Commissioned officers have been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
The ceremony was held in compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures.
The first group consists of 209 commissioned officers who combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
The second includes 506 enrolled in one year program of whom 347 were in-service soldiers while 159 were civilians before joining the military training.
The third group is comprised of 6 officers who completed military training from partner-countries including Belgium, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy – Gako, Maj. Gen. Innocent Kabandana has said that it was an exhausting journey that some of them didn’t complete due to various reasons.
“The journey these students went through was not easy. 62 of recruits didn’t complete courses due to various reasons including indiscipline, physical, mental performance and sickness,” he said.
President Kagame has requested new officers to always remember that their main duty is to serve Rwandans that it is a heavy responsibility that should be given much relevance for RDF to continue rebuilding and contributing where necessary.
He commended the academy, for continuous efforts to equip recruits with required skills.
“Those who stand chance to study and get trained here should properly use acquired skills and help the school to grow further,” he said.
Filippo Grandi voiced the appreciation yesterday on 25th April 2021 as he visited Gashora Transit Camp located in Bugesera district, Eastern Province accommodating these refugees hailing from different countries including Somalia; Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Filippo Grandi was along with the Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Marie Solange Kayisire. He was taken through different facilities of the camp including a clinic, accommodations, and crafts center.
After touring different parts, Grandi said that establishing the camp was an idea from President Paul Kagame so that refugees stranded in Libya can be accommodated ins afe places.
“I am delighted to be here at this center. It was created from the idea of President Paul Kagame at a time when the World saw through the media, damning videos showing mistreatment of refugees from detention centers in Libya,” he said.
“At the time, President Paul Kagame was chairing the African Union. During a speech held at the time, he said that Rwanda wants to provide assistance. I spoke to him and accepted that we can establish a facility where people from these centers can be accommodated and treated humanely as the process to seek host countries continues, “added Grandi.
He explained that the World has two centers receiving these refugees from Libya including one in Niger and Rwanda.
“These are countries which came to us and committed to share responsibility. In fact, I would like to extend my since gratitude to President Kagame and Rwandans for commitment to take the responsibilities. They are heavy responsibilities to accommodate hundreds people on your land especially during these difficult times [of Coronavirus pandemic]. We are working hard to address their problems,” noted Grandi.
He also expressed satisfaction with the support these refugees are receiving where they access health services including mental health.
“I have been extremely satisfied with the work of the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR and Civil Society for doing a great job. I have been delighted to talk to accommodates refugees including a family from Somalia as well as young men from Eritrea and Ethiopia,” said Grandi.
“They have really gone through difficulties. This center has saved their lives not because it is the home of their dream but giving them relief in terms of health support to lead better life. This includes taking care of people with mental health problems, wounded ones feeding them. I visited them in detention centers in Libya. They endured lots of difficulties, torture, abuse, slavery and rape. Receiving health support is of crucial relevance,” he added.
Some of refugees told Grandi that they receive emergent support to fill requirements to get host countries.
He told refugees that the relocation to other countries has delayed due to COVID-19 and reassured them to scale up efforts to relocate them in collaboration with host countries.
Minister Kayisire said they had an opportunity to discuss with Grandi on problems affecting livelihoods of refugees including the reduction of funds allocated to help them.
It is expected that Grandi will resume his visit to Burundi traveling refugees returning home.
Rwanda has so far received five batches of refugees and asylum seekers from Libya.
The last batch arrived in the night of 29th December 2020 joining refugees and asylum seekers Rwanda welcomed in the previous four batches comprised of 385 people.
Some of them have been already granted refugee status in foreign countries including 131 taken to Sweden, 23 granted refuge in Canada, 46 in Norway while 5 others were granted refuge in France.
Rwanda signed agreements to host refugees stranded in Libya on 10th September 2019 with the African Union (AU) and UNHCR.
Rwanda made the commitment to host refugees from Libya in 2017 following revelations that thousands of people from across Africa were stranded in the country after their failure to reach Europe and subjected to slavery.
Rwanda committed to receiving 500 refugees at head first of whom a group of 66 African refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya arrived in Rwanda at the end of September 2019 in the first batch aboard the airplane of Buraq Air.
All batches were all accommodated at Gashora transit camp in Bugesera district which previously hosted thousands of Burundian refugees since 2015 before they were relocated to other sites.
“HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic, has promoted Officers of the Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Correctional Service as follows: DCG RNP Daniel Munyuza is promoted to Commissioner General RNP.DCG RNP Juvenal Malizamunda is promoted to Commissioner General RCS. DCG RCS Chantal Ujeneza to Deputy Commissioner General, Rwanda National Police. Commissioner of Police Felix Namuhoranye is promoted to Deputy Commissioner General, Rwanda National Police,” Minister Busingye tweeted.
Dan Munyuza was appointed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Rwanda National Police in 2018.
At the time, Felix Namuhoranye was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.
Juvénal Marizamunda was recently appointed Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) replacing CGP George Rwigamba who has held the office since March 2016.
He served as the Deputy Commissioner General of Police (DCGP) in charge of Administration and Finance prior to his new appointment.
Marizamunda was replaced by Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza who has been serving as the RCS Deputy Commissioner General.
IGIHE has caught up with Niyigena Solange, a physiotherapist at Baho Internatonal Hospital to learn more about the condition.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure.
Other symptoms include tiredness to a degree that normal activities are affected; sleep problems and troubles with memory.
Some people also report restless legs syndrome, bowel or bladder problems, numbness and tingling and sensitivity to noise, lights or temperature. Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Niyigena has explained that the condition which is in most cases confused with other diseases is incurable.
“Fibromyalgia causes pain in more than one part of the body. A patient can at the same time feel pain on the nape of the neck, back pain, pain legs, knees, tassels, wrist, ankle and other body joints. The condition is incurable and has no specific treatment. A patient can only get painkillers,” she said.
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Niyigena has explained that doing several physical exercises especially swimming helps to lessen pain. She also advised the general public to seek assistance from health workers for tips on suitable sports depending on their conditions.
“Doing regular sports particularly swimming are helpful. It is better to seek assistance or advice from medical doctors for tips of recommended sports because people should do particular exercises depending on their age,” she noted.
Niyigena also advised patients to avoid pessimism, have enough rest, and sleep appropriately.
As she explained, women aged 30 and above are mostly vulnerable to the condition but it can also affect men.
Baho International Hospital assists patients with the condition using different medical equipment. For more details about the hospital’s services, don’t hesitate to contact: +250 788 125 035.
The ceremony took place yesterday at Bank of Kigali’s headquarters observing COVID-19 preventive measures.
Speaking during the event, the CEO of Bank of Kigali, Dr. Diane Karusisi said that remembering genocide victims comforts survivors highlighting that it also teaches young generation born after the Genocide.
“Commemorating is much needed because we have to restore the dignity to Genocide victims. It is also an occasion to comfort survivors reminding them that they are not alone despite the loss of relatives that we can work together to build the nation. The youth represent the majority of Rwandans. It is hard to advance forward when you don’t know where you are coming from. We have to talk about our country’s history so that they youth can learn from it,” she said.
Dr. Karusisi highlighted that Bank of Kigali shall never abandon genocide survivors and reiterated the bank’s commitment to continue walking with them along the resilience journey.
Egide Nkuranga, the President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors stressed that commemorating genocide victims is a way to restore their dignity and an occasion to reflect on experienced tragic history to prevent reoccurrence.
“Genocide survivors should continue to commemorate victims because it gives them strength to move on, deal with sorrow and trauma,” he noted.
Nkuranga also thanked Bank of Kigali for relentlessly supporting IBUKA in different projects to improve livelihoods and restore hope among survivors of Genocide against Tutsi.
Speaking on behalf of families with employees killed during Genocide, Ambroise Rugamba commended the bank for organizing such event which soothes their hearts.
He urged survivors’ families to stand united as families that share common history.
President Paul Kagame has said that Africa needs to fast track the manufacturing of vital products for COVID-19 prevention and management, noting that it requires support across the world to ensure it is done properly.
The President made the emphasis yesterday as he attended the first anniversary of ‘Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator’.
The Access to COVID-19 Tools ACT-Accelerator is the proven, up-and-running global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and ensure equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatment and vaccines.
It was set up in response to a call from G20 leaders in March 2020 and launched by WHO, European Commission, France, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on 24 April 2020.
President Kagame commended the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for ‘leading this important response to the global pandemic’.
He highlighted that many developing countries received Covid-19 vaccine due to the ACT Accelerator noting that much more is needed to be done to ensure equitable and affordable distribution.
