She made the call on October 31 during an engagement with judges and judicial staff from courts under the Musanze High Court Circuit.
Mukantaganzwa underscored the importance of efficiency in case management, reminding judges that cases should be heard in the order they are filed. She, however, acknowledged that some delays arise from factors beyond the courts’ control, such as adjournments or party-related interruptions.
Data presented during the session indicated that the Musanze Intermediate Court currently handles 1,499 cases, of which 1,096 are backlog cases.
Mukantaganzwa noted that measures previously introduced to address case backlogs are beginning to yield positive outcomes, though further effort is still required.
“It has long been established that backlog cases should not be allowed to stagnate in our courts. That is why, in their reports, you can see consistent progress in clearing old cases each year,” she stated.
She added that most of the remaining old cases date back to 2022, and are being prioritised for conclusion in line with judicial procedures.
“Our principle is straightforward: cases filed earlier should be heard first. However, delays sometimes result from adjournments requested by the parties involved, rather than from the court itself,” she explained.
The Chief Justice further reminded judges that any case pending for more than six months is classified as a backlog. She said this benchmark aims to ensure timely service delivery and public trust in the judiciary.
“Six months may not seem long, but we set that target to promote efficiency and fast-track justice, so that citizens do not have to wait unnecessarily for verdicts,” Mukantaganzwa said.
During the discussions, it was revealed that the Musanze High Court Circuit currently has 1,214 cases, with 95% being criminal and 5% civil. Of the backlog cases, 585 date from 2022, 97% of which are criminal.
The most frequent offences among the pending cases include drug-related crimes, child defilement, theft, murder, and assault.
In a statement, the Africa CDC said it is dispatching critical medical supplies after last week’s assault on the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher.
“The assault, which killed hundreds of patients and caregivers and led to the abduction of several health workers, has crippled one of the few remaining medical facilities in the region and raised grave concerns about the continuity of essential health services,” the Africa CDC said.
It warned that ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and restricted access to healthcare are worsening Sudan’s health crisis, as the country battles concurrent outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, measles, and diphtheria.
The African Union’s specialized health agency said it has deployed emergency medical and laboratory experts to assess conditions on the ground and support outbreak control, sustain essential health services, and strengthen biosafety in affected areas.
Working in partnership with Sudan’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, the Africa CDC said it is verifying casualty figures, monitoring for potential disease outbreaks, and assessing the broader public health impact.
“This is not only a human tragedy but a public-health emergency,” the statement quoted Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, as saying. “Our immediate priority is to preserve life, prevent secondary outbreaks, and protect the health infrastructure that communities depend on. Health facilities and workers must never be targets of war.”
The agency urged all parties to the conflict to safeguard laboratories and biomedical facilities that store or handle dangerous pathogens, warning that any compromise could pose grave biosecurity and public health risks.
On Wednesday, Sudan’s government said more than 2,000 civilians had been killed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since their entry into El Fasher.
Sudan remains gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, plunging the country deeper into a humanitarian crisis.
In a statement shared via X by the U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, on Saturday, the ongoing efforts through the Doha peace process were highlighted as a step forward in promoting peace and stability in the eastern DRC.
Boulos emphasized that both parties had made notable strides in demonstrating their shared commitment to peace, noting that this progress should not be jeopardized by recent violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Despite the ceasefire agreement signed in April 2025, fighting has continued in the North and South Kivu provinces, with both sides engaged in heavy attacks.
In mid-October, the DRC government and AFC/M23 agreed to establish a joint monitoring mechanism to ensure the ceasefire’s implementation. However, fighting has persisted, raising concerns over the fragility of the peace process.
Major General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for Congolese military, recently justified the continued fighting stating that his forces were retaliating against attacks from AFC/M23.
AFC/M23 also accuses Kinshasa of violating ceasefire with recurrent strikes to their positions and populated areas. This back-and-forth has fueled further instability, undermining efforts to create a peaceful environment for negotiations.
Boulos expressed concern that violations of the ceasefire could derail the significant strides made thus far, urging all parties to adhere to their commitments made in Doha.
“All must honor their commitments made in Doha, including maintaining the ceasefire and fully engaging the ceasefire monitoring mechanism to rebuild trust and reduce tensions on the ground,” he said.
Boulos also highlighted the potential for lasting peace and prosperity in the region if both the DRC government and AFC/M23 continue to demonstrate sustained effort in the peace process.
Mbonyumutwa served as President of Rwanda from January 28, 1961, to October 26, 1961.
The slap became a significant event in Rwanda’s history due to its symbolic meaning. During that time, there was a tense political atmosphere, with Belgium using Hutu political parties to push for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.
Many Rwandans could not understand the idea of a republic and the possibility of forgetting the monarchy that had ruled for so long.
