As a reflection of this promise, the company has kicked off the new year with an exciting campaign ‘Izihirwe na MTN’, where over the next ten weeks, customers will be rewarded simply for staying on the network, topping up with airtime through any of the available channels including Mobile Money, and purchasing voice and/ or data bundles.
Throughout the duration of the campaign, MTN will be giving out a total of Rwf100 million to over 700,000 MTN customers through daily, weekly and monthly cash prizes. In addition to the cash prizes, MTN customers will stand chance to win free airtime and data.
Customers can opt in to join the campaign for free by dialing *456*25# or sending an SMS to 2325 where qualifying winners will receive the cash prize through their Mobile Money wallet.
Reflecting on the Tubitayeho promise, MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mapula Modibe said: ” We want to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, colleagues, partners, suppliers and distributors for their support and loyalty over the years as we have worked to deliver on our purpose of driving digital and financial inclusion and not leaving anyone behind.
“‘Izihirwe na MTN’ comes at a time when many are grappling with the devastating social and economic impact of Covid-19 including inflation, loss of livelihoods and other evolving global economic challenges. Our aim with this campaign is to bring excitement to the market and financial relief to the lucky winners as a way of letting them know – tubitayeho!”
MTN strongly believes everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life and by increasing access and usage of data and digital services, MTN will continue leading in delivering digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress,” concluded Modibe.
{{About MTN Rwandacell }}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, it has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
The telecom offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalized voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold and new digital world to customers.
Dr. Biruta made the disclosure on Thursday 26th January 2023 as he briefed parliamentarians on tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
As he interacted with the youth in Kinshasa on Sunday 4th December 2022, Congolese President Tshisekedi said that the situation allows his country to work with people harbouring intentions to overthrow Rwanda’s leadership for DRC for achieve peace.
Parliamentarians reminisced on the utterances deemed as provocations and what Rwanda plans to do in case Tshisekedi backs the attacks.
Minister Biruta said that the utterances reflect what Rwanda has been pointing out that Congolese government wants to destabilize its security through armed groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“These statements prove their intentions and confirm the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR. Perhaps, they exist and are on purpose but they will fail,” he said.
“By making the statement, he confirmed the collaboration of his government with armed groups formed by Rwandans including FDLR. I don’t know other proofs needed by the international community to tell DR Congo government what to do,” added Dr. Biruta.
He disclosed that Rwanda is standby to defend territorial integrity against attacks noting that Congo will be dealt with the way it comes.
“They have been disclosing intentions to revenge until they reach Kigali. […] If that happens, they will be dealt with the way they come,” he said.
Rwanda and DRC have been experiencing soured relations following the resumption of fighting between M23 and Congolese Army towards the end of 2021.
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the rebel group, a claim which Rwanda repeatedly refuted and blames the neighbouring country of working with FDLR.
He was briefing parliamentarians on the state of relations with regional countries on Thursday 26th January 2023.
The fighting between FARDC and M23 resumed towards the end of 2021, nearly ten years after its defeat that saw some combatants fleeing to Rwanda while others fled to Uganda.
Despite the fact that combatants that resumed fighting were from the group that fled to Uganda, DR Congo continues to accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 in confrontations with FARDC.
The stubbornness to draw attention on the root cause of insecurity, has seen DRC sounding alarms several times demanding the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda and excluded M23 from negotiations as recommended by regional processes to restore calm in the country.
As he addressed parliamentarians, Minister Biruta said that Congo has been overlooking the root cause of the problem and dragged Rwanda into its mess to dodge processes that would put an end to this issue.
Dr. Biruta asserted that the problem of Rwandophones takes roots shortly before colonization era when some parts of Rwanda were annexed to neighbouring countries.
“There are former territories of Rwanda that are currently annexed to DRC. This was resolved during a conference held in Brussels in Belgium on 2nd February 1910. It brought together Germany which colonized Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania; Belgium which colonized Congo and the United Kingdom which colonized Uganda and Kenya,” he said.
“The resolutions went into effect on 14th May 1910 where every colonist started controlling designated areas. They made the repartition in their own reasoning but their decision resulted in the presence of some Rwandans in Congo and others in Uganda,” added Dr. Biruta.
During colonization era, Belgium took some Rwandans to Congo for hard labour in farmlands and excavation of minerals.
During the violence between 1959 and 1973, Dr. Biruta disclosed, more Rwandans fled to Congo ‘but the majority repatriated after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped’.
After Congo obtained Independence, Minister Biruta said that Kinyarwanda-speaking communities experienced prolonged unrest where the country used them for political interests.
He explained that they were sometimes accepted as Congolese citizens or called foreigners.
Dr. Biruta told parliamentarians that the situation worsened after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped, when Interahamwe and soldiers of the former Rwandan army (EX-FAR) at the regime of President Habyarimana fled with their arms to Congo (former Zaire).
