The President delivered the message on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 as he virtually joined other leaders from across the African continent for the 21st Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit, to discuss economic integration priority issues and review the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.
The previous meeting was held in 2018 in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
Kagame said that COMESA did not lose sight of its agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to implement important trade facilitation programs.
He further stated that the approval of the COMESA Online Trade Portal last year by the Council of Ministers ‘exemplifies this continuity’.
“While this is a first step towards integrating digital technologies in trade, our efforts should not end here. We need to ensure that our citizens have access to these tools,” Kagame noted.
The President called on countries to work together for the benefits of citizens and made suggestions on how it can be achieved.
“First, we must foster digital literacy. In Rwanda, we are prioritising digital economic integration and working to achieve a 60% digital literacy rate for adults by 2024,” he said.
Kagame highlighted that combined efforts of COMESA partner states can act as catalysts for the continent’s digital integration.
“Second, we need to implement policies in the COMESA bloc that create affordable, transparent, and secure platforms for digital cross-border payments by small- and medium-sized enterprises. The COMESA Business Council, through its Digital Financial Inclusion Program, has already started this work, and they have our support,” he said.
“Youth-led enterprises account for many businesses on our continent, and we cannot afford to leave them behind. Lastly, Africa’s integration agenda will be achieved by continuing to put stability at the forefront of our continent’s growth and development,” Kagame added.
He also welcomed the report of the 17th meeting of the COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs held earlier this month and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to work with partners in COMESA to maximise the opportunities for trade and prosperity in the region.
COMESA is the largest regional economic organization in Africa, with 21 member states including Burundi, DRC, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“It is time for the Graduate School to claim its rightful place,” Dr Kwena Ronald, the Dean of the school affirmed. The school, hosts all the Masters’ programmes that are fully accredited by the Higher Education Council. Among the flagship programmes targeted is the Master of Science in Information technology which has provided cutting edge technology to students in readiness for the dynamic technology world.
“The students in our Master of Science in Information Technology programme are doing amazing work in the Information technology industry.” Dr Michael Sanja, an Information Technology expert in the Graduate School acknowledged.
The School also understands that the country needs the knowledge to address macro and microeconomic problems. The solution is the Master of Science in Economics that provides an all-round economic perspective.
For students who are interested in achieving development objectives for commercial, social and not for profit organizations, the Master of Science in Project Management as well as the Master of Business Administration in Project Management are the to go to programmes. The school is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding, that will enable students to acquire Project management certifications such as PRINCE 2, PMP and IPMA among others at a discounted rate.
One of the graduands in the December 2021 graduation, Denyse Mugabekazi attests that the knowledge she acquired has been of great benefit. “The knowledge I gained from the Master of Science in Project Management helped me start my nonprofit organization that assists vulnerable children.” She said. Dr. Kwena Ronald, the Dean of the Graduate School and a project management expert noted that the impact of the current programmes’ restructuring will not only enable the graduates to contribute to Rwanda National Transformation Agenda, but also in its quest to become a middle economy.
Another key programme at the Graduate School, is the Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management which addresses all issues in procurement, logistics and contract administration. Our students are integral in the delivery of the National and international agenda which heavily rely on supply chain and value chains. The Master of Science in Finance and the Master of Business Administration Finance and Accounting provide students with pivotal knowledge in financial management and accounting procedures.
“Students can also benefit from the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) certifications based at the University of Kigali.” said Dr Rusibana Claude, a finance and accounting expert in the graduate school.
The School also understands that people management is not an easy task. In this regard, the school has the Master of Science in Human Resource Management which gives students human resource planning, recruitment, retention, industrial and labour law knowledge.
The Master of Education Administration and Management at University of Kigali recently attracted the attention of the community when the Ministry of Education announced the winner of the best teacher Public Secondary School category at the national level as Mr. RUZIBIZA Obed.
