Before starting the match that saw APRFC beating Gicumbi with 2-0 at Gicumbi stadium on Sunday 13th February 2022, a minute of silence was observed in honour of late Lt Gen Musemakweli who died one year ago.
He served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021.
After defeating Gicumbi, APRFC maintained the leading position with 37 points followed by Kiyovu Sports with 32 points.
The teams were facing off for the 16th day of the league’s first division.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) had announced that late Lt Gen Musemakweli would be honoured at the match, particularly reflecting on his contribution to the progress of football in Rwanda.
The federation also revealed via Twitter handle that it stands in solidarity with the APRFC family during the commemoration of Lt Gen Musemakweli.
Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli breathed the last on 11th February 2021 at Kanombe Military Hospital where he was getting medical attention.
He was among RPA soldiers that liberated the country and stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Lt Gen Musemakweli held different senior positions in RDF leadership including; commander of Republican Guards, Army Chief of Staff and Reserve Force Chief of Staff.
On 12th January 2018, President Paul Kagame and the Commander in Chief of RDF promoted Jacques Musemakweli from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General.
Among others, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli once served as the commander of the Republican Guards prior to his appointment as Army Chief of Staff in 2016.
At the time, he was at the rank of Major General. In April 2019, Lt Gen Musemakweli was appointed the Commander of Reserve Forces prior to 3rd February 2019 when he became RDF Inspector General.
He served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021 after taking post from Maj Gen Alex Kagame who was leaving for studies in China.
Lt Gen Musemakweli was recently replaced by Maj Gen Mubaraka Muganga to the position in January 2021.
He was serving as RDF Inspector General prior to his demise.
It is said that the girl hailing from Nyakarera cell of Ruhango sector was killed in the night of 9th February 2022. Her body was seen in the morning of Friday 11th February by an old man foraging grasses for his livestock.
The executive secretary of Murunda sector, Alida Icyizihiza has confirmed the death and arrest of the two security guards.
“We learnt about Nirere’s death in the morning of Friday on tip off from a resident and alerted Rwanda Investigation Bureau. Two suspects are detained at Gihango RIB Post while the body has been taken to Murunda Hospital for postmortem,” he said.
The six early-career women scientists in the developing world have been rewarded for demonstrating research excellence in the area of climate action and the environment.
The prize recognizes that these scientists have often overcome great challenges to achieve what they have.
According to foundation, the prize also acknowledges the scientists’ commitment to leading and mentoring young scientists, and to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities and regions. One prize is awarded to a scientist in each of OWSD’s four regions, plus one additional prize in any region. In 2022, two additional prizes were given exceptionally.
These regions include Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia and Pacific as well as Arab Countries.
Dr. Myriam Mujawamariya is a lecturer in the department of Biology at the University of Rwanda.
Dr. Mujawamariya is helping Rwanda to prepare for climate change by studying how various types of indigenous trees respond to different climate scenarios. Erosion is a major environmental concern in Rwanda, and many efforts are being put into landscape restoration and ecosystem-based adaptation. However, greater knowledge is needed about how trees will respond to higher temperatures and other climatic changes, as well as which trees can best support ecosystem services such as soil stabilization, climate regulation, biodiversity, and bioenergy.
Dr. Mujawamariya tested the physiological responses of 20 native species grown at three sites along an elevation gradient, to simulate different climate change scenarios, using [the unique Rwanda Tropical Elevation Experiment, Rwanda TREE project->https://www.rwandatree.com/]. The project will contribute to understanding of how climate change will influence tropical forest cover, carbon sequestration and biodiversity not only in Rwanda, but in all of Africa’s Western Rift Valley region and beyond.
She Mujawamariya received her bachelor’s degree in biology at the former National University of Rwanda in 2007, and a master’s degree in plant sciences, specializing in natural resources management, from Wageningen University in the Netherlands in 2012. She received her PhD in natural sciences, specializing in environmental science, from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden in 2021. She began working at the University of Rwanda in 2007 as a Tutorial Assistant, and then Assistant Lecturer since 2013; in 2021, she was promoted to Lecturer.
Dr. Mujawamariya is a member of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation and is a Research Associate at the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management (CoEB).
She has won numerous grants for her work, including the Belgian ARES grant, and grants from the Rwanda National Council of Science and Technology, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). She has participated in many community outreach activities through the University of Rwanda and CoEB to raise awareness for biodiversity conservation, including educating school children about environmental protection.
Other awardees include Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed, of Al-Saeed University; in microbiology (Arab region – Yemen); Heyddy Calderon, of the Instituto de Geología y Geofísica; in hydrology (Latin America & the Caribbean – Nicaragua); Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury, of the University of Dhaka; in aquatic ecology (Asia and the Pacific – Bangladesh); Flor de Mayo González Miranda, of San Carlos University; in environmental engineering (Latin America & the Caribbean – Guatemala) and Ashani Savinda Ranathunga of the University of Moratuwa; in geotechnical engineering (Asia and the Pacific – Sri Lanka).
