The pardon granted to Dr. Habumuremyi has been announced through a cabinet communiqué released on Wednesday 13th October 2021.
“Pursuant to the powers conferred upon him, His Excellency the President of the Republic granted pardon to Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi,” reads part of the communiqué.
The former Prime Minister was arrested in July 2020 following the closure of the Christian University of Rwanda (CHUR) to which he was owner and legal representative.
The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees, which had prompted an audit from the Higher Education Council.
Before closure by the Ministry of Education, his university had campuses in Kigali and another one in Karongi District.
Alleged crimes were in connection to anomalies in the management of the university where he was said to have accumulated millions of francs in debts to different suppliers to his university. The university management was also accused of not paying lecturers and other employees.
Dr. Habumuremyi owned 60 percent of the university’s shares, while his son owned 30 percent and the Vice-Chancellor 10 percent.
He was charged alongside Charles Serushyana, a former accountant of the university, but he was later acquitted.
During trial proceedings, the prosecution said that Dr. Habumuremyi had over Rwf1 billion debts.
Dr. Habumuremyi appealed against the sentence recently in Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, which commuted his sentence by 1 year and 3 months.
The clemency nullifies the three-year jail term and Rwf892 fine that Dr. Habumuremyi was handed by Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on 27th November 2020.
He will however have to clear all debts he owed to plaintiffs.
Habumuremyi served as Prime Minister of Rwanda from 7th October 2011 until 24th July 2014. Since 2015, Habumuremyi has served as the chairman of Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decoration of Honour prior to his arrest.
Dr. Habumuremyi was born in Ruhondo, Musanze district on 20th February 1961. He pursued studies in different countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), France and Burkina Faso.
Curfew hours previously started from 11p.m through 4.a.m.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 13th October 2021.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that all businesses must close by 11p.m.
As per new measures, public offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 75% capacity while other employees continue working from home on rotational basis.
Private businesses will continue at full capacity and must comply with COVID-19 preventive measures.
Bars shall also continue to resume gradually. Recreation, entertainment facilities are permitted to resume gradually at 50% maximum capacity while customers must be fully vaccinated and should possess negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.
Among others, all services held at places of worship should not exceed 50% maximum occupancy.
Swimming pools, massage parlors and saunas shall reopen gradually. Customers must be fully vaccinated (except persons under 18 years of age) and should possess negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.
These measures will take effect nationwide effective from 14th October through 14th November 2021.
Citizens are reminded of the critical importance of complying with health measures including physical distancing, properly wearing face masks and hand hygiene.
“Peace is much more than the absence of violence. The precondition for sustainable peace is a shared understanding of the root causes of a conflict, by a broad range of stakeholders in society,” he said.
The President made the call on Tuesday 12th October 2021 at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustainable Peace.
Chaired by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the meeting was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former South African President Thabo Mbeki and a civil society representatives among others.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame also shared thoughts on what sustainable peace may entail, picking an example from Rwanda’s recent experience.
“First, peacebuilding should be understood as an ongoing process, a constant search for solutions through dialogue and consensus, as we say in Rwanda. It may not be possible to entirely prevent all conflicts. In fact, disagreements and grievances will always be there, in one form or another. But the intensity and impact of conflicts can be minimized by remaining attentive to local needs and expectations,” said Kagame.
This means, according to the President, investing in the capacity of institutions and individuals, so they can deliver the results that citizens expect and deserve.
Secondly, Kagame highlighted that there is no universal template that can be transferred automatically from one context to another.
He said that external advice and examples can be helpful in encouraging reflection and finding new approaches noting that Rwanda has benefitted from various partnerships.
“Third, we must reckon with the growing power of social media to exploit vectors of division in society, that can quickly weaken the social fabric. Finally, peacebuilding is not a purely technical enterprise. It is deeply political and human and must take account of the emotions and memories that various parties bring to the table,” underscored Kagame.
Despite the opportunity to learn lessons from previous failures and successes of peacebuilding processes, Kagame said that the international community’s toolbox has hardly changed.
To this end, the President shared thoughts on Rwanda’s experience along resilience journey after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi where success is always an option in whatever circumstances.
“Rwanda’s post-genocide trajectory is marked by a consistent focus on national unity, inclusion, and service delivery. There are other positive examples from Africa, and beyond. Practical and tangible partnership is critical,” he said.
