Since Tour du Rwanda was classified under 2.1 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) category, Huye has been the finish line for the second stage in 8 Tour du Rwanda editions. In five of the editions, the winner of the stage also won the entire race. It was the case for Jelloul Adil from Maroc in 2009, Darren Lill in 2012, Areruya Joseph in 2017, Mugisha Samuel in 2018 and Merhawi Kudus in 2019.
{{The second stage is a lucky stage for Rwandans}}
In 2018, Mugisha Samuel won the second stage which gave him the chance to win the yellow jersey worn by the overall leader of the race and eventually the winner while in 2017, Areruya won the second stage which kicked off from Rusizi to Huye.
Last year, Eritrean Merhawi Kudus won the second stage of Tour du Rwanda and the entire race. South African Darren Lill who also won Tour du Rwanda in 2012 had finished first during the race’s second stage.
Mulu Kinfe is the second Ethiopian to win a stage in Tour du Rwanda after Bereket Desalegn Temalew who won stage 6 from Rubavu to Kinigi during Tour du Rwanda 2018. He races for team Nippo-Delko-One Provence, a French UCI ProTeam.
The minister proposed an increase in the national budget by Rwf 3,017.1 billion from Rwf 2876.9 billion that was proposed last year in the original budget. He explained that government expenditures will increase from Rwf 1726.2 billion to Rwf 1081.9 billion showing a Rwf 75.7 billion increase.
The National Budget will be revised as a response to changes in recurrent spending, capital expenditure, and lending outlay. “Foreign aid is expected to reduce from Rwf 409.8 billion to Rwf 403 billion.
Dr. Ndagijimana said that the increase in national budget will allow timely payment of salaries to health staff, promoting medical staff and allowing the operations of newly established embassies in Accra, Ghana, Doha in Qatar and Rabat in Morocco. It will also enhance health-based insurance subsidies, milk support programs under the National Early Childhood Development Program as well as planned international sports activities.
In his statement, Ndagijimana told parliamentarians that the budget allocated to government projects will increase from Rwf 1152.1 billion to Rwf 1156.2 billion.
Government investment will increase from Rwf 244.2 billion to Rwf 257.2 billion while domestic resources are projected to increase by Rwf 75.7 billion from Rwf 1726.2 billion.
In general, Minister Ndagijimana noted that in 2019, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 10.9% compared to 8.3% recorded in 2018. He explained the increase was brought about by improvements in agriculture, industries and the service sector. Only 9 months into 2019, agricultural yield increased by 5.7%, industries by 17.7% and the service sector by 11%. “On the increase of market prices, during the first and second term of 2019, prices were rated low but in the third term, prices increased on a rate of 2.4% and 6% during the fourth term.”
He announced that there will be a general decrease in market prices due to a great performance in the agricultural sector.
The money supply increased by 11.1% in November 2019 and loans to SMEs increased by 12.5% between December 2018 and November 2019.
However, Ndagijimana noted that the Rwandan currency has lost its value compared to the dollar with a 3.9% depreciation but that it had no significant impact on the foreign exchange market.
In December 2019, Ndagijimana said that government revenues increased from Rwf 871.6 billion to Rwf 907.3 billion showing an additional increase of Rwf 35.7 billion compared to the projected revenues. The increase in government revenues comes from taxation and foreign aid.
Minister Ndagijimana informed parliamentarians that the revised budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year is part of the revised medium-term Macro-economic framework that aims at continuing the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST).
The partnership was announced on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 in Gasabo district during the flagging off of the 12th edition of ‘Tour du Rwanda’. The ceremony was led by Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa, Minister of Sports, Commissioner of Police (CP), John Bosco Kabera, Murenzi Abdullah, Ferwacy President and CP Rafiki Mujiji, RNP Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety Department.
CP Kabera said that the partnership adds on the usual collaboration between RNP and the cycling federation especially during Tour du Rwanda. “Following road safety measures is critical during Tour du Rwanda. We expect the race to end with no fatalities.”
RNP and Ferwacy partnership follows a countrywide campaign in different churches across Rwanda.
