Following the disaster, Rubavu district and security officials visited the affected residents and assured emergency support.
“We promise support and cooperation to renovate houses that have been destroyed. We also take this opportunity to remind you to build houses with strong roofs and plant trees near the houses to break the wind speed and force, saving your homes,” said the Mayor of Rubavu district, Gilbert Habyarimana.
Located in the neighborhood of DRC valley, Nyirangongo and Karisimbi volcanoes;
Bugeshi, Busasamana and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district often experience strong wind known as ‘Isata’.
Similar hailstorms destroyed 35 houses from Cyanzarwe sector and 12 from Busasamana sector recently as heavy rain characterized by wind fell on 26th September 2020. At the time, affected families received 775 roofing sheets in donation.
“As part of the ongoing nationwide vaccination rollout that has seen more than 230,000 people vaccinated, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame received their COVID-19 vaccines at King Faisal Hospital, “the Presidency has tweeted.
President Kagame and First Lady receive the vaccine; six days after the country began countrywide vaccination program starting with people in advanced ages and others providing essential services.
Since the program kicked off on Friday last week, over 230,000 people have been vaccinated. The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije was present as President Kagame and First Lady received the vaccine.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
As the first shipment of vaccines arrived in Rwanda last week, President Kagame used his Twitter handle to commend the milestone enabling African countries including Rwanda to roll out vaccinations widely.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready…not to mention some ’more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda and more. Thanks COVAX,” he said.
The development follows the construction of 12 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) schools in Rubavu, Huye, Nyanza, Nyarugenge and Rwamagana prisons completed at a cost of over Rwf 4 billion.
Inaugurated yesterday, these schools with all necessary equipment were built on funding of Netherlands Embassy in Rwanda.
RCS Commissioner General, CGP George Rwigamba, said that these schools will facilitate efficient correction and reintegration.
He explained that the first cohort has been attending courses for the past six months in five prisons.
The selection of inmates to attend courses, considers willing inmates and prior background on a particular vocational training program.
“We need to acquaint inmates with additional skills to ensure effective correction. Such vocational skills prepare them for future jobs after completing jail term to lead better life again,” said CGP Rwigamba.
He explained that inmates used to be acquainted with vocational skills depending on available training packages at particular prison. However, newly inaugurated schools will offer vocational packages approved by Rwanda TVET Board which will give them certificates upon graduation.
Umukunzi Paul, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board said that inmates were previously equipped with vocational skills without respecting standard processes.
He highlighted that these schools will enable them to comply with the Curricula approved at national level that an inmate will graduate with a certificate to be used after reintegration.
“We offer six categories of certificates at TVET Board. Inmates will begin courses from different levels depending on prior knowledge. Even illiterate ones can start from scratch and attend short vocational courses. There are secondary school graduates who can start from an advanced level to attend one year or two year courses and receive accredited certificates,” he said.
Umukunzi revealed that inmates meeting requirements will sit for national examinations like other students.
It is expected that TVET Board will cooperate with RCS to offer similar course packages.
Netherlands Ambassador in Rwanda, Matthijs Wolters thanked the Ministry of Justice and RCS for the great initiative to construct vocational schools in prisons highlighting that it will pave the way for employments upon reintegration into the society.
The Minister of Justice and State’s Attorney General, Johnston Busingye has requested inmates to take advantage of presented opportunities to concentrate on courses with a view to apply acquired skills in normal life.
“Many of jailed youth had abandoned studies which might have been among other causes providing loopholes to engage in criminal acts. We believe that providing them with vocational and technical skills can be a solution filling the gap to those who halted studies even if the matter would not be addressed 100%,” he said.
It is expected that ten technical and vocational skills will be provided at these schools. They include mechanical engineering, construction, tailoring, hairdressing, computer science, electronics, plumbing, leathercraft, tailoring, and masonry.
The dazzling islands located in Lake Kivu with appealing lifestyle, Flora, Fauna are part of attractive landmarks luring tourists for prolonged stay in Rwanda.
Kivu the largest lake in Rwanda with two parts one being in Rwanda and the rest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On Rwanda’s side, the lake touches four districts including Rubavu, Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi where different facilities including beach resorts and hotels were set up in the lake’s surroundings for tourists to enjoy seamless sojourn.
The lake is also home to various islands with unique attracting features giving delight to touristic explorations.
To discover more about these islands, IGIHE has spoken to touristic travel company known as ‘Golden Rwanda Safaris Ltd’ to get a deeper insight into the beauty of these islands.
The attractive Flora and Fauna, Bird sighting and hiking are among other things fascinating visitors.
