Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Primus Guma Guma Hits Again

    Twenty local popular artists have been listed again for the forthcoming Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS) phase 1 in preparation for the second star of the competition after the first crowned Tom Close.

    Nominations were made by journalist and the list include Afrobeat (Kamichi, Kitoko, Rafiki, Uncle Austin), Hip-Hop(Bull Dogg, Danny Nanone, Riderman, Jay Polly) RnB(Patrick Nyamitari, King James, Emmy, Mani Martin) Females include Paccy, Miss Jojo, Young Grace, Knowless and Groups include Dream Boyz, Just Family, Urban Boyz, The Brothers

    PGGSS is being organized by BRALIRWA and East African Promoters (EAP).

    After the nominations of 20 people done by journalists; citizens will select only 10 best singers using telephone’ sms.

    Ten singers selected, during the competition period, they will get involved in different activities including umuganda services, visiting of orphans as well as genocide memorial sites, getting involved in eradicating nyakatsi (grass thatched houses), and also moving across the country showing their talents among others.

    On July 28, at the National Stadium; Amahoro, the winner will be announced in the show that will see one of the worlds’ popular artist of which the name is still withheld anonymous.

    ENDS

  • Driving Tests Extended To Districts

    Rwanda National Police, Traffic department announces that they have set theoretical and practical driving licenses at the district level.

    The institution also says it is another way to avoid treachery and corruption in the whole process of driving tests and giving of driving permits.

    The department says that police officers used to be fewer and accessing driving tests both theoretical and practical could be easily accessed due to being carried out in separate periods in districts.

    Nowadays, the traffic police department declares, both tests will be conducted at the district level in the same time to avoid cheating and corruption.

    The new regulations will see the tests taking place every two months.

    The traffic police encourage driving license seekers to attend driving schools controlled by the police in order to get required driving standards.

    With regard to the technology, the traffic police have introduced an online application to improve its services.

    Traffic police also implores driving license seeker to apply for their driving licenses online and even check their results online.

    ENDS

  • PSF, RDB Disagree Over Gorilla Permit Increase

    Rwanda’s private sector and those involved in tourism industry have raised concerns over the hike in gorilla permits pricing likely to affect their business.

    Rwanda Development Board recently confirmed plans to implement changes to current gorilla permit pricing.

    The prices have been increased by 50% and this will take effect from June 1st, 2012 save for prior bookings made before this date.

    The increase will see foreign non-residents pay $750 as opposed to the current $500 to visit the gorillas; foreigners residing in Rwanda will pay$375 instead of $250, Rwanda nationals $50 up from $33 respectively.

    Reports put across by the private sectors say changes will have lasting repercussions on their industry and the image of the country.

    The mountain gorillas are one of Rwanda’s top tourism revenue earners, accounting for 90 per cent of park revenue generated in the country.

    “The implementation of this increase was done without due consultation and we regret the manner in which this was done despite our attempts to consult on this process,” a statement signed by the chairman of tourism chamber in Private Sector Federation (PSF) reads in parts.

    “We have already seen strong reactions from our partners, and we are very sure that this is going to have a negative impact on our businesses and the industry at large,”

    Rwanda’s tourism receipts leaped to $200 million in 2010, up 14 per cent from 2009. In 2011, the sector generated $251million.

    In a press statement released after the increase of permit pricing in gorilla, RDB CEO John Gara said; “This increase comes at a time when there is significant growth of the gorilla population as well as an increasing demand for gorilla tourism.”

    “We are very committed to sustain our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment as well as the rich biodiversity that exist in our national parks.” Gara added.

    The population of mountain gorillas has increased by 26.3 per cent over the last seven years with a 3.7 percent annual growth, according to Gorilla Census conducted in April 2010.

    ENDS

  • Rwanda, Example That People Can Rise- First Lady

    Rwanda’s First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame has said that Rwanda was a good example that people are capable of the best and the worst, and evil can be overcome.

