Igihe

Blog

  • World Bank Stops Oxford University Press Over Africa ‘Fraud’

    The World Bank Group today announced the debarment of two wholly-owned subsidiaries of Oxford University Press (OUP), namely: Oxford University Press East Africa Limited (OUPEA) and Oxford University Press Tanzania Limited (OUPT).

    The three-year suspension follows OUP’s acknowledgment of misconduct by its two subsidiaries in relation to two Bank-financed education projects in East Africa.

    The debarment is part of a Negotiated Resolution Agreement between OUP and the World Bank Group. In May 2011, investigators from the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) approached OUP about potential misconduct in Africa.

    Following this, OUP conducted an internal investigation into its operations and reported its findings to INT.

    “This debarment is testimony to the Bank’s continued commitment to protecting the integrity of its projects. OUP’s acknowledgment of misconduct and the thoroughness of its investigation is evidence of how companies can address issues of fraud and corruption and change their corporate practices to foster integrity in the development business. ”

    “In this case, working with the Serious Fraud Office also demonstrates the scope of collective action in deterring corruption impacting the progress of development,” said Leonard McCarthy, World Bank Integrity Vice President.

    The two companies made improper payments to government officials for two contracts to supply text books in relation to two World Bank-financed projects. As a result, OUPEA and OUPT will be debarred for three years and OUP will receive a conditional non-debarment.

    In addition, in order to remedy part of the harm done by the misconduct, OUP has agreed to make a payment of US$500,000 as part of the Negotiated Resolution.

    Under the Agreement, OUP and its related undertakings, including OUPEA and OUPT, commit to cooperate with the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency and continue to improve their internal compliance program.

    The debarment of OUPEA and OUPT qualifies for cross-debarment by other MDBs under the Agreement of Mutual Recognition of Debarments that was signed on April 9, 2010.

  • Microgynon® Fe Contraceptive Available in Rwanda

    The world’s most widely used oral contraceptive Microgynon® Fe is currently available on the Rwandan market for an affordable price.

    The new price enables middle-income couples to access a quality, affordable family planning product.

    Microgynon® Fe is now available in pharmacies at a significantly lower price as a result of an innovative public-private partnership between Bayer HealthCare and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    The partnership is designed to make more affordable family planning choices available to women through the private sector and address the growing demand for contraceptives and the overall sustainability of supply.

    Family planning allows couples to plan their families as they desire, reduces the risks from unwanted and/or high-risk pregnancies, and improves the health of mothers and their children by allowing time between pregnancies.

    After the introduction of Microgynon® Fe in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, the Bayer-USAID partnership will expand the initiative to several more Sub-Saharan countries by 2014.

    USAID’s Mission Director in Rwanda, Dennis Weller, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in helping governments meet their Millennium Development Goals.

    “We are pleased that this important initiative between USAID and Bayer HealthCare is being extended to Rwanda. The private sector has an important role to play in contributing to sustainable development, and in this case, by ensuring that Rwandan women have access to a sustainable supply of quality, affordable oral contraceptives.”

    “Combined oral contraceptives are 99% effective when used consistently and correctly. It also provides women with a reversible method that is easy to discontinue and has a rapid return to fertility.

    Microgynon® Fe is being used by millions of women around the world and is well known and trusted by medical professionals”, said Danny Mutembe, Chief Pharmacist and Deputy Director General, Pharmacie Conseil.

    Women interested in finding out more information about Microgynon® Fe should talk with their nearest private healthcare provider.

    Microgynon® Fe is manufactured in Germany by Bayer HealthCare and imported to Rwanda by Surgipharm Rwanda, Ltd.

  • BCR, SORAS Deal to Offer Mortgage Loans

    The Banque commerciale du Rwanda (BCR) June 3, launched a new product to its clients. The product is a mortgage loan for people with middle to low incomes.

    The mortgage product will be possible for borrowers who have the affordability to repay the loan but don’t have the deposit required (20%)through a partnership between BCR and SORAS.

    When one goes to BCR and asks for a mortgage loan, the bank will first seek for insurance from SORAS, it is after getting it that the key to the house is given to the client.

    The new product was announced during a meeting today at BCR head office involving the South African society (HFGA) led by the M.D of BCR Sir Sanjeev Anand, the Chief Executive Officer of SORAS Sir Benjamin MBUNDI, the Head of Retail Banking Sir Benjamin MUTIMURA and the Chief executive officer of HFGA (Home Finance Guarantors Africa Reinsurance) Dr. Charlene Lea.

