The organization which started activities in Rwanda in 2011 is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
BPN has roots from Switzerland with it score objective to support entrepreneurs with promising small and medium enterprises.
Every year, the organization offers Business Management Trainings, personal coaching, loans to fair conditions and the exclusive opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs under its program.
In Rwanda, the organization has worked with nearly 300 entrepreneurs in over 20 industries.
The Country Director of BPN Rwanda, Alice Nkulikiyinka was part of the delegation received by President Kagame.
BPN also operates in other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Mongolia and Georgia.
The meeting is taking place between 20th and 26th June 2022 after it was postponed two times due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Different business deals are also expected to be signed during the meeting.
It is expected that some roads will be closed or diverted as guests will be driving to the meeting venue or returning to their accommodations to avoid traffic congestion.
To this end, new roads are needed to find an alternative and ensure free movements.
Speaking to RTV, Eng Patricie Uwase, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure has said that a lot had been done in preparations of the meeting even before COVID-19 emerged.
A total of Rwf10.5 billion had been earmarked to upgrade infrastructures including roads and airports.
{{Airport }}
Eng Uwase has said that preparations have been done from the airport where guests will land to hotels designated to accommodate them.
“We started preparations with Kigali International Airport where guests will land and take off. We have expanded it enough and upgraded parking capacity to accommodate 50 aircrafts,” he noted.
{{Roads}}
Eng Uwase has explained that there might be traffic jam from the airport during the meeting.
To address this issue, she underscored that the Government put much effort in the expansion of existing roads and creating new ones.
“Almost all have been completed – eight roads covering more than 12 kilometers. There are more nine large roads [under construction]. These include Sonatubes-Gahanga road currently at 96% and the road in Itunda with construction activities at over 70%. They will all be completed before CHOGM. Many of them are expected to be completed towards the end of this month and more efforts are being expended,” noted Eng Uwase.
Residents to be affected by closure of the road from the airport in Kanombe for safe passage of guests include those from Masaka, Kabuga, Gasogi and other areas along the road to Eastern Province.
Eng Uwase has stressed that there are alternative roads in Nyarutarama and Technique to Kimironko among others that might be used by people driving to the city center or Nyabugogo.
The areas of Kabeza and Rubirizi also have an alternative road through Itunda linking up to the one from Kanombe.
“It will be completed and currently stands at nearly 70%. Activities are being expedited that it will be finalized,” said Eng Uwase.
“There is a road that should be used most running through the areas of Kabeza from Alpha Palace Hotel. There is another from Niboye. In fact, these roads can be very helpful if they are efficiently utilized,” she added.
Eng Uwase revealed that these roads will be announced before CHOGM.
{{Hotels }}
Frank Gisha Mugisha, the Director General of the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism at the Private Sector Federation (PSF) has highlighted that there are enough hotels’ rooms to accommodate guests.
“We have registered 8000 rooms in Kigali. The meeting will bring together between 5000 and 6000 participants. This shows how the city is ready with enough accommodations,” he said.
Mugisha has said that concerned institutions are working together to secure accommodations because there are instances when one leader can book two hotels depending the number of delegates comprising his team.
{{Services }}
Mugisha has said that they have been inviting international experts to train hotels’ staffs. These are sharpening their culinary arts and equipping them with relevant skills to serve guests better. Drivers are also among other people who were trained.
“During these two months, we helped service providers through trainings by inviting experts from across the world, chefs with experience in preparing foods for Heads of State to meet with our chefs and waiters. Something great has been done,” he said.
Mugisha added that the training goes hand in hand with how best to respect COVID-19 preventive measures.
{{Residential houses’ renovation}}
As part of preparations, Eng Uwase said, residents with living along main roads have renovated their houses.
“Most of residents with houses along main roads have made renovations. We have worked together in some instances like upgrades along the road to the airport [in Kanombe]”.
“These activities also include the painting of houses where traders make possible efforts to make buildings smart. We collaborated in most cases and the activity was successful,” she added.
Eng Uwase urged those who have not yet finalized to fast track renovations.
{{Secondary cities }}
Eng Uwase has also explained that much more preparations have been done in touristic towns like Musanze by improving hotels’ services and upgrading airports.
“This was done so that tourists willing to move by aircrafts can have that alternative. We also invested enough in Rubavu and other major towns,” she said.
“For instance, we completed Kivu Marina Bay, a four-star hotel in Rusizi. In Eastern Province, you know that there is Epic hotel. However, the most important thing is about services because we don’t present beautiful buildings without good services,” added Eng Uwase.
{{Transportation }}
Rwanda has also made preparations for movements of guests to hotels or meeting venues and related activities.
“We work with companies that have entered agreements with the government and ready to serve headfirst. They prepare all needed vehicles to be able to drive guests […]” said Eng Uwase.
