Blog

Comms- banner

May 13, 2025
Comms- banner

May 13, 2025
Rwanda expands diplomatic footprint with new embassy in Hungary

The inauguration ceremony, held on Monday, was presided over by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, who is on a two-day official visit to the Central European country.

He was accompanied by the Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, and warmly received by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjártó.

The mission, which began operations in 2024, becomes a valuable addition to Rwanda’s expanding network of diplomatic missions. It is expected to play a vital role in fostering bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade, education, sports, and investment.

Speaking during the inauguration, Minister Nduhungirehe highlighted the significance of the new embassy in strengthening ties between the two nations.

“This embassy, one of the newest in Rwanda’s growing diplomatic network, reflects our efforts to expand our global engagement and build ties with like-minded partners like Hungary,” he said.

“The presence of a resident ambassador here in Budapest has already begun to bear fruit, facilitating more direct exchanges, stronger institutional ties, and meaningful collaborations across sectors.”

He added that there was strong potential to deepen cooperation through mutually beneficial projects that connect businesses and institutions in both countries.

Minister Nduhungirehe also expressed gratitude to the Hungarian government and people for their support and hospitality.

“This embassy will serve not just as a diplomatic mission, but as a bridge—fostering dialogue, encouraging innovation, and building enduring friendships between our peoples,” he said.

Boglárka Illés, Hungary’s Minister of State for Bilateral Relations, also attended the inauguration ceremony, representing Hungary’s commitment to closer ties with Rwanda.

The inauguration follows a series of high-level engagements aimed at enhancing Rwanda-Hungary relations. Earlier this month, Ministers Nduhungirehe and Mukazayire met with Zsolt Mészáros, Hungary’s Ambassador to Rwanda, in Kigali to discuss areas of mutual interest.

Ahead of the embassy opening on Monday, bilateral talks were held between Nduhungirehe and Szijjártó, where both sides reviewed the progress of existing partnerships and explored new opportunities in education, trade, and sports.

The latest engagements build on an expanding relationship anchored in 2023 when President Paul Kagame met with then-Hungarian President Katalin Novak, who had visited Rwanda.

May 13, 2025
Rwanda to launch nuclear medicine services

This state-of-the-art technology will significantly boost Rwanda’s capacity to diagnose and manage complex diseases.

Unlike traditional imaging tools, the PET scan works by injecting patients with small amounts of radioactive substances, which travel to areas of abnormal activity in the body.

This allows doctors to detect conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders at earlier and more treatable stages.

Speaking to the Parliament’s National Budget and Property Standing Committee, Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that all necessary preparations for the PET scan’s arrival have been completed.

“We are progressing with the acquisition of a PET scan machine, which is not yet available in Rwanda. We’re confident that by the end of this year, it will be here,” he stated.

To enhance healthcare service delivery, the government has already provided modern diagnostic equipment to various hospitals, including CT scans and MRI machines.

“New CT scan machines have been delivered to hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, CHUK, Kanombe Military Hospital, and CHUB, which have already begun installation and use. As for MRI machines, three will be available within the next two weeks,” the minister added.

He also mentioned that advanced medical equipment will soon be installed in provincial hospitals like Kabgayi, Kibungo, and Kibuye, helping to reduce the number of patients referred to Kigali for specialised treatment.

He confirmed that the PET scan acquisition is underway and expressed optimism that it will be in place before 2025 ends.

Nuclear medicine, the field under which PET scans fall, remains limited in many countries due to the high costs associated with the equipment.

The two primary types of nuclear imaging machines are Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), with Rwanda choosing the latter for its higher precision and diagnostic value.

The PET scan’s precision is particularly vital in treatment planning for complex cases like brain cancer, where accuracy is crucial to avoid damaging critical areas of the brain.

Currently, Rwanda’s health facilities are equipped with various imaging technologies, including X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and high-performance systems such as the Multix Impact E and Somatom go, many of which were unavailable just a few years ago.

