This year, Cécile Kayirebwa will receive a recognition award during the concert which is scheduled to take place on March 8, 2020, in Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), the former Camp Kigali.
Tickets are Rwf 20,000, Rwf 10,000, and Rwf 5,000 for those who buying with hard cash.
Tickets can be found at different places where Airtel services are provided; Remera at Airtel headquarters, Nyabugogo, and Nyamirambo.
Other selling points are; Camellia at Gisimenti, UTC, CHIC, KBC, Simba Supermarket, T2000 at Monaco, Nyarutarama at Tenis Club, downtown Simba Supermarket, Blues Coffee, and in the downtown bus station.
Fans who will buy tickets on the day of the concert will part with Rwf 25,000 (VVIP), Rwf 15,000 (VIP), the rest being Rwf 10,000.
It will be the first time that a musician will be given the recognition of high contribution and promotion of Rwanda’s culture through arts.
Among the performers at the much hyped concert are Muyango, Mariya Yohani, Mani Martin, Sentore Jules, Clarisse Karasira, the traditional dance and singing troupe Ibihame By’Imana, Mushabizi, and the
An announcement from the office of the Prime Minister says Dr. Ngamije Daniel has been appointed minister of health, replacing Dr. Diane Gashumba who recently resigned.
Dr. Daniel is a physician and public health specialist. He previously worked for the World Health Organisation in Rwanda. He has 23 years of experience working in the public health sector. Before joining WHO, Dr. Daniel worked for Global Fund as a Coordinator to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria and worked as coordinator of Single Project Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Uwamariya Valentine was named Minister of Education, succeeding Dr. Mutimura Eugène who was appointed Head of Science and Technology Commission.
Dr. Valentine was Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Training, Institutional Development, and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic, a post she held since 2018. She was also a senior lecturer at University of Rwanda.
Dr. Valentine holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from former National University of Rwanda (NUR). In 2005, she got her Msc degree in Chemistry from Witwatersrand University (Johannesburg-South Africa). In 2013, she obtained her Ph.D. from UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) in Environmental Engineering and Water Technology.
Dr. Valentine has been involved in teaching/research for 18 years at University and served as Dean of the School of Science at the College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda.
Among other changes made, Dr. Bayisenge Jeannette replaced Nyirahabimana Solina as the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion.
Dr. Bayisenge was the President of the City of Kigali Council and served as Director and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-CASS), Center for Gender Studies.
She has a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden; a Master’s degree in Development Cooperation with a specialization in Women and Development obtained from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul- South Korea and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from National University of Rwanda.
In 2004, she was a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, with her research interest being in the areas of gender and development and women and children’s rights.
Dr. Jeannette also held other such important positions as being the director of the National Women’s Council, the Chairperson of Gasabo District Council, and being on the board of directors of LODA (Local Administrative Entities Development Agency) and NIDA (National Identification Agency).
Mpambara Inès was named Minister in charge of cabinet affairs in the office of the Prime Minister. She replaces Marie Solange Kayisire who was appointed Minister in Charge of Emergency Management, replacing Germaine Kamayirese.
Previously Inès worked as Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President and director of the school of journalism and communication at the National University of Rwanda.
Tushabe Richard was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Charge of the National Treasury. He was formerly the Director of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), a position he held after being at the helm of as the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority.
Nyirahabimana Solina who was the minister of Gender and Family Promotion was named Minister of State in Charge of Constitution and Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, replacing Evode Uwizeyimana who recently resigned.
Lt Col Dr. Mpunga Tharcisse who was Director General of Butaro Hospital was appointed Minister of State In charge of Primary Health Care replacing Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi.
Twagirayezu Gaspard was named Minister of State in Ministry of Education in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, replacing Dr. Isaac Munyakazi who resigned.
Irere Claudette was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge Technical and Vocational Education and Training. She was the permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation nd had been kLab General Manager till 2015. She holds a Msc. in Computer Engineering from Oklahoma Christian University and a Bsc. in Computer Science from the National University of Rwanda.
Rugira Amandin was appointed Rwanda’s ambassador to Zambia while Dr. Sebashongore Dieudonne was made Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium.
Rugemanshuro Regis was appointed Director General of RSSB. He was the Chief Digital Officer in BK Group Plc.
Regis did his high school studies in Minor Seminary of Karubanda, did his undergraduate studies at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania, the same university from which he did his graduate studies.
He served in the United States consulting for the global Tech giants such as Hewlett Packard (HP) as a Program Manager and later with Accenture PLC in Seattle, Washington. During his time there, his main clients included Microsoft and T-Mobile.
The president also appointed Dr. Ndimubanzi Patrick as the Executive Secretary of the Human Resources for Health Secretariat, a new office.
