“Bruce Melodie is held in custody for investigation over swindling,” reads a tweet posted by the ministry.
The statement was released last night after the artiste had spent hours in Police custody for interrogation over the money he allegedly swindled from a company which invited him for a live concert in 2018 but didn’t perform.
Bruce Melodie was arrested around 4:00 p.m. as he arrived in Bujumbura City on 31st August 2022 to perform in different concerts.
As soon as he left the airport, Bruce Melodie was taken into Police custody for interrogation on the accusations filed by a man identified as Toussaint who had invited him in 2018.
The artiste had to perform in Burundi on 25th December 2018 but missed out.
Later on, it was reported that the organizer asked for reimbursement.
The man wants Bruce Melodie to refund the advance of US$2000 he had paid him out of US$6 million contract to stage a concert and provide 30 million Burundian Francs in compensation of incurred losses.
IGIHE has learnt that the artiste agreed to refund the advance of US$2000 but rejected the request of paying 30 million Burundian Francs claiming that he is not aware of related transactions.
The article 301 of Burundian Penal Code stipulates that anyone convicted of swindling is liable to a sentence between two months and five years and a fine ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 Burundian Francs or one of the two penalties.
Around 10:00 p.m, journalists were still waiting for Bruce Melodie in a press conference which has been postponed to 1st September 2022.
Bruce Melodie is expected to stage two concerts in Burundi on 2nd and 3rd September at Zion Beach and Officers’ Mess respectively.
The nationals including five women and four children were arrested on 22nd August 2022 after illegally crossing into DRC as they collected firewood in the plain separating both countries.
The nine Rwandans arrived in Rwanda through the main border in Rubavu District known as ‘La Corniche’ on Tuesday 30th August 2022.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Ildephonse Kambogo has said that these Rwandans were released through cordial relations between leaders of Goma and Rubavu towns. He also advised residents against illegal crossing of borders.
“We liaised with leaders of Goma town to locate them. They brought them back home yesterday. As neighbouring towns, we signed cooperation agreements in different areas. This is a fruit of our visit to the town,” he said.
“We have requested residents nearby the plain to avoid illegal crossings. They have drawn a lesson from this situation because it has necessitated the country’s intervention to bring them back. They could even face serious problems,” added Kambogo.
The group’s total assets also increased by 16.8% to Rwf1.6 trillion (US$ 1,602.2 million) compared to the same period last year.
Net interest income grew to Rwf67.3 billion; with net interest margin decreasing to 9.5% from 10.9% in 2021. As at June 30th, 2022, BK Group Plc was adequately capitalized with Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets at 22.8%.
Among others, shareholders’ equity increased to Rwf 296.5 billion, up 9.4% while liquid Assets by Total Deposits stood at 45.4% as at June 30th, 2022 an increase from 41.6% in the same period last year.
BK Group Plc is the mother company of four subsidiaries including Bank of Kigali, BK General Insurance, BK TechHouse and BK Capital Ltd.
{{Subsidiaries’ performance}}
{{Bank of Kigali Plc}}
On the side of Bank of Kigali, net loans and advances increased by 10.6% to Rwf1.0 trillion (US$ 988.9 million), client balances and deposits increased by 19.6% to Rwf1.0 trillion (US$ 1,000.2 million)
The bank also served 422,513 retail customers and 46,648 corporate clients; expanded the Agency Banking Network to 3,853 agents and processed over 1.8 million transactions worth Rwf314.4 million.
As at 30th June 2022, the lender had 68 branches, 98 ATMs and 3,099 Point of Sales (POS) terminals that accepted most international cards including VISA and MasterCard.
Among others; retail clients’ balances and deposits reached Rwf288.1 billion, corporate banking clients’ balances and deposits were Rwf 743.4 billion as June 30th, 2022.
BK Quick now has over 20,066 new registered customers as at June 30th, 2022; and has disbursed over Rwf1.2 billion.
BK’s IKOFI wallet has also registered over 1,852 agro-dealers/agents and over 264,066 registered farmers as at 30th June 2022.
