The graduation ceremony of the 9th intake took place on Friday 25th February 2022 at Kigali Serena Hotel.
Despite unprecedented effects brought by COVID-19 pandemic which emerged in March 2020, three months after the intake had started pursuing studies; students did not lose footing until their hard work paid off.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Davis College, Niyibigira Richard commended the courage exhibited by graduates amidst the challenging times.
“I am delighted for graduates’ milestone particularly exhibited courage to keep soldiering on and pursuing courses during difficult times of COVID-19,” he said.
Dianne Dusaidi, the Program Manager at Mastercard Foundation and guest of honour at the ceremony commended graduates for their competitive spirit and urged them to make good use of acquired knowledge to confront challenges facing the community.
Graduates also expressed delight for the achieved milestone and pledged contribution to build society and the nation at large.
“It was a long tiresome journey but we praise the Lord that we have finally made it today. I am ready to utilize acquired knowledge to the maximum to play a critical role to the development of the nation,” said Beriteto Liliose, the Valedictorian of Class 2021
Davis College also awarded graduates with outstanding performance including Uwera Divine, Ishimwe Benitha and Uwimpuhwe Elysée.
On Thursday 24th February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine following long-time conflict between the two countries related to Ukraine’s decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The invasion has left a number of citizens displaced while others fled to neighbouring countries.
Ukraine accommodates many foreigners including Rwandans who have been living in Ukraine for various reasons particularly pursuing studies.
Some of the Rwandans who spoke to IGIHE said that the situation is extremely challenging where most of them are staying at home hoping for the best.
Kevine Ishimwe, a Rwandan who is currently studying at Kyiv Polytechinic Institute has disclosed that said dwellers of Kyiv, the capital city are currently staying indoors for their security.
“We are hearing bombs exploding outside, mostly in the evening. They use helicopters to propel projectiles in different areas. Attackers raided airports on the first day and bombarded neighbouring districts not far from our residence the next night,” she said.
Ishimwe also revealed that many Rwandans are seeking refuge in Poland but she cannot easily reach the border which is far distant from Kyiv City.
“Trains are not operating but citizens living near the border have already crossed. We have to find a way to reach the border but it is not easy at all,” she said.
Ishimwe said everyone in her surroundings is scared that no one dares to go outside
“At the outset of the crisis, all many Africans residing here started preparing for the worst. We stayed indoors but currently Ukrainians are more panicked than we are,” she observed.
The number of Rwandans living in Ukraine is not yet confirmed but Ishimwe said that she knows 80 whom they are connected via a WatsApp group.
Another Rwandan living in Ukraine, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, has revealed that he was able to cross to Poland on Thursday.
“I am currently living in a hotel awaiting help from the Government of Rwanda. I left Ukraine as the situation worsened. We were hiding in house when attackers started propelling shells but I am lucky to have managed to flee,” he said.
The Government of Rwanda is currently planning to evacuate Rwandans through Poland. However, it remains a challenge for those living far from the border with Poland due to banned travels.
On Thursday 24th, Russian President Putin announced the launch of invasion to Ukraine sending a warning that countries intending to support Ukraine will face dangers.
The first day of the attacks mainly targeted the Ukrainian military bases afterRussian soldiers crossed through Chernihiv, Luhansk and Kharkiv borders.
It is reported that Russian soldiers have already entered the capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv. However, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense urged citizens not to panic and stay indoors.
Russia has announced that it is ready for negotiations on conditions that Ukraine surrenders and abandons plans to join NATO.
Nshimyumuremyi who was appointed in December 2020 was arrested on Friday 25th February 2022. He was arrested along with co-accused Mugisha Alexis Emile in Kigali City.
IGIHE has learnt that the duo is accused of receiving US$15,000 (over Rwf15 million) out of US$200,000 they had solicited from an investor. The solicited amount is equivalent to 3% of the tender worth Rwf8 billion won by these investors.
The two suspects are detained at Kimihurura and Kicukiro RIB Post.
Their arrest follows the detention of three more leaders over the same crime three weeks ago. These include Karake Afrique an employee in the Supreme Court; Nsengimana Silas heading Kibeho Primary Court and Turikumwenimana Applollinaire, the executive secretary of Rubavu cell.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has warned people against such vice.
He said that people dragging themselves into such crimes should always be mindful that the judiciary is standby. Dr. Murangira also advised the general public against corruption noting that whoever tends to do so will face justice for the imprescriptible crime.
