This decision is a significant step forward in the normalization of bilateral relations between the two countries, which have experienced setbacks since 2017.
General Odongo made this announcement on the final day of the 11th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), which was established to follow up on mechanisms aimed at restoring bilateral relations to normal.
“Uganda welcomes the acceptance of the designation of our national carrier -Uganda Airlines by the Rwanda authorities, which will lead to its commencing of direct flights from their hub in Entebbe to Kigali. This will further boost trade, enhance connectivity, and contribute to strengthen people-to-people exchanges,” said Gen Odongo.
IGIHE has learned that Uganda Airlines has been asked to fulfill additional requirements after approval, although the date for the inauguration of the new flights has not been announced.
Uganda Airlines had announced plans to conduct direct flights from Kampala to Kigali in December 2019.
The current Uganda Airlines is a revival if an older version of the airline that operated from 1977 to 2001. The airline recommenced commercial operations in August 2019, with a flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
In December 2019, Uganda Airlines announced plans to conduct direct flights from Kampala to Kigali. The airline, which had operated from 1977 to 2001, was revived in August 2019 with a flight to Nairobi, Kenya. However, mismanagement and losses have delayed the implementation of envisioned projects.
According to Uganda’s Auditor General Report for 2021/2022, Uganda Airlines incurred a loss of 164.5 billion shillings (US$43.9 million) at the end of the financial year 2020/2021. This loss reportedly increased to 266 billion shillings in the following year. As reported by Chimpreports recently, the airline has experienced a loss of 532 million shillings in the past three years.
Although the airline initially planned to operate flights to 19-21 destinations, it has only reached 11 so far.
Currently, Uganda Airlines conducts flights to various destinations, including Bujumbura in Burundi, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar in Tanzania, Johannesburg in South Africa, Kinshasa in the DRC, Mogadishu in Somalia, Nairobi in Kenya, and Dubai.
On 20th September 2021, the High Court Special Chamber for International and Cross-border crimes convicted the former President of MRCD-FLN terrorist group, Paul Rusesabagina of terrorism charges and handed him 25-year jail term.
He had been arrested in August 2020 while his trial began on 20th January 2021.
Rusesabagina and co-accused individuals including Nsabimana Callixte alias ‘Sankara’ (former spokesperson of MRCD-FLN terror group) faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when MRDC/FLN combatants plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
Apart from Rusesabagina, Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Sankara was later handed 15-year sentence after pleading guilty and appealing for leniency.
In March 2023, Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday said there were discussions about “resolving” the fate of Paul Rusesabagina that signaled his possible release.
He made the disclosure during a video interview at the recent Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar.
“We’re not people who want to get stuck in one place and not make any movement forward,” said Kagame.
“There is a discussion looking at all possible ways of resolving that issue without compromising the most fundamental aspects of that case and I think there’s always going to be a way forward,” he added.
The Head of State also reminisced on some cases related to the Rwanda’s history where the country took decisions that people some people believed to be ‘impossible.
He pointed out an example of people convicted of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who were pardoned and reintegrated into Rwandan society.
Since the arrest of Rusesabagina in 2020, countries including the United States of America and Belgium where he was granted citizenship, continuously advocated for his release.
Rwanda has 95% 4G coverage and a broadband fibre backbone in all major cities, but due to Rwanda’s geography, some areas of the country are hard to reach at an affordable cost and good reliability, using these technologies. In February 2023, Rwanda officially launched Starlink satellite internet services, to improve access to affordable, fast and reliable internet connectivity in remote areas.
The Government of Rwanda has already connected 44.5% of public schools across the country via fibre optic, the One Government Network project, and the Giga Initiative. Through the Tomorrow Partnership with the Government of Rwanda, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has committed to connect 50 of the 500 pilot schools.
On Wednesday, The Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation accompanied by the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Mr. Tony Blair, visited the first school to be connected under this program, the Groupe Scolaire Gaseke, in Gicumbi District.
“The Tony Blair Institute’s initiative through the Tomorrow Partnership, is supporting the Government of Rwanda by providing expertise and technical assistance, so that we are able to dream together, co-design and implement impactful programmes, like this week’s launch of high-speed satellite connectivity for schools in Rwanda,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation.
