Dr. Kayumba is accused of rape attempt to rape crimes.
The court has stated that there are evidences pinning the suspect on sexual assault accusation filed by the latter’s former home servant which prompted the remand.
The court has also explained that Dr. Kayumba’s profile portrays him as a journalist running his own media house which he would use to tamper with evidences once released.
The Presiding judge has said that the suspect and his defense lawyer, Jean Bosco Ntirenganya have five days to appeal against the decision at Nyarugenge Intermediary Court.
Dr. Kayumba, 50, has been denying accusations linking his detention to political reasons.
He requested his release explaining that he cannot rape a house servant.
Dr. Kayumba appeared in court on 28th September 2021 at Kicukiro Primary Court for hearing on his release or remand.
The ruling has been read virtually.
The suspect was detained at Kicukiro Police Station early September 2021.
As part of the deal, the Rwandan flag carrier will also launch new non-stop flights between their Kigali hub and Doha in December.
According to a statement released today, the agreement benefits travelers from across the globe who fly with both airlines, which expands each carrier’s route network.
Customers can enjoy the simplicity of buying connecting flights on both airlines using one reservation, with a seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage-check experience that encompasses the entire journey.
Commenting on the development; Yvonne Makolo, RwandAir CEO said that it is a major milestone for RwandAir and marks the beginning of an exciting new journey with Qatar Airways.
“We are also immensely proud to welcome Doha to our route network, connecting customers with Qatar’s hub and further expanding their flight map. This codeshare agreement will give our customers significantly more choice and flexibility, allowing RwandAir to strengthen its global presence and build on its strong and loyal African customer base,” she noted.
“As we continue to grow out of the pandemic, this partnership represents yet another extremely important step on our recovery runway, and we hope to deliver more commitments like this to our customers in the very near future,” added Makolo.
Mr. Akbar Al-Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive highlighted that the company shares a very close and collaborative bond with Rwanda and welcomed RwandAir’s new non-stop service between Kigali and Doha.
“With this comprehensive codeshare agreement, we are committed to deliver greater choice and connectivity to our customers in Africa and around the world. The new partnership will help position Qatar Airways in the region and complement our African expansion strategy,” he said.
“As we brace ourselves to meet pent-up demand for travel, I see dynamic partnerships like this one propel travel, tourism and trade firmly on the path to recovery,” added Akbar.
The new codeshare will enable RwandAir customers to book attractive offers to popular destinations in the U.S, such as New York, Washington D.C., Dallas and Los Angeles.
The partnership will also see these offers extend to key European cities, such as London, Zurich and Madrid, and points across Asia, such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
Those travelling on RwandAir will benefit from outstanding service, as the airline won the award for best airline staff in Africa at the 2021 Skytrax awards.
The agreement also increases Qatar Airways’ footprint in Africa, with access to destinations such as Bujumbura, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.
Both airlines recently announced a loyalty partnership, giving RwandAir Dream Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club loyalty members access to each other’s destinations.
This gives customers the opportunity to accrue and redeem miles across their reciprocal route networks and access the airlines’ airport lounges at both airline’s hub homes in Doha and Kigali.
RwandAir continues to rebuild its network, which currently stands at over 25 destinations, offering unrivalled (smooth or seamless) connectivity to customers and making it easy for them to change their travel dates or destination as required.
Earlier this year, RwandAir became the first African airline to achieve Diamond status in the APEX Health Safety audit powered by SimpliFlying.
{{About RwandAir}}
Operating from Kigali, RwandAir is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest state-of-the-art fleets on the African continent. With a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, RwandAir operates 12 aircraft with an average age of just under six years. The airline currently offers services to 25 destinations across 21 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
{{Rwanda is at the Forefront of Covid-Testing (and Thus Protecting) Their National Parks}}
All tourists and locals must provide a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours before entering park gates. This is to protect the animals in the parks including the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. And if travelers are spending a chunk of time in Rwanda, they have to make sure their Covid test is still within the 72-hour window, or they have to get another one (which means multiple Covid tests during their stay).
This is good news for visitors (and for the animals of Rwanda). Regular testing ensures those visiting the park are Covid-free. Travelers will have a strong sense of security visiting the national parks of Rwanda, knowing that the country places such a high value on keeping everyone safe and healthy. There are four national parks in Rwanda, all worth visiting.
