IGIHE

Tag: MainSlideNews

  • Rwanda to repeal over 1000 colonial laws

    As indicated by the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), these laws are over 1000 said to be obsolete.

    Rwanda was a colony of two countries, German (1900-1916) and Belgium between (1916-1962).

    In an interview with IGIHE, Alain Songa Gashabizi, the acting head of the department for law research, reform, and revision at the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC) said that some laws in Rwanda are outdated.

    He explained, after the independence of Rwanda in 1962, the then president announced that all international agreements signed by Belgium during the colonial rule have to be applied in Rwanda.

    “This means, if Belgium signed agreements with France on a particular issue, they may bring these agreements to say Rwanda has such duties in France and Belgium based on the announcement,” said Gashabizi.

    Others he said are outdated include approved laws during the colonial rule with clauses limiting black people in accessing some places.

  • Rwanda-Uganda Relations: An Informed Analysis (Part II)

    Issues highlighted earlier (harbouring and organizing destabilizing agents against Rwanda as well as torture and imprisonment of over 1000 Rwandese) serious crimes which were brought to the attention of more than 350 top officials both in government and private sector during the recent government retreat in Gabiro (9-12th March, 2019) by President Kagame giving specificities in each case, was in shock to this distinguished audience of Rwandese.

    As pointed earlier, the acts of destabilization of Rwanda by Uganda ruling elite, where elite means inner circle of President Museveni (Hima ruling class to be precise) is trended due to a combination of reasons that defy logic and portends to demean a sovereign state despite the trended failure of this strategy for the last 20 years without lessons learnt thereof by such political elite. Reasons behind this bizarre situation we find ourselves in include:

    The liberation of Rwanda by RPA (now RDF) was a long process and very expensive in all aspects possible, financial and human. This process began way back in the late 1970s before the current Uganda ruling elite was anywhere in the picture.

    Nevertheless, Museveni’s bush war of the 1980s presented an opportunity for the actualization of our liberation struggle, a struggle that was to return home millions of Rwandese who were scattered the whole world and were told by the late Habyarimana’s regime that they cannot go back home for Rwanda was ‘full’. And so thousands of young Rwandese were to fight the so-called bush war alongside others from 1980 to 1985 when they dislodged Obote II as well as Rutwa regimes and brought Museveni to power.

    As I pointed out in part I of these series, Obote’s persecution of Rwandese in Uganda energized many young and determined Rwandese fighters to join the war to ouster Obote who was a determined enemy of Rwandese in Uganda. The fact is, there is no way Museveni would have prevailed against Obote without the support of such a determined force of young Rwandese pushed to the wall by Obote. As Professor Mahmoud Mandani in his paper African States, Citizens and War, a case study put it “Baganda peasants, hated Obote, but they were not ready to die fighting him”, despite Obote’s negation of a people..that a good Muganda is a dead one.

    And so Rwandese refugees became natural allies in this struggle of survival of last resort. Many young Rwandese fighters died in this struggle, although this is not mentioned anywhere in Uganda for political expedience that cannot mask facts. And although it is his book The Mustard Seed, Museveni purports to imply that, this was a war fought by himself and his brother Salim Saleh, reversal facts hold true.

    However, a number of these Rwandese fighters were to be elevated to senior positions including late Fred Rwigema, and President Paul Kagame (among others) not because this was favour but rather on merit. When these young Rwandese decided to fight back home in 1990, there is no single Ugandan who joined them to liberate Rwanda. These young fighters from Uganda were to be joined by their brothers and sisters from Burundi, Republic of Congo (now DRC), from within Rwanda and yet others from a wider world who understood and were bought to the cause.

    By 1993, RPA (now RDF) could no longer be defined as an army made up of fighters from Uganda but rather a mixture from the aforementioned who knew little of the claims of the “contribution” by Uganda to our struggle for liberation. Ugandan political elite did not realize this development, regardless of the fact that, even if RPA (RDF) remained a predominant a Ugandan born/bred fighter army, control and insubordination by the Ugandan ruling elite would not have been possible, as this was to be a national army that served the national interest. Period!

    Nevertheless, Museveni did provide logistics and weapons not necessarily as payback as there was no contract to this effect but out of his own volition. Given the foregoing and current trends however, his contribution was eternal “debt” never mind one owed by Uganda to Rwanda’s contribution to its liberation. And so the narrative that “Museveni helped banyarwanda” to return is to return home is negated by his minimal contribution to the same. But the later narrative has defined the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda, where such terms as “…Uganda groomed the entire leadership of Rwanda, Rwandan leadership is ungrateful, rebellious, and disrespect to elders… (Read Ugandan political elite) is common currency among a section of this elite and seems to have been sold to the populace that does not know the opposite. And so this elite has held a view that Rwanda and her leadership owes an “allegiance debt” that should be paid in the form of subordination and subjection.