One of the key sectors for increasing access to broadband services being the Education sector, Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education said: “We want to have all our schools connected to the internet, but there are regions that do not have coverage or are difficult to connect. So having the option of satellite is really important, and we are looking forward to connecting some of our most remote schools using this type of connectivity.”
Talking about their partnership with the Government of Rwanda, Stella Mugabo, TBI Country Director for Rwanda, said: “Connecting these schools demonstrates the art of the possible, and the fundamental mission of The Tomorrow Partnership: provide problem-solvers the technology to enable the best possible solutions. It’s clear that when we bring policymakers who are committed to accelerating the delivery of real change for their people together with technology companies like Starlink, you can feel the energy and a real excitement around the potential for progress.”
Currently, working mothers in Rwanda are entitled to a three-month leave, while fathers are allowed only four days. The bill provides for maternity leave, but without specifying its length, while proposing that the Order of the Minister in charge of labor determines the number of days for both maternity and paternity leave.
MP Frank Habineza, one of the lawmakers who proposed the amendment, noted that the current four-day paternity leave was too small, as fathers often spend most of it at the healthcare facility. Habineza argued that a month of paternity leave would allow fathers to take care of their partners and help them bond with their newborns.
MP Annoncée Manirarora, another proponent of the proposed amendment, emphasized the importance of a longer paternity leave for fathers whose partners may have complications during childbirth. She noted that, in such situations, the father is often the primary caregiver for both the mother and the newborn.
The Ministry of Public Service and Labor, however, maintains that fathers are entitled to five additional days in the event of complications, bringing the total to nine days.
Lawmakers, however, believe that nine days are still insufficient and argue that the law should specify longer paternity leave.
The Minister of Public Service and Labor, Fanfan Kayirangwa Rwanyindo, said that the current labor law in Rwanda does not clearly specify paternity leave. She proposed that paternity leave and maternity leave be determined by an order of the Minister in charge of labor.
While some MPs have expressed concern that such determinations should be made by the actual law and not an order, Minister Rwanyindo noted that the proposed amendment is an improvement towards increasing the number of days for both maternity and paternity leave.
In Africa, paternity leave policies vary widely depending on the country. Some countries, such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, have laws that provide for paternity leave ranging from one to two weeks.
Other countries, such as Somalia and Eritrea, do not have any paternity leave policies.
Globally, there is also significant variation in paternity leave policies. In countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, fathers are entitled to several months of paid paternity leave. In contrast, in countries such as the United States and Japan, there are no federal laws mandating paternity leave, although some companies may offer it as a benefit.
Malaria is endemic in 93 countries across the world. In 2015, WHO adopted a strategy aimed at reducing global malaria incidence and mortality rates.
The strategy sets the target of reducing malaria cases by 40% by 2020, 75% by 2025, and 90% of global malaria incidence and deaths by 2030.
Speaking to IGIHE, Dr. Ngamije stated that the Global Malaria Control Programme is responsible for implementing these strategies.
He explained that this programme will coordinate partners involved in malaria control, as well as others who conduct advocacy to mobilize resources.
Partners include the Global Fund, the Presidential Malaria Initiative of the United States of America, European countries, researchers, and others.
Dr. Ngamije is a physician and public health specialist who served as Rwanda’s Minister of Health from February 2020 to November 28th, 2022, when he was replaced by Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana. Before this, he served as the Director for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in WHO’s Country Office based in Kigali.
From 2007-2017, Dr. Ngamije spent ten years coordinating the mobilization of resources and implementation of projects funded by multilateral and bilateral partners of the Ministry of Health through a single project’s implementation unit. He has also served in various leadership positions throughout the entire Rwandan Health System since 1995.
During his time as Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ngamije led the development and successful implementation of the COVID-19 comprehensive response plan.
His appointment as the Director of the Global Malaria Control Programme is a significant step forward in the fight against malaria and recognition of the critical role that African leaders and experts play in achieving global health goals.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that both leaders discussed various areas of cooperation including trade and investment. Their discussions were also attended by ministers from both countries.
Kagame later attended a luncheon hosted in his honor.
Sheikh Thani is a friend of Rwanda and President Kagame. He has visited Rwanda several times and was in Rwanda in June 2022 to attend CHOGM as a guest of honor.
