Rose Baguma, the Director-General of Education Planning in the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) said the project follows the decision of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) to increase the budget allocated to the education sector.
The new classrooms are expected to contribute to quality education and reduce long distances students used to walk especially in rural areas.
“It is the Government program to promote quality education across the country. This will ensure all students walking no more than 2 kilometers to reach the school,” she said.
A total of 416 classrooms and 470 toilets were built in the 2016/2017 fiscal year while more 1,043 classrooms and 1,344 toilets were constructed in the following year.
The 2018/2019 fiscal year left 1776 classrooms and 1452 toilets constructed.
Baguma told the press that the World Bank has committed to providing US$ 200 million to support the education sector this year.
Part of the fund will be allocated to build more than 27,000 classrooms and 3600 toilets raising the number of classrooms to 38,000.
The Police Spokesperson Central Region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, said the arrest of Nikuze followed a tip-off from Kimisagara residents.
“In response to the information, the Anti-Narcotics Unit conducted an operation on July 22 and arrested Nikuze in Birama Village, Kimisagara Cell in Kimisagara Sector. She was at the time caught with 616 rolls of cannabis,” CIP Umutesi said.
She explained that the suspect is one of the local distributors of cannabis in Kimisagara.
“We commend the role of the public in reporting drug dealers operating in their localities. The aim of the campaign is to enable community members to know the ill-effects of abusing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances but also strengthening information sharing and operations against traffickers and local dealers,” the spokesperson said.
CIP Umutesi warned anyone still engaged in such high impact crimes or thinking of joining, to think twice before the law catches up with them.
“The partnership with members of the general public should send signals to lawbreakers and drug dealers and abusers in particular that you will in one way or another be arrested to face the law,” she said.
Article 263 of the new law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offense and faces a sentence of between 20 years and life in prison.
The 26th meeting is scheduled in June next year in Kigali.
The Office of the Presidency has via twitter account revealed that discussions revolved around the summit.
“President Kagame today met with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire where they discussed the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will be hosted by Rwanda in June 2020,” reads the tweet.
As he sent a message to President Paul Kagame during the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began in Rwanda in April 2019, Charles the Prince of Wales confirmed he will attend the summit and upbeat about having a glimpse of Rwanda’s beauty.
“My wife and I particularly wanted you to know how much the people of Rwanda are in our thoughts and prayers at this special time of remembrance and reflection. I can only say how deeply I admire the strength and resilience of the Rwandan people over these past twenty-five years, together with your commitment to reconciliation and your determination that the atrocities of the past must not define the future to which you aspire,” Charles wrote.
“In this regard, if I may say so, Rwanda, as an indispensable member of our Commonwealth family, offers an aspiring and deeply humbling example to us all. I could hardly be more fitting, therefore, that Kigali will host the Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting next year and I am delighted that I will have the opportunity to see your remarkable country for myself,” continued the Prince of Wales.
The delegation from Britain’s Common Wealth committee visited Rwanda in March 2019 and commended Rwanda’s progress in preparations of hosting the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The suspect was arrested yesterday morning after security officials established that he spent the whole night with a nine-year-old girl.
The eldest of five girls Nizeyimana is suspected of defiling is 12 years old.
The executive secretary of Bukinanyana cell where the suspect lives, Cansilde Umurerwa has told IGIHE that the culprit has been suspected of committing the crime for a long time.
“He didn’t defile these children at the same time. He committed the crime at different occasions. More defiled girls were brought to the sector office where he was taken after his arrest,” she said.
Defiled girls are from neighboring sectors including Rubavu, Jenda and Bigogwe.
It is said that the suspect is married with children, twins.
“It looks like a disease. He never rapes adults. The vice has been rampant. We have been reporting him but would be released shortly. He previously defiled a child from Rega cell where I was serving. I reported him but was released within two weeks. The man had spent the whole night with the child,” said Umurerwa.
“He never defiles them at home. He takes them in forests. For instance, the girl she defiled yesterday was from Bunkinanyana cell but took her in Bigogwe sector,” she added.
The victims have been taken to the hospital for a medical check-up.
Rwanda penal code stipulates that whoever is found guilty of defilement is subjected to a sentence ranging between 20 to 25 years of imprisonment.
If the suspect if found guilty of defiling a child below 14 years, he is sentenced for life.
She made the request yesterday addressing 124 youth from 26 East and Southern African countries at the opening of two-week training in IT use for development taking place at SOS Hermann Gemeiner Rwanda in Kigali city.
Beneficiaries of the training are youth from secondary schools and universities supported through SOS Children’s Villages International.
The training will focus on carrying out campaigns, leadership, and entrepreneurship all entrenched in technology.
Mbabazi asked the youth to play a key role, building the Africa they desire, starting from their countries.
“Don’t think about watching porn films when you have access to technology. You should rather take advantage of it to transform Africa starting with your contribution. The time is now, you don’t have to wait for tomorrow,” she said.
Mbabazi urged them on self-esteem, embracing the good character, determination and focusing on one’s goals as aspiring leaders to transform societies.
Mwanaidi Makame Juma, one of the participants from Zanzibar told IGIHE that he was encouraged by the advice of Minister Mbabazi and pledged to put into reality acquired knowledge.
SOS Children’s Villages operates in 47 African countries. It supports children with vulnerable backgrounds to access education, clothing among other areas uplifting their livelihoods.
IMF is Rwanda’s development partner supporting broad economic projects.
The fund supports Rwanda in monetary policy, an uplifting economy without side effects to market prices.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana has said that Premier Ngirente and Raghani discussed on new policy promoting Rwanda’s economy approved by IMF in June 2019.
He explained that the fund assessed the three years concluded program that uplifted Rwanda’s economy before approving a new 2022 agenda.
