Giga project was launched in 2019 by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with aim to provide connectivity to every school in the world by 2030. As co-chair of the UN Broadband Commission, Rwanda supported the initiative and, in 2020, was chosen to lead the implementation of Giga in Africa.
Speaking on the funding, the Ambassador of Israel in Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, commended the strides made in Rwanda’s education sector over the years, and noted that Israel is pleased to support the country’s ground-breaking goal of universal connectivity in schools.
“Education is the foundation of everything, and this goes hand in hand with the quality. In this era, you can’t talk about quality while excluding technology. We believe that this support from Israel will be yet another stepping stone for Rwanda to realize its ambition of universal connectivity in schools and becoming a knowledge-based economy,” he said and added: “ Behind every child there is a scientist”.
According to UNICEF, in the 63 pilot schools of the Giga project, only 29 per cent of required computers and other devices for students and teachers is available, hence the need for more devices.
“We are grateful to the Israel Embassy in Rwanda for this generous support to Giga connect initiative in Rwanda. This support will enable the purchase of laptops for teachers in schools that are being connected to the internet across the country. The funding also comes to reduce the funding gap and bridge digital divide in schools, which is a barrier to quality learning,” said Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Country Representative to Rwanda.
The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that Gatete was trying to seduce the traffic officer with the bribe to let him continue the journey without the required traffic related documents.
“Gatete was driving a truck ‘FUSO’ and was stopped by Traffic officers for their usual road traffic control duties. They found that the truck had no inspection certificate, no transport authorisation and with worn tyres. Instead, he tried to bribe the officers with Rwf2, 000 so as to let him continue his journey and to prevent penalties for the violation of traffic regulations, leading to his arrest for the alleged attempted bribery,” SP Kanamugire said.
SP Kanamugire warned motorists against such criminal mentality, which will only lead to arrest and imprisonment.
“Respect traffic rules and regulations. If you are caught in any violations, do not turn it into a criminal act by trying to offer bribes,” he advised
Under article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
The minerals had been smuggled into Rwanda from the neighbouring Uganda, Burera District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Aphrodis Nkundineza, said.
“A resident called the Police to report Masengesho after seeing him transporting heavy sacks from the border with Uganda to his home, which is about 3kms from the borderline,” SP Nkurunziza said.
He added: “In response to the call, Police went to Masengesho’s home, searched the house and recovered sacks of wolfram minerals hidded in a hole, which he dug in one of the quarters.”
Following his arrest, Masengesho indeed said that smuggled them into Rwanda from Uganda. He further alleged that the minerals belong to a man, whom he only identified as Christophe, living in Rubavu District.
The DPC reminded the public that engaging in mining operations and trade requires an official license and warned that anyone involving in such illegal practices will be arrested.
He equally thanked the resident, who shared information leading to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the minerals.
Masengesho along with the minerals were handed over to RIB at Cyanika station for further investigation while the search of anyone connected to this criminal act is still ongoing .
Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
The suspects were arrested red-handed in possession of 46 metres of electric cables, which they cut from different homes.
“The cables were connecting homes from electricity poles and because of this vandalism and theft of cable, they experienced power outage,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamduni Twizeyimana, the Eastern region Police spokesperson, said.
The criminal acts were reported by the affected residents, he added.
“Police worked with the residents to identify those behind the criminal acts. On Thursday night at about 10pm, when some homes experienced the same issue, they immediately called the Police and local leaders and the suspects were located and arrested red-handed with the cables,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Mukarange station for further investigation and legal process.
Article 182 of the law relating to offences and penalties in general states that “any person, who maliciously demolishes or damages in any way, in whole or in part of construction, building, bridge, dams, water pipes and their routes, railway rails or any other means of communication or electric power infrastructure, wells or any other constructions, which do not belong to him/her, commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years and not more than five (5) years with a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The project’s activities started in four target districts of Burera, Gakenke, Gicumbi, and Huye in Northern Province and Southern Province respectively, with awareness workshops at Sector level and training of Sector officials and Social and Economic Development Officers (SEDOs) followed by village meetings conducted in each target village during which villagers selected Community Based Facilitators (CBFs).
The interactive workshops intend to build social inclusion enabling target villages to have an agile way to provide feedback and information about their villages to deliver better-improved livelihoods.
Sada Murekatete, a CBF from Gaseke Cell said the FCAP training equipped her with facilitation skills that will enable her to better train other village members and change their pathway-related behaviors, hence ensuring the future development for their village.
“We have learned that the development starts from a concept to a village project. As a facilitator, I will engage my village in participatory planning to assess development challenges and prepare a village project built from existing resources and opportunities”, she mentioned.
Brigitte Mukakamari, one of the village members in Gaseke Cell, Mutete Sector said that the ACE project is an additional asset to her farming activities. “The project will help me to increase agricultural productivity and enhance household food production”, she said.
Rosine Nishimwe, Spark Microgrants’s Trainer in Mutete Sector, Gicumbi District said that the training was launched to build the confidence of SEDOs and CBFs and refresh their knowledge in the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) sessions.