    When Kigali said no to the insolence of Ugandan political elite who held view that Rwanda should be run from Kampala, and those who did not oblige should be removed/changed and or make their governance difficult explains the trended destabilization of Rwanda since 1997 against the leadership that said no (and rightly so) to this in subornation by Kampala. Thus, memories of senior RPF cadres are fresh with regard to the imposition of Majambere, late Sethi Sendashonga and even diversionary attitudes of Pasteur Bizimungu to this effect. Recruitment of late Karegeya and Kayumba is an open secret among these senior cadres as well, all aimed at creating stooges in Kigali whom this elite could then run from Kampala. Resistance to these machinations by Rwandan leadership has thus been a boon in the fresh of this elite for far too long.

    Ugandan political elites and especially President Museveni has not come to terms to the effect that, Rwanda is a sovereign state with structures that are not run on personal sentiments but rather based on the best interests that serve our country, and our people majority of whom have no idea of nor are interested in the called “debt”.

    In fact, if this was to be the case, this strategy would have been a disaster that Rwanda nor Uganda could not afford to underwrite. For Rwandese of Ugandan origin/exiles constitute a modest percentage of our entire population and as such could not have imposed such Ugandan insubordination on others. Moreover, such a strategy for the sake of argument is a serious contradiction to the Rwandan ideology (agaciro/dignity/self-respect/ independence) held so dear in our culture that a Rwandan would die fighting to retain the same. And so when President Kagame told leaders in National Retreat that he would rather be killed than kneel before anybody, he spoke for all Rwandese and this his statement is loaded.

    However, the trended destabilization machination of Ugandan ruling elite since 1997 was aimed at not only creating power structures managed by stooges of Kampala but also make Rwanda a region of Uganda under the control of the said political elite and not necessarily to develop Rwanda, but rather to serve their political egos and through these their economic interests which underpins their power framework.

    And so the current trend that has seen Uganda grouping destabilizing rebels from RNC to FDLR in to the so-called P5 which is a project in futility is part of the trend to create an alternative government that is a stooge to Ugandan political elite never mind that, other similar projects faced the fate this particular one will as well. That the said political elite are working with renegade Kayumba and his associates who are also working with Uganda’s security agents to mobilize rebels for these outfits for an evil cause is on the radar of every Rwandan, especially now that these acts have taken other forms and shape leaving their objective constant (destabilization of Rwanda) as wishing these renegades to be in power in Rwanda is akin to the devil’s wish to go to heaven.

    Nonetheless, what is surprising to these destabilization acts is the fact when Tanzania dislodged Dictator Ida Amin from power in 19978, they did not harbor these underage judgemental mindsets of influencing events in Uganda. They left Uganda and Ugandans to organize themselves the way they deemed fit. There were no such under-age sentiments as… Tanzania groomed the entire leadership of Uganda, Ugandan leadership is ungrateful, rebellious, and disrespect of elders.. (although they are other reasons behind the behavior of Uganda’s political elite as will be outlined later), I am not sure that Tanzania even imagined that Museveni would ever be Uganda’s President, for Obote was their man given his socialist tendencies and his close relationship with late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

    Assuming that, Tanzania did the same to Uganda for in 1978 liberation of Uganda against dictator Id-Amini Dada, one wonders where Uganda would be today. In that particular case, the contribution of Ugandans rebels (of which Museveni was one) to that war was minimal as Tanzania did most of the job.

    Given the foregoing, therefore, the best strategy for Ugandan political elite should have been “live and let live”.

    To be continued…

  • They are like a bee buzzing on the ear without stinging -Kabarebe on Kayumba and Sankara

    Gen. Kabarebe revealed this yesterday to the youth attending talks on preparation of the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi at Cenetra Hotel in Kabuga, Kigali city.

    He was responding to the question of Viateur Nyiribakwe representing students from University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB), Kigali Campus who wondered whether rebel groups against Rwanda don’t pose threats to national security.

    “Today he (Kayumba) has joined some rebel groups which perpetrated genocide to destabilize the country. Don’t you think it will create problems because you didn’t continue the journey you began together?” he asked.

    Gen. Kabarebe replied that Kayumba failed to obey RPA principles resulting into his ejection from the journey.

