President Kagame has via his Twitter handle sent best wishes to women in Rwanda and beyond as they celebrated the IWD 2022 on 8th March.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of Rwandan women who have been at the center of Rwanda’s transformation journey,” he tweeted on Tuesday.
From the beginning, the Head of State said, RPF has walked the talk by creating an environment that enabled women to take their rightful place.
“Gender equality has always been central to the politics of RPF. The progress we see in Rwanda today is the result of this commitment to inclusivity,” he noted.
Equality is a right not a favour. We must challenge ourselves to do even more and better to ensure that the next generations of our daughters and granddaughters inherit a nation where their aspirations have no limits,” Kagame added.
Rwanda has earned international reputation for its efforts to empower women and promote gender equality.
The success was a result of the country’s commitment to inclusivity, which among other things, saw the country giving women the floor in decision making positions.
For instance, women have 61 % and 50% representation respectively in Rwanda’s parliament and cabinet.
Umaro arrived in Rwanda in the morning of Monday 7th March for three-day working visit. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta before his reception at Urugwiro Village.
After hosting Umaru, the two Heads of State sat down for a tête-â-tête before holding bilateral talks with officials from both delegations. They also witnessed the signing of agreements focused on strengthening key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The memoranda of understanding were signed in the fields of economic and trade cooperation, education, tourism, business events and conservation.
As he toured the Kigali Special Economic Zone on Tuesday 8th March 2022, Umaro visited Carnegie Mellon University, African Improved Foods and Volkswagen, a Germany firm assembling cars in Rwanda.
Stephanie Nyombayire, the Press Secretary at the Office of the President has said that the zone was set up to facilitate commerce and trading between Rwanda and other countries where Guinea Bissau ‘could be one of them’.
“All of these are companies that were able to set up in Rwanda are looking to have partnerships with (Guinea) whether it is in exporting the cars that are locally manufactured, whether it is in bringing students from Guinea Bissau to study on the campus here, or in exporting some of the foods that Africa Improved Foods produces here,” Nyombayire told the media.
She explained that there are ongoing talks that might lead to the signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Rwanda and Guinea Bissau.
The child is none else than Sandra Umuhoza Isimbi. Unlike other passengers, the 15-year old primary school pupil was recently going to school when she saw a baby abandoned in a bush. With her deep affection for humans, Umuhoza did not wait for others’ intervention but made possible efforts on her own to save the baby. She picked the baby, wrapped him in her pullover and took him to school. Unfortunately, the baby died few days later.
Umuhoza studies at Groupe Scolaire Karembure in Gahanga sector of Kicukiro district. She was raised by one biological parent (her mother) but did not discourage her from virtues of generosity.
As Umuhoza headed to school, three days before the celebration of International women’s Day, she met with a colleague who informed her that ‘there is a small animal that might be alive or dead in the surroundings’.
Umuhoza rushed to the place and saw what seemed to be baby’s legs. She removed the sack covering the upper part of the body and found an abandoned baby who weeped soon as Umuhoza touched him.
She wrapped him in her pullover and took the baby to school where he alerted the management.
That is when her picture was taken and attracted public attention particularly among social media users. Umuhoza was deservingly commended for her bravery to save the baby’s life.
Following the revelations, Claudette Irere, the Minister of State in charge of ICT and Technical Vocational Education and Training used her Twitter handle to praise Umuhoza as ‘a hero’.
The picture also touched many more social media users who described Umuhoza as a human with ‘fresh soul’, wished her blessing from God and blamed women that abandon babies.
IGIHE has visited Isimbi at her school. As a first year pupil, Umuhoza has a great zeal for outstanding performance.
She explained that taking the baby to school was her first option for emergency assistance.
As Umuhoza narrates, she was disappointed to see a woman passing by the abandoned baby without halting.
“Before locating the baby, a woman passed by saying that a child was dumped nearby. She however, continued her journey,” she said.
Arriving at school, she provided information to the school’s management which also alerted Police.
“The Sister who also serves as the head teacher gave me a seat awaiting Police and emergency assistance. The baby was taken to Masaka Hospital but I kept following up on his situation. I was initially told that the baby is healthy except shortness of breath. Unfortunately, I later heard that the baby was no longer alive,” she revealed.
