The monthly community work event was attended by guests who are in Rwanda for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals, which are scheduled to take place on Saturday. The finals will feature a face-off between AS Douanes from Senegal and Al Ahly from Egypt.
During the community work event, President Kagame familiarized the participating guests with the long-standing tradition of Umuganda in Rwanda.
Umuganda serves as a platform to unite people for various community development initiatives, such as promoting hygiene, planting trees, and improving infrastructure among others.
President Kagame expressed his gratitude to the guests for joining Rwandans in their community work efforts, emphasizing the significance of collective action for the betterment of society.
The Head of State made the disclosure at the 3rd Qatar Economic Forum reacting to a question about criticisms by a United Nations agency which recently claimed that sending migrants to Rwanda would bring potential harm.
Kagame was also asked to comment on possible benefits for Rwanda to pull from the Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year.
“We did not really beg anybody to work with us or to send migrants to Rwanda. It’s an idea that developed to solve a problem. And migrant issues are about human capital gaps that exist and have these movements but the origin can also be instability in different parts of the world,” he said.
“The partnership, therefore, was forged around saying how do we address this problem? And there came a development partnership around that, which would mean resettling migrants who need to settle down and have the freedom to do what they want to do in places that they are stable,” added Kagame.
The President highlighted that In fact the current UK migration problem that is being talked about, came later following Rwanda’s interventions to help migrants from Libya.
He explained that the efforts have yielded fruits adding that more European countries are contacting Rwanda for similar agreements to address migrant crisis.
“We started with resettling, and receiving people from Libya, who were stuck in Libya because of instability that developed in Libya and there were many Africans coming from different parts of Africa caught up in Libya heading to Europe,” noted Kagame.
“It started in 2018, and we have heard a number of them brought to Rwanda. Some stayed, processed, others have gone to different countries but it has been done properly and saved lives of people who were caught up in the situation. Learning from that, that is how the UK [partnership works], and there are other European countries that have been contacting us to address this,” he added.
The President also reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to receive migrants working with UK.
Kagame’s comments followed statements by the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office accusing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of hypocrisy regarding their plan to send migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda.
In 2019, the UNHCR played a crucial role in a program aimed at relocating migrants stranded in Libya. This initiative, supported by the Rwandan government and other partners, led to the establishment of a transit camp in Gashora, Bugesera District.
The migrants housed in this facility receive accommodation and necessary care. Since the program’s inception, over 1,500 migrants have been relocated to Gashora, with nearly a thousand of them being granted asylum in third countries.
However, despite this precedent, the UNHCR opposes the United Kingdom’s policy of relocating migrants to Rwanda. This position became evident during a recent hearing at the British Court of Appeal.
The UK Ministry of Interior has labelled the criticisms as a double standard given that Rwanda and the UNHCR already have a similar agreement in place.
The agreement signed last year sets the stage for the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally to Rwanda.
The UK made this decision to discourage illegal crossings into the country and to reduce the budget spent on illegal migrants every year.
The UK Ministry of Interior has labelled the criticisms as a double standard given that Rwanda and the UNHCR already have a similar agreement in place.
In 2019, the UNHCR played a crucial role in a program aimed at relocating migrants stranded in Libya. This initiative, supported by the Rwandan government and other partners, led to the establishment of a transit camp in Gashora, Bugesera District.
The migrants housed in this facility receive accommodation and necessary care. Since the program’s inception, over 1,500 migrants have been relocated to Gashora, with nearly a thousand of them being granted asylum in third countries.
However, despite this precedent, the UNHCR opposes the United Kingdom’s policy of relocating migrants to Rwanda. This position became evident during a recent hearing at the British Court of Appeal.
Lawyers representing a migrant advocacy organization argued that Rwanda is known for human rights violations and that transferred migrants would no longer receive protection from the United Kingdom.
Responding to these arguments, an official from the UK Ministry of Interior expressed their opinion in an interview with The Times, stating that “it appears hypocritical for the UNHCR to criticize our program with Rwanda while being involved in a similar initiative in that country.”
Under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership signed between Rwanda and the UK in April last year, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants, including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.
The agreement sets the stage for the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally to Rwanda.
The UK made this decision to discourage illegal crossings into the country and to reduce the budget spent on illegal migrants every year.
Earlier this year, Rwanda and the UK signed an additional agreement aimed at expanding the provision of support for migrants to be deported to Rwanda.
Upon arrival, asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated with dignity, just like Rwandans. It is expected that those willing to return to their home countries will be assisted in doing so.
The initial plan was for the first migrants to arrive in Rwanda in July 2022. However, this deadline was postponed following a complaint filed by organizations advocating for migrants’ rights.
