Adding to the initial funding which was worth 146.9 million Euros, the entire funding to the program is now 261.9 million Euros.
The financing is to cover water supply infrastructures in Rutsiro, Karongi, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero Kamonyi, Muhanga, Ruhango Nyanza, Bugesera, Ngoma, Kayonza, Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Musanze Districts including sanitation facilities to ten schools.
Water access in these districts is currently averaged at 45 percent, 40% lower than the national average which stands at 85%.
About more than 1.5 million people will get improved water supply services with 700,000 of them living in rural and peri-urban areas raising the total number of beneficiaries of the whole project to 5.4 million at completion in June 2023.
“This funding will improve the quality of life and socio-economic development of the people and promote economic growth and transformation,” said the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning after the signing of the agreement.
The AfDB Rwanda Country Manager Mrs. Martha Phiri said, “This additional financing increases the on-going Bank support to the water and sanitation sector in Rwanda to €282 million, demonstrating the Bank’s desire and readiness to match the Government of Rwanda’s ambitions to achieve speedy socio-economic transformation.”
As per objectives of the National Strategy for Transformation one (NST-1), Rwanda projects that by 2024, all households, schools and commercial facilities will have reliable access to clean water and sanitation services.
The meeting slated to be held tomorrow on January 17th, 2019 will see 16 Heads of State and Government at the African Union (AU) headquarters convene in Addis, Ethiopia.
The meeting will be preceded by the emergency meeting of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in which Kagame also was invited in.
The Democratic Republic of Congo held provincial and presidential elections on December 30th, 2018 after which the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) in DRC announced Felix Tshisekedi the winner.
Martin Fayulu, a presidential candidate, dismissed the results and filed an appeal at the Constitutional Court.
In a hearing on Tuesday, the Prosecutor told Court that Fayulu had no ample evidence supporting his allegations that elections were rigged hence demanding the manual recounting of votes.
SADC also advised the DRC to verify the votes proposing a unity government comprised of sides of Martin Fayulu and Félix Tshisekedi in a bid to avoid violence and restore peace.
News of Kayibanda’s abduction was released by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and East African Community Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe who said Kayibanda was kidnapped in Kampala, Uganda by the County’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) agents.
In a tweet, Olivier Nduhungirehe posted two pictures of Kayibanda and said: “This is Rogers Donne Kayibanda . He arrived in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday 10 January 2019 to attend the civil wedding of his brother, which took place the following day Friday 11 January 2019.”
“He was kidnapped after the ceremony in Kisasi, Kampala suburb, by CMI [Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence] operatives,” Nduhungirehe’s tweet continues.
News of Kayibanda’s kidnapping follows several other kidnappings faced by Rwandans in Uganda with some of them subjected to torture.
On Sunday, following the abduction of Fidel Gatsinzi, another Rwandan citizen who was also arrested in Uganda, one Rama Isibo asked what the Government of Rwanda is doing about the ‘illegal detention of Rwandans in Uganda” to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Richard Sezibera replied: “[Rwandan] Government is doing all that is feasible to bring Rwandans home …and asking them to be prudent in harm’s way.”
During the 23rd edition of the annual special prayer breakfast themed “Transformative Leadership” held at the Kigali Convention Centre, the President particularly reminded those present that Rwanda cannot be people who need to be taught values continuously: “Like a watch you have to keep resetting or a ball with a hole that you have to keep inflating.”
“What mindset will we take home? How will we take what we have learned and apply it to what we do? Instilling godly values in leadership means those values have to be part of who we are,” Kagame urged those present.
The president advised leaders to be defined by unity, thinking big and accountability for their responsibilities as leaders.
“Being a team is about bringing people together. We are one team working for the country, fulfilling our responsibility and thinking big. We have to think beyond the next day, think about the generations ahead and what we want to accomplish. Accountability is about the discipline of work, upholding the values that define us,” President Kagame noted.
Casting light on what would elevate one beyond petty actions, the Head of State advised on reflecting on one’s actions and evaluating each other honestly. “This is what will allow you to practice the values that should define us,” he said
“Let us uphold the right values and give ourselves the respect we deserve,” he added
President Kagame also warned that Religion should not be seen as an anesthetic that allows one to be numb to the hard challenges one must face.
“I don’t think there is any other continent that prays more than the African continent. But prayers must be met with action. Actions towards what we want to accomplish and our goals,” President Kagame advised.
Organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF), the prayer meeting brings together leaders in top positions for fellowship around a breakfast, to reflect on the milestones that the nation has achieved praying for the nation and its leaders.
Initiated in 1995, the RLF is attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, members of the judiciary, police and military top brass, private sector and civil society, including church leaders.
