These include Lt Col Emmanuel Ruzindana, the Director of Operations promoted to Colonel and appointed Defence Attaché in Uganda.
Lt Col Frank Bakunzi, the Directing Staff of Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) in Nyakinama has been also promoted to Colonel and appointed Defence Attaché in Egypt.
Among others; the Head of State has appointed Brig Gen John Baptist Ngiruwonsanga as the Head Peace Support Operations (PSO) in RDF, Lt Col Claudien Bizimungu has been named Deputy Commander of Engineer Command; Lt Col Innocent Kayisire is named the Managing Director of Horizon Logistics; Lt Col Jean Paul Munana has been appointed as the Commander of Combat Engineer Brigade while Lt Col Faustin Mafura is appointed the Deputy Commander of Combat Engineer Brigade.
The statement released by RDF reads that the promotions and appointments take immediate effect.
The details emerged on Tuesday 27th September 2022 as the ministry announced results for primary school and ordinary level national examinations for the year 2021/2022.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya has said that a total of 227,472 candidates sat for primary leaving national examinations of whom 125,169 are girls while the number of boys stood at 102,303.
“A total of 206,286 candidates obtained a pass mark, representing 90.69%. This means, the remaining 21,186 equivalent to 9.31% failed. Last year, pupils passed exams at 82.8%. This shows the improvement registered this year,” she said.
As for ordinary level, only 126,735 sat for exams out of 127,589 registered candidates.
“A total of 108,566 students passed the national exam representing 85.66% while 18,469 representing 14.34% failed exams. Unlike primary national exams, the ordinary level’s performance is below compared to 86.3% registered last year,” said Dr. Uwamariya.
Of those who passed primary leaving exams, 26,922 received boarding schools while 179,364 were sent to day schools.
Dr. Uwamariya has revealed that all students who failed to secure a pass mark will repeat classes.
Last year, a total of 60,000 who failed primary leaving and ordinary level national examinations also repeated the school year.
Career counselor Faithful Esther advises people in this age group to start saving as much as possible so they can be financially stable.
Nonetheless for an individual to save they should have money to save. This raises the question: ‘how can people in their 20s make money?’
Most people in this age group are most likely starting university or graduating. So, how are they earning money?
Keza Nancy,22, a 2nd-year university student is conducting a professional internship.
Even though she uses most of internship facilitations for transport and lunch, Keza is convinced that it is a stepping stone for career growth and considers it a doorway for future employment.
Since most jobs require experience, Faithful recommends that people in their 20s take this as an opportunity to try internships or volunteer to explore diverse careers and find which best suits them while they are still young.
“Have a life plan to guide you and direct you so you’re not directionless or under pressure to keep up with the Joneses,” she says.
Another thing to consider is ‘reading extensively’. This is something everyone has heard of at least once in their lifetime. However, it is important to be intentional and start reading self-development books and, expertise in one subject but do not forget to look through different subjects for those cases when you find yourself amidst new people, so you can hold your own.
Also suggested is attending different conferences. A 20-year-old young person with a smartphone or with access to television or radio, has chances to learn about different conferences happening around their home or within the country.
If possible, an individual should attend these conferences and make connections with numerous people with various positions. By doing so, you will be more likely to find one that interest you and meet your future employer.
Again, be self-aware and do the work you need to be your best version. Be honest about your strengths and areas for growth.
According to a psychologist and blogger, Dr. Jennifer Baker-Porazinski, brain changes with age where the brain of individuals in their 20s is considered to be fine-tuning or maturing.
In this regard, ‘areas of the brain responsible for planning, working memory, and impulse control finish developing and the brain has reached its peak in terms of performance’.
Porazinski also highlights that it is a perfect time to work on oneself and learn new things.
Habits or hobbies are also important to a person’s life. Counselor Faithful advises that an individual should find interests, hobbies, and passions and pursue them intentionally to get better.
This can be either by learning to play an instrument or learning to speak a new language. A growing individual should be active in activities that will better them rather than destroy them.
