Author: b_igi_adm1n

A team of journalists under Abasirwa association will now start posting stories on the association’s website concerning HIV/AIDS awareness and other health related stories.

Over 200 journalists met for a two-day workshop aimed at building capacity on various ways to report about HIV and how citizens would fight the spread of the virus.

Abasirwa executive secretary Enoc Bahati(below) pointed out that the role of media in fighting the spread of HIV wasn’t well utilised yet if well exploited the message would reach many people.

One of the trainers, Sylvie Sargueil encouraged employers of various media houses to conduct in-house training in order to improve their journalists’ delivery.

She however stressed that; the employers ought to offer motivation to reporters who show the will of delivering better and especially those who report on HIV/AIDS awareness.

“According to my personal research, most journalist lack motivation, they are either paid less or are never facilitated to report health issues,” she remarked.

Theo Barasa a journalist at Radio Flash urged his colleagues to be more creative in reporting on matters related to the virus.

“What we hear nowadays has become monotonous; the press should report other things like how does one stay healthy after being infected. Readers would want to know more about which nutrition is better for instance.”

The report titled “Because I am a girl” focuses on young men, regarding them as part of the solution to eradicating poverty and attaining female empowerment.

The report released surveyed Rwanda, United Kingdom, 1,000 young Canadians, as well as nearly 4000 teens from India, says 26 per cent in Rwanda hold similar tough-guy notions agreeing that gender equality is good for both men and women.

While 90 per cent of Canadian youth said they agree gender equality is good for both men and women, nearly 45 per cent agree that being a man you need
to be tough.

“When you see the famine in the Horn of Africa, for example, the instinctive reactionary response is to get aid and hands on the ground. And most of the research out there says that educating men and women about gender equality improves their quality of life.” The report says

Todd Minerson, Executive Director of White Ribbon Campaign, says responding to poverty issues globally is rooted in challenging gender stereotypes.

“It’s definitely a stretch for some people to get from dealing with poverty to empowering women and dealing with male stereotypes,” Mr. Minerson said.

Margaret Capelazo, senior gender adviser at CARE Canada, who works mostly with men in developing countries such as Vietnam, Pakistan and Kenya, says usually men tend to work on different activities to fit in their masculine.

The survey also reveals that 31 per cent of Canadian boys think a woman’s most important role is to take care of her home and cook for the family.
In the U.K., only 15 per cent of young boys think the same, while the number is 74 per cent in India.

People were treated to drama in the city center when an unknown lady seized a man accusing him of robbing her Rwf 31000. The lady claimed she had paid him to be her husband but instead the man ran away with the cash.

The slim short lady seemingly in her mid 20’s grabbed the man almost in the same age group by his belt complaining and requesting to be refunded her cash for not having done what she had paid him for and ran away.

The lady claims she wanted the man to be her husband but she had requested to stay with him for a while as they look for a way to renew what seemed to be marriage contract.

“Yesterday I paid him my money and he never did what I paid him for, therefore am not letting him go if he does not give back my money,” an identified woman told the police at the scene that had turned up to settle the matter.

The scuffle took place at 1:53pm at Rubangura shopping complex.
This attracted the police attention who could not allow journalists get details or take pictures of the parties.

The plain cloth policeman confisticated the camera of our reporter at the scene saying, “do not photograph”, he later showed his Police Card to our reporter and took the camera of our reporter. Our reporter pleaded he would not take any photographs and his camera was returned to him.

The police constable at the scene immediately ordered the man to give back the money upon hearing the lady claims and the man refunded. Police constables left the scene after the money was refunded. Lastly both the lady and the accused man ran away from the scene.

One of the Rwanda’s rap music icons Jay Polly has united with his former teammates from the rap group the Taff Gang.

This follows his former teammates to commit themselves to support him in the due album launch titled IWACU.

Real names Josua Polly Tuyishime will launch his second album of 7 songs at petit Stade Remera October 7, this year.

“I want my second album to be successful not as the first one” said Jay Polly adding that all artists on posters confirmed their performance.

On his launch Jay Polly will feature local artists like Pacson, Uncle Austin, and Ally Saudi are also expected perform along with him.

The launch is sponsored by Rwanda’s beers and sodas monopoly BRALIRWA fulfilling their promise mentioned when awarding the guma guma super star winner Tom Close recently.

BRALIRWA the major sponsor of the launch promised him Rwf 2m and this Friday a press conference is expected to throw more light about the progress of the event.

Jay Polly had fallen out with his former team the Tuff Gang particularly with P Fly. Tuff Gangs is a Kigali based group composed of Green P, Fire Man, Bull Dog and P Fly.

Kim Kizito a radio presenter also a local artist says it was good that Tuff Gang members were reuniting with their former member Jay Polly adding that he has also realized how good the team is though he also had negative perception towards them.

In related development, Jay Polly will not perform in the Scooper’s launch September 30, 2011 due to serious rehearsals he is carrying out in preparation for his album launch.

The 23-year-old artiste, rapper, singer-songwriter and painter were a co-founder of Tuff Gangs, a rap group that was founded in 2008.

