It is said that the four-star hotel located in Remera of Kigali City will have 88 rooms.
Initially, construction works began in 2015 with expectations to have it completed in 2016 at a tune of US$4 million (approximately Rwf4 billion) raised from two main sponsors including FIFA and the Moroccan football federation.
Construction works resumed on 21st August 2021, four years after suspension due to financial constraints. At the time, the first phase comprised of 40 rooms was expected to be completed by June 2022.
However, the project stalled again for six months waiting for shipment of some materials used by a Chinese firm which constructed the hotel.
Today, construction the first phase nears completion pending light works to clean the exterior, interior parts of the building and beautify the surrounding garden.
Among others, stout bars and ceramic tiles are being installed respectively on the front and back sides of the building.
The Assistant Spokesperson of FERWAFA, Jules Karangwa has told IGIHE that all works are to be completed this month and hand over the hotel to the local football governing body.
He further disclosed that the hotel’s management is going to be discussed where it will be operational before the upcoming FIFA Congress due in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda on 16th March.
The first section of the hotel built by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC Rwanda Ltd) was estimated to cost US$2.6 million. It has a ground floor and four more upper storeys.
The ground floor comprises a reception, two conference halls, two Presidential suites and two restaurants.
Construction works resumed in August 2021 after FERWAFA secured US$2.5 million from FIFA and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The US denounced the collaboration through a statement released on Wednesday 4th January 2022, few days after the publication of the report of UN Group of Experts on security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The report pointed out different things fueling insecurity in eastern DRC including the collaboration between FARDC and armed groups like FDLR and hate speeches against Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese among others.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The UN group of experts’ report released on 30th December 2022, pointed out the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR during a fighting with M23 at different times.
The coalition of FARDC and FDLR also shelled rockets on Rwandan territory at different times, which injured civilians and destroyed properties.
The US has denounced the collaboration and called on all armed groups to lay arms down.
“We denounce the collaboration between elements of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and armed groups, including FDLR, as outlined in the report. We strongly condemn attacks by multiple armed groups against UN peacekeepers, as well as the reported acts of torture, rape, and attacks against civilians by multiple armed actors which contributed to massive displacement,” reads part of the statement.
The country has also accused Rwanda of supporting M23 as highlighted in the report, and requested it to cease all support to M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC.
Rwanda has repeatedly refuted the allegations and called the fighting with M23 an internal problem of DRC which resulted from failure to implement peace accords signed in 2013.
For several months, Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese have been facing violence, torture while others were killed accused of being allies of M23.
The US has underscored concern about the worrying escalation of xenophobia and hate speech inciting violence against the Rwandophone community in the DRC which was highlighted in the report.
“We urge DRC officials to continue speaking out to condemn such discourse and to hold accountable those who employ violence,” adds the statement.
The United States also commended African-led diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes, to promote peace.
“Recognizing the leadership of the Heads of State of the East African Community and Angola, we urge Great Lakes leaders and armed actors to expedite implementation of multiple commitments to end the conflict, especially those agreed at the November 23 Luanda Mini-Summit on Peace and Security,” reads the statement.
“We expect the UN-sanctioned March 23 Movement [M23] to withdraw to the locations specified in the November 23 Luanda communiqué, and we call for all armed groups, including M23, to cease all hostilities, lay down their weapons, and join the East African Community-led Nairobi Process consultations between the DRC government and armed groups,” adds the statement.
Nairobi talks led to different resolutions including the call for armed groups cease hostilities, need for establishment of a joint committee between DRC, EAC and armed groups to expedite peace efforts.
M23 recently reiterated its commitment to withdraw from occupied areas. It has so far handed over Kibumba to the East African Regional Force (EACRF).
Prince Kid had been arrested over alleged sexual abuse against some of participants of Miss Rwanda beauty pageant, which he organized for long through his company, Rwanda Inspiration Backup.
His Defence Lawyer, Emelyne Nyembo has told IGIHE that the Prosecution has appealed against the decision of Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.
She however revealed that the court has not yet fixed the date for appeal hearing.
Prince Kid,34, was facing charges including soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment connected to sexual relations.
On 2nd December 2022, the court ruled on his release saying that the Prosecution did not present compelling evidences pinning him to alleged crimes.
Prince Kid had been incarcerated in Nyarugenge Prison located in Mageragere since 16th May 2022 prior to his release.