The OWSD President Jennifer Thomson has said that ‘what 2022 winners are doing is absolutely outstanding’ highlighting that climate change ‘is the most pressing challenge of our time, and these women are finding innovative and effective ways to address it in their local contexts. We hope this award is the first of many for them’.
Each award winner will receive a prize of US$ $5,000. They will have the opportunity to be recognized and participate in several high-profile conferences and events. The first of these will be the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), where they will take part in a panel discussion during the Minority and Women Scientists and Engineers breakfast, February 19.
They will also take part in the International Conference on Gender Action and Climate Change at Istanbul Aydın University (IAU) in Turkey, March 24, and in the EuroScience Open Forum in Leiden, the Netherlands, July 13-16 2022.
Past OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award winners have been received by their country’s presidents and celebrated by local, national and international media. They have received other prestigious awards and fellowships including the L’OREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships and the British Council Award.
The multibillion eco-friendly homes are developed under a project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ run by ADHI Rwanda Ltd.
ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
The Bwiza Riverside affordable homes community project was designed primarily with first-time homeowners in mind. Qualifying buyers will choose from four distinct affordable home sizes and styles.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million.
Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
The unique construction method used in building ADHI homes consists largely of a patented system of light steel frames combined with lightweight concrete and other innovative elements to create green-certified homes.
The method results in 53% on-site energy savings and future cost savings for homeowners. Furthermore, Bwiza Riverside will use green infrastructure to develop a sustainable community with a low carbon footprint.
The government of Rwanda aims to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million dwellings by 2050. Through initiatives like the affordable housing program, the government seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges.
As he inaugurated the project worth Rwf100 billion on Friday 11th February 2022, Kagame was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
The ceremony was attended by different dignitaries including Government officials, bank leaders, diplomats accredited to Rwanda and members of the private sector.
The Head of State said that he met Soleman Idd, the founder and Chairman of ADHI Group in a couple of years ago where he was taken through the technology in housing and how it can lead to achieving affordable housing for ‘our population’ particularly those without high income. As he explained, Kagame told the investor that he wanted to see what he was talking about.
“That is how he set up this model to demonstrate what is possible. Keeping faith with Soleman, I think we have arrived at having something standing by which we can judge that the problem we have had for a long time can be addressed. This is just the beginning. There is a lot of work to do,” he said.
President Kagame emphasized that there is need for training and materials that have to be accessed locally for the project’s sustainability.
He promised the investor that the Government of Rwanda will remain a strong partner.
“If we can move faster, that should be our aim. On the side of Government, we feel we should do whatever is possible within our means to have our people access the kind of affordable houses that are needed in so large numbers. But today, we saw what is possible; we are going to stick with it and will demand that every one of us in the Government system does what we can possibly do to make significant progress,” Kagame noted.
“We have partners who want to support the Government to be able to house our people. I think they have seen what is possible with this model. I also think, it invites all of us for this strong partnership we can forge to be able to achieve what needs to be done,” he added.
At least 300 million housing units are needed globally not later than 2030 to address housing needs particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
Commenting on the project, Clare Akamanzi, RDB CEO, said: “We welcome the investment by ADHI in the provision of affordable housing. It boosts the government’s goal for urbanisation to reach 35 per cent by 2024. However, we need to see more houses being built as there is still a significant gap to meet the demand for affordable housing. We encourage more developers to take advantage of the existing incentives, which include the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent.”
During the unveiling, guests toured five completed model homes, which will serve as the “blueprints” for all other housing units to be built over the next two years. Upon completion of the development, Bwiza Riverside will comprise 1,680 affordable houses and 720 luxury units.
In addition to the affordable homes, ADHI Corporate has established a training academy for Innovative and Sustainable light steel frame construction. Academy students receive on-site, competence-based training to prepare them for future employment opportunities. As such, the academy students will form a key component in the building of Bwiza Riverside.
To ensure access to affordable financing, enabling more Rwandans to purchase homes in the project, ADHI Corporate has partnered with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
Commenting on the uniqueness of the housing project, Soleman Idd, the ADHI Chairman, said: “Our construction method is innovative yet uses proven technologies and materials that, when combined, result in faster, cheaper, stronger, and long-lasting buildings. Our built houses suffer minimum impact from the weather, seismic damage, wind and fire, rust, rot, and humidity. With our in-house training, skill development, certification and tools, we also empower both genders economically.”
{{About ADHI Corporate}}
The ADHI Corporate Group was established in 2011 in Gabon and is dedicated to innovation, sustainability and empowerment. Their sustainable construction method is a patented system that uses modular parts pre-made in a factory for faster and more affordable construction. This method addresses climate change concerns while providing homes that are well-suited to African climates.
