Ngirente was speaking Sunday in Kigali at a reception to celebrate the successful completion of the 9th edition of Tour du Rwanda.
Speaking on behalf of President Paul Kagame, Ngirente thanked the organisers, teams and sponsors of this year’s event.
He said that Tour du Rwanda is in line with Rwanda’s seven-year program to make it a World class and high end ecotourism destination.
According to Ngirente, following this year’s competition that attracted 15 teams numbering 73 riders from 18 nations; it is a proof that the annual event has started making Rwanda a top cycling destination.
“As we aim to see the Tour du Rwanda upgraded from its current 2.2 status to the 2.1 status, Rwanda re-affirms its unconditional support to cycling in particular and to other sports in general,” he pledged.
This year’s Tour du Rwanda wound up on Sunday and was won by a Rwandan, Joseph Areruya, playing for South African based team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
At different times, university students have asked for the increase of living allowance from Rwf25,000 per month.
In the general meeting students’ representatives from different colleges in Rwanda, said that students could not perform well in class when they lack some basic needs like food, a problem which affects the quality of education.
According to Ndayisaba, students’ representatives intend to approach banks and request them to increase their living allowances, provided as loans.
“Before 2015, they used to provide students with internship fee; this usually helped them during the internship and research period, but after its removal, it affected the quality of education,” he said.
“We are thinking to approach Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) so that they increase living allowances in form of loans to enable students get quality education,” he added.
Ndayisaba is optimistic that their voices will be heard and the government raise the money to Rwf60,000.
Pascal Gatabazi, a students’ representative in Tumba College of Technology said “The quality of education cannot be attained when students are hungry, don’t have access to internship of international standards and don’t have enough professional lecturers.”
Commenting on students’ concerns, the Director General of Science, Research and Technology in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Marie Christine Gasingirwa urged students to raise the issue so that institutions in charge could sit and assess where to get resources.
“It is good to raise it.When the issue is raised we discuss about it and sort out priorities and resources. When there are no resources, we explain to them,” she said.
Areruya, also known as ‘Kimasa’ demonstrated high competencies during the competition by retaining the yellow jersey from first days of the competition.
“I am very happy, this is a very tough competition where everyone wishes to win, but my pleasure is to see the competition won by a Rwandan” Areruya told the media
Born in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, the 21-year-old played for Les Amis Sportifs, a Rwandan based team before heading to South Africa
Commenting on Areruya’s win, his colleague Valens Ndayisenga said “Areruya tried his chance in ast sessions but he made it today, he has a good future in cycling”
The Minister of Sports and Culture, Julienne Uwacu said that it is much pleasure to see the competition retained by Rwandan adding that all players demonstrated competition spirit.
“We are very happy to see how all things were organised and went smoothly. There was high turn up” she said
“Congratulations to Joseph Areruya for winning Tour du Rwanda 2017, we are proud of Team Rwanda for the job well done” Uwacu expressed through her twitter wall
{{Top three on the list}}
1. Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data for Qubeka) used 20:21’:29” in a total of 821 kilometers
2. Eyob Metkel (Dimension Data for Qubeka)
3. Suleiman Kangagi (Bike Aid)
In a total, 73 cyclists started the competition, but 59 played the last session
It is the fourth time the competition won by a Rwandan. In 2014 and 2016 it was won by Valens Ndayisenga and 2015 by Jean Bosco Nsengimana
These are acts that promoted the dignity and honor of the People and Nation of Rwanda, on the international scene.
The recipients of the order are Hezi Bezalel, Howard Buffett, Gilbert Chagoury, John Dick, Paul Farmer, Alain Gauthier and Dafroza Gauthier, Linda Melvern and Joseph Ritchie.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony Saturday, Kagame said that in Rwandan tradition, Igihango was the most solemn bond, that could unite two people, or two families. He said, it was a freely chosen pact, based on truth and mutual sacrifice, which was unbreakable and lifelong.
He said ordinary friends were called ‘inshuti’. Those joined by a pact of Igihango were known as ‘abanywanyi’, literally, those who have drunk of one other.
“Each of these eight individuals, is most definitely an outstanding friend to Rwanda, there is something of us in you, and something of you in us” he said.
“Earlier, we heard some of the achievements of the honourees and their story with Rwanda. I can assure you, that what they did in many cases even goes beyond those citations” he added.
The head of state said that because of the contribution of recipients of decoration Rwanda has been able to overcome seemingly insurmountable problems.
“Through the toughest times, where circumstances dictated that we had to rely on ourselves to survive, Rwanda was never totally alone. We had friends that we could call on. Please know that you can always count on us as well” he said
He said on the purpose of Rwanda’s various National Orders, is to honour extraordinary contributions to national life. He said doing so, serves to inspire young people, to conduct their lives with the highest principles and ambitions.
