FAO Rwanda has been working with Rulindo farmers in the respective sectors of Ngoma and Mugoti growing vegetables in Yanze marshland.
The organization started supporting farmers growing vegetables and later built dams to accrue water for irrigation.
Later on, 125 farmers grouped in ‘Horticulture Production Cooperative’ (YAHOPROCO) used these dams to start fish farming through a project dubbed ‘Knowing water better’ funded by Germany.
On Friday 12th March 2021, farmers harvested fish for the first time.
Harorimana Jean Marie Vianney is one of farmers who attested transformed livelihoods from the project’s interventions.
“Harvested fish will help us to fight malnutrition at home. We will pull several advantages from fish farming because we will also sell part of the produce to meet basic needs and increase our cooperative’s savings,” he said.
Mutimanama Olive, one of beneficiaries said they had never eaten fishes and had malnutrition related problems.
She highlighted that FAO’s support is promising to transform their livelihoods.
“We had never thought it could be possible to produce fishes from the dam used to water our crops. We plan to earn much from fish sales and feed the rest to our children,” said Mutimanama.
These farmers sell a kilogram of fish at Rwf 2500 and seek to save at least Rwf 5 million so that they can buy a car to supply fish to different parts of the country.
The Assistant FAO Representative, Otto Muhinda highlighted that utilizing such water for dual purposes increase returns for beneficiaries.
“ We sought how to introduce fish farming even though their core business was initially to grow crops. We are glad that their activities are progressing well. We wanted to teach farmers on practicing consolidated agriculture. We introduced the approach here to show others that it is possible and hope the project will reach greater heights,” he said.
Farmers were also trained on best fish farming techniques and express optimism to yield big even after FAO interventions are concluded.
As residents explained, they hardly accessed health services in the past that they would sometimes cross to Uganda for medical attention which has become history following the construction of 57 health posts completed at a cost of Rwf1.3 billion.
Speaking to IGIHE residents from different sectors of the district said they no longer need to cross to Uganda to seek health services because they have been made available closer.
“We hardly accessed health services in the past and decided to cross to Uganda. The situation has however changed. We are currently getting such services at Kamanyana health post which also attends to patients with eye diseases,” said Banyangandora Desire from Cyanika sector.
“We were accustomed to seek health services from Uganda or traditional healers since our childhood. As of now, men get circumcised at nearby Gatebe health post that we run short of nothing. Anyone crossing to Uganda might be going there for other personal reasons because health services have been made available,” explained another resident, Niyonizeye Samuel.
The mayor of Burera district, Uwanyirigira Marie Chantal, also emphasized that the matter of residents crossing to Uganda for health services has been addressed for good noting that residents currently receive most of services closer to their homes.
“We voice our appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for good policies and support through the Ministry of Health, especially President Paul Kagame who always oversees citizens’ interests. The problem of health tourism to Uganda has been addressed definitely because they often went there for eye, tooth diseases or circumcision reasons. All these services are available at these health posts. We also collaborate with health workers from other facilities to offer such services to health posts where they are not yet integrated on specific days,” she said.
These health posts were built on partnership between Burera district, the Ministry of Health, SFH Rwanda and Partners in Health among other partners in health sector.
These include a 17-year old young lady called Ishimwe Celine, a daughter of Bicamumpaka Esiri and Mukandahiro Aurélie living in Wakiso in Uganda.
The lady was arrested at home along with her brother, Ishimwe Eliel aged 19.
Security officers from Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence went to their home and arrested children after missing parents.
These children went to Uganda in 2015 with their mother through Gatuna border.
They were arrested on 10th December last year and taken into Police custody in Bukasa where they spent a week and taken to court on accusation of illegally staying in Uganda.
Ishimwe Eliel said that they have travel pass but his explanations were not considered and retained in prison.
On 25th January 2021, they were transferred to the detention facility of the Ministry of Internal Security until their deportation yesterday separated with parents. The two children have a grandfather in Nyanza district where they plan to stay.
Other deportees include Murindangabo Bernatus , the husband of Nisingizwe Michelle with whom they sired two children.
He is a son of Rutaza Révérien and Mukantagara Athanasie living in Bugesera district. He arrived in Uganda from Brisbane town, Queensland State in Australia.
Murindangabo went to Uganda on 13th February last year through Kigali International Airport onboard RwandAir. He had tour operator company guiding tourists in Uganda.
Murindangabo was arrested by CMI on 4th February 2021 and detained in Kansanga where he runs businesses. He was taken to CMI facilities and later at Makindye military camp accused of being a spy.
Another businessman, Mugisha Gahungu Shadrack, 29, hailing from Nyamasheke district went to Kenya in 2010 through Gatuna border.
He left Kenya for Uganda in 2015 and later arrested on 4th February 2021 in Kansanga at a bar known as Pyramid.
