The two courses, which were conducted in 13 weeks, include 6th Instructional Technology Course (ITC) intake of 45 junior officers and 4th Instructor Course (IC) intake for 63 Police Constables.
The courses covered various aspects of policing including, effective communication, service writing, development of instructional aids, skills at arms, drills and duties.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza presided over the official closing the courses.
DIGP Ujeneza said that training is the central pillar for Police performance.
“Training is the central pillar of organizational performance and if it is not allocated enough with required resources, both human and material resources, the objectives will not be realized,” said DIGP Ujeneza.
She added that the two courses create professional trainers, who are fit in the school mission of providing quality training and making the school a center of excellence for Rwanda, the region and beyond.
DIGP Ujeneza reiterated that training has been put at the forefront to address most of the challenges in regard to policing adding that PTS Gishari should continue its commitment in the human resource development, which forms the backbone of RNP growth.
She thanked the trainers for shaping the career and professionalism of the course participants and challenged the trainees to be an added value in the field they have been trained in.
The commandant of PTS, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, said that the trainees exhibited discipline and commitment throughout the demanding courses, and are ready for duty.
Through initiatives like the affordable housing program, the government seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges.
Speaking at the recent launch of “Bwiza Riverside Homes” project in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge district, President Paul Kagame said that the country is committed to make possible efforts to help people access affordable houses that are needed in large numbers.
“If we can move faster, that should be our aim. On the side of Government, we feel we should do whatever is possible within our means to have our people access the kind of affordable houses that are needed in so large numbers. But today, we saw what is possible; we are going to stick with it and will demand that every one of us in the Government system does what we can possibly do to make significant progress,” Kagame noted.
“We have partners who want to support the Government to be able to house our people. I think they have seen what is possible with this model. I also think, it invites all of us for this strong partnership we can forge to be able to achieve what needs to be done,” he added.
Affordable housing projects are expected to help the Government of Rwanda meet targets to increase urbanization rate from 18% to 35% in 2024 to support economic growth.
Particularly, Kigali City needs more 310,000 housing units between 2017 and 2023. Meeting the target, will help middle income earners to own houses and address the issue of informal settlements.
In this article, we have compiled ten affordable housing projects expected to give boost to ongoing efforts to address housing demand in Kigali.
{{Bwiza Riverside Homes}}
The estate located in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge district was inaugurated by President Paul Kagame on 11th February 2022.
The multibillion eco-friendly homes are developed under a project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ run by ADHI Rwanda Ltd. ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
The Bwiza Riverside affordable homes community project was designed primarily with first-time homeowners in mind. Qualifying buyers will choose from four distinct affordable home sizes and styles.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million. Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
At least 300 million housing units are needed globally not later than 2030 to address housing needs particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
Commenting on the project, Clare Akamanzi, RDB CEO welcomed the investment by ADHI in the provision of affordable housing.
“It boosts the government’s goal for urbanisation to reach 35 per cent by 2024. However, we need to see more houses being built as there is still a significant gap to meet the demand for affordable housing. We encourage more developers to take advantage of the existing incentives, which include the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent,” she said.
During the unveiling, guests toured five completed model homes, which will serve as the “blueprints” for all other housing units to be built over the next two years. Upon completion of the development, Bwiza Riverside will comprise 1,680 affordable houses and 720 luxury units.
In addition to the affordable homes, ADHI Corporate has established a training academy for Innovative and Sustainable light steel frame construction. Academy students receive on-site, competence-based training to prepare them for future employment opportunities. As such, the academy students will form a key component in the building of Bwiza Riverside.
To ensure access to affordable financing, enabling more Rwandans to purchase homes in the project, ADHI Corporate has partnered with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
{{Rugarama Park Estate}}
Rugarama Park Estate project run by Remote Group seeks to build 2000 affordable homes on 42 hectares in Nyamirambo sector of Nyarugenge district.