Commenting on the performance; Dr. Diane Karusisi, the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Kigali Plc said: “Bank of Kigali Plc recorded good performance in Q2 & 1H 2022; our loan book has not grown in line with expectations but we are seeing improvement in asset quality reflecting post-COVID recovery which allows us to record a solid 1st half performance. We look forward to a greater second half of 2022.”
{{BK General Insurance}}
BK Insurance registered a profit of Rwf1.5 billion as at the first half of 2022 compared to Rwf1.2 billion registered in the same period last year, representing 28% growth in profitability.
Gross premium increased to Rwf4.9 billion in the first half of 2022 from Rwf4.1 billion in same period last year; reflecting a 21% growth year-on-year.
Total assets decreased by 28% y-o-y to Rwf21.4 billion in the first half of 2022.
{{BK TecHouse}}
BK TecHouse registered a sales revenue of Rwf574.4 million in the first half of 2022 compared to Rwf486.9 million in the same period last year; representing a 18% growth y-o-y.
As at 30th June 2022, BK TecHouse registered over 2.8 million digital consumers where 2.5 million are from Agri-Tech; 301 thousand from Edu-Tech and 13 thousand from civil society and religious organizations.
{{BK Capital Ltd}}
BK Capital’s net operating income rose to 383 million in the first half of 2022; a 54% growth from the same period last year due to increased trading on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and sustainable growth in the fund management assets under management.
The Assets under management (AUM) for the Fund management business have grown to Rwf26 billion in the first half of 2022; representing a 49.7% y-o-y growth mainly driven by net inflow in Aguka Unit Trust Fund, which continues to attract new investments based on its value proposition.
Within the Brokerage Business, BK Capital increased bond and equity trading due to an overall RSE turnover growth of 157% and 250% y-o-y in bond and equity, respectively.
Béata Habyarimana, the Chief Executive Officer of BK Group Plc has commended the four subsidiaries’ performance and expressed optimism for further improvements in the second half of this year.
“Great results from all our subsidiaries; I am happy with what the Group’s management team has done in the first half of 2022. Our shareholders and investors will be happy with the sustainability of the Group’s results and financial position. Our Net income increased by a significant 24.5% y-o-y, while our total assets increased by 16.8% y-o-y. We remain focused on delivering higher value for our shareholders and plan to report even better numbers the second half of 2022,” she said.
{{About BK Group Plc}}
Established in 1966, BK Group Plc is a group company registered with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and licensed under Law No. 08/99. Bank of Kigali is the largest bank in Rwanda by Total Assets, with 32.2% market share as at March 31st, 2022.
The Group has a short-term credit rating of A1+ and a long-term rating of AA-, with a stable outlook, from Global Credit Rating (GCR). BK Group Plc is listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange as well as the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Bamporiki previously served as the State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture.
He was suspended from his duties in May this year owing to matters of accountability that were under investigation.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that Bamporiki is facing corruption related charges.
“From 5th May, Bamporiki Edouard was under investigation over the crime of soliciting, receiving or offering a bribe. As of now, his case file has been transferred to the Prosecution,” he said.
Bamporiki’s dossier was handed over to the Prosecution on 7th July 2022.
Following his suspension, Bamporiki posted a message on his social media accounts admitting that he received a bribe and apologized to the President of the Republic.
Rwanda’s penal code stipulates that soliciting, receiving or offering a bribe attracts a sentence between five and seven years and a fine between three to five times of received or offered bribe.
These viewpoints are underscored by visually impaired persons who completed university studies and underwent massage therapy training after failing to secure a job.
The training is offered by Seeing Hands Rwanda, an non-governmental organization with a mission to improve the social and economic wellbeing of people with visual impairments and their families.
The organization meets the goals by training them on massage therapy, providing jobs and other forms of support.
Beth Gatonye, the founder and legal representative of Seeing Hands Rwanda says that the idea surfaced after realizing how many of people with visual impairments lead hard life owing to rejection by some employers regardless of their academic background.
