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Umushyikirano is a forum for national dialogue where Rwandans gather to assess issues related to the state of the nation, functioning of the decentralized structures, and national unity.

As he officially opened the 16th National dialogue, Umushyikirano 2018, President Paul Kagame started by delivering the State of the Nation address and said: “Umushyikirano is a unique Rwandan institution. It is about bringing all Rwandans together to review the State of our Nation over the past year, and exchange ideas about the way forward.”
H.E Paul Kagame Full Speech

We owe all the good results we have achieved towards socio-economic transformation to your hard work. I thank every Rwandan for what has been achieved. We are better off than we have ever been, and we are on the right path.

But from experience, we also know that we have the power to multiply the speed and scale of progress. For leaders especially, this simply means doing more of what we are already capable of, using the resources we have, and to do it right now, not later.

Whenever Rwandans come together and do our best, we always accomplish more than we thought possible and faster.

In international affairs, Rwanda has played a role in many aspects.

Cooperation with others is also aimed at transforming our country. When we are trusted with a responsibility, we do everything we can to fulfill it.

Rwanda had the honor of chairing the African Union this year for the first time. We are seeing concrete returns on continental integration efforts. Examples include self-financing, the Peace Fund, the Continental Free Trade Area and Free Movement of Persons.

As Rwanda, our goal and what we have worked towards is good relations in the region and integration. We are all one as Africans. But the problem comes from how we work with each other. We have to put words into action.

Integration is not just about trade, it is also about security. People cross the border but when they get in your country you put them in jail or they disappear. How can you trade with each other if you get put in prison when you cross the border?

There are some in our neighborhood who think that regional integration is supposed to only benefit them but not others. This cannot work. Regional integration is give and take.

That is what integration and trade means. It cannot just be for you to take and you don’t give anything.

Regional integration most importantly means security. You cannot use your sovereignty to allow your territory to be used to compromise the security of your neighbours. That is not regional integration.

It was recently announced that South Africa summoned its ambassador to Kigali, George Nkosinati Twala. It was also reported that among the reasons for his summoning was that South African Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was slandered.

In a statement, released by the Government of Rwanda Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states that it has communicated, through diplomatic channels, serious concerns about consistent attempts by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation “to delay or derail the course of normalization”.

It further reads: “These include unfounded allegations made against Rwanda in public statements and the media, based on rumours and distortions propagated by Rwandan detractors based in Canada and South Africa, and media platforms associated with them.

It is a cause for concern that the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation chooses to believe these groups over the assurance provided by the Government of Rwanda.”

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu recently announced that he had a conversation with Kayumba Nyamwasa, before negotiations between the two countries, aimed at normalising their relations which was bad news for Rwanda.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda also expressed concerns over “the repeated summons of the Rwandan High Commissioner in Pretoria for reasons unknown to the Government of Rwanda, including articles by obscure tabloids.”

Rwanda argues that relations between states cannot be contingent to suggested negotiations with subversive and criminal movements led by individuals who have either been convicted of, or are wanted for, criminal activities.

In 2014, South Africa temporarily suspended visas for Rwandans flying to South Africa using ordinary passports. At the time, the country expelled three Rwandan diplomats in Pretoria, and Rwanda retaliated by expelling six South African diplomats in Kigali.

Rwanda accused South Africa of hosting those who were behind exploding grenades in the country, killing innocent people. South Africa also accused Rwanda of being behind an armed attack at Gen. Kayumba Nyamwasa’s home in the country.

The former Rwandan Army Commander was convicted of the crimes including forming a terror group, disturbing the country’s security, divisionism and escaping the army.

He was sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment in absentia in 2011, and was stripped of all military ranks.

He fled to South Africa, where he founded an opposition movement, the Rwandan National Congress.

He made this remark on Wednesday when he attended the Youth Connekt Convention at Intare Conference Arena where over 2000 Rwandan youth from across all districts and 15 countries are gathered including those who will also participate in the upcoming Umushyikirano.

Kagame said that the future of Rwanda is in the hands of young people.

He said that Rwanda’s past was so damaged that it took a bad reputation, and asked the youth to take the lead in changing it.

