Figures released today show that Urban CPI increased by 12.6 percent on annual basis (May 2022 and May 2021) and increased by 1.9 percent on monthly basis (May 2022 to April 2022). The annual average inflation rate between May 2022 and May 2021 was 3.5 percent.
In May 2022, Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 24.2 percent on annual basis and increased by 5 percent on monthly basis. ‘Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ increased by 8 percent on annual basis and decreased by 0.3 percent on monthly basis.
Transport increased by 7.7 percent on annual basis and increased by 1 percent on monthly basis. Restaurants and hotels increased by 14.3 percent on annual change and increased by 0.1 percent on monthly basis.
Released statistics also show that the “local goods” increased by 11.5 percent on annual change and increased by 1.6 percent on monthly basis, while prices of the “imported products” increased by 15.9 percent on annual basis and increased by 2.8 percent on monthly basis.
The prices of the “fresh products” increased by 17.7 percent on annual change and increased by 3.1 percent on monthly basis.
The prices of the “Energy” increased by 17.6 percent on annual change and decreased by 1.3 percent on monthly basis.
Prices are expected to continue rising this month due to revised fuel prices to go into effect from 10th June to 31st July 2022.
The Government of Rwanda has announced that a liter of fuel costs Rwf1460 from Rwf1359 while a liter of Diesel costs Rwf1503 from Rwf1368 in line with adjustments on international market.
The new prices are likely to affect the cost of transport cost and the global supply chain.
According to Royal Central, Prince Charles who will represent Queen Elizabeth II at the meeting has welcomed around 500 guests from across the Commonwealth who are now based in the United Kingdom (UK).
These include the High Commissioners of some countries and representatives from the arts, charity, educational, health and business sectors among others.
Prince Charles has already confirmed that he will come to Rwanda along with the Duchess Camilla.
Ahead of their visit to Rwanda later this month, Prince Charles has announced that he is eager to come to Rwanda for the first time.
“My wife and I much look forward to meeting Commonwealth leaders and, for the first time, being able to visit Rwanda,” he said.
Prince Charles stated that he has learned a great deal from the ideas, concerns and aspirations which people across the Commonwealth have so generously shared over the years.
He highlighted that too many members of the Commonwealth are amongst the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. It is among issues that will be discussed during CHOGM 2022.
Prince Charles indicated that two out of three Commonwealth citizens are under the age of thirty noting that there is a pressing need to find opportunities for ‘our young people’.
“Taking shared responsibility to solve problems like these, means the Commonwealth has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of its citizens and, in so doing, to be an unparalleled force for good in our world,” he said.
Clarence House announced on 9th June 2022 that Prince Charles and Camilla will undertake engagements that focus on issues facing Commonwealth countries, like “climate change; supporting biodiversity and the regeneration of land; economic development; opportunities for the young; and gender equality.”
Prince Charles, the first born to Queen Elizabeth II was designated as her successor in 2018.
Prince Charles has attended similar meetings five times since 1997.
The statement released by Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) reads that fuel prices have been revised based on adjustments on the international market.
New prices will go into force from Friday 10th June to 31st July 2022.
Despite the price hike; the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana has said that the government exonerated taxes and subsidized public transport fares to avoid heavy burdens on passengers.
The latest price changes in April this year saw the cost of petrol increased by Rwf103 and diesel by Rwf167.
Speaking to RBA, Minister Nsabimana has said that the increase in petroleum products mainly emanated from effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“The war between Ukraine and Russia broke out in February this year as people embarked on the path to economy recovery. Many European countries import 40% of oil from Russia. This caused adverse effects because Russia is among largest oil producers globally,” he said.
Dr. Nsabimana has disclosed that the government allocated Rwf29.3 billion to subsidize fuel prices from October 2020 to October 2021 and injected more Rwf5.2 billion from November 2020 to March this year to prevent higher prices.
“The government has allocated more Rwf10 billion from March to November this year. There will be no changes regarding the transport of people and goods because the government will continue its subsidy program,” he stated.
