Speaking to IGIHE, Gicumbi Council Chairperson, Dieudone Kayombya confirmed the move saying that the trio was dismissed today over falling short on delivery.
“It is true; they were dismissed during a general meeting of the district council that took place today. The council has the responsibilities to evaluate executive committee’s performance and when is satisfied with performance, it is okay. But, when the council is not contented we can advise them, request them to increase performance or suspend them,” he explained.
He said that the council examined different reports and discovered poor performance.
“Among the reports include the audit report about management of development projects and audit report about schools management. The reports revealed mismanagement; the problem is the way they are addressed. The Council established that there were no sustainable measures to address these mistakes and measures to implement recommendations from auditors,” Kayombya explained.
He said that the audit was conducted in this fiscal year, but also reflected past years.
The District Council has nominated, council member Jean Claude Sewase as interim mayor.
The dismissal of Gicumbi Executive Committee comes few days after the wave of resignation and dismissal of mayors and vice-mayors across different districts.
In the elections, Friday, Habarurema got 180 votes of 197 voters and his competitor Félix Rukundo only 17.
The Vice-Mayor in charge of Economic Development is JMV Rusiribana while the vice-mayor in charge of social welfare is Alphonsine Mukangenzi.
Former Mayor Mbabazi and vice-mayors were dismissed on March 7th 2018.
Upon their dismissal, the Ruhango District Council Chairperson, Jérôme Gasasira Rutagengwa told IGIHE that all officials were dismissed after being accused of different malpractices in the implementation of different projects.
“We dismissed them from Ruhango District council due to malpractices. There are different improper deeds that have been made during the implementation of different projects as revealed by auditing report. Some mistakes were made by technicians but the political responsibility falls on the mayors’ shoulders,” he explained.
And now, IGIHE has brought out the special features of the life of those people who always have their travel passports in their pockets as if they were diplomats. They spend their days and nights on the roads for long cross-border travels transporting goods from countries to countries.
They always have cash on them, not because they are rich but to put up temporary residence all along their ways. You will find them putting saucepans on stoves in their parkings. They eat their food beneath the parked lorries, pray God from there and keep all their stuffs there. They sleep in there and you will find some with mosquito nets in there. To them, a lorry is their second but mobile home.
{{Making children all the way is creating cities
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Some of them get concubines on their ways. They call the practice making new homes and headquarters in the form of creating cities. But most of them will now tell you the practice is outdated especially because there are young people among them who say they are committed to their bright future.
Hussein Yusuph Kabale, an experienced driver having a wife and five children in Dar-es-Salaam, says a lot has changed in the 21st century and their profession has followed the new era.
“Sometime back, lorry drivers were making concubines all their way in what we called creating cities but a lot has changed. You cannot attain any development with that practice,” he said.
“The vehicle is a residence itself. It requires meals, drinks, sleeping… a lot that you can’t add the third residence. Where can we find those means?”
Their travel allowances differ but some say they receive at least $400 that they use for a weeklong or longer travels.
Ismael Rachid Lijonjo, 18, says he joined the lorry driving job at a young age because he got passion in it in his childhood and decided to side with the drivers to learn from them.
{{Quick customs services in Rwanda earn them savings
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Mr. Kabale says they are often faced with delays on the way that chop up their pocket money but Rwanda’s customs help them save from their allowances.
“Though we often face different hurdles like accidents and eating up our money before reaching the destination, the good thing I see in Rwanda is the quick services at the customs. It helps us save money because when the boss gives me money for a week and I spend two days on the way, I remain with a good package to take home. Anyone smiles when he is told to drive to Rwanda because they know the benefits,” he says.
Bakhressa Bakhar Katema, who has been driving lorries for 40 years, says since he started driving in the region, he has never seen good leadership like he is witnessing in Rwanda.
He says that Rwanda’s before 1994 period was marked by a bad experience whereby soldiers and other government’s armed forces were harassing drivers, something that is no more among the current forces.
“Whenever our lorries were involved in accidents, the forces would say that the foreign vehicle is wrong and punish its driver and leave the local ones walk free. But it has now changed, we are only required to respect the laws,” he says.
{{Offended by adultery allegations
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These drivers say they always feel bad when people allege them with cheating their spouses. They say one of the reasons that make them remain long in the job is that they walk away from adultery practices which can attract the curse from their families while driving a lorry also requires a stable and attentive mind.
