Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Dealing With Menstrual Pain

    Having your period is hard enough without any complications. Now you have to deal with cramps on top of the hormonal imbalances and the regular side effects.

    Cramps are caused by the contraction of your uterus as it sloughs off the particle layer it had prepared for a possible pregnancy.

    Here are some of the tips that may help you reduce the cramps.

    Exercise: Try to exercise regularly. If you do and continue during your period you may feel less cramping.

    Avoid caffeine in excess: Caffeine can upset your digestive systems which can increase the cramping sensation. By all means sip some herbal tea instead of your coffee.

    Eat Fruits and Fibers: Fruit is good for you anyway; a banana for instance will help relieve the cramps due to potassium in it.

    Fibers like ones found in whole grains food such as breads, pasta, and cereal or even in avocados and beans will help cleanse your body of excess hormones.

    Empty your Bowels: It really helps! Most women have to use the restroom more often when their period comes and doing so can significantly decrease the severity of menstrual cramps.

    Take deep Breath: This allows you to breathe through the pain. It may seem a little silly but it can really help.

    Take a hot bath/shower: The hot water eases cramp pains; it can make your sore muscles feel better and so enables you to relax.

    Wear loose clothes: Avoid clothes that are tight on you especially on the abdomen level. They will block the blood flow in your vessels thus accentuate the cramps pain.

    Put a little pressure: Put a bottle filled of hot water or a cushion against you abdomen this will make you feel much better.

    Distract yourself: Do some window shopping, watch your favorite movie and most of all laugh a lot, this is the best medicine.

  • Another FARDC Batallion Commander Defects to M23

    As the war between M23 rebels and the DRC army continues, the commander of the Armed Forces of DRC FARDC 1072nd battalion based in Kaziba in Walungu territory in South Kivu, Lt. Col. John Kasisira has deserted with his escort.

    Lt. Col. Kasisira is a former CNDP fighter. He deserted thecongolese army on Wednesday 1 August.

    Meanwhile, Mai Mai rebels attacked the Congolese towns of Lubiriha and Kasindi Thursday night and the fighting has gone on till Friday morning.

    This has led to a massive fleeing of Congolese people into Uganda following heavy artillery from the Congolese side.

    Mai-Mai militia group has also killed two unidentified Congolese soldiers this Friday, August 3rd during a raid on a camp of the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC), in the town of Kasindi (Eastern Province) close to the border with Uganda.

    Local sources say a policeman on duty at the Savings Bank of Congo (CADECO) was disarmed by the militia who took his gun.

    The first sector commander Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) in Beni, Col. Eric Rurihombere confirmed the attack adding that one soldier had been wounded.

    Col. Rurihombere however, said calm had returned to the area as businesses had opened their doors despite the closure of the administrative office of the locality.

    After their attack, the militia are said to have retreated to the hills of Kalemie 6km northeast of the town of Kasindi.

  • Man Arrested over Fake Money

    On Wednesday, Rwanda National Police arrested Elie Munyazikwiye 31, with six counterfeited currency notes of 5000 Rwandan francs while going to deposit the money at Banque Populaire in Gakenke.

    The suspect is being held at Gakenke Police station to pave way for investigations.

    Meanwhile such cases have been reported across other parts of the country. In July Police in Nyagatare District arrested a Emmanuel Nsengiyumva 27, with Rwf. 350,000 in fake notes and Ugandan currency worth Sh 20,000. He was arrested in Nyamiyonga Cell, Musheri Sector, after a tip off from residents.

    Four people were arrested with counterfeit local and international currency amounting to Rwf 2.1 million and US$ 200 dollars.

    The four included; Seleman Nyagisaza, 56, Joseph Misago, 43, Suleiman Byaruhanga, 37, and Florentine Murekatete, 29.

    The fake local currency was in denominations of Rwf 5,000, Rwf 2,000 and Rwf 1,000 notes. The dollars were in US$100 notes.

  • Efforts Needed to Fix Gaps in Health Sector

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    According to International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Rwanda, there is one doctor per over 15, 000 people.

    In England or Belgium, a doctor is in charge of 600 people In order to ensure a better healthcare for the population, meanwhile the Ministry of health has planned to have one doctor per 10,000 citizens by 2020.

    In an interview with a patient at CHUB who was treated under surgery operation he mentioned that, he waited for almost a month to be treated.

    The fact is there are few doctor specialized in this surgery operation available at the hospital and it takes time to be confirmed on the list of those who will be treated.