The development was announced by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana during a consultative meeting organized by the Upper House of Parliament to discuss persistent challenges hindering easy access to financial services among citizens.
Pointed out challenges include high interest rates ranging between 16% and 24%.
Another discussed issue is the low percentage of funds loaned to the agriculture sector (five percent) yet it constitutes 70% of the labour force.
The low percentage is mainly attributed to risks associated with the sector and lack of collateral to be presented to banks.
Sometimes, it can take long for farmers to repay the loan yet lenders need to provide loans to other clients.
Noël Muhawenimana, the Chief Executive Officer of Umutanguha Finance Company Plc has said that 35% of its loan portfolio was allocated to farmers last year.
Muhawenimana revealed that waiting farmers to repay the loan after harvesting time takes long time and might affect operations.
He pointed out an example of the agriculture of Irish potatoes which might take up to five months to reach the harvesting time yet the bank needs the money to serve more clients.
“In such situation, we seek loans from foreign banks which are offered at high interest rate like 13%. That is why we also offer the loan to the farmer at 20% or 22%. With such rate, the farmer cannot generate expected profits,” observed Muhawenimana.
Minister Ndagijimana has said that the anticipated Rwf300 billion project will leave farmers accessing cheaper loans as they will be subsided by the government.
“It is a new project. Funds have not yet been released for the project to begin but we have identified requirements and hope that implementation will start in the near future,” he disclosed.
Once the project begins, Minister Ndagijimana explained, the funds will be channeled through financial institutions to provide loans to farmers.
“With this project, the interest rate might reduce from 24% currently charged by institutions like Umurenge Sacco to 10% or below the percentage,” he stated.
Preparations in different parts of Kigali City including the upgrading and construction of new roads are in final phases while more efforts are underway to make Kigali City more attractive.
Among others, signposts welcoming guests expected to attend the meeting and giving a glimpse of the country’s progress in preparations have been erected in Kigali.
However, construction works for some infrastructures including roads in Kacyiru, Kicukiro and Nyabugogo Bridge are ongoing.
Kigali City Vice Mayor in Charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure, Dr. Merard Mpabwanamaguru has told RBA that efforts are ongoing to finalize all preparations.
“We have built roads in Kigali. We encourage residents to use them appropriately to avoid traffic congestion,” he said.
The infrastructure development is part of Kigali City’s project to build more than 200-kilometer roads in four years.
The first phase drew emphasis on urgent roads to be used during CHOGM while the second phase will be launched after the meeting.
“The first phase drew much attention on urgent roads to help us reduce traffic jam in the city. They were given priority because the meeting was on the agenda by the time we started the project,” said Dr. Mpabwanamaguru.
As the meeting draws near, Kigali dwellers have expressed worries that construction activities might not be completed before and asked relevant authorities to expedite the projects.
Dr. Mpabwanamaguru has revealed that roads under construction will have been finalized by the beginning of the meeting.
“Many roads including the one in Kacyiru and Kimicanga are being finalized. Some parts have been already tarmacked. Others will have been completed between 10th and 11th. The remaining work will be predominantly about creating gardens and other activities to be done between 12th and 14th June 2022,” he noted.
“We are optimistic that these infrastructures [roads] will be used with lights installed along them,” added Dr. Mpabwanamaguru.
Residents in buildings along roads have been also urged to expedite renovation works and spray new paints to make them look attractive.
Dr. Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa, the Spokesperson of the Civil Society Platform has said that a lot has been done but stressed the need to do more to improve the smartness of Kigali.
“Residents need to be updated on the meeting lest they are improvised. There is a need for sensitization to keep reminding them to maintain hygiene as a routine not only during the period of meetings,” he noted.
{{Smart Bus Shelters in final preparations}}
At least 20 Smart Bus Shelters are being constructed along the road from Kigali International Airport to the city centre. The facilities built at bus stops will shelter passengers awaiting buses.
The smart bus shelters will be equipped with facilities like LED advertising and entertainment screens, LED lighting, WiFi and other accessories like charging ports.