“Our country used to be defined by a bad history and the wrong character and identity. But today as we stand here, the goal is to transform this country, change the wrong that used to define us and build the kind of unity that will define us for future generations,” he said.

He further said that the bad history will be deleted with development.

He urged the youth to maintain the mindset of self-employment.

President Kagame further stated that creating one’s own job does not require that someone has no other job as it is often mistaken.

“Being self-employed doesn’t necessarily require that someone cannot find another job. Entrepreneurship does not depend on your age. The first step towards becoming an entrepreneur is that you have grown in thinking and not just because you do not have a job to give you a salary,” he said.

He said that although self employment begins with the benefit of one person, it also benefits the country because the one who created a job may employ others.

He explained that all of this cannot be attained by people with shallow thinking.

“We have to think big. Our goals and ambitions must be beyond our geographical size. Entrepreneurship, security, development, moving our country forward must all be based on thinking big,” he said.

Youths participating in the Youth Connekt Convention include young entrepreneurs from across the country’s districts, universities and secondary schools, youth unions, and the Rwandan diaspora, among others.

The purpose of the campaign is to remind Rwandans to test for ‘Hepatitis C’.

Figures show that 5% of Rwandans have the infection. It is acquired through unprotected sex, blood, bodily fluids and children born to infected parents are more likely to acquire it as well.

Minister of Health Dr. Diane Gashumba said that every Rwandan is encouraged to test in order to know their status.

“Testing is important because hepatitis C is a treatable infection. If today the government of Rwanda is investing in the capacity with its stakeholders to reduce the cost of drugs, Rwandans should know their status and so we can get enough drugs to treat them all and prevent new hepatitis C prevalence,” she said.

“In five years, about 5 million Rwandans should be tested, but can’t we do so in one month? Our citizens are willing and we have partners, the government is willing to provide all the necessary requirements to eradicate this infection before five years,” she added.

In 2016, the Government of Rwanda agreed with Gilead Industry, an American pharmaceutical company, to reduce the cost of Hepatitis C drugs. The current price has reduced from 95,000 USD to 1200 USD.

Due to the high cost of the drugs, the government of Rwanda has continued to support, so that the patient cannot pay more than $100 and recover in three months.
Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) Director General, Dr. Jeanine Condo, said that until now there are no figures of Rwandans killed by Hepatitis C. But they want to take tough measures to stop it.

To date, Hepatitis B has a vaccine, and people are required to be vaccinated against it, because when one acquires it, they have to be on treatment throughout their whole life. Hepatitis C has no vaccine but can be cured.

The Ministry of Health in Rwanda reports that if 100 people with Hepatitis C were to be treated, 91 would recover.

This year’s edition, the third of its kind, of Combined Arms Field Training Exercise was done under the theme “Hard Punch.”

The exercises were carried out as army officers displayed how small and big weapons are used for reinforcement of the army units fighting the enemy at the battlefield.

Weapons used by the air force, land arms and marine arms were all put on a show.

Recounting his previous battles that were won by sheer determination, President Kagame said capacity is far way beyond having military materiel. “We used to go to the battlefield with 10 bullets in our guns, our enemies had maybe 100. But to win the war, you do not need 100 bullets. When the bullets are done, you are the one left standing to accomplish the mission.”

“I also want to thank you because this job you have chosen of protecting citizens, requires more from you than what you are given, in terms of salary or means available to us but it does not stop you from doing the work we do. You work under the sun, the rain, in the middle of forests and different environments and we ask ourselves whether what we give you is enough. The answer is that it can never be enough because this job goes beyond the individual, it is for the nation. What we do requires of us more than we have but it means that every resource we have is used to deliver to our maximum ability. Every bullet you shoot counts. Every resource you use must accomplish its purposes. We do not have room to waste. We have to deliver results beyond the resources we have. Nothing is impossible as long as we have the right mindset and values. Our enemies can only wish us ill but they will never be able to defeat us. Anyone who dares to threaten our security will fail.” He noted

President Kagame further commended Rwanda’s armed forces strength, saying that “Anyone who dares to threaten our security will fail”.

