The proposed revision of the Constitution of Rwanda, which was originally enacted in 2003 and revised in 2015, suggests conducting the election of Deputies on the same day as the Presidential election.
The objective of this proposed change is to streamline the election process and reduce the time and cost associated with organising separate elections.
The proposal will now undergo analysis by the Conference of Chairpersons, which includes the Bureau of Standing Committees and the Bureau of the Lower House, before it is put to a vote by the plenary sitting.
The synchronisation of both presidential and parliamentary elections is common in many countries globally where the term of office of the President and that of lawmakers are equal.
The draft revision seeks to amend article 75 of the Constitution, which talks about the composition of the Chamber of Deputies and the election of its members. It proposes that the election of 53 Deputies be done on the same day as the election of the President of the Republic.
To ensure that synchronisation of the election of Deputies with the election of the President due in 2024 does not result in a lack of legislature, the Constitution is supplemented with a new transitional provision.
This provides that current Deputies in office at the time this revised Constitution comes into force will continue to serve until the day of the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies due to elections.
The next election of deputies in Rwanda was due in August 2023, while that of the President of the Republic is due in 2024.
Organized by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria Onlus (ICU), with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Rwanda’s participation in this prestigious event aims to create long-term commercial ties, by piquing the interest of coffee lovers in the Netherlands and raising the brand’s awareness on the global market.
According to Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Olivier Nduhungirehe, the festival is an excellent event for coffee enthusiasts, significant industry leaders, and many other participants to enjoy the uniqueness of Rwanda’s specialty coffee.
“It is also an excellent opportunity for the country to increase the awareness of the coffee brand [Rwanda Coffee – A Second Sunrise] and to attract more buyers,” he added.
Rwanda is represented by eight Rwandan coffees at the Rwanda Coffee stand (G45), including Baho Coffee, Kanya Coffee, Kivu Belt Coffee, Mountain Coffee, Mubuga Coffee, Nova Coffee, Rwashoscco, and Sake Coffee.
Rwanda’s coffee brand has demonstrated potential for widespread recognition and stood out among other specialty coffee origins in the last three editions of the festival.
Speaking to IGIHE on the first day of the festival, Amb. Nduhungirehe emphasized the importance of the Netherlands as an important market for coffee, as it is the fifth consumer of coffee in the world.
He also noted that the Dutch people drink around four cups of coffee per day, around eight kilograms of coffee a year, and are the third exporter of roasted coffee in the world after Italy and Germany. Besides, they buy green coffee from different countries, including Rwanda.
“They are the seventh buyers of green coffee and where they roast and export to other countries. The partnership is important, and Rwanda is here to showcase our specialty coffee, which is very unique and very well appreciated,” he added.
Laetitia Mukandahiro, representing the ICU at the festival, expressed gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for their support to coffee producers through the embassy in the Netherlands, which enabled them to participate.
Emmanuel Niyomugabo, the Coffee Washing Station Manager at Rwanda Mountain Coffee, expressed his delight in being part of the festival, as it provides them with an opportunity to showcase their products to consumers and enhance their coffee brand’s visibility in the market.
Rwanda’s participation in the Amsterdam Coffee Festival is part of ICU’s Coffee Value Chain Development project, which aims to improve the quality and quantity of coffee produced by smallholder farmers, strengthen coffee processing companies and cooperatives to build more sustainable businesses, facilitate access to finance, and increase visibility on the international market.
The project is working with more than 12,000 smallholder farmers and 20 coffee washing stations across 12 districts of Rwanda.
As Amb. Nduhungirehe revealed, Rwanda exported 466.3 metric tonnes of coffee worth US$2,330,008 from January to December 2022, and the country hopes to increase these figures in the coming years.
The company attributed the profit to the growth in beer volume, which increased by 5.9%, driven by higher sales of Amstel, Heineken, and Turbo King.
