Kagame conveyed the message on Sunday 4th July 2021 as Rwanda celebrated the 27th Liberation Day.
RPA soldiers started the liberation struggle on 1st October 1990, considered the foundation for Rwanda’s transformational journey.
With dedication to common cause to reinstate dignity for Rwandans deprived of their rights, RPA soldiers including men and women endured tough days and nights and selflessly kept soldiering on until the liberation of Rwanda on 1st July 2021.
Kagame who led the liberation struggle has said that Rwandans worked together to make Rwanda a great nation, an achievement to be proud of.
“Twenty-seven years ago, Rwandans joined hands to liberate our country. Ever since we have worked together every day to renew our society and make Rwanda the best it can be for each one of us. I want to thank you for this,” he said.
“Today, Rwanda is not just a place on the map. For us, it means something that we can all identify with and be proud of, and in which we feel valued. Rwanda means hope. It means that we care for one another,” added Kagame.
After stopping the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, RPA Inkotanyi soldiers installed non-divisive leadership promoting unity, reconciliation, and inclusive development among Rwandans under the championship of President Paul Kagame.
Rwanda experienced serious economic collapse but has today become a resilient country with impressive transformations in various aspects of life that it is seen as a role model for many countries.
Kagame explained that the work for ‘Rwanda’s economic and social transformation must continue and accelerate’.
Over the past 27 years, Rwanda has promoted bilateral relations where it has representation to 147 countries.
Kagame has highlighted that Rwanda seeks to continue strengthening cooperation other countries. “Beyond our borders, we want to continue fostering mutually respectful and beneficial cooperation with our neighbours, with the region, and globally,” he affirmed.
“In keeping with our goal of self-reliance in all important aspects, we are working to build our capabilities to manufacture vaccines and other medications in Rwanda. This will reduce our dependence on supply sources that are unpredictable or dependent on other interests,” Kagame said in a televised video message on Sunday to mark the 27th Liberation Day.
Rwanda marks the Liberation Day every year on 4th July 2021 when the Rwandan Patriotic Army, during the liberation struggle, stopped the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that claimed over 1 million lives.
“This year, we could not celebrate Liberation Day in the usual manner. This is why we must continue our fight against the current surge in COVID-19 cases,” said Kagame.
It is now more important than ever to follow the measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, he said, adding that fighting and overcoming COVID-19 is a continuation of the work of liberation.
As part of the celebrations, Rwanda inaugurated a model village constructed in Kinigi sector, Musanze district of Northern Province to accommodate 144 families from informal settlements.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 42 585 people have been tested positive of whom 27 606 have recovered, 14 509 are active cases, 61 are critically ill while 470 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 391 954 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.
Rwanda’s liberation is celebrated every year on 4th July. It reflects transformations shaping the future of the country driven by the unity and development of all Rwandans.
The inauguration ceremony held on Sunday was attended by various officials including the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi and Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira among others.
Located in 12 kilometers away from Musanze town, Kinigi Model Village was constructed by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
It is made of six three-storey blocks with 24 homes each. A home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room, with ready furniture, beds, mattresses and a television set.
The model village also has poultry houses for 8000 chickens and sheds for other livestock, nursery school, health post, business center workshop, playgrounds and kitchen gardens among others.
Construction activities were completed at a cost of Rwf 26, 611, 466, 699 of which Rwf8, 047,653,297 was allocated for construction of homes, Rwf1, 589, 619, 026 for health center while Rwf3,350, 166, 058 was utilized to build a school and Early Childhood Development Center at the village.
Among others; Rwf1, 874, 637, 199 was utilized to buy 102 cows and 8000 chickens for resettled residents; business center workshop, garden preparation and planting fruit trees cost Rwf1, 874, 637, 199 while the remaining activities including tarmac road, electricity installation and expropriation took Rwf11 billion.
Speaking to IGIHE, beneficiaries expressed delight for the support turning them into smart residents with access to basic infrastructures.
“We have left poverty behind for good. The Government of unity overseeing citizens’ interests has relocated us from risky zones that we are optimistic for better life. I am now living in a beautiful house I had never expected to own. Being among beneficiaries of these homes is a testament that President of the Republic takes care and understands our needs along the development journey. I am grateful for the decent home where I will enjoy comfort during my advanced ages,” said Assiel Ndayambaje.