“Rwanda’s experience is that, no matter how bad the situation appears, success is always an option. Let’s build on today’s debate, and challenge ourselves to work together to demand better results in international peacebuilding,” added Kagame.
Speaking at the meeting, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres also urged countries to include and involve all segments of the population in the process of rebuilding communities and sustaining peace.
Kagame made the revelation today as he virtually attended the Global Security Forum 2021 held in Doha, the capital Qatar.
The Global Security Forum is an annual international gathering hosted by The Soufan Center. For several years it has brought together an international network of senior officials and experts, and consistently included ministers, heads of security agencies, and prominent experts, academics, and journalists, and thousands of attendees. This invitation-only event provides a unique dynamic platform for international stakeholders to convene and address the international community’s leading security challenges.
During a conversation with Steve Clemons, a journalist working with The Hill, United States based media house, Kagame responded to different questions concerning areas to be given priority.
Kagame pointed out health and security as priorities noting that no country can address related challenges on its own whether in Africa, Europe, Middle East or anywhere.
Kagame explained that insecurity is caused by shortfalls in governance which sometimes take dangerous forms such as terrorism, or even Genocide as it was the case in Rwanda. The President said that the issue crosses borders, affects neighbors and the entire regions.
Despite many lessons to learn from past failures, Kagame said, the global toolbox for dealing with these threats has hardly evolved.
He pointed out an example of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where a peacekeeping mission has operated for twenty years with meager results. He also hinted on what happened in Afghanistan with 20-year commitment from the international community.
“The efforts in the Sahel region to contain armed groups have also not yet managed to transform the security landscape. The point is not to cast blame. But at a minimum, we can say that something is very wrong in terms of how cross-border security threats are dealt with,” he said.
Kagame emphasized that failure to find a long-lasting solution is not from lack of engagement or lack of money observing that no amount of external funding or troop commitment can create sustainable peace, without putting governance at the center of it all.
Because of our country’s history, the President said, Rwanda is committed to contributing to peace building operations and making a difference where we can.
“We have done so multilaterally, through the United Nations or the African Union, such as in the Central African Republic or in Sudan and South Sudan. In fact, Rwanda has been among the top five UN troop-contributing countries for several years now,” he said.
Kagame also talk about Rwanda’s response to a bilateral appeal from the Government of Mozambique to combat the radical insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
The President said that Rwanda initially sent 1000 joint forces of the RNP and RDF, a number that has increased to approximately 2000.
“The Government of Mozambique invited us and many others like they invited the SADC countries. That is the southern region and neighbors of Mozambique to come and help. Rwanda went there on the ground that this was bilateral and an invitation from a friendly country that wanted such a help urgently. So, we did respond. In fact, we deployed more than 1000 troops. We have close to 2000, military troops and police as well,” he revealed.
Kagame said that the intervention was done quickly to deploy troops where the problem has been addressed to a great extent.
“And it is Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda working with Mozambique, the two of us found resources to deploy to support these operations. We didn’t get any financing from outside,” he noted.
Considering achieved progress, Kagame stressed that bilateral relations between two countries committed to deal with problems in Africa should be done faster and more effectively.
“If we had for example to wait until plans are put in place, mobilization is done , then using the usual format that is used, we probably would still be waiting by now and not sure when we get started,” he said.
Kagame revealed that both countries are working together to identify the root cause of the problem and what needs to be fixed.
This will be done through capacitating the country in many ways to deal with own problems.
Kagame said that Rwandan troops should not be on the ground forever but rather should be working with the country to deal with the problem for as long as the support is necessary leading to making the country stand on its own.
Rwanda sent the first contingent of joint troops to Mozambique on 9th July 2021.
The 2021 Global Security Forum will take place from October 12-14, 2021, in Doha, Qatar and adopt a hybrid approach for virtual participants. As states vie for power and resources in a rapidly evolving geopolitical climate, the 2021 Global Security Forum is held under the theme ‘Cooperation or Competition? Changing Dynamics of Global Security.’ Conversations will focus on the imperative of balancing cooperation and competition in ensuring security and addressing critical challenges in governance and development.
[{{Kagame commends Rwandan, Mozambican troops for liberating Cabo Delgado}}->http://en.igihe.com/news/article/kagame-commends-rwandan-mozambican-troops-for-liberating-cabo-delgado]
Davis College and Akilah is among the higher learning institutions that tapped into the advantage of technology, despite facing challenges that included the lack of internet among students.
