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The newly generated Motorised Infantry Company under command of Major Steven Semwaga left Kigali International Airport, on 26 September, around 9:30 a. m.

The deployment concluded today started with airlifting Contingent Owned Equipment on 16 September 2017.

On behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Brig Gen Wilson Gumisiriza, the Head of Peace Support Operation at RDF Headquarters urged the peacekeepers to be good ‘ambassadors’ of Rwanda and keep in mind their core mission of protecting civilians.

“Be always guided by RDF values and discipline, observe the UN principles that include neutrality and impartiality; safeguard the good image of Rwanda by performing your mission at high standards”, he guided the Peacekeepers.

Following the United Nations’ request, the Government of Rwanda accepted the deployment of additional force of one Motorized Infantry Company to the already deployed Infantry Battalion deployed in Bangui.

The additional Force was requested by MINUSCA to reinforce its operations and address security challenges in CAR.

Rwanda, one of the world’s largest contributors of peacekeepers, first deployed peacekeepers in CAR in 2014.

Currently, RDF maintains one Infantry Battalion and a Level Two Hospital under MINUSCA. Rwanda troops are specifically charged with providing security for high-ranking government officials and securing key state installations.

Industry and manufacturing grew by 6% boosted by agro-processing and production of chemicals, rubber and plastics.

Wholesale and retail trade decreased by 6% due to overall reduction of imported products on the market.

Finance Minister, Claver Gatete said that they expect Q3 and Q4 to perform well due to the booming construction activities and an encouraging agricultural season B.

“Drivers of growth will be services, agriculture and changing landscape of industry sector driven by Made-in-Rwanda” he said.

Industry sector demonstrated slow growth of 1% due to 4% decrease in construction works compared to Q2 last year.

According to NISR, 6% growth in Agriculture is attributed to good harvest in season A that grew by 4% and 22% increase in export crop performance.

“In Q2 GDP at current market prices was estimated at Rwf1,869 billion up from Rwf1,636 billion in Q2 of 2016,” said NISR Director General Yussuf Murangwa.
In service sector, hotels and restaurants grew by 9% while administrative and support services increased by 21%.

Good harvests of tea (28% growth) and coffee (8%) significantly contributed to the growth of exports.

Hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO under UN ECOSOC, the 3rdAnnual Commemoration of the WARP Summit addressed global peace-building measures through the establishment of collaborative governance among governments, civil society, and international organizations. Development in peace campaigns and projects was endorsed in many parts of the world through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) proclaimed in 2016 to advocate international cooperation to establish peace as a norm and culture.

Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, emphasized strengthening the international law for peace advocated by the DPCW. “The most urgent need is cessation of war. The DPCW drafted by experts in international law offers practical approaches to preventing conflicts. If leaders love their people, they should work together to implement peacebuilding measures.” He added, “A world without wars applies to every person in the globe, which means that every individual’s dedication as a messenger of peace to peacebuilding will make a peaceful world.”

At the ‘5th HWPL International Law Peace Committee Meeting’, Rt. Hon. Hrant Bagratyan, Former Prime Minister of Armenia, said, “Not only this declaration and HWPL’s peace work are beneficial to a specific level of society but are definite tool to bring peace to all of us. Without having the limit to one sector, more people raised their voice for urging what is necessary at our time”, calling for the cooperation of every sector of the society to implement the DPCW into a legally binding document.

In the Peace Education Development Forum for Spreading a Culture of Peace, Hon. Maria Eugenia Barrios Robles de Mejía, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education in Guatemala, said, “We could contribute in the promotion of the culture of peace in the world. We would help the citizens of tomorrow be more tolerant of each other and that a dialogue or discussion is the way to accept their differences and solve their conflicts. You and I are responsible for promoting the culture of peace to the next generations.”

Also, the ‘Conference for Global Peace Media Network’ with 90 journalists from about 50 countries sought freedom of the press in relation to the role of journalism in the foundation of a global media network for peacebuilding. “Journalism plays a significant role in delivering the collective voice of the global community for the same, common goal of peace. Now is the time for connecting the local and the national by the governance of peace.” said Mr. Ian Seo, Chief Manager of International Press Department of HWPL HQ, introducing the initiative of the peace media network platform of HWPL.

{The University of Technology and Business Studies (UTB) has said that it is to embark on construction of a Rwf10 billion campus equipped with sufficient facilities equipment that will see students acquire theory and practical skills in their areas of specialization.
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The university management announced the move on Friday during a press conference.

According to the management, UTB will have moved in its Rebero, Kicukiro district premises by the end of 2018.
The UTB Vice Chancellor, Dr Callixte Kabera said that construction activities are set to start this year and end by next year.

“Construction activities will start in October and we expect that we will have shifted to the Rebero premises by the end of 2018. Rebero campus will be well equipped,” he said.

The second phase will be to construct hostels which will accommodate 400 students for students from Rwanda and the region; a cultural village and community tourism center which will be for showcasing handicrafts, entertainment and cultural heritage to the tourists.

The University complex will also have shopping and services center as well as a modern gymnasium that will harbor a variety of sports facilities.

Since its inauguration in 2008, UTB has well developed and contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.
A total of 3000 have graduated from the university with 95% of them gainfully employed.

“Our former students are leading employees and managers in top hotels in the country. Others are working in neighboring countries and others are self-employed. This is an indicator of how important our courses are,” he said.
UTB also offers 30 scholarships per year to needy students, most of who are orphans, or children of ex-combatants and exceptionally talented students through the Zulfat Foundation, under the auspices of Madam Zulfat Mukarubega, President and Founder of UTB.

