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The ceremony took place on Thursday 25th November 2021 at Presidential Palace located in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Amb. Kamanzi will represent Rwanda to the country with residence in Moscow, Russia.
President Sarkissian congratulated the Ambassador on appointment and wished him productive work.

The ambassador also assured that he will make all efforts to promote the relations between Rwanda and Armenia.

Sarkissian said that Armenia and Rwanda have many commonalities, a similar history, where both countries have passed through heavy challenges. He however stressed that they also have many advantages which they can turn into success.

As for the possible directions for cooperation, the Armenian President said that the two countries have coinciding interests, the achievements of Rwanda in electronic governance and new technologies are impressing, and according to him, the partnership in these areas could be promising.

Sarkissian said that he links Armenia’s future with the development of modern technologies, science and education and highlighted implementing joint innovative and research projects, as well as the cooperation in high technologies and innovations.

The launch of the Smart White Cane (SWC) took place at Masaka Resource Center for the Blind, where 40 locally developed ‘smart canes’ devices were handed over to persons with visual impairment.

The high-tech white cane is the first of its kind to be made in Rwanda. It uses ultrasonic ranging technology to detect obstacles in a distance of 1.2 meters and alert the user through vibrations and sound. It has sensors, which can help the user to differentiate day and night. The GPS functionality allows to identify the geographic location of the user. This feature also facilitates to track the smart white cane in case it is lost. It has reflectors that inform other road users that the cane user needs special assistance.

The process to develop the SWC was innovative. The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Rwanda Accelerator Lab partnered with Beno Holdings, a Rwandan technology company, and RUB to design the SWC.

“The Accelerator Lab organized design thinking sessions with members of Rwanda Union of the Blind and the solution provider to deeply understand the challenges and learn how visually impaired persons are trying to address the mobility issue,’ said Christa Munezero Uwamahoro, head of experimentation at UNDP Accelerator Lab

‘Based on discussions with members, they began to experiment on what features could help persons with visual impairment to move freely and safely,” she added.

During the testing, members of RUB verified and previewed the SWC at key points in its development. Their insights focused on easy operability, practicality of use, being light to carry, and waterproof.

“As someone who has both visual and hearing impairments, the digital cane will help me a lot especially that it can vibrate. Additionally, I hope drivers will now stop for me when I am crossing a road. The ordinary stick was good, but it had limitations. It didn’t have lights or vibration to alert other road users of your presence or warn you of obstacles on the road respectively,” said Jean Marie Furaha, member of Rwanda Union of the blind.

Rwanda’s SWC joins a small but growing set of adaptive technologies for persons with disability in Africa. In Rwanda, the UNDP Accelerator Lab is helping to lead the way, through their approach of sensing, exploring and testing solutions, led by people closest to the problem. The solutions and the communities they aim to help deserve our attention and support.

“Persons with visual impairment face many challenges navigating a highly visual world. In Rwanda, we now have access to assistive technology to change that,” said Maxwell Gomera, UNDP representative in Rwanda.

“Through this initiative UNDP wanted to first test if the technology can solve the challenge. The Smart stick we launched today is still a pilot project. We now want to engage our partners to see if we can bring down the cost of producing the smart cane – in order to take it to scale,” he added.

The donation aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s Girinka program also known as ‘One Cow Per Poor Family’, initiated in 2006.

The event was held on Thursday, 25th November 2021 in Rusiga sector, and was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Acting Mayor of Rulindo District, AlBashir Bizumuremyi, security officials and beneficiaries of the program among other attendees.

In his remarks, Ambassador Adam underscored that Israel is pleased to support Rwanda’s existing efforts to promote Rwandans’ welfare.

“Israel is happy to support Girinka program initiated by H.E President Paul Kagame. We realized that a cow is one of the most sustainable support you can give, because the beneficiary is able to get milk and fertilizer, and can make money out of it. This is the third time we are donating cows, and we are looking forward to continue doing so,” he said.

He added: “The support is yet another sign of existing good relations between Israel and Rwanda.”

In 2020 and June this year, Israel donated 40 cows to families in Nyamasheke and Gisagara Districts.

Cows from Girinka program are passed to other beneficiaries through off-spring sharing program.

Bizumuremyi underscored that the 20 cows are a significant contribution to existing efforts.

“A cow is a sign of prosperity and wealth. We are grateful to the Israel Embassy for this support, because it contributes to the existing efforts by the Government of Rwanda to improve citizens’ social welfare,” he said.

So far, as per the statistics of Rulindo district, 10264 residents of the district have benefitted from Girinka Program.

