can be split to get closer to Christians even further. It is within our powers as bishops to establish new parishes but only the Pope can decide on the creation of a new diocese,” added Kambanda.
Besides, newly created congregations need approval by the Pope.
“We are grateful to God that we have a large number of young people willing to serve God not only through usual congregations but also newly created ones that still need the Catholic Church’s approval. This is among other issues to be discussed with His Holiness,” she revealed.
A mass is expected to be celebrated at the tomb of Saint Peter during this visit.
Rwandan Bishops will also meet with the Secretariat of Vatican which oversees foreign relations.
Cardinal Kambanda also disclosed that they want to hold talks with the church’s body responsible for canonization.
“We have God’s servants Cyprien Rugamba and Daphrose Mukansanga and children. We made request to have them named venerable. The Pope’s office in charge is reviewing it. We will discuss with them on the progress and when to expect answer,” he noted.
Their itinerary shows that the bishops will meet with Pope Francis on Friday 10th March, Vatican’s secretariat on 9th March and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Evangelization on 7rh March 2023.
Pope Francis invites bishops to present the quinquinnal report. Rwanda’s invitation was sent early December 2022.
The previous visit was held between 25th March and 3rd April 2014.
It has however been almost nine years without holding the visit due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Moreover, dioceses increased to 3,017 that the Pope that it would like to meet more than one bishop per day yet he is in advanced age with other duties.
It had also taken seven years for Rwandan bishops to go in Vatican for the visit in 2014.
He made the revelation on Sunday following repetitive provocations by soldiers of the Congolese Army (FARDC) to Rwanda. Of recent, a Congolese soldier was shot dead on Rwandan territory in Rubavu District after opening fire at Rwandan soldiers manning the border area.
As a team from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) investigated the incident on Saturday, Congolese people threw stones in Rwanda prompting Rwandan soldiers to fire warning shots.
Similar incidents involving soldiers storming Rwandan territory, no man’s land and opening fire at Rwandan soldiers have happened three times.
DRC’s fighter jets have also violated Rwandan airspace three times.
Among others, Congolese soldiers in collaboration the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi shelled rockets on Rwandan territory at different times last year.
Commenting on the provocations while appearing in a talk show with RBA on Sunday 5th March 2023, Mukuralinda said that the reactions by Congolese soldiers are often fuelled by statements or behaviours of the country’s leaders.
“This can be looked at in two ways. The first is provocation but when you analyze the frequency, there are also recurrent statements by Congolese leaders prompting some soldiers to put into action what they heard,” he observed.
“When you always tell somebody that Rwanda is an enemy […] sounding it every day, one of people with guns might say ‘we are always told that these guys are enemies, why can’t I cross to shot them’.”
On the other hand, Mukuralinda disclosed that DRC might be attempting to drag Rwanda into a war.
He explained that the incident that happened towards the end of last week was more severe because it involved the exchange of fire between both countries’ soldiers. Mukuralinda however reassured residents that their security is guaranteed.
“The most important thing is that no one died or injured on our side. It was highlighted through the recently released statement that Rwanda’s and its people’s security is guaranteed,” he noted.
“It is not surprising […] measures have been taken, we have soldiers, we have weapons and all necessary preparations have been made that it won’t surprise us. Provocations will continue but we won’t be caught into that trap,” added Mukuralinda.
He further disclosed that Rwanda will continue to safeguard territorial integrity irrespective of the provocations by Congolese soldiers.
“If they cross the area, they can be dealt with appropriately,” assured Mukuralinda.
Rwanda and DRC have been experiencing stained relations following the resurgence of M23 rebel group towards the end of 2021.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23, which has been claiming for rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities. However, Rwanda repeatedly denied the allegations but accused DRC of forming a coalition with FDLR.
Since tensions escalated between Rwanda and DRC, different resolutions have been reached to solve the problem through established regional processes but Congolese leaders reportedly failed to implement them.
These reactions saw the country’s President boycotting his participation in a recent meeting in Doha, Qatar to mend ties between Rwanda and DRC.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Amb. Nibigira and his delegation were received by President Kagame on Sunday 5th March 2023 where the special envoy relayed the message from Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye to his counterpart of Rwanda.
Also present at the event were Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta and the Head of Defence Intelligence in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), RDF, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi.
Ndayishimiye is the current Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC).
He sends the envoy at the time when security continues to worsen in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Meanwhile, Kagame went to Burundi last month to attend EAC Heads of State Summit on security situation in eastern DRC.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Kagame also held bilateral talks with his counterpart of Burundi, Ndayishimiye.
It was considered a great milestone towards normalization of ties between the two neighbouring countries which experienced strained relations at the regime of former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Burundi accused Rwanda of backing the country’s dissidents while Rwanda accused the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Ndayishimiye has shown willingness to mend ties with Rwanda while the heads of state have been exchanged messages at different times.
At the time, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda told IGIHE that Kagame would not have gone to the country had relations been in a bad state.