Soft drinks volume also increased by 31.6% versus the previous year, due to the full reopening of the market, events, and the revamping of the non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
In total, Bralirwa generated revenues worth Rwf157.6 billion, a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year’s Rwf123 billion.
The company produced 2,318,000hl of beverages in 2022, compared to 2,076,000hl in 2021. Bralirwa’s capital expenditure in 2022 also increased to Rwf29.4 billion, up from Rwf10.4 billion in 2021.
The impressive financial results demonstrate Bralirwa’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market.
The company has been able to capitalize on the reopening of the market and events, as well as its efforts to revamp its non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
The company’s investment in capital and product portfolio expansion positions it well for long-term success in the Rwandan beverage market.
Overall, Bralirwa’s impressive financial results demonstrate the company’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market, as well as its ability to adapt and grow in a challenging market.
Masaka Hospital was built in 2013 on the funding of the People’s Republic of China.
The government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health is implementing the renovation and expansion of Masaka district hospital project under the financing of the Chinese Government.
Masaka District hospital is set to be expanded, renovated and be used to house the current Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday 30th March 2023.
Despite the groundbreaking ceremony held today, Construction works that have been going on for two months are being undertaken by Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd.
The project is expected to cost Rwf85 billion upon completion.
The project implementation agreement was signed on 6th April 2020, by the Government of Rwanda represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, (MINECOFIN), Ministry of Health and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) whereas the Chinese Government was represented by the Agency for International Economic Cooperation and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
The project expected to be completed by July 2025, includes the scale up of the hospital capacity to receive 2,000 patients per day whereas the number of beds will be increased to 837.
CHUK hospitalizes around 400 patients.
The hospital shall also include the outpatient and emergency building with the emergency, pediatric and infectious departments in the building.
Some technological tools shall also be introduced in the renovated health facility, which includes the Air compressor room, Oxygen Generator Station, radiology department, blood bank and laboratory department, central sterile supply department, ultrasound and functional examination rooms among others.
Premier Ngirente has expressed his gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for partnering with the government of Rwanda on this vital project. He noted that the two countries have a strong foundation, and this project is yet another testament to their excellent relations.
Dr. Ngirente highlighted the significance of the hospital’s renovation and expansion, saying that it will further enhance the capacity to provide advanced healthcare services to the citizens of Rwanda. “Infrastructures like this one are a great contribution to our vision, to develop specialties, subspecialities and train much needed health professionals in a short time,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that similar efforts are being deployed in other projects for different national referral hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Hospital, and others.
He added that the Masaka Hospital project complements other strategic health services in the catchment area, including IRCAD Africa, the Heart Center, and other projects that will significantly transform lives and the city into a major health hub. “This is our target,” he emphasized.
Dr. Ngirente once again expressed his gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for partnering with Rwanda in undertaking this important project.
“I hope we shall convene here soon for the inauguration of the hospital,” he said,
eliciting applause from the attendees. The groundbreaking ceremony was a significant milestone in the development of healthcare infrastructure in Rwanda, and all present looked forward to the completion of the project.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun extended his congratulations to the Government of Rwanda and its people on the commencement of the project.
Amb. Wang highlighted the significance of the project, stating that it is one of the largest China-aided projects in Rwanda, to which President Xi Jinping and President Paul Kagame have attached great importance.
He added that the project marks a milestone in health infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador praised the strong friendship between China and Rwanda that has existed for more than half a century, despite the vast geographic distance between the two countries.
He noted that since the exchange of visits between the two presidents in 2017 and 2018, fruitful cooperation in various fields has been significantly expanded.
Health is a priority direction of their cooperation, and China has already dispatched 22 medical teams and more than 270 Chinese doctors to Rwanda since 1982.
Amb. Wang expressed his appreciation to President Kagame, Prime Minister Ngirente, and other Rwandan leaders for their care and attention.
He also thanked the relevant departments and Chinese companies, including Shanghai Construction Group, for their strong support, kind cooperation, and hard work in making the project possible. Among others, he expressed confidence that they would deliver a quality project to the Government and People of Rwanda in a timely manner.
