Dr. Ugirashebuja was appointed to the position recently on Friday 17th September 2021.
As he received oath of the new minister, Kagame thanked him for accepting to assume heavy responsibilities as a cabinet member and wished him success on his duties.
Kagame said that Dr. Ugirashebuja and his colleagues have the capacity to understand the nature of responsibilities being assumed and justice that people deserve.
“This will help us to continue solving different problems. Rwandans have higher expectations from the entire government and different ministries. It is understandable that Rwandans need justice they deserve,” he said.
Kagame highlighted that Dr. Ugirashebuja is not a new comer in the field adding that he was prepared following his appointment. The President also assured him collaboration to deliver on expectation.
“As usual, we shall work together to solve problems facing Rwandans or the country. We shall collaborate with the newly sworn-in minister to fulfill our duties,” he said.
Dr. Ugirashebuja is married with two kids.
Speaking to IGIHE recently, Dr. Ugirashebuja revealed that he is always keen on learning new things to succeed.
{{Related story: }} [{{Dr. Ugirashebuja appointed Minister of Justice}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/dr-ugirashebuja-appointed-minister-of-justice]
Kagame made the revelation on Tuesday 21st September 2021 at the 76th United Nations General Assembly held in a hybrid format to contain the spread of COVID-19.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame said that fighting COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the international system like never before due to inequality and inappropriate sharing of vaccines in some instances but emphasized that there is evidence of the spirit of global solidarity and fairness which exemplified the best values towards achieving a common goal.
He pointed out an example of the Covax initiative launched by World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines.
Kagame said that the initiative has had significant impact to tackle vaccine deficit on the African continent.
“The Covax mechanism, despite its limitations, is one such case. Without this system, Africa’s vaccine deficit would be even more severe. But we can and must do more to speed up vaccine distribution in Africa. Doing so, benefits the entire world,” he said.
So far, Africa has secured only 2% out of six billion COVID-19 vaccines distributed globally while some of developed countries have vaccinated 60% of their populations.
Kagame commended the positive steps from various companies and partners towards building local vaccine manufacturing capacity and stressed the need to harness the ‘positive momentum to build long-term pandemic resilience where it is needed most’.
The President also reminisced on global cooperation to continue supporting countries affected by COVID-19.
“The cooperation at the G7 and G20 to issue new Special Drawing Rights is another positive example. A further voluntary reallocation of new SDRs to countries that need them most, will help create the fiscal space required for a faster and more equitable recovery from the pandemic, “he said.
Concerning the issue of climate change, Kagame said that the commitment to mitigate related effects must be put at the center of ‘our efforts’ considering the fact that the severity of related disasters is increasing year-by-year.
Other persistent issues worldwide include bad leadership which sometimes triggers chaos and undermines attained progress.
Kagame reminded participants of the importance of citizen centered governance and accountability.
“This not only guarantees well-being and material progress but also security, stability, and confidence in the future,” he said.
As days go by, terrorism and extremism continue increasing gradually across the world going hand in hand with acts that fuel negative ideologies.
Kagame called for concerted efforts to dismantle such extremist ideologies.
“The extremist ideologies that drive terrorism and genocide must be named, identified early, and dismantled, without ambiguity or hesitation,” he said.
The 76th session was organized under the theme “Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations.”
In a statement released yesterday, Dr. Salla Ndoungou Ba, WHO Representative and interim in Rwanda congratulated the country for achieving the milestone.
“I am delighted at this significant achievement,” she said . “Rwanda has been a model of good practice in the region since the beginning of its vaccination programme in March. I congratulate the Government of Rwanda and its partners for their sustained effort to protect the people of Rwanda against COVID-19,” added Dr. Salla.
In May 2021, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, set the global target of 10% of the populations of all countries to be inoculated by the end of September; 40% by the end of December; and 70% by mid-2022.
The global targets have been set to reach critical milestones in countries’ COVID-19 vaccine responses. 10% of the population inoculated should offer protection to the most vulnerable; 40% should keep priority populations such as health care workers, older people, and people with comorbidities safe, and 70% will reopen societies and economies.