The trainings were given to army officers in the Rwanda Defence Force 3rd Division whose headquarters are in Gisenyi, Rubavu District representing the RDF Northern/Western regional command of which Commander is Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame.

Last year’s edition of the combined arms field training exercise- which was the second- was held on November 10, 2017, presided over by President Kagame and it was followed by his meeting with RDF senior officials, representatives of other security organs, and militaries who had undergone that exercise.

Kagame told them that the exercises are among activities of RDF done in order to build capacity and professionalism so achieve its mission.

The first edition of the exercise was also held at Gabiro Combat Training Centre on November 5, 2016.

The State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that Twala has been summoned by his country.

“Yes. Any government has the right to summon its diplomat at any time,” he said.

Twala has been South Africa’s ambassador to Rwanda since 2012. He is summoned at a time when Rwanda and South Africa have shown willingness to launch talks aimed at re-establishing good relations between the two countries.

President Paul Kagame recently held a meeting with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa when he was in Argentina on the sidelines of G20 summit.

In March President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the problem of Rwandans being denied visas to South Africa would soon become history after holding talks with President Paul Kagame. However, up to now, no signs of good relations between the two countries have bloomed.

Drawn on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices, Umushyikirano is a development program adapted to the country’s needs and context.

It is one of Rwanda’s largest gatherings bringing together leaders and citizens to reflect on the country’s progress and share ideas to solve ongoing challenges.

Governed by Rwanda Constitution Article 140, Umushyikirano is a forum to debate the state of the nation, local government and national unity.

{{Read More: [How eight resolutions made during the 2017 national dialogue been implemented
->http://www.en.igihe.com/news/how-eight-resolutions-made-during-the-2017.html]}}

Officers from RDF in the area reacted as instantly, pursued and fired, killing four of them.

Busasamana Sector executive secretary, Epimaque Uwimana told IGIHE that the attackers have not been identified and that the resident who caught the bullet at home was taken to Bugeshi health center.

Today, early in the morning local authorities summoned a security meeting at the scene of the attack, and residents were shown the bodies of the four attackers who were shot dead to see if they knew them.

They had documents that indicate that they are DRC citizens with voters’ cards.

Bugeshi and Busasamana sectors border the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are often targeted by armed attacks from the country.

This weekend, on December 9, 2018, was one of happiness for over 200 children from 30 districts of Rwanda hosted by Mrs. Jeannette Kagame.

The children aged between 7 and 12 years old were treated to fun and games, as well as presents.

The First Lady reminded the children to set personal goals and strive to achieve them.
“You have to live with goals. If you draw, you must specify the number of what you will do. Someone who writes a poem must also target a certain number. You need to make your own plans, respect them, and take time to read and do other things that help you to acquire knowledge,” she advised.

She told them that their commitments will be achieved by co-operating with others, especially their parents.

“Let’s write the goals we want to achieve when we reach home, at least every month. This is the time to set goals for the new year. We have heard your wishes, our stakeholders are listening to you and we will look at them and see what we can do. Let your parents and your tutors know what you do at school, do not be afraid to tell them what’s on your heart and do not seek advice elsewhere, without talking to your parents first,” she told them.

She also reminded them that they should be physically clean, help their parents, and contribute to their community.

The children expressed gratitude for the programs that were brought to their communities and facilitated them to study. They said as a result of the programmes, students who had abandoned school returned and their lives were improved.

Fabrice Niyonkuru from Kagano Sector in Nyamasheke District recited a poem in recognition of the bravery of the people who eradicated Nyakatsi (grass-thatched housings) and the establishment of kitchen gardens.

“I thank President Kagame and Mrs. Jeannette Kagame who paid for ‘mutuelle’ health insurance for us. No one falls sick and remains at home. Now, we study and succeed. They introduced the Girinka Munyarwanda Programme for us and we drink milk. I thank you for the program that promoted people’s lives in all districts,” he said.

Kellya Cyuzuzo, a 12-year-old student in Camp Kigali, was delighted to be invited to the party and to the task they were given, saying she is prepared to “encourage children to maintain hygiene and help their parents.”

Children who have participated in this celebration are selected based on the performance they have shown in class, those from vulnerable families and those with special disabilities.
They ate and interacted with the staff of the Office of the President, Imbuto Foundation and Unity Club lntwararumuri which is comprised of current and former government members.

