IGIHE has learnt that Masabo breathed the last in the morning of Monday 27th September 2021.
He died at King Faisal Hospital where he has been receiving medical attention.
Masabo served as the headmaster of LDK since 2000.
The school is located in Kiyovu cell, Nyarugenge sector of Kigali City. It was established by French Government in 1974 and handed over to Rwanda in 1982.
With ordinary level and upper secondary classes, LDK has so far graduated 6000 students including boys and girls.
Kagame extended the invitation on Sunday 26th September 2021 at the launch of China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
The biennial event is organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Hunan Provincial People’s Government.
Speaking at the launch of the expo, Kagame said that the platform deepens cooperation between Africa and China with the assistance of President Xi Jinping.
He revealed that Rwanda and Africa have started benefiting from the expo in consideration of secured business opportunities.
“We have already seen the value of this event. At the first expo in 2019, Rwandan companies secured rewarding trade deals, notably in the supply of specialty agricultural commodities to the Chinese market,” he said.
“This success has served to raise the ambition of our agribusiness sector even higher, and we appreciate the positive response by the Chinese consumers to Rwanda’s high quality chili, tea and coffee,” added Kagame.
The President also emphasized that the expo has coincided with 50 years anniversary of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and China.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Rwanda and the People’s Republic of China. Our firm intention is to deepen our relationship even further in the next half century of cooperation,” he said.
Kagame thanked organizers of the expo and invited Chinese to visit Rwanda.
“I wish to take this opportunity to commend the hosts of this year’s Expo: the leadership and the people of Hunan Province. The City of Kigali and Hunan Province are exploring mutually beneficial economic and educational cooperation, and we look forward to working with you,” he said.
“I wish to inform you that Rwanda grants a visa on arrival to all Chinese citizens. So, allow me to extend a sincere invitation to Chinese tourists to visit Rwanda and experience the excitement of unique wildlife and warm African hospitality,” added Kagame.
The President also commended Xi Jinping for the solidarity and support to the continent and Rwanda during COVID-19.
“ I wish to close with a word of thanks and appreciation to President Xi Jinping for the various forms of solidarity and practical assistance that China has extended to Rwanda and Africa in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. These actions testify the strength of friendship between Africa and China, and the importance of always striving to further improve our performance in joint endeavors, “he said.
The four-day event, online and offline, themed “New Start, New Opportunities, and New Accomplishments,” has attracted nearly 900 enterprises from nearly 40 African countries and China, according to the organizers.
The expo features exhibitions of the fruits of China-African economic cooperation, African brand commodities and specialty products such as coffee and nuts, with forums on cooperation in areas such as food and agricultural products, healthcare industry, financing, infrastructure and the private sector.
The event has a total exhibition area of 94,000 square meters this year. Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Senegal are the guest countries of honor.
First launched in 2019, the expo is a major platform for strengthening economic and trade cooperation between China and African countries.
The President made the revelation on Saturday 25th September 2021 speaking to members of the press alongside his counterpart of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi on the second day of his visit to the country.
He said that Rwanda intervened to restore peace in Mozambique as an African country committed to promote solidarity in finding solutions for difficult problems.
“Africans are capable, and by working well together, we can find solutions to even our most difficult problems. Nothing should stop us from ensuring the stability, progress and well-being of the people of Africa,” he said.
“This is why Rwanda did not hesitate, when we were asked to join our armed forces together with Mozambican forces, to bring security back to this region. Together, our joint forces have succeeded in pushing back the insurgents,” added Kagame.
The president emphasized that the presence of Rwandan troops in Mozambique is not by accident that they were invited to join Mozambicans to solve a problem.
He expressed optimism that the situation will get back to normal for good through ongoing joint efforts.
President Nyusi also commended Rwandan troops for their contribution to restore peace in Cabo Delgado noting that efforts to return displaced citizens are underway.
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 where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, , Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu have been 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.
The remaining work is predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and resettling displaced citizens.
Before concluding his working visit, Kagame and Nyusi have also attended the Armed Forces Day ceremony at Pemba Municipal Stadium.
The Government of Rwanda targets to increase urbanization rate from 18% to 35% in 2024 to support economic growth.
While Kigali hosts about half of the urban population in Rwanda, a Housing Market Study for Kigali (2012-22) estimates that total housing needs (2012-22) reach 458,256 units, of which 344,068 are to be constructed.
