At least 29 officers completed the three-month Police Tactical Commanders Course while the same number completed the Junior Command and Staff Course, which lasted for four months.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, who presided over the pass-out, challenged the officers to be defined by professional conduct.
“We have a vision and a mission to attain in an exemplary and professional way,” IGP Gasana said.
He urged them to love and value their duties, respect the law and core values of Rwanda National Police.
“People in Rwanda and Rwandans in particular expect the best services, professional response to issues of safety and security affecting them but also working with them in policing and human security activities,” the Police Chief said.
The graduands covered Police operation staff work, conduct of Command Post exercises and Field Training Exercises, among other policing fields.
The Police Tactical Commanders and Police Junior Command and Staff courses are part of many academic and professional training programmes conducted by the National Police College.
Other courses include criminology and law, professional police studies, information security and forensic sciences.
In addition, the college conducts various career development courses, such as the Police Senior Command and Staff Course, which is designed to impart senior officers and commissioners with quality skills in relation to executive leadership, strategic management, command and strategic policing skills.
Presiding over the swearing-in of newly appointed prosecutors at the primary level in Kigali on Friday, Ngirente told them to consider their oath adding that it is the foundation that binds them to the pact they have made with Rwandans.
Sworn-in are Marie Louise Igena, Angélique Uwimana and Ildephonse Twagirayezu who were appointed by the cabinet meeting of 5th December, 2017.
“The Government of Rwanda expects you to effectively execute your responsibilities. You should work tirelessly and collaborate with others in the profession,” he said.
“Upholding honesty, fairness, flexibility, respect and listen to clients, time management and use of ICT in service delivery should be on top of your targets,” he urged.
Citing examples of recurrent crimes that continue to frustrate the society, Ngirente urged the prosecution body to work on them ruthlessly.
“I call on the prosecution body to take into account cases of corruption, embezzlement of public resources, drug and human trafficking, gender based violence and cyber-crimes,” he urged.
The Premier said the Government of Rwanda recognizes the work of prosecution in litigating cases of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi fugitives who still are inciting genocide ideology around the world.
Akamanzi was speaking to the Diasporas during a discussion with the Senatorial Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security.
The discussion held at the Parliament Buildings on Thursday aimed at engaging the Diaspora community in the country’s development.
Akamanzi said that for Rwanda to become a middle-income country, they need concerted efforts from everyone including the Diaspora.
“For us to become a middle-income state, statistics show that every sector’s income needs to double. Investment stands at $1.5 billion, so, we need at least $3 billion. Tourism is estimated at around $4 million and we target at least $8 million, this is not such an easy job,” she said.
“We ask you to sell the image of the country as a place where people can safely invest their money. Whoever wants to invest their money needs to be ensured of their security and profitability.”
Akamanzi urged them to refer to available reports, like Doing Business Reports that rank Rwanda among best countries globally in easing business, to attract many investors.
Akamanzi said there are many opportunities in different sectors in which foreign investors can invest.
The World Bank Doing Business 2018 report released in October shows that Rwanda is the second country in easing business in Sub-Saharan countries and 41st globally.
The coordinator of Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN), Daniel Murenzi, said that RDB should partner with different embassies and reach out to Rwandans in Diaspora give them insights into opportunities available in the country.
“As we continue to strive for the country’s development, we need some new approaches. In addition to embassies we have out there, you should introduce progrommes aimed at visiting Rwandans in their host countries and show them how they can contribute in the desired development,” he said.
Rwandan Diaspora had also participated in the National Dialogue Council locally known as Umushyikirrano early this week.
Oxfam Rwanda will offer financial assistance to rape victims to help rehabilitate and improve their lives. The project running until 2022 was launched in Kigali, Thursday.
Oxfam Association and Rwanda’s Ministry of Family and Gender Promotion (Migeprof) were aghast at the proportions of rape against underage girls often sitting school bench and the very negative effects of the phenomenon on their future. The effects include school dropouts, deterioration of living conditions, uncertain future and death as some attempt self-induced abortion.
Funded by the Government of Scotland, Oxfam’s rape aid project worth £ 1.3 million (about Rwf1.3 billion) will operate in Violation Alert Centers (One Stop Centers) located in Remera-Rukoma in Kamonyi District, Kabgayi in Muhanga, Gitwe in Ruhango, Kabutare in Huye, Shyira in Nyabihu and Gisenyi in Rubavu District. The centers locally known as ‘Isange’ operate within the districts’ hospitals.
Part of this fund will be offered as capital to rape victims for starting income-generating projects to help them prosper.
