The support is extended to female agents under ‘Twese Initiative’ launched by the telecom to work with different organizations to roll out activities with impact to the community.
Through this initiative, MTN Rwanda equips female agents from across the country with different skills and gives them Kiosks among other kinds of support helping them to run businesses.
MTN will also bring them together in cooperatives and provide funding to expand businesses.
As part this initiative, MTN Rwanda interacted with 100 female agents operating in Kigali City recently on 21st October 2022. They were tipped on how to run businesses smoothly and enlightened on ways to fight against violence.
Chief Sales and Distribution Officer at MTN Rwanda, Norman Munyampundu said that they decided to empower the female agents in a bid to align their efforts with national priorities.
“We are aligning our efforts with the government’s program to empower women. It is under this context that we decided not to leave behind people working with us,” he said.
Munyampundu highlighted that the female agents will be supported to speed up business growth.
“We have approached these women to provide them with the right skills and empower them, especially through the provision of equipment, capital and teach them how to grow their businesses,” he noted.
Agents also commended the telecom for staying closer to them to ensure success of their businesses.
“We have been working smoothly with MTN. This is not the first time the telecom provides funding to members of the society. We are excited to be among beneficiaries this time around and look forward to business growth and improved livelihoods of our families,” said Chantal Nyirahatambineza.
“We are very pleased and hope to work together for our businesses to flourish. The support given to us will reduce barriers we used to face, thanks to acquired knowledge and skills,” revealed another agent identified as Diane Kampile.
‘Twese initiative’ will be rolled out across the country. Last year, MTN Rwanda donated Rwf10 million to the National Union of Disability Organizations of Rwanda (NUDOR) to procure various types of essential materials for people with disabilities through this initiative.
Nurdin Babu, the Kilimanjaro regional commissioner, told Xinhua in a telephone interview that the firefighters have been drawn from the Tanzania Fire and Rescue Force, the Tanzania National Parks, police, scouts, members of the militia and the private sector.
The fire broke out on Friday night at about 4,000 meters altitude on the south side of the mountain and was quickly spread by strong winds, said Babu.
“We are hoping that the fire will be contained by tonight by the 600-plus strong team of firefighters,” he said, adding that the cause of the fire and the damaged caused were yet to be established.
He said initially there were plans to request the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) to help in fighting the fire but the plans were dropped after reports indicated that there was good progress in putting out the fire.
On Saturday afternoon, Babu said he flew over the mountain with a team of experts for aerial survey to assess damage caused by the fire but the mission was cut short due to heavy smoke and bad weather.
“We made another attempt on Saturday night and managed to see affected areas,” he said, adding that there were no reported casualties.
In October 2020, a fire broke out on the mountain and destroyed 95.5 square kilometers of vegetation and 12 huts, two toilets and solar equipment used by tourists climbing the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro, with its snow-capped peak with about 5,895 meters above sea level, is one of Tanzania’s leading tourist destinations.
Roughly 50,000 trekkers from across the world attempt to reach the summit of the mountain annually.
Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), a local humanitarian agency, said on Sunday that among the new arrivals include those who had returned recently thinking the situation was getting better.
Irene Nakasiita, URCS spokesperson, said it is not yet possible to estimate the number of asylum seekers who crossed to Uganda through the border town of Bunagana on Saturday.
Esther Anyakun, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, told Xinhua by telephone preparations were in high gear to receive the refugees.
“According to the reports we have so far received, there are many, many refugees who have re-entered the country. The World Food Programme is already on the ground to offer some support,” Anyakun said.
She added that government was in the process of relocating the previous entrants from holding centers to resettlement camps and with the re-entrance of more refugees, they will have to work faster.
“They rushed to return home, because the situation was not yet stable. We had given some of them transport to go to resettlement camps but they opted to return home. Now you can see they have come back to Uganda,” Anyakun noted.
She also said the United Nations Refugee Agency had dispatched a team to offer humanitarian assistance to the refugees.
“Over 1,000 Congolese refugees have already crossed into Uganda following fresh fights between the M23 rebels and the Congolese government forces. They are currently camped at Bunagana border town in Kisoro district,” Ismail Ndayambaje, a local leader, told Daily Monitor, a Ugandan independent daily newspaper.
“We appeal to the humanitarian organizations in liaison with the office of the Prime Minister to transport these refugees straight to Nyakabande refugee transit camp where they can be accommodated. We faced a lot of challenges as we accommodated them here at Bunagana town council in March this year when they crossed into Kisoro district because of similar fights,” Ndayambaje added.
Jubaland deputy police chief Mohamed Nasi Guled said the attackers stormed the Tawakal Hotel located in Kismayo town with a vehicle laden with explosives, sparking an exchange of fire between the militants and security forces.
Guled, who did not confirm the number of casualties, appealed for calm, saying security forces would soon restore order at the hotel frequented by the government and politicians.