{{Most prominent islands in Lake Kivu}}
{{Nkombo Island }}
Nkombo is the largest island in Lake Kivu extended to 29.7 square kilometers of which 7 km2 are covered by water while the remaining 22,7 km2 land is inhabited.
Nkombo is one of sectors of Rusizi district.
With approximately 2000 population, the eye catching island attracts a large number of people to explore the topographical structure and different trends of their culture like their unique ‘Amashi’ language and ‘Gusama’ traditional dances.
The majority of Nkombo’s residents force their meal upon fishery and trade to DRC. Many tourists are interested to experience the lifestyle of the island’s population found nowhere else in the country.
The island that had lacked infrastructure in the past is currently shining with electricity, safe water, schools, health centers and a hotel.
{{Gihaya Island}}
Gihaya Island is also located in Rusizi district next to Nkombo but it is relatively small. Tourists like visiting the island for hiking exercise and sailing on Lake Kivu.
The island’s lifestyle is similar to Nkombo residents.
{{Akarwa k’Abakobwa}}
The island located in Nyamasheke district holds great history in Rwanda’s history. It is the place where girls with unwanted pregnancies would be dumped in the ancient Rwanda.
Tourists from different corners including women often visit the island to explore the area’s features.
{{Nyamunini Island }}
Nyamunini known as Napoleon Island, is located on the side of Karongi district. It is one of most visited islands due to the presence of eye catching bird species and fruits’ variety.
{{Amahoro Island }}
Amahoro means ‘Peace’. Located on the side of Karongi district, the island is renowned for giving comfort to people seeking calm whose hearts are soothed as they hear to the beautiful symphony of singing birds and fixing glance at waving water.
{{Nyakarwa Island }}
Nyakarwa is located in Karongi district. It is also home to various bird species always whose continues whispers lures tourists to stay.
{{Mpembe Island}}
Located in Karongi district, Mpembe Island is managed by an individual who established a four-kilometer area for people to enjoy foot walks. The place is renowned for giving comfort to visitors exploring its green vegetation with fresh air in the middle of Lake Kivu.
NB: Elaborated islands are the most visited ones as there are many more Islands in Lake Kivu. In 2012, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) revealed that Lake Kivu is home to 250 islands, 56 of them being on Rwanda’s side.
The ruling was read today on Wednesday 10th March 2021 in presence of the suspect who immediately appealed against the decision.
Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
He is accused along with Nsabimana Callixte ‘Sankara’, Nsengimana Herman and 18 other suspects facing terrorism charges.
Appearing before the court in the previous hearing, Rusesabagina claimed that he was abducted and requested his release.
Rusesabagina said that he spent four days with hands and legs tied up adding that he had no legal representation when he was summoned by the prosecution.
He requested for release as awaiting trial in depth.
Among others, Rusesabagina objected that Rwanda Investigation Bureau cooperated with Bishop Constantin Niyomwungere to bring him to Kigali illegally. The prosecution however explained that he was not kidnapped but rather tricked by his friend along the way from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates to Kigali.
During the previous hearing, Bishop Niyomwungere Constantin gave testimonies narrating how he tricked Rusesabagina until they arrived in Rwanda where the suspect was arrested. Niyomwungere said he was shocked by killings committed by Rusesabagina’s armed group FLN which took lives of people in the surroundings of Nyungwe in Nyaruguru district and destroyed properties.
After analyzing Rusesabagina’s request, the court considered that he was not kidnapped but tricked.
The court also read that Rusesabagina was informed before interrogation on 31st August 2020 and decided to respond without defense lawyer.
The court also considered the severity of accused crimes and said, it doesn’t Rusesabagina to be released.
“The fact that Rusesabagina is detained waiting for trial in depth, doesn’t abuse his rights. The court ruled that the appeal against remand is unfounded,” read the court.
Rusesabagina’s lawyer, Rudakemwa Félix immediately appealed against the ruling. “We want trial proceedings halted until things become clear,” he said.
Idamange is accused of crimes including incitement public disorder, assaulting and causing injuries intentionally, denigrating Genocide evidences, and issuing bounced cheque.
Appearing in court recently, the woman denied all charges.
During the previous hearing, Idamange said that she was illegally detained and asked the court to analyze the case and order her release. Idamange claimed, she was never summoned before her arrest.
The Prosecution rejected Idamange’s objections explaining that they had a warrant for her arrest which happened in presence of local leaders.
The Prosecution said, Idamange was brought to court to face justice for alleged crimes committed through talks aired on a YouTube channel.
She was accused of using the platform to incite public disorder and encouraging citizens to organize riots.
Reading the ruling yesterday, the court explained that the decision was based on evidences provided during the previous hearing and legal provisions and Idamange’s video in which she is heard pronouncing words pinning her for suspected crimes.