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Honorine Mukeshimana, a resident of Gako cell, Rusiga sector in Rulindo district is one of the beneficiaries. She explains that the cow she received will help her to cater for her families’ day-to-day needs.

“My three children will no longer miss milk on the table. Also, as a farmer, the problem of lack of manure will be no more. My harvest is going to increase, and hopefully I will be able to not only feed my home, but also sell my produce,” she said.

This was also reiterated by Innocent Niringiyimana, a father of three who resides in Kirenge cell.

“This is a dream come true. I am very grateful to the Israel Embassy in Rwanda and our government for this program. My family and I are going to make sure we take care of this cow so that it helps us to develop ourselves,” he underscored.

Upon arrival, Kagame was received by Prime Minister Lukonde Sama and later welcomed by his counterpart of DRC, Félix Tshisekedi to Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa for bilateral talks ahead of the Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity.

He thanked Tshisekedi for the invitation to attend the ‘important conference’ on gender, violence against women and girls and the role of men in ensuring that violence against women and girls is eliminated noting that Africa has a role to play.

“This invitation and conference have come in at the right time to renew the friendship and cooperation between our two brotherly countries DRC and Rwanda,” he said.

Kagame joins African Heads of State and Government including the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, Macky Sall of Senegal and Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana are among others.

The meeting is also hosted in partnership with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) under its patron, Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf who is also a former President of the Republic of Liberia.

Held under the theme ‘’African Men Leaders Engage in Positive Masculinity Approaches to End the Scourge of Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa’’, the Conference seeks to mobilise commitment and galvanise action by men in leadership to accelerate the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls in Africa at all spheres and at all levels. 

The Men’s Conference also aims to secure commitment to create enabling environments to ensure an increase in the numbers of women in leadership at all levels, including as heads of state, government and other sectors to take this agenda forward while also creating political ownership of the AU Campaign on ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at national level.

Leaders representing governments, business, youth, traditional and religious sectors, among others, are also expected to adopt a declaration with concrete actions and strategies to enhance men’s leadership and role towards ending VAWG, in their various capacities.

The declaration will inform the engagement of African men and boys going forward.

Kagame made the call on Wednesday 24th November 2021 as he opened the 17th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)– Africa Region themed “African Parliaments in the 21st Century”.

The conference taking place at Kigali Convention Centre brought together government officials and diplomats accredited to Rwanda among others.

It has drawn emphasis on promoting digital integration in parliamentary activities and restructuring their systems to become more efficient following adverse effects brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

As he addressed participants, President Kagame thanked parliamentarians for their contribution to COVID-19 response and urged them to take the lead to ensure the continent has resilient health systems.

“Across the continent, parliamentarians have raised awareness and provided support for pandemic response. As we continue on the path to recovery, parliaments still need to be at the forefront of building Africa’s resilience against, mainly health threats and others,” he said.

To achieve the objective, the President suggested main ideas for how to make progress.

“First, I advise all national parliaments to ratify the African Medicines Agency [AMA] which has now entered into force. This is a landmark agreement that will help ensure that vaccines and medications in Africa are both high quality and locally produced,“ he said.

The African Union adopted treaties establishing AMA in February 2019.

Signatories to the new African Medicines Agency Treaty have now reached 28 countries – more than half of the African Union’s 55 member states. It is expected to address challenges in the health sector particularly reinforcing the manufacturing of medicines of African continent to avoid heavy reliance on imports.

Kagame has also called on parliamentarians to take part in the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfTCA).

“Second, legislators should be a driving force for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfTCA) and the Paris Climate Accords. Both require extensive, enabling legislation. Third, enacting the legal frameworks required to speed up digital transformation should be a priority,” he said.

Lastly, Kagame highlighted that budget allocations should be made towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

“This is particularly the case in the health sector where there is still too much dependence on external financing,” he stressed.

The President said that the pandemic exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities and reversed some of the gains countries had made. To this end, he called for collaboration to return to normalcy.

“Africa is not alone in these setbacks, but we can afford it less than others can. So, we have to work together to get back on track, with a sense of urgency,” Kagame said.

“I would like to encourage all of us to continue sharing knowledge, skills, and resources with one another. It is by collaborating that our individual efforts will be multiplied,” he added.

The Speaker of Rwanda’s Low Chamber of Parliament, Donatille Mukabalisa has said that the conference is a good opportunity for parliamentarians to reassess their contribution to address problems facing the world and seek together what can be done to promote citizens’ wellbeing and economic growth.

The conference brought together approximately 800 participants while others attended virtually.