At that time, the political parties, especially MDR-Parmehutu, which advocated for the republic, and UNAR, which supported the monarchy, were at odds.
Mbonyumutwa was aligned with the MDR-Parmehutu party, serving as Sub-Chief in Ndiza (Gitarama). He was one of the leading politicians encouraging the population to reject the monarchy and fight for the establishment of a republic.
On November 1, 1959, Mbonyumutwa attended a mass in Byimana. After the mass, he went to visit Father Marara, who lived at the parish. On his way back, he met Karekezi Pascal and other young people.
Karekezi and the other two youths were reportedly upset by the notion of the monarchy being abolished and the words Mbonyumutwa’s alignment with ideologies to kill the Tutsis.
Karekezi once told IGIHE that he and his colleagues decided to slap Mbonyumutwa to stop his public promotion of the republic and his divisive rhetoric.
He said, “He supported the idea of killing people. Instead of promoting the culture of the country, he took the Belgian model to create a republic, and you have seen what the republic led to.”
Karekezi mentioned that he and Mbonyumutwa had known each other previously, as Mbonyumutwa was from a neighborhood called Mwendo.
Due to the political rivalry between Parmehutu and UNAR (the monarchy-supporting party), some believed Karekezi and his colleagues were sent by UNAR to slap Mbonyumutwa. However, Karekezi denied this claim.
He said, “How could UNAR send us? […] We were at home when he came from his place to promote the Parmehutu agenda, and we knew that it was all about killing people.”
Karekezi described how they ambushed Mbonyumutwa as he was on his way home and slapped him. But Mbonyumutwa fought back.
He explained, “We slapped him as he was heading to a place where he would become a Sous-Chef. He came from Mwendo… He fought back because he was not tied up.”
“He fought back and left. He didn’t go to court, and no one came for revenge. He later became a sous chef. They continued to stir division and war, until they began destroying everything.”
After the incident, rumors spread that Mbonyumutwa had been killed by Tutsi youth sent by UNAR. Some Tutsis were attacked, their homes burned, and many were killed while others fled.
Mbonyumutwa was elected president by leaders from the Hutu political parties in a meeting held in Gitarama, where it was confirmed that the monarchy was officially abolished. Mbonyumutwa was elected to lead the newly established republic.
In a joint statement released on November 1, 2025, energy ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States vowed to continue supporting Ukraine’s energy resilience, including financial aid and setting conditions for long-term private sector investment.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko recently said, Russia’s goal is to disrupt power supplies ahead of winter.
According to reports, recent Russian airstrikes on power stations across Ukraine have resulted in widespread outages, leaving many areas struggling to keep warm as winter approaches. Several civilians have been killed, and vital power plants, including nuclear facilities, have been hit.
On Friday, Ukraine’s foreign ministry also called Russia’s attacks “nuclear terrorism,” especially after hitting substations that provide backup power to nuclear plants. They stressed the attacks violate international humanitarian law and put global safety at risk.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also voiced serious concerns, warning that Ukraine’s nuclear plants have been affected by power losses, increasing the risks to nuclear safety.
While Russia continues to deny targeting civilians, the conflict over energy infrastructure is intensifying, with both nations accusing each other of attacks on critical facilities.
The electoral commission announced that Hassan garnered over 31.9 million votes with voter turnout reaching nearly 87% of Tanzania’s 37.6 million registered voters.
This victory grants Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, a five-year term to lead the East African nation of 68 million people.
Hassan thus becomes the country’s first elected female president to lead theEast African nation of 68 million people for a five-year term.
She previously served as vice president from 2010 to 2021 and first assumed the presidency in March 2021 following the death of then-President John Magufuli from heart disease, marking a historic milestone as Tanzania’s first female head of state.
Tanzanians went to the polls on Wednesday in general elections that were marred by days of violent protests.
Held every five years, the elections saw voters choose the president, members of parliament, and local council representatives, with 17 parties fielding presidential candidates and 18 contesting parliamentary and local seats.
Crowds, largely made up of young people, gathered in major cities including Dar es Salaam, calling for electoral reforms and accusing authorities of sidelining opposition candidates in the polls.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, is widely expected to secure victory once official results are announced.
{{Calls for calm amid heavy security presence
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The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Jacob John Mkunda, on Thursday urged citizens to stay off the streets, saying the army was working with police and other agencies to restore order. He described those engaged in violent acts as “criminals” and said security forces had the situation under control.
Despite the appeal, some demonstrators returned to the streets on Friday, particularly in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. Authorities have since extended a night-time curfew and maintained an internet shutdown, making it difficult to verify reports circulating on social media.
Witnesses say police have used tear gas to disperse crowds, while several public offices and buildings were vandalised earlier in the week. Government officials have emphasised that the measures being taken are temporary and necessary to protect citizens and property.
In a message to the diplomatic community broadcast on state television, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that the government was monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to maintain stability.
