Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Muslim Pilgrims Pay Tribute to Genocide Victims

    The Muslim pilgrims Saturday visited Kigali genocide memorial site where they paid tribute to victims of the genocide against Tutsi.

    The pilgrims including men and women laid wreaths on the mass graves. Thousands of victims are buried at the site.

    Pilgrims had just returned from the holy pilgrimage in Mecca Saudi Arabia. They gave messages of peace, prayed for Rwanda and denounced the repeat of genocide in Rwanda.

    They toured of the genocide museum which depicts Rwanda’s tragic history which claimed the lives of over a million people.

    The head of the delegation of pilgrims who had just returned from Mecca in Saudi Arabia Hadj Munyakazi Isiaka said their objective of visiting the genocide memorial was to give messages of peace and love that will help Rwandans fight ethnic divisionism and divisive politics.

    The pilgrims donated 2 cows and 11 goats to genocide survivors living at Mageragere sector in Nyarugenge district and constructed houses for 7 homeless families.

  • UNAMID Police Chief Tours Gishali Police Training School

    The African Union, United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) Police Commissioner James Oppongo Boanuh yesterday visited Gishali Police Training School.

    He was accompanied by the UNAMID Police Chief of Staff Commissioner of Police Cyprian Gatete.

    Commissioner Boanuh is in the country on a four day official visit.

    He was briefed by the Commandant of the School Assistant Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo on the school achievements, the ongoing activities and future projects. He was also briefed to progress of the peace support center.

    He also toured the housing scheme, the medical center and Zigama credit and savings scheme branch. He toured Formed Police Unit which is preparing for peace keeping mission.

    Commissioner Boanuh urged female police officers to work towards satisfactory results in solving problems related to Gender Based Violence and maintain exemplary discipline and uphold core values governing the United Nations.

    He lauded the performance of Rwandan contingents on several peacekeeping missions worldwide.

    “You will be faced by challenges in your daily peacekeeping duties in foreign countries but you can overcome them by upholding professional values and discipline,” Boanuh said.

    He noted that Rwandan contingents have never failed the people they are supposed to protect and that they have always been brave.

  • Kagame Says Leadership is Not About One Individual

    Founded by Quakers in 1873, William Penn University celebrated its largest graduating class to date.

    With over 300 students, William Penn University celebrated its largest graduating class to date on this sunny Saturday afternoon in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

    In her opening remarks, the first female President of the College Dr. Ann Fields reminded the graduating class of Rwanda’s remarkable achievement in the past decades pointing out its high number of women parliamentarians.

    “Under President Kagame who is known as a public advocate for socio-economic development and self reliance, Rwanda has been cited as an African success story.”

    Dr. Ann Fields cited gender equity, women’s right to own property and girl’s education among many of the successes of President Kagame’s leadership.

    It was in recognition of these accomplishment and the partnership between William Penn University and Rwanda that Dr. Ann Fields presented President Kagame with the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

    “I accept it with deep humility, knowing that in actual fact, it is a recognition of the collective effort of Rwandans to work for a better and brighter future,” President Kagame said upon receiving the Honorary Doctorate.

    Addressing the over 300 students gathered, he reminded them that “leadership is not about a single individual, no matter how gifted; it centers on the ability to inspire others to move together in the right direction, towards a common good.”

    “I have no doubt that among the 2012 Class of William Penn University there are outstanding leaders ready to step into the future and make the world a better home for all its citizens,” President Kagame added.

    As one of William Penn University first Rwandan graduate, Jean Chrysostome Bikomeye demonstrated in his address to the William Penn University graduating class, Rwanda’s youth is well on its way to meaningful leadership.

    “We all have different backgrounds but today we have one thing in common, we are graduating,”he told fellow students.

    Jean Chrysostome Bikomeye thanked President Kagame and the Rwandan leadership for their support of the Presidential scholarship program and reminded all present to“never lose the opportunity to make a difference.”

  • Poor Countries issue Plan to energize UN Climate Change Talks

    The world’s poorest countries have issued a bold plan to make the UN climate change talks more likely to reach their goal of having an effective and legally binding agreement ready for governments to adopt by 2015, the latest press release says.

    The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group’s formal submission to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, under which the talks take place, includes; The new legally binding agreement should take the form of a new protocol under the convention that builds on and enhances the commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

    They further suggest that parties should agree new rules to allow the adoption of the Protocol by a 75% majority, not by consensus as under current rules.

    They go on to argue that a final negotiating text should be ready a full year ahead of the 2015 deadline rather than the usual six months deadline that the UNFCCC imposes.

    “Raising the ambition of commitments to mitigate climate change before 2020 must be the top priority, ” the press release says. They add that the new Protocol should have as a key objective, the full implementation of mitigation, adaptation and finance and capacity building among others.

    Systems for monitoring, reporting and verifying finance and mitigation actions must not be weaker than but should build upon those that already exist in the Kyoto Protocol.