Rugarama Park Estate is a joint venture between Shelter Afrique, a Pan-African housing finance institution, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and Remote Group – an engineering and construction firm. The project is also in accordance with the City of Kigali master plan and the affordable housing program under the National Housing Policy. The estate will also be comprised of recreational facilities and shopping malls among others.
Rugarama Park Estate will have 1,200 stacked townhouses priced between Rwf 12 million for a-one-bedroom studio to Rwf 35 million for a convertible 4-bedroom units. The likely buyer into this mixed-income mixed-use community will have an income ranging anywhere from Rwf200,000 to Rwf700,000 and they must be first-time homeowners.
The project is estimated to cost US$131 million. It is expected to accommodate 14,000 residents and provide jobs to hundreds of people during construction and various opportunities after construction due to the traffic in the area.
{{Kinyinya Park Estate Project}}
Kinyinya Park Estate Project is expected to build 10,000 modern homes in Kinyinya. The housing units are set to be completed in the next three years to accommodate 50,000 Rwandans. The project is valued at US$400 million.
The project is a joint venture between the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Development Funding Institution (DFI), Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB), Ultimate Developers Limited (UDL) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).It will be implemented between three and five years in five phases.
{{Batsinda Project}}
Batsinda Project seeks to build affordable houses for salaried workers. The Government introduced a subsidy program to cater for 30% of the total price estimated between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
These housing units will only be available for first time home owners. Initially, 548 housing units will be built in Batsinda in Kinyinya sector.
As per figures from Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), the project’s progress is at 25%.
{{Busanza Housing Estate}}
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.
Over 570 families have been resettled in Busanza estate while more than 800 families from Kangondo and Kibiraro are to be relocated. So far, 1200 housing units at the Busanza estate have been completed.
Each of resettled residents will receive a unit equivalent to his/her properties in Kangondo and Kibiraro.
{{Vision City Project }}
Vision City is multi-phase housing development in Kigali, Rwanda currently being built by Ultimate Developers Ltd for the Rwanda Social Security Board.
Construction activities for the estate located in Gacuriro of Gasabo district began in 2013. The first phase is comprised of 504 housing units while the entire project is expected to provide 4500 units at a total cost of US$150 million.
The first phase comprises villas and apartments among other categories.
Figures released in 2020 show that 77% of housing units at the estate have been already sold out while 87% of the total cost has been paid. The statistics also indicate that 37% of buyers are public servants, 27% are members of Rwandan diaspora while 9% are foreigners.
In September 2018, the apartments under Vision City estate saw prices slashed to 60% to allow ‘eligible’ civil servants to buy apartments on a mortgage deal to be repaid in 20 years at 11% interest rate.
The discount saw the cost of two-room unit sold at Rwf108 million reducing to Rwf63 million.
Among others, the cost of three-room housing unit reduced from Rwf163 million to Rwf94 million and Rwf187 million to Rwf108 million for a four-room house.
{{Masaka Housing Project}}
A total of 278 housing units under Masaka Housing Project are expected to be built by Remote Estate. They will be classified into five categories namely; 162 apartments, 24 Semi-Detached buildings, 54 townhouses, 7 luxury villas and 34 commercial buildings. Construction of units in the first phase stands at 10%.
The estate will have infrastructures including roads, selling points, garages and playgrounds among other recreational facilities.
Individuals willing to own homes through Remote Estates pays 20% of the total cost in five phases.
A three-bedroom house with a washing room and storage room costs from US$35,000 (approximately Rwf30 million) and above.
{{Riverside City Estate}}
Riverside City Estate has a mega project to build 100 affordable homes in Gahanga of Kicukiro district.
The developer has plots of land in Kagasa cell, Gahanga, nearby Cricket Stadium.
Housing units at the estate cost below Rwf50 million. Interested individuals have options to pay in installments.
Each of houses being constructed at the estate has three rooms, sitting room, dining room, toilets and kitchen.
Each house has a parking for two to three cars, an annex building with an outdoor kitchen, storage room, and another one for security guard.
One house at Riverside City Estate, is stretched on between 300 and 350 square meters.
