The research initiative, supported by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in collaboration with the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) Network, involved 18 students. Six of these students were distinguished for their exemplary work and received prizes.
Evariste Nsabimana, Deputy Director General of RWB, highlighted the significance of the students’ research in enhancing water resource conservation efforts across Rwanda.
“At the Rwanda Water Resources Board, our daily mission is to conserve the natural water resources of our country. Utilizing the information, we gather from various rivers is crucial to our conservation work.” He said.
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, CEO of ARCOS Network, emphasized the competition’s goal of advancing students’ knowledge in environmental conservation.
“These competitions are designed for young students, aiming to support their knowledge, particularly in conserving our water resources, because water is essential,” he remarked.
One of the recipients of the awards, Marie Claudine Umutoniwase from the University of Rwanda, received one million Rwandan Francs for her project on River Pfunda, which feeds into River Sebeya in Rubavu District.
Her project developed a technology to predict future floods.
“When I saw the announcement, I thought of creating a device to help predict future floods. By feeding upcoming rainfall data into the program I developed, we can anticipate and prevent floods,” she explained.
Emmanuel Singirankabo, also a student at the University of Rwanda, secured second place and was rewarded with Rwf800,000.
He shared his project’s focus: “My project addressed the issues of erosion and landslides on River Mbirurume due to deforestation. It aims to repair these damages.”
The research initiative organized by the Rwanda Water Resources Board attracted over 76 participants, with 18 completing the research and six getting awarded for their exceptional contributions.
Man has pondered for ages trying to understand what happens after death, unfortunately we may never know because no dead ever comes back to give an account of what really happens.
The Holy scriptures paint an imagination of the afterlife but with existing accounts of people claiming near-death experiences, this topic remains a subject of contention.
Most religious beliefs adduce to the fact that there is a certain form of afterlife to which people transit after death. These are some of them. Almost all religious perceptions suggest that life after death is grounded in scriptures or traditions.
Christians believe that after death they will be taken into the presence of God, where they will be judged for their deeds while still alive. Depending on the outcome, one would qualify for heaven or hell.
The concept of Hell is also deeply rooted in the idea of free will. Hell is traditionally depicted as a place of eternal fire symbolizing pain and suffering. Hell is viewed as a punishment for not “doing” God’s will while still alive.
While religion teaches that earthly experiences are a foretaste of greater blessings to come after this life, some people dispute these accounts saying those are fabricated stories to attract relevance.
Although some claim to witness apparitions or experience ambiguous sparking thoughts about life beyond death, no one has ever rose from the dead to give a firsthand experience.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of Purgatory, an intermediate state between heaven and hell.
According to this belief, upon death, people who have sinned undergo purification as a way to enter heaven. The catechism of the Roman Catholic Church states that “all who die in God’s grace but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation.
It suggests that the dead undergo a cleansing and purification process in purgatory, so as to achieve the “holiness” necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.
Fr. Fidele Mutabazi, Managing Director of Kinyamateka, a famous local tabloid, shares the view that earthly life is a preparation for a greater, eternal life.
“According to the Catechism of the Church, human life on earth is not merely for earthly pleasures; if it were, it would be a significant loss,” he says.
Mutabazi elaborates on the significance of Jesus Christ in Christian faith. “Jesus did not only teach about death but also demonstrated His power over it by raising the dead, such as Lazarus. His resurrection from the dead affirms that death is not the end,” he explains.
Christians believe that through baptism, they partake in the life and resurrection of Jesus, giving them hope of eternal life. However, some other different Christian denominations disagree with the idea of purgatory, arguing that once judgment occurs, individuals will stay in either Heaven or Hell for eternity.
Pastor Isaie Ndayizeye, a senior pastor and leader of the Association of Pentecostal churches of Rwanda (ADEPR), sticks to the hope of resurrection and eternal life for believers.
“According to our teachings, emphasis is put on the existence of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ,” he reveals.
The resurrection of the dead is a cornerstone of his faith, hoping that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.
“We do not believe in reincarnation. Resurrection does not require one to come back through other forms of existence,” he says.
Theories about life after death, including resurrection, reincarnation, and perpetual oblivion, have been a subject of debate for centuries.
Sheikh Khalifa Nsengiyuma, an Islamic scholar based in Kigali explains that his faith agrees to life after death, based on the Quran teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
“We believe a life after death but different from our current existence,” he reveals. Islam perceives life as a test determining one’s final destination, with good deeds leading to paradise and bad deeds to punishment.
