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The symposium is a forum that brings together Air Chiefs from militaries on the African continent to discuss regional and continental issues, enhance relationship and increase cooperation among African Air Forces.

While addressing the participants of the symposium, Kagame urged African countries to prioritise partnerships. He said that many of Africa’s emerging security challenges are transnational in scope and no one country has the resources to respond to them alone.

The President said that strategic airlift is a critical component for the maintenance of peace and security on the continent, particularly for peacekeeping operations.

The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H.Vrooman emphasised that collaboration is vital to solve security concerns and shape a better future for African continent. He said that strategic airlift is very critical and partner nations should work together to provide each other airlift capabilities to address growing needs for the respective countries on the continent.

The AACS is being co-hosted by Rwanda Defence Force in partnership with the United States Air Forces Africa under the theme “Strategic Airlift”. The symposium attracted 30 member states of the Association of African Air Forces.

Amb. Vrooman who ended his tour of duty has been assuming the duties for more than four years.

The farewell ceremony held at Village Urugwiro, on Monday 24th January 2022, was also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.

Peter Hendrick Vrooman had presented credentials to President Paul Kagame on 6th April 2018 replacing Erica Barks-Ruggles who had held the position since 2014.

During his tour of duty, Vrooman was particularly admired for friendly interactions with Rwandans and efforts to learn Kinyarwanda where he was heard at different times holding speeches in the language.

Ambassador Vrooman recently served as the Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Prior to that he served as the spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi; Director for Iraq on the staff of the National Security Council in Washington, D.C.; and Deputy Political Counselor in Tel Aviv and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.

He also worked at the U.S. embassies in Baghdad, Beirut, and Djibouti, as well as the U.S. Liaison Office in Mogadishu, Somalia.

In Washington, he was a Watch Officer in the Department of State’s Operations Center and the Desk Officer for Algeria in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

A native of New York in 1966, Ambassador Vrooman graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Social Studies and earned an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces, now known as the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.

Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked as the special assistant to the President of the American University in Cairo.

Amb. Vrooman was married to Johnette Iris Stubbs with whom they begot two children.

He made the revelation during the talk show dubbed ‘Ishusho y’Icyumweru’ loosely translated as Weekly Review aired on RBA on Sunday 23rd January 2022.

Mukuralinda explained that there has an open ground for discussions of matters affecting both countries’ relations since the situation worsened five years ago.

“For instance, the two embassies are open. Officials at all levels have engaged in discussions. There have been discussions, transmission of messages through envoys from both countries, some of whom were not disclosed to the public,” he said.

Mukuralinda also hinted on Luanda agreements signed in Angola in 2019 and recent efforts where the Uganda’s envoy, Adonia Ayebare and Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Rwanda to mend relations.

Despite the delay in reaching common ground, Mukuralinda revealed that the most important thing is to continue discussions to address raised concerns.

“Discussions were held at different levels. The talk held yesterday was at higher level,” he said.

“The fact that the President of Uganda decided to send his son, the Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Special Operations and Uganda People’s Defence Forces Commander of Land Forces to his counterpart; evidences that people’s hope for normalized relations is founded. However, they should be mindful that the optimism is not rooted on yesterday’s visit. The other visits were in the same context,” Mukuralinda added.

The fact that both sides affirmed to have held productive discussions conveys a significant message.

Some Rwandan nationals living or traveling to Uganda for different reasons are reported incarcerated and tortured, dispossessed of their belongings and dumped at borders.

Mukuralinda said that Rwanda has already raised concerns of dissidents with intentions to threaten Rwanda’s security operating in Uganda and highlighted that it is time to put into action what is needed most to bring the situation to normal following discussions, signed agreements, transmission of messages through envoys.

He however explained that it would be to rush to decide when relations will be fully mended.

“On the other hand, I can say that we have reached at least 60% of positive progress in consideration of past efforts. I am convinced that the implementation of resolutions taken at such level cannot be delayed,” he said.

Reflecting on a tweet by Rwanda’s Presidency that ‘President Kagame and General Muhoozi had cordial, productive and forward looking discussions about Rwanda’s concerns and practical steps needed to restore the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda’, Mukuralinda reassured citizens on normalized relations.

“There is optimism but people should understand that it is not something to done in two or three days because existing problems are serious. The most important thing is to have them talked about. Let us turn words into actions. If we point out that Rwandans are being tortured in Uganda, that Uganda houses Rwanda’s dissidents; it remains a matter of determining what are needed actions to stop the situation?” he wondered.

After arriving in Uganda, Lt Gen Muhoozi used his twitter handle to post that only enemies would fight both countries’ unity.

He stressed the need to resolve existing small problems quickly to move forward together.

Mukuralinda explained that that things are bound to be in the right direction when one of parties involved in conflicts starts realizing that the person fuelling confrontations is an enemy.

“We must not do things in haste because we need to reach long-lasting solution,” he said.

A lawyer and Principal of the College of Arts and Social Sciences – University of Rwanda (CASS), Dr. Alphonse Muleefu who also featured in the talk show, highlighted that the current situation is promising for both countries to reach common ground.