Dr. Livingstone Byamungu and his four children, twin boys Calvin Ngabo and Caleb Nziza, who were 17 years old, Carl Manzi, 15 and Bless Chelsea Uwase who was four years old passed on following the car accident that occurred in the night of December 30, last year.
Byamungu died on spot with his children after his car collided with a trailer in a crash that involved three cars.
Dorcas Mukagatare, wife to Byamungu and mother to the deceased four children survived the accident with her brother Dan Rutaremara who was driving the car on the fateful night.
The accident took place in Lwengo on Masaka-Mbarara road in Uganda where they had gone for festive holidays to visit Byamungu’s mother who lives in Uganda where Byamungu was born in May 1968.
In her sad testimony, Dorcus Mukagatare who was left alone in her 7-people family after losing her husband and her four children- with the oldest daughter who had died in March 2018- said she felt she had no reason to keep living and if it had not been God, she would have committed suicide.
“I am alive only because I know God. Hadn’t I known God, I would have taken pills to kill me. Knowing God lives helped me understand everything happens for a reason,” she said.
“God left me to thank you in the name of Dr. Livingstone and live with you while Ngabo, Nziza, Manzi and Bless [Chelsea Uwase] are not around,” she said crying adding: “Please bear with me, I would not have wished to be here without those people I have just mentioned but the Lord’s plans differ much from human’s.”
She said: “Except the days we laid our brothers and sisters who died in the 1994 genocide against Tutsi to rest, I have never attended a funeral of three, four people who died together.”
“Dr. Livingstone [Byamungu] was a very good and responsible husband. We had been together as wife and husband for almost 20 years. He loved me and our children very much. He helped me study and graduate. I have nothing to tell you or blame you. Only, rest in everlasting peace in Lord.
“I had very good children who loved God and people. They helped me and they have been at my side even after our first born passed away.”
Mukagatare told a story that brought many to tears when she recounted how she gave birth to her last child, Bless Chelsea Uwera.
She said Uwase was born 12 years after she had decided to stop giving birth and said she was born for a reason. “I am very much sad she is not here today with me.”
“After our first child who was a girl passed on in March last year, my sons told me Bless had been born in her place as she came later being a girl. I was very shocked that God took Bless away from me but he knows why. For me, I would have wished to have gone with them all where I would be together with them but it didn’t happen like that,” she said with a slow sad voice crying leaving a minute of silence before she emphasized to say “Lord knows the reason.”
Mukagatare said what happened to her also happened to Lord’s servant Job and he remained faithful to God.
“Like Job, I want to let you know today that Almighty God will always be my God in the good and the bad and he reigns eternally,” she said.
Mukagatare promised to the mother of his husband, Livingstone to be her daughter though she can’t fit in his son’s shoes.
In other testimonies told about Dr. Livingstone Byamungu, he was described as an ardent follower of God and had contributed to construction of St Peter Anglican Church house in Remera, reason why he was bid last farewells inside that church.
“He always told me the ‘best is yet to come’ and it was the word on his WhatsApp profile picture,” said his younger brother who now lives in Uganda.
Dr. Livingstone Byamungu was the Chief Investment Officer at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) after having served several other roles in Private Sector Federation (PSF), Health Poverty Action, World Vision and German Agro-Action.
The launch of the Observatory operating in the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology (CST) will serve to provide data related to meteorology, climate change, and solar intensity among other operations.
Rwanda Climate Observatory is under Rwanda-MIT Climate Observatory Project implemented by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education in partnership with Massachusetts Institute (MIT) in order to develop a world-class research program in Rwanda and build the capacity of climate change, air pollution and meteorology.
Efforts to set up the observatory were inspired by President Paul Kagame’s visits to USA in 2008 and 2009 looking for ways to enhance science and technology and Rwanda chose MIT as the implementation partner.
The project saw Rwandan graduates from the University of Rwanda go to be trained at MIT as it was requested by President Kagame.
Rwanda-MIT Climate Observatory Project’s first phase started operating in 2011 while technical instruments were first placed at sites in 2013. The project is worth $2 million.
The observatory has four technicians who operate at Mugogo Mount in Nyabihu District where more instruments measuring the climate locate.
Dr. Jimmy Gasore, a lecturer at the College of Science and Technology, who is also the Station Chief Scientist at Rwanda Climate Observatory, said Medusa started atmospheric data measurements worldwide since 1979 being used by the researchers’ team founded following the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
“This instrument [Medusa] has played a paramount role in measuring the greenhouse gases. We are now happy as it will help us get data on air pollutants and see if we are reducing the production and consumption of greenhouse gases [known as hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)] and plan accordingly,” Dr. Jimmy Gasore.
“It is the first time for Medusa to be in Africa and they are only twelve elsewhere in the world; in atmospheric research centers and in universities,” he said.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Eugene Mutimura, who officiated the launch of the Observatory, said the observatory was set to measure climate change and atmospheric causes behind it.