Participating countries include Botswana, Cameroun, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda as the host country.

Under this arrangement, the European Investment Bank will provide EUR 15 million new long-term financing under its East Africa COVID-19 Rapid Response facility, which will be complemented by EUR 15 million counter financing from the Development Bank of Rwanda thus unlocking EUR 30 million (approximately Rwf35 billion) to Rwandan business investments.

Businesses will be able to access long-term loans in Rwandan Francs, US$, and EUR, with tenors of up to 10 years.

Commenting on the development; the CEO of BRD, Kampeta Sayinzoga explained that the investment from European Investment Bank will facilitate private sector development especially Small and Medium Enterprises.

“This illustrates the growing trust that international financial institutions place on BRD. More specifically, this investment will enable BRD to provide long term loans to companies ready to invest directly in Rwanda’s recovery journey. Together, we will capitalize on job creation and value addition,” she said.

The EIB Vice President Thomas Ostros who was on his first official visit to Rwanda to participate in the formal announcement emphasized that the EUR 30 million of new financing to be managed by the Development Bank of Rwanda will help strengthen economic recovery from COVID-19 in Rwanda.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Investment Bank has worked with leading banks and financial institutions in Rwanda and across Africa to ensure that companies can continue to invest, protect jobs, and harness new business opportunities,” he noted.

Last month, EIB signed a credit line worth EUR 55 million with commercial banks which saw Bank of Kigali and KCB Rwanda allocated EUR 40 million and EUR 15 million respectively.

On top of supporting the private sector investments, the credit lines also allow female led companies and firms that contribute to gender quality to benefit from improved access to finance up to 30% of the total financing.

Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning who was also present during the ceremony revealed that the Lines of Credits to the banking sector come to complement Government of Rwanda’s efforts to support private businesses which are facing risks of collapse, in order to recover from COVID-19 and invest for economic recovery and resilience in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

The new targeted financing scheme will include support to companies in sectors most impacted by the trade, economic and health challenges triggered by COVID-19 and unlock investment to accelerate private sector recovery from the pandemic.

Key sectors that are set to benefit include agribusiness, manufacturing, and the health sector

The President delivered the message on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 as he virtually joined other leaders from across the African continent for the 21st Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit, to discuss economic integration priority issues and review the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

The previous meeting was held in 2018 in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

Kagame said that COMESA did not lose sight of its agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to implement important trade facilitation programs.

He further stated that the approval of the COMESA Online Trade Portal last year by the Council of Ministers ‘exemplifies this continuity’.

“While this is a first step towards integrating digital technologies in trade, our efforts should not end here. We need to ensure that our citizens have access to these tools,” Kagame noted.

The President called on countries to work together for the benefits of citizens and made suggestions on how it can be achieved.

“First, we must foster digital literacy. In Rwanda, we are prioritising digital economic integration and working to achieve a 60% digital literacy rate for adults by 2024,” he said.

Kagame highlighted that combined efforts of COMESA partner states can act as catalysts for the continent’s digital integration.

“Second, we need to implement policies in the COMESA bloc that create affordable, transparent, and secure platforms for digital cross-border payments by small- and medium-sized enterprises. The COMESA Business Council, through its Digital Financial Inclusion Program, has already started this work, and they have our support,” he said.

“Youth-led enterprises account for many businesses on our continent, and we cannot afford to leave them behind. Lastly, Africa’s integration agenda will be achieved by continuing to put stability at the forefront of our continent’s growth and development,” Kagame added.

He also welcomed the report of the 17th meeting of the COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs held earlier this month and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to work with partners in COMESA to maximise the opportunities for trade and prosperity in the region.

COMESA is the largest regional economic organization in Africa, with 21 member states including Burundi, DRC, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“It is time for the Graduate School to claim its rightful place,” Dr Kwena Ronald, the Dean of the school affirmed. The school, hosts all the Masters’ programmes that are fully accredited by the Higher Education Council. Among the flagship programmes targeted is the Master of Science in Information technology which has provided cutting edge technology to students in readiness for the dynamic technology world.

“The students in our Master of Science in Information Technology programme are doing amazing work in the Information technology industry.” Dr Michael Sanja, an Information Technology expert in the Graduate School acknowledged.

The School also understands that the country needs the knowledge to address macro and microeconomic problems. The solution is the Master of Science in Economics that provides an all-round economic perspective.

For students who are interested in achieving development objectives for commercial, social and not for profit organizations, the Master of Science in Project Management as well as the Master of Business Administration in Project Management are the to go to programmes. The school is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding, that will enable students to acquire Project management certifications such as PRINCE 2, PMP and IPMA among others at a discounted rate.