“We will shortly deal with the terrorists who are three in number,” he told journalists, noting that students are among the casualties.
Al-Shabab terror group which is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government claimed responsibility for the attack on the heavily guarded hotel.
Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee at the first plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee following the Party’s twice-a-decade national congress.
Greeted by rapturous rounds of applause, Xi led Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi onto a red-carpeted stage at the Great Hall of the People.
They are members of the newly-elected Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
According to the Party Constitution, the highest leading bodies of the Party are the National Congress and the Central Committee which it elects. Between plenary sessions of the Central Committee, the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee shall exercise the functions and powers of the Central Committee.
The 20th CPC Central Committee was elected Saturday at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress.
Speaking to over 600 journalists from home and abroad, Xi hailed the congress as one that held high its banner, pooled all the strength, and promoted solidarity and dedication.
Xi expressed gratitude for the trust the whole Party has placed in the new central leadership.
“We shall keep in mind the Party’s nature and purpose and our own mission and responsibility, and work diligently in the performance of our duty, to prove worthy of the great trust of the Party and our people,” he said.
Xi said China, having completed its building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, is now taking confident strides on a new journey to turn China into a modern socialist country in all respects.
That journey, one that is “filled with glories and dreams,” will see China advance toward the second centenary goal, and embrace the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Xi said.
In its two-step strategic plan, the CPC aims to basically realize socialist modernization from 2020 through 2035, and build China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful from 2035 through the middle of this century.
The world’s second largest economy is walking on a model of modernization that has not been seen before — the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.
“This is a great yet enormous undertaking. The enormity of the task is what makes it great and infinitely glorious,” Xi said.
He said the CPC and the Chinese people have sought long and hard to pursue a Chinese path to modernization, and the Party must always act for the people on the journey ahead and rely on them in everything it does.
“We will always ride out the storm with our people and stay heart to heart with them, taking their priorities as ours and acting on their wishes. We will continue the hard work to turn their aspiration for a better life into a living reality,” he said.
His emphasis on the people echoed a report Xi delivered to the 20th CPC National Congress, hailing the great achievements of the new era, which came from “the collective dedication and hard work” of the CPC and the Chinese people.
In the past decade, China’s GDP has grown from 54 trillion yuan (about 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars) to 114 trillion yuan and come to account for 18.5 percent of the world economy, up 7.2 percentage points. China has remained the world’s second largest economy, and its per capita GDP has risen from 39,800 yuan to 81,000 yuan.
The country has eradicated absolute poverty, and built the largest education, social security, and healthcare systems in the world.
It has also joined the ranks of the world’s innovators, while achieving an overwhelming victory and fully consolidating the gains in the fight against corruption.
But Xi said the Party cannot rest on its laurels just yet.
The just-concluded 20th CPC National Congress came at a time when the world is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, and a new phase of uncertainty and transformation.
China has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges are concurrent, and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising, Xi said in the report to the congress.
“Confronted with new challenges and tests on the journey ahead, we must remain on high alert and stay sober-minded and prudent like a student sitting for a never-ending exam,” he told journalists Sunday.
“We must make sure that our century-old Party will become ever more vigorous through self-reform and continue to be the strong backbone that the Chinese people can lean on at all times,” he said.
The journey ahead is long and arduous, but with determined steps, “we will reach our destination,” he said.
“We’ll not be daunted by high winds, choppy waters or even dangerous storms, for the people will always have our back and give us confidence,” Xi said.
He went on to express China’s commitment to further promoting the building of a human community with a shared future.
“We will work with peoples of all other countries to champion humanity’s shared values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom to safeguard global peace and promote global development, and keep promoting the building of a human community with a shared future,” Xi said.
Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development, he said, adding that the Chinese economy would remain on the positive trajectory over the long run, and that the country will open its door wider to the rest of the world.
“We’ll be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board, and in pursuing high-quality development. A prosperous China will create many more opportunities for the world,” Xi said.
The spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, said that fatal accident occurred at about 4 p.m. when a HOWO truck registration number RAD 421E, experienced brake failure as it was sloping towards Kinamba from Yamaha in Amizero Village, Amahoro Cell, Muhima Sector of Nyarugenge District.
“The truck lost its brakes and rammed into another vehicle before rolling over the bridge. A team of medical personnel immediately rushed to the scene to save lives.
Unfortunate, six people, including the driver of the truck; and pedestrians who include two children, lost their lives. Bodies of the deceased were taken to Kacyiru hospital,” SSP Irere said.
Four other people, who sustained serious injuries, he added, were evacuated to the hospital for medical attention.
Although the truck had a valid mechanical inspection certificate and installed with a speed governor, SSP Irere advised drivers to always inspect the status of their vehicles before embarking on the journey and to fix any mechanical fault that can lead to road accident, loss of lives and property.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that Mulindahabi has been arrested along with other employees.
