During the meeting, an entrepreneur identified as Marie Ange Ingabire is among participants who voiced concerns over faced hindrances while exporting agricultural produce.
She heads a company dubbed Tropi Wanda Ltd which exports horticultural produce including fruits and avocadoes.
Initially, Ingabire started exporting five tonnes of avocadoes per week which have increased to 20 tonnes.
She however expressed concerns over the issue of freight aircrafts and insufficient cold rooms.
The female entrepreneur revealed that she sometimes wins tender to supply ten tonnes of avocadoes but informed by the national carrier, RwandAir that its capacity is limited carrying five tonnes.
Besides, Ingabire disclosed that her products are more likely to get damaged before exportation because there are not enough cold rooms.
President Paul Kagame said that the issue was discussed for long that it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that she is aware of the issue where RwandAir could not find a cargo aircraft.
“I have learnt that the aircraft has been obtained through Qatar Airways,” noted Akamanzi.
Qatar Airways is under process to acquire 49% shares in RwandAir.
The Government of Rwanda is expending much effort to solve the issue of cold rooms but the ground to be developed for related facilities was handed over to vaccine manufacturers as a priority.
Some of resolutions of the meeting include fast-tracking the construction of a leather factory which will particularly produce shoes.
The meeting also resolved on building Rwandans’ capacity to be standby and confront existing and possible future challenges with a view to promote home grown solutions.
Another resolution of the meeting is about increasing investment that creates more jobs drawing emphasis on local production, promoting the quality and use of local products and expanding their presence to foreign markets.
The congress agreed on completely addressing lingering challenges in service delivery particularly among hotels and adopting measures to oversee implementation countrywide.
Among others, the meeting resolved to increase infrastructures particularly in the education and health sectors, and draw much attention to areas in the vicinity of Rwanda’s borders so that residents can get all services closer to their doorsteps inside the country.
It was also resolved to address issues affecting family’s wellbeing including domestic conflicts, carelessness on parenting duty, malnutrition leading to stunting and various diseases, poor hygiene, school dropouts among children, drug abuse and related consequences.
The meeting resolved to mobilize the youth and Rwandans at large to prevent and fight sexual transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies.
Another resolution is about completely eradicating gender based violence and human trafficking and bring offenders to justice.
After holding talks with the Head of State on Monday 2nd May 2022 afternoon, Rwanda’s Presidency revealed that their discussions focused on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 to be hosted by Rwanda in June.
Patricia Scotland arrived in Kigali on Sunday 1stn May 2022. She is the guest of honour at the 12th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa scheduled between 3rd and 7th May 2022.
The event to be hosted in Rwanda for the first time will see 18 Commonwealth Africa Nations from the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies convening in Kigali to share expertize and innovations in combatting corruption.
The association was established in 2011 to foster collaboration of the Nations. The general objective of this year’s conference is to bring together member countries to concretize the strategies in the fight against corruption under the theme “Combating Corruption for Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa”.
It is being organized by the Office of The Ombudsman of Rwanda in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat. During the conference, every Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency will make a presentation on Innovative Projects done in the fight against Corruption.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of members are small states, many of which are island nations.
Its Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.
The Commonwealth work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
The event has been celebrated at Nyamirambo Stadium at national level.
The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheihk Salim Hitimana urged Muslims to be compassionate and take care of the needy.
The prayer service was attended by people of different age brackets from children to the youth and the elderly.
The Rwanda Defence Force Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga and the President of Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Abdallah Murenzi were among those who turned up at the stadium for prayers.
As part of celebrations of this day, Muslims usually gather for prayers in the morning and proceed to share lunch and joy of the day with friends, relatives and neighbours.
The contest will bring together different international schools from more than 15 countries from Africa, USA, Asia and Europe with a view to sharpen children’s written and spoken proficiencies in English language.
During the latest competition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17th December 2021, three students from Wisdom School emerged among winners.
At the time, the school was represented by 21 students out of 200 participants.
Some of students set to represent the school at the contest to be held in Toronto have disclosed that they will take advantage of acquired knowledge to induce pride to the country and win awards.
