Author: b_igi_adm1n

In a just completed re-registration exercise at Gihembe refugee camp, over 2500 congolese refugees have returned Rwandan national IDs allegedly having acquired illegally.

Late August United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners including Rwandan government decided to carry out re-registration exercise to update refugee data base in the country.

As the process begun, officials discovered that some refugees had acquired Rwandan national IDs yet they can’t be both refugees and Rwandan nationals.

“We didn’t have refugee identity cards, some of us thought it wise to get Rwandan national IDs as we look for jobs because there is no way one can give you a job without any identification,” one of the refugees was quoted as saying recently adding that they had to disguise themselves as Rwandans since they spoke the same language.

Jean Claude Rwahama, the Director General in charge of Refugee Affairs in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, said that however that the government has also issued electronic refugee identity cards.

Rwahama says that the new issued electronic refugee cards enables them apply for jobs in any office given one’s competence.

Anouck Bronée External Relations Officer at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the re-registration process is now will be extended to Kiziba camp in Karongi District.

She how however couldn’t disclose the number of refugees registered so far in the Gihembe camp saying they are still cleaning the data collected.

Mid last month, Bronee said UNHCR had in verification exercise admitted at least 12289 refugees (meaning they had not yet completed all stages of the re-registration exercise), and 7419 refugees have completed all stages of the re-registration exercise.

She added that the exercise had been carried out in the usual arrangement of updating their data since they were working on the assumption that there were about 56000 refugees in Rwanda which would mean there could be much less than or more.

The exercise involved getting the numbers of refugees, biometric, information on families, and photographs compiling information related to every individual.
Kiziba camp re-registration exercise which is expected to begin next week, is also expected to be extended Nyabiheke camp in Northern Province.

The whole exercise is expected to be completed by the end of December and results will be announced probably January 2012.

Rwanda National Police has for the first time demobilized some of its officers.

The exercise took place at National Police Academy in Musanze District where 272 police officers were discharged.

The demobilized police officers held ranks ranging from Police Constable (PC) to Chief Sergeant (C/SGT) and discharged in three categories and thus their send off package.

Among the demobilized officers, 147 were in retirement category and will receive a pay package worth 36 months of their salary; the one laid off will receive six months’ pay while those discharged due to medical reasons will receive 18 months pay.

Retired Chief Sergeant Peter Claver Nayigiziki commended RNP for having entrusted them with the noble task of maintaining law and order.

The demobilized police officers were each awarded a certificate of service in recognition for their contribution to law and order.

The police have arrested Theogene Ntabanganyimana for stealing his former American boss equipments worth US $ 5000 (est. Rwf 2.9m).

Ntabanganyimana who is in police custody stole 3 laptops, a cell phone of Blackbery type and hard cash worth Rwf 86000 last week.

He was a house maid of an American identified as Lane Mears who thanked the police calling upon public to always alert the police for any abnormalities that occur in the society.

“After realizing that I was stolen, I immediately alerted the Police and they started investigating,” said Lane Mears.

“When I saw the money and those equipments on the table I was tempted to get them, then I got them and run away and went to Nyagatare where I thought they won’t get me but at one point I thought of returning laptops but I was filled with fear to be arrested,” Ntabanganyimana said.

The Police spokesperson Supt. Theos Badege told igihe.com that the suspect was arrested in Nyagatare after a close investigation that involved members of his family who also cooperated and called for meeting but only to see him arrested.

The Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General for UN-HABITAT Doctor Aisha Kirabo Kacyira has thanked Rwanda’s government pointing out president Paul Kagame for the support towards her new appointment.

Speaking to igihe.com, Kirabo said her appointment was an achievement to all Rwandans having been so competitive.

“I am happy that I have been appointed to this position. This is not my personal achievement but an achievement to all Rwandans. This position was an open competitive position that I applied after recommended by my government.” Kirabo said.

“Other factors that led to my success besides the support from my government include the experience I have in various domains right from the parliament to the Kigali City Mayor and now the governor,”She added in a telephone interview.

“I am thankful to the UN community for the trust in me and am ready to give my support, knowledge and skills to the UN-Habitat office in such times that the UN-Habitat is undergoing several changes,”.

Yesterday the United Nations Secretary General’s office in Newyork appointed Kirabo currently the Governor of the Eastern Province as Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary General to UN-Habitat.

United Nations Under-Secretary General and UN-HAIBTAT Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, said he was satisfied with the appointment of the new UN-HABITAT Deputy Executive Director who Ms. Inga Björk-Klevby from Sweden.

“Ms.Kirabo brings to UN-HABITAT the experience of someone who knows daily urban challenges that citizens and governments are facing. She has been a Mayor of one of the fastest urbanizing cities in the world, Kigali, and she is currently Governor of Rwanda Eastern Province”. Said Dr. Clos.

“We should be able to build a political commitment to accommodate rapid increases in urban populations, to prevent the emergence of slums, to face climate change and to fight against urban poverty and inequality. I am sure that Ms. Kirabo will be a big support in rethinking the urban agenda and in adopting a new approach to the challenges of urbanization,” He added.

In her new role, Dr. Kirabo will assist the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, in the overall management of UN-HABITAT to achieve its mandate and will support the new UN-HABITAT agenda to face the urban challenges by strengthening urban policies to generate more equitable, wealthy and sustainable cities.

