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ArtRwanda- Ubuhanzi’s Road Trips will kick off in Midland Motel, Kayonza, 8th and 9th September, according to organizers.

IGIHE had a one-on-one with Geraldine Umutesi, the Deputy Director General of Imbuto Foundation, who gave an insight into the development of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi and what the public should expect from the project.

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{{IGIHE: What is ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi and what do we need to know about the project?
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{{Umutesi:}} ArtRwanda – Ubuhanzi was conceptualized by Imbuto Foundation and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth in an effort to support Rwandan Youth’s artistic development and future career aspirations.

Since this programme involved the creative arts industry, we also partnered with the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture.
This programme also supports the government’s priorities in creating jobs through the promotion of social entrepreneurship among the young people in that industry.
This is a chance for the Youth to showcase their talents and aspirations in the Industry.

{{How will participants register?
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Participants will register on audition days, on spot, depending on where they are located. We will commence our auditions in Kayonza, on 08-09 September, and then continue to Rubavu and Musanze, on 15-16 September, then to Rusizi and Huye on 22-23 September. Kigali will be our last destination, on 29-30 September.

{{What are the criteria for participating in the road trip selection?
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Every Rwandan, aged between 18 to 35 can join. The participant will also need to show something that identifies you (such as an Identification card). He/she will also be required to bring their works or demonstrate, on spot, their talents.

Their work needs to be quite original, and ready for auditions. That’s all. But since our judges seek to choose the best contestants with the most outstanding talents, participants need to come ready to defend their projects and its social Entrepreneurial side.

Also, we are only looking for budding talents, those who never had the opportunity for their talents to be spotted and nurtured.

{{How will Art-Rwanda-Ubuhanzi be implemented?
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There are 6 categories under the creative Arts industry. Contestants will be selected to participate in a pre-selection phase, where a team of judges will verify the authenticity of their work. In that phase, they will look out to only those who have outstanding talents; you might be a renowned artist in Kayonza, but yet, in Musanze, there’s one who might be better than you.

We will select 120 contestants—meaning 20 from each category, who will then proceed to the Boot Camp phase.

{{Will Established artists allowed to participate?
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They will not participate but they will contribute as judges, coaches and influencers of this programme. Most of them are among stakeholders involved in this programme, since they also played a great part in raising the Industry.

{{For Rwandans living abroad, are they eligible to participate?
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This is only the beginning; we decided to start from the Rwandan Youth based in the country, since you need to showcase and defend your work in front of judges. At first, there was a technology we had come up with, but we decided to first address issues such as unemployment within the Youth in Rwanda.

For now, we can only hope that Rwandans over the world support and help us spread this programme.

{{What would be your message to the youth that will participate in the programme?
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In an effort to go hand in hand with targets of the National Strategy of Transformation, we need to find and develop new job opportunities, from within ourselves. This is the best time to foster new opportunities besides from what we are taught in class, or from agriculture, farming and other sectors. We will focus on the Creative Arts Industry and see how it can contribute to Rwanda’s Economic outlook.

{{What are prizes that will be entitled to winners of this project?
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I think that no prize is equivalent to being given a platform to showcase your talent, but, winners will receive different prizes packages, among which seed capital will be provided to the top winners, allowing them to start new ventures and permitting them to access certain grants. In addition to the cash prizes, they will be linked to renowned art galleries, ‘ateliers de couture’, relevant institutions to their specific fields, for internships and a 1 year incubation period.

For the first time over the last 24 years, two opposition parties have also entered the parliament.

They are Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and PS-Imberakuri. Each has secured two seats after winning 5% ballots as the minimum Constitutional requirement for a party or independent candidate to have a seat.

It is also the first time that 53 seats contested for in the general elections are shared among all 11 parties in Rwanda.

The preliminary results announced Tuesday indicated that the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) and allied six parties won 74% equivalent to 40 seats.

Six parties in the RPF-led coalition have therefore shared 20 seats as RPF also takes 20. The six are PDI, PSR, PDC, PPC, UDPR and PSP.

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced that Liberal Party (PL) and Social Democratic Party (PSD) respectively won 9% and 7% equivalent to five and four seats.

Nobody of the four independent candidates won a seat. They all scored below 1% including the last year’s presidential elections, Philippe Mpayimana, who lost to then RPF candidate Paul Kagame.

