The statement released by the Ministry of Defence reads that the appointment and promotion takes immediate effect.
In 2016, Col Niyomugabo was the Commander of Rwanda Aviation Unit IV (RAU IV) peacekeepers serving under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
He has been serving as the head of RDF J1 prior to his new appointment.
Working with a trusted business partner, making well-informed decisions and striking the balance to treat stakeholders and clients fairly are among key considerations driving efficiency, taking the business to greater heights and create path for the business to thrive and generate more profits.
In addition to existing conducive business environment and security, investors need not to worry as they have got another reason to stick to Rwanda’s openness for businesses.
With an average annual growth rate of 8.6% over the past 10 years, Rwanda is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies which is now poised to become one of the continent’s leading financial centres. It is ranked second in sub-Saharan Africa in the World Global Rule of Law Index and second for ease of doing business. Rwanda is also recognized as the least corrupt, safest and first in terms of network readiness on the continent.
Among others, Rwanda has established a strong Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) network with many countries and the country is extending its network in Africa and with leading developing economies. The country has also entered into Investment Protection Agreements with several countries such as USA, Germany, Belgium and South Korea.
With long-standing experience, JurisTax Group has again proved its prowess as a reliable partner to lean on as it continuously strives to take the lead in the provision of tax advisory and related services with the expansion of footprints to Rwanda and local offices that will set a benchmark for regional presence.
The recent coming to Rwanda also adds up to the country’s ambitions to become an investment hub where almost all services for investors are pooled together.
Established in 2018, JurisTax Rwanda Ltd is part of JurisTax Group which is based in Mauritius since inception in 2008. The group has presence in Dubai, Seychelles, China, South Africa and Rwanda.
The company’s presence in Rwanda makes it the first local Trust Company Service Provider regulated by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). It is also member of Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC) making it easier to provide a full range of support services to clients, including corporate set up, administrative, accounting and secretarial matters.
According to Mrs Murorunkwere N. Lydie, the group has expanded footprints to Rwanda and joined the KIFC to be able to support different financial services companies aspiring to bring their investments to Rwanda.
Apart from that, the local subsidiary also looks forward to building capacity in the Rwandese market, in collaboration with a training institute based in Kigali (Africa Institute of Training & Development Ltd – AITD) to deliver high-quality trainings to equip the Rwandese professionals with the most up-to-date skills and knowledge needed to efficiently handle the contemplated influx of business in the Rwandese market.
With 2000 clients globally, JurisTax Group manages today a portfolio of US$5billion with major customers coming from the United States of America (USA), Asia, Europe and the African continent.
The group’s subsidiary in Rwanda works with private institutions in different sectors.
As Mrs Murorunkwere explained, the portfolio is growing gradually as Rwanda, through the KFIC, continues to offer different tax incentives to attract investors from around the world.
“JurisTax Group wants to use Rwanda as a channel to lure different investors on the continent after Mauritius. We want to make Rwanda as a gateway for foreign investors from Europe and Asia among others to enter the African market,” she said.
After completing the first point of entrance for investors which begins with registration at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), JurisTax Rwanda Ltd provides support beyond registration be it licensing from different authorities like the Capital market Authority, the National Central Bank, and Ministry of Trade among others.
“We try to work with those investors to understand the nature of business environment because it can take some time when you are not familiar,” said Mrs Murorunkwere.
“JurisTax Rwanda Ltd is not only trying work with the entire ecosystem in terms of regulatory bodies, but also making sure that the company to set up on the local market is going to be compliant with taxation, different laws with due diligence. We need to be cautious, work diligently to ensure new investors come with good reasons and help them develop proactive approaches to de-risk businesses in many ways,” she added.
As Murorunkwere revealed, JurisTax Rwanda Ltd seeks to be the leading trusted corporate service provider on the Region.
The company also mulls penetrating into other neighbouring East African countries.