{{Rwanda Opens the Newest National Park in Africa (and You Can Trek with the Chimps)}}
Gishwati Mukura National Park is one of the youngest national parks in Africa. In December 2020, the park officially opened its doors to the public (although with Covid, the park still has not seen many visitors). This means that parts of the vast montane forest that once stretched across much of central Africa now has permanent protection and is open to visitors.
Gishwati is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees, making it one of only two places in Rwanda to go on a bucket-list worthy chimp trek. There are also a variety of other primates visitors can see including golden and blue monkeys. The park is currently part of an ambitious landscape restoration program. Previously, the area was nearly depleted largely due to resettlement, illegal mining in the mineral-rich forest and livestock farming. Now, the park is addressing those issues by increasing the number of trees to improve soil fertility, stabilize slopes and regulate stream flow.
Additionally, park officials are working with people living in the surrounding areas to create positive impact on their livelihoods, which in turn offers the forest a better chance of regeneration in tandem with the potential to raise living standards in the longer term.
For tourists, the upside is that they can book a chimp trek now (which normally has a waiting period of three months to a year).
{{Visiting Rwanda’s Baby Gorillas}}
Each year, Rwanda holds a special ceremony naming the new baby gorillas born in the last twelve months. The ceremony is called Kwita Izina and this year it was held on September 25, World Gorilla Day. This year’s ceremony was the 17th anniversary of the tradition and the theme for 2021 is ‘Conservation and Sustainable Tourism – A Foundation for Future Generations’. A surprising 24 baby mountain gorillas have born in the country’s Volcanoes National Park over the last 12 months. To date, 328 baby gorillas have been named since the first Kwita Izina was held in 2005.
Visitors to Volcanoes can not only see the beautiful silverback adult male gorillas, but they can also see one of the adorable babies.
{ {{This article was first published by Forbes on 4th October 2021}} }
A total of 251,906 candidates including 136,830 girls and 11 576 boys sat for primary leaving exams while 121,626 including 66,240 girls sat for ordinary level exams.
At least 121,626 pupils exhibited excellent performance. These include 66,240 girls and 55,386 boys.
Candidates who passed in Division I are 14,373 equivalent to 5.7% while 54, 214 (21, 5 %.) candidates passed from the Division II.
A total of 75,217 candidates passed in the Division III whereas 63,326 (25, 10%) are classified in Division IV.
Among others, 44 176 (17, 50%) pupils failed exams.
On the other hand, 19.238 candidates from the lower secondary education (15, 8%) passed in Division I; 22 576 equivalent to 18, 6% passed in Division II, 17 349 (14,3%) in Division III while 45.842 (37,7%) passed in Division IV.
The results released today shows that 16,466 (13, 6%) candidates who sat for ordinary level national exams did not get at least a minimum number of points to pass.
Yannis Ntwari Rutaganira from Kigali Parents has emerged the overall top performer in primary six while Françoise Tumukunde from Institut Sainte Famille Nyamasheke was awarded as the best performing student in ordinary level.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Uwamariya Valentine has said that students who failed exams will be helped to repeat courses unlike the past when they would be allowed to the next level.
The next 2021/2022 school year is expected to begin on 11th October 2021 to close on 15th July 2022 as per timetable released by MINEDUC.
After releasing results, the Ministry has revealed that students admitted in Senior 1 and 4 will start classes at a later date on 18th October 2021 for parents to make enough preparations.
The calendar also shows that the first term to begin on 11th October will end on 24th December 2021; the second will run from 10th January until 31st March while the 3rd term will begin from 18th April through 15th July 2022.
Upon arrival at Kigali international Airport, the shipment comprised of Astra Zeneca doses was on behalf of the Minister of Health received by Hassan Sibomana, the Director of Vaccination Program and Amb. Guillaume Kavaruganda, the Director General for Europe, Americas and International organizations.
These shipment is additional to other vaccine doses received through COVAX initiative, donations from partner countries or direct purchases.
The Ministry of Health recently announced that 21% of the target population of 7.8 million people (representing 60% of the Rwandan population) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
A total of 1,680,361 people have been fully vaccinated while 2,131,766 received the first dose of COVID-19 since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
The country targets to have vaccinated 30 percent of the population by December 2021 and 60% by June 2022.
