RTTI is expected to create competence boost for in-service vocational and technical trainers and increase the number of professional trainers.
Speaking at the launch of the center on Thursday, Ngirente said that the inauguration of the new building is a boost to the efforts of the Government of Rwanda to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
“Our National Strategy for Transformation, in which we aim to position Rwanda as a globally competitive knowledge-based economy and in our National Transformation Strategy, TVET has been identified as one of the top priorities,” he said.
“For a better implementation of the introduced competency-based curriculum for general and TVET secondary schools, the capacity of teachers in TVET needs to be developed through in-service education in learner-centred pedagogies,” Ngirente added.
The construction of $5 million structure was financed by Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Ngirente hailed the government of Korea for its longstanding good cooperation with Rwanda especially in the education sector through projects that are supported by KOICA.
The meeting took place this Thursday in Senate and was chaired by Senate President, Bernard Makuza.
The meeting is discussing measures to put in place to address queries which were raised by the Office of the Auditor General reports about mismanagement of government resources.
The meeting brought together different ministries, government institutions receiving big amounts of the national budget, National Public Prosecution Authority and Rwanda Investigation Bureau among others.
Speaking while opening the meeting, Makuza said that though Rwanda has remarkably developed, it should have been more advanced in development if the resources were not embezzled.
“The step that has been made would have been multiplied if the resources had been used what it was allocated for,” he said.
He said that every year, same institutions appear in the Auditor General’s report for mismanagement and little is done to address the queries.
Makuza said that all institutions have competent employees, but the problem remains with some institutions which do not address mismanagement issues.
“Auditor General and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) always assess and summon people in charge, but, why do some institutions always bring similar explanations on same things,” he questioned.
Using examples, he said that there are issues in Vision2020 Umurenge Programme funds which are embezzled before they reach beneficiaries and non-performing projects among others.
He said that mismanagement of government resources deter the country from attaining the targeted vision and cause critical effects to people.
He said that Rwanda will not tolerate people who always mismanage government resources and call them mistakes.
Ouattara was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwabo among other officials.
The Ibrahim Governance Weekend is the flagship event of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation held every year in a different African country.
This year’s event will start from April 27th and run until April 29th and will bring together different dignitaries from the continent.
The three-day event convenes prominent African political and business leaders, representatives from civil society, multilateral and regional institutions as well as Africa’s major international partners to debate issues of critical importance to Africa.
After the awarding ceremony, the participants will hold a high-level discussion forum which will focus on public service in Africa.
The forum will conclude with a public concert highlighting some of the best artistes on the continent.
The reforms include using risk based approach in environmental impact assessment and removal of need for geotechnical studies for some projects and removal of need for topographic survey.
Speaking in a press conference the Acting Mayor of City of Kigali, Parfait Busabizwa said that the reforms will help reduce the procedure an investor goes through to acquire a construction permit as well as the days it takes.
“These reforms will help reduce the procedures an investor goes through to acquire a construction permit from 15 to only seven, reduce the number of days to acquire a construction permit from 113 to 55 days and also reduce all other associated costs,” he said.
{{A look into the reforms}}
The reforms include a risk-based approach in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects instead of applying it to all construction projects.
The exemption of specific construction projects (Category one according to building code like single family houses and warehouses) from carrying out geotechnical studies before construction commences.
Construction projects will no longer be required to notify One Stop Centre of commencement of work after obtaining construction permit.
Topographic Survey is not Mandatory requirement for obtaining a construction permit in areas where Masterplan features are available online.
It will only take three days to obtain an occupation permit and a freehold land title when requested by licensed firm.
Busabizwa said that the implementation of new reforms will start by next month.
Schoof was speaking on Wednesday in a press conference following Tuesday RURA’s decision to revoke Amazing Grace Radio’s broadcasting license.
The decision to revoke the license came two months after RURA suspended the radio in a period of a month over airing a sermon in which a preacher allegedly defamed women.
The radio had been suspended over the sermon by preacher Nicholas Niyibikora which referred to women as prostitutes and evil among other shameful words.
The radio was also instructed to air a statement of public apology and pay administrative fine of Rwf2 million on RURA account.
Prior to RURA’s sanctions, RMC, media self-regulatory body had requested RURA to shut the frequencies of the radio.
{{RURA ordered me to plead guilty}}
Schoof neither to apologised nor to paid the fines, prompting RURA to revoke the radio broadcasting license.
In a press conference, Schoof said that RURA ordered him to plead guilty against his conscience.
