The two Police institutions reaffirmed their commitment in a joint communiqué issued on Friday, September 16, in Kigali and signed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and the visiting Director General of Benin Republic Police, Soumaila Allabi Yaya.
DG Yaya and his delegation are in Rwanda since last Sunday at the invitation of his host, IGP Munyuza to “strengthen practical cooperation channels” between the two police institutions, including dealing with “common emerging security threats.”
“…the two Police institutions reaffirm the importance of police cooperation in the service of peace and stability of their respective countries,” the joint communiqué reads in part.
The communique further highlights the willingness to “explore ways that can take the relations to a higher level.”
During the bilateral meeting held on Monday and co-chaired by the two Police Chiefs, they discussed various pertinent issues of common interest, including training and exchange of Police professional and academic programmes, which are premised on solid cooperation established by the Heads of State of both countries.
During his working visit in Rwanda, IGP Yaya visited various RNP facilities including the Command and Coordination Center, Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District, Rubavu One Stop Border Post, Counter Terrorism Training Center in Mayange, Busanza Automated Driving Test Center and Automobile Inspection Center in Kigali.
His body was seen in the morning of Saturday 17th September 2022 by a man from Gitwa Village, Mataba Cell, Rubengera Sector who was carrying fertilizers to his farmland.
He rushed to alert local leaders who also notified Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
The Executive Secretary of Mataba Sector, Fabien Ngendo has told IGIHE that the young man is suspected to have committed suicide.
“Residents say that the young man who was a barber returned home from work on Tuesday around 8:00 p.m. He left home shortly and disappeared since then,” he said.
RIB has launched investigation to establish the cause of his death.
Mfitumukiza’s body is to be taken to Kibuye Hospital for post mortem before burial.
Kagame is in the United States of America (USA) to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.
The discussed Car Free Day is a mass sports event which takes place twice a month in Kigali City.
The sporting event serves to make Kigali a green city while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The bi-monthly Car Free Day usually takes place between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. every first and third Sunday of the month, bringing together city dwellers for physical fitness exercises.
The exercise started in 2016, aimed promoting healthy lifestyle among Rwandans and help them benefit from other health activities like screening for non-communicable diseases.
Car Free Day provides a platform to educate people on healthy lifestyle choices in general and creates awareness that roads are not only built for vehicles but also for pedestrians.
Among others, the mass sports helps to reduce air pollution.
Meanwhile, the community work aims at sharing the practice of ’Umuganda’ as one of the homegrown solutions aimed at uniting people and help the community to protect their environment.
Umuganda can be referred to as an activity of “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome,” a practice that has long existed in Rwandan culture but only recently became mandatory.
Umuganda was carried out to build or renovate a house for a member of the community and till farm lands among others.
As per history, Umuganda was adopted by the first and second republic after Rwanda’s Independence in 1962 and used as a platform to spread political ideology among people, hence distorting its goal.
Since 2007, the Government of Rwanda revised the program’s priorities to align them with activities promoting national development, contributing to national budget and socialization among people.
Umuganda is conducted every last Saturday of the month. It brings together all Rwandans aged between 18 and 65.
The activity has had a huge impact to beneficiaries in a short time span. For instance, over 400 families living in dilapidated structures in Nyanza District were helped to live in decent houses in 2017.
They were built through community work and local leadership’s support which provided roofing sheets.
His suspension was announced in the night of Friday 16th September 2022 through a statement released by the Office of Prime Minister and signed by Dr. Edouard Ngirente on behalf of President Paul Kagame.
“Today September 16th 2022, Mr. Didier Shema Maboko has been suspended from the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports [MINISPORTS], with immediate effect,” reads the statement.
Reasons for his suspension have not yet been announced as it happens to other leaders.
The conference brought together medical experts from the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) countries including, Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Uganda, and others.
This year’s conference started on 13th September 2022 in Manzin Eswatini. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister of this country, Themba MASUKU. On the first day, participants discussed how medical services can be improved in ECSA member countries.
Dr. Habumugisha who was among speakers stressed the need to leverage on technology and innovations to address challenges affecting nursing and midwifery services.
He observed that putting much emphasis on theoretical studies than practical sessions is among major challenges facing nursing and midwifery schools in Africa.
Dr. Habumugisha said that the number of smartphone owners are gradually increasing in Africa where health institutions should take advantage of this opportunity to develop digital platforms to help people access information they need.
He pointed out the example of his digital platform dubbed ‘Muganga Online’ which helps people access health information and highlighted that similar initiatives would be more meaningful for people to access some services without necessity for regular visits to health centers.
Dr. Habumugisha was invited as one of experts who developed digital platforms providing solutions in the health sector.
Among his accomplishments is the establishment of Goodrich Life Care, which offers nutritional therapy, reflexology and hydrotherapy. Apart from this, he founded Goodrich TV which provides advice and health related information.
