Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Violence On It’s High in DRC Final Election Campaign

    Main Opposition Candidate, Etienne Tshisekedi
    The Final day of Election campaigning in the Democratic republic of Congo has climaxed into clashes prompting police to ban final rallies ahead of Monday’s Parliamentary and Presidential vote.

    Police in the capital Kinshasa moved in to end a stand-off with supporters of the main opposition candidate, Etienne Tshisekedi.

    The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the government had “primary responsibility” for maintaining peace.

    “I call on all political leaders and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to exercise restraint throughout the process to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful and secure environment,” he said.

    President Joseph Kabila and his two main rivals had been due to hold rallies within several hundred metres of each other, at the Kinshasa City main stadium.

    However, Governor Andre Kimbuta said, “because of the escalating violence seen in Kinshasa, all public demonstrations and other political meetings are cancelled over the weekend”.

    DR-Congo interior ministry confirmed that two people had died in earlier clashes on Saturday.

    Later,Tshisekedi, of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), attempted to defy the ban as he flew into Kinshasa.

    Throngs of his supporters, many brandishing palm fronds, had gathered along the airport road to greet the 78-year-old.

    But his car was blocked by police who parked a large armoured truck across the road, hemming him in for eight hours.

    According to local press, the standoff ended only when police pushed members of his 20-car entourage into their cars with shoves and baton blows and forced the motorcade to drive off.

    Police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd to disperse them. A number of UDPS officials were reported to have been roughed up or arrested.
    Mr Tshisekedi was eventually escorted to his home by police.

    The elections on Monday see 11 candidates running for president and more than 18,000 candidates for the 500-seat parliament.

    It will be the second presidential poll since the 1998-2003 war.
    However, there are concerns over the distribution of ballot papers, as some planes bound for the country’s regions have been unable to take off because of bad weather.

    Tshisekedi has also alleged that the head of the national election commission favoured Mr Kabila, and that “ghost” polling stations would be used to rig the result.

    Election experts say it is unlikely the ballots will be able to reach the remote interior of a country where some 60,000 polling stations are spread out over a territory the size of Western Europe.

    “The end result of a democratic election should be the resolution of conflict. Instead, we’re heading into an election which is by its very nature bound to aggravate conflict,” said Jerome Bonso, co-ordinator of the Coalition for Peaceful and Transparent Elections.

    The last election, in 2006, was marred by weeks of street battles led by supporters of the losing candidate.

  • Rwandans in South Africa Meet

    On 26th November 2011, the High Commission of Rwanda in the Republic of South Africa held a meeting with Rwanda diaspora community, mainly from the province of Gauteng (North east part of South Africa) which comprises Johannesburg, Pretoria, Centurion and Midrand.

    The meeting under theme “United we win, Divided we fall” was attended by about 250 people including; Students, professionals, businessmen and refugees in South Africa attended this event.

    During the meeting, pertinent issues of Rwanda were raised including; the path of Vision 2020, Rwanda’s development as well as the purpose of the cessation clause were presented to the public.

    In his remark to the diaspora community, H.E Vincent Karega, The High Commissioner of Rwanda in the Republic of South Africa, gave a historical background of Rwanda’s tragedy.

    Karega called upon the diaspora community to keep at heart their country and ignore their differences urging them to live in solidarity and work together to improve their wellbeing and dignity. He reiterated support of the High Commission in those endeavors.

    The event was concluded by colorful dance and rhythms of Rwanda through which the diaspora could not contain their nostalgia.

    The High Commission of Rwanda intends to organize similar meetings in Capetown, Durban and Maputo ( Mozambique).

  • Military Doctors treat 530 Kamonyi Residents

    A group of doctors from the Kanombe Military Hospital have concluded their five-days medical service to the community of Kamonyi district.

    The Military doctors had a target of treating 500 members of the community but actually managed to treat 530 by the end of their service.

    5patients were referred to Kanombe Military hospital for treatment of Heart and abdominal complications.

