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In his remarks on October 19, 2018, the president noted that the efforts of leaders in coordinating actions should be the basis for wishes of Rwandans.

Among the 19 ministers of the cabinet and seven state ministers, there are four that are coming for the first time and two more that are returning.

Dr. Richard Sezibera, the former Health Minister was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister, replacing the outgoing Louise Mushikiwabo who was elected to head the International Organization Francophonie (OIF).

Solina Nyirahabimana, former Gender and Family Promotion Minister regained her post replacing Espérance Nyirasafari who was appointed Sports and Culture Minister.
Those who joined the cabinet for the first time include; Maj. Gen. Albert Murasira, the Minister of Defense; Anastase Shyaka, Minister of Local Governance; Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industries and Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT.
Other officials that took oath include DCG Dan Munyuza who was appointed to head Rwanda National Police and CP Félix Namuhoranye, his deputy.

Some of the new officials said what they plan to do for Rwandans.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Richard Sezibera said that he will cooperate with others in building on what has been achieved by the outgoing Louise Mushikiwabo.

‘‘Those are heavy responsibilities but which have a true leader, the President of the Republic. What is done within this ministry is planned by him. There is no doubt that these responsibilities will be achieved despite their heaviness because Rwanda must achieve what she has committed to do,” he said.

He said that he will keep up the momentum of the country towards the way to its vision.
Dr. Sezibera said that Rwanda learned from her history and uplifted herself from the abyss in which those who hated her wanted to throw her. He said this was made possible by establishing sustainable strategies.

“Rwanda is a country that is respected at the international level. We have a stable and inclusive leadership which longs for national development where citizen participation is essential. Even though these are heavy responsibilities, that cooperation will make them easy,” he promised.

The new Local Government Minister Prof. Anastase Shyaka, who has been the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) since 2011 said that the position he was appointed to but involves heavy responsibilities.

Prof Shyaka was also the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Governance Advisory Council (RGAC) between 2008-2011.

He said that he will work with others to address challenges in local government institutions.
‘‘We know the solutions to the problems we have. What we need to focus on is implementing them so that they benefit citizens.’’

Soraya Hakuziyaremye, the Minister of Trade and Industries replaces Vincent Munyeshyaka.
Hakuziyaremye, 42, was Special Advisor to Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo between 2012-2014. She targets to develop investment in the country.

‘‘I’m going to work with the entire government to serve Rwandans. Rwanda is moving faster but we must work harder because other countries are learning from us in a bid to raise their trade and economy. All we have to do is work with investors in accelerating development,” she said.

Hakuziyaremye announced that she will employ the experience she got from abroad to promote the industrial sector.

“What I bring is applying the experiences I have learned from the international community. The fact that I worked in London where I headed Global Banking and was vice-president of ING Bank in London, things will be done much faster. If we work together, we shall scale the heights,” she said.

In the Ministry of ICT, Paula Ingabire, 35, replaced Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa.
Her goal is to promote innovations based on technological infrastructures that the country has built in developing the economy.

“The goal is to strengthen innovation and promote talents because it is necessary for us in the journey to being a hub of geniuses in science and technology,” she said.
Ingabire studied technology at Massachusetts University, USA.

She was head of Investment at Rwanda Development Board and Coordinator of Kigali Innovation City.

The reshuffle saw 11 women named among 19 ministers, 50% of positions went to women occupying 13 of 26 positions and reduced cabinet size from 31 to 26.

The swearing of the new cabinet was on Friday presided over by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame who administered the oath of six new ministers including Prof. Anastase Shyaka who replaced Francis Kaboneka as the Minister of Local Governance and Dr. Richard Sezibera, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs replacing Louise Mushikiwabo who was recently elected Secretary General of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).

Other new ministers include Maj. Gen Albert Murasira, the Minister of Defense replacing Gen. James Kabarebe and Solina Nyirahabimana who replaced Esperance Nyirasafari in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.

