He replaces Alain Mukuralinda, who succumbed to cardiac arrest in April 2025.
Jean Maurice Uwera is a well-known media professional with over 14 years of experience in broadcasting and public communication, combined with an in-depth understanding of Rwanda’s media landscape, citizen information expectations and government relations.
Since February 2025 he has been the Executive Director of 93.9 SK FM where he led strategic editorial direction for Rwanda’s emerging business and public‑interest radio platform.
Prior to this, he had various roles at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency since 2016, including RTV Senior Presenter and Magic FM Station Manager.
Uwera started his career in media in 2011 as Production Manager at Flash FM & TV, following a stint in the hospitality industry. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism & Communication Studies from the Catholic Institute of Kabgayi.
In addition to the Deputy Government Spokesperson, the Cabinet approved several other senior appointments across key institutions.
Jean Damascène Nsengiyumva was appointed Director General of School Health and Wellness in the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC).
Diane Kamana was also appointed Director General of Corporate Services in MINEDUC.
Gervais Mabano was named Pre-Primary and Primary Education Analyst while Divine Uwineza was appointed General and Technical Secondary Education Analyst.
The Cabinet also appointed Gaspard Musonera as a Commissioner at the National Electoral Commission.
Beyond appointments, the Cabinet received briefings on a number of priority issues. Members were updated on preparations for the National Umushyikirano Council scheduled to take place from February 5 to 6, 2026, among others.
The country is represented by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) along with Rwandan producers seeking to expand their products to international markets.
While in Dubai, the CEO of NAEB held a meaningful engagement with Mr. Mussab Aboud, the CEO of Grandiose, a food and grocery retailer under the Ghassan Aboud Group, which operates 47 outlets across the UAE.
The discussion focused on establishing a long-term partnership to distribute Rwandan products, including coffee, flowers, avocados, and other fresh produce, through Grandiose’s extensive retail network.
According to NAEB, attending Gulfood offers Rwanda a valuable platform to boost exports of fresh produce, particularly vegetables, fruits, and flowers, to countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Statistics indicate that around 90% of the country’s avocado exports are destined for the United Arab Emirates, and shipments of other fruits, especially seasonal varieties, are growing steadily.
Bilateral trade ties between Rwanda and the UAE continue to deepen. In 2023, the two countries recorded $1.1 billion in total trade, underscoring the strategic value of strengthening access to markets across the Arab Gulf.
NAEB highlights that Rwanda’s horticultural exports in the flowers, fruits, and vegetables category have seen substantial growth in recent years, fueled by increasing global demand.
Monthly export volumes in this sector have risen sharply from about 40 tons in 2017 to more than 1,000 tons in recent periods.
Revenue from vegetable and fruit exports climbed from $42.8 million in the 2021/2022 fiscal year to over $58.1 million in 2022/2023. Between July 2023 and February 2024, exports of vegetables, fruits, and flowers generated approximately $46 million.
For the first time, the Gulfood trade fair extended across two venues, the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City, marking a major expansion of the 31st edition, which began on 26 January.
The event brought together over 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries across more than 280,000 m², effectively doubling its floor space compared to last year.
Dr. Yvan Butera, the State Minister in the Ministry of Health, shared these findings during a discussion with the Parliamentary Committee on Governance and Gender Affairs.
Dr. Butera explained that GBV in Rwanda can be categorized into four key forms: physical violence, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual violence, and economic abuse, which includes denying individuals the resources or opportunities they should have access to.
He emphasized that GBV is often driven by an imbalance of power or resources, the violation of human rights, and a failure to uphold equality. These issues are compounded by other factors, such as poverty, social conflicts, and the widespread abuse of alcohol and drugs.
The rising numbers are backed by data showing an increase in the number of individuals visiting health centers for GBV-related assistance. In 2020/2021, the number of people seeking medical assistance reached 33,800. By the end of 2022, this number had escalated to 42,000, marking an increase by nearly 10,000 victims.
Dr. Butera acknowledged two primary factors for this uptick: an actual rise in the incidence of GBV and the growing awareness campaigns that have encouraged more victims to come forward and seek help. However, he noted that the response is still below the level needed.