CP Kabera asked the general public to bear with the changes brought about by Tour du Rwanda and respect road safety measures throughout the race.
“Tour du Rwanda covers all districts of the country. Some roads will be closed during the race and it might create unusual jams. Traffic police officers will be at all junctions to facilitate movements. We urge Rwandans to bear with the changes so that road safety can prevail.”
Kabera asked cycling fans to support the racers but also keep in mind not to stand in the road or other behaviors that might cause accidents.
“Tour du Rwanda is scheduled from February 23rd to March 1st, 2020. During all this time, racers will use roads in Kigali heading to different districts across the country. Fans should at all times observe road safety measures to avoid accidents.”
He concluded urging spectators to keep a reasonable distance from the roads, tend to children to prevent them from wandering in the road and avoid any other behavior that might cause fatal accidents.
Rutabana, formerly a soldier in the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), currently stands in the ranks of the opposition with RNC. 5 months ago, he was reported missing and the news brought discord in the already precarious terrorist organization.
The family and friends of Rutabana wrote countless letters to the RNC and the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking for help and asking about his whereabouts and safety. Given that Rutabana has French nationality, it reached a point where the family sought help from the French government but to no avail.
After his disappearance, a lot of rumors were heard that he was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while others brought to light several conspiracy theories that he was assassinated by his RNC fellows. Kayumba Nyamwasa, the leader of the terrorist organization was the prime suspect in the disappearance of Rutabana.
Many months later, Ugandan media announced that Rutabana had been incarcerated in Uganda although the motive behind it was not mentioned. Rutabana coordinated most of RNC activities and frequently held talks with Philemon Mateke, the Ugandan Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Rutabana went missing at a point where a hostile atmosphere reigned within RNC. The group faced hurdles since last year due to feuds between members, conspiracies, the sacking of several members and the death of an important number of its fighters who were also part of the P5 terrorist group financed by Rutabana and others.
Uganda admitting that Rutabana is in custody once again proves the country’s agenda of providing shelter and protection to dissidents aiming at destabilizing the security of Rwanda.
The Daily Monitor announced that Kampala High Court has ordered security authorities including Uganda Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Internal Security Organization (ISO) to bring to justice Ben Rutabana.
The request was signed by Justice Esta Nambayo on February 20th, 2020 although Rutabana was apprehended in September 2019. He was reportedly brought to the CMI in Mbuya, later transferred to ISO headquarters and brought back to CMI. All the transfers were conducted in utter secrecy.
His trial is highly anticipated mainly due to the fact that he was initially supported by the government of Uganda.
Rutabana left Belgium on Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 at 21:45 pm on board Emirates Airlines heading to Entebbe, Uganda. The flight made a stop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates before landing in Entebbe on September 5th at 13:50 pm.
All the while, he was communicating with his wife, Diane Rutabana between the 5th and the 8th of September but after that, he completely went MIA. He was expected to return back to Belgium on September 19th but he never came back.
After news that he went missing, many people wondered why he went missing in Uganda despite the fact that he had for years been moving in and out of the country with no security concern whatsoever.
News about his indictment were announced after the government of Uganda and CMI appeared in court to justify the reason behind the arrest of Rwandans, Theogene Sendegeya and Emmanuel Mageza. The two were arrested for 11 months and were not allowed to appear in courts to respond to alleged crimes. Mageza died from torture while Sendegeya reportedly escaped to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.
Uganda stands accused of hosting and financing Rwanda dissidents and terrorist organizations and for issuing a Ugandan passport to Charlotte Mukankusi, RNC Commissioner for Diplomacy. On Thursday last week, however, Uganda announced that her passport had been revoked.
On Monday last week, Uganda dropped charges against Fidele Nzabonimpa and Seleman Kabayija who were accused of illegal possession of firearms. The two Rwandans fled to Uganda after taking part in a terrorist attack in Kinigi, Musanze District claiming 14 lives. They were handed over to Rwanda where they are expected to appear in court.
Rwanda requested to Uganda that Mugwaneza Eric and Captain Nshimiye alias ‘Governor’ should also be handed over to Rwanda as they are the main suspects of the attack.
