This initiative was highlighted on April 4, 2025, as the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights presented its report following visits to vocational and technical schools across the country.
The government’s target is to have at least one short-term vocational training school—offering programs lasting from six months to one year—in each of Rwanda’s administrative cells by 2029.
According to the report, a total of 2,044 VTCs are planned to be built by 2029. Additionally, 30 model vocational and technical schools will also be established.
The 2024/2025 inspection report from the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) revealed that Rwanda currently has 558 TVET schools.
Of these, 272 technical secondary schools (TSS)—representing 59.4%—meet the required standards, while 186 TSS schools (40.6%) fall short. For vocational training centers (VTCs), 66 schools (41.8%) meet the standards, while 92 schools (58.2%) do not.
Senator John Bonds Bideri emphasized that since 2008, the government has significantly strengthened support for vocational and technical education. He stressed the importance of aligning vocational schools with local resources to enhance their effectiveness.
“We recommend that VTCs be tailored to local resources. For example, in areas with many forests, the focus could be on carpentry or wood-based construction so that graduates can use what’s locally available,” he said.
Committee Chairperson Umuhire Adrie also highlighted the real impact of these schools, noting that VTCs are helping many, including A2 diploma holders and school dropouts, to gain hands-on skills.
“These schools serve many learners. For instance, someone with an A2 diploma might decide to learn cooking and can train for six months or a year. We’ve also met students who came from rehabilitation centers and young mothers who had dropped out of school and chose to attend VTCs to acquire new skills and find employment,” he noted.
The nationwide VTC rollout is intended to give Rwandans the chance to acquire practical skills in a short time without being limited by their previous education.
Statistics show that more than 115,000 students are currently enrolled in technical, vocational, and professional training institutions, including 51,557 girls (44.6%) and 63,959 boys (55.4%). Over the past five years, the proportion of students in these programs has risen from 31% to 43%.
The announcement follows the U.S. decision to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on Chinese exports to the United States, a move that the commission said does not conform to international trade rules, seriously undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests, and represents a typical act of unilateral bullying.
Amid widespread opposition, President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday imposing a 10% minimum tariff, with higher rates on select countries.
China faces a 34% tariff, the EU 20%, Vietnam 46%, Japan 24%, India 26%, South Korea 25%, Thailand 36%, Switzerland 31%, Indonesia 32%, Malaysia 24%, and Cambodia 49%.
Trump argued that other nations impose “non-monetary barriers” on the U.S.
Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief of the court, read a ruling on Yoon’s impeachment, which was broadcast live nationwide, saying it was a unanimous decision of eight justices.
Moon said Yoon broke his duty of protecting the constitution as he damaged the constitutional institutions, such as the National Assembly, and violated the basic rights of people by mobilizing the military and the police.
Moon stressed that the benefit of protecting the constitution through Yoon’s dismissal will overwhelmingly exceed the national loss from his dismissal.
Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later.
Throughout the midnight hours of the botched martial law attempt, military helicopters landed at the National Assembly and hundreds of armed special forces troops broke into the parliamentary building.
By law, the ruling comes into force immediately after the reading, and a snap presidential election is required to be held within 60 days. The election is expected to fall in late May or early June.
The conservative leader officially lost all presidential power, becoming the country’s second sitting president to be forcibly removed from power following former conservative President Park Geun-hye’s ouster through impeachment in 2017.
Yoon also became the third leader to be impeached by the National Assembly in the country’s constitutional history. Late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated in the presidency after impeachment in 2004.
Since the passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion on Dec. 14 last year, a total of 11 hearings have been held in the constitutional court until Feb. 25.
It took 111 days before the court’s final verdict, compared to 92 days for Park’s impeachment and 64 days for Roh’s impeachment.
Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15 and was indicted under detention on Jan. 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country’s first sitting president to be arrested and prosecuted.
If convicted of the insurrection ringleader, Yoon could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
He was released on March 8 as the prosecution decided not to appeal against a court’s release approval.
Yoon will be stripped of most privileges granted to a former president, including a monthly pension, one chauffeur and three secretaries. Free medicine and the cost of a personal office will not be given to him.
For the forcibly ousted president, the period during which the presidential security service provides guards will be reduced from 10 years to five years. After the five-year period, police officers will guard Yoon and his wife.
Kwon young-se, interim chief of the ruling People Power Party, apologized to people over the constitutional court’s decision, saying his party will take it seriously and humbly accept it.
He emphasized that there should never be violence or extreme action in any case, calling on supporters to overcome the current crisis in peace and order.
Lee Jae-myung, chief of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, expressed his sincere respect for and gratitude to ordinary people who stood against soldiers and armored vehicles at the time of martial law imposition.
The most-favored presidential hopeful added that the unarmed people dramatically revived democracy by peacefully confronting the armed forces, vowing to do his best to prevent the repeated tragedy of the constitution’s destruction.
Following the impeachment verdict, anti-Yoon demonstrators were seen crying tears of joy, hugging each other and cheering in celebration near the constitutional court, with some holding signs that read “Immediately dismiss Yoon, the ringleader of insurrection.”
