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Kagame made the remark during the celebration of 100 year jubilee of sacerdotal service in Rwanda on Saturday in Muhanga.

The head of state emphasized lessons to learn from the government’s relation with Catholic Church in the past 100 years.

He said that priests and the church have played a big role in life and history of the country.

“Those activities include promoting Kinyarwanda language itself as the foundation of our culture. They developed writing skills, documented history, culture of the country and initiated research in traditional healing practices,”

Speaking about the discussions he had with Pope Francis in March this year, Kagame said that the government of Rwanda has had meaningful results and renewed partnership with the Catholic Church.

“Pope Francis leadership marks a new chapter in history, one that looks to the future and well being of Rwandans. We have the opportunity to learn from our past, focus on our future because we all have the same goal: to serve Rwandans. This chapter of our history is an opportunity for new partnership that serves the people of Rwanda: Let us work together to transform the lives of our citizens and ensuring no one is left behind”, the president observed.

Kagame reminded that the Catholic Church and Rwandan government should learn from the past and peek lessons that will allow them to take cooperation forward.

“Nowadays, with politics and governance of the country, we have an opportunity to assess the past, so that our plans and visionbecome constructive to population regardless to their origin,” he said.

He called on Catholic Church leaders to work closely with the government to meet their responsibilities of enhancing welfare of Rwandans.

“Be it government or Church, we work together by serving Rwandans, ‘Christians’. We should not put this opportunity to waste. We need to add more efforts, simply, I thank Pope Francis for the opportunity he gave Rwanda to take the good cooperation forward,” Kagame added.

Kagame said that he shares with the church the target of developing the country.

“Actually, we share many things; we share Rwandanhood, human hood, and we all wish to be good people with dignity by looking forward than focusing on the past,” he said.

During Kagame’s visit in Vatican, Pope Francis apologized on behalf of Catholic Church that got involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The awarded are individuals nominated from public and private institutions. They include Antoinette Kayitesi, a receptionist at Access Bank Rwanda; Dr. Mouhammed Okasha from Legacy Clinic; Jean Pierre Kizito, Notary in the Ministry of Justice; Sylivanus Kagiraneza, a Security Officer at I&M Bank; Eveline Gafirigi Mutesi from Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB); Morris Ndekwe from Vine Pharmacy; Etienne Uwiringiyimana from Nyaruguru District; Denis Ngoga from Galaxy Hotel and Senior Sergeant Alexis Murenzi a Traffic Police Officer.

Previously, Antoinette Kayitesi (among awarded) was a Security Officer at Access Bank but was later promoted to a receptionist after considering her dedication to the promotion of customer care values.

The Director of Service department in RDB, Emmanuel Nsabimana said that Rwandans have started to appreciate the importance of providing good services, though much still needs to be done.

“As you know we are yet to reach 100% in customer satisfaction. We still have some examples where there are bad services. We are still sensitizing. People should change their mindsets –employees and managers, I believe that if managers take this into account, good services will become a Rwandan culture,” he said.

The President made that appeal during the Signing of Performance Contracts- Imihigo- with Districts mayors and Ministers.

During the event, held at the Parliament, the Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente presented the evaluation of Imihigo for the previous fiscal year.

President Kagame noted that the progress Rwanda has made to date is not enough. He reminded leaders that it is a must to commit to doing more and better and that Imihigo should be a tool that helps improve and reach the government’s goals.

“Providing services to every citizen is your responsibility. It is not about who or when you choose to serve. Imihigo have to translate into action and tangible results for every citizen. It is about achieving our goal of transforming the lives of every citizen”, he said.

President Kagame also called for improved evaluation of performance contracts based on evidence and statistics.

During this event, a report on district performance for (indicators) the 2016/2017 Fiscal Year was presented and three districts Rwamagana, Musanze and Huye respectively emerged as the best performer and got awards.

The signing of Performance Contracts (Imihigo) was introduced in 2006 by the Government of Rwanda to fast-track delivery of plans, programs, and investments that have a transformational impact on the lives of Rwandans.

{{2016/2017 Imihigo: Performance in percentag}}

Regarding the performance of the joint Imihigo for the central and local government, the evaluation shows that service delivery sector comes on top with 82.2% followed by job creation with 78%, the agriculture and farming occupy the 3rd place with 77,8% and other sectors like urbanization and export follow.

According to pillars, justice and good governance come on top with 70,3%, the social cluster occupies the second place with 69,8% while the economic cluster scored 65,9%.

In general, the individual and joint ministries Imihigo were achieved at 67.8% percent from 56.6 % of the 2015/2016 Fiscal Year.

