About one million people have crossed into neighboring countries, OCHA said in its latest update, noting that at least two million children have fled their homes since the conflict in Sudan erupted more than four months ago.
Earlier on Monday, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) appealed for one billion U.S. dollars to provide essential aid and protection to more than 1.8 million people expected to arrive in five neighboring countries by the end of 2023 to flee the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
“This is a two-fold increase of what was initially estimated in May to be required to respond to the crisis,” the UNHCR said in a statement.
It added that more than one million refugees, returnees and third-country nationals have already fled the country.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the SAF and RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which left over 3,000 people killed and more than 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.
Before the appointment, Dushimimana served as a senator and Chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs and Governance.
In a related development, President Kagame made major changes in the top management of key government institutions.
In the new appointments made by the Head of State on Monday, September 4, Tesi Rusagara was named the new Chief Executive of the Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF)- Rwanda’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Rusagara who until the new appointment served as the Managing Director at Kigali Innovation City, replaces Gilbert Nyatanyi.
Evariste Rugigana was named the Director General of the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), replacing Pascal Emile Baganizi who has been acting in the position.
Rugigana, a senior economist, was the Director of Cabinet at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In the same institution, Carpophore Ntagungira was named the Chairperson of RURA regulatory board.
Other changes saw Armand Zingiro appointed as the new Chief Executive of Rwanda Energy Group, replacing Ron Weiss, who has been at the helm of the institution since 2017.
Also appointed is Omar Munyaneza who was named the new Chief Executive of WASAC group, while Gisele Umuhumuza will take up new responsibilities as the Managing Director of WASAC.
Umuhumuza was the Acting Chief Executive Officer at WASAC while Munyaneza was the Chairperson of the Committee on National Budget and Patrimony at the Lower Chamber of Parliament.
Munyaneza has also previously served as a senior lecturer and coordinator of Research and innovation under the School of Engineering at the University of Rwanda.
Winston , 36, is also a global ambassador of Partners in Health.
After acquiring his Rwandan citizenship on Monday 4th September 2023, Winston expressed delight at achieving this milestone.
“Today is a truly auspicious and memorable day for me and my sister Cindy M Duke! It’s our continental birthday. We officially became naturalized Rwandan citizens,” he posted on his X account formerly Twitter.
Duke is among the distinguished namers of the 19th Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony that took place last week in Kinigi, in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
During the ceremony, Winston named a female gorilla ‘Intarumwika’ which translates to ‘Resilient Giant’, from the ‘Motobo’ family, mother ‘Akaramata’.
According to the actor, he chose the name in honour of his late mother who is a giant in his own life.
“I know you may think I have chosen that name because of myself but no. I chose that name in honour of a resilient giant in my own life, my dear mother who passed away last year. As a single mother, she taught me the meaning of resilience. She was a giant in my life who I looked up to and continue to look up to this day,” he stated.
Winston further stated that among the many things his mother taught him was conservatism and preservation, thus applauding Rwanda and all Rwandans for the great work they are doing to conserve gorillas.
“Gorilla conservation is about preservation of our history and cultures so that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can inherit a world filled with the same beauty and wonder that we have access to today,” he noted.
He commended Rwanda for its efforts in the space of conservation, considering the country a shining example for resilience.
Duke was born on 15th, November, 1986 in the village of Argyle, in Trinidad and Tobago.
He is an actor and producer well known for his role as ‘M’Baku’ in Black Panther (2018), Avengers : Infinity war (2018) and Us (2019)
According to ‘Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative’, those who are not Rwandan nationals by origin can acquire citizenship on eleven separate grounds namely; By birth on territory, foundling, marriage, adoption, national interest, special skills or talent, substantial sustainable investments or activities, residence in Rwanda, honour, being an immigrant, and statelessness.
Citizenship in Rwanda is governed by ‘Organic Law N0. 002/2021. OL of 16/07/2021 governing Rwandan nationality and by the 2003 Constitution as revised in 2015.
In addition, the law provides for the grant of nationality on the basis of various forms of special contribution to Rwanda, subject to conditions of good conduct and not being a threat to national security.
Recently, social media app ‘X’ was awash with rumours about a possible divorce between celebrated TV host Steve Harvey and wife, Majorie Harvey.
According to the rumour, Marjorie was filing for divorce from Harvey after cheating on him with their bodyguard and chef.
This left many wondering what women want, since Harvey is not only a ‘successful’ man, but one who is ‘responsible’; as he adopted 3 of Marjorie’s children from her previous relationship.
In a vox-pop with some ladies whose identity won’t be disclosed, the majority said there’s more to a relationship than just money.
