The decade anniversary celebration took place virtually on Tuesday 9th November 2021, one day after the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Rwanda.
Apart from the anniversary; both institutions; the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG) and UNILAK have committed to extend the partnership for more five years (2022 to 2026).
The renewed partnership agreement followed the end of the initial 10 years marked by strong academic and research collaboration in the areas of natural resource and environment.
Commenting on the ten-year journey, Dr. Jean Ngamije, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAK revealed that the partnership entered in 2012 has been very successful where several projects were achieved.
“We have seen our dreams becoming a reality and we continue to work together for more great achievements,” said.
For the last ten years, UNILAK and XIEG partnered in capacity building which saw UNILAK students and lecturers going for further studies in China.
Since 2014, students from UNILAK studied in XIEG-CAS and have been awarded masters and PhD degrees.
Dr. Christopher Mupenzi; the Director of Research and Consultancy at UNILAK has said that their researches focused on natural resources and environment not only in Rwanda but also in East Africa.
“This cooperation has boosted research finding disseminations with UNILAK research publishing more than 30 papers in international journals,” revealed Dr. Mupenzi.
Research projects were also undertaken whereby an annual international conference was organized and held in Kigali since 2013.
Under this MoU; XIEG and UNILAK committed to look for funds to facilitate the running activities of the SAJOREC Rwanda Office and the Joint Research Center for Natural Resources and Environment in East Africa.
Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and Wuhan Botanical Garden have promised to send professors and provide other related support for Master of Sciences in Environmental and Development Studies at UNILAK. They will also continue offer scholarships to two or three persons from UNILAK each year for Master’s and PHD program.
“We have a lot to celebrate at the end of a decade of our partnership especially the establishment of the Joint Research Center for Natural Resources and Environment in East Africa based at UNILAK since 2016 and the launch of the Atlas,” said Prof Chen Xi, President of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Jambojet Managing Director, Ndegwa Karanja has said that with the stringent Covid-19 travel regulations in the two countries, the carrier does not plan to resume flights in those destinations soon as demand for air travel has also dropped.
Uganda demands all passengers going to Entebbe to take a second PCR test upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status except children under six years and airline crew.
Tests cost $30 (Sh3, 352) and are conducted at the airport, implying that travellers will have to incur additional costs to enter the country.
Speaking to Business Daily , Ndegwa said: “We may not want to go in markets full of travel restrictions such as Entebbe and Rwanda any time soon. The two nations are still implementing tough Covid-19 travel restrictions.”
As per current guidelines in Rwanda, if a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival or during his/her time in Rwanda even if you are fully vaccinated, the severity symptoms determines whether you are isolated in a government-run treatment center or a hotel at your own cost.
Ndegwa explained that the tough travel restrictions in the two countries have seen demand for air travel dropping.
A subsidiary of Kenya Airways, Jambojet expanded footprint to Rwanda beginning with its maiden flight on the evening of Monday 25th November 2019.
It was established in April 2014, as the first low cost local airline in Kenya.
The group was arrested on Wednesday, November 10, following investigations into the series of vandalism and theft of the solar systems in the two districts.
The suspects were identified as Jean Paul Bagarirayose, 38, and Innocent Uwamahoro, 31, both arrested in Gatsibo; and the trio of Seth Niyorurema, 40, Sylvain Nzirorera, 26, and Eram Niragijumukiza, 35, arrested in Ruhango District.
So far, investigations indicate that five solar panels and four batteries were stolen from houses of the vulnerable beneficiaries.
Police has so far recovered three batteries and five panels from the suspects.
“Jean Paul Bagarirayose and Innocent Uwamahoro were arrested red-handed with three solar energy batteries which were stolen from houses in Rwimbogo Village, Murambi Cell in Kabarore Sector,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdum Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region.
The vandalized and stolen solar energy systems in Gatsibo were donated by RNP to support the vulnerable communities in Rwimbogo Village.
“The affected beneficiaries in Rwimbogo village reported the series of theft. Police received credible information that Uwamahoro had bought stolen solar power batteries from Bagarirayose. They were both located and arrested, and two batteries were recovered from them,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
Bagarirayose admitted that he was breaking into houses to steal the batteries as people are away running errands.
He added that he sold two batteries to Uwamahoro at Rwf15, 000, each. He could, however, not disclose the whereabouts of the third battery.
Meanwhile, Police recovered five solar panels and one battery from Seth Niyorurema, Sylvain Nzirorera, and Eram Niragijumukiza.
According to the Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, three solar panels and one battery were recovered from Seth Niyorurema.
“Niyorurema had just stolen three panels and one battery from houses in Rukeri village, Nyabibugu cell of Mwendo sector when he was arrested red-handed at night,” said SP Kanamugire.
Sylvain Nzirorera and Eram Habumukiza were also arrested with one solar panel, each.
