Kagame was speaking yesterday in Accra, Ghana, where he is attending the African Transformation Forum.
“Today I speak as President of my country but I also wear the hat of AU Chairperson. But to me it is more than that because everything happening on the continent is intertwined and it is important that we highlight things that need to be done that benefit us all,” he said.
Kagame said that to talk about transformation is to talk about people and resources that need to be put to good use.
“We are talking about the management of these resource, the political will and process that must accompany all these actions for us to be where we want to be. It is evident that Africa has all kinds of resources for us to move fast if we want to and there is no excuse, we haven’t found any justification that says Africa has an abundance of natural resources and yet continues to be poor decade after decade,” he highlighted.
“There is no excuse for us to be like this. Therefore the purpose of these discussions is to identify what is it that is critical and examine the mistakes we make that need to be corrected in order for us to move forward and prosper as a continent,” Kagame said.
Kagame mentioned that key components to transformation lie primarily in investing in people, in partnerships between the private and public sector and the policies that have been put in place to help achieve transformation of a continent.
“One thing we must all understand is that it is not just about understanding the problem but how effectively you execute it. We all share a common understanding of these are priorities but execution is where the problem lies and this is a mindset issue,” he noted.
According to Kagame, if the rest of the world is shunning Africa and say they want to be more inward looking, it is a reminder to Africans that the closer they come together and the more intra Africa trade they engage in, the better off they are and the failure to do so bears consequences.
Speaking in a telephone interview with IGIHE, NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza said that the commission continues to conduct different preparatory activities.
“Preparatory activities include receiving individual candidates seeking NEC documents allowing them to collect signatures from voters supporting their candidatures. We have issued the documents and we believe that the process is going well. On Tuesday 19th June, we had already received six,” he said.
Munyaneza said that starting from July 12th to 25th, they will be receiving candidatures from both political parties and independent candidates.
“After receiving candidacies, we shall evaluate them and those who will fill the requirements will start to campaign,” he explained.
Munyaneza said that conducting all elections activities will cost Rwf5.4 billion.
He said that currently the number of voters is about 7.2 million people adding that civic education continues and youth and persons with disabilities have already been sensitized on how they will vote their representatives.
“We are organizing meetings with different institutions which play big part in elections. Tomorrow (Friday) we shall have a meeting with diplomats. We are also organizing another meeting with Civil Society Organisations and we will have another one with Political Parties,” he explained and noted that they are receiving election observers.
The Ministry of Education has committed to taking strong sanctions against students at all levels; nursery, primary and high school, that do carry cellphones at school premises as the devices have been known to deter students from concentrating on the academics.
The move was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Eugène Mutimura on June 12th 2018 in a news conference in Kigali.
The minister said that inspections have indicated that when students use cellphones at schools affects their concentration on studies.
Despite ruining their concentration, Mutimura said cellphones attract unnecessary attention and interactions that end up leading students into using drugs and unwanted pregnancies.
The decision had been announced two years ago, but later allowed their usage on account of using them for research purposes, according to the State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Isaac Munyakazi.
Munyakazi says that students will continue to access them while at home, but urges parents on stringent control.
“At home, parents should also control them and make sure that they are using them for research purposes. If such restrictions are not adhered to, children would be negatively impacted, compromising their studies,” he said in an interview with IGIHE on Thursday.
{{Some school head teachers back the move}}
Lycée de Kigali head teacher, Martin Masabo says that as the government has distributed computers in all schools, therefore no student should possess a phone at school.
“The government distributed computers in all primary and secondary schools, ICT facilities are available. In a case a student needs communication, the school management facilitates them to talk to parents. Some schools also have public cellphones,” he said.
However, Masabo says banning cellphones at school premises should be backed by individual student commitment.
The Head Teacher of Groupe Scholaire Kagugu Catholique, Jean Baptiste Habanabashaka okays the decision on one side, but urges that when telephones are well used, they bring good impact.
“I have some students at my school with mobile telephones which we keep for them. Because the school has internet, students use the phones in research. A cellphone is like a computer, it should be used at school only when conducting research,” he explained.
“For the ministry to completely ban use of phones at school is not a fair decision. They would allow them for research purposes. I think, there would be no problem,” he said suggesting that this would benefit schools which have no computers.
{{No research constraints}}
According to Minister Mutimura, banning cellphones will not affect research interests as all schools, primary and secondary have computers.
“Currently, a total of 950, three quarters of all primary schools around the country have computers with 100 each. In High Schools, 670 schools have computers. In total 67,000 students’ computers were distributed and ICT teachers, too have their computers,” he said.
For Munyakazi, some schools which do not have computers have other ICT materials they use in teaching ICT subject.
{{Parents back the decision}}
Parents support the decision saying it is in line with promoting the quality of education.
Esperance Kabanyana from Kicukiro District in the City of Kigali says that students should differentiate study times from luxury.