    “Liberating and building the country is a journey which some leave under process. It requires preparations to deprive yourself of what would decelerate achievements to conceive development plans. It doesn’t take a lot of things for those who hoodwink, destroy and tarnish the country. Those people including Kayumba reached a point where they could not keep dedication and commitment to established principles,” he said.

    “For instance Kayumba (founder of RNC) fights for his personal interests like keeping 1000 hectares of land in Umutara and many other properties as his possessions are among what he wants to fight for,” added Kabarebe.

  • Statement on Cabinet Decisions of 03/04/2019

    1.The Cabinet Meeting approved the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 28th
    January 2019.

    2. Pursuant to the powers conferred upon him by the laws, His Excellency the President of the Republic informed the Cabinet Meeting that he has exercised his prerogative of mercy and pardoned 367 persons convicted for the offences of abortion, complicity in abortion and infanticide.

    3. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on:
    – Domestication of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); – 25th Commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi and its preparation.

    4. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following policies, programs and strategies:
    – The implementation of Vision 2020 Umurenge Program VUP Financial Services (FS); – Strategy for construction and maintenance of unpaved low volume traffic roads; – Motorcycle Transport Strategy; – Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Center.

    5. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Draft laws:
    – Draft law on tax procedures;
    – Draft law determining the organization of insurance business;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Loan Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda on 16/01/2019, between the Republic Rwanda and the African Development Bank, relating to the loan of EUR 114,266,000 for the Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program – Additional Financing;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Protocol of Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda on 16/01/2019, between the Republic of Rwanda and the African Development Fund, Acting as Administrators of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative (RWSSI) Trust Fund, relating to the Grant of EUR 800,000 for the Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program – Additional Financing;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Loan Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda on 06/03/2019, between the Republic of Rwanda and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), relating to the loan of USD 20,000,000 for the Rural Electrification Project in Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Bilateral Agreement signed in Kigali, Rwanda on 09/03/2018, between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the Government of the Republic of Tanzania for the Joint Implementation of Isaka-Kigali Gauge Railway Project;
    – Draft law governing the City of Kigali;
    – Draft law approving the accession of Rwanda to the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development adopted in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 27/06/2018;
    – Daft law repealing all legal instruments brought into force before the date of independence;
    – Draft law modifying Law No 11/2017 of 06/04/2017 establishing Rwanda Law Enforcement Specialized Academy and determining its mission, powers, organisation and functioning;
    – Draft law approving ratification of the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No 29) adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 103rd Session held in Geneva, on 11th June 2014;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) on the establishment of the IFAD’s Country Office, signed in Kigali, on 20/03/2010;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the International Potato Center (CIP), signed in Kigali on 17/09/2015;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the Smart Africa Secretariat on the host of the Headquarters of Smart Africa, signed in Addis Ababa, on 31/01/2016;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the Sustainable Development Goal Center for Africa of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDGC/A, signed in Kigali, on 31/01/2016;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences-Next Einstein Initiative, signed in Kigali, on 12/03/2016;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the MasterCard Foundation, signed in Kigali, on 17/07/2017;
    – Draft law approving the ratification of the Host Country agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and Women Political Leaders Global Forum (WPL), signed in Kigali, on 01/12/2017.

    6. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following Orders:
    – Presidential Order establishing Special Statutes governing employees of Rwanda
    Investigation Bureau (RIB);
    – Presidential Order determining materials and equipment of Rwanda Investigation
    Bureau (RIB) classified as confidential;
    – Presidential Order determining Rwanda National Police classified equipment and
    materials;
    – Presidential Order specifying modalities for electing Abunzi Committee Members;
    – Presidential Order granting rehabilitation to six (6) former Police Officers of Rwanda National Police: AIP BARIYO Andrew, CSP GAKWAYA Emmanuel, CIP KASAIJA Charles, IP MUGABO KABARUKA Peter, SP MUHIZI Francis and RUSAGARA TUMUSIIME Alex;
    – Presidential Order determining salaries and fringe benefits for the Director General
    and the Deputy Director General of Rwanda Forensic Laboratory (RFL);
    – Prime Minister’s Order determining the Supervising Authority of Rwanda
    Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA);
    – Prime Minister’s Order appointing Prosecutors at Intermediate Level: NSHIMIYIMANA Jean Baptiste, GAFISHI RUKEMA Samy and UMUTANGUHA Marie Josée;
    – Prime Minister’s Order appointing Prosecutors at Primary: NIYONKURU Jeannine
    and NZEYIMANA Maximilien;
    – Prime Minister’s Order granting a leave of absence for a non-specific period to Mr. NZIBAZA Evariste, who was Director of ICT Support Unit in the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA);
    – Prime Minister’s Order granting a leave of absence for a non-specific period to Ms. MUKAMUNANA Jacqueline who was Director of Finance and Logistics Unit in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN);
    – Prime Minister’s Order dismissing Mr. NSENGIYUMVA Jean Baptiste who was Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness Unit in the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA);
    – Ministerial Order establishing regulations and procedures implementing
    Immigration and Emigration Law;
    – Ministerial Order determining requirements for authorization to a taxpayer to carry
    forward loss for more than five tax periods;
    – Ministerial Order determining simplified accounting method for small businesses;
    – Ministerial Order determining the annual turnover required for certification of
    financial statements;
    – Ministerial Order determining the functioning of Insolvency Practitioners;
    – Ministerial Order determining a taxpayer’s permanent residence and the location of
    effective place of management;
    – Ministerial Order determining urban planning and building regulations;
    – Ministerial Order determining instructions of categorization of buildings, conditions
    and procedure for application of building permits;
    – Ministerial Order establishing the list of projects that must undergo environmental impact assessment, instructions, requirements and procedures to conduct environmental impact assessment;

