The elections took place on Friday 15th July 2022 in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia during the meeting of the Executive Council.
The meeting is convened twice a year in January and June or July.
The African Union adopted treaties establishing AMA in February 2019. It is expected to address challenges in the health sector particularly reinforcing the manufacturing of medicines of African continent to avoid heavy reliance on imports.
The Treaty for the Establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) entered into force as of 5th November 2021, thirty (30) days after the deposit of the 15th instrument of ratification, on the 5th of October 2021, by the Republic of Cameroon at the African Union Commission.
Rwanda ratified treaties establishing the agency on 7th October 2019.
In November 2021, seventeen (17) member states of the African Union (Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tunisia and Zimbabwe) have ratified the Treaty for the Establishment of the African Medicines Agency and deposited the legal instrument of ratification to the Commission.
At the time, Morocco had ratified the treaty but had not yet deposited the instrument of ratification.
{{About the African Medicines Agency }}
The African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty was adopted by Heads of States and Government during their 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly on 11th February 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The African Medicines Agency aspires to enhance capacity of State Parties and AU recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to regulate medical products in order to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products on the continent. AMA shall build on the efforts of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative (2009), which is led by the Africa Union Development Agency – the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
The AMRH initiative provides guidance to AU recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Health Organizations (RHOs), to facilitate harmonization of regulatory requirements and practice among the national medicines authorities (NMRAs) of the AU Member States. AMA will be the second specialized health agency of the African Union after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The official send-off event was held on Friday 15th July 2022 at RDF Headquarters in Kimihurura and presided over by the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of RDF. The event was also attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen J Bosco Kazura, Service Chiefs, Generals and Senior Officers.
Maj Gen Murasira applauded the retirees and their families for their dedication, sacrifice and noble service to the country.
On behalf of the retirees, Maj Gen Ferdinand Safari thanked the President of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force for his good leadership and guidance in shaping a strong RDF family.
He emphasised that though they are retiring, they are still attached to RDF family and will continue to work for the development of Rwanda.
The retirees were also awarded certificates in recognition for their service rendered to Rwanda Defence Force.
Quite often, people buy LPG also known as cooking gas, with inadequate or no knowledge on how to use it safely.
In other cases, those using it are reckless and do not care to observe the recommended safety tips. In such circumstances, the cylinder will release gas leading to explosion, especially when the cylinder is kept in a closed area or place with high heat.
Over the years, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Fire and Rescue Brigade (FRB) has conducted awareness campaigns targeting different groups to educate and train them on how to use the LPG safely.
On Friday, this campaign was extended to hundreds of owners and employees of restaurants and canteens in Biryogo and Gisementi car free zones as well as people operating various businesses in these areas.
Last week, a gas exploded in one of the restaurants in Biryogo car free zone.
“We educated them on the causes of gas explosion and how to avert such hazardous conditions,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Laurent Ndagijimana, the Deputy Commanding Officer for Fire and Rescue Brigade.
He added that most gas explosions are caused by human behaviours.
During these practical sessions, participants were explained on various features of gas cylinder and stove, and safety tips.
The safety tips include; never to leave the gas stove unattended when cooking, to ensure that the cylinder is in a safe space for storage with enough air, and to always open windows for minutes before lighting the stove.
They were also equipped with skills on how to use various types of fire extinguisher and fire blanket to put out fire.
General safety tips
Always ensure adequate ventilation and never use indoors or in confined spaces.
Do not connect or disconnect cylinders near a naked flame.
Always keep cylinders cool and away from flames, sparks and heat.
Always check all washers and O-rings on appliances and cylinders regularly
Never interfere with or remove the valve on any LPG cylinder
Do not turn the gas on until you are ready to light the appliance
Close the cylinder valve when appliances are not in use
Never use a flame to locate a leak – use soapy water
Regulate the burner to your needs – flames should not go beyond the edge of the cooking utensil
Keep the LPG away from children
Take time to teach your house-help on how safe to use the LPG
Always be quick to call the Fire and Rescue Brigade in case of emergency.
Among issues discussed were the benefits that RDF has registered from a partnership with International Computer Driving License (ICDL) in ICT training and skills development in Military colleges and other sectors.
They also discussed ways of strengthening existing defence cooperation between their respective defence forces and regional efforts to deal with security challenges.
Kenya is currently holding the Chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) is leading the plan to send joint regional troops to restore peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Initially, the troops will be deployed in Ituri of Northern Kivu Province and later in Southern Kivu.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group. However, Rwanda has repeatedly rejected the allegations and blamed Congolese Army for working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and shelling Rwandan territory.
The provocations left civilians injured and houses destroyed.
Preparations are underway to send the troops in DRC which has boycotted the participation of Rwandans from the joint operations.
