During a press conference on October 22, 2024, Nathan Ntaganzwa, the Managing Director of 1000Hills Events, shared insights into the upcoming ceremony, emphasizing the growing recognition of disability inclusion.
“From previous experiences, we realize that people are slowly getting to know the importance of disability inclusion. This year, we are introducing a one-day festival where people will showcase their work and create mass awareness about the importance of inclusion,” Ntaganzwa explained.
The event will recognize individuals, SMEs, and corporate companies that have championed the inclusion of people with disabilities in their workplace and communities. The day-long festival will feature an exhibition, keynote speeches reflecting on 30 years of progress in disability inclusion, and artistic performances by persons with and without disabilities.
Ntaganzwa highlited the role of the private sector in this journey.
“In the past, some private organizations showed interest in adopting inclusion policies but didn’t know how to proceed. The more we hold such events, the better we can connect those eager to work with people with disabilities and those willing to adopt inclusive hiring practices,” he said.
Stakeholders such as Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi are actively supporting the event. Speaking on behalf of the organization, Come Ndemezo, the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Coordinator, stressed the need to encourage companies to adopt inclusion not out of sympathy but as a smart business strategy.
“Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are our focus. We want the private sector to see inclusion as a smart move and recognize the benefits of employing people with disabilities,” Ndemezo said, urging more companies to embrace the practice.
Dr. Donatille Kanimba, the founding Executive Director of the Rwanda Union of the Blind, echoed similar sentiments, praising the government and other sectors for their efforts in making people with disabilities feel included.
“Many of us were once afraid to express ourselves, even though we were capable of achieving great things. Now, we have accomplished much, and many with disabilities are more confident in reaching their career goals,” she remarked.
The event promises to be a vibrant celebration of the strides made in disability inclusion while also advocating for continued efforts to ensure people with disabilities can thrive in both professional and personal capacities.
You can nominate and vote for the person or institution of your choice on the link below.
{{[https://rdia.igihe.rw/->https://rdia.igihe.rw/]}}
The funds will be made available to Rwanda upon the completion of an economic review by the IMF Executive Board in mid-December.
A team from the IMF concluded a two-week mission on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, to assess the country’s economic performance, praising its strong growth momentum despite external shocks.
The IMF team, led by Reuben Atoyan, stated that Rwanda’s real GDP is projected to grow by 8.3% in 2024. According to the IMF, this growth is driven by strong performances in the services and construction sectors, as well as a recovery in food crop production.
The team observed that despite external challenges, inflation remains under control, staying within the central bank’s target range of 2% to 8% due to favorable food prices and a tight monetary policy.
Atoyan highlighted that the 6.6% depreciation of the Rwandan Franc against the US dollar was a necessary measure for facilitating essential external adjustments, while international reserves stood at 4.5 months of prospective imports by mid-2024, providing a buffer against external shocks.
“Despite the challenging environment, macroeconomic policy performance through the end of June 2024 remained aligned with program objectives under the PCI/SCF arrangement. All quantitative targets were met, and reforms aimed at enhancing the transparency of public investments and strengthening foreign exchange market functioning are progressing well,” Atoyan stated.
The IMF representative emphasized the Rwandan government’s strong commitment to implementing climate-related reforms under the RSF arrangement, with measures for climate budget tagging, improving the climate resilience of public investments, adopting sustainability disclosure standards, and developing a green taxonomy on track for completion in the coming weeks.
The IMF team acknowledged that recurrent shocks in recent years have complicated the government’s goal of rebuilding policy buffers. Fiscal consolidation has progressed more slowly than anticipated, resulting in a continued increase in the public debt-to-GDP ratio.
However, the government has reiterated its commitment to fiscal prudence, focusing on concessional financing and advancing a medium-term revenue strategy to stabilize its fiscal position.