He joined Rwanda’s music scene in 2004, with his debut single ‘Nakupenda’ but it was his 2010 track ‘Ndacyariho Ndahumeka’ which introduced him to the spotlight.

Following our yesterday’s scoop that Jeanne D’Arc Gakuba may win Kigali City senatorial elections, it is now becoming more factual.

Our reliable sources from all polling stations have revealed that Jeanne D’Arc Gakuba has topped the nine-senatorial race in Kigali City.

According to our sources one of her rivals Wellars Mukama a former diplomat to Burundi emerged the second whom Gakuba beat with a lengthy difference.

By this morning, Gakuba’s votes had reached 164 in all three Districts of Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro Districts beating the rest including the popular Swahilli coach Pacifique Malonga.

According to our reliable sources, Gakuba got 51/80 votes, 47/62 votes, and 51/61 votes in Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge Districts respectively.

Wellars Mukama collected 4/61votes, 6/80 votes, 9/62 votes in Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro Districts.

Senatorial elections commenced today where senators representing public and private institutions of higher learning where only one candidate Laurent Nkusi campaigned to represent private institutions of higher learning.

“I am still waiting for the official announcement, however if that is the case It is all happiness to be trusted by the public, but also it is a commitment to use very well the trust the public they have given me and despite one is elected from one constituency but a senator is for all,” Gakuba has said by telephone interview.

“Partly i am surprised upon getting this news because competition is competition, however on the other hand i was deeply confident due to have worked with Kigali City residents for long time on a regular basis and so they didn’t have to speculate who i was, they knew me very well and my capabilities,” Gakuba has told igihe.com.

Of those who registered, 16 vied for the Southern Province slot, 15 in the Eastern, 11 in the Western, nine in Kigali City and five in the Northern Province.

The 26 members of the Senate, only 14 will be elected. The President of the Republic of Rwanda will nominate eight others while the Consultative Forum for Political Parties will nominate four.

Two people will be elected in the Northern Province, one in Kigali City while three people will be elected in each of the other provinces.

On electoral commission official website, Prof. Dr Chrysologue Karangwa the chairman of the National Electoral Commission calls upon Rwandan populations to vote as a sign of patriotism.

“As Rwandans, we should continue to be patriotic by showing capacity and capability in strengthening Democratization process in our country,” Prof. Dr Karangwa says in his welcoming remarks on the website.

“The post–genocide election period, is one of the proof which can justify our levels of understanding democracy, Good Governance and sustainable development. We already understand that elections are a strong pillar which connects Good Governance and sustainable development in Rwanda,” Karangwa added.

The electoral colleges at the provincial level today were composed of district and sector councils while those representing higher institutions of learning will be composed of only permanent lecturers, who are Rwandan nationals and registered in their respective institutions.

There are 55 polling stations country wide including 30 in all districts and 25 in higher institutions of learning.

In an announcement from the Prime Minister office on 26th September 2011, Rt. Hon Bernard MAKUZA announced with sorrow the sudden death of the Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, Christine NYATANYI.

Nyatanyi passed away at Saint-Luc University Hospital at around 6:00 pm local time in Brussels- Belgium where she has been undergoing treatment.

The Minister of Local Government, James MUSONI described Nyatanyi’s death as a big loss to the Country, adding that it is very unfortunate: “we will certainly miss her. She was a very knowledgeable person, committed with a lot of passion and patriotism.”

The late Hon. Marie Christine Nyatanyi graduated in 1991 from the Institute of National Economy of Odessa, Ukraine (Former Soviet Union) as an economist. She attended many conferences and seminars related to the integration of refugees in Europe.

Minister Nyatanyi occupied a number of different posts before she was appointed Minister of State in charge of Social Affairs and Community Development in October 2003.

After the 1994 Genocide perpetuated against the Tutsi, she became Assistant in the Tracing Department of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) respectively in Goma and Nairobi.

In 1997, she was assigned the role of Project Officer in the Flemish Council for Refugees in Brussels where she also worked as an assistant in the accountancy department.

Late Nyatanyi was sworn in as the state minister in the ministry of Local Government on 11th May 2011.

The Prime Minister on behalf of the Government extended his condolences to the bereaved family and friends.

A slim 22 year old Irene Muhikira has been crowned Miss Adventist University- Universite des Laïques Adventistes de Kigali (UNILAK).

The chocolate brown second year management student beat other five beauties in a beauty pageant that took place at the University’s auditorium in Kicukiro District.

According to her, Muhikira desires to be exemplary in the society and advocate for peace.

“I like to be exemplary to others and advocate for peace because where there is peace and unity, everything is possible,” Muhikira said after being crowned on Sunday.

Raised in Bujumbura, Burundi, the new beauty queen for UNILAK loves reading and hates hypocrisy.

Muhikira was crowned at the University’s maiden beauty event since it opened in 1997, will be representing all the branch campuses.

