For the last 2 days, RDF medical officers led by Lt Col Vincent Mugisha, the Chief of Civil Military Relations, along with TPDF medical officers have jointly treated 625 patients at Bagamoyo Hospital, 60 km, north of Dar es Salaam.
They provided free treatment in Dermatology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Ophthalmology and Dentistry.
On Tuesday, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania, Maj Gen Charles Karamba visited RDF medical contingent involved in the EAC CIMIC week at Bagamoyo Hospital. After touring different departments, he hailed excellent work being done by the joint teams and urged the civilian and Armed Forces medical teams to continue performing to the best of their ability with the available resources.
While launching the exercise at Bagamoyo Hospital on 29th August 2022, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Air Force Commander, Maj Gen Shabani Mani emphasised that the CIMIC Week aims at enhancing cooperation and good relations between EAC Armed Forces and citizens.
This is the 4th EAC Armed Forces CIMIC Week involving military medics from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Similar events in the past have been held in Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya in 2018, 2019 and 2021 respectively.
The ceremony will be held this Wednesday, August 31, at Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College, Windhoek.
On Tuesday, August 30, IGP Munyuza took part in a procession in the capital Windhoek, conducted by Namibian Police Force as part of the events organized to bid farewell to Lt. Gen. Ndeitunga, who is retiring after 17 years as Inspector General.
The procession was, therefore, organized for the outgoing IGP to bid farewell to the general public and to introduce the incoming Police Chief to Namibians.
Earlier on, IGP Munyuza met with both the outgoing and incoming Police Chiefs at the Namibian Police Force headquarters in Windhoek.
The interaction was also attended by the Namibian Deputy IGP for Administration, Maj. Gen. Anna-Marie Nainda, commissioners and senior officers of the Namibian Police Force.
Rwanda and Namibian Police forces have enjoyed cordial relations in different policing aspects, since 2015.
During this period, the two Police institutions have cooperated mainly in training programmes.
So far, 15 Namibian senior Police officers have graduated from the Police Senior Command and Staff Course (PSCSC) at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District. One Senior Police officer is also part of the ongoing 11th intake of the PSCSC.
Two other junior officers completed their Police Cadet training in Rwanda.
On the other hand, Namibian Police Band instructors trained the RNP band.
Fighting these non-biodegradable products is, therefore, part of Rwanda National Police’s (RNP) day-to-day operations in partnership with local authorities and the general public.
In an operation conducted on Sunday, August 28, Police in Nyagatare District arrested one Angelique Mukeshimana, 44, in Gikukuru Village, Kabuga Cell of Karama Sector in possession of 110 cartons (22, 000 pieces) of polythene bags.
Mukeshimana was apprehended as she sneaked the plastic bags into Rwanda from Uganda, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Region.
“Police was tipped-off by a resident about Mukeshimana, who was trafficking plastic bags from Uganda through a porous border in Mukoki.
An operation was conducted and the suspect was apprehended in Kabuga cell with 110 cartons of plastic bags,” said SP Twizeyimana.
Mukeshimana was at the time heading to Ngarama to supply traders there.
SP Twizeyimana warned traders against selling and using the banned polythene bags, which pose ill-effects on the environment.
Use of non-biodegradable polythene bags is by prohibited in Rwanda under 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.
Article 3 prohibits manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
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 campaign coincided with a community work in the district that saw residents, local leaders, security officials, partners and mining companies joining efforts to create diversions for water drainage and plant anti-erosion trees.
The Mayor of Rulindo District, Judith Mukanyirigira requested residents and mining companies to scale up efforts aimed at enhancing soil conservation.
“Nowadays, we are losing large quantities of soil due to erosion. We call upon land owners to create diversions for water drainage; plant trees and grasses to prevent erosion as it washes away the top layer of the fertile soil,” she said.
Mukanyirigira also urged illegal miners to stop such activities lest they face the law.
“Illegal mining is not only illegal but also puts individuals’ lives at risk. Residents must shun such practices and engage in other income generating activities,” she added.
Some of miners also expressed willingness to take the leading step to prevent erosion and minimize threats to the natural resource upon which a large segment of the population forces meal.
“All these rivers flowing into Nyabarongo through this area have their sources at the bottom of hills with steep slopes. We are building terraces to help us catch the soil and restore the area by planting trees. Fighting erosion is not the work of an individual but rather requires collective efforts because it has adverse effects the entire community,” said Sam Ryumugabe, an employee working with a mining company dubbed Trinity Metals which runs operations in Rulindo and Rwamagana.
Residents from Ntarabana Sector where the activity was held on Saturday 27th August 2022, pledged to scale up efforts to preserve land of the hills to contain erosion.
“Previously, there were no trees planted on these hills. The rain water would often wash away the soil and submerge our crops in farmlands along the banks of River Rusiga. The river also used to wash away our soil during floods. We have owned this problem that we feel motivated to intensify efforts to preserve these hills and monitor people carrying out illegal mining in these areas,” noted Jean Marie Vianney Furaha.