He was taken to CMI headquarters in Mbuya and later taken to military camp in Makindye accused of being a spy.
Mugisha has left his family in Uganda.
Rebero Napoléon is another deportee aged 47. He arrived in Uganda in 2000 through Gatuna border.
He was arrested on 10th February 2021 in Kampala where he was running businesses. He was also detained at CMI facilities in Mbuya accused of espionage.
Gahungu was also deported yesterday. After completing university studies in Rwanda, he went to Kenya in 2013 for clothes trading business. After spending two years, he went to Uganda where he established a restaurant. Gahungu later met with another Rwandan in 2017 and established a bar known as ‘Atmosphere Lounge’.
In 2018, his bar became famous that he started working with Rwandan DJs.
As Coronavirus emerged, he moved to Kansanga and worked with another bar dubbed Pyramid. He was arrested on 4th February accused of espionage.
“I am not the only Rwandan arrested. They were held at different times for the past three years for similar accusations. People are sometimes abducted in night hours with their faces covered. I was also tortured like other Rwandans illegally detained,” he said.
Gahungu returned to Rwanda bare hands leaving or his properties.
Since 2017, Rwandans have been abducted by Uganda’s CMI accusing them of being Rwanda’s spies.
Abduction of Rwandans living or traveling through Uganda is linked to CMI’s close collaboration with Rwanda National Congress (RNC), a rebel group against the Government of Rwanda led by Kayumba Nyamwasa with intentions to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
Through the cooperation, Rwandans on Uganda’s land denying cooperation with the rebel group are arrested; tortured in CMI prisons while others are taken in Minembwe of DRC to be tortured.
Uganda has been arresting Rwandans since 2017 in different operations. The Government of Rwanda has since 2017 been condemning such arbitrary detentions and advised Rwandans not to travel to Uganda in March 2019.
Later on, Angola launched discussions to mend Rwanda, Uganda relations which led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Angola, Luanda known as Luanda Agreement in 2019.
The memorandum was signed on August 21st 2019 in a bid to solve conflicts between Rwanda and Uganda.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state. CMI continues arbitrary detention of Rwandans who endure torture in its facilities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta welcomed Patricia Scotland to Kigali with a lunch in her honour also attended by High Commissioners to Rwanda.
Minister Biruta said: “In less than four months, the Commonwealth will gather in Kigali for our biennial family reunion. Our teams are working round the clock to ensure a safe and memorable event in June 2021.
“Rwanda very much looks forward to hosting the Commonwealth family in their second home and we hope that your delegations will take time to visit our beautiful country and learn more about our people and our culture.”
Thanking him for his hospitality, the Secretary-General said she was impressed by the level of commitment and preparedness for CHOGM that is already in place, and the milestones which have already been achieved since her last visit to Rwanda.
She said the next CHOGM must be a springboard for concerted action.
“As we seek to overcome the challenges before us, not least the devastating impact of the Coronavirus epidemic across the Commonwealth, CHOGM presents an opportunity to be the launch pad that propels us onward, upward and forward together,” she said.
“As we strive to live up to the ideals of the theme ‘delivering a common future’, building on the aspirations of the 2018 CHOGM, I look forward to working closely with Rwanda when it assumes the mantle of Chair-in-Office, in advancing our shared objectives, whether it be advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls;
Combatting the threat of climate change; promoting trade and good governance; championing the health, wellbeing and human rights of every one of our citizens; or ensuring that all young people have equitable access to the opportunities they need in order to fulfil their potential.”
The Secretary-General’s visit to Rwanda coincides with celebrations to mark Commonwealth Week.
About 1.6 million twins are born each year worldwide, with one in every 42 children born a twin.
Delayed childbearing and medical techniques such as IVF have seen the rate of twin births rise by a third since the 1980s.
But it could be all downhill from here as the focus shifts to one baby per pregnancy, which is less risky.
According to a global overview in the journal Human Reproduction, the peak was reached because of large increases in twinning rates in all regions over 30 years – from a 32% rise in Asia to a 71% rise in North America.
The researchers collected information on twinning rates from 165 countries for 2010 to 2015, and compared them with rates for 1980 to 1985.
The number of twins born per thousand deliveries is now particularly high in Europe and North America – and worldwide it’s gone from nine per 1,000 deliveries to 12.
But twin rates in Africa have always been high and haven’t changed much over the past 30 years, which could be due to population growth.
{{Helping hand}}
Africa and Asia make up about 80% of all twin deliveries in the world at present.
Prof Christiaan Monden, the study’s author from the University of Oxford, said there was a reason for that.
“The twinning rate in Africa is so high because of the high number of dizygotic twins – twins born from two separate eggs – born there,” he said.
“This is most likely to be due to genetic differences between the African population and other populations.”
