This was revealed last week by the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Rwanda, Hazza Mohammed Falah Kharsan Alqahtane in a press conference.
He said that President Paul Kagame visited the UAE several times and met their leadership where he also extended invitation to Prince Zayed to come in Rwanda.
“President Kagame visited the UAE and met leadership and extended an invitation to the Crown Prince to visit Rwanda. We hope that it will be this year. The Prince will come with a big delegation of businessmen from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Emirates to discuss with their counterparts and to know about Rwanda as well as having joint projects,” he explained saying that UAE has competitive business entities in different fields.
Ambassador Alqahtane said that UAE has excellent relations with Rwanda than any other country in Africa.
He described Rwanda as having the safest city, pioneers in ending corruption making the country unique in Africa and all over the World.
“In March 2018 we signed a MoU with the Government of Rwanda to provide twenty scholarships for Rwandan students to pursue their studies in UAE,” he explained.
He said that UAE has also signed Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda to provide training for 100 females in hospitality management.
In November 2017, President Kagame visited UAE and discussed with Prince Zayed on bilateral relations and cooperation issues.
The two were in first instance sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 over genocide crimes and crimes against humanity that they allegedly committed in the former Kabarondo Commune (district) which they consecutively led as Bourgmestres (mayors) from 1977 to 1994. They are especially accused of giving orders to kill over 3,500 Tutsi who had sought refuge at Kabarondo Parish in Kayonza District.
The appeal trial running in the Paris Assize Court from May 2nd to July 6th is expected to receive 100 witnesses including those invoked by the defendants and the plaintiff.
In a tele-press conference organised by Pax Press on the 25th day of the hearing last Friday, Emmanuel Ruvugiro Sehene told the journalists in Kigali that the Paris Assize Court is working tirelessly from 9:00am to 10:00pm every day in order to bring about the final verdict on the appeal by July 6th.
Sehene is in Paris from last month to follow all the hearings in appeal of Ngenzi and Barahira.
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Sehene said that filing their appeal, defendants had claimed to have not received enough time in the first instance to defend themselves but they have now received ample time though witnesses on the plaintiff side still outnumber those on the defence.
“Something new has happened today since the beginning of the appeal trial as anonymous witnesses have appeared for the first time, citing their security concerns. Defendants had tried to avoid those witnesses, saying that they cannot exchange words with the people they are not seeing but the jury took an hour apart and came back with the decision that defendants’ claims were baseless and allowed anonymous witnesses to testify. The first one is done and the second is starting now,” Sehene said on Friday afternoon.
The jury president Xavière Simeoni said the law allows for the protection of witnesses’ identity and both sides in trial can freely ask them their questions.
The male witness named ‘X’ who had a Tutsi wife said that Ngenzi led Interahamwe militia to his home where his sister-in-law was hiding whom Ngenzi ordered the witness to kill in order to spare his wife. The witness who said was convicted with that crime of killing his sister-in-law said Ngenzi who was carrying a pistol forced him to commit that crime.
It was expected for defendants to do investigations in Rwanda but time did not allow. The witnesses including relatives of the suspects are coming from many areas mainly Rwanda and France.
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The court’s jury consists of three judges flanked by nine people who are ready to replace a member of the jury anytime.
The general public and media’s attendance has been very poor since the beginning of the appeal hearings and Sehene says that he has heard that people better attended the first instance and think there is nothing new in the appeal hearings. He said he is always the only reporter in the media area while the audience often consists of three to five people. Witnesses are also often accompanied by three to four people.
Witnesses are insisting on Ngenzi’s incitement of people for killing the Tutsi with some saying they saw him in the killings while others say they never saw him on the killing scenes. Ngenzi and Barahira have consistently denied the charges.
Citing example of testimonies about babies who sacked their dead mothers in the Genocide against the Tutsi, Sehene said that, earlier in other hearings, some witnesses caught trauma as they recount their ordeal during the genocide and testimonies shocked even the defendants and others in the court room that all looked solemn.
Cyasa Habimana Emmanuel, who is serving life sentence over genocide crimes, testified how the genocide was planned in former Kibungo prefecture, currently in Eastern Province.
Cyasa who admitted his role in the killings said that he attended many meetings involving Ngenzi and Barahira among other local leaders that were planning to exterminate the Tutsi.
“I am not testifying to get my penalties reduced but I later recovered my conscious to realize how much we did bad and tarnished our own and country’s image. I feel responsible for witnessing about what I know,” he said.
Referring to the death of President Juvenal Habyaraimana, Cyasa cited a meeting of April 1, 1994 which convened leaders from the sector level to prefecture in which the Tutsi were excluded and Hutu told that they had to revenge after the death of a high profile member of then ruling party MRND.
