Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Modern farming practices to improve yields

    Bananas are among Rwanda’s main staple food widely harvested by the majority of farmers, yet the plantation faces many challenges including pests, infertile soils and low yield.

    However, all this can be turned around if more farmers are given competent farming skills, Julianus Thomas, the Farmer Field School (FFS) master trainer says.

    He said that FFS was formed two years ago in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Belgian Development Agency (BTC) in order to train farmers on better planting skills on crops such as banana, maize, potatoes, cassava amongst others.

    Currently, in Rwanda a lot of efforts are enhanced in fighting pests attacks on banana plantations, the most common being banana-mild-mosaic-virus.

    Dr. Jean-Pierre Busogoro, the Technical Assistant BTC noted that among the ways to control the virus spread is by warming the sucker for 20 degrees Celsius before planting in order to kill the bacteria.

    “Farmers should also sterilize their farming tools if they want to avoid spreading of the bacteria from an infected banana plant,” he remarked.

    Dr. Busogoro spoke at the beginning of a 3 day regional conference involving experts from East and central Africa, organized to exchange experiences based on better practices in various aspects of the banana value chain such as the introduction and dissemination of banana improved varieties.

    He further pointed out that competence matters a lot since it strengthens the production of traditional banana plants which many fear might become extinct due to the introduction of modern varieties that have better yield.

    “There’s nothing unique with exotic bananas, the difference is that they are planted through the use of modern expertise skills which can be applied to the traditional ones and give better results,” he clarified.

    Among the techniques being disseminated are the use of fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation.
    “I’ve seen farmers who have done all this on their traditional bananas and have seen their yield improve from 15kg to 75kg,” Bugosoro stressed.

    Thomas on his part says that some banana species can be multiplied in the laboratory in what is also known as tissue culture. So far two Americans investors have showed interests to start the business in Rwanda.

  • I want to supply my bread to all Rwandans

    Success is every one’s dream and this young entrepreneur is harvesting because of his passion, courage and optimism, he has started enjoying the fruits of his sweat and sleepless nights he spends. Igihe.com reporter Diana Mutimura talked to a local entrepreneur, Patrick Muyobocye the proprietor of APABENA Bakery.

    Igihe.com: Tell us about your back ground?

    Muyobocye: Am called Patrick Muyobocye I was born in 1984 and I’m proud to be the last born in the family of 9 children. I still have a mother but my father past away when I was in my form 4 at Kayonza modern.

    Igihe.com: How did you start bread business?

    I started in 2008 with frw3 million only, after working at my uncle’s bakery; Top Bread Bakery and got the practical experience from there, decided to make my own bakery.

    Igihe.com: Is this your first business? If not, what was your first business, and what happened to it?

    Yes it is my first business and like I said at first I was an employee at my uncle’s bakery where I developed the courage to opening my own bakery.

    Igihe.com: Had you been exposed to business before ?

    Muyobocye: Yes I believe it was my passion to be self employed and it is a family heritage because my father too had bakery, my uncle and myself.

    Igihe.com: How many employees have you hired?

    Muyoboke: I started with 12 employees because the business was still small but after one year, because of hardworking and determination they have increased to 25 and all work full time. They, however, work in shifts where 15 work during day and 10 work during the night. I even have about 5 part timers.

    Igihe.com: What is an average workday like for you?

    Muyobocye: I wake up as early as 3:am to go and supervise the workers until day-break when the cars start supplying breads, and cakes around town and I have to wait for them to come back to count the money.

    Igihe.com: What have you gained from the business ever since you started?

    Muyobocye:I have acquired many things since I started this business. I have bought three vehicles which supply my goods and bought a house I live in and have acquired plots of land among other other things.

    Igihe.com: What has been the performance of business in the past few years?

    Muyobocye: It has really changed because if I look at what I have achieved in this business, I observe a very great change although I meet with many challenges.

    Igihe.com: Describe the level of sales in the last few years?

    Muyobocye: Pretty good and am not complaining because the business is doing much better.

    Igihe.com: What are the most crucial things you have done to grow your business?

    Muyobocye: I wake up in the middle of the night every day to go and work with my employees. Sometimes I supply the bread to all my customers to know where it goes wrong and take not of their comments for consideration in my business.

    Igihe.com: What plans do you have now to expand your business?

    Muyobocye: I bought a piece of land in Gisozi where I want to start building my own premises for the bakery and stop renting and I’m planning to expand so that I can be supplying all the districts of Rwanda.