“Money means nothing in a relationship. You can buy me anything, take me on dates but as long as you don’t give me attention, you cease to matter,” one stated.
“Happiness”, the other stated. Adding that people find happiness in different things and not just money.
Boring sex also made it to the list of reasons behind women cheating.
With reference to Marjorie, one claimed that; “ she got bored of his ‘dick game’ and wanted something fresh”.
“People get into marriage for the wrong reasons, especially us ladies. We may know that a man is ‘not good’, but have the notion that we can change them when we marry,” explained another.
Marriage and sex therapist Angela Skurtu named ‘money’ as the main reason women cheat. “The gap shifted when women went to work and had their own money and choices; with choice comes easier dissatisfaction,”she explained in an article by ‘BRIDES’.
A study published in ‘Trends in Psychology’ lists emotional dissatisfaction as another reason why women cheat. “The quest to fulfill basic needs such as the need for communication, empathy, respect, devotion, and support can lead to cheating in search for an emotional safe haven,” Mark Travers, Phd, American Psychologist.
Other studies named ‘low self esteem’, “whether this is a new development or something she’s always struggled with, she may feel unattractive or uninteresting to you, especially if the passion in your relationship has cooled. So if someone comes along and builds her up and is there for her, she’s likely to feel a stronger connection with them”, Barrie Davenport..
Revenge also made it to the list as Barrie Davenport states , “ maybe she wants revenge because you cheated on her, or because she sees you spending more time with someone else and suspects you of cheating.”
The list may go on and on as reasons vary with individuals, nevertheless, cheating can never be the solution and nothing justifies it.
It is advisable that loved ones communicate with each other as much as possible and solve whatever grievances there could be.
Based in Kigali, Kpundeh will lead the World Bank’s engagement in Rwanda, which includes an active lending portfolio, a vibrant knowledge partnership, and a dynamic dialogue with the Government of Rwanda and a wide range of stakeholders.
Mr. Kpundeh, a US national originally from Sierra Leone, joined the World Bank in 2002 as a Senior Public Sector Management Specialist at the World Bank Institute.
He has held various positions, including as Advisor in the World Bank’s Governance Global Practice and as Country Manager in South Sudan. His most recent assignment was Country Manager for Zambia.
In his new position, Kpundeh’s priorities will be to deliver on the World Bank’s Rwanda Country Partnership Framework (2021–2026); support the implementation of the World Bank’s Evolution Roadmap and innovate its use of financial instruments, working closely with the International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, both part of the World Bank; ensure relationships with Rwanda are active across all the agencies; and lead a strong, well-functioning country team to deliver results on behalf of our client.
Kpundeh’ replaces Rolande Pryce who served in the same position since September 2020.
The army said the RSF carried out “indiscriminate shelling” on Karari and Wad al-Bakhit neighborhoods in northern Omdurman, northwest of the capital city, killing 13 civilians and wounding multiple others.
“The militia also attacked Al-Maseed area (south of Khartoum) and opened fire randomly on the citizens, killing 3 civilians,” the army said in a statement.
It added that clashes also took place between the two forces in Al-Shajara area, south of Khartoum, resulting in the killing of 5 RSF fighters and injuring 6 others.
The RSF, instead, accused the SAF of bombarding residential neighborhoods in Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur State in western Sudan, killing 14 civilians and wounding dozens.
The paramilitary forces said in a statement that 60 of its soldiers were killed Sunday during the attack at the SAF’s Engineers Corps base, west of Omdurman city.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the SAF and RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which left over 3,000 people killed and more than 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.
More than 4.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the conflict, according to the latest update by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Born on June 11th, 1950, Ntidendereza’s life was marked by his dedication to public service and his contributions to the betterment of Rwanda. Tragically, he left this world four years after assuming his position in Rwanda’s Upper House of Parliament. Ntidendereza’s journey as a senator commenced on September 16th, 2019, when he was elected to represent the City of Kigali.
His election victory was a testament to his popularity, as he secured an impressive 60% of the total 110 votes cast. Competing against three other candidates, Ntidendereza emerged triumphant over John Butera, who garnered 14.5% of the votes, Zeno Mutimura (18%), and Ignace Rwakayiro Mpabukawari, who managed to secure 7.7% of the votes.
Ntidendereza held a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology, as confirmed by Senate records.
His influence extended beyond his role as a senator; he served as the Secretary General of the former National Itorero Commission from 2012 to 2018.
The term “Itorero” refers to a Rwandan civic education institution aimed at nurturing a sense of cultural identity among Rwandans. This institution imparts values such as national unity, social solidarity, patriotism, integrity, bravery, tolerance, and societal norms.