Kagame said that the ceremony will be a regular occurrence, allowing Rwanda in due course to recognise the many others, whose achievements fortify the country.
Howard G. Buffett accepting the National Order of Outstanding Friendship said Rwanda has shown the world what it means for Africans to stop being treated like children.
Alice Kayitesi has been elected the new mayor of Kamonyi replacing Aimable Udahemuka who resigned in June.
Gilbert Habyarimana has also been elected the new Rubavu District mayor to replace Jeremie Sinamenye who submitted his resignation letter in July.
Kayitesi was a member of Musambira Sector council while Habyarimana was the Director General of Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA)
Habyarimana pledged to use his experience in economy and ensure the development of Rubavu District
“I will ensure the development of the District by increasing agricultural productivity. I will do my best to find jobs for youth. Our district shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is also a tourism District, we shall not take all these opportunities to waste,” he said.
Condé was reacting to the 16th November statement from the Directorate General for Immigration and Emigration saying that effective from January, 1st 2018 citizens from all countries will get their visas upon arrival in Rwanda without prior application.
The statement also says that Guinea is among 10 countries that Rwanda will grant visa free of charge with 90 days to their residents.
Through his twitter wall, Condé hailed the decision and Kagame’s commitment in easing circulation across Africa and the World as a whole.
“Since January 2018, Guinean residents will no longer requested visa for entering in Rwanda. Easing circulation of people and goods across Africa is of great value. Thanks Paul Kagame,” tweet reads
For more details: [All Rwanda visitors to get visas on arrival->http://en.igihe.com/news/all-rwanda-visitors-to-get-visas-on-arrival.html]
Before winding up her visit in Kigali, Kaljulaid toured different parts of the city where she visited different entrepreneurs most specifically those with Made in Rwanda related businesses.
Among the businesses she visited are; Inzuki Designs where their management expressed much appreciation to receive the president in their workplace.
“It was a great honour to have the President of Estonia KerstiKaljulaidstop by the store this morning on her tour of Kigali”
Inzuki Designs is a local brand that specialises in Jewellery, fashion accessories, and interior decor derived from unique hand-made products.
Before winding up her visit in Rwanda, Kaljulaid wrote on her twitter wall that she will work to tighten relations between both countries.
“Found lots of friends in a country of thousand hills Rwanda. Our nations have more in common than one might think. Will work for tightening the relations between our governments and business communities. Lots of opportunities for both,” reads her tweet.
Sagashya, had been on Wednesday dismissed from his office by the city council due to what they described as extreme insubordination and destruction of City files.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Police spokesperson, ACP Theos Badege said that it is now two days since they launched investigations into Sagashya misdeeds and his accomplices.
Other suspects are the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Officer, Medard Mpabwanamaguru and the CoK Building Electro-Mechanical Inspection Officer, Enos Twahirwa.
Badege explained that the accused are suspected of having tampered with evidence and damaged City files which they accessed by virtue of their employment.
Kaljulaid who is in a two day working visit in Rwanda came in the country yesterday from Ethiopia. She said that she was pleased to meet President Kagame for important talks.
Speaking to the media, Kadri Humal-Ayal, Honorary Consul of Estonia in Kenya said that their country aims to expand relations with other countries based on available opportunities.
Kadri said that Estonia and Rwanda share different things and can explore opportunities in developing ICT in government services.’
Later on, she described her experience of her visit in Kigali in one of her tweets, saying that she had received ” a really warm welcome by President Kagame in Kigali. #Rwanda is African #ICT champion and great part of our discussion focused on digital societies. But also EU-AU relations as well as coop in UN. Great to find friends so far from home!”
President Kaljulaid also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Center where she paid tribute to more than 250,000 genocide victims laid to rest there.
According to the statement issued by the EAC Secretariat this Thursday, the postponement comes following consultations and guidance from the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Convening the Joint EAC Heads of State Retreat on Infrastructure and Health.
Development and Financing as earlier planned, according to EAC will coincide with the African Union Heads of State – European Union Summit due in Abidjan, Ivory Cost on 29th to 30th November 2017, where the EAC Heads of State are expected to attend.
“In a bid to give way for effective dialogue at both events for the benefit of the East African region, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in collaboration with Partner States are working on rescheduling the Retreat and a final decision on the new dates shall be communicated in due course” reads the statement on EAC Secretariat website.
The statement continues to say that the papers and registrations for participants and exhibitors received will retain an active status until the rescheduled date.
