It was revealed by Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente as he presented Government’s planned actions in the distribution of affordable agro-inputs to the plenary session of both parliamentary chambers.
He explained that the Government is set to increase investment in agriculture through loans with low interest rates to remove barriers for farmers who would be charged up to 18% as they seek loan in banks.
The project worth US$350 million to be rolled out in collaboration with the World Bank is expected to begin in the near future.
“This project will have a component to facilitate farmers’ access to loans. As per government’s plan under this scheme, we have committed to offer loans with low interest not exceeding 10% to farmers. The latter will be initially a project of the government whereafter the funds will be channeled through banks to make them accessible to farmers. We have prepared the project thoroughly with intentions to facilitate farmers’ access to affordable loans,” he said.
Agriculture accounts for 25% of Rwanda’s GDP.
The fund will complement the government’s program where it has multiplied four folds the amount allocated to subsidize the cost of agricultural inputs.
This was communicated during a General Assembly held on Monday 4th April 2022 at the Defence Headquarters, Kimihurura.
The 36th General Assembly was attended by the Minister of Defence, Major Gen Albert Murasira; Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana; Chief of Defence Staff, General JB Kazura and IGP Dan Munyuza, RDF service chiefs and other heads of security organs as well as a selected list of members from security organs.
Zigama CSS Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. James Ndahiro said that the main agenda of the meeting was to present to members the 2021 Audited Financial Statements.
“It was a successful year as the bank kept its growth and we are optimistic that it will grow even more in the years to come,” he said.
He further thanked members for their continued support and collaboration.
ZIGAMA CSS continues to expand the use of IT services to facilitate its members for different transactions. For instance, in 2021 the digital services transactions were 96% and 4% cashier transactions.
ZIGAMA CSS is a financial cooperative with membership drawn mainly from Security Organs namely Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National police, Rwanda Correctional Services, National Intelligence and Security Service and Rwanda Investigation Bureau.
The agreements were signed on Monday 4th April 2022 in the areas of taxation, immigration, health, investment promotion, agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
President Kagame is in Zambia’s touristic capital, Livingstone for a two-day State Visit.
Upon arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, he was received by his counterpart, Hakainde who extended a warm welcome to him.
Kagame also held a tête-à-tête with Hakainde on issues of mutual interest at bilateral and regional levels.
During his visit, the two Heads of State are expected to proceed for a tour at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls.
The two Presidents will then proceed to Sundowner where they are expected to have state dinner aboard the train.
On Tuesday, April 5, President Kagame, President Hichilema are expected to tour the Mukuni Big Five Safaris, the Mosi-o- Tunya National Park, and then proceed to the One Stop Border Post and Kazungula Bridge.
[{{Related story: Kagame arrives in Zamba for two-day official visit }} ->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-in-zambia-for-two-day-official-visit]
The Head of State arrived in at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport in Zambia on Monday 4th April 2022 where he was received by his counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema upon arrival.
Hichilema has via Twitter handle extended a warm welcome to his counterpart of Rwanda on the state visit.
The two Heads of State are expected to hold bilateral talks before proceeding for a tour at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls.
The two Presidents will then proceed to Sundowner where they are expected to have state dinner aboard the train.
On Tuesday, April 5, President Kagame, President Hichilema are expected to tour the Mukuni Big Five Safaris, the Mosi-o- Tunya National Park, and then proceed to the One Stop Border Post and Kazungula Bridge.
Ahead of the visit, Lusaka Times has reported, Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo has explained that the two Heads of State are scheduled to hold bilateral talks that will focus on matters of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and international levels.
He said the bilateral talks will be followed by the signing of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Zambia and Rwanda in various sectors.
Kakubo said this will promote the consolidation of bilateral ties between the two countries.
The minister said that Zambia and Rwanda share longstanding bilateral relations which are anchored on shared values and mutual respect.
