The European Union (EU) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) recently signed a grant contract to support and increase digital based employment opportunities in high potential economic sectors through these hubs.
This is financed from the EU’s programme to support private sector development and job creation in Rwanda adopted in 2020.
HANGA Hubs will provide space and support for young labour market entrants and start-ups to adopt innovative technologies to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and growth.
Commenting on the development, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, Amb. Nicola Bellomo said that HANGA hubs will help aspiring young entrepreneurs to react to market demands.
“Start-ups can significantly transform and strengthen the economy. They may be small, but they are dynamic, flexible and able to react to market demands. Going by its meaning, HANGA or “Create” hubs will be the home for creative, innovating start-ups, where aspiring young entrepreneurs will find support and help of other entrepreneurs, role models, mentors and fellowships along their journey,” he said.
The HANGA hubs project will be implemented by the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) in close collaboration with ICT Chamber and several other players in the ecosystem. This project will address gaps in Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem limiting the pipeline of start-ups and innovations, namely lack of tech-entrepreneurship support and access to services for tech-based innovative start-ups.
“This intervention is timely and aligns well with our Government efforts to strengthen and expand the tech-enabled innovation ecosystem in Rwanda. This initiative seeks to ensure that opportunities for tech-innovation and start-up incubation are made easy and equally accessible for all young innovators regardless of where they are located in the country,” said Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation.
“The project will target potential entrepreneurs with constructive ideas and solutions in key sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, financial services, tourism and hospitality, construction, education, and many others,” she added.
Hanga Hubs Project is expected to support over 768 young Innovators to undergo a 9-month incubation program, which will result into creation of 192 start-ups.
Support services that would be offered to innovators in the 4 HANGA Hubs will range from business support; market and customer validation support ; Business-to-business (B2B) matching; networking and exposure trips to allow incubated start-ups to attain an early growth stage that could trigger investment.
The vaccines are distributed through COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, codenamed AZD1222, is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca given by intramuscular injection.
One dosing regimen showed 90% efficacy when a half-dose was followed by a full-dose after at least one month, based on mixed trials with no participants over 55 years old.
Another dosing regimen showed 62% efficacy when given as two full doses separated by at least one month.
On 30 December 2020, the vaccine was approved for use in the United Kingdom’s vaccination programme, and the first vaccination outside of a trial was administered on 4th January 2021.
As he received vaccines, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said that vaccination program has already started in Rwanda.
“We plan to vaccinate 7.8 million Rwandans. You know that many countries need vaccines but we are doing all the necessary to get them to vaccinate Rwandans as soon as we can and return to normalcy,” he said.
Dr. Ngamije has revealed that targeted people to be vaccinated effective from 5th March 2021 include health workers, frontline worker, elders above the age of 65 living with chronic diseases are.
He highlighted that 7.8 million Rwandans will have been vaccinated not later than June 2022.
Received vaccines will be distributed countrywide effective Thursday 4th February 2021 whereby targeted persons will be communicated to get vaccinated at health centers.
Rwanda also awaits 102 960 Pfizer vaccines today evening while more 500,000 vaccines are expected next week.
The country will receive batches of vaccines every month in proportion to the number of people to be vaccinated.
So far, a total of 249 million vaccines have been distributed globally.
Father Rugirangoga is renowned for divine healing prayers, psychiatric as well as unity and reconciliation initiatives. He died in the United States in January from respiratory complications stemming from Covid-19.
His body was flown to Rwanda in the night of Saturday 27th February 2021.
On 1st March 2021, a farewell mass read by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda was held at Regina Pacis Catholic Church in Remera before Rugirangoga’s body was taken to Mushaka parish for burial on 2nd March 2021.
As he paid tribute to late Rugirangoga, Kambanda said that Ubald was characterized by a sense of responsibility to re-build the Rwandan community highlighting that the deceased left a good legacy of striving for peace, unity and reconciliation.
The requiem mass held at Mushaka Parish today has attracted clerics, Christians, relatives and friends to bid farewell to late Father Rugirangoga before laying him to rest at Agasozi k’Ibanga ry’Amahoro (Hill of Secrete to Peace) located in Kamatita cell, Gihundwe sector, Rusizi district of Western Province.
