Speaking to IGIHE, Bafakulera disclosed that he submitted his resignation to PSF’s Board of Directors on Friday 3rd February 2023.
“I have resigned over personal reasons,” he noted.
Bafakulera said that PSF has made good progress and expressed hope that his deputies will continue to lead the organization until the election of a new chairperson.
“This federation which currently stands firm is led by my former deputy, Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi whom we have been working together. She knows what to do and will work with the second assistant to help her discharge the duties until the election of a new chairperson,” he disclosed.
Bafakulera was re-elected to lead PSF for the second term in March 2022. He had been elected for the first renewable term in 2018.
Bafakulera is among Rwanda’s tycoons where he runs several investments including hotels.
He owns different hospitality establishments including Ubumwe Grand Hotel. Bafakulera is also involved in logistics business as well as trade of rice and cooking oil.
The deal signed in April 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
Under this program, migrants are set to benefit from secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
After signing the agreement, it was reported that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
During an interview with TalkTV, Prime Minister Sunak said that there is hope to start sending immigrants who entered the UK illegally to Rwanda.
He said that they want to break the chain of illegal immigration, which has allowed people to enter the UK through the waterway from France, known as the English Channel, in large numbers.
Figures from the British government show that last year, immigrants who entered the country using small boats through illegal waterways reached 45,756, up from 2,526 in 2021. The figures represent an increase of more than 17,000.
In addition, the government is paying £5.5 million to care for illegal immigrants staying in hotels while their applications are being processed.
The policy to deport migrants to Rwanda [has been fiercely criticised by human rights organisations and opposition parties->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ruling-on-deportation-of-asylum-seekers-from-uk-to-rwanda-may-be-appealed], but Mr Sunak promised to keep the drive in place.
“The system that we need, the system that I want to introduce, is one whereby if you come here illegally, you should be swiftly detained and then in a matter of days or weeks we will hear your claim, not months and years, and then we will safely remove you somewhere else. And if we do that, that’s how we’ll break the cycle,” Sunak told TalkTV.
The Prime Minister said he was able to reach an agreement with France to increase patrols on the waterways in his first 100 days as PM noting that it has begun to yield results.
“A, I’ve got a new deal with France, which is increasing the amount of patrols that are happening on French beaches, which is making a difference already.
“Secondly, I’ve got a brand new deal with Albania. Albania accounted for 30 per cent of all illegal migrants.
If you come illegally, you will not be able to stay here – we will have the ability in the vast majority of cases to send you to an alternative safe country,” he said.
Their first flight to Rwanda was expected on 14th June 2022 but was cancelled at last minute after an intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
Recently, the High Court in the United Kingdom ruled in favor of the country’s policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. It however resolved that the cases of eight people who were initially scheduled for deportation to Rwanda had not been properly considered, and ordered a new review of them by the home secretary.
The incident has been confirmed to IGIHE by the executive secretary of Rusororo Sector, Nsabimana Matabishi Desire.
“It is true that the drying facility collapse claimed ten lives and injured 36. The deceased include six men and four women. Those who were injured are receiving treatment at Masaka Hospital,” he said.
Sources indicate that the incident happened as residents returned to the facility to dry maize harvested recently.
Police Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera has also confirmed the incident to IGIHE noting that an assessment to establish cause of the accident was underway, by press time.
The Head of State delivered the remarks as he attended the second ‘Dakar Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development’ held in Senegal.
Kagame also serves as the Chairperson of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee to help lead implementation of Agenda 2063 on behalf of the African Union (AU).
Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.
Kagame said that a good progress has been made over the years even though ‘Africa’s infrastructure gap remains significant’.
“To close this gap for good, mobilizing domestic resources is very critical. This is why in 2017, AUDA-NEPAD launched the 5% agenda on increasing institutional investment in Africa’s infrastructure,” he said.
The president observed that having inclusive, reliable and sustainable infrastructure would reduce the cost of doing business, boost regional trade and become more resilient against future shocks.
He further stressed that increasing infrastructures is part of a wider vision as outlined in the agenda 2063 to build a more secure and prosperous Africa.
“Let us seize this momentum to make faster progress towards our shared goals,” noted Kagame.
Through AUDA-NEPAD, the African continent has set out goals to increase electricity and water infrastructures by 2040.
The continent also seeks to overhaul the transport sector by building infrastructures including roads, railways, boosting maritime and air transport to connect all parts of the continent.
Boosting technological infrastructures is also being considered under this vision.
These priorities are expected to be achieved through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) initiated in 2010 in Kampala, the capital of Uganda to assist AUDA-NEPAD member countries fast track projects of high social impact.
The first meeting under this programme was held in 2014 in Dakar. At the time, it was agreed to fast track the implementation of 16 priority projects.
The meeting also led to the establishment of Africa50 by African governments and the African Development Bank to help bridge Africa’s infrastructure funding gap by facilitating project development, mobilizing public and private sector finance, and investing in infrastructure on the continent.
