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Located in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, the company started in 2016; producing a variety of dairy products including yogurt, fermented milk, fresh cream, butter, ghee and other products for children and adults.

Masaka Creamery Ltd produces Masaka Yogurt (made of straw berry and vanilla) in pack sizes of 100; 150, 250, 400 and 500mililiters, 5 liters respectively as well as Masaka Yogurt (Natural) available in five-liter packages.

Other products including fermented milk are also made available in different pack sizes meeting consumers’ demand. The company also produces one kilogram Greek Yogurt, Fresh Cream, Mascarpone and Butter (salted /unsalted) and Cow Ghee.

The Managing Director of Masaka Cremery, Julie Igiraneza explains that the company seeks to maintain the lead position in the dairy sector.

“We want to continue positioning the company among the leading producers of dairy products with outstanding quality in Rwanda,” she promises.

Masaka Creamery Ltd employs 40 workers, majority of whom are deaf-mute youth.

“We are committed to continue delivering quality products while creating jobs for Rwandans especially deaf-mute youth,” considers Igiraneza.

Masaka Creamery Ltd is Rwanda Standard Board (RSB) Certified which confirms the company adheres to standards.

The Marketing Manager at the Creamery, Gloria Munana, explains that the company has enough production, fed by ample supplies to meet market demand.

“We receive large quantities of milk on a daily basis and work closely with over 2000 farmers. This helps to meet demand with high quality bulk production,” she emphasizes.

The company also distributes its products to upcountry consumers, in Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kayonza districts in Eastern Province, Rubavu district in Western Province, Rulindo and Musanza in Northern Province as well as Muhanga, Ruhango and Huye in Southern Province.

For more details, contact 0789911244 , email us on info@masakacreamery.com or visit social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@MasakaCreamery).

Rwanda granted refuge to Burundians in the years of 1972 and 1989. As genocide was prepared that time, Burundian refugees also took part in it. Apart from refugees, more Burundians, who were teachers in different parts of the country like Gisagara and Rusizi were also involved.

Not only genocide survivors testify their role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but also foreigners like Belgian, Constant Julius Goetschalckx known as Frère Stan (Brother Stan) are aware of the truth.

Brother Stan worked in Rwanda’s refugee camps in 1980.

In 2008, he testified at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) how Hutu Burundian refugees played role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“Some of refugees (Hutu Burundians) from Saga camp in commune Muganza, Butare Prefecture were involved in killings. I reported it to officials that time,” he said.

Different genocide survivors testifies that Brother Stan is among masterminds behind such heinous acts that he later after genocide founded a school in Tanzania where he used to receive friends from ex-FAR militia (defeated former government army) and politicians who perpetrated genocide.

Faustin Nyakazungu, 77, lived in former Commune Ntyazo in Mpanda cell but was hunted.

Speaking to IGIHE, he reflected on neighboring Tutsi killed by Burundian refugees who stabbed one adult woman saying ‘let us see if she can bleed blood or milk as they drunk much milk.’

“I was living in the neighborhood of those Burundians. I am one of people who were not hunted. I know well their deeds. They were characterized by extreme bad characters. They killed an old woman called Nyinawabo Bernadette and another man Jabo Félix. Those killers were with Interahamwe. The old woman was stabbed by a Burundian saying he wanted to find out if female Tutsis bleed blood or milk they drunk. In know many of them,” said Nyakazungu.

Burundians who stayed in Saga camp are accused of killing Tutsi in Mugombwa while others in Nyagahama camp killed Tutsi in former commune Ntongwe and Mugina among others.

After killings, they dumped remains in a mass grave along with other Tutsis killed at different road blocks. The mass grave was named CND as a way to show they were sending them to Inkotanyi colleagues.

Samuel Dusengiyumva is among genocide survivors in Ntingwe. He was 13 year old in 1994 studying at a secondary school in Save. He is currently a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government.

As he attended the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Ruhango district last year, narrated how Burundian refugees were used to train Interahamwe to kill Tutsi of torture.

