Closed are Nile Source Polytechnic of Applied Sciences (NSPA), Rusizi International University and Singhad Technical Education Society (STES)
Early this year, MINEDUC had provisionally closed some universities and some faculties in different private universities asking them to meet standards requirements.
In August, the Executive Director of the Higher Learning Council (HEC), Dr. Emmanuel Muvunyi said some universities had worked towards meeting the requirements, but still had a few requirements to meet.
Those universities are Mount Kenya University, Mahatma Ghandi and Polytechnic Institute of Byumba (IPB).
Reports indicated that Rusizi International University, Nile Source Polytechnic of Applied Arts (NSPA) and Jomo Kenyatta University were missing many requirements.
Particularly STES and Open University of Tanzania did nothing to meet the required standards.
“Given that the report of the follow-up assessment of NSPA conducted on 12/07/2017 and the verification exercise conducted on 21/09/2017 by HEC indicated that NSPA had not been able to address the issues that led to the suspension of Institution’s operation within the given time frame of six months” MINEDUC letter to NSPA reads in part.
The letter goes on to say that the university was closed following law governing the organization and functioning of Higher Education in Rwanda.
“It is in this regard that the management of NSPA is hereby informed that, the legal procedures concerning permanent closure of NSPA have been initiated. Hence, NSPA management is requested with immediate effect to meet all the necessary and due financial and academic obligations to the affected students to allow them continue their studies in other higher learning institutions” reads the letter.
NSPA was approved to operate in Rwanda by the Cabinet meeting of September 11, 2013.
{{Other closed universities}}
Speaking to IGIHE, Muvunyi confirmed that Rusizi International University and Singhad Technical Education Society (STES) were also closed.
Muvunyi said that Jomo Kenyatta had informed them that it had left Rwandan market and that Rusizi International University had had ownership, management and academic problems.
He said that STES did not implement any of recommendations.
Ngirente was speaking Friday while presiding over the ‘2017 Taxpayers Appreciation Day’ in Kigali.
The day was celebrated under the theme ‘My Tax, My Development, My Dignity’
Statistics show that in 2016/207 fiscal year, taxes contributed 56.4% whereas in 2017/2018 will contribute to 66% to financing the national budget . According to Ngirente, this is a proof of how taxes contribute to developmental activities like constructing infrastructure, classrooms, hospitals and electricity among others.
He challenged people who are reluctant to pay taxes, to change their mindsets towards understanding tax payment as a contribution in building the nation.
“I would like to remind people who evade taxes and those who delay to pay them to change their mindsets and understand that tax payment is everyone’s responsibility. It benefits both taxpayers and the country in general.
We should know that no country could develop without the contribution of its population” he said.
He said that in seven years, the government will achieve the target of being self-reliant through increasing tax revenues.
Ngirente said that the government target to increase investment by promoting Made in Rwanda and increasing exportation and their added value.
The Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Richard Tusabe hailed the role of government in mobilizing more taxpayers.
He stated some challenges like tax evasion and called upon the government’s contribution in tackling the problem
According to RRA, in 2016/2017 fiscal year, they collected a total of Rwf1,086.5 billion whereas they target Rwf1,215 billion in 2017/2018
A report released on July 5, 2017, HRW says that different people were killed by the Army, Police, Reserve Forces and DASSO while others were killed by individuals following orders by local leaders.
Dubbed ‘All Thieves Must Be Killed’, the report says that at least 37 people were killed in Rubavu and Rutsiro Districts of Western Province over petty crimes like robbery, drug dealing, illegal cross border crossing and illegal fishing among others.
According to the Chairperson for the Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights, Madeleine Nirere, people who were claimed executed are still alive and others who were confirmed dead, had died following natural diseases.
{{A look into the findings }}
According to the Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights, seven people reported executed in the HRW report are alive and these include; Tharcisse Nsanzabera, Alphonse Majyambere, Daphrose Nyirabavakure, Jovan Karasankima, Elias Habyalimana, Donati Nzamwitakuze and Emmanuel Hanyurwabake.
In the HRW report, names of one person are mistaken.The report talks about Pascal Nsabiyeze while the commission says correct names are Alias Nsabiyeze.
