Author: b_igi_adm1n

The Rwandan Education Board has changed their earlier decision of only recruiting Kenyan English subject teachers but now prefer to procure English language teachers from different East African countries.

This decision was made since Rwanda joined the Commonwealth Club.

Not only does Rwanda consider English language instruction in schools as a tool of strengthening regional integration, but it will also increases the chances for Rwandans in competing for employment and educational opportunities with the rest of the East Africa and any other English speaking region.

The State minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education Dr.Mathias Harebamungu, told reporters that the policy in shift to English language was initiated in 2008 and its implementation began in 2009.

The government is planning to recruit 250 teachers at the initial stage but the process will continue. The ministry hopes to be able to send at least one teacher to every school, both primary and secondary nationwide.

The EAC teacher posted to each school in Rwanda will be responsible for training the teachers in the English subject. This policy will be used at all levels of education in the country.

“We have written to the embassies of Kenya and Uganda to help us in the recruitment process,” Harebamungu told reporters.

Amahoro Association in collaboration with Imbuto foundation have called upon the youth to embrace the fight against AIDS in a campaign dubbed, ‘New Year in Fighting against HIV/AIDS.’

The theme of this year is “let’s, youth, protect ourselves and others to build the better future.”
Patrick Habineza, the vice Chairman of the association said that they have planned to visit different schools and universities.

He said, “We are planning to visit secondary schools and universities in our sensitization and make sure that the youth of school and academic environment has received the knowledge on the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Belise Ingabire, 14, a student at Glory Secondary School says that the youth are likely to acquire much knowledge through this program. “This will make the youth value and practice abstinence.”

Benjamin Cyusa, 19, said that the program of visits is an asset for the students, “It will help as a lesson from the campaign is going to add to the ones we already get from our teachers and parents.”

In the discussions, the association encourages students to know who they are, their value and how to sustain it through the headline “who I am and my value.”

The association also asks the youth to know their talents, how to love, if it is fair to present one’s lover to the parents, the difference between love and sexual intercourse and many others which help them not to confuse love and sexual relationships.

The Amahoro Association was founded to help children born with HIV/AIDS virus and others whose parents are living or have died of it.

It was started by 14 children who are now at higher institutions and universities and it cares for 1500 children within three centres.

It helps these children understand the harmfulness of HIV/AIDS which makes them prevent themselves from its infection.

The association expects to end its acts within 20 years when HIV/AIDS will have tremendously reduced.

The Supreme Court recently accepted recommendations from friends of court Article 19 a group of activists and lawyers without borders on how to solve the case of two journalists Uwimana Nkusi and Saidath Mukakibibi who are accused of inciting genocide ideology in their publications.

Today the president of Supreme Court Sam Rugege noted that the recommendations didn’t highlight any new idea on how to solve the case, but added that however, this was the first time to accept recommendations from friends of the court yet it would be better if they brought new practices.

The lawyer of Nkusi, Evariste Nsabayezu agreed with the court ruling that the recommendations were similar to Rwandan laws.

“There’s a part they say that journalists have a right to publish opinions from their sources yet in Rwanda we have a similar law, so there was nothing new in their recommendations,” said the lawyer.

A verdict to decide the reduction of jail terms for the two inmates will be delivered on 16th next month, Nkusi is sentenced to 17 years while 7 years for Mukakibibi.

The Governor of Eastern Province Odette Uwamariya has encouraged citizens to question leaders that provide poor services.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE.com, Uwamariya notes that she’s tired of hearing cases of poor service delivery yet most of the accused leaders are competent and are paid well by the government.

She added that good service delivery facilitates good governance and also ensures sustainable development. “I despise leaders that ignore or delay requests from citizens who need their services yet some of these ignorant leaders were nominated by community members,” She remarked.

Uwamariya stressed that leaders should be ashamed whenever Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habamuremyi solves issues in their respective territories.
There’s a directive from the Prime Minister’s office instructing leaders to adhere to some of the practices meant to ensure transparency.

