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  • Man Killed Over Beer Fight

    Simon Ntirivamunda, 38 years, a resident of Rugabano sector Karongi District was killed last week by Rwamihigo after refusing him to share with him banana beer.

    Nsenga one of the witnesses says that the dispute arose after Ntirivamunda refused Rwamihigo to drink from the same bottle.

    He said: “after conflicting, Rwamihigo angrily struck him on the head with a bottle.”

    The police has already arrested two suspects including Rwamihigo Karoli and Ntawiragira Elizafali.

    Rwamihigo during interrogation by Police said that he did not intend to murder Ntirivamunda.“I accidentally killed him while trying to get my bottle from him.”

    Police spokesman, supt. Theos Badege, told IGIHE.com it is a serious crime which is punishable by the law.

    He added that once one unwillingly kills somebody (manslaughter), he or she gets a life sentence.

  • Iwawa Students to be Circumcised

    Male students at Iwawa rehabilitation center will soon undergo free circumcision as a way to reduce risks of acquiring HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

    Also formation of a Voluntary Cancelling and Testing center (VCT) is underway.

    The facility is supported by Imbuto Foundation under its HIV/AIDS campaign program, its director Radegonde Ndejuru announced a week long awareness campaign against the deadly virus in various learning institutions.

    “We want our youth to be good to themselves and their neighbors. They should exhibit dignity and contribute effectively towards the country’s development thus with better health we can achieve a lot,” she advised.

    Addressing a group of students awaiting integration into society, the ministry of sports and culture Jean Philbert Nsengiyumva urged the youths to go for testing and abstain from immoral activities that hinder their efforts of acquiring their goals.

    He further advised them to utilize the VCT center in order to know their health status, those who are infected with HIV are advised to seek medical attention.

    Thadée Mvuyekure is a student at Iwawa living with HIV virus, he testified that he knew about the loss of his immunity a year ago and since then he has been following his doctor’s prescription which has made him healthy and strong enough to follow studies at the center.

    “For those who are leaving Iwawa, I advise you to go for testing and don’t give up if you are infected. those found negative please don’t engage in unprotected sex or use condoms,” he recommended.

  • UN Halts Mugesera’s Deportation

    United Nations committee against torture has disrupted Canadian court process that seemed to rule the deportation of the 1994 Genocide suspect Leon Mugesera.

    The Canadian government had decided to deport Mugesera to Rwanda to face justice for his possible role in the 1994 Genocide.

    The United Nations Committee Against Torture requested that Canadian government should not deport Mugesera to allow it investigate his claims he’d be tortured in Rwanda.

    His family also pleaded with the Canadian government to give the international body the time it needs to complete its investigations, which could take at least a couple of months.

    “We implore Canada to respect its international obligations as demanded by the (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights on Jan. 11, 2012,” the family said in the short statement.

    “Our argument is that if it has any meaning for Canada to ratify these international conventions, then they should wait instead of acting like cowboys,” Mugesera’s lawyer Philippe Larochelle said.

    The federal government has disputed the warnings of possible torture, saying it has taken all necessary steps to ensure Mugesera would be treated fairly in Rwanda.

    It has been reported that the Federal Court rejected Mugesera’s last-ditch effort to stay in Canada which has been his home for the last 19 years and he was set to be deported immediately.

    Mugesera’s family says he is in critical condition in a Quebec City hospital, where he has spent a second straight day with an unspecified health issue.

    Some media reports alleged that Mugesera could have ingested himself medication that made him ill Wednesday.

    The family did not provide any further details about his condition.

    Justice William Fraiberg ordered a stay of deportation until Jan. 20, when Mugesera’s lawyers are due back in court.

    Mugesera was slated to be deported yesterday Thursday to face criminal charges related to the 1994 killing of over million Tutsi.

    But the province’s Superior Court intervened, ordering a stay on his deportation order, to allow the legal evaluation of a prior request from the United Nations’ committee against torture.

