This was communicated during a General Assembly held on Monday 4th April 2022 at the Defence Headquarters, Kimihurura.
The 36th General Assembly was attended by the Minister of Defence, Major Gen Albert Murasira; Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana; Chief of Defence Staff, General JB Kazura and IGP Dan Munyuza, RDF service chiefs and other heads of security organs as well as a selected list of members from security organs.
Zigama CSS Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. James Ndahiro said that the main agenda of the meeting was to present to members the 2021 Audited Financial Statements.
“It was a successful year as the bank kept its growth and we are optimistic that it will grow even more in the years to come,” he said.
He further thanked members for their continued support and collaboration.
ZIGAMA CSS continues to expand the use of IT services to facilitate its members for different transactions. For instance, in 2021 the digital services transactions were 96% and 4% cashier transactions.
ZIGAMA CSS is a financial cooperative with membership drawn mainly from Security Organs namely Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National police, Rwanda Correctional Services, National Intelligence and Security Service and Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
{In Rwanda, production of alcoholic beverages is regulated by laws and rules. All alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws are classified as ‘simple narcotic drugs’ under article 5 of the Ministerial Order No.001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.}
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) specifies that “only food-grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture.”
All drinks with an alcoholic content exceeding 45 percent as well as all those without the standard mark (S-Mark) issued by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) are classified as narcotics.
In Huye District, efforts to fight production and sell of illicit drinks continue to yield positive results.
On Sunday, April 3, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local authorities seized and disposed of 1878 litres of illicit brew.
At least 1440 litres of illicit brew locally known as ‘Umuzabibu’ were seized from one Athanase Sibomana, 31, and 438 litres of ‘Intashyo’ seized from Jean Pierre Rugomoka, 45, both in Berwa Village, Gitwa Cell, Mbazi Sector.
This is one of many other successful operations against psychotropic substances in Huye, according to the District Police Commander (DPC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Boniface Kagenza.
“Last year, with the help of residents and local leaders, we seized over 68,900 litres of assorted illicit brew from 406 dealers, which were disposed of. Between January and March this year, we have seized 10,758 litres of illicit brew from 63 dealers,” said SSP Kagenza.
These substances, the DPC said, are mainly common in the sectors of Tumba, Huye, Gishamvu, Ruhashya, Simbi and Mbazi, where many distillers have been arrested.
“Due to strong collaboration and cooperation with residents through community policing, there is easy flow of information on people with illegal production plants in their homes and bars that sell these harmful drinks. This helps the Police in its operations against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” said SSP Kagenza.
He warned that these operations are continuous and advised residents to venture into legal businesses instead of wasting their resources in acts that will result into “preventable losses and Imprisonment.”
Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, anyone convicted for dealing in “simple narcotic drugs” faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of between Rwf5 million and Rwf10 million.
The agreements were signed on Monday 4th April 2022 in the areas of taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
President Kagame is in Zambia’s touristic capital, Livingstone for a two-day State Visit.
Upon arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, he was received by his counterpart, Hakainde who extended a warm welcome to him.
Kagame also held a tête-à-tête with Hakainde on issues of mutual interest at bilateral and regional levels.
During his visit, the two Heads of State are expected to proceed for a tour at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls.
The two Presidents will then proceed to Sundowner where they are expected to have state dinner aboard the train.
On Tuesday, April 5, President Kagame, President Hichilema are expected to tour the Mukuni Big Five Safaris, the Mosi-o- Tunya National Park, and then proceed to the One Stop Border Post and Kazungula Bridge.
[{{Related story: Kagame arrives in Zamba for two-day official visit }} ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-in-zambia-for-two-day-official-visit]
The incident took place around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday 3rd April 2022 when the deceased was stabbed on the head and jaws.
Speaking to IGIHE, the executive secretary of Nyamiyaga Sector, Jean Damascene Mudahemuka has confirmed his death.
“The incident occurred on Sunday around 2:00 a.m. He was a security guard at a business center where thieves took advantage of the absence of his colleague and stabbed him to death,” he said.
Two suspects connected to his death have been arrested for further legal process.
The Head of State arrived in at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport in Zambia on Monday 4th April 2022 where he was received by his counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema upon arrival.