Most of the leaders who participated in this meeting from 16 countries and non-governmental organizations working with ECSACON discussed with Dr. Habumugisha how “Muganga Online” can be introduced in their countries.
Born in 1934, Jim Inhofe is a senator in US Congress who has been representing Oklahoma State.
Inhofe, 87, is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and its past chairman. He served previously as chairman and ranking Republican of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Inhofe recently announced that he would retire effective January 3, 2023, after 35 years in Congress and a career in politics spanning over 50 years.
On Thursday 15th September 2022, Rwanda’s Embassy in the United States (US) hosted a breakfast at the US Capitol in appreciation of Senator Jim Inhofe’s career and friendship with Africa and Rwanda, in particular.
In a message he sent, President Paul Kagame stated that Senator Inhofe’s dedication to Rwanda has nurtured relationships that have helped strengthen the bonds between Rwanda and the United States.
“We have watched you invest in learning about and understanding Rwanda and other African countries. We have also watched you educate your peers on the importance of Africa and countries like Rwanda as worthy global allies,” he said.
“You have shown that a productive relationship with the United States is mutually beneficial for our people and contributes to greater security and stronger economies,” added Kagame.
Senator Inhofe appreciated the warm welcome he was always given whenever he traveled to Rwanda.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr.Vincent Biruta revealed that he considers Senator Inhofe as a man of profound wisdom who embodies the symbol of friendship between Africa and the US.
“I think of a man of principles who devoted his life to public service and did it with integrity, selfless work ethic, and determination,” he said.
Dr. Biruta and Rwanda’s Ambassador to the US, Mathilde Mukantabana also presented a painted gift to Senator Inhofe.
“The shields and spears in this painting symbolize the readiness to defend and fight for your country. The moon and the rays symbolize power and wisdom. And the fact that these elements appear in pairs in this painting means unity,” explained Minister Biruta.
African Diplomatic corps and officials from Congress, Pentagon, and State Department also attended the breakfast.
Construction activities of the eco-friendly airport began in 2017. Later in 2018, the progress delayed awaiting negotiations with Qatar as a new investor to acquire 60% shares.
In 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways have signed partnership agreement that saw the latter investing in the construction of Bugesera International Airport (BIA) estimated to cost $1.3 billion at completion.
The agreement put an end to a previous deal signed in 2016 between Rwanda and Societe Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção África, SA. from Portugal to build the airport in two phases. Initially, the project was estimated to cost US$820 million where Mota-Engil Africa had to manage the airport for 25 years that could be extended by more 15 years.
The first phase of the project was due to be completed in 2022, but was subjected to changes including the redesign of its master plan, coupled with effects of Covid-19 pandemic that delayed construction activities.
The current plan indicates that the airport will be built in two phases with the first expected to be completed in 2024/25.
Under the new agreement, the airport is expected to accommodate at least 8.2 million people per year against 4.5 million in the first master plan. It can also host 1225 passengers in its busiest hour.
The new design was showcased to participants of the 6th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition held in Kigali this week who were taken through a virtual tour of the airport.
The airport is being constructed in Rilima Sector of Bugesera District, Eastern Province.
It has large gates for dignitaries and ordinary passengers. Bugesera International Airport also has large passenger, staff checkpoints and cargo terminal.
With a cargo area of 27,000 square meters, at least 150,000 tons are expected to be transited through the airport per year.
The facility also has a separate boarding gate for staff and a Presidential Terminal Building which can accommodate 200 people.
A space for vehicles of security personnel, communication towers has been also reserved.
Regarding the parking lot, it is planned that parking for 249 vehicles will be built for staff in the first phase.
The management will also have a parking lot for 254 excluding the space for 12 large buses.
As for regular passengers, there is a parking lot for 547 cars, 249 taxi cabs and 9 large buses in the first phase.
A five-storey building with the capacity to accommodate 820 people will also be erected for the airport’s administration.
It will also have 4500-meter runway.
As he officiated the opening of the 6th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition, President Paul Kagame said that liberalization of air transport in Africa can act as a catalyst to speed up the aviation industry’s recovery, by increasing connectivity, stimulating demand and creating jobs.
He revealed that open skies help to link businesses to regional and global supply chains, boost trade and investment where ‘the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market must remain a top priority’.
The Head of State reminisced on Rwanda’s efforts highlighting that the country continues to do its part.
“Currently, RwandAir, our national carrier, serves 24 routes, 19 of which are in Africa. We intend to continue expanding within the continent and abroad,” he stated.
“We are working together with our partner, Qatar Airways, to grow RwandAir and build Kigali’s new international airport, currently under construction, into a regional hub for passengers and cargo,” added Kagame.
The mass relocation which began in the morning of Thursday 15th September 2022, followed a period of voluntary relocation where families willing to do so would approach leaders to facilitate their resettlement.
The exercise was initiated through collaboration between local leaders and security officials to ensure a smooth relocation.
It has been five years since the government announced plans to relocate families from the slum but residents expressed frustration against the decision and the expropriation model.