Twinning rates in Europe, North America and Oceanic countries have been catching up – and the increasing use of medically assisted reproduction since the 1970s – for example IVF, ICSI, artificial insemination and ovarian stimulation – have been the main reason.
These techniques all increase the likelihood of a multiple birth.
Women choosing to start families later in life, increased use of contraception and lower fertility overall also play a role, the review says.
But the emphasis is now on singleton pregnancies, which are safer, says Prof Monden.
“This is important as twin deliveries are associated with higher death rates among babies and children, and more complications for mothers and children during pregnancy, and during and after delivery,” he says.
Twins have more complications at birth, are more often born premature and have lower birth weights and higher still birth rates.
{{Survival chances}}
The review found that the fate of twins in low and middle-income countries was more of a concern.
In sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, many twins will lose their co-twin in their first year of life – more than 200,000 each year.
“While twinning rates in many rich Western countries are now getting close to those in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a huge difference in the survival chances,” said Prof Jeroen Smits, a study author.
Looking ahead, the researchers say India and China will play a major role in future twinning rates.
Declining fertility, older mothers at birth and techniques like IVF will all have a bearing on the numbers of twins in years to come.
Following the disaster, Rubavu district and security officials visited the affected residents and assured emergency support.
“We promise support and cooperation to renovate houses that have been destroyed. We also take this opportunity to remind you to build houses with strong roofs and plant trees near the houses to break the wind speed and force, saving your homes,” said the Mayor of Rubavu district, Gilbert Habyarimana.
Located in the neighborhood of DRC valley, Nyirangongo and Karisimbi volcanoes;
Bugeshi, Busasamana and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district often experience strong wind known as ‘Isata’.
Similar hailstorms destroyed 35 houses from Cyanzarwe sector and 12 from Busasamana sector recently as heavy rain characterized by wind fell on 26th September 2020. At the time, affected families received 775 roofing sheets in donation.
“As part of the ongoing nationwide vaccination rollout that has seen more than 230,000 people vaccinated, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame received their COVID-19 vaccines at King Faisal Hospital, “the Presidency has tweeted.
President Kagame and First Lady receive the vaccine; six days after the country began countrywide vaccination program starting with people in advanced ages and others providing essential services.
Since the program kicked off on Friday last week, over 230,000 people have been vaccinated. The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije was present as President Kagame and First Lady received the vaccine.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
As the first shipment of vaccines arrived in Rwanda last week, President Kagame used his Twitter handle to commend the milestone enabling African countries including Rwanda to roll out vaccinations widely.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready…not to mention some ’more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda and more. Thanks COVAX,” he said.
The development follows the construction of 12 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) schools in Rubavu, Huye, Nyanza, Nyarugenge and Rwamagana prisons completed at a cost of over Rwf 4 billion.
Inaugurated yesterday, these schools with all necessary equipment were built on funding of Netherlands Embassy in Rwanda.
RCS Commissioner General, CGP George Rwigamba, said that these schools will facilitate efficient correction and reintegration.
He explained that the first cohort has been attending courses for the past six months in five prisons.
The selection of inmates to attend courses, considers willing inmates and prior background on a particular vocational training program.
“We need to acquaint inmates with additional skills to ensure effective correction. Such vocational skills prepare them for future jobs after completing jail term to lead better life again,” said CGP Rwigamba.
He explained that inmates used to be acquainted with vocational skills depending on available training packages at particular prison. However, newly inaugurated schools will offer vocational packages approved by Rwanda TVET Board which will give them certificates upon graduation.
Umukunzi Paul, the Director General of Rwanda TVET Board said that inmates were previously equipped with vocational skills without respecting standard processes.
He highlighted that these schools will enable them to comply with the Curricula approved at national level that an inmate will graduate with a certificate to be used after reintegration.
“We offer six categories of certificates at TVET Board. Inmates will begin courses from different levels depending on prior knowledge. Even illiterate ones can start from scratch and attend short vocational courses. There are secondary school graduates who can start from an advanced level to attend one year or two year courses and receive accredited certificates,” he said.
Umukunzi revealed that inmates meeting requirements will sit for national examinations like other students.
It is expected that TVET Board will cooperate with RCS to offer similar course packages.
Netherlands Ambassador in Rwanda, Matthijs Wolters thanked the Ministry of Justice and RCS for the great initiative to construct vocational schools in prisons highlighting that it will pave the way for employments upon reintegration into the society.
The Minister of Justice and State’s Attorney General, Johnston Busingye has requested inmates to take advantage of presented opportunities to concentrate on courses with a view to apply acquired skills in normal life.
“Many of jailed youth had abandoned studies which might have been among other causes providing loopholes to engage in criminal acts. We believe that providing them with vocational and technical skills can be a solution filling the gap to those who halted studies even if the matter would not be addressed 100%,” he said.
