Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Western region Police spokesperson, identified the suspects as Jean d’Amour Uwiringiyimana, 35, Theodore Kagabo, 27, Pierre Nkundunkundiye, 23, Appolinaire Mugisha, 24, and Elière Zirimwabagabo, 32.
“There was credible information about people, who would receive bales of clothes on the shores of Lake Kivu in Nyagahinga Village, Gasura Cell of Bwishyura Sector. The bales were to be delivered by another group from DRC,” said SP Karekezi.
He added that the five suspects were arrested red-handed after receiving the 13 bales from the suppliers, who fled back to DRC through Lake Kivu.
He warned against smuggling and fraud, and called upon the public to continue the partnership and information sharing on any illegal or suspicious act in their communities.
The bales were handed over to Revenue Protection Unit (RPU), a Rwanda National Police (RNP) section attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to fight smuggling. The suspects were handed to RIB at Bwishyura station for further investigations.
In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned.
{{Tax fraud}}
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.
Mugisha was selected from almost 7,000 nominations and applications from 150 countries.
The Varkey Foundation partnered with Chegg.org to launch the annual Global Student Prize last year, a sister award to its US$1 million Global Teacher Prize. It was established to create a powerful new platform that shines a light on the efforts of extraordinary students everywhere who, together, are reshaping the world for the better. The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills program. Part-time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.
Mugisha is an entrepreneur, public speaker, mentor, and youth advocate whose goal is to improve the living standards of people from underserved communities. He has initiated and led several social impact projects aimed at solving pressing challenges in his native Rwanda and beyond. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for INFIM AG-TRANSFORM AFRICA, a Rwanda based professional consultancy and manufacturer dealing in agricultural production, supply-chain, and project development. Mugisha is also the co-founder and Director of MHF, an integrated farming system that allows users to produce foods at home without leaving the house or tilling land. He also founded and currently serves as the Executive Director of PANGELASSA REVIVAL, a non-profit that aims to solve the problems of social exclusion among communities.
A talented and inspiring speaker, Mugisha has served as the Public Speaking and Debate Coach and Judge at the iDebate Rwanda, an NGO that is using debate to change the lives of young Rwandans and East Africans by equipping students with public speaking and critical thinking skills. He is also a Mathematics and English peer tutor at university, and has worked for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Rwanda, as well as United Nations Volunteers in Disaster and Humanitarian Relief where he assisted refugees in resettlement and helped with family reunification.
Commenting on the development; Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, said that the Global Student Prize launched last year has given incredible students all over the world a chance to share their stories, connect with each other, and reach influencers in education and beyond.
“Now, more than ever, students like Ernest deserve to have their stories told and have their voices heard. After all, we need to harness their dreams, their insights, and their creativity to tackle the daunting and urgent challenges facing our world,” he noted.
“Our finalists this year have made a huge impact in areas from the environment to equality and justice, from health and wellbeing to education and skills, from youth empowerment to ending poverty. I can’t wait to see how this year’s inspiring cohort of changemakers use this platform to make their voices louder, and their work lift up even more lives,” Rosensweig added.
Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation has extended warmest congratulations to Ernest and observed that his story is a testament to the crucial role that education plays in building a better tomorrow for all.
“It is the key to solving humanity’s greatest challenges, from war and conflict to climate change to growing inequality. As time runs out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is more important than ever to prioritize education so we can face the future with confidence,” he said.
Applications and nominations for this year’s Global Student Prize opened on Thursday 27 January and closed on Sunday 1 May. Students are being assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their community and beyond, how they overcome the odds to achieve, how they demonstrate creativity and innovation, and how they operate as global citizens.
Last year’s winner was Jeremiah Thoronka, a 21-year-old student from Sierra Leone, who launched a start-up called Optim Energy that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall on roads into an electric current. With just two devices, the start-up provided free electricity to 150 households comprising around 1,500 citizens, as well as 15 schools where more than 9,000 students attend.
The top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize are expected to be announced in August this year. The winner, who will be announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals.
If students were nominated, the person nominating them was asked to write a brief description online explaining why. The students being nominated were then sent an email inviting them to apply for the prize. Applicants were able to apply in English, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
The three-day summit was hosted by Guangzhou HAOJIN Motorcycle Co., Ltd and was conducted in the mode of online and offline as well as domestic and foreign connections dual-channel mode.
