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  • Kagame Attends 7th Commonwealth Local Government Conference

    {{President Paul Kagame attended the the 7th Commonwealth Local Government Conference – Kampala,Uganda 16 May 2013.}}

  • Kayumba Nyamwasa in Court over Refugee Status

    {{Fugitive Kayumba Nyamwasa is expected at a South African High court today for the final arguments in a landmark case challenging the decision by South Africa government to grant him refugee status. }}

    The case was lodged by Refugees and Migrants in South Africa under an umbrela organisation (CoRMSA) with support from the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC).

    CoRMSA had requested South African government to revisit and withdraw their decision to grant Nyamwasa refugee status.

    However, This was not done and CoRMSA instituted review proceedings in the High Court.

    Under refugee law a country is prohibited from granting persons accused of war crimes a refugee status.

    {RNA}

  • US Govt Supports RDF with Field Catering Equipment worth $1.2 Million

    {{The US government has provided Rwanda Defence Force a field Catering Equipment worth 1.2 Million USD. The field catering equipment will be used by RDF peacekeepers in South Sudan.}}

    The handover of this equipment took place Wednesday at Kanombe Military barracks between US Ambassador to Rwanda, His Excellency Ambassador Donald Koran and the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga.

    This was the first batch of major equipment to RDF under the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) with the second batch expected soon.

    In his statement, Ambassador Donald Koran said that “United States remains committed to helping Rwanda Defence Force maintain the highest degree of professionalism and readiness that it is reknowned for.

    We are committed to continuing our support to the RDF as you continue your professional transformation and continue to execute combined global peacekeeping operations”.

    The RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga was grateful for the US continuous support to Rwanda that translates good relationship between the two countries.

    “On behalf of the Government of Rwanda, we thank the US Government for the support. The ongoing peacekeeping missions by RDF will need more than the efforts of Rwanda. We will need the helping hand of International community and more particularly the US Government”

    RDF continues to enjoy good military cooperation with the US Government especially in the field of peace support missions across the world.

  • Education Can Reduce Malnutrition—President Kikwete

    {{Education is the key to reducing malnutrition in children under five, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete said Thursday while launching a national campaign to promote a balanced diet.}}

    Tanzania has three million malnourished children, he said, mainly because of poor eating habits and lack of knowledge of the kind of food children need. Ironically, most of the children live in rural areas where there is ample food.

    The campaign named “Good Nutrition is the Foundation of the Country Economic Development: Play Your Part”, will be driven by a campaign that also aims at encouraging firms in the food business to add vitamins and other nutrients to their products.

    Said the President: “Lack of awareness on nutrition at the family level, accompanied by poor beliefs, is a problem because people have food but they do not know how to plan their meals. Education is the most important thing they need, especially in rural areas where they have access to a wide variety of foods compared to urban dwellers–who have to purchase food.”

    Experts who spoke with The Citizen this week also cited inadequate breastfeeding, poor medical facilities and poverty as other factors that contribute to malnutrition.

    The launch of the campaign yesterday comes amidst rising concerns by both the government and nutrition experts about the rising levels of the condition.

    The national nutrition coordinator at World Vision, Ms Debora Niyeha, said this week that about half of Tanzania’s workforce will suffer a mental crisis in the next 20 years due to stunting that affects the body and brain.

    {TheCitizen}

  • Nyagatare Building Collapse Victims Burried

    {{Victims of the Nyagatare building collapse have been buried in collaboration between Nyagatare hospital, residents and the district authority. }}

    Four victims were buried at Mirama and Barija public cemeteries. The victims buried at Mirama cemetery included; Ngirababyeyi Isaie and Nibishaka Claude.

    Among other victims was a Tanzanian national whose body was transported back to his country.

    Hundreds of mourners turned up for burial after the shocking incidence of the building collapse that belonged to Barigye Geoffrey.

    The four-floor building was under construction when it crambled down holding several workers under the rubble. Six people were announced dead and dozens admitted to hospital with serious injuries.

    Also read…http://en.igihe.com/news/building-collapses-in-nyagatare-town.html

    During the incidence, one of the workers trapped under the rubble had telephoned saying they were many under the rubble and requested their quick removal underneath.

    Atuhe Sabiti Fred the Mayor of Nyagatare District commended the quick rescue intervention by the residents.

    Atuhe promised to implement stringent measures to prevent any further such accidents.

  • EAX-Rwanda to Increase Transparency in Regional Commodity Markets

    {{Rwanda’s enviable position of being the easiest country on the continent to start business was the sole reason it was chosen to host the East Africa Exchange (EAX)-Rwanda a subsidiary of Africa Exchange Holdings (AFEX).}}

    Jendayi Frazer, Founder of 50 Ventures, and Chairman of the Board for the East Africa Exchange said; “we wouldn’t go anywhere else. Rwanda is a special place with quality products especially Tea exported to the international market.”

    She added , “We established EAX-Rwanda because its easy to start up an investment here and Rwanda is corruption-free. And you can’t go to a country with corruption.”

    Jendayi was speaking to Journalists on Wednesday at Kigali city Tower while introducing Paul Kukubo the new Chief Exuctive of East Africa Exchange (EAX Rwanda).

    Earlier, Jendayi Frazer, Founder of 50 Ventures, and Chairman of the Board for the East Africa Exchange said: “Paul Kukubo has demonstrated transformative leadership in the information technology space in Kenya in both the private and public sectors and the EAX will benefit from his strong entrepreneurial experience in start-ups.”

