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Christine Mukabunani, the President of PS-Imberakuri, has told IGIHE that there are many points the party disagrees with the government.

The points include the poor pay to teachers, the fact that most of the local leaders such as district mayors are at the same time leaders of a certain political party in the area and problem of water shortage in the country.

Mukabunani said her party will advocate for changes on these points in case they win seats in upcoming parliamentary elections.

She said teachers should have equal salary with other public servants at the same level of education. A teacher with bachelor degree is paid below Rwf130,000 net while others with the qualification earn around Rwf300,000 monthly.

Mukabunani says a teacher holding secondary school certificate (A2) should be paid at least Rwf70,000, up from the current monthly salary of around Rwf30,000.

“Teachers are not teaching well and, as a result, students complete studies with poor competences. This is because teachers earn insufficient salary,” she said.

Mukabunani noted that her party has highly knowledgeable members about education who are ready to share their expertise if they get into the Lower House.
Citing the current teaching of French language from primary to secondary schools as advocated by PS-Imberakuri, Mukabunani said the party founded in 2009 has got maturity to bring about changes in the country’s affairs.

She said a local government’s entity leader should represent the public interests without siding with any party

“The way political parties are represented in local governments should change. When one is mayor and party chairman in the district, they put on two coats. When there are political interests, the mayor sides with their party instead of considering views from all sides. They can be party members but not leaders while exercising public functions of leadership,” she said.

Ms. Mukabunani encouraged Rwandans to vote for her party to see many changes happening.

Opposition not fighting

Mukabunani claims that her party is in opposition but focusing on building the nation instead of fighting and taking on streets in violent protests.

“Some people wrongly think that being an opposition party means to go out in the streets to protest, to burn tyres,… that is what some want,” she said.

“We advance our views opposing the government without fighting. The time of fighting is no more; we are now building the country in a peaceful way. Even when there is something offending us, we denounce it without going to streets.”

With 45 candidates, it is at the second time PS-Imberakuri is contesting for seats in parliament.

In 2013, the party was unable to secure 5% votes to win a seat in the House.

From 2009, PS-Imberakuri has gone through dark days including the time it got split, creating the side of its founder, lawyer Bernard Ntaganda and the side under Mukabunani.

Mukabunani says the party was not stolen from Ntaganda but members changed the party’s leadership.

A total of 521 candidates are vying for 80 seats.

The parliamentary general elections will take place on September 2 and 3 in Diaspora and Rwanda respectively to decide on 53 seats. The 53 are contested by the RPF-led coalition of seven parties, other four parties apart and four independent candidates.
Other 27 seats will be voted for on September 4. They include 24 women representatives equivalent to 30% as it is provided for in the Constitution, two for the youth and one representative of the people with disabilities.

Mutangana was speaking yesterday to the Senatorial Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security while exchanging ideas on prosecuting runaway genocide suspects from outside the country.

He said that they still encounter challenges of countries which do not want to change their mindsets towards help in extradition of suspects.

“Actually, there is a political will challenge for some countries; the more genocide suspects are not arrested, the more genocide ideology continues to rise; so we have discussed this issue because during past 23 years, countries did not do enough to bring suspects to justice,” he told the media.

The National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) says that they issued over 800 arrest warrants in 32 countries around the World. They say that they conducted investigations on other 500 people which they are planning to issue their arrest warrants. Also, 17,000 escapees were convicted on their role in the genocide by Gacaca courts while in absence.

According to NPPA, countries that drug feet in arresting genocide escapees include France, Germany, United Kingdom and other African countries.

Though many countries continue to exhibit reluctance, Mutangana said that there is optimism as the discussions and extradition treaties signing with different countries continue.

These countries include Zambia, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Malawi among others.

The State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe said that they will continue diplomatic discussions so that genocide escapees at large will face justice.

“This is a case that we will collaborate with the Ministry of Justice and discuss with host countries so that they send them in Rwanda or they take them to justice from these countries as laws state. Discussions are ongoing as well as signing treaties,” he said.

In a statement released by the AfDB, the program will promote reforms, boost domestic production and create about 200,000 jobs annually.

Rwanda’s economic performance remains strong averaging 6.8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth per annum since 2013. The country has also made progress in creating 150,000 off-farm jobs every year since 2014.

However, the private sector which is the engine for job creation is not creating enough jobs to absorb the 200,000 youth entering the labour market annually because of the proliferation of unproductive businesses with low survival rates.

The Government of Rwanda is keen on developing a competitive private sector and create jobs for young people in order to achieve its ambitious development agenda.

In line with the AfDB high five priorities, the Skills and Business Development Programme (SBDP) will support 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and 500 cooperatives by 2020 that are expected to increase and improve the quality of their products, and generate much needed revenue.

Women and youth who constitute about 52% and 27% of the population respectively, will benefit through the Savings and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs), the main source of financing for rural Small and Medium Enterprises, and productive cooperatives which serve over one million women and youth.