“While the numbers are clearly increasing, we must also consider that campaigns have played a role in helping victims come forward. However, we have not yet reached the desired level of response,” he explained.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that women are disproportionately affected by GBV, accounting for 84% of the cases, while 15% involve men. Sexual violence remains the most prevalent form of abuse, comprising 47% of cases, though this represents a decline from 52% in 2020. Physical violence, such as hitting and causing bodily harm, accounts for 40%.
Despite the establishment of Isange One Stop Centers to support GBV victims, challenges remain, particularly their reluctance to report their experiences.
“It’s not easy for victims to come forward and disclose their abuse. We still have a long way to go in addressing this issue, making it easier for individuals to speak up, share their experiences, and hold perpetrators accountable,” Dr. Butera said.
Recent data highlights that only a small fraction of victims report their abuse or seek assistance. Among women, 43% have reported their abuse, while 40% of men have done the same. Only 18% of women and 22% of men have confided in someone about their experiences, while 40% of women and 38% of men have never shared their abuse with anyone.
The ongoing reluctance to report cases and engage with legal authorities remains a significant barrier in the effective delivery of support services through Isange One Stop Centers.
“If only four out of ten victims are able to report their abuse and seek help, we have a major challenge as a society. It’s an issue that must be addressed, starting at the family and community level,” Dr. Butera stated.
Regarding the justice system, the 2024/2025 judicial year in Rwanda saw the prosecution of 6,124 cases of child sexual abuse, 906 rape cases, 2,034 cases of domestic violence, and over 10,000 cases of physical violence.
Members of Parliament, including Deogratias Nzamwita, raised concerns about the challenges facing Isange One Stop Center, including a shortage of staff and outdated facilities that hinder service delivery.
MP Sylvie Muyango Mukayiranga highlighted some of the extreme forms of GBV, including female genital mutilation, and questioned whether such practices still occur in Rwanda, urging further investigation into the prevalence of these acts in certain regions.
{{Rising teenage pregnancies}}
Dr. Butera also noted an alarming increase in teenage pregnancies. The percentage of girls aged 15-19 who have become pregnant has risen from 5% in 2020 to 8% currently.
He explained that the highest risks of unexpected pregnancies are among girls with little or no education. Among uneducated girls, 21% have become pregnant, compared to 15% of those who have completed primary school and 4% of those who have completed secondary school.
“This data clearly shows that keeping girls in school and ensuring they complete secondary education significantly reduces the risk of teenage pregnancies. If we achieve this, the rate will drop significantly. This is a critical factor in reducing teenage pregnancies,” Dr. Butera said.
He also highlighted a recent law in Rwanda allowing girls aged 15 and above to access family planning services, which could further contribute to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.
MP Mvano Nsabimana Etienne called for greater involvement of community health workers in raising awareness and providing information on gender-based violence.
Dr. Butera confirmed that efforts are underway to integrate community health workers into these awareness campaigns to better inform communities about the realities of gender-based violence.
The Seoul Central District Court handed down the prison sentence with a forfeiture of 12.81 million won (about 9,010 U.S. dollars), saying Kim exploited her position as the first lady for private profit.
The court found her not guilty of the charges of violating the capital markets act and the political funds act.
Kim was charged with receiving valuables from Unification Church officials in return for favorable treatment of the religious group in 2022.
The court rejected the special counsel’s claim of Kim’s involvement in stock rigging, saying it was difficult to confirm her complicity even if she was aware of the stock price manipulation.
Kim was indicted while in detention in August last year on charges of her participation in the stock price manipulation between October 2010 and December 2012.
She was also charged with conspiring with Yoon to receive illegal public opinion poll results worth about 270 million won free of charge from a political broker on 58 occasions from April 2021 to March 2022 ahead of the presidential election.
The court, however, ruled that there was no evidence to prove the presidential couple’s order of the opinion polls.
Apart from the ruling, Kim was indicted on charges of requesting mass enrollment of Unification Church members in the People Power Party to support a specific candidate as a party leader in the party’s national convention.
She also faced charges of accepting valuables in exchange for providing business favors and selling public offices.