Mr. RUZIBIZA is currently undertaking a Master of Education Administration and Management at our Graduate School. For two consecutive years, UoK students from the same programme have won the national award. Prof. Abdulrazaq Olayinka Oniye, a Professor of Education in the Graduate School is proud of the achievements of the school.
“We are proud of the impact our students are making across Rwanda,” he Stated.
“We are in the process of identifying and profiling several other programmes, to make them industry oriented,” Dr. Kwena emphasized. Among the programmes, the school plans to reignite starting January 2022 is the Master of Science in Business Information Technology, Master of Commerce, and Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, Master in Public Policy and Management and Executive Master of Business Administration.
“The most exciting programme we are looking forward to in the New Year is the Executive Master of Business Administration.” Prof. Robert Hinson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic noted. The Programme is targeting Chief Executive Officers, Directors, Senior Executives and Managers in public and private institutions. The school has structured a practical approach to the programme, steered by renowned Professors, Doctors and industry experts.
The course will be offered in a blended approach, allowing some percentage of learning to be conducted online. Prof. Hinson, a renowned scholar of Marketing across Africa, and a visiting Professor in several European universities, added that the University now has the potential to train the top executives in the country.
“The year 2022 looks bright for entrepreneurs in the country.” Professor Ogbe Allosius, A Professor of Management, with a bias in Entrepreneurship at the graduate school posed. The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and the Master of Commerce are repositioned to target Small and Medium Enterprises, which is a major driver of the Rwandan economy. The programmes seek to address gaps and provide solutions to problems in the business environment.
The Graduate School will benefit from the University Scholarship Scheme which targets all first class Alumni.
“All first class graduates are entitled to a scholarship if they choose to enroll in our Masters programmes,” Dr Kwena affirmed.
Other alumni who were not lucky enough to get first classes can also target the multiple opportunities that are available upon request. We call upon all other students, including those who have just received their national results, to join the undergraduate programmes. Those at the graduate level, University of Kigali Graduate School is your Answer!!
He was speaking during an interview with AlJazeera journalist, Ali al-Dhafiri who him to shed light on the duration of Rwanda’s troops to the country.
The President explained that Rwandans intervened because Mozambique sought support from Africans and friends of Africa to solve its problems.
“We responded the way we could, have worked with the Mozambicans to address the problems. […] I think, much success has been achieved. Again, it is between us and Mozambicans and whoever else they asked to help to decide their way forward. This will be dictated by the conditions of ground and the work that has to be done in view of that,” Kagame said.
When asked if Rwandan troops will stay forever, the President a lot has to depend on circumstances on ground and feelings of Mozambicans who asked for help.
“We are capable of discussing and seeing what issues on ground to address, how and what time does it take. But you don’t just give a date to some of these things. Even when we were going, we were not assuming to resolve this problem in one week or month and we are gone. It doesn’t happen that way,” he said.
“There is a lot of discussion that goes on in knowing what to do next. That is not a big problem,” added Kagame.
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 rebel groups linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops have started yielding big where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu were seized from rebels.
As at 5th September 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican troops who were joined by the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had captured almost all areas of Cabo Delgado Province where the remaining work was predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
Rwanda initially sent 1000 troops to Cabo Delgado honoring the request of Mozambique to support efforts to quell terrorist groups.
The troops have increased to nearly 2000.
Approximately 3100 troops from different African countries are present in Mozambique to help the country quell insurgency in Cabo Delgado Province.
In 2018, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) revealed that remittances from diaspora rose from US$ 98.2 million in 2010 to US$ 250 million within eight years.
In 2019, the remittances stood at US$261 million before plummeting to US$241 million in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic which put the global economy at a downturn.
The World Bank has also revealed that remittance inflows to low-and middle-income countries will reach US$589 billion, translating into a growth by 7.5% in 2021 compared to last year.
The contribution from members of diaspora have been helping countries to earn foreign currencies used by beneficiaries for improved wellbeing through access to education, healthcare, feeding families and building houses among others.
Despite the growth, high cost of sending US$200 across international borders is reported to have remained high, at approximately 6.4 per cent of the amount transferred which varies depending on the location of countries where the money is transferred.