    “At last year’s conference of parties to the convention in Durban, parties agreed to complete negotiations by 2015, but such deadlines have been broken before,” says Pa Ousman Jarju, the chair of the LDC group.

    “Our countries cannot wait. We are already feeling the effects of climate change, but the time has come for us to be leaders in the international effort to address this global challenge.”

    “The creation of a new body to negotiate a second protocol under the Convention represents an overdue acknowledgement by all Parties that the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol alone are insufficient to drive action consistent with the ultimate objective of the Convention,” says Jarju.

    “Urgent action is needed by all Parties to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system, and in particular to stay below 2°C and keep open the possibility of limiting warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial in the long-term as called for by the most vulnerable countries.”
    As negotiators gather in Bonn for the latest round of talks this week, the LDC group also proposes changes to the way the negotiations work to make them faster and fairer.

    To ensure that all issues can be dealt with, the group says the number and duration of future negotiation sessions must be agreed in Bonn, along with a timetable to discuss particular issues.

    The group also says parties should consider electing officers to the bureau that will run the talks for more than the usual two year period, to ensure continuity – and that the size of the bureau should perhaps be expanded given the urgency of its task and that wide range of topics it must work on.

    “The LDC group comes to the Bonn climate change talks with a strong set of recommendations,” says Pa Ousman Jarju. “In the spirit of international cooperation and with our desire to see the UN climate change convention meet its objective, we urge other parties to join our call for these improvements to the negotiating process and its final goals.”

  • POLICE Impounds Large Quantities of Cannabis, Kanyanga

    Police in Rutsiro District are holding a suspect identified as Emile Niyonshuti found in possession with 9 rolls of Cannabis.

    Meanwhile, in Rubavu district, police arrested Jean Damascene Karemera at the Goma –Gisenyi border with 2000 rolls of cannabis and Dieudone Uwimana a resident of Nyarugenge district was arrested with 300 rolls of cannabis.

    Also in a stingy Police operation 860 litres of crude liquor were confiscated from a house belonging to Jean Marie Vianney Safari during a search operation Police in Kimironko sector,Gasabo District.

    Similarly 420 litres of illegal brew were impounded in a Joint Force operation at Gisagara district and in Kivuye sector, Burera district; police recovered 46 litres of Kanyanga.

    Police spokesperson Supt.Theos Badege commended good collaboration between community policing committees and security organs.

    “Such collaborations are not good news for criminals because they know that they can be arrested anytime”.

  • Rwanda Wins Prestigious UN Award

    Rwanda has scooped the United Nations Public Award (UNPSA) 2012 2nd place in the category of “Promoting Gender Responsive Delivery” of Public Services.

    UNPSA is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

    The announcement was made by the UN, office of the Director Division for Public Administration and Development Management.

    The recognition is based on its effort in the fight against sexual and gender based violence through Isange one Stop Center initiative under Rwanda National Police.

    The center was established in 2009 through the advocacy of The First Lady of Rwanda Madam Jeannette Kagame who put in place infrastructures covering different suitable services for women at Kacyiru Police Hospital including Isange One Stop Center, a facility where victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence and child abuse could be catered for.

    Isange one Stop Center was established as a complement to the national efforts in the fight against Gender Based Violence.

    The center provides holistic package of services that include medical, medico-legal, psychosocial/counseling, as well as safe room services where victims receive basic services like feeding, clothing and shelter all for free.

    All these ensure that the victims access timely justice.

    The center has been greatly supported by One UN Rwanda (UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women) as well as stakeholders and partners.

    The United Nations Public Service Day Awards Ceremony will take place in New York from 25 to 27 June 2012.

    Rwanda National Police recognizes different efforts for the success of the center

  • Kagame to Receive Honorary Doctorate From William Penn University

    President Kagame will on Saturday deliver the commencement address to a graduating class of 370 students and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, from the William Penn University in Iowa, United States.

    President Kagame will be recognised for his contribution to human welfare and as a leader who has played a key role in rebuilding Rwanda, improving the lives of Rwandans and empowering young people and women.

    In July 2008, William Penn University signed an agreement with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to accept four Rwandan “Presidential Scholars” to enroll at William Penn University. Three of these four students will be among today’s graduants.

    William Penn University renewed this agreement with the Ministry in September of 2011 and will enroll an additional five students from Rwanda per academic year, beginning this year.

    The University also has an established cooperation the Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK), since 2008. The cooperation between William Penn University and INATEK includes staff and student exchanges.

    In March of 2012, President Ann Fields led a group of eight graduate and undergraduate students on a two-week study abroad trip to the Republic of Rwanda as part of that exchange program.

  • Puma Energy Buys Kobil

    Puma Energy LLC (“Puma Energy”) has acquired majority stake in KenoKobil Limited commonly known in Rwanda as KOBIL.

    Patrick Meyer the Puma Energy head of Coporate Affairs at Global level told IGIHE that Puma Energy has signed an exclusive agreement with the key shareholders of KenolKobil Limited (“KenolKobil”) to acquire a majority stake in KenolKobil.