It is expected that ten technical and vocational skills will be provided at these schools. They include mechanical engineering, construction, tailoring, hairdressing, computer science, electronics, plumbing, leathercraft, tailoring, and masonry.
The dazzling islands located in Lake Kivu with appealing lifestyle, Flora, Fauna are part of attractive landmarks luring tourists for prolonged stay in Rwanda.
Kivu the largest lake in Rwanda with two parts one being in Rwanda and the rest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On Rwanda’s side, the lake touches four districts including Rubavu, Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi where different facilities including beach resorts and hotels were set up in the lake’s surroundings for tourists to enjoy seamless sojourn.
The lake is also home to various islands with unique attracting features giving delight to touristic explorations.
To discover more about these islands, IGIHE has spoken to touristic travel company known as ‘Golden Rwanda Safaris Ltd’ to get a deeper insight into the beauty of these islands.
The attractive Flora and Fauna, Bird sighting and hiking are among other things fascinating visitors.
{{Most prominent islands in Lake Kivu}}
{{Nkombo Island }}
Nkombo is the largest island in Lake Kivu extended to 29.7 square kilometers of which 7 km2 are covered by water while the remaining 22,7 km2 land is inhabited.
Nkombo is one of sectors of Rusizi district.
With approximately 2000 population, the eye catching island attracts a large number of people to explore the topographical structure and different trends of their culture like their unique ‘Amashi’ language and ‘Gusama’ traditional dances.
The majority of Nkombo’s residents force their meal upon fishery and trade to DRC. Many tourists are interested to experience the lifestyle of the island’s population found nowhere else in the country.
The island that had lacked infrastructure in the past is currently shining with electricity, safe water, schools, health centers and a hotel.
{{Gihaya Island}}
Gihaya Island is also located in Rusizi district next to Nkombo but it is relatively small. Tourists like visiting the island for hiking exercise and sailing on Lake Kivu.
The island’s lifestyle is similar to Nkombo residents.
{{Akarwa k’Abakobwa}}
The island located in Nyamasheke district holds great history in Rwanda’s history. It is the place where girls with unwanted pregnancies would be dumped in the ancient Rwanda.
Tourists from different corners including women often visit the island to explore the area’s features.
{{Nyamunini Island }}
Nyamunini known as Napoleon Island, is located on the side of Karongi district. It is one of most visited islands due to the presence of eye catching bird species and fruits’ variety.
{{Amahoro Island }}
Amahoro means ‘Peace’. Located on the side of Karongi district, the island is renowned for giving comfort to people seeking calm whose hearts are soothed as they hear to the beautiful symphony of singing birds and fixing glance at waving water.
{{Nyakarwa Island }}
Nyakarwa is located in Karongi district. It is also home to various bird species always whose continues whispers lures tourists to stay.
{{Mpembe Island}}
Located in Karongi district, Mpembe Island is managed by an individual who established a four-kilometer area for people to enjoy foot walks. The place is renowned for giving comfort to visitors exploring its green vegetation with fresh air in the middle of Lake Kivu.
NB: Elaborated islands are the most visited ones as there are many more Islands in Lake Kivu. In 2012, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) revealed that Lake Kivu is home to 250 islands, 56 of them being on Rwanda’s side.
The ruling was read today on Wednesday 10th March 2021 in presence of the suspect who immediately appealed against the decision.
Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
He is accused along with Nsabimana Callixte ‘Sankara’, Nsengimana Herman and 18 other suspects facing terrorism charges.
Appearing before the court in the previous hearing, Rusesabagina claimed that he was abducted and requested his release.
Rusesabagina said that he spent four days with hands and legs tied up adding that he had no legal representation when he was summoned by the prosecution.
He requested for release as awaiting trial in depth.
Among others, Rusesabagina objected that Rwanda Investigation Bureau cooperated with Bishop Constantin Niyomwungere to bring him to Kigali illegally. The prosecution however explained that he was not kidnapped but rather tricked by his friend along the way from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates to Kigali.
During the previous hearing, Bishop Niyomwungere Constantin gave testimonies narrating how he tricked Rusesabagina until they arrived in Rwanda where the suspect was arrested. Niyomwungere said he was shocked by killings committed by Rusesabagina’s armed group FLN which took lives of people in the surroundings of Nyungwe in Nyaruguru district and destroyed properties.
After analyzing Rusesabagina’s request, the court considered that he was not kidnapped but tricked.
The court also read that Rusesabagina was informed before interrogation on 31st August 2020 and decided to respond without defense lawyer.
The court also considered the severity of accused crimes and said, it doesn’t Rusesabagina to be released.
“The fact that Rusesabagina is detained waiting for trial in depth, doesn’t abuse his rights. The court ruled that the appeal against remand is unfounded,” read the court.
Rusesabagina’s lawyer, Rudakemwa Félix immediately appealed against the ruling. “We want trial proceedings halted until things become clear,” he said.
