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  • Rwanda To Lead EAPCCO Force

    Today in a colored ceremony at hotel Serena the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel Gasana was crowned head of the EAPCCO for a period of one year.
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    This six day meeting brought together 11 police chiefs from the EAPCCO (East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization) region and their commanders is focusing on joint collaboration of regional police forces in the fight against high intensity crimes, terrorism and emerging new cross-border crimes.

    The transfer between the outgoing Lieutenant General Hashim Osman El-Hussein from Sudan and IGP Emmanuel K. Gasana from Rwanda was decorated by the police band.

    Speakers at the ceremony were glad that the previous year ended successfully. A minute of silence was observed for the perished both in Tanzania and Kenya in the recent petrol pipeline that burst and Tanzania ferry accident victims.

    In his speech Lt Gen. Hashim Osman El-Hussein observed that full collaboration among the regional force is the key to fighting against armed groups who have continuously destabilized regional peace and stability.

    Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana, thanked the EAPCCO force for choosing the Rwandan National Police to lead EAPCCO this year however acknowledged that the task involves a lot of challenges.

    He assured those present of tight measures in the fight against ICT crimes that are taking lead now. On the side of Gender Based Violence (GBV) the IGP stressed that tight measures to combat the crime are to be implemented soon.

    Members of the EAPCCO include: Djibouti, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Sudan.

  • Tanzania Mourns Ferry Accident Victims

    The Tanzanian government spokesman has said that at least 187 people have died after an overloaded ferry sank off the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar with at least 800 people on board.
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    620 survivors had been rescued. Three days of mourning have been declared.
    The MV Spice Islander was travelling between Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja, and Pemba, the archipelago’s other main island – popular tourist destinations.

    It is thought to have capsized after losing engine power.
    Rescue efforts were hampered by the fact that the overloaded boat had capsized at night.

    The ship had been bringing people back from holiday after Ramadan, and had reportedly stopped earlier in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
    The authorities are struggling to cope and have asked for foreign help.

    The Zanzibar government has set up a rescue centre and called upon all reserves to join the rescue effort. It has also called for support from other countries, such as South Africa and Kenya.

    The survivors were ferried by privately owned fast ferries and brought back to the main harbour in the historic Stone Town, Zanzibar police commissioner Mussar Hamis said.

    “We are still receiving many bodies by truck loads,” Dr Karim Zah of the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar told Reuters news agency.

    Those rescued were brought back to the main harbour in Stone Town
    “The death toll will likely be much higher.”

    Dozens of soldiers carrying bodies to shore dotted the white sand beaches at the northern tip of Zanzibar island where thousands of people anxiously awaited news of survivors, the agency adds.

    Catherine Purvis, a British tourist in Zanzibar who was waiting for a ferry to take her to Dar es Salaam, says she saw lots of bodies being brought out of the water.
    “I’m standing at the port in Zanzibar with about 10 other British and American tourists,” she said.

    “Our ferry has been delayed as they’re using all ferries to rescue the people from the ship.

    “People are being carried across in front of us on a drip. There are lots of body bags.”

    Local helicopter pilot Captain Neels van Eijk flew over the disaster area.
    “We found the survivors holding on to mattresses and fridges and anything that could float,” he said.

    “By then, there were a few boats that had made their way out. They were looking for survivors, but although the sea wasn’t so rough, the waves were high so it was difficult for them to spot them.

    “We flew to the boats and guided them to the survivors so that they could pick them up. There were also quite a few bodies in the water.”
    The ferry left Unguja at around 21:00 (19:00 GMT) and is said to have sunk at around 01:00 (23:00 GMT).

    One survivor, Abdullah Saied, said the ferry had been heavily overloaded when it left Dar es Salaam, and some passengers there had refused to board, the Associated Press news agency reports.

  • You Aren’t Secure Neighbouring The Hungry–Kagame

    Private investors under their umbrella Privates Sector Federation (PSF), yesterday pledged their support to President Paul Kagame’s policy of One Cow per Poor Family by donating FRW300, 000,000 to fellow Rwandans.

    In his speech President Paul Kagame thanked Rwandan investors upon their contribution in the fight against poverty. He illustrated that once the majority are well-off, they form the market base for the investor’s products.

