Concerns have been raised by inhabitants of Nyagatare, Gatsibo, and Kayonza districts, reporting instances where hippos have been grazing and damaging their crops. Karinganire Jean Paul, the Deputy Tourism and Marketing Manager in Akagera National Park, stated that more than 200 hippos are currently residing outside the park, with many of them traversing River Akagera.
Karinganire explained, “Once outside the park, the responsibility extends to various stakeholders, including us. We are actively collaborating with the government and security forces to safeguard the well-being of the local population. Our strategy involves digging one-meter-deep trenches near their habitats, as hippos are deterred from crossing them.
Additionally, we are identifying suitable locations for artificial ponds near the communities, aiming to prevent potential conflicts.”
He emphasized the urgency of finding a solution in cooperation with the government, acknowledging the serious impact on the local population.
“These hippos pose a significant threat by consuming and damaging people’s crops, causing harm to individuals. We are actively seeking a sustainable solution.
A dedicated fund has been established, contributing 5% of the Park’s income to address animal-related damages. However, it proves insufficient to understand the origins of these more than 200 hippos encroaching on the community,” explained Karinganire.
Despite the existence of a fund to compensate for animal damages, residents have expressed dissatisfaction, citing delays and inadequate compensation compared to the extent of the damages incurred by the animals.
Nangaa announced in Nairobi on December 15, 2023, during the formation of the political movement known as Alliance of River Congo (AFC), that he and his colleagues aim to oust President Felix Tshisekedi’s regime.
During the announcement, he asserted that Tshisekedi had failed in his duties as the country’s President, citing issues such as unresolved insecurity in the east, resource mismanagement, disregard for the military, and alleged plans to manipulate the December 20, 2023 elections.
As the election results are still being tallied, Nangaa, based in Rutshuru, claimed on December 28 that Tshisekedi had manipulated the votes to secure an illegal second term in office. The politician expressed his support for other candidates critical of the election process and its unfolding results, denouncing it as an “electoral coup d’état” orchestrated by Tshisekedi.
He condemned the government’s deployment of numerous soldiers and police to the Haut-Katanga province, the hometown of candidate Moïse Katumbi, suggesting that this move aimed to intimidate residents opposing Tshisekedi’s victory.
In an official statement on behalf of the AFC, Nangaa accused the RDC government of ongoing atrocities in the Eastern part of the country, particularly in North Kivu, labeling it as a war crime. He asserted that Tshisekedi would be held accountable.
Nangaa called upon politicians and the Congolese people at large to unite with the AFC in expeditiously removing Tshisekedi from power and subsequently conducting a transparent election.
The country’s tourism revenues are on a rise partly due to initiatives instituted by the government to revitalize the industry and sector players like [tour operators->https://kigalicarrentals.com/] who have made it easy for both local and international visitors to move around the country and the region easily.
Government investment in the sector and international sports brands like Visit Rwanda with some of Europe’s top football teams have seen foreign tourists flocking the country, thus increasing tourism revenues boosting the economy.
With the government’s strategy of a private sector led economy, many private players have been able to join the sector to provide competitive quality services, some of which are cross-border which has facilitated tourism across the region.
George Kimani, from Kenya commended the cross border initiatives in Rwanda’s tourism sector which allowed him self-drive services from Rwanda’s Volcano National Park home to the famous gorilla crossing into Uganda.
“I found this a good initiative where it offers a full-package with all services in one and I think this will help grow the tourism sector in the country and the region. It also comes cheaper compared to using different service providers at every point,” said Kimani.
[Rwanda’s tourism->https://kigalicarrentals.com/], like many other countries around the globe, is recovering from the challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic as global tourism and travel fell sharply in the wake of this pandemic.
Current tourism statistics reveal that Rwanda’s revenues from tourism amounted to US$247 million during the first half of 2023, reflecting a notable 56% surge compared to the US$158 million reported during the same period in 2022.
This growth came on the backdrop of a successful previous year where figures show that Rwanda’s tourism revenues had increased to US$445 million in 2022, up 171.3 percent from the previous year, with nature-based tourism bearing the potential to drive the country’s economic growth.