“This is a good decision. With students possessing cellphones at school, they spend much time in unproductive dialogues on social networks like WhatsApp and Facebook. Imagine a student seated in class texting and sending pictures, it affects their concentration and quality of learning,” she said.
Another parent Jean Bosco Nsanzamahoro says since internet has reached all corners of the country, phones should be permitted but with stringent regulations at schools.
“My son uses a cellphone searching for knowledge. It has helped him in learning many new aspects and is now performing better. But for some students that use them in other non academic issues should attract school regulation” he considers.
Following the inaugural event in 2016, this year’s Forum brings together leading figures from Africa’s public and private sectors to discuss policies and partnerships that can drive sustainable growth and investment across the continent.
The two-day forum offers an opportunity for the private sector and other non-state actors to engage on ways to help shape the course of economic transformation in Africa.
President Kagame will join the Heads of State panel alongside President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan of Côte d’Ivoire where he will share his vision for Africa’s transformation, including the key role of foreign and domestic investment.
The two Heads of State will later be joined by Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Executive Vice President of Unilever, Yaw Nsarkoh in a panel discussion on the benefits of a strong partnership between the public and private sectors to enact—and maintain—a successful transformation strategy.
During a press briefing, ACET President Dr. K.Y. Amoako commended the event saying “These are exciting times. Too often African economies have missed opportunities to get ahead because they have not worked together or learned from each other. That is changing now, and this Forum is a driving force. It’s a unique event which aims to deliver practical, progressive policies that can drive our economies forward over the next decade.”
The event brings together high-level government officials, CEOs, as well as other leaders from the private sector to discuss solutions and make commitments towards accelerating job growth, boosting investment, and implementing transformation policies.
The project was announced by the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General, Johnston Busingye in a consultative meeting with justice partners on Wednesday in Kigali.
He said that the project comes to support existing services in justice decentralization and empowering the Office of the Ombudsman.
The project which is expected to get underway next month is aimed at creating awareness of right to different services and where to address their problems as well as taking services close to them in villages.
Busingye said that financial constraints have been limiting reach to villages, with most services ending at Access to Justice Offices (MAJ) at district level.
Under the project, the Office of the Ombudsman staff will be trained on reaching the people and explaining to them about access to information law.
The Deputy Ombudsman, Odette Yankurije said that they usually work closely with people, but it is not efficiently done as they wished to because of limited funding.
“In this project we intend to work closely with our beneficiaries, people, train them and buying new equipment that would help us to serve them efficiently,” she said.
The European Union Ambassador to Rwanda, Nicolas Bellomo said that they will invest Euro 8 million.
“Rule of law and justice descentralization is the cornerstone of development. We believe that it will raise the pride of the country and help attract traders and investors who desire to work in a country with a good justice system,” he explained.
Uwizeye was speaking Tuesday in a consultative meeting with senators on Continental Free Trade Area and protocol to the treaty establishing the African Economic Community relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment.
She said that currently, a total of 31 countries have signed the protocol and ratification process continues.
Uwizeye explained that currently, member countries are discussing on use of common passport as primary achievement in the protocol implementation.
“Member states are discussing on formula and content of African Passport so that countries will start producing and issuing them to their people,” she explained.
The implementation process will be facilitated by the African Union Commission (AUC) for effective success.
On Rwanda’s side, Uwizeye said that people will start using the passport in January 2019.
“We expect that in January 2019, this passport will be issued and I mention this particularly to our country,” she said.
Uwizeye said that in July, the last conference to decide on the passport will take place in Nairobi, Kenya.
The African Union Passport is a common passport document that is set to replace existing nationally-issued African Union member state passports and exempt bearers from having to obtain any visas for all 55 states in Africa.
Initially, it was launched on July 17th, 2016 at the 27th Ordinary Session of the African Union that was held in Kigali in Rwanda by the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Chadian President Idris Deby.
The attack took place in the night of Tuesday, 19th June 2018, on the premises of Nyabimata sector Offices, where they shot the executive secretary of the sector and burned her car.
Speaking to IGIHE, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Kayitesi Collette, confirmed the attack adding that authorities were pursuing the culprits.
“The attack took place around 11:30 and 12 PM. Two locals were shot to death while they burnt the car of the Executive secretary who at the moment is at the hospital. They stole a computer from Sacco but did not steal any money.” She said.
The act of violence takes place a week after some criminals armed with guns attacked civilians of Ngera sector in Nyaruguru district and injured them, stealing their properties including money, Television and other items.
IGIHE reporter visited the injured at Kabutare Hospital, in Huye District; where they confirmed that they had been attacked by a gang of 30 men who were wielding machetes, knives, with one of them using a gun.
The survey identifies investor perceptions of Rwanda as an investment destination with a focus on export oriented companies in eight economic sectors: Tea, Horticulture, Agro-processing, Minerals, Manufacturing, Tourism, ICT and Healthcare.