Yusuph and Bakhressa Bakhar share the point that as their feet pose on the lorry accelerator and brakes, their hearts go out to their families and that they don’t have time to waste looking for women on their way.
Appeal for action against thieves in Musha
The drivers say they often incur losses over the thieves who cut out the sealed well labels on the trucks on an uphill road in Musha, Rwamagana District.
“There are thieves who try to loot from our trucks but they haven’t managed to steal the goods. They just cut out the sealing metals and we face up to $2,000 fines on each. It is a threat to us,” says Bakressa.
Mayor of Rwamagana, Mbonyumuvunyi Rajab, said that they are going to tighten security in the area to stop those thieves threatening lorry drivers.
Despite the threats in Musha, the drivers say the security in Rwanda is higher than in any other country they operate.
They say that they meet in countries like Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania many hurdles such as being forced to bribe police officers, bad roads and poor services.
The keenly awaited 27-year-old award winning singer will be performing in the ‘Live and Unplugged’ event that will take place on Saturday, on 26th May 2018 in Kigali Cultural Village.
Now in its fourth year, The Live and Unplugged show, organized by AfroGroov, will be the ultimate place to be, while hosting the unique continental star.
IGIHE had a chat with the woman of the moment, where she acknowledged her excitement for the coming show and her performance in Rwanda.
Her performance in Kigali is part of her East African tour, which took her to Kampala in Uganda and Nairobi in Kenya earlier this month, and as she said “What better place to end my performance than Rwanda”.
The Afro-soul singer has been in the music industry for quite some time, having worked with legend artistes such as the late Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi, building a great reputation not only in South Africa but all over the continent.
Upon working with late South African jazz trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, Berita says “I really enjoyed working with Hugh Masekela, and I still miss him. I remember he used to say to me and a lot of people that he never wants to get to a point where we say, ‘We used to be Africans’ and he said that if you don’t explore your culture and heritage, you’ll get to that position. By being on this tour, I’m carrying on what he taught me about my culture and myself.”
The Afro soul singer gave some insightful remarks on her opinion on Rwanda, saying the country was set to become the next anchor of Africa
“Rwanda, you’re in such a special position and I feel like something is brewing here. In the next few years, I’m sure you’re going to be the next anchor of Africa. They should call you Rwakanda.” She gushed
Berita Khumalo has won several accolades such as the 12th Metro Award for Best African album, 2013 Metro Awards-Best African Pop Album, while she was also nominated for Best Afro Soul Artist at the 8th annual Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in South Africa.
CP Mujiji made the remarks on May 24, during a consultative meeting between RNP, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and owners or heads of transport companies.
Statistics indicate that fatalities caused by public services vehicles and trucks reduced to 40 per cent and 23 percent, respectively in the last four months compared to the same period last year.
The reduction, according the CP Mujiji, doesn’t call for celebrations calling for responsiveness to prevent loss of even a single life to recklessness of motorists.
“Most of the accidents are avoidable if drivers respected traffic rules such as regulating speed, use of speed governors, respecting pedestrian pathways including zebra crossing, and avoiding bad maneuvers,” CP Mujiji said.
He appealed to owners and managers of transport companies to take an upper hand to ensure the behavior and discipline of their drivers on roads, and take action against errand members.
He appealed to business leaders to prevail upon truck drivers and buses to change road usage behaviors and attitude towards proper driving.
The meeting was in the framework of the ongoing Police Week, with the second week focusing on promoting road safety.
“We have been sensitizing motorists but we believe that owners and managers also have a big responsibility to monitor their drivers,” he said.
“We want to see the positive impact, no life should be lost due to causes which we can collectively prevent,” CP Mujiji.
Asaba Katabarwa, the head of Transport regulation department at RURA noted that some truck drivers we found to deliberately tamper or fault speed governors, which are often found offline on the RURA tracking systems.
As business people, Katabarwa said, they have economic benefits if drivers adhere to traffic rules and other regulatory instruments, but also losses if they violate them coupled with loss of lives and destruction of people’s property.
{{Why not…Venture off for a few hours of relaxation?
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Now we’re talking about some real me-time. Kigali has a variety of spas in the metropolitan area that will ease your stress and change your mood as soon as you walk through the door. One such spa is aptly named Saray Spa; in there, you will taste the comforts of world class pampering. Enter a welcoming, attentive staff, private treatment rooms, steam rooms, saunas, fitness Centre and pool- and you will never want to return to the real world.