The hill of 25 hectares is located in Nkanka Parish, Cyangugu Diocese. It was conceived by Father Rugirangoga who sought to establish a center where people will gather for to pray for a peaceful world and forgive each other.
The mass was also attended by Katse Long, a US resident and friend to late Ubald who escorted his body on a plane to Rwanda.
Church services were led by the Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Cyangugu Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin Bishop Hakizimana along with the Bishop of Ruhengeri Diocese, Vincent Harorimana.
Bishop Hakizimana has said that Father Rugirangoga helped many people to model unity and reconciliation and healed wounds through psychiatric initiatives.
He comforted those he helped not to sink into sorrow noting that Rugirangoga has gone in God’s safe hands.
“Those he helped through psychiatric initiatives should not feel despaired because they have an interceder by the side of God,” he said.
Rugwizangoga Revelien, the brother to Father Rugirangoga has said that his elder brother was a zealous and dedicated person with kind heart and unconditional love towards people throughout his entire life.
Rugirangoga is a son of Kabera Jacques and Mukaruhamya Anesia. The had sired together four children, of whom one was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“My elder brother has been a caring person, a parent, a good friend and great advisor with outstanding experience you are aware of. During his service as a priest, I am sure that he was a good advisor and friend to everyone. His heart and house were always open,” said Rugwizangoga.
The mayor of Rusizi district, Kayumba Ephrem revealed that Father Rugirangoga had good collaboration with local leadership in his functions where he would notify them of activities he is organizing or advice the district on planned activities.
“You have departed early but God has loved your more. We are assured that the Hill of Secrete to Peace will always be blessed because of your advocacy. May Your Soul Rest In Peace,” he said.
In his message on behalf of the clergy, Bishop Hakizimana condoled with relatives of late Father Rugirangoga, Christians, Rwandans and their friends especially those who had a pact of friendship with Ubald.
He requested Christians and clerics to emulate his good deeds and take on his work praying for patients and promoting unity and reconciliation.
Bishop Hakizimana also thanked Ketsey Long who stayed closer with Ubald for tyeh past 12 years, Les Amis d’Ubald (Friends of Ubald) among others who provided support to repatriate his body to Rwanda.
Ketsey Long also received a gift in souvenir of late Father Rugirangoga.
Father Rugirangoga has prayed for many patients some of whom recovered from sight problems, HIV/AIDS, Diabetis among other incurable or hardly curable diseases.
He always attributed the healing to Jesus.
Speaking to IGIHE in 2015, Father Rugirangoga revealed that he started healing prayers in 1987 when he was a young priest. “Later in 1991, I started seeing visuals and hearing strange voices speaking to me. In the four previous years, I used to pray for people who would come to tell me that they have recovered,” he said.
Niyibizi Verena from Kicukiro district recently said that he recovered from heart disease in 2015 after attending Ubald’s healing prayers. He had suffered from the disease for nine years that hospitals in Rwanda, Kenya, Belgium and Germany had failed him.
Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born in February 155 in former Rwabidege sector, Mwezi parish in Commune Karengera, Prefecture Cyangugu currently in Rusizi district. He was ordained priest in 1984 at the age of 29. He used to organize different gospel crusades in which many people healed from different diseases.
In 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution to unity and reconciliation initiatives that started in Mushaka Parish and extended countrywide.
Among others, Father Rugirangoga encouraged Genocide perpetrators to seek forgiveness and survivors to forgive offenders as a healing process from the wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2019, Father Rugirangoga wrote a book dubbed “Forgiveness Makes You Free” aimed at consolidating Rwandans unity and reconciliation efforts.
Prior to his death early January 2021, Ubald was the head priest at Mushaka Parish and had requested his Bishop to be assigned in a parish where he could easily pray for mass public and help them along unity and reconciliation journey.
He has been a priest for over 32 years and died at the age of 62.
These VUP beneficiaries are from Bushekeri sector of Nyamasheke district, Western Province employed in road maintenance works. From their wages, each of them has saved Rwf 30,000 for a period of one year and bought preferred small livestock.