Nshimiyimana was appointed by the cabinet meeting on 15th December 2020 and assumed office on 29th December 2020.
The course covered a period of 11 months. The newly trained group demonstrated skills at arms and tactical drills required to be integrated into the RDF.
The recruitment and training of new soldiers is part of a recurring process that is in line with RDF’s required operational readiness as provided by the strategic guidance of the Commander in Chief of the RDF, President Paul Kagame.
The ceremony held on 25th February 2022, was presided over by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Jean Bosco Kazura.
The CDS welcomed the graduands and urged them to observe RDF values and code of conduct. “You are joining a good family, that is RDF known for its core values including patriotism, discipline and commitment. Love and work for your country and protect your nation and its people. I urge you to always be the best in all tasks given to you” he said.
The CDS also reminded the graduands to get ready to maintain peace even beyond the nations border on the African continent and beyond.
The overall best student among females, Pte Umuhoza Yvette said that her success was due to dedication of her instructors. “I look forward to use what I learnt during the course to do my duties of defending my country and also continue improving my career.”
The new soldiers are now enrolled into the Force after close to one year period of basic military training.
The development follow the recent incident where motorcyclists in Kigali staged protests on 13th January 2022 requesting authorities to hear their concerns and solve issues affecting their business.
These include poor cooperatives’ management and irrelevant contributions that do not generate returns, hiked insurance premium, difficulties in motorcycle ownership transfer and losses incurred by fare meter tariffs among others.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsabimana has said that the resolutions made public on Friday 25th February 2022 were reached after assessing raised concerns.
Among others, motorcyclists’ cooperatives in Kigali have been reduced from 41 to 5 and will operate differently from the previous ones. Else, some services that motorcyclists would receive from cooperatives have been transferred to Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).
Motorcyclists’ contributions to cooperatives have been annulled, operators paying tax in four months have been exempted from late payment charges and penalties while fees paid to RURA have been reduced.
Minister Nsabimana revealed that the issue of hiked insurance premium is being reviewed.
“Another concern you have been raising is about insurance. The Government oversees interests of all citizens. It has understood the concern which is being reviewed with resolutions to be announced without delays,” he said.
It has been agreed that motorcyclists without driving license will be helped to do driving tests to operate in transparency. Among others, Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) has been tasked to facilitate the transfer of motorcycles ownership.
Minister Nsabimana has also revealed that using fare meters is mandatory with the revised tariffs where the first two kilometers attract Rwf400 as per motorcyclists request instead of the previous Rwf300.
“The world is going digital. Technology goes hand in hand with security. As the Government has been facilitating you, it counts on your collaboration to roll out the technology helping us to guarantee our security. No commercial motorcyclist will be allowed to operate in Kigali without fare meter,” he affirmed.
Theogene Minani, a commercial motorcyclist operating in Nyarugenge district has welcomed the resolutions noting that they will help them run their business smoothly.
The ceremony took place in the evening of Thursday on 24th February 2022.
“President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame joined Dr. Didi Bertrand Farmer and family as well as friends and colleagues of Dr. Paul Farmer for a farewell ceremony in honor of Dr. Paul Farmer and the immeasurable global impact of his life,” Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle.
Dr. Didi Bertrand Farmer, the wife of late Farmer arrived in Rwanda on Thursday afternoon to take his husband’s body to USA for burial.
The death of Dr. Paul Farmer whose work touched millions of lives globally has shocked many people including Rwandans. The global health champion who is the co-founder of Partners In Health (PIH) and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) located in Butaro, Burera district breathed the last on Monday 21st February 2022 succumbing to sudden death condition.
He has been a friend of Rwanda for more than 20 years who significantly contributed to the advancement of the country’s health sector.
Known locally as Inshuti Mu Buzima, PIH has worked in Rwanda since 2005, helping the government fight HIV, improve maternal and child health, and bring integrated, high-quality health care to more than 860,000 people across Burera, Kayonza, and Kirehe districts.
In 2019, President Paul Kagame decorated Dr. Farmer with the Igihango National Order of Outstanding Friendship medal.
Following his demise, President Paul Kagame was among high profile personalities expressed condolences to the bereaved family noting that he will be cherished for his contribution to national development.
He said that is hard to find the words to express the sad news of the passing of Paul Farmer, a philanthropist who ‘combined many things hard to find in one person’.
