His suspension has been announced through a Communiqué released by Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday 7th December 2021.
“Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has been suspended from the position of Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center owing to matters of accountability under investigation,” reads the statement in part.
Dr. Nsanzimana had been appointed to the position in July 2019 replacing Dr. Condo Jeannine.
Dr. Nsanzimana has extensive experience in HIV program design, strategic planning, implementation, and operational research with a focus on global care and treatment of people living with HIV.
He holds a Medical Degree (MD) and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the National University of Rwanda; a PhD in Epidemiology from Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute,University of Basel, Switzerland.
Dr. Nsanzimana also served as Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and taught Epidemiology and Research Methodology at the University of Rwanda among others.
Following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, Rwanda turned to the semi-traditional justice system to help clear a backlog of Genocide related cases.
The Government launched Gacaca in 2002 expedite reconciliatory and restorative justice as well as establish the whole truth about the Genocide.
The courts were closed in 2012 after settling nearly 2 million cases including 1,266,632 related to properties looted during the Genocide.
The Ministry of Justice had planned to get these cases finalized in 2010 but over 52,000 were still pending in 2019.
Challenges that hindered timely finalization of the cases include financial constraints where some culprits failed to pay or reconcile with offended Genocide survivors.
Finalizing property-related court cases is normally exercised by professional court bailiffs from the Association of Independent Professional Court Bailiffs in Rwanda operating under the auspice of the Ministry of Justice or non-professional court bailiffs including cell, sector and district executive secretaries.
The President of the Association of Professional Court Bailiffs, Lawyer Valerien Munyaneza has said that the need to leave the execution of these judgments under the power of local leaders was discussed during recent discussions with the Ministry of Justice.
“We had suggested that local leaders be granted the power to exercise the duties because they do not demand the fees charged by court bailiffs,” Munyaneza revealed during an interactive session between members of the judiciary and press on Monday 6th December 2021.
A professional court bailiff receives fees not less than Rwf300,000 as per legal provisions yet some culprits defeated in Gacaca court cases cannot afford Rwf100,000.
{{Hindrances}}
Recently, the Government enacted a Ministerial Order stipulating that the enforcement orders and documents relating to their execution must be published in electronic system of execution of enforcement orders.
However, there is a cost behind the electronic system where the order stipulates that the document related to the execution of enforcement order must be announced through radio advertisement or have it published by online media house.
“Sometimes, the winner of a court case is required to cater for that cost to be refunded later. It has been observed that court cases with possibility of being finalized swiftly are the ones involving huge amount of money to be recovered where they can be handled by professional court bailiffs using the technology,” Munyaneza observed.
“Because it is not the primary job of local leaders, such issues are not handled with urgency while some of them might not be familiar with the electronic system. These are major challenges behind delayed completion of such court cases,” he added.
Munyaneza explained that the unique approach used to try suspects in Gacaca courts was also applied in related execution.
“We would bring citizens together under a unique approach where a culprit owing Rwf100,000 to the offended person, can till his/her land at least 20 times, provide a cow or goat for us to resolve that the case is closed,” he noted.
“However, there are no slots where these arrangements can be recorded in the electronic system to decide on finalization of a court case. We had suggested that such cases be executed in a unique way that does not require the technology,” Munyaneza added.
The ceremony, which took place at Kigali Arena in Gasabo District started with an academic procession including Dr. Carlos Fernando – the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor ,members of the Board of Promoters, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans and other invited guests.
UoK’s Chancellor, Dr. Carlos Fernando Sotz, congratulated the 2021 graduating class adding that “all the successful graduates are a true testimony of UoK’s success and demonstrate the university’s continuous contribution to skills development in Rwanda and across the globe”.
With the main campus located in Kacyiru, next to the plush Kigali Heights, about 3 Kilometers from Kigali City Centre, UoK is a fully-accredited university chartered by the Government of Rwanda.