“We have also allowed visiting countries to make a list of other companies in which they want to hire vehicles to be helped with urgency,” she added.
{{Beautifying the city}}
Installing new much brighter lights is among activities to be given priority in Kigali.
“We are making installations along 50 kilometers in Kigali so that they will be well lit by the time the meeting will be taking place,” Eng Uwase noted.
This will go hand in hand with decorative lights to be installed at different road junctures, Car Free Zone and others.
Regarding power supply, Eng Uwase revealed that Rwanda Energy Group (REG) inspected all power lines to fix any defects.
Despite the recent water scarcity in Kigali due to damaged pipes, Eng Uwase has explained that more measures have been put in place to ensure enough reserves.
“So far, 21 water reservoirs are full. They are an addition to other reservoirs we already had in Kigali under our plan to upgrade water distribution networks,” she noted.
{A driving test candidate and driving school instructor were arrested on Wednesday, May 11, in Rwamagana District for allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of Rwf400,000 to Police officers.}
Lambert Kora, 39, had failed a driving test when he, together with Niyoyita Sylvestre, 36, a driving school instructor in Kayonza District, reached out to two Police officers, who were supervising the tests, with the bribe.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, said that Kora had failed the road driving test.
“One Wednesday, Kora, who was doing practical driving tests in Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana District, failed the road test. Ironically, Kora with the help of Niyoyita, reached out to two Police officers from the Testing and Licensing department, who were supervising the tests, with a bribe of Rwf400, 000 so as to include him (Kora) among those who passed and eligible for a driver’s license,” SP Twizeyimana said.
He added: “Police officers reported to their superiors about the criminal attempt by the two men and they were arrested red-handed, handed over to RIB at Kigabiro station for further investigation.”
A successful candidate in practical tests pays only Rwf50,000 for a driver’s permit.
“Register for driving tests, do them and when you fail, try again next time. It is better than spending years in prison for something avoidable. Those Police officers that you try to seduce with a bribe thinking that they will fall for your criminal approaches, are the ones who will arrest you,” SP Twizeyimana warned.
Article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption states; any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
The deceased, Claude Uwarugira, 25, a third year student in mechanical engineering, went missing at about 4pm as he was swimming with other colleagues in the lake, about 2km from the college.
At exactly 9:58am on Wednesday, May 11, a team of two Police marine divers resurfaced from the waters with the body of the deceased, seven minutes after they commenced the diving search.
Police Marine commanding officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elias Mwesigye said that the body was recovered about 10 metres deep on the side of Ruganda Village, Kiniha Cell, Bwishyura Sector.
“The deceased had gone swimming with three other students but his colleagues called the Police after they could not see him on the spot near the shores where he was swimming from,” said ACP Mwesigye.
Fellow students said that he was a beginner swimmer. They narrated that as a beginner; he stayed near the shores but could not see him few moments later.
Following the incident, Police, local authorities and IPRC-Karongi administration met with the students and communities residing along the lake in Kiniha cell and urged them to take precautionary measures to avoid such incidents.
“This is a big loss to the family, college and the country in general. Water bodies can be good for business and social life but they can also be dangerous. Always swim from the allocated spots which are safer, wear life-jackets and never go or stay alone when you are swimming,” ACP Mwesigye said.
This is the second drowning incident involving a student from IPRC-Karongi, following another one last year.
Dominique Ingabire, IPRC-Karongi Principal, said that the college is taking more precautionary measures, including awareness to prevent similar incidents.
“For starters, we are sensitizing our students but we have also put warning tapes along the dangerous spots near the college. We are also considering creating a safer swimming spot close to the college, allocate specific swimming days and hours, and put there people, who will be on lookout to prevent drowning,” Ingabire said.
The commemoration will be graced by the presence of Hon. Jakub Kumoch, Minister in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic and other officials from the Polish Government, members of the Rwandan Community in Poland, friends of Rwanda from all walks of life including Academia and Business community leaders, and members of the Diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Poland.
The ceremony will also be the opportunity to reflect on Rwanda’s rebirth. “28 years later, Rwanda has proven to be a symbol of strength, resilience, courage, and inclusive development; through our exemplary leadership. Going forward, we will continue to keep the memory of victims alive while fostering our unity and prosperity,” Rwanda’s Ambassador to Poland, Prof Anastase Shyaka stated.
During the event, several speakers will share commemorative messages with the audience, including Fr Stanislaw Urbaniak, a Polish priest who saved many lives in Ruhango District during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and was awarded the Rwandan Order of Unity (Umurinzi w’Igihango) in 2015.
The commemoration will also include a lighting of candles (Urumuri Rutazima), symbolising the never-ending light of hope, and a poem will be recited.
During the 28th National Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame noted: ” These very hard and bad lessons should never be wasted. Every year that passes makes us stronger and better people.”
