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  • Genocide Memorial Site Collapses

    {{A genocide memorial site in Nyamasheke district has been crashed by a tree which fell onto its rooftop forcing the it to collapse inwards.

    The Memorial site is located at Gikuyu, Ninzi in Kagano Sector of Nyamasheke district.}}

  • The Ben & Meddy to Perform on Rwanda Day in Boston

    {{After taking a long break from musical performances, Rwandan artists ‘The Ben and Meddy are slated to perform to a big Rwandan Audience in Boston, USA.}}

    Since the two left for the United States, they have produced hit songs that have been liked by Rwandan fans both home and Diaspora.

    The event will be held on September 21-22.

    This is the second time Rwanda Day is being held in USA. its expected to attract several Rwandans in diaspora.

    Sam Mbanda the organiser of the event told IGIHE preparations have been made to ensure the event is a success.

  • Rappers Dominate MTV EMA Awards Nominations

    {{American hip-hop artistes dominate the nominations for the 2012 MTV EMA Awards, which will take place live in Frankfurt, Germany.}}

    Jay-Z and Kanye West landed three nominations each, bested only by Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, who have four EMA nominations.

    Pitbull and Chris Brown’s single “International Love” is up for Best Song of the Year, while Nicki Minaj will battle Katy Perry, P!nk, Taylor Swift and Rihanna for Best Female.

    Jay-Z, Kanye West, Flo Rida and Pitbull will take on Justin Bieber for Best Male.

    Other notable nominees include Drake, Nas and Rick Ross who are up for Best Hip-Hop Act, as well as A$AP Rocky, who will battle Taylor Swift, Jack White, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj for Best Look.

    B.oB. will take on Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida, Sean Paul and others for Best Stage, while Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller is up for the Best Push Award.
    The 2012 EMA Awards will air on Sunday, November 11 at 9:00pm from FestHalle in Frankfurt. — Allhiphop.

  • Genocide Suspect Mpiranya in Zimbabwe

    {{Zimbabwe government has finally admitted that one of the most wanted Genocide fugitives, Protais Mpiranya, could be living on their territory.}}

    Prosecution Spokesman Alain Mukuralinda told IGIHE that Rwanda is aware of the latest news on Mpiranya.

    “ICTR still retains Mpiranya’s dossier. We are ready to collaborate with ICTR if they request us to do so.”

    Mukuralinda urged other countries hosting suspects of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi’s in Rwanda to arrest and hand them over for trial.

    The Zimbabwean Police Commander for CID Homicide, Chief Supt. Peter Magwenzi said September 17, Mpiranya was believed to be using various names that include Theophase Mahuku and James Kakule to evade arrest.

    The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Boubakar Jallow, has repeatedly said that there were signs the former commander of the notorious ex-Rwandan Presidential Guard was in Zimbabwe.

    Mpiranya is wanted on a warrant issued by ICTR, and is one of the subjects of the US Reward for Justice Program, with a US$5 million bounty on his head.

    Mpiranya formerly commanded Habyarimana’s Presidential Guard, a unit believed to have taken immediate charge, after the death of former President Juvenal Habyarimana on the night of April 6, 1994, and is blamed for murder of top politicians during the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    Among the politicians that were killed was then Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana and her security detail of 10 Belgian peacekeepers, a few hours after the downing of Habyarimana’s plane blamed on extremist elements within his party and military.

    The attack on the former premier’s home is said to have been led by Mpiranya himself.

    Jallow wrote to the UN Security Council last week saying there were difficulties in apprehending Mpiranya, calling upon Zimbabwe to prevent the Genocide fugitive from evading justice.

    The prosecutor said they had requested for cooperation and assistance from Harare in bringing the top fugitive to justice.

    Unconfirmed reports have previously indicated that Mpiranya was facing protection from some senior officials within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-FP.

    The country has persistently distanced itself from claims of harbouring Mpiranya.

    Zimbabwe’s Immigration Principal Director, Clemence Masango, had earlier told the country’s parliamentary committee for Defence and Home Affairs that;

    “Yes this has been topical in the local and international media. All efforts have been made to check on this allegation. We have no record within our systems of this person whether on a permit or refugee. The only refugee camp we have is Tongogara and everyone there is documented.”