    – Ministerial Order granting rehabilitation to 35 former non-commissioned officers
    and police constables from Rwanda National Police;

    – Ministerial Order discharging CPL NZAYISENGA Narcisse from Rwanda
    Correctional Service (RCS) on medical grounds;

    7. After consultation with the High Council of the Judiciary, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Rwanda submitted to the Cabinet the following candidates to the post of judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal whose list will be submitted to the Senate, for their approval:

    – Mr. RUKUNDAKUVUGA François Régis:
    – Judge of the Supreme Court;
    – Mr. HITIYAREMYE Alphonse: Judge of the Supreme Court;
    – Ms TUGIREYEZU Vénantie: Judge of the Court of Appeal.

    8. The Cabinet Meeting made the following appointments:

    ❖ In Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB)

    Board of Directors

    – Mr. Frederick Kenneth Swaniker: Chairperson;
    – Ms. KANYONGA Louise: Vice-Chairperson;
    – Mr. David SAND;
    – Ms. KABANDA Aline;
    – Mr. KAMALI Wilson ;
    – Mr. NDAGIJIMANA Christian; – Ms. GAKWERERE Annette.

    ❖ Rwanda Airports Company
    – Lt. Col. KARAMBIZI Firmin: Managing Director;
    – Ms. MUGWANEZA Isabelle: Deputy Managing Director.

    ❖ In Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA)
    – Ms. BATETA Jane: Chief Finance Officer;
    – Mr. NIZEYIMANA Pierre Celestin: Enterprise Architecture Division Manager;
    – Ms.UJENEZA Elisabeth: Software Solution Division Manager;
    – Mr. RUTAYIRO Said Ngoga: Technology Innovation Division Manager;
    – Mr. ASIIMWE Innocent: Digital Cluster Coordination and Community Development Division Manager;
    – Mr. RUZIGANA MANZI Désiré: Enterprise and Application Analyst;
    – Ms. INGABIRE Gloria: Government Digitization Analyst;
    – Mr. NTAGANDA Alfred: Information Security Analyst;
    – Ms. GAHIMA MUTONI Diana: Business and Market Intelligence Analyst.

    ❖ In National Commission for Human Rights
    – Ms. MUHONGERWA Furaha Patricia: Vice President; – Ms. UWIZEYE Marie Thérèse: Commissioner.

    ❖ In Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)
    – Mr. IZAMUHAYE Jean Claude: Head of Department-Crop research and Technology Transfer;
    – Mr. RUZIBIZA Emile: Head of Department Land Husbandry and Irrigation Research and Technology Transfer;
    – Mr. NDAYISENGA Fabrice: Head of Department Animal Resource Research and Technology Transfer;
    – Ms. KAMARABA Illuminée: Division Manager Post Harvest Management and Biotechnology;
    – Ms. KANYANDEKWE Christine: National Artificial Insemination Center Division Manager;
    – Dr. KAMANA Olivier: Animal Resources Processing and Biotechnology Division Manager; – Mr. RWEBIGO Daniel: Seeds Systems Division Manager.

    ❖ In Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
    – Ms. KAGERUKA Ariella: Head, Tourism and Conservation Department.
    ❖ In Parliament/ Senate
    – Ms. MUKARUKUNDO Josette: Director General of ICT and Outreach.