To support these advancements, the Ministry of Health has allocated RWF 16.5 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year specifically for the procurement of advanced medical equipment.

In total, the Ministry and its affiliated institutions have been granted a budget of RWF 333.5 billion, up from RWF 330.2 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

May 13, 2025
new storykast- banner

May 13, 2025
Man arrested over suspected arson attacks at British PM’s home

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the suspect was detained on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Due to the involvement of a high-profile public figure, the Metropolitan Police’s Counterterrorism Command is leading the investigation.

The arrest follows three recent fire-related incidents in north London. Emergency services responded to reports of a fire at 1:35 a.m. local time (0035 GMT) on Monday at the entrance of a residential property in Kentish Town.

The property, believed to be owned by Starmer and rented out, suffered damage, but no injuries were reported.

Starmer lived in the house before moving to 10 Downing Street following the Labor Party’s general election victory last year.

May 13, 2025
President Kagame holds talks with key investment partners at Africa CEO Forum

President Kagame met with Amir Ben Yahmed, CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-organiser of the Africa CEO Forum 2025. Their discussions focused on the group’s growing partnership with Rwanda and preparations for the next edition of the forum, set to be held in Kigali.

In a separate meeting, President Kagame held talks with Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The two explored avenues to deepen cooperation, particularly in widening access to finance as a driver of inclusive economic growth and private sector development in Rwanda.

President Kagame also met with Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, to discuss ongoing collaboration with Rwanda. The conversation touched on the mobilisation of private capital for infrastructure and development projects, a priority area in Rwanda’s economic strategy.

On the sidelines of the forum, President Kagame also held bilateral discussions with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania. The leaders discussed strengthening the growing ties between Rwanda and Mauritania, with a focus on mutually beneficial cooperation.

He also met with President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, host of this year’s Africa CEO Forum. The two Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations across multiple sectors.

Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum has become a premier platform for public-private dialogue and cross-border investment in Africa.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the forum alongside fellow Heads of State, President Kagame emphasised that recent policy decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump, including the cutting of aid, should serve as a wake-up call for African leaders to intensify efforts towards self-reliance.

“We should have been building momentum in terms of what we need to do to make Africa self-dependent and resilient, and how Africa works with other continents and countries,” said President Kagame, who was on a panel with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.

“It is as well that President Trump decided to do what he did; if that was only to add to many other reminders that should wake us up as Africans to be able to do what we ought to do.”

The annual forum, themed “Africa in a Transactional World: Can a New Deal between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, has brought together over 2,000 business leaders, investors, and policymakers from across Africa and around the globe.

May 13, 2025
AU Commission chief outlines continental stability, integration as key priorities

Youssouf said the priorities of his leadership during its initial four-year term align with the urgent need to expedite the implementation of the major aspirations of the second 10-year plan of Agenda 2063, the continental bloc’s 50-year development blueprint.

Highlighting Africa’s complex peace and security challenges, the AU Commission chairperson outlined ongoing initiatives to achieve lasting solutions to the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the peace and stability in Somalia, the escalating tensions in South Sudan, as well as the continued conflict in Sudan.

He further emphasized the pressing need to elevate Africa’s role in global trade as a key priority of his leadership, expressing the AU’s ambition to capitalize on the Group of 20 (G20) mechanism as a crucial platform to boost the continent’s role in global trade.

“We see good opportunities for African countries to increase the level of intra-African trade, which is now around 18 percent. We see the emerging challenges as new opportunities. We are working with partners and stakeholders on the continent to create a conducive environment so that intra-African trade will be boosted and fill the gaps,” he said.

Fostering inclusive continental development across Africa’s agriculture, energy, education, health, infrastructure, science and technology, industry, and other critical sectors is also among the key priorities for the new AU Commission leadership.