Straddling the ridge that separates the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, the park lies within the ecologically rich Albertine Rift. This hilly landscape offers stunning views both laterally and from above, inviting explorers to immerse themselves in its natural beauty. As one of the few remaining natural forests in the Congo-Nile Divide, Gishwati-Mukura is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
A visit to this park is a chance to encounter some of the region’s most fascinating species. The park is home to a large number of chimpanzees.
Other species such as servals, genets, civets, and a variety of small mammals roam the forest floors, while amphibians and reptiles thrive in the park’s lush environment.
Birdwatchers will be enthralled by the more than 230 bird species spotted in Gishwati and 160 in Mukura, including the rare Black-Fronted Duiker and Southern Tree Hyrax. The park also boasts over 250 plant species, making it a true botanical treasure trove.
The flora of Gishwati-Mukura is equally captivating. Visitors are greeted by a vibrant mix of montane, bamboo, swamp forests, and grasslands. Towering trees like the Harungana montana, Prunus africana, and the impressive giant tree ferns (Cyathea manniana) dominate the landscape. These species not only add to the park’s natural beauty but play a crucial ecological role, supporting the delicate balance of life within the forest.
Despite its beauty, Gishwati-Mukura has a history of degradation. Human activities, including encroachment, illegal mining, and livestock farming, have taken a toll on the park, particularly on Gishwati forest, which shrunk dramatically from its original 700 square kilometers in the 1930s to just 6 square kilometers by 2002.
However, thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the forest has since been restored to 15.7 square kilometers. In 2016, the government elevated Gishwati and Mukura from forest reserves to full national park status, marking a significant milestone in their preservation.
For visitors, Gishwati-Mukura National Park offers a wealth of experiences. Those seeking a deeper connection with the local community can participate in a variety of cultural activities, including handicraft-making, beekeeping, and tea plantation tours.
You can stay on a local farm, enjoy live cultural dances, or learn from traditional healers who use natural plants to complement modern medicine. Gishwati-Mukura promises an unforgettable journey into Rwanda’s untamed wilderness.
The decision was made by the second collegiate court of the National Supreme Court of Specialized Criminal Justice, making Toledo the first of four investigated former presidents to go to jail in Odebrecht case, one of the largest bribery and graft scandals in Latin America.
The 78-year-old former president was extradited from the United States in April last year to face charges for allegedly taking at least 20 million U.S. dollars in bribes from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company, in exchange for a government contract to build the Interoceanic Highway linking Peru and Brazil.
During a hearing, Toledo insisted that he was “innocent,” saying that “I never made any arrangement with Mr. (Jorge) Barata,” former head of Odebrecht in Peru.
This project was launched in September 2021 in the districts of Huye, Gakenke, Gicumbi, and Burera in collaboration with the World Bank and the Government of Rwanda. Its goal is to empower citizens with development skills beginning with the ability to think and discover what benefits them based on the characteristics of their local environment.
The beneficiaries first underwent six months of training through development pathway meetings known as the ‘Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP). These meetings helped citizens identifying their own problems and the potential they have to tackle them to attain long-term and sustainable solutions over immediate need.
This community, spearheaded by the Community-Based Facilitator (CBF) locally known as Inyenyeri, has shown that poverty can be fought even in the most remote areas through local ownership and collective action.
The financial support is not given directly in cash but rather invested in the projects the community chooses. Spark Microgrants provided this funding in two phases, with each village receiving 4.6 million Rwandan Francs in the first phase (60% of the total), followed by an additional 3 million Rwandan Francs (40%) along with 5% of contributions from the district, amounting to 380,000 RWF.
Rwigemure Yahaya, a resident of Kabaya village in Ruhanga cell, shared how the bulls farming project they selected in their village has brought wealth to the community. “With the first grant, we bought 14 bulls. We took care of them and sold them once they matured, and distribute the profits among group members”, he said.
After selling the bulls, “the profits were shared. Part of the money went towards reinvesting in younger bulls, while the community also prioritised supporting its most vulnerable members, where they bought sheep, a hen, or any other materials for those in need to ensure that everyone benefits, no matter their situation,” Yahya added.
