The district targets connecting all households by 2024 aligning with national strategic objectives.
The statistics have been revealed during the launch of electricity transmission line alimenting rural sectors namely Cyanzarwe, Nyamyumba, Bugeshi, Kanama and Nyakiriba.
The district had pledged to connect 7120 households with on grid-electricity but the number was outperformed to 7174. A total of 1020 homes were connected to off-grid electricity from the expected 1000.
Steven Igooma, the Manager of Rwanda Energy Group (REG) branch in Rubavu District explained that all households will have been connected to electricity before 2024.
“We targeted to connect 7120 homes with electricity and 1000 with off-grid energy in Rubavu district but the target was respectively superseded to 7174 and 1022. We will have connected the rest before 2014,” he said.
The mayor of Rubavu district, Gilbert Habyarimana explained that they will connect specific homes every year, an exercise to be conducted easily given that residents are in settled villages.
Residents were delighted with the development. Edouard Bizimana, one of residents whose house was connected with electricity in Cyanzarwe sector said it reduced theft overnight and enabled children to revise studies uninterruptedly.
“We would walk 10 km to charge our cell phones in Mahoko center; children revise studies accordingly and watch television. They have up to date on national progress,” he said.
Since he was connected to electricity, Enock Nsengiyumva turned into a barber barbing and started yielding from his business.
“We used to walk three hours to get our hair cut. With electricity, I started a barbershop which earns me income,” he said.
The six-minute and 10 seconds song is in French language with traditional beat.
Kizito Mihigo praises Pope Francis as a role model for humility.
“Pope Francis, our model of humility. You lead us on the path of holiness. In the Catholic Church, our uniting family, there is Faith, there is Hope, there is Love, there is Life. Pope Francis, we pray for you. Remain the sign of our unity. We praise God our Father for our worthy pastors,” reads part of the song.
Talking to IGIHE, Kizito Mihigo said that the song is released as the Catholic Church is preparing for the celebration of Saint Peter and Paul considered as disciples at the heart of the foundation of Catholic Church.
“This pushed me to reflect on their successors in evangelical mission and found the need to praise their great work,” he said.
In Choruses, Kizito talks about different achievements by Pope Francis worldwide like uniting people of different religions and beliefs through discussions, his role model aspects in humility, consolidating with wretched people, striving for peace and unity among others.
Kizito Mihigo also produces songs dedicated for the celebration of mass and others for Virgin Mary.
The audio of “Le Pape François” song was produced by The Sounds Studio of Producer Bob while the video was produced by Producer Faith FEFE.
Both countries have built friendship in major areas of trade, education and health.
The year 2019 started with a new impression in Rwanda-Egypt relations.
It is the year in which President Paul Kagame who chaired the African Union in 2018 handed over to his counterpart of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Later on, top Government officials have been meeting to build vivid relationships built on mutual trust.
At the beginning of June 2019, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera visited Cairo at the invitation of Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to discuss Rwanda-Egypt strong partnership and explore new areas of cooperation.
The discussions were also attended by Rwanda’s ambassador to Egypt, Sheikh Habimana Saleh.
Both leaders held discussions revolving around promoting investment and opening gates to each other.
Minister Sezibera and Sameh Shoukry agreed on meeting at the end of this year to assess the progress of maximizing advantages from investment opportunities.
“They agreed on meeting in Kigali to sign joint-agreements based on freedom of investment in both countries and seeking solutions to problems raised by investors,” said Amb Sheikh Habimana Saleh.
Amb. Habimana has told IGIHE that the visit has started bearing fruits.
Following the visit of Minister Sezibera, investors from both countries have started exchanging visits to identify areas of priority to be leveraged on for investment.
On support of Rwanda’s embassy in Egypt, Rwanda’s investors in transport sector visited Egypt on 20th June 2019.
They met with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) which requested them to create a platform in order to benefit from funds to overhaul transport in Rwanda.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Association des Transporteurs des Personnes au Rwanda (ATPR); Jali Holdings Company and Rwanda Inter-Link Transport Company (RITCO).
The Managing Director of ATPR, Théoneste Mwunguzi has told IGIHE that they expect to reap big from the study trip held in Egypt.
“We held discussions with Afreximbank. They told us that we can get funding to take further the progress of public transport sector through a joint platform,” he said.
The platform will establish an association with one spokesperson who will work closely with the advisor in Rwanda’s embassy to Egypt, Eric Kayoge and an employee of Afreximbank to prepare a well-polished project allowing them to obtain funding.
Mwunguzi and his colleagues shared with Afreximbank on the current progress of Rwanda’s digitalization efforts in transport in tickets sales, use of Tap and Go cards and introduction of free Wi-Fi in public buses.