Rwanda has however disclosed that it won’t be frustrated by the decision if the regional troops address the issue of insecurity in the area and guarantee Rwanda that there won’t be more shelling from the region.
The international art exhibition in northern Italy has brought together 40 countries including six African countries.
Nukwami is the artist with Rwandan roots sent by the Ministry of Youth and Culture.
His has different paintings depicting Rwanda’s culture and history and the artist’s journey to reconnect to his Rwandan roots.
His paintings bear different names including Agaciro (self-dignity), Amahoro (peace), Ubumuntu (humanity), Ibimanuka featuring aspects of Rwanda’s traditional religion and Kumenya which is about the transmission of knowledge from one person to another among others.
Speaking to IGIHE, Nukwami said that he discovered his identity as a child born to the couple of a Rwandan and German nationals.
As he says, the paintings keep him familiar with the culture and history as a Rwandan who spent long time abroad without reconnecting to his roots.
According to Nukwami, Agaciro was based on a research on self-dignity as the base of Rwandans’ values to build the nation.
He also painted Intore drawing an inspiration from research on what the classic warrior is.
Nukwami revealed that he got chance to return to Rwanda where he conducted research on Rwandan culture and individual research to discover his identity.
“These different paintings give me a doorway to my Rwandan culture,” he noted.
Ibigabiro is also another painting of Nukwami being showcased in the northern Italy.
It is a tree that would be planted at former King’s palace or his tomb.
He revealed that the tree has more implications of a legacy to be passed to future generations. Nukwami said that Ibigabiro helped him deeply understand Rwanda’s history.
He further revealed that his painting ‘Amahoro’ reflects how issues of global concern including refugees and asylum seekers and wars among others can be addressed if people work together. It also alludes to Rwanda’s home grown solutions to reach commendable progress despite the dark past the country endured.
Nukwami has highlighted that his artistic journey is mostly focused on sharing experiences and his memories.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Germany, Igor César is among dignitaries who attended Triennale Milano International Exhibition.
He commended Nukwami’s artworks and their implications reflecting his journey to reconnect to his Rwandan roots.
“This exhibition is held under a theme revolving around discovering new things. The ministry attached great relevance to paintings of Nukwami because they reflect our roots as Rwandans through images linking us to our traditional roots,” Igor said.
“The colonial history deprived Rwandans of many things including Rwandan identity. This expo depicts such reconnection to one’s roots and efforts to discover our identities. This artist has German and Rwandan roots. He conducted research to know his Rwandan identity. It is something that he seemed to lack to be complete,” he added.
Amb. Igor César has disclosed that Rwanda’s history and culture will continue to be showcased throughout five months of the international exhibition taking place in Italy.
The exhibition is open to public from 15th July to 11th December 2022. It is an opportunity to present issues of global concern, showcase culture, history and people’s lifestyle through arts.
Amb. Igor has encouraged Rwandans living in Milano and its surroundings to take advantage of this opportunity to visit Rwanda’s pavilion.
Rwanda has started using Paxlovid pills to treat COVID-19 after initiating implementation of the accord signed in May 2022.
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill that patients tested positive for coronavirus can take at home and lower their risk of going to the hospital.
The Accord countries include all 27 low-income countries as well as 18 lower-middle-income countries that have transitioned from low to lower-middle-income classification in the last ten years.
Initially, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda were the first five African countries which committed to join the Accord. Health officials in these countries will help identify and resolve hurdles beyond supply to inform the roll out in all 45 lower-income countries.
As of today, Rwanda has become the first country to benefit from this initiative where two-day training to health workers from different hospitals is taking place in Kigali City with a view to exchange information and share knowledge.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije has said that the training provided by experts from Pfizer is one of major steps for implementation of the accord helping Rwanda to access medicines on a not- for-profit basis.
“This training is aimed at helping our doctors from hospitals at national, provincial and district level to be equipped with knowledge and updated on prescriptions for proper use of medicaments,” he said.
Dr. Ngamije revealed that the accord also paves the way for other activities including research development, and up-skilling health care professionals.
Apart from the training, Rwanda has already received the first medicines including pills used to treat COVID-19.
“Rwanda has started receiving the first batch of medicaments. For instance, Paxlovid is being used to treat patients diagnosed with symptoms of COVID-19,” he said.
Paxlovid pill was manufactured by Pfizer. Towards the end of 2021, it was approved by the US as effective for treatment of COVID-19.
As the accord was signed this year, it was revealed that Pfizer will collaborate with participants to identify quick and efficient regulatory pathways and procurement processes to reduce the longer amount of time it can take to make new medicines and vaccines available in these countries.
Under the accord, Pfizer has committed to provide 23 medicines and vaccines that treat infectious diseases, certain cancers, and rare and inflammatory diseases.