Iradukunda Yves was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation while Gacandaga Jean Marie was made Deputy Director General in Charge of Fund Management in RSSB.
Dr. Daniel Ngamije has replaced Dr Diane Gashumba who resigned two weeks ago on account of gross misinformation to the office of the president.
Valentine Uwamariya is the new Minister for Education, replacing Eugene Mutimura who now heads Science and Technology Commission while Gaspard Twagirayezu was appointed Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, replacing Isaac Munyakazi who also resigned son account of dishonesty and corrupt practices.
Other appointments include; Inès Mpambara Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs, Jeannette Bayisenge, Solina Nyirahabimana was appointed Minister of State in Charge of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, replacing Evode Uwizeyimana, who resigned over visiting violence on a female guard on duty. Marie-Solange Kayisire, formerly Minister of Cabinet Affairs moves to Ministry of Emergency Management.
Lt. Col. Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga becomes Minister of State in the Ministry of Health in charge of Primary Healthcare, replacing Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi, who has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Human Resources for Health Secretariat.
Former Director General Rwanda Social Security Board, Richard Tusabe was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Charge of the National Treasury.
A newly formed docket for the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge of ICT and TVET Education has been given to Claudette Irere while Yves Iradukunda becomes Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
Régis Rugemanshuro was appointed Director-General of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Amandin Rugira Ambassador-designate of Rwanda to Zambia and Dieudonné Sebashongore as Ambassador-designate of Rwanda to Belgium.
The multi-million facility has 21 rooms, decorated with Rwandan cultural items such as Imigongo and other artworks.
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame launched the hotel this Thursday, February 27, 2020. Present were also Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, the director of Kerzner International that manages all hotels of One&Only.
President Kagame appreciated this investment, saying that it is a good collaboration between Rwanda and its United Arab Emirates friends.
“I want to thank you for your investment. We must strive to make this investment earn all of us a benefit.”
He said that the investment,with a sister branch in Nyungwe, is in line with Rwanda’s vision of developing extraordinary infrastructure.
“We will take it as ours, as yours. We will also keep adding value to it in different ways.”
Muhammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani thanked all people involved in the construction of the hotel. He said that Kerzner will open four more such hotels in different places this year, but that, “to be honest, no one asked me about the other places other than Rwanda. They asked me, ‘When will the hotel be ready so that we visit Rwanda.’ It looks like this country has a lot of attractions. The pictures of this hotel have themselves attracted much attention.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi said that Rwanda now has two One and Only hotels and thanked Kerzner for believing in Rwanda.
She said that Rwanda continues to find possible ways to provide tourists with the safest hospitality and that it is progressing positively.
This was expressed on Wednesday February 26, 2020 when the Rwandan agri-tech company Horizon Sopyrwa awarded for the sixth time about 210 outstanding pyrethrum farmers. Among the prizes were 36 cows as the main awards, mattresses, rubber boots, and others, all of which were for recognizing their good work in making pyrethrum give a good produce.
Some of the farmers show pride in pyrethrum because from the moment they started farming pyrethrum, development visited their homes to stay.
Takuriya Noel Emmanuel said, “Those who don’t know the wealth pyrethrum are the ones who can speak negatively of them. Since the time I started growing them professionally, I have bought a plot of land of three hectares, in which I cultivate pyrethrum, I pay for myself Mutuelle de Santé” [a community-based health insurance], and no one of my children is in a poor school. I was awarded a cow. I will take care of it, always bearing in mind that I got it because of pyrethrum.”
Hategekimana Pierre Claver too had this to say, “I passionately do the farming of pyrethrum, since 2018. Now, I have bought a plot of land. In my family, we take a balanced diet. We live well because of pyrethrum. Something else, I have been given a cow. If I had never been farming pyrethrum, I wouldn’t be given it, and now I become a farmer because of pyrethrum.”
The General Manager of Horizon Sopyrwa, Bizimungu Gabriel said that this act of awarding farmers of pyrethrum plays the role of thanking them and inspiring other farmers to put into their farming a lot of work.
“Such an act of rewarding outstanding farmers of pyrethrum has an objective of thanking the courage they invest in the pyrethrum that end up giving a good produce. Also, it is to make other farmers jealous of the good work, inspiring them to have the courage to do good farming. More than that, this changes the mindsets of the farmers. Now, the awarded farmers harvest one tone from one hectare. We want all the farmers to develop such a mindset, or even a better one.”
The Director of Planning in Northern province Safi Desange asked farmers to keep promoting the cultivation of pyrethrum by joining cooperatives so as to join their efforts and so that such opportunities as the awards reach them.
