The cabinet meeting held on Friday 14th October 2022, also reviewed existing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 where they remain in effect to be reviewed after one month upon a health assessment. Read the full statement below:
Tag: HomeNews
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Safety and security register highest performance in ninth edition of RGS, service delivery experiences drop
The details emerged at the launch of the 9th edition of RGS on Friday 14th October 2022.
RGS is an independent annual publication of the RGB that seeks to gauge the state of governance in Rwanda, comprehensively assesses governance in using both primary and secondary data sources.
It is mainly designed to generate credible and reliable data on governance issues, serves as practical tool that drives policy reform in the domain of governance through the identification of areas for improvement and generates actionable recommendations and to contribute to current and authentic knowledge formation about Rwanda.
Like previous editions, the research carried out in this year was entrenched on eight pillars, 35 indicators and 144 variables. The pillars include; :(1) Rule of Law, (2) Political Rights and Civil liberties, (3) Participation and Inclusiveness, (4) Safety and Security,(5) Investing in Human and Social Development, (6)Control of corruption, Transparency and Accountability, (7) Quality of service delivery, (8) Economic and corporate governance.
The CEO of RGB, Dr. Usta Kaitesi has said that the pillars are aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in resources allocation.
They are also aimed at promoting citizens’ inclusiveness and rule of law among others.
As for the overall performance of pillars, five out of eight scored 80% and above, where the Safety and Security leads with a score of 95.53% and remains the highest performing pillar since the introduction of RGS.
The Rule of Law performed at 90.81% while Political Rights and Civil Liberties registered 87.84%. The latter recorded the highest rate of increase (4.04%) compared to the 8th edition.
The pillar of Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability scored 87.31% up from 86.77% while Participation and Inclusiveness scored 87.19% from 84.19% in the previous edition.
Meanwhile, three pillars registered scores below 80%. These include Economic and Corporate Governance which scored 77.85% from 74.65% of the previous edition as well as the Quality of service delivery registered 77.69%.
Among others, the pillar of Investing in human and social development registered the lowest performance of the RGS 9th Edition with a score of 75.81%.
The Deputy Resident Representative the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda, Varsha Redkar-Palepu congratulated Rwanda for the production and launch of the 9th edition of RGS.
She stressed the need to reflect on the outcome of the RGS 9th edition, and adjust management approach to meet current needs.
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Rwanda receives 200 wheelchairs from UAE
The assistive devices were provided on the funding of different charities including Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian, International Charity Organization and Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Organization.
The handover of these wheelchairs took place on Thursday 13th October 2022 at Rilima Specialized Orthopedic Hospital managed by the Catholic Church.
UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, Hazza AlQahtani said that the donation aligns with his country’s initiatives to develop partnerships aimed at improving humans’ wellbeing.
He revealed that his country has changed the name of people with disabilities to ‘people with determination’ because they recognize their role in the development of the country.
Amb. AlQahtani explained that the donation is not driven by political or religious interests among others, but rather seeks to improve people’s lives irrespective of their background.
“The program was initiated by late President of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who emphasized that supporting other countries is among key foundations for UAE foreign policy,” he said.
Amb. AlQahtani thanked the ministry of Health for conducting advocacy and expressed optimism that the assistive devices will be helpful to ‘people with determination’.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said that Rwanda prioritizes strengthening early detection, intervention and rehabilitation of People with Disabilities and ensures availability and affordability of assistive devices to ensure that specialized medical services are available countrywide.
He commended UAE Embassy in Rwanda noting that it is an addition to other projects being discussed with the country to promote healthcare.
Minister Ngamije also expressed optimism that the discussions will yield good results.
Dr. Albert Nzayisenga, the Director General of Rilima Specialized Orthopedic Hospital which received 25 wheelchairs revealed that the assistive devices will pave the way for improved services.
Direct beneficiaries expressed delight for the donation noting that the wheelchairs will facilitate them to move easily.
Bugesera District Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Yvette Imanishimwe said that the donated 49 wheelchairs will contribute to their performance contracts.
“We have received 49 out of 150 wheelchairs we want to donate to differently abled people. We will mobilize resources to continue improving the wellbeing of this segment of the population,” she revealed.
In 2019, UAE also donated 72 wheelchairs in Kigali City.
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Kagame meets with Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua
Gachagua came to Rwanda for the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2022 taking place in Kigali.
He was among other dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony on Thursday at BK Arena.
Gachagua was hosted at Urugwiro Village on the same day after attending the summit.
President Kagame was in Kenya last month where he attended the inauguration of President William Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua. The ceremony took place on 13th September 2022.
