The first stage of this year’s edition held for the 15th time saw riders setting off from Kigali Golf Resort & Villas to cross the finishing line in Rwamagana District.
Vernon emerged winner of the first stage held on Sunday 19th February 2023 after making a breakaway from the peloton in few meters before reaching the finishing line.
Emilien Jeannière riding for TotalEnergies emerged second followed by Mulueberhan Henok of Green Project Bardiani cycling team and Fiorelli Filipo from the same team.
This year’s race is the fifth edition since Tour du Rwanda was upgraded to UCI 2.1 category in 2019.
Moïse Mugisha riding for Team Rwanda, was the top performing Rwandan Munyarwanda where he was the 21st to cross the finishing line clocking the same time used by other riders in his peloton.
Other riders in the same peloton include Masengesho (Team Rwanda), Muhoza Eric (Bike Aid) and Bigirimana Jean Nepo (May Stars).
British national Chris Froome from Israel-Premier Tech participating in Tour du Rwanda for the first time emerged 44th.
Tour du Rwanda 2023 will continue on Monday 20th February 2023 with the second stage from Kigali Car Free Zone to Gisagara district covering 132.9 kilometers.
At 93 riders are participating in this year’s race.
They were found in Mashyiga stream where they were mining cassiterite, in Nyakiguma, Birambo cell of Gashari sector.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that the duo was reported by area residents.
“Police had information about a group of people that conduct these illegal mining activities in Mashyiga stream, especially at night, destroying the environment and causing soil erosion.
Police and other members of security organs arrested two of them on Saturday, at about 02a.m, although their accomplices managed to flee in the process,” said CIP Rukundo.
Those arrested were handed over to RIB at Gashari station for further legal process.
CIP Rukundo warned against such a illegal mining activities and acts of environmental degradation, which are also risky to those involved.
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.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to 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.
The plan seeks US$605 million to support Congolese refugees who have found safety in neighbouring countries across the Southern and Great Lakes regions. It also aims to provide support to their local host communities.
More than one million Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers are hosted across the African continent, the majority in Uganda (479,400), Burundi (87,500), United Republic of Tanzania (80,000), Rwanda (72,200), Zambia (52,100), the Republic of the Congo (28,600) and Angola (23,200).
Uganda remains the largest host country of refugees from the DRC on the African continent. In 2022 alone, attacks by armed groups in eastern DRC led to the exile of some 98,000 refugees to Uganda, where a total of almost half a million Congolese refugees are now hosted.
Settlements and camps have reached or exceeded capacity in many refugee host countries, and available basic services such as healthcare, water and sanitation are either stretched to their limits or too costly. Food insecurity is a growing concern as people struggle to afford necessities due to rising prices linked to the impacts of the conflict in Ukraine.
A statement released today reads that UNHCR and partners are calling on the international community to ensure continued support for these generous host countries, so vulnerable refugee populations can be provided with protection, shelter, food, health, education, and other basic services.
“In addition to emergency assistance, the 2023 RRRP seeks to promote economic self-reliance and resilience for refugees and vulnerable host communities. It will focus on youth- and women-led initiatives to reduce dependence on assistance,” adds the statement.
A fragile socioeconomic and political context – exacerbated by the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – combined with continuous insecurity due to recurring attacks by non-state armed groups, intercommunal violence, and serious human rights violations are limiting opportunities for displaced people to return to their homes and former livelihoods. These drivers are expected to cause continued flows of refugees into neighbouring countries in 2023.
Inside the DRC, more than 5.8 million women, men, girls and boys are internally displaced by conflict. In the eastern provinces, where more than 132 non-state armed groups operate, the majority of the displaced are hosted in warehouses, schools, churches or within host communities. Since March 2022, at least 521,000 people have been forced to flee in North Kivu Province alone.
Amb. Gatete made the disclosure on Thursday as he attended the committee briefing by the Group of Experts on the DRC which released a report towards the end of 2022.
The report was published amidst problems facing the country including the fighting between Congolese Army (FARDC) and M23 rebel group as well as the violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, particularly of Tutsi ethnicity.
Amb. Gatete reminisced on violence in the country that has seen over 80,000 Congolese fleeing to Rwanda.