    ❖ In the Ministry of Environment (MOE)
    – Mr. KARERA Patrick: Advisor to the Minister of Environment;
    – Mr. RUTARO KAKA Benon: Director of Planning Unit.

    ❖ In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET):
    – Mr. MWISENEZA KANYAMUPIRA Abd-El-Aziz: Advisor to the Minister of State in charge of the East African Community.

    ❖ In the Ministry of ICT And Innovation (MINICT) :
    – Ms. GASAKURE Saga Doña Magali: Advisor to the Minister.

    ❖ In the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA)
    Mr. KALINDA K. Charles: Head of Policy and Planning.

    ❖ In the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA)
    – Ms. MUKAYIRANGA Annette: Industrialisation Development Analyst;
    – Mr. TWAHIRWA Christian: Operational Monitoring Division Manager;
    – Dr. KAMANA Olivier: Head of Research and Development Department.

    ❖ In Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA)
    – Mr. NGENDAHIMANA Pascal: Local Economic Development Division Manager.

    ❖ In Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB)
    – Mr. BAHORERA Dominique: Advisor to the Secretary General;
    – Mr. KANANI Augustin: Director of Finance Unit;
    – Mr. NJANGWE Jean Marie: Director of Suspects and Exhibits Handling Unit;
    – Mr. MWESIGYE Robert: Director of Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive Unit;
    – Mr. BYUMA Ntaganda Emile: Director of Intelligence Operations Unit;
    – Ms. MUKANDAHIRO Ndemera Jeanne d’Arc: Director of Isange One Stop Centre;
    – Mr. RWEMA Patrick: Director of Counter Terrorism Analysis Unit;
    – Mr. KAREKEZI Theogène is proposed to be Director of Counter Terrorism Awareness Unit; – Mr. BWIMBA David: Director of Environment Crimes Unit;
    – Mr. RAMA George: Director of Criminal Records and Case Files Orientation Unit;
    – Mr. RUTABINGWA Michel: Director of Tactical Response Unit;
    – Mr. KARASIRA Jean Claude: Director of Crime – Scene Response Unit;
    – Mr. HABYARIMANA Philbert: Director of Crimes against People Unit;
    – Mr. MBAZABAGABO Michel: Director of Crimes against State Security Unit;
    – Mr. BWIMANA Diogène: Director of Administration and Human Resource Unit;
    – Mr. GASANA Alexis: Director of Anti-Narcotics and Illicit Goods Unit;
    – Mr. NIYIBIZI Julien: Director of Anti – Human Trafficking Unit;
    – Mr. NGARUKIYE Jacques: Director of Anti–Public Embezzlement and Corruption Unit;
    – Mr. KAREMERA Safari Enock: Director of Economics and Financial Crimes Unit;
    – Ms. UWAMAHORO Christine: Director of Family and Child Protection Unit;
    – Mr. NSHIMIYIMANA Modeste: Director of ICT Unit;
    – Ms. KABEGA Caritas: Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.

    ❖ In Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)
    – Dr. MUYOMBO Thomas: Director of Regional Center for Blood Transfusion (RCBT- Kigali);
    – Mr. KAYIRANGA Olivier: Director of ICT Unit; – Mr. SIBOMANA Hassan: Director of Vaccine Programs Unit.

    ❖ In Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (RWFA)
    – Mr. MUNYEMANA Justin: Director of Administration and Finance Unit.
    ❖ In Rwanda Meteorology Agency (METEO RWANDA)
    – Mr. NSHIMIYIMANA Joseph: Director of Administration and Finance Unit.
    ❖ In Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)
    – Mr. HARERA Sebastien: Director of Internal Audit Unit.
    ❖ In the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC-HUYE)
    – Mr. NIYONCUTI Junior Pierre: Director of Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Unit;
    – Mr. KAGABO Eliandeli: Director of Academic Services Unit;
    – Mr. NYARWAYA Jimmy: Director of Planning Unit.
    ❖ In Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority (RLMUA)
    – Mr. NDAYISABA Jean Pierre: Director of Administration and Finance Unit.

    ❖ In the National Identification Agency (NIDA)
    – Ms BUKINANYANA Daniella: Director of Database and Applications Unit.
    ❖ In Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK)
    – Mr. SHAHIDI TWAHIRWA Timothee: Director of Quality Assurance Management Unit.
    ❖ In Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA)
    – Ms. NIYIBIZI Thérèse: Director of Traffic Management Unit.
    ❖ In Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB)
    – Mr. NYAGATARE Jean Bosco: Director of finance Unit;
    – Mr. TUYISHIME Jean Bonfils: Director of Digital Information Unit.
    ❖ In the National Post Office (NPO)
    – Mr. SAFARI KAZINDU Patrick: Director of Commercial Unit.

