According to the Head of Delegation of the Zimbabwe Staff College, Colonel Teddy Ndlovu and the Chief Instructor of Joint Command and Staff Course, the purpose of the visit is to give an opportunity to future leaders/officers to learn from the special history of Rwanda to prevent the recurrence of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Rwanda has got a special history that we need to tap in and learn from in the future. It has seen genocide, went through it and managed to recover. In terms of satisfying the geopolitical studies of the College, it is very important that these officers understand the importance of security, learn lessons from failures of some international organizations during the Genocide”, Col Ndlovu said.
“Our Student-officers will use that knowledge, use the experiences to stop and prevent such occurrences,” he added.
The Zimbabwe Staff College delegation, composed of Students and Directing Staff from Botswana, China, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial and paid respect to the Victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi before heading to Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters.
At the RDF Headquarters, the delegation was received by the RDF Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Jean Jacques Mupenzi and briefed later on RDF roles and organization.
During their study tour in Rwanda, the Zimbabwe Staff College delegation will also visit some RDF institutions in and out of Kigali.
The quartet was arrested separately in operations conducted Monday in Gakenke, Nyabihu, and Musanze districts.
Police identified the suspects as Theogene Twizerimana, 28, Edmond Iradukunda, 25, Ange Uwimana, 18, and one only identified as Twizerimana, 24.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said the “targeted operations” were conducted concurrently at about 10 pm, in the three districts as a response to “credible information from the public on their criminal dealings and their whereabouts.”
“Twizerimana Theogene is a distributor in Gakenke District and is supplied by Iradukunda, who was picked in Kazirankara Village, Nyanitana Cell of Shyira Sector in Nyabihu. But the whole distribution chain starts with Ange Uwimana, who supplies both,” CP Kabera said.
Theogene Twizerimana was at the time arrested with 1003 pellets of cannabis supplied to him by Iradukunda earlier that day.
Another member of the ring only identified as Twizerimana was arrested in Musanze, Muhoza Sector, Kigombe Cell in Nyamuremure Village with 503 rolls of cannabis.
“These were coordinated operations by the Anti-Narcotics Unit, which responded to credible information from the public, and this proactive ideology is playing a great role in breaking chains of supply by targeting identified major dealers, knowing the tricks and routes they use in an attempt to beat security,” CP Kabera said.
Last month, Police and partners in Justice, health and governance sectors disposed of 1600kgs and 8324 pellets of cannabis, 34157 sachets of assorted illicit gin packed in banned polythene bags and over 241,000 liters of Kanyanga and locally distilled illicit substances, which were seized in separate Police operations countrywide in the previous three months.
Between July 2018 and July 2019, Police seized over 5500 liters of kanyanga and over 200kgs of cannabis in the three districts of Nyagatare, Gicumbi, and Burera alone. Over 1900kgs of mayirungi (khat) were also seized in Gicumbi alone in the same period.
“Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are a serious concern to which we respond decisively and collectively with other security, justice, health and governance institutions as well as the general public,” CP Kabera said.
“We strengthened operations to bring suspected dealers to justice; and awareness campaigns to educate especially the young people on ill-effects of abusing in an effort to prevent new users,” he added.
Last week, Police arrested three other major drug dealers with combined 10kgs and 11, 618 pellets of cannabis.
Last month, a couple was arrested in Gacuriro, Gasabo District with five bundles (40000 pellets) of cannabis, and a Congolese registered vehicle was impounded on July 14, in Rubavu District transporting about 200kgs of cannabis, concealed in 14 sacks.
Anyone convicted as a major drug dealer, under the new penal code especially in its article 263, faces between 20 years and life imprisonment.
This is consistent with what we know, as well as the findings of all international organizations.
The same IMF report states that “the quality of the national accounts data in Rwanda is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
Indeed, the only reason this debate can take place, whether in good faith or bad, is because of Rwanda’s robust and publicly accessible data systems. I was therefore profoundly surprised by your Big Read article “Even poverty data must toe Kagame’s line” (August 14).
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda responded fully to the Financial Times’s questions, but the author ignored those responses, as well as data from global institutions, including the World Bank, IMF, S&P, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum.
More seriously, the alacrity with which your reporters dragged the president’s name into a debate ostensibly about statistical methodology is astonishing, to say the least.
Your readers have not been exposed to an honest debate on poverty data, but rather to a series of anonymous and baseless claims.
Beyond statistics, Rwanda’s progress is plain for anyone to see. Rwanda is open to scrutiny and conversation with all who are interested in our journey of socio-economic transformation.
{{Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Rwanda}}
Held under the ‘Conservation is Life’ theme, this year’s naming ceremony will take place in Kinigi at the foothill of Volcanoes National Park, Northern Province on 6th September 2019.
Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event, was introduced in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas. 25 infant mountain gorillas will be named this year.
As part of this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony, Rwanda will host the first-ever Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) from 8-9 September.
The BCC, organized in partnership with the African Leadership University (ALU), will bring together global conservation leaders, providing a unique platform linking conservation with sustainable tourism by embracing all layers of the value chain.
Furthermore, a conservation exhibition focused on conservation trends and practices will take place on 7, September. The exhibition is open to the general public.
On 23, August, RDB will donate 729 cows to communities surrounding the Volcanoes National Park in Burera, Nyabihu, Musanze, and Rubavu districts as part of the RDB Tourism Revenue Share Programme. This program, initiated in 2005 by the Government of Rwanda, aims to guide investment in the areas surrounding the various national parks in Rwanda by ensuring that 10 percent of all park revenues are given back to the communities.
Over Rwf 5.2 billion has been distributed by RDB to 647 community-based projects since 2005.
These projects have availed clean drinking water, milk, health centers, classrooms and housing to members of the communities living around the three national parks; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Speaking to the media, the RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza, said that the increasing number of mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park is proof of the strides that Rwanda has made in gorilla conservation which could have not happened without the support and collaboration of conservation partners as well as the cooperation of the members of the community surrounding the park.
“Initiatives such as the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony play a major role in conserving gorillas. Thanks to the conservation efforts, we have been able to improve the gorilla trekking experience for our visitors and also increase the amount of support we have given to the local communities through the revenue sharing program,” she said.
Rwanda’s tourism strategy has always focused on two important areas namely: sustainability through responsible tourism and conservation and community involvement.
According to Kaliza, it has always been about protecting natural heritage, providing world-class experiences that highlight the diverse natural beauty of Rwanda while ensuring that Rwandans benefit from tourism and conservation without leaving anyone behind.
Speaking on this year’s Business of Conservation Conference, Fred Swaniker, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ALU expressed delight for promoting Rwanda as a destination for events, conferences, and meetings.
“Kwita Izina is the perfect platform for the Business of Conservation Conference. Our goal is to use this forum to promote economic development by bringing together influential leaders in sessions that foster collaboration and deal-making. This year we are asking, “What does it take to make conservation a ‘growth industry in Africa?” We know part of the answer is leadership. That is why Rwanda is a perfect partner for BCC,” he said.
As a result of conservation efforts such as Kwita Izina, the population of the endangered mountain gorilla increased to 604 in 2016 in the Virunga Massif compared to 480 in 2010. The Virunga Massif is comprised of the Mikeno Sector of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorilla numbers in the entire region had fallen as low as 242 in 1981.
It was revealed yesterday in a press conference on Kwita Izina activity roadmap for 2019 held at the Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village.
Held under the ‘Conservation is Life’ theme, this year’s naming ceremony will take place in Kinigi at the foothill of Volcanoes National Park, Northern Province on 6th September 2019.
Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event introduced in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorillas. 25 infant mountain gorillas will be named this year.
Rwanda became the official tourism partner of Arsenal last year. The three-year partnership saw the new “Visit Rwanda” logo featured on the left sleeve of all first team, under-23 and Arsenal Women’s matches from the new season that started in August 2018.
The deal highlights Rwanda’s tourism offerings such as the National Parks, which are attracting the number of tourists due to growing numbers of wildlife including black rhino, lions, zebra, chimpanzees and the famous mountain gorillas, as well as the investment opportunities in the country.
RDB revealed that the cost of the partnership was catered by funds dedicated to promoting Rwanda, attracting investors and tourists.
RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kaliza has told the media that Rwanda, Arsenal partnership has borne fruits within one year.
“Before the signing of the partnership between Arsenal and RDB last year, 71% of Arsenal fans globally did not think of Rwanda as a tourist destination. At the end of the first year of the partnership, half of Arsenal fans would consider Rwanda as a destination to visit,” she said.
“In terms of overall value, the partnership so far, in year one, is worth £ 36 million (over Frw 36 billion). This number is based on TV viewership and social media. These statistics were compiled by Nielsen, Blinkfire Analytics and research agency Hall, and Partners,” added Kaliza.
This year, using the park revenues in 2018, RDB distributed Rwf1.4 billion in total to the revenue share program. This was up from Rwf 741 million in 2017.
In 2018, Rwanda hosted 1.711 million visitors. Visitor arrivals increased by 8% compared to 2017.