Almost 90% of high-income countries have now reached the 10% target, and more than 70% have reached the 40% target. Only 14 countries in the African continent achieved the first target and three countries have achieved 40% target.
Rwanda has so far received around 3.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines – 1.1 million of these from The COVAX Facility, 108 000 from the Africa Centres for Disease Control’s Africa Vaccine Acquisition Trust; and 2.1 million from bilateral agreements. Of these, it has administered 3.3 million doses and fully vaccinated 10% of its 13 million people.
Building on the success of Rwanda’s routine immunization system, COVID-19 vaccination has been rolled out smoothly with minimal hesitancy. The country is committed to reach as many people as possible in each targeted group and to make this happen, vaccine distribution has been facilitated by air, road and water, allowing a simultaneous vaccination roll-out country wide.
To address the shortage in vaccine supply which slowed down the vaccination pace from April to June, the Government of Rwanda engaged with vaccine manufacturers to access more vaccine doses through bilateral agreements while continuing its engagement with COVAX Facility. The strong leadership and good governance observed in Rwanda has been the foundation and driving force behind innovations and successes.
The supply shortages in Africa from April to July caused uncertainty and insecurity among countries in Africa, ultimately impacting on their vaccine uptake. Coupled with operational bottlenecks and some measure of vaccine hesitancy, only 54 million people in Africa, or 4% of the population, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Despite challenges, many countries adopted innovative and flexible vaccine delivery strategies in a bid to get as many jabs into arms as possible.
WHO is supporting the Government of Rwanda to reach the country’s target to vaccinate 60% of Rwandans by 2022.
The four institutions have been phased out, few months after the creation of the new Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE).
The Ministry is currently headed by Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana who served as the Executive Secretary of CNLG prior to his new appointment.
The cabinet also approved the Prime Minister’s Draft Order which determines the mission, functions and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE).
All the functions that were performed by each of the institutions mentioned above will now be under the responsibility of the new ministry, which will set policy and as well as implement programs.
The Ministry will have the capacity to fully discharge all of its responsibilities in collaboration with the partners and beneficiaries of each of the former institutions whose responsibilities will be absorbed by MINUBUMWE.
The new Ministry is built on four key pillars: National Unity and Citizenship Education; Research and Policy Development; Memory and Genocide Prevention; and Community Resilience.
The beneficiaries of the donation are from Nyabirasi and Rusebeya sectors in Rutsiro District as well as Bugeshi and Busasamana in Rubavu District.
The RDF Officials led by Regional Reserve Force Commander-(Nothern Province), Maj Gen Eric Murokore and Local leaders in the respective districts including the Mayor of Rutsiro District, Ayinkamiye Emerence and Rubavu District Vice Mayor for Economic Development, Nzabonimpa Deogratias handed over the donation to the selected families.
Mayor Ayinkamiye thanked Kagame for providing cattle to residents to uplift their welfare. She also thanked the local population for their close collaboration with Security Organs that contributed much to bring security in their respective areas hence contributing to development in their community.
Major Gen Eric Murokore encouraged the population to preserve the security gains and to maintain the collaboration with Security Organs.
He also urged the population to continue observing measures put in place by the Government to fight COVID-19 Pandemic emphasizing that it is a threat for national security and the whole world in general.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held today at Village Urugwiro chaired by President Paul Kagame.
After confirming the first case of COVID-19 on 14th March 2020, Rwanda started imposing measures to prevent the spread of the virus where some businesses including bars were closed.
Later on 21st March 2020, Rwanda imposed total lockdown. The lockdown was later lifted after assessing the pandemic’s situation but containment measures continued to be observed.
Church services, weddings, gaming and sporting activities were also allowed to resume at different times but bars remained closed until the latest decision allowing them to reopen gradually.
The cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 21st September 2021 has also set curfew hours at 11 p.m in Kigali through 4 a.m while movements in other parts of the country is prohibited between 9 p.m and 4 a.m with businesses closing 8 p.m.
The curfew in Kigali City has in previous weeks started at 10 p.m.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that public and private offices will continue with essential staff at no more than 75% capacity while others continue working from home on rotational basis.