“During village meetings, an overview of the ACE project was discussed as well as the role of CBFs, commonly known as Inyenyeri – two volunteers elected by village members- including one para-social worker to monitor the village programs throughout the pathway,” Mrs. Nishimwe said, adding that 76 Inyenyeri from 38 villages were trained in two phases.
Nishimwe explains that in the first phase, SEDOs trained CBFs from 19 villages under the technical support of Spark Microgrants’s staff, and in October 2021, concluded the second phase, which involved 19 Inyenyeri from 19 remaining villages.
Dr. Joseph Nzirorera, the Agronomist of the Kinyababa Sector, states that the population is eagerly awaiting the ACE Project, which is expected to improve this sector’s social cohesion and development.
“During different meetings, we discussed development challenges in our sector and key areas of priorities. We expect that the ACE project will help to address challenges facing our region”, Mr. Nzirorera stressed.
Nkundabaganwa Sosthène, one of Inyenyeri in Gaseke cell, Mutete Sector said that the training equipped him with skills to better organize the development plans supported with clear objectives, starting with his own family.
“This includes tangible projects that guide my engagement in the pathway, which will therefore help me to apprehend the needs and challenges of village members I will train”, he said.
On the other hand, the SEDO of Gaseke cell confirmed that the ongoing training is the pillar to village-led planning and development ahead of the project implementation phase.
He noted that village members take advantage of the meeting to identify local development opportunities that will guide their villages’ selection of development projects.
“The training received aimed at empowering village members and equipping them with skills and knowledge in developing projects that will last longer even after ACE Project. Spark Microgrants aims to reinforce projects initiated by villagers themselves”, he noted.
He also observed that Spark Microgrants promotes an approach that encourages communities to select viable and environment-friendly projects.
The Advancing Citizen Engagement Project (ACE) project officially launched September 22, to support small businesses creation to improve livelihoods and strengthen social cohesion for around 76,000 people across 249 rural poor villages through small grants and village-based facilitation.
Through the FCAP, the project is meant to build capacities of each target village for planning, financial management, and advocacy skills to plan and execute the collective project.
During the village meeting in Kaganda Cell, Kinyababa Sector, Habanabakize Pierre Celestin, and Cell’s SEDO encouraged villagers to increase profits from the projects that each village will select.
“Projects that you wish to select should aim at addressing development challenges in your respective villages. The ACE project will last for two years and the third year for phasing out. If the grant of 7,600,000 Rwf given to each village does not make around 25million in that period that will be considered as failed projects”. He advised community members.
He also encouraged villagers to regularly and actively participate in village weekly meetings, which will increase their knowledge of enhancing participation in village savings and make their projects more resilient.
A total of 173 people of whom 85 are women have been trained in Mutete and Kinyababa sectors. They include 140 CBFs, 9 SEDOs, and 24 Sector officials.
The project is an initiative of Spark Microgrants, implemented through the collaboration of the World Bank, Spark Microgrants, Comic Relief, and Governments of Rwanda and Japan. A total population of 152,645 will benefit from the project in terms of improved village planning and engagement with local government.
This will include an enhanced understanding of access to government social protection programs through engaging residents in project proposals that respond to the social development and priorities of their villages.
The US$6 million projects are meant to strengthen citizen engagement, support livelihoods and income generation in rural areas.
It will also provide training and support to government officials on how to engage citizens in local development planning at the national and local levels. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, this practical experience will inform a new national framework on participatory village planning.
Born in 1964, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe is the founder and CEO of African Fashion International (AFI), an all-inclusive investment firm based in South Africa which develops entrepreneurs operating within the creative sector across Africa.
In 1989, she was married to Patrice Motsepe, ranked among top 1064 global tycoons with wealth estimated at US$2.9 billion.
She has been leading the University of Cape Town since January 2020 but her official inauguration was delayed due to COVID-19 related effects.
As he virtually addressed participants at the official installation of Dr. Precious on Friday 10th December 2021, President Kagame highlighted that the University of Cape Town is not only one of Africa’s finest universities, but also recognized around the world for excellence.
“Among its graduates, we count South Africa’s best and brightest, as well as many emerging professionals in my country and throughout Africa,” he noted.
The Head of State underscored that the time students spent on the University of Cape Town campus did not only enrich them academically, but also prepared them for a productive life of service after graduation.
Dr. Precious replaced Graça Machel, the wife of late Nelson Mandela who led the university from 1999 to 2019.
Kagame congratulated Dr. Precious on new appointment and commended her for being an inspiration ‘in her own right as a physician, philanthropist and an entrepreneur’.
The President further urged the university to create greater connection with the continent to support its initiative of deepening integration and unity.
Dr. Precious becomes the sixth chancellor of the University of Cape Town and second black woman holding similar position.
These women pitched projects including cattle, pig farming, boat repairing, coffee growing and milling business.
During the ceremony to handover 40 cows to beneficiaries, the Country Manager of C Dormans, Jean Bosco Seminega divulged that they have decided to support women considering their critical role to national development.