“The two countries have continued to strengthen bilateral ties through the exchange of high level visits as well as the establishment of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) which is aimed at reviewing and strengthening cooperation in areas including; foreign relations, trade and industry, tourism, agriculture, sport, science and technology, information and communication technology, research and development, and gender, among others,” he explained.
He added that Zambia and Rwanda collaborate at regional, continental and international levels through the joint membership at the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
Mr. Kakubo further said President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasised the need to leverage the opportunities for intra-African trade, investment and tourism to ensure the resilience of economies and industries.
“Therefore, the visit will provide an opportunity to share best practices in areas targeted for progress. This is an important part of the government’s approach, which places great value on working openly and collaboratively with a range of partners to unlock new opportunities for the country and its citizens. The government is working to deliver a more conducive environment for local businesses to flourish and create jobs,” added Mr. Kakubo.
Mr. Kakubo said President Hichilema’s administration is keen to emulate Rwanda’s success in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) as it pursues universal and affordable internet coverage for Zambians.
He pointed out that in tourism, Rwanda has effectively positioned itself as an international business destination through its intensive marketing efforts.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation added that and Zambia remains open to creating synergies in the tourism sector.
“To this end, His Excellency President Kagame’s visit is expected to reinforce the bilateral relations, and further strengthen partnerships and cooperation at multilateral level in the furtherance of common development aspirations, based on mutual benefit for the people in the two countries,” he said.
The statement released by Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) indicates that the cost of petrol increased by Rwf103 and Diesel by Rwf167 following price changes on the international market.
On another note, it is said that the prices would have gone much higher, hadn’t the Government of Rwanda allocated Rwf6 billion to subsidize petroleum products.
The new prices will go into effect for two months starting from 4th April 2022 as the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsabimana told RBA on Sunday.
Generally, the price of fuel products has been on high rise since May 2021 after the first COVID-19 lockdown.
The price hike after the first lockdown was mainly attributed to the large demand yet oil extraction seemed to have halted due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Pump prices soared again at the onset of fighting between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, becoming the highest price hike registered in 10 years.
Minister Nsabimana has explained that the latter affected the entire World, Africa, the region and Rwanda as well resulting into increase in prices.
He revealed that it might take one month for petroleum products to reach Rwanda due to the long travelled distance as they are transited through the sea to arrive in Kigali.
Dr. Nsabimana assured citizens that the Government is monitoring the situation to protect their interests.
As he explained, the Government intervenes in such situation and considers how to cushion consumers and mitigate possible adverse impact through a subsidy program.
“That is when the subsidy program and tax exoneration apply. The Government has cushioned consumers again to avoid higher fuel price increase,” he said.
Dr. Nsabimana disclosed that the Government has allocated Rwf6 billion to subsidize fuel pump prices to prevent higher prices and related consequences for the period of two months.
Hadn’t the Government introduced the subsidy, the price of diesel would be set at Rwf1483, an increase by more than Rwf200 while petrol would cost Rwf1474 per liter.
It is apparent that the hike in prices has a direct effect on public transport. The current prices were revised in December 2020 where the Government of Rwanda subsidized the cost to lessen burdens on passengers.
The subsidy saw the reduction by Rwf1000 for passengers travelling from Kigali to Rubavu or Kigali to Rusizi among others.
The current transport fare from Kigali to Rubavu is set at Rwf3310 which was supposed to be Rwf4040 without subsidy. Travelling to Kimironko from Nyabugogo by public bus costs Rwf253 but was supposed to cost Rwf318, hadn’t the Government introduced the subsidy.
Dr. Nsabimana has revealed that the existing prices remain the same.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has made public the deportation via his Twitter handle where he also sent a warning to Kayumba Nyamwasa discouraging him from intentions to threaten Rwanda noting that both countries have united against their enemies.
“General Kayumba, please try to respect the Republic of Uganda. We have made peace with Afande Kagame and Rwanda. Try and respect that. We sent you your man last night,” he tweeted.
Muhoozi who did not reveal names of the deportee also posted photos of a man exiting Uganda through Kampala airport.