According to the commission, four persons reportedly killed in the report, have died of natural diseases. These
are; Thaddé Uwintwali, Jean Kanyesoko, Innocent Habimana and Jean Damascène Ntiriburakaryo
Rwanda National Commission says that six persons died as a results of various accidents though HRW reports that they were executed by the Rwanda Defence Forces, National Police or DASSO officers.
These include, Jean de Dieu Bihibindi, Samuel Minani, Amurani Bazangirabate, Djuma Ntakingora, Vedaste Renzaho, Emmanuel Ntamuhanga.
The commission says that one person reportedly executed by the Rwanda Defence Forces or police officers was shot dead by the Congolese soldiers. The person was identified as Moise Tuyisenge.
Also one person reportedly executed by an RDF soldier in HRW report; the Commission says they found out that the perpetrator was procecuted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was identified as Emmanuel Nzitakuze.
The commission rejects accusations of two people reported by the HRW to have been killed by individuals on orders from authorities, saying that they established that perpetrators were prosecuted and sentenced by courts as they committed the offence on their own behalf. These include, Jean Claude Barayavuga and Théoneste Uzamutuma.
Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights also said that ten people were reported to have been executed, but the commission says that they are unknown in local administrative entities singled out in HRW report.
These people include, Innocent Mbarushimana, Jean Damascène Ntahondereye, Emmanuel Niyigena, Nzabandora Ndayishimiye, Hakuzimana Basabose, Naftal Nteziriza, François Buhagarike, Alexandre Bemeriki, Jean de Dieu Habiyaremye and Vincent Nshimiyimana.
“The allegation that 10 persons reported by HRW to have been executed by the Rwanda military or police officers after being accused of theft and executed on orders according to which all thieves must be killed is not true. At different times, those individuals were shot while crossing the Cyanzarwe Valley from the DRC, during the night; a pathway usually used by FDLR elements to cross to Rwanda and disrupt security. Local authorities have forbidden residents to cross the valley during the night for security purposes”, Madeleine said.
These people include; Ernest Tuyishime, Jeanine Nirere, Benjamin Niyonzima, Innocent Nshimiyimana, Fulgence Rukundo, Gasore, Prosper Iradukunda, Joseph Mukeshimana, Pierre Hakizimana, Muke Flavien alias Basare.
IGIHE has caught up with William McIntyre, Regional Director for Southern Africa for Carlson Rezidor, on the sidelines of African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Kigali on Tuesday, to learn about the giant brand’s ambitions in Rwanda and the region.
About Rwanda, McIntyre said, “We are very confident of our investment in Rwanda and everything is set perfectly for Kigali in particular to become a hub of meetings and events, and a tourism hub. We are currently focusing on increasing our occupancy which will tie in with the increase in tourism in the country.”
He said, in the region covering South Africa, Mauritius, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Gabon and Rwanda, Carlson Rezidor boasts of 20 hotels in operation and six under development while they target to add at least 40 hotels under their strategic Destination 2022.
Carlson Rezidor put its footprint on the continent in 2000 with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa but over the last three years, it has signed a new hotel deal in Africa every 37 days and improved its hotel openings to open a new hotel every 60 days, leading to a great expansion currently featuring 80 hotels with 17,200 rooms in operation and under development. The target is to have over 23,000 rooms in Africa by 2022.
South African national, McIntyre has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with his most recent role as COO for the largest hospitality real estate fund in Southern Africa, Hospitality Property Fund.
He elaborated on Carlson Rezidor’s ambitions and his own perception of the industry in interview excerpts below:
{{IGIHE}}: Who is William McIntyre in brief?
{{McIntyre}}: I am the Regional Director for Southern Africa for Carlson Rezidor, responsible for commercial performance, operations standards and owners relationships.
{{IGIHE}}: How did you get started in hotel industry?
{{McIntyre}}: I started in electrical engineering and construction, then moved to project management, within the project management I got into hotel industry as chief engineer, later changed career towards human resource. So, the combination of project management, engineering and human resource gave me a strong understanding of facility management. Coming to Carlson Rezidor, I understand the hotel owner’s perspective because we manage on behalf of them.
