Igihe

Blog

  • Rio+20: Opportunity For Rwanda to Lead on Access to Energy For All

    The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was launched on 20 June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil twenty years after a major summit on Environment and Development that was held in the same city.

    The Rio+20 conference is expected to attract more than 50.000 people from international institutions, NGOs, civil society and the private sector as 120 world leaders confirmed their presence.

    During three days, participants will debate on how to make sustainable development a reality for seven billion people today, and to define a future we want for nine billion by 2050.

    Rio+20 is an opportunity to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, a chance that must be seized if we want to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

    Sustainable energy is one of the key priorities of Rio+20. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

    It called on the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to organize and coordinate activities to increase awareness of the importance of addressing energy issues in a sustainable manner.

    In response, the UN Secretary-General launched a global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL).

    The initiative aims at mobilizing global action from governments, the private sector, and civil society around three objectives: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of improvements in energy efficiency, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, all to be reached by 2030.

    Sustainable energy, a key component of sustainable development, is energy that is produced and used in ways that will support long-term human development in all its social, economic and environmental dimensions.

    It enables economic growth and equitable development, and is essential to realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reducing poverty, and reducing the risks of climate change.

    Achieving sustainable energy for all is not simply an option, it is a future worth to be chosen.

    For the last decade, Rwanda has witnessed a spectacular economic growth. The country is on track in terms of achieving the MDGs and millions have been lifted out of poverty.

    Severe challenges remain, however, in the energy sector. Only 11% of the population has access to electricity and 86% relies on firewood as the main source of energy.

    Rwanda identified access to electricity as one of the main drivers of economic development and poverty reduction. As part of the EDPRS 2, the Government of Rwanda is seeking to heavily invest in the energy sector.

    In addition, in its national strategy “Green Growth and Climate Resilience” the Government of Rwanda lays out a clear and plausible path to achieving the ambitious development targets of Vision 2020 in a way that is sustainable.

    In doing so, focusing on sustainable energy by developing its green economy is the choice that must be made. Investing in right technologies, designing the right policies and creating the right policy framework and incentives needed to expand sustainable energy access to all are crucial for the Rwanda’s future.

    It must mobilize international and public support for the goal, as well as encourage the private sector to innovate and invest.

    Rio+20 and the SE4ALL initiative provide great opportunities for Rwanda to provide global leadership in the development of a greener, more equitable and more sustainable world.

    By making the right choices today, Rwanda will be able to demonstrate that green growth, poverty reduction and sustainable energy go hand in hand.

    The United Nations in Rwanda stands ready to support the efforts of the Government of Rwanda to provide access to sustainable energy for all.

    The Author is UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative a.i.

  • Army Week to Mark 50th Independence

    The Rwanda Defense Forces have launched an army week to commemorate the 50th Independence and 18th Liberation celebrations through provision of outreach Health Care Services to the needy population.

    The Army Week Healthcare program to be conducted by Rwanda Military hospital will cover patients in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts from 24- 30 June.

    According to the RDF leadership, the Army Medical Outreach to the needy population signifies true liberation and Independence, as a healthy population translates to a human security that the national leadership strives to achieve for all Rwandans.

    The RDF not only defends the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country but engages in many other activities aimed at true independence of Rwandans, as stressed by the RDF Leadership.

    About eight thousand people of Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts will benefit from this medical outreach whereby Rwanda Military Hospital will deploy a specialized multidisciplinary medical team made up of orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, radiologists, gynecologists and other specialists to help the community.

    About 180 medical doctors and nurses including twenty six specialist doctors will leave Kigali on Sunday 24 June 2012 this week to the two remote districts whose population has no access to specialized services often available in urban and referral hospitals.

    They will work hand in hand with local doctors to treat citizens at different Health Centres of Bushenge, Kibogora and Karengera in Nyamasheke district and Gihundwe, Nkanka, Muganza and Mibirizi in Rusizi district.