Nsengiyuma believes in the concept of Barzakh, where one is rewarded according to their deeds. “Once someone enters this state, it marks the beginning of their individual Day of Judgment. If a person was a believer and did good deeds, they start receiving rewards immediately. On the other hand, a wicked person begins facing punishments for their sins,” he explains.
Sheikh Nsengiyuma pinpoints signs preceding the final judgement, as described by the Prophet Muhammad, such as a mother giving birth to a master, the emergence of a great beast from the earth speaking human language and the sun rising from the west.
“These are the indicators that the final day is approaching, although the exact timing is unknown,” he says.
Despite various debates, no one has definitively brought out the true picture of the afterlife, leaving many to focus on living meaningful lives on earth.
Jean-Paul Sartre, a renowned French philosopher and lifetime atheist is reported to have confessed to the possibility of God’s existence before his death in 1980.
Beliefs about life after death vary widely across religions and cultures. While some hold firm convictions based on scriptures, traditions and teachings, others remain skeptical due to the inconclusive nature of this subject.
Ultimately, the mystery of what happens after death continues to intrigue and inspire diverse opinions, leaving little room to fully understand the matter.
But as the old Rwandan adage goes, “Gira neza wigendere ineza uzayisanga imbere.” Do good and move on without expecting immediate rewards because those acts of kindness will eventually lead to positive outcomes in the future.
Throughout Twagirayezu’s trial, following extradition from Denmark late in 2018, eyewitnesses vouched that he was a participant in acts of Genocide as a member of the notorious Coalition for the Defence of the Republic (CDR) political party at the height of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The 56-year-old Twagirayezu, formerly a teacher in a vocational school in Rubavu District is said to have participated in several killings in Gisenyi town between April 7 and April 9, 1994.
These massacres, in which the suspect is said to have been a ringleader, took place mainly between the areas of Busasamana and Gacamena. There, the Tutsi were slaughtered in thousands.
Prosecution appealed his acquittal relying on the significant evidence that was overlooked in the initial trial.
On January 11, 2024, Presiding Judge Timothee Kanyegeri, of the Nyanza-based High Court Chamber for International Crimes (HCCIC), ruled that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove Twagirayezu’s role in the crimes he is accused of.
During the hearing of the case, witnesses for Prosecution included one Etienne Gasenge, himself a participant in the genocide at the same time and place (as he testified) with Twagirayezu.
Gasenge said that on the seventh of April, they started the killings in Mudende and that on the following day, they proceeded to Busasamana.
The witness said that Twagirayezu was with them as they dumped bodies in a pit, and that he (Twagirayezu) had an R4 gun.
Another witness who is a survivor, Jean Ruzibiza, said that he saw the suspect, on April 8, at a school in Mudende where many had fled the massacres.
Ruzibiza said Twagirayezu was among the Interahamwe militias that attacked the school that day, and that he had a gun, and a spiked club of the kind the militias used as one of the crudest, most sadistic killing instruments.
Another witness, code-named DTA, said that on April 10, he saw Twagirayezu seemingly asking for the identity documents (which in those days was for the purpose of establishing an individual’s ethnicity) of two women, and one young man who were trying to cross into the Congo, then Zaire.
DTA testified that when the three people couldn’t produce their documents, the defendant killed them on the spot. The witness continued that Interahamwe dumped the bodies of the victims in a pit under an avocado tree, in a place called Munyazogeye.
Two of the judges, including presiding judge Kanyegeri, and Fidele Nsanzimana, did not find this, and similar evidence of enough preponderance to convict Wenceslas Twagirayezu.
Subsequently, they chose to acquit him on grounds that the Prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the suspect actually was in Gisenyi at the time of the crimes he is accused of.
The presiding judge said court reached its decision based on, among other things, documents the suspect produced, claiming they showed he was in DRC on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of April, 1994. Additionally, the judges said, they “identified inconsistencies in several testimonies from different witnesses.”
When Twagiramungu was seeking asylum in Denmark years ago, he told immigration officers in the European country that between January, and July 1994 he was in Gisenyi. “He (the defendant) only started making claims that he was in DRC when prosecutors were questioning him in 2018.
Available statistics show that there are 101 known species of snakes in Rwanda, seven of which are extremely venomous and considered life-threatening. Six of the venomous species can be viewed at the Kandt House Museum.
Named after Richard Kandt, a German physician, explorer, and writer believed to be the first European to have thoroughly documented the geography and wildlife of Rwanda, Kandt House Museum is located at his former residence in the heart of Kigali.
