The academy was launched in 2018 to provide room for skills development to architects, engineers, and other engineering-related professionals.
Beneficiaries of the recent training were trained on using ‘Planswift’, a global award-winning software designed for digital quantity takeoffs and estimating which is believed to speed up the work of quantity surveying at 60% compared to the manual quantification and estimating process.
The training was organized to tackle difficulties facing quantity surveyors over lacking technology to ease their daily operations.
Through existing cooperation accreditation from Planswift owned by ‘Nziza Training Academy’, the academy invited a senior software consultant at Planswift, Saady Chohan to enlighten Rwandan quantity surveyors on the technology that makes their jobs easy, quick and accurate.
Saady Chohan is an official Planswift Expert in Asia, the Middle East, and African countries. The two-day training seminar which took place in Kigali was concluded on 14 March 2022.
After completing the training, the expert headed to IPRC Kigali to train students and lecturers from the option of ‘quantity surveying’ on the technology as part of existing agreement between Nziza Training Academy and IPRC Kigali.
The fund was created in June 2020 to mitigate effects of COVID-19 with Rwf100 billion.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday 16th March 2022, Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente said that more funds were pumped into the facility to increase the number of beneficiaries.
Dr. Ngirente revealed that the fund supported teachers, drivers, hotels and medium enterprises among others during lockdowns.
Beneficiaries of the fund launched in 2020 were given a three-year tenor.
Of these funds, Rwf42 billion was disbursed to 13 hotels across the country.
In public transport, the Government disbursed Rwf7.7 billion to 56 people to clear outstanding debts owed to banks and received additional support of Rwf11 billion.
The education sector also received Rwf13 billion funding distributed among 116 private schools including universities.
Among others, Rwf11 billion was disbursed to 156 companies from the private sector affected by COVID-19.
A total of 52,000 small and medium enterprises also benefitted from the fund with Rwf6 billion as at Friday last week.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana has explained that the Government acquired more Rwf100 billion after the initial fund was drained and plans to increase the funds by Rwf150 billion in the next three weeks.
“The fund is set to increase from Rwf100 billion to Rwf350 billion, more than three times. The move will help us along the journey to mitigate COVID-19 effects. The facility will help us maintain normal economic growth as it had been before the pandemic emerged,” he said.
Minister Ndagijimana said that the Rwf150 billion to be injected will be allocated to support new investments and the manufacturing sector.
On Wednesday 16th March 2022, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba concluded his three-day visit to Rwanda.
Before coming to Rwanda, Lt Gen Muhoozi revealed that the visit is part of efforts to mend relations between Rwanda and Uganda that deteriorated since 2017.
His previous visit to Rwanda was on 22nd January 2022, a move that was followed by the reopening of Gatuna border.
Later on, Rwanda reopened all land borders on 7th March 2022.
Following the second visit of Lt Gen Muhoozi, the Government Spokesperson has via Twitter handle revealed that there are pending issues to be resolved.
“Despite all the positivity and progress of the 2nd visit to Kigali by Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, there’s still need to pay attention to underlying unresolved issues, raised from the start, of known hostile persons bent on destabilizing Rwanda, still operating in Uganda,” she tweeted.
“Also pending is continued hateful media propaganda produced by Uganda-based individuals including Obed Katurebe aka RPF Gakwerere, Sula Nuwamanya, Gerald Tindifa, Robert Higiro, Asiimwe Kanamugire, etc. We patiently await action by Ugandan authorities on this unfinished business,” Makolo added.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday 16th March 2022, Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente also observed that there has been a progress towards mending ties with Uganda but insisted that restoring relations to normal is a process that cannot be finished in one day.
The report is dubbed “Rwanda: Wave of Free Speech Prosecutions”.
HRW has been banned on Rwanda’s land four years ago after series of false reports accusing Rwanda of abusing rights of targeted groups of people.
Before halting partnership with HRW in 2018, the organization released a report dubbed ‘All Thieves Must Be Killed “alleging that 37 people were killed by police officers, soldiers, reservists and members of the District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) in the districts of Rubavu and Rutsiro.
It was latter established that all aforementioned individuals were alive following the investigation carried out by the National Commission for Human Rights.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has for several times been criticized for making false reports motivated by political reasons.
The recently released report dubbed “Rwanda: Wave of Free Speech Prosecutions” indicates that Rwanda’s Judicial authorities in Rwanda prosecuted opposition members, journalists, and commentators on the basis of their speech and opinions.