The summit brought together HAOJIN customer representatives from various African countries, and the economic and commercial office of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, including the Embassy’s Counselor, President of Rwanda Overseas Chinese Association, colleagues of HAOJIN Brand in Rwanda Branch, leaders and colleagues of HAOJIN Company in China who participated through the connection, and two authoritative experts in the financial field. With the theme of “Joining Hands for Win-Win and Sharing the Future”, Distributors from all over the world discussed on the industry transformation and reform under the new global pattern in order to find new opportunities for enterprise development.
At the opening ceremony, the President of Guangzhou HAOJIN Motorcycle Co., Ltd. delivered an important video speech, expressing a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the leaders of the embassy and the distinguished guests. He pointed out that China-Africa friendship has a long history. HAOJIN motorcycle series products have entered the African market for many years. With high-quality products and good brand image, HAOJIN have gained a high reputation in many African countries and regions.
The President HAOJIN emphasized that with the continuous growth of the motorcycle industry in Africa, HAOJIN has accelerated the pace of strategic upgrading of the African market, by increasing product research and development, intelligent manufacturing, production automation, information digitalization, and corporate culture construction. HAOJIN always focuses on providing high-standard, high-quality products and services for the majority of African customers, and at the same time HAOJIN will fully support the sustainable and steady development of various African markets with a series of new measures for strong brand building, and will be together with all dealers and friends, cooperate with each other for mutual benefit and create new brilliance together.
Mr. Wang, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, also fully affirmed the significance of the summit in his speech. He said that the forum is a rare communication opportunity for motorcycle manufacturers and dealers. HAOJIN Motorcycle has extended its footprint to Rwanda to provide more durable and convenient motorcycles for the huge motorcycle market here. This is not only a great milestone in the development of the company, but also has a very positive role in promoting economic development.
The summit kicked off the discussion session with the sharing of topics from two authoritative experts from the financial industry on “Recent Analysis of RMB and US$ Exchange Rate Trends and Suggestions on Exchange Rate Hedging Operation” and “Global Commodity Trends and Risk Management”. Based on the background of the current global economic development, the representatives of HAOJIN merchants analyzed the current situation of the industry, and conducted in-depth discussions on the countermeasures of industry difficulties and trends, as well as the successful development cases of various enterprises. Everyone spoke enthusiastically and made concerted efforts for the development of the industry.
As a communication platform for the motorcycle industry, this summit was held for the first time and received unanimous attention and praise from both inside and outside the industry. The summit strengthens the sharing and exchange of experience and methods, and greatly promotes the synergy and rapid development of the African motorcycle industry.
Among others; Mr. Zhang, Director of International Sales Department of HAOJIN Brand delivered a speech at the 2022 HAOJIN Brand Africa Strategy Conference held on 14th July at Kigali Convention Centre, where he made an in-depth interpretation of HAOJIN ‘s brand strategy, and introduced the development strategy planning and implementation measures in detail with the brand chapter, product chapter and channel construction chapter as the framework.
In the future, HAOJIN will adhere to the core competitiveness of excellent product quality and sound product system, establish global demonstration sites, dispatch resident personnel to serve the main sales customers, and connect points to develop a regional sales network; through the construction of HAOJIN The image store and after-sales maintenance center assist merchants to switch to the new VI/SI image and enhance the brand image of HAOJIN brand in the African market; in terms of products, with the support of SABC division, provide corresponding strategic price support and, together with customers to achieve sales goals and create new heights of win-win.
The meeting ended with a group photo of business representatives from various African countries. The participants showed great interest and confidence in this strategic move, and they all expressed that they would work with HAOJIN to promote the continuous and steady upward growth of the motorcycle market, sincere cooperation and sharing development results.
The power substation was constructed on the funding of the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
It is expected to supply electricity to different parts including Ndera, Kigali Special Economic Zone, Gasogi, Kabuga, Kanombe and Murindi.
The substation to be completed at a tune of US$24 million has the capacity of producing 30 Megawatts per day and expected to reduce power outage in Kigali.
It is an addition to an existing substation producing 10 Megawatts built in the area.
On Wednesday 20th July 2022, officials visited Gasogi Substation to inspect the progress of construction activities.
These include the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana; the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Masahiro Imai; representatives from the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) and JICA among others.
Minister Nsabimana thanked the Embassy of Japan for its contribution to the construction of the substation highlighting that it will reduce the issue of power outage.
He also disclosed that the infrastructure will be operational effective next month.
Amb. Masahiro said that his country is proud of partnering with Rwanda to fast track its development through infrastructure.
“Japan and Rwanda relations date back 60 years ago. We committed to work with this country to accelerate its economic development,” he noted. Amb. Masahiro also expressed optimism that the substation will add up to the country’s development efforts.
