Author: b_igi_adm1n

The Family of Gilbert Nizeyimana(photo above) requests concerned authorities to help them in finding of their son who went missing on 25 April and up to now, there is no information about his whereabouts.

A member of Nizeyimana’s family told IGIHE that Nizeyimana was the manager of KAKA printing Express located next to Nkurunziza in Kigali City.

Its alleged that an unknown caller telephoned Nizeyimana on Thursday at about midday. By then Nizeyimana was at Nyamirambo attending to his business.

After the call, Nizeyimana told his workmates including his driver, that someone had telephoned him and jumped onto a motor taxi and headed to the city center to meet with the caller.

However, after 30 minutes, the driver called Nizeyimana with intention of asking him about something in connection with work but was unable to reach him on mobile phone, as it was unavailable.

On suspecting that Nizeyimana was missing, the family inquired from his workmates and friends who both said hadn’t seen him and later the family members tried to cross check with all hospitals around the city but all in vain.

Later the family notified Muhima Police station. Police promised to launch a search for Nizeyimana with effect from 30 April.

Supt. Theos Badege the Police Spokesperson told IGIHE that whenever, police are notified of a missing person, the search is immediately launched to determine the whereabouts of the missing person depending on the manner in which they went missing.

Police is interrogating a radio Journalist suspected of uttering statements on radio that were deemed to promote genocide ideology.

Until his arrest, Habarugira Epaphrodite was working for RADIO HUGUKA based in Muhanga district.

Haburugira was arrested on 24 April after allegedly uttering during the 22 April news bulletin live on radio statements that defame and ridicule victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide that claimed a million lives.

The management of Huguka Radio immediately issued a letter terminating Habarugira from radio effective 23 April.

Alain Mukuralinda the National Prosecution publicist told IGIHE that Habarugira’s Dossier was forwarded to national prosecution on 26 April adding that Next week; prosecution will determine whether to submit the case to court or set Habarugira free.

Huguka Radio Manager Ndekezi Eugène told IGIHE in a telephone interview “Habarugira’s dossier is already in the hands of the Judiciary. Subject to the law. I cannot divulge any details”.

Ndekezi further noted that he is confident that the country’s Judiciary has the capacity to determine the truth in the charges against Habarugira.

Every year from on April 7 Rwandan’s honour victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide. Over the course of 100 days, ethnic Tutsis were brutally murdered.

This year the world joined Rwandans in the 18th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi’s under a theme “Learning from our history to build a bright future.”

In Kenya today morning a grenade attack at a Church in Nairobi’s Ngara area has left one person dead and ten others injured. Local Media has confirmed. The attack occured during prayers.

Six of the injured are at the Guru Nanak hospital along Muranga road, while four others said to be in critical condition have been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Sunday’s attack at God’s House of Miracle International Church comes days after the United States embassy issued a warning of a looming attack within Nairobi.

The embassy issued an advisory last Monday, claiming a possible attack was in the last stages of planning.

Citing credible intelligence, the warning urged American citizens in Kenya to be vigilant of the personal security.

“Timing of the attack is not known, however, the Embassy has reason to believe that the potential attack is in the last stages of planning. The U.S. Embassy urges Americans to remain aware of their surroundings and vigilant of their personal security,” a statement from the embassy said.

Honourable Jesca Eriyo from the Republic of Uganda is the new Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community with immediate effect from 30th April 2012.

Hon. Eriyo’s appointment was confirmed at the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Heads of State at Arusha in Tanzania on 28th April.

Hon. Eriyo is Uganda’s former State Minister for Environment. She replaces Beatrice Kiraso, the outgoing Secretary General whose two-year mandate has expired.

Also during the 10th Extraodinary Heads of state summit, the contract of Jean Claude Nsengiyumva (Deputy Secretary General – Productive and Social Sectors) contract was renewed.

East African Community (EAC) presidents converged in Arusha on Saturday to, among other issues, discuss the application by South Sudan to join the regional bloc.

Following the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Heads of State at Arusha in Tanzania today 28th April 2012, a Joint communiqué has been released expounding on details of the deliberations. Below is a complete extract of the document.