    The official launch will be held at Gihundwe District Hospital on Monday 25th June 2012.

  • Prof. Munyanziza Laid to Rest

    Prof. Esiron Munyanziza has been laid to rest. The Academician died on Monday 18 June in a surprising manner that has left relatives and residents shocked. He was burried on Wednesday at Ngoma public cemetry in Huye district.
    poo.jpg
    hhyt.jpg
    ghgh.jpg

  • ICPAR Trains Institutions on New Auditing Standards

    The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), held a workshop June 20, to equip those charged with responsibilities related to audits of financial statements with the new skills in current audit program and procedures.

    ICPAR is a Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) mandated by law to regulate the Accounting profession in the republic of Rwanda.

    Speaking to the press during the seminar; Peter Rutaremara ICPAR president said, “Practical approach in this seminar will impart skills on how to audit in financial statement.”

    “We are training them on international standards in auditing and how it is being done internally.This is to refresh them and to make sure what they are doing is in compliance with international auditing standards,” he added.

    Rutaremara also said that in auditing every time there is a new development and that such workshop is to keep them updated and to help them overcome challenges in the particular field.

    He further noted that among the challenges auditors go through is mainly time to update themselves on the current programs saying they always busy.

    Over 50 participants from the cross cutting fields including; Professional Accountants, Audit Practitioners, Internal Auditors, Audit Consultants, among others turned up for the one day seminar held at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali.

    Among the trainees; Leger Iradutiza from GPO Partners Rwanda Ltd, a cabinet of External Auditors said, “I applaud the training it is in the exact line with our work as auditors, and they taught us new standards to help us perform well during our work.”

    According to ICPAR; compliance to International Standards on Auditing continues to be a real challenge to the professional Accountants and Auditors.

    Participants were trained on Audit Planning, Audit of the statement of Financial Position, Audit of the Statement of Comprehensive Income, and also Audit Completion.

    The case of Rwanda is also highlighted by the 2008 World Bank study on compliance with accounting and auditing standards.

    The International Standards on Auditing Clarity Project commissioned by the International Accounting and Auditing Standards Board (IAASB) IN 2008 requires Audit Firms and Practitioners to implement the introduced significant changes as soon as is practicable.

  • Only 42,300 Rwandan Men Circumcised

    hjr.jpg
    Circumcision of males in Rwanda has of recent gained momentum. Its voluntary and has major health advantages especially in reducing the risk of acquring HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

    In an exclusive interview with Dr. Vincent Mutabazi (photo above), IGIHE posed various Questions aimed at seiving through the whole idea and process of circumcision.

    Dr. Mutabazi is in charge of new circumcision system (PrePex)in Rwanda. Below are excerpts of the detailed original interview.

    What is the major purpose of circumision?

    Significantly reducing the lifetime risk of acquiring HIV among males via circumcision.

    What is the level of awareness of the new circumcision method (PrePex)?

    The device is mostly known in regions where a PrePex campaign took place and in which the device is used on a regular basis – Kigali, Nyamata and Gicumbi district.

    So far approximately 2300 PrePex circumcision procedures have been performed in Rwanda.

    Some people resist circumcision saying it is expensive yet painful. Whats the truth?

    Those claims are true for surgical circumcision however, when circumcising is done with the PrePex device there is only minor discomfort and pain is significantly lower than with a surgical procedure (this fact was verified during a clinical study comparing PrePex circumcision with surgical circumcision).

    As for the cost for now the procedure is free of charge.

    Regardless all of the above, the health benefits of male circumcision outweigh all such objections

    Ministry of health (RHCC) has a plan of making all men circumcised. What is the current level of progress on circumcision?

    The Ministry is now working to implement the first phase of voluntary male circumcision scale up using PrePex device. The 1st phase will involve 10000 circumcisions in three hospitals in Kigali region.