SBDP was developed jointly by the African Development Bank and the Government of Rwanda in close consultation with the private sector and other key development partners (Germany, Sweden, USA, European Union, DFID, World Bank, JICA and MasterCard Foundation)

The research was conducted between 2000 and 2016 among 54 African Countries and covered the overall governance, safety and rule of law, participation and human rights and sustainable economic opportunity among others.

Among the performance indicators of the report are; human development, welfare, education and health, safety and rule of law, accountability personal safety and national security among others.

In terms of accountability, fighting corruption in government and public officials Rwanda scored 72.1%..

Rwanda scored 100% in Access to Information, 61.8% in online public services, 82.8% in access to justice, 85.5% in public sector accountability and transparency, and 97.8% in diversion of public funds.

Citizens commend quick services offered by local governance through online platform ‘Irembo’ which ended queues in front of offices and bureaucracy.

Another indicator that raised Rwanda’s position in governance is good services provision sensitization campaign among services providers that was launched across the country.

According to RGB Chief Executive Officer, Prof. AnastaseShyaka, having been ranked on good position doesn’t imply that there are no loopholes.

“It doesn’t mean that we have no problems, we should continue to seek solutions for remaining problems” he said.

In overall governance Rwanda was ranked 9th with 63.9% as Mauritius tops African countries with 81,4%.

On safety and rule of law, Rwanda is the 12th whereas in East African Countries Tanzania is 14th, Uganda 25th, Kenya27th and Burundi 49th.

The report ranks Rwanda 5th in personal safety after Botswana and Namibia. In gender it is the first, 3rd in sustainable economic development and 9th in public management.

Rwanda also tops other African countries in Business environment and rural development and is the 17th in infrastructure.

According to the statement issued by the DGIE, the directive refers to the Cabinet Meeting of November 8, 2017 that approved the establishment of new visa regime for the Republic of Rwanda.

Before the new regime, only nationals of African Countries and few others were getting visa upon arrival.

Effective from the date the statement issued, Rwanda will grant visa free of charge with 90 days to residents of Benin Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and So Tome and Principe.

“This is in addition to the Democratic Republic of Congo, East African Community Partner States, Mauritius, Philippines and Singapore” reads the statement.

Also the Government of Rwanda has entered into a visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Israel, Morocco and Turkey, a move which takes immediate effect.

Citizens from The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states will get 90 days visa on arrival (on payment of the prescribed fee) as provided by Article 4 of the COMESA Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Labour, Services, Right of Establishment and Residence.

Rwanda ratified this protocol on 13th July 2016. Currently, citizens of COMESA member states were getting 30 days on arrival as other holders of African Passports.
Rwandans living abroad with dual nationality are allowed to use national Identity Cards on entry

This waive visa fee goes to Rwandans travelling on foreign passports in possession of a Rwandan Identity Card for countries that permit dual nationality only. Initially Rwandans travelling on a foreign passport in possession of a valid Rwandan passport were the only granted visa free on arrival.

Foreign residents will also be able to use their Resident ID cards for entry –where returning residents holding valid residence permits with corresponding resident cards will be allowed to use them on entry, including using electronic gates (Automated Passenger Clearance System) at Kigali international Airport.

Since January 1st 2013, Rwanda is among the few countries that allow African citizens to obtain a visa on arrival.

Since then, all African nationals were allowed to acquire entry visa upon arrival and pay the subsequent fee; the cost of an entry visa reduced from $60 with 15 days in 2011 to $30 with 30 days.

From 2013 when Rwanda decided to issue visa upon arrival to all Africans to 2016, the statistics of African nationals that were issued with visa on arrival at Rwandan entry points increased from 31,054 to 77,377 approximately 149, 1%.

Foreign nationals with work or residence permits in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya can travel within these countries without paying visa fees as per the Northern Corridor Integration Project. Eligible residents are issued with interstate pass.

Financed by World Bank, the project will provide solar power systems in rural areas, most specifically in the districts of Nyaruguru, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Gakenke and other parts of the country with small number of population that have no access to the national grid.

The fund will also support entrepreneurs who will wish to invest in projects that seek to improve access to energy in households.

The Chief Executive Officer of BRD, Alex Kanyankore noted that his institution will fund and partner with financial institutions like banks, Microfinance institutions and SACCOs to ensure proximity and easy access.

He said BRD will provide loans to these institutions at the interest rate of below 10% which will in turn provide loans to citizens to be able to buy solar systems.

“Umurenge SACCO will be given ample opportunity as it is the institution close to beneficiaries. This is a good move from banks and private sector in contributing to access to electricity in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, $44 million of the fund will go into electricity related activities while $4 million will go to support financial institutions.

The project is expected to add 19% to the current access to electricity status in the country.

The energy division manager at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Robert Nyamvumba said current access to electricity is at 40.8% and with new connections, the project will spur development among population.

“This project will enable the government achieve its target of having all households connected to electricity by 2024” he said.