In the report, Human Rights Watch cited cases of Dieudonné Niyonsenga – alias Cyuma Hassan, the owner of Ishema TV YouTube channel who was sentenced to seven years after he was found guilty of charges including forgery, impersonation, hindering public works and humiliation of national authorities and persons in charge of public service. The ruling on his appeal is expected on 18th March 2022.
HRW has also raised alarm for Théoneste Nsengimana, the owner of a YouTube channel dubbed Umubavu along with five individuals arrested with him in October last year, majority of whom being members of unlicensed political party dubbed ‘Dalfa Umurinzi’ founded by Victoire Ingabire.
Their cases are being handled by Rwandan courts where the individuals are accused of crimes including spreading of rumours aimed at inciting chaos and protests among the public.
Aimable Karasira, a former lecturer at the University of Rwanda was also arrested in May last year accused of crimes including of Genocide denial and instigating divisions.
He is among individuals appearing on the list HRW is advocating for along with Idamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne who is serving 15-year sentence after she was found guilty of crimes including incitement of public disorder, providing false information using digital means, and trivializing the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch has said that Rwanda should be put on pressure to release these people mentioned in the report.
“As Rwanda prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled to take place in June, the international community should take a stand and press the authorities to stop harassing, immediately release, and drop all charges against opposition members, YouTube commentators and journalists facing abusive prosecutions that violate freedom of expression,” he said.
Responding to the report via Twitter handle, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo has rejected the report noting that it is biased.
“The sustained harassment of Rwanda by Human Rights Watch does nothing more than entrench negative stereotypes about justice and human rights in Africa,” she tweeted.
“The judicial system in Rwanda operates fairly and transparently in compliance with Rwanda’s laws, as well as our regional and international obligations. Everyone is equal before the law and no one is prosecuted for having political opinions,” Makolo added.
In September last year, HRW also released another report accusing Rwanda of abusing rights of transgender people, sex workers and street children.
At the time, Rwanda explained the rep-ort was a calculated attempt to harm a strategic sector of Rwanda’s economy with fabricated allegations.
The elections took place at Kigali Serena Hotel in the morning of Wednesday 16th March 2022 where Bafakulera was the sole candidate to the post PSF Chairman.
Andre Bitwayiki a contestant who had expressed interest for the position withdrew his candidature noting that Bafakulera’s experiences exceed his competencies.
Bafakulera is among prominent businesspersons in Rwanda with large investments in tourism and hospitality sector. He owns different hotels including Ubumwe Grand Hotel.
He also has investments in transport as well as trade of rice and cooking oil.
Among others, Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi has been elected as the first vice president of PSF with 73 votes beating her competitor Brian Ngarambe who got 50 votes.
The Chief Executive Officer of PSF, Stephen Ruzibiza has said that leaders ending their tenure have worked hard and supported the country to develop response to difficult times it went through.
Lt Gen Muhoozi came to Rwanda for three-day visit aimed at mending bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries that deteriorated since 2017.
On the first day of his visit to Rwanda on Monday 14th March 2022, Lt Gen Muhoozi was received by Chargé d’Affaires at Uganda’s Embassy in Kigali, Anne Katusiime ; the Commandant of Republican Guard, Brigadier General Willy Rwagasana and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Col Ronald Rwivanga upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
He was received by President Paul Kagame on the same day. On the second day, Lt Gen Muhoozi who is also the first born son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid homage to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there and other facilities including Kigali Arena.
In Rwandan culture, cows represent a very significant symbol of friendship and are considered part of the best wealth a person can ever possess.
In Rwanda, cows were the only token that would be given for dowry or as a present to a friend. Even today, a cow is still considered the best present one can ever give a beloved one. Be it a wedding, graduation or a birthday party, cow giving makes the occasion more colourful and real.
It is not the first time Kagame gives cows to the family of Museveni.
On 31st July 2011, President Kagame gave cows to his counterpart of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was on a visit to Rwanda.
At the time, Museveni was joining Rwanda for a community work to build a school for Nine Year Basic Education in Kanombe. Museveni pledged a contribution worth US$300,000 for completion of the school.
Towards the end of the same year, President Paul Kagame who was in Uganda was given 20 cows by Museveni.
The recent donation of cows to Lt Gen Muhoozi is a great symbol evidencing that efforts to restore bilateral ties to normal are yielding good results.
Lt Gen Muhoozi was last in Rwanda on 22nd January 2022 for talks with President Kagame.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
Gatuna border was also closed in 2019 following Rwanda’s concerns over Uganda’s support to dissidents intending to threaten its security and series of arrests of Rwandans incarcerated illegally in the country.