During the fourth quadripartite summit which was held at Gatuna/Katuna border on February 21st, 2020, Uganda was given one month to verify allegations that it hosts Rwanda dissidents and if found true, take actions to definitively stop all support to those groups and preventing it from happening again.
Uganda and Rwanda also signed the Extradition Treaty which established a legal framework to handle legal cases of justice.
Bamporiki expressed the concern Friday, February 21, on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day which was celebrated in Kirehe District.
During the event, people from Kirehe District who speak Ururashi, a branch of Kinyarwanda, had time to showcase their language, through conversations, dances, and songs.
In Ururashi, for one to say, “Amakuru ki?” one says, “Agandi shi?”
“Waruga hi?” stands for “Uvuye he?”
“Munuriwe,” stands for “Muryoherwe.”
“Murayire gi,” is for “Waramutse.”
Ururashi relates closely to Kinyankole as many of their phonetics sound alike. The people of Kirehe claim that Ururashi is on its edge because children no longer speak it but instead learn and speak Kinyarwanda.
Children who took speeches criticized some of their parents who mix Kinyarwanda with some other words in foreign languages, making some Kinyarwanda words to be forgotten. Such words include, “Masenge,” “Mwishywa,” “Nyokorume,” and “Nyinawabo,” all of which are replaced by such foreign language words as “Cousin,” “Uncle,” and “Tantine.”
Bamporiki took that opportunity and told parents that in speaking foreign languages they hinder their children’s exposure to Kinyarwanda terms.
He added that beside the parents who encourage foreign languages at home, there are some schools that favor the use of only foreign languages for their students.
“There are schools that fall into the trap of restricting their students from speaking Kinyarwanda as a way of encouraging their mastery of foreign languages. Rwandan children have no problem. If they were to be given enough time, they would learn well Kinyarwanda. There are some families in which children speak a language their parents don’t know or vice versa. It is a tragedy, that time might come when you might need to pass something down to your children and they will miss it because they couldn’t tell what you meant.”
Bamporiki noted that Kinyarwanda has a problem of slangs that are introduced into the language by public speakers who influence their audiences to use them.
“It is a challenge that there are many slangs being introduced into Kinyarwanda where we sometimes give a word that already existed a different meaning, leaving the former official meaning to die. We need to fight this with all our might.”
He said that the best way to overcome the challenge is for all leaders and public speakers to use a good Kinyarwanda without mixing it with foreign words whenever they address the public.
The Chairperson for the Rwanda Academy For Language and Culture, Sr Mukabacondo Therese said that Kinyarwanda is a crucial resource to the country as it brings all Rwandans together. She asked those who teach Kinyarwanda to put much effort into its good mastery by learners before they introduce to them other languages.
Nyiramatabaro Mariana, 67, one of the elders who speak Ururashi told IGIHE that a lot of effort is needed in protecting Kinyarwanda and all its branches as all of them are being weakened by development.
Rwanda celebrated this year’s International Mother Language Day for the 17th time under the theme: “Let’s use a proper Kinyarwanda.”
Starting Tuesday, February 25th, 2020, degree certificates will be issued following published schedules.
An announcement published on UR website reads: “From February 25th, 2020, graduates may collect their November 2019 degree and diploma certificates and academic transcripts in person upon presentation of official identification.”
The schedule for collecting the degree and diploma certificates shows that College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) and College of Business and Economics graduates will collect theirs at CBE in Gikondo starting February 25th to March 10th, 2020.
College of Agriculture, animal sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) and College of Education (CE) graduates will collect their degree and diploma certificates at the Registrar’s office in Remera.
College of Science and Technology (CST) graduates will collect their degree and diploma certificates at the registrar’s office in Nyarugenge.
However, from March 11th, 2020, CAVM graduates will be collecting their degree and diploma certificates from the registrar’s office in Busogo while CE graduates will be collecting them from Rukara Campus.
In January 2020, there were countless complaints of graduates reproaching the university’s administration of lateness in handing over degree certificates. They noted that it was a major hindrance for those who are searching for jobs.
UR administration explained that the university’s considered target is to always issue degree certificates during the graduation ceremony but that they are in most cases delayed by students who pay for all the necessary requirements at the last minute and others who fail to complete their payments.
