The historic moment was made on a very wet Thursday afternoon with the rain pouring heavily on the artificial turf of the Kigali Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo. But despite the depressing weather, diehard Rayon Sports FC fans were singing and cheering for their team.
In the first ten minutes of the match, Eric Rutangwa tried to sweep the ball past Young Africans custodian for the opening goal, but was stopped by Young Africans’ Haiji Shaibu.
Caleb Bonfils Bimenyimana was the one who swept the ball past the custodian for the opening goal, exactly on the 19th minute.
As the match closed on a 1-0 at half time, Young Africans came back battling for an equalizer, but to no avail as Rayon Sports’ players stayed with the ball.
Lucky enough for the Blues, last minute efforts by the visitors to get an equaliser bore no fruit as Rayon Sports who played with a handful players, broke into jubilation after the final whistle.
The win took Rayon Sports’ count to nine points, placing it just behind USM Alger, which won 2-1 in another tie against Kenyan Gor Mahia. The team will wait for their quarter-final opponents on Monday, September 3.
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OECD is a 36-member club of the world’s most developed economies.
The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday that Israel former Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein and former ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, are working hard to see Rwanda join the club.
During his visits to Rwanda as Attorney-General, Weinstein developed a good relationship with President Paul Kagame.
When Weinstein left office, he and Prosor held talks with Kagame and Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo as Rwanda was weighing in joining the OECD.
The Israelis helped their country join OECD in 2010.
Joining the OECD would foster Rwanda’s development and foreign investment.
“We all saw eye to eye. They showed enthusiasm that Rwanda should go for it. After very little time had passed, they hired us. They said, ‘you have experience, you did it in Israel, you can get it done for Rwanda,” Weinstein told The Jerusalem Post of the talks he had with Kagame and Mushikiwabo.
He said that, after the 1994 Genocide that devastated Rwanda, the country’s economy and political situation have stabilised, adding that attracting foreign investors is now Rwanda’s high priority.
Weinstein said that for Rwanda to hire him and Prosor also proved the country’s serious commitment.
If Rwanda joins OECD soon, it may be the first African country to be in the organisation.
South Africa tried to join but its methods of governance hindered the bid.
Weinstein said that they have already started to lobby allies on behalf of Rwanda.
He said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria also views the potential of Rwanda joining the same way that the Israeli does.
“He wants to broaden the OECD. He really wants African countries to join. He tried hard with South Africa,” said Weinstein referring to OECD SG.
He, however, predicted that joining OECD can take Rwanda more than five years as the process also took Israel more than three years.
Talking of Rwanda’s potentials, Weinstein described Kigali as a Western-style city, saying that Kigali is “orderly, developed, clean and secure.”
Weinstein said Rwanda has gone beyond the genocide effects to embrace “a genuine forgiveness process,” contrary to Israelis who say about the Holocaust: “We don’t forget and we don’t forgive.”
He said that in Rwanda the approach is: “We don’t forget, but we do forgive.”
Weinstein plans to help Rwanda move toward OECD acceptance by encouraging a free market, democracy, transparency and the rule of law.
This entails a five-part strategy proving Rwanda’s sufficiency of its internal laws, independence of its state prosecution and judiciary from political influence, the stability of its banks and a readiness to comply with international conventions.
Weinstein has legal review assistance by veteran attorney Ron Dror and law clerk Yael Hadad. The team is now advancing Rwanda’s OECD bid.
“Africa is the only continent not represented in the OECD, and I think everyone should applaud Rwanda [for] its desire to break the barrier and become the first African country to join the organisation,” said Prosor.
He added that joining OECD would be of mutual interest for both Rwanda and international community as other African countries can follow Rwanda’s lead in joining the club which requires highest international standards.
The 2017 tourism revenues constituted almost 50% of the country’s services exports.
The report of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) released on Tuesday indicates that national parks received 94,000 visitors in 2017, putting $18.7 million in the national coffers.
Volcanoes National Park accounted for 38% of all parks’ visits and fetched over 90% of the revenues. Akagera and Nyungwe national parks received 44,000 and 14,000 visitors, cashing in $1 million and $500,000 respectively.