Figures from RDB indicate that Akagera National Park was the most visited park with 51, 724 visits in 2018, an increase of 17% since 2017. Nyungwe received 15, 665 visitors in 2018, up 9%. Overall park revenues reached over $ 21,153,292 in 2018
In 2018, RDB sold 15,132 gorilla permits worth US$ 19.2 million, a 25% increase compared to 2017. In 2016, before the increase in the permit price, RDB sold 22,219 permits worth US$ 15 million.
US tourist visits to Rwanda have grown by 114% according to Virtuoso. The luxury agency network, Virtuoso in their latest data release noted that Rwanda was among the top 10 countries that have experienced significant increases by percentage in year-over-year bookings among American travelers.
US visitors spend an average of $12,000, making them the most lucrative source market. Chinese nationals spend an average of $1,084, ranking 10th. Nigerians are the top African spenders, spending an average of $1,498 per stay, raking higher than Australians and only slightly below the French.
In terms of accommodation, Rwanda now has up to over 14,000 hotel rooms, up from only 4,000 in 2009.
Since 2010, RDB saw a jump of over 200% in the number of Rwandans visiting Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Parks. Just in one year, from 2017 to 2018, RDB saw a 21.5 % increase.
Through the Tembera u’Rwanda local campaign, RDB has given over 400 young Rwandans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek the endangered mountain gorilla for free.
Kagame made the comment today in a press conference that followed a tête-à-tête meeting with his counterpart of Namibia, Hage Gottfried Geingob.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame arrived in Namibia yesterday for a three-day state visit aimed at promoting bilateral relations.
Upon arrival to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia; they were welcomed by the President Namibia and First Lady Monica Geingos.
As he addressed the press, Kagame said that Rwanda is among countries that had lots of problems because of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims in 100 days.
“The tragedy that befell my country 25 years ago, that is the story that is known all over the world. Unfortunately, we are more known for that than better things that have happened thereafter,” he observed.
“I can confidently say that the people of my country are working very hard to improve their lives. They are happy with what they have whether in terms of their leaders or working together or making a difference for themselves between 25 years ago and now,” added Kagame.
The President highlighted that he has been dealing with different problems including the reduction of poverty levels.
“We have been reducing levels of poverty very fast in actual fact, so it is helping us to resolve those other issues that people talk about. The growth of our economy is real, it is felt by the people of our country, it originates with them, they are the ones who toil and put in hard work every day,” he said.
Kagame pointed out an example of how agriculture has grown in terms of food security levels where people became able to feed themselves which was never the case before.
Growth in agriculture started about 12 years ago.
The President stressed: “We had never had growth before then. It is not just growth by numbers, it is growth that is felt in a farmers’ pocket, how they are able to feed themselves and what they produce.”
“ We make progress not to be credited for it. We make progress for ourselves. Instead of having speculations reach you if you are in a place if you see and hear from people directly then you are able to answer questions arising from speculations,” he added.
It is against this background that Kagame said it is easy to measure the impact of some of the aspects of Rwanda’s growth.
“You can’t cook these numbers. If you are able to do that and everybody else that deals with you in scrutinizing these numbers then there is a problem in the world and not just Rwanda,” he said.
Recently, British financial magazine, Financial Times reported that poverty figures in Rwanda are manipulated to maintain a good reputation.
The Financial Times claimed to have conducted an analysis of the survey’s more than 14,000 data points and interviews with academics show that rising prices for Rwandan families meant poverty most likely increased between 2010 and 2014.
The analysis of the National Institute of Statistics (NISR) on findings of the 4th Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV4) and (EICV3) indicated that poverty reduced by 6.9% between 2011 and 2014.
The FT analysis of the same data contradicts that finding, suggesting there has been a consistent attempt to misrepresent the results.
According to the Financial Times (FT) calculations, it is only possible to show a poverty decline of 6.9 percentage points if the mean value of the NISR’s cost of living index was 4.7 percent.
The Financial Times explained that poverty could only have fallen by such a large margin if average prices for the poorest 40 percent of households increased by 4.7 percent or less between January 2011 and January 2014.
President Kagame has explained that everyone who wants to be the authority rush to get information from the internet yet there must be a selection of hat real or not.
“The internet is not the best place to find the truth. There is some good information but you have to make a selection of what is real and what is not real. If we cooked numbers we would be cheating ourselves not anybody else. Those writing stories about us are not people we want to please or satisfy. We want to satisfy ourselves,” he said.
“It originates from the stereotypes that Africans can do fine, they must be doing things that must be validated from the outside. We don’t want to be validated, we want to do things that are good for us not just to please others,” highlighted Kagame.
While appearing on Waramutse Rwanda, a morning show on Television Rwanda, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that most recent fatal accidents were due to speeding, drunk driving and other reckless behaviors of motorists.