    The meeting highlighted a new mortgage loan product, the Collateral Replacement Indemnity (CRI) for people earning middle to low gross income of 2 million and below per month taking a mortgage loan of a property below Rwf 55 million where the borrower will be paying 50% of his net income.

    Unlike other mortgage loans this one favors borrowers in middle to lower income helping them acquire their own homes.

    The individual in search of a loan will then deposit 1% and BCR will purchase the insurance premium cover of 4% to SORAS to cover up to 19% of the required deposit that actually enables BCR customers to borrow up to 99% of the property price where interest ranges from 14.5 to 15.7%.

  • Jamaican Upsets Usain Bolt at Trials

    Yohan Blake upset reigning Olympic champ Usain Bolt by winning the 200 metres in 19.80 seconds at the Jamaican Olympic Athletic Trials on Sunday, just two days after beating him in the 100 metres.

    It was the latest clash between the two Jamaican stars ahead of the London Olympics, where Bolt’s supremacy in the sprinting world appears to be in danger.

    Bolt finished second in 19.83 while Warren Weir also earned a ticket to the London Games by finishing third.

    “I have been working hard and am seeing it paying off now,” Blake said.

    “I was not surprised by the big win. I know what Bolt has to offer and I know he was not at 100 percent. I just tried to keep my form.”

    Blake had won his 200m semi-final in 19.93 seconds on Saturday to set up another finals showdown with Bolt, who took his semi-final race in 20.26.

    Blake produced his first upset of the weekend and one of the biggest in the sport this year by beating Bolt in Friday’s 100m final with a time of 9.75 seconds, becoming the fourth fastest man ever in the event.

    Bolt, the 100m and 200m Olympic champ and world record holder, was second in 9.86 seconds after a poor start and Asafa Powell was third in 9.88 seconds.

    “I can’t train for one person,” Bolt said on Sunday. “No one was talking about Blake and see what he did.”

    Bolt says he now has plenty to prove heading into the Olympics and vowed to come back from these defeats.

    “I am the Olympic champion and I have to show the world I am the best,” Bolt said. “I will always make a comeback. It is not like I was blown away. I know what I need to do to get it right.”

    Blake ran the world-leading time on Sunday in the 200m but he did not beat his personal best of 19.26 which he set in September 2011.

    Neither Blake nor Bolt have committed to running both sprints in London, saying they will leave the decision up to their Jamaican coach Glen Mills.

    Blake said he was not surprised by the weekend results, adding he “worked hard” to get in top form.

    Bolt is confident he can get up to speed with an accelerated training regime leading up to the Summer Olympics. It’s all about work and just needing to get my things together and get it right,” Bolt said. “I got to get in the work and figure out what I did wrong.

    “I have to work hard to get ready for the Olympics. I think I am a little bit weak but three more weeks should be good enough to get back into shape.”

  • Congolese Claim Presence of Foreign Troops

    nbbg.jpg
    Congolese media has reported that Civil society in North Kivu is concerned and wondering about the presence of alleged foreign troops in territories of Rutshuru and Lubero in North Kivu province.

    A statement released July 1, expressed fear of a possible attack by a coalition of Mai Mai militia and rebels of the M23, with the support of the foreign troops.

    However, Provincial authorities have not confirmed the presence of the said foreign troops in the area.

    The statement further emphasises that these foreign troops are present in communities of Katwiguru Kahunga, respectively in groups at Binza, Bwisha in Rutshuru.

    Another battalion, the statement said, is stationed to Kasiki in the group of Tama in Lubero.

    The document claims these foreign troops remained in the DRC after all joint operations against Rwandan rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

    The first military operations against the FDLR have been conducted by the Congolese and Rwandan armed forces in the Congo in 2009.

    Meanwhile, the ambassador of the Netherlands in the DRC, Robert Van Embden has presented two newly built military Barracks in Bukavu (South Kivu) to the Congolese Government.

    The two Barracks valued at US$ 11 Million are located on the outskirts of Bukavu, and Nyamunyunyi, near Kavumu airport.

    They have accomodation capacity of nearly 1,400 officers and soldiers of the FARDC, as well as nearly 5,000 of their dependents.