    9. In AOBs.

    – The Minister of Sports and Culture informed the Cabinet that Rwanda in collaboration with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) are organizing the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games 2019 (Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball, Cycling and Taekwondo) to be held in Huye District from 2nd to 6th April 2019. A total of 12 countries confirmed their participation.

    – The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion informed the Cabinet that Rwanda in collaboration with African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) will organize the 2019 African Women in Leadership Conference from 4th to 5th April 2019 at Marriot Hotel, Kigali. The Objective of the meeting is to advance the status of women in leadership by creating an empowering platform and harnessing the synergies of alliance.

    – The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning informed the Cabinet that Rwanda will host in Kigali the 5th International Conference on Big Data for official statistics from 29th April to 3rd May 2019. The conference will be organized jointly with the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and other members of the UN Global Working Group (GWG) on Big Data for official statistics. The conference will provide an opportunity for sharing and learning global experiences in new trends and technologies in Big Data and its potential in official statistics.

    – The Minister of Public Service and Labour informed the Cabinet that Rwanda will celebrate the International Labour Day on 1st May 2019 under the theme ‘’Quality work, a catalyst for Sustainable development” (Umurimo unoze, Umusemburo w’Iterambere Rirambye). While institutions will celebrate Labour Day at their workplaces, at national level, celebrations will be held at Nyagatare district. The event will also commemorate 100 years of the existence of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    – The Minister of Health informed the Cabinet said that in a bid to ensure full implementation of Ebola prevention and control, the Ministry in collaboration with the WHO and other partners plan to implement the use of “rVSV-ZEBOV” Ebola vaccine for health-care and front-line workers in areas at risk of expansion of the outbreak. The activity will start on 5th April 2019.

    This Statement was signed by Marie Solange KAYISIRE The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs

  • Rwanda queries persistent refusal to transfer ICTR archives to Rwanda

    He said that there should be explanations of why the international community received files and kept custody of the archives other than sending them back to Rwanda.

    Busingye raised the issue in discussions bringing together different government officials including the Minister of Justice and the President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), Judge Carmel Agius who is in Rwanda for a visit.

    Rwanda has for several years been arguing its right to keep custody of the archives on behalf of the UN which are currently housed in Arusha, Tanzania.

    The archives include tons of video recordings of testimonies, written requests to the court and written decisions. Some of the testimonies were held behind closed doors to protect the security of witnesses

    Having ICTR keeping the archives in Tanzania despite the demand to transfer them to Rwanda is among the issues discussed.

    Carmel Agius who has recently replaced Theodor Meron former president of tribunal said he can do nothing to have Rwanda keep the archives.

    “There are obstacles beyond my powers for Rwanda to get the archives. The United Nations has already decided to keep all ICTY and ICTR documents as the property of the UN over the next 25 years. The organization ruled that these archives should not be transferred to any other country,” he said.

    “I can’t say anything about it because the decision was taken by superiors,” added Carmel Agius.

    He however explained that they will help researchers, lecturers, and families of genocide survivors and others to obtain desired information.

    Minister Busingye said that Rwanda already knows the decision of UN but never welcomed it.

    “Some of these documents include original copies as a property of the Republic of Rwanda which we never offered to UN permanently. How do they become the property of UN? If we don’t explain things right there might be someone to clarify so that we can understand how these documents became the property of the UN,” he said.

  • I&M Bank Rwanda awards three excellent projects

    Three projects selected during the campaign are related to chili pepper farming, recording patients’ database digitally at hospitals and a photo studio .

    The chili pepper belonging to CCE Farms received Rwf 2 million; David Ntihinduka the founder of a photo studio received Rwf 1 million while SalutemTech Ltd walked away with Rwf 500,000.

    Selected winners are followers of I&M Bank social media platform who pitched their projects on Twitter using the hashtag #IMPushToStart attracting a large number of likes and retweets.

    The three awardees were selected among five projects presented to designated I&M committee.

    After receiving cheques yesterday at the headquarters of I&M Bank, beneficiaries pledged to expand their projects.

    Candide Ushorewenimana, one of the founders of CCE Farms growing chili pepper in Musenyi of Bugesera district revealed that the money will be utilized to invest in the establishment of an excellent horticulture center.