The recent visit by Lt Gen Muhoozi was considered a great step to restore relations to normal after five years of deteriorated relations.

Before 1994, the country’s health services were mainly provided by public health facilities with small number of specialized doctors and inadequate advanced equipment.

Today, the situation is gradually becoming history with the increase of public and private health facilities, modern health equipment and advanced technology to promote health tourism even though a lot still needs to be done.

Frontier Diagnostic Center and polyclinic is one of health facilities expected to increase health tourism following plans to open doors to Rwanda.

Located in Nyarutarama nearby the Kigali Golf Course, Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic is a subsidiary of Alzaytouna Network co.ltd. The centre will offer health services ranging from Obs&Gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, renal and oncology.

Other health services packages include internal medicine with advanced endoscopy, Imaging services, physiotherapy, minor surgery, laboratory services, emergency and Short stay ward services.

Frontier Diagnostic Center and Polyclinic has equipment with advanced technology and specialist doctors from different countries including those whose health sectors developed in centuries.

The health facility has a fully automated laboratory, and advanced machines including MRI 1.5 Tesla, CT-Scan, X-Ray FDR smart Fujifilm, Ultrasound, Echocardiography and Endoscopy machine.

Dr. Elmetwally, the Medical Director and specialist in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy at Frontier Diagnostic Center said that the hospital will attend to patients in need of different health services and others transferred from other facilities for imaging services and specialists services.

He explained that Rwanda was the right place to expand footprints due to advancing technology, security and provided favorable business environment.

“We chose to open doors to Rwanda as a country facilitating investment in different areas with advancing technology. Rwandans will benefit from our world class health services closer to their homes at reasonable cost. Our presence will also reduce the time it would take patients waiting for radio imaging results,” Dr. Elmetwally said.

The facility is expected to begin operations on 28th January 2022.

Muhoozi, the first born son of Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrived at Kigali International Airport on Saturday morning. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by, among Brig Gen Willy Rwagasana, the Commandant of Republican Guard and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Col Ronald Rwivanga.

Lt Gen Muhoozi,47, met with Kagame to deliver a message from his counterpart of Uganda.

Upon arrival in Rwanda, Lt Gen Kainerugaba was received by among others, Brig Gen Willy Rwagasana, the Commandant of Republican Guard and the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Col Ronald Rwivanga.

Information about his visit went viral on Friday where it was reported that Lt Gen Muhoozi, the first born son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected in Kigali for discussions with President Paul Kagame aimed mending bilateral ties.

Recently, Lt Gen Muhoozi shared a message via his Twitter handle that people fighting President Kagame are fighting his family.

“This is my uncle, Afande Paul Kagame. Those who fight him are fighting my family. They should all be careful,” he tweeted.

On 17th January 2022, Kagame has received Uganda’s Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare who delivered a message from his counterpart, Museveni.

Political analysts have considered the milestone as a step further towards restoring relations to normal.

Photos: Uganda’s Embassy in Kigali

During his visit on 21st January 2022, Nyusi was received by the Mozambican government officials including the Governor of Cabo Delgado, Mr. Valige Taliabo Atuando; the Administrator of Palma Dictrict, Mr. João Buchil; the Permanent Secretary of Palma Mr. Zefa Alberto, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bernardino Raphael; Brig Gen Rui Jorge Mandofa, the Task Force Commander in Palma as well as the representatives of Rwanda Security Forces.

He met the Mozambican forces (FADM) and representatives of Rwanda Security Forces in Palma town and Afungi. Nyusi thanked the forces for the good work done in fighting terrorists and urged them to continue intensifying military operations wherever they are.

He praised the joint forces for their level of cooperation and collaboration in fighting the terrorists and urged them to maintain this spirit moving forward in order to completely defeat the terrorists.

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 linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.

The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.

Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.

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 at 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.

Rwanda initially sent 1000 troops to Cabo Delgado honoring the request of Mozambique to support efforts to quell terrorist groups.

The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.

With ongoing vaccination efforts in Rwanda and across the world, there is optimism for the situation to normalize.

Before 2020, Rubavu district was considered Rwanda’s tourism and entertainment hub where people from different age brackets would turn up over the weekend for leisure on the shores of Lake Kivu, hydrothermal spring in Nyamyumba among other sceneries.

As the entertainment activities are now put to halt, the area is currently abuzz with whispering birds, the vroom of lawnmowers and water waves.

However, the situation did not discourage investors with optimism that COVID-19 will once be defeated to resume activities without disruptions.

It is against this backdrop that some investors are building hotels among other recreational facilities at the shores of Lake Kivu expected to give boost to tourism activities in Rubavu district once completed.

Some of hospitality establishments under construction in Rubavu town include a three storey building, nearby Kivu Serena Hotel and Rubavu district offices.

The name of the facility has not yet been disclosed but IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that the hotel nearing completion belongs to the family of Pastor Bizimungu, the former President of Rwanda.

Bizimungu led Rwanda from July 1994 until he resigned in 2000. Following his release from jail in 2007, never appeared in the political sphere but dedicated much of his time on businesses.

