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  • French & Spanish Indictments are Political Rubbish–Kagame

    In a monthly press briefing today, President Paul Kagame has described the indictments by the Spanish Judge as confused political rubbish and not different from the indictments by French judge Jean-Louis Bruguière.

    “All these indictments were created to tie the hands of Rwandans and preventing us from moving forward,” President Kagame noted.

    The Spanish indictments are still standing. Among the indicted are 40 current or former Rwandan military officers for several counts of genocide and human rights abuses and terrorism during the 1990s when several Rwandans died or disappeared.

    Asked on what he is thinking about confronting the Spanish indictments, President Kagame responded saying, “the Spanish indictments are only slightly different but they continue from Bruguere indictments. The same witnesses in the Bruguere case would be sent to provide information in the Spain case.”

    Kagame explained that the Spanish case is confused. “It starts by indicting the RPF not for crimes committed during the war, the killing of Habyarimana according to them but It starts from the birth of RPF. According to the Spanish Judge the birth of RPF was a crime and continues to incorporate these other crimes.”

    “The case in France started by Bruguere has more influence on what happens to the Spanish case. You can’t dismiss one case and retain the other. The Spanish and Bruguere indictments were more about inconveniencing Rwanda and making sure that our hands are tied,” Kagame noted.

    Kagame Narrated, “In fact even with Rose Kabuye’s case, when German was to send her to France, France would say they didn’t ask for her. But german would later say they arrested her under the usual France-German cooperation this is what we had to do. The France would tell German why don’t you let her go maybe she could be arrested another day.”

    Rose Kabuye was arrested at a German airport on a French warrant on causing extended wave of protests by Rwandans allover the world.

    Rwanda government then formally protested to Germany over Kabuye’s detention, she immediately waived an extradition hearing by asking to be transferred to Paris, France.

    The German authorities had forewarned Kabuye that she was likely to be detained, but she chose to travel to Europe anyway because a trial would expose France’s politically motivated attempts to whitewash its own complicity in the 1994 Rwanda Tutsi genocide.

    The government of Rwanda considered the indictments as an abuse of international law,political and judicial bullying that Rwanda would not accept.

    Bruguière had alleged in his indictment that Kabuye,who retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel, and other senior RPF officials assassinated Habyarimana as “the necessary precondition for seizing power by force”. She was “inscribed in a vast plan worked out to this end”, Bruguière claimed.

    Kagame explained that “These indictments are just political things. Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière had clearance from politicians..This communication is known and it was political rubbish. If justice is to be universal, the reverse should be true.”

  • Choose Between Rumours & Truth—Kagame

    President Paul Kagame has today during a monthly press conference stated that the senior military officers who are currently under house arrest violated the disciplinary norms and not any other unconfirmed rumours that may be arising.

    According to President, their house arrests are on grounds of indiscipline, doing activities not in line with their military assignments, getting involved in civilian business dealings.

    President Kagame was responding to the question raised by a journalist saying that there are ongoing rumours that the arrested senior military officers were planning a coup.

    Kagame also said that the investigations upon them are still underway adding that rumours will always be there and cannot be stopped. “It’s upon one to choose between truth & rumors,” H.E Kagame noted.

    Senior officers including Lt.Gen Fred Ibingira, Brig. Gen. Richard Munyuza, Brig.Gen. Wilson Gumisiriza, Brig.Gen. Richard Rutatina and Col.Dan Munyuza with effect from January 17, 2012 were suspended from duty and placed under house arrest.

  • Akabanga Pepper Rumour Refuted

    Gerald Sina, the director of Nyirangarama enterprises has defended one of his company products; Akabanga Pepper solution, refuting rumours that it contains swine oil.

    The company produces several consumable products including; juice, cakes, pepper, jam and alcoholic beverage from organic fruits and vegetables.

    Sina noted that those spreading the rumors might perhaps be confusing that the vegetable oil contained in the pepper is obtained from pigs he rears.

    “It’s true I rear pigs but I supply the pork meat to various butcheries, I would be mad if used pig fat it wouldn’t only reduce the pepper’s quality but also harmful to consumer’s health,” he explained.

    So far the rumors have made a sizeable number of people to avoid consuming the pepper, some religious people including Muslim faithful and seventh day Adventists have refrained from consuming Akabanga since pork is a taboo according to their religious beliefs.

