IGIHE

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  • Gov’t to strengthen craft business

    {{The minister of trade and industry Mr Francois Kanimba has announced that government plans to establish a permanent exhibition that would strategically promote and strengthen the untapped handcraft business.}}

    Speaking at the launching of the annual Handcraft Excellence Award program at Amahoro stadium Remera recently, Kanimbla said, “The event aims at promoting handcraft business by showcasing craft products and making people more aware. We also aim at supporting the business by evaluating and finding for challenges handcrafters are facing and obtaining solutions both individual and collective. However, some of these problems they face are unknown”.

    The weeklong exhibition aims at honouring talented artisans from across the country for their innovative achievements while supporting their work and displaying their inventive and inspiring creations.

    The tight competition started with 455 participants in 11 categories from 30 districts across the country narrowing down to 92 selected artisans currently competing at the country level. The handcrafts include imaginative works for various home decorations, products made from recyclable material, basket weaves, fruit processed products, leather and hides products among many others.

    Handcraft sector has great potential for improving standards of living by generating substantial income and providing employment opportunities and could help regulating the trade deficit through exportation of handcraft products.

    Mukandoli Judith an ex farmer and founder of COOPAFU association at Nyamagabe says “ Things have turned out much better for me and my family , I can afford to pay for my children’s school fees while before it was quite a struggle to do so “.

    The craft business that targets women and disabled people has consequently spawned a positive impact among some of the artisans.

    Antoine Bangandwinshi of KOVADI association specialises in producing goods from recyclable materials has been an artisan since 2008 says “, Even though we struggle to get market for our products the standards of living are still better compared to when I was still a farmer 4 years ago. ”

  • Ex. German President to invest in Rwanda

    The former German president Prof.Horst Köhler recently announced his intentions to invest in Rwanda inspired by the country’s sustainable development.

    “I have particularly chosen to invest in Rwanda because of the country’s sustainable development compared to other countries in the region,” Kohler noted while emphasizing that the proper investment atmosphere seen in Rwanda has motivated him and mobilised other German investors to consider investing in Rwanda.

    Köhler also met with President Paul Kagame at village urigwiro.

    According to Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo , the former German leader wants to contribute to the development in the region where Rwanda is located, “Kohler wants to know much about the ongoing regional integration and devise appropriate ways of partnering with the region’s investors”.

    Köhler of the Christian Democratic Union in German was first elected in May 2004 and was re-elected five years later in May 2009. He also led the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    During his east African tour Köhler also a distinguished economist held high level round table discussion held to address East African Community (EAC) integration, under the theme “Ambition for and reality of the EAC in globalized world.

    Köhler said, “the EA Monetary Union will never happen in 2012 or anytime soon and the process should never be rushed,” he said, adding that if the project is to be executed carefully and practically, then the EAMU should happen in ten-years or so from now, that is if the European Union experience is anything to go by”.

    “We started negotiations in 1991 and the European Monetary Union only got established in 1999 and the single currency coins began rolling out in 2001, which means it was a decade-long process,” said the former German President.

  • Police arrests Kayumba’s grenade syndicate

    Rwanda National Police in conjunction with other security organs have arrested a terror network on a mission to conduct terror activities in Rwanda.

    The arrested criminals are led by Colonel Norbert Ndererimana commonly known as Gaheza who heads an armed group based in Binza, Rutchuru, in Virunga national park, North Kivu, Eastern DRC.

    Colonel Ndererimana was arrested with Ramathan Sibomana, Ibrahim Niyonzima, Asifat Kansime, Emmanuel Higiro also known as Kabasha and John Mutabaruka.

    Investigations have shown a strong link between this group and Kayumba’s terror activities. They have testified how they received orders from Kayumba and Emmanuel Habyarimana through Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and Convention National des Republicains (CNR) respectively to conduct terror activities in Rwanda.

    They have been receiving financial, material and political support from Kayumba’s extensive network in Uganda and DRC to commit terror acts and wage war on Rwanda.

    The arrested terrorist criminals revealed their plans of committing terror acts in Rwanda from their bases in Eastern DRC.

    They were to target high populated areas, fuel storage facilities and fuel transport vehicles, national leaders as well as diplomats.

    This revelation has been corroborated by earlier investigations linking Kayumba to terror activities in Kigali and his alliance with other terror groups operating from outside of Rwanda.

    The Rwanda National Police take this opportunity to thank members of the public who have provided vital information that led to the uprooting of this terror network.

    It assures the public of their security against these terrorists. Every effort will be done to bring the terrorists especially their leaders to justice.

  • 21 days of Yellow Care to save environment

    {{A total of 3300 trees have been planted during a 21-day MTN ‘yellow care’ campaign at six sites in Kigali city and upcountry.
    }}

    Speaking at the conclusion of the ‘yellow care’ campaign at Rulindo district, the MTN Rwanda CEO Khaled Mikkawi noted, “It has been 21 days that have made a difference and will continue to make a difference. Almost one million nursery bed trees will in the near future help all Rwandans”.

