Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Bonfire Held in Memory of Bob Marley

    Every year February 6th is the birthday of reggae legend Robert Nesta Marley known by his millions of fans is as Bob Marley.

    Marley wasn’t only known for his great music skills that bought reggae music to global recognition, but was instead respected for his work as one of the world’s greatest Human rights activist.

    For reggae lovers and Bob Marley fans there is a sense of celebration across the streets of Rwanda, from the buses cruising the township as well as shops, homes and local pubs and restaurants from Kabuga to Nyamirambo there is reggae music blaring through streets and opened windows.

    Walking through Kigali city streets towards Muhima district where I was on my way to interview some of ‘One Love’ employees and alongside some visitors, I decided to ask a few around what this day meant to them.

    “It’s a day of love and peace, we are all supposed to help one another and have a good time” said one of the shopkeepers of a local boutique.

    Various responces to my incquest seemed pretty similar to the first one. The spirit of Bob Marley songs has actually lived on. Several people I interacted with say Bob Marley is a hero and fought war with love, and that is why he is a great symbol of peace.

    Others said they think this day is for people that love reggae to have fun. As I reached my destination I found that to some this day means much more.

    The workshop for handicap people formally known as ‘One Love’ located at Muhima. This is a popular place for reggae lovers. A bonfire will be held at this place in memory of the late Bob Marley’s birthday. The bonfire holds great significance.

    Great reggae music will be played at the bonfire. It’s a place where people of all races can converge and sit close together and communicate– this is the essence of what Bob’s message was all about.

    The workshop bonfire also allows people get involved in a great way to help the handicapped children of Rwanda. Also the center welcomes volunteers willing to help fulfill the essential needs of the handicapped that aren’t able to buy prosthetics for themselves.

    Tonight there will be music, food and dancing in the gardens as well as indoors and the gardens small but cozy stage room. The bonfire will be in the center of it all where chairs will be placed surrounding it where anyone can sit and enjoy the warmth of the fire while enjoying the cool breeze and the sweet sounds of the voices of various artists that will be singing renditions of Bob Marley’s songs.

  • Nigerian Soul Singer To Perform in Rwanda

    The long awaited performance of a Nigerian born soul singer Neka is finally taking place tonight at the Iysho center in Kacyiru District.

    The famous Nigerian singer commonly for his stage name Neka, born and raised in Nigeria, to a Nigerian father and a German mother, arrived today in the country.

    She grew up in Nigeria where she started singing from an early age in her school and church choir.

    At the age of 18, she pursued a career in singing after relocating to Germany where she also pursued a degree in anthropology.

    After releasing her debut album ‘’The Uncomfortable Truth’ she quickly became a rising star, now Neka has performed with international stars like Nas, Damien Marley, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Mary J Blige just to mention a few.

    For the foot ball lovers she was the voice behind the recording of the ‘Viva Africa’ song.

    Neka arrived in Kigali this afternoon for her first time. Neka has collaborated with the likes of international stars such as MIA, Bruno Mars and many more.

    She is loved for her soul singing voice and her infusion of music and poetry into her songs has been invited to Rwanda to perform alongside fellow Rwandan poets through the works of the Goethe institute.

    The Goethe institute responsible for bringing Neka to Rwanda told Igihe.com that the institute believes that by brining international stars such as Neka and the Opera singer the youth and other age groups will see that there is so much out there across the globe.

    “We know that there are a lot of people in Rwanda who wish to have more international stars come here instead of them going abroad to see these international stars,” one of her managers said.

    “There are also a lot of questions about Rwanda from stars that have never been here and these concerts and performances help to enlighten and answer many of their question, many of these performers left very excited about Rwanda and through these collaborations many of the young students are given the chance to be taught and sponsored by some of the artists to study music abroad,” He added.

    In a great collaboration between the Goethe institution and spoken word a group of Rwanda’s best poets will be reading some of their famous poems alongside Neka who will be singing some of her international hits such as ‘the uncomfortable truth’ and ‘heart beat’ behind the basketball court this evening.

    The event which is free for all will start at 6pm in the evening on the basketball court.

    ENDS

  • Anonymous Radio to Get Name Tonight

    The anonymous radio station that has been broadcasting for a while will officially announce its selected name tonight.

    Since last year 89.7fm radio station opened its airwaves giving the audience to vote and give their own ideas as to what they would like to name the station.

    Tonight at the lavish Serena Hotel, the naming of the nameless radio station will be disclosed at 6pm tonight.

    The launch which will be attended be the radios DJ’S, presenters, as well as the members of the marketing team whom had come up with this first and only concept.

    They will be cheered alongside special invitees, and a few reporters whom will be there to break the name of the new radio station.

    The event which has been a major success has got over 200 calls from the people whom wish not only have their name chosen but also be the lucky winner of the one hundred dollars.