The East African Community Heads of State, their Excellencies President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the summit, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda and first Vice President HE. Thérence Sinunguruza of the Republic of Burundi held the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania on 28th April 2012.

2 The Heads of State and Government met in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

3 The Summit commended the Council of Ministers for taking the lead in the elimination of non tariff barriers to enhance free circulation of goods and services in the community and directed that decisions taken to this effect be implemented expeditiously.

4 The summit commended hon. Beatrice B. Kiraso who was completing her term of office as deputy secretary general of the east African community in charge of political federation for her exemplary service during the past six years. The summit wished Hon. Kiraso well in her future endeavours.

5 The summit noted that the contract for the executive director of the civil aviation safety and security oversight agency (CASSOA), Mr. Mtesigwa Maugo was due to expire in May 2012.

6 The Summit commended Mr. Mtesigwa Maugo for his outstanding service to the community and wished him well in his future endeavors.

7 The Summit appointed Hon. Jesca Eriyo from the Republic of Uganda new deputy Secretary General of the East African Community with effect from 30th April 2012.

8 The Summit renewed the contract of Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva as deputy Secretary General for a final term of three years with effect from 30th April 2012.

9 The Summit directed the Secretary General to deploy the Deputy Secretaries General to different departments.

10 The Summit received a progress report of the Council of Ministers on the attainment of a single customs territory.

11 The Summit adopted in principle the destination model of clearance of goods where assessment and collection of revenue is at the first point of entry and revenues are remitted to the destination partner states subject to the fulfillment of key pre-conditions to be developed by the high level task force.

12 The Summit directed the council to initiate its operationalisation and report progress at the 14th Ordinary Summit in November 2012.

13 The Summit considered the report of the council of ministers on the application of the republic of south Sudan to join the East African Community. The Summit noted that the council has initiated the verification process of the application. The Summit directed the council to expedite this process and report at the 14th Ordinary Summit in November 2012.

14 The Heads of State signed the East African Community Protocol on Co-operation in Defense. The summit directed that the protocol be ratified and instruments of ratification deposited with the secretary general by 30th November 2012 and that the negotiations on the mutual defense pact commence immediately thereafter.

15 The Summit approved the proposed remuneration of the Judge President and the Principal Judge for the East African Court of Justice.

16 The Summit reviewed the security situation in the East African Region.
17 The Summit expressed concern on the ongoing conflict between the republic of Sudan and the republic of south Sudan and appreciated the role partner states have played in resolving the conflict in the Sudan and expressed its determination to continue to play this positive role in resolving the conflicts in countries that border the EAC.

18 The Summit urged the leaders of the Republics of the Sudan and South Sudan to return to the negotiating table and find peaceful means of resolving all the outstanding issues in the comprehensive peace agreement.

19 The Summit welcomed the London Conference on Somalia of February 2012 and noted that it marked a turning point in the country’s quest for peace and stability. The Summit further commended the African union mission in Somalia (amisom) working with the transitional government of Somalia for returning peace to large areas of Somalia and calls on the transitional national government of Somalia to consolidate the benefits of peace to the benefit of the people of Somalia.

20 The Summit welcomed the resolution by the East African Legislative Assembly for expediting amendment of the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community to extend jurisdiction of the east African Court of Justice or the conclusion of the protocol on this matter.

The summit noted the need to look into the matter of extending this jurisdiction to cover, among others crimes against humanity. The summit directed the council of ministers to consider this matter by end of May 2012 and report to an Extraordinary Summit to be convened immediately thereafter.

21 The Summit resolved to hold a dedicated session on infrastructure development and financing in the region at the 14th ordinary summit in November 2012.

22 Their Excellencies, President Mwai Kibaki of the Republic of Kenya and chairperson of the summit, President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, and First Vice President Rt. Hon. Therence Sinunguruza of the republic of Burundi thanked their host, His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania, for the warm and cordial hospitality extended to them and their respective delegations during their stay in Arusha.