UR promised that the degree certificates’ availability will be accelerated as they are no longer printed from Europe but locally. However, the university explained that since degrees are printed in Rwanda for the first time, they will be meticulous in executing it to avoid printing errors.
In 2019, a total of 9,382 students graduated with Bachelors degrees in various fields including 2488 women and 5894 men. They are all still waiting for their degrees.
Miss Phirinyane arrived in Kigali on February 20th, 2020 while Miss Ghana and Miss South Sudan arrived in Kigali on Friday, February 21st, 2020.
Oliver Nakakande, Miss Uganda 2019 and Sylvia Sebastian, Miss Tanzania 2019, will also be present during the crowning ceremony of Miss Rwanda 2020.
19 contestants will compete in Miss Rwanda 2020 finale after a two-week boot camp. There were 20 contestants at the beginning of the boot camp but contestant Ingabire Jolie Ange withdrew from the competition due to sickness.
Tickets for the finale which will be held at Intare Conference Arena starting 5 pm are already on sale and can be purchased using Mobile Money ( *182*8*1*333111#), through Ecobank or get physical tickets at Camellia KBC, Keza Salon and Smart Design offices.
Uganda and Rwanda noted that since the last summit, progress was registered regarding the commitment of both parties to solve tensions. Based on this, both parties are expected to release prisoners from both sides and continue to observe the Rule of Law and the International Humanitarian Law.
During the summit, President Kagame and President Museveni signed the Extradition Treaty which was approved during the third Ad Hoc Commission between Rwanda and Uganda. The treaty establishes a legal framework to handle legal cases of justice including alleged rebellious activities practiced on Ugandan territory.
The summit recommended that within one month, Uganda will verify the allegations of Rwanda that Rwanda dissidents are operating on its territory and if proven right, Uganda will take actions to definitively stop all support to those groups and prevent it from happening again.
Once this resolution is fulfilled, the Ad Hoc Commission between Rwanda and Uganda will convene at Gatuna border within 15 days for a solemn re-opening of borders and normalization of the movement of people and goods between Uganda and Rwanda.
Final communique of the 4th Quadripartite Summit between Heads of State and Government of the Republic of Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Rwanda held at Gatuna/Katuna on 21 February 2020. pic.twitter.com/WI3eT5VXWk
Canceling the passport of Mukankusi is one of three requests Rwanda made before the quadripartite summit.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirmed the news via his Twitter account.
“Yesterday, Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote a ‘note verbale’ to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rwanda acknowledging that Charlotte Mukankusi Charlotte, RNC Commissioner for Diplomacy, had indeed received a Ugandan passport which she was using for her terrorist activities. The passport was revoked.”
Rwanda has requested Uganda to follow up closely on Mukankusi’ movements in Uganda particularly in January 2020 and revoke her passport with registration number “No A000199979”
Mukankusi joined RNC in 2004 and was at the time, second in position to Kayumba Nyamwasa who was the ambassador of Rwanda to India. The government of Rwanda granted a diplomatic passport to Mukankusi but it was not renewed after she made herself known as a fervent political dissident of Rwanda.
News about Mukankusi obtaining a Ugandan passport spread after one-on-one talks she held with President Museveni where she explained in detail RNC motive to destabilize the government of Rwanda.
Her passport showed that she is Rwandan, born on August 10th, 1970 in Mbarara, Uganda. She held a diplomatic passport, PD 000223, service passport PS009269, and permanent residency permit PC061537.
Her Rwandan Identity Card had number 1197070004061075.
After her diplomatic passport was revoked due to terrorist activities, Uganda chose to facilitate her movements inside Ugandan territory and granted her a Ugandan passport. On February 11th, 2019, Charlotte received a permanent residency permit allowing her to exercise her rights as a Ugandan citizen.
In March 2019, President Museveni had a second visit from Mukankusi in Kampala aiming at strengthening relations between Uganda and RNC and assess the evolution of both parties’ common interests. Mukankusi urged President Museveni to reject a United Nations report published on December 31st, 2018 showing links between the government of Uganda and RNC.
