The study tour for 35 law enforcement officers of the 11th PSCSC intake, from seven African countries, links the theory class-work with field practical experiences.
It is conducted under the theme: Understanding the contribution of socio-economic development, good governance and justice to sustainable peace and security in Rwanda.
The Police students are from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The tour started in City of Kigali where they will visit different institutions and get insight into complex aspects of socio-economic development, good governance and justice; before visiting other public and private entities, including factories, in other parts of the country.
In Kigali, they will visit the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters at Kacyiru and some of its operational units; Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
They will also visit Rwamagana solar power station, Zipline in Kayonza District, King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda in Huye District, Gisakura Tea factory, CIMERWA, Bralirwa and Kinigi IDP model village.
The NPC Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji said that the study is part of the academic programme to acquaint the Police students with the Rwandan realities on socio-economic development, governance and justice.
“The study tour will give the students an insight on how governance, fair justice and socio-economic development contribute to national security; they will get deep understanding on the challenges and benefits of inter-agency cooperation in contemporary policing and create an opportunity for them to link the theories and practices to draw lessons that will help them in their future policing duties,” CP Mujiji said.
At the end of the tour, he added, the students are expected to conduct research in the four key disciplines; national security, socio-economic development, governance and justice.
“They will produce a report at the end of their tour, on what they learnt and how these lessons add value to their previous experiences and knowledge in policing.”
The one year PSCSC has five main components; a Master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation, operational and routine staff work, strategic leadership and management, international computer driving license, and peace support operations.
“The agenda offered by the Indian hosts fully reflects the aspirations of all states to overcome the persisting crisis, ensure sustainable growth, remove artificial barriers, guarantee fair competition in trade, enhance the multilateral character of the global system, support the UN’s central role and help developing nations have more of a say in international decision-making. All these issues are reflected in the document that our representatives and experts discussed for several days. Agreement was reached on all issues of the G20 agenda, including the need to ensure genuine multilaterism and bolster the positions of developing nations.
It was agreed that from now on the African Union will be a full-fledged member of the G20, just as the EU that has been working in this capacity for several years now. The document concerns the need to ensure food and energy security and reform the WTO. These are useful and correct agreements.
Unfortunately, the G20 declaration was not approved on behalf of all G20 foreign ministers. As a year ago (under Indonesia’s Presidency), our Western partners were going all-out to highlight the situation around Ukraine, which they were presenting as “Russian aggression” in numerous rhetorical statements. No good came of it. The remarks by Western delegations, primarily the G7 countries, became too emotional, disrupting the normal discussion of the issues on the G20 agenda. As a result, the final document on behalf of all ministers was not adopted. The West insisted on reproducing the text on the situation around Ukraine, which was coordinated at the G20 Summit in Bali in 2022, fully ignoring our arguments that much had happened since then, such as the sincere admissions by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former President of France Francois Hollande, former President of Ukraine Petr Poroshenko and President Vladimir Zelensky himself to the effect that none of them were going to fulfil the Minsk agreements. In terms of Western interests, they were signed to gain time to pump Ukraine full of weapons and prepare for war against Russia. Our Western partners categorically refused to mention this well-known fact that no normal person would dispute. Likewise, they also refused to accept another fact – the act of terror against the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Our Western partners categorically rejected our appeal to reflect the need for an unbiased and honest investigation in the final declaration. Their position blocked adoption of the final declaration. Results of the discussion will be set forth in a summary to be made by the Indian Presidency. I hope they will objectively reflect the exchange of views we had.
We pointed out that UN Security Council reform is long overdue in the context of the developing countries playing a greater role in global governance. We reaffirmed Russia’s position on the importance of this by expanding the representation of the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America and have re-emphasised our position where there’s no need to provide additional seats to the West or its allies because the West is “overrepresented” in this main UN body as it is. No one claiming a seat as a permanent UNSC member will add any value to this body. Our position on this is well known. Today, we reiterated it.
The Indian Presidency continues. I hope the discussion of the items on the G20 agenda will result in corresponding draft recommendations for the G20 Summit to be held in Goa in September.”
“All multilateral institutions are being tested for compliance with the new geopolitical realities. Given the new circumstances, the associations (this includes the UN and the G20 alike) which act as platforms to find a balance of interests rather than to present their approaches or to make claims to justify their alleged entitlement to hegemony, will remain in high demand.”