The second phase of this project is expected to build more 200 housing units in Gahanga. The estate will consist of a nursery school, health center, supermarket and space dedicated for children’s leisure.
{{Project to build 1300 housing units in Ndera}}
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) in collaboration with partners have designed a mega project to build a modern estate in Ndera with affordable housing units ranging from Rwf27 million and above.
The estate will be comprised of 13000 houses on 18.6 hectares. It is estimated to be completed at a cost of Rwf60 billion. Once completed, the estate is expected to address housing unit demand for employees with income ranging from Rwf261,000 to Rwf1.2 million per month.
Of the houses to be built, 80% will be affordable with a price ranging from Rwf27 million to Rwf35 million while 20% will be comprised of luxurious homes.
{{Isange Estate}}
Isange Estate is being developed by Imara Properties at Rebero Hill in Kigali City. The first phase of the project comprised of 14 housing units is expected to be completed in July this year to be followed by the second comprised of 16 units.
These units constructed in compliance with Kigali City master plan are environment friendly while most of construction materials are sourced locally.
Imara Properties was created with a vision to help Rwandans, particularly Kigali City dwellers to get modern homes.
The CEO and Co-founder of Imara Properties, David Benazeraf recently told IGIHE that increased clients’ demand encouraged them to carry on their activities with the second phase.
He said that the first phase will be completed in July while 93% of housing units have been sold.
The second phase of the project will be comprised of 12 apartments and six villas for main residence or rental investment.
It comprises of housing units of different designs featuring sleeping rooms, bathrooms, parking space, kitchen, garden and gym.
Clients can pay 90% of the total cost upfront and the balance later.
There are other options for payments in installments where interested buyers can pay 10%, 20% respectively in the first two months, 30% in the third and fourth month and the remaining 10% in the fifth month. One can also pay 30% upfront and 70% later. Each house has three to four rooms.
A person standing at Isange Estate at Rebero Hill gets a better view Kigali City. It is home to other infrastructures including Kigali Cultural Village.
‘Isange Estate’ was conceived by three Rwandans along with their colleagues from France and Belgium.
To meet the housing unit demand, Rwanda introduced incentives including the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent to facilitate investors.
The Government of Rwanda has also earmarked 1100 hectares for affordable housing units. So far, 1692 houses have been built in Kigali and secondary cities through six projects while 13 more projects expected to provide 9000 housing units are underway.
Those trained include traders at Musanze modern market and their customers, staff at Gatonde hospital in Gakenke district, including medical workers, management, casual workers and security guards.
Participants were given knowledge and skills to prevent fire emergencies.
They were explained on the causes, classes and components of fire; fire prevention measures, evacuation procedures and fire drills. They were also demonstrated on how to fight fire by using different types of fire extinguishers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Paul Gatambira said that the training aims at equipping many people especially those working in public places, with knowledge and skills that will enable them to prevent any practices that can lead to fire disasters.
“Markets, hospitals and commercial facilities receive many people everyday and it is important for them to know how safe to use electricity to prevent causing fire outbreak, but also to know what to do when fire breaks out to put it out using basic different firefighting gadgets,” ACP Gatambira said.
Habibu Mpoyi, one of the participants, commended RNP for the training which he said it has helped him to acquire vast knowledge and skills in fire safety.
The outreach was also combined with inspection of facilities on fire safety and the management was advised on precautionary measures.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that the refinery is no longer operational because Alain Goetz, an investor owning 50% shares withdrew his interest. Goetz runs other refineries including Aldabra.
Aldango Ltd started operations in 2017 following agreements signed in February 2017. Each of the shareholders including Alain Goetz and Ngali Holdings owned 50 percent shares.
Aldango was initially running as a business dealing in gold and later set up a Gold refinery on the request of the Government of Rwanda.
The refinery opened in June 2019 to melt and process Gold to get 99.99% of quality before exporting to the international market.
However, the plant did not deliver on expectations after inconsistencies in payments of taxes to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).