The suspects were handed over to RIB for further legal process
Article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out in an occupied house or in a building used for habitation or in its surroundings.
The statement released last night shows that 28 people have caught the virus out of 6845 sample tests.
Among others; a total of 2,520,113 people have been fully vaccinated while 4,775,538 received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
“I would like to extend my appreciation to students of the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences for performing well in your studies. I was informed that most of you present here performed well in national examinations,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
“I want to reiterate that the UAE is fully committed to ensure that not only its citizens should have access to the best educational opportunities, and my country in cooperation with Rwanda, is willing to give the most talented students access to higher education in internationally recognized universities in the UAE,” he added.
The ambassador delivered the message on Wednesday 10th November 2021 after holding an interactive session with students and teachers during his visit to the school located in Nyamirambo.
Amb. Alqahtani ‘s interactive discussion with students was also attended by Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana, the Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board and Mr. Abdellatif Aouid, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center.
The Ambassador also took the opportunity to share the key initiatives put in place by the UAE in advancing education not only to UAE citizens but also to Rwandans.
Since 2002, the UAE through the Al Maktoum Foundation has supported Rwanda’s education by funding two secondary schools, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Girls Secondary School for Sciences in Muhanga and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School. Students from these schools have been performing well in national examinations.
For the last at least 10 years, the UAE through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also been 100% supporting the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences whose students have been also performing well in national examinations.
Within the framework of joint action in order to support the education sector in Rwanda, the UAE Government provided scholarships to outstanding students in different UAE universities, through the UAE Technical Assistance Program.
“The scholarship programs will enable the students to build a better future, and contribute to achieving development for their country and the local community,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
Since 2018, 20 male and female students from Rwanda received UAE Government scholarships at the UAE University in the disciplines of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Among others, 10 Rwandan students were given full scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degree programs at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University in 2019.
In consideration of the fact that education plays a critical role in knowledge-driven economy, he commended the school for excellent performance in national examinations and reiterated his country’s commitment to provide scholarships to best performers.
The study published by the British Council in 2017, named UAE as one of the best countries when it comes to its support of international higher education.
It was established after the release of second volume of the Shape of global higher education report which analysed international higher education policies across 38 countries.
The country came second in the quality assurance and degree recognition category and fifth for openness and mobility.
The UAE has established an excellent and diversified system of higher education in a very short period.
The UAE University, founded in 1976, led higher education in the country. Since then, the UAE currently has 76 public and private institutions of higher education and they include universities, colleges and vocational & technical institutes, both local and international campuses, such as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, New York University and American University of Sharjah.
The UAE Government has been providing scholarships to Rwandan students who excelled in their secondary education at some of these public and private universities such as the UAE University and Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University.
She delivered the message on Wednesday 10th November 2021 at the 5th East African Youth Leadership Summit (YouLead Africa Summit) 2021 held in Arusha, Tanzania.
The summit brings together over 10,000 young professionals in the areas of leadership, investment, peace building and gender equity and women empowerment in Africa as well as policy makers.
Themed the ‘Future of Africa: Creating Jobs, Feeding, and Housing the World’s Youngest Continent’; the summit running from 8th to 12th November, 2021 is aimed at discussing issues pertinent to the regional development agenda including unemployment and access to economic resources.
Sessions held on Wednesday focused on the role of the youth to promote gender equity and women empowerment.
As she delivered remarks, Mrs Kagame reminisced the words of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem highlighting that ‘the world cannot a better place if women’s conditions are not better in it’.
Even though his words were highlighted in 2006, Mrs Kagame said that they still resonate now ‘despite our country’s advances of the past 15 years in granting women equal status, equal opportunities and equal protection under the law’.
She revealed that the biological differences between the sexes are frequently mischaracterized as a justification for gender inequality. Mrs Kagame however insisted that it should not be case but rather ‘an indicator of how complementary our respective offerings can be’.
“To be in the post 1994 Rwanda, the contributions of all available human capital had to be put to use. The nurturing nature of women, the sensitivity that nourishes the unconditional love for their children, needed to be capitalized upon to engage an entire nation in the testing task of communal healing,” she explained.
Mrs Kagame also emphasized that Africa needs life and love as a continent that has been scarred by centuries of oppression.
“Gender equality is not about uplifting one gender. It is about uplifting the community by empowering every individual that can contribute to our society’s progress, wellbeing and stability,” she noted.
Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5 or Global Goal 5) concerns gender equality and is fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015.
The principle of gender equality is also enshrined in Africa’s Agenda 2063 where it calls in its aspiration 6, for “An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.”
The African Union (AU) also recognises that gender equality is a fundamental human right and an integral part of regional integration, economic growth and social development and has developed the AU’s strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) to ensure the inclusion of women in Africa’s development agenda.
Mrs Kagame said that gender equality is the common appreciation of the unseen yet essential efforts of invisible woman to craft the first notion of home ‘most of us have ever known’.