Political analysts say that recent discussions with President Kagame have bore fruits leading to a step further towards restoring relations to normal.
Following the visit, Rwanda announced that Gatuna border connecting the country to Uganda would reopen effective from 31st January 2022 following the country’s willingness to address issues raised by Rwanda.
The move was followed by the reopening of all land borders on 7th March 2022.
Passengers crossing to Uganda are required to present different travel documents including Passport and Laissez – Passer.
The country has also requested passengers living far from the borders to present negative COVID-19 PCR Test Results. However, residents nearby the borders with Uganda are allowed to present Rapid Test.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique on 9th July 2021, to fight rebel groups, honoring the request of Mozambique. The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.
The situation in the country worsened since October 2017 when armed extremists launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique.
Mozambique Defence Armed Forces battled the extremists but many civilians were killed and displaced by the fighting.
Before Rwandan troop’s intervention, terrorists had killed 3000 civilians while more than 800,000 were displaced. The insecurity had also put to halt all development projects in the area controlled by insurgents.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu were seized from rebels.
As of 5th September 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican troops who were joined by the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had captured almost all areas of Cabo Delgado Province where the remaining work was predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
IGIHE has caught up with the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Col Ronald Rwivanga who shed light on current progress as well as cooperation with Mozambicans and SADC forces deployed in Mozambique.
{{Excerpts: }}
{{Rwandan soldiers have spent nearly seven months fighting insurgents in Mozambique, briefly tell us what were initial expectations and how do you gauge the work done so far? }}
RDF expected a lot more resistance than we got….but it was still a tough job to fight terrorists who had captured cities and dislodged state authority in Cabo Delgado.
{{Peace has been restored in most regions that were previously occupied by insurgents. Aren’t you worried that rebels might maneuver through their hideouts to threaten security again? }}
Not at all. The RDF and Mozambican forces must maintain security operations to deny enemy freedom of action and maneuver. That’s what will keep the terrorist at bay.
{{There are some areas where peace has not yet been restored. Are you planning more offensive operations?}}
If an area is not in our Area of Responsibility (AOR), we are not mandated to conduct offensive operations there unless new directives emerge. So, our response will depend on whether or not we are mandated to operate in a given sector.
{{How do Rwandans cooperate with SADC troops deployed in Cabo Delgado? }}
Rwandans or RDF cooperates well with SADC/ SAMIM in terms of sharing Intelligence and operational leads. This is what we have established and it is going on well. They visit RDF MOZ sectors for meetings and vice versa. And the close cooperation has had good results.
{{It is said that RDF recently launched offensives to terrorists in collaboration with FADM and SAMIN. Is it true?}}
The most recent operation in west Palma district was in our AOR with FADM forces and not in SAMIM sector. So, there was no expected support from SADC /SAMIM forces. However, we share intelligence and leads wherever we operate so that if the terrorists cross into their sectors, they can be able to respond effectively. So it’s more of intelligence sharing, close collaboration and coordination than physical support in our respective sectors.
{{Has RDF ever faced challenges while working with SAMIM forces? If yes, which ones?}}
No.
{{Do you consider the rotation of soldiers deployed to Mozambique as the case for peacekeeping missions? }}
No, it is a bilateral arrangement and has nothing to do with peace keeping rotations.
{{Apart from operations to restore peace in Cabo Delgabo Province, RDF plans to train Mozambican soldiers. When shall training programs begin? }}
We are still streamlining details on what will be done.
The Spokesperson of Burundian President, Evelyne Butoyi, who did not disclose details of the message, has said that the visit is part of normalization of bilateral ties between the two countries.
Recently on 10th January 2022, President Paul Kagame received a delegation led by Burundi’s Minister in charge of EAC Affairs, Youth, Culture and Sports, Amb. Ezéchiel Nibigira with a message from his counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye.
At the time, Rwanda’s Presidency revealed that these leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral relations.
The visit adds up to commendable steps that both countries have been making to restore relations that deteriorated since 2015.
In 2015, a group of Burundian soldiers attempted to overthrow the then President Pierre Nkurunziza but the plan was nullified. Since then, Burundi accused Rwanda of accommodating suspects behind the failed coup plot. Rwanda has however been insisting that the individuals are considered as refugees who must be protected against deportation by international laws.
The political mishap later halted cooperation and free movements between both countries.
Despite misunderstandings that have characterized both countries, both countries are promising to bring the situation back to normal for mutual benefits.