“To what extent does the West realise that its line is leading to a blind alley? They are declaring the need to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia, that this is an “existential problem for the West.” I am referring to their bid to preserve their hegemony in the world arena (which they don’t conceal). The developing nations understand this perfectly well. It’s another matter that some of them, feeling unprecedented pressure from below-the-belt tactics, are compelled to mention this issue in their remarks, emphasising in different forms their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, especially to territorial integrity and respect for sovereignty. We are all for that. I would like to merely recall that like any document adopted by the entire international community, the UN Charter cannot be fulfilled selectively. It is not a menu to choose from.
In addition to what I’ve said, the UN Charter lays more emphasis on the principle of the right of nations to self-determination. Since the very start of the UN, its member countries have noted the need to have a common understanding of the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity on the one hand and the right of nations to self-determination, on the other. A process launched with the participation of all UN members culminated in the adoption of the Declaration on Principles of International Law in 1970. Nobody has rejected or disputed this document since then. It interprets the link between these two principles in the following way: every state must observe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any other state whose government respects the principle of self-determination and represents the whole nation living in said country. There is no need to prove that since 2014, after the bloody coup in Ukraine organised and supported by the West, the radicals that came power do not reflect the interests of either Crimeans or the people of eastern Ukraine. Everyone is well aware of this.”
“The issues at stake were the exercise of inalienable human rights, including the right of the Russian-speakers in Ukraine to speak their native tongue and educate their children in it. These rights were not just trampled underfoot but banned by laws adopted by Parliament and signed by the President of Ukraine on education in Russian, Russian language media, Russian literature and culture in general, and many other things.
I drew the attention of my Western colleagues to this fact during conversations on the sidelines. They looked at me but could say nothing in response. They have only one explanation of why Russia opted for “invasion.” Everyone stresses that it was unprovoked. The “invasion” is a reaction to the war that the West was preparing for many years and for which it was arming the Ukrainian regime that came to power as a result of the coup.”
“If we talk about history, the prototype of the “golden billion” is the colonial powers that conquered territories on different continents and established systems there in such a way as to exploit their natural and human resources and essentially enjoy life at their expense. More than half a century has passed since the decolonisation process ended. Although it is not completely over. There is a UN General Assembly decision on the remaining colonies of France and Great Britain in violation of the relevant UN resolutions. We also continue to work on these issues. We will seek implementation of the United Nations decisions.
Unfortunately, the West has not lost its neo-colonial habits and aspirations. Everything that is being done to subjugate the world economy to the interests of the West is nothing but neo-colonial instincts and practices. This includes sanctions, which many G20 members from developing countries spoke of today as being detrimental to the world economy, especially to food and energy security. It also includes attempts to manipulate prices on the world market. The declaration by Western countries of a price cap on oil is nothing short of theft of other countries’ natural resources. That is if we look at the root of the problem. Manipulation of global trade rules, including WTO standards, and more.
The West continues to advance its interests by other means and methods in the new environment without taking into account the opinion of the vast majority of the world community. Developing countries see it all perfectly well. I have already touched on this issue. Under tremendous, unseemly and immoral pressure, some of them speak or vote in such a way as to ease the pressure from the United States and its allies. But not a single developing country (maybe except for a couple of states that have made some decisions) has joined the sanctions against the Russian Federation. They understand very well what it is all about, what game the West has unleashed, and that it is not about Ukraine at all, but that our Western colleagues want to prove to everyone that they will still “solve” any issues.
The threats made against the People’s Republic of China raise doubts as to the adequacy of those who utter them. In principle, no one should be threatened. But when threats are made against China in the current circumstances, it is beyond comprehension. Our Western colleagues have badly deteriorated manners. They cast diplomacy aside long ago and only engage in blackmail and threats.”
“With regard to assistance in overcoming the crisis, we have repeatedly stated publicly that we never turn down serious proposals that sincerely seek to find a political solution. While calls are being made for Russia to sit down for talks, I can’t remember anyone from among our colleagues in the Western and several other states call on Ukraine to do the same. There must be something to it, because Ukraine is being encouraged to continue the war. In late March 2022, it was ready to talk and proposed a number of settlement principles. We supported them and were ready to sign an agreement based on these principles. But then it got a slap on the wrist. Everyone knows this for a fact. The United States, Great Britain and a number of figures from the EU countries told Kiev that if the Russians were willing to conclude a settlement agreement, Kiev should bide its time, wear them down some more and achieve (as was openly stated later) victory over Russia “on the battlefield” and inflict a “strategic defeat” on it.
