This was announced by the president of the high court Prof Sam Rugege while closing the anti-corruption week in courts which took place in Nyagatare last week.
In 2017-2018, Prof. Rugege said, 561 people were summoned by the court, where 265 were found guilty and 95 were found to be innocent, 192 appealed to the higher court. Prof Rugege observed that registering of bribery cases in court doesn’t imply that bribery is increasing but instead shows that society is working hard on reporting those who indulge in corruption-related practices.
“The people have committed to pinpoint out those engaging in bribery. From 2005 to 2018, 17 magistrates and 26 court clerks were sacked due to bribery while from 2011, 3 magistrates and 6 court clerks were imprisoned.
Rugege took the opportunity to ask all the judicial officers to desist from taking and giving bribes.
“Do not give room to those who bribe you leading to the loss of your dignity and the trust citizens have in you. Judges have always been people of self-respect, honesty, and respect for others. Say no to bribery and report those who want to bribe you”.
Rwanda marks Heroes’ Day annually and this year the theme hinged on “sustaining heroism in a vision we have chosen”.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Senegal, Dr. Harebamungu Mathias gave a message reminding the real meaning of heroism and why it is important to sustain its values.
“We ponder those who showed commitment to upholding the dignity and love for Rwanda and Rwandans,” ambassador Dr. Harebamungu adding that it is necessary to teach Rwandan youth the values of heroism.
He said “Youth need to be guided into maintaining Rwanda’s strong values for the country to achieve its vision of prosperity which is entailed in vision 2050. We cannot achieve it without heroic values and without the future generation embracing such values.”
Heroes ‘Day is celebrated focusing on different great deeds by Rwandans including the liberation of the country and promoting unity among Rwandans.
The Kigali Marriott Hotel’s Iriba Bar and Terrace has provided a fitting spot for such an experience. Launched this Friday, the two-day ‘Coffee Xperience’ welcomed coffee lovers in a cozy and lively atmosphere, encouraging people to appreciate the intricacies of a great-tasting cup that not only appeals to the senses but more importantly, soothes stressed souls craving for some laid-back moments.
The event presented a series of delightful activities such as Coffee tasting, coffee art lessons, all guided by various expert baristas together with the main coffee supplier of Kigali Marriott hotel, Question Coffee. The Coffee Xperience also involved coffee-flavored desserts and cakes conceived by the hotel’s artistic chefs.
“The Coffee Xperience was inspired after seeing how the public warmly welcomed the International Coffee Day celebration we held last September,” says Alyson Hayes, Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at Kigali Marriott Hotel.
Hayes also observed that the event was a way of extending the fun of most coffee lovers who were attending the African Fine Coffees and Exhibition that was taking place in Rwanda from February 13-15, 2019.
“The Rwandan Coffee is a brew that is continuously evolving in the country and its high-quality is what attracts and delights both foreigners and Rwandans. This event is the hotel’s way of bringing together coffee lovers with our partners, Question Coffee and 1000 Hills Distillery for an unforgettable experience. Everyone is welcome to come to the hotel and enjoy all we have to offer.” Hayes added enthusiastically.
With the state-of-art service model, guests enjoyed even more as they mingled in a relaxing environment.
The ‘Coffee Xperience’ took place on 15th and 16th February, and was a relish to many.
Kigali Marriott Hotel is located in the City Centre not far from Kigali City Council offices. The five-star hotel is a part of Marriott International which is present across 127 countries and territories with more than 6,700 properties globally.
The project implementation deal was signed by Japan Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Mishayita and Paul Murenzi, the President of the Rwandese Endogenous Development Association (ARDE/KUBAHO), a local NGO that will run the one year project to benefit over 38,000 people in Runda Sector.
Under the project, a water source will be rehabilitated and a water tank constructed along with a 3.6 kilometre water pipeline supply system. Three water houses and one public water tap will as well be constructed.
Speaking to IGIHE, Japan’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita said they chose to fund ARDE Kubaho’s water project after realizing that residents of Runda Sector need access to clean and safe water.