There has been commendable progress to bring the situation back to normal since Ndayishimiye was installed in 2020.
Towards the end of August 2020, both countries’ heads of military intelligence met at Nemba One stop border post to discuss issues of security along their common border.
The discussions were held under the auspices of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), a regional military framework under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and was aimed at finding solutions on security incidents along the common border that have strained the relations between the two countries.
The Heads of both the Rwandan and Burundian delegation said the meeting was a good opportunity for exchange on the existing security problems and finding solutions and will contribute to bring trust between the two countries.
In October 2020, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Dr. Vincent Biruta met with his Burundian counterpart Amb. Albert Shingiro and his delegation at at Nemba where they expressed willingness on restoring bilateral ties.
Last year in October 2021, Governors from Rwanda and Burundi held discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation between both countries.
During the same year, Burundi handed over to Rwanda, 11 combatants of the National Liberation Front (FLN) apprehended on its land.
Through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) also handed over 19 combatants of RED-Tabara to Burundi. RED-Tabara is an armed group hostile to the Burundian government.
The Tourism and Hospitality industry was and continues to be a priority sector in Rwanda’s development agenda. Yet, the economic effects of COVID-19 have deeply affected the sector. It is against this backdrop, that Tourism Inc. continues to support the future champions of the sector. It is more important than ever to invest in these youth-led businesses to ensure they have the tools needed to develop their businesses and thrive in a post-COVID world.
The program seeks to create an engaging environment for participating entrepreneurs and ensures they receive a suite of practical support to turn their innovative tourism start-ups into sector champions in Rwanda. This support includes training on a range of key business skills, coaching to enable practical application of these learnings into their businesses, and practical resources including workspace and access to financing.
It is this wrap-around offering that has earned Tourism Inc. a reputation as a top incubation program that harnesses ideas and instills competencies that result in market success for its participants. Presently, Tourism Inc. has graduated 109 businesses and 67% of them are led by female owners. Tourism Inc. is currently in its fifth edition of the cohort and will soon be recruiting its sixth edition.
For its sixth cohort, 25 young entrepreneurs will be selected to join the Tourism Inc. program. They will receive six months of the right mix of technical skills, financing, and mentorship to help them grow their businesses.
The participants will also benefit from free co-working space and prototype incentives aimed at supporting the launch/growth of participating businesses. At the end of the program, the top five entrepreneurs will receive seed funding to help further expand their ventures.
ESP is now accepting applications for the sixth cohort of this exciting program.
{{Applicants who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:}}
● Must be a start-up (have a minimum viable product or be in business for less than five years) in the Tourism and Hospitality value chain (i.e., including suppliers to the sector)
● Must be a young person (18-35 years old)
● Must be based in Rwanda
● Must have a commitment to engage in activities and complete the program
● Women entrepreneurs are highly encouraged to apply
ESP will host online information sessions to provide interested potential participants with further details on the program and on how to apply.
For further information, interested individuals can visit the ESPartners website: [{{espartners.co}} ->https://espartners.co/] or Contact ESPartners Rwanda by email at thincubation@espartners.co
Application link: https://bit.ly/TOURISMINC6
{{About Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners}}
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) aims to enable innovative, scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Our mission is “to foster entrepreneurial solutions for prosperity.” ESP enables people, firms, institutions, and nations to articulate and implement solutions to their economic challenges.
ESP’s approach is to provide Intelligent Capital™—the right combination of insights and capital—to address critical societal issues. We provide consulting and strategic advisory services to diverse clients, including governments, businesses, and development partners in Africa. We support innovative models and provide leadership training and entrepreneurial boot camps. With offices in Abidjan and Kigali, ESP has been in operation since 2011.
{{About Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.
Gen Kazura and accompanying delegation arrived in France on Monday for an official visit from 14th to 17th March 2022.
Gen Burkhard has via Twitter handle revealed that he hosted his Rwandan counterpart on Monday 14th March 2022 for discussions on different issues including security.
“yesterday, I held talks with my counterpart of Rwanda, Gen Kazura. We discussed on security situation in Central and Southern Africa as well as cooperation between Rwanda and French Armies,” he said.
Gen Kazura was accompanied by three senior military officials from RDF on the visit.
These include Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, the Head of International Military Cooperation ; Brig Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, RDF Head of Military Intelligence and Col Jean Chrysostome Ngendahimana, RDF Chief J3 (in Charge of Operation and Training).
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, bilateral discussions between Gen Kazura and his counterpart of France are centered around opportunities to revive and strengthen Defence Cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Also discussed were regional and global security dynamics.
