His body arrived at Kigali International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines and taken to Kanombe Military Hospital’s mortuary.
Rwigamba’s family has announced that the mourning is ongoing home at Gisimenti in Remera, Kigali city.
Gen Andrew Rwigamba passed away on Thursday. He was prior to his demise working at the Ministry of Defense.
Late Rwigamba assumed different offices as the Commissioner General of Rwanda National Police prior to 2008 when he was relieved of his duties and replaced by Emmanuel Gasana in 2013.
The post was temporarily being filled by Deputy Commissioner General, Mary Gahonzire who was at the time appointed Head the National Prisons Services.
Andrew Rwigamba was sent to retirement from RDF at the rank of Brigadier General in October 2013 along with other senior and non-commissioned officers.
He was among the first batch of senior officers sent into retirement that took part in stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Following his retirement, Gen Rwigamba was appointed the Director-General in charge of Foreign Military Relations and Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense.
About 400 liters were seized from one Jean Baptiste Niyibizi while one Jean de Dieu was caught with 300 liters.
Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, said the suspects had illegal breweries in their homes distilling ibikwangari and thanked community members, who reported the duo, thus protecting their community.
Community policing and information sharing, in particular, he added, is playing a big role in fighting illicit drugs and illegal breweries distilling substances.
“These substances have varied brand names such as ibikwangari and muriture, made out of unhealthy and harmful raw materials, distilled in unhygienic places and containers, and security concern,” said CIP Kayigi.
“There are laws, policies, and regulations, which must be respected and followed. Law enforcement agencies, local leaders, community policing groups and the public, in general, are working together against crimes and illicit drugs in particular,” Kayigi warned.
The Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) set standard requirements, including labeling (name of the products, physical and postal address of manufacturer); net contents in milliliters or liters; ethyl alcohol content; date of manufacture and expiry date; storage instructions; statutory warnings; and list of ingredients in descending order, among others.
Muriture and ibikwangari are classified as psychotropic substances under Ministerial Order Nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.
Article two of the same Ministerial Order classifies narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors and unauthorized drinks considered as drugs in three categories; very severe narcotic drugs, severe narcotic drugs, and simple narcotic drugs.
Article 5 of the same order lists simple narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors and unauthorized drinks as alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws; chemical substances whose original intended use has been altered and applied as a narcotic drug.
Article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, provides an imprisonment term of not less than seven years and not more than ten years and a fine of not less than Rwf5 million and Rwf10 million, in regard to simple narcotics.
According to Police, they received credible information on Uwayezu’s criminal dealings, and acting on it, they arrested him red-handed in Cyanya Cell.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for Eastern Region said that Uwayezu was at the time traveling from Kigali to Rwamagana District by public means, and paid a fake note of Rwf1, 000, on arrival at his destination.
“Uwayezu attempted to pay the fare using counterfeit notes, but it was detected by the conductor; they immediately called the police and officers arrived shortly before he could leave the venue. When they searched him they recovered 17 other fake notes in denomination of Rwf5, 000, Rwf2, 000 and Rwf1, 000 on him,” CIP Twizeyimana explained.
The spokesperson added that the suspect disclosed another person connected to this counterfeit case. Uwayezu had bought fake money amounting to Rwf50, 000 at Rwf25, 000.
CIP Twizeyimana warned against such tendencies of dealing in counterfeit currencies and called for vigilance and partnership in identifying and arresting individuals involved. He further appealed to the general public to always be vigilant when receiving money.
“The general public, especially the business community are required to always be vigilant and check the given currency notes thoroughly to fight and prevent such financial crimes, which have ill-impact on the economy,” he advised.
“The effects of counterfeit to a trader are grave as they could easily lead them out of business. This is why we continuously request the public to be cautious about fake money,” added CIP Twizeyimana.
Article 269 of the Penal Code states that, “Any person who, fraudulently counterfeits, falsifies or alters coins or banknotes which are legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, notes issued by the Treasury with its stamp or brand, either banknotes or alike that have legal tender in Rwanda or abroad, or one who introduces or issues in Rwanda such effects or notes with knowledge that they are forged or falsified, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than seven years.”
The duo was at the time of their arrest trying to con people promising to magically double the money they give, Police said.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorrette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that information about the alleged criminal acts was reported by some of the victims.
“These suspects were going around manipulating people that they have magic to make money, and would require their target to give them a certain amount of money they want doubled,” CIP Umutesi said.
Apparently, the suspects would wrap papers cut in form of currency notes in a handkerchief, which they would give to their target before vanishing with their money.
They were targeting anyone with anything valuable, including jewelry, CIP Umutesi explained.
“People should be vigilant; look at someone trying to convince you that they have the magic to make you rich. Why can’t they use their magic to get those riches themselves?” she wondered.
“When you see such people, know that they are fraudsters trying to defraud you; always be quick to call the Police to prevent them from victimizing others,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, states that “Any person, who by deception, obtains another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or who offers positive promises or who threatens of future misfortunes, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.”