Japan, Rwanda relations have deepened roots since 1962. Rwanda is among countries that will attend the upcoming eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) to be held from 27th to 28th August 2022.
TICAD is a policy forum where diverse stakeholders participate in and share their expertise on African development.
To date, approximately 70% of Rwandan households have access to electricity as the country targets universal coverage by 2024.
Ndayishimiye will take over from his Kenya counterpart, President Uhuru Kenyatta who assumed office in March 2021.
He was announced as new EAC leader, by the outgoing chairman, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta during the closure of the two-day summit held in Arusha.
Resolutions of the summit indicate that the summit received an update on the integration of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where the council of ministers and EAC Secretariat will expedite and finalize the implementation of the roadmap of integration and report to the 23rd Meeting of the Summit.
During the summit, Rwanda was represented by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente. DRC was also represented by Prime Minister, Sama Lukonde.
{{Security issues in DRC }}
Resolutions of the summit show that EAC appointed President Uhuru Kenyatta to oversee the implementation of Nairobi process as provided for in the modality for the establishment and functioning of the EAC panel on eminent persons and for the deployment of special envoys.
The summit also resolved that a special fund will be established to support the implementation of the process and decided to expeditiously deploy a joint regional force in eastern DRC.
{{Somali continues to push for admission into EAC}}
The summit noted that the verification exercise for the admission of the Federal Republic of Somalia into the East African Community had not been undertaken and directed the council of ministers to expeditiously fast track the verification exercise in accordance with the EAC procedure for admission of new members into the EAC and report to the 23rd Meeting of the Summit.
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who was part of the meeting reiterated his country’s commitment to join the regional bloc.
The summit also noted that the council of ministers had concluded the roadmap for the integration of South Sudan into the community.
{{Inclusion of Kiswahili and French as official languages }}
The EAC Heads of State Summit also received an update on the inclusion of French and Kiswahili as official languages of the community, in addition to English and considered a roadmap on the implementation of Kiswahili and French as official languages.
The council of ministers was directed to expedite implementation of the roadmap.
{{New judges of EAC court}}
The summit appointed Cheborion Barishaki Bonny from Uganda as a judge of the East African Court of Justice in the appellate division wioth effect from 16th August 2022.
It also appointed Sauda Mjasiri as the Vice President of the East African Court of Justice and Dr. Charles O. Nyawelo as Deputy Principal Judge of the first Instance Division with effect from 22nd July 2022.
The summit also named Gacuko Leonard from Burundi as a Judge of the East African Court of Justice in the first instance division with effect from 22nd July 2022.
Among others, the summit also thanked judges Monica Mugenyi, Geoffrey W.M. Kiryabwire and Audace Ngiye for their dedicated service to the community and wished them well in their future endeavours.
{{Bazivamo ends tenure}}
The summit noted that the tenure of the Deputy Secretary General of EAC, Christophe Bazivamo will end in September 2022.
The summit commended him for dedicated service to the community and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Bazivamo held the position since 2016.
Prior to the appointment, he was a parliamentarian of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
He also held different duties in the Government of Rwanda between 2009 and 2011.
{{Ndayishimiye appointed Chairperson of EAC}}
The summit recalled its previous decision at its 21st meeting that the Republic of Burundi would take over the next chairmanship of the community. The summit decided that the Republic of South Sudan will be the rapporteur.
With this regard, the President of Burundi, Ndayishimiye will be serving the Chairperson of EAC replacing Uhuru Kenyatta.
The summit thanked Uhuru Kenyatta for having chaired the community and his stewardship of the affairs of the community during his tenure since 27th February 2021.
The students are in Rwanda as part of their ‘Rwanda post-genocide against the Tutsi’ course offered by the Ohio-based university. Their visit to RNP was mainly to understand the force’s role in peace building and national development.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, who received the students, reiterated the RNP’s proactive approach in working with the citizens as well as other governance and security institutions in addressing human security issues that would otherwise cause insecurity.
The students sought to know more about the RNP’s community policing philosophy, the link between peace-making and policing, Umuganda (communal work) in relation to peace and development, and how the force deals with crime such as gender-based violence, human trafficking and drug abuse.
“Rwanda National Police serves in the interest of the citizens… for everyone to be safe, involved and reassured. We are a people-centred security organ and the citizens are empowered to be the first responders in identifying and addressing localized security issues, through community night patrols, and sharing of information on anything that can affect their safety and wellbeing,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
She added that as a proactive approach to prevent crime, RNP devises and implements various community security and development activities, including awareness against crime, constructing modern houses for the disadvantaged families as well as giving them medical insurance, solar energy, clean water, organic gardens, construction and rehabilitation of roads connecting villages, among many others.