Africa50 focuses on medium- to large-scale projects that have a significant development impact and that provide an appropriate risk-adjusted return to investors.
Kigali Innovation City aimed at making Rwanda, an ICT hub in Africa is among projects being implemented through this programme.
The conference due to take place from 7th to 10th March 2023, will bring together forensic science practitioners from 40 countries.
During the conference, experts, institutions and countries will receive awards for their contribution to promote the forensic sector with a view to encourage others to follow the suit.
The Director General of RFL, Dr. Charles Karangwa has told IGIHE that Rwanda was selected as a host of the 10th conference due to security and adequate infrastructures.
Other aspects considered include the country’s efforts to fight corruption and experience in organizing international conferences.
They are additional to the fact that the country has a competent institution offering forensic services in a short time span.
This time around, the meeting will bring together over 400 participants from across the world.
Dr. Karangwa affirms that Rwanda will benefit a lot from the conference including enhanced visibility as a country that has taken forensic services to greater heights.
He disclosed that the country will also generate revenues as guests will visit touristic attractions and consume other services.
“They will need transport services and accommodation at hotels. The conference will also enhance Rwanda’s visibility as a country committed to become a hub for forensic services at continental and global levels,” he said.
The conference will attract forensic experts and specialists from the United States, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa. It will also feature exhibitions on best practices from participating countries.
Rwanda’s forensic laboratory which initially operated under the auspice of Rwanda National Police (RNP) has been strengthened gradually since it was established in 2005.
To maintain professionalism, the laboratory entered agreements with Key Forensic Services from the United Kingdom (UK) to build the laboratory and furnish necessary equipment.
After enacting the law establishing RFL in 2016, the institution started offering convenient services to the judiciary, members of the private sector and citizens in 2018.
It became an autonomous body in the same year and is currently run under the aegis of the Ministry of Justice.
The RFL has modern equipment as well as experts and specialists capacitating it to conduct forensic investigations used to boost justice delivery.
RFL provides services including forensic toxicology, drug and chemistry, and documents examination and fingerprint analysis, DNA forensics, ballistics, forensic pathology and digital forensics.
As at November last year, RFL was offered services to more than 20 African countries.
There is a proverb that goes, ‘No man is an island’. The latter implies that humans are inter-dependent and need to be part of a community in order to thrive. It is undisputable that one can’t know everything but the combination of expertize from different individuals make a significant impact.
It is under this backdrop that a young Nigerian, Damola Oloketuyi identified challenges that obstruct students from pursuing studies abroad in universities of their choice and founded AOC Schengen to provide them with needed support.
AOC Schengen is an educational consulting firm which runs international recruitment services to students who aspire to continue their education abroad in Europe.
They are assisted to get admission into universities in different countries including The Netherlands, Germany, and Spain among others.
Having started operations in 2018, the firm has offices in Nigeria, Germany, Gambia and has recently expanded footprints to Rwanda.
AOC Schengen’s Founder and Managing Director, Damola holds a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering and pursued Master’s in Aviation in Germany in 2014.
Like, other students he wanted a place where he could practice what he learnt and have internship opportunities.
He got partial employment in an aviation consulting firm within the first six months of studies and got hired by his school after graduation in 2016. Working with the school sharpened Damola’s marketing and relationship kills. His work was mainly about developing the market for African students to study in Germany.
The services were not popular at the time that he would to travel to Nigeria to talk to students and bring available opportunities to light.
“My hard work paid off big time that I was promoted as regional director where I was in charge of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Cameroun among others,” said Damola.
After holding senior managerial positions, and developing the market for the Schengen region, Damola founded his own company in Germany.
“By doing so, I wanted to create more options for people through my company initiated in 2018,” he noted.
The company started with offices in Germany but has expanded footprints to four countries including Rwanda.
Damola works with staff members in respective countries to prepare students get international competencies, provide advises, match students with the right schools and the right country based on financial and academic capabilities.
He encourages students aspiring to study overseas to take advantage of consultancy services he offers to get tailored information on what exactly they qualify for and application process.
“We help them understand why they are going to those countries and what courses fit. We have helped a large number of people but we still need to do more in different African countries,” says Damola.
“We are the major recruiters and get awards for that. The man behind the services has been a student and went through the whole system. We offer unique services that cover life after getting visa. We actually help students build the career not just helping them familiarize with campuses’ settings,” he adds.
Apart from admission into European universities to pursue Bachelor’s or Master’s courses, AOC Schengen also helps students on visa application process at a reasonable cost.
“If you pay, we guarantee you the admission. If you don’t, we pay back the money,” assures Damola.
He explains that his company seeks to create awareness about Schengen benefits and take it across the whole East Africa.
So far, AOC Schengen has assisted over 100,000 students since it began operations in 2018.
According to Damola, studying abroad opens students’ minds and exposes them to numerous opportunities.
“When you study abroad, always look for the right course and right country to meet your end goal. Besides, opportunities are not tied to one country. You always have to look at benefits that can be involved,” he advises.