Gorilla trekking, a unique tourist attraction in the East African country, generated revenues of US$113 million, the government institution, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said in a report released recently.
The country attracted about 110,000 visitors to its national parks in 2022, registering an increase of 142.4 percent from 2021, the report said. It added that the country aims to increase tourism receipts to 800 million dollars by 2024.
However, tour operators including [Kigali car rentals and tours ->https://4x4carrentalrwanda.com/] say that the tourism sector is showing positive signs of recovering and expect better business returns as tourists have resumed travels and this will boost the sector and the economy in general.
“The economy suffered globally many of our colleagues closed shop due to the pandemic but we have witnessed recovery during this year and tourists have returned local, regional and international and this will boost the economy and tourism business eco-system,” Frank Muzungu, the Managing Director of [Kigali car rentals and tours->https://hireacarrwanda.com/], a tour operating company.
According to the report, in 2022, Rwanda welcomed a total of more than 1.1 million international visitors. Of these, the report showed, more than 60 per cent came from African countries, highlighting the country’s growing popularity as a destination within the continent.
According to RDB, the path to economic recovery is well on course.
“In 2022, I am delighted to report that we continued to make significant progress in our efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, despite the global challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic,” reads the RDB statement adding that “our achievements in the tourism sector were satisfactory.”
Also, in an effort to diversify and maximize opportunities, RDB and Mandai Park Development, a private company in Singapore, signed a partnership agreement to establish the Nyungwe Experience at Mandai Park. This project will highlight Rwanda’s eco-luxury tourism offerings and draw visitors from Singapore and around the globe to Rwanda.
Rwanda’s overall strategic vision is to focus on high-end ecotourism rather than mass tourism. In the first Rwanda Tourism Strategy, three core market segments were identified: eco travelers, explorers, and business travelers.
Presence of important business challenges to the development of Rwanda’s tourism industry and access to financial capital, lack of qualified human resources, and limited understanding of customer needs have been identified as three business challenges that undermine Rwanda’s tourism industry’s ability to compete.
In 1993, amid advanced negotiations for the Arusha Peace Accord, Habyarimana’s government agreed to power-sharing.
The RPF was permitted to station 600 soldiers in Kigali to protect its politicians residing in CND, now the Parliament Palace. On December 28, 1993, led by Charles Kayonga, these troops left Mulindi, the RPA headquarters, for Kigali. The battalion included notable figures like Maj Gen (Rtd) Charles Karamba, Captain Jacob Tumwine, Emmanuel Rugazora, and Kwikiriza.
Despite arriving at CND in December 1993, deciding to station them there proved challenging. Initial attempts were made in Byumba, Kinihira, and Camp Kigali, all denied due to proximity to Radio Rwanda, raising capture concerns.
The government proposed Kami Camp, but its dirt roads were rejected, fearing potential land bomb threats. Eventually, the RPF agreed to CND after representatives, including Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, assessed its strength, underground facilities, and equipment.
Tito Rutaremara, among the RPF politicians, recalled initial apprehension about joining CND, situated amidst military units like the camp for presidential guards. President Kagame reassured them, emphasizing the battalion’s protective role.
During the journey, Rutaremara recalled people’s mixed reactions along the way. Arriving in CND, the government directed them through an alternative route, avoiding Ministries (Kacyiru) to minimize public disturbance.
In CND, soldiers and accompanying leaders adapted to their new surroundings. Soldiers began fortifications, while politicians engaged in political work and met various Rwandans.
Soldiers had a routine of morning sports and diverse tasks, including cooking. Rutaremara highlighted the soldiers’ discipline, involving gun maintenance and following commanders’ instructions.
As the soldiers adapted to life in Kigali, they transitioned from collecting food and firewood in Mulindi to the city. In CND, soldiers engaged in exercises related to their duties and convened in the evening.
CND had a canteen offering drinks. However, on April 6, 1994, President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, altering the soldiers’ fate. Subsequently, they faced attacks from government forces.