    A parent with a child to be operated said, “sometimes we have to wait to be transferred to Kigali and during the waiting, the patient suffers more than before and it may result into death without meeting doctor”

    Sebineza Joseph from Ministry of health in charge of Public Health facilities explains that the gap in health sector is known and its why there are partnerships with IOM for Africa Development and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to enhance the linkage of the Rwanda Diaspora with their home country as well as other agreements as a way to increase the effort invested in healthcare.

    This is done through facilitating volunteers including; qualified Rwandan health professionals living abroad and other foreigners that wish to make meaningful contribution to public health sector development effort in Rwanda by sharing their knowledge, experience and talent, donation of their time and effort to save lives and help the country to achieve its ambitious health and Millennium goals.

    Dr Nicholas Capello of IOM Rwanda Project volunteer, is an orthopedic surgeon from USA volunteering at the university Teaching Hospital of Butare known as CHUB.

    He told IGIHE that there is a big number of patients and few specialist doctor to handle the patients, “This is very challenging. The number of specialists is currently limited compared to the number of cases to be treated, but we have to appreciate what is going on for the progression.”

    Before the arrival of Dr Nicholas, it wasn’t easy to operate patients most of whom were refered to university Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).

    However, with Dr. Capellos help the challenge has been overcome. He also teaches undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.

    CHUB’s Dr. Dr Ndoli said that government may keep looking for the projects like IOM and increasing sensitization campaign about Volunteer programs.

  • What Women Want From Men

    What women want from a relationship is really quite simple.
    Besides the meaning of life and many other confusing facts, more than one man has questioned “what exactly do women want?”

    Women are complex creatures, different from men but they are not exactly the great mystery that men often make them out to be. Here are the things women really care about in a relationship:

    Respect:A man has to show through his actions that he respects his woman’s opinions, career, interests, friends, body and mind. He doesn’t have to agree with all she does or says but instead he has to try to honor her opinions as valuable contributions.

    All a woman wants is to be treated the way her partner would like to be treated. To be honest, fair, kind and considerate.

    Romance: treat your woman as your girlfriend even after she’s become your wife. Date nights, adventure, travelling and all of the things that made her fall in love with you don’t have to stop just because now there are bills to pay, a house to be cleaned, kids to be taken care of. Bring flowers for no reason even the flowers from your garden are enough to make her smile.

    Time: relationships can’t be all wine and roses. Simply making the time to be with her and treating her like your top priority says “love” more than all the fancy gifts and lovely letters. Giving her your time includes helping around the house. Realities of a 21st century relationship are that both partners probably work.

    Dinner: you may not be good at cooking and you may not know how to boil water but greeting her at the door after a long day with a bowl of fruits or whatever you can wrestle up. It makes her happy because it shows that you have been thinking about her and her hectic day.

    Communication: women are vocal creatures. She knows that you love her but it is nice to hear you say it too. She can also be insecure, she wishes she wasn’t but the reality is that she often notices her wobbly thighs and forgets about her gorgeous eyes, so let her know when you think she is hot and beautiful, it helps her feel good.

    Words of appreciation aren’t half bad either; tell her you love her recipes. It doesn’t have to be over the top, just let her know that you see the effort she puts in and you are grateful.

    Consistency: being consistent doesn’t mean being boring and predictable. It means that she knows you will give her the love and support she needs. Knowing that you are coming at this with the same desires and energy as she is goes a long way to making her feel secure.

    Engagement: this is not about the “I am getting married in the morning” kind. It is about you showing interest in her passions, career, sport or hobby. Listen when she talks to you, it also means paying attention to the little things.

    Humor and humility: These two go hand in hand. This doesn’t mean that you have to crack jokes or entertain her but just being able to laugh at yourself is enough. Guys who take themselves seriously bring everyone down.

    Challenge: not the kind that makes a relationship constant work but the good kind that surprises and motivates her to do, to be or to achieve what she desires.

    Studies show that partners who prod each other to meet goals in other words don’t support lazy or bad habits, are ultimately happier than those who don’t hold each other accountable.

  • Rwanda Tourism Reports 11% Growth in Revenue

    Tourism revenues have increased by 11% this year generating over US$ 128 Million of the first semester compared to US$ 115.6 Million fetched in the same period in 2011.