Kagame was speaking at the 14th World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates on 1st October 2021.
The conference is organized by Swiss foundation known as ‘WPC Foundation’. This international conference acts as a forum for discussion and reflection about the global economy and international relations.
Kagame is among participants of the conference scheduled from 1st to 3rd October 2021.
As he delivered remarks, the President reminisced on unprecedented effects brought by COVID-19 pandemic which exposed weaknesses in both the national and global systems ‘that have been there all along’.
He highlighted that these weaknesses includes insufficiencies in both public health and governance.
Kagame said that the crisis has also revealed economic and power imbalances within the international community where African countries have been lagging behind in vaccine supplies while rich countries hoard vaccines.
Despite encountered obstacles and inequitable vaccine distribution, the President observed that there is a progress whereby access to vaccines has begun to increase, both through donations and purchase of vaccine doses.
He pointed out an example of Rwanda where the country has administered more than 2 million doses with 90% of residents of cities, especially Kigali, having received a dose.
“We see also cooperating with various commercial and development partners to launch an ambitious program to manufacture vaccines and other pharmaceuticals for the African market, beginning next year. So, even though things could have been better, we do appreciate the good cooperation that has been there,” he said.
Apart from cooperation in vaccine manufacturing, Kagame said that another area of good partnerships that can produce results is in the fight against insecurity, terrorism and extremist ideologies including genocide ideology.
He pointed out an example of Rwanda’s engagement in peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions in Africa.
“Islamist insurgents are now on the run in northern Mozambique in the province of Cabo Delgado, because of a good program of cooperation between Rwanda’s Defence Forces, and those of Mozambique and the region,” he said.
“Similarly, our commitment to the Central African Republic, which is both bilateral and multilateral, through the United Nations, aims to create the space for the country to chart its own path to political reconciliation, peacefully,” added Kagame.
The President highlighted that the next step is to consolidate the gains and focus on providing services and guaranteeing rights for citizens.
“These are just two examples that might link to some of the themes under discussion at this event,” he noted.
{{Full speech}}
{{World Policy Conference | Remarks by President Kagame | Abu Dhabi, 1 October 2021}}
• Dr. Thierry de Montbrial, Founder and Chairman of the World Policy Conference
• Excellencies
• Honourable Ministers and Senior Government Officials
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I am happy to be back to the World Policy Conference, and I wish to thank Thierry de Montbrial for the invitation to join you here in Abu Dhabi.
The past two years have been particularly consequential.
The Covid pandemic is unprecedented, but it has exposed weaknesses, in both the national and global systems, that have been there all along.
This includes insufficiencies in both public health and governance.
The crisis has also revealed, quite starkly, the economic and power imbalances within the international community.
While major powers work to contain and constrain each other, Africa is at the receiving end, in all senses.
That means, of course, that when vaccine supplies are scarce, Africa is last in line to get doses.
Africa is also, almost as an afterthought, attacked for all sorts of things, in the name of so many things including democracy, human rights, as if these concepts or values are totally foreign to Africa.
You could say that one function of Africa in international relations, is to serve as a foil for the importance of universal values, precisely because so many states outside of Africa continue to fall short themselves.
The unspoken assumption is that only rich countries and their political elites have interests.
Poor countries should allow their interests to be looked after by others.
The rights and well-being of ordinary people are completely forgotten.
We cannot talk about a theoretical democracy that is not built on what the actual citizens of that place desire for themselves, their families, and their societies.
That’s the confusion, in some cases, for example, of contemporary liberal democracy with its singular emphasis on individual freedoms, identities, and desires, even at the expense of the common good.
This is not to say that there are no serious shortcomings in Africa, like elsewhere there is a lot to address in Africa. That is not the point at all.
But the double standards and hypocrisy that consistently applied to Africa, show that something else is going on.
However, where the main global players have stuck to certain principles, things can and do work.
We seem to be turning a corner on the pandemic, despite obstacles.
For example, COVAX was supposed to be a solution to assist low-income countries to get access to vaccines and therapies.
But Covax could not compete with wealthy countries for supply, and we saw examples of hoarding. In actual fact, the rich countries are the ones who were offering vaccine doses through COVAX.