The demand for affordable housing has not been thoroughly researched countrywide yet studies are in preparation where it is estimated to double the total need in Kigali.
This stresses the need to bridge the gap between housing demand and supply for people in low and middle-income segments and high end users.
It also challenges city planners, developers, and banks to seek new approaches to encourage investors to fund housing projects.
Despite existing constraints in housing finance, lending conditions have improved through the introduction of longer credit terms slightly reducing interest rates, a larger and more accessible variety in terms of down-payment options among others.
Ecobank is among other banks that have not been left behind tackling financial issues restraining people with a quest to invest in housing.
With various loan products to support people’s ambitions to grow their finances, the lender added mortgage loan to existing products to keep walking together with clients in their businesses.
Ecobank’s Mortgage Loan finances the borrower’s residential house purchase or renovation.
Every aspect of this loan has been designed to help clients realize their dreams to own homes.
IGIHE has caught up with Olivier Mpenzi, the Head of Personal & Direct Banking at Ecobank Rwanda Plc to speak more about the product promising to turn clients’ dreams into reality.
{{Excerpts:}}
{{In which context Ecobank introduced the mortgage loan? }}
When you buy a home or refinance your mortgages, it’s a big financial decision. By introducing the mortgage loan product, we wanted salaried and self-employed customers to own a house and this will help them to make large purchases.
{{What are key features? }}
{ {{Below are features of the mortgage loan facility:}} }
{{1. Outright Property Purchase}}
This variant of the product provides financing for salary account holders to buy completed properties for residential purposes. It helps our customers achieve their dreams of becoming homeowners.
{{2. Equity Release}}
This is the opportunity for homeowners to have a portion of the value of their properties released to them as cash in other to meet other financial needs.
{{3. Renovation}}
This provides homeowners the opportunity to have access to substantial cash with which they can renovate and upgrade their homes to their required taste; thereby increase the value of the property and the collateral coverage on the loan.
{{4. Estate development}}
This provides opportunity for customers to acquire properties within Estate. The property may also be semi-finished or where payment may be made based on agreed milestone. This also include where individuals come together for the purpose of creating a private Estate.
What are the unique benefits the borrower receives with Ecobank mortgage loan?
Affordable interest rate, annual management fees has been waved, dedicated relationship manager and other added services like, digital tools for customers to be transacting at any time, our goal is to help our customers to stay closely connected from anywhere in the world.
{{Which documents required applying for Ecobank mortgage loan?}}
A mortgage loan is one of offered loan products. When applying for a mortgage, one has to be an existing client channeling his/her salary to Ecobank. Once your salary domiciliation letter is provided to us other administrative documents are very easy to get.
{{How much is the monthly payment?}}
There are many factors taken into consideration while determining mortgage loan payment but we cannot exceed 50% of monthly salary as the maximum repayment capacity.
It also aligns with the regulations the Central Bank’s regulations whereby total monthly payments and other consumer financing does not exceed 50% of the net disposable income.
{{Do you require an inspection to qualify for this mortgage loan?}}
A home is a big investment. The bank will require a valuation report before they decide to finance or to service that loan. Because it’s very important to know about the conditions of the house you’re about to purchase if is in good condition or not in order to mitigate the risk. A valuer will look at the structure of the house and confirm that there are no major issues with the house. Once we have a better picture of the house’s condition, we proceed with the next step.
{{Are there pre-payment penalties with this loan?}}
At Ecobank, we don’t charge any fees for early repayment. Our purpose is not to penalize our clients. As long as you have that capacity to pay loan before, you will liquidate it without penalties.
Besides, you can complete transactions using our online service (Ecobank Online) without necessity for physical presence at the bank’s offices. This is how Ecobank is taking the lead to digitize even more complex processes by tapping into the advantage of digital technology.
{{What is your message to existing and potential clients?}}
First of all, a decision to have or purchase your dream home is one of the most important decisions you can make in your lifetime. I will strongly recommend everyone who doesn’t have a house to think about it and Ecobank will help you to achieve your dream.
Moreover, I encourage them to take advantage of our best loan products for retails meeting their banking needs like Personal Loans, Car Loan, Residential Mortgage Loans, Renovation or Land Purchase and Equity Release.
