Author: b_igi_adm1n

Ten of 30 Grenade attack suspects have been sentence to life for their role in connection to series of Grenade attacks in the country.

Kigali based High Court presided over by Judge Pie Mugabo ruled that seven of the suspects also be imprisoned for 20 years, while one of them ordered to be detained for 15 years.

Others sentences included two of them getting ten years of prison while 8 of the suspects acquitted.

They were all accused of distabilising countries security. Security is one of the Rwanda’s sensitive areas that government don’t want comprise.

The Court established that they were guilty of different grenade attacks that claimed lives and injured several others and conniving with DR Congo based terrorist group Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) terrorist group.

However the presiding Judge announced that whoever was not satisfied, had legal rights to appeal the court decision within the time frame of 30 days provided by law.

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Rwamagana hospital director Jean Claude Ndagijimana was sacked yesterday on spot by health minister Agnes Binagwaho due to what she termed as negligence in ensuring cleanliness and tidiness at the district hospital.

During a tour at the hospital, Binagwaho argued that the dirt was unbelievable given that the hospital’s cleaners were recently given special training on hygiene.

She condemned litter seen at various units including pediatric, maternity and theater rooms.

“This is a district hospital and it should serve as a good example to the rest but the dirt is unbearable,” Binagwaho argued.

The health minister has given the hospital’s management two weeks to ensure the rooms are sparkling clean. This activity will also be supervised by Rwamagana district health officials.

Police has arrested 34 people suspected of selling and consuming illicit drugs in Nyarugenge district.

According to the police website, the operation conducted during the whole week seized 10 kilograms of illicit drugs and suspects have been taken to Nyamirambo police station.

Supt. Theos Badege said that everybody’s contribution is needed in the fight against consuming and selling illicit drugs especially among the youth.

A government based entrepreneurship program has been launched aimed at creating more job opportunities to boost the country’s economy.

The program discourages job seekers but rather encouraging innovation in developmental areas such as industries, ICT and agriculture.

Through the campaign it is projected that job creations will improve from 400,000 to 1,400,000 jobs in the next five years.

During the program launch in Southern province, Emannuel Hategeka the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) noted that those with good projects will be supported.

“We want projects that are sustainable and are able to employ a big number of people, the project should also contribute effectively to the betterment of society,” he said.

One of the innovative entities in the province is owned by Francois Nshimyimana who bakes biscuits from maize flour in Rubengera sector. He disclosed that he had a humble beginning.

“I started with a capital of Frw 50,000 a few months ago but now I make a profit of Frw 400,000 monthly employ more than eight people,” he remarked.

In the same sector is a maize milling factory owned by a former primary teacher Alice Mushiyimana, she says that her life changed after acquiring a loan worth Frw 1.3 million to start the mill.

“I now make a profit of Frw 600,000 monthly and I’ve assets worth Frw 20 million, my factory has been beneficial to farmers who supply us maize, I also employ more than 15 people,” she explained.

The governor of southern province Celestin Kabahizi commended the innovative spirit urging lower learning institutions to dedicate as special lesson on entrepreneurship to motivate young ones.

This Friday, Isaro Foundation closed its special reading and writing week after visiting different primary and secondary schools. The foundation described the special week as successful.

The foundation rewarded best readers and writers in schools visited. Students were given books to help them improve their reading and writing skills and given Isaro Foundation t-shirt for them to establish reading and writing clubs at the school.

“Through this visit Isaro Foundation has given us hope. We appreciate that, even if we are a simple school far from Kigali city, you thought about us. We will encourage students to benefit from these books by reading them,” Bagiramenyo Claver, the headmaster of the school noted.

Betty Mukamusoni, 16 is among students who were given books.She told IGIHE.com, “the book I was given will help me a lot. Sometimes, I was not able to find a book to read; thanks to Isaro Foundation and my school which made connections with them. I will read this book and continue to increase my knowledge.”

Also visited was Ndera Junior Seminary where books were handed to the school. The school Rector Father Jean Bosco Ntagungira appreciated the initiative of Isaro Foundation.

“All knowledge comes from books; we are proud that we have such students who can recognize it and bring books to their little brothers in Rwanda.”

Lycee Notre Dame de Citeux, a girls’ school also benefited from the foundation visit. The school director noted, “As educators, we are proud to see that young Rwandans studying abroad can do such a project and realize it in such a short period.