A snake and crocodile exhibition at the facility is regularly held to help educate the general public about human-wildlife interaction.
A large section of the museum is dedicated to showcasing Rwandan life in all aspects – social, economic, and political way even before the colonial times.
Richard Kandt is famous for using his explorations to serve as the first resident of Rwanda under German colonial rule and his administration laid the groundwork for the German colonial presence in the region.
Here are the venomous snakes housed at the Kandt House Museum:
{{1. Puff Adder
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Puff adders are highly venomous snakes found in savannahs, grasslands, and rural farmland in Rwanda and most parts of Africa.
Hendrik Hinkel, a snake curator at the Richard Kandt House Museum, says that puff adders are responsible for most snakebite fatalities in Africa due to various factors, such as wide distribution, frequent occurrence in highly populated regions and their aggressive disposition.
“One thing that makes puff adders common is their tolerance to humans, unlike other snakes that live primarily in rainforests,” Hinkel explained during a visit by iGIHE.
He revealed that puff adders possess cytotoxic venom, which damages cells and tissues at the bite site, causing pain, swelling, blistering, and tissue destruction. In severe cases, this can lead to necrosis (tissue death) and potential loss of limbs, such as fingers or toes.
These snakes vary in colour ranging from sight yellow to dark brown, synonymous with their habitats. They have characteristic “V” shaped markings that run from top downwards the snake’s rib cage. Their heads are triangular in shape, a common characteristic for most venomous snakes.
When endangered, the snake powerfully exhales, creating a loud hissing sound.
Puff adders are ambush predators that feed on a variety of prey including birds, mammals, lizards, frogs or any remains of animal flesh.
{{2. Forest twig snake
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The Forest twig snakes possess hemotoxic venom, which affects the blood and tissues. The venom can either coagulate the blood or liquefy it, causing severe bleeding.
Forest twig snakes have a slim, brown coloured body with dark marks in the shape of a twig. The head is also often slim with a pointed snout and glittering eyes. The top of the head is usually green and the bottom orange for males and cyan/white for females.
When threatened they puff up their throat and are usually seen hanging in branches vertically with their heads facing downwards.
Their prey of choice are lizards and chameleons but they also eat frogs, fellow snakes and wild birds.
{{3. Black mamba
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The black mamba is a species of highly venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. The snake is known for its aggressive nature when endangered. It often rears up and strikes multiple times.
A black mamba possesses a highly potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the human central nervous system. The venom delivery is rapid due to long fangs and powerful muscles.
Ironically, the black mamba is not black in colour. Normally, it’s typically grey or dark brown, with a lighter underside. Its name originates from the black interior of its mouth.
This is one of the longest venomous snakes in the world and can grow up to 4.3 meters (14 feet). Its preferred habitat is thick savannas, woodlands, and rocky hills.
The black mamba primarily feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
{{4. Rhinoceros viper
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The Rhinoceros viper derives its name from the distinctive horn-like scales on its snout.
The snake’s venom is basically hemotoxic, although it also exhibits some cytotoxic properties.
These types of snakes are heavily coloured and patterned, with shades of green, yellow, blue, red, and black in various shapes and lines. Most notably, they have a pair of small horn-like structures protruding at the top of their snout.
Their heads are triangular in shape, a common characteristic of most vipers. When in danger, the snake powerfully exhales, creating a loud hissing sound.
Rhinoceros vipers are extremely rare and are only found in a few places in the rainforests of western Rwanda, such as Nyungwe Forest. They are usually camouflaged in the leaf litter.
Rhinoceros vipers are typically ambush predators that feed on a wide variety of prey, including birds, mammals, lizards, fellow snakes, and frogs.
5. Forest cobra
The forest cobra, also known as the black cobra or black and white-lipped cobra, is a large and highly venomous snake found in Rwanda. It has a very strong neurotoxic venom similar to but not as strong as that of the black mamba.
Whereas black mamba venom may kill you within four to five hours, the effects of forest cobra venom can last for 12 hours or more.
Bites from the forest cobra are rare because the snakes are “very shy” and tend to hide or move away when they cross roads with humans. The snakes are common near water sources such as Lake Muhazi or Lake Kivu. They are very good swimmers and enjoy spending time inside the water.
These types of snakes feed on a wide range of prey including fish, frogs, birds and their eggs, rodents, lizards and other water bodies.
{{6. Gaboon viper
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Gaboon vipers are heavily coloured and patterned, with a variety of brown, white and purple colours. They grow impressively large.
Their heads are triangular in shape, powerfully exhale and create a loud hissing when in danger. They are considered extinct in Rwanda.
