In an official notice issued on August 1, 2024, RSSB confirmed that salaried mothers will continue to receive full pay during their maternity leave.
According to the new law, employers are responsible for the salary for the initial six weeks of maternity leave, with RSSB providing benefits for the remaining eight weeks.
“Rwanda Social Security Board is pleased to inform all employers and employees of the adoption of Law No. 049/2024 dated 04/06/2024, which amends Law No. 003/2016 dated 30/03/2016 establishing and governing the maternity leave benefits scheme,” the notice stated.
The notice also detailed the reimbursement process for employers, emphasizing that the employer will cover the maternity leave benefits for the full fourteen weeks and subsequently claim reimbursement from RSSB for the eight weeks.
The deadline for reimbursement claims has been extended from three months to six months following the completion of maternity leave.
RSSB advised employers who have granted the 14-week maternity leave to submit their reimbursement claims with the necessary supporting documents.
These documents should include a letter or certificate confirming the maternity leave granted and pay slips related to the fourteen weeks of maternity leave.
The extension aligns Rwanda’s maternity leave policy with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) recommendations.
The policy change follows advocacy from lobby groups and Members of Parliament, who argued that the previous 12-week leave was inadequate for mothers to properly care for their newborns. The extension to 14 weeks is seen as a step towards supporting working mothers more effectively.
Former Minister of Public Services and Labour, Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa, had expressed support for a six-month maternity leave during a Parliamentary session on March 21, 2023, noting that such an extension would require significant adjustments to the social security system and budget.
The new 14-week maternity leave policy is part of Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to enhance social security and support for working mothers, providing them with additional time to bond with and care for their newborns during the crucial early months.
In a communication to the incoming students, UR expressed enthusiasm for their achievements.
“Congratulations on your admission to the University of Rwanda. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are thrilled to welcome you to the University of Rwanda Community,” the statement read in part.
The preparatory program aims to support a smooth transition from high school to university. It will help students become familiar with campus facilities, academic expectations, and provide essential skills for a positive learning experience. Additionally, the program offers opportunities for students to meet academic staff and peers.
“This program will allow you to familiarize yourself with your campus, its resources, and academic expectations. It will also equip you with skills that foster a positive learning experience during university studies,” the university stated.
Attendance is compulsory, with the university emphasizing the importance of full participation.
“This is a compulsory program, and we highly encourage you to participate in all scheduled sessions. This will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in your studies,” the letter explained.
Students are expected to arrive at their campuses on August 10th or 11th, 2024. The university has arranged transportation from the nearest bus station and will provide accommodation, meals, and necessary stationery. Students are advised to bring personal sanitary facilities and sportswear.
For those facing significant obstacles to attending, the university has requested notification via email to the respective campus focal persons.
The University of Rwanda’s preparatory program aims to ensure that new students start their academic journey with the necessary support and resources.
The discussions focused on easing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC and addressing the ongoing crisis in Eastern DRC. Leaders at the Luanda talks unanimously agreed that the warring parties in Eastern DRC should cease fighting by August 4, 2024.
The discussions, mediated by Angola’s President João Lourenço, were welcomed by various organizations and countries, urging their implementation to restore peace.
However, MONUSCO’s statement misrepresented the ceasefire as between Rwanda and DRC, causing friction with Rwanda.
Nduhungirehe criticized the statement as misleading, emphasizing that the ceasefire is among the warring factions in Eastern DRC, monitored by an ad hoc mechanism with intelligence officers.
Nduhungirehe urged international actors to be precise in their communications to contribute positively to a sustainable solution. He clarified that the Luanda process involves states, not warring parties, explaining the absence of M23 representation.
Reflecting on the summit, which marked his second meeting with Congolese representatives, Nduhungirehe highlighted the constructive spirit and agreements on the ceasefire, neutralizing the FDLR, and disengaging forces.
He stressed the importance of implementation, noting past failures with nine previous agreements since the Lusaka ceasefire in 1999.
Nduhungirehe emphasized the need for actionable plans, particularly to neutralize the FDLR. Tensions between Rwanda and DRC escalated in 2022, with mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups, which both nations denied.
Held on Tuesday, July 30, in Luanda, Angola, the key meeting addressed regional security concerns.