To add insult to injury, we now see some travel restrictions based on where people were vaccinated, even though the vaccines themselves are exactly the same. So we have now an issue of where you’re vaccinated, something else that’s about to come or is slowly coming is; what type of vaccine.
Despite this, there is progress.
Access to vaccines has begun to increase, both through donations and doses we purchase for ourselves.
In Rwanda, we have administered more than 2 million doses, and 90% of residents of cities, especially the capital, Kigali, have received a dose.
We see also cooperating with various commercial and development partners to launch an ambitious program to manufacture vaccines and other pharmaceuticals for the African market, beginning next year.
So, even though things could have been better, we do appreciate the good cooperation that has been there.
Another area where good partnerships can produce results is in the fight against insecurity, terrorism, extremist ideologies, including genocide ideology.
There are cross-border challenges that require close cooperation.
Rwanda’s engagement in peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions in Africa falls under this rubric.
Islamist insurgents are now on the run in northern Mozambique in the province of Cabo Delgado, because of a good program of cooperation between Rwanda’s Defence Forces, and those of Mozambique and the region.
Similarly, our commitment to the Central African Republic, which is both bilateral and multilateral, through the United Nations, aims to create the space for the country to chart its own path to political reconciliation, peacefully.
The next step is to consolidate the gains and focus on providing services and guaranteeing rights for citizens.
These are just two examples that might link to some of the themes under discussion at this event.
Once again, I thank the World Policy Conference for this wonderful evening and opportunity. And thank you all for your kind attention and interest.
I look forward to our discussions to take place immediately.
The four institutions phased out include; the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), National Itorero Commission (NIC) and the Fund for Support and Assistance to the Neediest Survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi (FARG).
The law repealing these institutions has been enacted following the creation of the new Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE).
Some members of parliament have expressed worries that duties previously carried out by the dissolved institutions might not be assumed effectively by the new ministry in charge.
They urged the new ministry to work hard to consolidate gains achieved in unity and reconciliation, preventing Genocide as well as improving the welfare of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana assured parliamentarians that the new ministry will make all possible efforts to deliver on expectation and achieve envisaged goals in unity and reconciliation.
He explained that the ministry will have departments with duties that were previously carried out by phased out institutions.
Recently on Tuesday 21st September 2021, the cabinet meeting approved the draft laws repealing the four institutions.
At the time, the cabinet also approved the Prime Minister’s Draft Order which determines the mission, functions and organizational structure of MINUBUMWE.
All the functions that were performed by each of the institutions mentioned above will 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 namely: National Unity and Citizenship Education; Research and Policy Development; Memory and Genocide Prevention; and Community Resilience.
RNP has revealed that the suspects were arrested with different improvised explosive devices (IEDs) materials that include; wires, nails, phones, explosives and videos for radicalization.
They were arrested at different times in Kigali City, Rusizi and Nyabihu districts.
The suspects have said that they were assigned to shatter different buildings including Kigali City Tower, Downtown and others in Nyabugogo.
According to RNP, investigation has proved that arrested suspects work with a terrorist group known as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
ADF operates in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) IN North Kivu.
“We appreciate people who worked with security organs in sharing and corroborating information in order to prevent these attacks. Rwanda National Police with other security organs will continue to prevent and fight against terrorism and ensure public security and safety,” RNP has tweeted.
{{Terror suspects speak out}}
Ismael Niyonshuti and Hassan Mbaraga are among members of the terror group, who were arrested. They narrated on how they joined the terror group with intention to destabilize Rwanda.
They disclosed that they were recruited by their colleagues and trained by a Kenyan national, who was part of the IS-linked terrorists in Cabo Delgado, where they were subdued by the joint Rwanda and Mozambique forces.
“I was arrested on August 31, a week after I got connected to the Kenya national, who was coming from Mozambique. He is the one who was training us on how to use explosives to target specific buildings in revenge for Rwanda’s intervention in Cabo Delgado,” said Niyonshuti.
He added: “The mission was to carry out an attack on KCT (Kigali City Tour) with explosives through an electronics shop operating on the ground floor, and a petrol station in Nyabugogo.”
On his part, Mbaraga revealed that he was recruited by Niyonshuti and that they had planned to detonate explosives in Kigali and other parts of the country.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that Rwanda police worked with other security organs to dismantle the terror cell, which was planning to carry terror attacks mainly in City of Kigali.