The Jasiri Talent Investor is a one-year entrepreneurship program powered by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies (AGGP). Through the program, aspiring entrepreneurs meet equally ambitious co-founders and are supported to build thriving businesses from idea generation to venture creation.
Brian Simiyu, a 2021 Jasiri Fellow shares what he gained from the program: “Jasiri’s Talent Investor is an exceptional program that provides you with world-class facilitators who help you develop your idea, and a brains trust team who support you to assess your business opportunity case. You also get to meet co-founders and build a team to create the next market-leading innovation.”
Roselyn Marandu-Kareithi, Country Lead of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies in Kenya, emphasizes how the Jasiri Talent Investor program is a transformative journey that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Our Jasiri Talent Investor program focuses on aspiring entrepreneurs and we are committed to supporting them in transforming their ideas into impactful ventures. Are you a brave entrepreneur? We are ready to support you to achieve your dreams. Apply today and experience this remarkable journey,” she enthused.
High potential individuals who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial drive will be selected and provided with the tools, resources and guidance they need to launch high-growth ventures including funding, intensive coaching, mentoring, and linkages with industry experts.
They will first undergo an online program to introduce them to business and entrepreneurship essentials as well as industry research. Fellows will then join an intensive residential program where they will form teams, put together ideas, test and validate them.
“We are excited to open applications for our third cohort and look forward to recruiting aspiring entrepreneurs across Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia. We believe responsible entrepreneurship is at the centre of community transformation. We encourage young achievers who aspire to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations to apply,” said Aline Kabanda, the Country Director, Rwanda, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies.
To date, Jasiri has enrolled two cohorts of aspiring entrepreneurs from Rwanda and Kenya in its Talent Investor program. The second cohort of 53 fellows will start the residential part of the program in Kigali on July 5th 2022 and embark on a journey of business development.
Aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply via [{{ jasiri.org/application/}}->https://jasiri.org/application/]
{{About Jasiri}}
Jasiri invests in, nurtures, and empowers entrepreneurs who benefit society and attack poverty through the creation of high impact businesses, creating new markets on the African continent. Jasiri believes that entrepreneurial teams are at the heart of new venture creation, and provides the entrepreneur with access to a diverse group of potential co-founders. Jasiri supports new ventures from idea generation to venture creation.
It is supported by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, which takes a long-term approach to developing exceptional, responsible entrepreneurs on the African continent.
The graduation of the 10th intake was attended by senior law enforcement officers from Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
The tenth PSCSC programme comprised of three main components: a Police professional career component, which leads to the award of a Post Staff College (PSC) title; a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation by the University of Rwanda; and a post-graduate programme, which awards a post graduate diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management by the African Leadership University.
The colourful event was presided over by the Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana, who reminded the graduands that titles and awards attained should reflect on their ability to bring solutions to law enforcement challenges in their respective countries.
The graduation was also graced by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, the IGP of Namibian Police, Lt Gen Sebastian Ndeitunga, Police Commissioner for Somali Police Force (SPF), Maj Gen Abdi Hassan Mohammed; Governor Northern Province, Dancilla Nyirarugero, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Betty N, Timba from Zambia Police Service, and RNP Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza and other officials.
Thirteen senior Police officers from Namibia, six from Somalia and five Zambia have attended the PSCSC at NPC.
“Today, we are here to celebrate your achievements as well as your efforts, hard work, team spirit, commitment and resilience. I commend you for translating your wisdom into action,” Minister Gasana said.
As they celebrate the milestone, the Minister reminded them that there is still more to do, more to learn and more to achieve.
He reiterated that peace and security in countries depend on the amount of efforts deployed to prevent or disrupt crimes; minimize, manage or transform conflicts that are unavoidable in any human society.
“These efforts mostly focus on addressing the root causes of conflicts from socio-economic, political, legal, institutional and structural perspectives and where no due consideration is given to these issues, conflicts are likely to break out and escalate beyond proportion,” Minister Gasana said.
In Rwanda, he said, the Genocide against the Tutsi was a culmination of a long time unresolved issues of divisionism and discrimination followed by exclusion, bad governance, structural violence and impunity.
“In the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, we have witnessed how the promotion of collective security, unity, reconciliation, fair justice and good governance contributed to social cohesion, peace towards accelerated development,” he said.
He added that learning from this experience, it becomes apparent that leadership is at the heart of societal transformation and all endeavours towards peace, security and sustainable development.
The participation of law enforcement officers from African countries, Minister Gasana said, it is an “expression of African solidarity towards finding African solutions to African challenges and build the Africa we want.”
He further observed that this joint training venture is one of the key tools for nurturing cooperation and to foster exchange of experience, information sharing and provide a forum for designing joint strategies to respond to crime-related challenges.
The NPC Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji said that the course was highly demanding requiring high levels of self-discipline and determination to achieve the goals.