    Some restaurants have also reduced serving their clients Akagaba due to the prevailing confusion although Sina says his product sales have not been affected by the rumours about Akabanga Pepper product.

    One of the consumers Kevin Muhooza says that it’s ridiculous for Akabanga to have swine oil yet if it’s true he wouldn’t care because the pepper stimulates his appetite while having a meal.

    Aline Mukandori a restaurant manager at Kanombe noted that she heard about the complaints several days ago but most of her clients are still consuming the pepper, though some prefer consuming pepper prepared at the restaurant.

    Sina noted that, “I think some people want to exaggerate the rumor yet all relevant tests have been done to certify that Akabanga is good for human consumption, Muslims too did their own tests and they found out that the pepper contains vegetable oil not swine oils as some speculate,” he said.

    He further pointed out that Akabanga is on high demand at both local and international markets, “Production of this pepper has never been enough for the marker, that’s why for the meantime we’re working round the clock to ensure increased quantity to meet the demand.”

  • Residents Want Local Defense to Improve Service

    Residents of Gikondo, Nyamirambo, and Kacyiru are unhappy with the service rendered by Local Defense (LDU) forces in their communities thus calling upon concerned authorities to intervene.

    Some of the residents in affected areas have made formal complaints against the harsh actions by the local defense in their communities. IGIHE.com has investigated the claims.

    A resident in Nyamirambo also a taxi driver only identified as Theoneste told our reporter that since his job requires him to drive around. “I have seen how the LDU beat people with buttons and I think it is appalling”.

    Theoneste believes that the local community should do something about this before the situation gets out of hand. “There are better ways of dealing with these issues than by beating or threatening them. I have witnessed LDU mistreat food vendors and street children.”

    Every household in a community pays a mandatory frw 1,000 monthly fee for neighborhood security. The is used to pay for the needs of the men and women that serve in local defense.

    At Gikondo, residents complain that many of their Local Defense personnel lack uniform and this causes great confusion.

    A local food vendor and resident of Gikondo Bernadette says she works till late hours of the night in order to get as many buyers as she can. This is her only source of income.

    She told IGIHE.com, “I am always approached by the LDU without uniform. This scares me. I would ask those in charge to provide uniforms to the LDUs or some form of identification.”

    Other residents complain of the level of competence of some LDU members that can’t read national identities and rather spend time asking unnecessary questions.

    However, in the district of Kacyiru many of the residents are pleased with the work of the local defense.

    Some Kacyiru residents told our reporter that Kacyiru has become a very safe place where people fell safe walking at night except for the rare occasions of robbers or the rowdiness caused by the people in the local pubs.

    Mr. Saban who is the head of the local defense at kacyiru told IGIHE.com that the money that residents pay every month for security is a very small amount and has to be used wisely.

    The cost for paying for uniforms, nutrition, health as well as salaries is much more than the total amount received at the end of the month and this may be the cause LDU may be acting improperly.

    However, we believe that those who are not performing in accordance with laws should be reported to the police and dealt with.

  • Family At Risk Of Python Attack

    Although anti-Nyakatsi-a campaign to eradicate grass thatched housing in the country has brought mass diginity, it is a different story for the family of Chrysostom Ntezimana.

    During the anti-Nyakatsi campaign, Ntezimana of 50years migrated from his home where he had been living with his wife Peragia Ntakobatagira 28. They settled at a new place located close to the Rusumo Border in the Eastern Province.

    They established a grass thatched house at their new found land at the banks of river Akagera. The piece of land is so steep such that chances are so high that the Ntezimana’s could easily slip off and drown into the river.

    However, worse still, the Ntezimana’s have an immediate but dangerous neighbour.The Python. Just five meters away from their grass house. The Ntezimana’s could easily be mauled by the mega python or slip drown into the speedy deep Akagera river waters.

    IGIHE.com reporter who feared to reach inside the Ntezimana’s grass house, managed to meet the wife Ntakobatagira.
    Peragia Ntakobatagira
    She narrated to our reporter, “I asked my husband to shift from this risky area but he has insisted not to leave. Instead he says he would rather drown me into this river first and then escape if he no longer wants me.”

    The couple has no children yet and sources say that the Ntezimana adopted Ntakobatagira from another man in Ruhengeri in Northern Rwanda.

    When asked about the risk of living close to a python den, Ntakobatagira said that they are always careful. That they make sure the python doesn’t see them first but them seeing it first and running away. This has been the situation for the past two years.

