His suspension has been announced through a Communiqué released by Office of the Prime Minister on behalf of President of the Republic on Thursday 5th May 2022.
In 2013, Bamporiki was elected a member of the Lower Chamber of Rwandan Parliament.
Later in 2017, he was named as the Chairman of Rwanda’s National Itorero Commission prior to his latest appointment as the Minister of State in the Ministry of youth and Culture on 4th November 2019.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that the Head of State hosted Kairu at Village Urugwiro in the afternoon of Thursday 5th May 2022 but did not point out topics of discussions.
The recent merger of operations saw the two banks operating as a single entity named BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, with KCB Group as the majority shareholder.
The acquisition of majority shareholding of BPR was successfully completed in August 2021, through outright purchase of Atlas Mara and Arise B.V. shares to a tune of US$32 million, following approvals from both financial sector regulators in Kenya and Rwanda.
The combined bank became the second largest bank in the Rwanda banking industry and gives KCB Group a stronger edge in deepening the ongoing Group strategy to scale regional presence.
The group’s total shares of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc currently stand at 87.5% while the remaining 12.5% belong to local shareholders.
According to KCB Group Chairman, Andrew Kairu, the merge has created ‘a strong bank in Rwanda which will serve the community better and more efficiently’.
To ensure that this happens, he revealed, the will continue leveraging its technology prowess and increased scale to drive financial inclusion, and bank the unbanked in Rwanda.
As he officiated the official launch of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc at t Kigali Convention Center on Wednesday 4th May 2022, Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente commended the banking sector for its role in Rwanda’s economic recovery efforts from Covid-19.
In this regard, he appreciated the flexibility of commercial banks in restructuring loans for clients as part of measures to help them to cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic.
The Premier invited actors in the banking sector to partner with the Government of Rwanda in supporting the agriculture as one of the key sector that contributes a lot to ‘our economy’.
He also commended the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group for continued investment of resources in Rwanda and noted that its merger with Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) will be very crucial in providing various financial products and services to our population and improve the quality of their life.
Among others, Premier Ngirente reiterated the commitment of the Government of Rwanda to create an enabling environment for the financial sector in Rwanda and ensure that the majority of un-banked Rwandan population has access to banking services at affordable cost.
The former premises of Butare Prefecture where the building is set to be developed is currently used as offices of Ngoma Sector, Police and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) stations as well as Huye Community Radio.
It will be built by traders grouped in Huye Trading Company (HTC) which has allocated Rwf7 billion for the building to be developed in a plot of land stretched on more 19,000 square meters.
Albert Niyonzima who is heading the company has said that they decided to set up the building considering investment opportunities available in Huye.
“After realizing available investment opportunities in our town and plots of land, we joined hands as traders in the town to erect a building that will address some of the district’s problems and promote private investors living there,” he said.
Niyonzima explained that the building will be comprised of hotels, restaurants, shops, markets and modern markets, grocery stores, office spaces and car parking among others.
The investors plan to start construction activities in July 2022 and complete the first phase in one year. As of today, the have raised Rwf320 million which they plan to increase in a short time span.
Jeannette Muhimpundu, one of these investors has said that the building is also expected to provide job opportunities to people majority of whom being the youth.
“It is one of avenues to improve visibility and development of our district while helping people to get jobs during construction and after,” she said.
The Mayor of Huye District, Ange Sebutege has said that the district has different infrastructures including roads, water, electricity and internet facilitating investors and urged others to take advantage of idle land to contribute to the development of Huye town and individual growth as well.
The programs are also expected to address the shortage of health workers.
The official launch of these programs took place in the evening of Wednesday 4th May 2022 at Kigali Convention Centre. It was attended by different dignitaries including First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
The newly launched programs include fellowships in the courses of Adult and pediatric cardiology, Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Gynecology oncology.
Others include Nephrology, endocrinology and maternal-fetal medicine.
Others are Pediatric Surgery and Dermatology Residency and Clinical Anatomy at Master’s and PhD level as Patrick Ndimubanzi, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Human Resources for Health (HRH) explained.
The University of Rwanda has designed related curriculum based on Rwanda’s development blueprints including the National Strategy for Transformation 1 (NST1) and Vision 2050 to build knowledge based economy, producing competent workforce and striving for improved citizens’ wellbeing among others.
The main objective of the program is to produce specialist doctors with a view to bridge the gap of workers, provide new services contributing to health tourism and make the country a hub for health services in the region.
Once implemented, the program will help to solve persistent problems particularly in the provision of healthcare for non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Prof. Jean Claude Byiringiro, Dean of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Rwanda has said that most of Fellowships will last for two years except adult and pediatric cardiology that will last for three years.
The school is currently able to assist two applicants who might be increased depending on available means.
Those studying Dermatology), Plastic Surgery and Neurorology will spend five years in class and two years for full-time students in Clinical Anatomy or three years for Master’s degree and three years for PhD.