“Owing to isolated incidents of breaches of law and order, the government has heightened security and taken precautionary measures. These are temporary but necessary steps, and normalcy will return shortly.”
The United Nations has expressed concern over reports of casualties, urging Tanzanian security agencies to exercise restraint. UN human rights spokesperson Seif Magango said credible reports indicated that at least ten people had been killed in the unrest in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro.
Amnesty International said it was unable to independently verify those figures due to the ongoing internet restrictions. Hospitals and local authorities have also declined to comment publicly on the number of casualties.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, which boycotted the election after its leader Tundu Lissu was arrested on treason charges earlier this year, has alleged that hundreds of people have died. The government has not confirmed those figures.
According to the National Electoral Commission, results from 80 out of 100 regions have already been tallied, with President Hassan holding a commanding lead. Her main challengers, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, were unable to participate, the former due to his detention and the latter following disqualification over legal technicalities.
On the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar, the CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi has been declared the winner with nearly 80 percent of the vote. Opposition groups there have alleged electoral irregularities, though authorities insist the process was free and fair.
The report was officially launched on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Kigali Serena Hotel, in a ceremony attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, development partners, civil society representatives, and the media.
The Rwanda Governance Scorecard, produced annually by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), remains the nation’s flagship tool for measuring progress in governance, accountability, and service delivery.
{{Strong performance in safety, inclusion, and rule of law
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The Safety and Security pillar remains Rwanda’s highest-performing area with a score of 90.02%, reaffirming the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s safest nations. The report attributes this to consistently high citizen confidence in the Rwanda Defence Force, National Police, and local security structures.
Participation and Inclusiveness ranked second with 86.31%, reflecting broad citizen involvement in public affairs, effective decentralisation, and gender-balanced leadership. The report notes that power sharing and inclusiveness scored a full 100%, while gender equality in leadership reached 82.42%.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties followed with 82.71%, supported by strong results in democratic rights and freedoms (86.36%), respect for human rights (84.11%), and access to public information (81.77%).
The Rule of Law pillar achieved 81.63%, indicating continued public trust in justice institutions. The report highlights high scores in performance of the legislature (90.44%), though it identifies challenges such as case backlogs (50.85%) and limited digitalisation, with only 11% of government services fully automated.
{{Governance integrity and accountability
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Under the Anti-Corruption, Transparency, and Accountability pillar, Rwanda scored 79.25%, driven by transparency (92.35%) and accountability (80.39%). The report acknowledges sustained institutional integrity but notes that anti-corruption mechanisms (67.9%) and training of committees in public and private institutions remain areas for improvement.
The Economic and Corporate Governance pillar scored 74.84%, showing sound macroeconomic management (72.75%) and steady progress in corporate governance (77.67%). However, the report points to weaker results in exports of goods and services (47.95%), credit to the private sector (57.75%), and savings rate (60.23%).
The Quality of Service Delivery pillar registered 71.73%, showing advances in ICT-enabled services (66.9%) but emphasising the need to accelerate full digitalisation, with only a small fraction of services end-to-end automated.
The lowest-performing pillar, Investing in Human and Social Development, stood at 64.69%. The report notes continuing progress in health (74.14%) and education (65.65%), but identifies gaps in nutrition, social protection, and climate resilience, highlighting these as priority areas under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
{{A renewal of Rwanda’s commitment to good governance
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Opening the event, Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Governance Board, described the Scorecard as more than an annual report, “a renewal of Rwanda’s commitment to good governance.”
“Each edition of the Scorecard is a covenant with our collective pledge to measure ourselves transparently, correct course where needed, and continuously strive for excellence in public service,” Dr. Uwicyeza said.
She noted that the 12th edition reaffirms Rwanda’s strong foundation built on trust in institutions, security, and citizen participation, while also highlighting the need to strengthen decentralised service delivery and human development outcomes.
“Our challenge now is to translate governance strength into tangible results felt in citizens’ daily lives,” she added. “The Government of Rwanda has always chosen self-accountability as a pillar of leadership; this Scorecard embodies that principle.”
Dr. Uwicyeza paid tribute to President Paul Kagame, emphasising his leadership vision rooted in unity, ambition, and accountability.
“When President Kagame was asked about Rwanda’s secret, he said it lies in three choices: we chose to stay together, to think big, and to be accountable. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard is the embodiment of that accountability.”
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Ms. Fatmata Sesay, UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda, commended the Government and RGB for maintaining 15 years of consistent commitment to data-driven governance.
“Governance data is more than numbers; it is the lifeline of informed decision-making, policy dialogue, and accountability,” she said. “The Rwanda Governance Scorecard is not just a national tool; it is a global model for how governance data can be systematically collected, analysed, and used to drive transformation.”