“I refused to plead guilty, so they revoked our broadcasting license. You can’t order people to plead guilty! The Rwandan constitution guarantees that we have the right of opinion and conscience,” he said.
He said that he is not Pastor Nicholas who must apologise for himself.
“Pastor Nicholas has not been found guilty yet. There has been no testimony, no hearing and no court case for his message. His message has never been discussed, so RURA wants me to apologisse for someone who is still presumed to be innocent?,” he questioned.
“If I apologise, then I admit that I am guilty of wrongdoing. I am not guilty of doing anything wrong. Why apologise? To apologise is to plead guilty,” he added.
{{The radio submitted case file to court}}
He said they filed the case to court because both RURA and RMC have not respected the laws of Rwanda.
“I tell you, both RMC and RURA have not respected the laws of Rwanda. So, if we get an honest judge we will win, if he disrespects the law of Rwanda, then we lose,” he said.
In a revoking statement issued yesterday, RURA said that the conduct of the Amazing Grace Radio violated article 21(4A and 4B) of Regulation No 004/R/MR-MCA/RURA/2017 of 30 June 2017 governing Broadcasting services in Rwanda, in regard to upholding public morality and Rwandan culture and values in general.
Private notaries will operate under the 2014 law which replaced the one that had been introduced in 1953. The Ministerial order regulating them was issued last year.
Speaking while presiding over the swearing in ceremony yesterday, the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye said that the activity aims at promoting justice through notary services as well as promoting job creation for private sector in Rwanda.
He said that as they are the maiden private notaries Rwanda has had, it is a tough assignment but will be evaluated on whether their introduction was necessary.
“As it is the first time, this is history. Possibly, those who will swear-in in the future will not have tough responsibilities as you do. It’s you who will prove to the country that the decision to allow private notaries to operate was perfect.,” he said.
“Every person who needs notary services always has another mission ahead; like to pursue studies, doing business or needs to go outside the country, seeking notary services is a pathway, is not the end. So, when you are not working and people miss your services, it means that you send the message to people who initiated this idea (private notaries) that it has no value,” Busingye noted.
Busingye urged notaries to be cautious in their job by avoiding wrongful notifications. He urged them to report people who they will find using forged documents.
“When you do not report a person using counterfeit documents to institutions in charge, you will be facilitating them to do so. So, when these institutions will establish that you were aware but ignored to report, you will be held responsible,” he said.
Speaking to IGIHE, Viateur Ndagijimana, a trained lawyer said that they are going to support people to easily access notary services .
“Those are challenging responsibilities, but we are going to work hard to change the bad image people have about notary services. We will put good services before money,” he said.
The ministerial order regulating notaries requires five years of experience in legal profession for a person to become private notary.
Kagame was speaking yesterday in New York, Unites States, while attending the screening of “Rwanda: The Royal Tour” documentary film. The documentary was premiered on Monday in Chicago.
On Tuesday evening, the documentary was screened at the legendary Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.
The event was attended by President Kagame accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame. Also present was the documentary’s creator, Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor.
Kagame and Greenberg engaged in a question-and-answer session with the audience after film’s screening.
Addressing a packed house at the Guggenheim, Kagame noted that “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to be Peter Greenberg’s guide in this film and to show a wider audience what Rwanda has to offer”.
“The goal of tourism and conservation in Rwanda is not only to increase visitor and revenue numbers but also to ensure that the benefits are both sustainable and shared by all our people,” he added.
Greenberg said that it was a special opportunity for him to see Rwanda through the eyes of the president.
“What an amazing transformation Rwanda has had as a country, and what a special opportunity for me and my audience to see Rwanda through the eyes of its President,” he noted.
{{About the documentary}}
The film features Greenberg’s weeklong travels through Rwanda, led by President Kagame showcasing the visual diversity that Rwanda has to offer.
Together, the two went gorilla trekking through Volcanoes National Park, jet-skied in Lake Kivu, explored Nyungwe Forest National Park on an elevated canopy walkway, and saw a variety of wildlife during a safari through Akagera National Park.
In addition to being lauded for its natural attractions and wildlife – Rwanda is one of only three places where travellers can see the world’s 880 remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat – the country is also recognized as one of Africa’s most exciting new luxury travel destinations.
Rwanda is witnessing exponential growth in its tourism revenues from $200million in 2010 to above $400 million in 2016.