See what German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock or head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell had to say the other day: no talks until Ukraine secures an advantage on the battlefield. Reaching out to Russia with serious proposals to hold talks, which we never refused, would be an incorrect approach. No serious offers have been made since March 2022. Military rhetoric and bellicose NATO decisions is all we hear.
Everyone keeps forgetting it. Journalists in the West and a number of developing countries never talk about the fact that head of the Kiev regime Zelensky signed an order banning all talks with the Russian Government in September 2022. We make this clear several times a day as we take questions of that kind. But our foreign media colleagues seem not to hear that and keep asking why Russia doesn’t agree to hold talks.”
“As I have said, the developing countries have not demonstrated any misunderstanding of our position since the beginning of the acute phase of the Russia-West confrontation over Ukraine and in the context of the United States and its satellites’ global geopolitical aspirations for domination.
By and large, I can explain this by the fact that we did not announce our decision, which we were forced to take, a day before it all began. We have been explaining our position for years, ever since the 2014 state coup in Ukraine, and after the Minsk agreements were signed in February 2015. We told our Western colleagues that it is impossible to keep lying. And they were not just ordinary lies but pledges not to infringe on our interests. This is how it was with the non-expansion of NATO, which moved ever close to our borders five times, and the promise not to station “substantial combat forces” in the territory of new bloc members. They have openly admitted that they did the same with regard to the Minsk agreements. For years since the Kiev regime came to power as a result of a coup, they have been consistently destroying everything Russian, from education to the media and culture. I have already spoken about this. Nobody responded to our calls to the West to bring those people to their senses, to force them to honour at least their own Constitution, which guarantees, in black and white, the rights of the Russian and other national minorities, and to make them implement the numerous conventions that set out these rights on the global level.
It is even possible that many of our Western colleagues incited the Kiev regime to destroy everything Russian. President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine was being turned into an anti-Russia, which is a concise explanation. There is no doubt that this plan was put into effect long ago.
It has already been said that the foreign ministers have not coordinated a final declaration. In my statement, I reminded our colleagues that the first G20 meetings were held in 1999 at the level of finance ministers and central bank governors. It was decided to take them to the level of heads of state and government in 2008. Since 1999, the West has implemented a number of illegal and illegitimate operations in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya and Syria.
Libya and Iraq are still trying to regain their statehood. Hundreds of thousands of people, including civilians, women and children, have been killed there. Entire cities have been razed to the ground, like Mosul in Iraq or Raqqa in Syria. The threat of terrorism has increased many times over, in particular after they ruined Libya. The threats created by terrorists in Africa, above all in the Sahel-Sahara region, is to a huge degree the result of the Libyan gamble.
Moreover, the Americans planned all these actions on the assumption that they have a right to address any problem anywhere in the world. None of the situations I have mentioned created a threat to the United States. On the contrary, they developed tens of thousands of miles from the American coast. Nevertheless, they made the decision at night, Colin Powell showed a vial with a white substance at the UN Security Council next morning, and the day after they were bombing Iraq. Several years later, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted that they were wrong and there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There were no such weapons, yet the country was bombed out of existence. Our Iraqi friends are still trying hard to rebuild their national unity.
In our case, we have been warning for years: do not turn Ukraine into a threat to the Russian Federation. It is not located somewhere across the ocean but right here, on our border, in the territory where Russians have lived and nurtured their culture for centuries. Their culture has been cancelled by the neo-Nazi government that seized power in Ukraine.
We will continue fighting for justice for the Ukrainian people, protect the interests of ethnic Russians in Ukraine, and ensure the interests of the Ukrainian republics and regions that spoke out at the referendum in favour of reuniting with the Russian Federation.”
“The United States, senior officials from NATO and the EU keep travelling around the world demanding that everyone condemn Russia. What kind of a democracy is that? Is this what respecting the right of every country to make independent choices mean? The UN Charter stipulates that the Organisation is based on the sovereign equality of states. The West has never respected this principle and keeps up its illegitimate pressure, if I may say so, on everyone. It is also worth examining how it makes its case. I heard from many of my friends in developing countries what the Americans have been promising them when asking to condemn Russia. They say that they will not be punished then. And nothing more. An even trade, isn’t it? You comply with my ultimatum, otherwise you will be punished. This is not the way we operate. But this is the way our Western colleagues work, regretful as it is.
