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  • Children Benefit From Kicukiro Church Projects

    At least 3,816 children have benefited from Kicukiro-based New Life Bible Church under Africa New Life Ministries.

    The church has directly supported children in Education and health including those children picked from the street and turned into normal life.

    The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Alyoisia Inyumba(pictured below) has also been mesmerized by the works of Kicukiro-based Church.
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    Inyumba was the guest of honor at the church’s celebration of 10 years of what has been achieved. She said that the church was complimenting government programmes.

    Minister Inyumba was referring to the church’s programmes offered to cater for children, families and promotion of Girls’ education.

    “After the 1994 Genocide, the government was solely doing almost everything. We had orphans and widows that needed support. It is good to see this kind of partnership with the church,” Inyumba said in her speech.

    “This is a new revelation in our country. I have witnessed how you have shown your efforts helping children, and their families plus promoting girls education, this is my day,”. She added.

    She said that the church in Rwanda is becoming potential partner to the government in developing the country and helping Rwandans attain good life.

    At the celebration, Africa New Life Ministries also announced full scholarships to eight girls from needy families to University.

    “We are proud to announce that these girls will be getting all necessary requirements they need to pursue farther education at different universities, from tuition fees, stationeries, to the clothes and the rest,” Charles Mugisha the senior pastor of the church said while announcing the lucky girls.

    Odeth Murekatete , 20 year old girl from Kageyo where Rwandans from Tanzania have camped said she took the scholarship as a miracle from God.

    “I had sat for my senior six in 2009 and had lost hope. I am happy for this scholarship but I also see it as a miracle from God,” Said Murekatete from a family of 11 children now in the camp.

  • Sean Kingston in Rwanda

    Finally the waiting for the sensational Jamaican-American singer Sean Kingston aka Kisean Anderson is over. He jetted into the country this morning at around 11am with Rwandair aircraft.
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    He held a press conference at Kigali Serena hotel.

    He will be on stage at Amahoro Stadium at 8pm and will be proceeded by local artists mainly Primus Guma Guma Super Stars and also with Tom Close as the winner.

    The stadium’s gates will open starting at 4pm this very evening.

  • Frw 3Bn Used To Equip Horizon Group in 2011

    A whooping Frw 3 Bn were used by Horizon Group this year in buying of 26 units of constructing machines and acquiring of 30 hectares of land in Kinyinya, a Kigali city suburb intending to construct a model estate.

    This was announced by the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eugene Haguma during the opening ceremony of showcasing Horizon Group’s achievements reached over the past years and also exhibiting of the brand new machines of the company.

    According to Haguma, all the expenditure is being done to contribute to the country’s vision 2020. “Most of the Rwandans don’t know what we do as the Horizon Group. We therefore, came to showcase our achievements and improvements done by the company because we now have enough investment” he said.

    The group has three subsidiary business units that include Horizon construction, the first major subsidiary company, Horizon sopyrwa, a pyrethrum processing business that was acquired by the Group in 2007, and Horizon logistics, a primary business to support peace keeping forces in mission areas.

    Haguma said that Horizon sopyrwa is empowered to providing better products to farmers that are produced locally.

    He emphasized that the machine will be shipped into the country from the U.K before the end of this year and will be used to process insectsides out of the local raw material that are not harmful to health.

    The exhibition that set off on Friday Sept. 16, at Expo Grounds Gikondo will run until Sunday Sept. 18.

    Horizon Group was initiated in 2007 by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) out of the Ministry’s constitutional commitment to participate in the social and economic development of Rwanda.

    Currently, Horizon Group is owned by ZIGAMA CSS a microfinance cooperative bank and MMI the Military Medical Insurance Company.

    Presently, Horizon Group consists of three established subsidiary companies and several Joint Venture partnerships- Horizon Construction, Horizon SOPYRWA and Horizon Logistics, as well as a number of other Joint Ventures.

    The Group concentrates on identifying and investing in the areas that are of strategic and national importance to Rwanda, but lacking in local private sector capacity to invest, manage and develop the necessary infrastructure and expertise.

  • Regional Military Exercise Aganist Natural Fire Set For Zanzibar

    The Natural Fire 11 military exercise kicked off Friday Sept.16 at Chukwani Training Center in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

    Approximately 350 participants from the EAC bloc and the United States are conducting training for the next four days, with the objective to equip the participants with the skills to conduct peace support operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, counter terrorism and counter piracy.

