The landslides caused by the recurrent heavy rains took place on Sunday in Cyumba Sector of Gicumbi District and one side of the road has been extremely damaged.
In a statement on Twitter, Police requested heavy truck drivers to temporarily use the Kagitumba route in Eastern Rwanda.
“Due to continued landslides that are affecting the road Gatuna – Gicumbi – Kigali, all heavy trucks to and from Uganda-Kigali via Gatuna are requested to temporarily use the Kagitumba route. Please bear with the inconvenience as construction works begin,” reads a Police announcement.
Speaking to IGIHE, Gicumbi District mayor, Juvénal Mudaheranwa said that on Monday, the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) officials and those from local construction company, Horizon, visited the scene to assess damage and intervention.
“They visited the scene and established what is needed to expand the side that was not highly affected so that they allow the flow of vehicles,” he explained.
Speaking last week in a press conference, Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente said that the recurrent disasters affected different infrastructures across the country.
He said that the government has embarked on repairing damages and 25 national roads that had been damaged were rehabilitated among others.
Until yesterday, Nyabihu District had no local district leadership following last week resignation of former Mayor Théoneste Uwanzwenuwe and vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Clarisse Mukansanga.
Uwanzwenuwe resignation followed the March resignation of Vice-mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Antoine Mugwiza and April resignation of the District Executive Secretary, James Ngabo.
On Monday, Musabimana who has been a member of the district council was elected by council members with 21 votes representing 95.5% out of 22.
She had been competing with Jean Marie Vianney Ntirugirimbabazi who is also the Public Sector Federation (PSF) Chairperson in Nyabihu.
Musabimana has been a primary head teacher at Groupe Scholaire Rega ADEPR in Jenda Sector.
The electoral law states that when there is no executive committee, the district council appoints interim leadership for the period not exceeding 90 days.
Today, Kizito appeared in the court with Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi as the co-accused Cassien Ntamuhanga escaped prison.
In the court, Kizito was Clad in inmates uniform, red shoes, white socks, watch and Rosary on his right arm.
The presiding judge expressed two challenges, one was that the co-accused Cassien Ntamuhanga escaped prison and the second is that Dukuzumuremyi had no lawyer.
About the challenges, Kizito requested the presiding judge to separate his case file from that of the co-accused saying that they have no big connection in charges.
He insisted that their hearing process is different, as he pleaded guilty of the charges yet others pleaded not guilty.
Kizito’s Counsel Antoinette Mukamusoni said that on the concern that Dukuzumuremyi had no advocate, it would not be guaranteed as to when he will get one since he appealed in 2015 and had ample time to seek for one who he hasn’t got to date. She said that he did not write to Rwanda Bar Association requesting an advocate.
For Ntamuhanga who escaped, Mukamusoni said that his case would be separated from others since he committed another separate crime.
“For Kizito Mihigo’s side, we were thirsty for this date because we need justice,” she said.
On why he has no advocate, Dukuzumuremyi said that he submitted his appeal decision when he was in Gasabo prison, he was later moved to Rwamagana based Prison and now is in Rubavu based prison.
Due to the moving process, he said that he didn’t know whether his appeal was due for hearing, and was told about the hearing date when he didn’t even know whether his application was endorsed.
“I was caught unawares about the hearing date. I request the court a short time to seek an advocate,” he requested.
The prosecution side represented by Faustin Nkusi among others requested the presiding judge to annul Ntamuhanga’s appeal saying that it is stipulated by law when the defendant misses the hearing over no reasons.
The prosecution side rejected hearing separation of case files of Kizito and accomplices saying they’re connected, no matter the magnitude.
For Dukuzumuremyi, the prosecution said that he has rights for an advocate and admitted that he would be given time to seek defense lawyer services.
The presiding judge adjourned hearing to June 11th 2018 for Dumukuzumuremyi to be able to find an advocate.
The presiding judge annulled Ntamuhanga’s appeal decision saying that escaping the prison meant that he had no interest in following his appeal.
On case file separation, the presiding judge said that as Kizito admits to a connection with accomplices, separation of hearing would not serve the interests of justice. The case file was kept as one.
On February 27th 2015, the High Court in Kigali found Kizito guilty of the crimes of formation of a criminal gang, conspiracy against the established government or the President of the Republic and conspiracy to murder. However, the court did not find sufficient proof implicating him on the crime of complicity in a terrorist act.
