Kabuga’s defence has persistently sought to have the case dismissed, citing concerns about their client’s health due to his advanced age.
Since his arrest in France in 2020, Kabuga has been detained in the Netherlands. The former businessman is accused of financing the genocide and being a co-founder of Radio Television Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM), a media outlet that incited hatred and mobilized for killings targeting Tutsis.
Kabuga, who is believed to be in his late 80s, had been on trial at The Hague branch of the United Nations mechanism that assumed responsibility for the operations of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda since September last year.
According to a decision published on The Hague court’s website, the trial chamber has ruled that Mr. Kabuga is no longer capable of meaningfully participating in his trial. Consequently, rather than terminating the proceedings, the judges have proposed establishing an “alternative finding procedure” that closely resembles a trial but does not allow for a conviction.
The award ceremony took place during the National Bank of Rwanda 2023 Research Conference held at Kigali Convention Centre on June 1, 2023.
The March 2023 Master of Science in Economics graduate, whose research was titled, “Drivers of inflation during the pandemic: evidence from disaggregated consumption,” beat competitors from University of Rwanda and Kigali Independent University (ULK).
The winner and runner up were awarded laptops and government bonds by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).
Another University of Kigali Master of Science in Economics graduate of March 2023, Moses Mudaheranwa emerged among the 6 finalists and was awarded a certificate. The competition had 26 participants enrolled from the three participating Universities; University of Kigali, University of Rwanda and Kigali independent University.
The award ceremony took place during the National Bank of Rwanda 2023 Research conference held at the Kigali Convention Centre. Speaking during the conference, the National Bank of Rwanda Governor revealed that the inaugural research competition targeted a cohort of postgraduate students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programs in economics in Rwanda.
The supervisors, Dr. Afolabi Luqman and Dr. Kabanda Richard, University of Kigali Graduate School faculty in economics were also recognized. The Dean Graduate School, Dr. Kwena Ronald who was also present during the conference and award ceremony, appreciated the Faculty for mentorship of the students.
He noted that the School is privileged to have such highly qualified academic staff. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Kwena Ronald, the Dean Graduate School revealed that the University of Kigali Graduate School has shifted its focus to producing quality research. “This achievement shows the results of the quality of research we are targeting to produce,” he emphasized.
The competition was aimed at bridging the gap between academia and applied research hence creating a pool of young economists capable of contributing to evidence – based policymaking in Rwanda’s economic development.
The ceremony took place at Urugwiro Village on Wednesday 7th June 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kagame reminded them to serve the nation and Rwandans with dedication in their respective responsibilities.
“Wherever one works, they must focus on their duties, perform them well, with the understanding of the importance of those responsibilities and how they will contribute to the livelihoods of Rwandans,” he stated.
The Head of State also underscored that collaboration among leaders is paramount to deliver on expectations.
Marizamunda replaced Maj Gen Albert Murasira who had held the position since October 2018.
Prior to this new appointment, Marizamunda served as the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) from 2021, following his transfer from the Rwanda National Police (RNP) where he worked as the Deputy Inspector General in Charge of Operations.
Marizamunda had previously served as a soldier in RDF before being transferred to RNP in 2014.
He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the time.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Muganga, the new CDS, previously served as the Army Chief of Staff (ACOS).
He replaced Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, who held the position since 2019.
Among others, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, former Head of Military Intelligence, has been appointed Army Chief of Staff while Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha, who previously served as his deputy, has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF.
Two notable promotions include Felly Bahizi Rutagerura and Yahya Mugabo Kamunuga, who have been elevated from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Commissioner of Police (CP).
CP Felly Bahizi Rutagerura currently serves as the Chief of Operations for the Police component under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), while CP Yahya Mugabo Kamunuga previously held the position of Police FC Chairman.
Additionally, seven police officers have been promoted from the rank of Chief Superintendent (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police. These individuals are Francis Muheto, who serves as the Commander of Police in the Northern Province, Augustin Kuradupagase, Tom Gasana, Silas Karekezi, Celestin Kazungu, Augustin Ntaganira, and Jean Pierre Rutajoga.
Among others, 20 police officers have been promoted from Assistant Inspector of Police to Inspector of Police, one from AIP to CIP, 120 from CIP to Superintendent, 46 from Senior Superintendent to CSP, and 329 were elevated to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP).