Umuhoza says that she was shocked by the demise of the baby she had tried to save.
Umuhoza’s parents are alive but live separately. The young daughter is not fully aware of reasons for estranged relations but suspects that the father might have given up on parenting duties.
She lives with her cousin to reduce long walks it would take her to reach the school. Umuhoza requested support from kind people to help her mother (who is in the first Ubudehe social-economic category) find a shelter.
She also demanded support to pursue education up to the university because her family is hard up.
Umuhoza has urged mothers against abandoning babies reminding them to always think of the value of human being before committing such a crime.
She advised age mates to uphold the virtue of kindness and stay strong as they confront challenging situations.
Hassine Ingabire, the foster mother has said that Umuhoza is a courageous child with great ambitions who never gives up without making possible efforts.
Sister Edith Uwimbabazi, the head teacher of Groupe Scolaire Karembure has told IGIHE that the baby was male and thanked Umuhoza for daring to pick a bleeding baby.
“After 28 years of service in my glorious military, the greatest military in the world, I am happy to announce my retirement,” he has posted on Twitter.
“Me and my soldiers have achieved so much! I have only love and respect for all those great men and women that achieve greatness for Uganda every day,” he added.
Lt Gen Muhoozi announces the decision few days after his implication in political affairs rising suspicion that he might be preparing to replace his father.
His recent activities include talks with President Paul Kagame aimed at mending bilateral ties, talks with the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and the ambassador of France to Uganda.
Lt Gen Muhoozi, 47, is a father of three. He was born on 24th April 1974 in Tanzania where his father lived.
He is the first born and only son of President Museveni.
Ltd Gen Muhoozi attended primary and secondary school in countries including Tanzania, Kenya and Sweden and joined UPDF in 1999.
{{Who is Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba?}}
Born in 1974 to President Yoweri Museveni and Janet Museveni, Muhoozi is the first born. He attended schools in Tanzania, Kenya and Sweden.
After his father became President of Uganda in 1986, he attended Kampala Parents School, King’s College Budo and St Mary’s College Kisubi.
Muhoozi joined UPDF in the early 1990s, attracting outrage in the media after he was reportedly engaged in military operations without enlisting as a service man.
His father, President Yoweri Museveni, later explained that Muhoozi was only a member of the vigilante force locally known as the Local Defence Unit.
He later attended the University of Nottingham from 1996 until 1998.
Muhoozi formally joined the UPDF 1999 before being admitted at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he graduated in 2000, after which he was commissioned Second Lieutenant.
He also attended Egyptian Military Academy where he took both the company and battalion commanders’ courses as well as Kalama Armoured Warfare Training School.
He later took a one-year course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating in June 2008.
Muhoozi has seen a meteoric rise through the ranks of the army to Lieutenant-General.
The Office of the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda has told IGIHE that the majority of 85 Rwandans that lived in Ukraine were students and others employed partially to pursue studies.
These include 19 students pursuing Medicine courses, 16 studied Aerospace Engineering while others pursued studies in technology and economics among others.
The war continues to escalate in Sámi, Kharkiv, Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.
At the onset of the war, Rwanda is among countries that rushed to support 85 nationals stuck in Ukraine through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rwanda’s embassies in Berlin, Moscow and Warsaw.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Poland, Prof. Anastase Shyaka has revealed that some embassy’s officials spent a week waiting for Rwandans crossing from Ukraine to support them.
Prof. Shyaka went on to explain that there has been collaboration between different authorities and Rwandans living in Ukraine and others living in those countries including Poland.
“We made possible efforts to work together to support students living here and Rwandans in Ukraine, get updates on their situation and speak to parents in Rwanda. We kept in touch with them for successful collaboration. Rwandans in Ukraine also helped each other and exchanged information,” he told One Nation Radio.
The President of Rwandan Diaspora in Ukraine, Fred Mupenzi , (who fled to Belgium), said that they were mainly helped to cross the border.
“The other support was the discount on RwandAir tickets. We are thankful that they helped us a lot even though our desires cannot be satisfied at once,” he noted.
Prof. Shyaka also commended Rwandans for their perseverance amidst experienced hurdles while trying to cross Ukraine’s border.