Bought livestock include pigs, goats, sheep and chicken. Beneficiaries have revealed that these livestock will usher them into economic growth and uplift them from the current social classification category of vulnerable residents to become self-reliant people.
“We are optimistic that these livestock will enhance our economic growth. We shall utilize well compost and sell offspring to generate income. It will particularly help me to graduate from the current social class category,’ said Twagiramungu Naasson, one of beneficiaries.
Uzayisenga Jeannette expressed confidence that her livestock will help her afford school fees and graduate from poverty.
Indemarugamba Felix said that the small livestock will be reared properly and continue embracing saving culture until he buys cattle.
“We earn little payments but we understand the relevance of being far sighted to prosper. That is why VUP beneficiaries should not be stuck in the first Ubudehe category but rather should work hard to graduate from poverty. I will take care of the livestock to produce compost and continue embracing saving culture to buy a cow,” he noted.
Yvan Munezero, the executive secretary of Bushekeri sector has explained that farmers were advised to get insured under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme for to avoid losses.
“It will help beneficiaries to cater for basic needs without reliance on Government’s support. Insuring their livestock will help them to get compensations in case of losses. We agreed with them not to sale livestock but rather grow them to produce offspring and generate income,” he said.
The program was launched for the first time in Macuba sector towards the end of 2020.
As he visited Nyamasheke residents recently, the Minister of Local Government , Prof. Shyaka Anastase extolled residents for initiating the program and urged other sectors and districts to emulate it.
Upon arrival in India, the child was diagnosed with ‘rare disease’ known as ‘William syndrome’ and underwent heart surgery two times for improved health conditions.
‘Rare diseases’ are characterized by a wide diversity of symptoms and signs that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
Williams syndrome is believed to be a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.
The child grew with such health conditions and taken to school but the disease prevented him from being concentrated on studies like colleagues appropriately.
Parents sought an alternative, and looked for a private tutor taking care of him alone.
The alternative yielded big that the child’s intellectual capacity developed and became literate. Today, he is attending vocational trainings like computer science, repairing damaged apparatuses and doing artistic works among others.
Parents were delighted with their child’s progress that the father decided to help children with similar conditions to educate them with special attention on areas suiting their capability.
There are various types of rare diseases including ‘William syndrome’, ‘Achalasia’, ‘Trisomy 21’ and ‘Autism’ among others.
Figures from World Health Organization (WHO) show that 300 million people suffer from such diseases worldwide.
Due to the low prevalence of each disease, medical expertise is rare, knowledge is scarce, care offerings inadequate and research limited. This exposes patients to limited healthcare access and proper education.
Health experts show that people with such conditions need special attention to unleash their potential but such facilities taking care of them are rare in many countries including Rwanda.
It is under this context that Manzi and his wife Uwimbabazi decided to impact the society after realizing that their child was improving.
Speaking to IGIHE, Manzi has said that the disease couldn’t allow her child to study advance courses with others and decided to provide special education.
“Our child caught the disease at early age and failed to concentrate on studies like colleagues. The time came when colleagues went to study in secondary schools but the child stayed at home. He would join others in class but couldn’t stay focused with the disease. I later contacted a private teacher for tutoring. The child is currently literate and has acquired basic skills,” she said.
Inspired by her child’s improvement, Manzi established ‘Centre Alliance’ to take care of children with similar conditions.
“I have founded the center to acquaint children with basic life skills including how to read and write. The center will, among other things, help children to socialize and get familiar with the society. We will also engage with parents to comfort them and offer course packages on rare diseases helping parents to take care of children,” she revealed.
Manzi requested parents rush to register their children to the center to get assistance.
“Some parents stigmatize children with such conditions and isolate them yet they are able to achieve great things if they potential is unleashed,” she said.
Rwanda joined the world to celebrate Rare Diseases Day on 28th February 2021. In Rwanda, it was celebrated under the theme ‘I can’t make it alone, but we can achieve great things together’.