    In Rwanda, the following men have been circumcised so far in Rwanda,
    40,000 – surgically circumcised
    2300 – Circumcised using PrePex device

    What are your plans of introducing this method in other health centers?

    The procedure can be executed anywhere by certified health workers (Nurses) who took part and successfully completed official training course at Rwanda Military Hospital.

    We have just completed a campaign at Byumba District Hospital and are preparing for a campaign under Army week in Cyangugu district in 3 hospitals.

    The future plan is to have teams working out of health centers and not only hospitals.

    Our main plan is to spread the device throughout the country over the upcoming months. The Ministry of Health is constantly working to achieve this aim.

    The procedure has been adopted in Kigali, Nyamata, Gicumbi and in two weeks it will initiate at Cyangugu.

    PrePex is still a Rwandan product. Will other countries adopt it?

    For clarification, PrePex was developed by Circ MedTech. Rwanda is the first country to clinically study and adopt the device.

    We also are the first country to receive WHO recommendation to begin scale up with this device following elaborate scientific validation of the safety, superiority over surgery and simplicity in the hands of nurses.

    The PrePex Center of Excellence was established here in Rwanda and we will be training the region on the use of the device.

    Rwanda was followed by Zimbabwe who is now completing the clinical evaluation of the device under WHO guidelines.We trained their teams here in Rwanda as well as locally in Zimbabwe.

    We are also hosting delegations from the region and the world who are interested in learning more about this innovation.

  • Sudan Opposition Calls to Overthrow Bashir

    As opposition forces in Sudan call for the overthrow of Field Marshal Bashir’s regime, the Sudanese Armed forces attacked a disputed border zone inside South Sudan killing four people.

    The attacked which was repulsed by the SPLA troops, occurred Tuesday.

    The Commissioner of Manyo County in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, Mr Al-Taieb Okeij Ajang, said Sudanese troops attacked Kaka Al-Tijaria, one of the six disputed border zones.

    Sudanese opposition forces slammed the recent austerity measures announced by Presient Omer Al-Bashir to overcome the severe economic and called to overthrow the regime.

    In a call to topple the regime, the Sudanese Communist Party said the plans announced by Bashir last Monday are only “administrative measures” that do not bring true and radical solutions to end the economic collapse the country is witnessing.

    The communist party called on the Sudanese “to take to the streets to overthrow the regime”, stressing the government did not leave any other alternative.

    The opposition forces say the austerity plan announced by the government did not affect the huge budgets of the army, police, security apparatus, and sovereign sector which acquire 70% of wages and salaries line or 56% of the whole 2012 budget.

    The communist party said only 30% of the budget is concerned with the drastic measures including the cut of 380 constitutional positions.

    Students continue to protest against the government for the fourth day in Khartoum chanting “the people want to overthrow the regime” while the riot police use tear gas to break up the demonstration.

  • Ghana President Proves He is Alive

    Although Ghana President John Atta Mills confirmed that he is indeed alive at a press conference, rumours of his death are still spreading within Ghana.

    President Atta Mills condemned rumours of his death doing the rounds in the country.

    The President had been out of the public limelight for more than a week.

    The rumours claiming he was in a coma, were ignited after the President scheduled a trip to the US where he was to undergo a medical check-up.

    Just before his departure on June 16, President Mills called a press conference at Accra’s international airport to quash the rumours, adding that he would be back home “after a few days”.

    The fact that President Atta Mills was going for a medical check-up seemed to back up those who were saying he had fallen sick.

    Until then, phone-ins and social media sites had been humming people seeking to verify the rumours.

    It is not the first time speculation on President Mills’ health had been flying about.

  • Massai Warriors Kill Six Lions

    lion.jpg
    Masai warriors of Kenya have reportedly fled to Tanzania after they killed six lions in the night of Wednesday.

    The lions had allegedly strayed from the Nairobi National Park into a home in Ilkeek-Lemedungi Village, Kitengela killing 28 sheep and goats.

