Tag: HomeHighlights

The Son of President Kagame is among 230 students from the Diaspora who are today scheduled to start the eighth edition of the Diaspora civic education or Itorero, dubbed “Indangamirwa VIII.”

Ian Kagame and other students attend a three-week training which runs from July 12 to August 2 at Gabiro Combat Training School in Gatsibo District.

The Rwanda’s Ministry of education says they have received students from 34 countries, adding that those students are expected to bring changes into the community after being trained.

The students will be trained by a group of 90 members of the Diaspora who have been undergoing training as instructors.

Kigali: President Paul Kagame on Saturday delivered a Keynote Speech at the Kenya-Rwanda Business Forum that brought together business leaders from both countries.

President Kagame stated that business people in the region should collaborate more because business collaboration is a vital part of regional integration: “Governments should derive pride in seeing people working together. Today the East African Community is relevant to the global community than ever before. ”

President Kagame also underscored the importance of young people to the continuity of regional integration and prosperity: “Businesses should support initiatives to instill in young people an attitude of pan Africanism, closer collaboration so that they can take integration further.”

President Kagame advised regional business people to be more ambitious and be people who dare to venture: “Building East African brands won’t scare investors, it will attract them instead. This will yield freedom and dignity all wrapped in this success we are seeking. East African firms have all the advantages. This forum should point out issues for governments to analyse and find a way forward. I want us to leave this room knowing everything we aspire to is possible if we are convinced and play our part.”

However, President Kagame cautioned against business people not to expect protection from competition, because this would make the systems weaker in the long run. President Kagame also challenged business people to learn to make quick and smart decisions and take action with urgency:

“Dreams will never come true unless you try hard. How can we fail to do things that we know are important and for which we have means? The answer does not lie in giving up.We do not have the option of giving up. We keep trying. We keep pushing. We keep asking questions.We know what we need to do and what we are capable of doing. What is it that diverts us and slows our progress?”

Participating in a subsequent panel, president Kagame pointed out that in order to prosper regional countries shouldn’t be confined within their borders, but should think beyond their nations, the region and think about the entire continent and the role the continent plays on the global stage.

“How can we not allow intra-African trade when we know the potential for everyone; businesses, the people and government? We need to create a critical mass of people who believe in themselves. We need believers and we need people who act. Leadership cannot function in isolation. You have to be able to bring others along with you.”

This follows President Kagame’s meeting with members of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in February this year, when he was in Nairobi to attend the 16th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.

RNANews

Rwanda Aviation Unit III serving under United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) held a UN Medal parade award ceremony in Juba, the Capital City of South Sudan on 10th July 2015.

Deputy Special Representative (DSR) of UN Secretary General Mr Mustapha Sumare presented and decorated medals to Rwanda Aviation Unit Peacekeepers for having served professionally the UNMISS in the period of ten months.

In his remarks, he thanked the Government of Rwanda for contributing the troops to UNMISS. He commended the peacekeepers for their professionalism, commitment, discipline, maintaining good relations with the people of South Sudan and with the entire UNMISS Staff. He particularly commended the RDF peacekeepers for their valuable contribution to restore peace and security in different areas of operation in South Sudan.

He said that Rwanda Aviation Unit 3 has been providing uninterrupted air support by transporting towards the fulfillment of the UNMISS mandate in the entire South Sudan Airspace and also helped in enhancing communication.
Rwanda Aviation Unit transported the Civilian personnel, Humanitarian aids, Troops, UN Equipment and Casualties evacuation.

DSR Mustapha Sumare also thanked Rwanda for increasing a number of female peacekeepers in UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan.

Lt Col Louis Kanobayire, the Contingent Commander Rwanda Aviation Unit 3 said that Rwanda Aviation Unit main air operating base is located in Juba and has the capability of positioning a number of air assets at any temporary forward air base in the mission area.

During the last 10 months, Rwanda Aviation Unit 3 positioned helicopters in Malakal in Upper Nile State, Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal State and in Rumbek.

Lt Col Kanobayire said that Rwanda Aviation Unit 3 has fulfilled its obligation of supporting UNMISS by providing services that include but not limited to airlifting of personnel (10,166 pax), cargo aerial delivery and resupply (706,830 Kgs).
Lt Col Louis Kanobayire appreciated the cordial atmosphere and a friendly working relationship the Unit enjoyed with senior mission leadership, Force HQs and with mission Aviation Section.

The colorful ceremony was attended by Senior UNMISS officials, Military and Police Components.

Rwandan Aviation Unit composed of 165 personnel who have completed their tour of duty in UNMISS is expected in Rwanda, on 31 August 2015.

The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Erica Barks-Ruggles, has commended Rwanda National Police (RNP) for its high-level professionalism and commitment to upgrade skills of its officers, which has enabled the force to sustain the peace and security of Rwanda.

She was speaking on July 6, during her visit of the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District, which was conducted under the auspices of a partnership signed between the government of Rwanda and the USA in April this year.