As he said, all the suspects were arrested in September.
CP Kabera thanked Rwandans who provided tip off that led to the arrest of terror suspects and advised the general public against putting their lives at risk dragging themselves into terrorism.
RIB Spokesperson, Dr. Thierry B. Murangira has said that the 13 terror suspects face seven charges namely; conspiracy to commit a crime, being part of of terror group, engaging in acts of terrorism, treason and mobilizing people to conduct terrorist attacks, illegal use of explosives or using toxic substances in public places, shattering buildings, establishing or joining terrorist group.
Upon conviction, terror suspects will be charged under law No. 46/2018 of 13/08/2018 on counter-terrorism where the accused crimes attract the sentence between seven and 25 years.
[{{Related story:}} {{RDF reacts to statement of Islamic State on Mozambique deployment}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rdf-reacts-to-statement-of-islamic-state-on-mozambique-deployment]
The discussions have been held on the second day of Kagame’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he went to participate in the 14th World Policy Conference (WPC).
The conference is organized by Swiss foundation known as ‘WPC Foundation’. This international conference acts as a forum for discussion and reflection about the global economy and international relations.
Kagame is among participants of the conference scheduled from 1st to 3rd October 2021.
The President has also met with Khedaim Abdulla Saeed Faris Al-Darei, the Co-founder, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Dahra Holding LLC to discuss various investment opportunities.
Al Dahra Holding LLC is a company involved in the processing of agricultural produce.
Qatar is making inroads into the African economy and Rwanda is a key focus of interest. Sub-Saharan Africa is the final frontier for state-owned investors (SOIs), offering potential large rewards – but also significant challenges. For patient investors capable of honing in on good deals, the region offers significant long-term returns that could generate big yields.
While the country has enjoyed political and economic stability since the end of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, the low level of banking sector penetration limits the ability of the financial sector to provide credit to the private sector. Yet, Rwanda is determined to overcome these constraints and is looking to foreign investment, with Qatar firmly at the top of its potential partners.
Rwanda Finance, which runs Kigali’s financial center, made a visit to Doha earlier last month as it seeks to establish President Paul Kagame’s vision of the capital as Africa’s financial hub. Africa Intelligence states that Donald Kaberuka, formerly Rwanda’s finance minister and ex-chair of the African Development Bank, is acting as intermediary between Qatar and Rwanda and is advising QIA on the new fund’s structure.
Qatar’s interests in Rwanda include a 60% stake in Bugesera International Airport, currently under construction, and a 49% stake in RwandAir. QIA’s portfolio companies are also supporting the Rwandan government’s efforts to make the central African country a global tourism destination. African interests outside Rwanda include a US$200 million investment in Airtel Africa’s mobile money business in August.
Earlier this year, the Qatari investor forged a joint venture with Italian utility Enel – Enel Green Power – to finance, build and operate renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The deal gave QIA a 50% stake in projects in operation and under construction in South Africa and Zambia, amounting to around 800MW of capacity.
The growing relationship between Kigali and Doha could lead to co-investments between QIA and Rwanda’s Agaciro Development Fund. As Global SWF reported in July, the government has overhauled the sovereign wealth fund’s board, appointing foreign and domestic asset managers and government officials. The inclusion of international experts suggests the government could be seeking FDI partners in strategic sectors, as well as firming up governance and investment strategy. The appointments also indicate that Rwanda is seeking to leverage the fund to advance venture capital investments.
The strategy adopted by the fund is likely to chime with the government’s focus on investment in boosting agricultural productivity and developing digital infrastructure. Rwanda is also heavily investing in its human capital with a heavy emphasis on ICT, which the government wants to utilize to diversify the economy.
Agaciro also owns 67% of the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) which is aligned with Rwanda’s economic transformation plan, the National Strategy for Transformation. It has supported the BRD with capital injections to deliver development, including an important role in delivering stimulus in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rwanda’s drive towards economic development and the status of “Singapore of Africa” favour QIA’s goal of expanding its footprint in a high growth region, while benefitting from the stability and security of the central African state. No doubt we will see relations between Kigali and Doha grow ever closer, with the likelihood of joint ventures between QIA and Agaciro.