    Major Dr. King Kayondo, leader of the military doctors during the 5days campaign told Kamonyi residents that most of the cases treated in their community included dental infections,gasto and those that affect breathing system.

    Kamonyi residents expressed their gratitude to the service by the military doctors.

  • Kagame Urges Citizens to Work Hard

    nh.jpg
    President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to work hard without waiting to be given aid.

    “If someone is giving you aid it means they are carrying your baggage and will drop it any time they wish.”

    Kagame made the remarks during community work today at Nduba in Gasabo district where he joined the area residents on a monthly Umuganda (community work).

    Meanwhile the visiting US Permanent Ambassador to UN, Susan Rice participated in the monthly community work-umuganda.

  • Mpiranya Is Not Here, Zimbabwe Says

    Zimbabwean government has denied presence on their soil of Protais Mpiranya, a fugitive of the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi genocide.

    A principal director in the Immigration office Clemence Masango said Mparinya is not in the country.

    Mpiranya the former commander of the Rwandan Presidential Guard who allegedly masterminded the genocide is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for war crimes.

    “We do not have him in our records. Interpol wrote to us on the matter and investigations were carried out. He is not here,” Masango told a Parliamentary portfolio committee on defence and security yesterday.

    Masango was answering questions on the deportation of Zimbabweans from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana.

    He said the deportations are not a strange thing saying it is an ongoing process which is often carried out by countries, including Zimbabwe, to flush out unregistered foreigners.

    Reports linking Mparinya with Zimbabwe caused a diplomatic tiff between Harare and Kigali with the later accused of deliberately hiding many genocide fugitives including Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam who is wanted in Ethiopia for crimes against humanity.

    Masango told parliamentarians that investigations were still in progress but so far indications are that the fugitive is not in the country.

    In a press interview, Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said while Rwanda government was not aware of the communication between the UK and Zimbabwe, it was becoming increasingly clear that Zimbabwe was harbouring Mpiranya.

    “I am not privy to the communication between the UK and Zimbabwe but I would not be surprised because it is getting increasingly believable that Mpiranya is in Zimbabwe.”

    “Zimbabwe must cooperate to get him apprehended and brought to justice,” Ngonga said.

    Mpiranya is accused of crimes against humanity during the 1994 war. He is also accused of killing ten Belgians guarding the first Rwandan female Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana in 1994.

    He is also accused of distributing weapons to the militia and to certain members of the civilian population with the intent to exterminate the Tutsi.

  • EAC Supports Joint Efforts Aganist Al-Shabaab

    Al-Shabaab fighters
    The EAC secretary General Ambassador Richard Sezibera has affirmed EAC’s support for the ongoing initiatives aimed at pacifying Somalia.

    Amb. Sezibera confirmed that the country’s security situation would feature on the agenda of the EAC Heads of State Summit meeting due 30 November in Bujumbura.

    “EAC is committed to finding a long term solution to Somalia so that its people can find the peace and stability they deserve,” the Secretary General stated.
    Meanwhile EAC is working on harnessing the potential of Lake Tanganyika by attracting investments to the lake basin, the EAC Secretary General Ambassador Richard Sezibera said today.

    While briefing journalists attending the EAC-GIZ Advanced Media Training on Reporting on Regional Integration, which is currently on in Bujumbura, Amb.Sezibera said attracting investment and increasing awareness of the importance of the Lake Tanganyika basin would be top on the agenda at the Lake Tanganyika Development Conference which opens next Monday in the Burundian capital.

    Amb. Sezibera said that in addition to raising awareness about one of the region’s most important shared trans-boundary natural resources, EAC would also use the 28-29 November conference to woo investors to the basin, which presents opportunities in transport and communication infrastructure; tourism; agri-business and fisheries; trade and industry; and investment-led research among others.

    “We want people to be fully aware of the potentials available in the lake, which is shared by four countries; Tanzania, Burundi, DRC and Zambia. There are lots of potentials that need to be tapped in the lake through investment as it is in other lakes in the region,” he told journalists.