Diaspora remittance inflows to Africa are also expected to reach US$45 billion translating into a growth by 6.2 percent this year.
A remittance is a transfer of money by a foreign worker to an individual in his or her home country.
In 2022, remittance inflows are projected to grow by 5.5 per cent due to continued economic recovery in Europe and the United States.
Kigali Marriott Hotel is among hospitality establishments valuing customer loyalty through different programs and providing a favorable environment where workers feel at home as they contribute to the facility’s improved service delivery.
With dedication to maintain world class services, the five-star hotel throws an annual party towards the end every year to appreciate partners and customers for sticking to its services.
This year’s celebration took place on Friday 19th November 2021 where different partners of the hotel including financial institutions, tourism and transport companies gathered for a party organized to appreciate their loyalty.
The Director of Sales and Marketing at Kigali Marriot Hotel, Mohamed Derouiche has told IGIHE that the event coincided with the celebration of five years of existence in Rwanda.
“Today, we are celebrating for two reasons. First, we are concluding the customer-appreciation week. The event aligns with annual week dedicated to appreciate partners for their trust and staying with us throughout our operations. Secondly, we are celebrating five-year anniversary since we opened doors in Rwanda in 2016,” he said.
Derouiche expressed delight for the momentum occasion to meet with customers and partners in-person following COVID-19 related restrictions.
“It has been almost two years without holding similar social event to appreciate esteemed partners. We are glad to meet again. The event is mainly designed to thank customers for their loyalty. It serves as a good platform to interact with them and strengthens our bonds of unity,” he noted.
As Derouiche explained, Kigali Marriott Hotel has impacted Rwandans, people from different sectors to create connections and assured of maintained top-notch services.
“Marriott Hotel has had a great impact. We created connections between individuals from different sectors across the country and added value to tourism sector. We are mindful that the world is evolving and want to keep innovating to meet customers’ growing demand,” he revealed.
During the ceremony, customers received different gifts in appreciation for having chosen Kigali Marriott as their preferred hotel and having accepted to become its partners.
Kigali Marriott Hotel officially began operations on 4th October 2016.
Kigali Marriott Hotel is part of the Marriott chain of hotels and is comprised of 256 elegant rooms and suites; three distinctive restaurants including Soko Restaurant, the hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant; Saray Spa which offers a collection of sophisticated therapies integrated with the healing practices of the region; a swimming pools; meeting spaces with unmatched options and flexibility; as well as stylish lounging spaces designed for guests of all ages.
The hotel has so far participated in different programs aimed at improving citizens’ welfare through constructing houses for disadvantaged people, subscribing the, for community based health insurance and joining Rwandans in community work among others.
The sporting event serves to make Kigali a green city while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Rwanda’s Presidency has posted photos and short video on Twitter showing President Kagame along with the mayor of Kigali City, Prudence Rubingisa; the Minister of Sports and Culture, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju walking different streets including Car Free Zone as part of the bi-monthly sporting event held on Sunday 21st November 2021.
After participating, Kagame shared great moments of the exercise via Twitter handle.
“It was liberating to join Car Free Day today and walk the streets of Kigali after so many months of COVID-19 restrictions. See you all at the next Car Free Day,” he tweeted.
Car Free Day takes place every first and third Sunday of the month, bringing together city dwellers for physical fitness exercises.
The exercise started in 2016, aimed promoting healthy lifestyle among Rwandans and help them benefit from other health activities like screening for non-communicable diseases.
Car Free Day provides a platform to educate people on healthy lifestyle choices in general and creates awareness that roads are not only built for vehicles but also for pedestrians.
Among others, the mass sports helps to reduce air pollution.
Other 182 officers are from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). The one-year 17th Police Basic Course intake include 450 females.
The pass out was presided over by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, who promoted the new officers to the rank of ‘Police Constable.’