Though RPF maintains absolute majority with 40 seats, it has lost one seat compared to immediate last term. PSD and PL have also lost two and one respectively.

{{Reactions
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RPF electoral commissioner and spokesperson, Wellars Gasamagera told IGIHE Wednesday that the party is contented with the results.

“We are happy that voters have made their choice. We needed absolute majority and we have achieved that. We thank Rwandans who have again placed trust in us,’ he said.

PSD president Dr Vincent Biruta shared similar contentment over the results despite the party’s loss of two seats.

“We have no worries because it usually happens to have more or fewer seats in all elections. We shall examine our loss but it is even general as other parties have also lost seats. It is because new parties have ascended into the House,” he said.

Biruta said that new parties entry cements the openness of political space.

DGPR president Dr Frank Habineza said he is delighted to see his party enter the parliament.

DGPR was founded in 2009 but was allegedly denied to contest in 2013 legislative elections. DGPR’s Habineza contested for the presidency last year but lost with 0.48% votes.

Habineza said that his party is going to advocate on different issues as it pledged during the campaign.

“These elections take Rwanda to a better step. It was always RPF, PL, and PSD in the parliament but it has now changed for the better,” he said.

“Nothing will hold us back on our pledges; it is not an easy task but we shall lobby other parties in the House.”

Habineza said they will advocate for the revision of land law to scrap or at least reduce land taxes and strive to give back land to the citizens as opposed to the current status of leasing land with the state.

PS-Imberakuri president Christine Mukabunani said her first party’s representation in the parliament is a great achievement.

She thanked voters for the trust placed in her party and promised it will strive to deliver the pledges it made during the campaign.

Women have 49 seats equivalent to 61.2% of the 80-seat Lower House.

These include 24 women special seats, 19 out of 40 RPF seats, two from each of PSD and PL, one from PS-Imberakuri and Clarisse Imaniriho representing the youth.

Now in custody are Maximilien Turinabo, Anselme Nzabonimpa, Jean de Dieu Ndagijimana, Marie Rose Fatuma and Dick Prudence Munyeshuli.

Rwanda Public Prosecution Authority has announced in a statement that the arrests were executed on Monday upon a request by the Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT).

The five suspects are expected to be transferred to the seat of the Mechanism in Arusha, Tanzania.

The IRMCT statement released Wednesday indicates that the alleged aim of the suspects’ efforts was to secure the reversal of Augustin Ngirabatware’s conviction by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Ngirabatware was convicted by the ICTR’s Appeals Chamber for direct and public incitement to commit genocide, instigating genocide and aiding and abetting genocide and gave him a sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.

The indictment in the Turinabo et al. case alleges that the five accused are responsible for contempt of court, incitement to commit contempt and knowingly violating court orders, and interfering with the administration of justice at the Mechanism and ICTR.

The Office of the Prosecutor alleges that Maximilien Turinabo, Anselme Nzabonimpa, Jean de Dieu Ndagijimana and Marie Rose Fatuma, directly and through others, offered bribes and exerted pressure to influence the evidence of protected witnesses in the Ngirabatware case.

It further alleges that Dick Prudence Munyeshuli and Maximilien Turinabo disclosed protected information regarding protected witnesses in knowing violation of protective measures ordered by the ICTR and Mechanism.

“I wish to express our gratitude to the Rwandan authorities for promptly executing the Mechanism arrest warrants and apprehending the five accused. The Office of the Prosecutor continues to enjoy excellent cooperation with the Prosecutor-General of Rwanda, Mr. Jean Bosco Mutangana, and other Rwandan authorities,” said the Mechanism Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in a statement.

He said that his office is determined to fight all efforts to interfere with witnesses and the proper administration of justice, in accordance with the office’s mandate from the United Nations Security Council.

“We are fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of all proceedings before the Mechanism, ICTR and ICTY, in particular by ensuring the protection of witnesses. The confirmation of our indictment and arrests of the five accused this week are visible demonstrations of that commitment,” he added.

ICTY stands for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
IRMCT instruments state that anyone who is convicted with interfering with its justice shall face seven years of imprisonment maximum or a fine of €50,000.

ICTR sentenced Ngirabatware to 35 years in jail in 2012 but the sentence was reduced to 30 years in 2014 in the appeal trial by IRMCT. IRMCT succeeded ICTR.