Under the theme “Remember-Unite-Renew”, the commemoration period, which started on 7th April 2022, will last for 100 days until 4 July 2022.
{{Key Fact about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi:}}
On 20th April 2020, the UN General Assembly, confirming its Decision 72/550 of 26th January 2018, adopted Resolution A/RES/74/273 that “[reaffirmed] 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda” and “[condemned] without reservation any denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda as a historical event in full or in part, as established by the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 2006, reject[ed] any denial of the genocide, and urge[d] Member States to develop educational programmes that will inculcate in future generations the lessons of the genocide in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.
As he met with President Kagame on Wednesday 11th May 2022; Maj Gen Diarra was accompanied by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Jean Bosco Kazura and the Head of the International Military Cooperation (IMC) Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa.
During his stay in Rwanda, Maj Gen Diarra held talks with RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Kazura and the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
When addressing Media on 10th May, the Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces said the purpose of his visit was to exchange experience and expertise on capacity building of both the Rwanda Defence Force and Malian Armed Forces.
He said that the discussions with his Rwandan counterpart tackled different aspects of cooperation in human resource development, military training and welfare among others.
The Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
Mali has been faced with insecurity since armed groups attacked the country in 2012.
This year 2022, AIESEC in Rwanda in partnership with I&M Bank (Rwanda)plc, Rwanda Stock Exchange, and Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) Rwanda participated in the 10th edition of Global Money Week under the theme “Build your future, be smart about money”.
At this time of the covid-19, it is underlined that the pandemic has increased social inequalities and made the situation worse for many vulnerable groups. Young people are those who are suffering the most from the crisis. Access to education, job prospects, and the ability to thrive socially have all been badly hit and all of these are limiting opportunities to build a secure financial future.
The theme “ Build your future, be smart about money” captures the importance of thinking about one’s own future when making financial decisions. This theme not only prompts young people to be forward-looking but also encourages Global Money Week’s participating organizations to think about the future as well as to address issues such as sustainability or the digitalization of financial services. This theme stresses the importance of building financial resilience not to cope with the current crisis, but also for future ones thereby supporting the financial well-being of young people and future generations.
During Global Money Week 2022, AIESEC in Rwanda visited different public and private institutions including financial and learning institutions across the country where participants were equipped with knowledge about money matters such as the stock market, banking, budgeting, saving, investing, etc.
At the closing event of Global Money Week 2022, Fiona Kamikazi the Head of marketing and communications at I&M Bank (Rwanda) plc, stressed that no matter the educational background; anyone can join the backing industry.
“ Are you a youth having a different educational background from finance? I&M Bank (Rwanda) plc offers you ManagementTraineeProgramme after you graduate in whatever educational background, so you can join the banking industry,” she said.
To stress the urgency and importance of youth participation in the conversations around money matters; UWASE Maliki, the Country Director at AIESEC in Rwanda said that “Young people need to be given the instruments, and the opportunities to build a better, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for themselves but also for the society that they live in.”
Financial literacy is one of those instruments together with adequate financial inclusion, and financial consumer protection. The research published on youth financial inclusion in Rwanda (Finscope 2020) showed that about three in five or 1.1 million youth, use informal mechanisms of saving and the most savings are for non-developmental purposes.
Lack of inclusion also appears in form of loan access, rural areas, etc that’s why AIESEC in Rwanda is working with like-minded institutions to tackle such issues mostly found in less privileged demographics.
During the Global Money Week event that took place from 21st to 27th March 2022, more than 5000 young people and children were engaged and impacted across the country and many stories of impact continue to be created.
AIESEC in Rwanda has always put its focus on youth empowerment and leadership development in young people as it welcomes and appreciates all like-minded organizations to foster collaboration toward youth development in Rwanda.
On 10th May 2022, he was received at RDF Headquarters by his counterpart Gen J Bosco Kazura. They held discussions on bilateral defence cooperation between Malian Armed Forces and Rwanda Defence Force. Maj Gen Oumar Diarra also met with the Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
When addressing Media, the Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces said the purpose of his visit was to exchange experience and expertise on capacity building of both the Rwanda Defence Force and Malian Armed Forces.
He said that the discussions with his Rwandan counterpart tackled different aspects of cooperation in human resource development, military training and welfare among others.
The Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
The secondary cities include Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare.
Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), the Government of Rwanda targets to increase urbanization rate to 30% in 2024 to support economic growth.
Some of infrastructures built in such cities include roads, water drainage channels, electricity, markets, schools, health facilities among other activities supporting national development.
In light of initiatives meant to promote infrastructure development, the country launched the first phase of Rwanda Urban Development Project [RUDP I] in 2016 which was completed in 2021.