These viewpoints are underscored by visually impaired persons who completed university studies and underwent massage therapy training after failing to secure a job.
The training is offered by Seeing Hands Rwanda, an non-governmental organization with a mission to improve the social and economic wellbeing of people with visual impairments and their families.
The organization meets the goals by training them on massage therapy, providing jobs and other forms of support.
Beth Gatonye, the founder and legal representative of Seeing Hands Rwanda says that the idea surfaced after realizing how many of people with visual impairments lead hard life owing to rejection by some employers regardless of their academic background.
As she says, the organization was created with a view to increase employment opportunities specifically through training to provide high quality professional massages to members of the community.
The massage therapy provided by visually impaired persons was introduced in 2017 even though many would not trust their services initially.
Despite societal bias, Gatonye sees their potential in a different perspective. If they are well trained, Gatonye attests that visually impaired persons can work as professionals that offer high quality services that some of people with normal eyes can’t do.
Considering the extent at which trained individuals offer massage therapy with great perfection, Gatonye stresses the need to break barriers hampering opportunities for persons with visual impairments to unleash their potential because ‘disability is not inability’.
She explains that most employers focus on their disability side, hence prompting them to question their productivity at work.
“When you are visually impaired, other parts of the body develop strong capacity. These persons working here are visually impaired but their hands can see. They can make money using their own hands. They are very professional in massage therapy. They are never distracted at work and use their time efficiently,” said Gatonye.
Considering their courage and professionalism at work, Gatonye observes that disability should not be an excuse for employers to reject people with visual impairments.
Josiane Mukayiranga started working with Seeing Hands Rwanda in 2019 after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Rwanda.
“I learnt that this organization receives visually impaired persons for training on massage therapy for free. I was a fresh graduate from the University of Rwanda but had not yet got a job. I acquired all the necessary techniques within six months because we learn by doing,” she revealed.
Mukayiranga says that she has learnt different techniques and continues to upgrade her skills.
They do not have regular clients but their job helps them meet basic needs in daily life.
“Many people have not yet understood the relevance of massage. We do not receive clients regularly yet increasing income has to go hand in hand with clientele. However, this profession which is not unusual helps us survive,” she affirms.
Ruth Iradukunda, is a graduate from the School of Journalism at the University of Rwanda. She joined Seeing Hands Rwanda six months ago.
Even though the profession doesn’t generate huge amounts of money, Iradukunda says, it helps them become self-reliant and meet basic needs instead of begging.
“We do not earn handsome income but the impact of what we do goes beyond meeting our basic needs to extend support to our families. However, some of our clients still have primitive understanding that visually impaired people cannot perform any activity successfully,” she discloses.
“There are people harbouring negative mindsets that people with visual impairment can’t do anything. Other parts of the body complement each other to perform a particular task. That mother has proved that our hands have a great potential in providing for a visually impaired person and others,” adds Iradukunda.
{{Long journey ahead}}
Gatonye says that she has trained 50 persons including 10 university graduates who had no jobs.
She emphasizes that lacking job opportunities after graduation, discourages their brothers and sisters from advancing their education.
Gatonye also reveals that the organization has got connections with new partners to train beneficiaries on detecting breast cancer which she believes will increase opportunities for visually impaired persons who seem to be isolated in the community.
It is uneasy to teach a visually impaired person because it requires much practice and rehearsals. However, Gatonye explains that they learn fast as they are not exposed to many distractions. Within two years, she said, they can master different techniques of massage.
Part of generated income is shared among beneficiaries while the rest is used to pay teachers and buy equipment in case they do not receive funds from donors.
Gatonye urges the general public to avoid primitive understanding and stop stigmatizing people with visual impairment because they deserve a dignified life and respect like other members of the community.
The negative mindsets toward such people, she says, has seen some people denying them some services. She points out some cases where motorcyclists refuse to give them a ride with assumptions that they don’t have money to pay. Among others, Gatonye said that some landlords do not accept people with visual impairments yet they have money.
Gatonye discloses that she was isolated at different times over working with visually impaired people and requests people to shun such negative mindsets.
“There are instances when I was denied a house for rent because I work with visually impaired people. We have graduates from journalism but no one accepts to give them an employment opportunity. We have ICT professionals but no one trusts them,” she noted.
The issue was also pointed out by Callixte Ikuzwe. He is visually impaired but studied Assistive Technology used by people living with disability.
He currently works with Seeing Hands Rwanda.
“You can hardly find someone to trust you in the society. People only see you in the aspect of disability. In some cases, employers let you sit for job entry exam but with much worries. Mindsets are still primitive. People think that people with disability can only work with organizations giving priority to these persons. It should not be taken into that perspective because they are able to contribute to national development in different ways,” said Ikuzwe.