Another aspect to be considered is about investing in relationships, and know the people you spend time with. The people in someone’s life should be pushing them to be better. Relationships are based on mutual respect, understanding, good communication, trust, and more. Be intentional in starting a relationship platonic or not, and keep in mind that to have a good friend you should be a good friend.
Counselor Faithful advises individuals to ‘take time and learn not to take things personally, extend grace and benefit of the doubt because everyone has stuff they’re dealing with and each has a story you know nothing about. So just Learn to be kind early.’
“Travel, travel, travel! Even if you have to backpack on your own, don’t cancel your trips if your friends back out at the last minute,” says Faithful.
There are benefits of traveling; stress relieving, promoting physical activity, being educational, and exploring different cultures.
And lastly, learn not to be a people pleaser, and set boundaries. This builds self-esteem, builds character, and tests a person’s self-respect and discipline. It is a bold statement to make but it proves its point.
He receives the promotion following his tour of duty in Cabo Delgado, of Mozambique.
The statement released by RDF on Monday 26th September 2022 reads that the appointment takes immediate effect.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique on 9th July 2021, to fight terrorist groups, honoring the request of Mozambique. The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.
The situation in the country had worsened since October 2017 when armed extremists launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique.
Mozambique Defence Armed Forces battled the extremists but many civilians were killed and displaced by the fighting.
Before Rwandan troops’ intervention, terrorists had killed 3000 civilians while more than 800,000 were displaced. The insecurity had also put to halt all development projects in the area controlled by insurgents.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big where different regions were seized from rebels.
Rwanda and Mozambique have been enjoying vibrant relations for many years.
Lt Gen Kabandana who has been commanding the Rwandan JTF was recently replaced by Maj Gen Eugene Nkubito.
During his tour of duty, Lt Gen Kabandana was deputized by Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi who served as joint operations commander.
Lt Gen Kabandana once served as Defence Attache’ to the Embassy of Rwanda, Washington DC.
Among others, he held different positions as a Brigade staff officer in charge of Civil Military Affairs, Chief Instructor at Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, and Deputy Chief Military Personnel Officer in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan -UNMISS Sudan.
He was also once the Chairman of the Military Tender Board: Chief of Logistics, RDF HQ; Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy and Director of Rwanda Peace Academy.
Figures released by Ugandan authorities on Sunday indicate that 34 people have been suspected of testing positive for Ebola virus. Of them 16 cases have been confirmed while 21 people have died after the country confirmed the first Ebola case one week ago.
The Ministry of Health has reassured Rwandans that the epidemic has not yet reached the country noting that travelers from Uganda are being isolated at designated sites where they are released within 21 days after undergoing medical checkups and testing negative.
Minister Ngamije has requested Rwandans to avoid unnecessary travels to areas affected by the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
“We call upon residents in the districts neighbouring with Uganda to avoid unnecessary travels to the country, especially during this time when the virus is reported there. People can cancel their travels awaiting the situation to normalize,” he said.
Dr. Ngamije has also advised those traveling from Uganda against crossing through porous borders lest it affects the population in case they conceal details about their travel yet got in contact with people infected with Ebola.
“We request people staying there to remain cautious, while those coming back have to alert health and security officials at the border to record genuine details of his/her journey. It is worthless to conceal information,” he noted.
Minister Ngamije has urged the general public to gather information about neighbours and visitors coming to their villages to contain the spread of Ebola virus because it is deadly.
“We have not yet confirmed the virus in the country. We will continue to scale up efforts to contain the epidemic and have necessary equipment to conduct tests for Ebola. We remain standby to respond swiftly,” he said.
Ebola symptoms includes fever, headache, joint pain, soar throat, fatigue, diarrhea, regular vomiting several times, stomachache and bleeding through different body parts.
The general public is also advised to avoid contacts with blood, body fluids, items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids ; avoid contact with the body of an Ebola victim or dead wild animal or eating its meat ; always wash hands with soap and clean water and seek medical care whenever they do not feel well.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group after resuming fight with Congolese Army (FARDC). Following the resurgence of the rebel group which accused DRC of failure to implement Nairobi peace accords signed in 2013, M23 has so far captured different areas including Bunagana town situated at the border with Uganda.