    Igihe.com: Who are the people that have been most important to your business success?

    Muyobocye: My uncle that enabled me to work at his bakery from which I attained the experience helping in my business today. There are also friends who always give me constructive ideas and these micro finance banks which accept to give loans.

    Igihe.com: What are your business challenges and how do you deal with them?

    Problems are everywhere, but in my business I always face price changes on the market, high revenue charged by the government even if I try to be humble and continue to struggle.

    Igihe.com: Do you have a business plan and if so, when was it last updated?

    Everything has to have a plan before you start the foundation. Therefore, I didn’t just wake up to establish the business. I first made the plan for it and every after one-year I revise my plan to check if I am still on the right path I want my bakery to be.

    Igihe.com: What’s the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

    I don’t think I have received one because I’m always kin to whom I’m going to for the advice and always pray to God for assistance.

    Igihe.com: What advice would you offer to young entrepreneurs starting out today and those who fear the risks of business?

    Muyobocye: My fellow youth who are planning to start their own businesses should first plan for what they are going to do so that they know the capital needed in the business because all businesses are the same though they do not need the same capital.

    They should be creative and not copy in order to avoid duplication of services. In business, risks are always there and if you fear to risk, you cannot develop.

    Igihe.com : If you were to start another business, what would it be?

    Muyobocye:Things do change in business but if I am to change the business I would channel to selling imported cars.

    Igihe.com: Do you believe business can make the world a better place?

    Muyobocye:Yeah! (Smiles emphasizes)In fact people should accept that business plays a great role in changing this world and I think that’s why political leadership is a challenge is less developed countries like in African countries.

    Igihe.com: How does your business help the community?

    My bakery helps orphans who lost their parents during 1994 Tutsi genocide and those whose parents died of AIDS. They have orphans’ association called APABENA where I always give them 50,000 Frw per month and I buy for them school equipments whenever they go back to school.

    Igihe.com: Thanks a lot for this interview and valuable spent.

  • Rwanda to embark on a 12-year basic education

    The government is accessing the viability of a new 12 year Basic Education for Africa Program (BEAP), igihe.com has reliably learnt.

    The education strategy was revealed at a three day international conference that brought together representatives of the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and several Rwanda’s executives in education sector at Lemingo Hotel in Kigali.

    The Conference that hosted UNESCO representatives from Senegal, Mali, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Niger evaluated the strategic planning of BEAP scheme as well as scrutinizing the challenges that hinder the progress on its implementation in Africa.

    The UNESCO delegates unanimously observed that Rwanda had successfully undertaken this project with very positive results though there was still room for improvement.

    Rwanda’s Director General at the Ministry of Education in charge of primary education Narcisse Musabyeyezu pointed out that: “The 9 year basic education program started in 2007 and was introduced because the six were not enough to eliminate the levels of illiteracy in the country”.

    He emphatically stressed that the results have been positive with more than 80 per cent of pupils now completing primary school while prior to the implementation of the new program, not more than 5o per cent were able to proceed to secondary school.

    “Despite that we are still facing some constraints in this program due to the need for more skilled human resources in terms of teachers and resources in the form of book supplies, especially in the upper secondary” Musabyeyezu pointed out.

    He argued that due to the scheme, pupils’ passing their O’level exams and enrolling at the High school has doubled from 56,000 to 104,000 according to current statistics.

    He, however, observed that the 12 year basic education scheme should not be implemented until 2017 when careful feasibility study will have been carried out in comparison with the current 9 year education program.

  • Rwanda: How much have you Read?

    By: Randa Rugangazi

    As one roams around Kigali, rarely will one find the sight of someone reading a book on the bus. Actually rarely can one find people carrying books on the bus aside from school books as school children are on their way to and from school.

    Not to forget on Saturdays and Sundays during church going hours when one will see the glossiest Good Books(Bibles).

    In case you are wondering who goes to church on Saturday, then you will be surprised to know that Rwanda has the fastest growing Seventh Day Adventist community.

    It seems that reading to many in Rwanda is only associated with preparing for school exams or keeping up with the scripture reading in church. One can come up with a long list of explanations for the poor reading culture in our culture.

    Naturally, at the top of the list would be low discretionary income, or lack thereof. A discretionary income is the money one has after paying off bills.

    Of course, one can’t ignore the fact that books are expensive even for an individual with a decent income. The cost of books has been blamed for the information gap affecting developing countries.