International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), ranked Rwanda in 2016 as Africa’s 3rd leading MICE tourism destination.
MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.
RDB annual report also showed that Rwanda recorded growth in investments registered in 2017. Export values and volumes also increased.
Registered 137 investment commitments amounted to $1.67 billion and are expected to generate 37,548 jobs. Most attracted were transformative investments in logistics, tourism, agro-processing, health and mining.
Overall exports fetched about $2 billion and grew by 36% compared to 2016 while merchandise exports grew by 58%. At least 100 export market destinations were served through 81 different products in 2017. Tourism exports grew by 12% from 2016-2017.
The report shows that the country’s population size was 11.3 million with $729 GDP per capita.
The 27-year old party puts forward the citizen-based development.
PL has been in Rwanda’s politics in different capacities including having seats in parliament and holding other senior positions in the government.
PL President Donatille Mukabalisa was the Speaker of the Lower House dissolved early this month.
Mukabalisa has told IGIHE in an exclusive interview that PL has confidence and abilities to do well in parliament.
It has selected 80 politically skilled candidates. Most of them are degree holders, two with PhD and eight with master’s degree in different disciplines.
Mukabalisa says PL MPs will strive to have in place good policies that consider citizens’ views.
She said PL will encourage MPs outreach to consult the public during law-making process. Getting closer to citizens and responding to their concerns is enshrined in PL’s principles.
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Categorisation of citizens basing on their financial means, locally known as Ubudehe, is one of the policies that has often ignited public outcry. Some claim to be denied services and opportunities due to their categories which do not match with their means.
Mukabalisa says PL intends to harmonise the categorisation to make everyone be in their right category and ensure that all the needy receive support to help them graduate from one category to the better.
“This has been an issue of debate for long. We shall have this corrected…if we want to build a knowledge-based economy, we need to support the education of the vulnerable students,” she remarks.
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PL is concerned that skills and research are highly needed in farming activities. This will lead to increased production.
Mukabalisa observes that research is paramount to optimise the country’s small land by identifying crops that are suitable for every area.
PL will strive to develop agro-processing and exportation of farm production in order to reduce trade deficit.
Mukabalisa says the party will ensure the government puts in place a bank for farmers to increase access to finances. PL will also advocate for an insurance scheme for farming activities.
It will also seek to empower Rwandans with industrial competences in order to develop this sector in the country. PL will ensure every district makes profit of the opportunities within its boundaries. This will be done by making sure the district has the funding to implement its projects.
Mukabalisa says PL will strive to set right what went wrong in the past. The party will ensure the 80-seat Lower House fulfils its duties of legislation and overseeing the government’s activities.
PL won six parliamentary seats in 2003, four in 2008 and five in 2013.
Basing on citizens attendance to PL campaigns, good manifesto and skilled candidates, Mukabalisa has confidence that the party will secure more seats this time than ever before.
Parliamentary general elections are slated for September 2-3 to decide on 53 seats. The 53 are sought by an RPF-lead coalition of seven parties, four other parties apart including PL and four independent candidates.
Other 27 seats for women, youth and people with disabilities will be decided on September 4.
Thousands of people, including several dignitaries and foreign leaders gathered on Sunday at Harare’s national stadium for the swearing-in of Mnangagwa.
President Kagame arrived in Harare for the event, this morning.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, of the ruling ZANU-PF party, won the July 30 election with 50.8% of the vote — just enough to meet the 50% threshold needed to avoid a run-off against main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3%.
Mnangagwa pledged to “protect and promote the rights of Zimbabweans” in his oath.
The event was attended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa‚Tanzania’s President John Magufuli, RDC’s President Joseph Kabila, Zambia’s President and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta among many others.
Rwanda leads England which is at the 19th place, the United States of America 22nd, France 29th, Germany 38th, Japan 16th and China 60th.
Speaking to IGIHE, Rwanda Police Spokesperson, Theos Badege said that citizens’ trust came from the Force’s persistence in respecting law, maintaining security, among others.