Among the options on the exquisite treatment menu are Swedish massages, Indian head massages, Jade hot stone therapy, lemon and mint scrubs and luxury facials. Treatments can be combined into half and full-day retreats.
While waiting for in-between treatments, treat yourself to one of Saray’s warm brownies and a glass of champagne.
{{Why not…Vent off some steam in a yoga session?
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What better way to relax and find your own thoughts than by taking a wellness class in Yego Yoga Rwanda; a pop-up yoga studio that offers yoga classes at different locations across town. Held in different venues including City Arts in Kimihurura, Soho Fitness and the Inema Art Center in Kacyiru; Yego Yoga Rwanda focuses on feeding your mind, body, and soul.
The studio offers Beginner Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Hot Yoga, Ashtanga Vinysasa, classes. Moreover, it also offers special classes like Prenatal / Post-natal Yoga classes, AcroYoga, Yoga for Kids, etc…
For Yogi Lovers, do not miss your chance!
{{Why not…plan your cultural escape in Inema Arts Center?
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For the art-loving loner, visiting Inema Arts Center is the best place to go. Tucked in Kacyiru, there surely is no lack of vision and creative spirit in this visual art hub. Hidden within rich colorful paintings, the works of artists; Emmanuel Nkuranga and his brother Emmanuel Nkurunziza give out messages of positivity, encouragement and gratitude.
You will be left enthralled by the unique pieces of artwork that will captivate your attention for hours and drown out any background noise that might distract you.
{{Why not…Grab a cocktail…or two?
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After your enjoyable day of taking time out for yourself, have a sip at Trophy’s Sports Lounge, an upscale Cocktail bar located in Kigali, around the corner from RDB’s General headquarters. Try as you might, you won’t find any cocktail menu at this bar anywhere else.
As soon as you step inside a waitress or bartender grills you on whatever cocktail you fancy, from tried-and-tested classics to more obscure creations (the Trophy’s Dawa is a Must-try).
In February, Cimerwa embarked on renovation and replacement of old machines and introducing new technologies which would enable the plant increase yearly production from 380,000 tones to 500,000 tones and 600,000 in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
The exercise affected the production capacity and caused cement scarcity on local market. Among other effects, the price was hiked and some construction projects were delayed.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday in Kigali, MINICOM Minister, Vincent Munyeshyaka said that Cimerwa’s production covers 55% of local market. He said that the renovation will see the plant increase the production capacity.
He assured the public that normal cement supplies will have been restored available in June.
“Cement they are producing today is being distributed to people who had paid in advance, and the process will be over by May 31st. We believe that starting from June, Cimerwa cement will be available on the market,” he said.
As a way of closing the scarcity problem, Munyeshyaka said that they requested importers from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya to increase the quantity of importation.
The Director General of Trade and Investment in MINICOM, Robert Opirah said that the importation volume was raised by 10,000 tones monthly.
Before Cimerwa productions reduce, Rwanda had been importing between 15,000 and 20,000 tones monthly.
“We discussed with importers and increased importation volume to the extent that 30,000 tones will have been imported this month only,” he explained.
According to MINICOM, different traders used the shortage and hiked the price. However, the ministry embarked on clamping down and penalized those who were found selling the cement at increased prices.
He said during an appearance from the Roosevelt Room the decision amounted to a “tremendous setback” and warned North Korea that the US military is ready to act should Pyongyang take any “foolish and reckless” action.
“Our military, which is by far the most powerful anywhere in the world that has been greatly enhanced recently as we all know, is ready as necessary,” he said.
But he left open the door to renewing the diplomatic thaw which had preceded the anticipated talks.
“If and when Kim Jong Un chooses to engage in constructive dialogue and actions, I am waiting,” he said.
In his letter, which the administration said was dispatched through established communication channels to North Korea, Trump wrote with chagrin the summit was off.
I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting,” Trump wrote. “Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place.”
Trump and Kim were scheduled to meet in Singapore on June 12, for what would have been the first face-to-face meeting between a US and North Korean leader.
{{Months of diplomatic advances}}
The decision ends months of diplomatic advances between the US and North Korea that Trump repeatedly heralded as the likely precursor to a historic peace deal and the denuclearization of North Korea. Now, the détente between Washington and Pyongyang appears in jeopardy, with a return to the bellicose rhetoric that has defined the US-North Korea relationship for much of Trump’s presidency once again peering over the horizon.