The World Bank indicated that though 445,000 households will directly benefit from the fund, it could yield an indirect impact on more than a million people.

Moise Dusingizimana who was representing Nyamagabe District-based Kira Buruhukiro SACCO emphasized that the project will benefit people that would otherwise not afford electricity by providing with them loans to pay for accessories and connections.

The acting Executive Director of Capital Market Authority, Mr. Eric Bundugu said Rwandans, particularly civil servants and corporates should take advantage of the many products listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) to save and invest as one of their side income-generating ventures.

Speaking during a sensitisation workshop for the City of Kigali employees at City Hall on Friday, Bundugu encouraged the participants to save and invest in bonds or shares of listed firms on the RSE.

There are currently eight listed companies, including four local firms – Bralirwa, Bank of Kigali, Crystal Telecoms, I&M Bank Rwanda, and four cross-listed companies: Nation Media Group, Uchumi Supermarkets, KCB and Equity Group. There are also 23 government Treasury bonds listed on the exchange and two corporate bonds for (I&M Bank and IFC), as one unit trust, the Iterambere Fund managed by Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT).

The CMA official said the varied products provide Rwandans a huge opportunity to save as well as invest, while firms can come to the market to raise the much-needed affordable investment capital.

Currently, the market boasts of more than 16,000 investors, he added. Speaking at the same event, the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Stock Exchange, Celestin Rwabukumba challenged people employed in the formal sector to embrace a savings culture, saying that most corporate and government workers hold accounts just for receiving salaries.

“Even the ordinary Rwandan who joins a SACCO does so hoping to get a loan at some time in the future. However, how does one qualify for a loan if they don’t save?” he wondered. He said when one has invested in shares of any listed company they can use their equity as collateral to acquire credit from banks. “It does not matter how much money you earn, start saving now even if it is as little as Rwf500 or Rwf100,” he added.

He said a country or person that does not save cannot develop, adding that investing through the exchange is essential for Rwanda to realise its development goals. “Saving is the lifeblood of any country. Countries like Malaysia and Singapore have been able to make it because of the high national savings level,” he said.

CMA kicked off the three-month public awareness drive at the beginning of October and is targeting potential retail investors across the country, encouraging them to save and invest through the local capital market.

The event is set to venture into the Rwandan renewable energy market and provide an international business and partnerships platform by highlighting attractive investment opportunities.

The two-day conference and exhibition for renewable energy will engage private and public sector players for networking, dialogue, technology exhibition and knowledge exchange to scale-up the use of renewable energy for sustainable growth and focus on small and medium hydropower project development in Rwanda and the region.

The conference will bring together over 200 participants from international, regional and local players in the energy sector, through a combination of in-depth panel and expert discussions with senior-level members from the government and key business leaders and pioneers.

The conference is expected to forge strong connections with potential business partners through extensive networking sessions and business match-making, identify technology solutions from leading providers.

Also the meeting will help engaging financiers and investors interested in the Rwandan renewable energy market, exchange know-how with counterparts.

The current energy generation (2017) is at 210.9 MW installed capacity. Power Generation mix is currently diversified as follow: hydro power 48%, thermal 32%, PV 5.7%, methane-to-power 14.3%.

According to the Rwanda Energy Group Report as of August 2017, Rwanda has achieved 40.5% access rate, of which on-grid access represents 29.5 % and off-grid access 11%.

Rwanda plans to achieve Universal access of 100% by 2023/2024; with on grid connections representing 52% and off-grid 48% by 2023/2024.

At 31, Uwizi hiwe is the youngest ever member to be appointed to join the assembly.

The organisation’s members include female ministers of education, university vice-chancellors, education policy-makers, researchers, gender specialists and human rights activists

Uwizihiwe, also a former student of FAWE Girls’ School, teaches at Luther School, Rwamagana.

She went through former Kigali Institute of Education, now University of Rwanda College of Education where she obtained a degree in education.

During her education journey Uwizihiwe used to advocate for promotion of girls’ education as their brothers’.

Uwizihiwe is also among founders of FAWE Rwanda organization.

Speaking to IGIHE, Uwizihiwe said that after founding the Rwanda’s organisation, they combined efforts and started to advocate for female children who had no access to education.

“We started different activities like assisting street children, advocating for female children and visiting victims of gender based violence among other activities,” she said.

Over her passion to combine all activities with teaching, Uwizihiwe was invited by FAWE Africa in a meeting that took place in Zambia on 23rd August 2017.

She says that she left a good image of the country. In the meeting, she was an interpreter in secondary school Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition organized on the sidelines of the meeting where ten countries participated.

Entering in FAWE Africa General Assembly

The mother of three says that her advocacy for women in the meeting is the reason behind being named the member of the organization at continent level.

Uwizihiwe says that she will not leave her teaching job as a career that enables her interact with Rwandan youth that she want to prioritize in advocacy.

“Indeed I was surprised but later realized that I deserve the appointment. I will work hard to represent my country because I am selected among more than 30 member countries,” she added.