Rwanda was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the DRC by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagnar.
These findings were revealed at UR’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences (UR-CMHS) in Kigali on July 30, 2024. The technology is expected to provide substantial benefits to over two million Rwandans affected by hypertension.
The ‘Heart Care@Home’ technology is designed for early detection of blood pressure issues, enabling patients to self-monitor and reducing hospital queues, thereby easing the burden on those with limited resources.
The first phase of research, presented after two years of collaboration between UR and Ghent University, featured significant input from Rwandan health advisors who monitored participating patients.
Prof. Dr. Marc Twagirumukiza of Ghent University highlighted that the ‘Heart Care@Home’ technology could significantly reduce severe hypertension cases in Rwanda.
He noted, “This assists patients by minimizing hospital visits and improving medication adherence, ultimately enhancing the quality of care.”
The technology was tested on 140 high blood pressure patients at Kibagabaga Hospital from May 24, 2024, to July 28, 2024, with twice-weekly measurements.
Nine community health workers collected and uploaded patient data into a system for doctors to review, enabling quick identification of deteriorating conditions and prompt phone consultations.
Among the 140 patients, seven had critically high blood pressure levels (Stage Three) requiring immediate attention. The data showed that five of these patients were not adhering to their medication, while the remaining two had underlying health issues.
Dr. Olive Mukeshimana emphasized the benefits of the ‘Heart Care@Home’ technology, noting it reduces the need for monthly hospital visits.
Community health worker Adélaïde Ugirase concurs that this system has greatly helped hypertensive patients to keep their health in check.
Juliette Gasana, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Rwanda, highlighted that the idea of this technology stemmed from recognizing the high prevalence of severe hypertension in Rwanda and the challenges in providing timely treatment.
Gasana explained that the research addressed the challenges hypertensive patients faced in accessing treatment, such as long distances and 30-day wait periods for follow-up visits.
The aim is to enable more frequent blood pressure measurements and keep doctors informed without the lengthy wait.
Conducted in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) and funded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS), this research sought to improve hypertension management in Rwanda
The drive, held on Saturday, July 27, brought together more than 150 riders using electric motorbikes, underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and reducing carbon emissions across the continent.
The drive commenced at Spiro’s warehouse in Masoro, located in the Special Economic Zone, where the company has so far deployed 1,000 bikes on the road.
The route weaved through the scenic streets of Kigali, showcasing Spiro’s cutting-edge electric bikes and raising awareness about the benefits of electric mobility and its role in combating climate change.
The flag-off was conducted by two of Spiro’s youngest staff members, Atete Benigne and Akimanimpaye Odile, symbolizing the future generation’s involvement in sustainable initiatives.
Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro, described the drive as a testament to the growing community of sustainable transportation advocates.
“We are proud to bring together 150 riders who share our vision for a cleaner, greener future,” the CEO stated.
Arun Bhandari, Head of Spiro Rwanda, said, “This drive is not only a celebration of our achievements but also a strong statement of our commitment to sustainable mobility in Africa. We are excited to see the positive impact our electric bikes are making in Rwanda and beyond.”
Spiro affirms that its bikes, equipped with mid-drive motors, are built to deliver better performance on Rwanda’s hilly terrain, which poses unique challenges for transportation.
“By placing the motor in the middle of the bike, the weight is evenly distributed, enhancing stability and making it easier to climb steep inclines. This design allows riders to tackle hilly terrains with greater ease and efficiency,” Spiro explains.
Spiro is keen to expand its operations into new regions, bringing the benefits of electric mobility to more communities across Rwanda.
Recently the company launched operations in Muhanga, located in the southern province. The operations of the office, the smart station, and the deployment of bikes were inaugurated by the CEO and the Spiro Rwanda team.
The launch was attended by cooperative members, including the president of the moto-taxi riders in Muhanga. The company has deployed 25 bikes in this area, with plans to increase the number of bikes on the road soon due to promising leads.
The company plans to expand into Huye, Bishenyi, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Bugesera, Nyamata, and Mayange before the end of the year.
So far, Spiro has distributed more than 18,000 electric motorbikes and 40,000 swappable batteries, which are in operation across Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and Kenya.