    “You are not secure once your neighbors are hungry but when they are well-off they become the market base for products”

    He reminded the investors that it is the responsibility of every Rwandan to generously exercise such Samaritan and that due to their generosity, their clientele increases.

    “If we excel, it will turn our place their place- those we call foreigners.”

    President Kagama recalled the history of Rwanda noting that bad politics that characterized former leaders who never wished the good for other Rwandans lead to many remaining in the unbelievable state of poverty and under development.

    He added that what happened should remain as history and should never be repeated but rather serve as a lesson.

    “No other country underwent the bad history like we have…but it left us with a lesson of being good humans and never be bad again”

    In his conclusive remarks he thanked the private investors for the honor and value they showed him and promised to use them in the interests of Rwandans.

    The PCF chairman Mbundu Fastin thanked investors for their achievements including the youth contribution in development and their role in uplifting women investors.

    He told those present that it is in the missions of PSF to support the government’s initiatives in a bid to bring change to the country.

    In her testimony Nyiramajyambere Evelyn thanked the president for the given cow and for her recent new house: “God bless you”

    Mukiyehe a young investor also gave his testimony on how he has developed from a bar man to the point of competing for tenders in big offices as his counterparts.

    Today his wealth is valuated to Frw1billion an attribute to the loan he acquired

    PSF has currently established the “Corporate Social Responsibility” a program aimed at supporting the government’s program of eradication of poverty and it is through this program that private investors collected Frw300, 000, 000 which will be used to buy the cows for the poor.

  • ICGLR Resolves on Regional Armed Groups

    The Inter-Ministerial meeting that brought together Defense ministers from eleven member countries in the Great Lakes Region have recommended new strategies that will curb down the armed groups currently causing insecurity and instability in the region.
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    The new strategies were adopted during a one day meeting of Defense Ministers under the auspices of the International Conference on Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) held at Lemigo Hotel, Kigali.

    The high level meeting co-chaired by Rwanda’s Defense Minister Gen. James Kabarebe and Uganda’s Defense Minister, Hon.Dr. Crispus Kiyonga reaffirmed their commitment to the efforts in the fight against negative forces in the region and committed their governments to expeditiously implement the ICGLR ‘protocol on non-aggression and mutual defense in the Great Lakes Region.

    According to the statement the meeting also welcomed the African Union’s initiative to deal with LRA in the Great Lakes Region and urged the continental body to extend the initiative to cover all other armed groups in the region that are mainly based in DR Congo and Central African republic.

    The recommendations also vows to support and facilitate implementation of cessation clause on Rwandan refugees due in Dec. 31.

    The Ministers further urged regional governments to integrate and implement the best practice guidelines on practical disarmament developed by RECSA as well as the fight against terrorism in the region.

    The Inter- Ministerial meeting examined the report of experts meeting held from September 7 -8 specifically taking note of the request by Sudan governments that the illegal armed groups in Darfur to be recognized as negative forces and be fought under ICGLR strategies.

    The one day inter-ministerial defense meeting’s recommendations were based on the report of the two day experts meeting that was held before.

    ICGLR brings together Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

  • PICTURE OF THE DAY

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  • EALA , EAC Key to Regional Progress says Kagame

    “Working together is ideal, because it gives people of East Africa the opportunity to witness, at close quarters, and understand the workings of the organs of the Community”.
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    President Paul Kagame said Tuesday while a addressing the first meeting of the fifth session of the second East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

    The regional legislators had converged at the parliamentary building where President Kagame pointed how useful it is in holding special debates that the community yells.

    He stressed that various organs of the continent can probably perform better while delivering as one and enhancing cooperation and collaboration with national institutions.

    The Head of State observed that for the past ten years, the people of East Africa have made significant strides in the development process of the region, and the working together of EALA and EAC has brought good changes to the development of the region.

    “I believe this assembly has the right to hold us accountable in implementing commitment so that we deliver in the meaningful way to our citizens and this will bring the community closer to citizens whom it is intended equally through the respected representatives.

    “I urge this assembly to collaborate more on mechanisms to initiate laws and enforce the expeditious implementation of the customs union and the common market protocol so that EAC citizens can benefit from them”, he added.