She therefore stressed that achieving gender equality is ‘our means of giving back to those countless women who have dedicated their lives to ensuring we could all sit here positioned to be an impact on the future of our communities’.
Mrs Kagame highlighted that girl’s education in developed nations is of critical significance.
“On our continent, too many young girls have been withdrawn from schools and forced into premature adulthood through child marriage, full time employment and responsibility of financial support to their families. While these practices are becoming less and less common, we cannot hope for our morality to match our development in 2063 if they still occur at all,” she noted.
To promote young girls education, Mrs Kagame through Imbuto Foundation supports students from vulnerable backgrounds under the ‘Edified Generation Programme.’
Imbuto Foundation also awards girls with outstanding performance through ‘Best Performing Girls’ initiative.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame has said that a young girl who has shown the merit and the value of her efforts will be more willing to take on academic challenges.
She revealed that rewarding best performing girls is of critical importance and stressed the need to create an ecosystem where girls can exhibit their skills.
“I invite some of the professional, leaders and entrepreneurs here today, to join us in providing our young people including our young girls with guidance on attending career fulfillment and success. Your expertise might be invaluable but I believe it could lead to quantifiably promising results,” she noted.
Mrs Kagame emphasized that the ultimate goal is to see countries helping and granting girls and women, opportunities they deserve.
“For all the love that girls and women receive, they reinvest ten folds. Give a woman safety and she will give you serenity. Allow, a woman knowledge, and she will raise your children to be wise. Give a woman seed, and you will be brought the fruit garden flourishing,” she stated.
The Youth Advocacy Advisor at She Leads Plan International, Elsie Masava explained that the meeting plays a significant role to determine the youth’s role on the continent.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa also emphasized that the youth deserve opportunities leading to sustainable development.
He stressed that Africa should particularly empower women and the youth in financial management which paves the way for sustainable Africa’s development.
The youth accounts for 60 percent of the population in East African Community.
Kagame who is the current Chairperson of Smart Africa board welcomed new members on Wednesday 10th November 2021 at the 10th meeting.
“I welcome you to our 10th board meeting. Please join me in welcoming two new board members: Google and WestLink. We are very happy to have you with us,” he said.
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
The 10th Smart Africa board meeting brought together participants from over 30 countries from the African continent and partners working together to accelerate Africa’s socio-economic development through digital transformation.
Google is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware among others.
WestLink is a subsidiary of Africa Development Solutions Group, a company which operates as an integrated platform specializing project management, as well as in the provision of services and equipment, servicing African states, African and foreign multinationals and people of the continent.
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organizations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda.
With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market.
Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.
Google and WestLink recently joined other international and African technology firms as members of Smart Africa including Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Microsoft, Facebook, Inmarsat, Liquid Telecom, Orange, Intel, Ericsson, Huawei and Tata Communications & Transformation Services.
Smart Africa also partners with international organisations such as the International telecommunications Union (ITU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) and the World Bank among others.
The top 3 businesses including Smart Class, The HappyNes and Urukundo Initiative walked away with Rwf1,000,000 each and were among the six businesses selected in June 2021 that underwent a 5-month accelerator business skills training.
Earlier this year, MTN Rwanda collaborated with Inkomoko to launch Level Up Your Biz to support youth-led businesses on their entrepreneurship journey in capacity building. This initiative, underpinned by MTN Rwanda’s digital ambition, aimed to equip e-commerce businesses with practical knowledge and skills that will strengthen their innovative capabilities amidst an evolving digital world.
The multi-faceted Level Up Your Biz program also offered the entrepreneurs an opportunity to interact with industry experts via webinars, provided them with communication essentials and visibility of their businesses on MTN Rwanda’s platforms.
During the awarding ceremony on Wednesday 10th November 2021, Mark Nkurunziza, MTN Rwanda’s Chief Financial Officer congratulated winners and commended Inkomoko for provided support.
“It has been a long journey for these participants, and we are pleased to see the top 3 entrepreneurs emerging as the winners of our Level Up Your Biz program. In this ever-evolving world, digitalization has proved to fast-track business growth resulting in healthier margins and solid profits. We are also grateful to Inkomoko for their partnership in accelerating these businesses, further contributing to the development of the private sector,” he said.
{{Following the competitive accelerator training, the three businesses were scored between 1 to 5 on individual sub metrics:}}
-* The business’ financial management.
-* The business’ growth opportunity in term of market and current sales.
-* The business usage of the consulting tools provided to professionalize the business and their involvement in the program.
-* How the business is applying the learnings for their growth.
-* Overall pitch presentation.
-* The business’ long-term plan.