The last sightings of Gaboon vipers were near the foot of Muhabura in the 1930s. These snakes are highly vulnerable and typically die when their forest habitat is destroyed.
These snakes are believed to have the longest fangs in the world measuring about 3.5 centimetres long. They also have the biggest stock of venom compared to most snakes in the universe.
If bitten by a Gaboon viper, it’s usually not the venom itself that kills, but rather a condition called anaphylaxis where the body can no longer handle the amount of foreign toxic substances and simply shuts down.
Apart from the venomous snakes, there are five non-venomous snakes at the Kandt House Museum. The species include the Dasypeltis atra, also known as the egg eater, the Angola bush snake, the Python, the brown house snake and the spotted bush snake.
Watch the video below to learn more facts about the snakes found in Rwanda.
The traders were angered that for a second time, President Yoweri Museveni called off a meeting he had scheduled to discuss their grievances. The July 31, 2024 date had been chosen after an earlier one that had been expected on June 20 was postponed.
The presidency explained that Kololo Ceremonial Grounds – the planned venue for the meeting – was being renovated.
But traders were unhappy that Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, had communicated President Museveni’s decision to call off the meeting via WhatsApp instead of issuing an official communication signed by the president.
Ahead of the shop shutdown strike, Kampala Capital City Traders Association (KACITA) spokesperson Issa Ssekitto was aware that there would be divided opinion on whether to go on strike again or not.
Thus, he urged those who see sense in closing their shops [to] remain peaceful” and not to “cause chaos.
“Yes, the communication was an act of unprofessionalism and disrespect but we are responsible citizens. Just lock and go home. We shall not be responsible for anybody who causes problems to the rest,” Sekito said.
With this manner of communication, and unwilling to endure another postponement, the city traders resolved to close their shops in protest until the president has found time and an alternative venue or mechanism of addressing their concerns.
{{What are the traders’ grievances?
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Mainly, the traders are opposed to three things:
Firstly, the taxes on imports which they say are high, especially as President Museveni and his government move to promote local industry in their import substitution strategy;
Secondly, the rollout of the EFRIS) by tax collector Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). And lastly, foreigners dominating local trade.
“People want answers to all the three issues: Efris, taxation and the foreign traders that are dealing in petty businesses at the detriment of Ugandans whereby they [foreigners] become the factory, manufactures, wholesalers, retailers and hawkers,” Ssekitto said.
The traders’ shutdown strike closes a tough month for Museveni and his government.
In the last weeks of July 2024, youth protesters started anti-corruption protests demanding for the resignation of Parliamentary Speaker, Hon Anita Among, which the president has now blamed on funding from foreign agents.
As they threatened, several city businessmen were seen outside their closed shops as the strike entered its first day. The strike remains peaceful.
This initiative demonstrates the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and reaffirms the UAE’s steadfast commitment to supporting the people of Gaza amidst the catastrophic situation. The UAE’s various lines of communication continue to facilitate the humanitarian efforts to assist the people of Gaza, and extend a helping hand during their time of need.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said: “At this critical time, the urgency of our mission to evacuate injured Palestinians to Abu Dhabi cannot be overstated. This unprecedented route reflects the gravity of the situation and our resolute commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and to ensure the arrival and distribution of relief through all available means, including land, sea and air. This initiative stands as a testament to the UAE’s enduring and historic support for the Palestinian people, guided by our unwavering dedication to providing immediate relief and advancing peace in the face of immense adversity.”
She underlined that to date, the UAE has welcomed 709 patients from Gaza, along with 787 of their family members, to receive medical treatment. This follows the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, to provide care for 2,000 injured and cancer patients from Gaza.
“This significant scale-up in our efforts demonstrates our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our determination to alleviate their suffering and ensure urgent, sustainable, unhindered delivery of aid, at a wide scale and through all possible means. We remain resolute in our collaboration with international partners to ensure that our aid reaches those in desperate need,” she added.
“For his part, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, said: “We are thankful to the UAE for supporting the evacuation of sick and injured people from Gaza to receive the urgent care they need. We hope this paves the way for the establishment of evacuation corridors via all possible routes, including the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt and Jordan, and from there to other countries. We also call for evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored. Thousands of sick people are suffering needlessly. Above all, and as always, WHO calls for a ceasefire.”
Notably to date, the UAE has provided over 40,000 tonnes of crucial aid, including food, relief, and medical items, through 8 aid ships, 337 flights, 50 airdrops, and 1,271 trucks. The fourth UAE relief ship arrived in Al-Arish this week, marking the eighth shipment of aid, which carried 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, and is the largest shipment since the launch of the relief operations.