“Between 1994 and 1995, members of EX-FAR and Interahamwe resumed military activities and intensified training that refugee camps were turned into military bases […] It is important to recall attacks carried out by Interahamwe in early 1996. At the time, the commander of the defeated army, General Augustin Bizimungu established a stronghold in Rutshuru territory where he started exterminating Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese from Tutsi ethnicity owing to harbored genocide ideology,” he said.
From 1996, Rwanda started receiving the first batch of refugees from Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in DRC who are still accommodated in the country over the neighbouring country’s reluctance to repatriate them.
Dr. Biruta said that this situation sparked the creation of armed groups to defend the rights of Rwandophones including RDC Goma which birthed CNDP that later became M23.
“Those who were being killed and persecuted, formed groups to protect themselves realizing that the government had abandoned them,” he said.
Members of EX-FAR and Interahamwe formed ALIR which changed names at different times to FDLR. However, it was also split into different groups including RUD Urunana and FLN among others. […] On 23rd March 2009, there were agreements to integrate CNDP combatants into FARDC and recognize CNDP as a legitimate political party in Congo.
“At the time, Congolese government acceded to the concerns of CNDP including the repatriation of people forced to flee by FDLR and other armed groups but did implement the agreements. It failed to repatriate refugees but continued to support FDLR, which continued to fuel killings,” he noted.
As M23 resumed fighting in 2021, Congolese government started accusing Rwanda and demanded the international community to impose sanctions against Rwanda.
Dr. Biruta has explained that such behaviors are meant to divert attention from the root cause of the problem.
“DRC has continuously raised accusations that combatants attack from Rwanda and tend to push them to Rwanda during their fighting with intentions to draw Rwanda into the war. They wanted to drag Rwanda into the war because FARDC fights along with FDLR, supplies them with weapons, ammunition and the situation still stands,” he disclosed.
Dr. Biruta expressed concern over DRC’s behaviors to overlook the issue of Rwandophones, and blaming Rwanda for its mess which the international community digests as it is.
“They say that they attacked from Rwanda yet it is apparent that those who fled to Rwanda are still in the country. That is how relations started deteriorating until the current situation,” he stated.
Minister Biruta stressed the need to address the problem from root causes and consider the reason why M23 is fighting. He added that finding a solution has to go hand in hand with the protection of Rwandophones’ rights.
Dr. Biruta made the disclosure on Thursday 26th January 2023 as he briefed parliamentarians on the state of relations with regional countries.
Rwanda’s relations with Burundi deteriorated since 2015 after a failed coup plot in the country that saw Burundians fleeing to Rwanda.
Eight years later, the relations are good and were reinforced through different meetings bringing together officials from both countries to take them to a positive trajectory.
“The relations were gradually mended, we exchange visits and I personally led Rwanda’s delegation during the Independence Anniversary celebrated last year,” he said.
“There were different meetings bringing together provincial governors and the border was reopened […] These developments constitute signs indicating that relations have been improving. Relations with Burundi soured for quite some time but we are getting back on track and we are optimistic that pending issues can be discussed to find a solution,” added Dr. Biruta.
For Uganda, Minister Biruta said that relations are at a commendable step where the 15th Joint Permanent Commission between Uganda and Rwanda is scheduled in March 2023.
On relations with Tanzania, Minister Biruta highlighted that both countries’ relations are vibrant where the implementation of signed cooperation agreements is ongoing.
He disclosed that relations with other regional countries including Kenya, South Sudan are also good.
On tensions between Rwanda and DRC, Minister Biruta shed light on circumstances that led to the current situation.
He said that the situation started worsening towards the end of 2021 when the fighting erupted between Congolese Army (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The partnership was formalized on Thursday, January 26, at the RNP General Headquarters at Kacyiru between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Marcello Fantoni, Kent State University Vice President for Global Education.
The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the agreement establishes “cooperative relations” between the two institutions for mutual benefits.
“It lays out partnership mainly to develop academic and cultural interchange through mutual assistance in areas of education and research; development of programmes and academic exchange,” CP Kabera said.
The donation, which covers medical insurance premiums for 226 family members, was officially handed over by the Commandant of the CTTC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Butera, to the mayor of Bugesera, Richard Mutabazi.
The donation is a financial contribution by Police officers operating at the CTTC, including those on training.
It is part of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) human security and community development activities.
Mayor Mutabazi thanked the RNP for its community development projects and including ensuring the health of the people.
“The health and wellbeing of the people is an important security factor, and we thank our Police for these community development projects. This defines a community-centred policing and valuing lives of the people,” Mutabazi said.
He urged Mayange residents to strengthen their partnership with security organs, to be eyes and ears of security but also desisting from any unlawful acts.
CP Butera thanked the residents for their partnership in policing to fight and prevent crimes.
“Your policing activities like irondo (night patrols), reporting suspected criminals and their criminal activities, all contribute to fighting and preventing crimes, and further improving the overall security,” CP Butera said.
He further commended the role of grassroots leaders for driving community policing activities in their localities.
Spéciose Ahobantegeye, one of the beneficiaries said that having a health insurance makes her family more secure.
