Speaking on the matter, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that his ministry is actively working to secure clemency for Nduta, though it is not seeking to overturn the charges against her.
Nduta was arrested in Vietnam after being caught with cocaine at the airport. Reports indicate that she had managed to pass through security screenings in Ethiopia and Qatar before being apprehended.
Vietnam, known for its strict anti-drug laws, imposes harsh penalties, including capital punishment, for drug-related offenses.
Mudavadi also revealed that Nduta’s case is not an isolated incident. According to the ministry, over 1,000 Kenyan nationals are currently facing various legal charges in different countries. However, further details on these cases remain undisclosed.
The news of Nduta’s looming execution has sparked widespread concern, with many Kenyans calling on the government to intervene and prevent her from facing the death penalty.
Advocacy groups and members of the public have urged authorities to engage in diplomatic negotiations to secure a more lenient sentence.
As efforts continue, the government remains in discussions with Vietnamese officials, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement in such cases. The fate of Nduta now depends on the success of these negotiations, as well as Vietnam’s response to Kenya’s appeal for clemency.
The government noted that many imported hybrid cars were outdated, with their hybrid technology often malfunctioning or failing after a short period. Between July 2021 and July 2024, data revealed that 45% of hybrid vehicles imported into Rwanda were between 10 and 14 years old.
During a parliamentary session on March 19, 2025, where amendments to the VAT law were discussed, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Godfrey Kabera, explained that several previously exempted items had become obsolete and needed to be taxed.
“The list of goods now subject to VAT includes technology equipment and services related to media and telecommunications, road transport for goods, mobile phones that use SIM cards, hybrid vehicles, and their batteries,” Kabera stated.
Some exemptions remain, but only for a limited period. Fully electric vehicles and electric charging station equipment will continue to be tax-free until June 30, 2028.
Equipment related to renewable energy will remain tax-free until June 30, 2028, while industrial machinery and raw materials for manufacturing will be exempt until June 30, 2026.
{{Rwanda’s environmental and economic justification}}
Kabera pointed out that many imported hybrid cars were too old to function effectively as hybrid vehicles and ended up relying solely on gasoline or diesel, thereby defeating the environmental purpose of tax exemptions.
“When these cars are too old, they operate only on gasoline or diesel, meaning that our environmental goals are not being met. Now that people are familiar with hybrid cars, we want to encourage the purchase of newer models. That is why we introduced a tax system that varies based on the car’s age,” he explained.
Kabera emphasized that Rwanda aims to encourage the importation of new or fully electric vehicles to align with its environmental protection policies. “For VAT, we believe it is time for people to adapt. Fully electric cars remain exempt, and we want to ensure that our environmental protection and climate preservation strategies focus primarily on promoting fully electric vehicles,” he added.
The new VAT policy on hybrid cars will be based on their age at the time of importation. Vehicles under three years old will be taxed at 5%, those between three and eight years old at 10%, and those older than eight years at 15%.
{{VAT reintroduced on mobile phones}}
The government has also decided to reinstate VAT on mobile phones, citing the fact that over 80% of households in Rwanda already own one. Initially, telecommunications devices were exempt from VAT to encourage digital adoption, but the high penetration rate has led to a policy shift.
Kabera clarified that the new tax would not significantly increase phone prices or discourage their use.
“The issue is not the cost of smartphones but the fact that many people lack the knowledge to use them effectively,” he noted.
MP Jean Claude Ntezimana raised concerns about how taxing mobile phones could impact Rwanda’s digital transformation efforts.
“In the past, the government encouraged citizens to adopt digital technology to accelerate development. Now that over 80% of households own phones, I worry that introducing taxes could hinder efforts to achieve 100% penetration, which is crucial for national progress,” he said.
Kabera reassured lawmakers that the government was working on initiatives to improve digital literacy so that more Rwandans could effectively use smartphones and other technological tools.
The warrant was issued by Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who was satisfied that Ssemakadde is on the run outside the country. The court has ordered Interpol to arrest him on sight.
The charges against Ssemakadde stem from allegations that he insulted the modesty of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo during a symposium in November 2024. The remarks, which went viral on social media, sparked public outrage.
Ssemakadde’s legal team had argued that he should not be compelled to appear in court in person, citing his illness and a pending High Court ruling. However, the prosecution insisted on his physical presence to formally address the charges.
This development marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against Ssemakadde, who is also facing separate charges for contempt of court.
The Uganda Law Society president has been at the center of controversy in recent months, with his comments sparking widespread debate about free speech and the limits of public discourse.
In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, he reflected on his recent meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Qatar and addressed the region’s conflicts and resource challenges.