After noticing the worth of pyrethrum, Horizon Sopyrwa founded AgroPY, an industry that extracts pesticides from pyrethrum.
Since the time this recognition started, 500 cows have been given. On this round of 2020, 61 cows were given to farmers from Musanze, Burera, Nyabihu, and Rubavu Districts. 40 of these were given by Horizon Sopyrwa, 10 by American partners of Horizon Sopyrwa who too manufacture pesticides from pyrethrum, and 11 which were given by past awardees as an act of giving back.
Registration starts on February 26th, 2020 and will close March 25th, 2020. Apply Now!
Applicants must be willing to focus on development strategies and agricultural practices that encourage inclusive rural growth and to work with local farmers, industry, and authorities to implement those practices.
Requirements include being a Rwandan national, demonstrating leadership and entrepreneurship skills, being fluent in English, and having completed high school in 2019 with not less than a note of 40 for those who sat for Rwanda Education Board (REB) national examinations and 36 for those who sat for Workforce Development Authority (WDA) examinations.
Applicants who are accepted receive a full, three-year scholarship covering school fees, insurance, accommodations, and meals.
RICA staff stated that they are looking for innovative students who have a passion for agriculture. Graduates are expected to identify solutions and leverage technology to put to maximum use of the available land resources in Rwanda.
Students in the three-year program earn a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Agriculture and can specialize in enterprises such as Animal Production, Crop Production, Mechanization and Food Processing.
RICA’s curriculum is designed to support students in learning, conducting experiments and practicing theories at different scales — from smallholder farming to irrigated/mechanized agriculture. Students are also taught leadership, entrepreneurship, and networking skills. RICA has the particularity of offering English-only lessons compared to other agriculture programs in different universities in Africa.
For more information, visit RICA website www.rica.rw, their Instagram @rica_rwanda and Facebook page at facebook.com/rica.education.rw or send an email to admissions@rica.rw
RICA operates as a partnership between the Government of Rwanda, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The recognition that took place recently, farmers were given 25 cows, 30 mattresses, umbrellas, and rubber boots.
Pyrethrum yields have grown from 200 in 2013 to the current 1,500 tons per anum.
Some of the recognized farmers said that their dedication to the growing of pyrethrum is a pact they have with Horizon Sopyrwa.
Mynyendatwa Jean Baptiste said, “We have developed a career out of growing pyrethrum. Every year, Horizon Sopyrwa recognizes outstanding pyrethrum farmers. This becomes a pact that we will dedicate ourselves more to the crop, especially that it has improved our lives. Some of us built good houses, bought livestock, and other things; there is no way we can give up on growing the crop.”
Mugabekazi Annonciata, another grower has this to say. “Such awards mean a lot to us. It motivates us to increase our dedication to pyrethrum. That I have been awarded a cow is not enough. I must keep working harder. Also, we thank Horizon Sopyrwa, especially for its continued support of our farming and for their good relationship with us.”
The General Manager of Sopyrwa, Bizimungu Gabriel has asked pyrethrum farmers to put in more effort and multiply the harvest because the market demand is still high.
“So far, we have not yet satisfied the demand. The market demands twice the produce we provide. This gives the farmers a task to work harder so that the harvest can reach the demanded quantity. However, we must also remind the farmers that the increase in quantity must go hand in hand with an increase in quality so that we keep being the first in providing the best oil to the market.”
Habanabakize Jean Claude the Vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development in Nyabihu District said that the farmers’ celebration of their achievements must be followed with setting new goals that include increasing the acreage of pyrethrum.
Currently, in the districts where pyrethrum is grown, which are Musanze, Burera, Nyabihu, and Rubavu, there are 240 farmers, grow ing the crop on 3400 hectares. In 2019, pyrethrum exports earned $6 million and projected to grow to $7 million in 2020.
The technical testing and repairs will be done at the Hyundai Garage in Gikondo-Magerwa, KN 6, Ave Magerwa Road.
In order to avoid queues at the garage, customers that want to take their vehicles for the overhaul can call (+250) 786131 279, 0788873366 or 0788868099 for an appointment.
Hyundai-Rwanda has announced that the overhauling will be done by experts who will provide information and advice on vehicle handling. New spare parts will also be available for purchase at the garage at a good cost.
The Hyundai-Rwanda technical director, Tierry Fifield, has told IGIHE that the objective of the free technical test is to meet customers’ mechanical needs of customers’ vehicles.
“Our aim is meeting customer satisfaction. We will give them information about the Hyundai old models and current models. We will also check their vehicles and give technical advise accordingly.”
Hyundai-Rwanda is a branch of Hyundai Motors with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 1967 but opened shop in Rwanda in 2012.
