The banquet was hosted by the President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum in the evening of Thursday 24th November 2022.
Apart from Kagame, the banquet was also attended by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau; Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification is taking place in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
It aims to highlight renewed commitment towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification.
President Kagame arrived in Niamey on Thursday 24th November 2022.
The Summit is convened as part of the Africa Industrialization Week annual commemorative activities.
Given the importance of industrialization and economic transformation in Africa, the 20th of every November is commemorated as the Africa Industrialization Day, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in July 1989, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Africa Industrialization Day provides an opportunity to key stakeholders to reflect on Africa’s industrialization by looking at how the continent can change its current status quo.
Since 2018, the Africa Industrialization Day has been commemorated with week-long events, marking a departure from the one-day tradition, and which affords more time to reflect and accelerate actions towards Africa’s structural transformation, as an enabler to meet the objectives of Agenda 2063, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 2030.
The Boeing 737-800 SF, which is painted in RwandAir’s first cargo livery, will be based at the carrier’s Kigali hub.
The new jet delivered on 24th November 2022, will allow the Rwandan carrier to further expand its cargo operation, which has been on the rise.
RwandAir will operate the new freighter to a number of key destinations in Africa and the Middle East, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir said: “The delivery of our dedicated cargo aircraft is a huge milestone in RwandAir’s fleet expansion plans.
Cargo is of ever-increasing importance for the aviation industry, and as a landlocked country, we recognize the importance and value of good cargo connections.
We want to ensure that Africa is seamlessly connected to the world, driving economic growth and valuable trade deals.”
From its hub at the heart of Africa at Kigali International Airport, RwandAir is renowned for its excellent customer service where recently RwandAir won the award for ‘Best Airline Staff in Africa’ at Skytrax’s 2022 World Airline Awards, for a second successive year.
RwandAir currently operates to a variety of destinations across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The proposal to rise legal drinking age emerged among resolutions of the recent 15th forum of Unity Club Intwararumuri following discussions on the behaviours of youth, a segment of the population considered to hold the country’s future.
The Unity Club is an association that brings together members of cabinet – former and present, their spouses, and other top government officials, with a purpose of promoting unity and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
Speaking to IGIHE, Tito Rutaremara, a political expert and the Chairperson of Rwanda Elders’ Advisory Forum affirmed that drunkenness and drug abuse is among issues affecting the youth.
He however observed that rising legal drinking age is not the only solution.
“The solution should be about enforcing laws, to discourage people serving alcohol to minors and get them arrested because the situation might remain the same if the age is raised to 21 without close monitoring,” he said.
“Besides, bar owners need to be strict and refrain from serving alcohol to minors. On the other hand, they might order alcoholic drinks through other people. So, the most important thing is that parents have to own the problem, educate children on the negative effects of alcohol and prevent them from consuming alcohol.
The youth and schools should also play their part in this sensitization. In brief, the policy needs to be devised, have people serving them with alcohol punished and call for collective efforts to contain alcohol consumption among teenagers,” added Rutaremara.
Figures from Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) show that 744 teenagers aged below 18 represent 3% of people arrested over drunkenness and drug abuse between 2018 and 2022.
For people aged between 18 and 30, the number increased to 14,765 representing 58.7% while 9,658 are people above 30 representing 38.4%.
According to statistics from Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, in 2021/2022, 96,357 mental health patients were received by the hospital, and of these, 70 per cent are youth with issues induced by alcohol and drugs.
According to the World Health Organisation, 5.3 per cent of all deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption.
Globally, around 61 per cent of countries have a drinking age of 18 or 19. India is the exception, where some states have a minimum drinking age as high as 25 and 30 years old.
In Africa, the highest legal drinking age is 21 in Egypt while the lowest is 15 years old in Ethiopia. In countries like Algeria and Benin, there is no legal drinking age.
Despite the fact that part of the youth fell for different vices including alcohol, Rutaremara explained that Rwandans should not feel like the country’s future is destroyed because there are others with good conduct.