As part of the national directives, the farmers were required to first do a Covid-19 test, and Sibomana’s results came positive. Health workers told him to self-isolate to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) has said that Sibomana instead defied the quarantine order and went to different bars to drink.
Sibomana was arrested later on Thursday Seta Village, Rukandabyuma Cell of Rugengabari Sector where he was found drinking, for defying the quarantine and deliberately spreading Covid-19.
“Community health counselors had been informed earlier about Sibomana’s positive results, as usual, to continue monitoring his health situation,” SP Ndayisenga said.
He added: “The counselors were prompted to call the Police and health workers after they found Sibomana in a bar in Seta, drinking. It also emerged that this was the second bar that he had visited to drink after testing positive for Covid-19 and being told to go into isolation.”
All those who were in contact with Sibomana were traced and tested for Covid-19 but their tests came out negative. However, health workers are monitoring them closely and were advised to report in case anyone experiences any signs.
SP Ndayisenga warned that the law punishes any person, who deliberately spreads an illness and cautioned the public against defying government directives meant to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Sibomana was taken to APADEC Kabona Isolation site for quarantine before handing him over to RIB for further legal action.
Article 117 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, wilfully transmits to another person an illness likely to cause disability, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of at least two years and not more than three years and a fine of not less than Rwf300,000 and not more than Rwf500, 000.
In case the illness transmitted is incurable, the penalty is imprisonment of at least 20 years and not more than 25 years and a fine of more than Rwf500, 000 and not more than Rwf1 million.
The bottles of varied brands including Martini, Jambo, Black Label and Marula were seized from three people on Friday, February 11, who were also taken into custody.
Two of the suspects; Eugene Musonera, 38, and Vedaste Nshimiyimana, 35, were arrested at their liquor shops in Bibare Cell, Kimironko Sector in Gasabo District where 387 bottles were seized.
The third suspect identified as Maniraguha Didier, 25, was intercepted at a snap check mounted in Shyorongi, Rulindo District with 12 bottles assorted brands of wines and spirits.
Maniraguha was at the time traveling in a Kigali-bound bus from Rubavu, allegedly to supply Musonera Eugene.
The liquors are said to be smuggled into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“When ASOC and Protection Unit officers intercepted Didier Maniraguha with 12 bottles of liquor, he disclosed that he was sent by one Geraldine Mukeshimana, who resides in Rubavu District, to deliver them to Musonera. Maniraguha led Police to Musonera’s liquor shop in Kimironko where 75 bottles were impounded,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Octave Mutembe, the District Police Commander for Gasabo, said.
He added that after Maniraguha revealed that he was also supplying Vedaste Nshimiyimana, Police searched the latter’s nearby liquor shop where other 318 smuggled bottles of wines and spirits were seized.
The search for their alleged suppliers, Geraldine Mukeshimana is still ongoing.
“Operations against smuggling and fraud were strengthened and we advise traders to engage in legal trade instead of such malpractices which lead to arrest and incurring loses,” SP Mutembe said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB for further legal process.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned. The driver also faces a fine of US$5000.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.
The law also provides a sentence of between six months and two years in prison.
The estate is a joint venture between The ADHI Corporate Group and the Government of Rwanda.
Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million.
ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
It deploys latest technology to build modern and affordable units for people of different economic backgrounds.
For the past ten years, the company has been building housing units with materials that reduce carbon emissions from the buildings.
ADHI Rwanda Ltd also runs a school dubbed ADHI Academy which trains people on constructing ecofriendly buildings. Graduates are hired to assist the company in its operations.
ADHI Academy project is expected to train 6250 not later than 2033.
The latter will be similar to Kinigi Model Village inaugurated in Musanze district last year in the context of Liberation Day. It will feature a market, schools, and connected with water and electricity. The village will also be comprised of sheds for residents’ livestock among others.
Early January 2022, IGIHE visited the plot of land where the village will be constructed in Nyiragongo Territory, in the plain located at the foothills of Nyiragongo volcano, few meters from Rwanda’s border with DRC in Busasamana sector of Rubavu district.
Demarcations separating individual’s parcels have been marked at the site. The plain is also home to Kanyanja camp accommodating people affected by Nyiragongo eruption. They are sheltered in provisional canvas tents awaiting completion of the model village.
A member of the camp’s management who got information from superiors, has told IGIHE that a village comprising of 7000 building units is set to be constructed on support of different donors including the wife of Joseph Kabila, Marie Olive Lembe di Sita known as Mama Olive.
He explained that they have started registering the first batch of beneficiaries once the model village is completed.