    EAX-Rwanda seeks to increase transparency in the regions commodity markets aimed at increasing regional market efficiency and liquidity as well as giving the regions population of 130Million, especially smallholder farmers, better access to markets.

    The Exchange is initially focusing on establishing an auction facility and spot trading for agriculture and non agriculture commodities but intends to develop futures trading across East Africa.

  • Dozens Arrested in Police Operation

    {{Police in Bugesera distrct has arrested 24 people suspected of drug trafficking and abuse and some behind a string of theft incidences. }}

    They were arrested on Wednesday in an operation conducted in Nyabivumu cell of Nyamata sector. They are now detained at Nyamata police station.

    The operation came barely a week after more than 120 other were also apprehended in the district.

    Rwanda National Police initiated the idea of mapping, which helps to identify crime vulnerable areas, people involved, with the help of the public through a community policing strategy, which has helped further to bleed safety in communities.

    Bugesera District Police Commander, Supt. Athanase Nshuti said they conduct daily operations targeting loiterers and other suspected criminals, especially based on the information provided by the public.

    “Most of the loiterers are drug consumers, which also lures them into other criminal acts like theft and assault,” Supt. Nshuti said.

    “Sometimes, at night, they disconnect electricity in houses and break-in, steal electric cables or involve in other criminal acts like rape and defilement,” he added.

    On the issue of Burundians, who are among those arrested in such swoops, he said most of them come into the district through illegal borders and with no legal documents that allows them into the country.

    “We arrest them and hand them over to immigration and authorities in Burundi. We normally hold meetings with officials from neighboring parts of Burundi and this has also helped to fight crimes jointly, which has led to the reduction of crimes,” he explained.

    Supt. Christopher Semuhungu, the Eastern region police spokesperson, reiterated that the public are their major players in the crime prevention adding that “they have owned this campaign.”

    “They [public] now know what to do and that’s why at least everyday a certain number of suspected criminals are arrested and some stolen goods recovered,” Supt. Semuhungu said.

    Judith Uwamahoro, a resident of Bugesera also implored Rwandans not to leave this campaign to security organs alone because “at the end of the day we are either losers or beneficiaries.”

    “What police or any other security organ or local authorities do is for our own good; so why can’t we be major players in what is ours,” Uwamahoro wondered.

    RNP

  • New Prosecutors told not to Betray Public Trust

    {{Four new prosecutors have been appointed to boost the national Prosecution team and improving public trust.}}

    Taking oath before the Prime Minister at a function also attended by the Prosecutor General, the new prosecutors; Jean Baptiste Nshimiyimana, Jean Bosco Muhayimana, Domitilla Mukangoga and Jonas Niyitegeka, were warned against graft and anything that might tarnish your image and the country.

    Prime Minister, Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi told the new prosecutors not to betray public trust; “No one is above the law; you should work within the law and work hard for the good of country and citizens.”

  • Ghana Man Pours Acid on Wife

    {{In Ghana, a 39-year-old trader at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, who allegedly caused serious body injury to his wife of seven years by pouring acid on her over upkeep money, has been arraigned before the Obuasi Circuit Court charged with unlawfully causing harm.}}

    {Veronica Gani and Emmanuel Owusu}

    Emmanuel Owusu, who lived at Kwabenakwa, a suburb of Obuasi, was said to have ambushed the woman, 27, at a refuse dump where he sprayed her face with the acid.

    His plea was not taken when he appeared in court Thursday and the presiding judge, Mr Gilbert Ayisi Addo, remanded him in prison custody to reappear on May 22, 2013.

    According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Albert Anaing, the couple had been married for seven years and had three children.

    They did not live in the same house. While the man lived at Kwabenakwa, the woman lived at Akaporiso.

    A disagreement between the two had led to the man refusing to assist the woman and the children’s upkeep.

    Not satisfied with the behaviour of her husband, Gani reported her husband to his brother by name Atta, who gave the woman GH¢8 to prepare some food for the day while he went to talk to Emmanuel.

    Atta followed up to his brother’s house and advised him to honour his responsibilities, since the woman was still his wife and they had children.

    The prosecutor continued that on the morning of May 13, 2013, Owusu ambushed his wife at a refuse dump at Akaporiso with a quantity of acid in his pocket.

    Just when the woman appeared at the place he confronted her, asking why she reported him to his brother.

    Before the woman could answer, Owusu brought out the container of acid from his pocket and poured the liquid on his wife’s face.

    She screamed for help and people who went to the scene sent her to the Christ the King Hospital, where she is still on admission.

    {myjoyonline}

  • 40 Confirmed Dead in DR Congo Clashes

    {{Violent clashes between rebels and soldiers in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo have left 40 people dead, government and military officials said Thursday.}}

    Fighting broke out between Mai-Mai militia and government troops on Wednesday in the town of Beni, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) north of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, Colonel Richard Bisamaza said.

    Government spokesman Lambert Mende told a press conference that 32 militia fighters were killed as well as eight soldiers.

    Bisamaza earlier told press the Mai Mai attacked army buildings to try to free a number of their colleagues who had been arrested and were being held there.

    However, they fled after an hour of exchanging gunfire.

    DR Congo has ramped up its efforts to tackle these armed movements.

    The first troops of a 3,000-strong African intervention brigade created by the UN Security Council to take on the armed groups, arrived in the country earlier this week.

    The brigade will assist the UN force known as MONUSCO already present in the country.

    {agencies}