In June 2017, IRMCT accepted Ngirabatware’s request for the appeal review which was set for February 2018. However, his counsel Peter Robinson withdrew earlier, putting off the review hearing until September 24.

Ngirabatware has got Diana Ellis and Sam Blom-Cooper as counsel and co-counsel to represent him in the review proceedings before the Mechanism.

The 61-year old was arrested in Germany in September 2007 and transferred to ICTR in October 2008.

Among them are RnB Star Alioune Damala Badara Thiam, aka Akon on stage; Legendary Arsenal and Cameroun footballer Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer, aka Lauren; and former Nigeria President Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo.

The naming of 23 gorilla infants is taking place Friday in Kinigi, Musanze District.

The 14th ceremony, locally known as Kwita Izina, has come at the time gorilla population has increased to over 600 from 480 in 2010.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced that a number of politicians, artistes, conservation specialist, philanthropist, among others, are thronging into the country to give names to baby gorillas.

The ceremony also features two former Arsenal players as part of Rwanda-Arsenal deal dubbed ‘Visit Rwanda.”

{{Expected gorilla namers
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Crown Prince Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz Ali Bin Rashid Al Nuami from the United Arab Emirates; he is nicknamed Green Sheikh for having dedicated his life to travelling and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Noeline Raondry Rakotoarisa, the Programme Chief of Capacity Building and Partnerships Section at the UNESCO.

Graca Machel, the former First Lady of South Africa and Mozambique. She is an international advocate for women and children’s rights.

Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, an American-Senegalese singer, songwriter, businessman, record producer and actor of Senegalese descent.

Samba Bathily, a Malian philanthropist, Samba is CEO of Solektra International and co-founder of Akon Lighting Africa with international Akon and Thione Niang.

Alexandra Virina Scott: a retired English footballer who mostly played as a right-back for Arsenal Women. She made 140 appearances for the English national team and also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer, commonly known as Lauren, is a retired Cameroonian footballer, who played as a right back for the Cameroonian national team and Arsenal FC. He was a member of 49-game unbeaten Invincibles team.

Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of diversified international telecommunications, media and technology group Econet Wireless and Econet Media.

Adrian Gardiner, a South African founder and chairman of Mantis, a family-run collection of privately-owned hotels, eco escapes and lifestyle resorts located around the world, with a large presence in Africa.

Michael O’Brien-Onyeka, the Senior Vice President of Conservation International for Africa, a non-governmental conservation and sustainable development organisation.
Thomas Krulis, the Coordinator for Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) coordinator and CEO for Loto Investments.

Hong Liang and Xinyu Zhang, the celebrity couple are hosts of the popular online travel programme called ‘Lu Xing’ (On the Road).

Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, the Vice President for Flora and Fauna International- UK. He is an English celebrity chef, television personality, journalist, food writer and campaigner on food and environmental issues.

Peter Riedel, the President and COO of Rhode Schwarz International, an international electronics group specialised in the fields of electronic test equipment, media as well as cyber-security.

Alexa Gray, is the representative of Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation. The foundation is a supporter and donor for the VNP Expansion Programme through the Africa Wildlife Foundation.

Michael Wale, the Group CEO of Kerzner International, a company that develops and manages luxury resorts, residences and integrated entertainment resorts.

Ambassador Peter H. Vrooman, the US Ambassador to Rwanda.

Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.

Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, the duo known as Mafikizolo, are three-time winners of the South African Music Award for Group or Duo of the Year.
Odette Nyiramongi, the proprietor of Paradis Malahide Resort, an eco-friendly hotel in Rubavu.

Rao Hongwei, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China

Judith Kakuze, a former porter at the Volcanoes National Park, Judith is now on the Advisory Committee of the Volcanoes National Park Porter Association. In addition, she is a member of the Advisory Council of Kinigi Sector in Musanze District.

Jeannette Uwiragiye, in 2017, Jeannette graduated as the best female student in the Department of Forestry Conservation at the IPRC- Kitabi.

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and PS-Imberakuri have each secured two seats in the Lower House, after winning 5% of the vote as the minimum constitutional requirement for a party or independent candidate to enter the parliament.

In the preliminary results announced by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) and allied six parties won 74% equivalent to 40 seats out of 53 contested for in the general elections.

NEC President Prof. Kalisa Mbanda said Liberal Party (PL) and Social Democratic Party (PSD) respectively won 9% and 7% equivalent to five and four seats.