Prof. Byiringiro has said that some equipment needed under this program are available at the University’s’ teaching hospital insisting that it requires huge investment at the beginning.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya has said that these programs will improve the quality and quantity of health services noting that the ministry is standby to contribute to its implementation.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije has underscored that the Government of Rwanda is committed to provide the necessary and work closely with major health partners for the program to be a success.
Among them, he cited the university hospitals and schools of medicines operating in Rwanda.
This is believed to help students choose courses of specialization in second year.
{{Mutuelle de Santé at King Faisal Hospital }}
King Faisal Hospital was recently designated as a teaching hospital for approved programs at the University of Rwanda.
Dr. Ngamije has commended the collaboration with university teaching hospitals, Rwanda Military Hospital and King Faisal Hospital that will see patients from teaching hospitals transferred there to be treated in short time.
He explained that the partnership is meant to avoid delays of appointments for patients seeking medical attention at university teaching hospitals.
Dr. Ngamije disclosed that the ministry has worked with Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) to revamp programs related to the transfer of patients to hospitals and allow subscribers of the community based health insurance known as ‘Mutuelle de Santé’ to be admitted at King Faisal hospital where needs be.
Prof Senait Fisseha, Director Global Programs at Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and Co-Chair of the African Advisory Board of the University of Global Health Equity has observed that this program will help the country to increase specialist doctors.
The Premier made the revelation as he officiated the opening ceremony of the 12th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, taking place in Kigali from 3rd to 7th May 2022.
Dr. Ngirente was representing President Paul Kagame at the ceremony that was also attended by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland.
The meeting brought together heads of anti-corruption agencies, government officials, representatives from international organizations in anti-corruption sectors and diplomats among others.
Themed “Combatting Corruption for Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa”, the meeting takes place at a time when Rwanda is making preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled in June 2022.
Premier Ngirente has said that the theme for this conference is very important because it is in line with the Africa’s Agenda 2063, “The Africa we want”, aspiration number 3, which provides for an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.
He stated that it clearly illustrates the firm commitment of African leaders to uphold the culture of the rule of law and good governance.
Several reports have indicated that global corruption is now costing around USD 1 trillion annually. This has severe effects on the lives of people as the cost is very high and continues to weaken resilience of communities.
“This has severe effects on the lives of our people. This cost is very high and continues to weaken resilience of our communities,” said Premier Ngirente.
He explained that corruption creates economic distortions and hampers investments.
Dr. Ngirente also observed that investors who deserve a fair and competitive business environment will avoid investing in countries where there is a high level of corruption.
“In Rwanda, the political will to enhance transparency and accountability are key factors to implement a zero-tolerance approach against corruption,” he noted.
Premier Ngirente told participants that the Government of Rwanda adopted the performance contracts system in 2006 to promote accountability and transparency.
“Under this system, every year, Public Servants sign performance contracts with their managers/supervisors or heads of institution. This is done at all levels of administration, from the local district to ministries and embassies,” he said.
“In that spirit of preventing and fighting any form of corruption, the Government of Rwanda aims at using Information and Communication Technology [ICT] for delivering services to our citizens. So far, key government services are currently accessed online,” added Dr. Ngirente.
The Secretary General of Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland has said that corruption has many devastating effects and hinders countries’ journey to achieve sustainable development.
She underscored that fighting corruption requires collaboration and commitment by Commonwealth countries.
“We must develop and work simple mechanisms to recover ill-gotten assets lying in foreign jurisdictions. The collaboration must go beyond the anti-corruption agencies to the anti-money laundering agencies and tax authorities in the commonwealth countries,” she said.
“We can win the war against corruption through collaboration cooperation and through a whole of the Commonwealth approach and using transformative technologies,” added Scotland.
Pointing out on the severity of corruption, Scotland revealed that Africa loses US$50 billion annually that should be used in development programs.
{{Technology in fighting corruption }}
The latest report by Transparency International ranked Rwanda the 52nd country globally in fighting corruption and the 4th least corrupt African country.
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2021 indicated that Rwanda scored 53% from 54% of 2020.
Rwanda’s Chief Ombudsman, Madeleine Nirere has said that political will has yielded good results noting that fighting corruption will continue to be given special attention under the bold vision of President of the Republic.
She explained that Rwanda has made great strides and wants to take the lead in global efforts to fight corruption by 2050.
Nirere highlighted that a lot has been achieved considering the extent at which technology was promoted in service delivery and e-procurement.
The Chief Ombudsman stressed that it reduced physical interactions between people seeking services and providers.
Among others, she explained that assets recovery efforts have been also fruitful overtime where Rwanda recovered Rwf6 billion in 2021 with a target to recover 92% of public assets from 82.5% of 2017.
Nirere has also called on the Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies to maintain strong collaboration with national, regional, and international partners, if they are to fulfill their goals of sustainable development.
Despite intensified efforts, the Chairperson of Transparency International Rwanda, Marie Immaculée Ingabire has observed that people continue to forge new tricks to solicit and offer bribes.