    Ntakobatagira adds that she is tired of risking her life staying with the snake and being harassed by her husband.

    Efforts to speak to Ntezimana were futile. Also the Executive Secretary of sector in the area could not be reached by press time.

    However, IGIHE.com learnt that Ntezimana has ignored invitations by area local authorities to pick iron sheets for roofing on new descent house.

    One local official said,“no one can risk going there because not only fearing the snake but also the place itself is fearful.”
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  • Facebook Stocks to Sell On Open Market

    Today Facebook is reported to be filing papers to sell its stock on the open market. The paperwork is to be turned in to the Securities and Exchange Commission today.

    This means investors may soon be able to own a small slice of the world’s largest online social network.

    Several reports said Facebook is expected to file documents with regulators for a $5 billion IPO or Initial Public Offering of stock.

    Facebook makes most of its money through advertising because it’s a privately held company and has not had to release its financial investments.

    That means there is no telling exactly how much its stock will be worth on the open market.

    The pre-IPO price for Facebook based on private trading markets is somewhere in the $80 billion to $100 billion range.

    Facebook will not have to open up about its finances until it actually starts trading. That usually does not happen until months after a company’s first IPO filing.

    There are over 153 million Facebook subscribers in the United States, 43.5million subscribers in India the largest outside USA and over 200,000 subscribers in Iceland.

  • Rwandans Commemorate National Heroes

    President Paul Kagame and top government officials including RDF officers, families of fallen heroes and other distinguished quests have today joined Rwandans in commemorate the country’s heroes.
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    The event was held at Heroes cemetery at Remera today February 1 to celebrated 18th heroes day under the theme; let’s strive for heroism by fighting violence against children.

    While at the cemetery the government officials humbled themselves to honor the fallen heroes. Families of heroes brought flowers to mourn and remember their relatives.

    Commemoration of the Heroes day continues at the village levels throughout the country.

  • Rusumo Power Project Leaves Area Residents Confused

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    Residents of Ngoma and Kirehe districts have expressed concern over lack of proper information on their resettlement to pave way for the construction of a hydropower project at Rusumo falls.

    They argue that there is need for a good layout of detailed information on resettlement and compensation action plan.

    Their concern to the government and all parties involved in the project is to what extent are the measures being put in place to mitigate the huge loss of properties.

    The concerns were raised during an open discussion by the Nile Media Initiative members in Rwanda with the residents and their leaders in the two districts of Ngoma and Kirehe.

    Francis Bushayija the Executive Secretary Murama Sector noted, “Recently over 1000 hectares of land covered by maize were drowned due to flooding caused by heavy rains but residents say that the project started and we did not inform them on the operation yet I myself have non of the details going on.”

    “Our people depend on farming and we want to know about results of the studies that were conducted and how and it will be helpful to them,” he added.

    There is a strong commitment among the basin Governments towards addressing the regional energy crisis implying the need to expand electricity access, and supporting development to break out of downward spiral of land degradation, unsustainable use of water, low access to public infrastructure and services.

    The constraints have been bitter to private sector development, so the provision of electricity will be the key in advocating for economic and social development in the region.

    The impact of this project to the people around the project area would be to develop renewable hydroelectric power as part of a broader program to support sustainable management of the Kagera river basin and promote growth and poverty reduction.

    Rwanda’s only Kirehe district has 950 hectares identified downstream and 500 hectares along the project area.
    Concerning reinitialization and intensification Rwanda has 935 Crop Area to Terrace, 500 Crop Area of irrigation and 1,535 Households to be relocated.

    Major economic activities in the project area are small scale agriculture, livestock keeping, trading at urban centers and formal employment in the civil service, refugee agencies and development agencies.

    Despite the constraints on eviction and poor communication, the drafted study show the project; over 4000 direct jobs are expected to be created as a key economic benefits during the construction phase, while there will be 50 to 60 permanent jobs for operation and maintenance of the dam and associated facilities.

    The Rwanda Nile Basin Discourse Forum (NBDF) has been tireless in making sure that
    stakeholders’ participation of all levels is done.

    “As we reach the objective of the project, the whole community will benefit and that’s why you (villagers) have not to be left out it or be affected in any way,” Jean Batiste Habiyaremye the chairman of NBDF-Rwanda challenged affected people.

    Concerning project knowledge, community awareness and knowledge about the project varies from ward to another and from village to village.