The documentary will be broadcasted on National Broadcaster, Rwanda Television on Friday at 7:00pm.
The documentary was presented by Peter Greenberg, an Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter and one of America’s most recognized travel news journalists often referred to as “The Travel Detective”
The one hour documentary on a Royal Tour in Rwanda was presented yesterday with the presence of different guests.
Also present was the Rwanda Development Board, Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi.
A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg is one of America’s most recognized, honored and respected travel experts.
President Kagame became the ultimate guide, showcasing the visual gems that Rwanda has to offer. Together, they went gorilla trekking through Volcanoes National Park, jet-skied in Lake Kivu, explored Nyungwe Forest National Park on an elevated canopy walkway and saw a variety of wildlife during on a safari through Akagera National Park.
The one hour documentary is the latest edition of the Royal Tour series, in which Peter journeys to a select country to offer audiences access to extraordinary locations, historic landmarks and cultural experiences, and gets guided by some of the most dynamic and powerful Heads of State around the World.
According to Bralirwa, after paying the tax of Rwf2.6 billion, the net profit was Rwf5,079 billion which marks an increase of 263.3% compared to the previous year.
This was revealed on Monday when Bralirwa was announcing its financial results for the period ended December 31st 2017.
The brewery’s results from operating activities increased by 21.3% driven by cost saving combined with operational efficiencies.
According to Bralirwa Vice Chairman of the Board and Managing Director, Victor Madiela, the total volume declined 12.4% due to the negative impact of pricing on both soft drinks and beer in what remains a competitive market.
He said that the organic revenue declined 2.8% mainly due to the reduced volume which was partially offset by a favourable mix.
Speaking in a press conference, Madiela said that the overall financial performance improved substantially compared to 2016.
“In 2017, overall financial performance improved substantially compared to 2016, despite the challenging business environment. Revenue management combined with a focus on cost savings as well as operational efficiencies and the benefit of lower finance costs, positively impacted the results. Furthermore, we are committed to returning top-line growth, whilst improving our operating margin and reducing debt,” he said.
He said that in 2017, Bralirwa’s volume and revenue remained under pressure. He explained in 2017, the revenue was 2.8% lower than 2016 due lower volume which declined 12.4%.
“Volume was adversely impacted by price increases in both soft drink and mainstream beer in August 2016 and January 2017 respectively. The market remains very competitive and consumer spending constrained,” he explained.
According to Bralirwa, in 2018, they expect to deliver top line growth.
“Consumer spending power is expected to remain constrained. However we expect to deliver top line growth in 2018, supported by our new products introduced in the market. Whilst cost pressures will continue to be challenging, further focus on cost management and reducing debt should enable margin improvement in 2018,” Madiela added.
As a family that depends on casual labour for a living, the situation changed from bad to worse because they had to spend more time with children, giving them special care.
It is in this situation that the husband decided to abandon the family and went to a neighboring country.
“My husband failed to cope up with the conditions of the children and abandoned us. He went to Uganda,” she tells this writer.
Currently, Mukayiranga has a family of four children which she fends for.
“Of course I try my best to raise them much as I am alone. Life is a rough journey which I must walk without the kids’ father,” she says.
“I consulted different hospitals, but ended up without getting them the services I needed. My child has mobility problems, he needs physiotherapy. I was using health insurance (Mutuelle de Sante) which the last hospital, Rilima in Bugesera , we were referred to rejected,” she said.
She said that for providing physiotherapy services to the elder child, Mukayiranga was requested to pay over Rwf2 million. As she could not afford such amount of money, Mukayiranga decided to take the child back home and wait for God’s miracles.
{{Cursed?}}
Pacifique Nibarere is another woman in Bumbogo Sector of Gasabo District who gave birth to a disabled child with a man whom they were yet to get married.
After discovering that the child had a disability, the man did not give her any support, rather he mistreated her.
“Not only did the man abuse me, but also both my family and his and the whole village rejected me saying that they can’t receive a disabled child. They were describing the child as a curse,” she said.
“Later, I got married to a different man. But his family also abused and insulted the man for marrying a woman who has a disabled child. There is a time when they said that the child could better die,” she added.
{{ Local leaders speak}}
The Bumbogo Sector Executive Secretary in Charge of Social Affairs, Marie Chantal Uwimana said that people with disabilities is a special category that the government takes care of.
She admits that some men abandon their wives who give birth to disabled children, yet they need all the physical and emotional support as their daily lives are intertwined in the not so ordinary activities.