Tshisekedi and Kagame met in Doha under the mediation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The talks aimed to ease hostilities between the two nations, but no concrete agreements emerged.
“The meeting was conducted in a good atmosphere. The first step was taken with the support of Qatari envoys. The key issue was ensuring an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Talks must continue to reach a sustainable solution,” Tshisekedi said.
Despite efforts to engage the M23 rebel group in peace negotiations, talks in Angola collapsed after M23 refused to participate, citing sanctions imposed by the European Union on its leaders. Tshisekedi insisted that solutions must come through regional dialogue processes.
“The search for a definitive solution to the Congolese crisis is guided by the Luanda and Nairobi dialogue processes, initiated by the African Union and supported by regional organizations and the United Nations,” he said.
{{Mineral resources and military reforms}}
Tshisekedi also addressed concerns about the DRC’s vast mineral wealth and ongoing negotiations with the United States. He rejected fears of rushed deals and emphasized the need for fair trade agreements.
“What I absolutely want to avoid is a sell-off or rushed agreements,” he said. “The goal is a win-win partnership that allows the DRC to process its minerals locally, create added value, and develop a value chain.
As much as possible, raw material processing should take place here with investors who contribute to building the energy infrastructure that we lack.”
Another major issue is the presence of the FDLR, an armed group accused of harboring former génocidaires from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda sees them as a security threat, but Tshisekedi downplayed their influence.
“Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration are key. The FDLR is a residual force with no more than 750 fighters. It is insignificant compared to M23,” he stated. Tshisekedi acknowledged the weaknesses of the Congolese army, including corruption and poor pay, but noted ongoing reforms.
“Our army has about 100,000 soldiers,” he said. “A soldier’s salary was $100 per month, but we have now increased it. A soldier on the frontlines can now earn up to $500 per month.”
He also reaffirmed the DRC’s neutral stance on global conflicts, despite condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We are not in conflict with Russia,” he said. “The DRC is an invaded country, just like Ukraine.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, Tshisekedi remains adamant that the DRC will not be divided. “I have always believed in the Congolese people’s desire for a united and indivisible Congo,” he asserted. “I promise you that it will not happen, at least not in my lifetime.”
Organized by BioMassters and the World Bioenergy Association, the event focused on the potential of wood pellets as a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal, which have long been the primary sources of energy in Rwandan schools.
Founded in 2020, BioMassters is a forward-thinking Rwandan company on a mission to mitigate climate change by replacing conventional cooking fuels with eco-friendly alternatives.
With a manufacturing plant in Rubavu and a robust retail network in Kigali, the company has already distributed 6,500 stoves, significantly reducing indoor air pollution and promoting a smokeless kitchen environment.
BioMassters also sells two types of household cookstoves: the Red Stove and the “Made in Rwanda” stove, both of which provide convenience for cooks and are clean, smokeless, and efficient.
These gasifier stoves operate on affordable wood pellets, which not only reduces wood usage but also results in low running costs compared to other fuel options on the market.
The event featured a compelling panel debate on the scalability of pellet solutions, drawing insights from various industry experts.
Dr. Christian Rakos, President of the World Bioenergy Association, shared his perspective, underscoring the feasibility and necessity of such transitions for sustainable development.
“The results we’ve witnessed through these initiatives are promising. With the right support and strategic planning, this model can be effectively scaled to benefit more communities across Rwanda and beyond,” he stated.
During the workshop, Claudia Muench, CEO of BioMassters, emphasized the impact of these initiatives: “Our goal is to create a cleaner and healthier environment for our communities that is at the same time affordable. By transitioning to wood pellets made from wood waste in Rwanda, we alleviate harmful emissions and improve convenience for cooks, which ultimately benefits our students and schools.”
Sylvain Rucyaha, Director at BioMassters, highlighted the impressive results of the school pilot project.
“Our transition to pellet cooking in schools has resulted in a smokeless kitchen environment, significantly reducing indoor air pollution. We’ve also achieved a remarkable reduction in wood usage, improving convenience for cooks and lowering running costs.
“These solutions are not only renewable, domestic, and affordable, but they are also clean, offering substantial benefits and demonstrating the scalability potential of our approach in transforming school cooking practices with locally produced fuel.”
Dr. Peter Sommerer, Principal of Erlauf Investment GmbH, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the critical role of investment in sustainable energy for fostering economic growth and environmental preservation.
“By investing in projects like these, we will be paving the way for a greener, more resilient future,” he remarked.
In attendance were key stakeholders representing different government agencies, international agencies and many other partners. Their participation underscored the importance of collaborative efforts and international cooperation in achieving Rwanda’s ambitious energy goals.