Among her many important responsibilities, Ms. Kirabo will support Dr. Clos in advancing the key reviews currently underway at UN-HABITAT, including the review of UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities for the coming years leading to Habitat III in 2016.

The Survivors Associations Ibuka and AVEGA agahozo have denounced Lantos Human Rights Prize intended to be awarded to Paul Rusesabagina November 16 by Lantos foundation.

The American based foundation, honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement every single since 2009.

Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu the Executive Secretary of Ibuka the survivors’ umbrella said giving Paul Rusesabagina the humanitarian prize is undermining the dignity of Genocide survivors.

“We are saddened by the decision and announcement of Lantos Foundation and we are denouncing that decision because the person receiving this prize is a person who is known as someone who seeks survival, ways of earning a living from Genocide survivors and 1994 Genocide,” Dusingizemungu said.

Dusingizemungu said that Rusesabagina partners with people who planned 1994 Genocide like Col. Theoneste Bagosora, and Gen. Augustine Bizimungu in addition to funding FDRL which disqualifies him from receiving such a prize.

Chantal Kabasinga the Executive Secretary of AVEGA Agahozo the widows’ association said that nothing qualifies Rusesabagina to receive that prize noting that he has gone around deceiving the world that he has supported people in Rwanda who survived in the 1994 Genocide.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice announced that whom they identified as a Rwandan humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina will be the 2011 recipient of the Lantos Human Rights Prize.

The formal presentation of the award will take place in Washington, DC on November 16th, 2011.

The Lantos Foundation established the Lantos Human Rights Prize in 2009 to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement.

MTN, the first mobile telephone service provider has brought smiles to students at Camp Kanombe nine year basic education School by furnishing them with an internet connected computer lab.

Through its charitable arm, MTN foundation inaugurated the lab equipped with 36 computers and free internet connection of a whole year.

Recently, a similar act was done to another school in Rubavu District former Gesenyi in Northern Province.

Kanombe based secondary school is said to have met key requirements needed to apply for MTN foundation support.

According to Jean Batiste Nsengiyumva the Director of the school, the donation solved the problem of ICT theoretical studies.

Nsengiyumva said; “we had no computers here and all computer lessons were conducted in theory only, but now that MTN has given us these computers, they will not only help teachers and students but also the community around to study ICT at this school and to be updated through research.”

Théoneste Yamuremye, ICT teacher at the school said that he had a problem of teaching only computer theory.

“The problem is rectified now, the students will now find it interesting as compared to the previous days before the school got the computers and students used to neglect his class.

Elyse Rutabayiro a student of Senior three class said, “I have logged onto internet to read news around the world. As a candidate I have to be updated with current news and information in order to pass exams incase I am asked questions that require general knowledge.”

MTN Foundation Board Member Zulphat Mukarubega challenged the students to embrace the donation with a vision to be the source of ICT skills for Rwanda and in the region.

The nine year basic education school; Camp Kanombe has been in existence for 43 years and has over 1945 students including Kindergarten, primary school and ordinary level.

The launch of the lab coincided with the 13th Anniversary celebrations of MTN in Rwanda and is the fifth lab in the country funded by the company’s Foundation Initiative.

In the same spirit of celebrating 13th anniversary, MTN recently gave a way Rwf 13m prize in Faranga Yello, Yello promotion that also saw other subscribers win several prizes.

This followed Sunday’s MTN holding of a golf tournament aimed at interacting with clients in the same spirit to cerebrate 13 years of existence in Rwanda.

The tournament was held at Kigali Golf Club, Nyarutarama attracting 80 participants involved in the game.

During a presidential press conference held today at the President’s office Village Urugwiro, President Paul Kagame said that Rwanda’s judiciary will soon experience reshuffle.

Kagame was responding to press inquiries about the recent changes that occurred within the cabinet and senate.

The Major changes that occurred recently included the appointment of new Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi replacing Bernard Makuza who was also appointed by the president to join the senate.

President Kagame said the changes were meant to benefit the whole country to forge ahead for the country’s development adding that responsible people would find it necessary to adjust in order to attain the intended goals.

“You possibly are aware of other changes that were taking place that have not depended on me like senatorial election that has taken place as by constitution, people have to serve their terms and have to leave and have got to be replaced, that depends on what is stated in the constitution, it doesn’t depend on me,” Kagame said in presidential press briefing.

“In fact in the near future the judiciary will also as by the constitution experience some changes and that doesn’t depend on me, these changes affect what happens elsewhere or what is bound to happen in other institutions. Really whether I wanted it or not, these changes are not influenced by me in any way,” the president added.

Kagame said that the government will continue making changes necessary either by constitution or by assessment through the management processes that exist because there has to be progress and results.

On the issue of Rwanda’s economic status, the president said that regardless the global crisis Rwanda is still stable though it would be a affected due to economic interconnection in today’s global village.

He said that Rwanda is realistic on her own situation and position in global community getting focused in trying to fit in the global trends and working hard to survive.

The president tackled and responded to several other topics ranging from national, regional, continental and international.

These include; Rwanda’s readiness to try the former Chadian president Hissene Habre saying that Rwanda has gained capacity and potential and all necessities required to try the former president of Chad.

He was quick to respond to critics that other African countries could have failed to try Habre saying that those countries could probably have not failed but distancing themselves from the possible political reasons since the suspect was a leader.

about the bilateral relationship with France, the president said the diplomatic ties between the two countries were forging ahead putting the past behind.