Ecobank welcomes submissions from all start-ups and developers in any of Africa’s 54 countries to enter its 2020 Ecobank Fintech Challenge at https://www.ecobank.com/Fintechchallenge
All Finalists will be inducted as Ecobank Fintech Fellows, participate in a business boot camp followed by an Awards and Innovation Fair at the headquarters of the Ecobank Group in Lomé, Togo in June 2020.
Ecobank Group Executive, Operations & Technology, Eddy Ogbogu noted that “As a banking group we continue to be amazed at the many ways in which fintech are transforming banking across Africa. We look forward to the new innovations and partnership opportunities that will come with the 2020 edition.”
Fellows will qualify to explore the following opportunities including:
-* Multinational product roll-out: an opportunity to pursue integration with Ecobank and potentially launch products in Ecobank’s Pan African footprint
-* Service provider partnerships. Ecobank may select start-ups as a pan-African service partner within the bank’s ecosystem.
-* Access to Ecobank’s Pan-African Banking Sandbox: Fellows will be given access to Ecobank’s APIs to test and improve their products for the pan-African market.
-* Mentoring and networking support in the network of global and African partners of the Group.
Ecobank Senior Fintech Advisor, Djiba Diallo said “The Ecobank Fintech Challenge and fellowship have been improved upon to create even additional value for Ecobank and the Fintechs. We took feedback from the past editions and one of the major innovation this year is the opportunity for shortlisted Fintech’s to access our APIs through our Pan African Sandbox.”
Ecobank Fintech Challenge was designed in partnership with the advisory firm Konfidants and is supported by several partners across Africa and globally. Applications for the competition will close on the 12th of April, 2020.
More information on the competition, benefits, and how to apply can be found on the competition’s website at https://www.ecobank.com/Fintechchallenge
He said it should instead be a good time for Uganda to make amends and end tensions with Rwanda.
“The time for Kigaki to obtain all they want should be now when President Museveni is interested in the votes and heading to the elections.”
Currently, progress is being made on both parts to solve the conflicts with the mediation of President Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and President Lourenço of Angola.
After the fourth quadripartite summit which was held at Gatuna/Katuna border on February 21st, 2020, Uganda was given a month to verify all allegations that Rwanda dissidents and armed group operate on its territory and if found accurate, taking actions to stop those groups and prevent the situation from every happening again.
The summit agreed that if the resolutions taken are implemented, the Ad Hoc Comission between Uganda and Rwanda will convene at Gatuna/Katuna border within 15 days for the solemn reopening of borders and normalization of the movement of people and goods.
Closing borders caused unimaginable loss to Ugandans especially in trade and Ugandans kept urging President Museveni to take actions and find a quick remedy to solve tensions with Rwanda.
Mbidde said that it is a good time for Museveni to act right in a bid to rally support ahead of 2021 elections.
On his way back from the fourth quadripartite summit, President Museveni told swarms of supporters at Gatuna/Katuna border that the root of the conflict was within the government of Rwanda.
“We are not in any way responsible of creating Rwanda dissidents. There are internal conflicts within the government of Rwanda which they have failed to solve and gradually created enemies who fled to South Africa. Not Uganda.”
“I take this time to express sincere solidarity with the people who were affected by the closure of Katuna border. We are doing our best to make the situation better and sooner or later, you will all realize NRM has Ugandan people in its best interests,” Museveni was quoted.
However, Museveni’s propaganda was condemned given that he is notorious for rallying Rwanda dissidents and supporting them in their agenda of destabilizing Rwanda’s security. He has in the past years succeeded in executing vile conspiracies against Rwanda with the support of Kayumba Nyamwasa and Patrick Karegeya who founded the Rwandan National Congress (RNC).
Mbidde explained that there are no leadership issues in Rwanda and that all the propaganda against Rwanda is promoted by people who are not even in the country to witness the strides Rwanda is making.
Rwanda accuses Uganda of supporting terrorist and armed groups including RNC, FDLR and RUD Urunana and allowing them to freely operate on Ugandan territory.
Uganda also allows the armed groups to recruit new members, torture those who refuse to join with the complicity of Uganda government officials such as Philemon Mateke, Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Mbidde said that “Ugandans will not support terrorist conspiracies against Rwanda.”
Yusuf Serunkuma, a Ugandan and an expert in historical studies and political economy said that the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) should do its part to solve the tensions between Rwanda and Uganda.
However, Mbidde replied that it is not in EALA responsibilities to solve conflicts between member countries of the EAC.
“The main objective of EALA is to promote regional integration, establishing a common market and constructing a powerful and sustainable EA economic and political bloc.”
Mukasa Mbidde: The time for Kigali to obtain all they want should be now when President Museveni is interested in the votes and heading to the elections.#NBSMorningBreeze#NBSUpdates
