With the capacity of treating over 5000 cubic meters a day, Mpanga water treatment plant was launched in 2017 to feed different sectors of Nyanza district.
Some residents are however frustrated as they fetch water from marshlands exposing them to risks of diseases yet water from the plant is distributed to far distant population.
“Imagine how frustrating it is having a water treatment plant in this village that can’t help us to get safe water while it supplies water to Bugesera district. You understand that it benefits only that area leaving us helpless,” said Révérien Mureramanzi.
“We don’t have water at homes. We fetch from marshlands. This has resulted into contamination of infectious diseases like verminosis and malaria,” said another resident Annonciate Mukahigiro from Nyamazi village, Mpanga cell of Mukingo sector.
As he attended the launch of Water Supply and Sanitation policy week yesterday, the mayor of Nyanza district, Erasme Ntazinda explained that water will be made available to residents gradually.
He this will go hand in hand with upgrading Shyogwe-Mayaga, Butansinda-Agahombo-Mulinga and Busasamana-Rwabicuma-Nyagisozi watercourses.
“We have projects to make safe water available by next year. Other areas of focus include Mukinga and Mpanga where the water treatment plant is constructed. We agreed with WASAC to make water accessible there,” said Ntazinda.
It is said that two of the three men were in military uniform.
The incident took place around 10:00 pm last night.
The police spokesperson in Kigali city, CIP Marie Gorette Umutesi has told IGIHE that they were three thieves who left a car along the way.
“They went to steal in a shop and asked licensing documents for lottery machines impersonating as security officers. Two of them wore military uniform, and had concealed the number plate of the car with cow dong. They parked the machines as owners tried to get documents,” she said.
Umutesi explained that one of residents alerted Kanyinya police station as the suspects were departing.
“After providing information that the car was driving to Kigali, police went on the road to stop it and the driver was shot escaping,” she said.
Gako Military Camp is located in the forest covering Rweru, Rilima, Gashora, Mayange, Kamabuye and Ngeruka sectors of Bugesera district.
The warning was made by the RDF Division commander for the City of Kigali and Eastern Province, Gen Mubarak Muganga yesterday in a meeting that brought together Eastern Province Governor Fred Mufulukye, security organs and residents living in the camp’s neighborhood.
Some residents go into the camp’s premises for hunting purposes, collecting firewood, burning charcoal and grazing.
Gen. Mubarak explained that some of them tend to confront soldiers as they go into the forest to hunt different animals including gazelles and hares.
“We have two soldiers admitted at Kanombe who have recently been stabbed by residents who came to hunt in this forest. You understand that they started going beyond limits,” he said.
He also revealed that some residents pass through the forest trafficking drugs from Burundi and reminded them that whoever is caught again will be seriously punished.
Eastern Province Governor, Mufulukye also warned residents against such illegal entries and urged them to make a good use of the land the camp gave them.
Talking to IGIHE, Maurice Musine one of the residents attributed the illegal entry to lack of firewood.
“We often go into the forest to collect firewood but there are those who take the opportunity to hunt or traffic drugs through the forest,” he said.
Musine asked the district to facilitate easy access to gas following the notice prohibiting them from accessing the forest.
The mayor of Bugesera district, Richard Mutabazi said they are going to look for a partner to make it possible.
“We take pride to have the population with such advanced mindsets. Following their request, we will look for a partner who can provide affordable Gaz matching with their financial means,” he said.
Bugesera district advisory committee agreed on Rwf 150,000 fines for illegal movements to Gako Military Camp premises.
The day is usually celebrated on 8th March every year at the international level.
The event was organized by gender equality commission of Rwanda’s diaspora in Belgium in partnership with Rwanda’s embassy in the country.
The senior advisor to Rwanda’s ambassador in Belgium, Bosco Ntibitura told IGIHE that the event is ‘a platform fostering discussions on valuing the power and knowledge of women abroad’.
Present at the event was panelists including Marie Arena, Belgian native coordinating Women’s Rights and Gender Equality commission at European Union parliament.
“A lot needs to do here in Europe because areas where gender equality is not respected still exist,” she said.