    “The reason we cannot disclose any information on the event or of the winner as well as the name is due to allow the event take its own glamour while announcing what has been awaited for, otherwise it will spoil the surprise” one of the organizers told Igihe.com.

    The event will be a private function but the announcement of the winner as well as the name of the radio station will be public knowledge.

    ENDS

  • Nyamasheke Residents Construct 1.6Km Tarmac Road

    Residents of Nyamasheke district have constructed a 1.6KM tarmac road. The road and other construction activities underway are in line with the districts master plan.

    The masterplan aims at urbanising various towns in the district through construction of modern infrastructure and descent housing.

    In this respect, the district’s Kagano sector will be developed to serve as an icon of Nyamasheke. More so,a two-storied building will be constructed to house the district headquarters.

    Catherine Gatete the vice mayor in charge of social affairs noted on Sunday during communal cleaning that the cleaning was among the activities stipulated in the master plan in order to ensure that progress is sustained.

    Majority of residents have hailed the construction process adding that among the advantages is the rise in value of their land.

  • Prime Minister in Surprise Visit to MTN

    Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has made a surprise visit to the first telecommunication giant MTN Rwanda.

    The premier prior to the visiting of its operations said he has the program of visiting different companies and organizations without prior notifying the staff or any prior preparations made for the visit.

    After visiting different departments at the MTN Center Nyarutarama, the Premier challenged the MTN board member and the Staff on service delivery saying the company needs immediate improvement.

    “Everyone starting from myself, other government officials including H.E the President of the Republic is complaining about your services and greater improvement is needed,” Prime Minister said.

    The Premier on this point revived on MTN internet services and call drops as well. He gave the example of international people attending conferences like in Kigali Serena who normally complain about the said hindrances.

    “There is a need to streamline the quality of services and affordable to the people,” Premier added.

    The Prime Minister also requested the company to help the government and find possible measures of helping the citizens own mobile phones for percent to reach at least 60%.

    The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) has earlier announced the whole populations of mobile subscribers total only 40% of the country’s population.

    MTN CEO Khaled Mikkawi in response said that the whole company ranging from each staff has it in mind of providing better services to the people they serve.

    He added that the company tirelessly work hard to see all challenges being rectified giving an example of Blackberry users that has been facing strides on the phones in the past days saying that “with effect from today the problem has been solved.”

    The Premier was accompanied by different officials in his office including other government officials; Rwanda’s Minister for ICT Hon. Dr. Ignace Gatare, Régis Gatarayiha, the acting Director General of RURA, and Patrick Nyirishema Head of ICT Department Rwanda Development Board RDB among others.

    ENDS

  • Diplomats Urge ICTR to Release Innocent Detainees

    Seven Ambassadors representing various countries in Rwanda have requested the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) based in Arusha to set free five detainees proved innocent.

    Their request follows a trip they took at ICTR premises, where they visited the courts various departments including, registrar, prison cells and also met judges and prosecutors.

    Uganda’s ambassador Richard Kabonero noted that the five detainees were proved guilty and there was no reason for them continue to be detained.

    He further challenged the court’s excuse claiming that they are working on logistics to integrate them back to the Rwandan society, citing the process was delaying.

    Meanwhile, the ambassadors hailed the courts performance especially in fighting impunity and its campaign against genocide.

    Among the ambassadors who visited ICTR on 3rd February this year, represent Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, China, European Union, South Africa and Russia.

  • Mystery Tree to Pave Way for Power Line

    Residents of Ubutatu village, Agakomeye cell in Gatsibo district, after a long disagreement, allowed the cutting down of a historical tree known as ‘trinity tree’ to pave way for extension of electricity supply line in the area.

    The decision was taken when Odette Uwamariya, the governor of the Eastern province was visiting the place in a way to collect the citizens’ ideas and problems.

    Epaphrodite Nshimiyimana, the priest of Kiziguro catholic parish said that though the tree helped in explaining the holy trinity of God, there is no problem if it is cut off for the public interests as it cannot replace God.

    He said, “The tree cannot replace God; if there is a general developmental interest, it has to be removed and it does not hinder our belief.”

    In a letter written by Laurent Rutinduka, a priest now living in the southern province, he says that he is ready to take to court anyone who will cut down the tree without communicating to him for it shows God’s trinity.

    According to Kiziguro sector authority, the tree is in a parcel registered in Rutinduka’s name.

    This decision was taken after a long controversial disagreement over the tree. The tree has historical and religious beliefs attached to it.

  • Bandora Supporters Protest Against His Extradition

    Family members and friends of suspected genocide fugitive and businessman Charles Bandora yet to be deported from Norway to Rwanda protested over the weekend in the streets of Belgium against the deportation plans.

    According to a communiqué from a supreme court in Belgium, Bandora’s case would be appropriately dealt with Rwanda’s jurisdiction.

    Bandora is accused of conducting killings and looting activities in Ruhana sector, Bugesera district during the Rwanda’s 1994 Tutsi Genocide.