Amb. Wang also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Rwanda to promote the well-being of its people, and to support the development of Rwanda.
He expressed his belief that with their joint efforts, the cooperation in health will make even greater achievements, benefiting both countries and peoples. Amb. Wang wished the project a success and hoped that the cooperation and relation between China and Rwanda would get closer and lead to more tangible results.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana also commended China for being a close partner in the development of Rwanda’s health sector.
According to media reports, Rusesabagina arrived in the US on Wednesday.
As per established protocol, Rusesabagina departed from Rwanda to Qatar early this week before heading to the United States.
Rusesabagina’s daughter, Carine Kanimba, has also confirmed her father’s return to the US in a post on Twitter.
Kanimba expressed her gratitude to everyone who worked to bring her father home, and announced that their family is finally reunited.
Rusesabagina is a US legal resident with dual citizenship in Rwanda and Belgium.
Rusesabagina was released from prison on Friday last week after his sentence was commuted by President Paul Kagame. The commutation came after he asked Kagame for a pardon in an October 2022 letter.
“If I am granted a pardon and released, I understand fully that I will spend the remainder of my days in the United States in quiet reflection,” he wrote in part. “I can assure you through this letter that I hold no personal or political ambitions otherwise. I will leave questions regarding Rwandan politics behind me.”
The US Presidency, White House recently conveyed their appreciation through a brief statement that acknowledged Rusesabagina’s release and thanked the Rwandan and Qatari governments for facilitating it.
Commenting on the development after the presidential clemency granted to Rusesabagina, Stephanie Nyombayire, the Press Secretary for the Office of the Presidency, disclosed that Rusesabagina’s release is the outcome of a joint effort to reset the relationship between the United States and Rwanda.
Rusesabagina, the former President of the MRCD-FLRN terror group, was sentenced to 25 years in 2021 for terrorism charges.
Along with Nsabimana Callixte, alias “Sankara,” who served as the FLN’s spokesperson, and 18 others linked to the same case, he was released on presidential clemency last Friday. Rusesabagina had been arrested in 2020.
More 358 individuals convicted of various offences were also granted collective commutation on the same day.
As someone who splits his time between the UK – specifically Rochdale – and Rwanda where he has a fiancée named Claudine, Danczuk asserts that he knows which migrants he would prefer in his own constituency.
According to Danczuk, most of those opposing the UK’s Rwanda policy have little understanding of the country in question. In contrast, he claims that Rwanda is a welcoming nation with a strong infrastructure, including sectors dedicated to energy, agriculture, trade, hospitality and finance.
Besides, the country has the knowledge and expertise required to deal appropriately with the people that would be sent from the UK.
For Danczuk, this is an important consideration. He believes that the asylum seekers sent to Rwanda will have access to greater opportunities than if they were relocated to areas such as Rochdale.
This has been a longstanding policy, and one that has put enormous pressure on resources such as healthcare, education and social housing, whilst simultaneously eroding the character and identity of the local area.
Danczuk argues that the Rwandan policy is a more humane approach to dealing with illegal immigration and people-trafficking, as well as reducing the number of cross-Channel economic migrants.
As a result, it could alleviate the challenges faced by struggling towns across the UK.
Whilst acknowledging that many Labour MPs favour an open borders approach, Danczuk suggests that the Party’s reputation has been tarnished by the fact that some have downplayed the severity of child exploitation by British Pakistani grooming gangs.
He suggests that this may be a contributing factor to why many in Labour oppose the Rwandan strategy.
Ultimately, Danczuk believes that supporting the Rwandan policy would be a smarter move for Labour than continuing to push their “woke” agenda around issues such as immigration, diversity and criminal justice. Whether or not this will be taken on board remains to be seen.
The recent collapse of housing units in Kinyinya of Gasabo District is a glaring testimony of the catastrophic aftermaths of such negligence.