“Women play a critical role to the country’s progress. When they receive livestock, the produce is efficiently utilized to benefit the entire family. Women feel empowered in national development when they receive livestock,” he said.
Seminega expressed optimism that beneficiaries will take good care of received cows as they have made it a habit in coffee farming.
“Apart from providing compost used to increase coffee yields, a cow helps families to grow income. These cows will be milked to improve nutrition and help farmers obtain compost to fertilize coffee plantations. Besides, beneficiaries can also sell milk and offspring to earn a living,” he stated.
Nyamasheke district vice mayor in charge of economic affairs, Joseph Désiré Muhayeyezu thanked C Dormans for contribution to national development and urged beneficiaries to take care of cows and pass heifers to other members of the community.
The excited beneficiaries also pledged raise them properly and use compost to increase coffee yields.
“I am very delighted with the donation and thank Dormans for this great gesture. The cow will help my family to improve livelihoods and pass offspring to change neighbors’ lives too,” said Bernadette Uwitonze.
Furaha Nyiransabayezu, is another beneficiary who used to harvest 1600 kilograms of coffee. With the cow donation, she pledged to take advantage of compost to increase the produce to 2700 kilograms.
Nyiransabayezu also praised Rwanda’s leadership for being far-sighted to introduce Girinka program to transform citizens’ livelihoods.
C Dormans operates in four districts namely; Rusizi, Kamonyi, Gatsibo and Nyamasheke.
The company has existed in Nyamasheke for the past nine years where it contributed to improved livelihoods through cows and pig donations and infrastructure development.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the suspected drug dealers were arrested in ANU coordinated operations.
“One of the suspects; Jean Baptiste Musheberejiki, 47, identified to be a major drug dealer, was arrested in the wee hours of Thursday at his hime in Kabirizi Village, Rwanzekuma Cell of Cyanzarwe Sector with 521 rolls of cannabis,” said CIP Karekezi.
“Later on at about 2pm, two other suspected drug dealers identified as Jesus Techin Kirura, 22, a Congolese national, and one Serge Gihana, 37, a Burundian national were arrested with 40 pellets of cannabis in Amataba Village, Bugoyi Cell of Gisenyi Sector.
Two other drug dealers; Claudine Murekatete, 30, and a Congolese national only identified as Shukuru, were arrested with 1,350 pellets as they headed to Majengu Village, Umuganda Cell also in Gisenyi Sector, where it is alleged they were going to supply their clients.”
He commended residents, who continue to share information on suspected drug dealers, which facilitates successful operations.
The suspects were handed over to RIB for further investigation.
The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.’’
Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
Gasana once served as member of parliament and was later named the head of Internal Security in the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) prior to his new appointment.
The post has been vacant since Gen Patrick Nyamvumba was removed from office in April 2020.
The Ministry of Internal Security was once led by Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana for ten years before it was dissolved in 2016.
His predecessors include Jean de Dieu Ntiruhungwa from 2001 until 2005 when he was replaced by Christophe Bazivamo.
They are joining refugees and asylum seekers Rwanda has welcomed in the previous six batches.
Rwanda signed agreements to host refugees stranded in Libya on 10th September 2019 with the African Union (AU) and UNHCR.
Rwanda made the commitment to host refugees from Libya in 2017 following revelations that thousands of people from across Africa were stranded in the country after their failure to reach Europe and subjected to slavery.
Rwanda committed to receiving 500 refugees at the head first of whom a group of 66 African refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya arrived in Rwanda at the end of September 2019 in the first batch aboard the airplane of Buraq Air.
As of today, 648 individuals, excluding the latest batch, have been received and 462 among them were resettled to third countries.
Refugees and asylum seekers hosted at the camp hail from different countries including Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tchad and Cameroun.
All the previous batches were all accommodated at Gashora transit camp in Bugesera district which previously hosted thousands of Burundian refugees since 2015 before they were relocated to other sites.
Recently, The Government of Rwanda, the African Union and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency signed an Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) to continue evacuating refugees and asylum seekers from the State of Libya to the Republic of Rwanda.
The addendum, which extends the provision and legality of the ETM, will allow for vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have been trafficked and experienced violence in Libya – including detention in dire conditions – to be assisted.
By extending the agreement with immediate effect, it ensures that the operation at the ETM Centre Gashora, Rwanda, will continue until 31 December 2023. The facility will also expand its capacity to evacuate and accommodate up to 700 people at any given time, an increase from the current maximum capacity of 500 persons.
Under this agreement, the Government of Rwanda will continue to receive and provide protection and assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers and other vulnerable people at risk in Libya. They will be evacuated to safety in Rwanda on a voluntary basis.
Upon arrival, UNHCR will pursue durable solutions for the evacuees. While some may benefit from resettlement to third countries, others will be facilitated to return to previous countries of asylum, or to return to their home countries if it is safe to do so. Some may be given permission to remain in Rwanda subject to agreement by the competent authorities.
