Former President of FDLR, Ignace Murwanashyaka and Vice President Straton Musoni were respectively handed 13 and 8-year sentence by Stuttgart Court in Germany in 2015 accused of having issued orders to plot attacks in Northern Kivu Province between 2008 and 2009.
Murwanashyaka was found guilty of war crimes in relation to five FDLR attacks in eastern Congo and of leading a terrorist organization. Musoni was found guilty of leading a terrorist organization but acquitted of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Germany’s Federal Court of Justice rejected an appeal by Musoni, who was given an eight-year sentence, but overturned Murwanashyaka’s conviction and sent his case back for a retrial.
At the time, the court cited legal errors in the reasoning of the original verdict that could have counted both for and against Murwanashyaka, including doubts about the war crimes conviction and whether he encouraged or facilitated attacks on villages.
The court said that section of the Stuttgart court’s verdict was contradictory in parts.
Murwanashyaka and Musoni lived in Germany where they had been granted asylum and coordinated FDLR.
They were charged with 26 crimes against humanity and 39 war crimes.
The duo was arrested in 2009 in Germany while their trial began in 2011.
Musoni was born in 1961 and settled in Germany in 1986 where he worked as a computer specialist.
Musoni is set to return to Rwanda while his boss Murwanashyaka died in prison in 2019 before completing his sentence.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 18th October 2022 as he appeared before the parliamentary chamber of deputies to provide explanations on different issues including water distribution in rural areas, which raises concerns over hindrances that might impede government’s policy for universal access to safe water by 2024.
The decision to summon the minister was reached on 6th May 2022, following the community outreach visits of parliamentarians to different districts across the country to witness citizens’ livelihood standards and the implementation of development projects.
They established that some districts still have a lower percentage of residents with access safe water.
The problem was mainly noticed in the districts of Burera (43%), Nyabihu (56%), Nyagatare (60,2%) and others including Karongi, Nyaruguru, Ruhango and Rutsiro.
The parliamentarians also identified poor management including hiked water prices imposed by some water administrators, failure to rehabilitate water supply networks or ravaged water kiosks among others.
Some areas are reported to have idle water supply systems. The issue was specifically identified in Gakenke District where only 41 out of 100 similar infrastructures are fully operational while seven are not functional.
In Nyagatare District, it was observed that 33 villages do not have water despite the presence of water supply networks.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsabimana explained that the old system for water distribution in rural areas has changed.
He said that 90% of water supplied to the areas was from springs that were drained due to increase in human activities including agriculture and climate change as well.
This affected many projects that sources water from springs, but according to the minister, there is a plan to replace old water distribution systems to catch water from rivers and build mini water treatment plants.
“That is why the government has taken measures to build water treatment plants sourcing water from rivers and lakes. This plan will solve these problems. Related discussions with sponsors and relevant stakeholders are on commendable stages,” he said.
“We are left behind in building mini plants. Many northern Africa countries like Morocco and Senegal have applied the system and supplied large quantities of safe water to the population. It does not require advanced technology. Such plants are not expensive like large ones and are promising to get us on desired outcomes,” added Minister Nsabimana.
He explained that a master plan for water distribution has been designed in all districts noting that the remaining challenges are related to financial constraints.
“Inadequate budget is the major constraint where the blueprint is not aligned with our resources,” said Dr. Nsabimana.
Dr. Nsabimana disclosed that the government is aware of the issue of old water supply systems noting that they will be replaced depending on available means.
He explained that an assessment has indicated that 400 water distribution systems need to be replaced where the Ministry of Infrastructure needs Rwf15 billion to implement the project.
“We continue to discuss the issues with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. We will renovate them gradually depending on available means,” Dr. Nsabimana said.
Regarding the poor management of water resulting in hiked tariffs, Minister Nsabimana said that the related policy is being revised to address issue.
Gen Muhoozi arrived in Kigali on Saturday last week where he was received by Maj Gen Willy Rwagasana, Commander of the Republican Guard and Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
Following his arrival, Gen Muhoozi met with President Paul Kagame but topics of discussions were not disclosed to the public.
As he arrived in Uganda, Gen Muhoozi posted a message of his Twitter handle that he was very happy to be back home after another very successful stay to beautiful Rwanda.
Gen Muhoozi revealed that he was honoured to have more great discussions with President Kagame, whom he calls his uncle and asked God to bless Rwanda and Uganda.
“Uganda-Rwanda relations are now very strong indeed! God bless both brotherly countries,” he tweeted.
On Sunday, Gen Muhoozi participated in the bi-monthly Car Free Day along with President Kagame and Kigali City residents.