According to the latest Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) Citizen Report Card, an annual publication which is produced to ascertain the levels of community satisfaction with regard to services, the net trust for the National Police, DASSO and Reserve forces was 98.1%.
Rwanda National Police continuously seeks to consolidate security gains, going beyond to put up modern methods of policing to make citizens understand their role in crime prevention, anti-corruption mechanisms; encouraging e-policing and infrastructure development, among others.
As shown in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International, Rwanda National Police leads the way among bodies fighting corruption in the country. Previous reports indicate that corruption perception in RNP went down from 15.5 percent in 2016 to 8 percent in 2017.
Since 2005, RNP officers also trained in peacekeeping to extend support to countries in need. About 1200 officers have been sent to Sudan, South-Sudan, Haiti, and others, for peacekeeping.
Finland, Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, and UAE in that order top the list of the most secure countries worldwide, according to WEF Report.
In the region, South-Africa and Nigeria are ranked as least secure countries as shown by its 118th and 123rd positions, respectively.
The pledge was announced by Minister of Defense, Gen. James Kabarebe in Kimironko as he participated in the monthly community work, Umuganda.
Gen. Kabarebe told the participants that President Kagame sent him to thank the residents for their commitment in building the nation as reflected in their massive participation in the monthly Umuganda.
“As you may see, the school was not in a good-shape. President Kagame made the Rwf5 million contribution in his capacity as a citizen. The money will facilitate Rwanda Defense Forces and citizens in constructing the school,” Kabarebe said.
Gen Kabarebe added that the Head of State had explicitly requested that the construction process does not take more than six months.
“And when the General issues a command, we carry out the orders. In six months from now, you will find the school standing with its new 18 classrooms,” Kabarebe assured Kimironko residents.
He added that with the partnership between Defense Forces, the district and residents, completing the project will be easily done.
Speaking to the press, Gasabo District Mayor, Stephen Rwamurangwa noted that with additional classrooms, there will be ample room for learners and an improvement in the study environment.
“The new 18 rooms will get the school in tandem with the Ministry of Education’s requirement of 45 students per classroom, reducing overcrowding and facilitate delivery of quality education,” Rwamurangwa said
Groupe Scholaire Kimironko has a student population of over 1000 children.
Initiated through a partnership between Imbuto Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Sports and Culture; the “ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi” project consists of a televised nationwide search for creative youth in different categories including fine arts, dance, music, fashion, acting, drama, photography and literature.
The programme will be a platform for exposure and market for young and talented Rwandans within the creative arts industry, offering them an opportunity to be mentored by industry experts and receive advice on how to transform their talent into sustainable employment opportunities, in an effort to support their artistic development and future career aspirations.
While at the Official launch yesterday at Kigali Cultural Village, the Minister of Youth, Rosemary Mbabazi applauded the initiative which complements the government’s efforts of empowering youth.
“Your presence here means partnership. We take you as people who can contribute to the industry and can be part of the history of those who made this happen.” Mbabazi said
‘‘We believe that by developing and supporting these young talents, we will be highly contributing to the national economic development. Artists can change our life for the better and this project will provide opportunities for the youth in regards to employment. I thank Imbuto Foundation for sowing the right seeds that will transform Rwandan youth.’’ She added
According to the Deputy Director General of Imbuto Foundation, Geraldine Umutesi, Rwandan youth are fully capable. They only need people who can support them.
“The uniqueness of this ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi is that it provides a vision and an environment where these arts will stay long after our generation’’ Umutesi told the attendees.
Umutesi further stressed that the industry cannot be developed without contribution from the youth and called on them to participate, encourage, and inspire others to participate in the project.
PS John Ntigengwa from the Ministry of Sports and Culture, observed that the project is a partial answer to youth unemployment, which remains a persistent issue around the world.
“This project is an answer to youth employment gap in our country. Let me take this moment to request youth professionals, the private sector, and young creative minds to reconsider their options and give arts a chance.” Ntigengwa noted
According to Statistics, unemployment among Rwandans, especially youth (16-30) is at 21 %, of who 9% completed upper secondary and 6% are graduates of tertiary education.