She also reminded her students that they should read the books they have been given. “Do not only keep those books in shelves, read them” she concluded.

Me Matata, the vice President of Rwandan Diaspora appreciated what Isaro Foundation is doing in schools pointing out that it is everyone’s duty to help in education. He promised support to Isaro Foundation activities.

Jean Leon Iragena the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Isaro Foundation said, “The visits intended to start campaign of improving reading and writing skills in Rwanda especially in primary and secondary schools.”

“We thank those who have been helping us in different ways. We do not have enough financial support but have the courage to do and defend our cause. We are sure the foundation will gradually gain momentum.

We welcome anyone from any country and background to join us; the doors are open to everyone.”

Simon Ntirivamunda, 38 years, a resident of Rugabano sector Karongi District was killed last week by Rwamihigo after refusing him to share with him banana beer.

Nsenga one of the witnesses says that the dispute arose after Ntirivamunda refused Rwamihigo to drink from the same bottle.

He said: “after conflicting, Rwamihigo angrily struck him on the head with a bottle.”

The police has already arrested two suspects including Rwamihigo Karoli and Ntawiragira Elizafali.

Rwamihigo during interrogation by Police said that he did not intend to murder Ntirivamunda.“I accidentally killed him while trying to get my bottle from him.”

Police spokesman, supt. Theos Badege, told IGIHE.com it is a serious crime which is punishable by the law.

He added that once one unwillingly kills somebody (manslaughter), he or she gets a life sentence.

Male students at Iwawa rehabilitation center will soon undergo free circumcision as a way to reduce risks of acquiring HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Also formation of a Voluntary Cancelling and Testing center (VCT) is underway.

The facility is supported by Imbuto Foundation under its HIV/AIDS campaign program, its director Radegonde Ndejuru announced a week long awareness campaign against the deadly virus in various learning institutions.

“We want our youth to be good to themselves and their neighbors. They should exhibit dignity and contribute effectively towards the country’s development thus with better health we can achieve a lot,” she advised.

Addressing a group of students awaiting integration into society, the ministry of sports and culture Jean Philbert Nsengiyumva urged the youths to go for testing and abstain from immoral activities that hinder their efforts of acquiring their goals.

He further advised them to utilize the VCT center in order to know their health status, those who are infected with HIV are advised to seek medical attention.

Thadée Mvuyekure is a student at Iwawa living with HIV virus, he testified that he knew about the loss of his immunity a year ago and since then he has been following his doctor’s prescription which has made him healthy and strong enough to follow studies at the center.

“For those who are leaving Iwawa, I advise you to go for testing and don’t give up if you are infected. those found negative please don’t engage in unprotected sex or use condoms,” he recommended.

United Nations committee against torture has disrupted Canadian court process that seemed to rule the deportation of the 1994 Genocide suspect Leon Mugesera.

The Canadian government had decided to deport Mugesera to Rwanda to face justice for his possible role in the 1994 Genocide.

The United Nations Committee Against Torture requested that Canadian government should not deport Mugesera to allow it investigate his claims he’d be tortured in Rwanda.

His family also pleaded with the Canadian government to give the international body the time it needs to complete its investigations, which could take at least a couple of months.

“We implore Canada to respect its international obligations as demanded by the (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights on Jan. 11, 2012,” the family said in the short statement.

“Our argument is that if it has any meaning for Canada to ratify these international conventions, then they should wait instead of acting like cowboys,” Mugesera’s lawyer Philippe Larochelle said.

The federal government has disputed the warnings of possible torture, saying it has taken all necessary steps to ensure Mugesera would be treated fairly in Rwanda.

It has been reported that the Federal Court rejected Mugesera’s last-ditch effort to stay in Canada which has been his home for the last 19 years and he was set to be deported immediately.

Mugesera’s family says he is in critical condition in a Quebec City hospital, where he has spent a second straight day with an unspecified health issue.

Some media reports alleged that Mugesera could have ingested himself medication that made him ill Wednesday.

The family did not provide any further details about his condition.

Justice William Fraiberg ordered a stay of deportation until Jan. 20, when Mugesera’s lawyers are due back in court.

Mugesera was slated to be deported yesterday Thursday to face criminal charges related to the 1994 killing of over million Tutsi.