He was also seen with Kagame in his farm located in Kibugabuga of Bugesera District.
During his visit to Rwanda, Gen Muhoozi was accompanied by journalist Andrew Mwenda and others including Alexander Mukonzi, a son of his uncle Gen Salim Saleh.
Members of his delegation were gifted cows by Kagame at his farm in Bugesera.
Gen Muhoozi was also given cows by the Head of State during his recent visit to Rwanda in March 2022.
Gen Muhoozi has visited Rwanda three times this year. His mediation efforts saw the tensions that existed between Rwanda and Uganda for four years de-escalating.
He delivered the message on Tuesday 18th October 2022 during an interactive session with students and teachers on his visit to the school located in Kigarama Sector of Kicukiro District in Kigali City.
“The UAE has put great emphasis in promoting science, technology and innovation in the education system and curriculum. One of the targets of National Agenda is that UAE students must be the best in the world in reading, mathematics and science.
This is something that I also wish for all of you, to be the best you can be in your science classes at your school,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
The Ambassador also took the opportunity to share the key initiatives put in place by the UAE in advancing education not only to UAE citizens but also to Rwandans.
Since 2002, the UAE through the Al Maktoum Foundation has supported Rwanda’s education by funding two secondary schools namely; the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Girls Secondary School for Sciences in Muhanga and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School which he has visited.
Students from these schools have been performing well in national examinations.
For the last 12 years, the UAE through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also been 100% supporting the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences and the Islamic Cultural center.
Within the framework of joint action in order to support the education sector in Rwanda, the UAE Government provided scholarships to outstanding students in different UAE universities, through the UAE Technical Assistance Program.
“The scholarship programs will enable the students to build a better future, and contribute to achieving development for their country and the local community,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
In 2018, 20 male and female students from Rwanda received UAE Government scholarships at the UAE University in the disciplines of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Among others, 10 Rwandan students were given full scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degree programs at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University in 2019.
In consideration of the fact that education plays a critical role in knowledge-driven economy, Amb. Alqahtani commended students for excellent performance and reiterated his country’s commitment to provide scholarships to best performers in internationally recognized universities of his country.
The UAE has established an excellent and diversified system of higher education in a very short period.
The UAE University, founded in 1976, led higher education in the country. Since then, the UAE currently has more than 76 public and private institutions of higher education and they include universities, colleges and vocational and technical institutes, both local and international campuses, such as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, New York University and American University of Sharjah.
It has been providing scholarships to Rwandan students who excelled in their secondary education at some of these public and private universities.
Maki Abdalla Ali Hamadian, the Country Director of Al Makhtoum Foundation Rwanda said that the organization did not only contribute to infrastructure development mainly in the education sector in Rwanda, but also paid tuition fees for vulnerable families and provided food relief among others.
He explained that the two secondary schools have graduated over 700 students of whom more than 150 were admitted to universities in Rwanda while 60 were supported to pursue studies abroad.
Among others, 15 students were fully supported by the foundation and completed secondary studies.
The schools offer education from the lower to the upper secondary school with a focus on science courses in the combinations of Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology (MCB) as well as Mathematics, Physics and Geography (MPG) but the foundation plans to introduce technical courses to contribute to holistic, social and economic transformation.
During his visit to Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School for Sciences, Amb. Alqahtani toured different facilities including a laboratory, computer lab and awarded a senior 5 student who exhibited outstanding performance with a laptop.
The Head Teacher of the school, Valens Safari thanked the ambassador for the gift which he considered a motivation for other students to work hard, so long as they have witnessed that hard work pays off.
Students thanked the ambassador for paying them a visit and got an opportunity to ask questions of curiosity.
The African airline has been operating flights to London via Brussels for the past five years, but from next month, these flights will be replaced with a new non-stop service to cater to demand.
A statement announcing the move reads that the new direct flights, which are on sale from today, will operate four times a week, an increase from the airline’s current indirect thrice-weekly operation.
Flights depart Kigali each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 23:35, arriving in London at 06:20 the following morning.
The return flight departs the British capital at 20:30 each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, arriving at RwandAir’s home hub at 07:00 the following morning.
Customers traveling to the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills, will experience RwandAir’s state-of-the-art A330, which offers a choice of flying in Business Class or Economy Class.
Commenting on the development; Yvonne Makolo, the CEO of RwandAir said: “We are excited to be launching direct flights to London, which are on sale from today, due to the popularity of our current services.
The UK is an incredibly important market for us, and we know our customers will value the shorter flight times and increased connections that will be offered by the new service.”