Kagame articulated his disapproval on Tuesday 28th March 2023 while officiating the closing ceremony of the National Civic Training, Itorero, where over 2,000 Cell Executive Secretaries from all over the country at Intare Arena.
He recalled the recent incident where houses built in Kinyinya of Kigali City crumbled to the ground, an event that could have been prevented had leaders acted on the telltale signs of poor quality.
Considering this situation, the Head of State requested the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Nsabimana Ernest to provide explanations regarding circumstances under which such unfortunate events occur.
Dr. Nsabimana revealed that an investigation into the recent collapse of housing units in Urukumbuzi Estate, developed by investor Jean Nsabimana, had unearthed a revelation that the houses were built with substandard equipment.
The President expressed his dismay at how such irregularities go undetected until buildings are officially inaugurated and handed over to citizens, leaving them vulnerable to the disastrous consequences of such faulty constructions.
Minister Nsabimana attributed the failure to report irregularities on time, poor collaboration and gaps in the implementation of policies.
Kagame exhorted leaders to undertake the necessary measures to reverse the status quo and ensure that buildings adhere to the required standards.
He also urged Cell Executive Secretaries to work collaboratively towards the attainment of shared goals, underscoring that their achievements will count only when they work together.
Over the past three months, the family of Paul Rusesabagina, who was convicted of terrorism charges before receiving presidential clemency last week, remained silent.
Even his daughter, Carine Kanimba, who had previously been vocal in advocating for her father’s release through various news outlets, kept quiet during this period.
This signaled how the United States and Rusesabagina’s family changed their attitudes in this case.
After the announcement of Rusesabagina’s release on Friday last week, the US officials the decision through different statements but his family remained silent.
IGIHE has learnt that his family has designated a representative to comment on Rusesabagina’s case.
The representative is identified as Juleanna Glover who serves as a consultant for different organizations.
Juleanna Glover is a well-known consultant who has worked with a variety of organizations. Some of the notable institutions she has provided consultation services to include Uber, Tesla, Microsoft, Oracle, eBay, the Smithsonian, Snapchat, JP Morgan Chase, Netflix, Tata Sons, CVS Health, SpaceX, Chobani, AT&T, LVMH, PepsiCo, Google, and Alibaba, among others.
Responding to an email sent by IGIHE about Rusesabagina’s release, he said: “The family of Paul Rusesabagina is pleased to hear the news about his release. They hope to reunite with him soon.”
Juleanna has declined to comment on questions regarding Rusesabagina’s release and his expected arrival time in the United States.
It is said that Rusesabagina will not receive any special ceremonies upon his arrival and will be treated as an ordinary citizen, without being portrayed as a hero.
Sources indicate that the United States accepted it. Besides, Rusesabagina also indicated it in his letter requesting for clemency saying that he will not involve himself in Rwandan politics.
As Rusesabagina was released in the night of Friday 27th March 2023 around 10 p.m., he was accompanied by officials from US embassy from Mageragere Prison to the residence of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador in Kigali.
He had to stay at the embassy’ residence until he is granted permission by the Minister of Justice to leave the country for Doha where he will spend few days before travelling the US.
One of persons who met with Rusesabagina on Saturday told IGIHE that he was safe.
According to sources, Rusesabagina might depart from Rwanda this Monday.
However, details have not yet emerged whether he is still in Rwanda or not.
Other sources say that his departure may be delayed due to incomplete travel documents.
The release of Rusesabagina is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve relations between Rwanda and the United States, which had faced challenges over the past three years.
While the US had exerted pressure for Rusesabagina’s release, Rwanda maintained that it could not be forced to free a person who had committed such crimes.
The situation prompted a visit from Antony Blinken, who traveled to Rwanda last year, with the release of Rusesabagina being among the key issues on the agenda.