    Local leaders should be more informed on whatever action taking place to help them inform their ordinary villagers.

    As well the communities should be involved in the evaluation and compensation planning, know the policies, or the regulations relating to resettlement procedures.

    There is also a need for information desk or institution in place where affected people can seek for clarifications or report their grievances.

    Standing at 90 megawatts, each state member will have 30 megawatts that will be connected to the national grid.

    The power generation infrastructure will be located at Rusumo Falls on the border between Tanzania and Rwanda, shared between Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

    Transmissions lines will extend from the power generation plant to Gitega (Burundi), Kigali (Rwanda) and Nyakanazi (Tanzania)

  • Two Arrested for Killing Baby

    Police in Rwamagana district have arrested a man and his wife for strangling to death their one year old boy child identified as Irakoze and throwing his body in a swamp.
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    Sources to the police say Christine Mutuyimana strangled her son after it emerged that her marriage to Nshimiyimana Ngarambe stood no chance.

    Ngarambe did not father the child. The two had agreed to take Irakoze to live with Mutuyimana’s parents in Gicumbi after realizing that the kid did not get enough support from the mother and step father.

    However, her parents refused to take in the child explaining that they had no means to take care of Irakoze.

    On their way back from Gicumbi, the two decided to kill the child and do away with the body before returning back home Gishari sector, Rwamagana district.

    Upon arrival neighbours asked them the whereabouts of Irakoze and were told that he had remained with his grandparents. However, they did not settle for an easy answer and continued pressurizing the couple.

    Unsatisfied, residents called Police and the two later conceded that they had killed Irakoze and threw him in the swamp.
    With Police in tow, the couple retrieved the dead body which was taken to Rwamagana mortuary while the culprits are detained at Kigabiro Police Station.

    Police spokesperson, Supt.Theos Badege termed the crime as horrendous and unacceptable in the Rwandan society.
    “It is unfathomable how a parent can decide to kill her own child. It is a shame to our societal values,” Badege said.

    The criminals will be charged with premeditated murder according to article 312 of Rwandan penal cord which carries a life sentence.

  • MINISANTE Says Doses Of Penicillin Antibiotic Cannot Kill

    The Ministry of Health (MINISANTE) has rejected claims that an overdose of peniciline could have resulted in the death of a patient after a nurse allegedly administered into the patient three injections of the antibiotic.
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    The ministry was reacting to a recent story circulated in different media outlets alleging that a nurse identified as Desiré Ngirabacu served Alphonse Muhigana with 3 injections of penicillin antibiotic which caused his death.

    The then Rusizi based nurse is currently on run and relevant authorities are persuing her.

    “Based on a recent story published on this website titled‘Nurse Disappears After Killing Patient’, the Ministry of Health would like to explain that the body of the deceased (Alphonse Muhigana) was indeed found at Gira Ubuzima dispensary last week and taken to Nyanza hospital for autopsy,” the statement reads in parts.

    “The Ministry of Health would like to clarify that these doses of penicillin antibiotic cannot kill a person except in particular circumstances where the patient is allergic or if the nurse used a wrong way to inject the said patient,” the statement adds.

    The statement also explains that Gira Ubuzima dispensary had been closed by the Ministry of Health and the Police, months before the incident occurred for failure to meet required health standards.

    Police is said to have taken the body to Nyanza hospital and requested the doctor on duty, Dr. Sylvain Kapinga Musangu for an autopsy of the deceased.

    The statement has indicated that the said skilled general practitioner is not qualified to perform such post-mortem examination but instead went ahead to perform it.

    “By doing so he drew uncertain conclusions and misled the entire health sector and police authorities,” it reads in parts.

    “This is improper medical practice because such cases are handled at hospitals such as the Kacyiru Police Hospital,” that statement continues.

    According to the statement, the ministry of health has suspended doctor Kapinga Musangu for scientific malpractices agreeing to perform an autopsy that he is not qualified to do which they say resulted into providing a wrong report.

    The Ministry of health has warned all health professionals saying that there is a zero tolerance for all acts, care and oral or written report that are not based on good practices and scientific evidence.

    “Thanks to technology there is no excuse today for not having evidence based results,” the statement read parts.

    Investigations however to ascertain why it was later opened without authorization from the Health Ministry has been launched.

    “As investigations continue, we would like to assure the entire population that the health sector is committed to providing quality health care to all citizens and evidence based results in health related investigative cases.”

    ENDS