    DRC, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Alexander Luba Ntambo said, “only the military who have not committed crimes” will be housed in these barracks and that must be endorsed by Monusco.

    During the offcial handed over of the two barracks, the minister said the FARDC barracks are a priority of the government plan to reform the army.

  • 18 years of Liberation, 3 years of IGIHE Success

    As Rwandans celebrate the 18th Liberation anniversary, somewhere in Kigali, IGIHE Ltd is celebrating its 3rd year since it started operations on 1st July, 2009.

    The media company that has revolutionized that Rwandan media landscape through embracing technology and the era of the internet is today one of the success stories of the peace, prosperity and unity ushered in by the Liberation struggle that has also guided Rwanda to the 50th Independence Celebrations.

    IGIHE Ltd, started with a news website, www.igihe.com, that was published in Kinyarwanda and run mostly by students pursuing their studies in NUR, KIST, SFB and KIE among others.

    Under the leadership of Murindabigwi Meilleur, www.igihe.com has grown into the most recognizable, reputable and model start-up in Rwanda.

    In the 3 years, IGIHE Ltd, has diversified its product portfolio to include – www.wikirwanda.org, www.igihe.tv, IGIHE Newspaper – all in a bid to address the needs of the Rwandan community.

    In celebration of its 3rd Anniversary, IGIHE Ltd commits to advancing the standards and quality of service provision to its esteemed clients – who log on and visit our websites everyday to stay up-to-date with the latest news stories in sports, entertainment, politics, development – all an inspiration to us to work even harder.

    Great appreciation also goes to our partners (advertisers) who have supported us over the past 3 years and continue to work as we grow together.

    More so, to all the players in the Rwandan media landscape, we salute you all – print, broadcast, web – for your cooperation and competition that has facilitated in the development of quality and growth of the free media in Rwanda.

    Under the tutorship of the Media High Council, the media in Rwanda is on the right track to vision 2020.

    In celebration, we can not forget our great team at IGIHE Ltd, the youthful and disciplined staff of writers, technicians and management who have overseen the growth of IGIHE over the past 3 years – started with 30 visits daily to now 70,000 visits per day – all an achievement of resilience.

    All the awards that we have achieved is a celebration of our united efforts as a team to inform, educate and contribute to the Rwandan success achieved 18 years after the Liberation.

    In joining us to celebrate this milestone, in the words of H.E President Paul Kagame, “..In Rwanda, as we begin the next stage of our journey, we will continue to entrench the values that have brought us this far – unity, hard work, mutual respect and shared responsibility.” We are committed to consolidating our achievements.

    Thank you

    IGIHE Team

  • Upclose with DJ Focus

    DJ Focus advises that if anyone is to succeed in their careers, they ought to keep a positive attitude so that they can achieve their goals. IGIHE held an exclusive interview with Dj Focus and below are excerpts of the interview…
    deejay_focus.jpg
    DJ Focus (real names Gwiza James)

    I was born in 1984 in Mombasa/Kenya. We are a family of four children 4. I have a sister and two siblings. one of my brothers, the youngest is a DJ. My father Philip Setakwe died in the liberation war.

    I relocated to Kampala/Uganda where I lived with my Uncle in Kasese. I came to Rwanda in July 1994 and resumed my primary education up to 1997 at Camp Kigali.

    I practically spent my childhood alone, my mother and siblings lived in Uganda but I chose to come to Rwanda because I had always wanted to live in Rwanda. Iam proud to be Rwandese and having grown in my country.

    Since I was young, I developed interest in music. I joined the entertainment industry 2001 and became a DJ in 2003. I started practicing as a DJ in clubs
    and bars in Kampala. In 2005, I came back to Rwanda up to date.

    What really motivated you that drove you into being a Dj?

    Dj Focus: My passion for music is something I was born with, I inherited it from my father.

    I like the fact that every day is an experience; problems are in every profession what I do is learn from my mistakes and inconveniences and everyday becomes a better day for me.

    For how long will you stay in this profession?

    Dj Focus: Music plays a big role in my life, and I am not planning to do anything else outside the music industry. So yeah, I am doing this for a lifetime.

    How best would describe yourself?

    Dj Focus: Simple, loving and caring

    As a Dj, what do you do to keep your fans enjoying?

    Dj Focus: A positive attitude helps me. I interact with them and that helps me to know what they want and expect. I know most of the people who go out in Kigali and their tastes as well.