    During the war, Bandora was known to be among the richest men in the sector and a party official of MRND the then ruling political party which most of its members oversaw ethnic killings in their respective strongholds.

    The genocide suspect was arrested in Norway 8th January 2010, on accounts of entering the country illegally, and then Rwanda immediately sent indictments to prosecute Bandora in his motherland.

    November last year the Norway’s Oslo Supreme Court denied Bandora’s appeal not to be deported, however the court hasn’t given a specific date the suspect’s transfer to Rwandan authorities.

  • Film to Depict Rukara Rwa Bishingwe

    Jacqueline Murekeyisoni a Rwandan woman has reproduced a story of Rukara Rwa Bishingwe in a film as a way to conserve Rwandan traditional history and make it known to the world.

    Rukara Rwa Bishingwe is a famous man in Rwandan history who fought for the sovereignty of his country.

    He lived in Gahunga in Northern Province and known for fighting to prevent white people from depriving the population of their rights to own land and freedom as well.

    Rukara Rwa Bishingwe is said to have killed a white man called Paulin Lupius nicknamed Rugigana by strangling after he slapped him. It was in the colonial period when Rwanda was ruled by Yuhi V Musinga.

    Murekeyisoni says that since primary school, the history of Rukara Rwa Bishingwe kept coming back in her mind.

    She said, “from the time a teacher told us this story at my primary school, it kept coming back in my mind and now I find it necessary to put it in a film in order to share it with fellow Rwandans and the world in general.”

    Kalisa Rugano, the technical director of the film, says that the film is shot very well and it a way of showing the world that Rwanda has ability make good films which many say it impossible for Rwandan.

    He says, “we want Rwandan children to know the history of their country too especially model heroes and showing the world that Rwanda is a country with ability.”

    He expressed this through a Rwandan saying, “Ugaya intwari y’iwanyu bugacya wimuka” loosely translated as you despise your own heros, and flee the next day.

    The film was acted in French so as to make Rwandan history extended to larger audience across the world.

    “French language is one of the languages spoken in many countries, we decided to use French in our film so that many people in the world may acquire our history through the film,” explained Rugano.

    “it is not yet on the market but they will first of all present it in big festivals,” rugano added.

    Murekeyisoni has called upon Rwandans to watch her film on its premier show on Friday February 10, 2012 at 7:00pm, behind Amahoro National Stadium .

    It took Rwf 28 million which she says was not simple to mobilise but emphasized that one of the intentions was to show the ability among Rwandans.

    ENDS

  • Nation Media Group Launches FM Radio in Kigali

    A new radio station broadcasting on frequency 98.7FM has been launched today to join the airwaves in Rwanda.
    The radio is owned by Nation Media Group (NMG), the Kenyan based leading media house in East and Central Africa.

    The new radio brings the total number of radio stations in Rwanda to 30 and according to the reports, the radio has been positioned as a ‘fresh hits, real talk’ station and is targeting the youth in Kigali and middle to low income, with a slight female skew.

    Speaking ahead of KFM Launch, the Rwandan Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs Mr. Protais Musoni welcomed the development as it is in line with his government’s vision of building a vibrant, professional and independent media for the country.

    “In our reforms, we want a vibrant media that serves the needs of the Rwandan people. Having a new media outlet of international standard, does create the right environment for competitiveness.

    We see this as part of creating the vision we have for Rwanda of being the information and ICT hub for the region.” Minister Musoni said.

    The Rwandan government is currently implementing a series of reforms including enacting access to information bill, allowing self regulation of the media aimed at revamping the media industry to transform it into a responsible, profitable, vibrant and independent sector of the economy.

    According to Linus Gitahi, Chief Executive Officer of Nation Media Group, the launch of K-FM on the Rwandan media market paves the way for more investments from the Group in line with its vision to be Media of Africa for Africa.

    He also said NMG is already pursuing other investments in the country including television and print media.

    Rwanda’s Media High Council (MHC) board chairman Arthur Asiimwe, said NMG’s entry will improve the level of professionalism in media as currently only 30 per cent of practicing journalists are trained in journalism.

    “NMG’s entry is a significant step towards building a vibrant media industry in the country. It will no doubt add to developing strong and professional media for our country.” he said.

    “Other than being a renowned entertainment and news station, we are committed to giving our contribution to media development in Rwanda through setting the standard for rigorous, responsible and professional journalism. We will give a platform for the Rwandan community to give ideas that can contribute to building their nation,” said Philip Velese, General Manger Nation Holdings Rwanda Limited, the local subsidiary of Nation Media Group.

    K-FM will also be a reliable source of timely, credible and balanced news bulletins and will carry in-depth analysis on current affairs and topical issues in the Rwandan society.

    “We expect it to further catalyze quality reporting and professionalism in the media sector in Rwanda. The two are key not only to media as such but also to good governance consolidation in Rwanda.” said Prof Anastase Shyaka, the Chief Executive Officer, of Rwandan Governance Board.