His death has been confirmed to IGIHE by Michou Miracle, an entertainment news journalist in Burundi.
Saidi Brazza was among the youth who were taken to the Iwawa Rehabilitation Center in 2016.
The facility is located on Iwawa Island of Kivu Lake in Boneza Sector, Rutsiro District, Western Province, and was established in 2010 to rehabilitate male delinquents over 18 years old who exhibit deviant behaviors.
The Iwawa Rehabilitation Center is one of three rehabilitation centers of the National Rehabilitation Service. Its main mission is to equip male delinquents from across the country with vocational and hands-on skills that help them stop drug consumption or any other deviant behavior, integrate into the community, and participate in the socio-economic and political development of Rwanda.
Saidi Brazza was born in Huye District, Southern Province, Rwanda. His family fled to Burundi in 1959, where both of his parents died. He gained popularity for his hit songs including ‘Yameze amenyo’, ‘Twiganirira’ and ‘Kugazaka’ among others. He has been part of the music industry for the past 25 years.
In 2014, Saidi Brazza returned to Rwanda and announced his plans to continue his music activities in the country, but he later returned to Burundi after undergoing rehabilitation at Iwawa.
Although his passing is a loss to the music industry, Saidi Brazza’s legacy will remain alive through his music, which brought joy and entertainment to many.
According to residents, the elderly man had been drinking banana brew (urwagwa) at Kibilizi market throughout the day. They believe that his death may be related to the heavy rain that poured down, leading them to suspect that he may have been washed away while attempting to cross a bridge.
The executive secretary of Kibilizi Sector, Viateur Habimana, has told IGIHE that upon learning about the incident, local leaders and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) agents promptly responded and went to the scene. After conducting an investigation, it was established that the deceased was an elderly man who resided in Rutaro Village, Ruragwe Cell of Rubengera Sector.
The executive secretary of Kibilizi Sector advised residents to be cautious when crossing flooded rivers and to use strong bridges.
The body was taken to Kibuye Hospital for autopsy before burial.
The gold medalists include Yvan Mucyo in male individual under 30, Jean Marie Vianney Muhire in male individual over 30 and Nadege Umurerwa in female individual under 30. Aline Ndacyayisenga also won silver in Taekwondo female individual under 30.
The male and female teams also won gold after topping the list with 8.13 points and 8.6 points, respectively, while Rwanda also won gold medal in taekwondo country standings.
Rwanda’s Emelyne Imanizabayo also won silver in women 5000m, behind Prisca Chesang of Uganda Police Force (UPF) and ahead of Mercy Cherono of Kenya Police Service (KPS), who won bronze.
In 800m, Rwanda’s Honorine Iribagiza qualified for the finals slated for this Friday at Bugesera stadium.
In basketball, Rwanda beat Tanzania 112-41. It was the first basketball game of the competition played at Lycee Du Kigali, which was graced by the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Felix Namuhoranye.
In volleyball, Rwanda registered its second successive win after beating Kenya three straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-12) at BK Arena.
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In boxing quarter-finals, Rwanda’s Zackalia Niyonagize beat Kenya’s Shaffi Bakari while Patrick Ndayishimiye eliminated Okumu Jalaibe of South Sudan in middle weight 75kgs.
Rwanda has 95% 4G coverage and a broadband fibre backbone in all major cities, but due to Rwanda’s geography, some areas of the country are hard to reach at an affordable cost and good reliability, using these technologies. In February 2023, Rwanda officially launched Starlink satellite internet services, to improve access to affordable, fast and reliable internet connectivity in remote areas.
The Government of Rwanda has already connected 44.5% of public schools across the country via fibre optic, the One Government Network project, and the Giga Initiative. Through the Tomorrow Partnership with the Government of Rwanda, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has committed to connect 50 of the 500 pilot schools.
On Wednesday, The Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation accompanied by the Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Mr. Tony Blair, visited the first school to be connected under this program, the Groupe Scolaire Gaseke, in Gicumbi District.