Other beneficiaries who spoke to the media as the relocation exercise began few days before Rwanda’s Liberation Day also voiced appreciation to the Government for inclusive development policies.
“I am very excited to receive the new home equipped with all basic equipment. It has furniture, smart television, cooking gas among others. Our special thanks go to President Paul Kagame who oversees for us and relentlessly promotes our wellbeing,” said Ismael Izabiriza.
Another beneficiary, Fidèle Ntirenganya, 72, has revealed that residents resisted the relocation but were gradually convinced and changed mindsets.
“At the beginning, local leaders convened a meeting to communicate the resettlement which we resisted. We were against the decision to relocate us until we toured these homes and changed mindsets due to their magnificence. It is a great pleasure that I am among lucky residents that have received homes at the model village,” he said.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi has revealed that residents expressed delight for resettlement in the new village with aspirations for prosperous future.
As he explained, beneficiaries are from different categories including vulnerable residents who did not have own homes and other who previously lived in dilapidated structures.
“They are resettled to lead decent life in a smart village with all basic services. I would like to extend sentiments of gratitude to President of the Republic for setting framework for such activities. He visited the area, identified areas of improvements and called for action. This is the true liberation,” he noted.
In a televised video message on Sunday to mark the 27th Liberation Day, President Paul Kagame said that Kinigi model village is among projects evidencing Rwandans’ solidarity.
“The Kinigi Model Village being launched today, and other community projects that our armed forces have delivered, in partnership with other institutions, is a demonstration of our Rwandan solidarity, and we have made it a habit,” he noted.
A total of 2,580 projects are to be inaugurated in context of celebration of the 27th Liberation anniversary. These include schools, over 22,000 classrooms, roads, over 110 storage facilities for agricultural produce, distributing water and electricity across the country.
Another model village was inaugurated last year in Tabagwe sector, Nyagatare district as Rwanda marked the 26th Liberation Day.
A total of 82 model villages have been constructed since Rwanda began the program to relocate residents from informal settlements in 2016.
Some of these model villages including Rweru, Kazirankara-Nyundo, Horezo-Kanyenyeri, Karama and Gishuro were officially inaugurated by President Paul Kagame.
Dr. Asiimwe had previously served as the coordinator of National Early Childhood Development Programme from 2017.
The communiqué released on Friday 2nd July 2021 by the Office of Prime Minister reads that the decision takes immediate effect but doesn’t point out reasons of her dismissal.
It also announced the appointment of Gilbert Munyemana as the Acting Director General (DG) of NCD.
Munyemana has previously served as the Deputy DG of NCD.
The implementation of the six-year investment will be jointly executed by IUCN in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda through Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and Enabel, the Belgian development agency as executing entities.
The project intends to restore over 60,000 ha of drought-degraded landscapes into climate resilient ecosystems through re-forestation, agroforestry, restoration of pasturelands, and erosion control measures in 7 districts of the Eastern Province of Rwanda, namely Kirehe, Kayonza, Gatsibo, Ngoma as well as Bugesera districts.
The project will promote improved clean and efficient cooking energy technologies to more than 100,000 households in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. It will also develop climate resilient markets and supply chains to incentivize public and private investments in forests, increase the capacity of communities to renew and sustainably manage forests and agroforestry resources, and support smallholder farmers to adopt climate-resilient agriculture.
Commenting on the development; Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said: “We believe that the TREPA project will strongly transform Rwanda’s Eastern Province through adaptation and it will make it resilient to climate change.”
Reaffirming IUCN’s commitment to support work of the Government of Rwanda and its partners, IUCN Regional Director for Eastern & Southern Africa, Luther Anukur reiterated commitment to work with partners to implement impactful projects.
“With the continued impact of climate change, Africa is facing more frequent droughts and floods. This new project TREPA seeks to contribute to Rwanda’s improved adaptation to climate change through a holistic approach with communities living in the degraded landscapes of Eastern Rwanda. In partnership with Rwanda Government, IUCN is committed to work together with various private sector and NGO partners for a systems wide change.”
The implementation of the six-year investment will be jointly executed by IUCN in collaboration with Government of Rwanda through Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Enabel, the Belgian development agency, as Executing Entities with other partners including ICRAF, World Vision, and the Interchurches Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) will also be involved in this project implementation.