“It was apparent that Rwanda implemented the program excellently. They are pleased with our high economic growth and effective monetary policies where the monetary value should not go beyond 5%. They are also satisfied with the growth of domestic revenues through taxes or other self-financing measures,” he said.
Mohamed Lemine Raghani said that it was of great value to meet Premier Ngirente to discuss on national development.
Raghani said that IMF trusts Rwanda which pushed to approve a new cooperation agenda meant to take economic growth further.
“IMF appreciated the performance of Rwanda over the past years and has proven how it trusts Rwanda’s leaders. We also discussed ways to foster the protection of Rwanda’s interests. They were amazing discussions in which I have also got advice from the Prime Minister on better approaches to meet targeted goals,” he said.
Rwanda’s economy grew by 7.2% last year and is projected to grow by 7.8% this year.
Building internal capacity to reduce external debts is among areas of focus under three year’s cooperation between Rwanda and IMF.
Information from African Parks, a firm managing the Akagera National park, indicates that the Park was visited by 44000 people, half of who are Rwandans, earning receipts of about $2 million for the first time in the history of the Park.
In June 2015, seven lions-consisting five females and two males-were translocated from South Africa into Akagera National Park, in the Eastern Province. These two male lions were added in the Akagera Park in 2017. Today, there are 21 lions in the park and still counting. Since the hunt of wild animals was made illegal, they have greatly increased.
The lions in Akagera faced extinction for 25 years
In 2010, African Parks’ experts were contracted by RDB to manage Akagera National Park.
In order to encourage Rwandan people to be involved in tourism, every year a team of 1800 students visits the park together with their teachers.
Today this park is among the most renowned in Africa because, habitat to the Big 5; rhinos, lions, buffalos, elephants, and Leopards.
“We have received three candidatures and expect to receive more until 9th August 2019,” NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza has told IGIHE.
He, however, said that it is not the right time to reveal the names of the contestants because it would be too early considering the election timetable.
Candidates approved by the Supreme Court will be given 20 days for campaigns before elections from 27th August until 15th September 2019.
The Senate is made up of 26 members including 12 members representing the country’s four provinces and the City of Kigali picked through electoral colleges and eight senators appointed by the President.
Four senators are designated by the Consultative Forum of Political Organisations, one senator represents public universities and higher learning institutions, while another one is picked from private universities and institutions of higher learning.
Of the 12 elected senators who represent the country’s four provinces and the City of Kigali, one senator is elected from the City of Kigali, two senators come from the Northern Province, while the rest of the three provinces elect three senators each.
September 16 will be the polling day for election of the 12 senators representing the four provinces and the City of Kigali, September 17 is polling day for picking one senator from lecturers and researchers of public universities and higher learning institutions, while September 18 is election of one senator from lecturers and researchers of private universities and higher learning institutions.
Elected senators will be announced on 30 September 2019.
Betty Ntamanyoma, the president of Rwanda’s Diaspora in Italy said that it was a great pleasure to celebrate the important day marking the rebirth of Rwanda that has been characterized by inclusive development and unity-oriented leadership.
“We were blessed to have Paul Kagame as our President to champion the vision of the country overcoming the dark past. He is serving as a leader knowing better Rwandans choices, striving for inclusive development, improved wellbeing and access to education for all,” she said.
Ntamanyoma explained that Rwanda’s dark history left the country devastated.
“Being stateless and lacking identity has come to an end. Rwandans are nowadays characterized by dignity and pride in whatever they do. That is our identity here in foreign countries,” she said.
The celebration of the 25 liberation anniversary, Ntamanyoma said, is a good opportunity to thank RPF Inkotanyi soldiers for their sacrifice to liberate the country.
Ntamanyoma said Liberation Day is a good moment to remind everyone on his/her role in fighting against genocide ideology, trivialization and commending RPA Inkotanyi who stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She thanked Rwandans in Italy for being fond of their motherland and continued charity initiatives where they raise contributions to subscribe Mutuelle de Santé for vulnerable Rwandans.
France diplomatic missions to Rwanda are currently assumed by Chargé d’Affaires.
Flesch left Rwanda at a time when both countries’ relations were souring over political tensions.
Before the departure of Ambassador Flesch, France had proposed Fred Constant who was at the time France Ambassador to the Caribbean and Guyana Islands.
His approval kept pending for over one year until he was re-appointed to Equatorial Guinea.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe yesterday received new Chargé d’Affaires, Jérémie Blin representing France in Kigali and held discussions aimed at promoting bilateral relations. The latter replaces Etienne de Souza.
IGIHE has asked Amb Nduhungirehe why France is sending Chargé d’Affaires to represent its interests instead of a new ambassador.
“When the right time comes, France will appoint an ambassador. We are also ready to assess the request but both countries are enjoying good relations. It means what happened in the past is no longer happening,” he said.
Rwanda, France relations worsened in the past following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi where Rwanda accused the country of supporting the genocidaire Government while France in return accused some of the top Rwandan officials to have shot the airplane of former President, Juvénal Habyarimana.
Both countries’ relations were restored in 2017 when Emmanuel Macron was elected France President, introducing reforms in foreign relations.
Last year, France prosecution canceled investigations in Habyarimana plane crush for lack of evidence.
In March 2019, President Macron commissioned a team of experts to carry out deeper investigations on France role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Speaking to IGIHE, Nduhungirehe has said that Rwanda is not behind rejecting approvals of new France ambassadors.
“We have never rejected an appointment. They have never sent anyone. President Macron himself said it last year that we are currently putting in efforts to normalize relations that they will appoint an ambassador at the right time,” he said.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
Last year, the chief executive officer of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) came to Rwanda and assured continued collaboration in development projects. The CEO of the institution had last been to Rwanda in 1992.
Since 1962, France has sent 16 ambassadors. to Rwanda.