Radebe who was the Minister of Infrastructure and currently one of top leaders of the country’ leading political party, ANC came to Rwanda following visits to other African countries including Ghana where he held talks with President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Attacks to foreigners was reported in Gautenf and Western Cape .
Apart from discussing policies against xenophobia, there several areas of concern both countries can discuss.
Rwanda and South Africa have been working towards revitalizing relations that soured in 2014 over political crises related to hosting convicted fugitives including Kayumba Nyamwasa convicted of terrorism acts that involved grenade attacks in different parts of Kigali taking lives of many people.
At the time, South Africa also accused Rwanda of being behind an armed attack on Kayumba’s home in South Africa.
This saw South Africa suspending the issuance of Visa to Rwandans heading to the country using ordinary passports and deported three Rwandan diplomats in Pretoria. In return, Rwanda expelled six South Africa’s diplomats.
As President Ramaphosa attended African Union Summit in Kigali 2018, he revealed that he had agreed with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to facilitate both countries’ Foreign Affairs Ministers to deal with the issue amicably and make a report for implementation. No progress has so far been reported.
George Nkosinati Twala was the last South Africa Ambassador to Rwanda. He was recalled after ending a 6-year term limit but has not yet been replaced.
For us, inclusion is personal. We believe that everyone needs to play a role in including persons with disabilities more fully in society.
Sara lost her sight at age seven and has witnessed the way that society marginalizes and undervalues persons with disabilities. The embassy sponsored Sara’s visit to Rwanda this month, just as the United States celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusive practices, including employing persons living with disabilities.
The United States promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, including academic, economic, and civic activities. We passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 to ensure equal treatment under the law for all and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. We believe that everyone should seek to ensure that all persons with disabilities have meaningful and equal access to the workforce and the economy.
Many countries, including Rwanda, have similar laws to prevent discrimination and promote inclusion, but these laws are often not well enforced, even back home. There is an important role for government, civil society, and even individuals in ensuring that responsible agencies understand their obligations to their citizens and that agencies have the right resources to comply with these obligations.
Despite these protections, persons with disabilities face high unemployment rates. Last month in the United States, for example, the unemployment rate for persons with no disability was just 3.2 percent, but almost double that rate – 6.1 percent — for persons with disabilities. In some countries that rate can be as high as 90 percent, sadly.
Accessibility affords every individual the opportunity to benefit from the economy, and it also allows companies to benefit from the patronage of the whole population. The World Bank estimates that about 15% of the world’s population has a disability – imagine the business potential of such a large segment of society! Including persons with disabilities in the workforce is critical to achieving broad-based economic growth and to creating an economy where everyone has a chance to thrive.
One study found that businesses generally see a net benefit from hiring an employee with a disability, even if they need to make accommodations. Benefits include lower staff turnover, improved customer service, and fewer accidents and errors. A report by Accenture proves the point – companies that proactively employ persons with disabilities have 28% higher revenues than companies that do not.
Rwanda is well-positioned to be at the forefront of inclusive employment trends. In the U.S. presidential proclamation announcing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we noted “automation and technology are changing the way in which work is organized and performed – and who can perform it. Many jobs will be open to new populations particularly individuals with disabilities.” That’s especially true in Rwanda, as the labor force transitions from agriculture to more skills-based jobs–like assembling smart phones and drone delivery.
And while accessibility has a very important technical aspect, inclusive employment practices means that companies create a workplace environment where all persons, regardless of their physical or intellectual abilities, have a sense of belonging and value. In this way, all employees can fully contribute 100 percent of themselves to their companies.
We ask that you – whether as a good neighbor or as a hiring manager – vow to give this issue the high profile it deserves, as we work toward equal opportunity for all.
Here at the U.S. Embassy, we will continue our work to mainstream inclusion and to support the implementation of Rwanda’s laws on the protection of persons with disabilities and the socio-economic development of persons with disabilities. Specific to inclusive employment, we will continue to support Rwanda’s special needs and inclusive education policy, to provide job training for youth with disabilities, and to empower organizations that advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities. We will also renew our commitment to prioritizing inclusion in our hiring practices.
And we will continue to bring American voices – like Sara – to Rwanda to educate and advocate for inclusive civic and social policies. Together, we can make sure that everyone is included.
{{Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman (@USAmbRwanda) is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service and has served as the Ambassador of the United States of America to Rwanda since March 2018. }}
{{Sara Minkara (@MinkaraSara) is the CEO and founder of Empowerment Through Integration (@ETIntegration) and is visiting Rwanda through the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affair’s U.S. Speakers Program.}}
The conference gathered over 150 energy and nuclear professionals from across the globe. Representatives from key African countries that are planning or already implementing their respective programs for developing peaceful nuclear technologies included Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia.
The topics key issues for the development of nuclear on the continent: international collaboration, technology development, infrastructure, financing, and regulation.