    “We plan to use the award to build a small plant enabling expansion of our activities. We started trading but we have found the need to plant chili pepper to satisfy the market because we previously supplied only a ton collected from different markets to the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) in a week,” she said.

    CCE Farms has 4 permanent and 20 temporary employees.

    David Ntihinduka from Gatsibo district, the winner of Rwf 1 million from his Holy Movie Studio said the money will enable him to buy a decent camera, a printer and other equipment to be used in his business.

    The Managing Director of I&M Bank in Rwanda, Robin Bairstow said the number of university graduates surpasses available jobs which compelled the bank to support small and medium projects.

    He lauded awarded projects promising transformations among Rwandans and promised them support to acquire loans through Business Development Fund (BDF).

    “We will help you in whatever way in relation to banking services. We facilitate access to guarantee which is an obstacle to many. I am here as your adviser when you require,” said Robin Bairstow.

    Awardees become an ambassador of the bank in their areas of operation. I&M Bank will visit beneficiaries in six months to assess the implementation of their projects.

    The campaign also awarded Christian Turimumahoro with Rwf 100,000 as I&M Super Saver and recognized Edmund Kagire for his impressive message on the Celebration of International Women’s Day.

    The campaign saw the number of I&M Bank Rwanda social media platforms followers rising to 1845 from 1444 on Facebook; to 2027 from 1854 on Twitter and rose to 315 from 218 on Instagram within 30 days.I&M Bank Rwanda has awarded three excellent small projects selected through its social media campaign dubbed #IMPushToStart held in March 2019David Ntihinduka, Founder of a photo studio, received Rwf1 Million. After receiving his cheque, he pledged to expand his projectCandide Ushorewenimana, one of the founders of CCE Farms, was awarded Rwf2 Million for her projectThe Managing Director of I&M Bank in Rwanda, Robin Bairstow lauded awarded projects promising transformations among RwandansThe Communications Specialist at I&M Bank Rwanda, Fiona Kamikazi Rutagengwa07-314a8961-e71a4.jpg14-314a9015-ab90b.jpg

  • Israel Embassy in Kigali: What to expect from Rwanda-Israel relations

    Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, Raphael Morav was previously based in Ethiopia. It is the first time the envoy of Israel gets an office in Kigali over the past 50 years ago.

    The move reflects unwavering diplomatic relationships expected to open doors for cooperation in the development of different including but not limited to agriculture, technology and tourism.

    In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Amb. Yuval Rotem said that opening the embassy in Kigali highlights the thirst to scale up relations.

    “This step mainly focuses on strength and benefits between both countries. I think you will see relationships improving more as both heads of states president Paul Kagame and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu share similar economic and political ambitions,” he said.

    Rwanda and Israel share common history as countries which experienced tragic history during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and Holocaust targeting Jews in the 2nd World War. From these scars, emerged courage and strength to work hard during the resilience process.

    “The fact that we were able to overcome hard times, choosing not to sink into sorrow but building strength and self-reliance is shared between both countries. We can root on it to build trust and spread a message of hope to many countries across the globe,” he said.

    Rwanda, Israel relations date back in 1962 when the country obtained independence. In 2014, Rwanda became the first African country signing cooperation agreements with Israel and later in 2015 opened embassy headquartered in Tel Aviv.

    Israel worked with Rwanda as a bridge to expand again ‘our community in Africa’ enabling to open an embassy which had last existed in 1973.

    “Everyone coming here, investors you see, officials from the ministry always talk about Rwanda differently. It took time but we are going to concert much effort to catch up lost time. Indeed, having an embassy here signifies a lot to this relationship,” he observed.

    The opening of the Israel embassy coincided with the opening of Rwanda – Israel Horticulture Centre of Excellence, based in Mulindi which is expected to help Rwandans widen their knowledge in horticulture.

    “The centre will promote agriculture in the country,” he said.

    Both countries expect to launch cooperation in technology, aligning with the country’s goal to become an innovation hub in the region.

    “Talking on areas of biodiversity, science, innovation and jobs creation, you can’t find good friends beyond Rwanda and Israel. I think we are prepared in this area. When you want to improve the economy, you expand from agriculture projects to technology. And I think we have that in common, ” he said.

    The future projects include exchanging flights through national carriers.

    “Measuring the extent of cooperation is assessing the implementation of direct flights between both countries. I know Rwanda is willing to use RwandAir in Kigali-Tel Aviv flights and will go into effect in the near future,” he said.

    He explained that such cooperation will boost tourism, trade and joint investment.