“They told us how they survived bullets as they left Kharkiv, how they boarded trains and how they kept soldiering on despite experienced struggles […] no one walked alone,” he said.
“The way they endured difficult situations is commendable. They used to foot tens of kilometers, but remained strong despite the fact that they were not accustomed to doing it. They teamed up and helped each other along the way,” Prof. Shyaka added.
He revealed that more than 70 Rwandans have fled Ukraine to countries including Poland and Hungary.
“Current figures show that more than 70 Rwandans managed to cross the border. But it is apparent that the children were hit hard despite some individuals who seem to be strong,” he said.
“One of them is sick and admitted at a hospital. I saw the person who is still strong. Doctors told me that they will continue to take care of the patient but he will not be discharged before a number of weeks or months,” he said.
Prof. Shyaka said that there are Rwandans and other foreigners living in Sámi, in the north-east of Ukraine near the border with Russia where the fighting is intense. He explained that the area is far distant in 1000 kilometers away from the European Union border.
“Discussions are ongoing to seek how they can be evacuated from the war zone. We would like to assure parents that we are here for them. We are also parents concerned about their children’s situation. We continue to seek how to evacuate them,” he noted.
The Government of Poland recently announced that it will host refugees from Ukraine temporary for two weeks before moving to their motherlands or third countries.
Prof. Shyaka said that it is a challenging situation because people will no longer have rights to stay in Poland after 15 days.
Speaking to IGIHE recently, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda said that collaboration with parents is ongoing so that the children can be helped to return home or move to third countries after 15 days.
“Parents and relatives should be aware that people reaching Poland will not stay there. They need to start thinking how they will leave the country and seek assistance in case they fail,” he said.
[{{Related story: Rwanda sheds light on support extended to nationals stuck in Ukraine}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-sheds-light-on-support-extended-to-rwandans-stuck-in-ukraine]
Members of the general public have expressed concerns that Burundi has not yet permitted Rwandans to cross while passengers crossing through Gatuna, Cyanika and the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are required to present passports or Laissez-Passez yet they would only present a simplified travel document known as ‘jetton’ valid for a day, before borders closure.
The reopening of land borders is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on Friday 4th March 2022, chaired by President Paul Kagame.
The resolution read that the land borders would be opened effective from Monday 7th March 2022. However, there have been some issues at different border points that irked passengers on the first day.
The border with Burundi seemed not opened while passengers crossing on the side of DRC have been asked to present Visa instead of the usual ‘jetton’.
On the side of Uganda, passengers are being asked to present negative COVID-19 PCR test results yet they had opted for Rapid Test.
Speaking to RBA, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi explained that the majority of reasons behind these issues do not concern Rwanda.
“Even though Rwanda decided to reopen borders, the implementation is done in consideration of other measures taken by other countries concerned with the development,” he said.
“We allow Rwandans to cross into other countries for various reasons, be it businesses or visits among others. A passenger crossing Rwanda’s land border, is requested to be fully vaccinated having received three doses or two for those who have not reached time to get the booster shot. Besides, he/she must possess travel documents. Some passengers are required to present passport, national identification card or jetton,” Minister Gatabazi added.
He explained that the decision to allow passengers to cross borders with a jetton at borders between Rwanda and DRC needs to be discussed between both countries.
Minister Gatabazi has however revealed that Rwanda has already expressed its views in favour of passengers with a jetton.
He disclosed that the COVID-19 PCR test results are compulsory on Ugandan side that Rwanda is only requesting Rapid Test.
Minister Gatabazi said that Uganda is requesting passengers crossing through Gatuna and Cyanika borders to present PCR test results for those living far from the border while citizens living nearby these borders are required to be at least two vaccine dose recipients and present Rapid Test results.
IGIHE journalist visited the border with Burundi on Monday morning but passengers had not yet started crossing awaiting clearance on the side of Burundi.
On the side of Rwanda, there have been enough preparations to serve passengers in adherence to ongoing COVID-19 preventive measures.
Citizens found at the border awaiting travel clearance have told IGIHE that it the reopening was long overdue.
Juvénal Nzabukana said that he used to cross to Burundi for various reasons before the onset of COVID-19.