Afreximbank wants the transport sector connecting African countries and facilitate free movement of trade and people.
“We realized that they trust us more than we think. They want to give us huge funds based on outcomes of our discussions. We need like Rwf 50 billion. We want to invest in cross border transport. If we get the funding, part of it would be used to buy buses among other advanced equipment,’’ said Mwunguzi.
Egypt investors started exploring investment opportunities in Rwanda
Egypt embassy in Rwanda, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recently convened the management of 16 firms from Egypt and private investors from Rwanda in an event aimed at identifying areas of cooperation for investment.
The event was held in Kigali city on 21st June 2019. It is expected that investors from both sides can cooperate to transfer goods to each other and maximize benefits from agricultural produce among others.
Natacha Kaneza, head of membership coordination at PSF explained that the gesture was meant to strengthen cooperation in joint-trade.
“The event brought together investors from Egypt firms and Rwandan counterparts. It sought to help them identify what items manufactured from their plants are needed in Rwanda. They also stand chance to build plants in Rwanda,” she said.
The representative of investors from Egypt, Dina Helal said they target facilitation of trade between both countries.
“We want to put in much effort so that we can establish plants here in the years ahead to supply to other countries products manufactured in Rwanda. We are still assessing it and seeking partners here. We hope everything will be right,” he said.
Egypt ambassador in Rwanda, Ahmed Samy Mohamed El-Ansar said that building national economy is the priority following Minister Sezibera visit to Egypt.
“This is part of cooperation that should characterize joint-trade efforts. Both countries will cooperate in different areas as members of African Union and COMESA among others. We are aware that Rwanda facilitates investors. It is possible that Egyptians firms can be built here. We held discussions with people who are analyzing it,” he explained.
World Bank Report in October 2018 ranked Rwanda 29th among 190 world countries and the 2nd in Africa after Mauritius for easing businesses.
The financing agreement for the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project – Phase 1 (KIIWP1) was signed on 22 June by Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of the Republic of Rwanda.
Project financing includes a $17.8 million loan and $8.3 million climate finance grant from IFAD. The project will be co-financed by the Government of Rwanda ($5.4 million) and the beneficiaries themselves ($1.5 million).
Agriculture is the key driver of poverty reduction in Rwanda. It employs around 70 per cent of the population and provides 91 per cent of the food consumed in the country. The sector also accounts for 70 per cent of export revenue and 32.7 per cent of the GDP. It is characterized by small production units and high population pressure on natural resources. About 80 per cent of the rural population is made up of subsistence farmers who depend mainly on rainfed production (less than 6 per cent of all cultivated land in the country is irrigated).
KIIWP1 will respond to the urgent need to tackle water issues and will be implemented in eight drought-prone areas in the Eastern Province: Gahini, Kabare, Kabarondo, Murama, Murundi, Mwiri, Ndego and Rwinkwavu. These areas are relatively hot with limited rainfall averaging just 900mm per year compared to the rest of the country (1,000 mm to 1,400 mm). While rural households face serious water scarcity during dry months, there is high potential for irrigation development.
The new project will promote climate-smart agriculture for irrigated and rainfed lands through farmer field schools, as well as disseminating good nutritional practices. Furthermore, it will invest in catchment rehabilitation, livestock and domestic water infrastructure development and establishment of efficient infrastructure management institutions.
KWIIP1 will help 11,250 rural farmers gain access to land and water to increase their production and bring 1,400 hectares of land under climate-resilient management that will benefit 21,000 people. The project will construct 35 valley tanks and boreholes in rainfed areas and invest in schemes for the irrigation of 2,275 hectares.
Since 1981, IFAD has financed 19 rural development programmes and projects in Rwanda at a total cost of $621.14 million, with an IFAD investment of $382.06 million. These projects and programmes have directly benefited 1,540,517 rural households.
{{About IFAD}}
IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided US$20.9 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached about 483 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome – the United Nations’ food and agriculture hub.
The rhinos arrived in Rwanda today around 3am after 6000 km flight that started on Saturday from Europe to Rwanda.
They were transported to Akagera National Park upon arrival at Kigali International Airport where they will be ultimately released into their new wild home.
The translocation of the five rhinos is the largest ever translocation of rhinos from Europe to Africa.
This historic journey began at Safari Park Dvůr Králové (Czech Republic) where all five animals have been gathered since November 2018.
It is part of a unique collaboration between the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Government of Rwanda and conservation NGO African Parks.
Fewer than 5,000 wild black rhinos and only 1,000 Eastern Black Rhinos remain in Africa; and their future is severely threatened by poaching for the illegal demand for their horns.