“We want to support them financially so that they can be self-sufficed.” There are 1,000 teenage girls raped in four districts of the Southern Province and two of the Western Province who will benefit from this fund. They will receive training and start-up funds for their business, “said Patrick Wajero, Country Director of Oxfam.
“For our part, we shall continue to raise awareness of the consequences of rape, a crime that can be eradicated with the assistance of all Rwandans,” said Minister at Migeprof, Esperance Nyirasafari.
She insisted on the repressive effects of this crime which is wrapped in taboos and ignorant mentalities whereby some victims believe that rape is a taboo that must be kept secret.
Statistics of the National Public Prosecution Authority indicate that 1,951 trials of rape and other domestic violence cases were recorded in the financial year 2016-17, leaving 1889 men and 62 women convicted.
Migeprof also recorded alarming statistics showing that 17,500 underage girls acquired early pregnancies that forced them to drop out of school in 2016.
Speaking in Kigali yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT) Ltd, André Gashugi advised Diaspora members to use the fund for securing their own and families’ future.
A number of Diaspora members are in the country for festive holidays and participated at the National Dialogue Council, locally known as Umushyikirano, early this week.
He told them to save in the fund to support the government’s saving initiative and promotion of investment in the country.
“A person always thinks about where they have invested their fortune. If you want to keep thinking about Rwanda, you should invest in here. The fund should link Rwandans in Diaspora and their families in the country. Rwandans should save for their children. The more develops, the more profit investors get from their investments,” he said.
Rwandan Diaspora member in Norway, Etienne Murenzi, hailed the fund saying that it is paramount to spur the Rwanda’s development.
“This fund is good for raising saving culture among Rwandans. It is a good programme that should be supported by every individual who is proud of their country’s development. We, as Rwandans living in Diaspora, have many unnecessary expenses that we can stop and save in this fund,” he said.
President of Rwandan Diaspora, Daniel Murenzi said that the fund is crucial for the development of the country and committed to promote the initiative among Rwandans living abroad.
“I’m very pleased with how people expressed interest in saving in the fund,” he said.
Iterambere Fund currently, has 2,000 shareholders with Rwf1.45 billion of savings.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags were being trafficked alongside other illegal goods, in a vehicle registration number RAD 870M, which was also impounded, Police said.
Police spokesperson for the Northern region, Inspector of Police (IP) Innocent Gasasira said that the vehicle was intercepted by the marines unit after loading the illegal goods in the vehicle, which had been trafficked through Lake Burera.
“The vehicle was intercepted at about 9pm in Nyamabuye Cell of Kagogo Sect loaded with 60 boxes of plastic bags and 60 boxes of Blue Sky – an illicit gin,” IP Gasasira said.
“Two people, who were trafficking the unlawful commodities have also been taken into custody,” he added.
The non-biodegradable polythene bags have been outlawed in the country since 2008.
Article 433 of the penal code provides a term of imprisonment of between two to six months and fines of up to Rwf3 million to anyone, who manufactures or sells plastic bags.
Using polythene also attracts a fine of between Rwf5000 and Rwf100, 000 in addition to confiscation of the non-biodegradable products.
“The law is very clear; plastic bags are banned in Rwanda and that’s why it falls in the Police responsibilities and usual operations to arrest anyone found smuggling, selling or using them, but also to sensitize the people against it,” the spokesperson said.
Two months ago, Police in Burera also seized 24, 000 pieces of plastic bags, which were being trafficked from the neighbouring Uganda, and arrested four people behind the illegal act.
In February this year, Police in Gicumbi also intercepted 60 cartons of Plastic bags. In December last year, a joint operation by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) seized 2,175 cartons (435,000 pieces) of the non-degradable bags.
Source: Police News
The MoU signed on Thursday will see at least 1,000 young entrepreneurs acquire hands-on training by next year.
Chief Executive Officer of PSF, Stephen Ruzibiza said the agreement focuses on youth businesses in a bid to promote their development and production through adequate knowledge.
“The new programme is tailored to equip our young members with adequate knowledge and this will further enhance competitiveness and production”, said Ruzibiza.
He said the programme was originally designed for the youth but opportunities will reach out to others later in order to reduce the rate of business losses in the country.
“Lack of is of business skills is among major causes of business failures. Therefore, your prospective business ideas may go at waste just because you lack the capacity to explore them,” he observed.
The new training programme is expected to create between 10,000 and 30,000 jobs in the Country.
IBDL Chief Development Officer-Africa, Dr Mohamed Galal emphasized the importance and necessity of the programme, saying it help develop Rwanda’s business sector.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the University of Kigali, Philibert Africa, assured of the university’s competences for offering business skills and strongly build the capacity of young entrepreneurs as agreed in the MoU.