Some of activities covered during the phase include the upgrade of slums in Kigali City in the areas of Biryogo on 12.46 hectares, Kiyovu on 20.1 hectares and Rwampara on 26.42 hectares.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the project (RUDP II) recently, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana said that the magnificence of Biryogo which has a space reserved for A ‘Car Free Zone’ convinced authorities to consider the extension.
The Minister explained that the upgrading of such slums to be equipped with electricity, water drainage channels and roads installed with lights facilitate movements and enhance security as well.
“It is a very good project that inspired the country to consider how to extend it in Kigali and secondary cities,” he said.
Dr. Nsabimana revealed that Rwf160 billion allocated for the second phase of this project have been secured whereby implementation is expected to begin in the near future.
{{Rwf60 billion earmarked for infrastructures in Kigali}}
The Ministry of Infrastructure shows that Kigali City will receive Rwf60 billion while the remaining funds will be earmarked for infrastructure development in secondary cities starting with Muhanga and Huye.
In Kigali alone, the project will be executed nearby River Mpazi flowing through the sectors of Gitega, Kimisagara na Rwezamenyo of Nyarugenge District. It will also draw emphasis on eliminating slums in Gatenga of Kicukiro, Nyabisindu of Remera Sector and Nyagatovu of Kimironko Sector in Gasabo District.
These slums will get infrastructures including roads, water drainage channels. Parts of the funds will also be used to preserve marshlands in Rwampara, Gatenga, Gikondo and Rugenge among others in accordance with Kigali City master plan.
The Mayor of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa said that such activities will transform residents’ welfare and add up to the magnificence of the city.
He further stated that the projects benefit residents who get jobs and improved wellbeing.
Rubingisa pointed out an example of a project rolled out in Agatare of Biryogo where 9-kilometer roads were built and facilitated movements.
More six-kilometer roads were also developed for pedestrians.
“Biryogo residents have started renovating their houses because the value increased. We are set to do the same thing in the four slums and want the project to move fast so that it can be beneficial to residents who will live in decent places with minimized disasters’ risks,” noted Rubingisa.
The Country Manager of World Bank in Rwanda, Roland Pryce thanked the Government of Rwanda for efficient use of received funds while rolling out projects meant to transform residents’ wellbeing.
{{Sensitization}}
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Nsabimana revealed that the relocation of residents triggered mixed reactions in the first phase due to mindsets and circumstances under which they settled in these slums.
To address the issue, he explained that more efforts will be geared towards sensitizing residents on the relevance of such infrastructures and advantages they are set to pull from them.
According to Dr. Nsabimana, the move will facilitate relocation and expropriation.
Stretched on 76 hectares and inhabited by 3,915 residents; Nyabisindu and Nyagatovu are among overpopulated parts of the city.
Under the second phase, the areas will get 7.4-kilometer roads.
More 8.2-kilometer roads will be built over River Mpazi to help residents reach markets, playgrounds and other infrastructures easily.
RUDP II will leave 17,621residents from this area accessing basic infrastructures.
In Gatenga, RUDP II will see 11.8 kilometers roads constructed and help 17,621 residents to reach infrastructures in 500 meters.
The funds will also be utilized to mitigate floods in different parts of Kigali including Rugunga, Rwandex, Gisozi, Kinyinya, Karuruma and Nyabisindu while the wetlands of Rugengerwintare, Kibumba and Nyabugogo will be preserved.
Miss Iradukunda was arrested on Sunday8th May 2022. She is detained at Remera RIB Station.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B.Thierry has told IGIHE that Iradukunda is facing charges including ‘forgery and tampering with investigation’.
It is said that RIB launched investigation into sexual corruption in Miss Rwanda contest in 2019.
Since then, evidences were gathered gradually until the arrest of Dieudonné Ishimwe alias Prince Kid, the CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Back Up which organizes the beauty pageant.
Since the arrest of Prince Kid, IGIHE has learnt, Miss Iradukunda has been contacting all girls who provided testimonies on sexual abuse against them in Miss Rwanda to change their position before the court.
It is said that Iradukunda worked with a notary identified as Nasira Uwitonze who witnessed the signing of concerned individuals as they wrote letters repudiating testimonies pinning Ishimwe.
IGIHE has learnt that some of witnesses who provided testimonies to RIB revealed that they were sexually abused by Ishimwe at different times.
Ishimwe was arrested on 25th April 2022 over sexual abuse to participants of Miss Rwanda beauty pageant at different times. He faces three charges including rape, soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment connected to sexual relations.
It is said that Miss Elsa has been in love with Ishimwe with whom, they planned marriage. According to sources, this pushed her to make attempts to tamper with evidences to get Ishimwe released.
RIB has also confirmed that Nasira Uwitonze was also arrested over allegedly validating factless statements.
On Monday 9th May 2022, the Ministry of Youth and Culture also announced the temporary suspension of Miss Rwanda contest due to ongoing investigation into alleged sexual abuse to contestants.