“We have started creating synergies with other companies in the region so that we can help investors interested to expand businesses in the area. We will grow our African presence step by step but the main transactions are currently based in Rwanda,” she said.
JurisTax Rwanda Ltd is not only helping companies but also individuals with diversified investments through guidance to tap into available opportunities on the local market and helping them to maximize benefits from offered incentives.
The President made the call on 16th October 2021 addressing members of Unity Club Intwararumuri the 25th Anniversary Celebration since the club was established.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame reminisced on priorities Rwandans should put forward including unity, security and development that should be pursued together for common interests.
The President said that many people misunderstand the concept of humility thinking it underestimates them yet it induces dignity.
“Being humble doesn’t deprive you of anything but gives you more strength. Humility brings strength, it does not underestimate you. However, its deficiency means that the one without these values is egocentric. He/she never considers others’ interests,” he said.
The President emphasized that gains acquired from egocentrism are not durable because they incur lots of anomalies.
“If people in your surroundings are hungry but realize that you are happy and wasting [food], they judge you. Their judgment is not read to hold you accountable immediately but it finally affects you. I think, leaders should always be mindful of that lesson,” he noted.
Kagame said that Rwanda was renowned for two facets including a negative image (the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi) but highlighted that the country has left the dark past behind where it is has earned credibility for achieved remarkable progress.
The President however stressed the need to keep up the momentum to achieve more and urged Rwandans to be characterized by patriotism, and prevent small anomalies that might hold back attained progress.
Unity Club (Intwararumuri or Torch Bearers) was founded in 1996 by First Lady Jeannette Kagame, as a way to bring together members of cabinet and their spouses to promote cohesion among themselves and work together to enhance unity and peace while contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
Former cabinet members and their spouses are also members of the club.
During the ceremony, seven protectors of friendship pact (Abarinzi b’Igihango) were recognized for bravery that characterized them during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Speaking at the event, Brig Gen Didas Ndahiro, the guest of honour and the Commandant of the RDF Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) congratulated the graduates for their remarkable efforts in terms of discipline and hardwork. He also reminded them that the course is a very important career course of a senior officer.
The Commandant told the graduates that the knowledge gained will enable them to become better commanders and staff officers at tactical level and operational level. He noted that as they leave the College there is no doubt that the course improves efficiency in command and staff responsibilities.
Major Janet Musabyimfura the only female graduate said that she benefited a lot from the course in terms of command and staff responsibilities at different levels.
During the four-months course, the students undertook intensive training programme comprising many modules; including operational service writing, communication skills, force organisation, military leadership, command and management, military training, military intelligence tactics, logistics, land operations, air operations and peace support operations. They also undertook a number of study visits and conducted many indoor and outdoor exercises.
The pass-out ceremony was graced by RDF and Police Senior officers and attended by spouses, parents, friends, relatives of the graduates, religious leaders and local authorities in the Northern Province.
The flight to Goma is an addition to other DRC destinations including Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.
It is expected that RwandAir will be conducting bi-weekly flights to Goma on Monday and Wednesday.
The maiden flight to Goma on Friday saw the airline carrying 33 passengers traveling to Goma for different purposes.
Passengers expressed delight for the launch of flights to Goma noting that they will no longer use land transport in urgent situations.
Patrick Nzoloka who was among passengers flying with RwandAir to Goma said that he was would travel through Ethiopia to reach Goma in some instances. He explained that the new destination comes in handy to facilitate movements.
“I usually travel from Goma to Dubai through Addis Ababa. It is my first time flying with RwandAir from Kigali to Goma. This development will help Congolese nationals flying to different destinations particularly Nigeria, Benin and Kenya among others,” said Nzoloka.
In March 2019, Rwanda and DRC signed agreements to open airspace which saw RwandAir commencing flights to Kinshasa and vice versa.
Later in April 2019, RwandAir started operating three flights per week from Kigali International Airport to N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa.
Recently in June 2021, both countries also signed three cooperation agreements on the promotion and protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion between the two countries as well as a memorandum on gold mining.