“The Tony Blair Institute’s initiative through the Tomorrow Partnership, is supporting the Government of Rwanda by providing expertise and technical assistance, so that we are able to dream together, co-design and implement impactful programmes, like this week’s launch of high-speed satellite connectivity for schools in Rwanda,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation.
One of the key sectors for increasing access to broadband services being the Education sector, Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education said: “We want to have all our schools connected to the internet, but there are regions that do not have coverage or are difficult to connect. So having the option of satellite is really important, and we are looking forward to connecting some of our most remote schools using this type of connectivity.”
Talking about their partnership with the Government of Rwanda, Stella Mugabo, TBI Country Director for Rwanda, said: “Connecting these schools demonstrates the art of the possible, and the fundamental mission of The Tomorrow Partnership: provide problem-solvers the technology to enable the best possible solutions. It’s clear that when we bring policymakers who are committed to accelerating the delivery of real change for their people together with technology companies like Starlink, you can feel the energy and a real excitement around the potential for progress.”
In addition to Mani Martin’s performance, the event will feature live music by girls from the ‘Sea stars’ band, DJ Alda, and poet Ben Rwanda. But entertainment is not the only focus of the exhibition. The ‘Ikaze Bazaar’ is a platform for local artists, artisans, fashion designers, and creatives to showcase their work and connect with potential customers.
The ‘Ikaze Bazaar’ will feature a diverse range of artists and creatives. Galleries such as Deaf Art Gallery, Inshuti Arts Gallery, Banana Eco Museum, Her Life Journey art gallery, Wandulu Timothy, and Talking through Art will showcase their works. Exhibitors from groups involved in handicrafts, such as Tubiteho, Ms. Tonia’s Boutique, and Nyamirambo Women Centre, who use banana fibers and traditional materials, will also participate.
Fashion designers from Inkanda House, the Union of Little People (RULP), and Project Sufuri will showcase their work, as will pottery makers from the Community of Potters of Rwanda (COPORWA). Organizations such as Rwanda Union of the Blind (RUB) and Organization for the Integration and Promotion of People with Albinism (OIPPA) will also participate.
Additionally, the ‘Ikaze Bazaar’ will include face painting for kids, adding to the event’s family-friendly atmosphere.
With its diverse lineup of live music, poetry, and fashion shows, the ‘Ikaze Bazaar’ promises to be a celebration of the country’s creativity and inclusivity. If you want to experience the best of Rwanda’s art and culture, be sure to mark your calendars for March 26 and head to Rwandex at Mundi Center.
This is because if they fail to communicate with their father, they may miss out on the wisdom passed down from their grandfather.
However, some aspects of this culture can be misunderstood, especially by outsiders.
For instance, at weddings these days, it’s not uncommon to see many young people dancing and celebrating while the older generation observes from the sidelines. This may seem unusual to some, but it’s simply a reflection of the importance placed on showing respect to elders in Rwandan culture.
The Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Rwandans’ Unity, Human Rights and Fight against Genocide, Veneranda Nyirahirwa has said that elders expressed concerns over children excluding them from family celebrations.
She revealed this to IGIHE after the Plenary Session of Parliamentarians endorsed a report of the committee on the analysis of how rights for people in advanced ages are respected taking into consideration the current laws and policy.
The report was presented by Parliamentarian Nyirahirwa.
She explained that members of the committee interacted with citizens across the country where some of them disclosed that they do not get along well with the youth.
MP Nyirahirwa said that the exclusion by the youth or their families is among problems that frustrate them.
“One thing that struck us during our observations was the intergenerational living arrangements of the youth and elders. Some elderly individuals told that that they were excluded from family events, such as weddings,” she said.
“Nyirahirwa noted that there are situations where aunts or uncles are reduced to mere spectators due to the younger generation’s inclination to prioritize their own enjoyment, such as capturing attention-grabbing photos,” added Nyirahirwa.
She explained that such a situation has devastating effects to the culture and the society at large.
