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{{The Kigali City (MVK) is in plans of constructing pedestrian flyovers in the coming future. These flyovers will be located at the main round about in the city center, Kimihurura, Gisimenti and at Giporoso.
The flyovers will come as a solution for pedestrians that find difficulties in crossing these places during busy hours of the day.}}

This has been confirmed by Mr. Bruno Rangira in charge of information in MVK in an interview with Igihe.com.

Asked on the condition and appearance of the flyovers, Bruno Rangira could not confirm the exact picture of the infrastructure after all the study is still ongoing.

“We shall give you a full picture of the infrastructures after the study being conducted by NIGUS is complete and handed over to the city authority”.

A large number of city dwellers interviewed on the new infrastructure confirmed that once these flyovers are put in place, road accidents will drastically reduce.

An interviewee who prefered annonymity said that this will put to use ample usage of space given the increasing number of vehicles in the city center, “Someone may spend about 30minutes waiting for traffic to slow down. This delays the person from work especially during the morning hours when we are all going to work places”.

Not only will pedestrians benefit but also vehicle owners and drivers especially in time management. Ndahiro Julius another interviewee told Igihe.com, “It prevents chaos on the road because pedestrians have their own road and the follow if cars keep on moving without stopping at zebra crossings”

{{Rwanda like the rest of the world yesterday September 21 marked and celebrated the annual International Day of Peace at Petit Stade Remera that attracted a peace walk from KBC Kimihurura round point to the stadium.}}

Rwandan artists’ peacemakers hosted attendants to a concert where different governmental and nongovernmental organizations participated.

The theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.

Jean Batiste Habyarimana, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) on behalf of organizer of the event this year said that the day commemorates and strengthens the ideals of peace both within and among all nations.

Habyarimana in a press interview challenged Rwandans to celebrate and rejoice the day because of the past history.

“As Rwandans since the 1994 genocide there has been an interesting step to development, peace and stability and today we play a good example to the international scene. Let us keep on ensuring peace and stability through promoting security, fight poverty, and guarantee health standards and social comfort,” He emphasized.

The Kigali City Mayor Fidele Ndayisaba said that development and social stability is all about peace.

“In Kigali we are secure and we give better services to the public which means that we have peace. Today we just joined other organs to celebrate the day and to make a continuous mobilization at the event,” said Ndayisaba.

Aurelian Agbinonu, the UN Resident Coordinator recommended the Rwanda Defense Forces who are in peacekeeping mission in Darfur that contributed greatly to reducing of human suffering there while ensuring peace in the area.

He also challenged the youth to be peace volunteers and ensure stability.

The Minister in the Presidents’ office Venancia Tugireyezu as the chief guest at the event in her remarks urged parents and guardians to play crucial role in mobilizing the young upon the peace building.

The day was recommended in 1982 by the United Nation (resolutions 36/37 and 55/282), and the UN’s theme for International Day of Peace this year says ‘make your voice heard’ under the overall idea of peace and democracy.

In Rwanda, over the past two years, the International Day of Peace has been organized and celebrated under the lead of the United Nations Office in Rwanda.

This year, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission as her mandate of coordinating all activities related to peace and unity requires, has decided to take the lead of organizing and coordinating this year’s celebrations.

{{The current report that has been released shows that unless boys join the cause, girls are fighting a losing battle for gender equality.}}

The findings compiled in the 2011 edition of ‘because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls’ in printed by the International children’s rights organization; Plan International.

The edition this year asks the question, “So, what about the boys?”
The survey attributes that the solution of the inequality problem is the working together by men, women, boys, girls and teenagers of all sexes.

“The boys have the power that has been given to them from childhood,” Hamimu Masudi, Plan’s campaign co-coordinator for East and Southern Africa, told agencies.

“If you’re going to get the girls to have power, then you’ve got to engage the boys.”

The report argues that boys must be influenced of the unfairness of gender inequality to be committed to changing it.

The survey was carried out to more than 4,000 people ranging from 12- to 18-year-olds from countries including Rwanda, India and the United Kingdom, revealing gender stereotypes that are still deeply entrenched in both boys and girls.

Sixty five per cent of participants from Indian and Rwanda somewhat agreed that a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together.

A further 43 per cent agreed there are times when a woman deserves to be beaten.