  • Parents seek Kagame’s intervention in admission of former Gitwe students to UR

    The two departments were closed by the Ministry of Education in January this year following the school’s failure to meet education standards instituted by Higher Education Council (HEC).

    After the suspension, students and officials from HEC held a meeting during which was agreed that affected students will be transferred to other schools.

    It was agreed that students in Medicine and Surgery would continue studies at the University of Rwanda (UR) while Medical Laboratory Technology would continue studies at UR, INES Ruhengeri, Kibogora Polytechnic and Catholic University of Rwanda.

    A twitter user claiming to be a parent whose child studied at Gitwe wrote a message in which he tagged President Kagame requesting for intervention.

    “Our children halted studies following the suspension of Medicine courses at Gitwe University. Concerned officials promised them transfer to the University of Rwanda but it is not yet done. We solicit your help, father of the nation so that our children can return to school,” he said.

    The University of Rwanda has via twitter revealed that it is trying by all means to find places and didactic materials.

    “UR is doing everything possible to receive Gitwe students based on their field of studies and performance to establish in which year everyone will be integrated and courses to be revised,” mentioned the tweet.

    “We are also working with partners to identify requirements to teach students like lecturers, laboratories and hospitals in which they will conduct internships among others,” adds the tweet.

    The Ministry of Education has also unveiled that it is following up the matter in partnership with concerned parties.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda (UR) in charge of institutional advancement, Dr Charles Murigande said some students in year 4 and 5 didn’t study all necessary modules that they will be obliged to attend courses in previous years or have the case handled as an exception.

    “To be promoted to the next level in the medical department at UR, it is required to have passed every module with marks not below 60% while at Gitwe a student is required to have scored not below 50%. This is another problem we have to solve,” he said noting that it needs much vigilance to confirm admission for these students.

    “We would have admitted them, had they been students in history or literature. They are however studying medicine. We have to be assured that they will have adequate skills to attend to patients when they graduate,” said Murigande.

    The representative of students in medical department at Gitwe Amiel Nzayisenga has told IGIHE that they submitted all required documents to the University of Rwanda and asked to wait.

    Nzayisenga said they were promised to attend missed modules to cover the gap before 2019/2020 academic year begins.

    He however said that their colleagues in laboratory technology resumed studies one week after suspension. According to sources from the University of Rwanda, admission of students from Gitwe will double the existing number of students in medicine.

  • President Kagame in Senegal to attend the swearing-in of President Macky Sall

    He was re-elected on 24th February 2019 with 58% beating four contestants including Idrissa Seck former Prime Minister who obtained 21%.

    19 heads of states , three prime ministers and 53 envoys are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Sall scheduled on 2nd April.

    The tenure will be short compared to the duration he served as he was elected president for the first time in 2012.

    The 2016 referendum in the country came up with consensus to reduce presidential term limit from seven to five years. It is one of reforms he had promised citizens during his first presidential campaigns.

    Macky Sall is one of African countries supporting ambitions of President Paul Kagame on national and continental level.

    He was also present during the swearing-in of President Paul Kagame on 18th August 2017 at Stade Amahoro in Remera.d3feqilwoae1fir-dc4aa.jpgd3ffcecw0amh6dn-b6835.jpgd3ffclyw0aazyj9-af674.jpg

  • Kwibuka25: Nine heads of states and governments expected in Kigali for the commemoration activities

    Confirmed guests include Belgium Prime Minister, Charles Michel; The General Governor of Canada, Julie Payette; Benin president, Patrice Talon; president Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti president , Ismaïl Omar Guelleh; Mali president , Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, the president of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou and the president of Tchad, Idriss Déby Itno.

    Other guests expected in the commemoration include the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and the president of European Union Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker; Morocco Prime Minister, the speaker of Swiss parliament, the advisor of Egypt president, France MP Hervé Berville, Nigeria vice president , Senegalese and Tanzania foreign affairs ministers, the representative of the UN General Secretary and the Minister of Defense in Madagascar.

    Former heads of states including Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Tony Blair among others will also be present.

    Nduhungirehe said that it is an opportunity to reinforce measures to seize and bring to court genocide fugitives though representatives’ countries don’t accommodate a large number of genocide perpetrators.

    He said that Rwandans should uphold strategies to fight against genocide ideology especially among drawing an emphasis on the youth. perezida_patrice_talon_wasuye_urwibutso_rwa_jenoside_rwa_kigali_mu_2016_ni_umwe_mu_bategerejwe_mu_bikorwa_byo_kwibuka_muri_uyu_mwaka-d648a.jpg