“I have done enough exercises on the support of my colleagues and teachers. I stand big chances to win because I know the secret which is to listen and respond attentively. We will be representing Rwanda and want to induce pride to the country,” said Merveille Keza.
Stacy Umubyeyi Habimana has also said that the school helps them to make enough exercises and expressed optimism to shine.
“I do enough exercises and have prior experience in Dubai contest which will be leveraged to perform better. We exhibited good performance and emerged among winners. I have been through intensified preparations and have confidence that we shall outperform competitors,” he noted.
“I considered it an unusual event but I opened eyes after my colleagues went to Dubai and performed well. My parents started supporting me since then that I am prepared enough. I will compete courageously like a soldier on the battlefield. We shall win and walk away with awards,” said another student identified as Elisa Ishimwe.
Innocent Gasasira Kwizera, a teacher training these students expected to participate in the contest expressed confidence that they will perform well because they are taught through an international program.
“We have confidence that our children will exhibit good performance because we are currently teaching them under an international program. We outperformed Arabs last year and this motivates our students to set fears aside to speak fluently,” he said.
The Director of Wisdom School, Elie Nduwayesu has said that students are trained to strive for excellence and the country’s reputation everything else. He called on everyone to provide support to overcome financial constraints and increase the number of students representing the school.
“The experience from Dubai gives us confidence that we shall also win big in Toronto. We request children and train them to do research and read extensively. We try to take them through the context under which judges ask questions. Our children are aware that they will be representing Rwanda. When you are representing such a large number of people, it gives courage to work harder,” he said.
“We are allowed to bring 45 students but we have got 26. We want parents, friends and education enthusiasts to support us so that we can have maximum representation because our students are capable. I thank parents who understood the relevance of the contest because it increases confidence when a child represents his/her country abroad,” he noted.
Wisdom School is a private school located in Musanze District with more campuses in Rubavu, Nyabihu and Burera districts.
The school’s graduates have been exhibiting excellent performance since 2012 where it has released 1416 students who continued studies in public schools while others were sent to pursue education overseas.
The bank loan acquired during the construction of Dove Hotel belonging to ADEPR is among heavy burdens the church is dealing with.
The loan is equivalent to Rwf3 billion as the church’s Executive Secretary, Herman Budigiri disclosed during a press briefing on Friday 29th April 2022.
He explained that the church initially paid the interest rate that the outstanding balance currently stands at Rwf2 billion.
Despite the fact the hotel is operational, the management says that the debt is huge enough and cannot be paid in a short time span.
Budigiri has said that the church has had more debts including more than Rwf600 million in land tax arrears paid gradually where the unsettled amount is Rwf58 million.
Other debts include delayed payments of other bank loans due to effects of COVID-19 which left churches closed for quite some time.
“We are delighted for having negotiated with banks last year to agree on how the payments will be cleared. We are currently paying well even though the effects of COVID-19 have affected the church’s resources,” he said.
Pastor Isaïe Ndayizeye heading ADEPR, has said that the church is making possible efforts to avoid debts and put much emphasis on clearing the outstanding.
At Buckingham Palace, Amb. Busingye delivered to the Queen a message of warm greetings and best wishes from President Paul Kagame, reaffirmed the strong relationship and partnership between Rwanda and UK and discussed the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled in June 2022 in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
After presenting credentials, Amb. Busingye was hosted to a reception which was attended by Ambassadors, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, friends of Rwanda and Rwandan Community Leaders from across the UK.
Speaking at the event, Amb. Busingye said that ‘it was a privilege to have a wide-ranging conversation with Her Majesty the Queen’. Of particular interest, he said, was the upcoming CHOGM2022 summit.
Amb. Busingye revealed that preparations are on track noting that Rwanda looks forward to seeing many guests in Kigali where they can expect a warm welcome.
He presented credentials after recent partnership where Rwanda accepted to accommodate asylum seekers staying in UK illegally.
Amb. Busingye underscored that the Migration and Economic Development Partnership ‘will prioritise the dignity and safety of migrants, whilst investing in Rwanda’s economic development– creating professional and personal opportunities for both migrants and Rwandans alike’.