Citizens are reminded of the critical importance of complying with health measures including physical distancing, properly wearing face masks and hand hygiene.
The new measures will take effect nationwide starting 23rd September through 13th October 2021.
AOG is a Rwanda-based Social enterprise co-founded by 13 young social entrepreneurs in 2011.
The organization was founded by colleagues at Kigali Health Institute drawing an inspiration from their lecturers who used to support students with vulnerable backgrounds to find shelter and meet other basis needs.
It is registered with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) as a National Non-governmental Organization (NGO) since 2014. From 2015, AOG has been focusing its programs on social enterprise development in Rwanda which helps to tackle youth unemployment and contribute to solving key social challenges in local communities.
AOG also puts emphasis on women empowerment to make them real drivers of positive change.
They have gradually expanded and introduced incubation programs for young entrepreneurs who are equipped with relevant skills to conceptualize and implement vivid business ideas.
Beneficiaries are also helped to get offices, advisory services at low cost and facilitate linkages with partners.
Since establishment in 2011, AOG Rwanda has trained 183 entrepreneurs who created 1500 jobs while their activities impacted over 150,000 people.
It currently runs operations in Kigali City and Bugesera District with plans to expand footprints to all districts across the country.
During the event held in Bugesera district to mark ten-year anniversary, the CEO and co-founder of AOG Rwanda, Jean d’Amour Mutoni said the organization is proud of achieved milestones.
“We are proud of achieved milestones where the idea initiated by 13 individuals start a social enterprise has become a great initiative with sustainable and holistic programs with beneficial to the entire society,” he said.
Mutoni explained that the launch of Bugesera Innovation Hub is of great significance highlighting that it aligns with the organization’s ambitions to have beneficiaries among top magnates in the country by 2030.
“This goal will be achieved through establishment of innovation hubs in all districts to incubate the youth coming to learn how to do business, interact with colleagues, receive advisory services, rent offices at low price, which will subsequently instill self-confidence to make great things,” he said.
Mutoni also urged the youth to keep immersing their knowledge, unleash fear and remain disciplined to maintain excellence.
Aimable Twahirwa, the Director of Cultural Promotion at the Ministry of Youth and Culture commended activities of the organization.
“We have been very excited to see such number of youth initiating the program to create jobs and improve livelihoods. It complements government’s efforts,” he said.
Twahirwa requested the youth to take advantage of opportunities available in the country and distance themselves from drug abuse to strive for a better future.
The Director of Good Governance in Bugesera district, Magella Sebatware emphaiszed that the innovation hub will promote talent development among the youth.
“The hub launched in our district presents new opportunities and complements existing efforts to promote talent and skills development among the youth,” he noted.
Beneficiaries also speak with a voice of satisfaction considering the great support received to implement their projects.
Nina Nyirampeta is a Chili farmer who exports her produce through her company dubbed Ineza Chilli.
She had had no innovative business idea until she received training from AOG which sharpened her entrepreneurial skills.
Following the training in 2019, Nyirampeta developed a vivid business idea which she implemented and has since then provided jobs to 84.
“I graduated from university in 2015 and did not get employed. I submitted my application soon as I learnt that AOG is training startups. I was qualified to join the training dubbed Ingenzi Social Enterprise Program. Before joining, I was aware that we would receive training and seed capital. However, I was worried of possible losses over ineffective management. Fortunately, I was acquainted with all necessary skills within 12 weeks which I capitalized to start a promising business. It has started yielding big that I am among thankful chili exporters,” she said.
Rusesabagina was arrested in August last year. He has been undergoing trial along with 20 co-accused terror suspects including Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group.
The suspects faced charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when the aforementioned terror group plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
Rusesabagina who has been undergoing trial for almost a year; was handed 25-year sentence on Monday 20th September 2021 by the High Court Chamber for International Crimes.
Rusesabagina was found guilty of charges against him except illegal formation of an armed group.
Following the verdict, countries including the United States of America (USA) and Belgium criticized Rwanda’s judicial system claiming that Rusesabagina’s trial was not fair.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium , Sophie Wilmes released a statement explaining that Belgium had raised concerns on his trial several times.