Commenting on the development; Sara Leedom, Inkomoko’s Chief Operating Officer said: “The most exciting part of this experience, for us at Inkomoko, has been connecting with these young Rwandan entrepreneurs, who are embracing innovation and adapting to digital solutions. Throughout the program, they have indeed leveled up and we are proud of their progress and their willingness to take on new challenges. Our partnership with MTN Rwanda has ensured that entrepreneurs grow even further in terms of their digital skills and knowledge by equipping them with business management skills and digital tools.”
The top 3 businesses span various sectors, from education to health and fashion.
Smart Class, led by Niyonizeye Abdulrahman, is an e-learning platform that connects students to mentors and provides them with an e-library for research.
Urukundo Initiative, led by Mick Ndashimiye, sells licensed health education board games that educate young people on sexual reproductive health and rights.
The HappyNes, led by Aline Uwase, is a retail business that sells leather bags, shoes online for international export and through Sunday market events they organize.
Speaking on his experience, Niyonizeye Abdulrahman, Smart Class’ Founder voiced appreciation to MTN and Inkomoko for ther support paving the way for his business to thrive.
“During the pandemic, we really struggled to get our business off the ground however with this win and the wealth of knowledge we have gained from the trainings offered by Inkomoko and MTN Rwanda, we have the tools to succeed. We are really grateful to Inkomoko and MTN Rwanda for their support and hope to partner with them in the future,” he said.
In closing, Nkurunziza highlighted that it is of great to see the top businesses emerge from various industries.
He encouraged Smart Class, The HappyNes and Urukundo Initiative to continue to be innovative and open minded and build their networks for the advancement of their respective sectors and country at large.
{{About MTN Rwandacell }}
MTN Rwandacell PLC (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our footprint and are the country’s No 1 network.
MTN Rwanda offers various innovative services to consumers and enterprises, including personalised voice, data, home and fixed connectivity solutions. The company is also the front runner in Mobile Financial Services in Rwanda delivered through its FinTech
Their discussions focused on the regional security situation and the fight against terrorist groups.
“Our delegation is here to discuss a framework of plans established with our neighboring countries in dealing with terrorist groups and other transnational threats. This conforms with recommendations from the African Union to combine effort in fighting threats that hinder our collective development,” Gen Mbala Munsense said.
Gen Mbala Munsense added that the discussions also looked at mutual efforts to prevent negative forces operating along both countries’ borders in a bid to strengthen relationships ‘towards the mutual development of our people’.
On recent allegations that M23 elements conducted an attack on DRC territory from Rwanda and Uganda, the FARDC Chief of General Staff, Gen Mbala said: “We have opted to give time to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to do its work and give us precisions on the situation.”
The call was made during the meeting with more than 1000 commercial motorcyclists operating in different parts of Nyagatare District, on Tuesday 9th November 2021 at Nyagatare stadium where Police and local leaders pointed out a number of unlawful acts involving taxi-moto operators and in which some of them have been arrested.
The taxi-moto operators are organized in 21 cooperatives registered and operating in Nyagatare.
Some of highlighted crimes involving the motorcyclists include smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal cross-border.
In the last three months, 28 taxi-moto operators have been arrested in Nyagatare District while transporting smuggled goods, drug trafficking and facilitating people to cross illegally through porous borders.
The outreach aimed at emphasizing the ideals of community policing, and was presided over by the Governor of the Eastern Province, CG Emmanuel K. Gasana and the Regional Police Commander (RPC), Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Hatari.
The campaign also involved testimonies from reformed motorcyclists, who were previously engaging in or facilitating wrongdoers. They encouraged colleagues to be responsive, look at their transport profession as their way to better their lives and family development.
The campaign also tackled the issue of road safety with taxi-moto operators identified as one of the vulnerable groups largely because of their recklessness on the road.
Governor Gasana reminded the motorcyclists to improve their wellbeing through the right channels.
“If you want to cross the border, use the legal crossing points with legal documents. You also need to report anything illegal, boost your cooperatives and join Ejo Heza saving scheme,” he told the motorcyclists.
Ejo Heza is an inclusive scheme targeting both salaried and non-salaried workers to help accumulate savings for a dignified and secure old age.
RPC, CP Hatari warned of the repercussions for engaging in criminal practices like drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal cross-border and reckless road usage.
“You risk arrest and long term imprisonment, auctioning your motorcycle because the law stipulates that any mobile impounded smuggling goods must be auctioned and the owner is slapped fines,” CP Hatari told the taxi-moto operators.
Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
The automobile used in fraud and smuggling, is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5,000.
Trafficking drugs also attracts a sentence of between seven years and life in prison.
“There are so many risks involved in illegal cross-border because some of them have been arrested and beaten when they are caught in Uganda,” CP Hatari noted.
He went on to urge them against riding under the influence or alcohol, regulate their speed and to avoid reckless maneuvers, which lead to accident and loss of lives.
The campaign is expected to be extended to all the remaining districts of Eastern Province.