    Mikkawi commended the existing strong public-private partnership particularly the great collaboration the company has enjoyed with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and the Ministry of Local Government through various district authorities and the City Council of Kigali.

    Present at the ceremony REMA’s Director General, Rose Mukankomeje thanked MTN involvement in environmental conservation saying, “I have noted MTN demanding us to buy airtime and others services which require money. It is good since the company knows where this money is coming from. If Rwanda doesn’t get enough rain, even money to buy such MTN products can’t be seen”.

    MTN CEO Khaled Mikkawi(left) and REMA’s Director General, Rose Mukankomeje(right) preparing a tree nursery bed

    She challenged other business companies to do the same and involve in social activities that are helpful to the community.

    The Mayor of Rulindo district, Justus Kangwagye, hailed the activity as a reward of MTN to the district for the support in buying MTN telephones recently.

    He said that the district through BRD bought telephones worth Frw 35M for the people and that now MTN has rewarded them in greening the environment in the area.

    In further contribution to global conservation efforts, MTN Rwanda will join its sister companies across Africa and the Middle East in planting 150,000trees by December 2011.

    The 150,000 trees target has been set to celebrate MTN Group reaching 150M subscriber mark milestone and each operation will plant a minimum of 7,500 trees.

    The 21 days of ‘Yellow Care’ also involved the construction of two energy saving cooking stoves at a rehabilitation center at Gikondo sector, Kicukiro district and another one at Musha at an orphanage and building terraces for soil conservation including waste management and recycling activities in Kigali and Rulindo district.

    The 21 days ended in an event signifying the preparation of tree nursery beds for future tree planting in the district of Rulindo, Bushoke sector and the cell of Mukoto.

  • RSE market highlights as of 21 June

    Today, the RSE did not record any transaction as brokers were bidding and offering at different prices. BRALIRWA shares closed the day at Rwf 220; unchanged from yesterday’s closing price.

    Yesterday, the total turnover was Rwf 2,524,000 not Rwf 2,820,000 as reported from 11,200 BRALIRWA shares traded in 3 transactions at Rwf 230 and Rwf 220. BRALIRWA shares are trading ex-dividend since Monday 13th June, 2011.

    The KCB and NMG counters did not record any transaction today and their share prices remained unchanged from yesterday’s closing prices of Rwf 175 and Rwf 1200 respectively.

    At the end of formal business hours, there was an outstanding bid of 10,000 BRALIRWA shares at Rwf 215 each and outstanding offers of 6,400 BRALIRWA shares and 1,900 BRALIRWA shares at Rwf 230 and Rwf 220 respectively. There
    was also an outstanding offer of 2,100 KCB shares at Rwf 180 each.

  • Court grants Ingabire till September to study her dossier

    The leader of yet to be registered FDU-Ikingi political party, Ingabire Umuhoza Victoire has finally been granted her wish for the beginning of her trial in September – as prosecution again accused her of wasting time.

    Before the start of her trial, Ingabire pleaded that her team needed more time to study more than 2,500 pages of documents. And because two of her three lawyers are British, the documents also had to be translated into English as all have been prepared in Kinyarwanda.

    Amongst the many serious charges, Ingabire is accused of promoting ethnic divisionism, setting up of a terrorist organization and collaborating and financing the Rwandan FDLR rebels in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Three of the prosecution’s top witnesses are also accused along with Ingabire. They are former FDLR commanders who have alleged that Ingabire had engaged them to start a rebel force in eastern DRC.

    In Court, Ingabire repeated her previous quest for four months to work on her defense. She said the prosecution dossier had information coming from different countries including Belgium, The Netherlands and Burundi.

    Ingabire outside court waiting for the prison car

    Public prosecution spokesperson Alain Mukurarinda said in a statement, “we are ready to begin the trial as soon as the defense is fully prepared. Our country respects the rights of the accused to a fair and speedy trial”.

    After a brief consultation, the Judge ruled that the trial could begin on September 05, 2011. In the earlier appearance in May, Ingabire has actually asked for time up to September. For the meantime she will be back in jail until the agreed hearing date. This story was first published by the Rwanda News Agency.

  • WDA trains hoteliers on customer care service

    Rwanda has been known for its infamously pitiable and pathetic customer service. Recently, however, enormous strides have been taken to improve comfort, luxury and service of hotels and restaurants countrywide, focusing on better delivery to customers.

    The Work force Development Authority (WDA) has been the driving force behind these commendable efforts which have contributed substantial positive feedback.

    The program has undertaken this challenge by training people on a nationwide aspect especially in areas such as Rusanzi, Rubavu and Kayonza districts.

    For the third time in Kigali, the weeklong training was categorized into four sections; front office, food and beverage service, housekeeping and culinary arts.

    Commenting on the lessons, Beatrice Mutoni, the curriculum facilitator noted that. “Among what we teach include all the skills encompassing customer care within the four domains that are housekeeping, culinary arts, front office and food and beverage service.”