    Are you making any successes in your profession?

    Dj Focus: so far yes though I still have more to learn, more goals to achieve, keeping my name and dealing well with the fame.

    People who want a successful career should exhibit and keep a good reputation everywhere they are, life is all about connections and hard work.

    Is it true that women are attracted to Djs?

    Dj Focus: People say so but I do not think it is only true for DJs. I believe that a good attitude and how good you are can make you attractive to women.

    However, I can explain that Dj’s attract people’s attention by the way we work, the presence of women plays a big role in terms of fun and atmosphere in the club or party.

    Do you prepare a playlist of songs in advance?

    Dj Focus: I actually don’t prepare the playlist; I don’t find it comfortable and useful because crowds are different from one day to another. My playlist depends on the crowd that I have.

    Where will you be in five years?

    Dj Focus: I will still be Focus, still in Music but at another level-both local and international levels. Here I mean music and video production. In future, I look to investment in music, clubs and events. I will also start planning to make a family.

    Besides K club, where else do you scratch the discs?

    Dj Focus: I worked in many different places. I have had stints at parties, clubs and weddings both in Kigali and in Kampala. I worked at Papyrus (2009), in legacy (Mille Collines) then currently at K-Club where for long I have remained because it is exceptional and I dream to keep it going here.

    What are your tastes of music?

    Dj Focus: I love soul and RnB, though most of my crowds do not really enjoy it (laughs). My favorite soul/RnB artist is Anthony Hamilton.

    I practically do not miss any of his songs and albums and he is ever on my playlist.

    What do you do in your free time?

    Dj Focus: I am a soccer fan. I know it is very rare to see a Dj loving soccer but I really enjoy playing it and I am an Arsenal fan. I also love travelling the World.

    Igihe: what is your status?

    Dj Focus: I am in a long distance relationship

    What is your advice to the youth on their careers?

    Dj Focus: They should not take any job or career for granted. Positive attitudes in their careers are the only things to get them where they want to be.

    There are many Dj across the country, how do you deal with competition?
    Dj Focus: My love for music is not for competition but for entertainment. Competition would give it another meaning.

    As a famous person and role model to some, what is your message to your fans?

    Dj Focus: I love them; they inspire me for the better. I will keep it coming as long as I am alive. I will keep entertaining them.

  • The Path to a Good Manager

    Are you a manager or aspiring to become one? There are ten things that you ought to know that will make you a good manager.

    Foremost, you must Acknowledge your Staff; When a member of staff does a job well,make sure you notice it,and acknowlwdge them for it.
    Do not let the opportunity to praise a piece of good work by.

    Never,ever,Humuliate anyone on your staff team; If you are annoyed with someone on your team,or they have done something wrong,make sure you keep your keep your cool,especially in public.

    If you you humiliate someone,they will hold a grudge against you,and their work will suffer.

    Create a culture where mistakes are Ok; If you do not make mistakes,chances are you are not stretching yourself.

    If your staff are allowed to feel that mistakes are part of reaching for new highs rather than somethings to feel bad about,or shamed for,then they will take more risks on your behalf.

    Rememeber Personal details; Take times to get to know your staff,who they are,who is important in their lives,etc.Be interstes in them as people,not just as workers.

    Don’t hide behind Your Position; Be human and friendly with your staf-that you will be able to support and encourage each other when are though.

    Be approachable; Allow your staff to feel that they can come and talk to you about sensitive issues ,about inside-and outside-work difficulties,and that you will respect them,and not hold what they share against them.

    Admit your mistakes: If you get wrong,say yes.Mnagers do not have to be infallible.Your staff will respect you more if you are able to admit your mistakes,and then set about sorting out s solution.

    Listen in such a way that your employees will talk to you; Often people feel afraid of,or intimidated by management.Make sure you show people that you are

    Willing to listen to what they are important and and worthy of your time.
    Be clear in your requests

    It is your responsibility to ensure that people understand your requests-so communicate clearly,and ask if people have understood what you are asking for.

    Treat everyone respectfully and courteously at all times Particularly when there is a problem.

    Everyone who works for you is a valuable human being who deserves respect.
    A manager is only as good as how she oo he treats the people on her.

  • African Car Gets More Attention

    A new Car made for Africa in Africa is gaining more attention and could very soon become a car of choice for africa.