    The Secretary General challenged media in the region to play an active role in ensuring East Africans are involved in the integration project by providing a medium for citizens to interface with their leaders to discuss pertinent EAC issues and in the process address fears and reservations towards integration, some of which Amb. Sezibera said result from a lack of information.

    “When the people are aware of the Community, see it and feel its presence, they would appreciate more and acknowledge its benefits and prospects,” the Secretary General said.

    Amb. Sezibera, who also addressed himself to various EAC-related subjects ranging from trade to the economy and regional security, emphasized the need for the Partner States to speed up work towards the East African Monetary Union, which he said would put the region on a firmer economic footing.

    “Currency fluctuations [in the region] are a reflection of underlying economic fundamentals. A monetary union with the accompanying economic and financial integration would make our region more competitive,” he said. “But that’s not enough,” he added, noting that the region needed to boost industrial growth, food production and energy generation, among others.

    He also affirmed that the region was committed to tackling Non Tariff Barriers, which slow down intra-regional trade and declared that these had now been reduced by at least half from 59 a few years ago.

    Amb.Sezibera reiterated the bloc’s commitment to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union and explained that any delays were because the EAC negotiators “wanted to get the right EPA for East Africa”.

  • Belgian Cyclist Wins Muhanga-Huye Route

    belgian_winner.jpg
    On the fifth day of the cycling competition dubbed ‘Tour of Rwanda 2011’ Smet Guy a Beligian citizen topped the Muhanga-Huye race.

    Guy from FLANDERS AVIA club was followed by Ruvogera Obedi a Rwandan national from Akagera team.

    The route surprised many due to results change when they saw the potential cyclists not emerging in their usual best positions.

    People like Kiel Reijnen and Joseph Rosskopf who have been doing well in the previous routes were left far behind this time.

    However much American Joseph Rosskopf who was the 9th in this in Muhanga-Huye route, is still the best and still wearing a yellow jersey because he leads in the accumulated points since the competition started.

    Jean de Dieu Uwimana commonly known as Rafiki also from Akagera club emerged fourth in the Muhanga-Huye route contributing points to the team though it remains on the seventh position.

    Abraham Ruhumuriza whose home area is Huye where ride destined did not quench his funs expectations but unfortunately emerging the 16th in race while his colleague Adrien Niyyonshuti topping six positions.

    Muhanga-Huye route of 72.4km has been the first time cyclist raced the route following previous years which would be either Kigali-Huye or Karongi-Huye.

    This has been the tour of Rwanda 2011’s fifth stage, the remaining sixth and seventh stage, cyclists will now race in a Huye -Karongi and Karongi- Kigali routes respectively.

    Cycling competitors’ lineup
    1. ROSSKOPF Joseph (Type 1 SANOFI)
    2. REIJNEN Kiel (Type 1 SANOFI)
    3. GIRDLESTONE Dylan (MTN QHUBEKA)
    4. BYUKUSENGE Nathan (Karisimbi )
    5. HATEGEKA Gasore (Karisimbi )
    6. RUHUMURIZA Abraham (Karisimbi )
    7. NIYONSHUTI Adrien (MTN QHUBEKA)
    8. HABIYAMBERE Nicodem (Karisimbi )’
    9. CHENEVIER Aléxis (RHONE ALPES)
    10. KOGO Benjamin (Kenya)
    11. RUDAHUNGA Emmanuel (Karisimbi )

  • Entrepreneurs Recieve Marketing Skills

    In partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC Rwanda), the Centre for Business Solutions (CBS) is training Kigali entrepreneurs in marketing skills for their work and sales.

    Patrick Kagabo, the CBS manager told igihe.com that this training aims at enhancing entrepreneurs’ skills in dealing with their businesses.

    “We help them at enhancing their skills in doing their marketing system. It is good that people start understanding the role of these trainings that could change their way of working”, said Kagabo.

    He added that this helps increase their practical skills because most of them are used to theoretical skills got from schools.