He said though it is a small project, it means a lot for the population who will be supplied with clean water.
“We (Japan) want to contribute to Rwanda Government’s plan to see all Rwandans access clean water,” Ambassador Miyashita said.
Paul Murenzi, the President of ARDE Kubaho said lack of access to clean water was a threat to health of residents in Runda Sector.
“Children would get late to school as they first went to wetlands to look for water which was unclean. When clean water facilities are introduced in the area, their lives will change as we witnessed it in other parts of the country,” Murenzi said.
Murenzi added that the project will create jobs for different people focusing on the youth who will be receiving a wages of between Rwf2,000 and Rwf5,000 per day.
In January this year, a committee made of staff from the Ministry of Local Governance, Rwanda Cooperative Agency and Security organs released a report showing that local leaders owed SACCOs a non-serviced debt worth Rwf600 million.
Effective from January 15 this year, a crackdown to recover the money started and it has now recovered more than a half of the folio in one month according to the Director General of Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Prof. Jean Bosco Harerimana.
“Now, they [local leaders] have paid Rwf300,216,184 and we hope to recover the remaining part so soon that the SACCOs continue to contribute to development of members and the country in general,” Prof. Harerimana told IGIHE on Wednesday.
Harerimana added that those failing to pay the whole debt were given two months and in case they fail to pay they will be subjected to the law.
Managers of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in different districts say local leaders have less respect for SACCOs and often fail to meet their debt-servicing obligations.
“They don’t lack money because they get salaries which they present as collateral. They don’t pay the loans because they just disrespect the SACCOs, and their managers,” a manager of SACCO in Burera District who talked to IGIHE on condition of anonymity said.
There are 17 SACCOs in Burera District which are owed Rwf42 million by local leaders.
In July last year, RCA had said the non-performing loans in SACCOs had reached 16% way above the considered 5%.
Marriott Bonvoy is built on the belief that travel enriches us all and has the power to enrich the world. Marriott Bonvoy launches on February 13 when the logo and branding begins rolling out across all consumer touch points, including on property, marketing and sales channels, digital, mobile and co-brand credit cards, bolstered by a multi-million-dollar global media campaign starting in late February.
“Marriott Bonvoy marks an evolution in travel because it represents more than a loyalty program,” said Stephanie Linnartz, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Marriott International. “Marriott Bonvoy is a travel program designed to bring to life our extraordinary portfolio of global brands in 129 countries and territories, while also providing endless inspiration for members to keep traveling and pursuing their passions.”
Linnartz continued, “Represented by a simple, bold and modern logo, Marriott Bonvoy is welcoming and optimistic. Our 120 million members have access to the world’s leading hotel portfolio at the best room rates and member benefits, as well our collection of Moments experiences that bring exploration and discovery of the world to the forefront.”
Beginning on February 13, Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments will become Marriott Bonvoy Moments, which together with Marriott Moments will feature approximately 120,000 experiences in 1,000 destinations available for purchase or by redeeming points. In addition. In addition to accessing locally relevant sights and excursions, such as hiking into glacial Patagonia, desert treks on camelback in Morocco or cruising to Vietnam’s timeless floating villages, members can indulge in once-in-a-lifetime experiences like cooking alongside renowned chefs Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert, or honing football skills in a master class with Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice.
Throughout 2019, Marriott will bring Marriott Bonvoy to life with a series of experiential events for members taking advantage of the company’s marketing partnerships with iconic brands including the NCAA and the FIA Formula One™ World Champions, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, as well as through sponsorships such as the Oscars®, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Dubai Jazz Festival, The Hong Kong Sevens and The PGA Tour World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.
On August 18, 2018, Marriott launched one loyalty program with unified benefits under its three legacy loyalty brands — Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG. On February 13, the combined program completes its integration under one name, Marriott Bonvoy.
