Category: Information Center

The National Bank of Rwanda and other Central Banks in the Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa region (COMESA), are ready to set a cross border payment system to improve trade amongst the member countries.

The named Regional Payment and Settlement System (REPSS) will directly be linked to Rwanda Integrated Payment Processing System (RIPPS), which was adopted by BNR at the beginning of the year 2011.

As explained by the Governor of National Bank of Rwanda in press conference yesterday the October 3 2012, the new system will provide importers and exporters with a faster, safe and secure way to pay each other goods and services at a lower cost.

He further told the press that commercial banks in member state of COMESA will be linked to their central banks payment system but payment and other transactions will be done through central banks in the Region.

Ambassador Gatete Claver responded to journalists that the common currency to be used in COMESA is still a project under a big process.

He said for the first days of this system, the payment and other transactions will be done through US dollars and EUR.

Journalists questioned a new system as security as Cyber Crimes are nowadays at the highest level, the Governor stated that the System is to be Settled by CMS which uses swift as trustful system in the world.

The system will charge traders a lower cost in transactions compared to the usual banking system.

The BNR governor demonstrated that the new system is expected to charge 2% for the total costs instead of 5% in the usual banking payment system.

The system will be operating in 19 countries COMESA members and Tanzania to come later. Ten countries have registered in REPSS and others are in the process.

But Rwanda, Mauritus, Swaziland and Sudan are the only countries that have gone live for the system.

Despite Rwanda will benefit from facilities of this new system of payment, its traders have not yet found an interest in COMESA market.

The figure shows that Rwanda imported from COMESA in more than USD415 million while Rwanda exported around USD83 million there. Amb. Gatete said Rwandan traders’ needs to be encouraged.

President Paul Kagame has said that Rwandans we must rely on our homegrown solutions to address their challenges.

Kagame was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Judicial year 2012/2013 at the Parliamentary building in Kigali.

He added that Rwandans should work hard in order to prevent themselves from the aid trap.

“We are not short of places or agreements on rules for aid but if you think they respect you or rules, you are deceived” He said.

“Rwandans, you should not accept to be victims…you must work to improve your life no one else will do it for you” Kagame notted adding that Rwandans should do their best and get the best out of very little they have in their hands. “Let’s continue to be decent people” He urged.

Past judicial year saw an increase in cases handled by court, creation of e-filing system and first internationally transferred case to Rwanda.

Over 80,000 cases were handled in the past judicial year 2011/2012.

President Paul Kagame commended previous achievements while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of a MP, the Ombudsman and the Army Chief of Staff.

Clothilde Mukakarangwa took oath of office as Member of Parliament before the head of state and other government officials.

Aloysie Cyanzaire has taken Oath of Office as the new Ombudsman.
Maj. Gen. Frank MUSHYO KAMANZI, has taken Oath of Office as Army Chief of Staff.

They pledged to fulfill their responsibility and work for the consolidation of national unity adding they will never use power entrusted to them for personal gains.

Martin Ngoga, the Prosecutor General, said that during previosu Judicial Year, Rwanda issued 146 international arrest warrants for fugitives who are in more than 20 countries.”

Ngoga added that they have addressed challenge of case backloads and resolved all 35,000 cases last year.

He added that Frw201 Million embezzled by Government officials was returned to Government coffers.

President of the Bar Association Athanase Mutabingwa said that Rwanda has established a permanent legal assistance program for vulnerable groups.

The country has built a Genocide Fugitive Database with more than 600 entries currently.

Ngoga noted that the use of technology include video conference testimonies and online access to one’s personal judicial records helped in speeding up activities.

More than 80,000 cases in last judicial year were completed.

“Current statistics and international rankings show that Rwandans have trust in their judicial system,” The Chief Justice Prof. Samuel Rugege said.

Prof. Rugege added that Transparency international survey shows 80% of Rwandans believe justice is administered fairly.

He reminded that World Economic Forum Competitiveness report ranks Rwanda 25th in independence of judiciary.

“We need to reinforce grassroots mediation structures to support our ordinary courts,” Prof.Rugege said.

In a trial Involving a Rwandan genocide suspect in Norway, Witnesses told Oslo Court that Sadi Bugingo led a militia that made victims dig their graves then killed them with hand grenades and machetes during 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

Bugingo has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated murder adding that “he funded the militia, led its attack and worked with the local leadrs to organize the murder spree” several witnesses testified.