Dr. Mpabwanamaguru has said that these facilities will be installed gradually.
“All required facilities will not be ready during CHOGM but they [smart bus shelters] will be used,” he said.
“We are going to expend much effort to get them completed. We want these shelters set up in all parts of Kigali where passengers using them will access information regarding the next bus to pick them and available seats among others,” disclosed Dr. Mpabwanamaguru.
{{Nyabugogo and Kicukiro bridges near completion}}
Nyabugogo and Kicukiro bridges are among infrastructures being upgraded and expected to be used during CHOGM 2022.
The rehabilitation of Nyabugogo bridge is meant to contain floods occasioned by Mpazi drainage overflow which used to destroy houses and wash away cars among other valuables.
Dr. Mpabwanamaguru has assured that the bridge might be ready for use in 14 days.
Construction of a flyover in Kicukiro is underway while side roads have been also upgraded.
More preparations are ongoing in parts of Kigali designated as Car Free Zone in Nyamirambo and Gisimenti in Remera.
Public latrines will be also built in these places before CHOGM.
The campus was launched on Tuesday 7th June 2022 at the outskirts of Virunga National Park in Kinigi Sector of Musanze District, Northern Province.
The Head of State hosted them at Urugwiro Village on Wednesday 8th June 2022. He was along with the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi.
Ellen DeGeneres who built the campus is an American television personality and comedian renowned for his talk show dubbed ’The Ellen DeGeneres Show’.
DeGeneres was gifted with the campus by her long-time partner Portia de Rossi considering her love for Diana Fossey, a celebrated gorilla conservationist who died in 1985.
Construction of the multimillion-dollar facility was completed at a cost of US$15 million.
The Ellen Campus established to foster gorilla conservation efforts is an eco-friendly facility which includes three main buildings—the Sandy and Harold Price Research Center, the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery and the Rob and Melani Walton Education Center—as well as housing for visiting students and researchers.
The official inauguration of Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund was graced by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) among others.
Premier Ngirente said that the launch is an important milestone in conservation of our mountain gorillas, which remains at the heart of Rwanda’s priorities.
He thanked Ellen and Portia for their dedication to Rwanda and long-term passion for the conservation of the mountain gorillas and for continuing the remarkable work of Dian Fossey.
DeGeneres also expressed delight for seeing her dreams becoming a reality.
“I have looked up to Dian Fossey since I was 12 years old, and this past week in Rwanda, I was able to tour the Ellen DeGeneres Campus. It has been so emotional and so incredible to see the impact it has already had,” she said at the event.
The campus was built by an American television personality and comedian, Ellen DeGeneres renowned for his talk show dubbed ’The Ellen DeGeneres Show’.
DeGeneres was gifted with the campus by her long-time partner Portia de Rossi considering her love for Diana Fossey, a celebrated gorilla conservationist who died in 1985.
Construction of the multimillion-dollar facility was completed at a cost of US$15 million (over Rwf14 billion). It was initially opened to public on 1st February 2022 to foster research and education on gorillas while more than 2400 Rwandans got jobs during construction of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus.
The opened campus will be home to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund which has been operating in Rwanda for more than 50 years through its Karisoke Research Centre, based in Musanze District, Northern Province.
The Dian Fossey Fund is the world’s longest-running and largest organisation dedicated entirely to the conservation of gorillas.
It particularly works in areas of conservation of mountain gorillas and their habitat, scientific research on the gorillas and greater biodiversity of the region, educating the next generation of African scientists through working with Rwandan universities, and engaging local communities to increase their support for conservation.
Ellen and Portia’s lead gift enabled the Fossey Fund to move forward on an ambitious, 20-year dream project to build a permanent home in Rwanda aimed at accelerating their science and conservation work. The Ellen Campus is the vision of the award-winning MASS Design Group and has been named one of Africa’s 10 most anticipated architectural projects.
Founded by the legendary Dian Fossey, whose life and ultimately death were portrayed in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist,” the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the world’s largest and longest-running organization dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation.