With Marriott Bonvoy, members will have access to Marriott’s portfolio of diverse brands including the largest collection of lifestyle and luxury properties. Whether it is sun-soaked overwater bungalows at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, mountain-side resorts nestled against ski slopes like at The Westin Resort and Spa Whistler, beachfront properties hugging pristine sands like at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, to iconic urban towers offering panoramic views like at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, or former palatial residences like The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Venice); Marriott Bonvoy provides members an unparalleled offering of experiences together with the opportunity to earn desirable member benefits.
Since Marriott introduced the unified loyalty benefits under Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG last August, members have been able to seamlessly book stays and earn and redeem points across the entire portfolio and achieve Elite status faster with new Elite tiers. Members now earn on average 20 percent more points per dollar spent.
The launch of Marriott Bonvoy will introduce two new names for previous Elite status tier names: {Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite} will replace Platinum Premier Elite for members who surpass 75 nights and {Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite} will replace Platinum Premier Elite with Ambassador. This top Elite status tier recognizes members who surpass 100 nights and more than $20,000 in spend annually. These members enjoy the highest level of personalization with a dedicated ambassador to help plan their travel and cater to their needs one-on-one.
Marriott Bonvoy will usher in a new mobile experience. Members using either the SPG or The Ritz-Carlton Rewards apps are encouraged to download the current Marriott app now which will automatically update to become the Marriott Bonvoy app on February 13. The SPG and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards apps will be deactivated on that date.
Members can learn more about Marriott Bonvoy at {{[MeetMarriottBonvoy.marriott.com->MeetMarriottBonvoy.marriott.com]}} where they also can watch a short video describing the new brand. To learn more about the loyalty program benefits, you can visit {{[www.marriott.com->www.marriott.com].}}
Four men and one woman were handed to Rwanda by the Ugandan Police at Kagitumba Border in Nyagatare District.
They had been held at Ntungamo and Kasese Prisons which they say hold many more Rwandans.
Speaking to journalists, they said they had been arrested in Uganda where they had gone to look for a living whereas others had gone to visit families and friends.
Felicien Ntigurirwa who was born in Gatsibo District, said he went to Uganda in 2018 to visit his family members and he spent a year. He was arrested at the border on his way back to Rwanda.
“I was asked to show my papers and I showed my Rwandan identity which they said was not enough. They asked a lot of shillings which I failed to give and they took me to jail,” he said.
At Ntungamo where he was held, Ntigurirwa says he was sentenced to six months in prison and he was forced to do farming activities in Buga area.
“We were forced to do farming activities and in case you failed to, you would be severely beaten. It is a life I wouldn’t wish any Rwandan to live because we used to cultivate from the morning to evening without rest and with beatings on our backs,” he said.
Ntigurirwa said that at least 10 Rwandans were brought at Ntungamo where he was imprisoned picked from different places in Uganda over ‘illegal’ entry.
Claudine Uwimana, a resident of Rulindo District said women are forced to weave baskets. She said she was together with 20 other Rwandan women who were also arrested in Uganda.
“Many Rwandans are arrested at the border,” Uwimana said, warning other Rwandans travelling to Uganda.
Jean Bosco Rwego from Kayonza District said there are 360 prisoners in the jail where he was held with 200 of them being Rwandans.
Rwego who had been living in Uganda since 2012, says he was arrested in September last year because somebody wanted to confiscate his property.
“He called the Police saying I was a Rwandan who had illegally entered in Uganda.
Without explanations, I was arrested. I had worked hard and had bought some land having earned a lot of money which I think is the reason why I was betrayed so that they could take it away,” he said.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance at the University of Rwanda, Françoise Kayitare Tengera said the debt was due to challenges that followed the merger of different institutions to create the University of Rwanda in 2013.
She said UR inherited debts from the merged public institutions owed to its staff and other suppliers.
Last year, the University of Rwanda officials outlined a 5-year plan of how to pay the debt.
“The Government has pledged to increase our budget part of which will service the debt,” Kayitare Tengera said, adding that it is the Government’s will to help the University progressing.
Government has pledged to have paid the debt in five years.