“The youth have a lot of evil obsessions but it would be wrong to assume that they are all in the same case. There is a large number of youth with good manners but we have to work hard to bring others in the right direction,” he said.
Generally, over 84,000 people are detained in Rwanda’s prisons. Of these, 12,000 are remanded excluding suspects detained at Police stations as per findings by TIR released in May 2022.
The main objective was to assess the application of other alternative measures to imprisonment.
The probe followed another conducted by the Commission for Human Rights in 2019/2020 which indicated that overpopulation in Rwanda’s prisons stood at 136%.
Speaking to BBC towards the end of last week, the Executive Secretary of TIR, Apollinaire Mupiganyi said that overcrowding in prisons results from, among other reasons, the incarceration of individuals suspected of minor crimes yet there are other alternative punishments under Rwanda’s penal code that should be applied.
“The conducted survey indicated a sharp increase from the previous statistics released by Human Rights Commission. This stresses the need for quick action. It is apparent that challenges still exist. Security organs mandated to carry out investigations, even the judiciary rush to opt for imprisonment instead of other 12 alternatives that should be applied to make prison the last choice,” he said.
Mupiganyi explained that there are crimes requiring imprisonment but pointed out other available options like fines, house arrest, introducing electronic ankle monitors, mediation, and amnesty among others.
“The other 12 alternatives are applied at a very low percentage hence resulting into a sharp increase of detainees,” he said.
The Spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution (NPPA), Faustin Nkusi, explained that criminals increase overtime where there are emerging crimes including cybercrimes and human trafficking among others going hand in hand with fast development.
In the year 2021/2022, the Prosecution received 83,349 dossiers involving 106,554 suspects.
Of these, 43,645 dossiers were filed to courts while 39,211 suspects were released without undergoing trial.
The President of Rwanda Bar Association, Lawyer Moise Nkundabarashi said that overpopulation in Rwanda’s prisons can be reduced by 97,38% in case the other alternatives for imprisonment are applied.
He explained that some cases can last for three years due to a large number of people seeking justice. To this end, Nkundabarashi disclosed that an individual acquitted after spending three years in jail hardly copes with related effects.
“It is our option that suspects should be tried without detention but it requires much effort to educate people that trying a suspect being out of prison does not mean the case is ignored. We have different examples where the Prosecution did the same and filed lawsuits against individuals out of jail who faced justice and taken into prison after courts’ verdicts,” affirmed Nkundabarashi.
The Judicial Spokesperson, Harrison Mutabazi said that more than 40,000 criminal cases were taken to court during last year’s judicial year.
The number excludes civil, commercial, administrative and labour court cases.
“The number is an addition to the backlog of court cases accumulated in the previous years,” he noted.
Mutabazi explained that judges try to balance all punishments as provided by law but the situation is exacerbated by backlogs and the shortage of courts’ employees.
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As for civil and commercial cases, a mediation policy was introduced in Rwanda. Rwandans are encouraged to opt for this method as it is believed to be efficient and fast in conflicts’ resolution.
Besides, Rwanda introduced plea bargaining procedure, on 11th October 2022, to adjudicate on criminal cases.
A plea bargain is any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and the defendant where the latter agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for a lenient sentence.
This may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to a less serious charge, or one of the several charges, in return for the dismissal of other charges. It may also mean that the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence.
Plea bargaining is provided by the Law regarding criminal cases. The Article 26 of the Law stipulates that; at the end of the suspect’s interrogation, the prosecutor may propose a plea bargaining agreement whereby the suspect helps the prosecutor to obtain all the necessary information in the prosecution of the offence and to know other persons involved in the commission of the offence and in return of some benefits but without hindering good administration of justice.
The prosecutor undertakes to make concessions to the suspect in relation to charges against him or her and the penalties that he or she may request.
During investigations, a suspect who enters into plea bargaining with the prosecution may be prosecuted while free.
Plea bargaining does not prevent the victim of the offence from getting information on the prosecution file and from contributing to the explanation on the commission of the offence.