Kagame made the revelation on Friday 24th 2021 during the ceremony to name 24 baby gorillas held virtually to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The President highlighted that the success of gorilla conservation in Rwanda shows the good that can be achieved through community participation and the right partnerships.
“I wish to thank all collaborators, in Rwanda and around the world, for sustaining this excellent work over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way we celebrate Kwita Izina. But I am happy to see many partners and friends joining us today virtually to continue this tradition,” he said.
Kagame said that the pandemic has affected tourism where the country registered a drop in the number of visitors but assured that the important work of conservation continued.
“This includes the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program, which continues to finance valuable projects benefiting the communities around our parks. As visitors return, they will have remarkable experiences that match their high expectations,” he assured.
The President further stated that the country is testing and vaccinating as many people as possible to ensure that Rwandans and visitors stay healthy.
“Our aim is to ensure that Rwanda remains safe and inviting destination,” he noted.
The ceremony held for the 17th time attracted celebrities including players of Paris Saint Germain namely; Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos who named three baby gorillas (Ingeri, Nshongore and Mudasumbwa).
Bukayo Saka playing for Arsenal was also among namers participating in the ceremony.
The Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony reflects centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. For three decades before the first official gorilla naming ceremony, park rangers and researchers named Rwanda’s mountain gorilla babies to monitor each gorilla in their family and habitat.
In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, they are given the value they undoubtedly deserve.
The ceremony is also an opportunity to thank the communities that live around the gorilla habitat, Volcanoes National Park, research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas daily.
Since 2005, a total of Rwf6.5 billion have been pumped into 780 projects in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, education, provision of decent shelters for vulnerable residents, building health centers, promoting livestock farming, beekeeping and crafts among others.
Despite unprecedented effects occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, Rwf700 million were invested in 30 projects in the areas of infrastructure and agriculture this year.
Rwanda’s tourism sector earned US$121 million in 2020 down from US$498 of 2019.
Over the last sixteen years, more than 300 mountain gorillas have been named.
Today, Kwita Izina forms part of an ambitious strategy to preserve Rwanda’s natural heritage and further expand the role of tourism in the country’s transformation. As a result of the naming ceremony, Rwandans from all walks of life understand the intrinsic value of gorillas and their contribution to the country’s development.
Kagame voiced the appreciation on Friday 24th September 2021 as he began two-day working visit to Mozambique.
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 where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, , Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu have been seized from rebels.
Upon arrival in Mozambique today, President Kagame met with Rwandan joint forces working with Mozambican Defence Armed Forces to help restore peace and stability in Cabo Delgado Province.
Kagame was accompanied by his counterpart of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi as he visited the troops at the Naval Base located in Pemba.
He commended them for the hard work done to retake Cabo Delgado which was previously under the control of insurgents.
“I want to start by thanking my brother and friend, President Nyusi and his delegation for inviting us to this city and to thank you Rwandan and Mozambican soldiers and Police for all the hard work you have done to liberate Cabo Delgado. The rebels better know that we won’t sit back and let them return and threaten the lives of the people in Cabo Delgado,” said Kagame.
He thanked Nyusi for inviting him and ‘making the time to speak to our soldiers so that they can leave this place safer than they found it’.
President Nyusi thanked his counterpart of Rwanda for the visit and accepting to send soldiers ‘who came to work with other soldiers to protect our country’.
“Thank you for the cooperation between our soldiers. The Rwandan soldiers have shown immense respect to our citizens. They are loved and respected. Our soldiers are forever indebted to you and we look forward to continuing rebuilding the lives of our citizens for the better,” he noted.
Currently, rebels have lost almost all strongholds. The remaining work is predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
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.
All photos: IGIHE & Village Urugwiro
The heads of state will meet with the Rwandan Joint Forces working with Mozambican Defence Armed Forces in Cabo Delgado, followed by tête-à-tête and bilateral meetings and a press conference, Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed.
Close to 1,000 members of the Rwanda Defence Forces and Rwanda National Police are deployed in the country working with the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM) and forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Rwandan joint forces are deployed in Cabo Delgado Province in northeastern Mozambique and have succeeded in liberating several key towns from terrorist groups in collaboration with Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM).
Mocimboa de Praia is among other liberated towns that were previously used as terrorists’ strongholds.