“For many developing countries, the accelerator has been the only way to access life-saving Covid-19 testing kits, vaccines and treatment. As the pandemic continues to evolve often in unpredictable manner, much more needs to be done to remove barriers to affordability and equitable distribution,” he said.
Kagame explained that efforts are underway paving the way for Africa to start manufacturing essential products for COVID-19 prevention.
“In particular, Africa lags behind in the manufacture of vital products for COVID-19 prevention and management. Efforts are on the way to build this capacity but it requires support across the world to ensure that it is done properly and quickly enough to make a difference in the ongoing pandemic and improve preparedness for the next one,” he noted.
Kagame also reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to the goals of the accelerator.
“We will continue to work together with the WHO , and other partners to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic,” he affirmed.
The ACT-Accelerator alliance was launched on 24 April 2020 by WHO, the European Commission, France, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and deliver tests, treatments and vaccines the world needs to fight COVID-19.
“One year after the launch of the ACT Accelerator, world leaders face a choice: invest in saving lives by treating the cause of the pandemic everywhere, now, or continue to spend trillions on the consequences with no end in sight,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom said.
“With a remaining funding gap of US$ 19 billion for 2021 and limited supply of products, we can only end the pandemic by funding, sharing, and scaling-up access to the tools we need to fight the disease. The time to ACT is now,” he added.
Last week, the African Union (AU) signed agreements with WHO aimed at establishing five research centers on African continent helping it to attain envisaged goal of manufacturing 60% of needed vaccines.
The training offered through Leaders in Teaching program was extended to all lecturers at UR-CE including 27 female and 115 male staff.
The Acting Principle of UR-CE, Dr. Florien Nsanganwimana has said that the training reinforces existing program whereby students will start conducting internships from first year until graduation unlike the past when only finalist students would carry out internship.
“I am optimistic that acquired skills will streamline supervision of pre-service teachers to ensure they meet expectations, capacitate them to identify challenges facing schools and seek a solution. It will also positively impact interns and give them confidence given that they have acquired all necessary support to enhance quality education,” he said.
One of trainers, Prof. Wenceslas Nzabalirwa has stressed that teaching profession needs special attention as it is considered the foundation for intellectual development.
“Teaching profession should be prepared enough like health workers are trained and acquainted with hands on skills early without necessary conduct internship at the completion of studies. Teaching is a profession that requires one to attend school and enough preparation for candidates to carry out their duties smoothly,” he said.
Pascasie Nyirahabimana, a lecturer of Physics at UR-CE has explained that the training capacitates them to improve teaching methodologies.
“There are gaps in quality education whereby students fail to familiarize with working environment and put into practice what they learnt. So, revising our methodologies will also impact the performance of secondary school teachers leveraging their knowledge to promote quality education and help their students apply what they learnt in daily lives,” she noted.
Of the US$30 million, $15 million is a grant while $15 million is a credit to be repaid within 38 years.
The financing agreement was signed on Thursday 22nd April 2021 between Rwanda and the World Bank. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce.
The financing will enhance development effectiveness by addressing emerging needs, such as improving access to oxygen therapy, screening for underlying chronic conditions and protecting essential health services.
It will also bolster the capacity of the routine immunization system through investments in human resources, vaccine safety and monitoring as well as outreach activities and communications to sustain vaccine acceptance and uptake.
Minister Ndagijimana has said that the funds will help the Government of Rwanda to cover 60% targeted to be vaccinated by 2022.
“The Government of Rwanda has established integrated system to mitigate COVID-19 effects on the economy of livelihoods of Rwandans. We need to vaccinate at least 60% of the population to fully recover the economy and bring the situation to normal. The funding is a great contribution to achieve this goal,” he said.
This is the second additional financing for the Rwanda COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, bringing a total of $45.19 million in World Bank contributions to the country’s national COVID-19 health response and vaccination campaign.
Rolande Pryce has said that the World Bank is pleased to partner with the Government of Rwanda in COVID-19 vaccination rollout highlighting that it is the foundation for the Government’s program to save people’s lives and fully resume economic activities towards sustainable and inclusive development.
“Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Rwanda has acted swiftly and decisively to save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the crisis with strong results on the ground. The World Bank is pleased to support the government, in collaboration with other development partners, to undertake one of the boldest public health campaigns of our times that aims to vaccinate 60 percent of the population by 2022,” she said.