These direct flights are expected to increase access for those looking to see the famous mountain gorillas, experience Rwanda’s majestic scenery, or go on a safari at Akagera National Park.
The airlines’ convenient schedule also allows for easy connections through Kigali and onto a wealth of destinations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The airline has flown between London and Kigali since May 2017 via an indirect service through Brussels, having launched flights from London Gatwick on 26th May 2017.
In 2020, after three successful years of operations, the African carrier airline decided to switch flights to the UK’s busiest airport London Heathrow, helping to improve connections for those traveling from further afield.
From its hub at the heart of Africa at Kigali International Airport, RwandAir is renowned for its excellent on-time performance, customer service, and safety. The airline has for two successive years been awarded “The best airline staff in Africa”
RwandAir currently serves 28 destinations across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The Head of State gave them cows on Monday 17th October 2022 at his farm located in Kibugabuga, Bugesera District.
Kagame went to the farm with other people including the son of Ugandan President, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba who is on a private visit to Rwanda along with his delegation.
Footages shared on social media show President Kagame in the farm with Gen Muhoozi and Andrew Mwenda along with other people.
“Alex pick yours, Barnabus picks his and the remaining two are mine,” Mwenda is heard conversing with people in the farm.
Kagame is also heard telling Mwenda that he would pick one only as the remaining of the two cows pointed at goes to Brig Gen Rwivanga.
“Of the remaining two; one goes to you, another goes to Rwivanga,” he said.
Mwenda immediately replied that he will be sharing with people that President Kagame gave him a cow.
IGIHE has learnt that the Head of State presented to the guests, three herds in three groups mainly; Abadaheranwa, Indashyikirwa and Imbabazamahanga.
It is said that other people in the delegation of Gen Muhoozi also received cows at the farm.
Gen Muhoozi who serves as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, has been on a private visit to Rwanda since Saturday 15th October 2022.
He was also gifted cows by President Kagame during his recent visit to Rwanda in March 2022.
Gen Muhoozi has visited Rwanda three times this year. His mediation efforts saw the tensions that existed between Rwanda and Uganda for four years de-escalating.
The prize was bestowed to Botoh during a ceremony held in Kigali in September 2022.
“Classic Optic” is an eyewear dispensary, specializing in the sale of ophthalmic lenses, lenses, frames and eyeglass accessories.
The shop is based in Kigali where it has two branches: one in Remera, on the ground floor of the “Umuyenzi Plaza”, and the other in the city center, on the ground floor of MIC building.
Samson Botoh B. is a married man and a father of two children. He holds a Master’s degree in business management from HEC Abidjan. Botoh B is alsoa graduate from the school of optics, (ISFOP-Abidjan) LOKO.
Speaking with IGIHE, he revealed that he left his country in 2009 to pursue his passion. At every turn of the conversation, Botoh would bring up his enthusiasm for these glasses, saying, “Sight is life!”
Botoh plans to expand his business countrywide, and possibly across the African continent.
He took this opportunity to express his gratitude for the organizers of the Pandev 2022 prize, for choosing him among the rest of the skilled Africans that were equally deserving. He also gave credit to the zeal and professionalism of his employees.
Their dedication is centered on top notch services to clients and the zeal for the pursuit of excellence.
The favourable environment, incentives offered to foreign investors and the strong demand for quality products and professionalism are among other reasons that lured Botoh to set up business in Rwanda.
Padev Prize is organized every year. It is bestowed to individuals from various sectors with outstanding contribution to the development of their countries and the African continent as well.
Under the name “Rwanda Notify,” QT Global Software Ltd. will establish this system locally, making Rwanda the second country in Africa to adopt this contact tracing technology.
Commenting on the development; Minister Paula Ingabire said: “While traditional contact tracing efforts are effective, technologies like Exposure Notifications augment these efforts and make the job simpler.”
“Our job within the technology community is to find ways of collaboration to solve societies most pressing problems, this is an example of people joining forces to combat a virus that affects us all,” said Robert Kainamura, CEO of QT Global Software.
Upon activating Rwanda Notify on iOS or downloading the app on Android, users can receive or send exposure notifications when they or their contacts have tested positive for COVID-19.
The phone exchanges random, anonymous codes through Bluetooth with the phones of nearby people who also have enabled Rwanda Notify on their smartphones.
Whenever a Rwanda Notify user tests positive for COVID-19 and adds their verification code to the app, Rwanda Notify sends anonymous notifications to any other users who have been near the infected person in the past two weeks.
This lets the user get the care they need quickly and helps prevent them from spreading COVID-19 to other people.