“It is a very good step because it helps us know what to do to implement strategies taken by Rwandan Government to reduce greenhouse gases that pollute the air,” Dr. Eugene Mutimura said.
According to provisional results announced on Thursday by the National Independent Elections Commission (CENI), opposition candidate, Felix Tshisekedi leads with 38.57% of the votes.
However, after the announcing of provisional results, the Independent Candidate, Martin Fayulu protested against the results which attracted protests that have resulted into 11 deaths.
In a statement released by OIF on Thursday following the announcement of the provisional results, Louise Mushikiwabo commended voter turn up and the peaceful environment under which elections were held.
“Mrs Louise Mushikiwabo calls on the political and civil society actors, as well as the population, to maintain a peaceful environment and to privilege in all circumstances the dialogue and the best interests of the Congolese people while waiting for the proclamation of the final results by the Constitutional Court,” reads part of the statement released by the OIF.
“OIF invites candidates to exclusively resort to legal channels in the event of possible disputes; encourage election-related institutions to make every effort to ensure transparency, sincerity and reliability of the crucial stage of managing election results,” the statement adds.
CENI is slated to declare the election final results on January 15th this year with the swearing in of the new President replacing Joseph Kabila- who has ruled DRC as President since 2011- scheduled to be held on January 18th.
Mushikiwabo stated the OIF contributed with all its international partners in helping the DRC hold peaceful elections and “it reiterates its determination to continue, beyond these elections, its efforts to support the consolidation of peace, democracy and the rule of law in this important member state of La Francophonie.”
The OIF has 88 states and governments: 54 members, seven associate members and 27 observers.
President Kagame was speaking at the Rwanda-Japan Business Forum organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), on the second day of his official visit in Japan.
“Africa’s middle class is increasing year in, year out; there is increasing urbanization in Africa moving faster than probably other continents. Africa has different kinds of resources starting with our own people and the natural resources that we have,” President Kagame said.
He noted that between the natural resources and the people, the innovation and technology, there was no problem that was not going to be addressed to provide the continent with the solutions it wants. “Africa and Rwanda have simply no other choice but to keep adding value to what we are doing.”
President Kagame also welcomed and encouraged Japans to do more business in and with Rwanda.
“We are trying to catch up, and we are being helped to by these developed countries and people with whom we work. Doing business, the kind of different investments that we have to make together are very critical,” Kagame noted
Last Year, Rwanda Development Board chief executive Clare Akamanzi said the number of Japanese investments in Rwanda has gone up from three to 19 in the last five years, with the portfolio expected to grow further.
“However this doesn’t mean that everything is where we want it to be. We have to do more every time and that’s why when people kept saying that we have to listen, to pay attention to businesses from Japan, I completely agree with them,” he added.
President Kagame said Rwanda cannot be complacent that has done enough despite the glowing results from studies, experience and data show that tremendous progress is being made.
“That’s a good story but it always tells us that we have to do more.”
“I want to assure you that the Government of Rwanda will continue to do our best, to provide a conducive and supportive environment for successful ventures.” President Kagame guaranteed.
In an interview with Boursorama, a leading source of financial and economic information in France, Mushikiwabo re-iterated her future goals for La Francophonie, where she said that she would like to see French as the language of the Internet.
{{Extracts of the Interview
}}
{{Q:}} Your election as Secretary General marks the coming of an African leader, after Canada’s Michaëlle Jean, at the head of the La Francophonie (OIF). Is it unavoidable when we know that Africa holds 80% of the growth in the number of Francophones in the world?
{{A:}} Africa is a driving force of La Francophonie. It is a natural even normal that Africa is at the head of La Francophonie. That said, I am also aware that La Francophonie goes far beyond Africa. As the Secretary-General, I will do my best to make everyone feels at home in our organization.
{{Q: }} Your candidacy was strongly supported by France while you are very close to Rwandan President Paul Kagame. At the head of La Francophonie, how will you guarantee your independence?
{{A:}} I am also a professional. I work for La Francophonie. I represent La Francophonie. I will put all my energy into this organization. From now on, I am no longer the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Any action, any decision, any activity of La Francophonie, I will execute as the secretary general of La Francophonie.
{{Q: }} Rwanda has replaced French with English as a compulsory language at school. Is this compatible with the direction of La Francophonie?
{{A: }} Rwanda is a French-speaking country. It is also an English speaking country. It is also a Swahili-speaking country and first and foremost, we speak Kinyarwanda, our national language. We are a multilingual country and I think that the fact that the Rwandan president does not really speak French – he begins to speak French, very happily – is confused with the importance of the French language in the country. French is the foreign language most spoken by Rwandans and the importance of the French language will grow. In Rwanda, we believe very much that this coexistence of languages does not necessarily cause problems.