    ENDS

  • Extensive Investigation launched Over Congolese Refugee Patient

    Independent investigations have been launched by relevant authorities to ascertain who is responsible to leave medical kits in the bedridden Zawadi Murekatete’s uterus for three years.

    It is allegedly said that one medical personnel at Byumba District hospital operated Murekatete of Gihembe refugee camp three years ago and left gloves, cotton wools and a syringe in her abdomen.

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    “We cannot give the details now but we have started investigation over the allegations but am sure we will give you the findings once we complete the investigations,” Supt Theos Badege the police spokesman said.

    It has been said that Murekatete could have lived with the medical kits inside her abdomen in a three-year pain till when the camp midwife intervened and requested for the patients transfer to Central University Hospital (CHUK) after observing that she may die.

    “They had refused to give us transfer, my daughter succumbed to pain day and night, I begged them several times but they could not listen to me, they reached an extent of telling me that she had a tumor and asked to treat it till when they stopped tell that but changed and begun to tell me my daughter had mental problem, the deliberately refused to treat my daughter and I don’t know why,” Murekatete’s mother Collete Nyirabaruta narrated.

    A medical personnel who realized the cause of the Murekatete’s pain, and removed the kits from her uterus say that it is not confirmed whether Byumba medical personnels could have left them in her uterus since she is said to mentally disturbed.

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    Byumba hospital director Fred Muhairwe had also alleged medical personnel at CHUK could have been responsible for the medical kits found in the Murekatete’s abdomen.

    A report from the Rwanda Medical Council is also expected to avail circumstances surrounding the medical controversy.

    ENDS

  • Haitians In Rwanda To Commemorate Earthquake

    Haitians living in Rwanda are planning to have a commemoration week to remember their fallen citizens that died in earthquake now identified as one of the world’s disaster.

    Speaking to IGIHE.com Margalie Germain a member of Haiti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) said that they have a meeting to a last meeting to discuss how to have a big organized event to commemorate those who deceased in January 12, 2010 earthquake.

    On January 12, 2010 a magnitude of 7.0 earthquakes struck Haiti from an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

    About 230,000 people were estimated dead, 2 million were also estimated displaced individuals in Haiti, 1.6 million displaced people have been put in settlements and 3 million populations are estimated affected.

    “After the earthquake we thought of doing something to help survivors of the earthquake and also carried out fundraising in different places which was successful as generous Rwandans gave us a hand,” Germain said by cell phone.

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    “There is a lot we can thank Rwandan government, we are now living and working Rwanda, and some of our students have been given a scholarship in the University among others,” she added.

    Germain said that their church St. Etienne in Biryogo will hold a commemoration service in their name on Sunday.

    She said that a Haiti-Rwanda Commission was formed to see how Haitians can benefit from Rwanda in areas like culture exchange, leadership, education and good governance.

    Germian added that technicians from Haitian government will be coming to learn good governance.

    Didi Bertrand Farmer the chairman of Haiti-Rwanda Commission has expressed his gratitude to Rwandan people and Rwandan government for the support extended to Haitian people.

    “I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the Government and Rwandese people its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the support provided during difficult moments and for the commitment to walk with Haïti towards better days,” Farmer said.

    As Haiti marks the 2 years anniversary of the earthquake, the Haïti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) continues to promote south-south cooperation between the 2 countries with the support of the Rwandan government.

    Six Haitian students are currently studying in Rwanda and others are to come soon.

    The commission is working in close collaboration with the Rwandese government to strengthen the relations through political and technical missions of Haitian officials in Rwanda.

    This week marks the 2nd year anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the Caribbean country Haiti; flattened the capital city Port-au-Prince and its surroundings areas.

    In terms of accomplishments, 60% of the displaced people were relocated in their home regions 50% of rubbles removed.

    A campaign has been launched to inform the population on new building norms that will prevent the occurrence of another catastrophe.

    The process of rebuilding educational structures is also slow, but has nevertheless started with the construction of several primary and secondary schools as well as one university.