From the first round of shared profits, the group bought 41 sheep for 41 households in need. In the next cycle, after reselling bulls, the profits allowed them to distribute 37 more sheep to 37 additional households, bringing the total to 78 sheep distributed so far.
Some of these sheep have already reproduced, with some households now owning more than three sheep, helping them meet various domestic needs where necessary including manure.
Rwigemure further explained that the village received the second tranche which was invested in loaning scheme projects to support household small-scale businesses and improve their livelihoods.
In Gicumbi district, beneficiaries have started farming for the market. In Mutete sector, beneficiaries reported that agricultural production has become a source of income after receiving support from Spark Microgrants.
Odette Ugirasekuru, a resident of Kabeza cell in Kagarama village, shared how the cow she received significantly boosted her agricultural output. “After receiving the cow, as able to collect organic fertilizers and decided to establish a banana plantation. Unlike previously when had to buy fertilizers, could barely harvest three kilograms of bananas, now I harvest bunches weighing up to 80 kilograms each. Every month, I harvest around 40 bunches.”
“My cow produces eight liters of milk per day, and over the past three months, I’ve earned 270,000 RWF from selling the milk. I still have enough for my family to drink, and I even share with needy neighbors.”
In that village, out of 202 households, only nine have not yet received cows, but they are expected to be assisted by their neighbors.
Beneficiaries in Huye district also report positive changes due to the project. Appolinaria Mukanyabyenda, a resident of Kigoma cector and community-based facilitator for Kabingo village, said that the residents have successfully eradicated malnutrition by focusing on providing children with balanced diets.
Vestine Nyiramanywa, an elderly woman from Gishamvu sector, said that Spark Microgrants has helped them achieve food security through pig farming, which generates income and promotes savings on top of their usual agricultural activities.
Ange Sebutege , the Mayor of Huye district says that Spark Microgrants has greatly improving the well-being of residents, citing an example in Gishamvu sector, which ranked second in health insurance enrollment, in a district that used to lag behind such government programs.
He said, “What we did with Spark was to provide capacity support, but the ideas are theirs. They must remember that these projects are like investments for the village, where each resident has a share. We aim to eliminate poverty entirely in the future, so it is crucial to follow up on these projects.”
According to Donald Ndahiro, Spark Microgrants Country Director for Rwanda, the achievements of the ACE project so far offers hope for sustainable community development.
“When we look at the results since 2021, we see that their domestic possessions, like TVs, radios, money on bank accounts, livestock, and more, have increased by 120% as a result of the projects they implemented. Regarding nutrition, the number of people eating only one meal a day has dropped from 54% to 33%,” he said.
The ACE Project operates in 249 villages, but Spark Microgrants plans to expand to 2,500 villages in the coming years and collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) to integrate lessons learnt from the project into national planning.
Spark Microgrants is an international non-profit based in the United States, which started its operations in Rwanda in 2010. The organization has transformed the lives of residents in over 339 villages across Gakenke, Gicumbi, Burera, Musanze, Huye, Nyabihu, Rulindo and Gisagara, districts.
With more than 240,000 beneficiaries, 64% of whom are women. Spark Microgrants operates in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Ghana, Liberia, DRC, Malawi, and Ghana.
Gachagua, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, alleged that undercover security agents attempted to poison his food in two separate incidents in Kisumu and Nyeri counties in August and September of this year.
In a summons to Gachagua dated October 21, the DCI termed the allegations serious and directed him to appear before the detectives on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, to record a formal statement to enable investigations into the matter.
“These are serious allegations emanating from a person of your stature and cannot be taken lightly. In light of the seriousness of this matter, we kindly request your presence on October 22, 2024, at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters, Mazingira Complex-Kiambu Road, to formally record your statement to enable prompt and thorough investigations into the matter,” the summons read in part.
“We understand the sensitivity of the allegations and assure you that this matter will be handled with the seriousness it deserves. Your statement is a crucial component of our investigation.”