She applauded Rwanda’s focus on evidence-based policy and citizen-centred governance, emphasising the Scorecard’s value as a practical instrument for reform.
“Let us not keep this document until next year’s launch,” she urged. “Let it inform our programs, shape our policies, and strengthen accountability. Governance is not abstract—it’s about how services are delivered and how every Rwandan participates in shaping the future.”
Sesay also highlighted the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in public data systems, calling for innovation to enhance citizen feedback mechanisms and real-time data analysis.
{{Turning insight into action
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Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, described the RGS as “a remarkable homegrown innovation that embodies Rwanda’s deep commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.”
“This Scorecard confirms that Rwanda continues to perform strongly in most governance areas, with five out of eight pillars scoring above 80 percent,” Prof. Ojielo said.
He observed that while Rwanda’s governance remains robust, modest declines in human and social development, education quality, and economic competitiveness underscore the need for renewed focus under NST2.
The key goals of NST2 include achieving an average annual GDP growth rate of 9.3 percent, creating 1.25 million decent jobs, doubling private investment to USD 4.6 billion, doubling export revenues to USD 7.3 billion, and reducing child stunting from 33 percent to 15 percent by 2029.
“Governance is about values, how a society chooses to hold itself accountable. What we see in Rwanda is not just a technical exercise but a foundational process of reimagining the socio-economic fabric of society,” he remarked.
Prof. Ojielo emphasised that measuring performance drives progress.
“What gets measured gets managed, and what gets measured gets done. Measurement is not just observation; it is a catalyst for transformation.”
He called for stronger investments in digital public services, education, export readiness, and citizen engagement, reinforcing that “the Scorecard is not just about data, it is about direction.”
{{A tool for continuous renewal
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Now in its 12th edition since its inception in 2010, the Rwanda Governance Scorecard continues to serve as both a mirror and a compass, reflecting the country’s governance achievements while guiding future reforms. It benchmarks Rwanda’s progress against global indices such as the Mo Ibrahim Index, the Chandler Good Government Index, and the World Justice Project, while remaining firmly grounded in homegrown accountability principles.
The celebration took place in Kigali on the evening of October 25, 2025, bringing together the company’s management, staff, and clients to mark two decades of progress achieved through LOLC Unguka Finance’s growth and commitment to financial inclusion.
Théoneste Mutsindashyaka, a cassava and grain flour trader based in Kigali, was among clients who attended the event and credited LOLC Unguka Finance for his business success.
He began working with the institution in 2005, when he could only access a loan of Frw 350,000, but has since grown to qualify for loans exceeding Frw 50 million.
“I am a successful businessman today, thanks to LOLC Unguka Finance,” he said. “I started my business in 2000, but it was still small when I joined Unguka in 2005. My first loan was Frw 350,000, which I used to buy a milling machine. I have worked with Unguka ever since, and over the past 20 years, my business has grown tremendously. I thank God and Unguka for supporting me. Today, I qualify for over Frw 50 million loan.”
Angélique Beza, who runs a veterinary and agricultural supply shop in Nyabugogo, also shared her success story. She started working with LOLC Unguka Finance in 2005 and has remained a loyal client ever since.
“I was among the first clients to join LOLC Unguka Finance,” she said. “I left other banks because Unguka treated us with care and dedication. They welcomed us warmly, opened accounts for us easily, and offered great service. That’s why I have stayed all these years and I plan to keep working with them in the future.”
The Chairperson of the Board of LOLC Unguka Finance, Yves Sangano, reminded guests that the company was founded with the goal of becoming one of Rwanda’s leading providers of financial services, noting significant progress in ensuring high-quality customer service.
“We have played a significant role in Rwanda’s economy,” he said. “We’ve adapted to changes in financial sector regulations while continuing to innovate and ensure that our clients receive the best possible service.”
The Chief Executive Officer, Justin Kagishiro, thanked clients and partners, acknowledging that their trust and cooperation have been key to LOLC Unguka Finance’s success over the past 20 years. He promised more innovations in the years ahead, including new digital services aimed at improving customer experience.
During the event, the institution with more than 200 employees, recognized and rewarded outstanding employees for their exceptional performance in 2024.
Following the presentation of credentials, President Rinkēvičs and Amb. Dushimimana held talks on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, notably in the areas of trade and investment.
Amb. Dushimimana also oversees Rwanda’s interests in the Netherlands. The diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Latvia officially began in 2007. Rwanda appointed its ambassador to Latvia in January 2022.
Latvia is one of the smaller countries in Europe, covering an area of 64,589 square kilometers. Its capital city is Riga, founded in 1201.
The country has a population of less than two million people. Over 50% of Latvia’s land area is covered by forests, which explains its strong timber industry and overall wealth in wood-related trade.
Latvia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The official and most widely spoken language is Latvian, one of the oldest languages in Europe.