“Enabel is delighted to join forces with IUCN and the Government of Rwanda in this partnership with the Green Climate Fund,” said Jean Van Wetter, the Managing Director of Enabel.
“We believe this project has great potential to help transform Rwanda’s Eastern Province by promoting forest and landscape restoration. Global challenges require local and adapted solutions as well as multi-stakeholder and integrated approaches.
We are strongly committed to the success of this project and to contribute to Rwanda’s efforts in fighting climate change, promoting sustainable resource management, and improving the livelihoods and resilience of its people,” he added.
This is the first financing received by Rwanda from AIIB and the first project financed by AIIB in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The financing will facilitate economic recovery and resilience by addressing financing constraints of private sector businesses post COVID-19. AIIB financing will focus on providing working capital and investment credit line.
This is in addition to US$ 157.5 million (approximately Rwf 157.4 billion) financing approved by the World Bank Board of Directors a week before. The objective of the financing is to alleviate the short and long-term financial constraints of businesses and help them adjust their business to the COVID-19 challenges. The financing will provide lines of credit to financial institutions for on-lending to highly impacted and strategically important sectors and firms.
“This facility will support Rwanda’s Economic Recovery Plan by providing our private sector affected by COVID-19 with affordable working capital and long- term resources for investment, which will contribute to job creation and economic growth,” said Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.
In response to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, Government established the Economic Recovery Plan in April 2020 to support sectors mostly affected by the pandemic such as tourism and hospitality, scale up social protection and to protect both businesses and jobs by establishing an Economic Recovery Fund (ERF).
The ERF objective is to: (a) To support businesses in the sectors hit by the pandemic so they can survive, resume work, production and safeguard employment, and (b) expand domestic production during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-recovery period. Beyond supporting businesses to recover from the pandemic, the ERF will facilitate investment for high growth potential businesses that have significant domestic, regional and international market opportunity and export growth prospects.
The ERF started with initial US$100 million in June 2020, and with this World Bank and AIIB financing, ERF will increase to USD 357.5 Million. Other contributors to ERF are IMF, OFID and USAID.
This offer is tied to MTN Rwanda’s vision to lead digital for a brighter Rwanda underpinned by the Government of Rwanda’s ambition to increase access to broadband coverage and internet connevectivity across the country in the national strategy for transformation.
All new customers that subscribe for the Home fixed internet connection, between July 2nd 2021 and October 1st 2021, will be provided free installation at their home together with a free router.
Commenting on the development; Didas Ndoli, the General Manager of Enterprise Business Unit (EBU) said: “As we continue to follow the various preventive measures to combat the fight against further spread of COVID-19, we are pleased to offer our customers free installation and a router, ensuring stable and reliable connectivity as they work and learn from home. This promotion is also guided by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.”
Customers have four broadband internet packages to choose from with speeds ranging between 5Mbps and 25Mbps depending on their needs.
Key features of MTN’s Fixed Home Broadband offer are: free installation and router for the services, installation and connection of a home within 3-5 days upon subscribing for the service, 24/7 customer service and dedicated technical support and payment options via MTN MoMoPay by dialling *182*8*1*800000#
MTN Rwanda simulateously operates as a fully converged provider, with an ability to offer businesses and now homes, the largest range of Fixed Internet services.
Customers who would like to have this new service installed at their homes can contact the MTN Sales team on a toll-free line 3111 or send an email to Sales.RW@mtn.com.
“As more people continue to work and learn from home, this promotion we are offering commits to provide ease and convenience, enriching customer experience and at affordable rates,” concluded Ndoli.
{{About MTN Rwandacell}}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our network and are the country’s No 1 network.
MTN Rwanda offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers with MTN Irekure. The company is also the front runner in mobile financial services in Rwanda with Mobile Money, MoMoPay and MoKash Loans and Savings.
Ndayishimiye made the revelation on Thursday 1st July 2021 as Burundi celebrated the 59th Independence Day.
The ceremony was also attended by Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente representing President Paul Kagame.
Ndayishimiye revealed that the representation of Rwanda during the ceremony induces pride to Burundians and considered it the beginning of a new page for both countries relations.
“I would like to let you know that this day is memorable to Burundians. I am pretty sure that no Burundian is unhappy today because our neighbors from Rwanda have come to stand with us,” he said.