One of the graduands in the December 2021 graduation, Denyse Mugabekazi attests that the knowledge she acquired has been of great benefit. “The knowledge I gained from the Master of Science in Project Management helped me start my nonprofit organization that assists vulnerable children.” She said. Dr. Kwena Ronald, the Dean of the Graduate School and a project management expert noted that the impact of the current programmes’ restructuring will not only enable the graduates to contribute to Rwanda National Transformation Agenda, but also in its quest to become a middle economy.

Another key programme at the Graduate School, is the Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management which addresses all issues in procurement, logistics and contract administration. Our students are integral in the delivery of the National and international agenda which heavily rely on supply chain and value chains. The Master of Science in Finance and the Master of Business Administration Finance and Accounting provide students with pivotal knowledge in financial management and accounting procedures.

“Students can also benefit from the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) certifications based at the University of Kigali.” said Dr Rusibana Claude, a finance and accounting expert in the graduate school.

The School also understands that people management is not an easy task. In this regard, the school has the Master of Science in Human Resource Management which gives students human resource planning, recruitment, retention, industrial and labour law knowledge.

The Master of Education Administration and Management at University of Kigali recently attracted the attention of the community when the Ministry of Education announced the winner of the best teacher Public Secondary School category at the national level as Mr. RUZIBIZA Obed.

Mr. RUZIBIZA is currently undertaking a Master of Education Administration and Management at our Graduate School. For two consecutive years, UoK students from the same programme have won the national award. Prof. Abdulrazaq Olayinka Oniye, a Professor of Education in the Graduate School is proud of the achievements of the school.

“We are proud of the impact our students are making across Rwanda,” he Stated.

“We are in the process of identifying and profiling several other programmes, to make them industry oriented,” Dr. Kwena emphasized. Among the programmes, the school plans to reignite starting January 2022 is the Master of Science in Business Information Technology, Master of Commerce, and Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, Master in Public Policy and Management and Executive Master of Business Administration.

“The most exciting programme we are looking forward to in the New Year is the Executive Master of Business Administration.” Prof. Robert Hinson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic noted. The Programme is targeting Chief Executive Officers, Directors, Senior Executives and Managers in public and private institutions. The school has structured a practical approach to the programme, steered by renowned Professors, Doctors and industry experts.

The course will be offered in a blended approach, allowing some percentage of learning to be conducted online. Prof. Hinson, a renowned scholar of Marketing across Africa, and a visiting Professor in several European universities, added that the University now has the potential to train the top executives in the country.

“The year 2022 looks bright for entrepreneurs in the country.” Professor Ogbe Allosius, A Professor of Management, with a bias in Entrepreneurship at the graduate school posed. The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and the Master of Commerce are repositioned to target Small and Medium Enterprises, which is a major driver of the Rwandan economy. The programmes seek to address gaps and provide solutions to problems in the business environment.

The Graduate School will benefit from the University Scholarship Scheme which targets all first class Alumni.

“All first class graduates are entitled to a scholarship if they choose to enroll in our Masters programmes,” Dr Kwena affirmed.

Other alumni who were not lucky enough to get first classes can also target the multiple opportunities that are available upon request. We call upon all other students, including those who have just received their national results, to join the undergraduate programmes. Those at the graduate level, University of Kigali Graduate School is your Answer!!

He was speaking during an interview with AlJazeera journalist, Ali al-Dhafiri who him to shed light on the duration of Rwanda’s troops to the country.

The President explained that Rwandans intervened because Mozambique sought support from Africans and friends of Africa to solve its problems.

“We responded the way we could, have worked with the Mozambicans to address the problems. […] I think, much success has been achieved. Again, it is between us and Mozambicans and whoever else they asked to help to decide their way forward. This will be dictated by the conditions of ground and the work that has to be done in view of that,” Kagame said.

When asked if Rwandan troops will stay forever, the President a lot has to depend on circumstances on ground and feelings of Mozambicans who asked for help.

“We are capable of discussing and seeing what issues on ground to address, how and what time does it take. But you don’t just give a date to some of these things. Even when we were going, we were not assuming to resolve this problem in one week or month and we are gone. It doesn’t happen that way,” he said.

“There is a lot of discussion that goes on in knowing what to do next. That is not a big problem,” added Kagame.

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 have started yielding 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 have increased to nearly 2000.

Approximately 3100 troops from different African countries are present in Mozambique to help the country quell insurgency in Cabo Delgado Province.