As one of the largest, private foundations with interventions in different sectors, including the education sector, the Mastercard Foundation helped Davis College students to attend classes online through the provision of monthly internet bundles until schools were allowed to resume in person.
The foundation also provided full and partial scholarships to students whose families were largely affected by the pandemic.
The Dean of Students at Davis College, Kevin Mbogo, has said that the support from the Mastercard Foundation was very helpful for the college to continue operations.
“Some students get discouraged and tend to drop out of school due to life hardships. We have an inclusive program designed to help them psychologically and provide tangible support to move on with life. However, it would not have been possible during COVID-19 had it not been the intervention of the Mastercard Foundation,” he said.
Mbogo explained that the funds provided by Mastercard Foundation were utilized to buy internet bundles for students, improve their wellbeing and help them to comply with COVID-19 containment measures.
The Director of Faculty Development and Quality Assurance at Davis College, Christine Osae, has said that COVID-19 prompted Davis to restructure its teaching methodology and use e-learning platforms.
“We would not have been able to revise our curriculum to shift from physical to online classes without the Mastercard Foundation. Their support was of great significance,” she noted.
Lorna Ong’esa, who works at Davis College in the Hospitality and Tourism Management department also revealed that the grant helped students to continue their learning undisrupted. They also benefited from academic advisory and mentorship services that covered both academic and psychosocial support. This contributed to improved academic performance.
“Studies were not affected by the pandemic and the shift to online learning because the grant enabled full and partial scholarships for students in need. Students continued to assist each other to get a deeper understanding of the courses they were taking. They did assignments and interacted with their colleagues through different e-learning platforms, which helped to improve their performance,” she said.
Jacqueline Uwamahoro is among students at Davis College and Akilah who received a Mastercard Foundation scholarship. With it, she has been able to concentrate on hotel and tourism-related courses for a year.
Speaking to IGIHE, Uwamahoro revealed that she was selected among the beneficiaries after losing her job, which had helped her to cater for school fees.
“I was working as a teacher and was laid off as COVID-19 emerged. I was sunk into despair, wondering about my future. Lucky enough, Mastercard Foundation intervened and selected me among the beneficiaries who received school fees and free internet to attend virtual classes,” she said.
Divine Uwera is in her final diploma year as a Business Management and Entrepreneurship student.
Uwera’s family was affected by the pandemic and was no longer able to provide for her school fees. She considered halting her studies.
“I was overwhelmed with joy when I was selected among the beneficiaries. I would like to extend feelings of gratitude to Mastercard for the great support which helped me to continue studies without interruptions,” she said.
Rica Rwigamba, the Country Head of the Mastercard Foundation highlighted that the support is part of the foundation’s commitment to overhaul the education sector.
“It was critical that students continued to pursue their education despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Being able to support the transition to e-learning while ensuring inclusion and equity was very important to us as the Mastercard Foundation. Through this partnership geared by the foresight of Davis College and Akilah, we have been able to embark on this new model of learning, and unlock barriers through financial support for students. This is a testament of the collective commitment towards continuous learning and innovation in education.”
A total of 463 students received scholarship support from the Mastercard Foundation as part of their COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program.
Davis College and Akilah has been operating in Rwanda for the past 11 years.
The school has graduated eight intakes since 2010, educating more than 2,700 students.
Davis College graduates students with diplomas in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Systems, and Business Management & Entrepreneurship.
The delegation arrived in Rwanda on Sunday 10th October 2021.
Following his arrival, the visiting delegation held a bilateral defence meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Major General Albert Murasira and Chief of Defence Staff, General Jean Bosco Kazura at the Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters in Kimihurura, Kigali on 11th October 2021.
“We are here basically to cement our bilateral relations especially in defence cooperation which dates back in 2018 and before. We have been exchanging military personnel in regards to training; some of our military personnel are here in Rwanda even today. I am here with the delegation to cement this strong cooperation,” said Sendeza in an interview after the discussions.
She further noted that such engagements strengthen the already good bilateral cooperation between the defence forces.
“We also discussed about Rwanda’s mission in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique to fight insurgents. The Government of Malawi commends what Rwanda is doing to bring peace in the region and fully support the initiatives taken.”
The Malawian delegation also paid respect to the victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and toured the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
Before concluding the visit on Thursday 14, the delegation will visit Rwanda Military Academy and Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College in Bugesera and Musanze districts respectively. They also plan to visit a recently constructed IDP project in Musanze district before concluding their visit.