“A leader should have their contacts pined on their office door and there is a specific period they are not supposed to exceed before replying to a citizen’s requirement amongst others, they know all this yet they end up being ignorant,” she argued.

Uwamariya further stressed that good service delivery should also apply to other public sectors especially hospitals which are have also been facing criticisms from the majority through media.

“I know some patients for instance are shy to speak aggressively to doctors since they fear the physician might abandon them,” she further said.

“I always advise my colleagues especially mayors that as soon as majority start filing complaints against their ignorance behavior that’s when leaders start taking seriously requests from citizens.”

Police in Gicumbi district, yesterday arrested a Ugandan national identified as Ibrahim Kaggwa found in possession with Ten Kilograms of mayirungi.

Mayirungi is a local name given to a narcotic khat leaf stuffed in the mouth and chewed like gum. It is chewed as a social tonic and stimulant. It is legal in some countries especially Somalia.

Khat contains a stimulant chemical Alkaloid called cathinone which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria. In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence (less than tobacco or alcohol).

The WHO does not consider khat to be seriously addictive. The plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations. It is a controlled or illegal substance in some countries, but is legal for sale and production in others.

According to Police sources in Gicumbi, Kaggwa was cited entering an ONATRACOM bus while carrying a bag containing some leafy substance that was later established to be mayirungi.

When the bus had moved approximately 300 meters from the boarder to Kigali, the driver stopped and the suspect rushed from the nearby bush into the bus.

When the suspect cited police officers approaching, he decided to throw away the bag to the nearby bush. This however did not work out well for him because the bus conductor confirmed to the police that the thrown- away bag belonged to Kaggwa.

The arrest took place at Gatuna border post. The suspect with exhibits is detained at Gatuna Police post.

Asked why he stopped, the bus driver explained that some passenger’s bags had fallen and that there was a need to re arrange them properly.

Police investigation further indicates that Kaggwa had been released from prison over the same charges.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege warned for people involved in dealing and consuming illegal drugs adding that, police devised concrete mechanisms to deter, apprehend and bring these criminal to justice.

He called on citizens to engage in a more income generating and productive activities rather than indulging in drugs that simply cause them troubles.

“We have different initiatives put in place to Rwandans and more particularly the youth, it is imperative that people join such development oriented programs that lead to increased house hold incomes”, Badege said.

Badege further asked citizens to partner with security organs by availing information that leads to apprehension of criminals.

Rwanda National Police have consistently carried out different public education campaigns against drugs with the recent held in Serena that was centered at protecting the youth from drugs and alcohol.

The French Institute of Rwanda officially on 16th of February inaugurated a modern Music studio in Kigali– a studio that will help conduct training and professionalising Rwandan artists.

The new music studio is installed with various musical instruments. It has a total of 2 drums, 2 keyboards, 3 congas, 1 table of percussions, 2 bass guitars, 2 acoustic guitars, 2 electric guitars and software for music mix.

Though this studio is filled with musical instruments, it isn’t all the music this new studio will be used for.

At the official inauguration of the studio, the co director of the French institute Maurice Brouard, told the press that next year, there will be a selection of ten groups of musicians and singers that will be picked by great legends of Rwanda such as Jean Mustsare, Albert Rudatsimbura and more, the selected will be given vocal training from international and master class professionals.

Musicians and singers that will be selected shall be given an opportunity to live aboard for twelve months where they will develop their talents and improve their creation all for free and all will be given lessons by Artists from different parts of Africa.

Teachers will include; Sia tolno from Guinea winner of the RFI music of 2011, guitarist Vieux Farka Toure from Mali, Uganda’s Maurice Kirya and German based opera singer Jacques-Greg Belobo who will be teaching vocal lessons in bass baritone.

The unique combination of all these musicians and blend of voices is deemed to make the environment in Rwanda as well as the great lakes region a reference for musicians everywhere in East Africa.