    “Interpol has written to us and enquired officially through local police structures. Investigations have been carried out and this person (Mpiranya) has not been found and police are on record saying they have not been able to find that person in Zimbabwe but their investigations are still underway. That is what I can say on that.”

    Mpiranya is accused of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

    He remains at large and is one of the most wanted men by the UN-backed tribunal.

    Alongside powerful figures such as convicted génocidaire Theoneste Bagosora, Mpiranya is accused of participating in the planning, preparation and execution of a plan to exterminate the Tutsi in Rwanda.

    With the ICTR currently in the process of winding up its business, atleast nine fugitives, including Mpiranya, remain at large. Others include alleged financier of the Genocide, Felicien Kabuga, believed to be hiding in Kenya, former defence minister Augustine Bizimana, Fulgence Kayishema (his case was referred to Rwandan judiciary), Aloys Ndimbati, Ladislas Ntaganzwa, Charles Ryandikayo, Pheneas Munyarugarama and Charles Sikibwabo, whose file has also been referred to Rwanda for trial.

    The trio, Mpiranya, Kabuga and Bizimana, are generally regarded as the ‘big fish’ by ICTR and several officials at the tribunal have stated their wish for the 17-year old court to try these men before folding business.

    As part of the completion mechanism of the tribunal, the International Residual Mechanism was instituted mid this year to take on any remaining cases until the end of 2014, when all activities are expected to be concluded.

  • More Ugandan & S. Sudanese Troops To Hunt Joseph Kony

    {{The African Union-initiated Regional Task Force (RTF), established to hunt down the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, on Tuesday received 2,000 soldiers from the Ugandan army (UPDF) and 500 from South Sudan army (SPLA).}}

    The 2,500 troops were handed over to RTF at their base in Yambio, the provincial capital of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state.

    Abou Moussa, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, said the handover of the additional troops signal the RTF’s collective efforts to put an end to the activities of the LRA, which has caused untold suffering to populations in affected countries.

    In March this year, four African countries, with the backing of the UN and the AU officially launched a joint military task force aimed at pursuing the LRA rebels and its elusive leader, Joseph Kony.

    The first batch of the RTF initially comprised of about 5,000 soldiers from Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central Africa Republic (CAR) initially made up the first batch of the RTF.

    These are nations that have been greatly affected by over two-decade of the LRA insurgency.

    Mousa, also the Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), which coordinates UN efforts to address the threat posed by the LRA, further lauded efforts and commitment of these countries towards ending the insurgency, despite other pressing national priorities.

    He pledged the UN’s continued support to the African regional body and other partners, in the implementation of the regional strategy against the LRA, which was adopted by the UN Security Council on 29 June 2012.

    Moussa, who was on a two-day visit to South Sudan, however, emphasized the need for quick implement the strategy, if the RTF is to achieve its mandate against the LRA problem.

    The UN, he acknowledged, have been very instrumental in addressing the threat posed by the LRA, specifically citing the UN Mission for Stabilization in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which provide support to national authorities in the two countries in their responses to the LRA.

    “The UN Peacekeepers have been offering military escorts and patrols in and around villages and towns where the LRA has been seen, thereby maintaining a level of security that has saved lives”, said Moussa, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

    Meanwhile, the AU Special Envoy for the LRA issue, Francisco Madeira, said the RFT, despite making some progress, still faces logistical, material and financial resource challenges, which limits their operations.

    The event comes barely a week after 360 soldiers of the Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA) were handed over to the AU on 12 September, in CAR, while additional troops are also expected from the DRC in the near future.

  • Couple Gets Surprise Wedding Gift From President Obama

    An American couple Sayli and Jon Gibbs got married on Sept. 1 at Living History Farms in Urbandale in the State of Iowa, in front of close friends and family.

    They expected that it would be a romantic day they would never forget. What they did not expect was that the barn they chose would also be the site of a last-minute rally for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

    The couple was told that the president’s event, which started in the morning, may run past schedule, and that the parking lot of the venue would be closed to cars. So Sayli had to walk across the parking lot carrying her wedding gown.