“Those people from Burundi who were accustomed to killing Tutsi of torture trained Interahamwe in commune Ntongwe to the extent that they also set road blocks and set a heating brazier. Before loading remains of genocide victims to be dumped in CND mass grave, they first removed hearts, other internal fleshes which they roasted and ate. They killed people with extreme cruelty,” he said.

Jeanne Muhorakeye, a survivor from Kinazi in Ruhango district once revealed that they took care of Burundian refugees in the area and clothed them but ended up joining Hutus to kill Tutsi during the genocide.

In Kinazi, Burundian refugees joined killings upon instructions of Charles Kagabo who was the head nurse of Kinazi health center. The latter who had served as the mayor of Ntongwe commune in 1992 requested the refugees to collaborate with Interahamwe to exterminate Tutsi.

He was handed life sentence in absentia by different Gacaca courts from Gikoma, Ruhango, Gitisi, Bweramana and Rutabo in Kinazi in 2008.

{{Torture}}

Genocide survivors from neighborhoods of camps that accommodated Burundian refugees narrated how they tortured Tutsi.

It is said that Burundian refugees removed the heart, sucked flesh blood, and roasted made brochette.

They are also alleged to have hit pointed sharp objects into girls’ sex.

Gatandara of Mururu sector is one of areas where Interahamwe and Burundian refugees killed many Tutsis, removed hearts and ate them. The same happened in Kizura of Gikundamvura where they killed Rwicaninyoni and made brochette.

Other Tutsis on Rukungu village of Cyato sector were also killed of torture burnt inside a grass thatched house belonging to one Karekezi Alfred.

At the beginning of this year, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) released three books detailing bitter history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi especially in former Gitarama and Cyangugu Prefectures.

These books also talk about Tutsis killed in Kabgayi forests, former commune Ntongwe and Mugina killed by Interahamwe and Burundian refugees.

{{Burundi kept a deaf ear}}

As countries are requested to play role in the process of bringing to justice genocide fugitives, Burundi kept a deaf ear rejecting Rwanda’s request to bring to book suspects or extradite them to Rwanda to face justice.

In August last year, the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General , Johnston Busingye told the parliament that genocide is an imprescriptible crime that files for Burundians suspected for involvement in genocide have been arranged.

“Matters regarding Burundians are often reflected and which goes hand in hand preparation of related files. Action will be taken as relations return to normal but you should know that such cases are imprescriptible,” he said.

The former Rwanda’s Prosecutor General, Mutangana Jean Bosco last year revealed that the matter of Burundians relented due to lack of political will.

“We have cases of Burundians who perpetrated Genocide in Rwanda and fled but Burundi showed no political will to help us track those suspects. The issue is persistent. There are many especially in Gisagara, Nyaruguru at the border with Burundi. We issued arrest warrants but got no reply. That’s a problem,” he said.

Mutangana explained that Rwanda is eying support from Interpol to arrest those fugitives.

{{Genocide survivors demand justice }}

The Executive Secretary of IBUKA, Naftar Ahishakiye has told IGIHE that genocide survivors in Southern and Western Provinces are thirsty to see such Burundians brought to book.

“Burundians played a great role during preparations of genocide. Some were trained to use guns along with Interahamwe and openly collaborated during genocide to kill Tutsi,” he said.

He explained that bringing the suspects to book will relieve genocide survivors.

“There is a wound and thirst for justice. In fact, these neighboring countries should understand the severity of Genocide against the Tutsi than other far distant countries. They witnessed it and saw people fleeing to their countries. They actually followed updates than others. They should demonstrate willingness to render justice and fight genocide ideology a way further compared other countries. However, the persistent lack of willingness is saddening,” noted Ahishakiye.

So far, Rwanda’s Prosecution has issued 1144 arrest warrants for genocide fugitives in 33 countries worldwide, majority of which being African countries.

Nine countries have tried 23 genocide fugitives while 24 have been extradited to Rwanda from nine countries.

The project consists of renovating existing roads in the districts of Nyabihu (90 km), Gakenke (58 km ), Nyaruguru ( 68 km), Nyagatare (78 km ), Gatsibo (79 km ) and Rutsiro (km 77).