    Rwanda’s lack of reading culture is a shared problem in most of the East African countries- actually across most of Africa. Many blame our schools for failing to spark the curiosity in school children to seek books independently.

    Even well educated professionals only read daily news; they don’t seek reading material outside of their local/regional newspapers or websites.

    There is no need to go into all the benefits of having a good reading habit in this article. In school many are led to believe that reading is solely an activity for improving one’s socioeconomic status.

    The notion of seeking books merely to improve one’s knowledge of the world is strange to most Rwandese- and Africans for that matter.

    There is no doubt that the advent of the World Wide Web in Rwanda is a great platform to bridge the information gap.

    Inclusive in this information gap is access to published works i.e. literary, historical, scientific materials.

    Rwandans need to develop a diversified taste in the material they look up on the internet.

    In between the time spent checking emails and posting statuses on Facebook or Twitter; people could take a look at the newest commentaries or essays on The New Yorker website.

    The more committed could look up books on Google Books.

  • Mutuelles de Santé: Clear the fog to see reality

    By Supreetha Gubbala

    KIGALI CITY–Since its drafting in 2001, the community-based health insurance plan known as mutuelles de santé, or more commonly as mutuelles, has been an extremely effective tool for medically insuring the majority of Rwandan citizens in an affordable way.

    Currently over 85% of Rwandans partake in the program, the highest percentage in all of sub-saharan Africa. Neighboring countries such as Burundi are looking to Rwanda’s medical insurance miracle.

    However, what many have looked past in praising the universal plan is truly what lies ahead for the remaining 15% that are uninsured and the effects of this upon the public healthcare system.

    In February of this year former Health Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera, announced along with many improvements to the programme, a minimum premium price increase.

    Prior to this revision, those on the lowest tier of the program were paying a minimum of Rwf. 1000, with the extreme poor often being marginalized and unable to pay even this amount.

    The few micro financing NGOs available to help this population could not significantly aid this population, especially with interest rates often as high as 15% on loans given.

    Unfortunately, for the extreme poor, the situation just got worse, to be exact. With the minimum now standing at Rwf 3000. By raising this bar, more poor will be unable to join the plan in the upcoming years.

    Although the ministry has outlined financial support programmes for this population there, lies the question of how many will be reached by the programmes, and ultimately what will happen to those who simply cannot meet this minimum.

    Well more likely than not in Kigali, they will end up at the doors of CHUK, the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali.

    CHUK is currently the largest public hospital in Kigali city, and therefore often end up caring for many who are not in the mutuelles program, and cannot provide the premium, simply out of Hippocratic Oath.

    Unfortunately, the Hippocratic Oath does not exactly stock the shelves of CHUK.

    Dr. Florence Umurangwa working in Ward 6 of CHUK is a post-graduate of surgery.“We don’t wait to see whether or not the patient has mutuelle de santé, because we care for them first,” she explained to Igihe.com”

    “It is a bit difficult because some people who couldn’t afford to pay Rwf. 1000, and are now being asked to pay three times that amount. It is hard for the hospital to continue operating because so many people are being treated that do not pay for the new mutuelle de santé.”

    “When we go to the stock and take medicine, yet the patient is not paying, it will be a big challenge to the hospital,” she concluded.

    With the recent two month extension for those still not updated to the new mutuelles plan, this further means that the new and improved mutuelles services must be open to everyone.

    Arthur Asiimwe Director General of Rwanda Health Communication Centre, and the communications officers for the Ministry, however was incredulous at the idea of any potential issues with the new plan.

    “As far as the ministry is concerned there are no problems with the new plan, sustainability or supplies of medicine. If this exists, there must be some mismanagement in the hospital,” he told Igihe.com in an interview.

    In regards to the population of people who will be left unable to pay, Asiimwe stated confidently that, “All those who are unable to pay for mutuelles will be paid for by the government through the national budget which ultimately comes from taxes.”

    In fact, with the new plan Asiimwe deemed it impossible for someone not to be covered and also reassures that any doubts of financial stability of the plan as fruitless.

    “In fact, the new plan improves the future sustainability and enrollment in the programme,” he told Igihe.com.

    For those on the ground however, it seems the story still is playing out quite differently.

    Although the CHUK Hospital Director Dr. Theobard Hatekamana feels the majority of the plan has been beneficial to patients, as well as for everyone in the health sector, he does assert that there are still further issues to be addressed on the health care delivery level to enable sustenance of healthcare to the entire population of Rwanda.