Nobody of the four independent candidates won a seat. They all scored below 1% including Philippe Mpayimana who also scored below 1% in the last year’s presidential elections.

DGPR also contested for the presidency last year but its chairman and then candidate Dr Frank Habineza got 0.48% votes, losing to the incumbent President and then RPF candidate Paul Kagame who won about 99%.

Habineza and DGPR Executive Secretary Jean Claude Ntezimana are now heading to the 80-seat parliament in the next five-year term.

PS Imberakuri had also contested in the legislatives in 2013 but won no seat. And now, its president Christine Mukabunani and member Jean René Niyorurema are going to represent the party in the House.

Compared to immediate last term, RPF and PL have lost one seat each while PSD loses two.

Meanwhile, in the elections held on Tuesday for the youth representatives, NEC announced that Erneste Kamanzi and Clarisse Maniriho won the seats.

Eugène Mussolini also won on Sunday to represent people with disabilities.

Elections were also held Tuesday for 24 women representatives equivalent to 30% of the chamber of deputies as stipulated by the Constitution but NEC hasn’t yet announced the results.

President Paul Kagame has remarked that private sector must be at the centre of Sino-Africa cooperation for the two to realise their development targets.
Kagame was speaking Tuesday at the closing of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit (FOCAC 2018) in Beijing, China.

The two-day high level meeting was held under the theme “Toward an Even Stronger China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”

“Long-term private sector-led investment in key sectors of production in Africa is essential. The concrete targets offered by President Xi Jinping in this domain are very much welcome and appreciated,” said Kagame alongside other Heads of State and Governments representing 53 African countries.

FOCAC concluded with the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021).

The summit revolved around China-Africa win-win cooperation and common development.

President Kagame said that of particular importance is that the Beijing Action Plan is intended to boost Sino-Africa existing development frameworks.

“The Forum’s expanded cooperation areas will surely bring us closer to our goals. In today’s global political climate, it is even more important to reaffirm our commitment to an open international order characterised by peace, security, multilateralism, free trade, mutual respect and cooperation where everyone benefits,” he said.

Currently the Chairman of African Union, President Kagame urged the FOCAC participants to remain focused on the resolutions adopted yesterday.

“If we remain guided by the spirit of the 2018 Beijing Summit, I have no doubt that we will have even more good results to celebrate at our next gathering in Africa,” he remarked.

The two-phase roundtable meeting was chaired respectively by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the co-chair of FOCAC.

Two opposition parties namely Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and PS-Imberakuri failed to secure 5% required for a seat.

All four independent candidates scored below 1% as PSD and PL won 8.5% and 7% respectively, in the preliminary results announced last night by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

NEC President Prof. Kalisa Mbanda said DGPR and PS Imberakuri tied at 4.5% each.

“All four independent candidates have fewer votes than required for them to enter the parliament. Tomorrow’s counts can’t change anything for them to secure a seat,” he said.

The candidates included Philippe Mpayimana who also scored below 1% in the last year’s presidential elections.

Without specifying on the votes share, Prof. Mbanda said that with Diaspora votes, RPF also leads in 25 countries reported so far.

The ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) has other six parties in its coalition.

The six are PDI, PSR, PDC, PPC, UDPR and PSP.

According to the preliminaries, little change can be expected in the next 80-seat Lower House compared to the last.

In the parliament’s term that ended last month, RPF had absolute majority with 41 seats out of 53 contested in general elections by parties and independent candidates.

RPF and its then allied parties— PDI, PSR, PPC, PDC— had won 76.2% votes in 2013, slightly above the yesterday’s 75% in the preliminaries.

PSD and PL had seven and five seats respectively.

Diaspora voted on Sunday while voters in Rwanda cast votes on Monday.

According to Xinhua, President Kagame described the summit as timely since there is “need for cooperation more than ever” as some countries make clear their intention to serve themselves first over other countries.

Established since 2000, FOCAC the Forum for Africa-China Cooperation, FOCAC, is a meeting between the two partners and is largely premised on ways to increase diplomatic, economic and bilateral ties.

The head of State said that China and Africa share a common aspiration for development and stability. With a solid foundation in place for China-Africa cooperation, Kagame said he expects the summit, set for Sept. 3-4, to further expand the scope of cooperation and do “better and more of what we are doing well now.”