Sixty seven per cent of boys and 71 per cent of girls surveyed in Rwanda believe changing diapers, bathing and feeding the kids are a mother’s responsibility as did 83 per cent of boys and 87 per cent of girls in India.

Over 60 per cent of participants in India believe when money is tight it is better to educate a boy instead of a girl.

The report also found that toys are often differentiated by sex, with advertisers pitching them to girls and boys differently. Nor is this confined to the northern hemisphere, as North American toys are often imported to Latin American countries as Well.

Challenging gender stereotypes that are sometimes reinforced by community, culture and religion is challenging in both boys and girls.

In many countries, there is a higher worth placed on boys from birth, and it comes with high expectations.

“They’ve been told never to cry,” said Masudi. “They have been told when they are sick they should not go in bed.”

According to the report, boys living in that macho pressure cooker can suffer lower academic scores and be more likely to take part in destructive and violent behaviors.

Boys also benefit, however, when there is more equality in the relationship with their female contemporaries, Masudi said.

The empowerment and education of girls has long been identified as a key factor in reducing poverty, particularly in developing nations.

Plan International chief executive Nigel Chapman said, “Of course, many boys are affected by poverty lack of opportunity and also violence, but girls face double discrimination by being young and by being female.

“Everyone, including boys, benefits from a more just, equal world but it cannot be attained by girls alone we must all play a more active part.”

{{Sensational artist Kitoko Bibarwa has released a new song titled Akabuto literally meaning a fruit. The distribution of the akabuto song started today.}}

It’s a boom boom dancehall song sang in three languages; Kinyarwanda, English and Swahili.

In an interview with Igihe.com Kitoko said the new song fits well in all dancing clubs across the East African Community as it has been his target while he compsed the song.

Kitoko said, “This song was produced by Washington from Uganda. Personally I really love it and hope it will be liked by all people who like music across EAC bloc since its in three languages.

The Singer says he wants to promote himself and the Rwandan music as well.

The song includes the words like boom boom, kiss kiss kiss and mmwwwee mmwwweee.

{{Rwandan artists mainly those involved in peacemaking have brought their arts together to celebrate and promote peace, unity and reconciliation on the International Day of Peace that is being celebrated all over the world.}}

Our reporter at the event received messages they are delivering to the Rwandans and all people in the world.

Dieudonné Munyanshoza :”I wish people living in Rwanda and all over the world to cerebrate this day of peace because there is nothing that can be reached upon without peace.

“Let’s fight for peace, unity and lets reconcile to each other in order to reach a sustainable development.
“I pledge to all Rwandans and others living in the world to overwhelmingly observe and celebrate this day” the renowned singers concluded.

Intore Jean De Dieu Tuyisenge a.k.a Tora Kagame: “Iam happy for this day and I wish all people to fight for peace to prevail in this world”.

Award winning filmmaker Edouard Bamporiki: “People to have peace in their hearts and to inevitably set off peace revolution and friendly people should tell each other about peace. Peacemaker bears peace child”

Staff Sgt. Robert: “People should play big part either in protecting peace, security or even protecting the surroundings.

“Peace and security should be protected by all people- civilians, police or soldiers because we are all important to each other”

Kizito mihigo: “Some artists played a role in promoting hatred that made the 1994 genocide inevitable and therefore today artist should play part in liberating the nation, spread love where hatred was spread, promote unity where divisionism was spread”.

Sophie Nzayisenga a.k.a Amahoro: “we have to be happy today because we have peace and stability in Rwanda and we have to fight for it as we respect each other and as we also help each other”.

Marc Mico Nsengiyaremye: “To love the nation is the first priority to promote and this will result into ensuring our country with peace and unity, and all people should love the nation.

“As public figures, we have to be example in delivering message of peace to the public because no peace no love”.

Mani Martin: “I celebrate this day because this goes with my normal sayings and I wish our nation to play an example in promoting peace across the world”.

Kitoko Bibarwa: “Nothing can be done without peace either personally or even publically and this is not the government program but should be done at family level”.

{{In musanze, MINICOM and Rwanda Cooperative Agency met and discussed with business representatives from all sectors of Musanze and Nyabihu about new commercial laws regulating business.}}

Some of new commercial laws include insolvency law to facilitate traders rescue trade in case of bankruptcy and also law relating to intellectual properties for artists and know how to protect their properties.

These new commercial regulations were enacted as a result of emerging business dynamics and registering business within 24 hours through new laws and help Rwandans to access loans, said Asiimwe Susan, the legal advisor at the ministry.