Stephanie Nyombayire, the Press Secretary for the Office of the Presidency, recently disclosed that Rusesabagina’s release is the outcome of a joint effort to reset the relationship between the United States and Rwanda.
Rusesabagina, the former President of the MRCD-FLRN terror group, was sentenced to 25 years for terrorism charges along with Nsabimana Callixte, alias “Sankara,” who served as the FLN’s spokesperson, and 18 others linked to the same case.
Rusesabagina had been arrested in 2020. Following his release, Qatar affirmed that it was involved in the mediation that led to the clemency granted to Rusesabagina that plans to send him to Doha were underway.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwanda and Uganda continue to scale up efforts geared towards restoring bilateral ties that experienced setbacks since 2017 over reciprocal accusations.
At the time, Rwanda accused Uganda of illegal detention of Rwandans and working with groups intending to threaten its security including FDLR.
Meanwhile, Uganda also accused Rwanda of sending spies to the country.
On Friday last week, Rwanda and Uganda signed memoranda of understanding to facilitate cooperation in different fields.
They were signed between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his counterpart of Uganda, Uganda Gen Jeje Odongo in Kigali during a meeting of the 11th Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between Rwanda and Uganda.
The agreements are in the fields of justice and constitutionalism, mutual legal assistance, diplomatic and political consultations, and migration matters, according to the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Biruta expressed optimism that the consultations will further strengthen bilateral ties.
Minister Odongo said that Rwanda and Uganda are members of the East African Community (EAC) where they should work together, along with other member states, in finding a solution to security problems of eastern DRC as they are both affected in the same way.
As he said, this should be done in the spirit of African solutions for African problems.
“Security problems that occur in eastern DRC affect both of us in a similar way. ADF which affects Uganda is resident in the eastern DRC. FDLR which affects Rwanda is in eastern DRC,” he noted.
“Two hands are better than one. That is why I said, we should continue to work together so that, with the region, both in East Africa as the region, under the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, we are able to put our contribution in finding a solution,” added Gen Odongo.
He highlighted that consultations that have been agreed will help to reach common ground in finding a solution to problems in eastern DRC.
Apart from ADF which threatens Uganda’s security, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in collaboration with Rwanda National Police (RNP) confirmed on 1st October 2021 that law enforcement agencies had arrested 13 people between August and September in the same year suspected of working with ADF while plotting a plan to conduct terrorist attacks in different parts of Kigali.
At the time, RNP revealed that the suspects were arrested with different improvised explosive devices (IEDs) materials that include; wires, nails, phones, explosives and videos for radicalization.
They were arrested at different times in Kigali City, Rusizi and Nyabihu districts.
The suspects said that they were assigned to shatter different buildings including Kigali City Tower, Downtown and others in Nyabugogo.
These attacks were being plotted in revenge for Rwanda’s intervention to fight terrorists in Cabo Delgado of Mozambique.
The US Presidency, White House conveyed their appreciation through a brief statement that acknowledged Rusesabagina’s release and thanked the Rwandan and Qatari governments for facilitating it.
“I welcome today’s release of Paul Rusesabagina by the Government of Rwanda. Paul’s family is eager to welcome him back to the United States, and I share their joy at today’s good news,” reads the statement in part.
“I thank the Rwandan Government for making this reunion possible, and I also thank the Government of Qatar for facilitating Paul’s release and return to the United States. I add my gratitude to those across the U.S. Government who have worked with the Government of Rwanda to achieve today’s happy outcome,” adds the statement.
Stephanie Nyombayire, the Press Secretary for the Office of the Presidency, disclosed that Rusesabagina’s release is the outcome of a joint effort to reset the relationship between the United States and Rwanda.
Rusesabagina, the former President of the MRCD-FLRN terror group, was sentenced to 25 years for terrorism charges. Along with Nsabimana Callixte, alias “Sankara,” who served as the FLN’s spokesperson, and 18 others linked to the same case, he was released on presidential clemency. Rusesabagina was arrested in 2020.