During the event, Manzi Jackson, a young artist, performed a live display of Acrylic painting on canvas, within 30 minutes. His art which symbolizes the unity an organized youth needs, was sold to the highest bidder on spot at Rwf700 000.
The search for talent will be countrywide, with scheduled road trips slated for 8 – 30 September at 6 sites namely; Kigali, Rubavu, Rusizi, Huye, Nyagatare, Musanze.
{{The “ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi” Project launch in Pictures
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Ubudehe scheme categorises citizens according to their financial capacities.
PL made the promise on Thursday as it campaigned in Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts. The party is seeking seats in the parliament’s Lower House.
PL President Donatille Mukabalisa said the party will pursue programmes that alleviate poverty and help citizens graduate from categories to others on a higher financial stage.
She said their Members of Parliament (MPs) will strive to have adequate Ubudehe categories and ensure the vulnerable receive due support.
“That is something we shall follow up and make sure there are programmes aiming at taking people from one category to a better one,” said the former Speaker of the Lower House dissolved a fortnight ago.
The current four Ubudehe categories of Rwandans were drawn up in 2016. There are 376,192 households in first and poorest category. The category has 1,480,167 in 2016 equivalent to 16% of the country’s population.
The second category has 703,461 households comprised of 3,077,816 people equivalent to 29.8% of the population.
Category three has 1,267,171 households of 5,766,506 members equivalent to 53.7% of the population. Category four has 11,664 households with 58,069 people equivalent to 0.5% of the population.
The categories have caused public outcry with most complaining that they are in categories above their means. The categories are considered for the social protection schemes, for schools’ scholarships and community-based health insurance also known as Mutuelle de Santé.
Jean Mugabire, a participant in PL campaign in Karangazi Sector of Nyagatare District, suggest Ubudehe categories be ignored for some services such as university scholarships.
He said the categories exclude students in some categories from benefiting government support yet their families are not able to afford higher education costs.
PL also stressed on developing agriculture and livestock sector and empowering the cell level of local government.
The party has put forward 80 candidates for the 53 seats in 80-seat parliament. The 53 are also sought by an RPF-lead coalition of seven parties, four other parties apart and four independent candidates.
PL had five MPs in the last parliament term 2013-2018 while RPF and PSD had 41 and seven respectively.
Parliamentary general elections are slated for September 2-3 to decide on 53 seats. Other 27 seats for women, youth and people with disabilities will be decided on September 4.
Also known as Feast of Sacrifice or Big Eid, it is one of the two major festivals of Islam but considered the holier. The other is Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
Eid Al-Adha commemorates the Koran tale of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael but God offered him a lamb to sacrifice, ruling that no human life should be sacrificed in the name of God.
Among Christian and Jews communities, they believe that Abraham is ordered to sacrifice another son Isaac.
Rwandan Muslims have convened today at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo to offer prayers.
Eid al-Adha has come two days after the two million Muslims started annual Islamic pilgrimage in Mina and Mecca cities of Saudi Arabia.
The Holy pilgrimage started August 19 running until 26 with 79 Rwandans participating.
The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana, led the gathering in prayers at Kigali Stadium.
He encouraged the Muslim community to fight drugs especially among the youth and report drug dealers.
Mufti Hitimana also urged the congregation to play their role in bringing about upcoming parliamentary elections, come September 2-3.
Eid al-Adha compels all Muslims with means to slaughter cows, goats and other animals as sacrifice and distribute meat among disadvantaged around them.
Mufti Hitimana reminded all Muslims to share feasts with the vulnerable in observance of the sacrifice.
“This is a day of showing compassion and happiness that should always be reflected among the Muslims. You have to observe that, help the poor and share meals with them,” he said.
He said that Rwandan Muslims should not wait for foreign counterparts to give them animals to offer as sacrifice.
Today, Rwanda Muslim Community has offered as sacrifice 1,000 cows and 2,000 goats at the value of Rwf200 million.
