Author: b_igi_adm1n

British High Commissioner to Rwanda Benedict Llewellyn-Jones has hailed Rwanda’s steps towards unity and reconciliation noting the abolition of death penalty.

The envoy made the remarks in an exclusive interview with igihe.com as the world prepares to celebrate World Day against Death Penalty that is marked annually October 10.

This year’s celebration is the 9th World Day Against the Death Penalty of which Rwanda adopted on June 8, 2007.

“It was a brave step and showed the world that Rwanda could put behind the bloodshed of the genocide and would focus on justice instead that gave people a chance to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society,” Llewellyn-Jones remarked.

“Rwanda, as a country that experienced human massacre and is recovering from the genocide, has through this gesture made a positive statement about the importance of life”.

“I can say that Rwanda has showed a good gesture that reconciliation is more important than punishment.” he added.

The British High Commissioner also suggested that other countries could learn from Rwanda’s approach to this penalty.

“Rwanda should be proud of having abolished the death penalty, having a positive statement about the importance of justice. The whole world should recognize how big a step this was for Rwanda.” He said.

Capital punishment in United Kingdom was in force from at least 1707 until the practice was abolished in the 20th century.

The last execution in the United Kingdom, by hanging, took place in 1964, prior to capital punishment being abolished for murder in 1969 in Great Britain and in 1973 in Northern Ireland.

Although not applied since that time, the death penalty remained on the statute book for certain other offences until 1998 when it was abolished completely in the UK.

The first World Day against the Death Penalty took place in 2003, and the event was launched by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, which gathers international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), bar associations, unions and local governments from all over the world.

This year’s World Day will focus on the inhumanity of the death penalty as a cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.

According to the British High Commissioner, the British government is supports Rwandan government in strengthening democracy, developmental projects towards confronting climate change, health, education and agriculture as well as other sectors.

He added that due to transparence, effective and accountable use aid British government decided to increase its funding to Rwanda.

Elsewhere

According to World Coalition Against Death Penalty website, the United Nations in Geneva will host a high level panel on the International jurisprudence regarding the death penalty and the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment with experts from several UN and Regional human rights bodies.

Several events will be held in various nations to mark the day like San Juan, Puerto Rico, there will be book releases and conferences in universities and schools.

France is celebrating its 30th anniversary of abolition.

Hundreds of events will also be conducted in Taiwan, in Lebanon, as well as in Malaysia, Japan, Iraq, Morocco, Brazil or the USA.

In London, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Jeremy Browne MP will be hosting an event including the speakers Professor Nigel Eastman, a consultant forensic psychiatrist and professor at the University of London, and Saul Lehrfreund, one of the co-founders and joint executive directors of The Death Penalty Project.

This year’s World Day Against Death Penalty focuses on the inhumanity of the death penalty as a cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment.

The dreadful conditions on death row inflict extreme psychological suffering and execution is a physical and mental assault.

The most common forms of execution are beheading, electrocution, hanging, lethal injection, shooting and stoning.

There is also stoning which was considered particularly cruel or inhuman by the UN Human Rights Committee, and the lethal injection, sometimes referred to as the most humane method, has caused physical pain equivalent to cruel and inhumane treatment.

The inhumanity of death penalty goes beyond the person facing execution; it dehumanizes the rest of the society.

This World Day is the opportunity for abolitionists to work together all around the world, to help continue the trend towards abolition of the death penalty.

By 2010, 139 countries in the world had abolished the death penalty in law or in practice, and 23 of the 58 retentionist states still executed people.

On World Day, the World Coalition calls on all those which retain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on its use, with a view to abolishing this inhumane practice.

Created in Rome in 2002, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) brings together 121 bar associations, trade unions, local governments and non-governmental organizations.

It aims at strengthening the international dimension of the fight against the death penalty and at contributing to put an end to death sentences and executions.

In 2003, The WCADP has established the World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October. It is also officially the European Day against Death Penalty since 2007.

The Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning John Rwangombwa has said that Rwanda will attain 8.8% economy growth this year.

The Minister was presenting the country’s economic status in the RPF general assembly meeting held today presided over by the party chairman and the president of the republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame.

“Even though there is economic instability in the whole world, Rwanda’s economy remains stable and even her currency has not depreciated,” Rwangombwa said.

Minister Rwangombwa said the stability of Rwanda’s economy was due to the increase of Agricultural production.

He also said that Rwanda’s economy has also sustained low inflation by 7.5% as compared to other countries in the region where it has almost doubled.

Rwangombwa added that consequences of financial crisis in the developed countries affect developing countries due to the debts they have that make their population not unable to purchase goods from developing countries like Coffee and Tea among others.

According to the Minister the economy of the Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 5.5% in 2010 while world economy increased 4 percent.

In his speech, the party chairman Paul Kagame hailed party members, for having taken a front role in the development of the country.

Kagame also said that it was a time to assess what has not been achieved yet re-emphasizing his speech he gave his cabinet when the new prime minister was swearing in that Rwanda is the most scrutinized nation in the whole world.

President encouraged the party members however that being scrutinized by the world should not discourage them but else make them to work harder and achieve more than what have been achieved.

Rwandan government has warmly welcomed the Sri-Lankan intention to establish diplomatic ties between the two states.

Sri Lankan government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said Friday October 7, 2011 in Colombo that the decision was taken by the Sri Lankan cabinet meeting this week.

“Rwanda has been expanding its diplomatic reach, especially in Central-West Africa and Asia, therefore the announcement by the Sri-Lankan Authority is a welcome development,” Louise Mushikiwabo Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has said.

Mushikiwabo however has said that; “We await the usual official paperwork requesting the opening of a diplomatic mission.”

According to China’s online paper Xinhua, the Sri-Lankan spokesman said that his External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris had put forward the proposal that Sri Lanka and Rwanda should establish diplomatic ties.

“Sri Lanka has shared strong ties with many African Nations in the past and it continues to enjoy close ties with these nations,” the Sri Lankan External Affairs reportedly said.

Sri Lanka is reportedly said to currently have diplomatic ties with 32 African countries.

In related development, Sri Lanka is reportedly hopes to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan.

South Sudan is a new African state formed and got her independence from the Northern Sudan in July this year, later accepted by United Nations as a state also accepted by African Union.

The lower chamber of parliament has examined the law establishing the meteorology of Rwanda and Civil Aviation security and a waits to be published in the official gazette.

Speaking to igihe.com Augustine Habimana the Director of communication at parliament said that the two bills have been adopted and will be published in the official gazette soon to be in force.

“The two laws that have been passed will assist in proper functioning of these two government agencies,” Habimana said.

Meteorology law establishes meteorology agency of Rwanda and determine its mission, organization and functions in the country.

The law shall establish the Meteorology Agency of Rwanda referred to METEO RWANDA by abbreviation.

METEO RWANDA shall have legal personality, administrative and financial autonomy and shall be managed in accordance with general provisions governing public institutions.

The weather and climate agency is supposed to implement government’s policy in meteorology using modern technology, research and development itself.

While Civil Aviation security law, shall determine the modalities of regulating the Civil Aviation Security. It is aimed at preventing acts jeopardizing safety of civil aviation by providing security protection.

Security protection will extended to aircrafts used for civil aviation, persons and goods on board a civilian aircraft, airports, persons and goods at airports, air navigation installations which are not at the airports.

It will also monitor and inspect the conduct of persons at airports and on board of aircraft in order to assure aviation security.

The law gives powers and responsibilities to govern and maintain security of all activities of private jets, passengers and their luggage.

This comes following a meeting of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with King Fiscal Hospital, Rwandair and regional air carriers to help formulate emergency procedures in case of accidents.

Rwanda’s Civil Aviation Authority is in plans to improve the country’s preparedness in cases of emergency at the airports to avert such scenarios that happened in the past.