{{IGIHE}}: How do you make it in hospitality industry?
{{McIntyre}}: People often ask me, “How did you come to this job?” I like this sector as a knowledge-based facilitator of collective goals. My answer is always this, “incremental improvement” because today is 100% (successful) but tomorrow maybe 99%. We are never satisfied that we got it perfectly. We deal with people, with experiences, so every day we try to improve everything. The day you are satisfied in hospitality industry, it is the day you sink because competition never sleeps.
{{IGIHE}}: How well is Carlson Rezidor positioned in Southern Africa region?
{{McIntyre}}: Well, 17 years ago, Southern Africa was very much a region of independent hotel managers. There were not many international managers of hotels. In 2000, Carlson Rezidor took up the first hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town. Now we have 43 openings in Africa and 78 in the pipeline. We have grown faster than anybody else in Southern Africa specifically. In Kigali for example, we have Radisson Blu Hotel at the Kigali Convention Centre, this is a world-class facility exactly in the centre of Africa.
{{IGIHE}}: What can we expect from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group within Southern Africa in the next five years?
{{McIntyre}}: Carlson Rezidor has got new owners, the HNA Group (Chinese conglomerate). They have made it clear that they want to be in the top three hotel managers in the world in the next 10 years. We have had an aggressive expansion programme in Africa. You can expect nothing but expansion from Carlson Rezidor in the next five years. We plan to introduce two more brands but currently focusing on Radisson Blu and Park Inn as we look up to introduce two more brands to give people a range of choice.
{{IGIHE}}: Rwanda falls within your region of job, how do you see Rwanda’s hospitality industry?
{{McIntyre}}: Rwanda has acquired confidence, it is organised, clean and safe. The country was recently named the safest in Africa and ninth in the world. People are looking for places where they can have new experiences and feel safe amid the terrible things happening in the world. So, to be recognized as the safest destination works perfectly for the country’s ambitions to attract people here. We are very confident of our investment in Rwanda.
{{IGIHE}}: What defines most your interest in Rwanda?
{{McIntyre}}: I was speaking to some people in South Africa just last week, they were looking for locations for Pan-African conventions, and I said to them, “Come to Rwanda, come to Kigali, to understand the potential of the capacity that Rwanda has for tourism, meetings and events.” Anyone who is looking for a major and unique conference venue but still completely the African experience, I tell them, “Come to Rwanda”. I was speaking to someone here at AHIF earlier, and he said he has not felt this comfort of the function since Cape Town. People are comparing Kigali to Cape Town, that is a good thing. Cape Town is the best city for conferences on the continent.
{{IGIHE}}: Carlson Rezidor is managing only two hotels in Kigali, do you consider adding more on your list?
{{McIntyre}}: We are currently able to accommodate 5000 delegates at KCC and at least 400 more at the Park Inn by Radisson Kigali. The market in Kigali is very well stocked with hotel rooms, so we want to consolidate for awhile and raise occupancy rate.
{{IGIHE}}: What message would you leave to your clients in Kigali?
{{McIntyre}}: For any business, your client is your most important asset, you have to listen to your client. We have a strong brand with very clear brand identities and the people who are regular guests of Carlson Rezidor across the continent will experience the best services by Kigali in particular. I can tell our esteemed clients, “stay with us in Carlson Rezidor hotels. We are very confident we will continue to exceed your expectations. But if you are looking for something extra or something different, come to our hotels in Rwanda, I am a big fan, I am a big fan!
The event was combined with the celebration of the day of Girl Child and the International Rural Women’s Day, and was graced by the First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame and various Government Officials, the Civil Society and Development Partners.
During the ceremonily, children were given milk as symbol of promoting healthy nutrition and fighting stunting. They were also vaccinated and given Mebendazole and Vitamin A, an activity that launched the Mother and Child Health week. Children living with disabilities were given wheelchairs to facilitate their movement. Poor families were given cows by former beneficiaries of the Girinka program.
Minister Nyirasafari Esperance of Gender and Family Promotion informed that the Campaign will last for five weeks and activities will focus on health services, sensitization on Early Childhood Development Program implementation, women and girls empowerment, educating youth on reproductive health to address teenage pregnancies and fighting against Gender based violence.