    Luckily for the couple, the president left on time, and he also left behind a special gift: a silver tray and a mint julep cup, both with the presidential seal, and a handwritten note that read, {{“Congratulations on the wedding. Michelle and I wish you a great life together. Barack Obama.”}}

    Neither Sayli nor Jon is a registered Democrat; nonetheless, they were still delighted to receive the gift. Jon Gibbs said, “Love him or hate him, it’s a gift from the president.”

    Photographer Loren Paul snapped a picture of the gift, and a friend posted it on Reddit, where it made the front page and received hundreds of comments.

    One commenter questioned how the president had gifts like that on hand, writing, “I wonder if the President has a box of emergency presents, just for times like these.”

    It’s not clear if the president carries around a stash of gifts, but one thing’s for sure: Sayli and Jon Gibbs will have an incredible wedding story to share for a lifetime.

  • Ngororero Sector Raises Frw30M for Agaciro Fund

    Residents of Ngororero sector in Ngororero district have mobilised over Frw30million as their contribution to the Agaciro Development fund.

    The money was raised at an event September 18 in Ngororero.

    Mukaneza Clotirde an official of Ngororero district thanked the residents and encouraged them to continue their contributions to the Agaciro fund as a way of upholding their Value as citizens.

  • Arsenal Whip French Champions Montpellier

    {{Arsenal opened their 15th successive Champions League campaign with an unconvincing victory over French champions Montpellier.

    Arsene Wenger’s side fell behind after just nine minutes when captain Thomas Vermaelen conceded a needless penalty on the edge of his area.}}

    But two goals in three first-half minutes, from Lukas Podolski and Gervinho, turned the game on its head.

    Victory leaves Arsenal top of Group B, level with German side Schalke.
    It was a night to forget for Olivier Giroud, who left Montpellier for Arsenal in a £13m deal over the summer.

    The 25-year-old had been desperate to shine on his return to a club where he won the French title and the golden boot last season but in truth Arsenal were some way short of full capacity all over the field.

    They worked hard, counter-attacked intelligently, using the energy of Abou Diaby and the guile of Santi Cazorla, and finished decisively but it was not a classic performance from Wenger’s team.

    It did not have to be, but for much of a breathless second half a tired Arsenal side were left hanging on with a late Montpellier penalty shot controversially waved away by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo.

    That they did, was ultimately all that mattered.
    Arsenal arrived on French soil with a formidable record, having never lost to Ligue 1 opposition in eight previous European matches.

    That, coupled with the vast European experience of Wenger’s side – the last season in which they did not compete in the Champions League was in 1997-98 – against opponents making their debut in the competition, pointed towards another encouraging night for Arsenal.

    And yet with Wenger confined to the stands as he started a three-match touchline ban for confronting referee Damir Skomina after Arsenal’s Champions League exit last season at the hands of AC Milan, there was also a measure of uncertainty.

    Assistant manager Steve Bould took charge from the sidelines, having been promoted from his role as the under-18 academy coach in the summer, and his previously miserly defence were stretched to the limit as Montpellier moved through the gears as the match wore on.

    The Premier League side had also looked the more vulnerable in the opening stages, with Vito Mannone continuing to deputise in goal for the injured Wojciech Sczeszny and the inexperienced duo of Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs at full-back.

    BBC

  • Study: 80% Tanzanian Men Unable to Impregnate

    {{Research conducted by a Tanzanian Doctor Dr. Henry Mwakyoma reveals that in every ten Tanzanian men, only 2 can successfully impregnate a woman.}}

    This means over 80% of Tanzanian men are incapable of impregnating a woman.

    Dr. Henry Mwakyoma a lecturer at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences said it was true Tanzania is facing an increase in fertilisation problem.

    He said the fertilisation treatment in a woman is only carried out if it is only the woman who has problems; if her partner’s sperms are too weak to fertilise the ova, the procedure won’t be of any use.

    This has been also proved by the number of Tanzanian women travelling to nearby Kenya seeking fertility treatment services which are very costly in Tanzania.