Hichilema has via Twitter handle extended a warm welcome to his counterpart of Rwanda on the state visit.
The two Heads of State are expected to hold bilateral talks before proceeding for a tour at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls.
The two Presidents will then proceed to Sundowner where they are expected to have state dinner aboard the train.
On Tuesday, April 5, President Kagame, President Hichilema are expected to tour the Mukuni Big Five Safaris, the Mosi-o- Tunya National Park, and then proceed to the One Stop Border Post and Kazungula Bridge.
Ahead of the visit, Lusaka Times has reported, Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo has explained that the two Heads of State are scheduled to hold bilateral talks that will focus on matters of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and international levels.
He said the bilateral talks will be followed by the signing of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Zambia and Rwanda in various sectors.
Kakubo said this will promote the consolidation of bilateral ties between the two countries.
The minister said that Zambia and Rwanda share longstanding bilateral relations which are anchored on shared values and mutual respect.
“The two countries have continued to strengthen bilateral ties through the exchange of high level visits as well as the establishment of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) which is aimed at reviewing and strengthening cooperation in areas including; foreign relations, trade and industry, tourism, agriculture, sport, science and technology, information and communication technology, research and development, and gender, among others,” he explained.
He added that Zambia and Rwanda collaborate at regional, continental and international levels through the joint membership at the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Mr. Kakubo further said President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasised the need to leverage the opportunities for intra-African trade, investment and tourism to ensure the resilience of economies and industries.
“Therefore, the visit will provide an opportunity to share best practices in areas targeted for progress. This is an important part of the government’s approach, which places great value on working openly and collaboratively with a range of partners to unlock new opportunities for the country and its citizens. The government is working to deliver a more conducive environment for local businesses to flourish and create jobs,” added Mr. Kakubo.
Mr. Kakubo said President Hichilema’s administration is keen to emulate Rwanda’s success in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) as it pursues universal and affordable internet coverage for Zambians.
He pointed out that in tourism, Rwanda has effectively positioned itself as an international business destination through its intensive marketing efforts.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation added that and Zambia remains open to creating synergies in the tourism sector.
“To this end, His Excellency President Kagame’s visit is expected to reinforce the bilateral relations, and further strengthen partnerships and cooperation at multilateral level in the furtherance of common development aspirations, based on mutual benefit for the people in the two countries,” he said.
The statement released by Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) indicates that the cost of petrol increased by Rwf103 and Diesel by Rwf167 following price changes on the international market.
On another note, it is said that the prices would have gone much higher, hadn’t the Government of Rwanda allocated Rwf6 billion to subsidize petroleum products.
The new prices will go into effect for two months starting from 4th April 2022 as the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsabimana told RBA on Sunday.
Generally, the price of fuel products has been on high rise since May 2021 after the first COVID-19 lockdown.
The price hike after the first lockdown was mainly attributed to the large demand yet oil extraction seemed to have halted due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Pump prices soared again at the onset of fighting between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, becoming the highest price hike registered in 10 years.
Minister Nsabimana has explained that the latter affected the entire World, Africa, the region and Rwanda as well resulting into increase in prices.
He revealed that it might take one month for petroleum products to reach Rwanda due to the long travelled distance as they are transited through the sea to arrive in Kigali.
Dr. Nsabimana assured citizens that the Government is monitoring the situation to protect their interests.
As he explained, the Government intervenes in such situation and considers how to cushion consumers and mitigate possible adverse impact through a subsidy program.
“That is when the subsidy program and tax exoneration apply. The Government has cushioned consumers again to avoid higher fuel price increase,” he said.
Dr. Nsabimana disclosed that the Government has allocated Rwf6 billion to subsidize fuel pump prices to prevent higher prices and related consequences for the period of two months.
Hadn’t the Government introduced the subsidy, the price of diesel would be set at Rwf1483, an increase by more than Rwf200 while petrol would cost Rwf1474 per liter.
It is apparent that the hike in prices has a direct effect on public transport. The current prices were revised in December 2020 where the Government of Rwanda subsidized the cost to lessen burdens on passengers.
The subsidy saw the reduction by Rwf1000 for passengers travelling from Kigali to Rubavu or Kigali to Rusizi among others.