His previous positions were equally impactful. From 2009 to 2012, Ntidendereza held the position of Vice Chairman of the National Itorero Commission. Prior to that, he served as the Mayor of Kicukiro District in the City of Kigali from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, he contributed to academia as a visiting lecturer at the University of Rwanda between 1996 and 2000.
Munyabugingo is among the 20 entrepreneurs who presented their projects during the ABH 2023 semi-finals that took place in Kigali from September 1-2. The announcement of the top 10 finalists, who stood out from a pool of more than 27,000 applicants from across the African continent, was made on Saturday night.
Munyabugingo becomes the fifth Rwandan entrepreneur to secure funding from Alibaba since 2019, when the initiative by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma was launched.
He has emphasized that this competition provides exposure and has encouraged fellow Rwandans to expand their horizons, marketing their businesses beyond the domestic market to compete globally.
He further highlighted that the contest serves as an ideal platform for entrepreneurs with impactful projects aimed at addressing various challenges in Africa, fostering innovation, making a societal impact, and contributing to food sufficiency, among other goals.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE recently, Munyabugingo shared that Vuba Vuba contributes to reducing poverty by empowering entrepreneurs at the grassroots level in Rwanda, enabling them to scale their businesses.
The company collaborates with more than 10 startups registered as restaurant businesses in Rwanda, which primarily focus on food preparation and delivery through Vuba Vuba, eliminating the need for dining space.
Since its establishment in January 2020, Vuba Vuba has grown to include a team of 31 full-time employees, 100 delivery riders, and 50 casual workers. Together, they have facilitated the successful delivery of over 1,000,000 orders, maintaining an impressive daily average of 1,000 deliveries. Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd was founded in January 2020, with Munyabugingo’s aim being to develop a robust local technological solution for e-commerce.
Also among the top 10 finalists is Mawuse Christina Gyisun, CEO and co-founder of Sommalife, a Ghanaian agricultural enterprise. The remaining entrepreneurs include Bola Bardet, CEO and co-founder of Susu, a Beninese healthcare company; Ayman Bazaraa, CEO and co-founder of Egyptian education and training company Sprints; and Andrew Takyi-Appiah, founder of Ghanaian fintech company Zeepay.
Additionally, the list features Thomas Njeru, CEO and co-founder of Kenyan agricultural company Pula Advisors Limited; Ismael Belkhayat, CEO and founder of Moroccan fintech company Chari; and Ikpeme Neto, CEO and founder of Nigerian healthcare solution provider Wellahealth Technologies.
The roster of winners also includes Nthabiseng Mosia, co-founder of Easy Solar, a South African energy distribution company, and Theo Baloyi, CEO and founder of the South African retail company Bathu.
In November, African’s Business Heroes will unveil the allocation of the $1.5 million prize pool. The highest-earning entrepreneur will receive $300,000, the first runner-up $250,000, and the second runner-up $150,000.
The remaining seven of the top 10 finalists will each be granted $100,000, while the remaining $100,000 will be distributed among all finalists for supplementary training programs.
Since 2019, four Rwandan entrepreneurs have secured a total of $385,000 (equivalent to over Rwf460 million) in funding from the Alibaba initiative. These entrepreneurs include Francine Munyaneza, founder of Munyax Eco; Yvette Ishimwe, founder and CEO of IRIBA Water Group; Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda; and Kevine Kagirimpundu, co-founder and CEO of UZURI K&Y.
[Related article: Exploring impactful innovation and entrepreneurship: A conversation with co-founder of Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd->https://en.igihe.com/business/article/exploring-impactful-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-a-conversation-with-co]
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, she delved into her innovative project aimed at bringing these two countries closer together and promoting cultural exchange and economic cooperation.
Get ready to discover Rumongi’s inspiring story and her ambition to build bridges between her home country and her adopted land.
{{IGIHE:}} Hello, could you introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in implementing this project?
{{Sonia:}} Hello, my name is Sonia Rumongi and from a young age, I developed a strong interest in international relations and diplomacy, as well as understanding the world around us. This interest is largely due to the education my parents gave me.
Currently, I have been living in Lisbon for 8 months, a city where the influence of countries like Angola and Cape Verde, former Portuguese colonies, is very present. This sparked my curiosity and I began to take an interest in the cultural heritage present in the music scene through talented DJs.
During my interactions with individuals in the Afro-cultural and musical scene in Lisbon, I felt a curiosity for Rwandan culture and a strong interest arose within me. This pushed me to nurture this curiosity and imagine how I could contribute to strengthening relations between Portugal and Rwanda.