    The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has said in a statement that it wishes to inform and reassure tourists and the business community that it is safe to travel to the Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda despite the on-going conflict in the neighbouring country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said that Rwanda’s tourism progress is attributed to peace and security: “Visitor safety is guaranteed as usual. We would like to reassure visitors to Rwanda that it is business as usual here and that it is extremely safe and secure to travel to and within the country.

    In addition to the all-in-one experience in Rwanda from diverse wildlife in the national parks, to the magnificent scenery, amazing climate and the rare mountain gorillas; peace and security continues to be a magnetic pool for visitors in Rwanda.”

    Rwanda also hosted an estimate of 493,744 visitors in the first semester 2012 corresponding to an increase of 22% compared to 2011 in the same period and recorded a remarkable 16% increase in leisure visitors as well as an 8% increase in business visitors.

    In terms of investment promotion, in the first semester only (January to June), the Tourism sector has so far registered projects worth US$ 184.1m. These projects are expected to create 1,328 jobs.

    Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said that “There was a noticeable increase in revenues, visits and value of registered tourism investments as well as projected jobs created in the first semester.

    We believe that if we continue to achieve as reflected by the results in the first semester, we will indeed surpass our targets and more importantly, this will drive growth and generate wealth for Rwandans.”

    Rwanda’s tourism and conservation efforts are also reflected in the commitment to the contribution towards the communities’ welfare under the revenue sharing framework, RDB recently increased the price of gorilla permits to US$750 which will consequently also increase the contribution to the communities as well as the activities in conservation.

    Indeed, Rwanda places conservation and community development at the core of the sustainable tourism agenda.

    In addition to the current room capacity of more than 6500 today, the government is encouraging more investment in accommodation facilities, hotels and restaurants in order to match the ever increasing visitors’ number.

    Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner with US$251 Million earned in 2011.

  • Rwanda Responds to Allegations by UN Group of Experts

    The Government of Rwanda has responded to allegations contained in the Addendum to the UN Group of Experts Interim Report. Below is a detailed responce highlighting every allegation and a responce to it.

    ALLEGATION 1. RDF UNIT TRAINED IN KANOMBE BARRACKS TO GO AND FIGHT FOR M23

    Rebuttal: It is common (and verifiable) knowledge that Kanombe Barracks is a garrison-type barracks that comprises living quarters; a referral military hospital also open to civilian patients; a cemetery; and five service support units’ headquarters and related facilities.

    This Barracks therefore cannot host the training of recruits or any other force preparation activity.

    Evidence: During their visit to Kigali, the GoE toured Kanombe Barracks and were able to see that the allegation is farfetched

    ALLEGATION 2. RWANDA PROVIDED ARMS AND AMMUNITION TO M23

    Rebuttal: The GoE seriously suggests that it was able to establish, in about a week’s time, that Col. Makenga could not obtain 75mm canons and their ammunition from FARDC and concludes that these were instead provided by RDF.

    As a matter of fact, RDF does not hold 75mm canons in ordinance stores and has never purchased such canons or their ammunition. Remnants of these weapons and ammunition from the 1990 – 94 war of liberation were disposed of in 2008, which is well documented by the RDF ordinance regiment.

    The GoR has credible information that FARDC, unlike RDF, maintains 75 mm canons and anti-tank rifle grenades on their arms/ammunition inventory, through RDF participation in several joint-operations with FARDC including the recent operations codenamed AMANI-LEO and UMOJA-WETU.

    Evidence: Relevant documented evidence can be availed for in-situ review.

    ALLEGATION 3. PROOF THAT KEY FACILITATOR OF M23 WAS SEEN IN GISENYI

    Rebuttal: Brig. Gen. Ruvusha denies all allegations and states that he was on leave and out of Gisenyi from 3 – 14 May 12 and provides an incontrovertible evidence of his whereabouts during the period.

    Evidence: A summarized statement of Brig. Gen. Ruvusha denying allegations can be found on Annex B to this submission.

    ALLEGATION 4. M23 TROOPS CROSS BY BOAT WITH EQUIPMENTS FROM BUKAVU TO GISENYI

    Rebuttal: This is technically impossible because RDF use motorised zodiac boats to carry 60 personnel and tones of equipment back and forth at night without detection by FARDC border patrols.

    II. It is impossible to drive RDF 15 tonner trucks along the route reported by GoE because the alleged route is under major construction and there is no way it could support night movement involving heavy trucks.