It is expected that 253km will be covered by cheap-seal surfacing while the remaining 197km will be compacted.

The Mayor of Rutsiro district, Emerence Ayinkamiye has told IGIHE that the project is expected to boost connectivity once completed.

“The contract to execute the project has been signed. So far, the works to renovate 39 kilometers road has started while contractors are getting equipment and workers ready for the remaining part. These roads will boost connectivity among residents, easily transport produce to the market and easily connect with other districts. We have a road to be covered by cheap-seal surfacing additional to other roads being compacted,” she said.

The roads are also expected to boost tourism in Rutsiro district which has a large part touching Lake Kivu. Indeed, 80% of Lake Kivu islands are located in Rutsiro district of which economy heavily relies on the agriculture of coffee and tea.
“Many residents will get jobs during construction of the roads and after because people will be able to move to easily,” she explained.

Ir Makuza Jean Pierre, Gakenke district official in charge of road infrastructure has said that the project to build 69km roads started towards the end of last year.

“These include tarmac road covering 41kilometers while the rest will be compacted. The purpose of these projects is to facilitate residents to transport their produce easily to markets and improve connectivity,” he said.

The new roads will connect Buranga – Kamubuga to Base main road.

As per performance contracts signed recently by the Ministry of Infrastructure, the project is subject to be implemented at 8% in the first quarter, 20% in the second and 28% in the third quarter and 40% at the end of this year.

The entire project is estimated at a cost of Rwf 31,068,482,458 during 2020/2021 fiscal year.

Baganizi Patrick Emile, Deputy Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) recently told IGHE that the project’s execution is underway.

“Construction activities have started but we are still at the beginning. The implementation stands between 10 and 15%. It is the second phase of these works because there are other completed activities. These roads facilitate the transport of produce to the market,” he said.

Mutabazi is a young businessman said to own a shop worth Rwf 35 million in Ruhango district. His family missed him on 21st November 2020 around 2pm, failed to locate the man and reported the case to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Ruhango station the following morning.

At the same time, Rwandans inside the country and abroad started advocacy claiming the man belonging Green Party (one of political parties registered in Rwanda) was abducted by security officials.

IGIHE has learnt that the man might have fled home trying to run away from heavy debt issues and spoke to different sources including Mutabazi to establish the truth.

Mutabazi told IGIHE that he had a civil marriage planned on 10th December 2020 and religious wedding after ten days.

The latter explained that he was born in Karongi district but running foods and beverages business in Ruhango district.

Mutabazi revealed that he was never kidnapped but rather fled his residence due to clashes with his sister and brother in law.

As for the case, they were shareholders of the aforementioned shop and requested Mutabazi to give them shares before his wedding.

“They came to stay at my home saying they want to get money worth their shares or stay with me. I told them to stay and help me to the run the business. They later deprived me of the shop’s keys and felt deranged. I decided to leave them to meditate the situation given that I also had a wedding on 20th December,” he said.

As he narrated, Mutabazi left on 21st November and headed to Nyaruguru where he spent three days. He later, in the morning bought bus ticket on different names and headed to Kigali where he spent night in Kimironko and went to Rwamagana the following day.

“Upon arrival in Rwamagana, I heard that my disappearance triggered speculations that I might have died. I traveled again and found someone whom I begged help as I arrived in Kabuga ka Musha. I told him that I committed no offense except people worried of my disappearance,” he said.

“I asked him to escort me to the forest, tie me and alert local leaders. He agreed to tell soldiers in the nearby barrack and did so. As soldiers came for rescue, they untied me, took me Police Station which later took for medical checkup because I was not feeling well,” added Mutabazi.

He explained that depriving him of the shop destabilized him as it was the only source of funds to pay debts.

“I owed debts to other people and fell in ambiguity as I had no other source of funds. This cumbersome situation pushed me to leave without telling anyone,” he said.

Mutabazi revealed that he had Rwf 20 million bank loan to which the outstanding of Rwf 14 million.

“No one abducted me. I left willingly to meditate my situation. That is why I asked the child to alert the Police or Military for intervention,” he noted.