“I had a business of selling bed sheets in Bujumbura before COVID-19. The pandemic emerged by the time I had come to Rwanda to visit relatives. I stayed in Rwanda because borders were later closed. I have come here so that I can cross to Burundi among first passengers because the country accommodates relatives. I am currently hard up because my business halted but I intend to cross immediately and resume my business soon as we are given go ahead,” he said.
As IGIHE visited the border with Burundi on Monday, citizens from Ngoma sector neighbouring with Burundi had been cleared on Rwandan side and received a jetton but Burundian immigration officials asked them to keep waiting.
“I received a jetton on Rwandan side. Arriving on the side of Burundi, Policemen asked me to come back that they have not yet received an order to allow incoming passengers. We are still waiting for the reopening of the border,” Nsengimana Yussuf said.
Minister Gatabazi has explained that Burundian side is waiting for Government’s decision on the matter.
Umaro arrived in Rwanda in the morning of Monday 7th March for three-day working visit. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta before his reception at Urugwiro Village.
After hosting Umaru, the two Heads of State sat down for a tête-â-tête before holding bilateral talks with officials from both delegations. They also witnessed the signing of agreements focused on strengthening key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The memoranda of understanding were signed in the fields of economic and trade cooperation, education, tourism, business events and conservation.
The agreements have been signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and his counterpart of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Barbosa.
President Kagame has said that the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) offers huge opportunities for countries to engage with one another constructively even though there are transnational threats that affect ‘us all’.
“Joining forces and learning from one another can only make us much stronger,” he observed.
Kagame thanked his counterpart of Guinea-Bissau for coming to Rwanda and promised a reciprocal visit soon.
President Umaro said that both countries are close to one another where he only traveled six hours to reach Kigali.
He said that both countries can exchange experience in various aspects where Guinea-Bissau can learn from Rwanda’s best practices in the education sector.
Umaro also invited President Kagame to visit his country.
The decision takes effect from Monday 7th March 2022. The resolution to reopen borders also reads that incoming passengers might be tested for COVID-19, if need be, before crossing to Rwanda.
Except the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), other land borders between Rwanda and Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda have been under closure for quite some time.
For instance, the border with Burundi was under closure for seven years since the onset of spoilt relations between both countries while borders with Uganda were closed in 2019.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi has told the Voice of America that air borders had been opened before.
“Citizens were only allowed to cross the border on DRC side. The reopening concerns free movement between Rwanda and Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo. All regulated borders are open for outgoing and incoming passengers,” he said.
Gatabazi has however advised citizens against crossing through illegal entries noting that whoever caught doing so will face the law.
He explained that the borders are open for people and goods.
Even though the borders have been reopened, there is need for collaboration between the neighboring countries to ease free movement.
For instance, Gatuna border was opened towards the end of January 2022 but did not ease free movement immediately due to discussions that had to be held between both countries regarding measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“When we open borders, it should also be noted that other countries have collaboration with emigration and immigration officials as well as services offered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The decision to reopen borders is a positive development but there will also be several considerations between concerned ministries of foreign affairs and ministries of health,” he said.
As Minister Gatabazi revealed, these considerations include unique governance system and processes to receive passengers.
The recent cabinet meeting also resolved that businesses will operate 24 hours per day instead of the previous curfew set at 12:00 midnight.
However, concerts, night clubs, bars, gaming activities and other reception venues shall close at 2:00 a.m.
Speaking to RBA, Minister Gatabazi has urged citizens to continue adhering to instituted COVID-19 preventive measures and make sure they are full vaccinated.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed Maj Gen (Rtd) Robert Rusoke as Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda with residence in Kigali in December 2021. He replaced Oliver Wonekha who was transferred to China.
Other ambassadors approved on Friday include Zahra Ali Hassan of Somalia with residence in Tanzania, Firas F. Khouri of Jordanie with residence in Nairobi, Kenya and Isatu Amina Bundu of Sierra Leone with residence in Nairobi.
Esmond St. Clair Reid of Jamaica will also represent his countries interests in Rwanda with residence in Abuja while Pauline Okumu has been approved to represent World Vision International in Rwanda with residence in Kigali.
Kaori Yasuda has been approved to represent the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office with residence in Kigali.
Maj Gen Robert Rusoke was among UPDF senior officers sent to retirement in August last year.