“A very Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers of Rwanda, Africa, and the World! To the one special mother in our home, lives and our hearts of 4 children – Jeannette- Thank you forever, God bless..!!,” he wrote.
Following his tweet, First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame, also celebrated Mother’s Day with a Twitter tribute for her family, being her ‘raison d’être’.
“Grateful for @PaulKagame, Ivan, Ange, Ian and Brian for being my ‘raison d’être’.” she tweeted
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father’s Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents Day.
In 1914, American President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the first national Mother’s Day
The world has made great strides in empowering women and girls in recent decades, and Rwanda has played its part. Good politics, legal reform, and policy frameworks have helped speed up this progress.
Taking place in Sierra Leone capital, Freetown, on 12th May 2018, the ceremony was attended by different Heads of State and Government among others, President George Weah of Liberia, First Lady of Gambia, among others.
Via his twitter account, Bernard Makuza announced that he had attended the Inauguration ceremony of the new President of Sierra Leone in Freetown.
“After the inauguration ceremonies, I paid a courtesy visit to the new President of Sierra Leone and delivered a personal message and a gift from his Rwandan counterpart President Paul Kagame.”, reads the tweet.
During the Inauguration Ceremony, President Bio vowed to be president for all Sierra Leoneans, to fight corruption and poverty and run the country in a “disciplined, honest and professional manner.”
Brigadier Julius Maada Bio was declared the winner and proclaimed as the president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, having pollied 1,319,406 – which is 51.82% of the total votes cast.
Rwanda and Sierra Leone enjoy good bilateral relations. Dr. Harebamungu Mathias was the first ambassador to Sierra Leone in October 2017.
Kabarebe was speaking in Kigali yesterday at a commemoration event organised to remember youth who were slain during the genocide.
He said that during the liberation struggle, former Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) hadn’t any form of discrimination as their ambition was to save and unite all Rwandans.
He said that their spirit was so different from that of the then government which taught the Hutu ethnic group to hate theTutsi, the hatered that led to the genocide.
Noting that the majority of former RPA was youth and stopped the genocide, Kabarebe said that today’s youth should learn from them and strive to sustain the progress the country has attained.
“You should not be satisfied and assume that everything is in place, having had genocide that took lives of more than a million in 100 days is not an issue to be simplified. It is an issue that you should always keep in mind and take lead in fighting any form of it,” he urged the youth.
He told them to avoid any trap that could lead the country into dark history like that of genocide and strive to develop the country.
Mukansanga and former Mayor, Theoneste Uwanzwenuwe submitted their resignation letters Friday morning.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau Spokesperson, Modeste Mbabazi said that Mukansaga was arrested yesterday over allegations related to genocide ideology.
“The dossier has been prepared. I think that you have been following news on how she committed genocide related crimes. Today (Friday), she has been arrested and will appear in court on Monday,” he said.
It was said that Mukansanga refused to receive a candle to light the flame of remembrance at the Genocide against the Tutsi commemoration event in Nyabihu District last month.
She reportedly refused to receive the candle and said it should be given to others who have people they commemorate.
Speaking to IGIHE recently, Mukansanga rejected the allegations saying that there were many people who had no candles and suggested that they be first served. She said that people misinterpreted her motion.
The Head of Government was speaking in Kigali Friday at a press briefing about the disaster management in Rwanda.
The briefing follows earlier this week’s visit by the Premier and other cabinet membersn to districts of Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Gakenke and Burera as the districts that have largely been affected by recent heavy rains.
According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR), 183 people have been killed by disasters since January to April 30.
The majority of disaster victims in Rwanda are people living in high risk zone. Taking an example of the last weekend, eighteen out of 28 victims of the downpour across the country were from Rwankuba Sector of Karongi District where the landslides on the upland killed the 18, injured seven and destroyed 29 houses.
MIDIMAR reports that 1,201 houses were destroyed and 4,130 were damaged across the country since January to April 30.
According to Ngirente, Rwanda and the region experienced disasters caused by heavy rains that were not expected.
In the conference, Ngirente said that the government is always prepared for responding to disaster effects.
“The government does not wait for disasters to happen, the national budget has money for good settlements,” he explained.
Ngirente said that before the disasters started early this year, the government had assessed a total of 40,000 families to relocate from high risk zones and the resources had been in place. He said that the disasters increased the numbers due to new areas which were also affected.
“I would like to assure all Rwandans that the government plans to steadily settle all residents safely. Sustainably, there is an existing settlement programme and IDP Models which are being constructed in all districts, we are trying to construct durable houses. We will continue to invest in this programme and every year’s national budget will include the funding for the programme,” he said.