The report stated that Uganda supports different activities of the terrorist group including recruiting new members from various areas in Uganda and providing them with military training in Minembwe, DRC. Museveni agreed to all the requests.
After the meeting which Museveni mentioned it was “accidental”, he wrote a letter to President Kagame justifying himself and explaining that the encounter was uncalled for.
Revoking Mukankusi’s passport follows the decision of Uganda to release 13 Rwandans who were held in Uganda and the deportation of two suspects in the Kinigi attack in 2019. Rwanda repaid the effort by dropping charges and releasing 17 Ugandans who were serving their sentence in Rwanda.
However, Rwanda reminded Uganda to investigate the movements of Prossy Bonabaana, Sula Nuwamanya, Dr. Rukundo Rugalo, Emerithe Gahongayire and Emmanuel Mutarambirwa who are accused of collecting money to finance RNC activities through a non-government organization called Self-Worth Initiative.
Rwanda also urged Uganda to bring to hand over the remaining suspects of Kinigi attack including Mugwaneza Eric and Nshimiye who goes by the alias ‘Gavana’
Nshimiye allegedly led the Kinigi attack on the 3rd and 4th, 2019. The attack claimed the lives of 14 Rwandans. Nshimiye reportedly has the support of Philemon Mateke, Uganda Minister of State for Regional Affairs.
Besides interest-free loans, winners of the competition receive training from BK in partnership with Inkomoko, a business consulting firm that works with micro, small, and medium enterprises in Rwanda to develop powerful strategies to increase their profits.
Mukagahima Marie Ange, the CEO and Founder of Zima enterprise, a pumpkin processing company which also deals in pastries, flour, roasted seeds, and seed oil told IGIHE that Urumuri initiative made her business prosper due to the training and loans she received.
“We process pumpkins and make oil and biscuits from them since 2017. Before we won Urumuri competition, we did not have enough resources to process pumpkins and make pastries but after, we were able to purchase adequate equipment and our productivity has doubled ever since. Our vision is to establish our footprint across the country and hopefully start exporting our products as well.”
Uwizeye Josue, the CEO of Josh Innovation, a company which deals in zero-carbon cookers said that the loan he acquired from BK Urumuri allowed him to expand his business, innovate and create new products.
“We have recently started making drones but we focus more on research. In the future, we expect to launch a drone assembling plant and I believe, we will be a pioneer drone industry in Rwanda.”
He expressed concerns about the Coronavirus outbreak because he had ordered some equipment from China but the trade blockade caused by the virus didn’t make it possible for the order to be delivered. “I hope the situation gets better and that a cure for the Coronavirus will be found.”
Uwizeye currently employs 12 staff and his business continues to operate despite the outbreak of the virus.
BK Urumuri initiative was launched in 2017 as the Bank celebrated its 50 years’ anniversary.
During the launch of the BK Urumuri Initiative on March 7th, 2017, Dr. Diane Karusisi, BK Chief Executive Officer said that the objective is to support young entrepreneurs in realizing projects that might contribute to the development of the country.
“We initiated Urumuri looking forward to 50 years to come when technology will be leading especially in trade. We aim at assisting young entrepreneurs to adjust with an evolving business sphere.”
In 2017, BK offered loans worth Rwf 60 million to 8 young entrepreneurs. Among the winning projects were Safe Motos which won Rwf 11.7 million, DSIS&T which designs sprinkler irrigation systems and technology and received Rwf 4 million, Kalisimbi Wines received Rwf 9 million, WiredIn Ltd, Rwf 8 million, Pure Pro, Rwf 9.3 million, Mudacumura Publishing, Rwf 8 million, Yummy&Fresh, Rwf 3.5 million and Murukari Online, Rwf 6 million.
In 2018, the loans were offered to Sonia Mugabo Showroom, Sanit Wing, Imagine We Publishers, House of Tayo, Josh Innovation and Zima Enterprise among others.
In 2019, winners were Amazon Nutrition Cabinet, Avo Health Business Entreprise, GreenLeaves Business Enterprise, Ishyo Foods Business Enterprise, Nziza and Kipepeo Kids.