“A family which has a disabled child does not get enough time to work as they always spend most of their time taking care of these children. They don’t go to work far from their homes, because they can’t leave the children alone,” she says.
“Most of the time when a family is vulnerable, the man abandons them and blames the woman to be responsible for the disability,” she says.
{{Efforts to curb the problem}}
A local non-government organization, Love With Actions, that works in Bumbogo Sector to help children from vulnerable families with disabilities, has started to advocate for children and help create opportunities for families with conflicts that arise as a result of bearing disabled children.
The Love With Actions Executive Director, Gilbert Kubwimana says that the organisation supports 17 children from 16 families in the sector.
He says that the organisation brings together parents who have disabled children and train them in making handicrafts.
“We brought together women who have disabled children and others from the community and train them in making handicrafts so that they get empowered to develop themselves and wean them off dependence on donations,” he explains.
He says that the NGO brings together family members with conflicts and trains them in ways of living peacefully and how they should treat children with disabilities.
“Three families which had erupting conflicts have been reconciled and today are living peacefully. This is a process that continues with regular visits and advising them so that they continue to understand shared responsibilities on a disabled child,” he explains.
The organisation also advocates for children’s medication and assistive tools like wheelchairs. Families are also supported into initiating economic activities, helping them graduate from poverty.
{{Efforts paying-off }}
After being supported by the organisation, one of Mukayiranga’s disabled children was taken in a Centre in Gahanga, Kicukiro District which cares for children with disabilities. She said that Love With Actions continues to advocate and seeking funds for the child’s medication.
She says that after taking the elder child from home, she was relieved both physically and emotionally as she manages to fend for the whole family.
Another mother, Nibarere, says her child who has bowed legs was taken to Ririma Hospital in Bugesera where he is awaiting operation.
“After being operated, he will go back home and go to school like other children. He has value as other children,” she said.
After being linked to the organisation, her family has also realized that the child is a human being.
“The NGO restored the hope of mothers with disabled children. We got together and formed a savings group and do different projects that support our families’ livelihoods. We are thankful,” she appreciates.
Bumbogo Sector Executive Secretary in Charge of Social Affairs, Uwimana says that the government does not have enough resources to support all disabled people. She hails partners for programmes that change lives of families for the better.
“The government supports persons with disabilities, but we can’t afford all; what they need, when we get partners, they facilitate us in the betterment of their lives, “she said.
The problem of men abandoning their families is not limited to Gasabo District alone as another local organization; Shalom Community Organisation working in Rubavu District has a group of seven women who were abandoned by their husbands after giving birth to disabled children.
The head of the organization, Jean Paul Mukunzi says that children with disabilities and their mothers face discrimination.
“As a way to help these women and children, we advocate for them and be given wheelchairs among other necessities. We also organize healing and social cohesion training which facilitate them to understand how they treat children with disabilities,” he said.
In general, Mukunzi says that there are different children with disabilities hidden in families. He said that poverty also contribute in parting the families.
{{Council of Persons with disabilities speak}}
Speaking to IGIHE, the President of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Romalis Niyomugabo says that the root cause of men abandoning women should not be linked to disabled children.
He says that families may have conflicts and women take the disabled child as the root cause for separation.
“We ask local government authorities and the council’s officials at local level, to investigate the cause of the problem. In any case we ensure that the right of the child is ensured as any other child,” he said.
He says that when they establish that family conflicts affect the rights of the disabled child, the council intervenes.
{{MIGEPROF aware of the problem}}
In a telephone interview with IGIHE, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Esperance Nyirasafari said that they are aware of the problem.
She said that when she visited a centre providing medical services to children with disabilities in Rusizi District, women told her about the problem.
“When I visited Centre des Handicapes Saint Francois d’Assise in Rusizi, women told me about the problem. Most of the time when a new born has disabilities, they become a woman’s child, no man can take them to the centre for medical care and abandon them,” she explained.
“We encourage men to take children as their responsibilities. Abandoning children is bad behavior. Problems should be addressed in partnership by the whole family,” she explained.
{{New programme to support families with persons with disabilities in offing}}
According to Nyirasafari, the government, through the Ministry of Local Governance (MINALOC) is planning to help vulnerable families through social protection programmes.
“There is a project in MINALOC where we plan to provide jobs to people whose families have persons with disabilities. In this project, they will be given jobs close to their homes and earn money to support their livelihoods,” she said.
She encourages women who have such cases to report them to officials and help them track their husbands.