One family contesting their deportation to Rwanda argued that it is not a safe country for migrants.
During a recent hearing, the family’s lawyers claimed that Rwanda is known for human rights violations.
They further argued that if the United Kingdom chose to transfer migrants to Rwanda, they would no longer be under British protection and might lack the means to ensure their safety.
However, the UK maintains that Rwanda is a safe country for the resettlement of asylum seekers.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Environment in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, featured discussions about the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by countries last December as part of efforts to halt and reverse nature loss.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said the country’s development agenda recognizes the central role that biodiversity plays in terms of supporting national economic growth. “We cannot develop our nation unless we put the environment at the heart of everything we do.”
The minister warned against cutting down trees. “We need to reverse this trend, and educate future generations to understand the importance of biodiversity in everything we do for a brighter future,” she said.
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) highlighted that Rwanda’s biodiversity plays a critical role in ecosystem services such as ensuring water provision, air for breathing, controlling soil erosion and flooding, as well as climate change mitigation.
“Biodiversity is part of our lives. Growing up, I was surrounded by nature and this helped build my passion for protecting the environment and understand the importance of biodiversity. I encourage us all to reconnect with nature and prioritize biodiversity,” Juliet Kabera, director general of REMA, told an audience of stakeholders of Rwanda’s climate, environment and natural resources sectors.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated this year under the theme “From agreement to action: Build Back Biodiversity” to remind nations that biodiversity is essential to ecosystem function and services delivery.
Agriculture emerges as the leading sector in terms of employment. The Labour Force Survey indicates that 1.7 million individuals, comprising 46.3% of the employed population, are engaged in agricultural activities. This figure is relatively high, as the country aims to reduce the proportion of agriculture-related employment to 30%.
The second most prominent economic activity is wholesale and retail trade, along with the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. This sector employs 492,726 individuals, representing 13% of the employed population.
The real estate sector also contributes significantly to employment opportunities. In February 2023, the sector employed 307,229 people, accounting for 8.1% of the employed population.
According to figures from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), real estate accounted for 67.8% of development projects, playing a critical role in the country’s economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Transportation employs 203,586 individuals, equivalent to 5.4% of the employed population, while industry provides employment to 195,191 individuals, accounting for 5.1% of the total.
Other notable sectors include activities of households, employing 147,074 individuals (3.9%); education, employing 144,661 individuals (3.8%); accommodation and food service activities, employing 110,540 individuals (2.9%); as well as governance and the mining sector, which account for 2.7% and 1.1% of employment, respectively.
As per the Labour Force Survey, in February 2023, the working-age population (16 years and above) was approximately 8 million, with 3,803,942 individuals employed, 792,115 unemployed, and 3,380,192 individuals out of the labor force.
The sum of the employed and unemployed populations gives a total labor force of 4,596,057 individuals.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that the students shared lessons learned from the Peace and Values Education course at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and asked the President about leadership, reconciliation and Rwanda’s transformational journey after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Kagame is among leaders that often deliver talks to students from USA where he shares Rwanda’s resilience journey after Genocide against the Tutsi, serving as a source of inspiration and motivation for others who seek to overcome challenges and create positive change.
On Monday 15th May 2023, the Head of State also hosted students from Harvard Business School at Urugwiro Village where he emphasized the importance of resilience and finding a way up, even in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s remarkable transformation after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he attributed the country’s success to its refusal to remain mired in darkness.
As he interacted with the students on Monday, Kagame also highlighted that working with people has been the key enabler for Rwanda to achieve current transformations after Genocide against the Tutsi.
The pilgrimage aimed to pay homage to Saint Andrew Kaggwa, the patron saint of catechists, teachers, and families, who was martyred on May 26th, 1886, at Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda.
Catechists from all the dioceses of Rwanda participated in the pilgrimage to the martyrs’ sites.
Sr. Uwamariya Genevieve, the Director of Rwanda’s National Catechetical Office, highlighted the significance of the pilgrimage for the catechists. She emphasized that it provided an opportunity for them to deepen their understanding of Saint Andrew Kaggwa, who served as a dedicated catechist, and to learn about the unwavering faith of the martyrs, even to the point of sacrificing their lives.
{{Following in the Footsteps of the Martyrs}}
On the first day of the pilgrimage, the catechists visited the sites associated with the martyrs who were killed at the King’s palace on the orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda. The visit included a stop at the location of Denis Ssebuggwawo’s martyrdom, recognized as the first of the Ugandan Martyrs. The catechists then proceeded to retrace the Way of the Cross, which the martyrs followed, leading to the main shrine in Namugongo.