    In addition, it is inconceivable how offloading of troops in RDF uniforms on RDF trucks on the Rwandan side of the border with DRC at a time of tension is out of order, extra-ordinary and linked to Col. Makenga.

    Evidence: Detailed specifications and technical data regarding all types of boats held by Rwanda Marines can be found on Annex Con this submission.

    ALLEGATION 5. CONGOLESE BUSINESSMEN VISITED RWANDA TO DISCUSS M23 FINANCING

    Rebuttal: Investigation by the Rwanda migration department indicates that the two businessmen mentioned in the addendum did not travel to Rwanda during the period mentioned in the addendum.

    Only Mr.Dieudonne Komayombi travelled through Rwanda to Nairobi between 24 and 28 of June 2012.

    Evidence: Detailed accounts of the nature and purpose of these calls and meetings are available onAnnex D on this submission.

    ALLEGATION 6. GENERAL JACQUES NZIZA, THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, IS ALLEGED TO BE PROVIDING MILITARY, FINANCIAL AND LOGISTIC SUPPORT TO M23. IT IS ALSO ARGUED THAT HE WAS RECENTLY DEPLOYED TO RUHENGERI AND GISENYI TO COORDINATE ASSISTANCE AND RECRUITMENT.

    Rebuttal: Gen. Nziza actively dismisses these allegations, since as PS of Ministry of Defense he is in charge of daily accounting at the Ministry and as such; deploying him to support M23 would amount to grounding most of the core activities of the Ministry.

    Additionally, Gen. Nziza provides solid evidence that support the fact that he has not been in Gisenyi or Ruhengeri of recent.

    Evidence: For copies of Gen. Nziza’s daily meetings, including detailed logs 114 people he met at the Ministry during that same period, see Annex F of this document.

    ALLEGATION 7. GENS. JAMES KABAREBE AND CHARLES KAYONGA ALLEGED TO BE SUPPORTING M23 THROUGH COORDINATING COL.MAKENGA’S OPERATIONS.

    Rebuttal: Gens. Kabarebe and Kayonga have played an active role in promoting peace in the region, and as such, the fact that they can be in contact with senior officials of FARDC and/or M23 should not come as a surprise. The false allegations made in paragraph 33 of the addendum as evidence of their involvement in supervising Col.Makenga’s operations are misleading.

    Evidence: For detailed accounts of Gens. Kabarebe and Kayonga involvement in attempts to prevent the crisis are provided at Annex D and E.

    ALLEGATION 8. LT COL JOMBA WAS RECENTLY DEPLOYED FROM GAKO MILITARY ACADEMY WHERE HE HAS BEEN AN INSTRUCTOR, TO RUHENGERI SINCE THE CREATION OF M23. HE WAS ALLEGEDLY PUT IN CHARGE OF COMMANDING LOCALLY MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF M23.

    Rebuttal: Lt. Col. Gakumba states that he was never deployed to Ruhengeri and remains an instructor at Gako Military in Bugesera. He provides incontrovertible evidence to support his statement; these include daily and weekly training activities in which Lt. Col. Gakumba was involved, as well as details of all visits by foreign delegations handled by the officer while at Gako.

    Evidence: Relevant statement and supporting documents are available at Annex H on this submission.

    ALLEGATION 9. THE GOE REFERS TO THE SIGNAL INTERCEPTION BY FARDC OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN RDF AND M23

    Rebuttal: The so-called signal interception a FARDC indicated the reception of RDF troop reinforcements by M23, and request for additional reinforcements.

    The evidence provided is one of the most unsophisticated pieces of fabrication in the entire report.. On the basis of “image 10” on p.16 of the addendum (i) the mode of communication indicated is a single frequency per channel also referred to as a ‘direct mode operation’;

    (ii) encryption seems to be based on a manual cipher system also known as SLIDEX; (iii) the frequency is VHF (high) and the frequency range (159,500.00 KHz – 160,900.00 KHz – 161,000.00 KHz) indicates some eqipment of commercial standard.

    Hence, it is technically incompatible with the RDF VHF communication system which uses PRC family military standard with low VHF rage operating from 30 – 80/108 MHz which means that a two-way communication would be impossible; (iv) Furthermore, RDF uses digital encryption imbedded in its communication assets which confirms that a two way communication is not possible in this case.

