Igihe

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  • Rwanda Wins Prestigious UN Award

    Rwanda has scooped the United Nations Public Award (UNPSA) 2012 2nd place in the category of “Promoting Gender Responsive Delivery” of Public Services.

    UNPSA is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

    The announcement was made by the UN, office of the Director Division for Public Administration and Development Management.

    The recognition is based on its effort in the fight against sexual and gender based violence through Isange one Stop Center initiative under Rwanda National Police.

    The center was established in 2009 through the advocacy of The First Lady of Rwanda Madam Jeannette Kagame who put in place infrastructures covering different suitable services for women at Kacyiru Police Hospital including Isange One Stop Center, a facility where victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence and child abuse could be catered for.

    Isange one Stop Center was established as a complement to the national efforts in the fight against Gender Based Violence.

    The center provides holistic package of services that include medical, medico-legal, psychosocial/counseling, as well as safe room services where victims receive basic services like feeding, clothing and shelter all for free.

    All these ensure that the victims access timely justice.

    The center has been greatly supported by One UN Rwanda (UNFPA, UNICEF, and UN Women) as well as stakeholders and partners.

    The United Nations Public Service Day Awards Ceremony will take place in New York from 25 to 27 June 2012.

    Rwanda National Police recognizes different efforts for the success of the center

  • Kagame to Receive Honorary Doctorate From William Penn University

    President Kagame will on Saturday deliver the commencement address to a graduating class of 370 students and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, from the William Penn University in Iowa, United States.

    President Kagame will be recognised for his contribution to human welfare and as a leader who has played a key role in rebuilding Rwanda, improving the lives of Rwandans and empowering young people and women.

    In July 2008, William Penn University signed an agreement with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to accept four Rwandan “Presidential Scholars” to enroll at William Penn University. Three of these four students will be among today’s graduants.

    William Penn University renewed this agreement with the Ministry in September of 2011 and will enroll an additional five students from Rwanda per academic year, beginning this year.

    The University also has an established cooperation the Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK), since 2008. The cooperation between William Penn University and INATEK includes staff and student exchanges.

    In March of 2012, President Ann Fields led a group of eight graduate and undergraduate students on a two-week study abroad trip to the Republic of Rwanda as part of that exchange program.

  • Puma Energy Buys Kobil

    Puma Energy LLC (“Puma Energy”) has acquired majority stake in KenoKobil Limited commonly known in Rwanda as KOBIL.

    Patrick Meyer the Puma Energy head of Coporate Affairs at Global level told IGIHE that Puma Energy has signed an exclusive agreement with the key shareholders of KenolKobil Limited (“KenolKobil”) to acquire a majority stake in KenolKobil.

    He explained that the exclusive agreement is conditional on due diligence, price confirmation and regulatory approval.

    KenolKobil is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, and is one of East Africa’s largest oil marketing companies operating across 10 countries in Africa.

    Any subsequent transaction, which is conditional on due diligence and regulatory approvals, would add: US$ 2.5 billion of net sales; A strong asset base, including over 400 retail service stations and 180,000m3 of storage capacity;
    Strong strategic fit with Puma Energy’s existing businesses;
    Important new markets to Puma Energy’s African presence, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi; and a highly skilled employee base of 557 and a highly experienced management team.

    Puma Energy was formed in 1997 focusing on emerging markets and has grown rapidly in the midstream and downstream oil sector. Headquartered in Switzerland, Puma Energy now operates in 29 countries around the world.

    As well as operations in eleven countries across North and South America, Puma Energy has been working in Africa for a decade, and now operates in twelve countries across West, Central and Southern Africa. The company has oil storage terminals in northern Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia, with planned developments in India.

    Puma Energy is one of the fastest-growing midstream and downstream oil companies in the world, and continues to invest heavily in Africa, strategically partnering across the continent with key emerging African players including Sonangol, the national oil company of Angola.

  • President Kagame Visits William Penn University

    The visit by Rwandan President to William Penn University continues to create waves of excitement among the university community and Rwandans living in North America alike.

    President Paul Kagame will be the keynote speaker at the university’s commencement ceremony planned this Saturday, where he will address a graduating class of 370 students and also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, for his contributions to the humanities or human welfare.

    George Mugabo has lived most of his life in the United States. He said he’s excited about the President’s visit and the recognition he continues to receive worldwide.

    “What an honour. We are indeed so glad that the University is recognizing him. He deserves it,” said Mugabo, who drove miles to Iowa to join his fellow Rwandans to support the president and affirm their support for the direction he has given Rwandan, just 18 years after the Genocide against Tutsi.

    “It gives you chills when you hear he is coming. He has done a lot to transform our country and the only way for us to be grateful is to come here and express our support and appreciation,” added Mugabo.