To find a lasting solution, East African countries agreed on the deployment of a joint regional force to fight armed groups in eastern DRC.
Speaking to Aljazeera; the President of Kenya, William Ruto has reiterated his country’s commitment to deploy troops because the issue of DRC affects the entire region.
He explained that the deployment was thoroughly discussed.
“I have had an occasion to have a discussion with President Tshisekedi, and I have also had an opportunity to speak to President Kagame. He has been forthright that they have nothing to do with M23. There are other people who think otherwise but we do not want to engage ourselves in blame games and finger pointing. We have to get our hands on it and sort out the issues,” he said.
“The good thing is that both President Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi are committed to making sure that we sort out that problem as a region. And that is why all our countries are contributing troops to stabilize that region,” added Ruto.
He hailed the contribution of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta through the Nairobi process and reiterated commitment to continuing the journey to restore peace in DRC.
{{Deployments has begun}}
Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi recently agreed that regional troops continue to arrive in his country where Kenyans are expected in the near future.
Speaking to France 24 and RFI, Tshisekedi said that there are no specific timelines or deadlines for arrival but confirmed that Burundian troops are already deployed in DRC.
He explained that Uganda will send a small number of troops compared to other regional countries including Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania.
DRC has however boycotted the deployment of Rwandan troops amidst the ongoing tensions.
RwandAir was ranked first out of ten other African airlines all contending for the top spot.
The carrier’s staff – both on the ground and in the air – were praised by airline customers for their excellent service.
The African carrier also won the award for ‘Best Cabin Crew in Africa’ and ‘Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in Africa’, completing the trio.
Commenting on the development on 24th September 2022, RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Makolo, said that it induces pride to have the airline’s staff recognized for their dedication by Skytrax.
“We are delighted to know that our customers choose to fly with us and distinguish the level of quality of our service,” she noted.
The World Airline Awards began in 1999 when Skytrax launched its first global, annual airline customer satisfaction survey. They are referred to as the Oscars of the aviation industry.
Based in Kigali, RwandAir is one of Africa’s most ambitious airlines with a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers.
RwandAir currently operates to 28 destinations across 22 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
{{About RwandAir}}
Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines and operates one of the youngest state-of-the-art fleets on the African continent. With a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, RwandAir operates 12 aircraft with an average age of just under six years. The airline currently offers services to 28 destinations across 22 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The photo followed another one showing both countries’ First Ladies exchanging greetings in a friendly atmosphere.
However, the speech delivered by Tshisekedi at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday this week pointing at Rwanda as the origin of his country’s instability that existed for long and requesting the international community to take action reignited confusion among some people.
It was followed by the speech by President Kagame on Wednesday who stressed that blame games will not solve the problems highlighting that political will is much needed to address the root causes of instability in eastern DRC.
Later on, French President released a statement announcing that the three heads of state met in New York on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly.
President Kagame and Tshisekedi were invited by Macron for discussions with a view to calm tensions between both countries.
The tensions rose early this year following the resurgence of M23 rebel group which resumed attacks requesting the Congolese government to implement peace accords that did not materialize.
A statement released by France indicated that Kagame and Tshisekedi expressed concerns over the resurgence of violence in eastern DRC.
France said that Kagame and Tshisekedi agreed on the need for the pullout of M23 rebels which has currently seized different areas, put an end to activities of armed groups in the Great Lakes region, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), going hand in hand with the Nairobi Peace process and the mediation of Angola in collaboration with the African Union.
{{Intentions}}
Since he was installed French President in 2017, Emmanuel Macron has shown interest in peace and security with a focus on restoring the country’s image tarnished by its disputed reactions in problems that the world has been facing for over 100 years.
International analysts consider Macron as one of influential leaders in Europe after Angel Merkel left German chancellery.
Having Macron as a mediator is nothing of extraordinary as France is currently chairing the UN Security Council in September.
It goes with the active involvement of Macron in handling different problems facing the world where he attempted to mediate the tension between Russia and Ukraine.
A journalist and analyst, Tite Gatanazi has observed that France already enjoys cordial relations with Rwanda at the regime of Macron where serving as a mediator on the issue is something of critical significance.