“Mama Oliva donated 2250 plots of land while the Government plans to build five thousand housing units. They are more than seven thousand in total. We have learnt that that the Government will build decent homes. Mama Oliva has already donated plots of land but the design of houses from her support is yet to be revealed,” he said.
{{Relief to beneficiaries}}
The majority of residents to be resettled are those living in the vicinity of Nyiragongo volcano particularly those with houses destroyed during the volcano’s eruption last year.
IGIHE has learnt that there are more citizens living in risky zones at the foothills of the volcano to be relocated.
James is among citizens living in Kanyanja camp in Nyiragongo Territory whose houses were destroyed by earthquakes.
“We live in the foothills of the volcano. Moving to that place will be helpful. This place we live in is very stony but I hope we can find arable land to grow vegetables once resettled,” he said.
James revealed, they are always scared that the volcano might erupt anytime.
“The place where the model village is set to be built is closer to Rwanda. When the volcano erupts again, it is possible to flee to Rwanda before magma reaches our residence, “he noted.
“We will be very thankful once the model village is completed,” James added.
Another Congolese identified as Kasongo has said that the construction of the model village should not be delayed to alley their worries.
“We are currently exposed to fire in the current residence because it can take long to reach Rwanda. That is why we need to be relocated to the village nearby Rwanda’s border to be safe from eruption’s risk,” he said.
{{Water scarcity}}
Citizens living in the foothills of Nyiragongo continue to endure hard life due to eruption’s devastating effects despite the support from various organizations operating in the area.
Their arable land has turned rocky following eruption but reveal that water scarcity is the most pressing issue. Some residents have said that it has been long without receiving water that was previously supplied by MONUSCO.
The place neither has markets nor access to water. They mainly rely on rain water while others have to walk for an hour to fetch water in Goma. Kasongo says that the village comes in handy as it will be connected with water.
One of the camp’s managers expressed worries that some people might die during times of hot sun in February and March.
“We are extremely desperate as we wonder how we will get along at this border without water. Some people might die if it doesn’t rain,” he said.
There is no source water nearby the construction site but DRC mulled discussions with Rwanda to connect water to the village.
The village was initially expected to be inaugurated on 4th July 2022 coinciding with Rwanda’s 28th Liberation Day but construction activities are still in the initial phases.
Nyiragongo’s eruption on 22nd May 2021 destroyed several infrastructures, took lives over 32 and left many people displaced.
The eruption saw Congolese nationals fleeing to Rwanda where they were warmly welcomed until they returned home.
Few days later, Kagame appealed for global support to manage the crisis on the border with DRC.
The volcanic eruption was reported to have destroyed hundreds of houses, water and electricity supply systems that some parts of Goma were left in blackout and pulled electricity from Rwanda.
On his visit to DRC in June last year, Kagame and Tshisekedi toured Kibati road among other infrastructures damaged by volcanic eruption.
Amb. Adam visited the district on Thursday 10th February 2022 where he was taken through touristic attractions including Nyungwe National Park and tea plantations in Kitabi among others.
After concluding his tour, he promised his country’s support to work with Nyamagabe district to advance its development and uplift residents’ wellbeing.
“I was invited by the mayor of Nyamagabe district. It is a good move that will forge partnerships between us in consideration of held discussions. Generally, tourism is broad and needs investment to maximize huge opportunities it presents. We are optimistic that it will be possible through budget allocation and thorough planning,” he said.
The mayor of Nyamagabe district, Hildebrand Niyomwungeri has said that the good cooperation with Israel Embassy will help them achieve great things.
“We want to uplift residents’ livelihoods in our district. The journey requires us to work with different partners. The ambassador of Israel is among those partners invited to walk with us,” he noted.
Niyomwungeri revealed that they have discussed on various area of concerns and agreed on the way forward to begin implementation phase.
Erneste Mugabo, a resident of Nyamagabe thanked the Government of Rwanda for continuously connecting them to development partners.
“Nyamagabe district located the former Gikongoro Prefecture was renowned for hunger but it has become history due to our far-sighted visionary leadership bringing development partners,” he said.
Amb. Adam also visited Murambi Genocide Memorial and a science school known for its French alias as Ecole des Sciences de Nyamagabe where he joined students to plant fruit trees.
The ceremony took place on Thursday 10th February 2022. With residence in Sweden, Amb. Gashumba also represents Rwanda in other countries including Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
Amb. Gashumba has said that discussions with the King of Norway revolved around strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in the next two years.
She told King Harald V upholding peace and security is among lessons Rwanda learnt from the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Amb. Gashumba reiterated Rwanda’s openness for green investment and encouraged investors and partners across the world and Norway to work with Rwanda to achieve environmental preservation and climate change resilience targets.
During her visit in Norway, Amb. Gashumba met with different officials and held talks with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bjørg Sandkjær among others for discussions on areas of mutual interests.
