The Commander-in-Chief called on all present to uphold the values of discipline, service to country and hard work on which RDF was founded. He reminded the participants of their role in ensuring the sustainability of Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation and hard-earned security.
The Commander-in-Chief held senior officers accountable for delivering RDF’s mission and stressed the need for unwavering commitment to appropriate management of resources in their respective institutions.
The Commander-in-Chief cited examples of complacency, inefficiency and failures and pledged to the council that he would not waver in taking appropriate actions against those who fail to fulfil their responsibilities.
The High Command Council is a periodic decision-making council and a strategic guidance forum chaired by the Commander-in-Chief.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Division, Brigade and Unit Commanders, Commandants of Military schools and Hospital, Joint General Staff and Heads of Departments from the RDF Headquarters and other junior officers and lower level commanders of RDF units as well as senior officials from RNP and NISS.
The promotions have been announced in RDF statement released on Thursday 9th September 2021 where five senior military officers are promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.
Promoted officers include Lt Col Regis Francis Gatarayiha, Lt Col Karangwa Caple Mwezi, Lt Col Patrick Nyirishema, Lt Colonel Lambert Sendegeya and Lt Col Aimable Rudahunga.
Following his promotion, Col Gatarayiha has been appointed to Head of Communications, Electronic and Cyber Security Department in the RDF.
Col Gatarayiha previously served as the Director General of Immigration and Emigration since 2018. He was replaced by ACP Lynder Nkuranga on 6th September 2021.
Among others, Col Patrick Nyirishema once served as the Director General of Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) from July 2014 to December 2020. He was replaced by Dr. Ernest Nsabimana.
As per RDF statement, the promotions and appointment take immediate effect.
The MoU was signed by the Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Imena Munyampenda and the Board Chairman of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Martin T. DINHA.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed stands for the collaboration in the areas of capacity building, the exchange of staff and expertise in railway transport development sector and the secondment programmes among others.
“We are undergoing initial phases to start a railway project yet Zimbabwe has longstanding experience. For instance, Zimbabwe has more than 2000-kilometers railway while Rwanda seeks to build 400-kilometers railway. So, we can learn a lot from them,” said Minister Gatete.
Minister Tapirwa Mhona and his delegation are in Rwanda for five-day working visit. On Thursday, they also visited the Integrated Development Program (IDP) Model Village in Kinigi sector, Musanze district of Northern Province built for 144 families from informal settlements.
Upon arrival on Wednesday 8th September 2021 around 4:30 p.m, the deportees including women, men and children were received by Rwanda’s Immigration and Emigration officials at Cyanika border in Burera district and tested for COVID-19.
Speaking to the media, deportees narrated how they were dispossessed of their belongings were enduring torture at Kisoro Police Station where they spent between 2 and 14 days.
Schadrack Manirakiza,21, spent three years in Uganda where he was working as a miner in Kasanda district. He was arrested in Kanaba and taken into custody in Kisoro prior to his deportation.
“I went to Uganda in 2017 where I have been doing manual excavation works. I was arrested recently in Kanaba area. I was deprived of my identities as well as 250,000 Shillings and taken into custody in Kisoro where I saw many Rwandans. We were subjected to forced labour, carrying huge timbers and chopping woods among others. I am returning with bare hands to Rwanda leaving all properties and my money,” he said.
Manirakiza advised Rwandans not travel to the country considering his arduous experience.
Jeanette Ingabire, 25, hailing from Kinigi sector in Musanze district is among deported Rwandans. She went to Uganda to visit her husband in 2017. Ingabire was recently arrested, detained at Kisoro Police Station where all of her belongings including 180,000 Ugandan Shillings were withheld and never got them back.
Their deportation follows series of circumstances under which Ugandan officials have been dumping Rwandans at borders following days of torture in detention facilities accused of being spies yet they had traveled to Uganda to run businesses or visit relatives among other reasons.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
The four lucky winners of the campaign encouraging clients to use the bank’s visa debit cards to perform various transactions received prizes including a microwave, washing machine, smart refrigerator and shopping voucher during a ceremony held at Equity Bank branch in Remera.