As she says, the organization was created with a view to increase employment opportunities specifically through training to provide high quality professional massages to members of the community.
The massage therapy provided by visually impaired persons was introduced in 2017 even though many would not trust their services initially.
Despite societal bias, Gatonye sees their potential in a different perspective. If they are well trained, Gatonye attests that visually impaired persons can work as professionals that offer high quality services that some of people with normal eyes can’t do.
Considering the extent at which trained individuals offer massage therapy with great perfection, Gatonye stresses the need to break barriers hampering opportunities for persons with visual impairments to unleash their potential because ‘disability is not inability’.
She explains that most employers focus on their disability side, hence prompting them to question their productivity at work.
“When you are visually impaired, other parts of the body develop strong capacity. These persons working here are visually impaired but their hands can see. They can make money using their own hands. They are very professional in massage therapy. They are never distracted at work and use their time efficiently,” said Gatonye.
Considering their courage and professionalism at work, Gatonye observes that disability should not be an excuse for employers to reject people with visual impairments.
Josiane Mukayiranga started working with Seeing Hands Rwanda in 2019 after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Rwanda.
“I learnt that this organization receives visually impaired persons for training on massage therapy for free. I was a fresh graduate from the University of Rwanda but had not yet got a job. I acquired all the necessary techniques within six months because we learn by doing,” she revealed.
Mukayiranga says that she has learnt different techniques and continues to upgrade her skills.
They do not have regular clients but their job helps them meet basic needs in daily life.
“Many people have not yet understood the relevance of massage. We do not receive clients regularly yet increasing income has to go hand in hand with clientele. However, this profession which is not unusual helps us survive,” she affirms.
Ruth Iradukunda, is a graduate from the School of Journalism at the University of Rwanda. She joined Seeing Hands Rwanda six months ago.
Even though the profession doesn’t generate huge amounts of money, Iradukunda says, it helps them become self-reliant and meet basic needs instead of begging.
“We do not earn handsome income but the impact of what we do goes beyond meeting our basic needs to extend support to our families. However, some of our clients still have primitive understanding that visually impaired people cannot perform any activity successfully,” she discloses.
“There are people harbouring negative mindsets that people with visual impairment can’t do anything. Other parts of the body complement each other to perform a particular task. That mother has proved that our hands have a great potential in providing for a visually impaired person and others,” adds Iradukunda.
{{Long journey ahead}}
Gatonye says that she has trained 50 persons including 10 university graduates who had no jobs.
She emphasizes that lacking job opportunities after graduation, discourages their brothers and sisters from advancing their education.
Gatonye also reveals that the organization has got connections with new partners to train beneficiaries on detecting breast cancer which she believes will increase opportunities for visually impaired persons who seem to be isolated in the community.
It is uneasy to teach a visually impaired person because it requires much practice and rehearsals. However, Gatonye explains that they learn fast as they are not exposed to many distractions. Within two years, she said, they can master different techniques of massage.
Part of generated income is shared among beneficiaries while the rest is used to pay teachers and buy equipment in case they do not receive funds from donors.
Gatonye urges the general public to avoid primitive understanding and stop stigmatizing people with visual impairment because they deserve a dignified life and respect like other members of the community.
The negative mindsets toward such people, she says, has seen some people denying them some services. She points out some cases where motorcyclists refuse to give them a ride with assumptions that they don’t have money to pay. Among others, Gatonye said that some landlords do not accept people with visual impairments yet they have money.
Gatonye discloses that she was isolated at different times over working with visually impaired people and requests people to shun such negative mindsets.
“There are instances when I was denied a house for rent because I work with visually impaired people. We have graduates from journalism but no one accepts to give them an employment opportunity. We have ICT professionals but no one trusts them,” she noted.
The issue was also pointed out by Callixte Ikuzwe. He is visually impaired but studied Assistive Technology used by people living with disability.
He currently works with Seeing Hands Rwanda.