Gachagua had claimed that it was after the two failed assassination attempts that an impeachment plot was hatched against him.
“On August 30, undercover security agents entered my room in Kisumu, bugged it, and one of them tried to poison my food, but we were able to detect the scheme. I was supposed to be killed through food poisoning. On September 3 in Nyeri, another team from the National Intelligence Service came and tried to poison food that was meant for me and the Kikuyu Council of Elders,” Gachagua said.
The impeached Deputy President spoke after being discharged from Karen Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been hospitalized with chest pains as the Senate debated his impeachment motion last Thursday.
In yet another political divorce in Kenya, Gachagua accused President William Ruto of being vicious and orchestrating the impeachment against him.
He told the press that the Head of State had illegally ordered the withdrawal of his security and staff despite the High Court suspending the Senate’s resolutions to uphold his impeachment by the National Assembly.
“I don’t understand this level of viciousness toward a man who has been your deputy, a man who helped you become president. Irrespective of what he has done, at his lowest moment in life, when he is literally struggling to stay alive, you unleash such viciousness against him. I bear no grudges against anybody, but I had not seen this in President William Ruto. The man I am seeing now is not the one I thought I knew,” he said, citing constant persecution over the past year and a surprisingly rushed effort to remove him from office.
Gachagua said he doesn’t feel safe, and if anything happens to him, President Ruto should be held accountable.
“Do whatever you want, but please, Mr. President, I beg you, don’t kill us. Don’t kill my children. You have caused me enough pain over the past year. Please, leave me alone,” he added.
“I want the people of Kenya to know that as I go home today, I have no security. It is good that they know that if anything happens to me or my family, President Ruto must be held accountable.”
Gachagua was impeached over allegations of violating the constitution by undermining national unity through ethnic utterances and gross misconduct.
The bitter fallout between Gachagua and Ruto mirrors the current Head of State’s fallout with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, when he served as Deputy President in the former Jubilee Party administration.
The election took place during the General Assembly of the Chamber of Deputies on October 21, 2024.
PAP was set up under the 1991 Abuja Treaty to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent.
The legislative body of the African Union also serves as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.
Each member country in PAP is represented by five national legislators, with a requirement that at least one must be a woman.
The representatives come from different political parties holding seats in their respective national parliaments and are appointed by their parliaments rather than through direct public elections.
For Rwanda, three Deputies and two Senators represent the country in PAP, and their mandate aligns with their tenure in the national legislature.
Deputy Jennifer Wibabara was elected with 77 out of 79 votes. She holds a Master’s degree in project management and has 30 years of experience in both government and non-governmental organizations.
Wibabara expressed her dedication to advancing Africa’s development, inspired by the leadership of President Kagame.
“This parliament represents the people, and we represent them too. I will work diligently and with dedication, following the leadership of our President, who strives for a proud, united, and self-sufficient Africa,” she said.
Deputy Diogene Bitunguramye, who received 78 votes, has served in Rwanda’s Parliament since 2016. He holds a Master’s degree in education and has held various government roles throughout his career.
Deputy Aimée Marie Ange Tumukunde, elected with 74 votes, highlighted her extensive experience resolving citizens’ issues in previous roles.
She committed to using her expertise at PAP to advocate for the welfare and economic development of Africans.
The Pan-African Parliament consists of 275 representatives from African Union member states that have ratified its protocol.
According to an RDF statement, the event was attended by the Heads of Departments of the Reserve Force.
Maj Gen Alex Kagame was appointed by President Paul Kagame, the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), on October 15, 2024.
The Reserve Force is one of the four branches of the Rwanda Defence Force.
Maj Gen Alex Kagame recently served as the Joint Task Force Commander of the Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado, before he was succeeded by Maj Gen Emmy Ruvusha.