He also faulted motorists for violating road signage, driving road unworthy vehicles, use of phones while driving as other causes of accidents.
“It is unacceptable to keep losing people due to the negligent behaviors of a few people, who choose not to obey the traffic rules,” he warned.
CP Kabera singled the recent cases of accidents in Karongi, Nyagatare and Nyamasheke districts caused by speeding, drunkenness, and recklessness.
The accident in Karongi killed 11 people, five others died in a similar accident that occurred in Nyagatare while two people died and 16 others were injured over the weekend in Nyamasheke when a commuter vied off the road after the driver, who was speeding failed to negotiate a corner.
“Police has put efforts in the compulsory speed governor policy, we conduct operations targeting drunk drivers, more hi-tech gadgets like speed guns have been acquired and being used on highways against speeding, compulsory regular vehicle mechanical inspection, and continuous road safety campaigns; all these are aimed at ensuring that road safety standards are respected,” CP Kabera said.
He also highlighted the ongoing Gerayo Amahoro campaign, which is aimed at reaching out to all groups of road users to influence behavioral change and to prevent fatalities on road, which are largely caused by human behaviors.
CP Kabera also said that in collaboration with other entities in legal and road traffic, they are in the process of reviewing the law to adopt “punitive penalties for errant drivers.”
CP Kabera emphasized that “Road safety is a shared responsibility; all road users should play their respective roles to prevent causing an accident.”
He urged different road users; pedestrians, passengers, motorcyclists, and drivers to be responsive in ensuring road safety.
McManus will lead the coaching clinic for the Rwanda National Academy’s U17s players at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali from 19-23 August 2019.
The U17s are in the final stages of their two-year intensive training program and this clinic will help prepare them for their exit route from the academy, which could involve a professional football career.
According to a statement from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the clinic will see 25 players and five coaches from the academy take part in practical sessions over the course of the five days.
In line with previous Arsenal coaching clinics held in Rwanda in October 2018 and February 2019, this clinic will deepen the knowledge and understanding of the Arsenal coaching philosophy and support the development of football in Rwanda.
The Visit Rwanda and Arsenal Football Club partnership are not only helping tourists and investors discover the uniqueness of Rwanda as a travel and business destination, but it is also providing Rwandan young footballers with the opportunity to train with and learn from the world’s best.
Arsenal Football Club is renowned for its youth coaching program and the national academy’s U17s will benefit from Arsenal’s experience producing world-class talent.
The Ministry of Sports and Culture aims to establish a player and coach development pathway which allows and encourages athletes and coaches to gain experience, thereby allowing for the continuous growth of technical expertise in coaching, refereeing and player development. This latest clinic with Arsenal will help Rwanda to achieve its football legacy goals.
RDB statement further reads that the general public and media are invited to an open training with the U17s and Simon McManus at Amahoro Stadium on Thursday, 22 August 2019 from 9:00 to 10:30 am.
Just in one year, from 2017 to 2018, we saw an increase of 21.5 percent in the number of locals visiting the three national parks.
Through the Tembera u’Rwanda local campaign over the past two years, we have given over 400 young Rwandans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek the endangered mountain gorilla for free.
Rwanda’s tourism strategy has always focused on two important areas, sustainability through responsible tourism and conservation and community involvement.
It has always been about protecting our natural heritage, providing world-class experiences that highlight the diverse natural beauty of Rwanda while ensuring that Rwandans benefit from this tourism and conservation.
As local tourism grows, there will be an increased demand for accommodation options for all ranges of budgets. What we are seeing is that that is already happening and the private sector is leading on this.
What we do as the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is to encourage and partner with the private sector and as a result, we have seen an increased number of tourism operators in the country providing a wide variety of experiences, from community-based experiences to high-end luxe experiences to both local and foreign tourists.
Rwanda’s long-term tourism development and conservation strategies speak for themselves.
{{Clare Akamanzi is the CEO, Rwanda Development Board}}
The incident happened at a small restaurant in Noisy-le-Grand, a suburb located in eastern Paris.
A witness told Agence France-Presse the gunman became irate “as his sandwich wasn’t prepared quickly enough,” shot the waiter, and then fled the scene.
The waiter’s colleagues then called police after he was shot in the shoulder. The 28-year-old later died at the scene.
Police told AFP that a murder investigation has been opened and the gunman is still on the loose.
Area residents told Le Parisien newspaper the restaurant had opened three or four months before the deadly shooting.
Some noted, however, the neighborhood has a high crime history, including drug-dealing and public drunkenness.
Others were shocked at the possibility of someone being killed over a slow order.
“It is sad,” a 29-year-old woman told AFP. “It’s a quiet restaurant, without any problems.”