Kim became the first wife of a former South Korean president to be tried under detention as she has been held at a detention center since last August.
In a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE, Clark revealed that for much of his life, he felt trapped in a world where he was “constantly treated as less than human,” always being seen as “a Black man” rather than just a man. He spoke openly about the daily struggles of microaggressions, police harassment, and toxic environments.
“It was like modern-day slavery,” he says, describing a society where people are bound to unfulfilling jobs and material pursuits.
For Clark, life in America felt like a prison, working tirelessly just to afford a house and a car, trapped in a cycle of traffic, widespread drug problems, and a healthcare system that prioritises pharmaceuticals over healing. Yet, a trip to Ethiopia two decades ago planted the seed for a new life.
“That was the first time I felt like a man, not just a Black man,” Clark shares. This journey to Africa, which began with the adoption of four sisters from Ethiopia, marked the beginning of a profound connection with the continent.
“I knew then, this is where I belong,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. His experience in Africa shattered the negative portrayals of the continent seen in the media. Clark describes a deep “gravitational pull” that ultimately led him back to Africa, the land of his ancestors, a place he now views as the “promised land” for people of colour.
“I believe that Africa is the promised land for all people of colour, our ancestors who were enslaved, to return. Africa is where we originally are from,” he declares. “It’s time for everyone to come back home.”
Clark introduces himself not only as a man of roots but as a man on a mission. “I’m a father of approximately 20 children. I’ve adopted many, many children from all over the world. I’m a philanthropist, a community leader. My purpose is to help people, to inspire them to do bigger and better things.”
While initially considering other African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, Clark says that Rwanda’s stability, infrastructure, and warmth made it the perfect place to settle permanently.
“Rwanda kept calling me and calling me,” he explains. “The people, the roads, the infrastructure… It was just overwhelming in the best way. Coming from a toxic environment like America, Rwanda welcomed me with open arms.”
Clark’s move to Rwanda was not simply about leaving the United States; it was about seeking a more peaceful, fulfilling life. “I had a good lifestyle in America. I had the white picket fence, the house, the cars, and everything that comes with materialism,” he says, but his heart was never at peace.
“In America, even though I had all that stuff, that wasn’t the thing. It was temporary happiness. Here, I found peace, love, and joy that money cannot buy,” he continues. “Here, the government supports you, the food is organic, and I’ve lost 76 pounds. It’s just the environment, the balance of nature, the clean air, and the kindness of the people. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
As a farmer, Clark emphasises the self-sufficiency he has found in Rwanda. “We grow almost all our crops here. I have hundreds of bamboo plants for building materials. The land here is incredible,” he says. He also grows medicinal plants and runs a coffee farm, planning to scale up production in the coming years. Despite being in the process of building his dream, Clark insists this journey is not just for him.
“I want to show others that it’s possible, that you can come home too. Come on home, man. It’s a place for financial freedom, better health care, and peace.”
He passionately challenges the misconception of Africa as a land of poverty and disease, calling it “fake news” designed to maintain control. “Africa is the most progressive continent in the world. People need to see the truth,” he states.
In his final words, Clark reflects on his new life, insisting that he does not miss America. “People ask me that all the time: do I miss anything from America? I miss nothing. Wait, let me tell you once again, I miss nothing from America. Zero. We should be treated like kings and queens and human beings. Hey, I run kings and queens and human beings. That’s how we should be treated.”
Clark’s vision extends beyond personal success. He envisions a community centred on love, empowerment, and growth, where people of colour can thrive, free from the oppressive forces they’ve endured in the West.
“It’s time to come back home,” Clark concludes, his message powerful and clear: “This is the promised land, and it’s time for us to reclaim it.”
The bodies, those of a man, a woman and a child, were found on January 27, 2026.
According to SOS Médias Burundi, the bodies were spotted early Tuesday morning by fishermen carrying out routine activities on the river. After noticing the bodies drifting in the water, the fishermen immediately alerted security personnel stationed near the border.
Soldiers and other security officers subsequently informed local administrative authorities, who arrived at the scene to launch an investigation.