{{IGIHE:}} {{What are the objectives of this project and what activities do you propose to achieve them?}}
{{Sonia: }} The objectives of this project are manifold. Firstly, we aim to strengthen cultural exchanges between Rwanda and Portugal by encouraging artistic cooperation, exhibitions, festivals, and artist exchanges. Secondly, we hope to facilitate economic investments between the two countries by identifying trade opportunities and fostering meetings between Rwandan and Portuguese companies. Finally, our ambition is to promote tourism by encouraging travel between Rwanda and Portugal and highlighting the cultural and natural attractions of each country.
To achieve these objectives, we propose organizing joint cultural events such as festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, and performances to promote cultural exchanges between Rwandan and Portuguese artists. We also aim to establish a network of Rwandan and Portuguese businesses to facilitate economic partnerships and investments in various sectors. Additionally, we plan to create an online platform showcasing the tourist attractions of both countries to promote bilateral tourism. Lastly, we envision organizing study trips for stakeholders in the cultural, economic, and tourism sectors to foster exchanges and collaborations between Rwanda and Portugal.
{{IGIHE: What are the expected outcomes of this project?}}
{{Sonia:}} The expected outcomes of this project are manifold. Firstly, we hope to see an increase in cultural exchanges between Rwanda and Portugal through the organization of events and artistic collaborations. Secondly, we aim to strengthen economic partnerships between Rwandan and Portuguese companies, which could lead to mutually beneficial investments. Furthermore, we hope to see an increase in the number of tourists between the two countries through joint promotion of tourist attractions. Lastly, we seek to improve the image and mutual perception between Rwanda and Portugal through sustainable cultural and economic closer ties.
{{IGIHE: Could you explain why this project is close to your heart?}}
{{Sonia:}} This project is very dear to me as a Rwandan living in Lisbon. The connections I have made here, especially with my partner for this project, photographer Milena Kravetz, gave me the idea to create artistic and economic exchanges between Portugal and Rwanda. It is a way for me to contribute to the socio-economic transformations of my country and promote the beauty and richness of Rwandan culture beyond borders. I envision this project as a platform to facilitate cultural exchanges and promote economic empowerment. I hope to count on the support of Rwandan and Portuguese authorities as well as potential partners to successfully carry out this ambitious project.
{{IGIHE: Which Rwandan personality would you like to meet?}}
Sonia: I would love to have the opportunity to meet our President Paul Kagame, to share with him my ideas and my willingness to participate in the socio-cultural and economic development of our country through my project. I know how much he supports the youth as we are the future of the country. It is through collaboration between our elders and the youth that the goals of Vision 2050 can be achieved.
{{IGIHE: What are your aspirations for the future and where do you see yourself in a few years, both professionally and personally?}}
{{Sonia: }} I have a lot of ambition, and I would like to be able to realize all the projects I have in mind because I don’t want to limit myself to just one project. I believe in reaching for big things and being part of the evolution of my country through this project and others to come. I also wish to continue to find personal fulfillment, as it goes hand in hand for me. I am fortunate to be surrounded by supportive people in my life, so I want to keep those who motivate me every day to push myself and fight for what I love in life.
{{IGIHE:}} {{Are there any activities or hobbies that you dedicate time and energy to?}}
{{Sonia: }} I try to be interested in everything in my free time. I engage in sports when I can. I also enjoy practicing daily meditation before starting my day to center myself and prepare by doing positive affirmations. I am passionate about music, so I am trying to learn how to mix music to, perhaps, become a DJ from time to time. I also regularly read books on personal development.
{{IGIHE: }} {{Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. It was very interesting to learn more about you and your future projects.}}
In a solemn and dignified ceremony held at the Rwanda Defence Force headquarters, Kimihurura, the RDF leadership bid farewell to retiring generals and senior officers marking the end of their distinguished military careers.
General (Rtd) James Kabarebe who spoke on behalf of the retirees said that current posture of the RDF today provides hope to every retiring officer that everything will continue in the right direction.
He particularly thanked the Commander-in-Chief President Paul Kagame for the visionary leadership that contributed to the liberation of the country and building the nation.
On behalf of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of RDF, the Minister of Defence, Juvénal Marizamunda thanked the Generals and Senior Officers for their contribution to building Rwanda and for their contribution towards liberation struggle and their role in stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He emphasised that those still in service will always need the mentorship and advice from the retirees to continue developing the nation.
The send-off ceremony, a tradition in the Rwanda Defence Force, was a heartfelt tribute to these remarkable leaders who had dedicated their lives to safeguarding the nation’s security.
The retirees were awarded certificates in recognition for their service rendered to Rwanda Defence Force.