The National Coordinator of Pax Press, Albert Baudouin Twizeyimana who also attended some hearings last week, said there were important testimonies in the trial which can help Rwandans understand their history and urged media to intensify efforts in reporting justice matters especially those related to the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said that Pax Press, in partnership with RCN Justice et Démocratie, Haguruka and AMI, will attend and report other genocide trials wherever they will take place in the world in the next five years through the project dubbed “Justice et Memoire.”
Ngenzi and Barahira’s life sentence was the stiffest ever handed out to genocidaires by a French court. In 2014, former army captain Pascal Simbikangwa got 25 years in solitary confinement for genocide and crimes against humanity. Ngenzi and Barahira were sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by Rwandan people’s courts, known as “gacaca”, in 2009.
Ngenzi was captured in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, off the east coast of Africa, where he had been living under a false name. Barahira was arrested in 2013 in the south-western French city of Toulouse where he was living.
The sports that takes place twice in a month in Kigali attracts thousands of city dwellers.
The Head of State thanked participants from all generations and wished them healthy lives.
“I can see some young people as well as some elders here. Thank you for participating in today’s physical exercises. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind,” he said.
“I join you today to exercise as well, and wish you all a nice weekend and continued healthy lives,” he added.
In December last year, President Kagame also participated in the sports and requested to increase sports hours.
In January this year, City of Kigali increased the mass sports days to twice in a month.
First Lady was speaking Saturday in Gakenke District of Northern Province where she joined the district residents in the celebration of International Day of the African Child and the World Day against Child Labour.
Worldwide, the Day was marked under the theme ‘Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development’
At the event, Mrs Kagame also visited the ECD centre in Nemba Sector.
She said that the celebration of International Day of the African Child and the World Day against Child Labour should go along with fighting against all challenges that can hamper growth of a child.
“The celebration of those days should go hand-in-hand with striving for the rights of children and fighting anything that could deter them from good growth, this would help them being open minded and positive mindsets,” she said.
Speaking to the programme partners, First Lady, thanked partners in ECD centres for the support in building havens of holistic growth to thousands of Rwandan children, and have given them a chance to prepare for the world.
“When planning for the districts and other institutions’ activities, it is necessary to include ECD programmes because it is a good investment which will facilitate Rwanda have stable economy based on her children skills,” she noted.
A Ministry of Labour study, shows that since 2016, a total of 8,383 children were weaned off child labour and taken back to school or reintegrated in their families.
According to MINAGRI, the disease caused by virus transmitted by mosquitoes first appeared in the province on May 18th.
The disease affects animals like cows, sheep, goats and humans. The ministry says that laboratory tests have revealed 80% of Rift Valley Fever virus in affected cattle.
In a statement, MINAGRI said that they have established groups of veterinaries to treat the affected cows. Currently, a total of 1638 have been treated and 1202 among them were cured.
In Ngoma District alone, the disease killed 66 cows and 168 aborted, in Kirehe 17 died while 159 aborted, in Kayonza nine died while 60 aborted and in Rwamagana seven died while 65 aborted.
According to MINAGRI, efforts to vaccinate cattle that have not been affected were intensified as well as treatment services were made available to cattle with the disease symptoms.
MINAGRI urges people not to consume uninspected meets and to report cases of the disease related symptoms to veterinaries.
Through his twitter account Kagame said that “Happy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims in Rwanda, Africa and the world. May you and your families enjoy this day! EidMubarak!”
Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
In Rwanda the day was celebrated around the country and national event at Stade de Kigali in Nyamirambo where the Muslims were called upon to contribute in the battle against drug abuse among youth.
As part of Made in Rwanda and exports promotion, the government has waived taxes on importation of machinery, textile and leather products raw materials from 10-25% to zero tariff.
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Monica Usaniwabo, the head of Unity Designers, a company that makes clothes, bags and other fashion handicrafts welcomed the budget saying that it incentivises manufacturers.
Usaniwabo’s company imports raw materials to make handicraft. She said waiving off taxes on raw materials will help them increase volume and quality for local and export markets.
“With the tax incentive, we shall produce high value products for both local and international markets,” she says.
For Olivier Benimana, Ben’s Jewellery and Clothing Ltd head, a jewellery, clothing and shoes making company, reduced cost of production will be a big boost to local production. “Importing raw materials and paying import duties would raise cost of the final product which forced price skyrocketing, so clients would prefer buying imported cheaper to the local one,” he said adding that the development comes to solve one of the challenges that have been haunting manufacturers.
Teddy Kaberuka, a local Economic Analyst welcomed the budget saying that it is in line with promoting locally manufactured products.
