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The structures will be erected where Akagera Motors used to be, Ets. Verma, Mironko and Mukangira between Kigali City Mall (former Union Trade Center) and Kigali City Tower.
It is expected that Amarembo will be comprised of buildings extended on 120,000 square meters with commercial buildings, offices, entertainment, upper and ground parking, a hotel and pool among others.

The project was conceived in 2004 and was supposed to be executed as a joint investment but things did not turn right when some concerned investors changed mind and wanted to raise standalone buildings. The latter stalled the progress of the project expected to cost USD $ 120 million.

The waver left the latter divided into three projects resembling the previous one but aligning with Kigali city master plan. One of them retained the name of ‘Amarembo City Center’ to be built at former headquarters of Akagera Motors, a former place known as Chez Venant.

The second is Mironko project to be executed at the opposite side of Rubangura and Costa to be built in the opposite side of the city roundabout.

These projects with buildings made of 10 to 14 floors were expected to start in 2017 but the places remain idle until today.

The mayor of Kigali city, Marie Chantal Rwakazina has told IGIHE that the stalling of the project resulted from a misunderstanding between investors who failed to reach a consensus on raising the buildings together.

“It is one of the areas in which Rwandans and Kigali residents need to change mindsets. Some people still hold mindsets of erecting standalone buildings on their land yet the policy of making good usage of land requires changing it. The property should not be taken as fully owned when on the ground floor. It might be yours as an apartment at the second or the third floor. Such mindsets still cause problems,” she said.

Rwakazina revealed that discussions on the project were held last week and promising to bear fruits.

“It is promising to be fixed in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board. Talks gave us hope for consensus,” said Rwakazina.

The worries were raised recently during the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi held at Nyanza Genocide Memorial.

The president of IBUKA, Prof Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu thanked President Paul Kagame for exceptional leadership during the liberation struggle to stop genocide but expressed worries on reintegration measures.

“We can assure him that we don’t trust how genocide convicts are prepared before reintegration into the communities after completing their sentences. We find the process wanting,” he said.

Figures indicate that at least over 800 genocide convicts will be released this year, 920 will be released in 2020, 1496 in 2021, and 3620 in 2022 while 2012 will be released in 2023.
Some released convicts are not willing to apologize to offended people while others don’t reveal where remains of genocide victims are so they can be accorded decent burial.

The Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), Fidèle Ndayisaba has told IGIHE that there is a need to strengthen measures of reintegrating released genocide convicts because it takes a long time to transform a person having harbored genocide ideology for long.

“There are activities that must be carried out during their jail term including how they are helped and taught because they are not jailed to face prison’s walls only. Such activities are not only meant to be done by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission,” he said.

He explained that there are more psychiatric activities organized after their release because ‘someone who committed such a heavy offense is severely hurt that he/she requires psychiatric programs freeing them to be completely transformed.’

Ndayisaba stressed that such initiatives have to be reinforced especially during this period when many of genocide convicts who were handed 10 years and beyond are about finishing their sentences.

“Districts have adopted strategies of visiting inmates in prison to engage with convicts. Convicts meet leaders to hear their concerns and meet a representative of genocide survivors; it prepares them for transformation and getting them ready for integration to live in harmony with others when they are released into the society,” he said.

“Their families, neighbors should be informed that those convicts will be released. It is necessary for them to get such information earlier so they don’t be surprised to see the person returning to the society,” added Ndayisaba.

It was also highlighted by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana that they hold talks on genocide every year especially during the commemoration period.

He stressed the need to draw constant policies to teach inmates because they are subject to be taken to court in case they commit another offense after release.

“It doesn’t mean there are unusual behaviors but they don’t often know that sentences handed to offenders are completed. This leads them to bring allegations that someone was released before completing the sentence. When we analyze the case, we find he/she finalized the sentence,”

The spokesperson of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), SSP Hillary Sengabo, said that there are a number of programs through which genocide convicts are pacified and are becoming fruitful.