The Japan International cooperation Agency JICA has donated fertilisers to the ministry of agriculture aimed at boosting farm productivity in Rwanda.

The Ministry of Agriculture has in place a program that provides fertilizers to grassroots level for access to farmers.

The fertilizer donated is of the form of NPK valued at about US$ 2.3Million.

Kunio Hatanaka the Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda, noted that his country offered the fertilizers to Rwanda because the country has fertile soils yet Rwanda uses too much money to import food.

Rwandans should be able to sustain themselves in terms of food supplies.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of agriculture Ruzindaza Ernest said the fertilizer arrived in Rwanda in February, “it’s not the first time JICA has extended such help–It started in 2006 and 2008.”

The fertilizer will help us increase farm production and improved farming practices.

The High Court has ruled against requests submitted by controversial genocide suspect Dr. Léon Mugesera who had insisted his trial to be conducted in the French Language.

This follows an appeal by Mugesera against the ruling of the Nyarugenge court of higher instance which had also ruled that his trial be conducted in kinyarwanda language.

The High court president Athanase Bakuzakundi on 27th April submitted that Mugesera Dr. Mugesera will be tried in Kinyarwanda language, a native language he understands.

The court also ruled that Dr. Mugesera will remain in custody while on trial.

Dr. Mugesera argued that he had spent 20years in Canada where he only used French language and thus requested the Rwandan court to conduct his trial in the French language he understands.

The Rwandan constitution provided for a right to suspects to be tried in a language they understand.

His case will proceed on 9th May.

Kigali will host a six-day 10th Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin scheduled for 30th April to 5th May 2012 at Umubano Hotel organised by Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

The Ministerial session will take place on 4th May 2012, followed by a Ministerial Study Tour to selected activities of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission in Rwanda.

The session of Senior Officials will take place 30th April –1st May, followed by the session of the Coordination Committee (Permanent Secretaries) to be held on 2nd – 3rd May 2012.

It will be the first such meeting to take place outside Kisumu, Kenya, the seat of the Commission, following the decision of the 9th Meeting of the Sectoral Council to commence the rotation of such meetings in all the five Partner States.

The rotation will enhance the visibility of the Commission in the communities it serves and allow participants to visit its activities on the ground.

The 10th Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin will consider several reports on the status of implementation of decisions of the 9th Sectoral Council of Ministers; and the Annual Report 2010-2011 of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

The meeting shall also consider a report from the Office of the Executive Secretary and a report on the Commission’s seven key projects and programmes: the Partnership Consultative Committee; the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project Phase II (LVEMP II); the Mount Elgon Regional Ecosystem Conservation Project (MERECP); the EAC/AMREF Lake Victoria Partnership on HIV/AIDS in Lake Victoria Basin; the Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Phase II (LVWATSAN II); the Maritime Transport, Safety and Security on Lake Victoria (MCSLV); as well as the Transboundary Water for Biodiversity and Human Health in the Mara River Basin (TWBHH-MRB).

The Ministerial Study Tour shall include visits to selected activities of LVEMP II and LVWATSAN II.

President Kagame has arrived in Arusha, Tanzania today where he will attend the annual 10th Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on Saturday.

Also in attendance will be the President of Kenya and Chairperson of the EAC Summit, Mwai Kibaki, President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza and President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The heads of state will consider among others; the appointment of a new Deputy Secretary General from Uganda, renewal of Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva (Deputy Secretary General – Productive and Social Sectors) contract.

They will also consider a report of the Council of Ministers on the proposed attainment of a Single Customs Territory, signing the protocol on Co-operation in Defence and a report of the Council of Ministers on the application by the Republic of South Sudan to join the East African Community.

The 24th meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers followed by the Permanent Secretaries session will also be underway.

Rwanda has been a member of the EAC since 2007.

Set up in 1999 the EAC is the regional intergovernmental organisation for the five partner states with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, and aims at deepening co-operation among others, political, economic and social fields for their mutual benefit.

As a result the EAC countries established a Customs Union in 2005 and a Common Market in 2010.

The next phase of the integration will see the bloc enter into a Monetary Union and ultimately become a Political Federation of the East African States.