During this visit, Kagame will also hold a tête-a-tête meeting with his host President Filipe Nyusi followed by a bilateral meeting alongside their respective delegations.
The two Heads of State will also witness the signing of several bilateral agreements and address a joint press conference.
On the second day of his visit, Kagame will join President Nyusi at a Military Ceremony for Armed Forces Day at Pemba Municipal Stadium.
Photos: Village Urugwiro
Kagame made the revelation at the United Nations Food Systems Summit held virtually on Thursday 23rd September 2021.
The summit served as a historic opportunity to empower all people to leverage the power of food systems to drive the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and get the world back on track to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The summit held yesterday was also attended by different dignitaries including the President-elect of the UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid; the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi as well as heads of state and government from across the world.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame thanked UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres for convening the summit which is the first-ever focused on food systems as a driver of sustainable development.
He reminded participants that the global food systems is estimated at around US$8 trillion, which is one-tenth of the entire global economy.
“In Africa, 70% of adults work in agriculture and agribusiness. But our continent’s food systems are often fragmented and inefficient. This represents a tremendous opportunity to speed up progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Kagame stressed the need for transformations of food systems ‘including greater investment in digital technologies, biotechnology, accessible financial services and other proven innovations’.
The President highlighted that it will be helpful as the world continues to work to mitigate effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
“For Africa, the central goal is to halt our continent’s over-reliance on food imports, end malnutrition and create new jobs,” he said.
Kagame told participants that the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD), has worked to facilitate an African Common Position in advance of the summit with a focus on priority tracks including adoption of nutritious policies, establishment of food reserves and expanding school feeding programs.
It also put emphasis on supporting local markets, food supply chains and expand trade within Africa.
The third priority is to work to increase agricultural financing to 10 % of public expenditure.
The fourth is about facilitating smallholder farmers and ensure women’s access to productive resources while the fifth is to expand social safety nets and climate data systems.
“Accountability for advancing these actions will include regular reviews under the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP). New funding mechanisms can speed up progress, such us the Financing Facility for Food and Nutrition proposed by the African Development Bank,” said Kagame.
The President emphasized that the summit laid the groundwork for a renewed commitment to the broad global partnerships needed in order to transform food systems and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Now is the moment for the world to rise to this challenge, together,” he noted.
Guterres commended the Summit for “leading the way to food systems that can drive the global recovery in three fundamental ways. For people, the planet and prosperity.”
Over the past 18 months, the Summit has brought together all UN Member States and constituencies around the world, including thousands of youth, food producers, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, researchers, private sector, and the UN system – to bring about tangible, positive changes to the world’s food systems.
As a people’s summit and a solutions summit, it has recognized that everyone, everywhere must take action and work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.
The deportees including six men, two women and one child were dumped at the border after spending days in Uganda’s detention facilities in Mbarara.
Upon arrival, they received emergency assistance and tested for COVID-19.
Their deportation follows series of circumstances under which Ugandan officials have been dumping Rwandans at borders following days of torture in detention facilities accused of being spies yet they had traveled to Uganda to run businesses or visit relatives among other reasons.
Recently on 15th September 2021, Rwanda received 15 nationals evicted from Uganda through Cyanika border in Burera district after enduring torture and dispossession of their valuables.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
The development has been announced by Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) via Twitter handle.
“Rwanda (Kigali) will host the UCI Road World Cycling Championships 2025. It will be the first time for Africa to host this world event,” reads the tweet.
Rwanda has been competing with Morocco to host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
The UCI Road World Championship attracts about 5,000 cyclists, and over 20,000 delegates.
The 2022 Road World Championships will be held in Wollongong, Australia, with Glasgow and Zurich hosting the event in 2023 and 2024.
Rwanda wins the bid following the visit of the President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartient to the country in May 2021 as he attended Tour du Rwanda.
Lappartient presided over the launch of the tournament on Sunday 2nd May 2021 where Colombian, Brayan Sanchez won the first stage.
He was accompanied by UCI technical team that would assess Rwanda’s capacity to host 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
As the race kicked off, Lappartient commended preparations of this year’s edition that ran from 2nd to 9th May 2021.
Rwanda submitted a bid for the races in September 2019 after the UCI invited bids from African nations, with Morocco also bidding.