“When we realize that some genocide convicts feel transformed, they send letters to offended people then we connect them to apologize. Such gestures demonstrate that the person we taught is willing to change,” he said.

“The number of those doing it is little compared to genocide convicts but we prepare them as we can before an inmate completes the sentence and released. We cannot keep someone in prison after finalizing sentence because he/she has not yet apologized but they appear to have been transformed in general,” added Sengabo.

He explained that fruitful results of offered programs is measured through the absence of released genocide convicts returning to prison for genocide ideology.

“Today, only 30% of inmates are genocide convicts. It is a smaller number compared to inmates imprisoned for other crimes. This means others were released. They are integrated into the community while others completed the community service. When we don’t see them back for genocide ideology, we assume that they got transformed,” said Sengabo.

The AU Troika is composed of Rwanda as the former AU Chair, Egypt as the current chair and South Africa as the next AU chair

The emergent summit was convened by Egypt President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi as the current chairperson of African Union.

Other participants include the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat Faki who is expected to give a report to the heads of states on how security issues can be addressed in those countries.

Faki has recently concluded a visit to Sudan following the crisis that followed the overthrowing of president Bashir.

The committee of AU studying on security matters in Libya led by President Sassou N’guesso will make reports on the progress of restoring peace in Libya.

President el-Sisi is also expected to lead discussions on Sudan matter to convene Tchad, Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti, Rwanda, Somalia and South Africa assessing how leadership can be passed on peacefully.

Located in Kimihurura near the former Prime Minister’s office, the building was inaugurated yesterday. It has been under construction for 33 months at a cost of USD $ 27 million in funding by the Chinese Republic.

Premier Dr. Edouard Ngirente has said that the new building is evidence of improving Rwanda, China relations. He hailed China’s continued support to various development sectors including investment, health, education, and infrastructure among others.

Dr. Ngirente revealed that the new building given to the government will enable employees to improve service delivery.

“I thank the Chinese government for granting Rwanda such a decent office building. It will help employees from Prime Minister’s office and others from other government institutions who will run operations in it to move fast service delivery at a high tune,” he said.

Jianbang Zheng, the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee lauded Rwanda’s progress under the championship of President Paul Kagame’s leadership.

He reiterated that his country is ready to push forward partnerships with Rwanda to reach the desired vision.

Zheng stressed that the new building China has handed to Rwanda will keep strengthening bilateral cooperation.

” I believe the relationships shall keep standing firm like this building. This building will be the model of vibrant bilateral relationships with other African countries. It symbolizes that we implement our promises,” he noted.

” In Africa’s development partnership, China roots on to the pillar of striving for joint benefits of giving much to take few in return, and giving before receiving anything,” added Zheng.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete has told media that the building stretched on 16000 square meters will help the government to reduce a large number of government institutions renting offices.

” It will reduce renting expenses. This is a beautiful building matching with our vision. The more we progress, the faster we increase government buildings to eliminate renting because it takes a lot of money,” he revealed.

Over 300 Rwandans were employed during the construction of the inaugurated building.

Minister Gatete said that 30% of construction materials were sourced locally while 70% came from China.

The new building was fully funded.

Some of the government institutions will move to the building towards the end of June 2019.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Rwanda yesterday where he was welcomed by president Kagame at Kanombe International Airport and later shared dinner at Kigali Convention Centre after witnessing the signing of 4 cooperation agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism & business events, aviation travel, and logistics.

Today morning on the second day of the visit President Kagame with Qatar Emir have visited Akagera National Park which is home to the big five.

The latter is graced with the presence of big five animals including rhinos, lion, buffalo, elephant, and leopard.

Akagera National Park stretches to 1200 square kilometers.

Photos released by the Office of the Presidency, Village Urugwiro, show President Kagame and Qatar Emir in Akagera National Park sheltered in umbrellas because it has been raining since the morning.

