After the discussion between both heads of states, Netanyahu wrote on his twitter handle that they agreed to open Israel’s embassy in Rwanda.
” With Rwandan President Paul Kagame today. I informed him that Israel will open, for the 1st time, an embassy in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. This historic step comes as Israel is expanding its presence in Africa and deepening its cooperation with countries across the continent,” tweet reads.
The embassy is set to further deepen diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two nations.
The two nations have enjoyed warm bilateral ties over the years with their cooperation touching various developmental and diplomatic aspects. These include agriculture, technology and innovation, business among others.
Rwanda’s embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel was established in 2015. The Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is the one covering Rwanda so far.
As Kenyatta took oath of office for his second term in office, Kagame said Kenyans deserved Kenyatta’s victory.
“People of Kenya, I have come to congratulate you, congratulations! The people of Rwanda send you their greetings and congratulations for your well-deserved election victory. Congratulations!,” reads the office of the President’s tweet.
Kenyatta is going to serve his second and last term that will end in 2012.
Kagame is among ten heads of states that attended the ceremony including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ian Khama of Botswana, John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Mohamed Farmajo wa Somalia, and Ethiopia Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
According to the Director General in charge of Trade at MINICOM Robert Opirah, women have been grouped in cooperatives and reduced informal trade which raised taxes that the country earns from their businesses.
Opirah was speaking Monday in a conference that brought together countries that share borders with Rwanda. The conference intended to assess challenges cross-border women traders face and measures to solve them.
“Cross-border business is being done by a big number of women, Rwanda earns over $170 million from them every year,” he explained.
He said that in a need to promote such businesses, the government of Rwanda has constructed three cross-border markets in Cyanika, Burera District; Kanyaru, Huye District and in Karongi District.
According to Opirah, they target to construct more markets on the borders of Rusumo, Kagitumba, Gatuna, Rusizi I&II and Nemba Border in Bugesera.
Speaking in the conference, the advisor to the minister in theDemocratic Republic of Congo’s Trade Ministry, Solange Umulisa said that unawareness in women engaged in the business is still a big challenge to their country.
“They are unaware of border posts services. Most of the time both countries sign agreements that seeks to promote their businesses but you find that they are unaware of them,” she said
She said that they will continue to explain more about Border Posts services so that they will continue to develop their businesses.
Though cross-border businesses among women on Rwanda’s side are commendable, the Executive Secretary of Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, an umbrella of Rwandan civil society organizations aiming at advancement of women status, peace building and sustainable development, Emma MarieBugingo said that women in the business still face some challenges.
“They claim disproportions of hours these border posts operate. Take an example, Rwanda can operate 24 hours but other countries may not be on the dot,” Bugingo said.
Innovation and creativity knows no boundaries, and that has never been more evident than in this year’s Smart Service Awards winners.
The Best News Publishing Website award recognize publishing websites that have created ground-breaking digital products that engage readers while increasing online business.
IGIHE came at the top of all the other publishing websites with 37.7% of votes from the Public. IGIHE is considered by most, as perhaps one of the best digital display for news in Rwanda.
The awards were handed during a function held at Park Inn Hotel venue on 25th November. Among the different winners recognized were Bank of Kigali as the best Twitter Brand, SORAS as the Best Insurance Company, TV 1 as the Best TV Station, among others.
Smart Service Awards, which are now in their second year, focus on showcasing the hard work and commitment of the many businesses, departments and individuals across the country, who not only keep clients’ wishes at the top of their game, but also are innovation-driven and potentially, changes the environment all for the better.
The 2017 Awards covered about 30 sub-categories aligned to the tech/digital expertise areas: Social Media, hospitality, Customer care, Digital Technology, Media, Marketing and academics among others.
{{List of the 2017 edition of the prestigious “Smart Service Awards” winners.}}
{{Best Employment Web:}} Job In Rwanda
{{Best Online Shopping Website:}} Groce Wheels
{{Best Hub/Lab:}} Fab Lab
{{Best Radio Station: }} City Radio
{{Best Tech Company:}} BK Tech House
{{Best Mobile Application:}} U Plus
{{Best Technology Institution:}} UTB
{{Twitter Brand:}} Bank of Kigali
{{Facebook Brand:}} Itel
{{Best Bar and Restaurant:}} Just Chill
{{Best Airline:}} Ethiopian Airlines
{{Best Magazine/Journal Online}}: Hope Magazine
{{Best TV Station:}} TV 1
{{Media Personality}}: George Ndirangu
{{Best Financial Institution:}} BK Tech House
{{Best Insurance Company:}} SORAS
{{Best Internet Service Provider:}} Axiom
{{Best Fashion House: }} Kabash Fashion House
{{Best News Publishing Website:}} IGIHE
{{Best Travel Agency:}} Satguru Travels
{{Best Innovation}}: Yego Motos
{{Best Public Institution}}: Immigration
{{Best Telecommunication Company}}: Korean Telecom
{{Miss Social Media:}} Miss Uwase Honorine (Igisabo)
“President Kagame arrives in Kenya to attend President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta’s Inauguration ceremony,” reads Office of the President’s tweet.
Recently, the government of Kenya announced that 11 heads of states will attend the ceremony.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Kenya said that 13 presidents will delegate their vice-presidents, special envoy or ministers.
Other heads of states who will attend include, Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ian Khama of Botswana, John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Mohamed Farmajo wa Somalia, and Ethiopia Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
Senegal, China and Japan will delegate special envoys whereas South Africa, United Kingdom, Ukraine and India will delegate ministers.
President Kenyatta and his Vice-president William Ruto will be swearing in for their second term following the re-run elections win of 26th October 2017.
The eight day exercise started Monday in RDF’s Gabiro Combat Training Centre in Eastern Province.