    While announcing that President Kagame will be their guest this weekend, William Penn University President Dr. Ann Fields noted that President Kagame has been recognized as a world leader for his role in human interest issues and one who is known for empowering young people and women, as evident by the high percentage of women serving on the Rwandan Parliament – 56%.

    “President Kagame has received multiple honors during his presidency including: the Clinton Global Citizen Award in 2009, being named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and His Excellency received the ‘Lifetime Leadership Award for Development and Equality’ by Rwandan Women in 2010.”

    William Penn University’s relationship with Rwanda began in September of 2007 when Rwandan Ambassador to the United States, James Kimonyo, presented the keynote speech at the President’s Convocation.

    In July of 2008, William Penn signed an agreement with the Rwandan Ministry of Education to accept four Rwandan “Presidential Scholars” to enroll at William Penn University. Three of these four young people will graduate at the ceremony.

    The university refused to heed to calls from a few genocide deniers, negationists, liars and political opportunists like Theogene Rudasingwa who wanted the President’s visit cancelled.

    “William Penn does not foresee the presence of protestors to be an issue or interfere with the day’s activities,” the university said in a statement.
    After failing to garner any support from most Rwandans, Rudasingwa is said to be rallying support from Congolese and other foreigners to stage a protest.

    “I highly doubt anybody will really show up. After failing to win over Rwandans, he is now asking Congolese and Burundians to join him. What a pity,” said Mugabo

    The university has received an outpouring of support from Rwandans from across North America to the University for their decision to honour President Kagame.

    “This is a remarkable recognition for President Kagame’s effective leadership, and Rwanda’s determination to heal the wounds inflicted during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi!” wrote one Agasaro.

  • ICTR Confirms Judgement on Three Appeals

    The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda Tuesday, confirmed the sentence of life imprisonment handed to Lt. Idelphonse Hategekimana for genocide and crimes against humanity.

    According to the judgment, Lt. Hategekimana ordered the selection,the abduction and killing of Tutsi in a convent of nuns near his camp, April 30, 1994.

    The judges also concluded that he had espoused and encouraged acts of rape.

    His comrade Maj. Aloys Ntabakuze who commanded the battalion during the genocide against the Tutsi has seen him reduced his sentence to 35 years imprisonment.

    As reported by the news agency swallow the Appeals Chamber overturned the conviction of Maj. Natabakuze for the crimes committed by members of the battalion at Kabeza.

    The appeal judges concluded that the perpetrators of these abuses at Kabeza were not necessarily under the effective control of Ntabakuze.

    The last judgment pronounced sentence of 30 years in prison against businessman Gaspard Kanyarukiga.

    The board rejected in their entirety, all grounds of appeal which denounced Kanyarukiga defects in the indictment, violations of his rights during the original trial, a misapprehension of his alibi and that a sentence as excessive.

  • Rwanda’s Economic Growth to Drop by 0.9%

    Finance Minister John Rwangombwa has disclosed that Rwanda’s economic growth will drop to 7.7% this year from 8.6% of 2011 as a slowdown in Europe curbs tourism and falling commodity prices reduce revenue.

    Rwangombwa said in an interview Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is attending the World Economic Forum on Africa.

    Tourism is the largest source of foreign currency for Rwanda accounting for about $200 million annually.

    “It is mainly about world economic shocks and how tourism will be affected,” Rwangombwa said. “Commodity prices are affecting our exports.”

    Rwanda aiming at drawing more foreign direct investment while seeking to reduce dependence on commodity exports.

    The export of coffee and tea has expanded an average of 8.4% annually in the five-year period that ended in 2011, according to the United Nations.

    Rwanda Central Bank has room to leave interest rates on hold as the inflation rate should stay below 10% this year, Rwangombwa said.

    Inflation accelerated to 8.2% in March from 7.9% in February.

    The Bank of Rwanda raised its key lending rate by 50 basis points, or 0.5 percentage point, to 7.5% on May 4. It was the first increase in six months.

  • Haitians Tour Isange One Stop Center

    Dr. Gardner Michaud the Executive Director of Haitian Association for women and Family led a delegation yesterday that toured Isange One Stop Center to have a firsthand look at services offered to Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims.

    The team was led to different departments of Isange Center where staff explained different services offered to victims and the process that patients go through from when the victims are received to when they are discharged.

    The Haitian delegation consists of parliamentarians and medical Doctors . They are in the country for a five day tour.

    Rwandan Police are currently involved in peace keeping mission in Haiti. Since their deployment Haiti and Rwanda diplomatic relations have progressed very fast.