As for the references to the G20 meeting in Bali and the fact that this or that country condemned us, I have already said that the G20 has been working since 1999. Since then, the West embarked on all these reckless ventures in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan, and they all continued for many years. Their consequences are felt to this day, including rampant terrorism, drug trafficking, including in Afghanistan where NATO failed abysmally after 20 years in the country, as well as in terms of disrupting supply chains, global markets, etc. However, this was not mentioned at any of the G20 meetings since its founding in 1999. Not a single country mentioned any of these crises or conflicts, as if nobody cared. The G20 focused on its immediate mandate as long as hundreds of thousands of Africans, Arabs or Afghans were dying. But now that the Western countries failed to deliver on their ventures the way they planned, the West wants to force everyone to talk about it. This is dirty politics, of course.”
Uwamahoro,42, a naturopath and nutritionist therapist born in Gitega Sector of Kigali City, is a mother to Ange Mukunde aged 23.
Speaking with IGIHE recently, Uwamahoro said that she went to Belgium in 1999 after surviving Genocide against the Tutsi. Arriving there, she considered erasing her history to turn a new page of life. At the time, Uwamahoro would refrain from talking about her history lest it revives her wounds.
“I used to do it thinking it would help me to rebuild but I later realized that I was wrong because one cannot progress without reconnecting to roots,” she said.
Uwamahoro went on to explain that she stood chance to hear from the resilience journey of other survivors with whom they share the same history which inspired her to create an impact to the society.
“That is why I find it necessary to support people. It is my time to spread love as a person who benefited from acts of generosity,” she noted.
As he arrived in Belgium, Uwamahoro pursued nursing and later immersed her knowledge in herbal medicine.
“I considered this to combine conventional medicine with herbal medicine using food supplements and techniques to heal the body, headaches and deal with emotions. I chose this because it helped me along the journey to heal from bitter history and related wounds,” she revealed.
Uwamahoro explained that conventional medicine is very helpful but emphasizes that it complements with herbal medicine or naturopathic medicine (a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself).
“The foods we eat can serve as medicine to strengthen the body’s immunity when used appropriately,” she said.
Uwamahoro affirms that drugs are essential but sometimes come with side effects due to contained chemicals. This pushed her to develop a solution to strengthen body’s immunity.
“We help individuals to remain healthy through tips on appropriate consumption of foods or how conventional medicines can be used along with nutraceuticals to avoid side effects, stress and maintain sound health,” she revealed.
As Uwamahoro says, records on medical history and dietary habits among other considerations are taken into account while attending to patients to ensure they receive needed support.
When a patient has bellyaches, Uwamahoro said, the clinic uses various herbal medicines for treatment, provides relevant vitamins or advise on appropriate dietary intake.
“I usually tell patients that being aware of a disease is an opportunity to develop routines helping you to prevent it,” she asserted.
Uwamahoro believes that developing healthy habits and appropriate dietary routines contribute cancer prevention in no smaller part.
She disclosed that her clinic helps people from different age brackets to maintain sound health and protect vital human organs.
The 528 housing units to be constructed under UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership in Gahanga, Kicukiro District will be completed in six months at a tune of Rwf60 billion.
The deal signed in April last year paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
Through the agreement, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Braverman said that her country is awaiting the ruling of the Court of Appeal before moving forward with the implementation of signed deal.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Nsabimana said that a total of 1500 housing units will be constructed under this project beginning with 538 in the first phase.
As he said, these homes will be developed on 12 hectares in different phases.
The project includes recreational facilities, an early childhood development center and market among others.
Braverman commended Rwanda’s leadership for outstanding efforts to develop the country and address migration crisis.
“This is a big step forward in Rwanda increasing its existing capacity to accommodate refugees and provide humanitarian support to thousands of people around the country,” she said.
Apart from officiating the groundbreaking event, Braverman also toured Car Free Zone, Cricket Stadium and Kepler College among other projects.
During her two-day visit to Rwanda, she visited Kigali Genocide Memorial, Bwiza Riverside Homes, addressed a press conference along with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and met with President Paul Kagame with whom they discussed migration crisis.
Braverman’s visit to Rwanda was aimed at underlining her government’s commitment to the deportation deal signed last year.
Figures from the UK show that 45,756 migrants crossed to the country in 2022 through the English Channel, a higher number compared to 28,526 registered in 2021. This number represents an increase by 17,000.
These illegal migrants come from various countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The UK spends at least 5.5 million pounds a year on migrants where they stay in hotels while their claims are being processed.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame hosted Braverman on Sunday 19th March 2023.
The deal signed in 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
Discussions between President Kagame and Braverman were attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair.
