In this article, we will delve into the implications of this five-year prescription period in divorce proceedings and analyze its significance in family law.
{{Understanding the grounds for divorce}}
Article 218 of Law No. 32/2016 enumerates several grounds upon which a spouse can seek divorce. These grounds include adultery, desertion, conviction for an offense severely tainting the honor, refusal to provide for household needs, excess or abuse, gender-based violence, de facto separation, and non-cohabitation. Each of these grounds reflects specific circumstances that can lead to the dissolution of a marriage.
{{The five-year prescription period}}
The noteworthy provision in Article 220 imposes a time limit on initiating divorce proceedings.
According to this article, an action for divorce expires after five years from the time of discovering the cause of divorce. This means that once a spouse becomes aware of a valid reason for seeking divorce, they have a five-year window to initiate legal proceedings. After this period, their right to seek divorce based on that particular cause becomes null and void.
{{Implications of the five-year prescription period}}
{{Protecting spouses from stale claims:}} The prescription period serves to protect individuals from facing divorce proceedings based on ancient grievances. It prevents spouses from bringing up long-forgotten issues that might have lost their relevance or credibility over time. This provision encourages timely resolution of marital disputes.
{{Encouraging communication and reconciliation:}} By imposing a time limit on divorce proceedings, the law encourages spouses to address their issues promptly and consider reconciliation. It sends a message that divorce should not be rushed into but should be considered carefully, allowing room for possible reconciliation.
{{Legal certainty and stability:}} The five-year prescription period offers legal certainty to both spouses. It ensures that once a significant issue is discovered, there is a defined timeframe within which divorce proceedings must be initiated. This clarity helps prevent prolonged uncertainty and litigation.
{{Adapting to changing circumstances:}} Circumstances within a marriage can change over time. The prescription period acknowledges that what may have been a valid reason for divorce at one point may no longer hold true after several years. It encourages spouses to reevaluate their situation and make informed decisions.
Rwanda’s Law No. 32/2016, which governs divorce proceedings, includes a five-year prescription period from the time of discovering the cause of divorce.
This provision has several implications, including protecting spouses from stale claims, encouraging communication and reconciliation, providing legal certainty, and allowing for adaptability to changing circumstances within a marriage.
While the law seeks to balance the interests of both spouses, it also underlines the importance of addressing marital issues in a timely and responsible manner. As with any legal provision, its effectiveness and fairness will depend on its application in practice and the unique circumstances of each case.
Speaking to IGIHE, Déogratias Rutayisire, the executive secretary of Kigeyo Sector, confirmed this incident.
“We received information that the man had engaged in a heated argument with his wife, leading to a fighting between the spouses. Following this, the man returned to his task of preparing pancakes. Later, he was found hanging with a rope made from a mosquito net around his neck. His child was also found hanging,” he revealed.
Rutayisire went on to describe the circumstances surrounding their deaths as mysterious and emphasized that an investigation is currently underway to uncover the truth.
In a press conference convened on Sunday, following his return from an official visit to Cuba and the United States, President Ndayishimiye sought to reassure the citizens about the resilience of his administration. While in New York, he participated in the United Nations General Assembly session.
In the preceding week, reports had surfaced suggesting an alleged plot to overthrow the Burundian government. These rumors gained traction due to unverified accounts claiming that President Ndayishimiye had issued an order to Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca to remove General Prime Niyongabo, the Chief of Defense Staff.
Moreover, additional reports indicated that the Prime Minister had purportedly resisted this directive, fueling speculations of potential discord within the government. It is important to note that the accuracy of these reports remains uncertain, yet they gave rise to concerns of a potential coup in the making.
In response, President Ndayishimiye firmly asserted that such rumors were propagated by individuals with malicious intent, aiming to tarnish Burundi’s international reputation.
“While we have faced similar challenges in the past, today our nation enjoys peace and stability. Rest assured, and continue your daily activities without any hindrance,” he stated.
Even before the President’s return, the Ministry of Security had attempted to allay concerns through social media, affirming that there was no imminent emergency situation to report.
Burundi has a history marked by several coup attempts, with nine recorded episodes to date, some successful while others were thwarted.
The event brought together more than 100 delegates from accreditation and standard regulators across Africa to review ways to roll out the mutual recognition of product standards in the continent.
In his opening remarks during the 14th General Assembly and Meetings of African Accreditation Cooperation, Juma Mukhwana, principal secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Industry, said that the existence of different product standards in Africa is one of the key impediments to intra-Africa trade. “A unified product standards regime will foster trust in products made in Africa and facilitate trade not only within our borders but across the continent.”
Celestine Okanya, director general of Nigeria National Accreditation System, revealed that the continent has prioritized the harmonization of product standards in the region because it will enable enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to participate actively in the African Continental Free Trade Area and contribute to the economic transformation of the region.