The report makes specific recommendations for the Rwanda Development Board, as well as a recommendation on an analytical framework and methodology that can be replicated and implemented by RDB in future.
The report points to the country’s stability and regulatory environment as key factors influencing the high confidence investors have expressed in establishing operations in Rwanda. When considering locations for foreign direct investment in Africa, Rwanda was ranked 8th by international investors.
A significant percentage of international investors expressed positive sentiment, stating that Rwanda presents an attractive market opportunity with good security. More than 92% of existing investors have plans to invest further in Rwanda, with 45% of them interested in expanding via a joint venture and 42% via a strategic partnership.
However, the report also draws attention to areas for potential improvements for Rwanda as an investment destination. These include, the perception of Rwanda as having a small consumer market and high costs of transport, finance, and electricity particularly for those in manufacturing.
The report indicates that 79% of investors cited the quality of labor as a further limitation for their operations.
Commenting on the survey Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board said the report recommends to government on areas to invest more resources.
“Rwanda welcomes the Investor Perception Survey because it not only helps highlight what makes our country an attractive destination for investment, it also provides an important tool for the Government of Rwanda about where we should invest additional resources in order to attract further Foreign Direct Investments,” she said.
Ignace Bacyaha, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Resident Representative in Rwanda said that Rwanda’s efforts in investment has transformed the country.
“The World Bank Group commends Rwanda for its efforts to continue improving its investment climate, which has made Rwanda one of the leading reformers on the African continent,” he said.
The international survey built a database of over 600 international company in the target sectors based on a range of sources that confirms company profiles as potential investors. 42% of companies were happy to be contacted by RDB to discuss Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) opportunities in Rwanda.
Existing investors have good perceptions on the RDB’s performance. On a 10-point scale, 33% rate RDB’s performance at 9 or 10 (Very Good). 36% of respondents suggested that RDB focus more on aftercare services and 17% suggested that the RDB improve coordination with other government institutions.
The growth according to NISR is attributed to 8% growth of agricultural production by 7% for industries and services by 12%.
Speaking at the launch of the GDP figures for the First quarter of 2018, the NISR Director General, Yusuf Murangwa said that GDP at current market prices was estimated at Rwf1,985 billion up from Rwf1,816 billion in the previous year.
Export growth reached 46% due to good productivity of tea and coffee.
Murangwa said that generally, industrial production increased, but on beverages and tobacco was reduced by 2%.
“Industrial growth is attributed to infrastructure activities that grew by 8%, industrial production by 9% and textile production by 24%,” he explained.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said that it is the second consecutive double digit growth.
“We registered 10.5% growth in the fourth quarter of 2017. Going forward we hope to keep the momentum,” he said.
The auction that was held at the factory’s premises located in Gikondo industrial area in Kigali was postponed since last Monday as the leadership of the factory had rejected the value that was given to their property in the valuation commissioned by Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).
Eight clients contested in the auction of the machines used in tobacco processing but none said a thing after Bailiff Védaste Habimana announced the base price that was offered by MM & RGD Company Ltd which was represented by Olivier Udahemuka.
The auction intends to recover the balance on tax arrears amounting to Rwf6 billion that PTC evaded in the period spanning from 2012 to 2017, according to RRA
Anne Rwigara who represents her family’s business rejected the entire auction and the price which she said was too smaller compared to the real value of the auctioned machines and said they will keep challenging the auction of their properties in the court of law.
“We reject that price as PTC and it is in our legal rights. The auction was expected last Monday and you said you allowed us to do our own valuation but you never allowed us and our valuers in the factory to do it. This auction illegal,” she said, adding that the machines have at least five times that price offered.
Habimana who conducted the auction said that they informed PTC leadership that they were allowed to do their own valuation for a one-week period but they never did it.
“All legal procedures have been respected in this auction. PTC leader is, therefore, not allowed to stop this auction. For the property’s owner to exercise the rights of rejecting the price, that price must be below 75% of the base price but now, the base price has become the final price paid for the property,” he said.
Habimana added that it seemed that, by rejecting the valuation which was set by the professional valuers, PTC just wanted to delay the auction. We have
The auction of the factory’s machinery follows yet another of March 28 in which the factory’s tobacco amounting to 7,195 cartons were auctioned at Rwf512 million to Murado Business Ltd.
At the auction, however, the Rwigara family was not contented with the Rwf512 million either, saying the tobacco had a value of around Rwf1 billion but Bailiff Habimana who presided over the auction said all was in line with the laws.
Anne Rwigara said the auction was conducted illegally and had earlier tried to challenge the seizing of the tobacco stocks and other properties in Nyarugenge Commercial Court which ruled in favour of RRA.
With both auctions, RRA has now recovered Rwf2.3 billion out of Rwf6 billion that it claims from PTC as tax arrears.
Speaking to IGIHE immediately after the first auction in March, RRA Commissioner General, Richard Tusabe had said that RRA would auction any of the Rwigaras’ properties until all the tax arrears are recovered.