Tengera has said Government will be paying between Rwf.1.8 billion and Rwf.2.6 billion per year. It has already paid Rwf2 billion.
“The next Auditor General’s report will show the debt is no longer as it was. When we pay the debt, we start by priorities which have been unpaid for the longest time,” Tengera explained.
From 2015 the University of Rwanda has faced financial hardships which saw it fail to pay regular salaries for its staff, funding students’ internships and failing to pay suppliers.
The eye testing activity was held at the headquarters of the company at Kigali Industrial Zone in Masoro in partnership with Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital.
Sandeep Phadnis, Business Head of Safintra Rwanda Ltd said several recent pieces of research done on eye health revealed that eye problems affect employees productivity which inspired them to get their staff screened, an activity that will continue.
“Researches showed that the productivity reduces by at least 40% among people aged between 40 and 55 years with eye defects,” Sandeep said.
“When the employee’s ability to see reduces, he starts taking medicaments while sick, it affects his productivity at work which also affects the welfare of employees
Sandeep said they held the activity as it is the employer’s duty to know his employee’s health status and take care of it as it is usually done at Safintra Rwanda Ltd.
After eye testing, those who were found with defects were advised to seek optician advice he explained that all employees have medical insurance so whoever is detected with eyes problems will proceed with treatment at Agarwal Eye Hospital which partnered with the Company.
The Director of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Kanagaraj Rajagopal said they have screened around 50 staff from Safintra that more than 15 staff of over 40 years old have been recommended to get optical glasses.
Dieudonne Hakizimana, the In-Charge of Maintenance welcomed the initiative that comes in handy, enabling them to know the state of their eyesight. Some of his workmates were found with eye defects which they were not aware of and they will now go for eye treatment.
Safintra Rwanda Ltd is part of Safal Group that is a leading manufacturer of roofing solutions in African with a presence in 12 African countries.
Organized by Dubai Chamber, the Chamberthon was held during the Africa Tech Summit 2019. A total of 10 startups from the UAE were selected by the Chamber to participate in the Chamberthon, attend the Africa Tech Summit in Kigali, and join their African counterparts for a full day of interactive sessions. Participants were divided into mixed teams of African and UAE entrepreneurs, representing many sectors and fields, including agriculture, healthcare, environment, fintech, climate change, social responsibility, construction, and customer experience among others.
The startup teams developed and presented a wide variety of innovative and practical ideas that will be used to structure the Dubai Chamber’s Global Business Forum Mentorship Programme. The three-month mentorship programme aims to foster cross-border cooperation between startup communities by pairing startups with mentors who can provide them with valuable expertise, support, and guidance.
Natalia Sycheva, Manager of Entrepreneurship for Dubai Chamber said: “We are very encouraged by the strong interest and participation in the Chamberthon which is a new concept and extension of the Global Business Forum, an important platform that Dubai Chamber leverages to foster economic cooperation and explore opportunities in promising markets around the world.”
She added: “Today, startups and entrepreneurs are the drivers of innovation. With this in mind, Dubai Chamber is constantly scaling up its support to startups through new initiatives like the Chamberthon and GBF Mentorship Programme that engage entrepreneurs and provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to expand globally.”
“The Chamberthon has given me an opportunity to exchange and brainstorm on innovative ideas with people from around Africa and UAE. This is a stepping stone for me to be able to broaden my reach with my startup and I believe that the GBF Mentorship Programme is a valuable initiative by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” said Irasubiza Sadrah, whose startup, iTec, is looking to tackle climate change by developing an easy to use Agro-Condition System which will be implemented to create a controllable low-cost artificial climate Greenhouse.
After the winning Chamberthon ideas are chosen, a total of 10 startups from the UAE and Africa that make the final cut will be selected to participate in the GBF Mentorship Programme. The holistic programme will provide many benefits beyond mentorship, including access to networking and Dubai Startup Hub services and support, as well as speaking and exhibiting opportunities at the 5th Global Business Forum on Africa in Dubai, taking place in November 2019.