After launching Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in 1966, Dian Fossey was killed in 1985.
Its work combines daily, boots-on-the ground protection and study of individual gorillas with people-centered programs aimed at training the next generation of African conservationists and addressing the basic needs of the people who share the gorillas’ forest home through food and water security, livelihood and education programs.
Feared by Dian Fossey to be extinct by the year 2000, mountain gorillas represent a rare conservation success story, with the population in the region growing from a low of 250 in the 1980s to more than 1000 today.
The Ellen Campus established to foster gorilla conservation efforts is an eco-friendly facility adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park which includes three main buildings—the Sandy and Harold Price Research Center, the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery and the Rob and Melani Walton Education Center—as well as housing for visiting students and researchers.
An extensive ‘living laboratory’ has been created on the former agricultural site through the planting of more than 250,000 native plants and the inclusion of green roofs, water harvesting and a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment.
The Ellen Campus is also designed to support Rwanda’s ecotourism sector. Managed by the Rwandan government, tourism to see the gorillas plays a critical role in providing revenue for the park as well as supporting local communities through employment and revenue sharing.
Visitors to the Ellen Campus can immerse themselves in an interactive, educational exhibit located in the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery.
Designed to tell the story of mountain gorilla research and conservation from Fossey’s time to modern day, it includes original, never before displayed artifacts from Dian Fossey’s almost two decades of living amongst the gorillas, stunning visual effects through a 360 degree immersive experience, as well as augmented and virtual reality and numerous engaging, edutainment opportunities to learn more about the science and, most importantly, people behind the conservation success of mountain gorillas.
The official inauguration of Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund took place on Tuesday 7th June 2022 in Kinigi.
It was graced by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) among others.
Premier Ngirente said that the launch is an important milestone in conservation of our mountain gorillas, which remains at the heart of Rwanda’s priorities.
He thanked Ellen and Portia for their dedication to Rwanda and long-term passion for the conservation of the mountain gorillas and for continuing the remarkable work of Dian Fossey.
“I am confident that the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund will play a critical role in carrying on Dian’s legacy. It will ensure a bright future for the mountain gorillas and build a thriving community of scientists and conservations right here in Kinigi,” said Premier Ngirente.
Speaking at the event; Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer of RDB, said that the campus is a perfect example of sharing knowledge and support for ecotourism policy.
“We commit to see this campus prosper. You took Rwanda to the world and now this campus is bringing the world to Rwanda,” she told DeGeneres.
DeGeneres also expressed delight for seeing her dreams becoming a reality.
“I have looked up to Dian Fossey since I was 12 years old, and this past week in Rwanda, I was able to tour the Ellen DeGeneres Campus. It has been so emotional and so incredible to see the impact it has already had,” said DeGeneres at the event.
“I can’t say enough about Rwanda, there is so much to do and I will keep talking about Rwanda. I have always dreamt of being here. Dian Fossey taught us that we should look at different things differently rather than fighting them. She’s been my hero,” she stated.
DeGeneres said that the campus was named the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to recognize the legacy of the late Dian Fossey in service of mountain gorillas.
“We want to produce the next generation of conservationists here in Rwanda. This campus also contributes to Rwanda ecosystem development,” said Tara Stoinski, president of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
She said that the campus will focus on creating a space to engage the many stakeholders in conservation –students, scientists, tourists, conservation partners, and community members — to advance a collective goal of saving gorillas and, more broadly, the planet.
There are more than 1,000 mountain gorillas living in the world, more than half of which live in the Virunga Mountains, and the remainder can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
FDLR is a rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Maj Yefuta who was gunned down in the night of Monday 6th June 2022, has been the commander of FDLR Battalion which stayed in forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for 25 years.
Since last month, it has been reported that FDLR is collaborating with FARDC in clashes with M23.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that the fighting in which Maj Nsanzimana was shot dead happened in area of Bugusa, Jomba in Rutsuru Territory of Northern Kivu.