Ngirente said that the government continues to provide basic assistance to the population of various areas affected by disasters.
From the beginning of this year, he said the government has provided Rwf141 million for buying construction materials, over Rwf200 million for basic utensils and over Rwf5 million for direct support to families who lost their members in disasters.
He said that the government does not want to see any victim of disasters, the reason they will continue to use few resources in relocating people from high risk zones.
Ngirente reminded that the government does not construct for people, but they help them along the construction process. He said that they support the most disadvantaged people and provide others with plots on credit in places designed for human settlement and pay accordingly at a favorable cost.
IDP model village was initiated in Rwanda in 2010 to promote proper human settlement in rural areas.
Mukabalisa was speaking at the Conference on Achieving Gender Equality which was held under the theme ‘Changing Dynamics, Accelerating Progress’ in Kigali yesterday.
The conference was organised on the sideline of the Transform Africa Summit that has been taking place in Kigali.
The two-day conference was organised by National Gender Machinery, Smart Africa Secretariat and United Nations Rwanda.
Mukabalisa said that people cannot expect to develop countries and achieve the Africa’s agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030 if there is a big number of the population left behind.
“We recognise that African countries are pushing to ensure respect and promotion of gender equality which is essential for sustainable development, good governance, respect of human rights and democracy. Investment in empowerment of women and girls is a well-recognised development priority in Africa,” she said.
The aspiration six of African Union’s Agenda 2063 underlines the potential of Africa’s people, especially women and youth. Under this vision, it is envisaged that there will be gender equality in all spheres of life and an engaged and empowered youth including young girls.
The Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 is also committed to full gender equality and significant empowerment of African women by 2023 at the national, regional and continental levels.
Gender equality is also incorporated in the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Africa of 2063 would see fully empowered women with equal access and opportunity in all spheres of life. This means that the African woman would have equal economic rights, including the rights to own and inherit property, sign a contract, register and manage a business. Over 90% of rural women would have access to productive assets, including land, credit, inputs and financial services,” said Mukabalisa.
Africa of 2063 would also see attainment of full gender parity. It would see women occupy 50% of elected offices at state, regional and local bodies, and 50% of managerial positions in government and private sector.
“It’s true that many African countries have made progress in setting up legal and institutional frameworks for gender equality, measures have been taken to close the gender gap in education and improve women’s economic and political participation,” she said.
“However, despite the favourable political context, more efforts are still needed for Government institutions, non-government actors including civil society and the private sector to ensure women’s empowerment or change the daily, lived reality of women, legal frameworks and policies may be in place and ensure its practical, tangible and effective implementation.”
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Mukabalisa said that there is a need for mobilization among people to change mindset on gender issues to accelerate the promotion of equality.
“A strong mobilization of people to change the mindset on all persisting gender equality issues and ensure acceleration for promotion of gender equality by strengthening the accountability mechanisms and measures for gender equality is also needed to close gaps in terms of limited digital literacy, high poverty amongst women, low representation in decision making organs, all forms of violence and discrimination,” she explained.
She said that all these gender gaps have to be eliminated so that women fully enjoy all their human rights.
She added that all harmful social practices and all barriers to access quality health and education for women and girls would be terminated.
Mukabalisa also requested the participants in the conference to give special attention to building women capabilities especially in ICT sector saying that technological innovations represent a way for developing nations to foster economic development, improve levels of education and training.
The duo’s resignation follows March resignation of Vice-mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Antoine Mugwiza and April resignation of the District Executive Secretary, James Ngabo.
All leaders cite personal reasons.
Uwanzwenuwe’s resignation news broke out Friday morning. Speaking to IGIHE, Uwanzwenuwe confirmed his resignation.
Nyabihu District Council President Jean Damascene Gasarabwe confirmed to IGIHE that he has received both resignation letters this morning with both officials citing personal reasons
On condition of anonymity, one official from Nyabihu District told IGIHE that the resignation is related to poor collaboration between the leadership.
“The Executive Committee has not been collaborating; everyone has been doing things alone. The resignations are also related with disputes in district’s offices construction and shoddy tenders in sand excavation,” a source said.
Efforts to talk to the Western Province Governor, Alphonse Munyentwali became futile by press time.
The law states that when there is no executive committee, the district council appoints interim leadership for the period not exceeding 90 days.