It is said that the plant had the capacity to process at least 480 kgs of Gold within 30 hours.
IGIHE has learnt that the company owed tax arrears worth Rwf113 billion to RRA as at the end of 2019.
RRA approached the company’s management for negotiations, but Goetz refused to pay explaining that he was exempted from taxes when he was granted license to operate in Rwanda.
The investor failed to provide related documents until the case was filed to court.
It is also reported that the investor might have dragged himself in Gold trafficking, hence tarnishing Rwanda’s image.
On 27th January 2021, the Government of Rwanda suspended Aldango’s license to export Gold processed from Rwanda.
IGIHE could not access copies of detailed rulings but learnt that the court ordered the sale of Aldango’s properties to pay the tax arrears.
Following the ruling, the investor expressed dissatisfaction through a statement published on Aldango’s website.
Goetz explained that he was deceived when asked to pay taxes yet ‘Aldango was exempted from taxes in consideration of its major purpose to add value to the gold supply chain and promote Made in Rwanda’.
Goetz underscored that he will not stop complaining to have the assets handed back to ‘the rightful owner’ claiming that he has enough evidences.
One of individuals familiar with the issue has told IGIHE, on condition of anonymity, that Goetz had totally refused to pay taxes.
“The company had accumulated huge tax arrears until RRA exempted fines but it bore no fruits,” he said.
It is said that Goetz might have filed his case to French courts with international competencies to get justice.
We tried to speak to RRA officials but could not get comments by press time.
A week after Cyprus lifted all travel restrictions for the fully jabbed, authorities have reclassified countries according to their COVID risk with rules applicable to passengers without a vaccination or recovery record.
The new measures went into effect on Wednesday 9th March 2022.
Rwanda has emerged among four countries removed from travel bans red list. The three others include UAE, China and Saudi Arabia.
Unvaccinated people from Rwanda and other concerned countries are required to present negative COVID-19 PCR test results taken not later than 72 hours and Rapid Test taken not later than 24 hours before departure.
IGIHE has learnt that Ndimbati has been arrested on Thursday 10th March 2022.
“RIB has arrested a man identified as Jean Bosco Uwihoreye alias Ndimbati,51, over alleged defilement,” RIB Spokesperson, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE.
He revealed that Ndimbati is detained at Rwezamenyo RIB Post as investigation is underway pending transfer of his file to the Prosecution.
Ndimbati is arrested after publication of a video that went viral on social media where a girl accused him of abandoning parental duties to take care of twins they sired together.
The girl also revealed that Ndimbati drugged her to have sexual intercourses at a time when she was still a minor.
It is said that Ndimbati had started plans to escape after learning about accusations against her through the media.
Ndimbati has become a popular figure in local film industry particularly in Papa Sava film series aired on YouTube.
The executive secretary of Bwishyura sector, Faustin Ayabagabo has said that the remaining six students who were also taken to hospital suffered from trauma.
He revealed that the incident will not affect studies because there are storage rooms to be used as alternatives.
However, Ayabagabo explained, students will study in shifts to avoid overcrowding.
The heavy rain also destroyed three classrooms and administrative bloc at Zion Secondary School in Rubengera sector, Karongi district.
The executive secretary of Rubengera sector, Medard Nkusi disclosed that the incident will not halt studies but rather student will share remaining rooms waiting for renovation of destroyed ones.
One Chantal Uwimana was intercepted in Gasiza Village, Kamanyana Cell, Cyanika Sector with 300 cartons of polythene bags.
Another smuggler, Jean Niyigaba was arrested with 250 cartons of plastic bags in Ryabiyeyi Village, Kamanyana Cell also in Cyanika Sector.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said that Police was tipped off by the residents.
“Residents tipped off the Police about a group of smugglers that was attempting to sneak assorted goods including the outlawed polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda. During the operation in Ryabiyeyi Village, Police managed to apprehend Niyigaba with 250 cartons of Plastic bags although other members of the group fled back,” said SP Ndayisenga.