    The battle between the Lions and Massai warriors lasted about five hours.

    One warriors arm was mauled by a lion during the fearce battle. Two lions managed to escape.

    When the Lions attcked a home, the livestock owner raised an alarm and about 50 young men turned up with spears, pangas and swords.

    Others came in vehicles and used full lights to herd the eight stray lions into a miniature tomb where the warriors butchered them.

    The massai warriors are known to be fearless normads who have traditionally fended off Lions attacking their livestock.

    Witnesses said three armed Kenya Wildlife Service game wardens arrived at 3am and for about an hour, they prevailed in vain on the warriors not to kill the animals.

    The warriors grew restless waiting for game wardens, veterinary officers with every passing second, and turned on the animals in what they said was “Operation Linda Ng’ombe”.

    “We killed them in less than 10 minutes because game wardens were slow to act. Why do they (lions) kill our animals and they are our only source of livelihood?” asked a resident who refused to give his name for fear of reprisals.

    The warriors vowed to kill more lions until the government fenced off the park and compensated them for losses running into millions of shillings.

  • Experts to Craft EAC Final Arms Treaty

    The East African Community (EAC) partner Statesare finalising plans to craft a common position that the region will present next month at the UN ArmsTrade Treaty (ATT) in New York.

    Ahmed Wafuba, the coordinator of Uganda’s National Focal Point (NFP) on Small Arms, says that the move will enhance efforts aimed at ridding the region of illegal firearms that have led to loss of innocent lives.

    “We have come up with a position and it remains to be sent to the council of ministers,” Wafuba said during the launch of the global week of action against gun violence in Kampala early this week.

    The awareness week in Uganda has been coordinated by the EAC secretariat in collaboration with the German International Development Agency (GIZ) and the Eastern Africa Action Network on Small Arms (EAANSA).

    Wafuba said that EAC partner States would support the UN arms trade treaty that is legally binding for it to achieve the highest common international standards for transfer of firearms.

    “The issue of conventional arms and small arms plus the ammunitions should be regulated,” he said, adding that Uganda had so far destroyed 97,000 pieces of assault and firearms over a period of three years. Many governments have voiced concern about the absence of globally agreed rules to guide their decisions on arms transfers.

    Citing Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer who was once dubbed the “Merchant of Death”, Uganda’s State minister for Internal Affairs James Baba, urged that the treaty should stop manufacturers of weapons from giving them to wrong hands.

    “Our people aren’t killed by tanks or any sophisticated weapons, they are killed by light weapons supplied by these merchants of death,” said Mr Baba.

    Uganda’s minister of Internal Affairs Hillary Onek said that his government is now in the process of reviewing its laws on firearms and ammunitions to ensure that issues of small arms are expressly addressed to include severe and deterrent measures for offenders.

    Martin Ogango, an official from the GIZ-SALW programme on promotion of peace and security wondered why up to now there is no law that globally controls the movements of arms from the manufacturing stage to the final user.

    Preparations to address the absence of globally agreed rules for all Countries to guide their decisions on arms transfers have been underway since 2006, and are culminating into the UN Conference in New York to run from July 2–27 this year.

  • Baby Ineza Flown to India for Heart Operation

    Ineza Umugisha Ange is a young baby girl of 18 Months. She was born with a hole in her heart and this has been the cause of her frequent illnesses.

    Her condition can only be handled by specialised hospitals found outside Rwanda.

    It’s upon this realisation that a campaign was launched to raise funds for her treatment abroad.

    Good samaritans managed to raise the required funds and Baby Umugisha flew out of Rwanda to India on Tuesday.

    She is expected to spend between two weeks and two months at the hospital undergoing this specialised treatment of her condition.

    Her father Tuyizere Jean Baptiste thanked all the good samaritans especially the staff of the central bank of Rwanda who raised funds to ensure that Baby Umugisha would undergo a specialised heart operation in India.