Yoon’s supporters, who rallied just hundreds of meters away on the street, reacted furiously. A man wearing a helmet and a gas mask was caught red-handed after breaking the window of a police bus, parked for a police line along the court, with a club.
Hemmed in by police officers, other supporters burst into tears, rocked barricades and even swore at riot policemen.
A recent Gallup Korea survey showed that almost six out of 10 South Koreans consented to Yoon’s ouster while 37 percent objected to his impeachment.
It was based on a poll of 1,001 voters conducted from Tuesday to Thursday. It had a plus and minus 3.1 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level.
Security was ramped up nationwide. The police issued the highest level of emergency order to deploy about 20,000 riot policemen across the country for expected protests and crowd control.
Of the total, some 14,000 riot policemen were deployed in Seoul to prevent possible conflicts near the constitutional court, the presidential residence and the parliament.
Police commandos, as well as paramedics and ambulances, were on standby around the court to respond to possible emergencies.
Kiiza, known for representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, was summarily sentenced to nine months in Kitalya Prison by the General Court Martial on January 7, 2025, for contempt of court.
Kiiza’s arrest occurred at the General Court Martial in Makindye while he was representing Dr. Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, during their trial.
He was reportedly prevented from accessing the defense section of the courtroom, leading to a confrontation with military personnel. Subsequently, he was arrested, convicted of contempt of court without a formal hearing, and sentenced to nine months in prison.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), condemned the manner of Kiiza’s arrest and sentencing.
They highlighted violations of due process and fair trial standards, noting that Kiiza was denied the opportunity to defend himself and was allegedly subjected to torture during his detention.
The General Court Martial’s decision to sentence Kiiza without a formal hearing has raised concerns about the treatment of legal professionals in Uganda and the independence of the judiciary.
Legal experts and human rights advocates have called for reforms to ensure that lawyers can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or arbitrary detention.
Kiiza’s release on bail is a significant development in this case, but it also underscores ongoing concerns about the rule of law and human rights in Uganda.
The legal community continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for the protection of legal practitioners and the upholding of judicial independence.
The dinner meeting was hosted by Professor Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and brought together regional and continental health leaders to discuss sustainable health financing. Among the leaders present was AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The discussions centered on the importance of strengthening national health systems through domestic financing and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
Leaders emphasized the need for sustainable healthcare investments to ensure long-term improvements in service delivery and public health outcomes across the continent.
As part of the engagements, participants attended the official launch of Rwanda’s Health Intelligence Center, an advanced facility designed to enhance healthcare management using artificial intelligence.
The center gathers real-time health data from communities and medical facilities nationwide, enabling better resource allocation and improving national health system efficiency.
The hub was launched on April 3, 2025, on the sidelines of the Global AI Summit on Africa by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, alongside Minister of State Dr. Yvan Butera.
A statement released by the Office of the President indicates that the two met on the sidelines of the ongoing Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali.
The meeting comes months after President Kagame hosted the EAC Secretary-General at Urugwiro Village in September last year.
Their discussions then centered on regional integration and other matters relating to the East African Community.
This was the first time President Kagame received Secretary-General Nduva, who was sworn into office on June 7, replacing Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Head of State also met with Tanzania’s Minister of Health, Jenista Mhagama, whose office stated she “delivered a message from President Samia Suluhu Hassan.”
The President also held discussions with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), focusing on leveraging technology to drive sustainable development, and Amandeep Singh Gill, the United Nations Secretary-General’s envoy on technology, who was in Rwanda for the AI conference.
While officiating the opening session of the conference on Thursday, Kagame emphasized the transformative power of artificial intelligence in decision-making and innovation.
“AI is driving innovation, accelerating technological advancements, and proving its benefits across various sectors. It enhances productivity, supports evidence-based decision-making, and reduces human errors,” he stated.
Rwanda has already integrated AI into key sectors such as healthcare and education, significantly improving service delivery and efficiency. Kagame stressed that technology should be harnessed for positive change.
“Technology should be used for good, and we have a responsibility to ensure that happens. I believe we can work together to achieve that. Regarding politics and diplomacy, AI can be a tool for productivity, but relying too much on it in governance could lead to serious consequences,” he cautioned.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing away of our colleague, Alain Mukuralinda, Deputy Government Spokesperson,” reads part of a statement released on the morning of Friday, March 4, 2025.
“The Government of Rwanda extends its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those who had the honour of working alongside him,” adds the statement.
Mukuralinda, who once served as a Prosecutor and later as the Spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority, died aged 55 at King Faisal Hospital.
In addition to his work in justice and politics, Mukuralinda was known for his humility. He was also a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, having been a celebrated musician under the stage name “Alain Muku.”
He was born in 1970 and attended primary school in Rugunga. He completed his secondary education in Rwamagana, where he studied accounting. In 1991, he joined the University of Rwanda but didn’t stay long, as he moved to Belgium to study law.
During his time as a prosecutor, he handled major cases in the country, including those involving perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He was a cheerful person who loved socializing and making people laugh. He also had a deep passion for football and even managed a youth football team.
He composed the Rwandan national football team’s anthem “Tsinda Batsinde” , along with several other popular songs.