Since November 2022, Rwanda has been receiving at least more than 100 Congolese refugees every day.
“The narrative by DRC thus far is that Rwanda is the aggressor, and DRC is the perpetual victim. This is in spite of the fact that DRC lacks political commitment to implement the existing agreements and regional mechanisms, including the Luanda Roadmap and the Nairobi Process,” he said.
Considering the situation, Amb. Gatete called on the international community for action.
“It’s now time for the international community to recognize the plight of the Congolese Tutsi and take decisive action to hold accountable all those responsible to save millions of lives currently at stake in Congo,” he noted.
“The international community’s silence means a direct endorsement of atrocity crimes against these people,” he added.
Amb. Gatete reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to regional mechanisms and dialogue towards security in the region and called for decisive action to finally take place.
Figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Rwanda chapter, indicate that 4,176 Congolese sought refuge in Rwanda between November 2022 and 1st February 2023.
They are accommodated in Mahama camp and transit centers of Kijote and Nkamira in the districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu.
The majority of these refugees are from Northern Kivu Province in the regions of Masisi and Rutshuru.
BPR Bank was established in 1975 in Kabarondo as people’s bank and later opened branches in different parts of the country.
The goal was to enhance access to financial services among citizens. Members paid contributions and bought cheque books to help them in cash deposits and withdrawal transactions.
The founding members and those who joined the bank until 2007, became shareholders following the merger of operations across all branches and reforms that saw the former financial institution which operated as savings and credit cooperative becoming a commercial bank.
Apart from the reforms, BPR was sold to various firms namely RaboBank, Atlas Mara and most recently, KCB Bank.
The latest acquisition saw the bank changing its name to BPR Bank Rwanda Plc. KCB owns 87.56% shares in the bank while shareholders have 12.44%.
Some shareholders say that they do not have information on the state of their shares, profit and decisions taken at different times.
Speaking during the presentation of resolutions reached by the Quarterly Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee on Thursday 16th February 2023; the Central Bank Governor, John Rwangombwa said that the issue of BPR shareholders is set to be addressed.
“Some shareholders owning 17% have been identified. […] After acquiring BPR recently, KCB gave interested shareholders the option of buying their shares as the case for Atlas Mara,” he said.
Rwangombwa disclosed that there are many shareholders who could not be traced yet their shares are still valid. Announcements have been placed encouraging owners to declare their shares.
“We have set the deadline to address the issues this year. Shares belonging to those who will not have made declarations, will be kept in government’s coffers for abandoned properties. Meanwhile, others are available and work with new investors,” noted Rwangombwa.
On the recent hindrances that saw BPR clients struggling to withdraw their money, Rwangombwa explained that it resulted from system upgrade to streamline services.
He disclosed that the integration of the banks into one organization and transition from the former core banking system led to service interruptions.
Apart from the delay in cash withdrawals, Rwangombwa assured that clients’ funds are safe noting that the issues have been almost addressed.
The foundation stone for construction of the complex building in Kibungo town was laid on Thursday 16th February 2023 during a ceremony graced by Eastern Province Governor, Emmanuel Gasana.
The first phase of the project will be comprised of one-storey building with 20 rooms to be completed at a tune of over Rwf500 million.
Similar building with the same number of rooms is also expected to cost over Rwf500 million in the second phase.
The Chairperson of the Private Sector Federation in Ngoma District, Oreste Habakurama has disclosed that the building is a joint project by traders grouped in Ngoma Investment Group.
“As members of the private sector, we have realized that it is our responsibility to improve the magnificence of this town. That is why we concerted efforts to build this structure,” he said.
Habakurama said that the first phase will be completed within one year. He explained that the study plan for the second phase is underway.
Governor Gasana thanked members of the private sector in Ngoma and assured government’s support to ensure successful implementation of the project.
The man was detained on Wednesday 15th February 2023 in Rwabarema Village, Cyarubare Cell of Kabare Sector.
IGIHE has learnt that the five boys are respectively aged 13,15 (2),17 and 19. The victims testify that the suspect sodomized them at different times with threats that disclosing it would put their lives in danger.
The victims suffered from complications that led to the identification of the suspect after six months.
The executive secretary of Kabare Sector, Longin Gatanazi has confirmed to IGIHE that the man was arrested over defiling boys.