These proactive engagements, DIGP Ujeneza added, build trust and confidence, instills a sense of nationalism, improves security in neighborhoods, provides a safe environment for all and where people feel safe when they see security organs.
While responding to the issue of youth and drugs, DIGP Ujeneza said that development also goes with protecting the young people against one of the major hindrance to youth development. This, she said, involves sensitization against drug abuse, operations to break drug trafficking chains and rehabilitation of addicts, among others.
Pacifique Niyonzima, a Rwandan student pursuing PhD in ‘Interprofessional Leadership’ at Kent State University, said that the ‘Rwanda post-genocide against the Tutsi’ course was designed to teach students about the progress that Rwanda has made in different sectors such as peace, education, health and security.
“They have come to Rwanda National Police to learn how it implements these programmes in line with peace-building and development… then they go back and teach their communities,” said Niyonzima.
Sarah Schmidt, a student in secondary school education also at Kent State University, said: “I will be teaching high school students social studies; history, economics, civil society issues. Coming here, I expected to find a country attempting to rebuild itself after the tragedy, but what I found is a country completely succeeding in unifying its people and rebuilding itself to be a place where everyone feels safe, secure and happy.”
She added: “They have really built a society here that seems to treasure every citizen and where people express themselves in their own way. I have, therefore, learned strategies that I can use in my classroom to help teach students unity and peace-building skills through debates and consensus.”
The annual initiative that commenced in 2021, encourages youth-led entrepreneurs to apply for a three-month accelerator program led by Inkomoko and MTN Rwanda that provides them with training sessions on business skills, communication, and access to advertising platforms.
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in the development of the economy and provide forty-one per cent of all private sector jobs in Rwanda. In order to support and fast track growth for youth-led businesses, it is imperative to have an enabling environment which provides the basis for the inception of Level Up Your Biz.
“We are pleased to be launching yet another season of Level Up Your Biz. Given the successful roll out of the initiative in 2021 and benefits the entrepreneurs gained from the training sessions, it’s important that we continue to support youth-led businesses for they are the leaders of tomorrow. We are also delighted to once again partner with Inkomoko and provide additional support to the top three (3) entrepreneurs through our MTN Foundation,” commented Yaw Ankoma Agyapong, MTN Rwanda Chief Consumer & Digital Officer.
MTN Rwanda will be supporting the selected six youth-led businesses with communication and advertising platforms and through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) vehicle, MTN Foundation, will also award the top three entrepreneurs with Two Million Rwandan Francs (Rwf 2,000,000) each.
In order to qualify for one of the available spots on the Level Up Your Biz program, the youth-led businesses must be led by Rwandan youth, aged 18-30 years old. The business must have a minimum of 3 employees and an annual revenue of less than Rwf 200M. In addition, the business must have proof of registration for at least 1 year. Priority will be given to businesses that are making a social/environmental impact, as well as to female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
Sara Leedom, Chief Operating officer Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development stated: “Leveraging technology like digital platforms and mobile money can allow young entrepreneurs with a good product to scale quickly and efficiently. Level Up Your Biz connects entrepreneurs to the resources of MTN, the largest digital provider in Rwanda, and to Inkomoko’s business advisory tools. It’s a great combination of resources for any entrepreneur who is serious about scale and growth. Physical location does not need to limit market reach if a business accesses the right digital tools.”
Entrepreneurs are required to send in their applications and necessary documents via our website https://www.mtn.co.rw/luyb/ by Thursday 28 July 2022.
{{About MTN Rwandacell }}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, it has continuously invested in expanding and modernising our network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
The telecom offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to its customers.
{{About Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development}}
Inkomoko Entrepreneur Development offers full-service business consulting in Rwanda, with offices in Kigali and Musanze, as well as six refugee camps. Its work focuses specifically on developing the skills, systems, and networks for entrepreneurs in Rwanda to successfully develop, operate, and expand their enterprises for increased profit and job creation.
To date, Inkomoko has worked with 14,000 entrepreneurs to help them create more than 5,500 jobs in Rwanda.
The leaders hosted at Urugwiro Village today include Mahamadou Issoufou, the former President of Niger; Hailemariam Desalegn, former Ethiopian Prime Minister; the CEO of African Wildlife Foundation, Kaddu Sebunya; the Deputy Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Stewart Maginnis; the Director General of World Wildlife Fund, Marco Lambertini and the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Shamila Nair Bedouelle.
Rwanda’s Presidency has announced the development via Twitter handle but did not mention topics of discussions.