The four-day summit, which begins on August 1st at the Marriott Hotel, features notable African leaders, experts, and impact makers who will converge to discuss, analyze, and initiate new pathways for Africa’s business and leadership future.
Participants include leaders and experts from various fields who have been carefully selected and will be honored in recognition of their efforts towards Africa’s development.
The theme of the summit is “Fostering Collaboration and Networking Among Business, Governance, and Security Stakeholder Leaders Across the African Continent.”
Activities lined up for the summit include plenary sessions and panel discussions, award presentation, and fashion runway.
During the opening ceremony, the organisers led by the chief convener, Amb. Kingsley Amafibe, stated that the summit aims to foster collaboration and networking among business, governance, and security stakeholder leaders across the African continent.
Over 50 recipients will be recognized for their efforts towards Africa’s development, including H.E. Dr. Dauda Lawal, the current Governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria and Dr. G D Singh, the founder and chairman of the Asian African Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Others are Melody Fidel Okwuazu a notable Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist famous for his contributions to youth mentorship and business coaching and and Adeniyi Victor, a biotechnology and pharmaceutical expert based in Nigeria.
Major General John Baptist Ngiruwonsanga, Commandant of the RDF General Headquarters represented General Mubarakh Muganga, the Chief of Defence Staff at the celebrations.
The PLA, established and led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), has grown over the past 97 years into a formidable armed force committed to the liberation and well-being of the Chinese people, the independence and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and international peace and cooperation.
The army’s contributions to global peace and stability kicked off when China first sent military observers to the United Nations (UN) in 1990. Over 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have since taken part in peacekeeping missions in more than 20 countries.
Currently, 1,700 Chinese peacekeepers are on duty in six missions across Africa and the Middle East with 17 Chinese peacekeepers recorded as having lost their lives in overseas UN missions.
China is the second-largest contributor to peacekeeping efforts in terms of financial assistance and UN membership fees and the largest troop-contributing country. The Chinese naval hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ is currently visiting several African countries to meet the medical needs of local people.
Before the end of August 2024, the PLA plans to conduct the ‘Peace Unity-2024’ joint exercise with the Tanzanian and Mozambican armed forces to enhance the ability of the participating parties to jointly respond to terrorism and maintain maritime security.
Military cooperation between Rwanda and China is a significant aspect of their bilateral relations. Both countries are dedicated to maintaining peace and are important contributors to international peacekeeping operations.
China’s Defence Attaché to Rwanda, Senior Captain (Navy) Li Dayi says that his institution and the RDF share common interests thereby learning from each other’s experiences in military construction and development.
Dayi expressed his commitment to strengthening this cooperation: “I personally assure you that I will spare no effort to continue to promote the pragmatic cooperation between PLA and RDF to a new level in the future and help the China-Rwanda friendly and cooperative partnership achieve new results,” he said.
Major General Ngiruwonsanga echoed these sentiments, highlighting the shared values and historical struggles for liberation between the two countries. He noted that the PLA’s journey of fighting for justice and protecting individual rights serves as an inspiration.
“The legacy of the PLA is not merely a reflection of past achievements but a guiding light for the future. Our collective efforts, grounded in mutual respect and understanding, will continue to advance the shared goals of peace, security, and prosperity,” he stated.
In his keynote address, China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Amb. Wang Xuekun, reaffirmed the PLA’s dedication to world peace and stability and reflected on the growing relationship between China and Rwanda since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
He highlighted the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit as an important opportunity to further strengthen these ties. “It’s high time to push our relations to a new level,” he noted.
Senior Captain Li Dayi was recently appointed as the first ever defence attaché to Rwanda, a strong indicator of enhancement of bilateral relations and cementing the existing bond of friendship.
“China is always ready to work with Rwanda to bolster the relations between our two armies and two countries,” Amb. Wang said.
The longstanding relations between Rwanda and China span 75 years, marked by substantial cooperation. China remains one of the primary sources of Rwanda’s imports, underscoring the depth of their economic ties.
The research initiative, supported by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in collaboration with the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) Network, involved 18 students. Six of these students were distinguished for their exemplary work and received prizes.
Evariste Nsabimana, Deputy Director General of RWB, highlighted the significance of the students’ research in enhancing water resource conservation efforts across Rwanda.