“He is a 34-year old man who has been working as a mason coming from Northern Province. We realized that the man has been defiling the boys for six months luring them with Sambusa, sugar canes, money and other seductions.
One of the victims started suffering from anus, failed to sit and caught diarrhea prompting his parent to report the issue to local leaders,” he said.
Gatanazi revealed that the parent reported the case during a meeting whereby other residents claimed that there is a man who has been defiling their children and demanded justice.
As he said, the detained suspect denies the accusations.
The Exercise is primarily based at the school of Infantry Isiolo, in Kenya with other field training exercises concurrently running in Djibouti, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda.
Rwanda received a Level Two Hospital that involves 150 military personnel including 126 from Rwanda and 24 from Armenia, Czech Republic, Kenya and USA.
The Level Two Hospital was established in Gako, Bugesera District and will be conducting medical outreach activities and aerial medical evacuation as part of the Exercise.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, RDF also sent 44 military personnel to Kenya.
The JA23 is a multinational exercise that brought together US – Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (STAF-AF) and 18 countries with 800 military participants from 4 continents to increase partner readiness capacity for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.
Kagame arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday 16th February. The summit is expected to be held between 18th and 19th February 2023.
The 36th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the AU is organized by the African Union Commission (AUC).
The opening ceremony of the AU Summit will take place in the presence of the leadership and officials of the AU Commission, Ministers and Ambassadors from the AU Member States, officials of AU organs and offices and partners.
President Kagame is also expected to attend meetings of heads of state on security situation eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
It will come after the previous one on security problems in DRC held on 4th February 2023 in Burundi.
The Heads of State and Government at their 36th Ordinary Session are expected to consider among others, the draft agenda, draft decisions and declarations of the Assembly for adoption, submitted by the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held prior to the summit on 15 and 16 February 2023.
The summit will also examine strategic status report of their session such as the Report on the Institutional Reforms of the AU to be presented by President Paul Kagame, the Report on the activities of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the state of peace and security in Africa, the Report on global political, financial and energy policy governance, to be presented by Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and the Report on global food crisis.
Reports of Heads of State and Government committees of the Assembly notably, the Reports of the forum of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism APRM forum) by Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the African peer review mechanism (APRM) , the Report of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee , and the Report of the AU Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the UN Security Council, will also be considered during the summit.
Reports of the Leaders on specific thematic issues such as the Annual Report of the AUC Chairperson including the Champions reports, the report on the African Union response on Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, by Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and AU Champion for the Covid-19 pandemic response, Report on the evaluation of the First-Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) by Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and the report on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger and leader on AfCFTA, including the report of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), will also be discussed during the summit, before concluding on the adoption of the date and venue of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and the date and venue of the 5th Mid-Year Coordination meeting.
Among the high moment during the summit will be the appointment of the Director General of Africa CDC and the appointment of One (1) Member of the AU Board of External Auditors, for the Two-Year Term, 2022 and 2023
The trio include a taxi-moto operator, who was intercepted along Nyabihu-Ngororero highway transporting 4134 pellets of cannabis.
Two others are suspected traffickers and suppliers, according to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).
“The hired transporter, a taxi-moto operator, was intercepted at about 11a.m, by the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (ASOC) unit, in Mukamira sector along Nyabihu-Ngororero highway after it was tipped off by some members of the public,” CIP Rukundo said.
He added: “The motorcyclist later disclosed another man, a trader in Bigogwe Sector, who have him the very severe narcotic drugs to deliver them to a client in Muhanga District. The said trader was also located and arrested at a bar in Bigogwe alongside another man, who is also suspected to be a member of the same ring.”
Police also recovered packaging products at the trader’s home in Kibingi village, kijote cell in Bigogwe Sector, which they were using to pack cannabis in small rolls.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Jenda station for further investigations.
The taxi-moto operator said that he was hired for Rwf100,000 to deliver the narcotics to someone in Muhanga.
“Law enforcement organs are still searching for other members of the rackets, including their retailing clients.”
CIP Rukundo lauded the residents, who facilitate security operations to break chains of supply.
Trafficking and selling very severe narcotic drugs in Rwanda attracts an imprisonment of between 20 years and life, under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda.