He explained that bilateral relations are returning to normal where pending issues that might arise can be addressed.
On another note, Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC said that the exchange of visits between provincial official between both countries has been a symbol of vibrant relations.
Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa plc, made this commitment at the opening of a two-day conference in Nairobi, Kenya, last week where executives of Airtel Africa and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) convened to discuss implementation of the landmark partnership across 13 out of Airtel’s 14 markets. Airtel Africa committed to invest $57m into educational programmes during the five-year partnership with UNICEF.
Ogunsanya reflected on the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on education in Africa leading to school closures, and charged the participants to continue to work closely with stakeholders, especially the governments and educational authorities, to ensure that children, especially vulnerable children in remote communities, are given the opportunity to learn.
He acknowledged the challenges faced in the implementation of the partnership in some of the 13 African countries, and urged the governments of the affected countries to support this important initiative. As a leading telecommunications company in the region, Airtel Africa is using its unique insights to stand up for the children of Africa’s right to education and equality of opportunity. Ogunsanya reiterated Airtel Africa’s corporate purpose of transforming lives and pledged that the organisation will continue to champion the quest for bridging the digital divide and promoting financial inclusion.
Also welcoming the participants, the deputy regional director of UNICEF, Lieke van de Wiel, described the Airtel Africa/UNICEF partnership as an important collaboration of private and public sectors, aimed at putting children at the heart of their learning, and changing the narrative in education after years of loss during the Covid-19 pandemic. She commended Airtel Africa for coming on board and encouraged the participants to seize the moment by sharing experiences and exchanging ideas and learnings on how best to implement the initiative.
In 2021, Airtel Africa and UNICEF signed a landmark partnership committing to provide access to quality education for more that one million children by connecting schools to the internet and providing access to zero-rated educational platforms in 13 African countries. Airtel Africa is the first private sector company on the continent to partner with UNICEF to support programmes focused on accelerating digital learning, with access to education as one of the key goals of Airtel Africa’s sustainability strategy.
{{About Airtel Africa}}
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.
Airtel Africa offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.
The Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.
The suspect, who was handed over to RIB at Ruharambuga station, had concealed the pellets in a sack of rice in an attempt to beat security, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said.
The 46-year old suspect had sneaked the narcotics into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he added.
“Security personnel, who were on their routine duties, stopped the suspect at about 2p.m on Saturday, in Taba village, Muyange cell in Nyabitekeri Sector, searched the sack he carried and found 500 big rolls of cannabis stashed in the rice, leading to his immediate arrest,” CIP Rukundo said.
The suspect had just crossed into Rwanda from DRC, he added.
Stashing narcotics in sacks of rice is one of the many unearthed tricks used by drug dealers to traffic the very severe drugs from one point to another.
Other unearthed tricks include concealing them in vehicles transporting foodstuffs and other goods, using milk packages, trafficking them in veils or under clothes.
Others have faked pregnancy or carrying a baby to beat security while others have been intercepted trafficking narcotics in gas cylinders.
Cannabis is listed among very severe narcotic drugs in Rwanda.
Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.
These children received the award during a ceremony held on 4th March 2023.
First Lego League Challenge is an international robotics competition for students aged 9-16 that aims to inspire young people to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. The competition challenges teams to design, build, and program autonomous robots using LEGO kits to complete a set of missions on a themed playing field.
New Generation Academy participated with children aged between 9 and 11 leveraging their prowess acquired from the school which runs a three-year ‘Coding and Robotics’ Programme.
It was the only primary school that participated in the competition that attracted 35 schools including Saint André, Fawe Girls Schools, Gashora Girls School, Maranyundo Girls School, Green Hills Academy, Petit Seminaire, Lycée de Kigali and College Christ Roi de Nyanza among others.
According to the Managing Director of New Generation Academy, Jean Claude Tuyisenge, the winning project was an energy-saving system that uses artificial intelligence to detect and switch off lights in unoccupied rooms.
The system addresses a common problem where people often forget to switch off lights as they leave home, similar to leaving a water tap running. The students’ project won in the category of “The Most Innovative School.”
These children topped other contestants in the category of ‘The Most Innovative School’.
Tuyisenge has explained that it will build children’s confidence and inspire them to further develop their skills for their skills and passion for robotics and coding.
“Children have learnt that their creativity is much needed. Usually, learners from primary school believe that the reward of their performances is limited to teachers’ grades and appreciation of parents. At this stage, they do not fully understand that their works can impact the society,” he noted.
“The contest provided a platform to learn that their innovations can change the society. When they make a toy, or robot that is appreciated by the country and earns them an award; it cements their confidence, encourages them to work hard and do more,” added Tuyisenge.
He disclosed that the school plans to introduce a new project dubbed “Code and Solve” aimed at teaching learners to solve problems affecting the society including epidemics and disasters among others.