Okanya added that joint product standards will be the catalyst that ensures the quality and safety of the products and services that flow within the expanded African market.
Mpho Phaloane, acting chief executive officer of the South African National Accreditation System, observed that the African quality policy, which aims at enhancing the quality of standards of goods produced in the continent will also strengthen the competitiveness of the continent’s products. He said that consistent product standards will lead to better integration into regional and international value chains that enhance trade and ensure sustainable development for the continent as a whole.
Robin Neeren Gopee, director of the Mauritius Accreditation Service, said that coordinated product standards will enhance Africa’s competitiveness by offering proof that products and services adhere to the requirements of consumers, governments, and trade treaties.
The development of product standards in Africa on a mutual recognition arrangement is a growth point as the mutual evaluation and acceptance of each other’s goods and services is based on agreed standards and quality, he said, adding that the alignment with international standards and recommended practices will also enhance the mobility of goods and services across borders.
He said during a press briefing that “institutional reforms” must be carried out before the announcement of the new date which will be set in consultation with the Independent Electoral Management Authority as soon as possible.
This presidential election should, if necessary, be held over two rounds in February 2024, according to the timetable set by Malian transitional president Assimi Goita.
The motorcycle was stolen the previous night when thieves broke into a house in Rugerero cell, Kivu sector and locked the victim inside the house before fleeing.
“The victim managed to find a way to unlock the door only to realize that his motorcycle had been stolen from another house, where it was kept. He immediately called the Police, which promptly started the search,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.
He added: “Two prime suspects were later located in Kivu sector, Kivu cell in Kivu village, where they were arrested red-handed on Saturday at about 6p.m, with the same stolen motorcycle. They were handed over to RIB at Kivu station for further management.”
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one (1) person.
Golf is renowned for promoting a healthy lifestyle and enhancing cognitive abilities. In line with this, the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas Academy was founded to facilitate the exploration of this sport for interested individuals.
The competition took place on Sunday, September 24th, 2023, at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas golf course, featuring participants from different age categories, including those below five years old, aged 6 to 12, and aged 12 to 17.
The event commenced in the afternoon as the kids arrived with their parents and coaches, who had been guiding them in preparation during the school break.
Before competing, the kids engaged in practice, refreshing their memories with important golfing tips they had been learning. Subsequently, they were divided into teams based on their age groups.
All the teams competed for two hours, and following the competition, awards were presented to the winners and outstanding performers. The rest received medals as motivation to excel in future competitions.
Currently, golf coaching sessions are offered from Friday to Sunday by Golf Coaches.
Nicolas Raoul, the Director of Golf at Kigali Golf Resort and Villas, expressed optimism about the future and growth of the sport since the introduction of these training sessions.
“This competition was a success, and the kids were enthusiastic. We organize this event every month to promote golf in Rwanda. Our goal is being achieved as we see an increasing number of trained kids, many of whom have the potential to become professional golfers,” he remarked.
Jules Dusabe, a coach for these young athletes, noted significant improvements in their skills and explained that they have established methods to assess these advancements. According to him, when a child begins, their understanding of the game is limited, but with time, their ability to strike the ball noticeably improves.
David Mutangana, a parent who enrolled his children in golf lessons, attested to the sport’s benefits. He believed that golf not only helps kids relax but also enhanced their academic performance.
Golf comprises two fundamental components: Putting and Range. Putting is essential when the player is near the hole, requiring a delicate touch to guide the ball in. Range, on the other hand, involves expending significant energy to achieve maximum distance when striking the ball.
The golf course operates from 6 am to 6 pm, providing ample opportunities for players and enthusiasts to enjoy the sport.
Kigali Golf Resort actively nurtures young talent through a year-long training program designed for children aged 5 to 17. The annual subscription fee for this program is Rwf250,000.
This initiative is just one of the many ways to make sports accessible to everyone, fostering awareness and interest in golf as both a recreational activity and a potential profession.
Beyond its appeal to tourists and investors, golf also generates employment opportunities, benefiting coaches and young individuals who assist with various tasks, such as handling players’ equipment and more.
Other factors constant, the face reveals not only who you are, but also what you are feeling: happiness, sadness, exhaustion, frustration, depression, and so on, can all be discerned with just a mere look at your face.
Moreover, when they say “you are what you eat,” it’s your face they use to detect that before anything else; dry lips indicate dehydration, skin breakouts signal stress or hormonal imbalance, eye bags reveal sleep deprivation, while smoking can result in fine lines and wrinkles.
Similarly, when one is leading a ‘peaceful’ life, the part that glows first is the face, notwithstanding the power of a smile (which is also found on the face) in brightening up a gloomy day.
It’s along these lines, hence, that we should pay special attention to the face, considering that it reveals who we are before we do.
Now I know that when we hear about skincare, reasons like time, money, gender, weather, and so on find their way onto the list of ‘why I can’t have a skincare routine,’ but guess what, none of them is valid.