AOC Schengen has opened office in the city centre inside WAKA building and offers free consultation sessions to students via Instagram ([@aocschengen->https://www.instagram.com/aocschengen/?hl=en]).
Interested students can access more information via provided link: https://aocschengen.de/ or call +250792574316
The Head of State delivered the message to Rwandans and friends of Rwanda as the country celebrated Heroes Day on 1st February 2023.
This year’s celebration is observed under the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our dignity’.
Kagame has via Twitter handle said that it serves as an opportunity to honour heroes for their sacrifice to make Rwanda a country with a bright vision.
“Today, we honour the Rwandan men and women whose bravery and patriotism laid the foundation for a nation of a people determined to shape their own destiny,” he tweeted.
“As we face challenges of regional and global nature, today is a reminder of our ability to stand up for what is right, to protect our nation and to build a legacy of prosperity for generations. Happy Heroes Day!” added Kagame.
According to the law establishing the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honor “a hero is any person who pursues objectives he/she undertakes to obtain a special achievement for the public interest and with high proven integrity, sacrifice and noble courage in his/her acts and who avoids being a coward in his/her actions in very trying situations.”
{{Rwandan heroes are classified into three categories namely:}}
{{Imanzi:}} The unknown soldier and Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema.
{{Imena:}} Mutara III Rudahigwa, Rwagasana Michel, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Niyitegeka Félicité and Nyange students.
{{Ingenzi:}} No hero was classified in this category.
They paid homage to National Heroes on 1st February 2023 as Rwanda commemorated the 29th National Heroes Day.
This year’s National Heroes Day is observed under the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our Dignity’.
The celebration at national level was held at the National Heroes Mausoleum located in Remera.
The ceremony was also attended by top government officials, diplomats accredited to Rwanda and representatives from heroes’ families among others.
A minute of silence was observed and the national anthem was sung before paying homage and laying wreaths at the National Heroes Mausoleum.
According to the law establishing the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honor “a hero is any person who pursues objectives he/she undertakes to obtain a special achievement for the public interest and with high proven integrity, sacrifice and noble courage in his/her acts and who avoids being a coward in his/her actions in very trying situations.”
{{Rwandan heroes are classified into three categories namely:}}
{{Imanzi:}} The unknown soldier and Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema.
{{Imena:}} Mutara III Rudahigwa, Rwagasana Michel, Agathe Uwiringiyimana, Niyitegeka Félicité and Nyange students.
{{Ingenzi:}} No hero was classified in this category.
The next Umushyikirano is expected to be held from 27th to 28th February 2023.
Umushyikirano is Kinyarwanda’s equivalent of ‘dialogue’. During the dialogue, participants exchange ideas, share experiences, peer review and question each other. Today Umushyikirano is known as the National Dialogue Council.
As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context.
The result is a set of Home Grown Solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programs. One of these Home Grown Solutions is Umushyikirano.
Governed by the Rwandan Constitution (Article 168), Umushyikirano is a forum where participants debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity. The Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for the overall co-ordination of Umushyikirano.
{{Below are resolutions of the cabinet meeting: }}
Her appointment was confirmed by the cabinet meeting held on 30th January 2023 chaired by President Paul Kagame.
Gasinzigwa replaces Prof. Kalisa Mbanda who died recently. She was elected in 2016 to represent Rwanda in EALA.
Gasinzigwa also served as the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, headed the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and worked with banks for eight years among others.
Towards the end of 1994, Gasinzigwa was named the Mayor of Kacyiru District which changed to Gasabo District, a position which she held until 2005. She was later assigned new duties in the General Secretariat of RPF Inkotanyi.
Prof. Kalisa Mbanda who is replaced by Oda Gasinzigwa succumbed to natural cause at Kanombe Military Hospital on 13th January 2023.
{{Zephanie Niyonkuru reappointed }}
The cabinet meeting has also appointed Carine Umwari as a commissioner in NEC while Christophe Bazivamo was named Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga has been named the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) replacing Dr. Patrick Karangwa who was appointed Director General of Agriculture Modernization in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).
Among others, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro has been named RAB Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Development. He was previously serving as the Director of research and innovation at the University of Rwanda (UR) – College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM).
Dr. Olivier Kamana has been appointed as Permanent Secretary in MINAGRI replacing Jean Claude Musabyimana who was named Minister of Local Government (MINAGRI) in November 2022.
Zephanie Niyonkuru who once served as the Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has been named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports (MINISPORTS).
He had been ousted from the position in October last year due to ‘repeated managerial failures’.
Niyonkuru had held the position since October 2019 replacing Emmanuel Hategeka who was assigned to represent Rwanda in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prior to his dismissal.
He holds Master’s degree in Economics from SOAS University of London. Niyonkuru also pursued governance related courses in Sweden and China.
Before his appointment as Deputy RDB CEO, Niyonkuru had worked at the institution as a strategy expert.
Prior to joining RDB, Niyonkuru worked as a Country Representative for the USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub.