By the time the bodies were recovered, they were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it impossible to transport them to a medical mortuary. Authorities therefore ordered that the bodies be buried near the site where they were found, along the banks of River Rusizi.
Security officials said the bodies are believed to belong to Congolese nationals who were attempting to cross the river illegally. It is suspected that strong currents overwhelmed them, leading to their deaths. Their identities remain unknown, as no identification documents were found.
Local authorities have reminded residents that crossing the Rusizi River is prohibited, particularly at a time when water levels are dangerously high, and have urged people to avoid illegal cross-border movements.
These deaths add to a growing toll in Bujumbura Province, where at least 15 bodies have reportedly been recovered since December 2025.
Speaking to IGIHE, Nangaa said the group’s withdrawal from Uvira was a voluntary move made at the request of the United States, aimed at keeping peace negotiations on track. He stressed that the decision was consistent with previous pullbacks carried out by AFC/M23 in other areas, including Bunagana and Walikale.
“This is not the first time we have taken such a step,” he said. “We withdrew from Bunagana in the past. In Masisi, when EAC forces were deployed, we pulled back more than 100 kilometers. We also left Walikale to allow the Doha talks to proceed. This time, we were again asked to leave Uvira.”
Nangaa said that prior to the withdrawal, he had alerted the international community to the risk of reprisals against civilians accused of collaborating with AFC/M23, warning in particular that Banyamulenge communities in South Kivu could become targets.
According to him, AFC/M23 proposed the deployment of neutral international forces to protect civilians in Uvira and prevent abuses, but that proposal was not implemented.
“Once we withdrew, the situation deteriorated,” Nangaa said. “There were widespread acts of looting, mass killings, arbitrary arrests of Banyamulenge, and targeted attacks against specific communities. Nearly 900 Banyamulenge families fled Uvira and are now sheltering in Luvungi, Sange, and above all Kamanyola.”
He added that AFC/M23 has since demonstrated its ability to quickly regain access to areas it previously controlled, noting that the group retains the operational capacity to move rapidly whenever it chooses to do so.
Describing DRC government soldiers as undisciplined militias, Nangaa warned that continued violence in Uvira would leave AFC/M23 with no choice but to step in. “If these abuses continue, we will take responsibility for protecting civilians,” he said.
The warning comes as discussions in Kinshasa point to a possible new military offensive aimed at recapturing territories currently held by AFC/M23, following the group’s withdrawal of its last fighters from Uvira on January 17, 2026.
In August 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Starmer at the latter’s request, and in November that year, during his attendance at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi met with Starmer, leading China-Britain relations onto a track of improvement and development.
During Starmer’s visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, President Xi will meet with him, Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him, and China’s top legislator Zhao Leji will also meet with him. The two sides are expected to have in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.
In addition to Beijing, Starmer will visit Shanghai.
Since taking office, the British Labor Party government has clearly expressed its willingness to develop a consistent, enduring and strategic relationship with China and actively promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.
Starmer is leading a delegation comprising senior executives from over 50 major British firms and representatives of British institutions. They represent Britain’s leading sectors including finance, medicine, manufacturing, culture and creativity.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday that China wishes to use this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust with Britain, deepen practical cooperation, jointly open a new chapter of healthy and stable development in bilateral relations, and work together for global peace, security and stability.
In an interview with IGIHE, NAEB Chief Executive Officer Claude Bizimana outlined how the agency is positioning the agriculture and livestock export sector among key drivers of economic growth under the country’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.
Bizimana said NAEB is pursuing all possible avenues to modernize and streamline agricultural export processes, with the aim of boosting production and improving access to international markets, particularly in West and Central Africa.
Rwanda recently signed a cooperation agreement through its embassy in the Republic of Congo to facilitate the export of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The deal followed Bizimana’s working visit to Congo-Brazzaville in December 2025, where NAEB, in collaboration with partners including RwandAir, agreed on measures to ease export logistics and address long-standing challenges faced by exporters.
“Producers often struggled to secure sufficient cargo space on flights, and shipments sometimes took too long to reach their destinations,” Bizimana said. “We engaged RwandAir and agreed to facilitate exporters to send their produce efficiently.”