Meanwhile, Qatar nationals continue to increase investment in different areas in Rwanda.
So far, investors have set up hospitality facilities including Twin Lakes Recreational Resort, a project expected to expand through the establishment of Twin Lakes Recreational Island Hotel. It takes a 20-minute drive to reach Burera District and more than 10 minutes sailing from Ntaruka hydropower station to arrive at the islands.
Patrick Masozera and his wife Kerry Ann Kimone, from Jamaica have invested on the islands that remained unexploited for long. They established Twin Lakes Recreational Resort located in Buhembe Village, Mariba Cell, Gitovu Sector, in Burera District.
Masozera and Kerry Ann lived in the United Kingdom. In 2014, they came to Rwanda where they visited Rwanda’s attractions in Rubavu and Muhazi among other places. They later visited Burera and Ruhondo twin lakes.
As they explored the islands, one of them was thirsty but could not find anywhere to buy water. When they visited Lake Burera for the first time in 2017, the couple was impressed by its magnificence.
At the time, Kerry had a six-month pregnancy and failed to find a place to buy food or soft drink despite the strong need to re-energize her body.
As Masozera disclosed, the couple started considering the establishment of a hotel in the area or other recreational facility. He said that they took photographs of the area and returned to the UK.
After attending the Rwanda Day event that was held in Amsterdam, the couple that had traveled from London decided to return to Rwanda to invest in the land.
As Masozera said, they negotiated with residents, bought land from 30 individuals and began construction in 2019. More preparations continued in 2020 and 2021 where they used boats to take cows and other essentials to the island.
In August 2022, Twin Lakes Recreational Resort was successfully set up and has increasingly gained popularity that many tourists express interest in visiting the place.
Artiste Gaël Faye is among guests who recently enjoyed an amazing experience at the facility. Tented structures ordered from the UK have been assembled at the village for guests’ camping.
Masozera went on to explain that the facility currently consisted of tents, and two cottages, with six rooms that can accommodate between 12 and 14 guests.
He however disclosed that they have a large land where an individual can bring his/her tent to be used while exploring the area.
The tents are structured in separate units so that families can enjoy comfort in their own settings.
Masozera said that there are plans to build self-contained cottages once the land use status is changed. The entire island is lit with solar energy. The lights on the island are installed on different corners and emit light in different colours.
Guests spending nights at this island, Masozera said, wake up in the morning for bird watching experience and consume the attractiveness of Lake Burera.
Kerry Ann says that she had had a desire to visit Rwanda following the tragic history the country was reported to have experienced. As he visited the country in 2014, Kerry discovered that some people did not tell her the truth about the country. The hotel was built in an area that previously had no electricity or access to safe water.
Kerry said that they were aware of those enormous challenges but did not get discouraged as they wanted to run a project with an impact to the community.
With this mindset, they started the project that attracted public attention gradually.
One of the challenges was the lack of roads along the lake but there are plans to build them. The investors recently overcame some of the barriers as the land was classified under areas designated for tourism activities.
As of today, water used at the island is still fetched using jerry cans but there is a plan to introduce a water treatment system.
However, the couple affirms that challenges are being solved gradually
{{Cow-based tourism}}
Apart from exploring the beauty of Burera, Twin Lakes introduced cow-based tourism where guests are taught to milk cows and other aspects of cow farming as one of domestic animals holding great significance in Rwanda’s culture.
Masozera revealed that they are also considering introducing the Masozera Farm Initiative, to donate cows to residents in the surroundings of the hotel.
They are mainly farmers where a cow can be a source of milk, compost and improved livelihoods.
{{Plan to build state-of-the art hotel}}
The structure of the place and anticipated projects give hope for creation of many jobs for the youth and others to supply different items. Buildings at the facility used stones available in the area. It also used water fetched by residents and stored in reservoirs as an alternative before finding a way to purify water from Lake Burera.
However, the projects to distribute safe water and electricity to residents in the surrounding communities of the hotel are in advanced stages. Masozera says that Burera is among places where tourism is not advanced where they want to take advantage of the situation to improve its visibility with eco-friendly practices.
He also disclosed that the facility wants to use food supplied by residents in the surroundings or produced from their own fields. Masozera said that they want to develop the area and build five more cottages with each having two rooms and three beds.