Bugingo moved to Norway in 2002. He was arrested and put on trial there after Rwanda told Norwegian authorities in 2008 he was suspected of taking part in the genocide against Tutsi.

Witnesses said Bugingo did not kill anyone himself but led, encouraged and organised the killings – acts that amount to murder in Norwegian law.

He played a similar role in the killing of another 1,000 people at the town’s St. Joseph Catholic Centre in former Kibungo the following day, witnesses added.

Bugingo faces a maximum 21-year prison sentence if convicted.

Norwegian prosecutors have said there are more than 20 witnesses on the case and expect another 80 to testify via a video link in a trial that will run until December.

Rwanda will join the rest of the world October 12 in celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

A week-long Disaster Reduction Campaign will be held from 5 to 12 October 2012. This year’s theme is “Women and girls the invisible force of resilience”.

Commenting on upcoming Disaster Reduction Week, Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi, Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs said, “The International Day on Disaster Reduction is a day to reflect on how much has been done in preventing disasters and planning for better responses in the future.”

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs will support the theme of this year by making women and girls focal points in Disaster Risk Reduction.

Between January to September this year, 60 people have died, 102 people injured, as well as 1920 houses have been damaged and 2387 hactares of plantations demolished.

UNAMID Commander Lt.Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba has called Sudan’s government to arrest those involved in a Tuesday attack which killed four peacekeepers of joint forces of UN-African Union (UNAMID) in Darfur region.

“The mission strongly condemns the criminal attack that targeted our forces that are there to serve the people of Darfur. I call on the Sudanese government to bring perpetrators to justice,”He stated.

Four peacekeepers were killed in an ambush which also wounded eight.

The attack occurred Tuesday in El-Geneina, capital of West Darfur two kilometers from headquarters of peacekeeping mission.

According to UNAMID, “the patrol was targeted by gunfire coming from several directions and responded.”

UN peacekeepers have been deployed in Darfur in 2007 in an attempt to end hostilities between rebels and the Sudanese government.

UNAMID has about 23,500 men and its budget for 2012-13 is US$ 1.4 Billion.

According to UNAMID, 38 members of the mission have been killed in four years.

Officers and men of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have contributed over Frw1,643,160,972 to Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF).

While receiving the cheque, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa commended the country’s armed forces for their selfless and exemplary services to the nation.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. James Kabarebe, said the history of monetary contributions from the Rwandan military towards nation building goes way back to the liberation struggle.

The RDF contribution brings the Fund’s total amount to over Frw20.6 billion in five weeks after it’s launch.

AgDF is a solidarity fund initiated by the Rwandans to improve the financial autonomy of the country.

It is funded through voluntary contributions by Rwandans in the country, in the Diaspora as well as well-wishers

During the meeting with local leaders, Nzeyimana Oscar, the Mayor of Rusizi District urged 94 executive secretaries of cells in the District to ensure good service delivery while dealing with citizens claims.

He added that good services delivery will boost development initiatives in the District.

Local leaders will be trained in customer related services, implementation of Government programs and how to work closely with the District’ stakeholders.

The Mayor of Kicukiro District Paul Jules Ndamage has urged residents in the district to engage in Agriculture activities as another source of income to improve their livelihoods.

Ndamage was launching the annual agriculture season in Nyarugunga.

He said the District has some cultivable land that citizens can use
to produce crops.

He added that Kigali has enough cultivable space noting example
of sectors of Masaka and Gahanga. Those who have no income
generating jobs were mostly encouraged.

The Mayor of Kigali city Ndayisaba Fidèle has said the city has
an overall objective of empowering its citizens through different
programs which aim to improving agriculture sector in some parts
of the city.

Among crops they include vegetable gardens, fruits trees, agro
forestry species and raising cattle.

The Director of Agahozo shalom youth village together with the school Staff, handed a check of Frw8.505.000 Million to Governor of the Eastern Province as contribution to Agaciro Development Fund.

The Director of Agahozo Shalom Youth Village Nkurikiyimfura Jean Claude said that Frw8million is contribution from the students, teachers and different employees at the school to support Agaciro Development Fund.

The Governor of the Eastern Province Uwamariya Odette praised Agahozo shalom school for the good will in the development of the Country.

The Governor reminded them that thhe contributing to Agaciro Development Fund is an individual commitment.

The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) is a residential community in rural Rwanda.Situated in Rubona Sector, Rwamagana District, Agohozo Shalom youth Village is 144 acres are home to youth who were orphaned during and after the genocide in 1994.

The Village is designed to care for, protect and nurture these young people.