This translocation project represents an urgent and valuable opportunity to expand the range and protection of the black rhino, and demonstrate how captive rhinos can help supplement and repopulate wild populations within secure landscapes.
Three female and two male black rhinos, ranging between two to nine years old, were chosen from the EAZA EEP. Jasiri, Jasmina and Manny were born in Safari Park Dvůr Králové (Czech Republic); Olmoti comes from Flamingo Land (United Kingdom) and Mandela is from Ree Park Safari (Denmark).
The rhinos are being donated to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the governmental body that in partnership with African Parks manages Akagera National Park, the rhino’s new home in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park is an ideal destination for the reintroduction of the animals. In 2017, RDB and African Parks successfully reintroduced 18 rhinos to the Park with support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Since 2010, the Park has undergone a revival with poaching practically eliminated, allowing for key species to be reintroduced, including lions in 2015 which have since tripled in number, and rhinos in 2017 – a decade after they were last seen in the country.
Strong community conservation efforts have resulted in tremendous support for the Park, and tourism is now leading to Akagera being 80% self-financing, generating US $2 million a year, which goes back to the Park and surrounding communities.
Commenting on the new translocated rhinos, Jes Gruner, Park Manager of Akagera National Park said “We have been preparing for this moment for years and are excited to build on our efforts to revitalize the Park with the RDB and the successful introduction of the first round of rhinos in 2017.”
“This transport of five rhinos from Europe is historic and symbolic, and shows what is possible when dedicated partners collaborate to help protect and restore a truly endangered species,” he added.
The strength of the Park’s management was a contributing factor in the decision for EAZA and its Members to agree to the translocation.
These conditions also will allow for the ongoing study of the five animals from Europe and the existing population as they gradually integrate to contribute to a stable population of black rhinoceros in East Africa.
The Park is a key component of the Government of Rwanda’s strategy to foster economic growth while providing a secure future for wildlife in the country.
According to Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of RDB, the translocation of five rhinos from European zoos to Rwanda will further enhance the natural ecosystem in Akagera National Park.
“This partnership with our European friends is a testament to Rwanda’s commitment to conservation. Today, poaching is almost non-existent in our four national parks and we are confident that these rhinos will thrive in their natural habitat in Akagera. They are a positive addition to Akagera, a Park where tourists can now visit the African Big Five,” she said.
Today, Akagera National Park is home to the big five animals including lion, leopard, rhinos, elephant and buffalos.
Police said Innocent Uwizeyimana, 33, was impersonating REG staff and stealing pre-paid cashpower metres from people’s homes.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said the arrest of Uwizeyimana followed complaints from people whose cashpower metres he had taken.
“Uwizeyimana was going around telling people that he is an employee of REG and that he was checking faulty cashpower metres to be replaced,” CIP Umutesi said.
“He would take them from one house and put them on other houses and would be paid by the new beneficiaries in return,” she added.
Affected residents, she said, later called the service provider—REG—which verified and found out that Uwizeyimana was dismissed.
“REG in-turn informed the Police and Uwizeyimana was arrested. He had already taken cashpower metres from 10 houses as well as electric cables connecting houses from the grid,” she explained.
She appealed to the general public to always be vigilant and report such suspicious individuals.
“Always take a step to find out if the person is actually who he is by calling service providers or the Police,” CIP Umutesi advised.
The penal code in its article 279, states that “any person who, without title usurps public, civil or military functions or poses the acts of one of these functions or falsely attributes to himself/herself the quality of a public official or publicly wears a costume, a uniform, badge or an emblem with an intention to mislead the public, commits an offence.”
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than three years, with a fine of not less than Rwf300, 000 and not more than Rwf500, 000.
Theft, under article 166 attracts an imprisonment of between one and two years and a fine ranging from Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months, or one of these penalties.
However, in article 167, the penalty is doubled if the offender usurps false title or insignia of a civil servant or a person responsible for services of general interest or with a false mandate from public authority.
The four suspects arrested during a security operation conducted on Saturday are identified as Emmanuel Ziruguru, 54, Anastase Ntamuhanga, 66, Samuel Ruhumbankaka, 50, and Vincent Harindintwari, 41.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that all the suspects are residents of Nyaruguru District, Ruheru Sector, Umusebeya Cell, Mubuga Village.
Mubuga Village in Ruheru Sector borders Nyungwe National Park.
According to CIP Karekezi the suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) station at Busanze.
“On June 22, a security patrol in Ruheru along Nyungwe National Park intercepted the four people carrying bundles of bamboo trees, which they had cut in the park,” he said.
CIP Karekezi said that there was information about groups of people who sneak into the National Park especially at night to cut bamboo trees.
“There are some individuals who made it a business to cut bamboo trees in Nyungwe for sell and others for construction,” the spokesperson said.