    Evidence: Additional details confirming that the intercepted radio communication cannot refer to a communication between an RDF communicator and that of M23 are available on Annex Ion this submission

    ALLEGATION 10. BOSCO NTAGANDA-OWNS PROPERTY IN RWANDA

    Rebuttal: Investigations on the claim of a house belonging to Ntaganda indicate that the house presented as image 15 in the addendum is actually owned owned by Mr. Innocent Ndagano alias “Cent Kilos”.

    Further allegations that Hotel Bushokoro located at Kinigi is co-partially owned by Gen. BoscoNtaganda is proved wrong because the property is actually owned at 50% each by Mr. Enock Munyajabo and his wife Mrs. NyiramanaKesie. it is therefore categorically false to claim that the properties belong to BoscoNtaganda.

    Evidence: The certificate of registration of epithetic lease title No. UPI 3/03/04/05/217 is available at Annex J to this submission under the certificate of registration of epithetic lease title No. UPI 4/03/07/03/329 is at Annex Kto this submission

  • FDLR Rebels Enter DRC’s Virunga Park

    FDLR rebels are reported to have on Tuesday taken control of the easter part of the Virunga park on the Drcongo side.

    A statement released by the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) says, “ This is very worrying, because our relationship with the FDLR is not good.”

    It adds that the FDLR are a violent militia group from Rwanda largely made up of combatants most of whom are responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda .

    The statement further notes, “Most of the our 12 rangers who were killed last year were killed during attacks on our positions by the FDLR.”

    It is said the military advances by the M23 rebels in the past few days has caused the Congolese military to withdraw, but the M23 have not advanced as much as the military have fled, and the empty ground in between is being filled by militia groups.

    Many of those areas are in the park, and park rangers have remained to protect it. We currently have 40 rangers at Lulimbi, which is on the border with Uganda, and protects the Ishasha Valley.

    It’s a tremendously important area for elephant migrations with Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, as well as for its hippo and other large mammal populations.

    We can’t afford to abandon this area, but the rangers are now cut off because the FDLR occupy the nearby fishing settlement of Nyakakoma.

    They’re low on ammunition and rations. Yesterday morning we received news that a column of FDLR were advancing to attack our rangers at Lulimbi.

  • Rwandan Media Urged on Regional Integration

    Rwandan Journalists have been urged to mobilise people from the East African community senstising them about advantages of regional integration.

    The call was made at the secretariat general of east African community (EAC) while meeting with journalists at a press conference held in Kigali 1st August 2012.

    The summit aimed at mobilising Journalists from different media institutions in Rwanda to use their media channels to publish regional intergration material and informing the regional citizens about acheivements of integration and the interest they will get in future.

    Owora Richard othieno, the head of corporate communication and public affairs department at the EAC secretariat, Arusha, said the regional body targets media because of vast pemetration and reach a large audience.

    Owora recommended that in order to facilitate Journalists to report about what they are aware, the EAC secretariat will provide more training on them.

    Sarafina Flavia responsible for explaining the interest of EAC in Rwanda, told IGIHE that when Rwanda joined the east African community in 2007, different ways have been used in providing trainings to the people on advantages of integration.

    Sarafina noted that this august, the secretariat is planning to supply documents to the community, indicating achievements and future targets.

    The 5th press summit which will take place here at Kigali from 9th to 10th august , will be attended by both the east African community secretariat and east African business council to engage in an annual forum, media owners ,chief executive officers of media houses, media executives ,publishers ,editors, prominent media personalities ,and the practioners in the region on integration issues.

  • Kenya High Quality Tea Drops in Sales

    Market reports indicate that Kenya’s top quality Tea has dropped in price for the first time on the global trading market in seven weeks to US$4.06/Kg at auction this week from US$4.07/Kg last week, market participants have said.

    Kenya is the world’s biggest exporter of black tea and the crop is one of its largest foreign exchange earners. It fetched US$1.27 Billion in 2011.

    The Mombasa-based Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said in a market report that Best Broken Pekoe Ones TEABP1-BEST-KE sold at US$3.92-US$4.20/Kg from US$3.88-US$4.25 last week.

    Best Pekoe Fanning Ones TEAPF1-BEST-KE fetched US$3.74-US$4.00/Kg from US$3.67-US$3.96/Kg at the previous sale.

    It said 102,796 packages were offered for sale, with 17.1% going unsold. Last week, 98,514 packages were offered with 13% left unsold.

    The report said Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Sudan showed strong demand, as did Egyptian Packers.

    Yemeni Packers, Middle Eastern countries and UK Were also said to have been active at the auction.