“Every learner should strive to find solutions to real-world problems early. It does not start during adulthood. Bringing those problems to the attention of children, helps them to grow with zeal to find solutions for the country, Africa and the world,” underscored Tuyisenge.
New Generation Academy has committed to make robots mainly using equipment sourced locally.
Sources indicate that the school has already entered a deal with Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) of harmonizing Coding and Robotics program with Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
Today, five schools where the program will be piloted have been selected.
New Generation Academy will train teachers to make robots among others.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that the group had already slaughtered 20 pigs, when the Police responded to a call on the illegal act, at about 05a.m.
“They had turned the piggery into a slaughterhouse, which is illegal, contravening the public health and standard regulations. They were operating in unhygienic place,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
The suspects, he said, include a guard and three employees at the pig farm. The search for the owner of the piggery, who allegedly told them to slaughter the pigs, is still underway.
Under article 39 of regulation number DGO/REG/003 of 25/04/2022 governing meat businesses, a legal on-farm slaughterhouse for poultry, rabbit and Guinea pigs shall comply with the provisions of the general requirements.
It shall be physically separated from the farming premises and shall provide onsite chilling facilities.
CIP Twajamahoro warned livestock farmers against turning their farms into slaughterhouses and urged meat dealers to comply with related businesses standards that respects and protections consumer health.
Last month, Police in Kigali also impounded an unlicensed vehicle, which was transporting at least 800kgs of uninspected meat.
The Ministerial Order n°013/11.30 of 18/11/2010 on transport and trade of meat, particularly article 2, stipulates that “…the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust, and flies.”
Article 3 of the same order states that the motor-vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non-packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless material.
The van must be inspected first and licensed to transport meat.
She made the donation during her visit to the hospital on Friday 3rd March 2023 to witness how her previous funding is saving lives of prematurely born-babies.
Rolland founded Maisha Africa after visiting Rwanda in 2000 which has been raising funds for various activities aimed at helping children in Rwanda, especially survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2020, Rolland had donated medical equipment worth Rfw69 million meant to save lives of premature babies at the health facility.
Speaking to IGIHE after the visit; Dr. Philbert Muhire, the Director General of Ruhengeri Referral Hospital said that Rolland has had a great attachment to the health facility for long.
“She has been giving us equipment to improve neonatology services, save lives of premature babies or others born with complications. Today, Rolland was taken on a tour at the neonatology section to witness the impact of her donation and extend the support. She has pledged around 30,000 Euros for the hospital to buy more equipment and improve neonatology services,” he said.
Dr. Muhire also extolled Rolland for her continued support through Maisha Africa.
“We are particularly very grateful for her support. Even though Rolland lives in France, she has roots in Rwanda and attaches great relevance to her bonds with Rwanda as well as our hospital. We thank her for the generosity and willingness to take care of patients,” he noted.
Three years ago, Rolland donated Rwf69 million to Ruhengeri Hospital to buy medical equipment. They included radiant warmers, emergency trolley, monitoring machines, resuscitation kits, ultrasound machine, phototherapy machine and blood gases analysis machine among other equipment for neonatal intensive care unit.
During an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Rolland expressed satisfaction with what she has so far achieved through Maisha Africa and talked about her attachment to Northern Province.
“I have a strong attachment to this region. My mother was from Ruhengeri, my aunt Charlotte worked at this hospital and my grandfather was at this hospital before fleeing during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” she said.
“They rescued him because they brought him in a camp. I have a strong bond with this town because it is my mother’s home,” added Rolland.
She explained that provided equipment have helped the hospital a great deal as the support ‘reduced almost a half the deaths of babies’.
“I learnt about it last year. I was very excited because I always want to do more. Besides, there are women who return to thank Maisha Africa because of that. It was a great achievement,” noted Rolland.
Rolland created Maisha Africa in 2001 after visiting Rwanda in 2000 along with her family following her selection as Miss France.
She had left the country in Rwanda in 1990.
“At the time, I met with different non-governmental organizations. I was very touched by orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi heading families when I came to Rwanda,” recounted Rolland.
As she said, the orphans included children of her age. Rolland was 19 years old when she created Maisha Africa Association.
The orphans’ ordeal inspired her to create Maisha Africa to raise funding to improve their wellbeing.
“These orphans had painful stories. I initially created the project to help orphans. The initial project was later expanded to support vulnerable children in general. The project started renovating houses of Genocide orphans in Kimironko and other places. We are glad that these children have become adults today,” said Rolland.
Among others, the charity foundation also rehabilitated the former Gisimba orphanage whose name was changed to Gisimba Memorial Centre and built a nursery school in Ntarama of Bugesera District among others.
“It induces great pride because my association has impacted children in different aspects and contributed to national development and emotional stability of many kids,” observed Rolland.
Currently, Rolland has drawn attention to another project to foster women’s development in Rwanda through beekeeping. It is being implemented through an organization dubbed ‘L’Observatoir Français d’Apidologie (OFA).