“I don’t like doing this, but if it saves the lives of my soldiers, I will do anything. I thank CMI, under Maj.General Birungi for this excellent operation. This enemy of Uganda and Rwanda was picked up and sent back to wherever he came from,” he said.
IGIHE has learnt that the man in question is Robert Mukombozi, the coordinator of RNC in Australia.
It is said that he was interrogated upon arrival in Uganda on Friday and deported from the country.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has also revealed that fighting President Paul Kagame was a huge mistake of the past.
“Fighting my uncle was a huge mistake in the past. I know all those who fought him in the past but every time I ask them what was the reason they give me very silly reasons,” he noted.
Lt Gen Muhoozi has come to Rwanda two times this year on a mission to mend ties between Uganda and Rwanda that had worsened since 2017.
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 also echoed similar message in February where he warned Kayumba against using his country to threaten Rwanda’s security.
Rwanda had voiced concerns over Uganda’s collaboration with dissidents, abducting, torturing Rwandans and obstructing Rwanda’s trade interests.
President Paul Kagame recently disclosed that the visit of Muhoozi turned a new page for relations with Rwanda highlighting that pending issues are being sorted out after the reopening of border.
“The border has been reopened; Uganda has been taking steps to resolve the issues that led to the border’s closure. We are following it up closely, we are discussing it with them and I believe we are on a good path,” said Kagame.
RNC has been using Uganda as tactical ground from where people were recruited to join the rebel group in its area of concentration in DRC.
The group was also behind the abduction of Rwandans living in Uganda through collaboration with Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).
The country collaborated with RNC in open air that President Museveni once wrote to his counterpart of Rwanda informing him that he held talks with RNC.
In the letter dated 19th March 2019, Museveni disclosed that he met with Charlotte Mukankusi in charge of diplomacy in RNC and Eugène Gasana who once served as Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Nations.
The letter clarified that Mukankusi wanted to meet with Museveni to let him know of plans to fight Rwanda and seek support.
Nyamwasa who is receiving warnings from Muhoozi is the founder of RNC and P5, a coalition of political parties operating in Uganda and DRC in Southern Kivu Province.
These include Amahoro People’s Congress (AMAHORO-PC), Forces démocratiques Unifées-Inkingi (FDU INKINGI), People’s Defence Pact-Imanzi (PDP-IMANZI), Party-Imberakuri (PS IMBERAKURI), RUD-Urunana and Rwanda National Congress (RNC).
It also maintains close links with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) composed of remnants of masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.
The graduates who are part of a cohort of 18 students who began courses in October 2020 will impart acquired knowledge and skills to colleagues at respective institutions.
The courses were tailor-made to promote conservation agriculture rooted on three main principles including; minimum tillage and soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with crop residues and live mulches, and intercropping.
Graduates have revealed that acquired knowledge will be helpful to carry out their assignments smoothly, train colleagues on best practices in agriculture to make the sector much more relevant and to national economy without soil and environmental degradation.
“We have acquired enough skills related to high-yielding agriculture with no devastating impact to the soil and the environment. We also learnt how to impart skills to the elderly involved in agriculture. We usually grow crops after tilling all places of the garden yet the best technique is to dig a hole in which the seed should be planted,” said Richard Makuza.
Jacqueline Iradukunda working with the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR) in Gasabo District has also underscored that acquired knowledge will be imparted to colleagues with a view to make agriculture more meaningful to farmers and the country at large.
“The training equipped us with adequate knowledge in soil conservation relevant to increase agricultural yields,” she noted.
John Twiringiyumukiza, a technical advisor at Tearfund and Canadian Foodgrains Bank in central Africa also reminisced on the training’s relevance and assured support.
“We trained agronomists and partners with a view to build their capacities to fast track development and efforts aimed at achieving food sufficiency. They received intensive training package on conservation agriculture, particularly climate change resilient agriculture and how to acquaint elderly farmers with skills to adopt best agricultural techniques to increase yields,” he said.