    Dr. Gardner applauded Rwanda National Police commitment to tackle Gender Based Violence. “What we have seen here shows a big step made by Rwandan Police in promoting human rights”, Dr Gardner said.

    She added that the mutual partnership between her organization and Rwanda Police will help ensure Gender Based Violence is addressed back in Haiti.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Daniel Nyamwasa, the Director of medical services at Police Hospital, told the Haitian delegation that Rwanda national Police collaborates with local communities through community policing aimed at resolving family conflicts.

    He noted that if there are no mechanisms put in place to address such conflicts, they could easily accelerate to gender based violence.

  • President Kagame to Attend World Economic Forum

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    President Paul Kagame arrived in Ethiopia today where to participate in the 22nd World Economic Forum (WEF). The 9-11 May event is taking place in Addis Ababa for the first time this year.

    The forum will see several African heads of state, public figures and business people participate in discussions on how to improve Africa’s potential, in order for the continent to become a new global growth pole.

    Under the theme “Shaping Africa’s Transformation”, the forum will address three priorities: Strengthening Africa’s Leadership; Accelerating Investment in
    Frontier Markets; and Scaling Innovation for Shared Opportunities.

    President Kagame is scheduled to attend the opening plenary of the WEF and will on Friday participate in an interactive session with 32 young leaders who are members of the WEF Global Shapers Community from 17 African countries.

    President Kagame will also participate in the closing session of the ongoing Grow Africa Investment Forum alongside Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Jakaya Kikwete.

    Rwanda is among the first wave of Grow Africa countries that also include Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Kenya.

    The Grow Africa Investment Forum aims to catalyze new partnerships, investment commitments, and insights among participants who are committed to developing African agriculture to contribute to food security, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity on the continent.

    In attendance are over 200 high-level leaders of global, regional and national business, African and other governments, international organisations, civil society and farmers’ organisations.

  • Sierra Leon Prisoner: I’am Tired of Beef & Eggs

    Issa Hassan Sessay is serving a 52 year prison sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity he committed in Sierra Leone.

    Sessay was transferred to complete his sentence in Rwanda’s Mpanga International Prison Facility.

    However, Sessay complains that he is not satisfied with the quality of service offered to him at the prison especially saying he is served poor meals.

    Recently he interucted with Ugandan students from Makerere University who visited Mpanga International prison after visiting Butare Prison in the southern province of Rwanda.

    The students were conducting research on among other things, the lives of prisoners in Rwanda.

    Sessay told the Ugandan students, “ iam imprisoned on many counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. I will spend 52years in this prison. However, I don’t know whether UN knows the kind of life am living here”.

    He added, “Iam living a better life than those who committed crimes in the first world war. The Rwandan prison wardens are respectiful all the time.”

    However, Sessay complains that he is served incomplete meals. For example on 9th April, I was served milk, fried beans,bread. I was not given an egg yet iam supposed to have one everyday.

    On 12 April they told me that I would find a good meal accompanied by good water but instead I was served Coca-Cola. The prison exxergerates a lot, the promise me salad but later serve me just a small portion.

    Everyday they give me a book to sign indicating whether I have been served the desired meal.

    Sessay told the students that he is now tired of daily eggs served to him, daily beef and roasted G-nuts.

    He also complained about being denied to make telephone calls to his wife on Sunday saying he is only allowed access to such calls for six days of the week.

    Why do the prison authorities give me Newspapers from East Africa and not West Africa? They give me; East African, Daily Nation, Daily Monitor, New Vision and Nouvelle Époque.

  • Egyptian Surgeons to Conduct 150 Operations in Rwanda

    Rwandan patients will benefit from specialised surgical operations conducted by a group of visting Egyptian medical experts expected in the country soon.

    The Egyptian team is targeting 150 surgical operations during their one week stay in Rwanda under the auspices of Rwanda and Egyptian ministries of Health.

    Recently a group of Indian physicians were in the country where they performed successful specialised surgical operations on Rwandan patients.

    In a statement released by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda, the move is part of a cost effective way that the Ministry has adopted in treating complicated cases, where it has less expertise and which would normally have been referred abroad.

    The Egyptian physicians include 6 distinguished surgeons in the field of laparoscopic, pediatric, maxillofacial and plastic, gynecology and obstetrics surgery.

    The team will conduct surgery operations at Kigali University Central Teaching Hospital CHUK and in Muhima hospitals.

    The Egypt-Rwanda health cooperation was renewed during the visit of the Egypt’s Foreign Minister to Rwanda on January 2012.

    During these operations, the Egyptian Surgeons will work hand-in-hand with their Rwandan counterparts to share experiences and learn from one another.

    The Ministry of Health has prepared all logistical support and basic necessities for the success of the visiting medical team.