The Integrated Campaign on Governance and Family Promotion is organised by Social Cluster Ministries together with their Stakeholders
This rebound is led by the region’s largest economies. In the second quarter of this year, Nigeria pulled out of a five-quarter recession and South Africa emerged from two consecutive quarters of negative growth. Improving global conditions, including rising energy and metals prices and increased capital inflows, have helped support the recovery in regional growth. However, the report warns that the pace of the recovery remains sluggish and will be insufficient to lift per capita income in 2017.
Growth continues to be multi speed across the region. In non-resource intensive countries such as Ethiopia and Senegal, growth remains broadly stable supported by infrastructure investments and increased crop production. In metal exporting countries, an increase in output and investment in the mining sector amid rising metals prices has enabled a rebound in activity.
Headline inflation slowed across the region in 2017 amid stable exchange rates and slowing food price inflation due to higher food production. Fiscal deficits have narrowed, but continue to be high, as fiscal adjustment measures remain partial. As a result, government debt remains elevated. Across the region, additional efforts are needed to address revenue shortfalls and contain spending to improve fiscal balances.
“Most countries do not have significant wiggle room when it comes to having enough fiscal space to cope with economic volatility. It is imperative that countries adopt appropriate fiscal policies and structural measures now to strengthen economic resilience, boost productivity, increase investment, and promote economic diversification,” notes Albert Zeufack, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa.
Looking ahead, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to see a moderate increase in economic activity, with growth rising to 3.2% in 2018 and 3.5% in 2019 as commodity prices firm and domestic demand gradually gains ground, helped by slowing inflation and monetary policy easing. However, growth prospects will remain weak in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries as they struggle to adjust to low oil prices.
The economic expansion in West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries is expected to proceed at a strong pace on the back of solid public investment growth, led by Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Elsewhere, growth is projected to firm in Tanzania on a rebound in investment growth and recover in Kenya, as inflation eases. Ethiopia is likely to remain the fastest-growing economy in the region, although public investment is expected to slow down.
“The outlook for the region remains challenging as economic growth remains well below the pre-crisis average,” says Punam Chuhan-Pole, World Bank Lead Economist and lead author of the report.
“Moreover, the moderate pace of growth will only yield slow gains in per capita income that will not be enough to harness broad-based prosperity and accelerate poverty reduction.” Punam Chuhan-Pole added
Analysis shows that rising capital accumulation has been accompanied by falling efficiency of investment spending in countries where economic growth has been less resilient to exogenous shocks. This suggests that the inefficiency of investment which reflects insufficient skills and other capabilities for the adoption of new technologies, distortive policies, and resource misallocation, among other things will need to be reduced if countries are to capture fully the benefits of higher investment.
As African countries seek new drivers of sustained inclusive growth, attention to skills building is growing. The Africa’s Pulse report dedicates a special section to analyzing how African countries, through smarter investments in foundational skills for children, youth, and adults, can leverage spending to achieve better learning outcomes that will simultaneously enhance productivity growth, inclusion, and the adaptability of Africa’s workers to the demands of today’s markets and those of the future.
In most countries, skills-building efforts must strive to make spending smarter to ensure greater efficiency and better outcomes. Countries face two hard choices in balancing their skills portfolios: striking the right balance between overall productivity growth and inclusion, on the one hand, and investing in the skills of today’s workforce and tomorrow’s workforce, on the other hand.
Investing in the foundational skills of children, youth, and adults is the most effective strategy to enhance productivity growth, inclusion, and adaptability simultaneously. Thus, all countries should prioritize building universal foundational skills for the workers of today and tomorrow.
Ngirente made the call this morning while addressing participants in the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place in Kigali.
He said that Rwanda has made great strides towards boosting tourism sector and organizing meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions (MICE).
Ngirente said that hotels contribute 8% to the Gross Domestic Product on the African continent, arguing that that for Africa to achieve its growth targets, more strategies need to be put in place to support investments in tourism sector.
He highlighted that hospitality in Rwanda has developed following initiatives that have been ushered in by the government, taking the sector to another level.