After the Genocide began, Maj Gen Paul Kagame redirected the soldiers to intervene. CND transformed into a refuge, with a portion serving as a makeshift hospital. The soldiers operated independently until April 11, 1994, when the Alpha Battalion, led by Sam Kaka, entered Kigali, bolstered their forces, and halted the Genocide. Since then, Rwanda has been at peace.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) disclosed that these asylum seekers and migrants arrived in Kigali on the evening of Thursday, December 28, 2023, and were promptly transported to the Gashora Transit Center located in Bugesera District.
Originating from various countries, including Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, these individuals had traveled to Libya in hopes of reaching Europe.
In 2019, Rwanda entered into an agreement with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to temporarily host migrants and asylum seekers from Libya. Since then, a total of 2059 individuals have been received in 16 batches.
According to figures from MINEMA, 68% of these individuals have found host countries, with Canada leading by receiving 381. Other countries providing refuge include Sweden (255), Norway (193), USA (168), France (141), Finland (187), Netherlands (82), and Belgium (26).
The Government of Rwanda underscores its unwavering commitment to contributing to global efforts aimed at addressing the migrant crisis.
Having acquired US nationality, Anne Rwigara had been living outside Rwanda for an extended period, primarily in the USA and Belgium, where she had relatives.
The news of her passing began circulating on Thursday afternoon through various social media platforms.
IGIHE has received confirmation from reliable sources that Anne Rwigara passed away at the age of 41 in California succumbing to natural cause, and she had not been suffering from a prolonged illness.
Anne Rwigara was the sister of Diane Rwigara, who briefly entered the political arena in 2017.
“We are going into action together so that you can celebrate New Year’s Eve safely and to help you if you need us,” the police and fire departments in Berlin said in a joint video published on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Don’t attack us.”
In the German capital Berlin, which was a hotspot for violence last year, the police are planning a major operation. “It is the largest police operation on New Year’s Eve in recent decades,” Berlin’s Police Commissioner Barbara Slowik said earlier this week.
Accident insurers also warned against a repeat of the attacks on rescue services seen a year ago.
“This violence must stop. People who rush to help others must not have to fear for their own safety and health,” stressed Stefan Hussy, director general of the German Social Accident Insurance.
Last year, in some districts of Berlin and other major German cities, police officers, firefighters and paramedics became the target of deliberate attacks with firecrackers, with at least 30 of them being seriously injured in Berlin alone.
So far, there is no general ban on fireworks in Germany. Cities and municipalities can independently prohibit the setting off of fireworks in certain areas.
By law, the burning of pyrotechnics is prohibited near churches or hospitals. Violations of explosives regulations will be punished as an administrative offense with fines of up to 50,000 euros (55,640 U.S. dollars). Handling unauthorized fireworks is considered a criminal offense in Germany.
Various groups, such as the police union, the German Medical Association and Environmental Action Germany, are calling for a ban on firecrackers and rocket fireworks for private use. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar)
More than 63 percent of the more than 8.3 million voters took part in the referendum, according to the National Commission Charged with the Organization of the Constitutional Referendum.
The country’s transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, will promulgate the new constitution, setting the stage for elections next year and a return to civilian rule.
The political and military situation in Chad has deteriorated since 2021 following the death of former President Idriss Deby Itno. Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has since led a transitional military council to govern the country.
This situation has led many youths to opt for one-night stands, friends with benefits, or even abstain from dating altogether. Now, the question arises: How safe are these alternatives? I’ll leave it to you to ponder.
Pistanthrophobia is identified as the fear of being hurt in a romantic relationship, classified as a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent, irrational, and excessive fear. Individuals with phobias tend to avoid triggering situations or people to alleviate anxiety, even when there’s no real threat. These fears can disrupt daily routines, strain relationships, hinder work productivity, and diminish self-esteem.
Although there isn’t extensive research on Pistanthrophobia specifically, it falls under the category of specific phobias related to a particular situation or object. Those with this phobia often harbor a fear of getting hurt again, leading them to avoid entering new relationships as a defense mechanism against potential pain. However, avoiding relationships also means missing out on the positive aspects they can offer. This avoidance may hinder the chance to gain perspective or understanding from future relationships.