The launch of new flight to DRC is expected to further ease movements and give a significant boost to trade between both countries.
Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest state-of-the-art fleets on the African continent.
With a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, RwandAir operates 12 aircraft with an average age of just under six years. The airline currently offers services to 25 destinations across 21 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The donations handed over separately on Thursday and Friday, were extended to women forums in two internally displaced camps in Juba.
Rwanda FPU-3 contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jeannette Masozera, handed over the items, which falls under the contingent’s human security and community assistance programme.
The handover of the items to beneficiaries in IDP camp 3 on Friday, October 15, preceded a community work–Umuganda–where the Rwandan peacekeepers joined the local police to improve cleanliness around Yei check-point police station.
Yei police station handles the policing matters of the displaced persons in the two camps in the area.
The handover of the donations also provided platforms to educate the women on fighting breast cancer, women empowerment, child protection, early marriage, and to encourage them to actively engage in peace and conflict resolution programmes.
“Young girls are facing challenges related to sexual violence and early marriage. In most cases, these are forced marriages where parents have a hand. These are young girls, whose future is shattered. As mothers, give your young daughters hope, protect them, encourage them to go to school,” SSP Masozera told members of the displaced women groups.
The women were further enlightened on life-threatening risks under such circumstances like complications while giving birth, depression, and suicide.
SSP Masozera encouraged them to break the traditional norms that influence early marriages and to form anti sexual and gender-based violence forums to discuss and act against such human rights violations.
Dr. Joseph Ndamiye Rugazura, the Chief Medical Officer for Rwanda FPU-3, educated the women on signs of breast cancer such as swelling of part of the breast, pain, and flaky skin and encourage them to always go for early medical checkup.
The meeting for Council of Ministers responsible for Police affairs in the 14-member countries, preceded the Council of Police Chiefs held on Thursday under the theme “Enhancing law Enforcement Strategies in Combating Transnational Organized Crimes in the Wake of COVID-19 and Beyond.”
EAPCCO member states are Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The ministers appreciated EAPCCO member countries for their effort in combating terrorism and transnational organized crimes through enhanced cooperation and collaboration.
While officially opening the meeting, the Prime Minister and Chief of Government for DRC, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, emphasized the importance of sub-regional organizations in the fight against transnational organized crimes.
“There is need to foster cooperation and to build capacity of law enforcement officers, continually share information and conduct due diligence on suspects,” Lukonde said.
He commended member countries for the continued support to DRC President, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo in his roles as the current President of African Union.
DR Congo took over the chairmanship for both councils of Police Chiefs and ministers responsible for the Police affairs, from Tanzania.
The ministers welcomed the decision by the Council of Police Chiefs to elevate the Marine Police College in Mwanza, Tanzania to EAPCCO Centre of Excellence in Maritime Police training.
DR Congo was also given the responsibility to establish a regional operation unit under EAPCCO Counter Terrorism Centre of Excellence (CTCoE) to collect, analyze and disseminate terrorism related information for action.
Other resolutions include expediting EAPCCO Centers of Excellence by host countries, strengthening sharing of crime-related information on transnational organized crimes and heightening the use of Interpol policing capabilities to facilitate the process.
The Ministry of Health has revealed that received vaccines are set to be directly distributed across different districts in an ongoing effort to vaccinate Rwandan residents.
Since March 2021, Rwanda has been receiving vaccine doses through COVAX initiative, donations from partner countries or direct purchases.
The Ministry of Health recently announced that more than 21% of the target population of 7.8 million people (representing 60% of the Rwandan population) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of today; a total of 1,712,081 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,865,234 received the first dose of COVID-19 since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
The country targets to have vaccinated 30 percent of the population by December 2021 and 60% by June 2022.
The number of new COVID-19 cases has been decreasing gradually which is considered a great milestone towards defeating the pandemic.
However, citizens are reminded of the critical importance of adhering to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing to consolidate gains.