    He further urged East Africa business people, especially ordinary citizens to feel and find non tariff barriers and obstacles to run business across the region and the answer to this problem will be the establishment of a single customs union authority.

    Though the region experiences droughts, floods, and other natural disasters and food shortages due climate change and poor management of the environment, President Kagame urged the legislators to develop agricultural needs and management systems for food security in the region.

    “The need to develop agricultural policies and practices and land management systems that ensure food security in this region is most urgent.
    “As legislators, you have a critical role to play in this respect” he said

  • MINALOC Troubled by Rwf 6Bn Embezzled

    The Auditor General Obadiah Biraro has revealed that local government ministry MINALOC; mismanaged government funds Rwf 6 billion that was intended for constructing houses for genocide survivors during the year 2006-2007 and 2008.

    The fundamental objective was not achieved due to misuse of money and building equipments of Rwf237,880,911 of project funds transferred by FARG to projects during the period 2006 to 2007.

    The funds were spent without sufficient support documentation and were not properly accounted for, said Obadiah.

    The money was used for other purposes as no official papers were available to justify the expenses, the equipment are not seen any where while others kept in MINALOC and Districts stores, cells and in homes of beneficiaries and some were damaged due to poor storage, he narrated.

    Obadiah told the general assembly that a total of Rwf 26,711,281 was disbursed to projects that altered their activities without appropriate approval and changed the activities.

    1,895 houses equivalent to 55% were for needy genocide survivors while1,152 (33%) for needy and other vulnerable people, 237 houses(7%) for historically marginalized people and 174 (5%) houses constructed for Rwandans repatriated from Tanzania.

    The Audit covered Kicukiro (144houses), Gakenke (290houses), Nyamagabe (973houses), Nyamasheke (919houses) and Gatsibo (1,135houses)

    The Auditor General pointed Rwf 64,363,347 transferred by FARG to Kicukiro District FARG bank was utilized for non FARG activities.

    As evidence, the projected pictures highlighted the leaking houses as indicators of poor construction materials lack of required skills in construction and poor workmanship that resulted into collapse of some houses.

    The findings noted in the five Districts visited during this audit are consistent with findings noted by the Senate investigation in the 12 districts and with the results of the FARG internal physical verification exercise.

    The general assembly agreed to call upon the Prime Minister for further details, they also agreed to follow up people involved in such acts.

  • Rwanda’s Inflation Rising

    Like other countries in East African region, Rwanda is suffering from a sharp rise in inflation this year, accompanied by a weakening of its currency against the dollar.

    Rwanda’s inflation increased to 7.07% as of July up from 5.49% in the previous month, according to National institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
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    However, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa (pictured above), told Igihe.com that government wished to contain inflation to single digits and boost economic growth to at least 7% in the 2011/12 financial year.

    The latest publication on its official website shows that all Rwanda’s general Consumer’s Price Index(CPI) is established at 108.0 which stands for an increase of 0.28% over the previous month which was 107.7 of consumer’s prices indices.

    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time of goods and services purchased by households.

    As of July this year the all urban general index has been established at 110.8 showing an increase of 0.40% over 110.4 of the previous month.

    The urban annual change increased by 7.14% compared to 5.82% in the previous month that gives a general inflation rate by an annual average of 2.8% during the month of July this year.

    “The underlying inflation rate excluding fresh food and energy is increased by 0.46% if compared to the previous month and increased by 7.04% on annual change. The annual average underlying inflation rate is + 2.4 % in July 2011 up from the previous month 1.9 percent,” The report reads in parts.

    In rural areas it has been established at 106.5 standing for an increase of 0.26% over the previous month which was 106.3 and its annual change increased by 7.03% compared to 4.80% in the previous month.

    It is indicated that the increase in the consumer prices index of 0.40% is attributed to primarily the increase in Food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.14%).

    Additionally it has been noted that the increase of 1.14% in prices of Food and non alcoholic beverages is primarily attributable to the increase of 1.87% of vegetables, 2.55% of Non-alcoholic beverages and 0.45% of meat.

    This brings an annual change of increase in the general index of 7.14% mainly due to the rising prices of Food and non alcoholic beverages(10.55%), Transport (11.85%) and Education (20.85%) which contributed +3.70%, +1.54% and +0.71%. respectively.