Also present were the Government Spokesperson, Yolande Maloko and Monique Mukaruliza, Strategic Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Braverman has been in Rwanda for two-day visit.
During her stay, she visited Kigali Genocide Memorial, toured different projects and addressed members of the press.
Braverman disclosed that Rwanda and UK signed additional agreement aimed at expanding the provision of support for migrants to be deported to Rwanda.
The UK believes that agreements signed with Rwanda will pave the way for a solution for increasing illegal migrants to the country.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Biruta who also participated in the press conference indicated that the country is ready to work with partners to address migration crisis.
On Sunday 19th March 2023, Braverman also officiated a ground-breaking ceremony marking the beginning of the construction for a housing project of 528 units in Gahanga.
The housing units to be built under UK-Rwanda Migration Partnership will host the migrants to be sent to Rwanda. They will be completed in six months at a tune of Rwf60 billion.
Through the deal signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
This is done, among others, to prevent fraud, smuggling, fight environmental degradation acts like deforestation and erosion; prevent health hazards as well as disasters such as landslides and loss of lives.
Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.
In different parts of the country, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has continued to fight these unlawful practices.
In an operation conducted on Saturday, March 18, Police arrested two people, who were conducting illegal mining in a cassiterite concession located in Gatwa village, Kazirabonde cell, Rukoma sector of Kamonyi District.
“The two suspects are among many that have been arrested in illegal mining activities and illegal trade in Kamonyi and other districts like Rulindo,” said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region.
He warned of continued operations against these unlawful mining practices, which sometimes lead to loss of lives.
“We are in the rainy period when risks are high. In most cases, illegal miners sneak into concessions at night, they have no idea about the status of the site and they destroy walls holding upper parts of the tunnel, which makes the cliff to cave in killing people,” CIP Habiyaremye warned, calling upon the public to report those engaged in these illegal and life-threatening practices.
Anyone convicted for illegal mining or illegal mineral trade faces an imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
In his latest video, Rober showcases the transformative impact of Zipline technology in Rwanda. The video has already garnered close to 6 million views and more than 16,000 comments on YouTube in less than 24 hours, highlighting the growing interest in drone delivery technology and its potential to transform how goods are delivered globally.
Mark Rober, the famous YouTuber, is known for his YouTube videos on popular science and do-it-yourself gadgets. Before YouTube, he was an engineer with NASA for nine years, where he spent seven years working on the Curiosity rover at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He later worked for four years at Apple Inc. as a product designer in their Special Projects Group, where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars.
Rwanda was the first country where Zipline launched its operations in 2016, delivering blood and medication to hospitals using drones. This saved many lives in Rwanda and transformed how blood is delivered to hospitals in rural areas in Rwanda.
The partnership between Rwanda and Zipline is a testament to the transformative power of technology in improving people’s lives. President Paul Kagame has praised the partnership as a case in point of the transformation of economic prosperity that changes people’s lives for the better. According to Kagame, the growth and value of this partnership speak for themselves.
In his latest video that has gone viral, Mark Rober tackles on Zipline’s next-generation technology, Platform 2 (P2), which provides quiet, fast, and precise autonomous delivery services directly to homes in cities and suburbs. The company’s new platform is expected to deliver up to seven times as fast as traditional automobile delivery, completing 10-mile deliveries in about 10 minutes. Rwanda is expected to be Zipline’s first customer for the service, which it will use to enable urban aerial last-mile delivery to homes, hotels, and health facilities in Kigali and elsewhere in the country.
Zipline serves more than 3,400 health centers and more than 45 million people. Zipline delivers 75% of Rwanda’s blood supply outside the country’s capital city. The company has completed more than 540,000 commercial deliveries, more than most other companies in the sector combined. Zipline completed more deliveries in 2022 than in all previous years combined and plans to complete about 1 million deliveries by the end of 2023. By 2025, Zipline expects to operate more flights annually than almost all major U.S. airlines.
Zipline’s flights reduce the carbon emissions of deliveries by 97% compared to gas cars and are also far more efficient than electric vehicles. Zipline hires entirely local leaders and teams in every market it serves. The company operates on three continents and in Rwanda, Ghana, the U.S., Japan, Nigeria, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The partnership between Rwanda and Zipline serves as an inspiration to other countries to invest in innovative solutions that can transform the lives of their citizens. With Zipline’s next-generation technology, the possibilities for drone delivery are endless, and it will be exciting to see how the company continues to innovate and expand its services in the years to come.