The court moved to Kacyiru following the recent relocation of the Ministry of Justice to the building in which the Office of the Prime Minister is headquartered.
The Court of Appeal also moved along with the Supreme Court in the same premises.
The former buildings in which these institutions were operating in Kimihurura are set to be demolished to develop a multibillion environmental-friendly complex known as ‘Inzovu mall’ at premises that used to house the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court in Kimihurura, near Kigali Convention Centre.
The complex mall to be developed by Groupe Duval will be home to ‘Odalys City Business Apart Hotel’ with 140 service apartment rooms, conference rooms, offices, entertainment and exhibition areas.
It will also have Cinema rooms, markets, shops, bars and restaurants, Forex Bureaus, natural areas, children areas, playgrounds, pharmacies, clinics and others.
Groupe Duval is a French company established in 1996 by Eric Duval. With 25 years experience investing in real estate, it currently has over 4000 employees. It has so far earned over $ 700 million from executed projects.
The company has been constructing eco-friendly buildings in Rwanda through its subsidiary ‘Duval Great Lakes Ltd’ led by Vicky Murabukirwa. Groupe Duval has huge investments in real estate, hospitality and food processing among others.
The project will be implemented on 26,000 square metres where green technologies will also be integrated. The plot of land where the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court are headquartered was handed to these investors as published in the Official Gazette of 26th April 2020.
Construction activities for the multibillion project are expected to start this year, once businesses operating in the buildings have relocated.
It is expected that the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) operating at these premises will also move to new offices in Remera nearby headquarters of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG).
Kagame revealed this yesterday during the second summit of Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development on Africa continent. The theme of this year’s Forum is “recovering stronger and building better” from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented negative effects on and slowed down economic growth on African continent and took lives of many.
Despite effects of Covid-19, Kagame highlighted lessons that African continent can learn from the pandemic to be able to stand firm in similar future situations.
“No topic is more urgent for Africa. Let me offer a few thoughts on the way forward. First, the pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of increasing domestic health financing on our continent,” he said.
“National health systems have been the backbone of pandemic response on our continent. As I highlighted in my last report to the African Union as the Champion for Domestic Health Financing, tools are available to help governments not only spend more, but spend better,” added Kagame.
Besides increasing domestic financing, the President also requested African countries to strengthen the capacity of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“Second, Africa’s continental health institution, the Africa CDC, has proven its value during this pandemic. It has helped secure and distribute test kits and protective equipment, collected epidemiological data, and supported the collective procurement of supplies and vaccines. We must further strengthen Africa CDC to ensure its autonomy and effectiveness,” he underscored.
Kagame also urged African countries to fast track the signing and ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty ‘so that it comes into force, as soon as possible’.
He emphasized that Africa should support the Continental Free Trade Area expected to fast track economic recovery.
“Third, we must double down on implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area, as the key strategy for rebuilding better,” said Kagame.
“In that context, creating robust continental supply chains for pharmaceutical manufacturing is essential for Africa’s future health security. Finally, Africa should speak with one voice on the importance of global vaccine equity, both now and in the future,” he added.
The development is aligned with the firm’s commitment to continue rendering improved health services.
Joseph Ndagijimana, Zipline Rwanda General Manager has told IGIHE that the program will draw emphasis on patients with chronic diseases.
“We are planning to deploy drones to patients’ homes in real-time. There are patients with chronic diseases like Diabetis, or Cancer taking medicaments every day and are aware of prescribed drugs without need to consult the medical doctor every day. We are developing a program in collaboration with Partners in Health so that we can start deploying drones to deliver drugs to some of these patients with difficulties to pick medications at hospitals,” he said.
Ndagijimana explained that the program might start in the next two months.
“We have started applying for licensing from Civil Aviation Authority and expect to start delivery in the next two months,” he noted.
It is said the development is meant to reduce exhausting treks that patients would make to reach hospitals.
Ndagijimana has assured that Zipline continues to introduce more innovative programs to improve health services.
“We continue to draw emphasis on health sector to transform people’s lives which aligns with our mandate,” he revealed.
It is said that patients might pay for delivery cost or have the service integrated into health insurances for subsidized cost.