The Minister commended the significant improvement in the security situation in Cabo Delgado province.
He further hailed the existing cooperation between RSF, Mozambique Armed forces and SAMIM including a recent one dubbed “Operation Volcano IV” which successfully dislodged remnants of Ansar Al Sunna terrorist group in their new hideouts along Messalo River in Muidumbe and Macomia Districts.
The minister who previously served as Mozambique Army Commander during the initial counter terrorism operations with RSF in July 2021 visited a number of former terrorist’s defensive positions including Awasse and Mocimboa da Praia commercial port.
The Minister of Local Government Jean Claude Musabyimana presided over the pass-out of the 6th DASSO basic training course.
The event was also attended by provincial governors, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza and district mayors.
Minister Musabyimana, who congratulated the new DASSO personnel upon successful completion of the three-month course, reminded them of the administrative and security duties that awaits them.
“We all know the meaning of security and what it requires to sustain it…as a backbone to what the country has achieved, without which there is no development, no governance and people’s wellbeing,” the Minister said.
Thus, he added, any tasks that supplement safety and security are accorded due attention and at any cost.
The Minister reminded the DASSO graduands that their new duties in their respective districts require dedication and commitment while working with the people, in compliance with the law.
He further urged them to keep in mind that security is a wide aspect. “It is not about assault and violence; it is also about ensuring that all children go to school, addressing concerns of the people and providing quality services.”
Minister Musabyimana told the DASSO to add value to poverty alleviation programmes, community sanitation and hygiene, protecting public infrastructure, fighting stunting, illicit drugs, child labour, corruption, and environmental degradation.
In the execution of their new tasks, the Minister said that integrity, commitment, discipline, ethics, team work, and honest will define their professional character and trust by the people.
He pledged the government’s commitment to professionalize the administrative security organ and to further improve the welfare of DASSO personnel.
The PTS Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti said that during the nine weeks, participants covered, among others, duties and responsibilities of DASSO, martial arts, foot drills, skills at arms, First Aid, drills and duties, and community policing.
Throughout the period of the training, he added that the DASSO graduands were dedicated, committed and disciplined adding that they are ready for service.
CP Niyonshuti urged them to maintain the same spirit of patriotism in their new career and to serve the people and the country selflessly.
Two of the suspects identified as Justin Nsabimana, 36, and Jackson Niyonsaba, 33, were arrested on Tuesday, January 3, in Gitima Village of Tyazo Cell in Muhanga Sector following information provided by residents.
The duo was at the time found in possession of 160,000 pieces of plastic bags, concealed in two sacks.
Also arrested is one Jean Damascene
Samvura, 43, a resident of Kagoma Village, Buramba Cell in Gahunga Sector, Burera District, who is said to be the major trafficker and supplier of the polythene bags, mainly in the Northern and Southern provinces.
The fourth member of the same ring identified as Thomas Habanabakize, 35, was also arrested recently with at least 30 pieces of plastic bags.
While speaking to the media in Muhanga District on the separate successful operations, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the arrest of Habanabakize, recently, and good collaboration with the public, unearthed further information on members of the group and how they operate.
“This further led to the arrest of Nsabimana and Niyonsaba in Muhanga and recovered a house in Tyazo Cell, which was being used as store for sacks of plastic bags, and where two sacks containing 160,000 pieces of plastic bags were found and the two suspects arrested at the scene ” said CIP Habiyaremye.
He added that residents has also reported of likely criminal dealings at the same house, which was always closed during the day only opened at night by people carrying suspicious luggage.
“Following the arrest of Nsabimana and Niyonsaba, they named Samvura as the supplier, who also rented the same house in Tyazo to store plastic bags before supplying other traders. Samvura was arrested at another house in Burera, which was his first storage after sneaking the polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda and where plastic bag packaging boxes were also found,” CIP Habiyaremye explained.
The duo further disclosed that they trafficked the plastic bags from Samvura”s first store in Burera to Muhanga and intended to use other remote routes to deliver them to a trader in Huye District, whom they identified as Edison Twahirwa, yet to be arrested.
Those arrested were handed over to RIB for further investigations.
CIP Habiyaremye, who thanked those who reported the illegal acts, warned of the ill-effects of plastic bags on the environment and cautioned dealers and traders against the unlawful acts.
Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.
In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items
The statement banning the products was signed on 30th November 2022 by the Director General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenue after an assessment that detected poor standards in companies that produce and distribute the herbal medicines.