Soraya Hakuziyaremye was sworn-in as Minister of Trade and Industry replacing Dr. Vincent Munyeshyaka while Paula Ingabire replaced Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa at the helm of the Ministry ICT and Innovation.

The Head of State also witnessed the oaths of Dan Munyuza who was appointed the Inspector General of Police and Felix Ntamuhoranye who is the new Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.

Kagame said people have abilities and talents but nobody alone can lead the country to achieve its needed development targets. “We have to collaborate and link activities and our energy in all we do and always work remembering we work for the country and its citizens, it is not for ourselves alone,” he said.

“Rwandans aspire to achieve a lot which is good when done fast. We should always understand this in that way. Everybody but mostly authorities’ contribution is required for the country to achieve its goals. That’s all we expect from new and current leaders,” he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera thanked President Kagame for entrusting him with ‘heavy’ duties he hopes to fulfill inspired the commendable job done by his predecessor, Louise Mushikiwabo.

“They are big duties but we have the leader, who is experienced and firm in them, the President of the Republic. All what is done in this Ministry [of Foreign Affairs] are planned by the President. I believe that I will collaborate with others to build on the commendable job done by Louise Mushikiwabo.”

The new Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Soraya Hakuziyaremye told the media that it is a great blessing to be trusted to serve the nation.

“I am going to start working with the team and the entire government. Rwanda is fast developing but we need to keep working hard as other countries are learning from us to develop their economies. What I bring is to use what I studied from abroad. We will sit down and work with beneficiaries in a bid to speed up the development as the Head of State asked us,” she said.

In a tweet, Moussa Faki Mahamat said that on the African continent, Rwanda continues to be on top as the country with the largest number of women in the government followed by Ethiopia.

“Rwanda continues to lead on gender parity in ministerial and parliamentary appointments, closely followed by Ethiopia. The momentum to recognize men and women as equal in politics is vital as we work towards The Africa We Want. Congratulations to the people and governments of Rwanda and Ethiopia,” Musa Faki tweeted.

The AU Commission Chairperson expressed his extolling congratulations to Rwanda following a cabinet reshuffle by Rwanda’s President Kagame on Thursday evening, October 18.

The reshuffle saw 11 women appointed as ministers among 19 ministers, making 58% of the cabinet.

All put together with the Government Secretaries, 50% of positions went to women as they occupy 13 in 26 positions following the reshuffle.

The reshuffle reduced members of the cabinet from 31 to 26.

Women in the new cabinet are in addition to 61.3% of women in parliament, the biggest number of women in parliament in the world.

New changes saw Prof. Anastase Shyaka become the new Minister of Local Governance while Ms. Ingabire Paula is the Minister of ICT and Innovation, a new Ministry.

Ms. Solina Nyirahabimana is the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Ms. Nyirasafari Esperence, Minister of Sports and Culture replacing Julienne Uwacu while Ms. Kamayirese Germaine, Minister in Charge of Emergency Management which saw the Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs removed from government.

The other new Minister is Ms. Soraya Hakizumuremyi, Minister of Trade and Industry replacing Dr. Vincent Munyeshyaka who has been dropped.

Judith Uwizeye is the Minister in the Office of the President with Marie Solange Kayisire, being Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs.

Dr. Vincent Biruta remains the Minister of Environment while Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana retains Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with Dr. Eugene Mutimura still at the helm of the Ministry of Education.

Dr. Geraldine Mukeshimana is still the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Rosemary Mbabazi is still heading the Ministry of the Youth.

Johnston Busingye is the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General while Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa keeps as the Minister of Public Service and Labor as Dr. Gashumba Diane leads the Ministry of Health.

Ms. Julienne Uwacu, who was Minister of Sports and Culture, Vincent Munyeshyaka former Minister of Trade and Industry were among the five ministers who were dropped from the Government.

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Col (Rtd) Kalibata Anaclet is Director General of External Security while
Lieutenant Colonel Gatarayiha Regis is Director General of Immigration and Emigration.