He requested the government to up efforts aimed at advancing inclusion of persons living with disabilities at the labour market.
Courses at Seeing Hands Rwanda begin at 9:00 a.m. When a client needs services, one of trainees designated on rotational basis is obliged to stop class and attend to him or her.
They go for break at 1:00 p.m. and return to class at 2:00 p.m.
Due to limited resources, beneficiaries are not accommodated the center that they return home at 4:00 p.m. everyday.
The nation’s largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), gained 43.95 percent of the total votes cast, said the CNE.
According to the final results, the MPLA won 124 of the 220 National Assembly seats. The UNITA finished second with 90 seats in parliament.
In accordance with the Angolan constitution, the top candidate of a political party that wins the most votes is elected as president.
Those arrested include one Rusungu Maula, 30, a driver of the truck, in which they were trafficking the narcotics.
Other two, who were also aboard the same truck, which was transporting bags of cement, are Bonaventure Niyonkuru, 27, and Zebron Ntegerejimana, 20.
The Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, said that the trio had covered the narcotics with bags of cement.
“They had concealed 22.7kgs of cannabis in a bag of cement and covered with other bags of cement. Good enough, Police had prior information and a checkpoint was mounted in Birogo along Rusizi-Nyamasheke highway where the vehicle was intercepted and the three people taken into custody.
Police also recovered another bag expected to be of cement, stashed with second-hand clothes,” CIP Rukundo said.
Ntegerejimana allegedly hired Rusungu and his co-driver Niyonkuru to smuggle the narcotics and second-hand clothes from Kamurehe Cell of Gashonga Sector.
They have been handed over to RIB at Kamembe station for further investigations.
“Drug traffickers are arrested almost everyday, and that should be a strong warning that if you are still engaged in these high impact crimes, you will also be arrested to face the law,” CIP Rukundo warned.
He hailed the impact of community policing in identifying and reporting drug dealers in communities, their syndicates, routes and tricks used by drug dealers and other prohibited goods.
As secondary students are preparing to go back to school soon, SKOL has launched the second edition of the scholarship program to allow more students who are eligible to enroll and benefit from it.
The scholarship program supported 59 students who are in secondary schools and 6 students attending university in the first year.
One of the employees who benefited from this program said: “The scholarship provided by SKOL has covered the total amount of the school fees that I was supposed to pay for my three kids. This allowed me to save that amount and invest it in order to develop my family. I am thankful to my employer for having thought about this great initiative.”
The scholarship program was launched to harness and nourish the capabilities that lie within the Rwandan youth, particularly SBL Employees’ Children and contribute to their education and skills development. SKOL Brewery Management and Mrs. Relecom are very happy to see its impact only one year after its launch.
The incident happened in Munini Village of Kabona Sector in the afternoon of Sunday 28th August 2022.
It is said that the old man went to graze cows early in the morning and retuned home around 12:00 noon.
According to sources, the old man sent his daughter to buy items at Muyira business center and found the father hanging as she returned.
The Executive Secretary of Rusebeya Sector, Janvier Ntihinyurwa has told IGIHE that the old man may have committed suicide even though the reason behind taking his life remains unknown.
“It is apparent that he climbed onto a ladder, wrapped his neck with a rope made from a mosquito net and jumped. We found the ladder around his body,” he said.
Residents have been urged to report their problems to local leaders for assistance instead of considering suicide.
Rwanzegushira is survived by a wife and four children. His body was taken to Murunda Hospital for postmortem before burial.
The new students will be pursuing Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) degree in Project Management.
Speaking at the admission day event held on Friday 26th August 2022, the Vice Chancellor of Kepler College, Prof Baylie Damtie Yeshita said that courses to be offered under this program will equip students with knowledge, skills and attitude that are highly needed at the labour market.
“Kepler College shall focus on offering academic programs at the intersection of technology and management inline with the labor market needs in Rwanda and the region.The main defining and unique feature of Kepler College’s pedagogy is learn by doing; students are presented with case studies and projects to demonstrate mastery of key competencies. Assessment at Kepler College aims at measuring students’ ability to solve a variety of work-like problems and projects instead of rote memorization,” he said.
Yeshita disclosed that all programs of the college offer industrial attachment opportunities to students and actively working with employers is a key strategy of the College for ensuring the relevance of an academic program.
He also highlighted that employment outcome is the main measure of success at Kepler College; the goal being 90% of the graduates get jobs within six months after graduation.
Kevin Marius Ikuzwe, one of new students enrolled this year expressed delight to be admitted at Kepler College noting that he was lured by Kepler’s credibility for quality education.
Shalina Agasaro Gakuba also revealed that the support Kepler extended to alumni after graduation attracted her to join Kepler College.
In April 2022, Kepler College was accredited as a fully-fledged higher education institution in Rwanda to start by offering bachelors of arts degree in project management. The College plans to open three more additional undergraduate programs over the next five years.