The United Nations general assembly has delivered a stinging rebuke to Donald Trump, voting by a huge majority to reject his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The vote came after a redoubling of threats by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, who said that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it.
Despite the warning, 128 members voted on Thursday in favour of the resolution supporting the longstanding international consensus that the status of Jerusalem – which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians – can only be settled as an agreed final issue in a peace deal. Countries which voted for the resolution included major recipients of US aid such as Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Although largely symbolic, the vote in emergency session of the world body had been the focus of days of furious diplomacy by both the Trump administration and Israel, including Trump’s threat to cut US funding to countries that did not back the US recognition.
But only nine states – including the United States and Israel –voted against the resolution. The other countries which supported Washington were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
Twenty-two of the 28 EU countries voted for the resolution, including the UK and France. Germany – which in the past has abstained on measures relating to Israel – also voted in favour.
Thirty-five countries abstained, including five EU states, and other US allies including Australia, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. Ambassadors from several abstaining countries, including Mexico, used their time on the podium to criticise Trump’s unilateral move.
Another 21 delegations were absent from the vote, suggesting the Trump’s warning over funding cuts and Israel’s lobbying may have had some effect.
While support for the resolution was somewhat less than Palestinian officials had hoped, the meagre tally of just nine votes in support of the US and Israeli position was a serious diplomatic blow for Trump.
Immediately after the vote the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, described the result as a “victory for Palestine”. The Palestinians’ UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, described the result as a “massive setback” for the US.
“They made it about them,” Mansour told AFP. “They did not make it about Jerusalem, so when you make it about them and to only be able to get nine votes to say ‘no’ to it, I think it was a complete failure for their campaign.”
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the UN vote out of hand.
“Israel thanks President Trump for his unequivocal position in favour of Jerusalem and thanks the countries that voted together with Israel, together with the truth,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
Speaking to the assembly before the vote, Haley – who earlier in the week told members that the US “would be taking names” – returned to the offensive.
“I must also say today: when we make generous contributions to the UN, we also have expectation that we will be respected,” she said. “What’s more, we are being asked to pay for the dubious privileges of being disrespected.”
Haley added: “If our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our investment in other ways … The United States will remember this day.”
The graduates are Joseph Abakunda, Ivan Irankunda, James Kagwisage, Aaron Kamugisha, Yahya Kanyamaza, Richard Kayumba, Faustin Mugeni Jean Bosco, Mushambo Habimana, Winston Ngoga, Alexander Ruramba and Robert Shema.
Awarding certificates to graduates on Thursday, State Minister in charge of Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said that graduating 11 pilots is a good step towards addressing the country’s need for pilots.
“Aviation is among major sectors in which different activities are performed. It is in this regard that we wish to see Rwandans do this job. We don’t have many people in the sector and graduating these 11 is an advantage as we continue to increase the number,” he said.
He said the country is set to launch another school under Akagera Aviation that will train pilots for big aircrafts, contrary to the current training in flying helicopters.
“We will start training others next year, starting from pilots and aircraft technicians that will work for our national career, RwandAir. Registration for the programme has already begun,” said Uwihanganye.
The Managing Director of Akagera Aviation School, Patrick Nkurikiyimfura said the graduates are capable enough to pilot helicopters.
“We are glad to say that we have now trained people capable of piloting helicopters. We are striving for the next phases to offer training in flying big aircrafts like those of RwandAir,” he said.
Akagera Aviation started offering aviation courses in 2004 and has so far graduated 50 pilots.
Suspected thieves broke into the computer laboratory of the school in the night of December 17, and stole seven laptops.
Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, said that two people including a student at the same school, found with the four recovered laptops, are currently in Police custody.
“During investigations, Police in Gisozi received information from a resident reporting a teenager, who was trying to sell him a laptop, and was suspicious that boy could have stolen it somewhere,” said Supt. Hitayezu.
“When officers apprehended the boy, he was cooperative; he identified his accomplice identified as Viateur Habinshuti, who was found with three others. Investigations have identified one of the people that bought one of the laptops from these suspects,” he added.
“This is part of the overall crackdown on both electronic thieves and dealers in stolen electronics. Investigations are also following leads on the theft of other seven laptops stolen from another school in Kicukiro, last month,” he said.
Last week, police handed over some of the electronics including computers and television sets to rightful owners, after they were recovered from suspected thieves, who were also arrested.
“In the two cases of theft of computers in the schools in Gisozi and Kicukiro, there is suspected involvement of students within those schools, who are conversant with everything and connive with other people to break-in to steal various items especially electronics. Investigations have also revealed that some schools have left no security after their break off for holidays, which is also risky,” Supt. Hitayezu said.