The current transport fare from Kigali to Rubavu is set at Rwf3310 which was supposed to be Rwf4040 without subsidy. Travelling to Kimironko from Nyabugogo by public bus costs Rwf253 but was supposed to cost Rwf318, hadn’t the Government introduced the subsidy.
Dr. Nsabimana has revealed that the existing prices remain the same.
The calls follows the arrest of a man identified as Ignace Niyonzima, 33, on Saturday, April 2, after he was found cutting trees in a gazetted forest located in Nyabayama Village, Nyabitare Cell, Nyarubuye Sector, Kirehe District.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Niyonzima was reported by local residents.
“Niyonzima has a small forest near the government protected forest. So, he has been sneaking into the gazetted forest to cut trees in wee hours but lying that he gets them from his forest,” said SP Twizeyimana.
“On Saturday, concerned residents called the Police after they saw him cutting trees in the protected forest. By the time of his arrest, he had already cut 40 trees,” he added.
SP Twizeyimana thanked residents, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
He further warned against such acts of environmental degradation and urged residents to continue to report people, who destroy forests.
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Nyarubuye station for further legal process.
Article 44 of Law N°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment prohibits the following acts in order to protect biodiversity: burning forests, national parks and reserved areas, burning swamps, grazing land, bushes, grass with the aim of agriculture or organising grazing land, killing, injuring and capturing animals of endangered species, destroying or damaging habitats, larvae, pupae or the young animals of the endangered species, causing death or burning protected plants, harvesting or destroying them, transporting or selling the remains of a whole or part of an animal and plants of endangered species, and cutting trees in forests or protected areas or in national parks.
In article 59; any person who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf3 million.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has made public the deportation via his Twitter handle where he also sent a warning to Kayumba Nyamwasa discouraging him from intentions to threaten Rwanda noting that both countries have united against their enemies.
“General Kayumba, please try to respect the Republic of Uganda. We have made peace with Afande Kagame and Rwanda. Try and respect that. We sent you your man last night,” he tweeted.
Muhoozi who did not reveal names of the deportee also posted photos of a man exiting Uganda through Kampala airport.
“I don’t like doing this, but if it saves the lives of my soldiers, I will do anything. I thank CMI, under Maj.General Birungi for this excellent operation. This enemy of Uganda and Rwanda was picked up and sent back to wherever he came from,” he said.
IGIHE has learnt that the man in question is Robert Mukombozi, the coordinator of RNC in Australia.
It is said that he was interrogated upon arrival in Uganda on Friday and deported from the country.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has also revealed that fighting President Paul Kagame was a huge mistake of the past.
“Fighting my uncle was a huge mistake in the past. I know all those who fought him in the past but every time I ask them what was the reason they give me very silly reasons,” he noted.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has come to Rwanda two times this year on a mission to mend ties between Uganda and Rwanda that had worsened since 2017.
Since he was involved in the process to restore relations to normal, Lt Gen Muhoozi has been warning Rwanda’s dissidents that they have no place in Uganda.
He also echoed similar message in February where he warned Kayumba against using his country to threaten Rwanda’s security.
Rwanda had voiced concerns over Uganda’s collaboration with dissidents, abducting, torturing Rwandans and obstructing Rwanda’s trade interests.
President Paul Kagame recently disclosed that the visit of Muhoozi turned a new page for relations with Rwanda highlighting that pending issues are being sorted out after the reopening of border.
“The border has been reopened; Uganda has been taking steps to resolve the issues that led to the border’s closure. We are following it up closely, we are discussing it with them and I believe we are on a good path,” said Kagame.
RNC has been using Uganda as tactical ground from where people were recruited to join the rebel group in its area of concentration in DRC.
The group was also behind the abduction of Rwandans living in Uganda through collaboration with Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).
The country collaborated with RNC in open air that President Museveni once wrote to his counterpart of Rwanda informing him that he held talks with RNC.
In the letter dated 19th March 2019, Museveni disclosed that he met with Charlotte Mukankusi in charge of diplomacy in RNC and Eugène Gasana who once served as Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Nations.
The letter clarified that Mukankusi wanted to meet with Museveni to let him know of plans to fight Rwanda and seek support.
Nyamwasa who is receiving warnings from Muhoozi is the founder of RNC and P5, a coalition of political parties operating in Uganda and DRC in Southern Kivu Province.