Jean Claude Gaga, the Commercial Director at Equity Bank Rwanda has told IGIHE that the year-long campaign is aimed at encouraging clients to move with the digital world not only to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but also ensuring security of their money and complying with the country’s ambitions to transition into cashless economy.
“Clients opening accounts would receive cards and continue to visit branches to seek services or withdraw money via ATMs to pay cash in hand as they buy goods,” he said.
Gaga explained that the campaign reminds clients that they can use the bank’s cards to perform various transactions without queuing at branches.
Among others, Gaga said that these cards are used to make payments without additional charges.
He revealed that the campaign has started bearing fruits after three months where the number of clients using cards on monthly basis doubled in the first two weeks of August 2021.
Sarambwe Bruce who walked away with a refrigerator expressed delight for the prize encouraged other clients to embrace technology and take advantage of the many benefits it presents.
“I use the card to make payments or withdraw. It helps to get services faster without necessity to line up at branches. It is better to use cards to save time,” he said.
Clementine Dusabejambo who won a washing machine revealed that received prize is an addition to customer-centric services experienced at the bank. .
The campaign runs from June 2021 until June 2022.
The handover of prizes was delayed for the first months of the campaign due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
After handing over prizes yesterday, Gaga revealed that prizes will vary depending on emerging circumstances. These include televisions, school kits and hotel vouchers among others.
Equity Bank is a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings and has been operational in Rwanda since 2011. It has so far opened 15 branches with 2800 agents countrywide. The bank also has 21 ATMs and 1220 POS machines.
RIB has revealed via twitter handle that Dr. Kayumba has been arrested following investigations on accusations filed by different people.
The suspect is detained at Kicukiro RIB Post awaiting his file to be transferred to the Prosecution.
News about the alleged sexual assault went viral on social media on 17th March 2021 when a Twitter user identified as Kamaraba Salva narrated a story of attempted sexual assault on behalf of her friend whose names were not mentioned.
Kamaraba wrote that the sexual assault took place some years back in 2017.
Few days later, CNBC journalist Fiona Muthoni Ntarindwa who is a former student of Dr. Kayumba posted a message on Twitter that his university lecturer assaulted her sexually.
In a reply message, the accused Dr. Kayumba said Fiona is a liar who wants to tarnish his reputation.
On 23rd March 2021, RIB said that it summoned Dr. Kayumba for interrogation on the sexual assault case filed early March.
One day before announcing his arrest, Dr. Kayumba was again summoned at the headquarters of Rwanda Investigation Bureau in Kimihurura, Gasabo district on 8th September 2021 at 11.am.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Thierry B. Murangira has told IGIHE that the suspect has been arrested after gathering enough evidences pinning him.
“When there are factual evidences, a person suspected of such serious crimes is held in detention awaiting further investigation,” he said.
Launched in 2019 in partnership with MINICT, the #ConnectRwanda initiative challenged organizations in the public and private sector as well as individuals to donate smartphones to those who cannot afford them.
Though, the distribution of smartphones was stalled over the last few months due to the need to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures and imposed lockdowns, the activity has resumed.
This initiative is in line with the country’s overall strategy to drive connectivity across the country, closing the digital divide.
Commenting on the donation; Mitwa Ng’ambi MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer said: “We thank Rwanda Mountain Tea for honouring their pledge of 566 smartphones.”
“We are also pleased to see Connect Rwanda taking effect, with 44,570 pledges registered, 20,257 honoured and 7,670 smartphones distributed so far, demonstrating just how our objective of connecting Rwanda is bearing fruit and closing the existing digital divide. We believe with these smartphones; the beneficiaries will have access to a myriad of information, digital services and smart solutions, contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector and economy at large,” she added.
The beneficiaries of this initiative will be trained by MTN on handset usage, in addition to registering them to the network and setting up Mobile Money (MoMo) accounts, allowing them to use various MoMo services. Furthermore, the tea farmers will receive free 1 GB data bundle for three (3) consecutive months,connecting them to the digital world.
Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation has highlighted that Connect Rwanda initiative brings the country closer to the goal of ensuring every Rwandan household owns and uses a smartphone to access services and information.
“Particularly for farmers, smartphones have become a tool that strengthens market linkages, minimizes post-harvest losses through improved farmer-trader coordination and better delivery of extension and advisory services to farmers,” she said.
“We are grateful to Rwanda Mountain Tea for joining us on this journey. The 566 tea farmers receiving smartphones will now have quick and easy access to essential information such as daily updates on tea prices, available market and digital financial services while improving their digital literacy,” added Ingabire.
Speaking at the event to distribute smartphones to farmers in Gatare tea plantation; Alain Kabeja, Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd Managing Director said that the institution is very glad to donate smartphones to tea pluckers which reflects how their effort in contributing ‘to our quality and quantity of tea is valued’.
“We purchased 700 Mara phones and wanted to join the Connect Rwanda challenge alongside our President and other companies. Out of the 700 purchased, 74 smartphones were distributed before the pandemic in early 2020 and distribution of 566 is currently ongoing, which leaves 60 smartphones to be distributed at a later date,” he said.
“With these phones distributed in all our 7 tea factories, our tea pluckers will benefit from using Momo Pay to receive payments, access to the internet and Irembo services. We are excited to see our tea pluckers transition to modern technology that will facilitate their day-to-day activities,” added kabeja.
The smartphones are to be distributed to tea farmers in various tea plantations, which include Gatare, Gisakura, Kitabi, Mata, Rubaya, Nyabihu and Rutsiro tea plantations covering both the Western and Southern Provinces.
{{About Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT)}}
MINICT’s mission is to address national priorities relating to economic growth and poverty reduction through development and coordination of national policies and programs related to information, technology, communication and innovation as well as citizen’s empowerment.
{{About Rwanda Mountain Tea}}
Rwanda Mountain Tea (RMT) is a privately owned company that invested in three business lines; tea growing and processing, Hydropower generation and fabrication of concrete material. RMT tea estates are located in Congo Nile Divide Region. The good quality of green leaf is defined by a regular fresh hills drizzle and naturally cultivated fields making it (green leaf) have an original and pure taste. RMT owns five Tea Factories, namely Rubaya, Kitabi, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Gatare, all spread across Rwanda’s countryside.
{{About MTN Rwanda}}
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 subsidiary, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd.
Despite the progress, the Club of Mozambique media house reported, Nyusi warned of the need for vigilance because ‘the enemy was dangerous’.
Nyusi made the revelation on Tuesday, speaking in the northern city of Nampula during a speech alluding to the celebrations of Victory Day, which marks the signing of the Lusaka Accords, initialled on 7 September 1974 between the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) and the Portuguese government, paving the way for the proclamation of the country’s independence.
“At this moment, we have recovered almost all the ground that the terrorists had occupied, and combative clearing and clarification operations are underway. The enemy-hunting offensives we have carried out in recent weeks with the Defence and Security Forces at the forefront (…) are suffocating the enemy,” said Nyusi.
“Success in the war against armed groups in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, is supported by the government forces of Rwanda, the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and veterans of the national liberation struggle,” he added.
Nyusi revealed that the next course of action is the re-establishment of energy, water, mobile phone, banking, roads, bridges and health centres infrastructures, among others.
The Mozambican head of state said that the people displaced by the armed violence in Cabo Delgado feel encouraged to return to their homes due to the expulsion of the armed groups.
“The situation improves every day, which leads to some people returning; however, we advise them to observe the recommendations concerning the security measures to be observed,” he noted.
Nyusi pointed out that among the “ringleaders” of the armed groups are citizens of Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Rwanda and Kenya, who “recruit” Mozambicans for their actions.
“The ringleaders of this criminal group have never shown their faces, and therefore the Mozambican people still do not know them,” he said.
Nyusi said that the actions of the armed groups resulted in the death of more than 2,000 people, the flight of more than 850,000 and the destruction of hundreds of social and economic infrastructures.