{{Q:}} This is what French President Emmanuel Macron defends: the defense of French in a Plurilingualism framework. Is this the future of La Francophonie?
{{A:}} The French language has no complex compared to English. But the world today is such that it is beneficial for the French to speak other languages. We go much further with several languages. We are more fortunate in employment and training with more languages. I really do not mind.
{{Q:}} What are your goals as the head of La Francophonie?
{{A:}} I would very much like to see the French language as the language of the internet. With the proportions of young people in the French-speaking world, it’s very feasible. But there is still work to be done, I do not delude myself. Digitalism can be used as an asset for employment issues. When we go through the francophone area, we hear, “La Francophonie, what is it for me?” These are legitimate questions. All that is digital concerns the youth, so I think we can combine very well the digital aspect and the interest of the youth.
{{Q: }} Critics point to a “dispersal” of OIF… Is a refocus necessary?
{{A: }} There is indeed a debate that’s needed. Criticism is legitimate: we do a lot of small things and we should refocus, bring several activities together under clear themes, well defined: the economy, the influence of language.
{{Q: }} The OIF now has 88 members, including some countries that have a distant relationship with French. Should the membership criteria be reviewed?
{{A:}} Why not? I find that the fact that many countries which have very little to do with the French language wanting to become members of La Francophonie, a sign of attractiveness, which is a very good thing. Only, I think we must also be observant of our space, our activities, and our values. We can create a system of members who have a status more or less different from the full members. But it is up to the member states to decide.
Of the total investments registered in 2018, an estimated 26% represents export oriented projects. Across sectors, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and agro-processing accounted for 57% of investments registered. Other sectors that attracted significant investments were tourism, healthcare, business services and ICT.
The largest share of the 2018 investment registrations or 49%, was posted by domestic investors, while Foreign Direct Investment registrations represented 47% of the total. Joint ventures (local and foreign investors) represented the balance of approximately 4% of all investments registered during the year. In comparison, in 2017, domestic investment registrations accounted for 28% of the total, while foreign investment registrations represented 62% and joint ventures the remaining 10%.
Some of the largest investors during 2018, who registered expected investments over US$ 70 million, included: Emerald Park ltd; Millennial Construction Ltd; Rwanda Innovation Fund; Jali Transport; and Mara Phones.
Other notable investment projects registered during the year included: Andela Software Development’s Rwanda based Pan African Hub; a first Coltan/Tantalum refinery by PRG from Macedonia; new local production of a global beer brand – Heineken in Rwanda by Bralirwa; a large scale fertilizer blending plant in Rwanda by OCP from Morocco; a steel rolling mill by MasterSteel from Rwanda; a mosquito bed nets production plant by Vision Garments from Rwanda; a steel manufacturing plant by AARSAL STEEL from India; a mineral smelting company by Luna Smelter of Rwanda; hospitality development around Lake Kivu by GEMS of Rubavu; and mobility solutions development by Volkswagen.
Project registration values reflect each investor’s projected five (5) year estimation of operating and capital investments to be made, regardless of whether financed by equity or debt. Historically, registered projects typically take 3 years on average to become fully operational.
Commenting on the investments registered in 2018, RDB Chief Investment Officer, Guy Baron said that “In the last 8 years, registered investments in Rwanda jumped from US$ 398 million in 2010 to slightly over US$ 2 billion in 2018. Last year, we passed the US$ 2 billion milestone, for the first time in the country’s history. This is evidence that Rwanda is being seen increasingly as a great place to do business, innovate and establish a hub from which to access the continent’s tremendous opportunities. The increased investments registered are a direct result of the initiatives that the Government of Rwanda, through RDB, has put in place to continuously make Rwanda an attractive destination for investment. In fact, this year, Rwanda was proudly ranked the 29th easiest place to do business in the world and the 2nd easiest place to do business in Africa.”
In terms of investor facilitation, RDB operates a One Stop Centre for investors. The Centre provides information and services to guide investors through the key steps of starting a business such as registration, licenses, immigration, land, utilities, environmental clearances as well as tax and mortgage registration services.
In addition, RDB offers all investors Aftercare Services, which provide assistance in ensuring that business projects are implemented free of avoidable impediments. Via these services, RDB helps investors to resolve simple and complex challenges they may encounter along the way and provides any guidance required. RDB has also introduced investor engagement platforms such as the quarterly ‘CEO Forum’ where RDB senior management meets and engages with business leaders. Another important platform, ‘Investor Open Day’, aimed at resolving issues faced by investors, is offered every Friday and open to walk-ins. During 2018, 163 of 209 or 78% of investor issues recorded by Aftercare Services were expediently resolved.