“As the economic cluster has taken 57% of the budget, it is clear that the government target is to advance economic development. This sector earns the country resources to run other projects,” he says.
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The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana on Thursday read the 2018/2019 budget where the economic cluster covered 57% of the total budget and waived taxes on textile, leather imported raw materials.
Ndagijimana said that the government will develop industries and exportation where they have allocated there a total of Rwf253.5 billion.
He said that among priority activities in this sector include construction of industrial zones across the country, construction of four ports on the shores of Lake Kivu, continue with construction works of first phase of Bugesera International Airport, expansion of RwandAir activities, promotion of tourism with focus on hosting international conferences, raising coffee earnings to USD75 million per year, tea export earnings to USD82 million annually and flower exports by 34%.
Through the harmonization of custom revenues on imported commodities with neighboring countries, Ndagijimana said that the move will help the government to promote Made in Rwanda.
Representing the two airlines during the signing ceremony that took place Thursday was the State Minister for transport in Rwanda, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye and the Minister of State for Trade and Industry in Singapore, Koh Poh Koon.
According to RwandAir’s CEO, Yvonne Makolo, the deal presents an opportunity to foster Africa’s economic development through air transport, and enhancing cooperation with Singapore Airlines, which is experienced in the field.
“Signing this agreement is a golden opportunity in expanding our horizons in Asia. We now fly Mumbai and Guangzhou is a destination that is set for 2019. This will further deepen our cooperation with Singapore, whom we are sure to much learn from,” Makolo said.
The national carrier will be launching three weekly flights from Kigali to Lusaka on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, Tharman Shanmugaratnam who was accompanying the Singaporean Minister of State for Trade and Transport said that he was impressed by the clarity of thinking of the part of Rwanda. He further added that both parties will be sharing experience.
With the new agreement, Singapore Airlines and Rwandair, and subsequently Singapore and Rwanda, position themselves as pioneers of bilateral agreements for air services and promotion of Investments.
This was announced by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana while reading the 2018/2019 National Budget to both chambers of parliament.
Ndagijimana said that all raw materials to use in local industries will pay 0% import duties down from 10% and 25%.
Speaking in a press conference after reading the budget, Ndagijimana said that the government is providing incentives to business people.
“The production of textile is private business, what we do is to provide incentives like providing space in the Special Economic Zones and make the investment cheaper and profitable,” he said.
He said that after the government of Rwanda raised taxes on imported second hand clothes, the move has created domestic demand for Made in Rwanda clothes, and the government is negotiating with producers and new investors to increase production as the market is available.
“What we have to keep in mind is the volume and price because if they are expensive, people may not be able to buy. So, we are focusing on new affordable clothes as well as the volume,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s 2018/2019 budget is Rwf2,443.5 billion, which is Rwf328.2 billion higher compared to Rwf2,115.3 billion in the 2017/18 budget.
Among priority areas, Ndagijimana said that they expect to construct sustainable economy through fast-trucking the development, promoting private sector, knowledge based economy and industrial development where the government has allocated a total of Rwf1389.5 billion, covering 57% of the whole budget.
Government targets to create a total of 216, 217 new jobs, a process which will take Rwf46.7 billion.
On social welfare, the government allocated a total of Rwf668.2 billion, 27% of the budget. The government has allocated a total of Rwf401.5 billion, 16% of the to good governance sector.
At the same occasion, Ngirente also launched of National Research and Innovation Fund which is part of the National Strategy for transformation 2017-2024.
By discussing on how to promote collaboration between the academia and industry, Ngirente said that the symposium will complement the efforts of the Government of Rwanda in identifying key thematic areas and corresponding strategies to support Rwanda’s drive to knowledge based economy.
“It will also advise on how as a country, can efficiently build research and innovation capacity taking academia and industry collaboration,” he said.
On National Research and Innovation Fund, Ngirente said that the fund comes at moment in which Rwanda is working towards becoming a competitive knowledge-based economy.
“The fund will serve as a major research funding vehicle through which the government of Rwanda will support research and research based innovation activities,” he said.
Ngirente said that the rationale behind is to address key needs and tap into identified opportunity towards national growth and competitiveness.
He said that the government will continue to support research and technology with particular emphasis to link young innovators with the labour market.
The Executive Secretary of National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Prof. Manassé Mbonye said that they have been encountering challenges during the research process, but is optimistic that the fund will solve them.
“There are activities that should be in place to be able to use technologies and skills in national development. We should have a good plan of our requirement,” he said.
He said that they need to conduct research on climate change for them to normalize agriculture among other sectors of the economy of the country.