The article 26 of the same Law stipulates that, in case of an agreement of plea bargaining, the public prosecution charges the suspect as agreed on by both parties.
The court may admit or reject an agreement of plea bargaining but cannot alter the agreement.
In case the agreement is admitted, the court, while taking a decision, considers the agreement on plea bargaining concluded between the public prosecution and the accused.
Nkusi explained that the process is more advantageous as it paves the way for lenient punishments, prosecuting suspects while free, suspending a punishment and slapping them with fines among others.
With the land area of 993 square kilometers, 13 sectors, 88 cells and 537 villages; Karongi District is situated in close to 130 kilometers from Kigali City.
Located in Western Province, the district has been taking advantage of its proximity to Lake Kivu separating Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to fast track development.
Like many other districts, Karongi is characterized by a hilly topography with attractive features as well as cultural and historical vestiges of great significance to the country.
These include the Congo Nile Divide, spectacular view of Lake Kivu shores, Nyungwe National Park, Gisovu Tea Plantation, Muciro natural forest and Ndaba rock among others.
Located in Nyarurembo Village, Kibuye Cell of Bwishyura Sector, Rwamatete Peninsula is among cornerstones for Karongi district’s attractiveness where a traveler standing there gets a clear view of eye-catching islands in Lake Kivu and beautiful hills in the area formerly known as Kibuye.
40 years ago, the peninsula’s attractive beauty lured the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda which detected investment opportunity in it and built accommodations to reduce dependence on foreign aids.
This investment paid off big time that it birthed Bethany Hotel, an icon of Rwanda’s hospitality sector on the shores of Lake Kivu.
It is among favourite hospitality establishments built in Karongi long ago.
It sits on the shores of Lake Kivu where guests are awakened, every morning, by singing birds from surrounding ornamental trees, waving water in Lake Kivu or folk songs by fishers returning home.
Speaking to IGIHE; Pastor Fidèle Sibomana, the Managing Director of Bethany Investment Group has revealed that the hotel was built in 1982 to reduce reliance on foreign aid.
“We foresaw that there would be a time when aid from donors might not be available. That is when the church started developing home grown solutions to achieve self-reliance in the future,” he said.
Today, Bethany Hotel has 55 cozy rooms with a target to increase them to 80 in the next few years.
Prices are relatively low as one night accommodation ranges from Rwf60,000 to Rwf30,000 per room depending of clients’ choices and available means.
The management says that the low price is meant to make the hotel affordable for Rwandans willing to enjoy the beauty of their country in a relaxed setting.
The General Manager of Bethany Hotel, Janvier Ntwali who has held the position for eight years, says that clients’ feedback on offered services is very positive, thanks to a dedicated team of professionals.
“We offer different services at this hotel to guests looking for a relaxed setting, you can have meal at our bar and restaurant or work with us to organize a meeting here,” he said.
As IGIHE journalist visited the hotel recently, he was taken to different islands in Lake Kivu aboard its boats. Visited natural features include the Island of Peace (Akarwa k’Amahoro), Chapeau de Napoléon and Monkeys Island (Akarwa k’Inkende) among others.
Apart from the view of Lake Kivu, the hotel is surrounded by ornamental trees and flourishing garden, adding up to other services fascinating guests to prolong their stay.
Besides, the hotel recently launched a modern Coffee Shop for interested guests to taste coffee grown in the vicinity of Lake Kivu.
Bethany Hotel has so far opened branches in Rubavu, Kigali and Nyagatare.
Eng Mulindahabi was released on 22nd November 2022 along with 11 staff members involved in the case of theft, use of forged documents and public resources misappropriation.
A total of 19 individuals have been arrested under this dossier since 23rd October 2022 to allow for investigations into alleged crimes.
Eng Mulindahabi and co-accused were arraigned before court early November for bail or remand hearing.
The court read related ruling on Tuesday 22nd November where it ordered the release of 12 individuals connected to the same case including En. Mulindahabi.
Meanwhile, six individuals including a storekeeper remained in custody.