In his letter, Trump signaled a return to the bitter nuclear back-and-forth that colored his early interactions with Kim before the diplomatic opening.
“You talk about your nuclear capabilities,” Trump wrote in his letter to Kim, “but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.”
Still, Trump signaled direct talks with Kim could still be in the offing, writing that he “felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me” and that he looks forward to meeting Kim “some day.”
Even as the summit was canceled, North Korea was taking at least precursory steps to scale back its nuclear program. The regime appeared to destroy at least three nuclear tunnels, observation buildings, a metal foundry and living quarters at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site on Thursday, in a process observed by invited international journalists including CNN’s Will Ripley.
No weapons inspectors or nonproliferation experts were invited to witness the event, and it was unclear whether the explosions rendered the tunnels inoperable, or only caused limited damage.
{{How it happened}}
Trump withdrew from the summit after a North Korean vice minister of foreign affairs slammed Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday as a “political dummy,” the latest harshly worded statement from Pyongyang.
Trump and his aides were infuriated by the statement and wanted to respond forcefully, multiple people familiar with the situation told CNN. The specific and personal targeting of Pence is what irked US officials, three people familiar with the matter said.
The verbal broadside against Pence was just the latest harshly worded statement from North Korea over the last 10 days. Early last week, North Korea canceled a planned meeting with South Korea and threatened to pull out of the Singapore summit because of ongoing US-South Korean military exercises.
Trump and his aides had insisted over the past week that planning for the summit was still ongoing amid the increased bluster from Pyongyang. A logistics team was dispatched to Singapore to finalize details with North Korea officials. And a commemorative coin was stamped by military aides labeling Kim the “Supreme Leader.”
{{SRC:CNN}}
The party took place yesterday at the Club Rafiki in Nyamirambo. It was a chance for the former homeless children Sherrie saved from the streets and disabled children to enjoy sumptuous and unlimited food, drinks, toys, and simply have fun.
The silver dancer made sure the children were all smiling broadly as she danced for them, played with them and advised them like a big sister would.
Sherrie Silver said that she believed in a great future for the children. She said she was a living proof that growing up in difficult conditions did not affect one’s future. Through her passion for dance, Sherrie Silver grew up to be a very popular artist where she came to work with several world-renowned stars, like Childish Gambino.
“I grew up in very difficult conditions, we didn’t have much, I didn’t have a father since he died before I was born, but look where I am now. I’m a good example that anyone’s life can change for the better.” she said
“Street-children mean a lot to me. Most of the time, I want everything to be perfect, from great dancers to great children, but this time I wanted the less privileged, those who can’t make it to school, those who have little, so to show everyone that anything is possible. Just wait for it, these children will grow up to be exceptional people.”
During the celebrations, Sherrie Silver was accompanied by her mother whom she lives with in England.
Sherrie Silver’s work in “This is America” was greatly enhanced by her work with children.
In an Interview with Glamour, Silver spoke of the importance of engaging in political discourse through creativity. Of the decision to have the kids happily continue dancing in the midst of the violence of the song ‘This is America’, she said, “For me, I was just trying to show that the kids are the light in all the darkness around them. So that was done in a very subtle way of having these happy, amazing children dancing and enjoying their lives and not paying attention to everything going on around them.”
Sherrie Silver, the choreographer for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” video, is originally from Huye District, Rwanda and has performed in around 30 countries.
The project was funded by the Embassy of Japan with USD72,925 and was implemented by Movement for the Fight against Hunger in the World (MLFM).
Prior to the launch of the facility, Shyogwe residents have been fetching water from the valley and after walking long distance.
Dubbed “Project for the Construction of Mbare Aqueduct”, the project was launched by the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita.
Under the project, 20 water fountains, one filtration system, one reservoir tank, one pressure adjustment tank and 11 km water pipe were constructed.
Speaking at the event, Takayuki said that he was pleased with seeing the water facilities successfully constructed, and the people in the area using them properly. He commended everyone’s participation on the project completion.
residents commended the support saying that it helped them save the time spent on water fetching, enabled women’s participation in income generating activities and allow children to attend school.
The grant is part of the Embassy’s effort to help Non-Government Organisations or local public authorities to implement projects at grass-roots level.
In Rwanda, 92 projects have been implemented under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) with focus on water, education, agricultural development and poverty reduction.