    He explained that the exclusive agreement is conditional on due diligence, price confirmation and regulatory approval.

    KenolKobil is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, and is one of East Africa’s largest oil marketing companies operating across 10 countries in Africa.

    Any subsequent transaction, which is conditional on due diligence and regulatory approvals, would add: US$ 2.5 billion of net sales; A strong asset base, including over 400 retail service stations and 180,000m3 of storage capacity;
    Strong strategic fit with Puma Energy’s existing businesses;
    Important new markets to Puma Energy’s African presence, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi; and a highly skilled employee base of 557 and a highly experienced management team.

    Puma Energy was formed in 1997 focusing on emerging markets and has grown rapidly in the midstream and downstream oil sector. Headquartered in Switzerland, Puma Energy now operates in 29 countries around the world.

    As well as operations in eleven countries across North and South America, Puma Energy has been working in Africa for a decade, and now operates in twelve countries across West, Central and Southern Africa. The company has oil storage terminals in northern Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia, with planned developments in India.

    Puma Energy is one of the fastest-growing midstream and downstream oil companies in the world, and continues to invest heavily in Africa, strategically partnering across the continent with key emerging African players including Sonangol, the national oil company of Angola.

  • President Kagame Visits William Penn University

    The visit by Rwandan President to William Penn University continues to create waves of excitement among the university community and Rwandans living in North America alike.

    President Paul Kagame will be the keynote speaker at the university’s commencement ceremony planned this Saturday, where he will address a graduating class of 370 students and also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, for his contributions to the humanities or human welfare.

    George Mugabo has lived most of his life in the United States. He said he’s excited about the President’s visit and the recognition he continues to receive worldwide.

    “What an honour. We are indeed so glad that the University is recognizing him. He deserves it,” said Mugabo, who drove miles to Iowa to join his fellow Rwandans to support the president and affirm their support for the direction he has given Rwandan, just 18 years after the Genocide against Tutsi.

    “It gives you chills when you hear he is coming. He has done a lot to transform our country and the only way for us to be grateful is to come here and express our support and appreciation,” added Mugabo.

    While announcing that President Kagame will be their guest this weekend, William Penn University President Dr. Ann Fields noted that President Kagame has been recognized as a world leader for his role in human interest issues and one who is known for empowering young people and women, as evident by the high percentage of women serving on the Rwandan Parliament – 56%.

    “President Kagame has received multiple honors during his presidency including: the Clinton Global Citizen Award in 2009, being named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and His Excellency received the ‘Lifetime Leadership Award for Development and Equality’ by Rwandan Women in 2010.”

    William Penn University’s relationship with Rwanda began in September of 2007 when Rwandan Ambassador to the United States, James Kimonyo, presented the keynote speech at the President’s Convocation.

    In July of 2008, William Penn signed an agreement with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to accept four Rwandan “Presidential Scholars” to enroll at William Penn University. Three of these four young people will graduate at the ceremony.

    The university refused to heed to calls from a few genocide deniers, negationists, liars and political opportunists like Theogene Rudasingwa who wanted the President’s visit cancelled.

    “William Penn does not foresee the presence of protestors to be an issue or interfere with the day’s activities,” the university said in a statement.
    After failing to garner any support from most Rwandans, Rudasingwa is said to be rallying support from Congolese and other foreigners to stage a protest.

    “I highly doubt anybody will really show up. After failing to win over Rwandans, he is now asking Congolese and Burundians to join him. What a pity,” said Mugabo

    The university has received an outpouring of support from Rwandans from across North America to the University for their decision to honour President Kagame.

    “This is a remarkable recognition for President Kagame’s effective leadership, and Rwanda’s determination to heal the wounds inflicted during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi!” wrote one Agasaro.

  • ICTR Confirms Judgement on Three Appeals

    The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda Tuesday, confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment handed to Lt. Idelphonse Hategekimana for genocide and crimes against humanity.

    According to the judgment, Lt. Hategekimana ordered the selection,the abduction and killing of Tutsi in a convent of nuns near his camp, April 30, 1994.

    The judges also concluded that he had espoused and encouraged acts of rape.

    His comrade Maj. Aloys Ntabakuze who commanded the battalion during the genocide against the Tutsi has seen him reduced his sentence to 35 years imprisonment.

    As reported by the news agency swallow the Appeals Chamber overturned the conviction of Maj. Natabakuze for the crimes committed by members of the battalion at Kabeza.

    The appeal judges concluded that the perpetrators of these abuses at Kabeza were not necessarily under the effective control of Ntabakuze.

    The last judgment pronounced sentence of 30 years in prison against businessman Gaspard Kanyarukiga.

    The board rejected in their entirety, all grounds of appeal which denounced Kanyarukiga defects in the indictment, violations of his rights during the original trial, a misapprehension of his alibi and that a sentence as excessive.