{{Amazing Invention – This Drone Will Change Everything}}
The drone light show was held at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) during the night of Friday 17th March 2023 between 21:19 and 21:26 p.m.
Throughout the seven minutes, drones featuring light fixtures were flown into the sky and programmed to perform stunts and create patterns making up words welcoming veterans in Rwanda.
These words include “VCWC”, standing for Veteran Clubs World Championship; “Home of Legends”; “FERWAFA”; “Visit Rwanda”; “D-420” indicating remaining days for the tournament to take place and “MAY 2024” indicating the month in which the event will be held.
IGIHE has learnt that 120 drones were used during the event to form different patterns.
The eight captains welcomed with a drone show were announced on Friday 17th March 2023 during a ceremony held at Kepler College.
They will lead teams comprised of 150 players expected to participate in the VCWC 2024.
These include French national, Robert Pires, Cameroonian, Patrick M’Boma, Rwandan Jimmy Gatete, Brazilian Maicon Douglas, Egyptian Wael Kamel Gomaa El Hawty, Italian Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, Spanish Gaizka Mendieta and Canadian, Charmaine Elizabeth Hooper.
Each captain will select players making up his team based on geographical setting.
The drone display coincided with the dinner hosted at Kigali Convention Centre to welcome football veterans from across the world.
The captains were announced on Friday 17th March 2023 during a ceremony held at Kepler College.
It was attended by students from Kepler, UNILAK, RICA and University of Kigali.
The captains were announced before talks delivered by football veterans to take students through their journey to celebrity and tip them on the path to success.
These captains include French national, Robert Pires, Cameroonian, Patrick M’Boma, Rwandan Jimmy Gatete, Brazilian Maicon Douglas, Egyptian Wael Kamel Gomaa El Hawty, Italian Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, Spanish Gaizka Mendieta and Canadian, Charmaine Elizabeth Hooper.
Each captain will select players making up their teams based on geographical settings.
The event was among others held on the sidelines of the 73rd World Football Governing Body (FIFA) Congress held in Kigali on 16th March 2023.
The congress left Gianni Infantino re-elected as FIFA President for the third term running from 2023 to 2027.
VCWV and related forums aimed at contributing to sustainable development are scheduled between 10th and 20th May 2024.
The Spokesperson of VCWC, Régis Isheja has explained that the tournament is being organized for the first time.
He disclosed that teams from eight regions across the world will participate in the tournament.
Africa will be represented by three teams from (West and Central Africa, East and South Africa, North Africa and Middle East), Europe will have two teams from (North and West Europe, East and South Europe) while Americas will be represented by teams from (South America and North America). They will be joined by others from Asia and addition Oceania.
Of the announced captains, Jimmy Gatete will be leading football legends from South and Central Africa.
Siewe Fred, the President of International Federation of Veteran Football (FIFVE) and Chairman of VCWC thanked students who attended the event.
He equally commended veterans for their participation in preparations for the VCWC.
Cameroonian Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso extolled organizers of the event noting that it is an opportunity to share experiences.
He urged the youth to prepare their future instead of leaning to shortcuts if they are to become successful.
From 12th to 14th October 2022, football veterans were in Kigali for ‘LEGENDS IN RWANDA NATIONAL KICKOFF”. The latter is a promotional tour that seeks to promote the 2024 Veteran Clubs World Championship to attract global participation.
Legends who met in Kigali were Rwandan Jimmy Gatete; Cameroonians Roger Milla and Patrick Mboma; Senegalese Khalilou Fadiga; Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe as well as French nationals Lilian Thuram and Laura Georges.
The promotional tour was later taken to Doha, Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.
VCWC is the largest sporting event ever bringing together veterans. The tournament will bring together 150 football legends facing off in 20 games.
The country also expects to benefit from the tournament through forums and numerous partner events that will bring in over 5000 international visitors.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, she was received by the UK High Commissioner in Rwanda, Omar Daair and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation, Clementine Mukeka.
Braverman arrived in Kigali onboard RwandAir aircraft from London.
The deal signed in 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
Braverman visits Rwanda at a time when the country is facing criticisms for the deal to deport migrants to Rwanda.
UK explains that Rwanda is a safe country where migrants and asylum seekers can enjoy a dignified life.
The assessment conducted by the United Kingdom indicated that the first batch of migrants might be deported to Rwanda in 2024.
Through the deal signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Braverman has also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi and is expected to meet with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Sources reveal that she might also meet with President Paul Kagame.
Among others, Braverman will interact with startups to discuss investment and job opportunities in Rwanda.