He revealed that Rwanda already hosts refugees from the region, the continent and from other nations such as Afghanistan where the intervention when people are in distress ‘defines who we are as a country and as a people’.
Amb. Busingye also took participants of the event through a ground-breaking Visit Rwanda partnership with Arsenal Football Club.
“We want as many people as possible to holiday, stay or do business in Rwanda. Most of all we want everyone who comes to Rwanda to never forget their experience,” he noted.
The envoy also reiterated commitment to work with fellow diplomats during his tour of duty and to strengthening the bonds between respective countries.
It is the birthplace of Félicien Kabuga, a mastermind of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi charged with seven counts including five related to genocide; genocide, complicity in genocide, director and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide and conspiracy to commit genocide.
Other charges are persecution and extermination, both as crimes against humanity.
Arrested on 16th May 2020, Kabuga is known as the Chief Financier of Genocide against Tutsi. He was a wealthy businessman and core member of the Akazu (a small powerful circle of ideologues that masterminded the Genocide). He was also the founding president of the board of shareholders of hate radio RTLM, which incited killings.
Kabuga is detained in La Haye, the Netherlands but his trial has not yet started in substance.
Born in 1935, Kabuga was a renowned businessman who made big fortunes since his adolescence in Mugina. It is said that he was involved in the business of drugs for livestock treatment, leather, coffee and second hand clothes.
He was an intimate friend of the family of former President Juvénal Habyarimana who led the government which prepared and executed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Their close friendship deepened further as they became co-fathers in law.
The two daughters of Kabuga were married to sons of Juvénal Habyarimana.
{{Preferred place for sharing drink}}
At Mugina small village hill where Kabuga grew up, stands a multi-storey building built by Kabuga in collaboration with his brother, Nsanzumuhire as sources revealed.
Apart from the one storey building and extensions built for Kabuga’s parents and other relatives, there is a detached house in which Kabuga lived with his family.
His relatives include Martin Katabarwa said to be a very close relative having roots from one grandfather. He has said that Habyarimana used to visit Kabuga with whom they shared drink at the place.
“It did not happen very often but he used to come here. They would exchange ideas seated in that bungalow,” he said.
Katabarwa revealed that Habyarimana often visited Kabuga in evening hours and shared drinks.
“They used to hold private talks. Other people would be isolated from their discussions,” he said.
The House is built in Nyange Village, Gatenga Cell of Mukarange Sector. It is said that the house was built in 1970 but is currently unoccupied. It is a large house with 12 rooms with bathrooms and toilets inside.
The sitting room of the house is decorated with different paintings but the ceiling has deteriorated.
The bungalow in which Kabuga and Habyarimana used to share ‘a glass of beer’ is in the garden adjacent to the main building.
The garden is currently planted with maize. Next to the building, one can see the kitchen and house for domestic servants.
Also present at the event held on 28th April 2022, was Prof. Nshuti Manasseh, the State Minister in charge of East African Community (EAC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINAFFET); the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi and the Senior Economic Advisor to the President of the Republic, Francis Gatare.
Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan who is on a visit to Rwanda was also received by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta with whom they held talks and signed cooperation agreements.
MINAFFET has revealed that Minister Biruta and Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan discussed on boosting economic cooperation between the two countries and signed an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.
Rwanda is among 192 countries that participated in Dubai Expo from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022. The country showcased its touristic attractions, development journey and made sales of Made in Rwanda products including agricultural produce.
On 28th April, Kagame also held talks with Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, the Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership of the Republic of Congo and Minister of Women Promotion and Women’s Integration to Development, Ines Nefer Ingani.
The delegation which has been Rwanda since 25th April 2022 presented a brief overview of their mission to President Kagame with whom they discussed the implementation of signed bilateral agreements during the recent visit of Kagame to Congo Brazzaville from 11th to13th April 2022.
They were signed in the sectors of economic partnership, mining, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) handcrafts, culture and arts among others.
At the time, both parties agreed to establish a joint committee to oversee their implementation.