“Technology has played a role in reducing corruption but it doesn’t mean it was completely stamped out. For instance, it was apparent that the e-procurement was held in transparency at the onset but the efforts have stepped back. When we try to analyze the situation, we realize that selected bidders get advantaged and given information facilitating them to win. It is no longer necessary to sit together at the office. People can meet anywhere when they know each other. This is the new trick being used,” she said.
Ingabire further disclosed that lack of integrity and difficulties in getting evidences are among rampant challenges hindering efforts to stamp out corruption.
The Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies was established in 2011 to foster collaboration of the Nations.
The annual Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in The Commonwealth Africa in 2019 was held in Kampala, Uganda where Members agreed that the next Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa in 2020 would be hosted by Rwanda in partnership with The Commonwealth Secretariat.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Conferences of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa for 2020 and 2021 took place virtually.
This year’s conference comes to Rwanda following fruitful efforts to fight the pandemic globally.
The Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in The Commonwealth Africa is composed of Anti-Corruption Agencies from 18 African countries namely ; Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
After holding talks with the Head of State on Monday 2nd May 2022 afternoon, Rwanda’s Presidency revealed that their discussions focused on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 to be hosted by Rwanda in June.
Patricia Scotland arrived in Kigali on Sunday 1stn May 2022. She is the guest of honour at the 12th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa scheduled between 3rd and 7th May 2022.
The event to be hosted in Rwanda for the first time will see 18 Commonwealth Africa Nations from the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies convening in Kigali to share expertize and innovations in combatting corruption.
The association was established in 2011 to foster collaboration of the Nations. The general objective of this year’s conference is to bring together member countries to concretize the strategies in the fight against corruption under the theme “Combating Corruption for Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa”.
It is being organized by the Office of The Ombudsman of Rwanda in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat. During the conference, every Head of the Anti-Corruption Agency will make a presentation on Innovative Projects done in the fight against Corruption.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of members are small states, many of which are island nations.
Its Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.
The Commonwealth work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
Member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organisations.
Rwanda joined Commonwealth in 2009.
The event has been celebrated at Nyamirambo Stadium at national level.
The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheihk Salim Hitimana urged Muslims to be compassionate and take care of the needy.
The prayer service was attended by people of different age brackets from children to the youth and the elderly.
The Rwanda Defence Force Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga and the President of Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Abdallah Murenzi were among those who turned up at the stadium for prayers.
As part of celebrations of this day, Muslims usually gather for prayers in the morning and proceed to share lunch and joy of the day with friends, relatives and neighbours.
The contest will bring together different international schools from more than 15 countries from Africa, USA, Asia and Europe with a view to sharpen children’s written and spoken proficiencies in English language.
During the latest competition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17th December 2021, three students from Wisdom School emerged among winners.
At the time, the school was represented by 21 students out of 200 participants.
Some of students set to represent the school at the contest to be held in Toronto have disclosed that they will take advantage of acquired knowledge to induce pride to the country and win awards.
“I have done enough exercises on the support of my colleagues and teachers. I stand big chances to win because I know the secret which is to listen and respond attentively. We will be representing Rwanda and want to induce pride to the country,” said Merveille Keza.
Stacy Umubyeyi Habimana has also said that the school helps them to make enough exercises and expressed optimism to shine.
“I do enough exercises and have prior experience in Dubai contest which will be leveraged to perform better. We exhibited good performance and emerged among winners. I have been through intensified preparations and have confidence that we shall outperform competitors,” he noted.
“I considered it an unusual event but I opened eyes after my colleagues went to Dubai and performed well. My parents started supporting me since then that I am prepared enough. I will compete courageously like a soldier on the battlefield. We shall win and walk away with awards,” said another student identified as Elisa Ishimwe.
Innocent Gasasira Kwizera, a teacher training these students expected to participate in the contest expressed confidence that they will perform well because they are taught through an international program.
“We have confidence that our children will exhibit good performance because we are currently teaching them under an international program. We outperformed Arabs last year and this motivates our students to set fears aside to speak fluently,” he said.
The Director of Wisdom School, Elie Nduwayesu has said that students are trained to strive for excellence and the country’s reputation everything else. He called on everyone to provide support to overcome financial constraints and increase the number of students representing the school.
“The experience from Dubai gives us confidence that we shall also win big in Toronto. We request children and train them to do research and read extensively. We try to take them through the context under which judges ask questions. Our children are aware that they will be representing Rwanda. When you are representing such a large number of people, it gives courage to work harder,” he said.
“We are allowed to bring 45 students but we have got 26. We want parents, friends and education enthusiasts to support us so that we can have maximum representation because our students are capable. I thank parents who understood the relevance of the contest because it increases confidence when a child represents his/her country abroad,” he noted.
Wisdom School is a private school located in Musanze District with more campuses in Rubavu, Nyabihu and Burera districts.
The school’s graduates have been exhibiting excellent performance since 2012 where it has released 1416 students who continued studies in public schools while others were sent to pursue education overseas.