These include Amahoro People’s Congress (AMAHORO-PC), Forces démocratiques Unifées-Inkingi (FDU INKINGI), People’s Defence Pact-Imanzi (PDP-IMANZI), Party-Imberakuri (PS IMBERAKURI), RUD-Urunana and Rwanda National Congress (RNC).
It also maintains close links with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) composed of remnants of masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.
The graduates who are part of a cohort of 18 students who began courses in October 2020 will impart acquired knowledge and skills to colleagues at respective institutions.
The courses were tailor-made to promote conservation agriculture rooted on three main principles including; minimum tillage and soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with crop residues and live mulches, and intercropping.
Graduates have revealed that acquired knowledge will be helpful to carry out their assignments smoothly, train colleagues on best practices in agriculture to make the sector much more relevant and to national economy without soil and environmental degradation.
“We have acquired enough skills related to high-yielding agriculture with no devastating impact to the soil and the environment. We also learnt how to impart skills to the elderly involved in agriculture. We usually grow crops after tilling all places of the garden yet the best technique is to dig a hole in which the seed should be planted,” said Richard Makuza.
Jacqueline Iradukunda working with the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR) in Gasabo District has also underscored that acquired knowledge will be imparted to colleagues with a view to make agriculture more meaningful to farmers and the country at large.
“The training equipped us with adequate knowledge in soil conservation relevant to increase agricultural yields,” she noted.
John Twiringiyumukiza, a technical advisor at Tearfund and Canadian Foodgrains Bank in central Africa also reminisced on the training’s relevance and assured support.
“We trained agronomists and partners with a view to build their capacities to fast track development and efforts aimed at achieving food sufficiency. They received intensive training package on conservation agriculture, particularly climate change resilient agriculture and how to acquaint elderly farmers with skills to adopt best agricultural techniques to increase yields,” he said.
“We hope that they will pass knowledge to colleagues to join efforts geared towards enhancing conservation agriculture, and exploiting the soil to the maximum to play a big role to farmers’ economic growth and sustainably achieve food sufficiency. We shall stay closer to them to make the program a success,” added Twiringiyumukiza.
Jean de Dieu Nizeyimbabazi, the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit in Burera District urged graduates to work with districts to streamline budget plan and solve farmers’ problems.
The training was organized by Tearfund on the funding of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and other partners including Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), African Evangelical Enterprise (AEE), PND and AEBR.
The graduation ceremony which took place on Thursday 31st March 2022 was attended by representatives from Tearfund and partners, religious denominations, government officials and non-governmental organizations.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Tearfund’s program to train agronomists on conservation agriculture has been already rolled out in Ethiopia where it has proved success in turning arable land more productive.
The school helps bright students from Rwanda and the region to pursue Bachelor degree through existing partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) from the United States of America (USA).
The activity held recently is part of ‘Career Fair’, an annual event during which students are linked to employers and recruiters to get first-hand information on available job opportunities.
Karoli Kolokonyi, the Director of Careers and Alumni Affairs at Kepler has said that the event is meant to help students get first-hand information on available opportunities.
“We organize this career fair with the aim of helping students to get real information of what is taking place at the labour market, learn about required skills and competencies to deliver on efficiency among others. This guidance serves as a strong foundation for future career,” he said.
Apart from getting information, Kolokonyi revealed, the event paves the way for new opportunities as students network with companies seeking to recruit interns or employees.
Teta Leila, a student from Kepler has said that they delighted with the support to learn new life skills and get insight into employment process.
“The event helps me to link up with potential employers, where they might contact me during recruitment,” she said.
Teta shares the same thoughts with Pacifique Ishimwe who explained that the event prepares him for the labour market.
“I get chance to interact with different companies which provide information on needed employees and competencies. Besides, I create new connections that it becomes easier when it is time to seek full time employment or internship,” he revealed.
Lvey Moindi, an employee working with Tech Supporter highlighted that the event is a good opportunity to bring to limelight their activities and link up with potential employees who might contribute to companies’ growth.
The Career Fair held on Thursday 31st March 2022 brought together 29 companies including Tech Supporter, Harambee, DTM, One Acre Fund, AWE, IGIHE Ltd and MTN Rwanda among others.