    Yet much emphasis is put on culinary arts (cooking) module, food hygiene since they’re among the main basics that ensure better service.

    Edwinson Ndizeye, acting head of culinary arts says: “There have been numerous reporting of food poisoning and this is something that can easily be prevented if certain hygiene principles in the kitchen are emphasized and negligence reduced.

    Mutoni was also quick to point out that. “ We also teach many types of cooking methods such as the well celebrated “mise en place”method ,” she also added that, “many waiters make mistakes and are incredulous to certain things such as how to serve properly, the right way to address a customer, we cover all those fundamentals through what we teach,” Mutoni remarked.

    Customer care service in Rwandan hospitality is one element that has been identified to be lacking in areas that go beyond the skills – the general attitude of the service providers. Mutoni sheds some light on this mystery by pointing out the fact that employers are the ones that can considerably contribute to the improvement of this factor.

    “The receptionists, waiters and other service providers, in some cases work extremely long hours with an unsatisfactory remuneration, and these poor working conditions lead to negative attitudes and in the end, it’s the client that suffers.

    “Despite this obstacle, it is apparent that employees still need a major acquisition of skills and with the work of the WDA, there has been a major success.

    “Employers countrywide have appreciated the skills that we give to their employees , the knowledge they acquire soon becomes evident by the way services are improved, ” Mutoni said adding that, “positive feedback from employers can be seen with the recent increase in trainees that showed up in this month compared to April.”

    Alex Munyaneza , acting head of hospitality unit highlighted that, “this time around we received a surplus of trainees ( a total of 168 )from owners of hotels and restaurants who were more than eager to have their staff employed for a better and efficient service provision”

    This affirmative and optimistic response wasn’t only seen with the employers but the employees themselves. Vincent Gakwaya , a waiter from Sky Hotel noted that. “This training has really taught us much and we feel that with these new skills, we shall be operating more efficiently and better”.

    Gilbert Kiza also sided with Gakwaya adding that. “With these new skills we feel that we are better prepared to face the day-to-day challenges in our duties as restaurant waiters.”

  • Norwegian court detains genocide suspect for two months in remand

    A Norwegian court has extended by two months the detention of a 45-year-old Rwandan suspected of murder during the 1994 genocide.

    While conceding that remanding the suspect, Sadi Bugingo, in custody for several months was a constraint for him, the Oslo court, citing the “gravity of the charges”, said “it was necessary to guard against the risk of destruction of evidence and escape.”

    Bugingo, who has lived in the western Norwegian town of Bergen with his family since 2002, was arrested there last May 3. Bugingo is also suspected of murdering Tutsis in the southeastern town of Kibungo and elsewhere. His Norwegian lawyer however said his client denies all the allegations against him.

    Bugingo is the second Rwandan to be arrested in Norway for an alleged role in the genocide after Charles Bandora was arrested last year. Currently he’s on remand pending an investigation into his identity and possible extradition to Rwanda. Some parts of the story were borrowed from AFP

  • Father’s Day should be more than issuing gifts

    {{Though in Rwanda Father’s day is celebrated with a few, the day should serve as a wakeup call in appreciating male parenting as well as identifying some of the challenges the house heads encounter.}}

    The day which is celebrated worldwide highlights how valuable fatherhood is to the children and society in general. It is also marked by issuing of gifts to fathers as well as taking them out to dinners

    Jessica mbabazi, a student at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is among the few who honor this day. She attributed her happiness to the day since it coincided with her birth day.

    In this respect, she took her father for an average shopping at Nakumat Kigali’s renowned supermarket. In the shopping process Mbabazi hardly kept her joy and would be seen encouraging other shoppers on the relevance of the day.

    “I prefer celebrating this day with my father since he has raised me to who I am now and on such a day I have to make sure that I’m the first person to hug my dad and tell him how much I appreciate him, “She emphasizes.

    Innocent Mugabo, a civil servant explains that the day should also be celebrated by those whom their father’s have passed away since by doing so one would be cherishing their memories which could serve as an inspiration to their lives.

  • RSE market highlights as of 20 June

    Today, the RSE remained in the same trading range as far as prices are concerned but went up in volume.

    BRALIRWA shares closed unchanged from last week’s closing price of Rwf 220. A total turnover Rwf 2, 820,000 was recorded from 11,200 BRALIRWA shares transacted in 3 deals at Rwf 230 and Rwf 220.

    The KCB and NMG counters did not record any transaction today and their share prices remained unchanged from last week’s closing prices of Rwf 175 and Rwf 1200 respectively.

    At the end of formal business hours, there was an outstanding bid of 10,000 BRALIRWA shares at Rwf 215 each and outstanding offers of 32,000 BRALIRWA shares and 21,900 BRALIRWA shares at Rwf 230 and Rwf 220 respectively.
    There was also an outstanding offer of 2,100 KCB shares at Rwf 180 eac