“Your positive attitude, hard-work spirit and discipline exhibited throughout the course have made possible today’s celebrations,” CP Mujiji said.
Prof. Nosa O. Egiebor, the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda (UR), congratulated the senior Police officers for the milestone and urged them to be good ambassadors.
“As you move-on to your various duty posts to take on your professional assignments as peace and security officers, you must remember that the authority entrusted on you comes with huge responsibilities to your people and society to provide exemplary leadership for the resolution of the contemporary peace, security and conflict related challenges of your time,” Prof. Nosa said.
Veda Sunassee, the CEO of African Leadership University, a new partner with the RNP Senior Command and Staff Course, expressed commitment to the sustainability and efficiency of the course.
“We are privileged to have a potential partner in Rwanda National Police… Pan-Africanism is a core identified of what we do. Thank you for entrusting us with this responsibility to deliver this leadership programme. You are one of our best and greatest partners and we look forward to a continued journey,” Sunassee said.
He added that leadership is not a destination but a path to walk.
{{Awards}}
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Peter Mwale Kalaya from Malawi was awarded for the overall best research paper.
Kenya’s SSP Fatuma Hadi Ali was the overall Best Student; SP Faustin Munyabarenzi from RNP came second while Brig Gen Abraham Dut Deng Dut from South Sudan was awarded as the third overall best student.
Atomic habits was originally published in 2018. It was written by James Clear. The book is about the different habits, how to build good habits and how to destroy bad ones in ourselves. This book can help those who have struggled with certain habits for a long time.
{{The subtle art of not giving a f * ck}}
The subtle art of not giving a f*ck was originally published in 2016 and written by Mark Manson. It is a non-fiction book about how to live a good and better life. In this book, the author shows how people are bothered by the most insignificant little things that are not worthy of our time and energy.
Mark Manson talks about how one can avoid being bothered for the less important things in life and how people should look at the world and life in a different way than they normally do.
{{The psychology of money}}
This book was published in 2020 and was written by Morgan Housel. In this book, the author discusses how one can use one’s money for profit.
He talks about financial literacy in investing, saving and how to use money on a daily basis.
{{12 rules for life}}
Written by psychologist Jordan Peterson,12 rules for life was published in 2018. In this book, the author shows that life is a balance between good and bad, chaos and order, ups and downs and highs and lows.
Peterson outlines how one can navigate all that based on his own testimony, psychological principles, ethics, human thinking, religion and more.
{{Ikigai: The Japanese secret to living a long life}}
Ikigai was published in 2016. It was written by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia. In this book, the authors describe certain Japanese lifestyles that make them live long. Currently, Japan has the highest life expectancy in the whole world.
{{The One thing}}
It is a 2012 book by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan. The book is about how one can simplify one’s workload by focusing on one important thing that ties together all the workload.
{{The third door}}
The author of this book, Alex Bayan, has followed some of the world’s most influential and successful people such as Bill Gates. He was on a quest to find how they got to be so successful.
He shares his findings in these books as a way to help others unlock the secret of their success. It was published in 2018.
{{How to stop worrying and start living}}
It is a book by Dale Carnegie published in 1948. It encourages readers to seek peace of mind and live with no worries about the future.
{{Man’s search for meaning}}
It is a book written by Viktor Frankl and published in 1946. In this book, Viktor Frankl describes his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. He explained his psychotherapeutic methods that kept him sane. He would give himself a goal and imagine its result.
He was delivering a public lecture to students of IPRC Tumba on the history of Rwanda before, during and after colonial rule as well as the struggle for its liberation.
Gen Kabarebe said that President Kagame made a lot of reforms during the Liberation Struggle, particularly encouraging them to maintain solidarity as people striving for a common goal.
Rwandans who joined the struggle had come from different countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and former Zaïre.
Gen Kabarebe revealed that President Kagame gave them a clear guidance and advised them to keep divisions at bay if they were to win.
He said that Kagame initially instilled the Rwandan spirit because the war leaves deaths, casualties likely to spark blame games as some people start complaining that they are overloaded, deployed in risky zones or on frontline.
Gen Kabarebe revealed that having common understanding among soldiers and working together to strive for shared aspirations reflect the role of a good leader who works tirelessly to prevent those intending to hold back achieved gains.
“These were our sources of strength. Even though we were few, we had a strong foundation of good leadership and positive mindsets. RPA drew its strength from a good leader, started a good fight and won. We don’t need any more governance lesson because Rwanda has a good leader,” he said.
Emmanuel Ndagijimana, one of students from IPRC Tumba revealed that the lecture inspired him to stick to the value of patriotism, keep up efforts to consolidate gains and work with others to achieve envisioned national development.
Marlene Rugambwa, another student said that the lecture gave her courage to contribute to the nation in his capacity.