The workshop, themed ‘From Firewood to Modern Bioenergy – Leapfrogging the Fossil Age,’ provided a valuable platform for policymakers, educational institutions, and energy sector professionals to exchange ideas, share insights, and strategize the path forward for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
As Rwanda continues to innovate within the energy sector, initiatives like those spearheaded by BioMassters and the World Bioenergy Association are critical in driving tangible change.
These discussions and insights gathered from the workshop will undoubtedly contribute to reshaping the landscape of school cooking practices across the nation, setting a precedent for other countries to follow.
By focusing on sustainable development and community empowerment, BioMassters is not just changing the way Rwandans cook; it is driving a movement towards environmental sustainability. With plans to expand and increase production capacity in 2025/26, the company plans to play a pivotal role in Rwanda’s energy transformation.
As the world shifts towards more sustainable practices, Rwanda’s commitment, demonstrated through events like this workshop, showcases the nation’s leadership in environmental stewardship and innovative energy solutions.
The impact of these efforts will be felt far beyond the borders of Rwanda, offering a model of success for sustainable development globally.
Eric Mahoro, the Permanent Secretary of MINUBUMWE, made this announcement on March 18, 2025, during the official launch of new unity and reconciliation lessons. These lessons are being provided to genocide convicts as they prepare for reintegration into society.
The Genocide against the Tutsi, which ended with the intervention of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), led to the prosecution of over 120,000 individuals. Rwanda used a restorative justice system through Gacaca courts to address those involved in the Genocide.
A study in 2010 highlighted the success of these courts in promoting reconciliation. It found that 83% of those who admitted their crimes sought forgiveness and committed to rejecting genocide ideology. Additionally, 85% of the victims’ families forgave the perpetrators, enabling peaceful coexistence in daily life.
According to MINUBUMWE data, in 2018, there were 27,662 genocide convicts in Rwandan prisons. By 2024, this number had decreased to 17,546, and between August 2024 and January 2025, 509 convicts were released, bringing the total number of remaining prisoners down to 17,037.
“Between March and May 2025, around 192 prisoners will be reintegrated into their families. The remaining convicts will continue to be released as they complete their sentences,” Mahoro explained.
He urged the genocide convicts who are nearing the end of their sentences to reject the ideology of genocide and to share the truth about the past with their children, rather than falsely claiming victimhood.
Currently, genocide convicts approaching release are gathered at two main locations: male convicts at Nyamasheke Prison and female convicts at Nyamagabe Prison. Two months prior to their release, they receive lessons aimed at preparing them for reintegration into Rwandan society, focusing on unity and reconciliation.
The meeting, hosted by the State of Qatar under the leadership of Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was a significant step in addressing the ongoing tensions in the region and reaffirming commitments to peace and stability in Eastern DRC.
In a statement released by the AUC on Wednesday, March 19, Chairperson Youssouf commended the leaders for their commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis in Eastern DRC.
He emphasized that their engagement reflected true leadership and a shared recognition that peace, security, and stability are essential for the prosperity of both nations and the wider Great Lakes region.
Youssouf further acknowledged the reaffirmation by both leaders of their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as agreed during the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Dar es Salaam on 8 February 2025.
The tensions between Rwanda and the DRC have been longstanding, primarily revolving around mutual accusations.
DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group in its ongoing conflict with the Congolese army, a claim that Rwanda strongly rejects.
Rwanda, in turn, has accused the DRC of harboring the FDLR, a terrorist group linked to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, alleging that the group seeks to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
The Doha meeting saw both leaders reaffirming their commitment to the Luanda and Nairobi processes, regional peace initiatives aimed at finding lasting solutions to the conflict in Eastern DRC.
In his statement, Chairperson Youssouf also expressed the African Union’s continued support for African-led solutions to African challenges, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation.
“The Doha discussions, held in the spirit of constructive engagement, align with the efforts of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and complement ongoing regional mechanisms,” he said.
“We emphasize the importance of continued coordination between the African Union, regional economic communities, and international partners in fostering sustainable peace.”
Youssouf expressed gratitude to the State of Qatar and Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for their instrumental role in facilitating this critical dialogue.
He also urged all stakeholders to maintain the positive momentum generated in Doha and to work collectively toward the full implementation of the agreements reached.
“The African Union Commission stands ready to support and accompany these efforts in line with its mandate to promote peace, security, and stability across the continent,” concluded Youssouf.
Rwandans rely on multiple apps to manage their digital lives with services such as applying for government services, settling traffic fines, paying for utilities, accessing healthcare, ordering food, reading news, and accessing other essential services usually means navigating a fragmented digital landscape.