But the province’s Superior Court intervened, ordering a stay on his deportation order, to allow the legal evaluation of a prior request from the United Nations’ committee against torture.

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Independent investigations have been launched by relevant authorities to ascertain who is responsible to leave medical kits in the bedridden Zawadi Murekatete’s uterus for three years.

It is allegedly said that one medical personnel at Byumba District hospital operated Murekatete of Gihembe refugee camp three years ago and left gloves, cotton wools and a syringe in her abdomen.

“We cannot give the details now but we have started investigation over the allegations but am sure we will give you the findings once we complete the investigations,” Supt Theos Badege the police spokesman said.

It has been said that Murekatete could have lived with the medical kits inside her abdomen in a three-year pain till when the camp midwife intervened and requested for the patients transfer to Central University Hospital (CHUK) after observing that she may die.

“They had refused to give us transfer, my daughter succumbed to pain day and night, I begged them several times but they could not listen to me, they reached an extent of telling me that she had a tumor and asked to treat it till when they stopped tell that but changed and begun to tell me my daughter had mental problem, the deliberately refused to treat my daughter and I don’t know why,” Murekatete’s mother Collete Nyirabaruta narrated.

A medical personnel who realized the cause of the Murekatete’s pain, and removed the kits from her uterus say that it is not confirmed whether Byumba medical personnels could have left them in her uterus since she is said to mentally disturbed.

Byumba hospital director Fred Muhairwe had also alleged medical personnel at CHUK could have been responsible for the medical kits found in the Murekatete’s abdomen.

A report from the Rwanda Medical Council is also expected to avail circumstances surrounding the medical controversy.

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Haitians living in Rwanda are planning to have a commemoration week to remember their fallen citizens that died in earthquake now identified as one of the world’s disaster.

Speaking to IGIHE.com Margalie Germain a member of Haiti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) said that they have a meeting to a last meeting to discuss how to have a big organized event to commemorate those who deceased in January 12, 2010 earthquake.

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude of 7.0 earthquakes struck Haiti from an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

About 230,000 people were estimated dead, 2 million were also estimated displaced individuals in Haiti, 1.6 million displaced people have been put in settlements and 3 million populations are estimated affected.

“After the earthquake we thought of doing something to help survivors of the earthquake and also carried out fundraising in different places which was successful as generous Rwandans gave us a hand,” Germain said by cell phone.

“There is a lot we can thank Rwandan government, we are now living and working Rwanda, and some of our students have been given a scholarship in the University among others,” she added.

Germain said that their church St. Etienne in Biryogo will hold a commemoration service in their name on Sunday.

She said that a Haiti-Rwanda Commission was formed to see how Haitians can benefit from Rwanda in areas like culture exchange, leadership, education and good governance.

Germian added that technicians from Haitian government will be coming to learn good governance.

Didi Bertrand Farmer the chairman of Haiti-Rwanda Commission has expressed his gratitude to Rwandan people and Rwandan government for the support extended to Haitian people.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the Government and Rwandese people its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the support provided during difficult moments and for the commitment to walk with Haïti towards better days,” Farmer said.

As Haiti marks the 2 years anniversary of the earthquake, the Haïti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) continues to promote south-south cooperation between the 2 countries with the support of the Rwandan government.

Six Haitian students are currently studying in Rwanda and others are to come soon.

The commission is working in close collaboration with the Rwandese government to strengthen the relations through political and technical missions of Haitian officials in Rwanda.

This week marks the 2nd year anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the Caribbean country Haiti; flattened the capital city Port-au-Prince and its surroundings areas.

In terms of accomplishments, 60% of the displaced people were relocated in their home regions 50% of rubbles removed.

A campaign has been launched to inform the population on new building norms that will prevent the occurrence of another catastrophe.

The process of rebuilding educational structures is also slow, but has nevertheless started with the construction of several primary and secondary schools as well as one university.

Beyond the construction or reconstruction of structures, the building of a stronger national health system is being considered.

The situations that have caused much delay are over 6 months long of political crisis and the outbreak of cholera epidemic that had affected 500,000 families and killed 7,000 by mid-December 2011.

Preceding the 2010 disaster and to date, the Government of Rwanda through the United Nations sent About 500 Policemen to Haiti who are deployed in different regions.

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