“We sleep well at night feeling secure and now we have medical insurance. We thank our Police and leadership for thinking about us,” said Ahobantegeye
During the Police Month in December last year, the RNP lit 278 households in Bugesera District with solar energy, constructed an Early Child Development (ECD) centre and two houses for the vulnerable families.
This week alone, four people have been arrested at Remera Automobile Inspection Centre (AIC) in Gasabo District and at the Mobile Test Lane in Gikondo, Kicukiro District as they tried to cheat the fuel emission test.
All of them had removed air filters from their vehicles so as to beat the gas emission test, having failed a number of previous inspections.
Some of them have also attempted to bribe Police technicians at the inspection centres, leading to their arrest for attempted bribery.
One of them identified as Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, was arrested Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC after Police, during the inspection, found that he had removed the air filter. The filter was recovered under the car seat.
His vehicle, registration number RAB 916N, Toyota RAV4 type, was also impounded.
“This is a new trend and owners of vehicles or driver should stand warned that any time such acts are detected, they will be arrested and the vehicle impounded,” CP John Bosco Kabera, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, cautioned.
“If any mechanical fault is detected, fix it, bring you vehicle back for further roadworthy inspection, but any malpractices along the process will only lead to your arrest,” he added.
Motor vehicle emissions are composed of by-products that exit from exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation – and they contribute to air pollution that has negative consequences on people’s health.
Meanwhile, CP Kabera also warned against using a driver’s license contrary to the intended vehicle category.
The warning also follows a number of cases in which people have been arrested especially driving trailers or trucks without the category.
One of them is Jean Pierre Ukurikiyimfura, holding category B driving license, who was arrested on Thursday, January 26, at Remera AIC, driving a trailer.
Trailers are driven by those holding category E driving license.
“This practice of driving vehicles without the required category is also becoming common. At least three cases are registered at automobile inspection centres everyday.
Driver’s licenses have classes that authorize one to ride a motorcycle or allow one to drive a certain class of vehicle. Valid driver’s license should be used for the intended class or category,” said CP Kabera.
“The tombs are built on a 50 meter by 70 meter area that includes 30 burial wells,” it said.
A 10-ton pink granite coffin for a minister of king Sobekhotep II, from the 13th dynasty of the second intermediate period, was found in one of the wells.
Funeral drawings that are decorated with images of another official presenting sacrifices for the same king were found in the site.
The mission also unearthed a building made of mud bricks that were used for presenting sacrifices. The building housed a group of statues that carried hieroglyphic symbols, a large number of amulets, and hundreds of funeral stamps.
A statement announcing his appointment reads that Mutesi will assume duties effective 1st February 2023.
She joins BPR Bank Rwanda after serving as the Country Director for Trademark East Africa since July 2016 where she oversaw a strategic trade facilitation programme which contributed significantly towards increasing Rwanda’s trade, investments and jobs’ creation.
She previously served as the Head of Corporate Banking in Ecobank Rwanda and has served as a board member on the boards of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, MTN Rwandacell Plc, Rwanda Cooperation (RCI), and Advisory Council of One Acre Fund in Rwanda.
Mutesi brings a diversified background in the private sector development and financial sector including corporate governance, credit management, strategy and product development, as well as credible expertise in risk management.
Commenting on the appointment; George Rubagumya, the Chairman of BPR Bank Rwanda said: “We are delighted to have Patience on board and particularly pleased with the experiencer she will bring with her invaluable background in Finance and Trade Development.”
Rubagumya also thanked George Odhiambo for progress made during his stay in office.
“On behalf of Staff, Management and Board, I would like to thank George for his undivided commitment during his time as Managing Director. I believe we are in a strong financial position to foster our desired momentum in the coming years. I wish him all the best in future endeavors,” he noted.
Mutesi expressed delight for the trust bestowed to her to lead the bank.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead this bank and thank the BPR Rwanda Board of Directors and KCB Group for their vote of confidence. As I embark on this journey, priority will be on enhancement of our customers’ experience in dealing with the bank,” she stated.
“I am confident that through the last digital developments, our customers will transition into best-in-class financial services. By increasing provision of capital to businesses for quality investment, we will also support Rwanda’s ambition to foster a private sector driven economy,” added Mutesi.
BPR Bank Rwanda is the largest bank in Rwanda by branch network with 154 branches, playing a critical role in supporting a budding economy to drive financial inclusion in the country, focusing on inclusive growth, equality, financial opportunities, money management, investment initiatives and poverty reduction.
Dr. Biruta relayed the message during talks held at his residence in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo.
The visit was confirmed Congo’s Presidency on Wednesday but did not disclose further details of their talks.
The discussions are held amidst ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) related to insecurity that has mired the eastern part of the country.
Meanwhile, Denis Sassou-N’Guesso travelled to Kinshasa last month for talks with Felix Tshisekedi on security problems in eastern DRC.
Apart from escalating tensions, Rwanda enjoy cordial relations with the Republic of Congo strengthened by cooperation in the areas of economy and trade among others.