{{Let’s begin with time. }} Time is money, it has been proven and tested. However, regardless of our geographical locations, each one of us is allocated 24 hours in a day, and how we use them is totally up to us.
If the celebrities we value and hold in high esteem can find time to have flawless skin, so can we, their fans. After all, we share the same hours in a day. It all comes down to ‘wanting’: “Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.”
I strongly doubt anyone out there, in this era, wants to look old, or better yet, come off as miserable or sad. We could all do anything in our power to stay looking ‘forever young.’
The good news is, ‘it is possible. “We are allowed to grow old but not to look old,” and by dedicating just a few minutes of our daily time to a skincare routine, we can achieve that.
Estheticians and dermatologists recommend three basic steps that shouldn’t be missed in one’s skincare routine no matter their skin type.
These include; Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.
Just a little rewind, for anyone who may not know their skin types. There are five skin types according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), although some blogs will tell you seven or even more.
Each skin type bears different characteristics, and that’s how we are able to identify which one we possess. How do you tell your skin type?
{{Oily skin: }} As the name suggests, oily skins tend to be greasy/shiny in appearance. This is a result of the excess production of sebum (oil) by the sebaceous glands. While this keeps the skin looking younger and free from wrinkles for a prolonged time, it comes with downfalls such as large pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and worse, acne.
{{Dry skin:}} The absence of enough sebum to moisturize the skin results in dry skin, making it look dull, rough, flaky, or scaly. However, habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, certain medications, and a low intake of water can also lead to dry skin.
{{Combination skin: }} This results from some parts of the face, particularly the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), having more sebum than the rest. In other words, the face is both dry and oily at the same time.
{{Sensitive skin:}} In most cases, dry skins are prone to sensitivity. Nevertheless, oily, normal/balanced skins can also be sensitive. This skin type is characterized by redness in appearance, itchiness, and a burning sensation when one uses certain products or changes their usual environments.
{{Normal/Balanced skin:}}This skin type is neither dry nor oily. It just has everything in equal proportions (just what most Rwandan ladies have). The pores are small (almost invisible) for bacteria or dirt to easily penetrate, the texture is smooth, and the tone is even.
In most cases, one can have an oily face and a dry body or vice versa, and in rare cases, the same skin type for the entire body; which is why a product can work for the body and not for the face.
{{Back to the daily routine: what each step means and entails}}
{{Cleansing:}} This refers to cleaning the face. This time though, not with just plain water and soap, but with water and a facial cleanser. Facial cleansers come in different forms; with the most common being liquid, foam, cream, or bars. Ingredients determine the type of cleanser, so does the choice. Hence, always consult a dermatologist before buying any skin product, or if you already know your skin type, read the product descriptions before purchasing.
{{Toning:}} This skincare process involves applying a facial toner after cleansing the skin. Some blogs suggest that it is not important to apply a toner unless you have dry skin. However, estheticians recommend otherwise. Just like facial cleansers, the choice of toners is determined by one’s skin type, even though all toners come in liquid form.
{{Why use a facial toner? }}
In simpler terms, toners help to minimize skin pores, preventing dirt and other impurities from entering the skin after it has been cleansed (cleansers remove dirt and impurities that clog the skin pores, thus it just makes sense for the pores to be ‘protected’).
Additionally, cleansers, especially ‘foam’ and ‘bars,’ tend to leave a ‘dry’ feeling on the skin after they are used. Toners thus help the skin feel refreshed. Ultimately, toners help balance the skin’s pH (Potential Hydrogen) and remove any residual debris, says Dr. Ashley Magovern, a dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology in Manhattan.
{{Moisturizers:}} Although applied last, face moisturizers are not in any way less important. On the contrary, one should pay special attention to the moisturizers they use since they’re left on the skin for longer hours. Also chosen according to one’s skin type, face moisturizers can either be ‘day creams’ or ‘night creams.’
Like their names suggest, day creams are used during the day, and night creams during the night. What differentiates a day cream from a night cream is the existence of Sun Protective Factor (SPF) in the day creams, an ingredient meant to protect the skin from sun damage.
{{Using money as an ‘excuse’ for not having a skincare routine}}
Certainly, facial products can cost a fortune depending on skin type and demographics. Fortunately, they are not constraints to having beautiful skin. Natural products within everybody’s means are great solutions to the financial barrier. For instance, fruits like lemons and tomatoes are good facial cleansers.
Additionally, milk, plain yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey work relatively the same way. When it comes to natural toners, lemon, apple cider vinegar, rose water, green tea, and ice cubes can do ‘miracles’ for the face when used as toners. Oils like avocado oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, olive oil, among others, are good natural moisturizers for both the face and body.