During the visit, Bizimana also met Congo’s Minister in charge of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, and Rwandan diplomatic officials to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and increase trade flows.
As a result of this partnership, 17 tonnes of Rwandan-grown fruits and vegetables were shipped directly to Congo-Brazzaville on January 21, 2026, marking a milestone in Rwanda’s regional export expansion.
Bizimana noted that this progress reflects Rwanda’s broader trade openness, including its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is designed to boost intra-African trade.
He added that NAEB plays a central role in processing, preserving, aggregating, and ensuring the quality of export products through cold storage facilities before they reach international markets.
Exports to Brazzaville were initiated after Rwandans living and working there raised concerns about limited access to Rwandan produce. NAEB then coordinated exporters and provided guidance on how to organize shipments effectively.
According to Bizimana, direct exports without unnecessary transit stops demonstrate strong coordination among Rwandan institutions and embassies abroad, helping reduce losses caused by delays.
“When shipments take too long, produce can spoil before reaching the market,” he said. “Efficient logistics benefit exporters and generate foreign exchange earnings for the country.”
Beyond Africa, Rwanda continues to expand its reach to global markets. Between December 22 and 26, 2025, agricultural exports generated $15.6 million. The largest volumes of fruit were exported to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and France, alongside several African countries.
During the same period, Rwanda exported 241 tonnes of vegetables, with the UAE, the UK, and Spain emerging as the top destinations.
Agricultural exports remain a major source of foreign exchange for Rwanda. In 2025, the sector generated $893.1 million. Between January 12 and 16, 2026, agricultural and livestock exports earned the country over $15.2 million (approximately Rwf 22.2 billion).
NAEB further reports that exports between January 19 and 23, 2026 generated $13.9 million, equivalent to more than Rwf 20 billion.
These figures are expected to rise. Under the 2025/26 national budget, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources projects that exports from the sector will generate over $1 billion.
Rwanda aims to increase export volumes by an average of 13 percent annually, with the goal of doubling export revenues to $7.3 billion by 2029.
The area experienced an extraordinary downpour accompanied by hail and strong winds on January 26, 2026, at 10 PM.
The rain affected the sectors of Bugarama, Muganza, Nyakabuye and Gikundamvura.
Emmanuel Byishimo, a rice farmer, told IGIHE that the heavy rain caused significant losses, especially since the rice was nearing harvest and much of it had not yet been harvested.
“When I arrived in the field, I found that the hail had completely destroyed the crops, causing them to fall to the ground. This is a loss because, even though we have insurance that reimburses our capital, it does not cover the profits that the farmer would have made,” he explained.
According to reports from the leaders of the four rice cooperatives in the Bugarama marshland, the rain damaged a total of 87 hectares of rice. This includes 45 hectares in Gikundamvura sector, 23 hectares in Bugarama, 14 hectares in Nyakabuye, and 5 hectares in Muganza.
Oscar Hamenyimana, president of COPRORIKI Cooperative, which grows rice in Gikundamvura, told IGIHE that they have already assessed the damage to 45 hectares.
“We immediately contacted the insurance company to show them the damage in the fields. The next step is to measure the affected areas for each farmer so they can be compensated,” he said.
Hamenyimana praised the crop insurance program and encouraged farmers who grow insured crops such as rice, maize, beans, and cassava to take out insurance policies.
Samuel Furaha, the president of the rice farmers’ cooperative in Nyakabuye and Muganza (KOIMUNYA), shared that, in addition to the 19 hectares of rice ravaged by the rain in their sectors, their rice storage facility was also damaged.
“This storage facility, worth Rwf 20 million, was built for us by the district. We are requesting assistance from the CDAT project, which is being implemented in Rusizi District, to help us secure another rice storage facility,” he said.
Alfred Habimana, the Vice Mayor of Rusizi District in charge of economic development, told IGIHE that they are currently gathering data on the damage in partnership with insurance companies and agricultural organizations to ensure prompt assistance for those affected by the disaster.
Among the other damages caused by the heavy rain, five houses in Bugarama sector were destroyed by the strong winds.