    The local goods increased by 6.62% on annual change with a monthly change of 0.47%, while prices of the imported products increased by 9.20% on annual change with a monthly change of 0.12 percent.

    The prices of the fresh products had a positive annual change of 8.25% between July 2010 and 2011.

    The CPI uses a Modified Laspeyres formula to calculate the index. The reference population for the CPI consists of all households, urban and rural, living in Rwanda.

    The household basket includes 1,136 products observed in many places spread all over the administrative centers of all provinces in Rwanda.

    All kinds of places of observation are selected: shops, markets, services etc and more than 29,200 prices are collected every month by enumerators of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda and of the National Bank of Rwanda.

    The index reference, or base, for the CPI is February 2009. The weights used for the index are the result of the Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV II) conducted in 2005-2006 with a sample of 6,900 households.

    Meanwhile, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS) indicated that Uganda’s year on year inflation jumped to 21.4 percent in August, the highest since February 1993 mainly due to a rise in food prices.

    Uganda’s inflation rate climbed from 18.8% in July, as the impact of a severely weak shilling currency added to inflationary pressures through imports. Uganda is a major trading partner with Rwanda.

    “During the month, food prices rose by 2.4% due to increases in prices of sugar, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, bread and pineaples. The increase in prices of these food items is mainly attributed to low supplies to the markets,” UBOS said.

    The inflation rate in Kenya was last reported at 15.5% in July of 2011.
    Tanzania’s inflation rate was last reported at 13% in July of 2011.

    Burundi’s year-on-year inflation rose to 9.1% in July from 8.6% in June, partly due to high transport costs, the country’s statistics board.

    “The transport index increased by 25.3% over the last twelve months to July, up from 19.9% in June,” said Elie Ndiririkirirenza, an official at the Institute of Economic Studies and Statistics (ISTEEBU).

    In mainstream economics, “inflation” refers to a general rise in prices measured against a standard level of purchasing power.

    Previously the term was used to refer to an increase in the money supply, which is now referred to as expansionary monetary policy or monetary inflation.

    Inflation is measured by comparing two sets of goods at two points in time, and computing the increase in cost not reflected by an increase in quality. There are, therefore, many measures of inflation depending on the specific circumstances.

  • Kanombe Military Hospital starts corneal grafting

    Kanombe Military Hospital starts corneal grafting

    The Military Hospital of Kanombe has launched eye operations of corneal transplantation for people living eye problems.

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    This is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissue (the graft) in its entirety (penetrating keratoplasty) or in part (lamellar keratoplasty).

    The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil and anterior chamber.

    Exclusively speaking to igihe.com, Lt. Col. Dr. John Nkurikiye, the only Rwandan specialist Consultant Ophthalmology noted; “we have been doing it at King Faisal and it is the first time here at Kanombe Military Hospital. We have been importing corneas but since the government passed the law, we are up to set up an eye bank in Rwanda and then Rwandans themselves can then be sensitized to start donating cornea tissues.”

    Nkurikiye added that only 43 patients in history of Rwanda have been given new corneas and that now the process will always be conducted twice a year.
    While at Kanombe 4 patients were operated and fixed with corneas imported from the US.

    Yvone Uwamungu 28, living in Kayonza district, Eastern Province stopped teaching after she was affected by the problem.

    “It was in 1997, when I went to private hospital; they failed to work on me and instead told me that operation is not done in Rwanda. I therefore went to South Africa but still it did not work out.” Uwamungu pointed out.

    She added that she came back and went to King Faisal and doctor Nkurikiye transferred her to Kanombe hospital where he operated her from today.

    The whole process of transporting and fixing of the corneal goes up to Rwf1M
    The graft is being removed from a recently deceased individuals with no known diseases or other factors that may affect the viability of the donated tissue or the health of the recipient.

  • Man of God speaks out on Commercialised Religion

    François Nkurunziza is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Kigali. His passion is to see people encounter God and become all that God created them to be along side with his lovely wife whom they have been together for more than 25 years. Igihe.com’s Diana Mutimura caught up with him in his humble office and had an exclusive interaction.

    Igihe.com: Can you tell us about your back ground?