Speaking at the panel on global nuclear trends, Dmitry Shornikov, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa, emphasized the advantages of joining the atomic club through creating nuclear industries in newcomer countries and gave an overview of projects with the maximum positive effect on the industrial development, enhancing the quality of life and developing knowledge economy.
He noted: “We are the only ones in the world who are fully vertically integrated in absolutely every segment of the nuclear value chain. We utilize this competitive advantage to create additional value by providing full support for the national nuclear energy program of the customer country at all its stages and provide access to the entire line of products and services throughout the entire life of a nuclear power plant from a single supplier. Rosatom offers solutions to partner countries in the field of energy and food security, health, education, and science, improving the quality and standard of living of the population”.
Ryan Collyer, Deputy CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa highlighted the reliability and versatility of small modular nuclear power plants.
He spoke of several tried and tested solutions in the field: “One of our latest and most exciting solutions is a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP).
The first plant, fondly named “Akademik Lomonosov” after famous Russian polymath, scientist, and writer Mikhail Lomonosov, is a unique and pioneering solution in the area of small modular reactors. ”
‘Akademik Lomonosov’ twin KLT-40 reactor system has a capacity of 77 MW, which is sufficient to satisfy the electricity needs of a city with a population of about 100 thousand people.
Due to its mobility, FNPP’s offer an excellent solution for power supply in remote and poorly accessible coastal territories.
The versatile FNPP has numerous other applications such as heat generation and desalination depending on the needs and location of the region. ‘Akademik Lomonosov’ will be ready to start commercial operation on the shore of the Arctic Ocean in the Far East region of Russia in December 2019
Mr. Collyer also noted that Rosatom offers land-based small modular reactors known as RITM-200: “A modular approach allows for easier and more cost effective electrical capacity expansion, as additional reactor units and turbine equipment are able to utilize existing auxiliary infrastructure”.
It is said that students’ mattresses and other equipment inside were burnt to ashes.
The fire caught the dormitory this Friday around 10 am.
The mayor of Rulindo district, Kayiranga Emmanuel has told IGIHE that investigation is underway to establish the cause.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been established but investigations are underway. We have held a meeting to devise means of helping students with alternative accommodation so they can continue with their exams,” he said.
Police Fire and Rescue Brigade rushed to extinguish the fire soon as it was alerted.
It is the second time that the fire incident is reported at the school this year.
Damaged cement was provided by the Ministry of Defense through the Reserve Forces one year ago following the heavy rain that left a number of houses destroyed in Rubavu district.
Tuyisenge Felix, one of the disaster-affected residents said the cement was long-awaited to complete their houses.
“Following disasters, the Government rented accommodation for vulnerable residents but others with means rebuilt houses. I am among those who managed to set up other buildings. It would be better we get the cement to make final touches,” he said.
Rubavu district vice mayor for economic affairs, Nzabonimpa Déogratias said they have assigned a team to inspect the number of damaged sacks and hold accountable the people behind the negligence.
“There are at least 700 sacks of cement that might have wasted in-store within a year. We have delegated a team following up on the matter to identify non-damaged cement to be used. We need the cement to build 400 houses of vulnerable residents this year. We shall opt for the court to bring to book whoever is responsible for the waste,” he said.
IGIHE has learned from credible sources that 5078 sacks were damaged in store though the vice mayor reduced the number to 700.
The heavy downpour of 3rd March 2018 resulted in the flooding of River Sebeya hence completely destroying 26 houses and dampened over 900. Most of the victims are still housed by good Samaritans.
Mudathiru is one of 25 RNC combatants arrested recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo and arraigned in the Military Tribunal in Nyamirambo.
The group comprises of members from Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and one Tanzanian-born with Malawi nationality.
All the 25 suspects were charged with four counts, namely; being part of an unlawful military outfit, treason, forming an illegal military outfit, and conniving with foreign countries to destabilize Rwanda.
Mudathiru admitted charges this Friday as he and co-accused recently repatriated from DRC appeared in the Military Tribunal in Nyamirambo for hearing.
Mudathiru pleaded guilty of all the counts but explained that the rebel group’s plans were not executed.
“I apologize for that,” he said.
Mudathiru’s defense lawyer, Paola requested the beginning of the client’s trial in depth without remand period since the client pleaded guilty of counts cited by the prosecution.
Prosecution explained that court procedures must be determined by laws.
Other co-accused said they were promised job opportunities like driving, health care and mining among others to seduce them and later diveted into joining P5.
Retired army Major Habib Madhatiru, 53, is a former officer in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). He has been walking on crutches due to a leg injury he sustained at the time of his capture.
Prosecutors say Mudathiru was in charge of operations and training in Congo for the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a rebel group founded by Kayumba Nyamwasa.
P5 is a coalition political parties against the government of Rwanda known as P5 including People’s Congress (AMAHORO-PC), Forces Démocratiques Unifées-Inkingi (FDU INKINGI), People’s Defence Pact-Imanzi (PDP-IMANZI), Socialist Party-Imberakuri (PS IMBERAKURI) and Rwanda National Congress (RNC) chaired by Kayumba.