The project’s model shows that the building belongs to Séraphine Utamuliza, the wife of Pastor Bizimungu but the latter is said the be the focal person following up the project.

Construction activities began in 2018 while the first phase is expected to be completed in March 2022.

IGIHE has learnt that the latter will be among luxurious hospitality establishments in Rubavu district with 80 rooms becoming the first with such capacity in the town.

Located in approximately 200 meters from Lake Kivu shores, the hotel will also have a spacious multipurpose hall and a rooftop swimming pool.

It is said that the hotel’s completion stalled due to COVID-19 related restrictions that occasioned the delay in supply of some construction materials. If everything goes well, the two phases are to be completed this year.

The Mayor of Rubavu district, Ildephonse Kambogo has told IGIHE that such infrastructures developed at the shores of Lake Kivu are meant to lure more tourists to visit the area.

“There are different hotels under construction. We are lucky that Rubavu is a district with high agricultural yields and favorite touristic destination for neighbors and other foreigners. It is especially evidenced over the weekend where people come to the lake’s shores for relaxation,” he said.

Tourism is a main contributor to Rwanda’s economy.

The year 2019 was the best ever for Rwanda’s tourism sector with US$500 million in revenues. In the same year, visitors increased to 1.6 million while tourism contributed 3% to Rwanda’s GDP and created many more jobs.

As COVID-19 emerged in 2020, the tourism was among most hit hard sectors where revenues dropped to about US$121 million while revenues from MICE shrank to US$4 million. However, the year 2021 gives optimism for the situation to return to normal.

From January until November 2021, Rwanda earned US$134 million from tourism, translating into 19% growth compared to last year.

In November 2021, arrivals at the airport also increased by 36% in 2021 compared to last year. MICE also increased by 50% this year.

Restaurants and hotels have not been left behind economic recovery where they also registered 62% and 32% in economic growth respectively.

As a densely populated city abuzz with different economic activities including trade, tourism and transport among others, Kigali needs thorough policies to keep going green despite the steadily growing population.

Technology is believed to be the key enabler to transform waste and water management to reduce threats to human population and the environment.

With its ambitions to design tech-enabled solutions to transform waste and water management, Kigali City participated in the ‘2021 Bloomberg Global Mayor’s Challenge’ aimed at supporting “the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Recently, it emerged among 15 cities that won US$1 million and multi-year technical support in the 5th edition of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge.

It was selected out of a total of 631 cities that had participated in the challenge.

Following the development, IGIHE caught up with the Mayor of Kigali City, Prudence Rubingisa to shed light on pitched project and how the grant will be utilized.

“The project is driven by digital innovation and promising to transforms residents’ livelihoods at a time when they are facing effects of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

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The Rwf1 billion grant will be utilized to implement the city’s project to transform waste and water management, and tackle the threats created by increasingly intense rainfall through purchase of reservoirs for rain water harvesting and efficient collection of waste.

The project will be rolled out in the sectors of Gitega and Kimisagara particularly in the surroundings of Mpazi water drainage channel where residents from risky zones will be resettled to safer places.

These upgraded housing units will be built by Kigali city in partnership with residents whose land is used for formal settlements.

So far, 217 residents have been resettled in Gitega and Kimisagara while more 74 housing units are under construction.

Rubingisa has said that the project will help to collect rain water which will be purified for home consumption.

“They will be subject to new living conditions where they can use large quantities of water than before at relatively cheaper cost,” he said.

“Else, there is another option to collect waste from these homes using technology enabled solutions helping to monitor the level of waste and collect them once dustbins are full,” Rubingisa added.

A total of 1045 residents to benefit from the technology include those relocated from informal settlement known as Bannyahe in Nyarutarama to Busanza.

Apart from the grant, Rubingisa said that the city will receive experts to provide technical support for implementation of the project.

As Rubingisa explained, training residents on using the technology and having it deployed to different places will have been completed in three years.

“It has been also observed that the project provides job opportunities for segments of the population including the youth,” he said.

Citizens’ inclusiveness was among other aspects considered to select winning cities.

Rubingisa revealed that residents, particularly in Gitega and Kimisagara were highly eager to work with the City of Kigali to implement the project.

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Nduba landfill was built in 2011 in Gasabo district following the closure of another dumpsite located in Nyanza of Kicukiro district.

It was later established the project’s design did not consider the landfill’s devastating impact on the environment.

Kigali City says that a new solution has been designed address the problem by turning the wastes into energy or fertilizers.

Rubingisa has explained that the project’s study was completed waiting for an investor for implementation phase.

“The feasibility study for the project to turn biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes into energy or fertilizers, has been completed to determine the number of tons or kilograms of wastes collected from our homes. The study was done in consideration of the growing population in the city and projected situation in the next 30 years. We will have enough wastes to produce energy or fertilizers,” he affirmed.

Rubingisa disclosed that the tender to exploit Nduba landfill will be offered in February.

“We expect to have an investor to engage in discussions and sign agreement by the end of February so that the Nduba landfill can be exploited in coming days,” he said.

The City of Kigali also plans to address the issue using dustbins fitted with technologies helping to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes sending notifications to waste collection companies when they are full.