His brother in law had asked Mutabazi to pay Rwf 5.4 million in November and the rest totaling Rwf 2 million in January 2021 so he could accept to distance from him.
“After learning about my wedding, he came to stay with me saying it is impossible to arrange wedding without paying him. We wrote statements indicating that we share the shop that he will continue to work with me in November if the payments are not cleared,” explained Mutabazi.

He apologized to officials and his family advising people to distance themselves from lies.

{{Connivance}}

A young man called Bosco Niyomugabo, 25 from Rwamagana district; Mwulire sector was lured to tie Manirakiza. He was returning home from construction work on 27th November 2020.

As the bus from Rwamagana stopped nearby Niyomugabo, a man stepped out and asking him if he was willing to do a job.

Mutabazi told Niyomugabo to wait a bit and went to buy a scarf from a nearby shop. As he returned, Mutabazi asked the young man he didn’t hear announcement for a disappeared person and replied ‘no’.

“That person who disappeared is me. He was working for a political party which is not easily coming across my mind. I am from Ruhango. He asked me whether I know the surrounding forests and replied ’yes’. He then asked me to escort him inside. He gave me two ropes and instructed me tie the month and cover his face with a scarf. He told me to tie him on a tree using the second rope and rush to alert officials,”said Manirakiza.

As he explained, Mutabazi immediately gave him Rwf 2000 and rushed to alert nearby military barracks. “He had advised me to say that I heard someone crying as I went urinate,” narrated Manirakiza.

Upon arrival to the scene, soldiers took a picture and asked Manirakiza to untie the man.

The Acting spokesperson of RIB, Dr Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that the institution learnt about the disappearance upon report of his aunt.

“On 25th November 2020, Ruhango RIB station received a complaint from Nyiraneza Marthe (the man’s aunt) reporting that a man identified as Mutabazi Ferdinand went missing. Investigation started immediately. The man was on 27th November found tied in the forest of Rwamagana district, Musha sector, Musha cell, in Rugarama village,” he said.

Dr Murangira explained that the man accused his brother in law Nshimiyimana Samuel to have betrayed him leading into abduction by unknown people.

Dr Murangira futher says, investigation continued until the man revealed the truth that he wanted to drag the brother in law in prison so he could get rid of debts burden.

“Mutabazi told investigators that he sought someone to tie him in Musha’s small forest and alert security officials in compensation for money. It happened as planned that the man tied him and alerted officials who rushed to the scene,” he explained.

Dr Murangira appealed on Rwandans to avoid similar crimes and seek mediation instead of making poor decisions.

“What Mutabazi did is an example of cases reported to RIB that people went missing yet they fled problems. Some of such cases are related to people leaving their homes without telling family members due to different problems like debts and other family issues,” he said.

“In the process, some try to drag people in their cases. Others flee and join terror groups abroad or keep hiding in other countries,” added Dr Murangira.

“Trying to hide behind abduction reasons to solve problems is not the remedy. It however exposes you to further risks.”

The man detained at Ruhango Station on account of false accusation. If convicted, he is liable to a sentence between two and six months and a fine ranging from Rwf 300.000 to Rwf 500.000.

As of today, the world is moving fast shifting from analogue to digital. More artistic creations are kept in written form and other digital means. It is against this background that Rwanda has also adapted to emerging technology whereby different of oral traditions can be found in different books, online sources or kept through audio-visual records.The oral tradition was most common during the reign of Kings.

Long ago, during the reign of Kings, written literature was not popular. To keep record of all activities happening across kingdoms, oral traditional took center stage. To this end, all poets rooting from Nyirarumaga said to be the matriarchy of all poets in Rwanda had their works memorized. The tales of then were also memorized and transmitted to generations up to date.

One of them is the mysterious tale of Nyiransibura, a mythical woman attributed to the creation of Lake Kivu. The woman is said to have existed during the reign of King Ndahiro III Cyamatare according to Rwanda’s oral traditions.

The Kings of ancient Rwanda are classified into three dynasties. These include Ibimanuka, (the Descents), or the Divine Kings; Abami b’Umushumi (the Kings of the Cord) and Abami b’Ibitekerezo (the Kings of Mind). The Descents are said to originate from heaven. Their existence dates from the reign of Shyerezo to Kazi, the last of this dynasty.