Marie Pierre Nyatanyi who is among founders of a non-profit organization (Djaili Mbock asbl) based in Belgium and the writer of “Plurielles, Femmes de la diaspora africaine”; Dr Uwizeyimana Emeline, a researcher and writer of a book dubbed “Le micro-crédit à l’épreuve des inégalités de genre”; and Olivia Ingabire, a Belgium based entrepreneur exhibiting Made in Rwanda products were also among panelists.
Rwandans attending the event lauded President Paul Kagame for his role model with non-discriminatory leadership giving women representation in all government positions.
The celebration was characterized by traditional dances and sharing dinner.
The police spokesperson in Southern Province, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi said that the suspect has been arrested trying to bribe a traffic police officer to release his motorbike which was held after violating traffic rules.
“The motorcycle was seized by traffic police officers after the driver Valence Nsekanabo was found on duty without driving licence. Indeed, he carried more than one passenger with no helmet yet the motorcycle is designed to carry only two persons,” he said.
According to CIP Karekezi, the motorcycle was taken to Runda station and Nshimiyimana (owner of the motorbike) was caught red handed as he attempted to bribe traffic police officer in Kamonyi district to rescue his motorbike.
He appealed to people to respect rules and pay fines other than turning to corruption options.
“It is not good to pass through shortcuts to get mercy in case the police officer fines you for committed offenses. You should rush to pay fines because offering bribery brings many inconveniences including imprisonment and loss of money that should be used for other purposes,” he said.
Nshimiyimana Eric was handed to Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
The event saw the Rwandan Minister for Youth, Honorable. Rosemary Mbabazi, UAE’s Ambassador in Rwanda, H.E. Hazza Al Qahtani and Rwanda Development Board.
The youth circle highlighted the importance of catalyzing the role of women and youth in creating innovative opportunities to attain sustainable growth. The participants also discussed the key challenges face the Rwandan youth to achieve the sustainable development.
During the discussion, the participants asserted the importance of identifying the challenges facing women and youth in Rwanda, and bringing about innovative solutions to overcome these challenges; in addition to the importance of encouraging youth to initiation and innovation.
On the other hand, Rwandan Minister for Youth, H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi, expressed her pleasure to attend the Youth Circle and hearing the youth’s views and aspirations. She also extended her gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for the initiative that aims to train the Rwandan woman and developing her skills and capabilities, which in return, will enable her to improve her living conditions.
The UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, H.E. Shamma bint Suhail Al-Mazrui, highlighted that the Emirati woman has proven her leadership in diverse fields. Not only locally in the UAE, but also in the international fora, thanks to the support of the wise leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, “UAE Mother of the Nation”, President of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in the UAE. As the Emirati woman is a key and catalysing element in supporting the UAE’s development, which is reflected by her successful representation and achievements in various scientific and civil arenas on all levels.
For his part, UAE Ambassador in Rwanda, H.E. Hazza Mohammad Al-Qahtani, indicated the importance of training programmes and workshops that target women and youth empowerment, and enhancing their role in the social service, consolidating the cooperation among the national women-relevant actors. Al-Qahtani also highlighted the importance of hosting forums and platforms to exchange knowledge and resources on all levels; affirming the importance of achieving gender balance in the public work. Thus it will facilitate addressing the standing challenges, which will not be achieved without respecting human rights and global gender equality on all levels through active work and harnessing all the necessary resources needed for innovation and making a change.
In return, H.E. Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, the Under-Secretary of UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stressed the importance of MOFAIC’s Youth Council participation, through UAE’s diplomatic missions abroad, in supporting the foreign policy of the UAE in all fields, expressing his aspiration to organize more youth circle sessions and joint initiatives that help achieve young people’s hopes and ambitions for their countries.
It’s worth mentioning that Youth Circles initiative governed by UAE Federal Youth Authority and Launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Aiming to inspire youth-centric dialogue across a variety of areas for sustainable engagement with Youth to shape innovative solutions for global challenges. The Youth circle in Rwanda was facilitated by Eman Hableel, Head of Youth Council in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC). Whereas MOFAIC Youth Council’s strategy encompasses the strengthening of the UAE’s foreign policy via a process that introduces innovative and proactive youth who possess a competitive edge and are committed to the values of the nation.