    The Tanzania Citizen has reported that in every 10 people who seek the service at the Aga Khan and Nairobi In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centres in Nairobi, at least four are from Tanzania.

    It is believed that Tanzanians travel to Kenya because of the reputedly better services and “reasonable cost”.

    The infertility treatment involves channeling male sperms to woman’s fallopian tubes.

    The process takes at least one month, starting on the second day after the end of the woman’s menstruation circle.

    Sometimes, women buy sperms at our centre and the process continues as planned.

    Fertilised ova are kept for two days in a special container so as to support the growth of an embryo before they are transferred to the uterus for insemination.

    Kenya has more than five IVF centres. This is why Kenya has become the destination for couples seeking children solutions.

    Other countries whose people are known to visit Kenya for fertility services include South Sudan, US and Ethiopia.

    Specialists say infertility is a global problem estimated at the average of 10%, thus in every 10 couples, one is troubled with failure to conceive.

    The specialists say causes of infertility include “too much schooling” and career pursuits of today’s woman who keeps on putting off marriage.

  • Tanzania High Court to Determine LULU’s Age

    {{A Tanzania Court of Appeal September 17, said the High Court had the jurisdiction to determine the murder case facing an actress, LULU (Elizabeth Michael), charged with killing a film star, Steven Kanumba, regardless of her age.}}

    A panel of three Court of Appeal judges who were handling the appeal that had sought to bar the High Court from determining the age of Ms Michael, also known as Lulu, wondered why the two parties in the case engaged in a legal battle over the age of the respondent, who would be charged by the High Court, anyway.

    Judges January Msofe, Benard Luanda and Edward Rutakangwa said the age of the accused whether 18 years old or below did not prevent her from being charged with murder.

    Lulu is charged at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court with killing a local movie star on April 7 this year in Sinza, Dar es Salaam.

    In June this year, the prosecution filed an application to the Court of Appeal seeking the court to review proceedings and the ruling by High Court judge Fauz Twaibu who had decided to continue determine Lulu’s age.

    He ordered the two parties to present evidence that would enable him to rule whether Lulu was underage or not.

    Judge Twaib had made a ruling after an application by Lulu’s counsel Peter Kibatara, who wanted the court to determine the accused’s age.

    According to Mr Kibatara, his client has not attained 18 years and so she is too young to be charged with murder in ordinary courts.

    He, therefore, wants the case to be transferred to the Juvenile Court, which has the jurisdiction to deal with cases like hers and in consideration of section 4(2) of the Child Act, 2009.

    However, the Court of Appeal judges yesterday, wondered why the two parties battled over the age of the accused because finally she would be charged at the High Court, which had the jurisdiction to hear her murder case.

    “Whether a child commits murder or not, the case will be heard by the High Court and not the Juvenile Court because the latter has no jurisdiction to hear murder cases,” the panel of judges said.

    In his ruling judge Twaibu said that, considering the seriousness of the charge facing the applicant and the urgency of determining whether or not the applicant was entitled to the benefits of the law of the Child Act, 2009 and in the interest of justice, the court invoking its supervisory powers under section 44 of the Magistrate’s Court Act shall proceed to determine the correct age of the applicant in terms of section 113 of the Law of the Child Act, 2009. Section 113(1).

    says: “Where a person, whether charged with an offence or not, is brought before any court otherwise than for the purpose of giving evidence, and it appears to the court that he is a child, the court shall make due inquiry as to the age of that person.”

    Submitting, senior state attorney Faraja Nchimbi said the High Court erred in law for deciding to determine Lulu’s age while knowing that the application by the defence counsel was wrongly filed.

    According to Ms Nchimbi, the High Court was supposed to strike out the application, instead, it ordered the parties to produce evidence concerning Lulu’s age.

    After passing through submissions from both parties, the Court of Appeal said that, it would give the ruling on notes.

    Kanumba died after he fell down in his bedroom on April 7, 2012. He was taken unconscious to Muhimbili National Referral Hospital where it was confirmed he was dead.

    His funeral at the Kinondoni cemetery was attended by about 30,000 people including the First Lady, Ms Salma Kikwete, the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, and the then minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi.

    {Citizen}