Prior to visiting the sites where other martyrs, such as Pontian Ngondwe, Jean-Marie Muzei, Mathias Mulumba, and others, were killed, the Rwandan catechists spent time at the Minor Basilica of Munyonyo. This basilica holds historical significance as the place where their patron saint, Andrew Kaggwa, was martyred. It was within the courtyard of this basilica that he taught catechism to converts.
As part of their pilgrimage, Cardinal Kambanda presided over a Eucharistic celebration for the catechists at the Basilica of Munyonyo. In his homily, the Cardinal commended the courage of the Ugandan Martyrs, who selflessly sacrificed their lives for their loved ones, resembling the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. He encouraged the catechists to draw inspiration from the martyrs’ bravery and love for Christ.
{{Passing on the Faith and Witnessing the Gospel}}
During the pilgrimage, Cardinal Kambanda shared in-depth insights into the life of Saint Andrew Kaggwa, displaying his familiarity with the saint’s story. He urged the catechists to uphold the faith they profess and teach it to others.
In their closing remarks, the catechists expressed their gratitude for the pilgrimage experience and extended their appreciation to Cardinal Kambanda for accompanying them.
Rwanda’s historical ties with Uganda date back to the arrival of missionaries, including Bishop John Joseph Hirth, who initially visited Uganda before proceeding to Tanzania and Rwanda. Hirth is often regarded as the founder of the Church in Rwanda.
As of December 31, 2022, the combined pre-tax profit of regional subsidiaries of Kenyan banks reached Sh32.51 billion, marking an 88.65 percent increase from Sh.17.23 billion reported on December 31, 2021.
The CBK highlighted that Rwanda contributed the most to these earnings, with profits amounting to Sh.10.16 billion. This figure represents 31.26 percent of the total profits. Meanwhile, subsidiaries operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda contributed 30.10 percent and 16.11 percent of the total profits, respectively. Subsidiaries in South Sudan also played a significant role, contributing 14.28 percent of the total profits.
In recent years, numerous Kenyan banks, including KCB Group, Diamond Trust Bank, NCBA, Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Limited, Equity Group, I&M Holdings Plc, African Banking Corporation Limited, and the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, have expanded their operations within the East African Community (EAC) partner states. They have also ventured into markets such as Mauritius, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Some Kenyan lenders, like I&M and Prime Bank Limited, have even expanded beyond the EAC jurisdiction. For example, I&M holds a 50 percent share in Bank One Limited in Mauritius, while Prime Bank has a 10.6 percent share in First Capital Bank Malawi, a 6.62 percent share in First Capital Bank of Botswana, and a 5.0 percent share in First Capital Bank SA, Mozambique.
The CBK report revealed that Kenyan bank subsidiaries operating in Mauritius, Tanzania, and Burundi were the least profitable, contributing 4.50 percent, 2.82 percent, and 0.93 percent of the total profits, respectively. Furthermore, three subsidiaries experienced a combined loss of Sh2.4 billion, with two operating in Tanzania and one in Uganda, according to the regulator.
As of December 31, 2022, the total assets of Kenyan bank subsidiaries abroad amounted to Sh1.61 trillion, compared to Sh1.21 trillion the previous year. Equity Group Plc’s subsidiary in the DRC, Banque Commerciale Du Congo (BCDC), played a significant role in the asset base, with total assets of Sh442 billion. KCB Group Plc’s subsidiary in the DRC, Trust Merchant Bank, also made a substantial contribution, with total assets of Sh212 billion.
Regarding deposits, Kenyan bank subsidiaries accounted for a combined deposit base of Sh1.28 trillion in December 2022, compared to Sh940 billion in December 2021. The primary contributors to these deposits were Equity’s subsidiary in the DRC, Banque Commerciale Du Congo (BCDC), which accounted for Sh365 billion or 28 percent of the total deposits in host countries, and KCB Group’s subsidiary in the DR Congo, Trust Merchant Bank, which accounted for Sh180 billion or 14 percent of the total deposits in host countries.
As of December 31, 2022, the combined gross loans for subsidiaries in host countries reached Sh725.8 billion, reflecting a 42.2 percent increase from Sh510.3 billion in the previous year. Among the subsidiaries, those operating in the DRC recorded the highest level of gross loans, amounting to Sh.244.5 billion, which accounted for 33.69 percent of the gross loans in all subsidiaries outside Kenya. Subsidiaries in Tanzania accounted for 20.
The appointment was made following the resolution of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of BK Group Plc Board held on 19th May 2023.
Jean Philippe Prosper has been consecutively the IFC Vice President of SubSaharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean and the IFC Vice President of Global Clients services from 2013 to 2015.