On the Districts side, this year’s general performance is 78,2 % from 75% of 2015/2016. The social cluster scored on 79% and the economic cluster comes at 76% while good governance and justice recorded 71%.

{{Important achievements}}

In general, the important achievement registered are:
– 225.865 jobs were created on the 205.161 that were planned
– 83.467 km of tarmacked roads were constructed and renovated compared to 84.767 planned kilometers
– 99.742 out of 179.148 planned households were connected to electricity
– In the One Cow per poor family program, 34.052 cows were distributed to families a number that surpasses the planned 33.171.

{{Key activities for 2017/2018}}

– During 2017/2018 Imihigo, the emphasis will be on economic, social and governance sectors.

– In the economic sector, job creation is a top priority along with empowering youth in entrepreneurship; increase the production of agriculture and farming.

– Improving urbanization, quality of education, health, fight against malnutrition, hygiene and unity and reconciliation programs will dominate the social cluster.

Ngirente was speaking Friday, during the presentation of the report on 2016/2017 performance contracts and the signing of new contracts for 2017/2018.

The Premier said that in concluded year, in Joint Imihigo for Central and Local Governance, evaluation shows that service delivery sector tops with 82.2%. He said that job creation follows with 78% with agriculture taking the third place with 77.8%.

He said that 222,865 jobs were created, surpassing the targeted 205,161 that were planned; a total of 83,467km of tarmac roads were constructed and rehabilitated, slightly below the targeted 84,767 planned kilometers.

He said that in one cow per poor family programme, a total of 34,054 cows were distributed to families, above the 33,171 that were targeted and that generally, districts’ performance is 78.2% from 75% of 2015/2016, social cluster is 79%, economic 76% and good governance 71%.
Way forward

“During 2017/2018 Imihigo, the emphasis will be on economic, social and governance sectors. In economic landscape, job creation, empowering youth in entrepreneurship as well as increasing production of agriculture are pririties,” Ngirente said.

He said that improving urbanization, quality of education, health, fight against malnutrition and hygiene will dominate the social cluster.

The best performing districts during 2016/2017 Imihigo, Rwamagana comes first with 82.2%, Musanze second with 81,28% and Huye third with 80.55% respectively.

All the 21 were pardoned but asked to participate in searching for remains of the genocide victims.

In a public event that took place in Nyamirama Sector of Kayonza District yesterday, organized by Prison Fellowship Rwanda, an organization that promotes unity and reconciliation in the country, the genocide perpetrators regretted their role in genocide and used the opportunity to ask for forgiveness.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Bishop John Rucyahana called on the society to strengthen the practices of unity and reconciliation.

“As you can see these houses and roads that are being constructed do not belong to any ethnic groups, but to all Rwandans. Most of those who sought forgiveness had lied to their families saying that they were innocent. Today, they made a good step towards sustainable reconciliation,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza called on more genocide inmates to tell the truth of their role in genocide and seek forgiveness as a way to sustain unity and reconciliation in the country.

One of the genocide convicts, Jean Pierre Habimana ,admitted his role in killing six people. He was advised to reveal the location of his victims’ remains so they can be accorded decent burial.

The envoy made the remarks yesterday while speakingto international students and members of academic staff at MKU Campus in Nairobi where he was invited as special guest to address 300 international students on the role of diplomacy in fostering bilateral relations between Rwanda and Kenya.

“Rwanda and Kenya continue to enjoy mutual bilateral relations that brought about conducive environment that has led Kenya to become the largest investor in my country with close to half a billion dollars investment portfolio as of this year” Kimonyo said

Amb.Kimonyo underlined how Mount Kenya University and other institutions of higher learning have been instrumental in supporting Rwanda government to achieve it development agenda.

“I commend the role of this institution is playing in fostering quality education in Rwanda particularly for making it possible for Rwandan students undertake science related courses” he said.

“After 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, our government set out to build a knowledge-based economy as one of the major pillars to achieve our broad economic goals, I thank Mount Kenya University for being part of this journey” Kimonyo added.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman and Founder of Mount Kenya University Dr. Simon Gicharu commended the conducive business environment facilitated by the government of Rwanda that allows investors to start and go about their business without any hitches.

“I must say that in my academic experience, Rwanda stands out to be my best investment destination. We started our operations in Rwanda in 2009 and since then we have grown into a fully-fledged campus located in Kicukiro. This campus is a home to 4,627 Rwandan students pursuing degree courses in various disciplines under school of health, school of applied sciences, school of business and economics and school of education. He said

According to Dr. Gicharu, the university has invested over Rwf 18 billion in Kigali campus and plans for expansion are underway.