It was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, Governor of the Eastern Province, Emmanuel K. Gasana, Executive Secretary of NISS, Major General Joseph Nzabamwita, and the Commissioner General for Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), Juvenal Marizamunda among others.
The new Police officers include 135, who are currently pursuing bachelors degree in Law, Information Technology, Languages and Professional Police Studies at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District.
Minister Ugirashebuja congratulated the officers for their courage and resilience throughout the training.
He urged them to use the acquired skills and knowledge, in working with other officers to add value to the RNP mandate, be driven by exemplary service while supporting the people and to prevent anything that can taint the image of the force.
Such training programmes, the Minister added, demonstrates the government and RNP’s will to build a professional and capable police force to effectively execute its policing duties of ensuring safety and security of people living in Rwanda and their properties.
“This emphasizes the fact that professionalism is a result of training,” said Minister Ugirashebuja.
He added that although RNP has increased its operations against corruption and related vices, gender-based violence, terrorism, and preventing road accidents, among others; this can be effectively achieved when there is strong cooperation and collaboration with the citizenry.
The Minister commended the impact of RNP in human security and community development activities.
The force has over the years constructed houses for the disadvantaged families, connected thousands of households that are far from the national electricity grid with solar energy, extended clean water to communities, paid medical insurance premiums for the vulnerable, constructed roads connecting communities as well as providing financial support to cooperatives, to mention but a few.
Minister Ugirashebuja urged the force to aim for exemplary service, respect the law and supplement the national development agenda to influencing positive thinking and actions in communities where they are deployed.
He commended the impact of RNP in ensuring homeland security, supporting international peace through peacekeeping missions abroad. He pledged the government’s continued support in capacity development to further enhance the force’s capabilities to provide sustainable security.
The Commandant of PTS, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti said that the 12 months of basic training covered varied topics that were meant to develop capacity and skills such as public order management, Police operations, military sciences, road safety, drills and duties, law and community policing.
PC Odette Umutesi was awarded as the overall best student, PC Fiston Intare came second while PC Emmanuel King Kagabo was third overall.
Although pharmaceutical products are currently manufactured in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Morocco and Egypt, Africa currently imports more than 80 per cent of its pharmaceutical and medical consumables.
The shortage stalls the continent’s health sector yet there are untapped investment opportunities to streamline its efficiency while generating huge returns.
Today, Africa registers 375 plants manufacturing pharmaceutical products and vaccines for its 1.2 billion population. The World Bank’s report shows that the continent’s health sector needs an investment between US$ 25 to 30 billion to make health services more accessible.
As he attended Rwanda Global Health Summit 2021, the Resident Representative of Belgian Development Agency, Enabel in Rwanda, Dirk Deprez has emphasized that investing in Africa’s health sector is a profitable business that also contributes to the wellbeing of Africans.
“Research carried out by World Health Organization shows that 99% of vaccines used in Africa are imported. Besides, the continent also imports 94% of pharmaceuticals,” he said.
“The continent’s pharmaceuticals’ market share is valued at US$28.5 billion expected to double in 2030. Investors should seize this opportunity in the areas of drugs and vaccine manufacturing. Governments, partners and financial institutions remain committed to support them,” added Deprez.
Dr Dhiren Thakker, the founder of Med Aditus International, a nonprofit corporation that aspires to be a positive force in creating access to medicine for underserved patients in Sub-Saharan Africa stressed that increasing drugs manufacturing plants is the only solution to tackle shortages and become self-reliant instead of sticking to foreign aids and imports.
“After realizing how Africans struggle to access health services, I wanted to make an impact and abandoned my job in 2019 to create a non-profit organization with a view to address the shortage of drugs in Africa. Today, we want to build pharmaceutical plants. Preparations are underway and we are considering Rwanda and Kenya as the first countries where our operations will begin,” he said.
Dr. Thakker also revealed that they mull introducing advanced technology in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and expressed optimism that it will create new jobs.
The Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana has said prioritizing investment in health sector is among lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic.