Following the recent graduation ceremony, the university has opened admissions for the next academic intake 2022 and encourages students not to miss the opportunity to study at one of the leading private higher learning institutions in Rwanda.
UoK with fully-accredited university chartered by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda.
{{Here Are 5 reasons why you must apply to study at UoK in 2022:}}
{{1.World-class Schools, Centres & Academies}}
UoK has 7 world-class and well-equipped schools, 3 centres and 2 academies which use effective as well as globally-acclaimed resources to deliver excellent academic services to students in diverse fields of study.
{{These are:}}
• School of Business and Management
• School of Computing and Information Technology
• School of Education
• School of Law
• School of Professional and Executive Programmes
• Center for Modern Languages (CML)
{{2. Industry-relevant and Globally-recognized Academic Programmes }}
At UoK, you have the opportunity to choose from a plethora of industry-relevant and globally-recognized academic programmes ranging from Undergraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Degrees, Professional and Executive Certificates as well as Postgraduate Diplomas in the fields of Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Procurement & Supply Chain, Computer Science, IT, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, CPA (Rwanda), CPA (Kenya), ACCA, CIPS, CIA, IPSAS, etc.
{{3. Experienced Multi-cultural Human Resource}}
UoK has a multicultural and experienced academic and non-academic staff. Currently, our programme modules are taught by 9 professors and 32 PhD holders in various disciplines, with exposure from different parts of the world and vast experience in both industry practice and academia.
{{4. International Partnerships}}
UoK believes in diversity, creation and dissemination of critical knowledge embedded in the wealth and potential of the region and the world. Consequently, we have partnered with reputable universities and Institutions from Kenya, Uganda, India, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Canada, UK, Poland, Ghana among others to give students and staff international exchange opportunities. Some of our exchange programmes are in Kenya, AIESEC, Erasmus, Erasmus+ and Germany through the support of the European Union.
{{5. Massive International Student Population}}
As a university of choice for international students with a drive towards internationalization and excellence, UoK has an international office which is solely responsible for the welfare of international students from the time of entry till they graduate. Currently, we have students from Angola, Nigeria, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, China, Turkey, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Chad, etc.
{{Testimonials from some of our 2021 Graduates}}
1.Grace Ntihemuka, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing told The New Times that she is grateful for the opportunity to study at UoK, adding that though it was a long and tough journey since she enrolled in 2018, the journey has been worthwhile and she’s well equipped to face the corporate world.
“I am very happy about my experience at UoK and encourage prospective students who are out there looking for a better university to enroll at UoK because they have everything and the university is full of opportunities.
2. Another master’s degree graduate, Evariste Manishimwe said that he is thankful for the university’s support during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that they provided and still provide the best teaching experience to students.
“I enrolled for my master’s programme in 2019, unfortunately, the following year, COVID-19 struck but the university helped us a lot and now we are celebrating our success though the pandemic is not yet over,” he said.
He added that the UoK was his first choice at the time he wanted to upgrade his education and he strongly encourages others to enroll at UoK because it is among the top universities with qualified lectures as well as programmes fit for local, international and global labor.
UoK is welcoming new students as registration is ongoing for 2022 January, May and October intakes. Apply now and be well-equipped to seize the future!
Upon arrival on Monday 6th December 2021, the deportees including 19 men, 6 women and 10 children narrated their ordeal where they endured torture in Uganda’s detention facilities accused of being spies. As they explained, some of their colleagues were killed.
It is said that espionage allegations are often raised against Rwandans after declining to join RNC terror group founded by Kayumba Nyamwasa.
On 29th November 2021, Uganda evicted more eight Rwandans after spending days in its detention facilities without consular access.
The recent deportation follows series of circumstances under which Uganda has been expelling Rwandans after enduring torture in its detention facilities accusing them of being spies yet they had traveled to the country to run businesses or visit relatives among other reasons.
In the past few months, Uganda handed over bodies of two Rwandans killed in the country.