This stable stance reflects confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and growth prospects.
A statement released by the agency last week shows that Rwanda’s rating indicates a balance between the country’s vulnerability to balance-of-payments and efforts to improve fiscal position, sustained growth, and continued access to concessional financing.
According to S&P Global, Rwanda’s advantageous debt profile is visible, characterized by concessional loans with extended repayment terms. This debt structure has significantly reduced the country’s debt servicing costs compared to its peers.
With projected interest payments accounting for only 9.1% of government revenue between 2024 and 2027, S&P Global predicts that Rwanda will outpace regional economies over the next five years, driven by substantial public investments.
Rwanda’s economy grew by 8.2% in 2023 with year-on-year growth accelerating to 10% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and maintaining a similar pace in the first quarter of 2024.
Although agricultural output grew slowly in 2022 and early 2023, favourable weather conditions are expected to normalize production. Additionally, ongoing growth in the services sector is expected to boost private sector engagement from its current level.
While acknowledging Rwanda’s economic progress, S&P Global also highlighted the country’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as the severe flooding experienced in 2023.
The rating agency also lauded the government’s swift response to the floods through the implementation of infrastructure rehabilitation projects and enhanced preparedness measures to mitigate potential future shocks over the coming four years.
Both Iran and Hamas have pointed blame towards Israel for the shocking assassination that could escalate the already existing conflict with Israeli leadership.
“Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,” Hamas said in a statement.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was “hit” and he was killed along with a bodyguard.
Haniyeh had travelled to Tehran to attend Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened “harsh punishment” against Israel for the assassination” of Haniyeh.
“With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Khamenei was quoted by the country’s official news agency, IRNA.
The strike comes against the backdrop of Iran’s support for the Palestinian Hamas militant group, whose assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu had earlier vowed to destroy Hamas and bring back all hostages taken during the October 7 attack, which sparked the war in the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, July 31, a pivotal meeting was held in Luanda, Angola, to address the ongoing regional security concerns with representatives from both Rwanda and the DRC in attendance.
Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, represented Rwanda while the DRC was represented by Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba. The meeting was mediated by Angola’s President João Lourenço.
Shortly after the meeting, Amb. Nduhungirehe revealed some of the resolutions made. “The 2nd Ministerial Meeting on the Security and Peace Situation in the Eastern DRC, held in Luanda, Angola, concluded successfully. The meeting agreed to a ceasefire between the warring parties in Eastern DRC starting August 4, under the supervision of an enhanced ad hoc mechanism,” he said in a statement, shared on his social media handle.
“Rwanda remains committed to achieving lasting peace in the region by addressing the root causes of the conflict,” Nduhungirehe emphasized.
He expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcome, noting that it was conducted with a constructive spirit.
Tensions between Rwanda and its western neighbor escalated in 2022 when the DRC government accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels in the ongoing military conflict with the Congolese Army.
Rwanda strongly denied the allegations and counter acted by blaming DRC of collaborating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group comprised of dissidents of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with intentions to destabilize the country.
Rwanda and DRC representatives met in Angola earlier this year in a move to help each other implement measures to restore security in North Kivu province.
In March 2024, it was anticipated that these talks would pave way for a landmark meeting between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his DRC counterpart Félix Tshisekedi under Angola’s stewardship. Both leaders had expressed interest in a face-to-face meeting.
DRC had previously expressed commitment to eliminate the FDLR from the jungles of eastern DRC but recently Christophe Lutundula, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the media in Kinshasa that his government knows nothing regarding the rebels’ whereabouts.
According to the latest Labour Force Survey report released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the service sector now employs 44 percent of the workforce, compared to agriculture’s 39.3 percent.
The service industry comprises a wide range of professions such tourism, medical, legal, bankers and teachers. Skilled workers such as mechanics, electricians, barbers, hairdressers, and retail workers are also included in the labour force.
This implies that new businesses are flourishing, and industries such as hospitality, retail, and telecommunications are thriving.
Despite this progress, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced approach. Agriculture remains a critical component of Rwanda’s economy, vital for food security and rural employment. The government continues to support agricultural modernization and value-added agro-industries to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
And as the new Presidential term begins, the focus on economic transformation remains an inclusive project, ensuring that the benefits of growth are constantly kept on a forward trajectory.
Rwanda’s workforce population (aged 16 and above) is estimated to be approximately 8.3 million as of May 2024.