    One of the trainers Jimmy Rutabingwa says that trainings opened their eyes as business people and this will help to make their businesses known.

    “These trainings will help us to get their eyes open as entrepreneurs.All of them will put this into practice and let me mention that time is now”, said Rutabingwa.

    One of the trainees, Christian Mutembe told igihe.com that he welcomed the initiative by the Centre for Business Solutions.

    “On my behalf, this training was successful. We got to know how to make things into practices. I get out of here with much knowledge and skills to improve my business”, stated Mutembe.

  • Three Missed Miners Rescued

    Following the recent story that three miners were still missing after the soil covered the entrance and exit tunnels of the Muhanga based mine, the three miners have been rescued still alive and normal, igihe.com can reliably report.

    Information attained by igihe.com indicate that Viatuer, Jean Manirarora and only identified as Ndayamaje were rescued at 2:20 pm as combined efforts from residents, police and the army hurried to save their lives.

    Even one of them had a cell phone, there was no communication due lack of power on his phone’s battery.

    “No one was traumatized, no psychological distress, no injury. It was just a miracle,” Gabriel Rulinda the Managing Director of Rwanda Rudniki mining company has said by his cell phone.

    Yesterday, soils fell from the hills and covered the entrance and exit of the a coltan mine in Nyarusange Sector, Muhanga District in Southern Province four men surviving while other three remaining covered in the mining tunnel.

    Speaking at the scene in Nyarusange sector where the mine is situated Beatrice Uwamariya the sector’s Executive Secretary told igihe.com that rescue mission involved police, the army and the residents who worked tirelessly.

    “We worked since yesterday and the rain interrupted and after sun set it was dark and we left, we came back very early in the morning to continue with the rescue mission. They spent the whole night inside the mining tunnel, thank God they came out alive,” Uwamariya said by phone.

    Uwamaliya said that the rescue team used different tools like spades to remove the soil that had covered both entrance and exit tunnel.

    “They told us they had morale and had hope they would be rescued because they heard people talking and doing something to rescue them,” Uwamariya said.

    “They all looked ok and the rescue mission went very successful, they have finished taking some food and drinks,” she added.

    An effort to speak to one of the three rescued members was fruitless as they were not in a position to speak to the press at the time.

    In case of any damage, Rulinda said that all miners in his company are protected and insured with CORAR insurance company and that they would be compensated if any damage occurred.

    Ends

  • Even Men Are Domestically Violated-NWC

    The president of the National Women Council Francesca Tengera has said that new findings indicate that even men have been brutally domestically violated.

    Tengera was speaking to igihe.com in a separate interview after addressing the press at the launch of 16 days of campaign against gender based violence.

    She said that available statistics indicate that at least 94 men were brutally beaten by their spouses though women are still largely violated brutally with 430 women violated this year.

    “Women are not only the victims but men too. this year only 430 women were brutally beaten by their spouses and 94 men in the same way,” Tengera gave part of the statistics.

    Physical assaults were found to be among the leading form of domestic violence resulting to loss of lives with 83women and 60 men killed this year.

    Tengera said that there are still lack of one’s awareness on their rights is making the matter worse; “just imagine 20 women and 31 men committed suicide simply because they couldn’t stand being tormented and others divorced and left family because they didn’t know where to present their cases.”

    “Women are most affected that’s why we intend to focus more on sensitizing them on their rights, especially on owning property,” she said.

    Emmanuelle Ingabire the focal point of gender based violence at Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe a women rights activists Non-Governmental Organization, called for the abolition of laws and cultural practices that oppress women.

    “Rights over land for instance is a major issue, I can’t believe there are areas where women up to now are denied fair shares of land during inheriting process, a similar practice is seen in men who deny their women to own property like houses, cars etc,” Ingabire remarked.

    Prior to the campaign’s launch there was a walk from Kacyiru roundabout to the Amahoro national stadium, in the afternoon that involved high profiled women leaders in the country followed by a football match between high ranking women leaders from the government versus their counterparts from civil society.

    Ends