“Given that we begin to involve only the age group in the organization of celebrations, it apparently leads to their exclusion like the youth claim that people in advanced ages do not make pictures colourful. This is not the purpose for their presence, they participate to uphold the family’s bond,” observed Nyirahirwa.
“This helps people to preserve culture and know their origin and pass on their lineage to their children. However, celebrations only involve the youth, future generations may lose their sense of cultural identity. Therefore, it’s important to respect our elders and preserve Rwandan culture. Integrity is about respecting the elderly,” she added.
The parliamentarian urged the youth to take care of their parents, emphasizing that parents should never be a source of shame but rather a source of pride.
She also urged the youth to proudly present their parents during celebrations, as a reflection of the love and care they have received throughout their lives.
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Among other observations, members of the parliamentary committee on human rights said that children or family members deprive elders of their properties.
“Elderly people often lack the physical or mental ability to keep up with complex legal processes and may have limited literacy skills, leaving them vulnerable to fraud and deception related to the content of land titles.”
MP Nyirahirwa suggested that the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) should prioritize taking care of elders to ensure they live a dignified life.
“In some families, children wish their parents would die so they can take possession of their properties. Others cheat them while they are still alive. Moreover, they sometimes lack the strength to manage their properties, making it easier for young people to take advantage of them and hoard the income from those properties,” she stated.
MP Nyirahirwa highlighted the issue of mismanagement by young people of cooperatives for the elderly. She pointed out that such cooperatives are often run by young people who fail to manage them properly.
The parliament is expected to summon the Minister of Local Government, who oversees citizen development programs, to elaborate on the various programs that have been established to care for the elderly in the near future.
President Tshisekedi’s attempts to establish a communication channel with President Kagame have been hampered by his repeated and unfounded accusations against Rwanda, as well as his alliance with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
FDLR is a terrorist group responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This has resulted in bellicose rhetoric and acts of provocation by Congolese officials intended to push Rwanda to its last entrenchment.
The situation is complicated by a long and tumultuous history of open conflicts and mutual accusations between the two countries.
Sarkozy, known for his political experience and negotiation skills, could prove useful in facilitating constructive dialogue between the two heads of state.
However, it should be noted that President Tshisekedi has a history of unreliability, having previously failed to follow through on his request for mediation from the Emir of Qatar, Mohamed Ben Tamim Al Thani.
The UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, recently visited Rwanda and joined the Dr. Ernest Nsabimana to lay the foundation stone for the construction of homes for migrants who will be deported by the UK.
This is a project worth 60 billion Rwandan francs, which includes the construction of 528 housing units in six months in Gahanga of Kicukiro District.
Different people have expressed concerns about the close collaboration between Rwanda and the UK on a sensitive issue of illegal migration.
Yolande Makolo, Spokesperson for the Government of Rwanda, recently highlighted the UK’s commitment to assisting Rwanda in bolstering its capacities to support migrants who wish to stay in the country and pursue their aspirations. According to her, the UK’s efforts are focused on enhancing Rwanda’s ability to care for these migrants while also investing in the country’s economic development.
In addition to offering support for the care of migrants, the UK will also allocate resources towards infrastructure development, service delivery improvements, education, and training programs for both Rwandans and immigrants.
At the onset, the United Kingdom pledged £140 million to support Rwanda’s efforts in preparing for and aiding migrants across various sectors.
Makolo stated that, if the precise quantity of migrants destined for Rwanda and their arrival date are determined, further financial means will be provided.
However, DRC President, Félix Tshisekedi, continues to denounce Rwanda as a threat to his country, accusing the UK of not pressuring Rwanda to stop aiding the M23 group despite that fact that these accusations are unfounded.
In an interview with the British newspaper The Times, Tshisekedi stated that the UK chooses to “turn a blind eye and remain silent” on the situation in his country. He also claimed that the UK values its agreement with Rwanda more than supporting peace and security in the DRC.
On the other hand, Braverman recently emphasized that some of the attacks against Rwanda are based on unfounded facts.
During Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Kinshasa, he informed Tshisekedi that he cannot support peace talks and impose sanctions against Rwanda at the same time.
Macron also noted that the situation in the DRC is complex, with over 130 armed groups present in the country, including the M23, which has initiated attacks to demand that the government uphold agreements reached between the two parties.
Tshisekedi criticized the UK for its differential treatment of Ukraine and the DRC in terms of managing conflict situations.
Last week, the British Minister for Development and Africa was in Goma, DRC, where he launched a project aimed at educating 60,000 children in the Kasaï province.
A discussion on security issues in eastern DRC also took place during this visit.
Currently, working mothers in Rwanda are entitled to a three-month leave, while fathers are allowed only four days. The bill provides for maternity leave, but without specifying its length, while proposing that the Order of the Minister in charge of labor determines the number of days for both maternity and paternity leave.
MP Frank Habineza, one of the lawmakers who proposed the amendment, noted that the current four-day paternity leave was too small, as fathers often spend most of it at the healthcare facility. Habineza argued that a month of paternity leave would allow fathers to take care of their partners and help them bond with their newborns.
MP Annoncée Manirarora, another proponent of the proposed amendment, emphasized the importance of a longer paternity leave for fathers whose partners may have complications during childbirth. She noted that, in such situations, the father is often the primary caregiver for both the mother and the newborn.
The Ministry of Public Service and Labor, however, maintains that fathers are entitled to five additional days in the event of complications, bringing the total to nine days.
Lawmakers, however, believe that nine days are still insufficient and argue that the law should specify longer paternity leave.
The Minister of Public Service and Labor, Fanfan Kayirangwa Rwanyindo, said that the current labor law in Rwanda does not clearly specify paternity leave. She proposed that paternity leave and maternity leave be determined by an order of the Minister in charge of labor.
While some MPs have expressed concern that such determinations should be made by the actual law and not an order, Minister Rwanyindo noted that the proposed amendment is an improvement towards increasing the number of days for both maternity and paternity leave.
In Africa, paternity leave policies vary widely depending on the country. Some countries, such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, have laws that provide for paternity leave ranging from one to two weeks.
Other countries, such as Somalia and Eritrea, do not have any paternity leave policies.
Globally, there is also significant variation in paternity leave policies. In countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, fathers are entitled to several months of paid paternity leave. In contrast, in countries such as the United States and Japan, there are no federal laws mandating paternity leave, although some companies may offer it as a benefit.
Atete Nancy Donatienne is one of the trio who grew up with a passion for jobs that are typically performed by men, including construction and driving.
Fortunately, she was given the opportunity to study civil engineering at the University of Rwanda (UR). After graduation in 2016, Atete looked for construction jobs to hone her skills and get familiar with the labor market. Today, she heads Espoir Construction Ltd, a company founded by three girls who studied civil engineering.
Atete explained that their inspiration for starting the company came while working together on projects for Reserve Forces. Upon completion, they decided to create a group with a shared vision and started working together. At the beginning, they were worried about the future of their project but defied the odds and developed confidence.
“We started serving one client who appreciated our services and recommended us to others,” Atete noted.
Espoir Construction Ltd now positions itself as a trusted company that handles various construction projects, including building residential houses and apartments, among others.
The company handles projects from the design process to the completion of the project and produces appealing designs tailored to suit clients’ needs while erecting robust, eco-friendly buildings.
Since the three girls started working together in 2021, the company has provided job opportunities to 300 during the execution of different projects across Kigali City.
Atete expressed optimism for their dreams to come true, noting that their success will inspire other girls to follow suit and join the construction sector.
She also hinted at some challenges faced, where some people tend to undermine the works of women and girls. Atete has however emphasized that executing one’s project with great perfection proves them wrong and attracts more clients.
If you are interested in their services, you can contact Espoir Construction Ltd at their office located on the third floor of the Diamond House building, before IPRC Kigali.
You can also reach out to them via provided phone numbers: 0782385874 or 0783092586.