    He told Igihe.com more specifically, “We have some issues with people who can’t pay 10% of fees, so the hospital loses this money. Since we cover Rwf. 100,000 for these kind of cases, and there is currently no mechanism for recovery of this money.”

    Furthermore, patients hospitalized in Ward 2 of CHUK had mixed reactions toward the new price increase in the mutuelles plan.

    Grace Murekatete a 22-year old with swollen limbs on her right side from the Mparanyondo sector has been sick for 16 months. She told Igihe.com, “I have been here in the hospital for only four months. But I have not yet improved. I don’t know what I will do if they increase the price to Rwf 3000 because I am alone here no one is looking after me.”

    Despite Asiimwe’s confidence, it seems even those currently hospitalized are not aware that they will be covered by the government if they are unable to pay.

    This viewpoint was further confirmed by other patients such as Francoise Yankurije of the Kimindu sectors who explained to Igihe.com, “It’s right, but the problem we are having is capacity. Which results from low income, and we don’t know whether we can manage to buy it [new medical insurance].”

    As we leave, CHUK confused about the true effects of the new plan on the rural and poor populations surrounding Kigali city, the receptionist of CHUK alerts us to even larger emerging problem.

    The poor that often abuse their health insurance, overusing consultations and supplies, and once again restraining the capacity of the public hospital.

    At the end, where to lay the sympathy or blame in this situation remains ambiguous. However, it is clear that the ministry’s rose coloured glasses must be cleared of their fog to see the reality that is occurring on the ground.

    As with all economically based plans, the mutuelles is heavily based upon well-calculated predictions. Due to the great praise the plan is currently receiving, it may be easy to forget that these numbers are still predictions and that many holes are still present.

    The great overconfidence provided by Asiimwe, although reassuring, does not erase the fact that these issues still exist. In fact, it is probably much better for the Ministry to resolve issues faced by hospitals early on, so as not to face larger issues down the road.

    Of course, they don’t have to take my word for it and they probably won’t. But at least, try taking a trip to Ward 2 of CHUK and seeing Grace and Francoise yourself. You may find out more than numbers can tell you.

  • Rubavu’s Nyakatsi deadline extended

    In several parts of the country a good number of once grass- thatched houses ‘Nyakatsi’ have been roofed with iron sheets, yet in some areas the program is taking a slow pace.

    In Rubavu for instance, the June deadline has been postponed to September due to poor management.

    The Rubavu district vice mayor in charge of social affairs Rachael Nyirasafari admitted and attributed the slow implementation to lack of adequate materials.

    She urges there was an error made while indentifying those who are needy to be supported with construction materials.

    Nyirasafari, noted that among those selected, there were some who had the means to roof their huts with iron sheets and that’s why a screening process was necessary to indentify once again those who were extremely poor.

    Lack of materials and poor allocation of facilities are not the only problems, the Rubavu vice mayor further pointed out. She pointed out that some residents; especially those from Busasamana sector had wrong mindsets towards the changes.

    “Some still are reluctant to adopt to iron sheets saying they are preserving culture, yet the grass thatched houses are so outdated ,” she remarked.

    Three years ago, the Government embarked on a campaign to improve housing, which included the eradication of Nyakatsibut the program was accelerated this year.

    The aim is to put an end to grass-thatched houses so that the vulnerable would have decent shelters equipped with modern and healthy infrastructure.

    In 2009 the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) indentified 124,671 grass-thatched houses. The next phase consisted of sensitizing the concerned families on the importance of having decent housing.

    In January this year the number of Nyakatsi was minimized down to 70,985.

    It was expected that the operation, which has a budget of Frw 4 billion, to close by the end of May 2011, for all Nyakatsi-dwellers to have resettled, but in some areas the execution is slow.

  • Economy to grow at 7% rate in 2011

    By:Randa Rugangazi

    Today, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning released the 2011/12 budget framework.

    Igihe.com has learnt that it is projected in the budget that the country’s economy will grow at a rate of 7%. The budget details the allocation of state funds for the fiscal year 2011/12.

    A budget framework paper accompanying the budget explains why certain sectors of the government will receive more or less funds in the upcoming year. It analyzes the country’s economic performance in relation to the global economy in the 2010/11 fiscal year.

    Rwanda registered an estimated annual GDP growth of 7.5percent in 2010; which was higher than the projected average of 5 percent growth in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2011, the projected growth rate for Rwanda is 7.0 percent. It may however be lower due to high fuel costs resulting in higher food prices. This is a shared risk across sub-Saharan African countries.