One of the pictures shows them glancing at an elephant in the forest.

The management of Akagera National Park has recently announced to have recorded 44,000 tourists in 2018, half of whom were Rwandans.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir of Qatar is in Rwanda for a three-day state visit which he started yesterday. He was welcomed by President

Kagame upon arrival at Kanombe International Airport.

After welcoming him, they both witnessed the signing of 4 agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism and business events and aviation travel and logistics which ended with a State Dinner at Kigali Convention Centre.

Signed agreements follow existing ones signed in Doha, Qatar when president Kagame visited the country previously.

These include air service transport services, promoting and protecting joint investment and cooperation in trade and technical areas among others.

In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements in diplomatic cooperation. Qatar Airways aircrafts conduct flights from Doha to Kigali among other destinations including Dubai.

On 26th May 2015, both countries signed cooperation agreements to fight against drug abuse on the sidelines of Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum held in Doha.

The visit follows President Kagame’s visit to Qatar towards the end of 2018.

At the time both leaders held discussions on improving and expanding economic cooperation. They also presided over the signing ceremony of three agreements between Rwanda and Qatar focusing on air service transport services, promoting and protecting joint investment and cooperation in trade and technical areas among others.

The delegation of envoys from Qatar led by Qatar Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani recently visited Rwanda and demonstrated a willingness to fund the project meant to fast track the implementation of the construction of Bugesera International Airport.

At the time, Rwanda Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera said: “We have held discussions on investing in the construction of Bugesera International Airport and is apparent that it will be fruitful. We expect to conclude the talks soon.”

In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements in diplomatic cooperation. Qatar

Airways aircrafts conduct flights from Doha to Kigali among other destinations including Dubai.

On 26th May 2015, both countries signed cooperation agreements to fight against drug abuse on the sidelines of Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum held in Doha.

The commemoration event that took place yesterday brought together her relatives as well as residents of Nyanza District, Southern Province.

Queen Gicanda was killed with six women, close friends in Butare during the genocide and other relatives shot dead in front of the National Museum of Rwanda.

Queen Gicanda was buried in Mwima of Nyanza nearby the tomb of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and Kigeli V Ndahindurwa.

Gicanda is the last Queen of Rwanda. She was the wife of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.

Gicanda was born in 1928 in Rwamagana and killed on 20 April 1994 by soldiers of the then government during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in former Butare Prefecture.

She grew as a disciplined lady with good character that qualified her to become the wife of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.

Gicanda married King Mutara III Rudahigwa on 13th January 1942. In 1961 began the reforms shift from kingdom to republic, two years after the death of Rudahigwa (on 25th July 1959).

The latter saw Kayibanda Grégoire becoming the first president of Rwanda.

President Paul Kagame yesterday attended
the launch of

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The delegation was comprised of Senator Lindsey Graham from Republican political party representing Southern Carolina; Senator Christopher Andrew Coons, from Democrat political party representing Delaware state; Senator Benjamin Eric Sasse, Republican representing Nebraska state and Senator John Barrasso who is also a Republican representing Wyoming state.

Barrasso is the chairperson of senators from the Republican Political Party of Donald Trump.

Other members of the delegation include a Republican Michael McCaul representing Texas and Cindy McCain, the wife of John McCain a former senator who passed away last year.
Following the discussions, President Paul Kagame said in a tweet: “Enjoyed the productive discussions on Africa and US/Rwanda excellent relations and look forward to more plans ahead.”

In February 2019, President Kagame and First Lady attended “Codel Prayer Breakfast” that brought together top government officials and USA congressional delegation that was on a visit to Rwanda.

The team was comprised of members from Republicans led by Senator James Inhofe representing Oklahoma State, Senator Mike Enzi representing Wyoming, Senator John Boozman representing Arkansas and parliamentarians including Greg Gianforte and Mike Kelly.