“The vaccination program is a central piece of the government’s comprehensive plan to save lives and facilitate full reopening of the economy, putting the country back on a path towards more inclusive and sustainable growth. We are privileged to partner in this effort,” added Rolande Pryce.
Rwanda began countrywide vaccination program on 5th March 2021 after receiving 392, 000 vaccine doses through COVAX initiative and donation from India. Since then, over 349,000 people have been vaccinated.
The vaccines were rolled out starting from people whose lien of duties puts them at risks of catching Coronavirus including health workers, security personnel, and journalists as well as people with chronic diseases.
These remains were buried decently yesterday during a ceremony to commemorate Tutsi killed in Gishubi sector for the 27th time.
Some genocide survivors have revealed that burying their relatives decently soothes their hearts.
“We had buried these remains in 2002 in different graves. Burying them in a decent memorial at district level appeases our hearts because we are assured that relatives have received the honor their deserve,” said Innocent Rugayi.
Despite dark moments they went through, Genocide survivors in Gisagara district attest that they have become resilient people who continue to soldier on along the development journey.
“We have attained a remarkable progress along the resilience journey. President of the Republic has introduced inclusive policies promoting education that our children study easily at schools closer to our homes. The Government supports our development, has given us cows milked for children. Our livelihoods have improved,” Janvière Karugara.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors in Gisagara district, Jérome Mbonirema has said that they continue to mobilize people to reveal whereabouts more genocide victims were dumped to begiven decent burial.
The Vice mayor for social affairs in Gisagara district, Clemence Gasengayire has explained that discussions are continued with genocide survivors so that remains of victims laid in old graves can be relocated to the district’s memorial.
Kabuye memorial is home to 50,000 remains of genocide victims including recently relocated ones.
Residents from Mwogo in Bugesera district are among witnesses with stories of transformations considering how kitchen village has improved their children’s livelihoods following cooking demonstrations during which they are acquainted with best practices that drove down malnutrition and eliminated stunting are among children.
These parents have been assisted by community health workers trained by the Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).
Angelique Ahishakiye, a resident of Rukira village, Rugunga cell in Mwogo sector has said that her child had stunting issues and weighed 2 kilograms at the age of two.
Since she joined the village kitchen, her child’s health conditions has significantly improved that he is leading normal life.
“I used to poorly feed my child before coming here. I would mix sweet potatoes and beans thinking they are useful for my child’s growth. When community health workers visited me, my child had already developed malnutrition problems. I was not even aware that there are vegetables rich in nutrients that improve child’s growth,” she said.
“At the kitchen village, we are equipped with best cooking techniques. Before joining the village, I was careless that I couldn’t even wake up to prepare porridge for my child before going to work. I would feed him with cold sweet potatoes cooked last night. The situation has changed today. I prepare porridge in the morning and carry takeaways to feed my child with hot meal in the garden. The child’s conditions have significantly improved that he weighs eight kilograms,” added Ahishakiye.
Josephine Mukandayisenga residing in Gisaso village, Gitaba cell has also revealed that her child was underweight with 5 kilograms when she was aged one year and half.
“My child’s health conditions were deteriorating due to poverty and lack of skills to prepare balanced diet. I have learnt that it does not take huge amounts of money to balance diet. With Rwf 500, I can properly feed my child. I have learnt a lot from cooking demonstrations within the past few days since I joined the kitchen village. As a result, my child has significantly improved, increased weight that I will do whatever it takes to keep the pace,” noted Mukandayisenga.
Drocella Mukarwego, a community health worker in Misatsi village of Gataba cell has said that 68 children in Mwogo sector had malnutrition problems before the program started last year but mothers have been helped that the number reduced to 10.
“We have instruments helping us to detect if children have malnutrition issues or are underweight. It facilitates us to identify children in need of special attention. We bring parents at the village kitchen where they learn from demonstrations to prepare balanced diet. I also tell them nutrients contained in foods we are preparing so that they emulate practices at home being fully aware of what they are doing,” she explained.
The Acting Executive Secretary of Mwogo sector, Jean Muhoza has emphasized that kitchen village and early childhood development centers play key role in fighting malnutrition in the sector.
He also stressed that the sector closely follows up children to identify root causes of malnutrition or stunting to seek a durable solution.
Rwanda is among countries that have ambitious target to reduce malnutrition among children from 33% to 19% by 2024. The goal is expected to be achieved through continuously teaching parents to prepare balanced diet and take good care of their children.