Similar to other phobias, Pistanthrophobia is often triggered by a past experience or a person. Negative encounters in past relationships, such as feeling hurt, betrayed, or rejected, can instill deep fear in individuals. Dr. Gail Saltz, an associate professor of psychiatry, notes that some people with this phobia may not have experienced a bad relationship but harbor anxiety, low self-esteem, and a fear of potential rejection or betrayal.
The aftermath of a traumatic relationship, marked by feelings of rejection, betrayal, hurt, sadness, and anger, contributes to the phobia.
My friend Acacia, aged 26, provides a real-life example. Having experienced two past relationships labeled as EXs, she has been single for two years. Her excuses are that in this generation it’s very hard to find true love, loyalty, someone to trust and dedicate yourself to, they always lie, or leave and the worst scenario breaks..
Acacia has faced advances from men, characterized by societal standards as “chic” with looks, wealth, and not lacking in character. Surprisingly, she has rejected them all, and upon reflection, it seems that Acacia, like many of us, may be grappling with this disorder. Do we recognize it? Can we overcome it? Should our past dictate our future?
In seeking answers, we turned to Acacia’s mother, Auntie Ruth, for guidance. According to her, such fears were not prevalent in their time.
Back then, love started with respect, and a man would express interest by taking a woman to his home. The progression from there often led to a family. The question remains: What should we do in the face of this modern-day struggle with fear of romantic involvement and love? Will this lead to Gamophobia, a fear of getting married or being involved in a committed relationship?
Sometimes being unable to concentrate irritates us the most. No matter how hard we try to be attentive, we always find ourselves absent minded. Be it in a church, class or just thinking about something, we often find ourselves attentive to the unwanted things.
Most of the time, it doesn’t end by just being irritated, lacking concentration interferes with our daily activities too. In the worst scenario it can even raze our creativity, making us professionally unproductive.
Though lacking concentration is almost a common thing, there are some lifestyle factors that contribute to it. Scientists claim that when it comes to the inability to concentrate, factors like lack of sleep, hunger, stress, lack of exercise and tiredness can both be progenitors and rub salt in the wound.
Do you always struggle to restore your concentration? If you really do, I can assure you that you are not alone. Many people are struggling with the same issue. However, here are some tips that I’d like to share with you hoping that they can help you improve your concentration.
{{Train your brain}}
Playing games that require thinking like crossword puzzles, memory games and chess can help you to improve your concentration. Other brain training activities like meditating, listening to music and learning a new skill can also improve concentration as it was revealed by a study carried out in 2015.
{{Listen to music}}
You might not be a fan of music, but you ought to know that listening to some sounds while working can improve concentration. Though this is really effective, the kind of music varies among individuals. It is your task to find out what kind that makes you attentive.
{{Sleep}}
“When one doesn’t get enough sleep, they are more likely to have problems concentrating,” science says. Sleeping less than 7 hours a day can lead to extreme tiredness that is likely to interfere with daily activities like driving, studying, etc.
{{Spend time in nature}}
If you are working on your concentration, taking a few minutes walking, sitting in a garden, or simply watching trees can really help. It benefits brain development and improves attention.
A research carried out in 2014 revealed that even putting plants and flowers in the workplace can improve concentration.
{{Take a break}}
This can really work, especially if you’re mentally or emotionally exhausted. If your concentration starts to sink while you’ve been working on a certain project for quite a moment, it is only right to get yourself out of it for a little while. This will lessen your exhaustion and restore your concentration.
{{Mind your diet}}
Processed food, too much sugar and fatty food are believed to reduce one’s concentration.
Instead, if you want to improve it, make sure you never miss breakfast and never let your body be dehydrated. You can also drink coffee since science has claimed it to improve attention and focus.
Though maximum concentration is not that easy to achieve, I can assure you that the discussed tips will always help you. As in your journey to achieving this, I wish you success. You can do it!