The statement also indicated the approval of a ministerial order with significant number of promotions for Non-Commissioned officers and other ranks. Specifically, 1,607 police personnel were promoted from Sergeant to Senior Sergeant, 392 were promoted to Chief Sergeant, 869 from Corporal to Sergeant, 724 from Police Constable to Corporal,
Generally, these promotions encompass 523 junior and senior police officers, while 3,592 are non-commissioned officers.
Witnesses have told IGIHE that the passenger was walking alongside a road when the incident happened on Tuesday 6th June 2023.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) René Irere, the spokesperson of Rwanda National Police (RNP) Traffic and Road Safety Department has said that investigation is underway to establish the cause of the accident that killed a passenger.
Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than 1.35 million people die globally in road accidents every year, making it the eighth leading cause of death.
It is, however, the first cause of death in children. In developing countries, road crashes constitute the third leading cause of death.
Despite the reduction in accidents, in Rwanda, more than 9400 accidents were registered across the country last year, claiming lives of over 700 and 4000 injuries.
From January to April 2023, accidents claimed the lives of 250 people.
Among others, 72 people were seriously injured while 1550 survived with minor wounds.
Speeding, distracted driving, driving under influence of drugs or alcohol, wrong maneuvers were recently highlighted among the major causes of accidents in Rwanda.
The general public is often reminded to observe precautionary measures to reduce accidents.
Maj Gen Muganga served as the Acting Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS) from November 2018 prior to his latest appointment as the Commander of Mechanized Division in April 2019.
Besides, Brig Gen Mutiganda previously served as the Acting Director General of the external security department at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) before he was re-deployed to RDF Headquarters in 2018.
The statement released by RDF also shows that President Kagame has authorized the dismissal of 116 other ranks and approved the rescission of service contracts of 112 other ranks.
“The dismissal and rescission of service contracts take immediate effect,” adds the statement dated 7th June 2023.
The Article 7 of the Law Nº 38/2015 of 30/07/2015 determining the downsizing, dismissal ,discharge and demobilization of RDF personnel; stipulates that a member of Rwanda Defence Forces may be dismissed due to gross misconduct.
It reads that gross misconduct leading to dismissal has to be approved by the competent authority.
Among others, officers are dismissed by a Presidential Order while Non Commissioned Officers and troops are dismissed by an Order of the Minister.
As for rescission of service contract, the article 105 of the Presidential Order Nº 044/01 of 14/02/2020 indicates that the Minister rescinds, when considered necessary, the service contract entered into with a soldier.
It further states that the soldier whose service contract is rescinded is entitled to a rescission of the contract package equivalent to a quarter (1/4) of the end of contract package.
The dismissals and contract recessions came less than 24hrs after President Kagame made major changes in the military, defence and intelligence ranks.
The dismissals are announced following a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday and reshuffle in RDF top brass that saw Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga named Chief of Defence Staff replacing Gen Jean Bosco Kazura.
Other changes saw Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi appointed as RDF Army Chief of Staff (ACOS) while Juvenal Marizamunda, the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) has been named Minister of Defence replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
Among others, Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF replacing Maj Gen Nyakarundi.
On Tuesday, June 6, IGP Namuhoranye and Lt. Gen Luz held discussions in Rome, on strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation between the two institutions.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Carabiniere signed a cooperation pact in 2017, which has since guided strong policing relations in capacity development such as peace support operations, counter-terrorism, aviation security, public order management, VIP protection, cybercrime, traffic and road safety, public health and environmental security, among others.
On Monday, June 5, IGP Namuhoranye also attended the 209th anniversary of the foundation of Carabinieri, at “Salvo d’Acquisto” barracks in Rome.
He also visited the Sabaudia Centre of Excellence for the Protection of the Environment and the Care of Territory; Special Operations Group headquarters; and Carabiniere Command and Coordination Centre.
The training bringing together 24 participants from Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Rwanda Correction Service (RCS), is conducted by the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) and the RNP.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, while officially opening the training on behalf of the RNP leadership, said that it will further help in fighting proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“Proliferation of small arms and light weapons fuel conflicts, undermines political stability and has devastating impact on human and state stability,” CP Munyambo said.
He underscored that sustainable development cannot be achieved in the absence of peace and security.
“One way to guarantee peace, security and development is the control of small arms and light weapons, which sustain armed conflicts, instability, terrorism, cattle rustling and other serious crimes in the region,” CP Munyambo said.