    Beyond the construction or reconstruction of structures, the building of a stronger national health system is being considered.

    The situations that have caused much delay are over 6 months long of political crisis and the outbreak of cholera epidemic that had affected 500,000 families and killed 7,000 by mid-December 2011.

    Preceding the 2010 disaster and to date, the Government of Rwanda through the United Nations sent About 500 Policemen to Haiti who are deployed in different regions.

    ENDS

  • Man Defiles 9Year Step Daughter

    Police in Rutsiro has arrested a 35 year old man identified as Damascene Bisima Muhindo for allegedly defiling a girl aged 9 years.

    Muhindo is a step father to the victim.

    Muhindo confessed to having committed the crime saying “I raped her when she fell asleep and her mother was not around.”

    Clinical test results conducted at Rubavu Hospital confirmed assault against the young girl.

    Police spokesman Theos Badege told IGIHE.com,”the Muhindo will be brought before justice.”

    If found guilty, Muhindo is likely to get a life sentence.

  • Premeir Advises on Land Expropriation

    Prime Minister, Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI has hailed achievements made by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).

    Habumuremyi on Tuesday toured 100 houses constructed at Gacuriro cell in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo district. He also visited a brick plant valued at Frw 7,000,000.

    Kantengwa Angelique, the Director General of RSSB, explained that all the built houses have been already purchased.

    She said, “All the houses have been bought and we shall effective May 2012 start constructing other houses including 100 low cost houses, 500 medium houses and 500 high-end houses.”

    She also explained that a finished house costs Frw 69,000,000, and a client might pay in cash or in installments.

    While paying in installments a client is required to first pay 30% and 70% after getting credits from the bank.

    Willy Ndizeye, the Gasabo district Mayor said,“people are becoming victims in the land expropriations; the money they are given is little unable to facilitate acquisition of another plot.”

    Habumuremyi instructed the director of cabinet, Barikana Eugene to deal with the problem suggesting land exchange instead of providing them only money.

    The Mayor of Kigali city Fidele Ndayisaba promised to collaboration of city authorities in solving the problem of land titles.

  • Rwanda, Egypt Seek To Strength Security Cooperation

    The Minister of defense Gen. James Kabarebe on this Thursday, received the minister in charge of foreign affairs of Egypt.

    The two discussed bilateral relationship between the two countries, both countries’ army cooperation and cooperation peacekeeping.

    Speaking to IGIHE.com, Mohammed Kamel the Egyptian minister in charge of foreign affairs said that the two countries have good relationships particularly in their responsibility of peace keeping in different parts of the world.

    He said: “we talked about and agreed on many things having in mind that our countries have a common responsibility of peace keeping and Egypt will stay in touch either by training or empower Rwandan army”

    The Egyptian minister added that he has invited the Minister Gen. James Kabarebe to visit Egypt in terms of strengthening the relationship of the two countries.

    The Rwandan army spokesman, col. Joseph Nzabamwita said that discussions between two ministers based on the relationship between the two countries and the plan to continue building peace.

    Egypt is known to have contributed to peacekeeping in the countries like East Timor, Sierra Leone, Liberia and so on.

    Rwanda also is since 2004, invloved in the global peace keeping beginning with peace keeping mission in Darfur-Sudan and Haiti.

    ENDS

  • New AIDS Vaccine Tested In Rwanda

    Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho confirmed that new HIV Vaccines are currently trial has kicked off in Rwanda.

    Researchers from Canada started the first phase of the clinical trials on 25 people with no infection.

    This research is sponsored by The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and in Rwanda it is implemented by San Francisco Project.

    Dr Binagwaho told IGIHE.com via Twitter that this AIDS Vaccine has been started to be tried in Rwanda.

    “Yes, we have a trial that has shown best adherence of participants. Sponsored by The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and implemented by PSF,” Binagwaho noted.

    Two categories of vaccines are in test in Rwanda, those are HIV MAG-IL12 and Ad35-GRIN-ENV in one trial.