Zipline started operations in Rwanda in 2016. It has two distribution centers based in Kayonza district, Eastern Province and Muhanga district in Southern Province.
Somalia and DRC have been pushing to join EAC whereby the bloc is assessing their request to join existing country members including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.
During the 21st EAC Heads of State summit held on 27th February 2021, the bloc tasked the Council of Ministers to fast track the assessment to identify if DRC meets admission requirements.
It is expected that new and existing members including Rwanda will benefit from the integration from different areas.
A political expert, Dr. Ismael Buchanan has told IGIHE that there are several benefits Rwanda can reap from DRC integration and vice versa. For instance, he pointed out enhanced foreign relations and security among others.
“You know that DRC has been engulfed by insecurity with the presence of rebel groups. It is possible that the collaboration of EAC country members can restore security in the region. Rwanda has several advantages to pull from DRC membership even though the latter also has a lot to learn from EAC,” he said.
“Usually, these countries have cooperation agreements in many ways. If there are standby forces to intervene in peace restoration without long processes, it is obvious that cooperation is key to putting an end to incessant wars,” added Buchanan.
Buchanan explained that these countries’ membership can reinforce efforts to defeat some of armed groups operating in DRC intending to destabilize Rwanda like FDLR and FLN among others.
“It doesn’t put completely eradicate these groups. It is apparent that political is necessary to eradicate an armed group like FDLR but integration can shake the group’s strength. Real cooperation between both countries can be fruitful to fight these groups if they are under one bloc,” he said.
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Teddy Kaberuka, an economic expert has told IGIHE that Rwanda will also benefit from economic development through facilitating free movement.
“You know well that EAC has ratified trade agreements exempting import duties. This means, custom duties for DRC imports will be exempted. Our exports to the country will also get boost because custom duties will have been exempted on both sides. In fact, it can promote trade between both countries and enable traders to reap bigger returns,” she said.
EAC is a regional intergovernmental organisation of 6 Partner States: the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC is home to 177 million citizens, of which over 22% is urban population.
With a land area of 2.5 million square kilometres and a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$ 193 billion (EAC Statistics for 2019), its realisation bears great strategic and geopolitical significance and prospects for the renewed and reinvigorated EAC.
The work of the EAC is guided by its Treaty which established the Community. It was signed on 30 November 1999 and entered into force on 7 July 2000 following its ratification by the original three Partner States: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Rwanda and Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18 June 2007 and became full members of the community with effect from 1 July 2007. The Republic of South Sudan acceded to the treaty on 15th April 2016 and become a full member on 15th August 2016.
As one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs, the EAC is widening and deepening co-operation among the partner states in various key spheres for their mutual benefit. These spheres include political, economic and social.
In his remarks, President Kagame noted that the positive examples of cooperation through the East African Community institutions has played a role in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that ‘the regional focus now should be on rebuilding stronger than before, with closer regional cooperation as a pillar of our resilience and prosperity’.
During the summit, President Kagame handed over the chairmanship of the East African Community to the new chairperson, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.
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-* Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Chairperson of the Summit
-* Excellencies, Heads of State and Government
-* Secretary-General
-* Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I first wish to congratulate the new Chairperson of the Summit, my brother President Uhuru Kenyatta.
I also extend a warm welcome to our new Secretary-General, Dr Peter Mathuki. We look forward to working closely with you.
I thank our outgoing Secretary-General, Ambassador Libérat Mfumukeko, for his dedication and service to our organisation, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Let me also thank the Heads of State, as well as the East African Community Secretariat, for the cooperation afforded to Rwanda during our tenure as Chair.
This has been a year like no other, for East Africa and for the world.
Our health systems have been challenged like never before, and the disruption to travel and trade has been significant.
This situation has had real impacts on the well-being and livelihoods of our people.
However, the positive examples of cooperation we have seen, through our East African Community institutions, has played a role in mitigating the effects of the pandemic.
Our focus now should be on rebuilding stronger than before, with closer regional cooperation as a pillar of our resilience and prosperity.
Let us continue in this spirit, and actually do even more and better, together.