The deceased include Theoneste Dusabimana, 52, hailing from Rubaya sector and Paul Bangirana, 47, from Kaniga sector. They were respectively killed on 30th August and 1st September 2021.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents posing threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
It is said that the duo had saved Rwf500,000 which they planned to increase to buy a plot of land and build own house.
As they got in heated arguments, Murebe left their home with all the money. During interrogation, Kanyamibare explained that taking away the money angered him and started plans to kill his wife.
He is detained at Nyarugunga RIB Post as investigation awaiting his dossier to be transferred to the Prosecution.
If convicted, he is liable to life imprisonment as stipulated in the article 107 of the Law No68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties.
RIB has appealed on the general public to shun disputes or seek assistance from relevant authorities to prevent similar incidents.
Local leaders have been also urged to identify and report families with strained relations or engulfed in disputes to receive support on time.
During the ceremony, Herzog thanked Gatera for Rwanda’s support in enabling Israel to have observer status at the African Union.
He also expressed interest in visiting Rwanda and Africa in general because he is convinced that there is tremendous potential in Africa.
Gatera assured the President that Rwanda will always support Israel noting that his country wants to see more people-to-people relationships.
Rwanda’s ambassador who was appointed to represent the country in Israel in June 2021, presented credentials on Monday 6th December 2021 along with three more envoys from Switzerland, the European Union and Italy.
Israel opened embassy in Rwanda on 1st April 2019. In an exclusive interview with IGIHE at the time, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Amb. Yuval Rotem said that opening the embassy in Kigali highlights the thirst to scale up relations.
Dr. Ron Adams is the current envoy overseeing Israel’s interests in Rwanda.
Rwanda and Israel relations date back in 1962 when the country obtained Independence.
In 2014, Rwanda became the first African country to sign bilateral agreements and later in 2015 opened embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In January 2019, both countries signed bilateral air service agreement to operate direct flights.
In the same year, RwandAir started flights to Tel Aviv.
Since 2012, Rwanda has been sending graduates from agricultural studies to Israel every year for hands-on training on different modern agricultural practices and paid internship.
Rwanda and Israel share common history as countries which experienced tragic history during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and Holocaust targeting Jews in the 2nd World War. From these scars, emerged courage and strength to work hard during the resilience process.
The exercise which started in Afungi and Palma in Cabo Delgado Province is set to continue to all areas of RSF deployments including Mocimboa Da Praia, Mbau and Limala.
They have received the booster dose at a time when some African countries have confirmed a new severe variant of COVID-19 dubbed Omicron which spreads faster.
Rwandan troops were deployed to Cabo Delgado Province on the request of the Government of Mozambique which sought assistance to quell insurgents that had captured the northern part of the country.
So far, Rwandan troops in collaboration with Mozambicans and SADC forces have repulsed the insurgents that had occupied the area for more than four years.
Besides, the Government of Rwanda is administering the booster dose to members of the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
Manizabayo had failed the practical driving test when he decided to take the criminal move to influence the officers to overturn the results and include him on the list of those who passed the test.
Manizabayo, who was seeking Category A license for a motorcycle, failed to maneuver through cones.
“I have failed the test a number of times and my provisional license is about to expire. So, I decided to bribe them with Rwf100, 000 to influence them to overturn their decision but I was arrested while handing over the money to one of the Police officers,” Manizabayo said.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera urged anyone inspiring to become a driver to follow due process and to avoid any criminal shortcuts.
“People should change the thinking that they will obtain a driver’s license through bribes, which is an act of corruption. Both parties; the person, who offers the bribe and one who receives it will face the law,” CP Kabera warned.
He thanked the officers for sticking to the RNP professional standards.
“It is the responsibility to every RNP officer to fight crimes including corruption in their day-to-day duties. If you fail, try again but do not take decisions that will make you regret,” CP Kabera said
Article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption states; 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.