    The 2011/12 fiscal budget was put together with the main objectives of “safeguarding food supplies and ensuring food security and maintaining price stability.”

    In the government’s efforts to safeguard food supply MINAGRI (Agricultural ministry) within its budget of Rwf 67, 621, 050,663 some Rwf 2.5 billion will be allotted to the construction of storage warehouses for storing food surpluses.

    As for controlling the inflation rate, the government plans on reducing oil import taxes. High oil costs have been the main cause for the rising commodity prices, including food costs.

    The budget framework paper points out that Rwanda’s taxes are higher than those of other EAC countries. The government will therefore lower the taxes at the same level as neighbouring East African countries.

    The projected revenue and grants in 2011/12 fiscal year is Rwf 974 billion; with total expenditure at Rwf 1062.8 billion. Both accounts have increased compared to the 2010/11 fiscal numbers which were Rwf 844.2 billion for the total revenue and grants and Rwf 988.1 billion.

    The deficit, difference between revenue and total expenditure, was covered by financing. This usually means that the government sells bonds or borrows domestically or internationally. The deficits for 2010/11 and 2011/12 are Rwf 155.1 billion and Rwf 98.6 billion, respectively.

  • Mutuelles Increase causes panic in Public Hospitals

    In February of this year, Rwanda’s world renowned universal healthcare policy (Mutuelle de Sante) took a price increase in premiums. The then Minister of Health, Dr. Richard Sezibera, announced the annual premium increased from a range of Rwf 1,000-7,000 to Rwf 2,000- 7,000 Rwandan francs.

    To explain the 100% increase for those in the lowest sectors of the plan, Sezibera pointed to an increased in the cost of health per person in Rwanda from Rwf 2,000 to Rwf 2,900-3,400.

    The new Mutuelle de Santé will be based upon a similar three-tier system based upon member’s financial capacity to pay the premium.Government programme, Ubudehe, will categorize members on various gradients within the system with the extremely poor now requiring to pay the minimum of Rwf. 2,000.

    Prior to this price increase, despite the 85% enrollment in the plan, the extremely poor contained within the remaining 15% remained marginalized due to their inability to pay the former annual premium of Rwf.1000. Now it seems this population will be asked to pay double this amount.

    For patients residing in the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) this increase has brought about mixed reactions.

    Yankurije Francoise from the village Buha (Kimundu Sector/Nyamasheke District) arrived at CHUK late in June to receive an operation on her stomach. She used to pay Rwf. 1000 for her mutuelle.

    “According to the explanations they give us about the new medical insurance, we all understand the situation, but the problem we are having is capacity. Which results from low income, and we don’t know whether we can manage to buy it [new medical insurance].”

    For some like 22-year old Grace Murekatete from Mparanyondo sector (Nyamata District), this could mean the end of care.

    “I’ve been sick for 16 months. I have been here in the hospital for only four months. But I have not yet improved. I don’t know what I will do if they increase the price to 3000 because I am alone here no one is looking after me,”she told Igihe on Sunday.

    More than the patients, however, it seems public hospitals are facing the greatest challenges due to the price increase.

    Dr. Umurangwa Florence (Post-graduate CHUK surgery RMC 1164) told Igihe, “We don’t wait to see whether or not the patient has mutuelle de santé, because have to take care of them first.”

    “It is a bit difficult because some people who couldn’t even afford to pay Rwf. 1000 before are now being asked to pay three times that amount. Moreover it would be difficult for the hospital to continue operating because so many people will be treated that have not paid for the new mutuelle de santé.”

    “When we go to the stock and take medicine, and the patient is not paying, it is a big challenge to the hospital.”

    CHUK Hospital Director Dr. Theobard Hatekamana told Igihe more specifically, “We have some issues with people who can’t pay the 10% of fees, so the hospital loses this money. Since we cover Rwf. 100,000 for these kinds of cases, and there is no mechanism for recovery of this money,”

  • IYF inducts against drug abuse, adolescent sex

    The Institute of Youth Fellowship (IYF) initiated a campaign to sensitize Rwandan youth to avoid drug abuse and premature sex temptations that would spoil their future.

    Talking to igihe.com the fellowship Director Rwandan Chapter Bongjin ko, notes that a good number of youth, especially those approaching 16 years get temptations through their peers.

    He revealed that IYF has formed clubs in over five secondary schools and higher learning institutions such as Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the national university of Rwanda to help the youngsters avoid in falling into the traps.