“You can hardly find someone to trust you in the society. People only see you in the aspect of disability. In some cases, employers let you sit for job entry exam but with much worries. Mindsets are still primitive. People think that people with disability can only work with organizations giving priority to these persons. It should not be taken into that perspective because they are able to contribute to national development in different ways,” said Ikuzwe.
He requested the government to up efforts aimed at advancing inclusion of persons living with disabilities at the labour market.
Courses at Seeing Hands Rwanda begin at 9:00 a.m. When a client needs services, one of trainees designated on rotational basis is obliged to stop class and attend to him or her.
They go for break at 1:00 p.m. and return to class at 2:00 p.m.
Due to limited resources, beneficiaries are not accommodated the center that they return home at 4:00 p.m. everyday.
The nation’s largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), gained 43.95 percent of the total votes cast, said the CNE.
According to the final results, the MPLA won 124 of the 220 National Assembly seats. The UNITA finished second with 90 seats in parliament.
In accordance with the Angolan constitution, the top candidate of a political party that wins the most votes is elected as president.
The new students will be pursuing Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) degree in Project Management.
Speaking at the admission day event held on Friday 26th August 2022, the Vice Chancellor of Kepler College, Prof Baylie Damtie Yeshita said that courses to be offered under this program will equip students with knowledge, skills and attitude that are highly needed at the labour market.
“Kepler College shall focus on offering academic programs at the intersection of technology and management inline with the labor market needs in Rwanda and the region.The main defining and unique feature of Kepler College’s pedagogy is learn by doing; students are presented with case studies and projects to demonstrate mastery of key competencies. Assessment at Kepler College aims at measuring students’ ability to solve a variety of work-like problems and projects instead of rote memorization,” he said.
Yeshita disclosed that all programs of the college offer industrial attachment opportunities to students and actively working with employers is a key strategy of the College for ensuring the relevance of an academic program.
He also highlighted that employment outcome is the main measure of success at Kepler College; the goal being 90% of the graduates get jobs within six months after graduation.
Kevin Marius Ikuzwe, one of new students enrolled this year expressed delight to be admitted at Kepler College noting that he was lured by Kepler’s credibility for quality education.
Shalina Agasaro Gakuba also revealed that the support Kepler extended to alumni after graduation attracted her to join Kepler College.
In April 2022, Kepler College was accredited as a fully-fledged higher education institution in Rwanda to start by offering bachelors of arts degree in project management. The College plans to open three more additional undergraduate programs over the next five years.
It is said that the Rwandans were arrested on 22nd August 2022 after illegally crossing into DRC as they collected firewood.
These include four women aged 24,26, 30 and 65 respectively as well as two male children aged below eight years.
On Thursday last week, the Mayor of Rubavu District along with other security officials summoned a meeting with residents during which they advised them against crossing the plain separating both countries for their security.
“You should forget the plain because crossing through the illegal entry point leaves the country in troubles following up what happened to nationals in a foreign country. You have to make possible efforts to turn your backs on the plain and run your activities here in Rwanda,” said the Commander of 63rd Battalion in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Major Gatete.
Major Gatete further reminded residents that Rwanda has enemies in DRC forests which they should consider to cross through authorized borders.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Ildephonse Kambogo urged residents to abide by laws and avoid crossing through illegal entry points.
The citizens are detained in Goma accused of being spies.
It is said that Congolese soldiers are demanding huge amounts of money to release the six Rwandan nationals.
It has been quite some time since the tension between Rwanda and DRC escalated after the resurgence of rebel group which is fighting Congolese Army.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebel group but the latter repeatedly refuted the allegations and accused the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group comprised of remnant masterminds behind the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
President Kagame arrived in Nyamasheke on Saturday following his previous visits to Ruhango and Nyamagabe districts which began on 25th August 2022. He is expected to conclude his four-day visit on Sunday in Karongi District.
Unlike other parts of the country visited by the Head of State, Nyamasheke residents welcomed Kagame with unique elegance as mothers in traditional attires turned up at Kagano playground with milk chunks, traditional calabashes and pointed traditional baskets symbolizing wealth and milk sufficiency, thanks to positive transformations attained under his visionary leadership.