M23 has said that the fighting left 50 opponents killed.
The Spokesperson of M23, Major Willy Ngoma has announced that FARDC and FDLR have lost many soldiers during the fight which resumed on Monday.
On Monday, FARDC also confirmed the death of its two soldiers killed in the fighting with M23.
Maj Nsanzimana joined the army through a military training school known as School of Non-Commissioned Officers in Butare (ESO) in 1990.
Following the defeat of the then Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) towards the end of July 1994, Nsanzimana fled to DRC where he joined FDLR.
Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that their discussions held on Tuesday 7th June 2022 focused on ways to enhance the existing bilateral relations between Rwanda and Luxembourg in key areas such as the digital and FinTech sectors.
In October last year, Rwanda and Luxembourg signed bilateral agreement to support Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC).
The agreement provides ground for signatories to work together with the aim to support Rwanda in further developing the KIF.
Strategic areas of cooperation defined within the agreement include; capacity building and talent development development of sustainable finance in Rwanda, enabling a fintech ecosystem in Rwanda, and setting up a marketplace for impact investing in Rwanda.
Luxembourg, Rwanda also signed double taxation avoidance agreement in the same year.
The company started operations in Rwanda in 2019 while the inauguration ceremony of Kigali office which is the first ever on African continent was due in March 2020.
The official inauguration was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Speaking at the launch on Monday 6th June 2022; the President and Chief Operations Officer of Rohde & Schwarz, Peter Riedel has commended the management of Rwanda office for having successfully started the company in difficult times.
Riedel disclosed that he met President Kagame in 2018 as he attended a security meeting in Munich. As he explained, the meeting became the foundation of fruitful collaboration leading to the opening of Rwanda office as the first milestone.
Riedel said that President Kagame invited him to visit Rwanda’s attractions where he later attended ‘Kwiza Izina’, baby gorilla naming ceremony. At the time, he named a baby gorilla from Musilikare family.
Riedel has revealed that the company plans to do more in Rwanda, increase local staff and expend much effort in trainings on cyber security to staff from relevant institutions.
He also explained that they want to improve the curriculum for Cyber Security Academy in Rwanda and provide modern infrastructures.
President Kagame commended ‘Peter and the entire Rohde & Schwarz leadership for accepting to have our country as a long-term partner’.
The Head of State said that the management didn’t hesitate when he asked them to come to Rwanda during his visit to the company’s headquarters.
Over the years, Kagame said, ‘Rwanda has made significant progress in developing our digital economy’ but highlighted that there is a lot more to do.
The Head of State underscored that the Kigali International Financial Centre, Kigali Innovation City and Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are just examples of many things Rwanda is trying to do or can do in the near future.
“Our vision is to become a trusted hub for digital financial services and technology innovation in our region and beyond. Rohde & Schwarz is already a positive addition to Rwanda’s technology community through the software development lab started in 2019,” he said.
“Key public institutions in Rwanda are already making use of these applications. The launch of Rohde & Schwarz Rwanda Office, the first in our continent will only enhance the good collaboration we have seen,” added Kagame.
He commended the company’s new commitments in cyber security training, curriculum development as well as support for a Radio Frequency Lab in conjunction with QT-Software, a Rwandan software company.
The Head of State assured the company of Rwanda’s full support, urged the management to consider Rwanda as a reliable partner and reminded them to feel at home in Rwanda.
Diogene Niyigena, Senior Developer Team Lead at Rohde & Schwarz Rwanda has said that they have rolled out different projects for the past two years including Pace 2 related to network traffic classification in which they work with banks, airports and hospitals among others who are prone to cyber-attacks.
He explained that the local office seeks to establish a system helping different people to detect cyber-attacks and develop proactive approaches.
Under Pace 2, Niyigena revealed that they can monitor 3000 applications and alert companies on possible cyber threats.
The advisor to German Ambassador in Rwanda, Peter Primus said that the achievement is a result of cordial relations between both countries.
Rohde & Schwarz runs operations in more than 70 countries.