They are arrested under an ongoing investigation on cases of theft and misappropriation of public resources at IPRC-Kigali.
Their arrest follows a decision by the Government of Rwanda to temporary close the school for two weeks to allow for ongoing investigations into the aforementioned cases.
The statement released on Sunday by the Ministry of Education took immediate effect.
It indicated that no one is allowed to enter the campus premises during this period while students on campus were to be facilitated to return home.
The statement further reads that students will be informed on the reopening date and encouraged individuals with useful information that could benefit the investigation to contact the nearest RIB office.
Eng Mulindahabi has been serving as the Principal of IPRC Kigali since July 2011.
The session, presided over by Xi, was attended by 203 members of the 20th CPC Central Committee and 168 alternate members.
Xi was also named chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the session.
The members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee elected at the session are Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.
Also elected were members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at the session, which endorsed the members of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat nominated by the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
The session named the members of the Central Military Commission.
The session approved the secretary, deputy secretaries and members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) elected at the first plenary session of the 20th CCDI.
The following are the lists:
The members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (in the order of the number of strokes in their surnames):
Ding Xuexiang, Xi Jinping, Ma Xingrui, Wang Yi, Wang Huning, Yin Li, Shi Taifeng, Liu Guozhong, Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Zhang Youxia, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Wenqing, Chen Jining, Chen Min’er, Zhao Leji, Yuan Jiajun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi
The members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee:
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi
General secretary of the CPC Central Committee:
Xi Jinping
The members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee:
Cai Qi, Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing, Liu Jinguo, Wang Xiaohong
Chairman, vice chairmen and members of the Central Military Commission:
Chairman: Xi Jinping
Vice chairmen: Zhang Youxia, He Weidong
Members: Li Shangfu, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin
Secretary, deputy secretaries and members of the Standing Committee of the CCDI
Secretary: Li Xi
Deputy secretaries: Liu Jinguo, Zhang Shengmin, Xiao Pei, Yu Hongqiu (f.), Fu Kui, Sun Xinyang, Liu Xuexin, Zhang Fuhai
Members of the Standing Committee of the CCDI (in the order of the number of strokes in their surnames):
Wang Xiaoping (f.), Wang Aiwen, Wang Hongjin, Liu Jinguo, Liu Xuexin, Xu Luode, Sun Xinyang, Li Xi, Li Xinran (Manchu), Xiao Pei, Zhang Shengmin, Zhang Fuhai, Chen Guoqiang, Zhao Shiyong, Hou Kai, Yin Bai (Naxi), Yu Hongqiu (f.), Fu Kui, Mu Hongyu (f.)
The Rwanda Formed Police Unit One (RWAFPU-2) and Rwanda Protection Support Unit (PSU) both operating in the capital Bangui supported the communities that were recently displaced by floods and currently sheltered at Ecole Primaire Kina of 3e Arrondissement.
At least 120 people were given free medical consultation and medication. The peacekeepers also donated foodstuff to the affected communities.
The humanitarian activity was organized by the MINUSCA Joint Task-Force for Bangui (JTFB) to support communities that were displaced by floods.
It was attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG), Lizbeth Cullity, the JTFB commander, Brig. Gen. Alognim Takougnadi and officials from the CAR Ministry of Health.
The FPU-1 and PSU operates in the capital Bangui while another FPU contingent is deployed in Kaga-Bandoro, about 400 kilometers from the capital Bangui.
The FPUs specialize in public order management, delivery of humanitarian assistance, escort duties and protection of UN facilities.
The PSU undertakes special duties such as protection for VIPs, including the SRSG, his two deputies, the Prime Minister of CAR, President of the National Assembly, Minister of Justice and the Head of MINUSCA Police Component, among others.
The development has been disclosed to the public by Burundi’s Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security via Twitter.
“All borders between Burundi and neighbouring countries are open,” reads part of the statement posted on Twitter.
The move was welcomed by Rwandans and Burundians who have been eagerly awaiting for the reopening of borders to ease free movement following tensions that escalated in2015.
Burundi accused Rwanda of supporting coup plot suspects who attempted to overthrow the then President Pierre Nkurunziza. Rwanda repeatedly rejected the allegations but accused Burundi of supporting security threat architects and armed groups intending to destabilize Rwanda.
Bilateral relations took a new shape through discussions to de-escalate tensions since 2020 when President Evariste Ndayishimiye took power.
The closure of borders halted free movement between both countries’ people and incurred losses for traders running businesses in Burundi and Rwanda.
Trade between Rwanda and Burundi has dropped from US$20 million per year in 2014 to US$0.01 in the third quarter of 2021.
Meanwhile, Rwanda closed the border with Burundi as COVID-19 emerged in March 2020.
On 7th March 2022, Rwanda reopened all land borders but Burundi did not do the same.