Kings of the Cord are kings with no records of their tenure and deeds. Their dynasty start from Gihanga cyahanze Inka n’Ingoma (the creator of cow and kingdom) to king Cyilima I Rugwe while the Kings of Mind are those with well-known deeds and traceable genealogy. Their kingdom dates back from the reign of Kigeli I Mukobanya to the last King of Rwanda, Kigeli V Ndahindurwa.

Gihanga Ngomijana was the first King of the Cord between 1091-1124. He is considered the creator of Rwanda. The history of these dynasties is the subject of the royal myths.

Nyiransibura’s tale dates back to the reign of King Ndahiro III Cyamatare.

Long ago, King Ndahiro III Cyamatare abducted and took hostage of a woman called Nyiransibura the daughter of Muriro, creature from the country of ‘Bunyabungo’(currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo). Upon arrival, Nyiransibura was given a regular task of cleaning at the king’s home.

One day, a strange noise aroused when King Ndahiro was in a meeting with his subordinates. They attributed the noise to witchcraft from Abanyabungo who might have come to rescue their daughter.

The agenda of the meeting soon changed to discuss the next course of action for their hostage, Nyiransibura. They agreed on returning Nyiransibura to homeland rather than killing her.

As the envoys took Nyiransibura home, they reached a region called Kinyaga (currently in Rusizi district) where a rainmaker (umuvubyi) welcomed them and married Nyiransibura. The rainmaker treated Nyiransibura gently with much love in a beautiful valley of Kinyaga where they happily lived together.

Kinyaga is said to be far distant from Ndahiro III Cyamatare’s residence.

During delivery, the placenta rupture left plenty liquids, filling the valley hence creating Lake Kivu. The home of Nyiransibura’s witch was left in the middle of the liquids squirted from the placenta and became an isle (said to be the current ‘Ijwi’). This is how Rwanda’s fairy-tales narrated the creation of Lake Kivu.

The delivered child was named Nsibura and stayed with her mother. He took care of father’s cows but also had intentions to attack King Ndahiro and revenge for her mother’s abduction.

The list of individuals owing debts to the Government is released tri-monthly. The latest released in November reports Rwf11.719.858.881 debts from 2416 people.

Among them, 365 individuals falling under the category of bribery cases owe Rwf1, 282,536,757 to the Government.

The category of public funds misallocation includes 620 owing Rwf8, 205,240,678 to the Government with the majority comprising of public servants, cooperative managers among others.

Ten individuals who lost court cases in commercial courts owe Rwf 163,736,520 to the Government while Rwf 31,897,969 are to be recovered from 37 people defeated in administrative court cases.

Among others, 23 individuals fined in other special cases are to pay Rwf147,361,677 while 1360‬ convicted for trafficking and abuse owe Rwf 1,889,085,280 to the Government.

The Minister of Justice and State’s Attorney General, Busingye Johnston recently revealed that recovery systems are under updating process following an observation that some people are less concerned in clearing the debts.

During a recent press briefing, Busingye explained that people were reluctant to clear debts from lost court cases within the past five years thinking there is no ground for follow up.

“It took time to realize that it became a habit. We established a department to recover public funds in the Ministry, set guideline and started writing to people owing the money,” he said.

Busingye highlighted that people should be accountable and pay debts willingly.

“People wake up early to pay taxes to meet deadlines. No one calls them. We want to establish similar system,” he noted.

The transactions come after Equity Group from Kenya (which also has a subsidiary in Rwanda) called of the plan of acquiring stakes in BPR Plc due to COVID-19 related effects. Talks for the canceled acquisition had started in April 2019 with the objective of reaching mutually acceptable terms for a strategic transaction.

After careful consideration, Atlas Mara (which owns 62 per cent share in BPR) and EGH mutually agreed to discontinue discussions recently.