Under the agreement, the US government agreed to reinforce RNP’s peacekeeping capabilities through trainings which conform to the latest UN standards to enable quick and efficient deployment whenever called upon.

Ambassador Barks-Ruggles and her team were welcomed by the Commandant of the Police Training School, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dennis Basabose, who made a presentation about the school’s profess since its inception in 2000.

Ambassador Barks-Ruggles noted that RNP had grown into a professional and world-renowned force, which citizens trust to ensure safety and security as the backbone of the country’s development.

“The US administration recognizes the struggle and the journey that Rwanda has taken to ensure that policing in the country is specialized and practiced in line with the requirements of a modern society. This is very crucial, especially when one considers the traumatic past that Rwanda endured in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” she said.

“We regard Rwanda as a very crucial partner and that is why we collaborate to enhance police operations both in the country and in international peacekeeping missions, particularly through training of officers on several modules required to march modern challenges.”

In his remarks, ACP Basabose praised the relationship between RNP and the US government, which has yielded fruits in skills enhancement and information sharing.

“The relationship between our countries has been fruitful to RNP and it should continue. Your visit to the Police Training School today, indicates the importance that your government attaches to our training initiatives.”

Recently on June 26, a weeklong training conducted by experts from the USA Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on “Post Bomb Blast” investigation at Rwanda National Police RNP headquarters in Kacyiru, was concluded successfully.

Another set of training is scheduled for September this year in Gishari, where American experts will train a group of 120 RNP officers before setting off for UN Peacekeeping missions in different countries.

• Madam Speaker of Parliament,
• Right Honorable Prime Minister,
• Dear partners,
• Mrs. Cherie Blair,
• School representatives,
• Bakobwa beza, Inkubito z’Icyeza,
• Distinguished panelists,

Good morning,

Fortunately I have not seen anyone on crutches today; so let me hope there were no broken bones from yesterday’s football game! Is it a surprise that the team with the army and the Minister of Sports and Culture won the game? Once again, congratulations to the champions and thank you to all the ladies who participated and played good games. We hope you are more energized to further support girls’ education.

Imbuto Foundation is honored to host you to this special event, celebrating 10 years of inspiring Rwandan girls to excel at school. Just a few years ago, the numbers painted a bleak and worrying picture. To use one indicator as an example: in 2005, the primary school pass rate for girls was a mere 39.1%. Due to prejudices from the past, education and thus full participation of girls and women in the Rwandan society was restricted.

We made a choice to focus on improving the performance of schoolgirls at primary and secondary level. We felt this approach would contribute to solving other challenges faced by the education sector such as access, retention and transition. Performing well in school implies that a girl is able to attend, remain in school and transition successfully through the different levels of education.

Because the government of Rwanda is committed to providing education for all, this made our campaign easier to conduct and the communities more receptive to the message. Each year, armed with bright tee shirts and a strong message, we traverse the country awarding all the top performing girls at sector, district and provincial level.

We intend to reach as many members of the community to raise awareness and build a partnership base to support girls – from parents, teachers, civil society, local leaders and most importantly the girls themselves. We are convinced that the best way to overcome the obstacles facing girls is to influence different environments where a girl finds herself – the home, the school and the community.

Today we look back on the seeds we planted 10 years ago with pride. We marvel at how the young girls we nurtured and supported have grown and become inspiring role models in their own right. Among the 4,000 girls we awarded, most are still in school and continue to excel. The girls who have completed school have chosen impressive careers – some are university professors, engineers, medical doctors, media professionals, agronomists, civil servants, just to mention a few. Some have started their own families and are now responsible for nurturing future generations.

As of 2014, 54% of girls were passing primary school exams; this positive trend shows that – together with other partners – we have made a difference. At this milestone, we reflect on key lessons we have learned from the campaign.

1. A little encouragement goes a long way

It is beautiful to see potential leaders emerge at every awarding event. If a girl knows there is someone who believes in her, in her abilities, this goes a long way in preparing her to be a leader or role model. The idea of holding award ceremonies in a community setting creates a sense of pride, for the girls and even the communities they come from. Girls are motivated to compete, work harder, and are more confident. Given the right environment and encouragement girls continue to succeed all through their lives, making excellence a habit.

2. There is power in networks

After the girls are awarded, they carry the special title of BPG, or best performing girl. BPGs become part of a larger network organized into girls’ clubs (which we call IZIFE clubs). The members decide on how to give back to the community, or other ways to make a difference. Some of the clubs mentor younger girls as a way to spread this sisterhood of brilliance. Our wish is for the network to grow strong and for all the girls to remain connected. Imagine what a force of 4,000 smart, focused and disciplined girls can achieve?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All these girls you see here and the others we have awarded, are a testament to the synergy between many partners. Join me in thanking these Champions for Girls Education – the Ministry of Education, local authorities, the ONE UN family particularly UNICEF, Tumba College of Technology, Cisco, RDB, teachers, parents, all those who represented us as guests of honor and the role models that have been an inspiration to the girls – we salute you and celebrate you. This is as much an achievement for you as it is for Imbuto Foundation.