ANNOUNCEMENT
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing away of our colleague Alain Mukuralinda, Deputy Government Spokesperson. —
ITANGAZO
Tubabajwe no gutangaza urupfu rw’Umuvugizi wa Guverinoma wungirije, Bwana Alain Mukuralinda. —
The prime minister said his government will also impose the tariff on non-Canadian content of any CUSMA-compliant vehicles from the U.S., adding that Mexico won’t be impacted.
Carney said that the global economy “is fundamentally different today than it was yesterday.”
“Yesterday’s actions by the U.S. administration, while not specifically targeting Canada, will rupture the global economy and adversely impact global economic growth,” he said.
“Our old relationship of steadily deepening integration with the United States is over. The 80-year period when the United States embraced the mantle of global economic leadership is over,” said Carney.
Carney also said his government has gone to the World Trade Organization to argue the tariffs violate international trade law.
Canada was spared from the 10 percent baseline tariffs, but a 25 per cent U.S. tariff on imported autos went into effect at midnight.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 3, 2025, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stressed that the rebel group had repositioned its forces in the area but warned that any aggression from Kinshasa would lead to immediate retaliation.
“The Congo River Alliance (AFC/M23) informs the Congolese people that, contrary to what is circulating on social media, we have implemented our decision to reposition our forces in Walikale and its surrounding areas, in accordance with our press release.
“If the Kinshasa regime forces continue their provocations or attacks against civilians in the liberated areas as well as against our positions, this gesture of goodwill will be automatically rescinded, and we will eliminate the threat at its source,” Kanyuka stated.
The warning follows accusations made by M23 on March 23, alleging that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) violated the ceasefire by deploying attack drones in Walikale — a move the rebels insist poses a direct threat to peace efforts in eastern DRC.
“Contrary to what was stated in the press release of Sunday, March 23, 2025, the FARDC and its coalition forces have not withdrawn their attack drones from Walikale. This situation is delaying the repositioning of AFC/M23 forces in the area,” Kanyuka emphasized.
He further described the continued presence of attack drones as a “major obstacle to compliance with the ceasefire,” warning that it could derail ongoing peace negotiations.
M23 had seized control of Walikale on March 19, 2025, including the strategic Kigoma airstrip, after capturing surrounding areas such as Ngora, Kisima, and Mubanda.
The decision to withdraw was described by the group as a “strategic decision aimed at creating a favorable environment for political dialogue.”
Despite the withdrawal, M23 urged local authorities and residents to maintain security in the region. Kanyuka further warned that the rebels would reconsider their decision and reoccupy Walikale if the Congolese forces resumed attacks on civilians or M23 positions.
Meanwhile, the Congolese government and M23 rebels are scheduled to hold direct talks on April 9 in Doha, the capital of Qatar as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace in the eastern Congo.
The meeting will mark the first direct negotiations between the two sides since the rebels captured two provincial capitals in eastern Congo.
Previously, Kinshasa had dismissed the idea of dialogue with the group.
An earlier meeting planned in Angola on March 18 was abruptly canceled after M23 withdrew in protest against European Union sanctions imposed on its leaders.
However, diplomatic efforts gained momentum after a surprise meeting in mid-March between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame in Doha.
Qatar has since facilitated separate meetings with delegations from both the Congolese government and the rebels, paving the way for the upcoming direct negotiations.
Netanyahu arrived in Hungary on Thursday for a four-day state visit following an invitation from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This is his first European visit since 2023.
A senior Hungarian official confirmed the decision to exit the ICC, making Hungary the first European Union member to take such a step.
Orban has previously dismissed the court’s ruling against Netanyahu, stating that it would have “no effect” in Hungary.
During a joint press briefing, Orban reiterated his criticism of the ICC, calling it a “political institution” and questioning its impartiality.
Netanyahu, in response, welcomed Hungary’s decision, describing it as a stand against what he called a “corrupt organization.” He argued that the ICC had lost credibility and accused it of targeting Israel unfairly.
“It’s crucial for democratic nations to push back against this injustice,” Netanyahu said during the conference.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also voiced support for Hungary’s withdrawal, thanking Orban for what he described as a “principled and strong stance.”
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The court stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli officials were responsible for the use of starvation as a method of warfare and the obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Israel has rejected the allegations, with Netanyahu condemning the ICC’s actions as “outrageous.” The Israeli government is currently appealing the arrest warrants, while maintaining its stance that the court lacks jurisdiction over Israel, as it is not a member of the ICC.
Hungary’s exit from the ICC requires formal notification to the United Nations Secretary-General, with the withdrawal taking effect in a year as stipulated under Article 127 of the Rome Statute.
Until then, Hungary remains bound by its obligations to cooperate with the court. ICC spokesperson Fadi El-Abdullah reaffirmed this, stating, “Hungary continues to have a duty to comply with ICC procedures until the withdrawal process is complete.”
While Hungary’s departure does not impact ongoing ICC investigations, it’s likely to elicit mixed reactions across Europe.
Some European nations have signalled willingness to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant if Netanyahu were to visit, while others, including Germany, have stated they would not detain him.