Anthony Kagame, 40, was taken into custody on Saturday, December 4, after Police found a group of ten minors in the bar drinking at about 8:30 p.m.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Police responded to a call reporting noise pollution, which was coming from 360 Degrees Pizza Resto-bar.”
“During the operation, Police found a group of 14 people, who were drinking including 10, who were under-age. The manager claimed that they did not serve them alcohol but when Police officers tested them with a breathalyzer, they found that they had been drinking and the manager of the hospitality establishment was immediately taken into custody,” CP Kabera explained.
“It is prohibited and punishable by law to serve alcohol to anyone aged below 18 years. Owners, managers and employees of hospitality establishments should be conscious when serving alcoholic beverages to their customers to protect children from taking alcohol,” he added.
Health experts say young people’s brains appear to be more sensitive to damage from alcohol but less sensitive to some of the side-effects of alcohol.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights four broad categories of risk-taking behaviour that are consistently documented to be associated with excessive alcohol consumption in young people; high-level intoxication that results in loss of consciousness and risk of death, accidents, risky sexual behaviour, including unprotected sexual intercourse resulting in sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies, and sexual intercourse that young people later regret.
Physical harm caused by alcoholism, includes liver injury, cancer, gastrointestinal damage, immunodeficiency, cardiovascular disease, abdominal obesity and neurological harm.
According to WHO, these are rarely diagnosed in young people but manifest in later adulthood when the body becomes less able to repair and regenerate in response to repeated high-level exposure to alcohol.
In article 27 of Law N°71/2018 of 31/08/2018 relating to the protection of the child; a person who sells alcoholic beverages or tobacco to a child, causes or encourages a child to drink alcoholic beverages, to smoke or to go to bars commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three months but not exceeding six months and a fine between Rwf100, 000 and Rwf200, 000.
Africa New Life Church, an organization that strives to transform lives and communities through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and through acts of compassion is one of actors supporting this cause following the opening of a new school in Bugesera district in 2020, which offers courses under ‘Accelerating Christian Education’ program.
It is among few schools in Rwanda with such a program developing children’s intellectual capacity through a combination of science and Godly values.
During the ceremony to close the third school term, the Principal of New Life Leadership, Samuel Mukasa explained that the school nurtures students’ brain with Christ-centered education.
Graduates from the program also stand chance to pursue studies in universities from the United States and more than 45 African countries.
He further stated that the program is very unique considering its course packages.
“The program is unique in the sense that it focuses on Christian-centered education and imparts students with relevant skills enabling them to assume different responsibilities. It also helps students to learn with zeal to achieve great ambitions, “he said.
Besides, Accelerated Christian Education program is individualized and non-graded.
It allows students to work at their own level of achievement, which may vary from subject to subject.
The Executive Director of Africa New Life, Pastor Fred Isaac Katagwa has said that the uniqueness of New Life Leadership Academy lies in leadership skills and virtues students are acquainted with.
“Students will graduate from this academy with critical thinking skills. Our holistic approach also helps to educate students and acquaint them with positive attitudes,” he said.
The school has so far enrolled 70 students since it began operations last year with plans to receive not more than 200 to ensure that students continue attending studies in a favorable learning environment.
Katagwa revealed that the program is meant to raise future leaders from a school where faith meets learning.
Meilla Yves was previously pursuing courses under Rwanda Basic Education (REB) program but has moved to New Life Leadership Academy.
He explained that the curriculum of the academy enables him to work hard and understand courses easily.
Africa New Life works with the Government of Rwanda to train teachers and supports more than 10,000 students across the country.
It also has three affiliated schools some of which are located in Kayonza and Kicukiro districts accommodating approximately 1200 students.
Courses under similar program are also offered at six more schools in Rwanda including Life International Christian Academy (LICA), Trinity International Academy, Cornerstone International Christian Academy, New Kigali Life Christian Academy, Faith Foundation Academy and Springville Christian Academy.