I would also like to recognize Mrs. Cherie Blair – our special guest and a strong advocate for women’s empowerment. Thank you Mrs. Blair for honoring our invitation and for all the work you do to support Rwandans.

Although today is a chance for us to take a moment and celebrate, let us also think about the girls who are still struggling or are low on hope, because we have not yet reached them. For their sake, we should ask ourselves what more we can do. The latest assessment of our campaign shows us that there are plenty of opportunities to do just that. The assessment indicates that we need to examine these dimensions of exclusions more closely.

Some are:

• School drop-out due to poverty,
• Reaching more girls and more communities with messages on girls education,
• Expanding our partner base to achieve better and deeper impact.
As one author said, it takes 10,000 hours to master anything. This thinking inspired our theme of the day: “10,000 steps to success”. How many more steps do we need to take to find solutions for the remaining challenges? Do the steps we have taken and what we have achieved together give you confidence that we can do it? I truly hope so.

As I end my remarks, I leave you with this quote:

“We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational and so disciplined they can be free”.

Thank you for being here with us today and Happy 10th anniversary!

Rwanda’s First Lady, H.E Jeannette Kagame, on 3 July 2015, inaugurated five new homes for 20 genocide widows (Inshike) in Rwabicuma Sector, Nyanza District. The fully furnished houses were constructed by RDF Reserve Force in partnership with Genocide Survivors Assistance Fund (FARG), Imbuto Foundation, Genocide Widows Association (AVEGA) and Partners.

The First Lady urged the Youth and neighbours to care for widows of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, beneficiaries of the inaugurated houses at Rwabicuma.

“These Genocide survivors that got new homes exude happiness because they feel that they are not alone. Let us take care and look after them as our parents who looked after us, and we learn from them”, She said.

Mrs Jeannette Kagame told the Genocide widows that the Government would continue to support them in every endeavor, “We will never abandon you in distress”.

Each house accommodate four Genocide Survivors. Rwanda’s First lady requested the Genocide Survivors to adopt to the new life; “you are beginning a new life that requires tolerance, to be good house mates and of comforting each other”, she reiterated.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government in Charge of Social Affairs, Dr. Alivera Mukabaramba thanked the Government and all partners for their continued support in building decent houses for vulnerable groups.

She also thanked RDF Reserve Force for constructing the inaugurated houses in a modern and efficient way.

The Minister of State noted that Government needs more than 36 billion Rwandan francs to construct and rehabilitate houses for vulnerable groups in three years, which is a high demand. She requested the neigbours and the local leadership in Nyanza District to look after the Genocide widows “ they need to live a better life” .

Anastasie Mukarushema, a widow, sole genocide survivor in her family and one of the beneficiaries of the new home, expressed her gratitude to the President of Rwanda, H.E Paul Kagame and Rwanda Patriotic Army for stopping Genocide. She thanked the President and RDF for their continued support in improving living standards of survivors.

The new inaugurated houses were constructed at a cost of 170 million Rwandan francs.

Source: MOD

The Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) has sacked its Executive Secretary owing to misconduct and incompetence towards his duties and responsibilities, IGIHE has learnt on Friday.

Mr. Julius Ndayisaba; RMC’s former Executive Secretary; has been dismissed on his responsibilities as the Executive Secretary of the Commission, RMC announces in a statement released on Thursday.

The dismissal follows the resignation of Muvunyi Fred former Boss of RMC who left the country in May.

Meanwhile Ndayisaba is accused of different crimes including the misuse of the RMC’s money, according to local media Reports.

Speaking to Izuba Rirashe, Ndayisaba refuted all charges adding that they are based on lies.

However the commission said they will file a lawsuit against him despite his dismissal.

RMC’s Communication Officer, Eugene Sibomana emailed us that his responsibilities of managing the day-to-day affairs of the Commission, supervising, appraising all staff and ensuring the financial sustainability of the Commission will be run by the Director of Administration and Finance until further notice.

John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 1, 2015

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Rwanda on the 53rd anniversary of your independence on July 1.

On this day, we recognize Rwanda’s many achievements since its independence. Rwanda is widely recognized as a leader in advancing opportunities for girls and women, including in government and business, and by expanding access to secondary and higher education, particularly in the sciences. Rwanda has continued to deepen its commitment to international peacekeeping with over five thousand troops and police participating in peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Caribbean, including Central African Republic, Darfur and South Sudan. We value our partnership in trade, investment, and economic development, and look forward to building greater opportunities that will enhance prosperity among the people of both our countries.

The United States looks forward to continuing to work with you to further advance health and food security, and to promote regional security and cooperation. We are also committed to supporting democracy, human rights, and civil society in Rwanda.

As you gather with family and friends on this joyous day, I wish all Rwandans peace and prosperity in the year ahead.