Each service requires a separate app or platform, leading to cluttered devices, wasted storage, and a frustrating user experience. Difficulty juggling multiple accounts, remembering passwords, and managing security settings across different apps also increases the risk of data breaches.
IremboApp aims to solve these challenges by bringing the most essential services into a single, secure platform. Instead of switching between different apps, users can manage key services in one place, saving time while ensuring their data remains protected.
{{Starting with the most requested services}}
The first version of [IremboApp,->https://7847s.app.link/IremboApp_Igihe] which is available in Kinyarwanda, English and French, focuses on high-demand government services that affect millions of people.
Citizens can apply for birth, celibacy, and marriage certificates or access them securely and easily in the app’s safe box, protected by the phone’s PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Additionally, citizens can easily check and pay for community-based health insurance (mutuelle de santé) in just a few taps.
Finally, most people only realize they have traffic fines when checking manually or getting stopped by the police. With IremboApp, citizens receive an in-app notification when a fine is issued, and they can pay with one tap to avoid late penalties.
IremboApp 1.0 also comes with time-saving personalization and convenience features such as saving their MTN MoMo or Airtel Money number in the app and use it whenever they need to make a payment without repeatedly entering their payment details. They can also save their car details in the app to never miss a traffic fine again.
“IremboApp is a vision for a simplified, personalized, and localized digital future for Rwanda’s consumers,” said Israel BIMPE, CEO of Irembo.
“We are starting with the most popular government services because they impact everyone’s life. But this is just the beginning. We aim to create a comprehensive super app that delivers breakthrough convenience and safety in consumers’ digital lives by putting essential services they need right in the palm of their hands,” he added.
{{Early users are already feeling the impact}}
For example, motorcycle taxi riders can use the IremboApp to manage some essential services. With it, everything comes through effortlessly. You can get notified whenever there’s a fine and can pay it easily and at any time.
The good thing is that the app is available in Kinyarwanda, unlike most phone apps, which are commonly either in English or French.
{{How to get started}}
IremboApp is available now on [Google Play->https://7847s.app.link/IremboApp_Igihe] and the [App Store->https://7847s.app.link/IremboApp_Igihe]. After downloading the app, getting started is quick and easy;
Begin by logging in with your Irembo account or create one using your phone number and National ID. Add your car details (license plate and TIN) to receive real-time traffic fine notifications and pay with one tap. Easily access your certificates or apply for one in a few taps.
The Central Bank’s Governor, Soraya Hakuziyaremye, noted that remittances from the diaspora have continued to grow at a positive rate.
She also highlighted that funds from foreign investment also increased considerably, reaching $573 million in 2024, up from $458 million in 2023.
Looking at the trend over recent years, remittances from the Rwandan diaspora stood at $274 million in 2020, rising to $379 million in 2021 and $461 million in 2022.
By 2023, the figure had reached $505 million, reflecting consistent growth in the flow of funds from abroad.
At the event, held in Cheongju, South Korea, under the theme, “Building bridges for Korean reunification: Establishing legal and practical frameworks for peace”, close to a thousand domestic and international leaders gathered, outlining a comprehensive plan for a nationwide peace and unification initiative.
Spearheaded by HWPL, a UN ECOSOC-accredited international NGO, the “Together: connecting Korea” campaign, involving approximately 170 civic groups, aims to foster communication and harmony across Korean society.
The newly formed committee will focus on expanding socio-cultural exchanges between North and South Korea and establishing a robust foundation for future unification.
HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee said, “The expeditious path to unification lies in the implementation of free movement. It is imperative that we pursue unification through constructive dialogue without force. Our country must become a testament to peace. We should work together thereby future generations can be happy and our wishes can come true”
Ven. Seok Yeonhwa, Chairman of the Supreme Patriarch of the World Buddhist Sangha Council, detailed the committee’s future plans.
“We will unite people’s hearts through campaigns, expand the public understanding and support for unification through education, and conduct research on post-unification social and economic integration.”
Kim Yeong-geun, the 32nd Rector of Sungkyunkwan emphasized the critical role of civilian exchanges, calling for “a legal and institutional framework to ensure their continuity, regardless of political shifts.”
A cornerstone of the event was the presentation of a draft of “The Constitution Establishing a Unified Korea” by Professor Ciarán Burke of Friedrich-Schiller University Jena.
Developed by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, this draft establishes legal foundations for a unified Korea, including denuclearization goals and a peace system that protects citizens’ rights and welfare.
“This initiative will be furthering the cause of Korean unification, of future stability, and ensuring that the region and the world is likely to remain a more peaceful place,” said Prof. Ciarán Burke.