{{Gender as a rationale for neglecting a skincare routine}}
African men often harbor the misconception that skincare is exclusively for women, which is far from accurate. Gone are the days when women solely sought companionship and wealth in a man. In the 21st century, one’s appearance is the ‘icing’ on the cake when considering a partner.
Hence, if you’re a man who still believes skincare is a futile endeavor, it’s time for a rethink.
Weather-related excuses, such as attributing dry skin to the climate and claiming there’s nothing one can do, are unfounded. On the contrary, just as the weather influences skin type, equal emphasis should be placed on safeguarding the skin from weather-induced effects.
If your skin becomes dry due to excessive heat in your region, it’s a good reason to invest in a moisturizer containing SPF for protection. Don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Regardless of your age, gender, or financial situation, achieving vibrant, youthful skin is within reach if you truly desire it. So, instead of merely wishing for great skin, take action to attain it. Much like the adage, “we are judged by our appearance,” our looks convey a significant message about who we are.
These accidents have been predominantly attributed to various factors, including drivers’ inattention, failure to maintain a safe following distance, and overspeeding, accounting for 31%, 15%, and 13% of the accidents, respectively.
Furthermore, incidents involving obstructing vehicles attempting to overtake or violating zebra crossings made up 12% of the accidents, while 9% resulted from a failure to stay within designated lanes. Illegal overtaking contributed to 8% of the accidents, and a significant 7% and 5% were linked to drunk driving and the non-use of wing mirrors, respectively.
Looking back to 2018, just a year before the launch of the Gerayo Amahoro campaign by the Police aimed at enhancing road safety, the country reported a staggering 5,000 accidents that tragically claimed the lives of 700 individuals and left 2,000 injured. During the same period, over Rwf 200 billion were disbursed in insurance claims to compensate for more than 3,000 properties damaged in these accidents.
However, the launch of the Gerayo Amahoro campaign in the subsequent year yielded encouraging results. Between May and December of that year, road accidents saw a significant 25% reduction when compared to the preceding year.
Speaking to IGIHE, RNP Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga emphasized that preventing accidents lies within the power of drivers, who can make safer choices by strictly adhering to traffic regulations.
“Road accidents are preventable. They primarily occur due to poor decisions made by some drivers. Operating a vehicle entails not only its physical movement but also the responsible observance of all traffic rules, consideration for fellow road users, and the avoidance of behaviors that may contribute to accidents,” Rutikanga affirmed.
Furthermore, it is crucial to note that bicycles and motorbikes collectively accounted for a substantial 53% of these accidents, with bicycles being responsible for 41% of all recorded accidents.
Maintaining high-quality education standards is a paramount concern in Rwanda, prompting regular inspections of both new and established schools. Schools that meet the necessary requirements are granted a license, typically valid for three years.
Key aspects considered during inspections include school infrastructure, such as a minimum of three classrooms for nursery schools and six classrooms for primary schools. Additionally, schools are required to possess adequate didactic materials to support both students and teachers in delivering a quality curriculum.
Vianney Augustine Kavutse, the Head of the Department for Basic Education and TVET Quality Assurance, emphasized that the welfare of learners is a primary focus during inspections.
Consequently, schools that fall short of these standards are temporarily suspended from offering education. Kavutse explained, “When we identify schools with significant deficiencies, we grant them one year to rectify these issues to enhance the quality of education. If a subsequent assessment confirms that the problems have been addressed, we may extend their license for two or three years.”
He further added, “In situations where alternatives would adversely affect children, such as the closure of schools with aging infrastructures, we prioritize the interests of the learners above all else.”
According to NESA data, out of the 85 nursery schools inspected from January to June 2022, only 65 were permitted to continue their operations, while 20 were denied licenses due to their failure to meet the necessary requirements. In addition to these, nine secondary schools that had applied for the introduction of advanced level science programs were also denied licenses for not meeting the stipulated standards.
Private schools faced challenges as well, with six of them being denied permission to place students who had passed national examinations, while 17 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools encountered similar issues.
Kavutse explained the process for schools grappling with such problems, stating, “Schools facing these challenges are restricted from enrolling new students and are given a year to make the necessary improvements. We cannot abruptly halt their operations; hence, we grant them a one-year grace period. During this time, we liaise with the district authorities to arrange alternatives for affected students or assist in resolving the issues.”
If schools successfully address these concerns, they are allowed to resume operations after the one-year grace period.
It’s worth noting that such issues are primarily reported among private schools and often lead teachers to seek employment opportunities in other institutions upon the suspension of their school’s operations.
NESA emphasizes the importance of timely planning for the establishment of new schools. Those intending to create schools must submit their license applications no later than May to allow sufficient time for inspections.
This enables authorities to determine whether the school can commence operations in the upcoming academic year.
Between June and September 2022, NESA conducted inspections on a total of 178 schools, including eight offering nursing courses, 40 TVET schools, and 138 primary schools.