According to the Club of Mozambique, the Victory Day celebrations were marked by the awarding of decorations to 1,547 veterans of the national liberation struggle across the country to recognise their achievements in the war against Portuguese colonialism.
{{Related story:}}[{{Rwandan, Mozambican troops seize another rebels’ stronghold in Mozambique}}->http://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwandan-mozambican-troops-seize-another-rebels-stronghold-in-mozambique]
Kagame made the call on Wednesday 8th September 2021 at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF 2021) held in Kenya from 7th to 10th September 2021.
The summit brought together leaders from around Africa including heads of state, experts, members of the private sector, civil society organizations and farmers.
The AGRF2021 summit seeks to leverage the UN Food System Summit (UNFSS) momentum to elevate the single coordinated African voice in identifying immediate actions for accelerating progress, partnerships, and recovery towards an inclusive agricultural transformation.
As he participated in a high-level panel discussion, Kagame highlighted that improving agriculture systems takes center stage to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Food systems are key to achieving the SDGs. 70% of the African adults work in agriculture and agribusiness. If they are not doing well, then Africa is not doing well,” he said.
“More than 35% of the world’s hungry, are in Africa. Clearly, we need transformation in how our food systems are organized. We must also ensure that everyone has access to the food they need, on an equitable and affordable basis,” added Kagame.
The President said that African continent is capable of growing more than what it consumes and stressed the need to tap into advantages of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ‘to trade the produce with one another’.
A World Bank report released in December 2019 on the AfCFTA showed that the common market would benefit the African continent in different ways.
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement which was signed by 44 African countries on March 21st, 2018 in Kigali shows that a single market for goods and services across Africa will lead to poverty reduction. At least 30 million Africans (1.5% of Africans) will rise above the poverty line.
The report shows that 12 million people in West Africa, 9.3 million in Central Africa and 4.8 million in East Africa will rise above the poverty line. The AfCFTA has the potential of lifting 67.9 million Africans (3.6% of Africans) to middle income status by 2035. That is a $5.50 income per day.
The AfCFTA will connect 1.3 billion African citizens from 54 countries and is expected to generate $3.4 trillion annually. This trade bloc will improve Intra-African trade and definitely solve the problem of food import in Africa.
Held for the 11th time, the forum was also attended by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; Dr. Agnes Kalibata, the president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Hailemariam Desalegn, the Chairman of AGRF.
Doctors and nurses at RWAPSU Level 1 clinic joined their counterparts at Ngaragba prison to provide medical consultation services to sick inmates or experiencing varied complications.
Ngaragba prison has a population of more than 1,200 inmates, who include former Seleka and Anti-Baraka militias.
The Rwandan medical unit also provided assorted medical supplies to the prison clinic as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hand sanitizers and facemasks to support the clinic in the efforts against Covid-19 in the prison.
The inmates, who were also provided with facemasks each, were urged to always follow the Covid-19 prevention guidelines to be safe from the pandemic.
RWAPSU Contingent commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Innocent Rutagarama Kanyamihigo said security also includes the health of all groups of people.
“Public safety cannot be achieved without hygiene and healthy people, which we also combine in our peacekeeping activities to ensure human security,” said CSP Kanyamihigo
CSP Kanyamihigo further said that RWAPSU Contingent will continue conducting its civic activities alongside the UN peacekeeping mandate to support the local people.
The Deputy Director for Ngaragba prison, Tiburce François Koppliment thanked RWAPSU for the initiative and assured that the medical aid provided will be used effectively to improve the health of inmates.
He further commended the Rwandan peacekeepers for their contribution in restoring security and peace in CAR.
RWAPSU of 140 Police officers was deployed in Bangui in May. The unit is assigned to perform various VIP tasks including close protection of the Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly and Minister of Justice.
The Rwandan unit is also charged with close protection to the UN Special Respresentative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to MINUSCA and static guard at his residence as well as the protection of the two deputy SRSGs
They also conduct other assigned tasks including escort duties but also support the local communities in human security activities.
RWAPSU is one of the three Rwandan Police contingents deployed in CAR with two of them composed of 140 officers and another Formed Police Unit (FPU) of 180 officers.