    Bongjin further pointed out that the clubs help the youth to interact and discuss some of the challenges they face in their daily routine.

    He observed that youngsters gather at the institute to hear the word of God from preachers who derive their teachings from the bible.

    “The bible has interesting teachings which shapes one’s life, and the guidelines also apply to non-Christians that is why we accept everyone at our centre irrespective of their religious affiliations,” he stressed.

    Empowering youth spiritually can’t work effectively without improving their literacy levels, and that is why IYF conducts special language courses including English, Swahili, Korean and Chinese say Bongjin, a Korean in his mid 30s.

    “These lessons also promote their communication skills, especially when interacting with other youth from foreign countries,” he noted.

    He explained that the centre has curriculum activities such Tae Kwando, soccer, musical instruments amongst other activities that help Rwandan youth from various part of Rwanda to interact.

    “This week for instance we had a soccer match with Green Hills Academy team, and after the game we settled down and discussed how to overcome temptations,” he said adding that the interactions will go do beyond Rwandan borders.

    He revealed that on August 11, IYF will organize its third annual international fellowship which that will attract youth from the East African region. “We expecting over 1,500 participants and our talks will be highly focus on abstinence from drug abuse and sharing” says director.

    Bongjin encourages the youth at the fellowships to share since it improves the welfare of those who are needy.

    The Institute for Youth Fellowship which he said is ran by volunteers was founded by a South Korean pastor Ock Soo Park in 1990, to help mankind overcome some of the world’s temptation Challenges through strengthening their faith in God.

    The Fellowship has been in Rwanda for the last five years and it has helped transform the lives of many, several drug addicts for instance have been changed to volunteers and are now assisting other drug abusers to abstain from the habit.

    Blaze Nyiribakwe is a former drug addict and a volunteer at the centre says: “I first met the Koreans five years ago; it’s so funny that my intention was to learn taekwondo but I eventually committed my life to God after meeting with one of the mind control trainers.

    “ I confessed to him about my marijuana addictiveness he counseled and now I’VE overcome the habit and I’m also counseling those who have similar problems,” Nyiribakwe confessed.

    The IYF director echoed his words emphasizing that reading the bible often improved one’s self control: “During my early twenties I used to be a very angry person to an extent I even planned to kill my dad and this was not just a matter of killing but rather brutal murde.

    “But through the word of God, I got saved and I’m not only in good terms with my Dad but I also help other people to overcome such anger” the director testified.

  • Uphold dignity in your endeavours-Kagame

    President Paul Kagame has encouraged citizens to maintain the hardworking spirit similar to that which enabled liberation of the country 17years ago and that has led to commendable progressive in the country.

    The president who was also the leader of the liberation struggle made the remarks while addressing tens of thousands of people at the 17th liberation ceremony held at the Amahoro national stadium.

    Kagame, emphasized that liberation day reminds us of the progress made from the country’s poor history that should never be repeated, “We’re now on the right path and our future is more promising”.

    “Indeed, liberation is also about one’s dignity and patriotism which should be reflected in every citizen, even those living abroad,” advised the president.

    He further pointed out that one’s dignity “Agaciro” was among the driving force towards the country’s development.

    “I thank all Rwandans for the role you’ve played ensuring steady transformation of our country and development. Achieving all this was not easy and the road ahead is tough that’s why we all need to be hard working, and it’s time we let our actions speak for themselves,” he said.

    Kagame also encouraged citizens that have been misled into enemies of Rwandan, to return to their country and join the cause for transforming Rwanda into a better country, “once they’re here they should abide by the country’s vision,” he remarked.

    The president emphasized on the need for a brave attitude while one is faced with challenges.It helps one to move on. “The same attitude was exhibited by our soldiers when they were fighting for freedom until they became victorious and those who lost their lives in the liberation war; let them know that their efforts didn’t go in vain”.

    Currently the progress is evident in sectors including; the Health, Education and Economic growth. Faustin Rucyabiraro an exemplary farmer gave his testimony of how he was saved by the RPF soldiers in 1996 after hiding for three weeks in the Congo forests.

    When he returned to Rwanda, the security atmosphere that encouraged him into farming fascinated him. Rucyabiraro started with 250 chickens in the year2000 but now has a hectare of land and three modern cattle.

    “I encourage other farmers to seek credit from banks since that’s one of the ways that enhanced my progress, I’m now a trainer at Gakenke district and I’ve severally represented farmers in both local and regional meetings.”