“Despite repeated proceedings from Belgium on this issue … Mr Rusesabagina did not benefit from a fair and impartial trial, especially with regard to the right to defense. The presumption of innocence was also not respected. These factors effectively question trials and judgments,” Wilmes said in a statement.
Wilmes further stated that she will meet with Rwandan counterparts this week as a bystander to the UN General Assembly in New York adding that ‘Belgium is in close contact with Mr. Rusesabagina’.
In response, the Government of Rwanda has said that the statement of Sophie Wilmès reflects ‘the contempt shown by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium towards the Rwandan judicial system since the start of the trial, despite the significant contribution of relevant Belgian institutions to the investigation of this case’.
The statement further reads that the victims of the terrorist acts of FLN ‘have just as much right to justice as Mr. Rusesabagina and his co-defendants’.
For this reason, the Government of Rwanda announced that scheduled bilateral talks at ministerial level will not take place.
“A scheduled bilateral meeting at ministerial level, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, will no longer take place.”
Rwanda has however revealed that it remains ready to welcome to Rwanda of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, ‘at a convenient time to the dialogue between the two countries’.
Rusesabagina was arrested in August last year. He has been undergoing trial along with 20 co-accused terror suspects including Callixte Nsabimana alias Sankara, the former spokesperson for the terror group.
The suspects face charges including the formation of an irregular armed group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The crimes were committed since 2018 when the aforementioned terror group plotted attacks to Rwanda which claimed lives of nine innocent residents in the Southern Province.
They left many others gravely injured, and caused significant material and economic damage in South-West Rwanda.
During trial proceedings, the Prosecution sought life sentence for Rusesabagina and 25 years for Callixte Sankara.
Among those sentenced was the FLN’s commander and spokesperson, Callixte Nsabimana, who was arrested in 2019. Prior to this, he had claimed responsibility for the 2018 attacks, and had announced plans for further attacks. He has been sentenced to twenty years in prison, having pleaded guilty to most charges.
Another FLN spokesperson, Herman Nsengimana, was sentenced to five years in prison. A member of the CNRD (Conseil national pour la renaissance et la démocratie), Nsengimana was arrested in 2019 in Congo’s South Kivu province along with over 400 other CNRD insurgents.The CNRD is a splinter faction of the Congo-based FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda). It was led by FLN co-founder Colonel Wilson Iratekega until his death in January 2020.
Also convicted was the FLN’s founder, Paul Rusesabagina, who was sentenced to twenty-five years. Prior to the trial, Rusesabagina publicly admitted to founding the group as the armed wing of his political party, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD). He had repeatedly expressed support for the group’s activities including after the 2018 attacks.
Rwanda Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo has said that the ‘lengthy trial has exposed the terrorist activities of the FLN group led by Rusesabagina’ noting that the ruling has delivered justice.
“The evidence against the accused was indisputable, and the people of Rwanda will feel safer now justice has been delivered. The trial has been a long and painful ordeal for the victims of FLN attacks, particularly for those who were called upon to testify. Our thoughts today are with these brave witnesses, and the family and friends of the victims,” she said.
{{What to know about the case involving terror suspects }}
1) The first FLN attack took place on 19 June 2018, in Nyabimata, Nyaruguru District. A subsequent attack took place nearby, in Kitabi, Nyamagabe District on 15 December 2018. Nine Rwandan civilians lost their lives in the attacks. The victims included two children: Ornella Sine Atete (13), and Isaac Niwenshuti (17).
2) In December 2018, Callixte Nsabimana, also known as “Sankara”, took to international radio and social media to announce that the FLN had claimed responsibility for these attacks. He was arrested in April 2019, and immediately pled guilty to 16 charges of terrorism.
3) The FLN is the military arm of the PDR-Ihumure party founded by Paul Rusesabagina, and the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD) political coalition which he led.
4) Also in December 2018, Rusesabagina issued a statement on the MRCD-Ubumwe YouTube channel (later removed but can be found here) as the “President of MRCD-FLN”. In the statement he announced that the FLN had “launched a military struggle to liberate the Rwandan people”, and that “the time has come for us to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda”. He pledged his “unreserved support that our youth, the National Liberation Forces, launches against the Kagame army, in order to free the Rwandan people”.