    The First Lady, Jeanette Kagame, was addressing over 3,000 guests who attended the 60th American Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC on Thursday.

    “We pray to our Lord for leadership that values life, forgiveness and solidarity among the people. We also pray for a world at peace -a world where our children can grow and flourish, guided by the words of God,” Mrs Kagame said.

    “Looking back to Rwanda’s post genocide journey, we may feel a legitimate sense of pride, yet we do not lose sight of how far we have come”.

    “Today, Rwanda is a secure, stable and developing nation. Having learned from its painful past, Rwanda is a major contributor to regional and global peace. About 3,500 Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed in UN missions around the world,” she said.

    The First Lady was accompanied by the Minister of Familiy and Gender Promotion, Aloisea Inyumba, and Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States, James Kimonyo.

    The Prayer Breakfast was attended and addressed by President Obama who was accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama as well as US Vice President, Joe Biden.

    “As I talk about Rwanda, however, I remain mindful that my country’s story is only a modest contribution to the collective search for peace, unity and stability. Indeed, we too continue to learn from both our successes and challenges,” Mrs Kagame said.

    “When Rwanda emerged from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country was largely considered as doomed to failure. Our nation’s human and physical infrastructures were in ashes; and our society was deeply divided.

    “Less than two decades later, most visitors to Rwanda find a people that have covered their dignity; they see a country back on its feet, fast-developing and resolutely oriented towards the future. Many talk of the “Rwandan miracle,” she added.

    The First Lady said that Rwanda’s socio-economic recovery is a product of its people’s resilience, sacrifices and resolve to write a new and better chapter in history.

    ENDS

  • Prime Minister Cautions Doctors

    The Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has cautioned doctors over poor service delivery and customer care citing poor dressing code,bad language, negative attitude at work and general poor management as the major vices that need to be urgently rectified within the Health sector.

    In a one day meeting that took place at Lemigo Hotel this Friday, Habumuremyi said that the Health sector is sensitive where proper service delivery and customer care must be paramount.

    While Doctors looked on quietly in disbelief, the Prime Minister introduced the matter that they had been called for, only to find that it was their poor way of service to innocent and vulnerable citizens.

    “Your domain is very sensitive that even the smallest issue can destabilize all citizens and affect other sectors. All health facilities should be where citizens should go and get hope of healing,” Habumuremyi said.

    Habumurenyi said that the Doctors’ code of ethics is now at stake due to continued poor services saying that he has received accumulated messages from citizens complaining about poor treatment from doctors including sexual harassment.

    “We know you have lots of challenges, dealing with people from those remote areas is not easy despite lack of some facilities. One health center we visited did not have water but it is among the best health centers offering good services,” Habumuremyi said.

    “Being unable to have necessary requirements does not permit let say poor hygiene. You can be poor but you can be listed among the most hygienic persons in the community,” Habumurenyi cautioned.

    He said proper service delivery and customer care are national interests where all sectors are requested to improve.

    Habumurenyi said he had previously toured and talked with professionals from banking sector and Hotels to see how best it can be achieved.

    Habumuremyi said that some doctors and nurses have poor attitude at work as well as poor dressing codes where he highlighted King Faisal Hospital a major referral Hospital in the country.

    “I met one specialist at King Faisal Hospital wearing Jeans and a casual shirt and snickers, such a dressing code is unacceptable remember you are role model in the society, that puts a threat on your reputation,”He said.

    Referring to Rwanda Development Board current survey on service delivery, prime minister said that it was indicated that among four tourists that come in Rwanda only one admit that s/he has recieved good services.

    Habumuremyi implored the heads of District hospitals in the country and other relevant medical practitioners to come up with a checklist of standards that will hike service delivery and customer care in the medical fraternity.

    The Prime Minister was lauded by Health Minister Dr. Agnes Binagwaho while saying that the problem is not that it so much alarming in the health sector, it is rather the same or even less but in health sector people needing services are very vulnerable.