Maj Gen Kagame first joined the military in 1987 and was part of the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), the force that liberated Rwanda in 1994 and put an end to the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Throughout his military career, Maj Gen Kagame has commanded various RDF divisions, including Division 2 in the Northern Province, Division 3 covering the Western Province, and Division 4 in the Southern Province. Additionally, he served as the commander of the Republican Guard.
Maj Gen Alex Kagame holds a master’s degree in military science from China, where he also completed a command course.
He also took a military command course in Kenya, which was supplemented with courses in international relations.
This year’s edition promises to be an exciting competition as participants, including 19 Rwandan riders, tackle some of the most rugged and scenic landscapes in the country. International veterans and the well-known Silverbacks teams, have joined the race, which tests the endurance, skill, and resilience of cyclists across multiple stages.
The race kicked off on October 21, 2024 with the prologue stage around Mount Kigali, where riders navigated an 8.8 kilometer loop through urban and forest terrain. Starting at Fazenda Sengha, the route offers a challenging mix of surfaces with a 260-meter elevation gain.
Over the coming days, competitors will face even more grueling stages. One of the highlights is the Mount Kabuye stage, a 95 kilometer ride from Nyirangarama to ARCC, with a massive elevation gain of 2551 meters.
This stage, known for its tough climbs, is expected to challenge even the most seasoned cyclists. Another key stage is the Twin Lakes route, which spans 54.9 kilometers and takes riders through scenic trails and volcanic terrain, finishing at the Musanze Football Stadium.
Another stage of the race will be conducted in the Volcanoes special time regulation for riders will be mandatory in completing complete all 6 laps covering a distance of 29.8kilometers. Riders will be allocated a time penalty for each lap not completed, added to their slowest lap time.
The Rwanda Epic mountain bike race will culminate in the final Gishwati-Rubavu stage, a 65.5 kilometer stretch that ends at the picturesque Rubavu Beach. With rolling trails and a danger zone that covers nearly 40 kilometers, this final stage will push riders to their limits as they race to the finish line.
At the launch of race, Simon De Schutter, the Head of the organizing team said that Rwanda Epic is more than just a test of athletic endurance.
“Over 60 support staff, including four doctors and the Red Cross, are on hand throughout the event to ensure the safety of the cyclists. The race also involves the local community, with over 300 people engaged in various capacities, working closely with local authorities and organizations to make the event a success,” he said.
In addition to the main race, local riders will have the opportunity to compete in the Abanyonzi Race, an open competition in Musanze where they will vie for prizes, further showcasing Rwanda’s growing cycling talent.
Riders compete in various categories, including duo men, duo women, mixed teams, Silverbacks (for combined team ages of 99 years and above), Best Rwandan Team, and Solo. Stage winners and overall champions will be celebrated for their achievements across Rwanda’s diverse and challenging terrain.
The Rwanda Epic has grown into a premier cycling event that not only highlights the physical endurance of the athletes but also showcases the natural beauty of the country.
Known for its breathtaking landscapes and rugged trails, the race draws attention to Rwanda’s potential as a cycling destination while promoting sports and tourism.
As the competition progresses, cycling enthusiasts can look forward to constant updates and results, capturing the thrilling journey of these riders as they push themselves through each stage.
The purchase of the treasury bonds began on October 21 and will close on October 23, 2024.
Treasury bonds are a means used by the government to raise funds for national development activities.
Depending on the required funds, the government determines the value of the treasury bonds issued, which are also seen as investment opportunities for individuals looking to save for the long term.
When a person purchases treasury bonds, they are effectively lending money to the government, receiving interest. They will be reimbursed the amount they spent to buy the bonds when the maturity period ends.
The Rwandan government started the program to raise resources through treasury bonds in 2008.
In Rwanda, the main buyers of treasury bonds include financial institutions, insurance companies, and individual investors, who have increasingly participated in this market, especially after a major awareness campaign explaining their benefits that started in 2014.
The Rwandan government has also put significant effort into providing opportunities for treasury bondholders, as they can use them as collateral in banks to obtain loans that promote their development.