FOCAC emphasizes a form where countries come together for cooperation, carrying a positive message for the whole world, he added.

On Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Rwanda in July, President Kagame said it “offered us a great opportunity to discuss and strengthen our friendship and cooperation” at the bilateral level and beyond. The visit was the first to the African country by a Chinese head of state.

On Rwanda-China relations, President Kagame called it a “productive partnership” of mutual benefit, observing that it has brought great benefits to Rwandans.

{{AU reforms fit well with China cooperation
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President Kagame, who is also the Chairman of the African Union (AU) elaborated on his goal for institutional reform of the continental bloc, noting that the ongoing reform of the AU fits very well with the continent’s cooperation with China.

He said that there was a lot of strength in unity, and AU member states need to work closely for a better future of the continent.

“We should be able to take care of ourselves”. Kagame said

Preliminary results announced Sunday evening by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) show that Mussolini won 75.6% votes equivalent to 485 individuals from the voting representatives of people with disabilities around the country.

Having physical disability himself, Mussolini defeated nine candidates including Gaston Rusiha who was an MP in the immediate last term.

NEC President Prof. Kalisa Mbanda said the poll for the representation of people with disabilities started at 10 am and closed around midday in the districts across the country.

He said the elections were held in a peaceful and transparent environment.

Mussolini has been the Executive Secretary of the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPD) in Gasabo District, Kigali.

He doubled as a member of Gasabo advisory council.

The voting council of people with disabilities consists of 668 but only 641 participated in the poll yesterday, representing 96% of the total voters.

People with disabilities have one representative in the parliament as the Constitution puts it.

Rwanda’s Parliament consists of 106 parliamentarians of who 80 are elected for a 5 year term in the lower chamber. The lower chamber includes 53 MPs elected in general elections, 2 representatives of the youth, 24 representing women and one representing people with disability.

General elections, started in a special way as a great number of early-risers were already positioned at polling stations, at 5 a.m.

{{How Elections are going in different parts of the country
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Several dignitaries, officials have started voting.

-* First ever polling stations in hospitals

At least 33 polling stations have been opened in hospitals for the parliamentary elections. The stations help especially patients, their caregivers and hospitals’ workers to cast their votes.

Agnes Nyiraneza who was due for a sonogram session at Muhima Hospital welcomed the initiative.

“I had already decided not to vote since I usually leave the hospital at a late hour, but now I will be able to vote.” She said

Pacifique Gashirabake who is in charge Civic Education in Muhima Sector said “Every sick person is entitled to come here. Even if the person is too sick, we will help him/her to vote.”

{{Progress
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Rachid Mugemana aged 75, has already voted at Groupe Scolaire de Kimironko II.

Speaking to IGIHE, he said that although much has been accomplished, in the country, MPs need to continue speaking for citizens and see that their concerns are addressed.

Over 11 742 voters are expected at the polling station where Dr Frank Habineza, President of Green Party, voted from.

In all parts of the country, voting has started. Intrepid ones who arrived early at polling stations, are on their way home.

{{Elders first at Polling Stations
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Suzanne Niyonteze aged 66 from Gitwa cell, Tumba sector arrived at 5 a.m.

“I feel like I have to be the first one in all good things. From here, I am going straight to my business and work in peace.”

Eastern Province’ Governor, Fred Mufulukye on a line, together with locals to vote

07:00: Voting starts all over Rwanda

06:50: Electoral volunteers from Kabusunzu Site have arrived in Nyarugenge District, Kigali where they will be working.

Electoral Volunteers from Rusizi .

In Rwamagana, observers from the Embassy of the United States of America have arrived at the polling stations.

06:40: In Rusizi, 96 polling stations and 598 electoral rooms have been set ready in colorful embellishments for the elections. In Buranga, voters have already arrived, waiting for the hour to vote (7 a.m). 7542 voters are expected to turn out at the station.

06:30: At Giporoso Station, those who came to vote have started forming lines, waiting for Elections to start.

06:10: In Kigali, in Gatenga High school, 7000 voters are expected to turn in the 12 polling stations. Up to now, electoral volunteers together with some locals have arrived.

{{Electoral rooms opened 6 a.m.
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05:50: Rwamagana, early risers have joined Islamic polling station. Some of them were requesting polls to start at 6 a.m sharp, for them to go on with their works.

{{Polling Stations being prepared
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