“We hope that they will pass knowledge to colleagues to join efforts geared towards enhancing conservation agriculture, and exploiting the soil to the maximum to play a big role to farmers’ economic growth and sustainably achieve food sufficiency. We shall stay closer to them to make the program a success,” added Twiringiyumukiza.
Jean de Dieu Nizeyimbabazi, the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit in Burera District urged graduates to work with districts to streamline budget plan and solve farmers’ problems.
The training was organized by Tearfund on the funding of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and other partners including Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), African Evangelical Enterprise (AEE), PND and AEBR.
The graduation ceremony which took place on Thursday 31st March 2022 was attended by representatives from Tearfund and partners, religious denominations, government officials and non-governmental organizations.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Tearfund’s program to train agronomists on conservation agriculture has been already rolled out in Ethiopia where it has proved success in turning arable land more productive.
The school helps bright students from Rwanda and the region to pursue Bachelor degree through existing partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) from the United States of America (USA).
The activity held recently is part of ‘Career Fair’, an annual event during which students are linked to employers and recruiters to get first-hand information on available job opportunities.
Karoli Kolokonyi, the Director of Careers and Alumni Affairs at Kepler has said that the event is meant to help students get first-hand information on available opportunities.
“We organize this career fair with the aim of helping students to get real information of what is taking place at the labour market, learn about required skills and competencies to deliver on efficiency among others. This guidance serves as a strong foundation for future career,” he said.
Apart from getting information, Kolokonyi revealed, the event paves the way for new opportunities as students network with companies seeking to recruit interns or employees.
Teta Leila, a student from Kepler has said that they delighted with the support to learn new life skills and get insight into employment process.
“The event helps me to link up with potential employers, where they might contact me during recruitment,” she said.
Teta shares the same thoughts with Pacifique Ishimwe who explained that the event prepares him for the labour market.
“I get chance to interact with different companies which provide information on needed employees and competencies. Besides, I create new connections that it becomes easier when it is time to seek full time employment or internship,” he revealed.
Lvey Moindi, an employee working with Tech Supporter highlighted that the event is a good opportunity to bring to limelight their activities and link up with potential employees who might contribute to companies’ growth.
The Career Fair held on Thursday 31st March 2022 brought together 29 companies including Tech Supporter, Harambee, DTM, One Acre Fund, AWE, IGIHE Ltd and MTN Rwanda among others.
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This means the two banks will now operate as a single entity named BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, with KCB Group as the majority shareholder with effect from 1st April 2022.
The combined bank will become 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.
Commenting on the development, KCB Group CEO and MD Joshua Oigara said: “BPR as we know it today has a lot of potential. The success of this business will build on our era of undisputed leadership in the market and contribute towards Rwanda’s economic success journey. I am confident that we can re-write Rwanda’s next chapter of development and economic growth.”
“The success of this integration now allows our customers to enjoy exciting retail and wholesale offerings and the wide branch network is an opportunity for us to roll out products and services to MSMEs and the rural community,” he added.
Subsequently, the BPR Bank Rwanda Plc Board has approved a new organization structure for the integrated entity which takes effect immediately subject to governance approvals obtained from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). Mr. George Odhiambo, a seasoned banker has been appointed as the Managing Director BPR Bank Rwanda Plc. George was the Managing Director of KCB Bank Rwanda.
“The structure has considered the necessity of smooth post-integration transition with minimal business and human capital disruption whilst retaining key talent resources as well as alignment to the KCB Group Structure for support and governance,” said Mr Oigara.
The new entity has a new trademark and registration operating as BPR Bank Rwanda Plc; a new approved organizational structure; aligned products and services for the market; integration of core banking system; credit process automation and rebranded branches and customer touch points amongst other deliverables.
BPR is a strong retail and SME Bank with the largest branch network in the sector and a long history spanning over 45 years in Rwanda.
The merger will provide current KCB Rwanda’s customers with access to a larger network of branches and agents across the country, while BPR’s customers will benefit from best-in-class digital capability, transactional banking solutions, trade finance expertise and international banking offering from KCB.