In Rwanda Revenue Authority, Bizimana Ruganintwari is Commissioner General while
Kanyangeyo Agnes is Deputy Commissioner General.

In Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Richard Tushabe is Director General whereas Rwankunda Christian, Deputy Director in charge of Funds Management.

James Musoni who was dropped from the post of Minister of Infrastructure in February this year has been appointed Ambassador of Rwanda to Zimbabwe.

IGP Emmanuel Gasana who was the Head of Rwanda National Police is appointed Governor of the Southern Province. The new police IGP is Dan Munyuza.

Dressed in black shoes, a black suit, a checked shirt and sun glasses, Kanyankole was represented by two defense lawyers, Emmanuel Rukangira and Alice Umuliza while prosecution was represented by Michel Nshimiyimana and Charles Kanyove.

The accusations are based on the decisions he individually took at different occasions in giving loans worth about US$ 12 million.

Prosecution told court that in one of the counts, Kanyankole asked and received illegal benefits in order to offer a service when one Abdou Gahima representing Good Harvest Primary School applied to take over a loan of Rwf591,351,688 owed by Parmalac belonging to Omar Nzamwita. Parmalac company had failed to pay back the said loan.

Prosecution says on realizing that Gahima did not have all the requirements to access the loan, Kanyankole asked and received a bribe of Rwf 50 million through BRD staff, a one Juvenal Karema.

Prosecution states that in September last year, Kanyankole individually approved a loan to Abdou Gahima without the knowledge of BRD loans committee, which (the committee) he later arbitrarily disbanded without following standard administrative procedures.

Other illegal benefits that Kanyankole allegedly asked from Gahima include a medical device that treats back complications.

On favoritism, prosecution says Kanyankole committed the offense when he illegally approved loans including US$ 8 million given to Top Service, a local fertilizer distributing company, with neither the involvement and or approval of BRD’s Loans’ Committee nor in consultation with the Board of Directors, which under the Bank’s regulations, approves all loans of more than Rwf600 million.

Prosecution explained that the mortgages presented were registered in the names of a different company, UWIMU, in form of produce stores in Musanze District, which (UWIMU) was also still servicing a BRD extended loan facility. Another show of favoritism raised by prosecution is when the accused single-handedly granted US$ 3 433 200 million loan to Trust Industries in 2017.

The loans committee decided to stop the loan on account of poor loan servicing by Trust Industries in the past but Kanyankole reportedly approved the loan to Trust Industries on June 22, 2017.

Abdou Gahima who was in court as a witness testified that Kanyankole used Juvenal Karema to ask him for the bribe in order to be granted the loan. Gahima said he gave the money to Karema who later gave it to Kanyankole.

Gahima said after giving the bribe to Kanyankole, his loan application was approved without producing any security. He also revealed that he bought the medical equipment for Kanyankole’s back soothing.

Prosecution said that all accusations and attendant evidence are well documented in the case file, calling upon court to keep the suspect in government custody because if released on bail he might interfere with investigations and alter the course of justice.

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On illegal benefits he got from Abdou Gahima, Kanyankole said it didn’t happen and he didn’t commit it. He said, “There was no reason for me to ask the bribe from him [Gahima].”

On the Rwf50 million he is alleged to have received from Gahima, he said, “That is a naked lie intended to harass me. How was I given that sum of money? Was it handed to me by cash in a bag? Was it by cheque? Was it by bank? That never happened and it can never be. I want to emphasize that it is not possible.”
His lawyers said he could not ask the bribe to buy €61 sun glasses because he was able to buy them by himself.

Kanyankole pleaded not guilty of all the accusations and told court that every decision he took had been approved by the Board of Directors.

He says he is sick, won’t flee justice if granted bail

Kanyankole applied for bail saying he back and stomach ache problems. He said his address is known and can’t flee justice.

“The investigation has been done for a year now. I am no longer the Director of BRD so I cannot interfere with investigations. I suffer from the back and stomach illnesses and I have got medical documents to prove my submission,” he explained.