Later on, at about 9pm, he added, Chantal Uwimana was also caught red-handed in Gasiza Village, Kamanyana Cell with 300 cartons of polythene bags after crossing into Rwanda from Uganda.
SP Ndayisenga commended residents, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspects and seizure of the plastic bags.
He further warned against selling plastic bags, which were banned in Rwanda due to their ill-effects on the environment and people’s health.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Cyanika station for further legal process.
Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.
In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (Rwf300,000) and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items
The ceremony of handing over the wheelchairs on Tuesday 8th March 2022, was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Mayor of Nyanza District, Erasme Ntazinda and Eugene Mussolini, a Member of Parliament representing persons with disabilities, among others.
Also present were students of HVP Gatagara and their teachers.
Donatienne Umutesi, a senior three student at the school who was among the beneficiaries expressed delight after receiving a new wheelchair.
“On behalf of fellow handicapped students receiving these wheelchairs today, we are very grateful for this support. There is no doubt that moving will be much easier,” she said.
This was also highlighted by MP Mussolini who appreciated the donation, saying that it shows the value that the Embassy gives persons with disabilities.
“This is a very good gesture and comes to address one of the challenges persons with disabilities are facing, which is lack of quality mobility equipment. But we are doing everything possible, mainly advocacy, to ensure that this problem is addressed,” he explained.
In his remarks, Ambassador Adam said that Israel, same as Rwanda, values persons with disabilities and believes that, being among the most vulnerable, they should be given every necessary support.
“I am glad that the Embassy was able to fulfil the pledge made last year when we visited this school. We hope that these wheelchairs will help students to move easier while here at the school and outside. This is just another portion of the support. I will be back,” he said.
The support follows mattresses that the Embassy had donated to HVP Gatagara orthopedic hospital in October last year, to improve service delivery.
The Embassy also recently donated about 100 fruit trees from Rwanda-Israel Horticulture Center of Excellence to HVP Gatagara school.
HVP Gatagara in Nyanza District is an inclusive school with nursery, primary and secondary levels. Of the total 776 students at the school, 300 live with disabilities.
The Director General of the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), Dr. Christian Sekomo Birame has commended the efforts of Bold Regains Life Care Industry Limited to set up herbal medicines manufacturing plant in Rwanda.
He made the appreciation on Tuesday 8th March 2022 as he visited offices of Bold Regains Life Care Industry Limited which currently retails nutraceuticals produced by Life Care Phyto Labs-India. The latter belongs to Indian herbalist, Dr. Rajendran Aanaimuthu.
The visit was meant to assess preparations to launch the plant expected to produce herbal medicines locally.
Recently on 2nd March 2022, NIRDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bold Regains Life Care Industry Limited aimed at expediting preparations to set up the plant in Rwanda.
The MoU incorporates clauses that NIRDA shall provide more than 150 hectares suitable for growth of medicinal plants to ensure smooth supply chain of raw products with uncompromised quality.
Among others, Bold Regains Life Care Industry Limited will receive some of NIRDA’S equipment that were previously used at its medicinal plants’ laboratory in Huye district.
The Director General of NIRDA, Dr. Birame revealed that the visit was aimed at getting firsthand information on preparations.
“Today, we have come to reinforce the partnership signed with Bold Regain in terms of fast tracking the implementation of signed agreement under this project to produce herbal medicines in Rwanda,” he said.
Dr. Birame hailed the company’s activities and reassured support to ongoing preparations to set up the plant in the near future.
“This project was appreciated very much because it aligns with Government’s ambitions to create new jobs. Apart from creation of jobs and imparting technical skills, it is our responsibility to support industrial development,” he noted.
The CEO of Bold Regains International, Dr. Francis Habumugisha has said that the visit is a great encouragement to ongoing efforts. He disclosed the company is fast tracking preparations as much as possible to have the plant operational in the near future.
Once the plant is operational, Bold Regains Life Care Industry Limited targets local and foreign clientele.