Dr. Gicharu informed the High Commissioner that after the closure of the pharmacy department at Kigali campus, the university administration decided to relocate 70 Rwandan students who were pursuing degree course in pharmacy to Nairobi to carryon with their studies from there.

“I would like to assure the High Commissioner that these students are in safe hands. We decided to bring them here so that they can complete their academic dreams and this will be done at no extra cost. They will pay the same amount of fees they paid in Kigali and the university will cater for their accommodation, meals and other basic needs,” Gicharu said.

“I am pleased to see that the project is making progress, and the government of Japan will make further contribution to sustainable economic development in Rwanda,” said ambassador Takayuki.

According to the ambassador, the economic infrastructure development like rehabilitation of roads represents one of the four priority areas of Japan’s development cooperation with Rwanda.

“In this field we have already constructed the Rusumo International Bridge and revamped the capacity of One Stop Border Post on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania.” Takayuki added.

According to the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) Rusumo-Kayonza rehabilitation works are funded by the Government of Japan through JICA at an amount of US$68 million, African Development Bank (AfDB) at US$15,024,405.74 and Government of Rwanda at US$2,258,286.27.

The 92km road construction works started in June this year. It is being implemented under joint venture of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and NPD Ltd, a local construction firm.

The project will complete in November 2019.

Chaired by President Paul Kagame, the Cabinet Meeting appointed Dr. Anita Asiimwe, National Coordinator in the National Early Childhood Development Program. In the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs(MIDMAR), Ms Pierrette Manishimwe has been appointed theAdvisor to the Minister.

In the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC), Mr. Aimable Havugiyaremye has been appointed the Chairman replacing John Gara who has been in the position since 2012.

The Cabinet Meeting renewed the mandate of Prof. Kalisa Mbanda, the National Electoral Commission Chairman, and MsPélagie Uwera and Mr. Suedi Ntibirindwa as Commissioners.

In the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD),the Cabinet Meeting appointed Dr. Didace M.Kayihura as Rector. In the Capacity Development and Employment Services Board, Mr. Yves Rutayisire has been appointed the Corporate Services Division Manager.

In Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC),the cabinet meeting appointed Dr. Janvier Serumondo, Director of Sexual Transmission and infectious diseases and other Blood Borne Infections Unit. Eng. TheogeneNamahungu, the Director of Health Technology and Infrastructure Planning Unit, Dr. ByiringiroRusisiro, the Director of Tuberculosis Infection Control unit; Mr. EdouardNiyonshuti, the Director of the Business Development Unit and Mr. MichéeKaberaSemugunzu, the Director of Epidemiology Unit.

Also appointed is Mr. DieudonnéDusengumukiza, the Director of Administration and finance Unit in the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) while Ms. Niceson Karungi has been appointed the Director of IT Support Unit in the Supreme Court.

Chaired by President Paul Kagame, the cabinet meeting approved Mr. Ahmed SamyMahamed Al-Ansary, of the Arab Republic of Egypt, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda; Mr. Abdalla Hassan EisaBushara,approved to represent the Republic of Sudan, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda; Ms. LulitZewdieGebremariam, will represent the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, with residence in Kigali, Rwanda.

Also Mr. Martin Gomez Bustillo, will represent the Argentine Republic in Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya.

The cabinet meeting approved Mr. Uriel Norman R. Garibay, to represent the Republic of the Philippines in Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi, Kenya while Mr. Cherdkiat Atthakor, of the Kingdom of Thailand will also represent his country in Rwanda with residence in Nairobi, Kenya

The advice was given during discussions that took place yesterday at Glory Secondary School organized by the Rwanda We Want (RWW), an organization that prepares youth to become future leaders, carried out under the theme ‘It Is Possible’.

The discussion brought together different individuals from different professions, careers and specializations.

Speaking during the discussion, the Chief Executive Officer of AC Group, Patrick Buchana, urged youth to work hard and avoid giving up if they want to make it in life.

“If you want to succeed, you need to work hard with an unwavering zeal without surrendering but instead treasure determination, discipline seeking and taking heed to constructive advice,” he said.

The Camellia Ltd CEO, Khalid Nshuti said that youth should think about big projects and work hard to make them happen.

“When you want to achieve tangible results, you should always strive to be a winner. You should think about new innovations to beat your competitors,” he said.

The Executive Chairperson and Founder of Rwanda We Want, Tristan Murenzi said that he organized the event to inculcate in youth the spirit of job creation. He said that he wanted to help the young generation to start preparing their future at an early age.

“Today, we aimed at linking youth with people who have built competitive enterprises that are sustainable and progressing. Through this discussion, the young people have been introduced to life and business soft skills, surmounting challenges and keeping an eye to the prize. This is a good approach to prepare future leaders,” he said.