It was an opportune moment to commend residents for their contribution to national development, remind them of their role to consolidate gains and hear their problems.
Some of concerns raised by residents include the issue of houses located in high risk zones. The Mayor of Nyamasheke District, Appolonie Mukamasabo said that having a model village would help the district to resettle residents decently.
As he addressed thousands of residents and leaders present at the event, President Kagame promised quick access to pending infrastructures where it is possible. He also revealed that possible delays in doing so would be linked to ongoing efforts to raise funds.
The Head of State stressed that resettling residents in model villages comes with several advantages noting that the government is set to scale up efforts aimed at solving such issues.
“Regarding the raised issue of residents in disaster prone areas which in some instances adversely affect residents and lead to deaths, the government already has plans to relocate citizens from risky zones to decent locations and help them stay there safely. It has happened in different parts [of the country]. There is no reason for Nyamasheke to miss out,” he said.
During his visit, the President also interacted with residents, who praised his visionary leadership. The Head of State also gave a clear guidance on how best their problems could be solved and urged leaders to hear citizens’ concerns habitually and solve them.
[{{Click this link to view more pictures of the visit }}->https://igihe.com/amakuru/u-rwanda/article/live-perezida-kagame-yakomereje-urugendo-rwe-i-nyamasheke-bitwaje-ibisabo]
Among others, the bank has reported Rwf19.6 billion in net revenue (before impairment provisions), up by 20% year-on-year, driven significantly by an increase in net interest income of 17%.
In the reported period, operating expenses increased by 16% year-on-year to Rwf 11.3 billion, as the lender continued to improve productivity across all our products and services.
In the first half of 2022, loans and advances to customers increased by 7% to Rwf 237 billion from Rwf222 billion.
The growth was supported by new deals booked across all segments. Else, total financial investments increased to Rwf113 billion, up by 24% from Rwf91.5 billion reported at the end of December 2021, in line with the Bank’s strategy to efficiently deploy capital.
Deposits held for customers and financial institutions were also up by 8% to Rwf352 billion (Rwf 327 billion- December 2021), total borrowings position for the period was Rwf60.2 billion while the liquidity coverage ratio was 170% as of the end of June 2022.
Commenting on the performance; the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda Plc, Robin Bairstow said: “I&M Bank Rwanda has performed well in the first half of the year, delivering returns on equity well over 13%, built on the solid momentum and ongoing execution of our ‘iMara’ strategy. The Bank’s robust performance was driven by the growth in the loan portfolio and customer deposits, which led to solid growth in the net interest income and non-funded income.”
Bairstow attributed the lender’s growth to a strategic shift to focus more on customer centricity and digital transformation.
He said that the bank’s digital adoption remains high with 75% of all customer-initiated transactions going through the lender’s digital channels.
Bairstow has also highlighted that the registered several positive developments where its efforts have not gone unnoticed.
In the first half of the year, the lender received key industry awards including Best Bank in Rwanda by Capital Finance International (CFI.co), the Gold Gender Equality Seal offered by the Gender Monitoring Office, and the UN for our best practices and policies and diversification agenda.
As economic activity rebounds in Rwanda, Mr Bairstow said, I&M Bank Rwanda remains committed to both its customers and employees as a responsible Bank.
“Looking ahead, we take notice of the macroeconomic headwinds that are affecting businesses and individuals alike. The Bank will continue to be part of the solution as we continue to support our customers and the community we serve,” he added.
{{About I&M Bank Rwanda Plc }}
Incorporated in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc is the oldest Bank in Rwanda. It is today one of the leading players in the industry with a strong footprint across the country.
I&M Bank Rwanda offers the full range of personal, business, institutional and corporate banking products throughout its locations. The Bank has been listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange since March 2017.
The Bank is also a subsidiary of I&M Group Plc, a leading regional financial services group in Eastern Africa with a presence in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as well as a joint venture in Mauritius. I&M Group has a long history in banking and has established a wide network of correspondent banks across the globe and enjoys a strong relationship with leading international Development Financial Institutions.