Rwanda and Kenya enjoy cordial relations built on cooperation in the areas of justice, trade, agriculture, education, technology, telecommunication, and security among others.
Before the outset of COVID-19, 30% of Rwanda’s imports were transited through Mombasa Port.
On Thursday 13th October 2022, Kagame also met with football legends from Africa who are in the country as part of their world tour ahead of Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC) due in Rwanda in 2024.
The legends’ tour aims to uplift the next generation of professional footballers on and off the pitch.
On Wednesday 12th October 2022, the football veterans participated in the opening of ‘Legends in Rwanda’; a promotional event aimed attracting global participation during the VCWC2024.
It brought together legendary football players including Roger Milla from Cameroun, Khalilou Fadiga from Senegal, Patrick Mboma from Cameroun, Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe and French national Lilian Thuram.
The event was also attended by government officials, members of the private sector and other sports personalities.
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Africa is not a continent of problems – Kagame
The Head of State made the call on Thursday 13th October 2022 as he opened the Youth Connekt Africa Summit 2022 that brought together over 9000 young people.
Kagame was the guest of honour at the summit which was also attended by the Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua who came to Rwanda for the first time after assuming office.
He highlighted that the important forum which was launched in Rwanda ten years ago, has become a powerhouse, bringing together thousands of young people every year, to contribute solutions, and learn from each other.
“Africa is not a ‘continent of problems’. Not at all. Yes, there are problems, but where don’t you find problems? The world over, there are problems. So we have to deal with our own problems, but we are not a continent of problems. At least, we must also, and as leaders, do our part to recognize that young people are equal partners in our development agenda,” he said.
The Head of State said that leaders have a duty to listen to the youth, and work with them. He also advised young people to work hard with a purpose, because its absence of it would make their efforts futile.
“Hard work, even if it is smart work as well, without purpose, is not fulfilling. Therefore, we must also bear in mind the purpose, who we are, what we want to be, where we want to go, and all that driven in our minds by having a purpose,” he said.
“May I add that, with that purpose, you can add a little bit of discipline. Discipline guides us, measures and lets us know the excesses we have to deal with, whether personally or at the level of society,” added Kagame.
Kagame asked the young people if they ever heard someone who became a looser because of discipline and reminded them that it helps to value what a person does.
“So, let’s try it a little bit in our daily lives. It will serve us well. It helps people think, put value to every step of their way. It guides us in the right direction. Whether it is politics, is a bit of discipline. Whichever part of life, it should involve a bit of that. Of course, everything in excess has its own problems. So again, I’m saying, just try even with a little bit, and we will be where we want to be,” he noted.
The President shared Rwanda’s resilience journey. He explained that the country was at its lowest point 28 years ago but people dared to dream big, to give themselves something to look forward to, every day.
To this end, Rwandans worked hard together to overcome division, provide justice, and build prosperity.
“For the past two decades, this vision has become Rwanda’s purpose, and the reason for everything that we do. I always want to thank the people of Rwanda for their understanding and embracing these principles that have taken us this far.
Whatever your purpose, do not get discouraged by doubts. Begin by not doubting yourself. Try to overcome that, and ultimately, you, your family, your country, and our continent, will be better off for it,” Kagame said.
YouthConnekt Summit is taking place for the fifth time since 2012. It was initiated by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
This year’s edition brought together young people from 22 African countries including Rwanda.
Rwanda’s Minister of Youth, Rosemary Mbabazi thanked President Kagame for relentlessly dedicating time to interact with the youth. She requested young people to take advantage of the summit to gain knowledge helping them to transform the African continent.
UNDP Representative in Rwanda, Maxwell Gomera delivered a touching and inspiring speech where he recounted the story of his mother who used to sell tomatoes to support her family.
His mother could not get the investment she needed for her business since no one would offer such opportunities at the time “Let alone to a woman,” Gomera said.
“No bank would take a chance on her, and it failed to grow to the potential it could have.
Eventually, she had to give up on part of her dream,” he said.
He said he used to help her with her business but since she lacked the investment she needed; ‘her business stayed small, her dreams stayed small’.
Gomera emphasized that young people are facing the same challenges, just like his mother. “Like my mother, young people do not have the access they need. 42% fail to get that funding, these are the things we can solve with the right leadership.”
He proceeded to state how young people should be facilitated in getting investments to take their businesses to the next level since more than 80% in Africa do not reach the level.
The President of Senegal, Macky Sall who delivered remarks virtually said that the youth needs to be empowered as the future of the African continent.
He explained that his country allocates 26% of national budget for education and training aimed at securing the youth’s future.
The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua inspired young people attending the summit to take part in the decision making in all areas of life “Take your rightful place in decision making.”