“Under President Kagame’s leadership, tourism has developed; we owe its growth to infrastructure development and partnerships with high profile international hotel brands that have come to Rwanda” he said.
The Premiere said that the country has committed to double tourism revenues from the 2017 target of USD404 million to USD800 million by 2024. The 2017/ 2018 Global Competitiveness report that was released by World Economic Forum ranked Rwanda in second position in Africa among the fastest developing countries.
“In this forumRwanda is delighted to showcase some exciting new investment opportunities in the growing tourism sector. I wish to assure all investors that investing in Rwanda is profitable due to its security and business friendly laws,” he said.The 2017 AHIF started on 10th and is slated to close today.
World Travel Awards are given to countries, hotels, Air companies among other tourists attraction around the World.
Speaking after receiving the award, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi thanked the government of Rwanda for its commitment to the development of tourism sector.
“We are grateful to receive the award on behalf of Rwandans. Particularly I thank President Paul Kagame for his vision in promoting tourism,” she said.
Rwanda scooped the award after beating different countries includingBotswana, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Hotel Radisson Blu and Kigali Convention Centre were also awarded Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel in 2017.
The World Travel Awards Founder and President, Graham E. Cooke said that he was pleased to visit Rwanda for his first time.
“It has been an honour to visit Rwanda for the very first time,” said World Travel Awards Founder and President, Graham E. Cooke. We have recognized the leading lights of African tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners,” he said adding that Rwanda has proved a wonderful host for Africa Gala Ceremony, cementing the country’s reputation as Africa’s rising star.
According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), tourism receipts register an annual growth of 10% but the target is to increase the growth rate to 25%.
In the recently launched National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda targets to earn $800 million from tourism by 2024.
Nyamvumba was speaking yesterday in Kigali while presiding over the opening of two-week long course on ‘Genocide, Mass Atrocity Crimes and Transitional Justice in Peace Support Operations’.
The course is being attended by 24 military and Police officers as well as civilians from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Zambia.
The training was organised by the Rwanda Peace Academy and funded by the British government through its subsidiary organisation, the British Peace Support Team (BPST).
Nyamvumba said that the Rwanda Peace Academy provides a unique and contextual environment to learn about Genocide, Mass Atrocity crimes and Transitional Justice in Peace Support Operations.
“As future peacekeepers, you will be expected to provide advice on the measures to prevent genocide and mass atrocity crimes. You will also be expected to contribute to capacity development of judicial institutions and mechanisms particularly those of the Host Nations,” he said
He also cautioned course participants on the nature of contemporary peace keeping operations.
“I wish, however, to caution you on the nature of contemporary peacekeeping operations. They function in constantly changing and unpredictable environments with different actors characterised by different and sometimes conflicting interests. Cooperation and engagement with the host government and the opposing party or parties is sometimes not forthcoming. In addition, members of the local population and international community usually have high expectations in peacekeepers both in the protection of civilians, and in administration of justice. This course is therefore important and relevant,” he added.
He told course participants that violence against civilians, war crimes, mass atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity are probably as old as war itself.
Citing examples of Syria, Iraq and some African countries, Nyamvumba said that human atrocities continue to occur in many parts of the world and on a daily basis.
“Violence against civilians and in particular, women and children continues to characterise a number of peacekeeping missions despite many of them having protection of civilian’s mandate,” he said.
The former Force Commander of UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, retired Lt Gen Romeo Dallaire is participating in the training.
Lt Col Munyengango was appointed on 26th September 2017, but officially started the job this Tuesday.
Speaking to the media Lt Col Munyengango said that he will serve properly as his predecessors did.
“I will start from my predecessors’ good successes like working closely with media and linking population with the army. I will do all my best to promote cooperation with population we serve” he said.
Prior to new appointment, Munyengango worked in different positions including Logistics Officer in RDF’s Air Force and an instructor at Nyakinama Military Academy.
Munyengango also commanded a troop 165 of RDF’s Air Force soldiers that were on peace keeping mission under UNAMISS in South Sudan. The troop started their mission in August 2016.
Brig Gen Ferdinand had been the RDF acting spokesperson from 17th July 2017 replacing Lt Col René Ngendahimana who retired from service.