“At the Rwanda Water Resources Board, our daily mission is to conserve the natural water resources of our country. Utilizing the information, we gather from various rivers is crucial to our conservation work.” He said.
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, CEO of ARCOS Network, emphasized the competition’s goal of advancing students’ knowledge in environmental conservation.
“These competitions are designed for young students, aiming to support their knowledge, particularly in conserving our water resources, because water is essential,” he remarked.
One of the recipients of the awards, Marie Claudine Umutoniwase from the University of Rwanda, received one million Rwandan Francs for her project on River Pfunda, which feeds into River Sebeya in Rubavu District.
Her project developed a technology to predict future floods.
“When I saw the announcement, I thought of creating a device to help predict future floods. By feeding upcoming rainfall data into the program I developed, we can anticipate and prevent floods,” she explained.
Emmanuel Singirankabo, also a student at the University of Rwanda, secured second place and was rewarded with Rwf800,000.
He shared his project’s focus: “My project addressed the issues of erosion and landslides on River Mbirurume due to deforestation. It aims to repair these damages.”
The research initiative organized by the Rwanda Water Resources Board attracted over 76 participants, with 18 completing the research and six getting awarded for their exceptional contributions.
Man has pondered for ages trying to understand what happens after death, unfortunately we may never know because no dead ever comes back to give an account of what really happens.
The Holy scriptures paint an imagination of the afterlife but with existing accounts of people claiming near-death experiences, this topic remains a subject of contention.
Most religious beliefs adduce to the fact that there is a certain form of afterlife to which people transit after death. These are some of them. Almost all religious perceptions suggest that life after death is grounded in scriptures or traditions.
Christians believe that after death they will be taken into the presence of God, where they will be judged for their deeds while still alive. Depending on the outcome, one would qualify for heaven or hell.
The concept of Hell is also deeply rooted in the idea of free will. Hell is traditionally depicted as a place of eternal fire symbolizing pain and suffering. Hell is viewed as a punishment for not “doing” God’s will while still alive.
While religion teaches that earthly experiences are a foretaste of greater blessings to come after this life, some people dispute these accounts saying those are fabricated stories to attract relevance.
Although some claim to witness apparitions or experience ambiguous sparking thoughts about life beyond death, no one has ever rose from the dead to give a firsthand experience.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of Purgatory, an intermediate state between heaven and hell.
According to this belief, upon death, people who have sinned undergo purification as a way to enter heaven. The catechism of the Roman Catholic Church states that “all who die in God’s grace but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation.
It suggests that the dead undergo a cleansing and purification process in purgatory, so as to achieve the “holiness” necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.
Fr. Fidele Mutabazi, Managing Director of Kinyamateka, a famous local tabloid, shares the view that earthly life is a preparation for a greater, eternal life.
“According to the Catechism of the Church, human life on earth is not merely for earthly pleasures; if it were, it would be a significant loss,” he says.
Mutabazi elaborates on the significance of Jesus Christ in Christian faith. “Jesus did not only teach about death but also demonstrated His power over it by raising the dead, such as Lazarus. His resurrection from the dead affirms that death is not the end,” he explains.
Christians believe that through baptism, they partake in the life and resurrection of Jesus, giving them hope of eternal life. However, some other different Christian denominations disagree with the idea of purgatory, arguing that once judgment occurs, individuals will stay in either Heaven or Hell for eternity.
Pastor Isaie Ndayizeye, a senior pastor and leader of the Association of Pentecostal churches of Rwanda (ADEPR), sticks to the hope of resurrection and eternal life for believers.
“According to our teachings, emphasis is put on the existence of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ,” he reveals.
The resurrection of the dead is a cornerstone of his faith, hoping that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.
“We do not believe in reincarnation. Resurrection does not require one to come back through other forms of existence,” he says.
Theories about life after death, including resurrection, reincarnation, and perpetual oblivion, have been a subject of debate for centuries.
Sheikh Khalifa Nsengiyuma, an Islamic scholar based in Kigali explains that his faith agrees to life after death, based on the Quran teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
“We believe a life after death but different from our current existence,” he reveals. Islam perceives life as a test determining one’s final destination, with good deeds leading to paradise and bad deeds to punishment.