This new system will also facilitate investors to access East African Community market where 30 percent of imported products, will be taxed zero on registered products, and company laws will bring new picture of the registered companies, said Assimwe

Nsengiyunva, a resident of Musanze says, since Rwanda joined EAC, things are still expensive and every day the Government assures them zero tax, yet MINICOM hasn’t implemented what their promises.

Mwambutsa Emable, a representative of business men in his sector, says FRW 10,000 fee on income of any business to register as a cooperative was a good idea, but finds a hindrance to result into unnecessary business everywhere.

Registration fee for business via Internet will be free but if registered with RDB, the registration price is Frw 10,000, but MINICOM and RDB also facilitate low income earners below Frw 10,000 to pay Frw3,000 to RDB, said Assimwe Susan in MINICOM.

They urged the participants to be participative in all angles and manage to save some money for trainings and develop their business.

Assimwe added: “After training we leave with the participants soft copy and put them in sectors, especially with our experts with right contacts.

Gahutu Ezekiel, a businessman, says tax on imported products should be having a fixed tax if a commercial license is provided and recognized by Rwanda Revenue Authority or RDB.

Kamali Edward, a consultant in BDC from Nyabihu district says what MINICOM has done will prove his daily work consultancy and manage to help people from his district.

As the training was based on new laws governing cooperatives and small scale business to facilitate citizens get involved in business easily, MINICOM will further go to other districts.

{{Lt. Col. Tharcisse Nditurende pinned his co-accused Victoire Ingabire saying she communicated to Europe using e-mail messages.}}

As he was ready to start, the prosecution raised their concern to the court that the defense might not be co-ordinated and want to delay the trial.

They also updated the High Court that evidence from Netherlands will be submitted to court by the end of this month. The court cleared to them that there was no problem to wait for them and the trial should continue.

As he had started pleading at day 10 of the trial, Nditurende who already plead guilty of the charges against him revealed that the e-mails were his and responses were from Ingabire.

He told court that all the mails he got from Ingabire were given to the prosecution during his interrogation when he was asked to give his e-mail address and its password.

He further explained how he and some of his colleagues had fallen out from FDLR to form what they were proposing as CDF to join FDU and help overthrow the government power in Rwanda militarily.

Nditurende told court that did not happen because the DRC intelligence (ARN) had arrested Maj. Vital Uwumuremyi who was the liaison between them and Ingabire at the beginning of 2009.

Nditurende explained to the court that as Uwumuremyi had given him Ingabire’s e-mail address, it was the only way left to communicate even though he got a mobile telephone later.

Nditurende admits that the e-mails were his and the one who replied was Ingabire who made different appointments like meeting face to face in Dar Es Salam in Tanzania but then they met in Brazzaville (Congo).

The e-mail also contains the plans of how Ingabire could send them some money for communication through a Congolese Colonel called Zelote.

The trial resumes on September 21 where Lt. Col. Noel Habiyaremye another co-accused will defend himself in court because Lt. Col. Tharcisse Nditurende had finished.

{{President Kagame received the ‘Global Health, Technology and Development Award’ this Monday in recognition for his support in ICT and improvement of health conditions in the country.}}

The event was held at Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City in USA in the awarding ceremony “South-South Awards” attributed to state organs, civil society groups, and individuals who have strived to bring development in the developing countries in Africa Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Oceania, the Caribbean and in the Pacific region.

This year’s theme is “Digital Health for Digital Development”

The award given to the president is in recognition for his efforts in promoting fast and reliable ICT networks not only in Rwanda but all over the world through the Broadband connection which will drastically slash communication prices once completed, his continuous efforts towards attainment of the MDG’s especially in improving the living conditions of all Rwandans.

“We are so happy that this organization has recognized that both government’s efforts and abilities our president deserve an award. For us, this award signifies the path we are in should be encouraged in reference to ICT and improving the living conditions of our people” Minister Mushikiwabo told reporters shortly after receiving the award on behalf of president Kagame who wasn’t at the event.

ICT in Rwandan Health Care System known as “Telemedicine” is currently in use at King Fiscal Hospital where by a doctor can attend to patients not physically present. In addition, the impact if ICT is felt in the increasing capacity to handle complicated disease that Rwanda could not handle a few years ago and patient information storage.