    Pastor Nkurinziza: I am pastor Nkurunziza François of Bethel church located in Remera Giporoso suburb, Kigali city. I’m happily married toTherese Umugiraneza and God blessed our family with four beautiful children.

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    I was born on 1st February 1961 and brought up in Bujumbura, Burundi. I grew up in a Roman Catholic Family.

    I did my High school studies in Bujumbura and in Zaire (DR Congo) and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Université Libre de Kigali –Rwanda (ULK).

    Igihe.com: When did you get saved and what made you change from catholic to become a born again?

    During my teenage years, I sought of God very much that is in 1981, became a monk but still never found meaning or joy. It wasn’t before so long that I converted to Jesus Christ on September 3rd 1983, a decision I have never regretted.

    Igihe.com: What is the essence of many churches today?

    Nkurunziza: You cannot ask why there are many churches the same way you cannot ask why there many bars today, though the bars contribute to the government revenue, they have negative side effects in life because alcohol has destroyed many families, destroyed young children’s lives but building God’s church is one step to expand the kingdom of God, and it is a one way to accomplish Jesus’ mission as it states in Mathew 28:17:20

    Igihe.com: Has religion gone commercial?

    Nkurunziza: (Laughs) with me I can say that some people are ignorant about God’s kingdom. Is there anyone who has made a scientific research which proves that all churches are doing business not the work of God?

    I can give you an example of the last crusade we had in Bugesera, down in the villages where we used millions of money transporting people from the city; can you call that a business? I know a business is to invest when expecting interest in return.

    Igihe.com: How relevant is religion to today’s independent, individualistic and commercial lives?

    Nkurunziza: The government has given people the freedom to worship and this gives people the courage of praying to God at any time and again do their business.
    I am trying to say that people have time to work as Christian and get time to warship their Lord with no obstacles.

    Igihe.com: What is your take on allegations of acts of sodomy and sexual abuse in born again churches?

    Nkurunziza: Those acts were there before and in the bible we see God condemning Sodom and gomola for their evil acts. When we continue in Romans 1:26:1:36, those that commit such things are worthy of death, not only them but even those who support them are the same.

    Igihe.com: Why are most born again churches attracting more youths than other age groups?

    Nkurunziza: The secret behind is sincere prayers from the people of God who don’t want to see youth involved in evil temptations. At Bethel Church, we try to practice what we preach and this attracts not only the youth but all God loving people.

    This world is doing crazy things all in the name of modern technology; we the messengers of God if we don’t preach them to come closer to The Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, their lives will be doomed to Satan.

    Igihe.com: Religious extremism is on the rise worldwide and this has resulted into acts of terrorism in the name of holly war. Don’t you think it’s a contradiction or how should it be avoided?

    Nkurunziza: I don’t believe countries where fighting for political leadership all in the name of hole war, killing people, starving others and calling themselves Christian, that is not correct.

    They shouldn’t mix politics and God. Jesus told the Israelites: “Let what belongs to kaisail belong to him and what belong to God belong to Him” so politics and Christianity should be two things that are different.

    Igihe.com: Born again churches have divergent beliefs ranging from females being prohibited from wearing trousers, treating hair, etc are these really Godly requirements?

    Nkurunziza: I believe that when you respect God and what God wants you to do, then you can respect yourself and I don’t see the relationship between clothes and faith. If you think what you are wearing can bring you disgrace before God don’t do not put it on but if you think they are fit to be in God’s house why not put it on?

    Igihe.com: How do you preach your follower on HIV/Aids scourge, birth control methods and sex before marriage?

    Nkurunziza: We always talk about that to the married women, but to the unmarried ones the advice they should always abstain from sex before marriage; it’s is a sin before God. For the married couples, it’s always healthy and safe for both the parents and the children to heed to the medical counsels to avoid untimely pregnancies and births.

    Igihe.com: As a man of God what would be your advice to the people out there who believe that most of the churches were formed to establish business?

    Nkurunziza: It’s one’s right to choose a Christian life or stay the insecure one but I believe that Godly life is more comfortable than any other life and I pray that Christianity can continue to influence our lives everyday.
    All I can say is that it is not good to put judgment in your hands yet we all have our judgment day and I wish that they should do some study to prove them wrong as I said before.