Ndayishimiye told Premier Ngirente that the visit to Burundi has impressed Burundians considering tensions that have existed between both countries.
“Your coming has impressed Burundians due to tensions that have characterized both countries. I would like to tell you that we have a common saying both in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda […] Agafuni kabagara ubucuti ni akarenge [friendship is reinforced by reciprocal visits]. Today’s visit conveys a meaningful message,” he said.
Ndayishimiye further explained that the visit is a gesture for Rwanda and Burundi to turn a new page of relations.
“We are aware that Rwanda and Burundi have been writing a book for the past years. We are now bound to read it to write a new chapter. This gives hope to read the previous book together and close it to write another chapter which alludes to normalized friendship. There is optimism that we are leaving the past turbulence behind to start a new era of relations,” he revealed.
Ndayishimiye also conveyed a message to his counterpart of Rwanda.
“Allow me to carry our message to all Rwandan friends, particularly extend our greetings to the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and tell him that we are extremely delighted with this visit to Burundi which gives us great hope,” he noted.
Addressing participants of the ceremony, Premier Ngirente highlighted that it was of great honor to join Burundians during celebrations of the 59th Independence Day and thanked Burundians for warm welcome.
He thanked President Ndayishimiye for inviting Rwanda to the historical event and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to promote cooperation and bilateral relations for interests of both countries’ people.
“It is time for Rwanda and Burundi to build on shared foundations of history to achieve sustainable development,” he said.
In 2015, a group of Burundian soldiers attempted to overthrow the then President Pierre Nkurunziza but the plan was nullified. Since then, Burundi has been accusing 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.
As he delivered ‘State of the Nation Address’ towards the end of last year, President Kagame explained that Rwanda continues to partner with neighboring countries to address security issues in the region.
He pointed out foreign relations’ gaps for countries including Burundi noting that the situation will finally get a solution.
Kagame made the observation on Thursday 1st July 2021 addressing participants of Generation Equality Forum.
The Generation Equality Forum is a global movement for gender equality, convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France.
The forum brings together governments, corporations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), youth-led groups and Foundations to secure concrete, ambitious, and transformative commitments for gender equality.
French President, Emmanuel Macron; the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and the CEO of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mark Suzman are among other participants of the forum taking place in Paris from 30th June to 2nd July 2021.
Kagame commended Macron and López for championing the initiative together with Phumzile highlighting that Rwanda is happy to be associated with the Action Coalition for Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality.
He told participants that Rwanda plans to bridge gender gaps in technology by 2026.
“Let me tell you about Rwanda’s plans and commitments in this area. First, we aim to bridge the gender gap in digital access by 2026. We will do this in three specific areas: ownership of smartphones, access to digital financial services, and science, technology, and math studies at the upper secondary level,” he said.
“Second, we will ensure that our innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem is fully inclusive, by doubling the number of women and girls supported by innovation centres,” added Kagame.
He revealed that Rwanda has also engaged the East African Community in pursuit of possible joint commitments in these domains.
“Achieving gender equality in technology and innovation is just one part of the wider struggle to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for women and girls. Every human being, regardless of gender, should be able to live the life that they choose,” stressed Kagame.
“That is the commitment we are all making through the Generation Equality Forum, inspired by the historic outcome of the 4th World Conference on Women a quarter-century ago,” he concluded.
Through different programs initiated by the Government of Rwanda, the number of girls attending Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses has increased from 56.7% in 2015 to 63.9% in 2018.
Byigero’s dismissal has been announced in a communiqué signed by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente on behalf of President Paul Kagame.
The communiqué which also announced Gisèle Umuhumuza as the Acting CEO of WASAC reads that the decision takes immediate effect.
Byigero was appointed CEO of WASAC on 15th December 2020 taking over from Eng Aimé Muzola.
The reason for his dismissal has not been communicated.
Umuhumuza has been serving as the Deputy CEO and Board Member at WASAC.
WASAC has 1500 employees at its headquarters, 20 branches and 25 water treatment plants across the country. Rwanda targets universal access to safe water by 2024.
It is among public institutions reportedly mired by funds mismanagement where the Auditor General’s report indicates that WASAC lost Rwf 2.7 billion in 2019 and Rwf9.4 billion in 2020.