They received Christmas and New Year gifts. They were also entertained by Patience Uwiringiyimana, who created a talking toy dubbed “Golizo the Crazy”, children of the Rwanda Rocks Music School troops and various games organized.

It is an honor she was bestowed upon by UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, on December 7th, 2018 during the presentation on the vision and status of global HIV response by Michel Sidibe and UN Undersecretary-General at the Kigali Convention Centre. It was attended by government officials, the private sector, and ambassadors, among others.

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame is the first to receive this responsibility given in recognition of her role in improving lives.

She thanked UNAIDS for the confidence it has in her by appointing her Ambassador of a department (Adolescent Health and Wellbeing) that cares for health worldwide.

“It is my great honor to share this moment with you today. To be named Special Ambassador of Adolescent Health and Well-being, by an institution committed to seeing healthier communities around the world,” she said.

“This is something that I cannot take lightly – and for that, I am humbled and sincerely grateful. This recognition goes beyond highlighting my efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Rwanda, and ensuring the health and well-being of our adolescents,” she added.
Mrs. Jeannette Kagame explained that the journey she embarked on, along with her team, since 2001, was one rooted in the conviction to see all Rwandans educated and living a dignified and prosperous life. She said she believed that it was what they deserved.

“Indeed, through this journey, we have witnessed a tremendous positive change. This is reflected in the lives of hundreds of thousands of our people, as they grow more knowledgeable about their health; but also, demand better quality services, while holding their leaders accountable,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Jeannette Kagame said that the step achieved is based on the vision of the Government of Rwanda but noted that the journey is continuing.

“This being said, however, we cannot sit back with the satisfaction that the worst is behind us. As the face of HIV/AIDS continues to change, we must remain vigilant, in order to respond to emerging challenges, in a timely manner,” she said.

She thanked partners including AVEGA, Solace Ministries, Rwanda Women Network and others.

“We share this recognition. Let’s continue the commitment to eradicate HIV/AIDS so that our children can live and grow well, “she said.

She promised to continue the commitment such that HIV/AIDS will have been completely eradicated by 2030.

Rwanda surpassed the target 90-90-90 in 2020 set by UNAIDS and achieved 95-95-95, where it targets that 95% of HIV-positive people will be aware of it, and 95% of them taking ARVs, and 95% of the virus so weakened in the body and cannot be passed on.

Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba said that “Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has contributed to the fight against AIDS, especially in women by striving for HIV contamination-free century in Rwanda.”

UNAIDS Director General, Michel Sidibé, pointed out that Rwanda made a significant step towards the fight against AIDS but that it should not make people slow down on the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“Recently, we marked 30 years of the fight against AIDS. It is a time of mutual consultation and commitment. In recent years, people did not understand it and even said that it was expensive and should not be politically justified. Through your own will, we may say we got out of critical times, we have confidence,” he said.

He appreciated the role of Mrs. Jeannette Kagame in dealing with AIDS.

He said that in less than 10 years, Rwanda has doubled the number of people on HIV treatment and that since 2010, AIDS-related deaths are down by almost 50% while mother to child transmission rate is 1.5%- on the way to ensuring no baby is born with HIV.

Moreover, he said that Rwanda knows all about the power of HIV testing because more than 90% of healthcare facilities provide it, and between July 2017 and June 2018, more than 2.5 million people accessed HIV testing services.

He appreciated the role of Mrs. Jeannette Kagame at the launch of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA).

“She’s a loving parent to others. I will always remember that I had the opportunity to get acquainted with someone who has the heart of doing well to others, the people of Rwanda and the world. It’s someone who wants to build a bridge connecting people instead of setting up a separating wall,” he said.

Over the past seven years, the number of people succumbing to AIDS in Rwanda fell off from 6000 in 2010 to 3100 in 2017. The number of patients on HIV treatment rose from 89,000 to 186,000. New HIV contamination prevalence fell off from 9300 down to 7400 people.

Meanwhile, HIV/AIDS prevalence was 210,000 people in 2010 and 220,000 in 2017.