    The Press reports indicate that the vaccine is unique in that it uses a dead HIV-1 virus similar to vaccines used against polio and influenza and is genetically engineered to be non-pathogenic, meaning it won’t cause HIV in recipients.

    Binagwaho added that Rwanda work hand in hand with partners to serve global science and global fight against.

    “One benefit of the trial is having financial access to it when it is available, everyone in the world has to contribute at his/her level. This is how we would have full access.” said Minister of Health.

    The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative works with individuals and organizations in developing countries to conduct epidemiological studies, social-science research, educational initiatives, voluntary counseling and testing consultations and capacity-building to ensure transparent and effective clinical trial processes.

    Partners include the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Rwanda’s Project San Francisco and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

    Seventy five people are in test where each country has 25 people.

    ENDS

  • Irrigation To Save Nasho Residents

    Ministry of Agriculture’s irrigation project intended to spread across the country to increase agricultural produce.

    It is also under the ministry’s efforts to save the population from unpredictable climate that has affected agricultural productivity across the region and the world at large.
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    Speaking at Nasho Irrigation site, Jean Claude Musabyimana MINAGRI’s Member Task Force for Irrigation and Mechanization said that expected results from irrigation is higher up to 80% as compared to traditional agriculture activities.

    “The irrigation is being done across the country, the results is already promising and actually with the potential of the added technologies we will use, the results will be much higher than we anticipated,” Musabyimana.

    The ministry previously introduced Crop Intensification Program as another way to get increased and quality drops in the country.

    Over 1800 tons of maize is expected from Nasho irrigation site of Kirehe District in Eastern Province near the Tanzania boarder.
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    The above tons will come from crops grown on 600 hectare of land, 3 tons from 1 hectare and 3600 tones in three seasons per year.

    “We are starting with next march. Residents would shift from this place searching for where to get food, because this place could be so dry in a prolonged drought,” Musabyimana said.

    Over Rwf 4bn have been set aside to support the project in Kirehe District based irrigation site of Nasho.

    Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil.

    It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

    Additionally, irrigation also has a few other uses in crop production, which include protecting plants against frost, suppressing weed growing in grain fields and helping in preventing soil erosion.

    Irrigation in Nasho area will benefit over 1200 households from four villages in the area including Mushongi, Kabuye, Misenyi under the Crop Intensification Program.

    According to Musabyimana, the project has 20 years lifespan and there are already other two sites that are under construction in the area.

    There are 23, 000 hectors benefiting in the irrigation project both in highland mountains and low land areas.

    Government-funded Irrigation (GFI) called for Immediate Action Irrigation (IAI) for food self sufficiency and livelihood improvement.

    Rwanda is seeks to continually improve and move forward in the agriculture sector.
    The Immediate Action Irrigation -Government Funded Irrigation (IAI-GFI) aims to develop 5000ha of hillside by the year 2015.

    Currently 1000ha of hillside irrigation is under development in the two districts of Nyagatare and Kirehe.

    Muvumba valley hillside irrigation project is located in the Nyagatare District, Eastern Province and consist of two lots of 200ha each.

    The development of this 400ha hillside project will lead to projected maize yields of over 10 MT/ha per season, bean yields of 6 MT/ha, tomato yields of 40MT/ha besides other crops like onions and pineapple.

    Nasho valley hillside irrigation project is located in Kirehe District, Eastern Province and consist of three lots on average 200ha each.

    The development of this 600ha irrigation project will also lead to increased productivity in crops such as onion, tomato, bean and maize, soya-bean and pineapple.

    The development of the 1000ha hillside irrigation will cost 12 billion RWF with funds exclusively coming from the Government of Rwanda.

    The infrastructure developed in Muvumba and Nasho Valleys have included five pumping stations, three reservoirs (2400m3), main pipeline (delivery) irrigation networks of 52,50km, distribution pipe-network of 48,75m and access roads of 45,0km within the command area.

    The 1000ha of hillside pressurized irrigation schemes will be completed by March this year.

    ENDS