Other dignitaries who received awards include Mwai Kibaki the president of Kenya, Abdoulaye Wade president of Senegal, Sheikh Hasina Prime-minister of Bangladesh, and Dr Vanda Pignato the first lady to El Salvador.

{{Having acquired a bank loan from Umwalimu SACCO, Runda teachers have bought a brand new truck through their cooperative KISKA (Koperative Isonga za Kamonyi) established in February 2011.}}

The truck cost 8million which was given as a loan by UMWALIMU SACCO to the teachers after they voluntary collected 800,000 on their cooperative account.

The headmaster of Runda Mr. Emmanuel Munyaneza that is also a member of KISKA congratulated his fellow teachers upon the achievement saying that sometimes teachers were afraid of acquiring big loans like these ones but now it’s a positive step taken.

Payment contract with Umwarimu Sacco state that they should repay the loan in a period of four years but given the rate at which the vehicle is operating, payment will be completed before the set time given that it has for the past 3months made a profit of 3million.

Mr. Nkuranga Theogene in charge of capacity building in Rwanda Cooperative Agency warned members of the KISAKA cooperative on the mismanagement of funds and not to embezzle profits because they are for the cooperative and every member has a benefit when the cooperative makes profits.

The Southern Province Governor Mr. Alphonse Munyantwari who was the guest of Honor noted that there is hope for teachers because such achievements registered clearly indicated that they value the work they do. “The government is focused on what can uplift teachers standards of living and such loans are a support to the government,

{{The national police spokesman Superintendent Theo’s Badege has said that Eric Nshimiyimana({photo below}) health condition is stable. He was shot Thursday evening by a plain cloth policeman after resisting to be searched.}}

However, Sup. Badege’s remarks contradict that of eye witness Desire who didn’t want to disclose his second name pending sensitivity of the matter.

“No…no I won’t tell you my name but what I can assure you is that a motorcycle taxi carrying a man stopped close to Nshimiyimana and shot him in the chest. Later the armed passenger pressed a pistol onto him and immediately shot his own hand perhaps to fake that it was a gun battle, yet Nshimiyimana never resisted. I can’t add more about this,” said the eye witness.

However, Sup. Badege refutes the eye witness account saying, “What I was informed is that a resident of Gikondo’s Sodoma area alerted police that Nshimiyimana was carrying illegal stuff in his bag.”

“When Policeman alighted from motorcycle and stopped him, Nshimiyimana resisted and turned violent when the policeman pointed a pistol at him. It is through the tussle that the policeman fired a bullet which injured his hand and went straight to Nshimiyimana chest,” he disclosed.

Sup. Badege further stressed that indeed Nshimiyimana a member of Parti Social Imberakuri a political party which associates itself with the opposition, was found in possession with a pistol and twelve bullets.

“The eyewitness must be lying because at first a resident alerted the police and when we did our investigation we found that this guy was certainly carrying a firearm,” said Badege.

Currently, Injured Nshimiyimana is recovering at Kacyiru police hospital and only a few family members are allowed to see him, while members of the press and his party colleagues are restricted from seeing him.

“I’ll inform you the right time for journalists to meet him, currently we’re investigating his case,” Badege remarked.

While there’s still dilemma in the shooting of Nshimiyimana, political parties in the country who consider themselves as the opposition have been silently protesting the matter. And among them is FDU Ikingi party that issued a press release yesterday condemning the shooting.

“We call upon the government to make sure that security personnel do not use their positions to intimidate people; to prosecute the life attempt against opposition members and to ensure that rules of engagement are clear and respected,” stated FDU-Inkingi Interim Vice President Boniface Twagirimana.

{Parti Social Imberakuri} secretary general Immaculate Uwizeye highlighted that they are seeking international support to sue the government concerning the shooting of its party member.

“you see in Rwanda we’re like a cat and we can’t fight with government which is a Leopard that’s why we’re seeking some support from outside, but at this point I won’t disclose people who have shown interest in helping us, what I can assure you is that justice will prevail,” revealed Uwizeye.

In response to the opposition Sup. Badege bluffed their concerns adding that it would be better if they sued the government instead of destroying the police image by sending deceitful information to some the international media who also have a record of reporting negatively about Rwanda’s progress.

“I wonder why these political parties are exaggerating this matter yet they know very well they are associated to terror activities and one of them is Victoire Ingabire the head of FDU Ikingi who is in court for similar cases,” noted Sup. Badege.