Besides, the AU reform agenda remains another key priority area. Central to the reform agenda is ensuring the AU’s financial autonomy and reducing its dependence on external funding by exploring innovative financing mechanisms, according to Youssouf.

The AU Commission chief also underscored the critical need for the AU to strengthen partnership mechanisms with international and regional institutions, as well as bilateral partners, such as cooperation with China through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

May 13, 2025
Why fibromyalgia often goes undetected – Insights from Dr. Rubanzabigwi

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that primarily affects the musculoskeletal system. It is characterized by widespread body pain, persistent fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

What sets it apart is that it doesn’t show up in standard medical tests, making it difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood.

Dr. Theoneste Rubanzabigwi, a Family Medicine specialist at Baho International Hospital, told IGIHE that fibromyalgia is frequently misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with other conditions.

“Fibromyalgia often begins with localized pain—commonly in the back of the neck or thighs—but as it progresses, the pain spreads throughout the body. Some patients become so sensitive that even light touches can cause discomfort,” Dr. Rubanzabigwi explained.

He noted that although patients may appear physically healthy, they often experience ongoing, invisible pain. Many learn to live with the discomfort, adapting to it in order to carry on with their daily routines.

“In developed countries where research is more advanced, it’s estimated that 4% to 8% of the population is affected by fibromyalgia. That means in a group of 1,000 people, up to 80 may be living with it,” he added.

While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unclear, studies suggest contributing factors such as high stress levels, physical or emotional trauma, and abnormalities in how the nervous system processes pain. However, the condition is not contagious.

Although there is no known cure, Dr. Rubanzabigwi emphasized that effective management is possible. Treatment typically involves a combination of regular physical exercise, appropriate pain medication, and mental health support.

He urged anyone experiencing consistent, unexplained pain and fatigue to seek medical evaluation early, as the condition often goes unrecognized for at least three months. While fibromyalgia most commonly affects women over the age of 40, it can also occur in men.

May 13, 2025
Ingredients giant Kerry opens first taste manufacturing facility in Rwanda

Located in Kigali, the new facility is designed to provide high-quality ingredients and tailored flavour solutions to local manufacturers, reinforcing Kerry’s commitment to localisation and sustainable production in emerging markets.

The company says the move is part of a broader €1 billion strategy to accelerate growth and sustainability across the global food industry, with a focus on fast-growing regions like Africa.

The launch event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), local academic institutions, manufacturers from across the country, and Jill Clements, the Deputy Head of Mission to Uganda and Rwanda at the Embassy of Ireland.

“The establishment of this facility in Rwanda marks a significant step towards realising our vision to bring delicious and nutritious products, produced with world-class quality, to millions of African consumers,” said Jad Neaime, General Manager of Kerry Africa.

“As the only global taste and nutrition solutions company producing in East Africa, we aim to partner with our customers to help them solve their unique challenges and grow their business by leveraging our innovative technologies and global network.”

Kerry’s new plant is built with sustainability at its core, incorporating zero waste to landfill operations, high-efficiency utility systems, and a custom-designed wastewater treatment process. The company emphasised that these features align with its global environmental targets and commitment to responsible manufacturing.

The Kigali facility strengthens Kerry’s presence in East Africa, which began in 2018 with the opening of a technology and innovation centre in Kenya. Since then, the company has expanded its footprint to seven manufacturing sites across Africa, including operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa, Nigeria, and now Rwanda, along with sales offices in Lagos and Nairobi.

Neaime highlighted Rwanda’s dynamic food processing sector as a key driver behind the company’s decision.

“Producing in Rwanda strengthens our localisation plans and brings us closer to our customers and their needs,” he said.

“This includes building local partnerships, expanding local sourcing, and recruiting and upskilling local talent to drive community-level growth.”

The facility is expected to play a central role in delivering flavour and nutrition solutions tailored to local preferences, while enabling Kerry to scale up support for food and beverage manufacturers across the region.

May 13, 2025