UTB started with 445 students in 2008 and the number has since grown to about 5000 students now at both Kigali and Rubavu campuses.

{The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) president, Gianni Vincenzo Infantino has conveyed a message of condolences to the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) following the recent passing away of former Amavubi goalkeeper Evariste Mutuyimana.}

Infantino’s message has been delivered by the FERWAFA president, Nzamwita Vincent on Thursday morning.

“FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has written to FERWAFA over the death of Rwandan goalkeeper Evariste Mutuyimana. He has sent his utmost condolences to Mutuyimana’s family and the FERWAFA family,” Nzamwita said.

In his condolence message, FIFA boss Infantino said, “It was with great sadness that I learned about the demise of former international goalkeeper Evariste Mutuyimana, this Tuesday, September 12th.

“Evariste Mutuyimana was influential to Rayon Sports which he joined after a two-year stint in Kenya at Sofapaka Fc. At the international level, he had several selections with the national team, and was recognized as a very joyful, friendly and hardworking player,” Infantino added.

“Allow me, on behalf of the great international football family and on my own behalf, to address to you, as well as to the entire community of Rwandan football, my most sincere condolences. I would be very obliged to convey to you all my sympathy and support at this time of great sorrow to his family and to his relatives,” added Infantino in a letter addressed to FERWAFA president Nzamwita.

The former national team (Amavubi) player reportedly collapsed at home in Kimisagara on Tuesday and died. The 28-year-old also played for Police FC and Kenyan Premier League side, Sofapaka FC.

Mutuyimana was rushed to Kigali Teaching Hospital (CHUK) where he was pronounced dead.

Mutuyimana signed for the Rayon Sports side during the 2016/2017 from Sofapaka. He actively played for Rwanda’s national team Amavubi between 2010-2013.
Mutuyimana will be burial set for Sunday.

{Africa Travel Association has announced that is set to host 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Kigali, Rwanda on August 28-31,2017. }

The conference is aimed at highlighting the opportunities the tourism sector can bring to African economies.

Hosted by the Africa Travel Association (ATA), a division of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the conference is expected to attract African leaders, international investors and travel professionals. This year will highlight how tourism can spur economic growth and job creation across the continent.

In less than 15 years Africa’s travel and hospitality sectors have quadrupled in size, and according to the World Tourism Organization, the continent remains one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, second only to Southeast Asia. The sector’s growth presents enormous opportunities provided it is managed sustainably.

The conference, hosted by ATA and the Rwandan Development Board (RDB), will particularly focus on the innovative business models, new technologies and strategic partnerships growing the sector, and recognize the countries and businesses leading the way in sustainable tourism.

President and CEO of the Corporate Council of Africa, Florizelle Liser, said that CCA aims to use the conference to encourage investments and policies that contribute to the sector’s growth.

“The tourism conference will highlight opportunities in the tourism sector and intersecting sectors such as infrastructure, ICT, health, real estate development, and finance. Through strategic partnerships, we will also offer capacity building workshops for travel professionals of all levels,” she said.

Adding: “I look forward to working with [RDB CEO] Ms. Akamanzi and her team at RDB to showcase what Rwanda has to offer.”

This year will be the first time ATA’s Tourism Conference will be hosted in Rwanda, one of East Africa’s premier tourism destinations and one whose sector continues to grow. According to the RDB, Rwanda’s tourism sector generated US$303 million in revenue, in 2014 up from three percent in the previous year.

On the sidelines of what is expected to be a packed agenda, ATA is working with Facebook to deliver training to SMEs in Kigali. ‘Boost Your Business’ is a training initiative, developed by Facebook and facilitated by Digify Africa, designed to train and upskill small business owners on how to leverage digital tools to grow their businesses. The training will be held on August 26 at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

The conference also aligns with Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony, a national celebration that that creates awareness of the country’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas and their habit, the jewel of Rwanda’s tourism crown.

{At least 360 children, from around the country, are receiving Christian education in a camp meeting going on at College Saint André in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District.}

The third edition of the annual exercise dubbed “Children For Christ Camp 2017” was organised by umbrellas of Christian churches in Rwanda in partnership with World Vision Rwanda. The three-day camp meeting started on Tuesday under the theme “Children, Obey Your Parents.”

The camp was officially opened today in the ceremony which attracted many church representatives in Rwanda including Philippe Rukamba, Bishop of Butare Diocese who doubles as the Chairperson of the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Archbishop of Anglican Church in Rwanda, Onesphore Rwaje and National Director of World Vision, Abebe Nigatu, among others.

Bishop Rukamba urged parents and church leaders to raise children on a Christian model, respect their rights and protect them from all kinds of evil and violence drawing on the example of Biblical legends, Joseph and Mary who raised Jesus Christ.

“This exercise is intended to provide children with Christian education. We urge you, children, to respect your parents following the example of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” he said.

World Vision’s Nigatu pledged the charity’s unwavering support to ensure that children receive good education and Christian principles preparing them to be good citizens of the country.

“Obedient child becomes a good citizen who brings peace into society. Obedience is God’s commandment and Jesus is our role model,” he said.

Nigatu said that World Vision Rwanda inked a partnership agreement with Christian churches on children’s education in 2013 because “we know potentials of churches in raising children.”

Other sessions of the camp are expected to be held in other areas of the country to reach at least 1300 children by end of 2017, according to Nigatu.

World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose ministry focuses on community-based development through interventions in health, economic empowerment, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, among other areas.