Rwanda and Congo enjoy relations and cooperation in the areas of diplomacy and politics. In August 2016, Rwanda opened embassy in the country which also oversees its interests in the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC).
Minister Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso and Ines Nefer Ingani arrived in Kigali on 25th April 2022. On the next day, they visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso left a message in the visitor’s book commending President Kagame for having reunited Rwandans to live in harmony after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Denis Christel was also received by the CEO of RDB, Clare Akamanzi and held discussions focusing on promoting investment between both countries.
They agreed to set up a platform bringing together traders from Rwanda and Congo Brazzaville.
Among others, Denis Christel held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta; Minister of Trade and Industry, Béata Habyarimana and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana.
The delegation from Congo also visited Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro where they toured factories including Volkswagen and Crystal Ventures.
The revelation was made by NPPA Spokesperson, Faustin Nkusi on 27th April 2022 following the deportation of Jean Paul Micomyiza from Sweden to Rwanda.
Micomyiza is facing charges including role in crimes of Genocide, complicity in Genocide and crimes against humanity which he allegedly committed in Huye District of Southern Province.
Faustin Nkusi has revealed that Micomyiza is set to be informed about alleged crimes by Rwanda investigation Bureau (RIB) before being transferred to the Prosecution.
Rwanda has received 29 Genocide fugitives deported from foreign countries since 2005 yet the country issued 1147 arrest warrants. This shows that the number of deportees is still low compared to the number of Genocide fugitives.
Nkusi has observed that there is a step made so far even though a lot needs to be done.
Despite the fact that the number of deported Genocide fugitives remains low, Nkusi said that some countries like Sweden have made efforts to hold them accountable.
“Sweden has also tried other three fugitives in their domestic courts and they are currently serving life sentence, have extradited one fugitive and had seven extradition requests to handle. We commend them for doing a good job. They remain with three and we hope even the remaining three fugitives will be brought to our country,” said Nkusi.
So far, 24 Genocide suspects have been tried in 24 countries. These include Théodore Rukeratabaro, Claver Berinkindi and Stanisilas Mbanenande who were handed life sentence by Sweden courts.
Nkusi expressed optimism that in collaboration with different countries, perpetrators of the imprescriptible crimes will be brought to book.
“Each suspect has his own day. They will be brought to justice one day. They will be tried either in Rwanda or in those countries because cooperation is going on and we are working together with these countries to make sure that suspects are brought to justice, that those who have committed genocide and other crimes should not remain at large and in safe havens,” he said.
IBUKA, the umbrella organization of survivors of Genocide against Tutsi has disclosed that the deportation of Micomyiza should leave a lesson to other countries which have not yet handed over Genocide fugitives to face justice.
“We have welcomed the decision of Sweden judiciary to deport Jean Paul Micomyiza to Rwanda. It is a good move because Genocide is a crime against humanity. All countries should play a role to deliver justice,” the Executive Secretary of IBUKA, Ahishakiye Naphtal has told IGIHE.
“We commend this step by Sweden which serves as an example to other countries. We also hail other countries that take similar decision because it should be emulated by those relenting to follow the suit to send suspects to Rwanda,” he added.
According to the Prosecution, arrest warrants for Micomyiza were issued since 2013 while the last one which led to his detention was issued in 2020.
At the time, he was seized and taken to court to decide whether he would be extradited to Rwanda or tried in Sweden. It was resolved that he had to be taken back home to face justice.
The Head of State made the revelation at a dinner event with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Rwanda held at Kigali Convention Centre.
He was shedding light on the recent partnership between Rwanda and the United Kingdom (UK) where asylum seekers staying in the country illegally will be relocated to Rwanda.
Following agreements between both countries signed on 14th April 2022, different media houses and individuals majority of whom being from the western part of the world relentlessly criticized the deal saying its seems to be the trade of people because UK will provide funds to take care of asylum seekers in Rwanda.
Rwanda has however explained that the partnership reflects its commitments to protecting vulnerable people around the world, and ensuring development and prosperity for Rwanda and its people after enduring dark history that has embedded a responsibility to protect vulnerable people around the world.