The judge said that extracts of the video shows Idamange calling upon all citizens to organize riots at Presidency Office to revendicate against the Government of Rwanda, asserting that President Paul Kagame died, that the country is led by a ghost.
The court read that she is suspected of serious crimes which he would continue using social media platforms when released and remanded her for 30 days.
Idamange, 42, was arrested on 15th February 2021 few days after featuring in series of talk shows aired on YouTube where she called on people to wage riots at Presidency Office.
Idamange appeared in court for first time on 4th March 2021 for hearing on remand or release on bail.
Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
Vaccinated population range from the age bracket of 60 and above as well as inmates with chronic diseases.
These inmates expressed delight for receiving the vaccine noting that it is a gesture that the country takes care of them.
“I am overwhelmed with joy for the gesture as I heard that we are among people to be vaccinated. It reflects how President of the Republic loves us so much,” said Mucanda Vital Kivumbi, a 73-year old inmate.
As Kivumbi explained, he was always worried that he might catch Coronavirus due to congested population in prisons but was comforted when selected among first groups of people to be vaccinated.
Nirere Béatrice, 67, said he felt better after receiving the vaccine and thanked the Government for being far sighted to include inmates among first groups.
“Being vaccinated among first groups is something of great importance that induces smile. This gesture evidences how the Government plans for all people including inmates,” she noted.
RCS Commissioner General, CGP George Rwigamba has said that vaccinating inmates is among best ways to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in prisons.
“The vaccine is of great relevance because it is not easy to maintain social distancing in prisons. The vaccination will relive worries of catching new infections. We voice our appreciation to the Government that planned for inclusive distribution of vaccines,” he explained.
It is expected that over 12,000 inmates from different prisons will be vaccinated first while others will follow the suit later.
Rwanda kicked off countrywide vaccination program on 5th February 2021 after receiving 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
So far, over 208,000 doses have been administered.
Having graduated two cohorts already, with a third gearing up to join the Alumni community, Tourism Inc is excited to launch its recruitment of the next group of dynamic young entrepreneurs to join this innovative training program.
Inadequate skills, access to financing, and lack of role models are key challenges that prevent youth from starting and growing a business in Tourism and Hospitality in Rwanda and beyond. In response, Tourism Inc plans to select 25 young entrepreneurs in the fourth cohort to receive the right mix of skills-building, financing, and guidance to grow the next generation of leaders in this sector.
Commenting on the development, Sandra Gatete, Co-founder of City Buddiz and a graduate of the program said that Tourism Inc has been supportive in taking her business to the next level, allowing her team to launch, and manage products with thorough guidance.
“They have trained us to be innovative problem solvers, and with that we have been able to stay in business by launching new services that can still operate regardless of this pandemic. Being part of Tourism Inc has enabled me to collaborate and share ideas with other female entrepreneurs with strong business attitudes, and it has revived my hope that Rwanda’s Tourism industry will survive this pandemic and come back even stronger,” she noted.
Beyond capacity-building and access to finance, the high-performing entrepreneurs in this cohort will also receive seed funding grants to further build their ventures. The program will nurture Rwanda’s innovative Tourism and Hospitality businesses, and inspire them, to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
“ESP’s Tourism Inc program is uniquely designed to develop the next generation of business leaders in Rwanda’s Tourism and Hospitality sector; and we’re already seeing a positive impact in our Alumni community. We are very excited about the continued collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation to empower young people, especially women, through entrepreneurship,” said Charity Kabango, Co-founder and Director at Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP).
“To thrive in a post-pandemic world, the Tourism and Hospitality sector will need the creativity of young people. The Foundation is committed to this ongoing partnership with ESPartners to develop and hone the innovators that will expand the prosperity and opportunity available in this sector,” said Rica Rwigamba, Country Head at the Mastercard Foundation.
ESP is accepting applications now for the fourth cohort of this program. Applicants who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
-* Must be a start-up (or have start-up idea) in the Tourism and Hospitality sector (or supplier to the sector).
-* Must be a young person (18-35 years old).
-* Must be based in Rwanda.
-* Must have a commitment to complete the 6-month program.
-* Women entrepreneurs are highly encouraged to apply.
ESP will be hosting online information sessions to provide interested Tourism and Hospitality entrepreneurs with further details on the program and on how to apply.
{{For more information: }}
Visit the ESPartners website: espartners.co or Contact ESPartners Rwanda by email: thincubation@espartners.co
{{About Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners}}
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) aims to enable innovative, scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Our mission is “to foster entrepreneurial solutions for prosperity.” ESP enables people, firms, institutions, and nations to articulate and implement solutions to their economic challenges.