The project is expected to be rolled out in three phases, with the first comprising existing structures. The second will have five cottages and a multi-storey bar and restaurant while more structures will be developed in phase three.
The project was initiated from the couple’s savings but has optimism to generate returns and expand activities.
For Kerry, her dreams will come true once the project thrives and brings positive transformations in the area. Keery has expressed optimism that a state-of-the art hotel will be built in the area going hand in hand with other activities attracting more investors with projects impacting the community.
Apart from a hotel, they also want to operate a modern boat that will transport guests to the facility. The couple wants to implement the project through collaboration with other investors even though the time has not yet come. It is expected to cost US$500 million.
{{Investment opportunities in Rwanda}}
Masozera said that they detected investment opportunities in Rwanda and decided to settle in the country to follow up their project.
He explained that their visits to Rwanda impressed her wife who realized how beautiful the country is. It did not take much effort for the couple to agree on settling in Rwanda.
Kerry who worked in the health sector for over 10 years says that it is time for her to explore other opportunities even though she still stands a chance to work as a health professional licensed in Rwanda.
The 528 housing units to be constructed under UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership in Gahanga, Kicukiro District will be completed in six months at a tune of Rwf60 billion.
The deal signed in April last year paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
Through the agreement, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Braverman said that her country is awaiting the ruling of the Court of Appeal before moving forward with the implementation of signed deal.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Nsabimana said that a total of 1500 housing units will be constructed under this project beginning with 538 in the first phase.
As he said, these homes will be developed on 12 hectares in different phases.
The project includes recreational facilities, an early childhood development center and market among others.
Braverman commended Rwanda’s leadership for outstanding efforts to develop the country and address migration crisis.
“This is a big step forward in Rwanda increasing its existing capacity to accommodate refugees and provide humanitarian support to thousands of people around the country,” she said.
Apart from officiating the groundbreaking event, Braverman also toured Car Free Zone, Cricket Stadium and Kepler College among other projects.
During her two-day visit to Rwanda, she visited Kigali Genocide Memorial, Bwiza Riverside Homes, addressed a press conference along with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and met with President Paul Kagame with whom they discussed migration crisis.
Braverman’s visit to Rwanda was aimed at underlining her government’s commitment to the deportation deal signed last year.
Figures from the UK show that 45,756 migrants crossed to the country in 2022 through the English Channel, a higher number compared to 28,526 registered in 2021. This number represents an increase by 17,000.
These illegal migrants come from various countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The UK spends at least 5.5 million pounds a year on migrants where they stay in hotels while their claims are being processed.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame hosted Braverman on Sunday 19th March 2023.
The deal signed in 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
Discussions between President Kagame and Braverman were attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair.
Also present were the Government Spokesperson, Yolande Maloko and Monique Mukaruliza, Strategic Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Braverman has been in Rwanda for two-day visit.
During her stay, she visited Kigali Genocide Memorial, toured different projects and addressed members of the press.
Braverman disclosed that Rwanda and UK signed additional agreement aimed at expanding the provision of support for migrants to be deported to Rwanda.
The UK believes that agreements signed with Rwanda will pave the way for a solution for increasing illegal migrants to the country.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Biruta who also participated in the press conference indicated that the country is ready to work with partners to address migration crisis.
On Sunday 19th March 2023, Braverman also officiated a ground-breaking ceremony marking the beginning of the construction for a housing project of 528 units in Gahanga.
The housing units to be built under UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership will host the migrants to be sent to Rwanda. They will be completed in six months at a tune of Rwf60 billion.
Through the deal signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, she was received by the UK High Commissioner in Rwanda, Omar Daair and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation, Clementine Mukeka.
Braverman arrived in Kigali onboard RwandAir aircraft from London.
The deal signed in 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
Braverman visits Rwanda at a time when the country is facing criticisms for the deal to deport migrants to Rwanda.
UK explains that Rwanda is a safe country where migrants and asylum seekers can enjoy a dignified life.
The assessment conducted by the United Kingdom indicated that the first batch of migrants might be deported to Rwanda in 2024.
Through the deal signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Braverman has also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi and is expected to meet with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Sources reveal that she might also meet with President Paul Kagame.
Among others, Braverman will interact with startups to discuss investment and job opportunities in Rwanda.