The Council will function under the slogan, “Future Diplomacy, Ambition and Hope”. Its vision entails preparing a promising generation of young diplomats who will contribute towards attaining the UAE Vision 2021 youth agenda. MOFAIC Youth Council objective is to develop and promote MOFAIC young individuals’ skills, capacities and capabilities; manifesting the UAE’s global role and efforts in youth empowerment, and embracing their hopes and ambitions; scaling up the knowledge and innovation-based ongoing diplomatic action in order to achieve the excellence in foreign policy.
MOFAIC Youth Council shall undertake a number of functions, on top of them: Supervising the organisation of youth activities and initiatives at the Ministry and UAE missions abroad, participating in the National Youth Agenda projects, and coordinating efforts with the federal authorities, the private sector and any other parties on youth affairs.
He made the call on Sunday as he launched the general assembly of the youth from Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF)-Inkotanyi held in Kayonza district of Eastern Province bringing together over 300 participants.
According to figures from the Ministry of Health, 3,375 children aged between 15 and 19 in Eastern Province gave birth in the first six months of 2018 while 2,749 dropped out of school but 1,867 were returned to school after mobilization, 353 never returned while 509 had moved to other regions.
Mufulukye observed that it is possible to address these issues if the youth play an active role.
“When I see an impregnated young girl, children abandoning schools, and young addicted to drugs; I find it a serious problem and wonder what you do to help them to get rid of it,” he said.
“I believe it can be addressed within short time if you play an active role in advising girls and boys on good behaviour,” added Mufulukye.
Mufulukye tasked the youth to draw resolutions enabling them to change youth’s attitudes from grassroots levels and seek assistance from the government where they face challenges.
Lea Batamuriza from Gatsibo district said they will conduct increased mobilizations following advice from the governor.
The youth in general vowed to improve performance and deepen collaboration with local government leadership.
The incident took place in Gahengeri village, Karambi cell in Muhazi sector of Rwamagana Sunday night.
It is alleged that the suspect whith his colleague returned home drunk with pushed his mother down as they got in heated argument where after the suspect hit an object on the head of her mother who died instantly.
The two were immediately detained at Kigabiro police station.
IGIHE has learnt from residents that the suspect was a notorious drug addict to which they attribute the evil acts.
The spokesperson of Rwanda investigation Bureau (RIB) Modeste Mbabazi has confirmed the arrest.
“It is true that the young man is arrested suspected of killing his mother. He was still drunk by the time he was to be questioned,” he said.
The deceased identified as Agnes Muhongerwa was 52 years old. Her body has been taken to Rwamagana hospital for postmortem.
The quartet aged five, seven, eight and thirteen years old were children to neighbors of the suspect who is a resident of Katabagemu Sector of Nyagatare District.
According to the Spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Modeste Mbabazi, the suspect was found with the four dead bodies after neighbors suspected him following cases of children missing in the area and they reported him to security officials.
“They went and searched his house where they found four dead bodies. He immediately admitted to have killed the children but he doesn’t reveal the reason he killed them. We are still investigating the matter to know what his intent was,” Modeste Mbabazi explained.
Mbabazi added that the victims are children to suspect’s neighbors who have no family relationship with him.
Murder attracts a life imprisonment sentence according to article 107 of the penal code.
The bodies were separately exhumed on Monday and Tuesday as construction works of class rooms at Musebeya School in Busanze Sector were going on. It is said they were found in three different graves.
The Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development in Nyaruguru District, Janvier Gasana said information from residents indicates the bodies might have been buried in the graves during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“Since yesterday, builders were exhuming the bodies. People say the bodies were buried in holes during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. Over 200 bodies were found,” Janvier Gasana said.
By press time, reports from Nyaruguru District said four people had been already suspected of having not shared the information on where the bodies had been dumped.
Authorities and security have started investigations to get clarifications.