Rwanda Notify is entirely voluntary and prioritizes every user’s privacy and confidentiality. The Exposure Notification framework is designed to safeguard and avoid connecting any personal data with an individual’s device.
For example, the identity and location of the users are not known or kept by the app. Rwanda Notify gives the power to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Rwanda by keeping everyone, their loved ones, and the community at large safe.
On Android, the Rwanda Notify app can be downloaded on Google Play; if you have an iPhone, opt-in to Exposure Notifications in your device settings.
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QT Global Software Ltd is a new IT company determined to deliver the best custom, enterprise-grade digital products that solve the business needs of its clients. It is furthermore committed to enhancing the competence and competitiveness of its clients by enabling them to succeed through the power of information technology security.
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Gen Muhoozi, the first born son of Uganda’s President who also serves as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations is in Rwanda for the third time since the beginning of this year.
Gen Muhoozi was last in Rwanda in March 2022.
Also present at the mass sporting event were the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju; the Mayor of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa and Ugandan journalist, Andrew Mwenda.
The sporting event serves to make Kigali a green city while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The bi-monthly Car Free Day usually takes place between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. every first and third Sunday of the month, bringing together city dwellers for physical fitness exercises.
The exercise started in 2016, aimed promoting healthy lifestyle among Rwandans and help them benefit from other health activities like screening for non-communicable diseases.
The Car Free Day provides a platform to educate people on healthy lifestyle choices in general and creates awareness that roads are not only built for vehicles but also for pedestrians.
Among others, the mass sporting event helps to reduce air pollution.
The sporting event held on Sunday saw participants setting off from BK Arena and ran through Gishushu to the premises of Prime Minister’s Office and Kigali Heights in Kimihurura.
They also received messages encouraging them to intensify efforts in the fight against Breast Cancer.
Participants were also urged to go for regular diagnosis because the type of cancer can be cured when detected early.
He comes to Rwanda few days after he was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant General to General in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Gen Muhoozi was last in Rwanda in March 2022 for a three-day visit that was concluded with a donation of Inyambo cows from President Kagame.
The visit aimed at mending bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries that had deteriorated since 2017.
Muhoozi later revealed that Kagame gifted him ten cows.
On the first day of his visit to Rwanda on Monday 14th March 2022, Gen Muhoozi was received by Chargé d’Affaires at Uganda’s Embassy in Kigali, Anne Katusiime along with senior officers from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
He was received by President Paul Kagame on the same day. On the second day, Gen Muhoozi visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid homage to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there and other facilities including Kigali Arena.
In Rwandan culture, cows represent a very significant symbol of friendship and are considered part of the best wealth a person can ever possess.
Cows were the only token that would be given for dowry or as a present to a friend in Rwanda. Even today, a cow is still considered the best present one can ever give a beloved one. Be it a wedding, graduation or a birthday party, cow giving makes the occasion more colourful and real.
It was not the first time Kagame was giving cows to the family of Museveni.
On 31st July 2011, President Kagame gave cows to his counterpart of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who was on a visit to Rwanda.
At the time, Museveni was joining Rwanda for a community work to build a school for Nine Year Basic Education in Kanombe. Museveni pledged a contribution worth US$300,000 for completion of the school.
Towards the end of the same year, President Paul Kagame who was in Uganda was given 20 cows by Museveni.
This year’s donation of cows to Gen Muhoozi was considered as a great symbol evidencing that efforts to restore bilateral ties to normal are yielding good results.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017 where Rwanda expressed concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but were abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accused Uganda of hosting dissidents posing threat to national security.
In 2019, the Government of Rwanda closed Gatuna border and officially advised citizens against travelling to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed a memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Negotiations did not yield expected results until efforts to mend Rwanda and Uganda relations took shape in February this year following the visits of Gen Muhoozi.
Since he was involved in the process to restore relations to normal, Gen Muhoozi has been warning Rwanda’s dissidents that they have no place in Uganda. He revealed that no official fighting Rwanda would retain job in Uganda.
Gen Muhoozi also echoed similar message in February this year where he warned Rwanda’s dissident Kayumba Nyamwasa against using his country to threaten the neighbouring country’s security.
His first visit to Rwanda was on 22nd January 2022, a move that was followed by the reopening of Gatuna border.
Later on, Rwanda reopened all land borders on 7th March 2022.
Gen Muhoozi visited Rwanda for the second time on 14th March 2022 where he held talks with President Kagame on pending issues affecting bilateral relations.
On the occasion of his birthday celebration in April this year, Gen Muhoozi said that both countries currently have good relations with optimism that the situation would improve further in the future.