The Head of State went on to explain that ‘the weight of his loss is in many ways personal, to the country of Rwanda [which he loved and to which he contributed so much during its reconstruction], to my family and to myself’.
Before his death, Dr. Farmer spent one month in Rwanda where he lectured at UGHE and attended to patients at Butaro Hospital.
Kagame visited the College on Thursday 24th February 2022 on the second day of his visit in Mauritania.
As he visited the College, Kagame was received by the Minister of Defence of Mauritania, Hanenna Ould Sidi and other officials.
The G5 Sahel Defense College in Nouakchott was first a Mauritanian project created in 2013 well before the birth of the G5 Sahel. Originally, the institution was intended to raise the level and capabilities of the Mauritanian army in the face of the new security threat.
The G5 Sahel countries include Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Tchad.
The college has a simulation center capable of putting the trainee in a field situation, and is interconnected with the G5 East and West centers with which it can have simultaneous exercises.
During the visit to Mauritania, both Heads of State witnessed the signing of Air Transport Agreement that will enable the national carrier, RwandAir to conduct flights to the country.
Kagame began his two-day visit to Mauritania on Wednesday where he was received by his counterpart, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani upon arrival. The visit was concluded on Thursday.
Ms. Rugwabiza succeeds Mankeur Ndiaye of Senegal, who has led the Mission since 2019.
The statement released today reads that the Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Ndiaye’s service to the people of the Central African Republic during a turbulent and critical period in its history.
“His leadership was instrumental in MINUSCA’s comprehensive support to the general elections held in 2020-2021,” reads part of the statement.
Rugwabiza has worked for more than thirty years on Africa development and security issues in both the public and corporate sectors as a Cabinet Member, a senior diplomat of Rwanda accredited to several countries and organizations and a senior leader in national, regional and multilateral entities.
From 2016, Rugwabiza has served as the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations and non-resident Ambassador of Rwanda to Colombia and Jamaica. From 2014 to 2016, she was the Minister of East African Community Affairs and a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly. From 2013 to 2014, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board and Member of Cabinet.
From 2005 to 2013, Rugwabiza was the Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. Prior to that, she served as the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office in Geneva and United Nations specialized agencies, as well as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Rwanda to Switzerland from 2002 to 2005.
Rugwabiza speaks English, French, Swahili and Kinyarwanda.
Her appointment will cement Rwanda’s rise to prominence within the mission. Since June last year, the mission’s police component was led by CP Christophe Bizimungu , the former Commander of Rwanda Police Academy located in Musanze, Northern Province. He replaced French citizen Pascal Champion. Among others, the humanitarian coordination office has been managed by Rwandan Vedaste Kalima since January 2021.
Rwanda has 1660 soldiers and police force comprised of 459 since the mission began in 2014.
Rwandan soldiers have been protecting CAR’s president’s office since 2015.
Upon arrival at Nouakchott Oumtounsy Airport on Wednesday 23rd February 2022, Kagame was received by his counterpart of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
The two Heads of State will hold a tête-à-tête followed by a bilateral meeting alongside their respective delegations.
Following the bilateral talks, representatives from both delegations will sign a General Cooperation Agreement, strengthening opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Possible areas of cooperation include defence and security, ICT and digitalisation, mining, agriculture, investment promotion and more.
The Head of State was in Mauritania for the 31st African Union Summit.
In September 2019, both Heads of State met as they attended the United Nations General Assembly.
. Muri Gicurasi 2021, bongeye guhurira i Paris mu musangiro wari wateguwe na Perezida Emmanuel Macron.
In May 2021, they also met in Paris, France during a State Luncheon hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.
The majority of these artistes are from French speaking countries.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame met with these artistes on Wednesday 23rd February 2022, one day after inauguration of the stadium but did not disclose topics of discussions.
In a picture posted by Village Urugwiro, Kagame is seen in a group picture along with his counterpart of Senegal, Macky Sall and different legendary African artistes.
These include Seydou Koné known for his stage name as Alpha Blondy; Youssou Ndour considered the King of Mbalax music, Salif Traoré renowned as A’Salfo in Magic System crew and Congolese Fally Ipupa, popular for Rumba music among others.
Both Senegal and Rwanda seek to become sports hubs.
The stadium inaugurated in Senegal has the capacity to accommodate 50,000 people.It will bear the name of former President Abdoulaye Wade who accepted the decision taken by President Macky Sall.