Lt Gen Teo has come to Rwanda for three-day visit. He was today morning hosted by the Inspector-General of Police Dan Munyuza at Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kigali for a bilateral meeting.
Speaking during the meeting, IGP Dan Munyuza commended RNP and the Italian Carabinieri strong and successful partnership since 2017. He emphasized that the partnership has been able to thrive, building on a strong foundation of many years of friendship between Rwanda and Italy.
Since 2017, over 900 RNP officers have benefited from training offered by the Carabinieri both in Rwanda and in Italy.
“RNP is grateful to the Carabinieri for the support especially in capacity building,” said IGP Munyuza.
“Your visit today is another demonstration of your continued commitment to strengthen our cooperation and to take it to a higher level. We will no doubt continue to work with the Carabinieri in the areas of sharing experience, training and capacity building,” he added.
Lt Gen Teo stressed that the visit confirms commitment to continue the cooperation with RNP.
“The relationship of collaboration and the bonds of brotherhood and sincere friendship that have been established between our staff are the distinctive feature of cooperation that has reached levels of absolute excellence. I am convinced that it will continue towards achieving more ambitious goals,” he said.
The bank got the recognition during the 6th Service Excellence Awards 2021.
The service excellence awards were organized by Kalisimbi Events.
COPEDU Plc was among other institutions that received awards in different categories for excellent services delivered in 2021 during an event that took place at Lemigo Hotel on 9th October in compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures.
The Commercial Director at COPEDU Plc, Francine Bigirimana has welcomed the award noting that it reflects the institution’s efforts to meet clients’ needs.
“The fact that clients voted us during the customer service week has a great significance to COPEDU Plc and testifies that our services have a far reaching impact. We sincerely extend our thanks to clients,” she said.
“The award gives us courage to work harder to improve and deliver quick services to our clients. We assure to continue making all possible efforts to meet their needs,” added Bigirimana.
The head of credit department at COPEDU Plc, Alphonse Ntirenganya has said that the microfinance institution will continue to empower women.
He revealed that the award coincided with initiated program dubbed ‘Tinyuka’ loosely translated as ‘Be confident’ aimed at helping women to unleash their potential.
“COVID-19 has affected different businesses. Under ‘Tinyuka’, we provide loan up to Rwf5 million to women without collateral. This loan product is promising to turn beneficiaries’ dreams into reality for their businesses to flourish,” he said.
Ntirenganya explained that a client just needs to present documents proving that her business is operational to benefit from the loan.
COPEDU Plc has pledged to maintain top notch services to meet clients’ needs, become a hub for excellent services and continue walking with the Government of Rwanda to empower women.
Created in 1997, COPEDU Plc has gradually grown and introduced new payments or withdraws methods using Debit Card and depositing or withdrawing using ‘Push and Pull’ System.
The institution works with Business Development Fund (BDF) to provide loans to targeted customers.
The rain which poured down for about two hours ravaged buildings in the cells of Rutonde, Rubona and Kajangwe in Shyorongi sector of Rulindo district.
The mayor of Rulindo district, Emmanuel Kayiranga has said that the assessment of damaged properties is ongoing.
“So far, we have registered a number of destroyed properties including two buildings of Rwahi Health Center, a kitchen at Muvumu Primary School, eight electric posts, 123 residential houses, 13 annex buildings, 32 latrines and three livestock sheds,” he said.
“The rain also destroyed crops including bananas planted on a hectare, beans on 0.7 hectare, maize on five hectares, cassava on 0.2 hectare and sweet potatoes on 0.3 hectare,” added Kayiranga.
He urged residents to tighten their houses’ roofs and support affected neighbors.
The district continues to assess damaged properties as it seeks to provide emergency assistance to disaster-affected residents.
The development was confirmed by Clementine Mukeka, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as she attended one-day retreat bringing members representing the RPF Inkotanyi party in the lower chamber of parliament
Mukeka was invited to shed light on the status of Rwanda’s engagement in foreign policy regionally and globally.
“We will host AU-EU Ministerial Meeting on 26th October. It will bring together foreign affairs ministers from country members of the African Union and European Union,” she said.
The AU-EU Ministerial Meeting will take place at Kigali Convention Centre where the foreign affairs ministers of both continents will have the opportunity to discuss the future priorities of the AU-EU partnership, which will be endorsed by the Heads of State and Government at the EU-AU Summit in Brussels in October 2020.
The meeting was initially scheduled in May 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