    “We have a national corporate campaign aimed at improving service delivery and customer care to improve the country’s image across all sectors, it is not only in health sector,” Binagwaho said.

    “Doctors and nurses are using poor language when attending to patients. Even in our five star accredited hospital King Faisal they have poor language while attending to patients, even delays and we have cases where some people have opted for medical services out of the country, thats money taken away so our hospitals cannot grow,” Binagwaho added.

    Binagwaho said that the solution must come from personnel in the sector adding that even though some challenges are beyond their capabilities.

    In the recent grenade attacks ambulances on University Hospital CHUK and Kibagabaga District hospital lacked a driver which is one of the sign of poor management that results into poor service delivery and customer care.

    ENDS

  • Norway to Deport Genocide Suspect

    The Norway Supreme court has ruled to repatriate Charles Bandora, a fugitive Rwandan businessman suspected of complicity in 1994 Tutsi Genocide.

    Rwanda’s Alain Mukuralinda also a national prosecutor appreciated the decision saying it is one of the fulfillments of ICTR decisions, Swedish and European court of Human rights. “It’s a good thing. It shows that all countries believe Rwandan justice is able to equitably try a person.

    He added that a person has to be tried in the place where he committed a crime; if not it can be done where he was arrested. “The most necessary is that a person is sued accurately regarding the law,” Mukuralinda said.

    Friends of Bandora and militants of Human Rights have organised strikes on 4th February 2012 before the Norway embassy in Bruxelles to show disapproval against the decision.

    They want Norway to send Bandora to another country for they don’t trust the justice of Rwanda.

    The family of Bandora says that all the accusations attributed to him are not real, “the influence and responsibilities he is said to have had are a kind of hyperbole.”

    Charles Bandora was born in former Gikongoro. He is accused of having participated in the killings that took place at Ruhuha-Bugesera, South East of Rwanda and having plundered properties of the citizens.

    He was one of the richest in Bugesera region, he later became MRND president in Ngenda which he ceded to concentrate himself on his commercial activities he was doing in Ruhuha trading center and in Kicukiro district of Kigali city.

  • Hollywood Honors Rwanda Film Festival

    Rwanda’s only prestigious film festival will be honored at this year’s African film festival in Hollywood. The country’s young film festival begun almost seven years ago to promote Rwanda’s cinema and film industry.

    The event will be held in Hollywood at the prestigious Pan African Film festivals on February 9th where Rwanda and other countries from all over the world will also be honored for their work.

    This event is expected to be attended by internationally rich and famous stars many of Africa’s great talents. Mr. Eric Kabera has been nominated for the African Channel Vision Award.

    IGIHE.com exclusively talked to Eric Kabera the president of the Rwanda Film Festival began his career at a young age where he found his for cinematography.

    Kabera is also a screen writer and director, his work for films like ‘100 days’ depicts the story of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, and Africa United a sweet family movie depicting many of the challenges Africa faces including; AIDS, prostitution and child abuse.

    He told IGIHE.com about what this recognition means–“This award doesn’t only go to me but rather its dedicated to Rwanda, for the whole country has helped in supporting the film industry in Rwanda, this award will give Rwanda the recognition it deserves”.

    The Rwandan film festival has so far screened over 100 movies around the globe in countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Israel, United States and Belgium among others. The Journey has been long from having no film industry to being honored at one of Africa’s biggest film awards in over just a few years.

    This year’s Rwandan film festival which will begin in July 2012 has two parts; the ‘hillywood’ which will consist of movies locally made and the second is the ‘Kigali festival’ which will consist of showing movies from around the world.

    Kabera told IGIHE.com that participants have already started submitting their work. By the end of July this year a few winners will be selected whose films, short stories and screenplays will be shown around Rwanda throughout the festival.

    “This is a new and exciting era for Rwanda” says Kabera, “the film industry will be able to bring more to its contribution to the development and growth of Rwanda’s private sector”.