During a previous hearing, the Prosecution said that the suspects are accused of stealing equipment worth Rwf113 million.
It is said that the case is connected to the theft of construction materials, plumbing supplies and steel used to make cooking vessels among others.
Ndayishimiye made the disclosure during a recent exclusive interview with RFI and France 24.
The President makes the statement at a time when EAC countries are sending troops to fight armed groups in DRC.
Ndayishimiye explained that efforts to restore peace in eastern DRC are underway as concerned countries agree to hold dialogues.
“Accepting to sit together is a good progress. I am convinced that there is a significant step forward,” he said.
Ndayishimiye also said that he has not yet identified the accuracy of DRC’s accusations against Rwanda.
“So far, we have not yet found any evidence, on behalf of the region and myself. However, we plan to have a consultation meeting with the mediator on this conflict [Angolan President Joao Lourenço]. We will have an opportunity to analyze the situation and establish the truth,” he said.
Ndayishimiye revealed that his country will send many battalions to DRC where some troops have been already deployed under the joint regional efforts.
Kenya and Uganda are among other countries that sent soldiers to DRC.
The dreams are about to come into reality as Afrinest Engineering firm is in its final stages constructing a boat dubbed Mantis Kivu Queen Uburanga with a floating hotel. The 35-meter long boat has 11 cabins, restaurants, a bar and hot tub among others.
Construction of the boat has reached 85%. It is being constructed at the shores of Lake Kivu in Bwishyura Sector of Karongi District, few minutes from Karongi town along the road to Nyamasheke District.
Buranga Hugues Simba, the Site Supervisor at Afrinest Engineering plant has told IGIHE that the firm seeks to position itself as the leading builder of boats in Rwanda suited for various purposes.
The plant which has over 80 employees including Rwandans and foreigners, is manufacturing boats for passengers and tourists.
At its premises, one can see other boats brought there to be repaired. Buranga has told IGIHE that the project began towards the end of 2019 but operations were affected by COVID-19.
“The establishment of this plant followed a market research where it was mainly driven by the strong need and large demand of the boats. Secondly, security is guaranteed in Lake Kivu like other parts of the country,” he said.
The plant seeks to manufacture boats of various types to meet the demand in Rwanda but foreigners including Congolese have already expressed interest in having custom-made modern boats.
Afrinest Engineering also plans to manufacture 75-meter long boats, where some of them will have night clubs, several cabins and bars among others.
Buranga has explained that they started with tourists’ boat because it was much needed.
After the completion of Mantis Kivu Queen Uburanga, several boats with the same type are expected to follow.
The first boat of its kind will be handed over to Mantis, a hotel operator which provides sustainable and flexible hotel management solutions.
Buranga has revealed that setting up the plant in Karongi did not come by accident because the area has a large number of islands and other natural features reducing the pressure of wind where boats in the harbour and manufacturing facility will remain safe from effects of water waves.
According to Buranga, the project is part of a long-term investment as the company plans to have 300 employees in the next five years.
“The plant is here for long term not just to operate for three years and close. Our products will range from cargo boats, passenger boats, boats for tourists and recreational activities among others,” he said.
The plant is a joint venture between a foreigner and Rwandans who own majority shares.
Among others, the company mulls establishing a school to train the youth and other interested individuals in boating knowledge and skills.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that President Kagame also attended the launch of “Scoring the Goals” Campaign hosted by Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, co-founder and chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education.
Kagame arrived in Qatar on Sunday where he attended the opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2022.
The pavilion to bring to limelight the United Nations (UN) SDGs is being visited by attendees of the FIFA World Cup 2022 from 20th November.
On Monday 21st November, the pavilion was also visited by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres who held talks with Sheikha Moza on topics including possible processes to mobilize funding to support education as one of SDGs.
The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.
They have been aligned with Agenda 2063 aimed at enhancing Africa’s self-reliance.
It has been pointed out that action is needed to address the issue of inadequate funding hindering smooth implementation of the goals, a situation that was exacerbated by the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