The banned drugs include ‘Dawa ya Kupanua Uume’ used to enlarge the pennis and ‘Ngetwa 3’ used to treat various diseases. They are all manufactured in Tanzania.
Rwanda FDA has also banned ‘Delay Spray for Men’, a drug containing Vitamin E that is also used for penis enlargement.
“Apart from being substandard, these drugs can have adverse effects to users. It is under this context that all related advertising activities are prohibited,” reads the statement in part.
Rwanda FDA requested retailers of the drugs to stop buying and return them to suppliers.
Wholesalers have been also urged to register all quantities of returned drugs and provide a report to Rwanda FDA.
All producers, suppliers and retailers of herbal medicines are encouraged to apply for licensing at Rwanda FDA and register their products portfolio before starting operations.
They also consider the situation as Genocide and estimate the number of civilians who lost lives throughout the 26 years of insecurity. Some of them estimate the number of victims to be between six and ten million.
The heated debate was triggered by the resurgence of M23 rebel group towards the end of 2021, which continues to capture different areas in DRC.
Opinion leaders in DR Congo rushed to accuse Rwanda of backing the rebel group, and took the advantage of it to blame the neighboring country for lives lost over the past years based on the fact that Rwanda is among countries that supported AFDL of Laurent Desire Kabila in 1996 to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko.
Since then, Congolese have been blaming Rwanda for their country’s security problems claiming that it should be held accountable for the deaths of civilians in the country which is home to over 130 armed groups.
In June 2022, DRC’s Representative to the United Nations, Georges Nzongola Ntalaja told the UN Security Council that there is a US agency dubbed ‘Internal Rescue Committee’ which indicated that over six million Congolese died since 1998 due to Rwanda’s invasion.
The report pointed out by Nzongola, focused on civilians who died during conflicts that mired DRC from 1998 to 2007.
However, it did not indicate that the civilians were killed by Rwanda. As it was reported in 2020 by La Liberation, a news medium based in French, the figures were largely disputed over applied methodology.
{{Falsehoods on the numbers of civilians killed in RDC}}
It is no doubt that there is a large number of civilians who died since 1998 under what is considered as the second Congolese war. As of today, consequences of the chaos still lead to the deaths of many in eastern part of DRC through armed groups.
DR Congo registers more than 130 armed groups operating in eastern part of the country. They are either run by Congolese or foreigners and are responsible for killings of civilians in controlled areas.
Even though a large number of civilians lost lives during the unrest, claiming to know the exact number of deaths would be a mistake because DRC itself does not know the precise number of its population.
DR Congo which is among the largest African countries, conducted the latest population census in July 1984 during the leadership of Mobutu Sese Seko.
The figures are still considered today. They are reduced or increased depending on various reasons that do not depict the correct numbers of the country’s population.
The country currently indicates that it is populated by 100 million but does not have records of their particulars.
The country does not have a recognized identity card where people are only identified by voters’ cards which are not released in transparency as they are owned by people from different countries.
The only identity card Congolese have ever owned was issued at the leadership of Mobutu Sese Seko and expired and 1997.
The Congolese National Identification Agency (ONIP) also admits that Congolese do not have identity cards and considers it a serious problem.
It was highlighted in September 2021 by the Director General of ONIP, Ilunga Ntumba Richard who disclosed that it is time for nationals to own identity cards.
“As of today, over 100 million Congolese do not have identity cards […] When there are no organized civil registration processes, a person can mature and die without being noticed,” he said.
It is hard to announce the correct figures given that the country has no reliable records of its population, birth places, dates and parents.
The fact that there is no structured system to keep records of all citizens makes it difficult to establish genuine figures of births and deaths.
Grass root leaders in the country register births and deaths but it is important to note that infrastructures including hospitals are scarce. This reduces the number of women delivering at health facilities where new births can be recorded and puts at risk the lives of many who might die at home over lacking access to health services.
Another issue of concern is how DR Congo can confirm the exact number of civilians killed by over 130 armed groups yet most of them operate in forests and other areas out of government’s control?
In 2008, Belgian researchers, Louis Lohlé-Tart and André Lambert conducted a probe on the number of people who might have died in Congo between 1998 and 2004.
It was carried out on the funding of the European Union. At the time, the researchers reported that the number of civilians who lost lives during clashes does not exceed 200,000.