Between 2008 and 2013, Prosper held the positions of IFC Director for Latin America and the Caribbean and IFC Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Before joining IFC, Prosper was the Regional Coordinator for Mexico, the Andean Countries, Central America, and Panama for the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) of the Inter-American Development Bank.
Between 1986 and 1990, he worked at SOFIHDES, a private development finance company in Haiti, where he became Managing Director.
In addition, Prosper sits on several Corporate Boards as independent Director.
Prosper holds a degree in Mathematics and Civil Engineering and an MBA in Corporate Finance and Monetary Economics. A Haitian national, he is fluent in Creole, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and has a working knowledge of Kiswahili.
{{About BK Group Plc }}
BK Group Plc is a home-grown, award-winning Rwandan institution with deep roots in the African financial space since inception in 1966. Over the years, BK Group Plc has gradually transformed into a premier one-stop-shop, with a full range of financial services offered under a single roof.
Today, it stands as the largest commercial bank in Rwanda by total assets and has strategically positioned itself as the leading commercial financial institution in Rwanda, boasting a diversified portfolio of services that allow it to seamlessly serve a wide breadth of clients, including individuals, SMEs, large corporations as well as other financial institutions in the region.
The Group’s activities range from retail and corporate banking to asset management and investment banking as well as offering a comprehensive range of non-life insurance products as well as innovative enterprise solutions that stimulate growth in the Rwandan digital space.
BK Group Plc is currently listed on both the Rwandan Stock Exchange (RSE), having floated its shares in 2011, and the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2018.
Major General Kiugu who was welcomed on on Thursday May 18, 2023, brings a wealth of experience in military leadership, command, and management in peace support operations.
He previously served as a Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Repatriation Officer with the UN Mission in Eastern DRC from 2003 to 2004.
Additionally, he has served as a Defense Liaison Officer in Kenya’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Upon his arrival at the Force Headquarters, Maj Gen Kiugu was received by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) in charge of Intelligence and Operations, Brigadier General Emmanuel Kaputa, the DFC Administration and Logistics, Brigadier General Ndorarigonya Gregoire, Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Michael Kibuye, Contingent Commanders, and other Force Headquarters Staff Officers.
In his address to the EACRF officers present, the Force Commander acknowledged the significant milestones achieved by the Regional Force since its deployment in November 2022. These milestones include the withdrawal of the M23 from previously occupied areas and the successful execution of tasks such as the protection of civilians and humanitarian support in the operational areas.
Maj Gen Kiugu instructed the contingents to operate in accordance with the Status of Force Agreement and Rules of Engagement.
He also advised them to regularly review their tactics to remain effective in the ever-changing dynamics of the mission. Furthermore, he encouraged the contingent commanders to share their experiences for the success of the Regional Force.
“I am coming to pick up where Major General Jeff Nyagah left off, and according to my assessment, you have done well. However, there are lessons we can learn from past experiences that will enable us to improve and achieve the desired end state. I believe in cooperation and teamwork, and I want to remind each one of us that we are one people of the EAC with the common objective of enabling the citizens of Eastern DRC affected by insecurity to realize peace,” Maj Gen Kiugu stated.
The Force Commander expressed gratitude to the EAC Heads of State for establishing a force to support the ongoing peace efforts and to the Government of DRC for their facilitation.
He urged everyone to remain focused on the mission’s aim and to continue their efforts to ensure the complete withdrawal of the M23 from previously occupied areas, as outlined in the Luanda Roadmap. Maj Gen Kiugu emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration with all stakeholders operating in the region, including various civil society entities.
On May 1, 2023, the Ugandan Contingent troops under the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF) deployed in Mabenga, marking the completion of the contingent’s deployment in the Joint Operation Area.
The full deployment of troops in the Eastern DRC has led to the observance of a ceasefire. The EACRF remains resilient, committed, and determined to the peace and stability process in Eastern DRC while upholding and respecting the DRC constitution, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
DRC President Tshisekedi recently threatened to expel the East African Regional Force (EACRF) if their mission does not meet expectations by June.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the regional force’s operational problems and their failure to engage with the M23 rebels.
While the East African Community is satisfied with the work done by their forces, the DRC has criticized them for not executing their mandate, which they consider offensively based.
Tanzanian President Samia Suhulu Hassan recently reminded the public of the non-offensive nature of the troops, while Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reiterated that the mission of his country’s contingent was to enforce agreed-upon regional agreements, not to do the DRC’s job.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister, during a visit to Kinshasa, reminded everyone of the mandate’s nature as a “buffer force,” led by Maj Gen Alphaxard Kiugu.