Speaking at the event RDF’s army chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Jacques Musemakweli said that in the aftermath of the liberation struggle and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi there were arms proliferation around the country which was a threat to the national security.
He said the exercise is part of the implementation of the 2004 Nairobi Protocol on prevention, control and reduction of small and light weapons in the region, a protocol which was signed by 14 countries.
“Destroying these 130 tonnes of expired weapons publicly shows the will of Rwanda in implementing the protocol,” he said
He called on regional countries’ contribution in fighting against illegal use of weapons for the sake of the common security.
The Executive Secretary of Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), Theoneste Mutsindashyaka said the exercise underlines the Rwanda’s will in controlling weapons through destructing expired ones.
He said that only ¼ of weapons from across the World are under governments’ control. He said the prevalence of weapons scattered across the World are seen in different insecurity cases that appear from different parts of the globe.
He said that it is the 6th time the exercise took place as last year 55 tonnes were also destroyed.
Mutsindashyaka emphasized that Rwanda has advanced in weapons destruction and they target to introduce a school teaching the act at Gishari in Rwamagana District.
An estimated 52,807 tonnes of ammunition were demolished between 1994 and 2011.
The Programme targets six critical areas including the elimination of gender-based pay gaps; the increase of women’s role in decision-making; the enhancement of work-life balance; the enhancement of women’s/men’s access to non-traditional jobs; and the eradication of sexual harassment at work.
Commenting on the new Programme, the Chairperson of the Private Sector Federation Mr. Benjamin Gasamagera welcomed the initiative and reiterated PSF’s commitment to make it successful.
“Achieving gender quality at work is the fair and the right thing to do and is linked to Rwanda’s overall economic performance. The GES shall improve national productivity and economic growth; increase organizational performance; enhance the ability of companies to attract talent, retain employees and enhance organizational reputation,” said Gasamagera.
The Gender Monitoring Office, being a gender accountability organ, said the GES Programme in the private sector is a great step towards the government’s efforts to promote gender accountability for sustainable development.
“The GES Certification Programme comes at the right time when the Government of Rwanda has positioned the private sector as the engine of the national economy. As an accountability organ, we strongly believe that no sustainable development can be achieved when a group of Rwandan citizens are left behind or treated unequally in the workplace. Giving equal opportunities to both men and women to participate fully in the workforce is not only a great contribution to improving their lives as employees but also a strategy to increase the organizational productivity and an approach for sustained economic returns,” said the Chief Gender Monitor, Mrs Rose Rwabuhihi.
Statistics show that in Rwanda, women`s labour force participation is lower than that of men, 42% and 58% respectively and women are paid 27% less than men.
“When women work, economies grow. We need to create a work place that work for women and allow them to thrive and live up to their full potential,” says Mrs. Fatou Lo, UN Women Representative in Rwanda.
In October 2015, BRD took over the responsibility of disbursing and recovering student loans and bursaries.
Recently, BRD started talks with employees and employers, distributed lists of people who have benefitted from student loans and bursaries in host institutions so that they partner in recovering them amicably from the source.
Speaking to IGIHE, a Senior Manager in the BRD’s Education Finance Department, Fred Mugisha said that the move brought some good impact, despite some employers’ failure to provide needed information about their employees who benefitted from the loan.
“Some employers understand their role in the process as they should provide information we need from their employees. When they deduct some amount from their salary they should deposit to our bank account and provide us with bank slips” he explained.
He said that accessing all needed information about beneficiaries was a very complicated exercise, but added that they are putting in place an electronic system that will provide with them all information of distributed loans, detail the amount someone should pay so that employers will know all information about their employees who benefited from the loan.
“Employers will electronically send monthly lists and bank slips of people who have paid. For someone who will have completed to pay will be given a certificate of completion ” he said.
The call was made yesterday during the RPF Youth League Congress at the party Headquarters in Kigali. Youth representatives from across the country gathered in preparation for RPF’s 30th Anniversary slated for December, 16th 2017.
The league revolved around the role of the youth in the liberation struggle and their role in building the nation.
Ngarambe called on youth to borrow a leaf from country liberators.
“During the liberation struggle, Rwandan children left school and went to fight for their country. Even though the then government supported by other countries, they were defeated,” he said.
He challenged youth to avoid misconduct by rethinking their contribution to their own welfare and national development.
“You should remember that there are your age-mates spending sleepless nights maintaining our security. You should remember that, because , once you will forget it and think that it is a job deserved for some, you will have betrayed the pact with elders,” he said.
He urged youth to be catalysts of development by assisting their young brothers and sisters overcoming problems that deter their welfare.
Ngarambe challenged youth saying that they can’t dream to make drones while they fail to embrace cleanliness and fight against malnutrition among families.
“What characterized Inkotanyi, should always characterize you. Youth are the resources of the country; when youth are not well sustained, your efforts are laid to waste. We have experienced that in Rwanda’s history. So, we should sustain our youth so that their efforts are used in constructing the nation” he said.
Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe said that RPF’s essence of winning the liberation struggle was having an ideology where all Rwandans have equal access to public services.
The RPF Youth League Congress attracted observers ed political party youth representatives from African countries of Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda and Tanzania.
Through her twitter handle, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo expressed sympathy with Egypt over the atrocities.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Rwanda deepest sympathy and brotherly solidarity to the Government and people of Egypt! We strongly condemn the al-Rawala Mosque attack in Northern Sinai that caused the senseless death of 235 innocent people and injured many more!” the tweet reads.
According to BBC, after the attack, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi vowed to respond with “brute force after talks with security officials”.
No group has yet claimed the attack, but militants affiliated with so-called Islamic State (IS) have been responsible for scores of deadly attacks in the province.