“Having been in financial management positions for 15 years, nobody has ever complained about my integrity. Gahima is wrongly accusing me because we did not agree on the management of this project and its loan paying processes,” he added.

Kanyankole’s lawyer Rukangira said the investigations have been done for a year and there’s no evidence to pin his client of not consulting BRD Board of Directors before approving the loans and so asked court to release him on bail.

The decision on Kanyankole’s bail application will be read on October 23, 2018 at 4:00pm.

Located in Nyarugenge District at the top of Mount Kigali, the substation was upgraded from 10 MVAto 20MVA transformers to meet electricity demands in the four districts under the Grid Reduction Project, which targets to reduce annual power losses from 19.6 per cent.

The substation construction was sponsored by the European Union which granted Rwanda a €12 million funding.

The other portion of the funding will be used to construct the 27 kilometres power line linking Jabana Substation in Gasabo District, Mount Kigali substation and Gahanga Substation based in Kicukiro District.

Part of the money will also be used to construct new stations including Nzove station, installing digital power meters and 8000 transformers.

As he launched the new substation at Kigali Mountain, the Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete commended the European Union for the funding it gave Rwanda and the role the Organization plays in strengthening power stations in Rwanda.

“The European Union continues to support Rwanda in different programs. Now we can witness good changes and reliable power supply,” Minister Gatete said.

Amb. Gatete explained that the substation will start operating on October 20, this year, and will mark the end to frequent power outages that were usually experienced by residents of the four districts.

The Director General for International Cooperation and Development at the European Union, Stefano Manservisi, commended Rwanda for efficiency in using the money, expressing optimism that reliable and adequate access to electricity will improve the investments and boost private businesses.

“We are happy for our contribution to these activities as we believe they will improve the private investments. Electricity is one of the factors that highly support the investment in countries,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Energy Group, Eng. Ron Weiss said, “this project will help reduce the volume of energy lost.”

Eng. Ron Weiss said that in 2016/17 energy loss was 21.1%, reducing to 19.6% in 2017/18.
Statistics by the Rwanda Energy Group indicate that 46.6% of the Rwandan households are connected to electricity, targeting 100% by 2024.

From January to October 2018, disasters mostly caused by the heavy rains, floods, landslides and lightning took 234 lives and injured 268 people; destroyed 264 houses, 9412 ha of cropland, and killed 797 livestock among other damages.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs revealed the numbers in a press conference on the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), which is marked on October 13 each year.

This marked the launch of the IDDR week that runs from October 13 to 19, 2018 with a theme; “Mitigating Disasters to Reduce Economic Losses.”

Launching the DRR Week, the Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affair, Hon. DE BONHEUR Jeanne d’Arc reminded Rwandans that disaster risk reduction requires everyone’s efforts.

“The disaster risk mitigation activities require more unified efforts. From individuals to the public and private institutions, NGOs and other partners should take part in execution of disaster mitigation mechanisms in place. Specifically, we invite Rwandans to respect all disaster mitigation measures in place,” she said.

Minister De Bonheur further asked Rwandans to join hands in disaster mitigation measures like tightly fixing the roofs of their houses, leaving the disaster high risk zones, recovering and digging new water canals.

Kigali Innovation City is a US$1.9 billion flagship project that seeks to make Rwanda a knowledge-based economy in line with the 7-year Government Programme from 2017 to 2024.

The CMU-Rwanda construction activities took three years under a US$ 10 million project implemented by Rwanda Development Board. It was financed by the African Development Bank which offered a US$ 8 million support and the rest by Government of Rwanda.

Currently, the varsity offers two Masters Degree programs; in Electrical Computer Engineering and Information Technology where students can specialize in Software Engineering, Cyber Security, IT Entrepreneurship, Energy Systems, Telecommunications, Business, anong others.