Rwanda was once one of the world’s leading producers of refugees, and as such is particularly concerned with taking urgent steps towards more humane solutions to the global migration crisis.
Kagame has said that Rwanda did not agree to host asylum seekers to get money but highlighted that it is part of Rwandans values.
“I have seen some people saying, you know that the United Kingdom gave us money and then we want to dump people here. No, we don’t do that kind of thing. We don’t buy and sell people. We can’t do that because of our core values,” he said.
The Head of State hinted on Rwanda’s initial intervention regarding the issue of migrants in 2018 when thousands of Africans drowned in the Mediterranean Sea as they headed to Europe while others were stranded in detention centers of Libya.
That is when Rwanda started receiving migrants from Libya in collaboration with international organizations where they are accommodated and treated decently in a transit center before moving to third countries.
President Kagame said that Rwanda’s commitment initially arose from dreadful circumstances when he read a story of a young man from Ghana who sought money to be smuggled to Europe but ended up finding himself in enduring hard life in Libya living as a prisoner.
Realizing the dire conditions, the young man started negotiating smugglers to pay again US$900 to take him back home.
Kagame has revealed that he discussed the issue with other leaders and agreed to find a solution to save the lives of some migrants stuck in Libya.
“We agreed, if they arrived here, they could be easily taken back home if they choose to go back home. Second, those European countries that have allowed migrants to come to Europe, should come and stably select those they want to take to their countries and that would be still better than these people being trapped in Libya.
Then third, we provided another option. We said, for those who can’t go back, don’t want to go back for reasons of their own, and may not be selected by the countries that want to absorb them, we are giving them another option. We can actually find ways in which they can stay here. There were these three options in 2018,” he said.
The Head of State explained that the commitment was not influenced by someone else but rather Rwandans have values of welcoming people stuck in troubles.
“We don’t have to learn values from anybody. We have values in us that we go by. We can absorb people from wherever. If they are from Africa, we are even happier,” he noted.
“There are things you can’t buy about us. We are who we are and proud people. We are not involved in buying and selling people,” Kagame added.
{{I predicted this problem in 2015…}}
President Kagame has said that he realized the issue of migrants and Europeans would worsen further in 2015.
At the time, it was in October 2015 as he attended Rwanda Day in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.
Considering the extent of the issue where Africans were heading to Europe in large number, the Head of State observed that Europeans would once be fed up.
“Rwandans had come in thousands and come from the whole of Europe. I asked them how they had come to Europe. I told them ‘you know what, there are some of you who came genuinely to Europe but some of you came here by telling lies’. Some of you told lies as victims of politics in Rwanda, some of you committed crimes in Rwanda and then you come here as innocent people running away from the evil Government of Rwanda,” he said.
“I said that one time; this Europe you are taking advantage of will get to know this truth, I am telling you. And they will come back to ask each of you how did you come here? They will know the truth about you, pack you in a container or something and send you back. I said that they will come to the truth because they have own problems as well,” Kagame added.
Kagame said that it was apparent that Europeans would one day wake up.
“I don’t think we are going to transfer half of Africa into Europe and Europe keeps silent. They will wake up,” he noted.
The Head of State also requested European countries to make an assessment to people who have been staying there for long claiming to be refugees or migrants because some of them might have committed crimes in countries of origin.
“I hope when UK sends these people, they should send to us some people they have accommodated for over 15 years who committed crimes here. We sent files and investigated. These are clear case files. Instead of being accommodated in that beautiful place in UK, many people should be in jail whether in UK or here. They are about five,” he stated.
These include Vincent Bajinya who was a doctor, Celestin Mutabaruka, who was a pastor; Celestin Ugirashebuja, Charles Munyaneza and Emmanuel Nteziryayo who served as former Bourgmestre suspected of Genocide crimes.
The President said that Rwanda is willing to partner with any country understanding the values around partnership.
In 2021, Europe received requests from over 600,000 asylum seekers applying for international protection.
The research carried out by Pew Research Center in 2016 indicates that Europe’s population might increase by 121 million in 2080 due to the issue of migrants if no action is taken.
The continent is predicted to register only 399 million population by 2080 excluding the number of migrants.
