Author: b_igi_adm1n

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has transferred former top Rwandan Defence Ministry official Théoneste Bagosora and three other convicts to serve their sentences in Mali.

Seven others have been moved to Benin, according to a statement issued by the Tribunal on Wednesday.

Mali and Benin are among seven countries that have agreed to take ICTR convicts in their jails.

Bagosora, who was Cabinet Director at the Rwandan Defence Ministry, was first sentenced to life for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

However, the ICTR Appeals Chamber overturned some of the findings of the lower court and reduced his sentence to 35 years in a controversial judgment on December 14, 2011.

The Appeals Chamber found him guilty only on the basis of superior responsibility, for failing to prevent and punish crimes committed by subordinates.

He was found liable for the killings of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and other influential persons at various places in Kigali between April 6 and 9, 1994.

Bagosora was tried alongside three other former top Rwandan army officers. One of them was acquitted by the Tribunal for lack of evidence.

Bagosora was arrested in Cameroon on March 9, 1996, and transferred to the UN Detention Facility in Arusha on January 23, 1997. His trial began on April 2, 2002. The first instance judgment was issued on December 18, 2008.

The East African Granite Industries (EAGI) will this Friday will Launch the Ceremony of its quarry and plant in Nyagatare, Eastern Province.

President Paul Kagame is expected to officially inaugurate the manufacturing plant.

EAGI, the largest granite factory in the region, targets to become the leading manufacturer and supplier of affordable and high quality granite products in East Africa.

Products of EAGI present competition to domestic and regional granite industry and is dedicated to producing the most durable and authentic stone-building products for local, regional and international markets.

The Factory Plant is built on 72 hectares valued at US$15 Million. It fitted with the most sophisticated and environmentally friendly equipment.

EAGI anticipates an annual production capacity of 200,000 tiles. The plant’s product spectrum includes granite slabs and standard sized tiles.

EAGI is owned and operated by Building Materials Investments Limited (BMI Ltd) – a joint venture between Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Crystal Ventures Limited.

The new plant is projected to bring financial relief to the country’s top contractors and architects, alleviating the need to import granite products, which in turn facilitates the growth of the Rwandan housing market.

The Rwanda Peace and Leadership Centre has began the third phase of 10 days of training for 345 Community Policing Committees (CPC’s) from across the country.

The institute is located in Nkumba, Kinoni sector, Burera district.

The training is aimed at also instilling value of the Rwandan culture, good behaviour, how to ensure Rwandans security, combating family conflicts, good governance, performance appraisal among others.

Addressing the CPC’s Chief Superintendent (CSP) Gilbert Gumira, the Northern Province Regional Police Commander urged trainees to champion development and play a central role in crime reduction.

William Ntidendereza, the vice chairman of Itorero ry’Igihugu noted that CPC’s are an important part of the Rwandan society as they form the pillars of security.

“It’s important that you get trained because Rwandans are now witnessing the reduction of crime as a result of impressive CPC’s work,” Ntidendereza said.

As Rwandans marked 100 days of commemoration of genocide against Tutsi, genocide survivors expressed that they are very hopeful about their future and some say they are already successful in various domains including business.

The Minister of Sports and Culture Mitali Protais was the guest of honour at the AVEGA Agahozo closing ceremony held on July 3, 2012.

“By remembering don’t be dominated by sorrow, don’t be threatened. Now we stop mourning for a while, we are going to feel some how happy, but it is not the end of mourning because even after we die, those victims will be remembered forever”.

The first lady Jeannette Kagame also participated in the ceremony at AVEGA marking 100 days of commemoration of Genocide against Tutsis.

Genocide survivors presented their testimonies of how they survived and explained about their daily lives, and future perspectives.

Most of them said that they were dispersed and despaired, because they lost spouses and relatives. Today they are very hopeful thanks to AVEGA that consoled and supported them after Genocide.

Murebwayire Console recounted what happened to her and said that she survived after being beaten and tortured. She was left in pain and wounded by Interahamwe militia and her husband was killed.

Another widow said that they wished they had died than living, before AVEGA helped them on managing trauma and tolerating killers.

She said that after all that happened to her and later forgiving the killers, she is turning into a successful business woman in Kirehe District.

She led Gacaca court in the sector level, and all citizens are have confidence in her that she sometimes works as Sector executive staff in the absence of Executive. Now She is also an exemplary farmer.

Kayirere Odette, the director of AVEGA, screened a film revealing the life of consequences of Genocide to survivors, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS, as long as some of violated mothers don’t know the names of their children’s fathers.

IBUKA’s Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu encouraged Genocide widows to live without fear and congratulated genocide widows upon using well their opportunity of suvivance,as some of them have become business planers of reference.

Kayirere added that most of vulnerable genocide widows of over 70 years are found in Southern province,at the level of up 1762 with high rate of helpless of 357 Widows.

A girl of twelve years drowned to death in lake Mugesera on Monday afternoon and her body was retrieved by the National Police and taken to Kibungo Hospital for a postmoterm.

Erica Mukadusabe, a resident of Mugesera Sector Ngoma district while swimming with other children, dived under but couldn’t surface.

A survey conducted by Police indicates that children who die from drowning fall in water, while adult people are absent or preoccupied with other activities.

“Drowning can be prevented when parents and guardians ensure that children are never left on their own,” Police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege said.

“It is parents and guardians responsibility to protect children from such demise”. Badege added

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) has called for the 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) that aims at supporting Africans’ efforts in developing new products, increasing efficiency and drive cost-savings.

Registration deadline for the 2013 prize has been set for 31 October 2012 with no possibility for extensions.

Only innovations by Africans and for Africans are eligible to enter. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa.

The winning proposal will be awarded a cash prize of $100,000 USD, with the two runners-up receiving US$25,000.

At an event organized by the ECA and AIF, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators will be invited to propose projects that unlock new African potential under these categories; Agriculture and Agribusiness, ICT applications, Health and wellbeing, Environment (Energy and water) and Manufacturing and services industries.

“For IPA,the best way to build Africa’s capacity is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship,” said AIF Chairman Walter Fust. “This prize encourages Africans to develop creative ways to overcome everyday challenges.”

The organizers expect the prize to promote among young African men and women the pursuit of science, technology and engineering careers and business applications.

This aims at; mobilising leaders from all sectors to fuel African innovation; Promote innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest through the competition; Promote science, technology and engineering as rewarding, exciting and noble career options among the youth in Africa by profiling success applicants.

It will also encourage entrepreneurs, innovators, funding bodies and business development service providers to exchange ideas and explore innovative business opportunities.