For the students to be admitted in the university, they are required to have excellently passed in his/her bachelor degree studies in IT-related fields like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in addition to good mathematics, programming and English. Students with mechanical engineering degree can be admitted after sitting an exam prepared by the University.

The new building has modern lecture and tutorial rooms equipped with technology that enables tele-education where lectures can be accessed from any part of the world.
The building has servers which will store the University digital information and for other interested institutions.

The campus has an auditorium with capacity of 500 seats with plans underway to add an entertainment hub for students in the second phase.

CMU Masters degree programme students in USA pay US$48,000 for tuition fees while students at Kigali Campus pay US$16,000. Rwandans students are required to pay US$8,000 which is sponsored by the Rwandan Government.

The Director of Carnegie Mellon University-Africa, Prof. Vijayakumar Bhagavatula commends the partnership between the University and Government of Rwanda. He said Rwanda invited the varsity to operate in the country and has accepted to receive other students from all over Africa.

Prof. Vijayakumar Bhagavatula, who has now lectured at CMU for 40 years, says that the Masters degree offered at Carnegie Mellon University-Africa are at par in standards with those of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania in the USA.

“These are CMU degrees and not CMU-Africa degrees because students here are given the same courses and they have to be approved by CMU at Pittsburgh. We are just a campus here; we are not online because we have a faculty here on the ground. We are fully here,” he emphasizes.

“We came here on the invitation of the Rwandan Government and started the CMU-Rwanda but now we are CMU-Africa. Though we have more Rwandan students, the university is for the entire African continent. We have students from 15 African states,” he explains.

On the seven years CMU has been operating in Rwanda and the seven months he has personally been in Rwanda, Prof. Vijayakumar Bhagavatula says that; “all indications are that there is a great relationship between CMU and Government of Rwanda. We are very impressed by the support we have received. The students are all doing very well and those graduating are getting good jobs and it is all very positive.”

The Public Assets Division Manager at Rwanda Development Board, Felix Siboniyo showed journalists around the new building.

“This new CMU building will accommodate about 500 students when it opens in January 2019,” Siboniyo revealed.

Siboniyo also said that 70% of construction tools used in the process were made in Rwanda including materials from the East African Granite Industries (EAGI), a Rwandan industry based in Nyagatare District.

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Mushikiwabo has been elected after she won the majority votes by the Heads of States of the OIF member states.

Mushikiwabo replaces the Canadian Michaelle Jean who had been on the helm of la Francophonie as Secretary General for the last four years.

Speaking to IGIHE, Ohlson said that when she presented her credentials at the President’s Office, she was informed by Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo that she would be pleased to be sitting with her at lunch. She didn’t understand it.

To her surprise, Ohlson was seated by the president’s table whom he had never met before.

“It was very nice but I was a bit nervous because it was the first time I met him. It was when I handed over my letters of credentials.” She told IGIHE

For Ohlson, 41, new ambassador seated at the small lunch table with the President and the first Lady that was quite a new experience for her, she said.

“That was a very interesting lunch. I hadn’t prepared for any special topics to talk about since I didn’t know beforehand,” She said.

However, Ohlson said that later, the luncheon was a good opportunity to discuss with the President about pertinent subjects.

She says that it was a very interesting conversation about current political affairs and differences as well as similarities between Sweden and Rwanda.

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Ohlson says that when the waiters came to ask them to stand up and go to the dessert table, the president said he did not want any dessert. For a second she must have looked very disappointed, because she had seen all the nice Rwandan fruits and had waited to try some. But she was definitely not going to take off for the dessert table alone.

“I was not sure about the protocol! I saw that he noted the disappointed look in my face, and he smiled and immediately said, ‘No, of course we will have dessert, let’s go’. To me, that was a little friendly gesture to a nervous young ambassador,” She says.

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Ohlson says being at lunch with five people around the table was a big day. She had never gone to the ceremony of the credentials before.

“I didn’t think of any intimidation or anything like that. It was just a very nice lunch. I was happy and relieved I had managed to do the protocol around the ceremony,” she says.