New UNILAK went home with Rwf 100,000 and air ticket courtesy of Ethiopian Airline, a mobile phone worth Rwf 150, 000 by MTN, and a dress worth US $ 1000 equivalent to Rwf 593,000 current rate by Deal Ltd while The Manor Hotel promised to keep her figure using their gym for the whole year.

The panel of Judges also announced Miss Popularity named Henriette Cyuzuzo , second run- up being Solange Uwitonze, and first run up Tania Gasasira Umutoni who was also Miss Photogenic

First run- up Tania Gasasira Umutoni was given Rwf 50,000, a cell phone worth Rwf 120, 000 by MTN and air ticket to Dubai, while Solange Uwitonze got Frw 40,000, MTN airtime worth 10,000 and other presents by Sulfo Industries -Rwanda.

Out of 15 beauty queens in the pre-selection, only six contestants were confirmed to race for the Universities beauty queen.

In his speech, the Rector of INILAK, expressed gratitude to all contestants who managed to model and represent the institution saying it was Culture Promotion.

During the event, different artists like Jay Polly, Dream Boys, Allioni, The Brothers, Prince Kid, Kamishi, Uncle Austin and Kitoko entertained the audience.

INILAK has three campuses, notably the Head Office located at the heart of Kigali City, Gasabo District, and its branches in Nyanza District, Southern Province and Rwamagana in Eastern province.

The long awaited senatorial elections have finally reached the climax taking off today in all Districts across the country.

The elections which will take two days, all sectors from each District came together at a selected polling station to elect their senator.

The results are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Tomorrow Tuesday, elections will proceed as five candidates race for public institutions of higher education seat while only Laurent Nkusi will be determined whether he is suitable for private institutions of higher education.

Observers from the region and elsewhere have been dispersed in different polling stations.

Unconfirmed reports from our scoops have indicated that Jeanne D’Arc Gakuba may win Kigali City senate seat.

Of those who registered, 16 vied for the Southern Province slot, 15 in the Eastern, 11 in the Western, nine in Kigali city and five in the Northern Province.

The 26 members of the Senate, only 14 will be elected. The President of the Republic of Rwanda will nominate eight others while the Consultative Forum for Political Parties will nominate four.

Two people will be elected in the Northern Province, one in Kigali City while three people will be elected in each of the other provinces.

The number of Senators representing provinces is based on the number of registered voters in the constituencies, meaning a province with the highest number of voters gets highest number of seats in the Senate.

The electoral colleges at the provincial level today were composed of district and sector councils while those representing higher institutions of learning will be composed of only permanent lecturers, who are Rwandan nationals and registered in their respective institutions.

“As Rwandans, we should continue to be patriotic by showing capacity and capability in strengthening Democratization process in our country,” Prof. Dr Karangwa Chrysologue the Chairman of Electoral Commission says in his welcoming remarks on the commission’s official website.

“The post–genocide election period, is one of the proof which can justify our levels of understanding democracy, Good Governance and sustainable development. We already understand that elections are a strong pillar which connects Good Governance and sustainable development in Rwanda,” Karangwa added.

There are 55 polling stations country wide including 30 in all districts and 25 in higher institutions of learning.

Rwanda’s minister of infrastructure Albert Nsengiyumva has revealed that all relevant studies have been completed towards the proposed railway from Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

While chairing the inter-ministerial consultative meeting on the progress of the railway activities, Nsengiyumva insisted that plans to get funds are still underway. “We need around 5.1 billion for the whole project and we’re encouraging Private-Public-Partnership (PPP),” he remarked.

He explained that the PPP will be in terms of ‘Build-Operate-Transfer’ (BOT) but the period of transfer from the investor hasn’t been decided yet. “We intend to negotiate the concession period once we get an interested investor,” he remarked.

Currently, BAOBAB, UK’s railway construction company has shown interests but the committee has declined its offer due to a number of issues, among them according to the minister of transport in Tanzania Omar Nundu, their proposal didn’t abide with African Development Bank (AFDB) studies on the project.

“You see AFDB is funding the studies and if someone wants to bring something different from what they have to negotiate with our donors, it becomes hard, but we hope to get more investors onboard given the number of interests we’re getting from various people,” said Nundu.

Nsengiyumva seconded him adding that there was no need of panic since the project was vague and needed ample time to verify all the required needs before its inception.

“This is a very large railway, we’re talking of 1,500 kilometer railway I think it’s the largest in Africa, but I can assure you all relevant measures have been to speed up the project,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile the overall idea of the railway is to connect Rwanda and Burundi to the sea port, reducing the amount spent in transporting particularly heavy cargo. It is also believed that the railway will improve trade and lower prices since only transport contributes 40% of commodity prices.

Burundi, though close to Tanganyika Lake, most of their imported goods are picked at Tanzania’s port but the road network is poor. “The railway will benefit my country since it will reduce time spent through road and water transport,” he remarked.

The project which is nine years old was first initiated by both Tanzania and Rwanda, then later Burundi joined in. “All we want is to connect countries in the region, especially landlocked ones and we hope soon the Democratic Republic of Congo will join us,” says Rwanda’s minister of infrastructure.