The upgrade of the emergency response also follows a plane that crashed at Kigali International Airport November 2009 causing panic when a speeding ambulance carrying casualties overturned off the road barely a kilometer from the airport.

A mult-million business complex worth Rwf 1.5bn has opened its doors in Huye town the former Butare District a home of the first University in Rwanda.

Every business activities that have been carried on in the old District market are being shifted to the new business complex named Huye City Complex.

A complex which is owned by Ingenzi cooperative an initiative of Huye business men, houses businesses ventures like banks, mobile service centers, insurance company offices, supermarkets and whole sale shops .

The complex designed to meet the required standards, has what it needs for a modern market with the capacity to accommodate at least 3000 businesses.

“Our customers’ security has been enhanced since we moved to this new complex. In addition to that our merchandise is more secure against robbery, rains and sunburns,”

The businessmen however have claimed the complex has become too expensive compared to the old market.

“A plot (Ikibanza) in this new complex is expensive for most of us. A small plot costs Rwf 10000-15000 compared to our old market where the same size of the plot was Rwf 7000. These high prices are leading us to losses yet we didn’t increase the commodity prices,” Mukamugyema Mutimura a meat seller complained.

“And also customers consistence has reduced because most of them have resorted to other markets in the communities like Rango market fearing the standard of the complex thinking commodities are expensive,” Mutimura added.

Vicent Semuhungu the chairman of Igenizi cooperative said the expensive plots divided in the complex is due to the servicing of the loan that facilitated in building the complex but added that after servicing the loan, rent charges will be reduced.

This four-month old complex was officially inaugurated by President Paul Kagame last May.

According to information from the Nile Basin Discourse Forum (NBDF), a total of 3,225 households located in 111 villages are likely to face eviction during the construction of the regional Rusumo Hydro power project.

The recommendation was made during an open discussion with the NBDF members upon the report made by the forum’s Consultant Rugumire Makuza who conducted a ground survey at the area in a period of 8 days.

According to Makuza’s report 1,125 hectares of agricultural land and Wetland buffer for food security among others will be lost.

During presentation of the report, Makuza also raised the major challenges upon the project implementers as lack of access to information by Stakeholders and Inability to process information even where it is available.

“Some people I talked to are not aware about the move yet citizens should be involved in the project implementation and therefore, a robust communication mechanism is required.” Makuza said while presenting the findings of his study.

Makuza also added that there is need to include other stakeholders at government, and grass root level in decision making processes of the project.

On the environmental part, Makuza said that will reduce the use of fuel wood pretends deforestation, and that also the application of the renewable energy promotes climate protection.

The forum in this regard plays a key role in ensuring that the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) programs and policies are well designed and properly implemented in Rwanda for sustainability of the community.

NBDF Rwanda also among other objectives to link the grass root level, and has the capacity to raise awareness on various issues at the community level, and ensures ownership by explaining.

Among other comments raised during the meeting by the NBDF members is the issue of planning for the resettlement of citizens that will be evicted.

The study among others looked at how much additional electricity will the project generate, implementation process & involvement of stakeholders, progress to date, likely negative effects of the project at the community level, mitigation, and compensation of the population and resettlement, benefit sharing mechanisms from the project, and critical elements of community contribution to the Rusumo project etc.

The report will include the comments added during the presentation, and compiled together with other stakeholders’ report from Tanzania and Burundi to come up with one report to be tabled in the infrastructure Ministers from the member countries late this year.

Rusumo hydro power project is expected to increase hydro power production by 90 MW in three countries including Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania.

At least fifty upcoming micro-entrepreneurs have completed a three-month Micro-Entrepreneurship Training program (MET).

This has been in an effort to equip participants with innovation, finance, savings and credits, cooperative creation and networking.

The training has been sponsored by education Catalysts (Educat) a Danish based NGO maximizing output for partners and stakeholders working towards a paradigm change in developing world. Educat emphasizes the importance in economic development in order to eradicate poverty.