5) On 21 October 2019 Belgian Police searched Rusesabagina house in Brussels and on 13 May 2020 Belgian Prosecution Authority sent to NPPA evidence obtained from the inspection of computers and telephones seized during the search.
6) On 31 August 31, 2020, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau announced that Mr. Rusesabagina was in its custody. He had been the subject of an arrest warrant and was subsequently charged with multiple offences, including terrorism for founding the National Liberation Front (FLN).
7) On 3 December 2020, the High Court Chamber for International Crimes agreed to the request to merge the trial of Mr. Rusesabagina and his co-accused.
8) The trial was initially scheduled to begin on 26 January 2021 was postponed due to COVID concerns. Proceedings eventually commenced on 17 February 2021. A live stream of the trial, including one with English translation, was available online throughout.
9) The court was also shown various documents, including e-mail message records, revealing that Rusesabagina was in direct contact with Antoine Hakizimana (aka Gen Jeva), commander of the FLN’s operations in the northern region of the DRC. In the exchange, Hakizimana updated Rusesabagina on the group’s current military operations and asked him for additional financial assistance. Rusesabagina thanked him for the report and promised to provide funding.
10) Further evidence was provided by Dr. Michelle Martin, an American human rights activist and professor, and former volunteer at the Chicago-based Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation. In her testimony, during which she displayed and read items from Rusesabagina’s personal e-mail correspondence, she expressed her belief that the foundation “operated as a political organisation whose apparent primary goal was overthrowing the Rwandan Government”.
Kagame made the revelation today as he participated in a conversation with the Founder of African Leadership Group, Fred Swaniker and students from different universities in Rwanda.
As he featured in the talk show dubbed ‘In The Room’ initiated by Swaniker , Kagame responded different questions.
Fred Swaniker asked Kagame why he chooses to do hard things which many people fear to confront, pointing out an example of Rwanda’s plan to manufacture vaccines.
Kagame told him that complicated work can be done depending on one’s approaches.
The President said that it has never been part of his plans to dodge hard things.
He went on explaining that, sometimes, hard things result from the combination of simple things achieved at different times that adds up to the situations that require doing hard things.
“You can make the work of doing hard things much easier by paying attention to the simple smaller things on time. […] the pathway can be very simple or difficult depending on the way you paid attention to the simple and hard things,” he said.
Swaniker asked Kagame to give an example of something which started small but currently perceived as a great achievement.
The President pointed out an example of Kigali City saying it has undergone huge transformations compared to its situation in the past 20 years ago.
These include infrastructure development, maintaining high standard of hygiene and red lights among others.
Kagame said that the journey started 20 years ago by doing what is within the country’s means with utmost efficiency .
The President recalled the time when he spoke to cabinet members when the countrywide initiative to maintain cleanliness began.
As he explained, Kagame asked them if the country would require donors to maintain hygiene and pushed forward the idea to dump garbage in the right place.
The President stressed that there are works within people’s capacity that can be done without external support.
“Sometimes when that exercise started, I would be driving in the city. When I saw the litter around, plastic bags, papers from all over; I would literary go and stop my car, convoy, and that also tended to stop the traffic. […] I would get out with my escort guards who are paid to do different things […] we would pick that litter around and say, why would I pass and leave that litter?” he said.
“That has an effect even starting with my entourage. They started thinking ‘well, we shouldn’t leave these things here’. First of all, why do people go throwing litter around? And the same time, the traffic that has come to your halt start saying, what is wrong with him. When they have seen you do that, they start thinking about it and say ‘why would the president stop and do this’. Then you say, I should also take note and do the same. These are simple things. You don’t need to pay a lot of money, you don’t need to be paid a lot of money to do that,” added Kagame.
Kigali is among cleanest cities in the world. Recently in August 2021, the Skytrax World Airport, the coveted quality accolades for airports across the world, and a global benchmark of excellence ranked Kigali International Airport among the best and cleanest airports in East African Community (EAC) and Africa for 2021.
It was ranked 8th best airport in EAC and 7th cleanest on the continent.