ESP’s approach is to provide Intelligent Capital™—the right combination of insights and capital—to address critical societal issues. We provide consulting and strategy advisory services to diverse clients, including governments, businesses, and development partners in Africa. We support innovative models and provide leadership training and entrepreneurial boot camps. With offices in Abidjan and Kigali, ESP has been in operation since 2011.
For more information, visit www.espartners.co and follow ESP at @es_partners on Twitter.
{{About the Mastercard Foundation }}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
{{For media inquiries, please contact:}}
{{Isidore Iradukunda}}
ESP Program Manager
iiradukunda@espartners.co
+250 788 406 076
{{Nicolas Emane}}
Partner Program Communication, Mastercard Foundation
From page 44 to 45, the book published in three languages (English, Kinyarwanda and French) shows how the regime of the then President Juvenal Habyarimana silenced and killed some foreigners attempting to denounce preparations of the Genocide.
Many of them were murdered; others were jailed, especially journalists who revealed the truth, for example Kameya André, the editor of the newspaper Rwanda Rushya. It was in this context that Antonia Locatelli was murdered.
Antonia Locatelli, of Italian nationality, was the Director of the Centre d’Enseignement Rural et Artisanal Intégré (CERAI) in Nyamata. Her assassination occurred on the night of March 9-10, 1992, shot dead by a gendarme Épimaque Ulimubenshi.
This Italian educator in Nyamata had welcomed Tutsi refugees fleeing the killers and had alerted several public and private institutions, including the Archdiocese of Kigali on which CERAI Nyamata depended.
Antonia Locatelli had also provided information on the massacres against the Tutsi to Radio France Internationale (RFI). She was killed immediately after the broadcast of her interview in the evening newspaper of RFI. Herkiller was never worried, a sign that it was a remote-controlled act and supported act by the Rwandan regime.
Besides Antonia Locatelli, another foreigner, Brother François Cardinal, a Canadian, who ran the Butamwa Rural Youth Training Center in which young people were acquiring various skills, was also murdered.
He lived in this center with three other brothers including the Canadian Paul Latraversse, Rwandan Karake Evariste and Rwibandira Pierre Servillien.
As stated in the letter dated 2nd December 1992 from Dr. Iyamuremye Augustin, Director General of the Intelligence Service, on the night of 29th to 30th November 1992, Brother Cardinal, aged 50, was murdered by a group of nearly 6 people wearing military uniforms.
He was shot in front of the room he lived in. His assassins then entered his room and stole between Rwf200, 000 and 400,000. The Director General of the Intelligence Service concludes this letter affirming that the population of the region complained of the poor functioning of the security services and the criminal investigation police and suspected that these services were accomplices of the criminals and other offenders.
The assassination of Brother Cardinal does not seem to have surprised those who knew him, in particular diplomats accredited to Rwanda. On November 30, 1992, one day after his assassination, the newspaper Kinyamateka met with diplomats who had visited Butamwa where he was killed.
Kinyamateka reveals that one of these diplomats affirmed that this assassination was foreseeable as long as the brother was repeatedly warned on the phone that he will be killed, and that his killing had been organized by Colonel Elie Sagatwa, the brother in law and personal advisor to President Habyarimana.
The genocide took place in 1994 before the assassins of Brother Cardinal were prosecuted, which proves that in its article, Kinyamateka was correct in claiming that top officials were behind his assassination.
Kagame delivered the message via Twitter handle yesterday as Rwanda joined the rest of the World to celebrate International Women’s Day under the global theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world,” while in Rwanda, the theme was “Women at the forefront in the Covid-19 World.”
“Happy International Women’s Day! Today is a reminder that gender equality is not just a women’s issue. There can be no progress without equal participation and opportunity for all. Each one of us has a role to play to ensure gender disparity and exclusion has no place in our future,” he said.
The International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also making a call to action for strengthening gender equality and accelerating women’s empowerment.
The day has been celebrated during COVID-19 pandemic which has caused unprecedented effects in different aspects of life.
At least 3 million African women lost jobs while 1.3 million stopped applying for jobs in 2020 due to Coronavirus.
Rwanda has been commended globally for efforts in establishing policies and laws aimed at promoting women empowerment in different aspects.
Rwanda is now a global leader in women participation in legislative decision-making positions with 61.3% female members of Parliament and also ranked 9th globally in closing gender gaps according to the Global Gender Gap Report, 2020.
In addition, 53% of the Cabinet members are women, among the Judges and clerks, women stand at 49.7% while in the local government leadership, women occupy 45.2 % as Members of District Councils.
International Women’s Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 9, 1911. More than one million women and men attended the rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.