“We would request the Ministry of Finance or other financial institutions to provide funding to buy drugs or build a laboratory. The proposal would be okayed but told that building roads and schools would come first. Building schools is a good idea but the health sector should be given priority because it affects different aspects of life when things go wrong,” he said.
Health experts attending Rwanda Global Health Summit have also called for collaboration between different stakeholders for the continent to bridge the gap in health services.
Kagame made the request following mixed reactions among members of the public complaining about low speed limits with accompanying speeding fines in Kigali city.
The uproar emanated from the recent changes where drivers with the speed above 40km/hr were slapped traffic fines.
As he delivered remarks at the celebration of Tax Payers Appreciation Day 2021, Kagame reminisced on the controversial speed limits which triggered mixed reactions and called on relevant institutions to make adjustments.
“I get updates through the media. I have been following up. The majority of you, got here by vehicles. You might have paid taxes along the road,” he said.
Kagame said, he is aware that people have been complaining about low speed limit that saw many of them fined.
“People have been complaining about excessive traffic penalties for speed limits and paying fines for going beyond 40km/h. That is the same speed as those of us who are used to walking,” he observed.
“I have spoken to National Police. The speed should not be so high that it leads to accidents, nor should it be so low that people never get where they are going,” added Kagame.
He delivered the message on Thursday 18th November 2021 during interactive session in which he took UoK students through youth empowerment programs in the UAE.
Amb. Alqahtani explained that UAE has put much effort in promoting youth inclusiveness as a segment of the population considered the backbone for national development.
He pointed out an example of Shamma Al Mazrui who joined the cabinet at the age of 22. Among others, the youth account for 75% of the taskforce in UAE’s Ministry of Education and are assigned more decision making positions.
The Ambassador highlighted that his country has also established a fund to support youth-led projects and created platforms bringing together the youth to exchange ideas on areas of interests paving the way for their progress.
After taking them through his country’s efforts in youth empowerment, Amb. Alqahtani said that the Government of Rwanda also has ambitious targets to the same cause and called on UoK students to maximize available opportunities.
“I should not leave without mentioning that the Government of Rwanda also has such opportunities. It is up to the youth to grab them. I would like to encourage students and the university’s management to tap into such opportunities and maximize benefits collaboratively because working together will undoubtedly yield big,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Kigali, Prof. Gustave M. Tombola thanked the UAE Ambassador for sacrificing his time to interact with students.
“We are privileged to have hosted the Ambassador. His visit is of great significance as he comes for the second time. He has reminded us on available opportunities for the youth that need to be fully utilized,” he said.
Prof. Tombola revealed that the university is ready to work with the embassy to advance youth empowerment.
Amb. Alqahtani last visited the university in November 2020.
The Dean of Students at UoK, Julius Twahirwa said the discussions were very insightful noting that they are ready to tap into the huge opportunities.
“It is a great honour to receive the Ambassador from a developed country. We have leant a lot from his tips. We have pledged to follow his advice to achieve our aspirations and contribute to national development,” he noted.
UAE has been partnering with Rwanda to advance quality education over the years.
Since 2002, the UAE through the Al Maktoum Foundation has supported Rwanda’s education by funding two secondary schools, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Girls Secondary School for Sciences in Muhanga and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School. Students from these schools have been performing well in national examinations.
For the last at least 10 years, the UAE through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also been 100% supporting the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences whose students have also been performing well in national examinations.
Within the framework of joint action in order to support the education sector in Rwanda, the UAE Government provided scholarships to outstanding students in different UAE universities, through the UAE Technical Assistance Program.
Since 2018, 20 male and female students from Rwanda received UAE Government scholarships at the UAE University in the disciplines of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Among others, 10 Rwandan students were given full scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degree programs at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University in 2019.
The UAE has established an excellent and diversified system of higher education in a very short period.
Founded in 1976, the UAE University led higher education in the country. Since then, the UAE currently has 76 public and private institutions of higher education and they include universities, colleges and vocational & technical institutes, both local and international campuses, such as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, New York University and American University of Sharjah.