  • Kayirebwa to Perform Tonight For Cultural Growth

    Tonight at 6pm, sounds of drums, stamping feet, cheering crowds and the enchanting voice of Rwandan’s beloved Cecile Kayirebwa will be heard at Green Hills Academy in Nyarutarama, behind the Mtn center.

    Cecil Kayirebwa that was in the country last year had come to teach the children from different schools from various regions across Rwanda about the importance of the preservation of our culture through teaching the children the traditional intore dances as well as lessons on Rwandan history.

    Kayirebwa has now returned home once again to continue her campaign for building and preserving the Rwandan culture, which begins with her holding tonight’s performance that will raise money for development of arts and culture in Rwanda.

    Tonight’s concert will not be about Cecil Kayirebwa alone, no, she will be performing some of most popular songs such as ‘None Twaza’, ‘Umunezero’ and many more with students performing alongside her. The scene will be a small and intimate gathering for lovers of cultural music and dancing.

    IGIHE.com went to the school to talk to some of the students excited about performing with one of Rwanda’s great legends.

    “We think it is a great way to keep children interested in their heritage as well as teach us more about our culture which could be lost to us because many kids today are more into Hip Hop and Rnb”.

    Our reporter also spoke to Green Hills Marketing Manager Mrs. Lucy whom told Igihe.com that this event has received a lot of attention and Tickets have already been sold out.

    She told us that apart from the parents of the students and fans of Cecil Kayirebwa, some prominent officials such as……. will be attending the event.

    Tonight’s concert which aims at proving how the preservation of culture in our children is extremely important will be showcased as students will be showing off their skills of traditional dancing to traditional Kinyarwanda songs Cecil will be singing herself, this night will be a memorable one for all who not only love Cecil Kayirebwa but all those who love to revel in their heritage and cultural history.

  • He sings Oldies For a Living

    musician.jpg
    Dauphin Ayabateranya is an upcoming music artist advising the public not to be overtaken by modern music and rather show some passion on local oldies songs since they inspire them to reflect back to the country’s history.

    Ayabateranya is getting popular in the city due to his live shows which he tries to blend with modern songs in order to capture the attention of younger audience.

    “I won’t tell you the exact amount of money I make in a week but it exceeds US$100, I’m also motivated by the growing interest from my fans towards oldies, this has energized me to perform almost thrice in a week in various hotels including Alpha Palace Hotel, Kigali City Tower amongst other joints,” he remarked.

    He says he receives from performances a reasonable amount of money.
    Ayabateranya is a bass guitarist, performs together with four friends. He says he is inspired by some of the past renowned musicians like Makanyaga and Masabo. He started singing in 1991 but later stopped due to lack of finances.

    His favorite song is ‘Karimi ka Shyari’ with a message about gossipers and their negative impact in society.

  • Man With Fake Money Arrested

    Nyagatare district police has arrested a man early this week in possession of counterfeit money worth Frw 350,000.

    According to a police statement, Emmanuel Nsengiyumva was apprehended by local defense and residents when he attempted to buy airtime using Frw 5,000 fake note. They took the suspect to Nyagatare Police station.

    Police sources in the area say, upon receiving a search warrant, police searched the suspect’s house in Nyamiyaga cell, Musheri sector and found more forged money and a scanner that he used to make the fake money.

    Nsengiyumva who denied any wrong doing claimed that he was given the money by one Byaruhanga, a Ugandan national. He added that he had bought the scanner from an Indian trader that he intended to use in a photo studio he was soon to establish.

    Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege cautioned against counterfeit activities saying they are criminal and punishable by law.

    He called on citizens to help security organs in fighting such illegal business saying that counterfeit is dangerous to the country’s economy and also affects household income.

    “Once counterfeit money gets into the monetary system of a country, it leads to inflation thus affecting the country’s economy”, Supt Badege added.

    Rwanda National Police calls on Rwandans to shun such illegal activities and focus on earning money using honest means.