Residents claimed for monetary compensation but the government insisted that relocating them to a model village is the only durable solution lest they end up setting up in other slum areas.
On Thursday, some residents against the decision were reminded that the relocation is in their interests to leave hazardous zones prone to disasters. The area will be developed for projects of public interests that pose no threats to the population.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda has said that the relocation goes on in a proper arrangement.
“Properly coordinated resettlement to decent places is the right of every Rwandan and the responsibility of the government to oversee its execution. The relocation of residents from Kibiraro and Kangondo to Busanza was planned ahead that no one will be subjected to harassment,” he said.
Théogène Ngendahayo from Kangondo II is among relocated residents. He received a unit comprised of one bedroom, a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet inside the building.
Despite initial resistance, he finally agreed to move to the new estate from a disaster-prone zone.
“I had many structures but their value is below the newly received shelter. I thank the government for overseeing our interests and the support extended to citizens to move to decent houses,” said Ngendahayo.
The man who had a small house with three bedrooms and a sitting room has called on reluctant residents to change their mindsets and leave the high-risk area.
The Deputy Executive Administrator of Kicukiro District, Adalbert Rukebanuka has said that the model village has all needed equipment and infrastructures for residents to lead dignified life.
“These residents are joining previously relocated batches and need not worry because their wellbeing and safety is guaranteed. Residents staying in this village range from different segments including public servants and traders among others. This should send a message to reluctant families that living here does not restrict them from continuing their businesses to feed their families and contribute to national development. They are welcome to the village,” he said.
Busanza Housing Estate is located in Kanombe sector in Kicukiro district. It is comprised of different blocks to accommodate families who were living in Kigali’s largest slum bringing together three zones; Kangondo I, Kangondo II, and Kibiraro I.
Each of resettled residents will receive a unit equivalent to his/her properties.
President Lourenço was sworn in to lead the country for another term during a colorful ceremony which took place on Thursday 15th September 2022 at Praca de Republica Luanda, the capital of Angola.
It was attended by African Heads of State including Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Hage Geingob of Namibia and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of Portugal which colonized the country.
President Kagame was represented by Premier Ngirente who arrived in Angola on Thursday morning.
During the inauguration ceremony, the sworn-in president pledged to selflessly serve all Angolan citizens and tackle the issue of joblessness.
Lourenco,68, was sworn in along with Esperanca da Costa, the country’s first ever female vice president.
He was re-elected following the victory of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Angola’s ruling party which was declared the winner of the 2022 general elections held last month with 51.17 percent of the votes cast.
The nation’s largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), gained 43.95 percent of the total votes cast.
In accordance with the Angolan constitution, the top candidate of a political party that wins the most votes is elected as president.
MPLA has ruled the country for almost 50 years after the country’s Independence in 1975.
It is however blamed for failure to address the issue of poverty and high rate of unemployment.
Lourenço was elected Angolan president in 2017 replacing José Eduardo dos Santos.
Dos Santos died of natural cause in July this year. He breathed the last in Spain where he was taken for treatment.
The colourful medal pinning ceremony of the 160 officers of Rwanda Formed Police Unit Three (FPU-3) operating in the capital Juba and 27 Individual Police Officers (IPO), was presided over by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Guang Cong.
It was also attended by the UNMISS Police Commissioner, Madam Christine Fossen, Deputy Police Commissioner, Rajender Pal Upadhyaya, heads of other Police and military contributing countries, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) and the Rwandan community in South Sudan.
Mr. Cong thanked the Government of Rwanda for its commitment to the UN missions globally and South Sudan in particular.
“Rwanda is the 4th largest contributor in UN Peacekeeping operations and the first female peacekeeper contributor. It is a great pride. We thank the able leadership under President Paul Kagame,” Mr. Cong said.
He added: “During their tour of duty in UNMISS, Rwandan peacekeepers have exhibited a high level of professionalism and their contribution has helped UNMISS to achieve its mandates.
As we join RWAFPU-3 fellow peacekeepers to celebrate this special day away from their loved ones, we should also remember our continuing commitment to bring lasting peace to South Sudan so that the people of this country can look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future… to continue making a real difference to the lives of the communities we serve.”
The RWAFPU-3 contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Marie Grace Uwimana thanked the leadership of UN Police (UNPOL) and the entire UNMISS family as well as the people of South Sudan for their support, cooperation and guidance.
She further thanked all the decorated officers under her command for their professionalism, commitment, teamwork and hard work during their tour-of-duty.
Since their deployment, the decorated officers have conducted various activities including public order management, static duties, supporting Humanitarian activities, providing security and escort duties; patrols, capacity building of the local police and community policing groups, as well as community development activities, among others.
RWAFPU-3 is a fourth rotation that was deployed in November last year, with 50 percent of them females.
It is mandated to ensure protection of civilians, create conducive conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitoring and investigating Human Rights violations as well as supporting the implementation of Revitalized Peace Agreement.