Following the failed acquisition by Equity, Atlas Mara Limited (Atlas Mara) and KCB Group Plc (KCB) announced yesterday that they have signed a definitive agreement regarding a proposed acquisition of 62.06% of the issued share capital of BPR by KCB followed by a subsequent merger with KCB’s wholly owned subsidiary operating in Rwanda, KCB Bank Rwanda Plc.

According to a joint statement from both banks; the combined bank is expected to double its market share resulting in a robust balance sheet and capital structure that will support growth in the post covid-19 macroeconomic recovery period thus ensuring the banks’ customers benefit from being a part of one of the biggest Banking groups in East Africa.

Once implemented, the transaction is subject to the fulfillment of various conditions precedent amongst which, include regulatory approvals by the National Bank of Rwanda, the local and regional competition commission authorities and all relevant entities.

Following the legal merger of the two banks, the enlarged entity is expected to be the 2nd largest bank in the country and will be a majority owned subsidiary of KCB Group Plc.

Commenting on the development, The Managing Director of BPR Maurice Toroitich expressed delight for the planned acquisition and assured customers of better services as usual.

“We are very pleased to reach this agreement with KCB Group Plc. This transaction represents an opportunity for BPR to benefit from being part of the largest banking group in East Africa and I am confident we will benefit from KCB Rwanda’s digital banking capabilities, complementary branch and agents network, innovative product offering across retail, SME, corporate and payments as well as trade finance and international banking offering leveraging the broader KCB regional footprint,” he said.

“I want to assure our clients that the safety of their banking operations and high-quality customer service will remain our top priorities during the transition. They can look forward to new products and services as the combined institution pursues sustainable growth. Our mission to serve and support our customers during this challenging time; to leverage on the combined business which will contribute to meaningful economic development of the country. We look forward to working with the KCB Rwanda team,” added Toroitich.

KCB Rwanda Managing Director Mr. George Odhiambo said the merger anticipates expanded retail network and sustainable growth.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement on a proposed merger with BPR, a strong retail and commercial bank with one of the largest branch network in the industry and long history spanning over 45 years in the country. This merger, will see the bank ranked 2nd largest bank in the country, which will increase our scale and improve our operating leverage by enabling us to deliver existing retail and wholesale offerings to a wider base of customers in Rwanda while positioning the bank for sustainable growth in the long-term,” he said.

Odhiambo also revealed that the merger will provide current KCB Rwanda customers with access to a larger network of branches and agents across the country, while BPR’s customers would benefit from best in class digital capability, transactional banking solutions, trade finance expertise and international banking offering from KCB.

“Through this transaction, we will play a greater role in Rwanda’s economic expansion, using our combined balance sheet to support our clients while leveraging our enhanced distribution network to deepen financial inclusion and provide lending and trade finance solutions to entrepreneurs and SMEs in Rwanda,” he stressed.

KCB Group Plc is East Africa’s largest commercial Bank that was established in 1896 in Kenya. Over the years, the Bank has grown and spread its wings into Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia (Rep). Further to the banking businesses in these markets, KCB Group owns National Bank of Kenya, a Kenyan lender.

Today KCB Group Plc has the largest branch network in the region with 360 branches, 1,090ATMs and over 23,230 merchants and agents offering banking services on a 24/7 basis in East Africa. Additionally, KCB Group owns KCB Insurance Agency, KCB Capital Limited, KCB Foundation and Kencom House Limited as non-banking businesses. The Bank has a wide network of correspondent relationships totaling over 200 banks across the globe and our customers are assured of a seamless facilitation of their international trade requirements wherever they are.

The proposed transaction is firmly in line with Atlas Mara’s repositioning as a streamlined holding company with an increased focus on a core footprint. The merger will see BPR’s strong retail, commercial and SME loan capability and branch network leverage KCB Rwanda’s best in class digital platform and product suite to create a platform for further growth and the facilitation of financial inclusion for the unbanked in the country.

Corporate customers can expect to benefit from KCB Rwanda’s strengths in transactional banking, trade finance, treasury, international payments and loans through the wider distribution network of the enlarged bank and KCB’s presence in the key countries across the East African region.

BPR and KCB Rwanda will draw on Atlas Mara and KCB’s strong track records of post-merger integration to ensure a successful combination.