Gatabazi also highlighted that France is a country with global influence that it would be easier for DRC to respect its mediation efforts.
“Tshisekedi would be lucky to have Macron getting him out of his labyrinth. Secondly, France is a powerful country whether you accept or not and has strong connections with USA. It is an influential country in the European Union and other international organizations like the World Bank, Francophonie, International Monetary Fund [IMF] and UN agencies,” he said.
France has for long been blamed by African countries over continuing to exercise colonial policy especially in its former colonies in West and Central Africa.
Macron came with new policies to admit mistakes committed by his country like its responsibility during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He has also shown that there are other avenues for collaboration between France and Africa where companies from the European country can be given floor to contribute to Africa’s development.
Gatabazi says that France has already identified potential development opportunities in East Africa in the near future where building strong connections with countries in the region would be an ideal approach.
“France strongly wants to bridge the gap resulting from a negative reputation associated with the Genocide to forge development partnerships,” he noted.
France last enjoyed cordial relations with Congo at the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko.
After leaving power, the leadership of Kabila and his son, Joseph Kabila seem to have turned backs against Europeans and focused on deepening ties with countries in eastern part of the world.
As Felix Tshisekedi was installed, it served as an opportunity for France to approach Congo given that the current president understands well Europe where he spent many days of his life in Brussels.
Ten months after Tshisekedi took power (towards the end of 2019), France committed to strengthening relations with DRC especially in the area of security to fight armed groups.
A political analyst, Albert Rudatsimburwa has observed that France’s gesture in New York was just to calm down the wrath of Tshisekedi.
“French people have many problems that DRC issues cannot sidetrack their attention. For the time being, the major problem is in Europe. Putin cut the supply […] Congo is not on their agenda,” he said.
The statement released after the tripartite meeting does neither indicate that France replaced Angola nor Kenya but supports their mediation efforts and call for speedy implementation.
For Rudatsimburwa, the mediation of Macron on Rwanda, DRC tensions bore no fruits.
“There is no mediation. It is just about taking pictures. Tshisekedi was crying loud to be heard. In fact, there is no new development. It is a time to cool down the wrath,” he said.
“Nothing is expected to change because there are no specific commitments on each concerned side. Do you think Rwanda can accept to call Makenga over the phone and propose the withdrawal? Does the country command the rebel group [M23]?” wondered Rudatsimburwa.
He underscored that the solution will come out of Nairobi process requesting DRC to engage with armed groups and particularly respecting peace accords signed with M23 in 2013 that have not yet been implemented.
France has been supporting dialogues to solve the issue of instability in DRC but the latter has been boycotting any engagements, particularly with M23.
David Bonderman,79, is among tycoons in the USA whose net worth is estimated at $6.5 billion, according to Forbes.
He has invested in diverse businesses including TPG Capital, Boston Celtics Basketball Team and Seattle Kraken, a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle.
President Kagame held talks with the businessman on Friday 23rd September 2022 in the United States.
Their discussions on investment opportunities in Rwanda were also attended by the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi and Francis Gatare, Senior Economic Advisor to the President.
In 2015, David Bonderman announced a plan to invest in Africa through TPG Capital in which he owns shares.
He would partner with Sudanese businessman, Mo Ibrahim to run the investment on the African continent.
Apart from being a businessman, David Bonderman is also a philanthropist running different biodiversity conservation projects in Africa.
Through Wildcat Foundation, he has massively contributed to the fight against poachers killing elephants and rhinos to sell their tusks.
“Happy to announce that I will be visiting my uncle, H.E. @PaulKagame, soon to get more tips on cattle keeping. Look forward to meeting with more friends in Kigali. God bless Uganda and Rwanda!” he tweeted on Friday 23rd September 2022.
Lt 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, Lt 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, Lt 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 Lt Gen Muhoozi is 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 are 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 Lt Gen Muhoozi.
Since he was involved in the process to restore relations to normal, Lt 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.
Lt 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.
Lt 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, Lt Gen Muhoozi said that both countries currently have good relations with optimism that the situation would improve further in the future.