To prevent proliferation of small arms and light weapons, RECSA took different strategies, which include marking and tracing of small arms and light weapons, and record keeping.
To support these strategies, CP Munyambo said that the RNP allocated a piece of land at the Police Training School for the construction of small arms and light weapons training centre to enhance capacity building of member states.
He urged trainees to take the training seriously and to put the skills and knowledge gained to effective use
ACP Damas Gatare, the Director of Operations and Programmes at RECSA, said that this training fulfills some of the obligations of the Nairobi protocol to enhance the capacities of national law enforcement and security agencies, and the need for state parties to undertake and develop local, national and regional public community education and awareness programmes.
“There is an increasing trend of circulation of illicit and misuse of small arms in the region and negative effects caused by the proliferation of illicit weapons.
This training is very important for RECSA member states to train participants to assess national stockpiles, operational procedures and infrastructure, and provides ways for potential improvements in stockpile safety and security management,” ACP Gatare said.
The physical security and stockpile management of weapons and ammunition follows other related training programmes conducted at PTS in the past.
These include maintenance and repair of arms marking machine, physical security and stockpile management, weapons and ammunition management and arms control training.
They expressed their shared commitment to deepen collaboration to support all members, especially developing countries, least developed countries, small states and small island developing states, to reap the gains from international trade.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was to mandate that the Commonwealth Working Group on Trade and Investment will focus on generating an investment plan of action, with the goal of increasing investment flows among Commonwealth member countries. This initiative aims to support economic growth, particularly in infrastructure development and clean, green investments.
Furthermore, the Trade Ministers emphasised the need to foster a digital transition and facilitate digital trade for inclusive growth and development. To address the digital divide and skills gaps, Commonwealth members emphasised the need to focus on developing digital public infrastructure, ensuring affordable access to digital technologies, and promoting digital financial services.
Ministers agreed to the establishment of a new Legal Reform and Digitalisation Working Group under the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda’s Business-to-Business Cluster to assist member countries in transitioning to paperless trade.
The Trade Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a transparent and inclusive rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. They expressed concerns about protectionist measures and unfair trading practices that threaten the rules-based trading system and called for continued reform of the multilateral trading rules for agriculture and the smooth functioning of supply chains. They agreed that Rwanda as the Chair-in-Office would deliver an agreed joint statement on behalf of Commonwealth Trade Ministers to the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February 2024.
The outcome statement also highlighted the importance of addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and women’s economic empowerment through trade and investment. The Trade Ministers expressed their commitment to promoting sustainable trade practices, green economies, and the empowerment of women-owned businesses.
Speaking after the meeting, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said: “I’m so pleased to announce the successful outcomes of the 2023 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting. The Commonwealth is committed to strengthening the multilateral trading system, deepening trade and investment, fostering sustainability, and enabling a digital transition. I am looking forward to continued collaboration between our members towards a brighter and more prosperous Commonwealth.”
The 2023 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting sets the stage for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, in 2024, where these issues will be further discussed and reflected upon.
The handover and takeover took place on Tuesday 6th June 2023 in the presence of selected RDF General and Senior Officers.
Both Lt Gen Muganga and Maj Gen Nyakarundi were assigned to the new duties on Monday under a reshuffle in top RDF made by President Paul Kagame who also serves as the Commander-In-Chief of RDF.
Lt Gen Muganga who previously served as the Army Chief of Staff replaced Gen Jean Bosco Kazura who had held the position since 2019.
Other changes saw Juvenal Marizamunda, the Commissioner General of the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) appointed Minister of Defence replacing Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
Among others, Colonel Francis Regis Gatarayiha has been named Acting Head of Military Intelligence in the RDF replacing Maj Gen Nyakarundi.
Several other notable appointments include Maj Gen Alex Kagame, who has been named Joint Task Force Commander in Mozambique, replacing Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito, who has been assigned as the Commander of the 3rd Division operating in Rwanda’s Western Province.
Colonel Theodomir Bahizi has been appointed as the Battle Group Commander in Mozambique.
Lt Col Augustin Migabo has been promoted to Colonel and appointed as Deputy Commander of the Special Force Command.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Evariste Murenzi appointed as the new Commissioner General of the RCS.
Another key change includes the appointment of Jean Bosco Ntibitura as the Director General of the Internal Security Service (NISS), a position previously held by the current Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana.