    In 2009 a computer engineer Joel Jackson arrived in Kenya and one of the first things he noticed was the state of the roads.

    Jackson had come to the Kenya with a non-profit organisation to help small-scale farmers increase their productivity, but he soon realised that a more pressing problem existed.

    “It became clear that the lack of appropriate transport affected many parts of rural Africa,” he said.

    So he set about building something that would fill that gap – a $6,000 car.

    Mobius One, as the first vehicle was dubbed, was built by local welders and mechanics.

    The car was stripped of all the luxuries that Western drivers take for granted.

    “It had a tubular steel frame and off-the-shelf parts. It looked like a dune buggy, took 10 months to build and cost $14,000,” said Jackson.

    But it worked, and that was enough to persuade him to quit his day job and move full-time to his newly formed company, Mobius Motors.

    He raised a quarter of a million dollars in venture-capital funding and used some of it to recruit a team of engineers to build the second prototype, Mobius Two.

  • ICC Court Marks 10 Years

    On 1 July 2002, the first three staff members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) entered the ICC’s building in The Hague, the Netherlands. On that day, the ICC’s founding treaty, called the Rome Statute, entered into force.

    Ten years after that modest beginning, the ICC has turned into a major international institution, securing justice for victims when it cannot be delivered at the national level.

    121 States have ratified the Rome Statute, and another 32 countries have signed it, indicating their intention to join the treaty.

    The ICC is working in seven situation countries, and monitoring developments in seven others on several continents, turning the principles of the Rome Statute into reality.

    In March this year, the ICC delivered its first judgement in a case concerning the use of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Six cases are in the trial stage and nine others in pre-trial phase. These proceedings are testimony that impunity for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity is no longer tolerated by the international community.

    The victims are a vital part of the ICC’s work. Thousands of victims have been given a voice in the arena of international justice, where their rights are upheld and their suffering recognised.

    The ICC’s proceedings have emphasized, on a global scale, that children cannot be used as soldiers during hostilities, that sexual violence as a weapon of war is an unacceptable international crime, and that those in positions of power must safeguard the fundamental human rights of people caught in conflict.

    Support for international justice is growing around the world every year. Everywhere, people want peace, justice, rule of law and respect for human dignity.

    The ICC represents the voluntary gathering of nations in a community of values and aspirations for a more secure future for children, women and men around the world.

    However, rather than rejoice over our accomplishments, it is far more important that we recognise the shortcomings and the obstacles that remain, and redouble our commitment to further strengthen the Rome Statute system in order to move closer to our ultimate goals.

    If we act wisely, pulling our strength together, we can prevent terrible suffering before it takes place.

    The ICC is the centrepiece of the evolving system of international criminal justice, but the most important aspect of the fight against impunity takes place in each country, society and community around the globe.

    Domestic justice systems must be strong enough to be able to act as the primary deterrent worldwide, while the ICC is a “court of last resort”, a safety net that ensures accountability when the national jurisdictions are unable for whatever reason to carry out this task.

    In a spirit of solidarity, the States Parties to the Rome Statute have expressed their commitment to work together to ensure that this principle of complementarity is effective.

    Another crucial aspect of the ICC is the cooperation of states and the enforcement of the Court’s orders. The ICC has no police force of its own.

    The Court relies entirely on states to execute our arrest warrants, to produce evidence, to facilitate the appearance of witnesses and so on.

    Unfortunately, several suspects subject to ICC arrest warrants have successfully evaded arrest for many years. Political will and international cooperation is crucial in order to bring these persons to justice.

    While we work together to prevent impunity and to ensure accountability, we must remember that international criminal justice is one piece in a bigger framework for protecting human rights, suppressing conflict and working for peace and stabilisation.

    It is vital that other essential elements of conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery are present where needed, alongside international justice mechanisms.

    Only when accompanied by education, democracy and development, can justice truly help prevent the crimes of the future.

    Let us cherish our spirit of solidarity as we look forward to the ICC’s next decade, celebrating our achievements and acknowledging the challenges that remain ahead.

    We must be united in our resolve to defeat impunity and the lawlessness, brutality and disdain for human dignity that it represents.

    At this crucial juncture, we must continue the fight against impunity with renewed resolve and increased vigour. We cannot rest until every victim has received justice.

    On the 10th anniversary of the International Criminal Court, I call on states, organisations and people everywhere to join this shared mission of humanity.