The leaders were accompanied by Rwandan officials including the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi.
The congress which the leaders attended runs between 18th and 23rd July 2022. It is organized by African Wildlife Foundation, an international conservation organization focused exclusively on Africa’s wildlife and wild lands.
The first Africa Protected Area Congress underway in Kigali is intended to further enhance the status of conservation in Africa by engaging governments, the private sector, civil society, indigenous peoples and local communities, academia to shape Africa’s Protected and Conserved Areas Agenda to better deliver benefits for people and nature.
It brought together over 2000 participants from 52 African countries and beyond.
Rwanda became the first African country to host the meeting which previously took place in Europe, USA and Asia.
The opening ceremony was graced by dignitaries including the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn and the former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.
The opening ceremony also coincided with the official inauguration of Nyandungu Eco-Park by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente.
Today, protected areas cover 37.7% of Rwanda’s land.
Despite the fact that she had a farmland, Niyonteze had little hope for progress and hardly fed her family due to persistent drought in the area. Her land was almost idle.
As years went by, the Government of Rwanda introduced irrigation infrastructures in the district especially in the sectors of Nasho, Mpanga, Nyamugari and Mahama to help farmers increase produce.
Since then, Niyonteze seized the opportunity and started growing bananas, thanks to irrigation infrastructures made available.
“Before, I was a beggar living in a thatched house. One day, people came here and urged us to take advantage of a neighbouring lake. They advised me to grow bananas and water them using the lake. They gave me an irrigation machine which I used appropriately and started yielding big,” she said.
Niyonteze says that she no longer forces meal upon hard labour because she received a cow which served as a source of manure to fertilize her field.
Few years later, Niyonteze’s produce increased remarkably that she currently earns Rwf300,000 every month.
“Today, my children study without disruptions as they are guaranteed of school fees. I have also built a new house in which I live with my children. I am proud of my living conditions because I have a regular source of income where I earn Rwf300,000 from banana produce each month,” she revealed.
Niyonteze thanked the Government of Rwanda for facilitating her to attend trainings equipping her with best banana farming practices. She plans to expand arable land, and subsequently create jobs.
The Mayor of Kirehe District, Bruno Rangira says that Kirehe District has several opportunities that will help farmers to increase yields owing to irrigation infrastructures. He urges them to seize them for a prosperous future.
Today, Kirehe District has 3754 irrigated hectares from below 100 in the past five years.
It is expected that the second phase of this project will see more than 10,000 hectares irrigated in the second phase.
At the time, 22 individuals who had been convicted of role in the Genocide were shot dead.
The capital punishment triggered mixed reactions among foreign countries which condemned the decision taken by the Government of Rwanda.
Among the executed individuals, is Virginie Mukankusi, the former School Inspector in Kigali City during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Reports do not provide deep details on the role of Mukankusi during the Genocide but indicate that he was convicted over persecuting Tutsi victims before killing them.
Mukankusi was also convicted of hunting and pointing out hideouts for Tutsi children to be killed by Interahamwe.
Mukankusi was handed life sentence on 28th February 1997 by Gitarama Primary Court. The convict and defence lawyers were not satisfied with the verdict and filed an appeal before Nyabisindu Intermediate Court which retained the punishment.
During trial proceedings that began in January 1997, Amnesty International revealed that Mukankusi made self-contradictory statements at different times which might have been considered by the court to pin her.
Mukankusi’s defence lawyer requested for lenient sentence of his client claiming that she was an ordinary citizen not familiar with political affairs.
However, the Prosecution said that it could not clear her of cruelty and severity of the committed crime.
The verdict was not welcomed by foreign countries and international organizations including Amnesty which considered the decision as a step backward in the judicial system.
“The public execution of 22 people in Rwanda on 24 April has further damaged hopes of peace and reconciliation in the country,” reads an extract from Amnesty’s report released on 24th April 1998.
Pope John Paul II also wrote a letter to the then President, Pasteur Bizimungu requesting the cancellation of the execution but the Government of Rwanda insisted that the decision of the court must be respected.
It also explained that the verdict served as a warning to people with intentions to abuse human rights.
On the day of execution, Mukankusi was along with a group of key masterminds in the preparation and execution of Genocide against the Tutsi including Frodouard Karamira, the former Vice President of MDR political party who played a major role in spreading Hutu Power ideology and mobilizing Hutus to exterminate Tutsis through the then national broadcaster, RTLM.
The death sentence was later abolished. The Government of Rwanda scrapped the death penalty from its penal code on 25th July 2007.
It is said that it had been handed to 600 individuals before its abolishment.