He warned residents against destroying the national park adding that “operations are continuous to arrest anyone engaged in environmental degradation acts.”
The Kigali Marriott hotel has brought this concept for guests and lovers of the tasty Nyama Choma, served by a brigade of professional chefs endowed with experience from the region.
The Nyama Choma, Swahili for ‘roast meat’, is eaten on special occasions, such as a weekend family get-together, with ‘Ugali’ and the fresh vegetable salad, ‘Kachumbari’. The roast goat meat is served up as a kind of social lubricant, often aided by copious amounts of the local beer.
Victoria Obiakor – Director of Sales and Marketing at Kigali Marriott, observed that the concept was brought up as a way to bring the region together at the hotel, as the Nyama Choma is well known in East Africa.
“Our main thing at Kigali Marriott is not just international guests but also what we can bring to the market for residents just to come on a Saturday and enjoy. For Rwf 20 000 per person, you can eat meat, have promotional drinks and kids get a 50% discount,” says Obiakor.
At its Iriba Bar & Terrace, Kigali Marriott offers a fun-filled Saturday where families and friends can gather for the Nyama Choma Grill & Chill experience and have an entertaining evening with DJs and a live band to cap off their week.
You will find guests hanging out for hours, enjoying beer after beer, and when the meat comes, slowly digging in piece by piece.
“My family often comes here at Marriott – this is our fourth time to attend the Nyama Choma Grill & Chill experience. It’s very friendly and lots of families come over. It’s an authentic Nyama Choma with style,” said Diana Hodson, a guest from Kigali Marriott.
The newest and most exciting addition to Kigali Marriott’s Nyama Choma Grill & Chill experience is its extravagant Moët & Chandon Champagne bar.
“You can go anywhere for the Nyama Choma, but if you come to Marriott, you will have it at a good price and with style. This time, it’s even better with the introduction of the Moët Champagne Bar, which for me is another level of high-class establishment; where you are served something purely African like the Nyama Choma but you get to have the Champagne too. It’s simply original,” added Hodson.
“My experience at the Nyama Choma Grill & Chill Experience is….well, the Nyama Choma is simply amazing,” gushed one of Diana’s children, Myra Hodson.
The concept at the Iriba Bar &Terrace is a buffet set-up with various meat, fruits, vegetables and many other delights to enjoy.
When it comes to food at the Kigali Marriott, guests are spoiled for culinary choices that extend beyond the buffet. If you haven’t yet experienced the Nyama Choma Grill & Chill, be sure to try it at the hotel, every last Saturday of the month,
Having opened its doors in Kigali City Centre in 2016, the Kigali Marriott Hotel is a subsidiary of Marriott International which is present in over 131 countries with more than 7,000 hotels globally.
The ceremony took place in the Akagera National Park.
The rangers underwent a six-week training course where they were taught different measures to observe the parks and fight poaching.
Speaking after the passing out parade, RDB Conservation Analyst, Telesphore Ngoga explained that the skills and discipline the rangers have acquired during this exercise is another step in our conservation efforts.
“With continued conservation, the country earns tourism revenues sustainably which benefits the Rwandan economy. It is my hope that these new rangers go on to become champions of conservation by working together to become the managers of these habitats,” he said.
Jes Gruner, the Akagera National Park Manager said that conservation is one of Rwanda’s key prerogatives because it supports tourism and ‘all of the rangers here are part of that vision’.
“ They are the first people who protect our environment. Today is the beginning of a life-long journey for these new rangers,” said Gruner.
Dickson Gato, one of the new park rangers who excelled in the training program said he had always wanted to contribute to conserving the environment. “This training exercise has given me the discipline and skills to do that and it is also a first step for me towards learning more about conservation and its importance to the economy,” he stressed.
The ceremony that took place on 19th June 2019 was also marked by discussions between Ambassador Igor and President Miloš on bilateral relations.
The President of the Czech Republic thanked the leadership of Rwanda and all Rwandans for the great and exemplary attained milestone towards the resilience process particularly with regards to economic growth, building unity and reconciliation and unity and maintaining security.
Ambassador Igor extended greetings from President Paul Kagame to his counterpart of Czech Republic wishing him peace and health.
President Miloš welcomed Ambassador Igor and wished him all the best while accomplishing his duties. He also assured improved collaboration for improved relations.
Rwanda and the Czech Republic sought together how to improve cooperation enhancing in economic growth, trade and investments.
The discussions also took heed on education, improving telecommunication technology, modern agriculture and how increase value chain of agricultural produce.
Ambassador Cesar also met Rwandans living in Czech Republic and encouraged them to be united and participate in the development of the country.