Nsengiyuma believes in the concept of Barzakh, where one is rewarded according to their deeds. “Once someone enters this state, it marks the beginning of their individual Day of Judgment. If a person was a believer and did good deeds, they start receiving rewards immediately. On the other hand, a wicked person begins facing punishments for their sins,” he explains.
Sheikh Nsengiyuma pinpoints signs preceding the final judgement, as described by the Prophet Muhammad, such as a mother giving birth to a master, the emergence of a great beast from the earth speaking human language and the sun rising from the west.
“These are the indicators that the final day is approaching, although the exact timing is unknown,” he says.
Despite various debates, no one has definitively brought out the true picture of the afterlife, leaving many to focus on living meaningful lives on earth.
Jean-Paul Sartre, a renowned French philosopher and lifetime atheist is reported to have confessed to the possibility of God’s existence before his death in 1980.
Beliefs about life after death vary widely across religions and cultures. While some hold firm convictions based on scriptures, traditions and teachings, others remain skeptical due to the inconclusive nature of this subject.
Ultimately, the mystery of what happens after death continues to intrigue and inspire diverse opinions, leaving little room to fully understand the matter.
But as the old Rwandan adage goes, “Gira neza wigendere ineza uzayisanga imbere.” Do good and move on without expecting immediate rewards because those acts of kindness will eventually lead to positive outcomes in the future.
Throughout Twagirayezu’s trial, following extradition from Denmark late in 2018, eyewitnesses vouched that he was a participant in acts of Genocide as a member of the notorious Coalition for the Defence of the Republic (CDR) political party at the height of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The 56-year-old Twagirayezu, formerly a teacher in a vocational school in Rubavu District is said to have participated in several killings in Gisenyi town between April 7 and April 9, 1994.
These massacres, in which the suspect is said to have been a ringleader, took place mainly between the areas of Busasamana and Gacamena. There, the Tutsi were slaughtered in thousands.
Prosecution appealed his acquittal relying on the significant evidence that was overlooked in the initial trial.
On January 11, 2024, Presiding Judge Timothee Kanyegeri, of the Nyanza-based High Court Chamber for International Crimes (HCCIC), ruled that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove Twagirayezu’s role in the crimes he is accused of.
During the hearing of the case, witnesses for Prosecution included one Etienne Gasenge, himself a participant in the genocide at the same time and place (as he testified) with Twagirayezu.
Gasenge said that on the seventh of April, they started the killings in Mudende and that on the following day, they proceeded to Busasamana.
The witness said that Twagirayezu was with them as they dumped bodies in a pit, and that he (Twagirayezu) had an R4 gun.
Another witness who is a survivor, Jean Ruzibiza, said that he saw the suspect, on April 8, at a school in Mudende where many had fled the massacres.
Ruzibiza said Twagirayezu was among the Interahamwe militias that attacked the school that day, and that he had a gun, and a spiked club of the kind the militias used as one of the crudest, most sadistic killing instruments.
Another witness, code-named DTA, said that on April 10, he saw Twagirayezu seemingly asking for the identity documents (which in those days was for the purpose of establishing an individual’s ethnicity) of two women, and one young man who were trying to cross into the Congo, then Zaire.
DTA testified that when the three people couldn’t produce their documents, the defendant killed them on the spot. The witness continued that Interahamwe dumped the bodies of the victims in a pit under an avocado tree, in a place called Munyazogeye.
Two of the judges, including presiding judge Kanyegeri, and Fidele Nsanzimana, did not find this, and similar evidence of enough preponderance to convict Wenceslas Twagirayezu.
Subsequently, they chose to acquit him on grounds that the Prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the suspect actually was in Gisenyi at the time of the crimes he is accused of.
The presiding judge said court reached its decision based on, among other things, documents the suspect produced, claiming they showed he was in DRC on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of April, 1994. Additionally, the judges said, they “identified inconsistencies in several testimonies from different witnesses.”
When Twagiramungu was seeking asylum in Denmark years ago, he told immigration officers in the European country that between January, and July 1994 he was in Gisenyi. “He (the defendant) only started making claims that he was in DRC when prosecutors were questioning him in 2018.