The NGOs vision is to enable change makers to create significant positive change for themselves, in their community and globally.

In Rwanda, Educat provides training in entrepreneurship and leadership to assist micro-entrepreneurs in building-up their businesses.

It also provide training and coaching to SMEs and larger companies and train trainers and pursue an ambition of making a one-year entrepreneurial course for higher education.

Andreas Norlem Christensen(above), the NGO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) says that the trained micro-entrepreneurs have been equipped to expand their businesses, on the role of getting registered in the formal private sector, and get access to saving & credit services.

Norlem also adds that in the long run, the program help secure the livelihood of both the entrepreneurs and their dependants

“These trainings are also expected to benefit all micro-entrepreneurs across Rwanda, a group consisting of
90 % of the working force,” he remarked.

Additionally the training also connects the participant to Micro Finance Institutions and helps them apply for loans.

“The MET program helps micro-entrepreneurs step inside the established business and get registered. This helps the national economy since micro businesses tend to not pay taxes and VAT. It is the tax money that helps society progress” said Norlem.

“I have learnt customer care from MET. Now I know how to approach and retain customers. I have moved from a small place to a bigger one and I am doing better for myself as my business keeps growing.” Said Liziki Mutoni a fruits seller.

Her colleague Sharon Umurerwa was quick to point out that she is yet to open an account with Urwego Opportunity banking.

“The aim is to deposit money frequently to show them that my business is doing fine, this in return would boost my chances of acquiring a loan to expand my business,” she remarked.

The Micro Enterprise Training Program is currently being implemented in collaboration between YES Rwanda and Educat. The program is designed to meet the needs of young entrepreneurs working in the information sector.

Students at the National University of Rwanda this month are scrambling at their respective faculty departments to beat the 20th October deadline for submission of their dissertations.

Igihe.com went to the university and obtained comments from several students.They are accusing the University authorities for not availing them with enough time to complete their dissertations.

Students claim that it all begun by the change of the academic calendar that intends to begin on 31st October.

“We are here today in large numbers to submit our dissertations so that we are not fined or disqualified from the presumed graduation scheduled December this year.

“Most of us haven’t had time to go home yet the rest of the students are in holidays for their annual vacation. We are tired but anyway glad that we are almost done with this phase of our academics.” one student who did not want to publish his name said.

Students are dissatisfied by the university’s administration arguing that much needs to be done in order to prevent such irritatiing situations.

They blamed the University for not providing necessary facilities required in their writing of dissertations as the rest of the previous years. “We were not given the Rwf 100, 000 during the development of our project.” another anonymous student complained.

This cost us too much given the high prices of commodities. “I conducted my study in Musanze District, Northern Province. I had to spend on transport and food too much money which wasn’t easy for me. I was left financially drained to the extent that I don’t have any money to print my final draft,” Agronomist student only identified as Musafiri narrated.

At the faculty of Arts, Media and Social Science (FAMSS) students told igihe.com that the delay was brought due to some directors who are hard to find especially during holidays. “My director is in Kigali and I have to commute by bus to meet him.” another sociology finalist student identified as Musoni told igihe.com at the University.

“Even though I have relatives in Kigali, I can’t stay there because I use the library so much and want access to free internet here unlike Kigali where i have to pay for it. It is expensive for me to travel back and forth at Frw2600,”Musoni added.

In a telephone interview with Prof. Rama B. Rao Faculty dean of Economics and Management, he refuted students claims, “I have received such arguments from my students but they were given enough time to prepare for their dissertations. They started preparing their dissertations in the first semester.”

Asked on the deadline for submission Prof. Rama told igihe.com, “the deadline students are talking about is false because we haven’t yet fixed it however, it’s on the agenda for today’s meeting.”

The dean however reminded students to always take dissertations seriously as any other course noting that academic rules will apply to any student who will not give the required gravity to dissertations.