    During the opening ceremony, the combatants paraded in front of the gathered senior military leadership from all six countries.

    In a statement at the opening ceremony the Chief of Defense Forces, Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF), General DA Mwamunyange stressed the importance of the five partner states to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to complex security challenges.

    Gen. Mwamunyange stated his desire that the countries be able to foster cooperation among the EAC bloc.

    The aim of the exercise is also to enhance the working relationship between civil authorities and international organizations as well as to improve military interoperability among the partner states’ armed forces.

    Several speakers repeated the desire and the need to cooperate, share information, and learn from each other.

    Brig. Gen. Owens, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Africa remarked: “We must learn what to do, how to do it better, and how to overcome obstacles to getting it done,”

    Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Enos Bukuku at the event noted: “It is a fact that peace and security are the prerequisites for social and economic development,”

    Bukuku added that Natural Fire 11 bears great significance with regard to the broader goals and vision of a competitive, prosperous and united East Africa. Similar sentiments had been echoed by Brig.Gen.Owens.

    “Ultimately the goal of this exercise is to improve our collective preparedness. When it comes to peace support operations, it is important to respond quickly and efficiently to complex security challenges,” said Owens.

    “In just a little time we have been on the ground, I have been impressed with the professionalism and attitude everyone has displayed,” said Owens in his closing remarks.

    The Minister of Defense and National Service for United Republic of Tanzania Hon Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi who was also the Chief guest recalled that regional peace and security is primarily guaranteed by a collective efforts which mobilize national synergies and reduces tensions between the states.

    He added that the four things of Peace support operations, counter terrorism, disaster response and anti-piracy represent really problems whose effective solutions can only be found in a regional setting.

    Rwanda is however, represented in this exercise by a contingent of 35 officers drawn from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Brig. Gen. Mushyo Kamanzi from Rwanda is the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) of the Natural Fire 11. The Exercise will end on 21st September.

  • Kagame Hails Carnegie Mellon University

    President Paul Kagame who is on state visit to USA has applauded management of the Carnegie Mellon University for partnership with his government to state a new campus calling it “A sign of friendship that was initiated a few years ago”.

    The Head of State made the remarks August 16 at the university campus where he was hosted by the university president Dr. Jared L. Cohon together with the Board of trustees.

    “I do believe this is evidence of a changing tide in global partnership- one that I am happy to personally associate with.

    “We know that despite decades of partnerships between developed and developing nations, the world remains largely imbalanced in terms of social and economic progress” the president said

    He further pointed out that on one hand, some nations have overtime acquired many skills and technological capabilities to better the lives of their people while on the other hand there are societies that are still trapped in poverty and dealing with the most basic development issues.

    “Often the quick fix to this imbalance has been aid follows from rich nations. In many areas, this aid has not been properly put to use or well targeted” he pointed out but hastened to add: “In actual fact, there are no quick fixes, sustainable development requires that nations take ownership of their own agenda charting their own way forward and working with those who wish to support them along this path.

    Kagame stressed that Countries that possess the skills and technological equipment required for rapid social economic transformation can work with those who do not so that these skills are transferred in a sustainable and meaningful manner.

    This new model of partnership the President emphasized will require a shift in global development and cooperation practice, where developing nations including those in Africa will have to review how they conduct their business and by so doing, the developed countries will recognize that given the interconnected nature of the world prosperity that is only significant if it has a broader spectrum. “

    For this to happen, there has to be engagement based on mutual respect and interests that ultimately meet everyone’s aspirations” the president observed.

    He assured the audience that in terms of sustainable development, Rwanda has among other things established a solid foundation of scientific and technological knowledge as a priority and that his government’s development agenda is focused on investing in human capacity as the major and indispensable source needed for transforming society into knowledge-based one.

    “We have put in place policies and strategies that support public and private institutions both local and foreign to provide a wide range of skills to our people.

    “We have invested in communications infrastructure such as high capacity broad band networks that connect our education centers, healthcare facilities and government facilities to each other and the rest of the world” the president explained adding that with these technologies, the institutions are able to tap into a global pool of knowledge and build innovative capabilities.

    In his conclusion, the president said that the advantages of in-country training are most obvious because it will allow a greater number of students to afford and access a higher level of knowledge and skills and the retention of well trained professionals where they are needed most in the developing parts of the world.

  • SENATE ASPIRANTS HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

    The event chaired by the president of the Rwanda Electoral Commission Prof. KARANGWA Chrisologue reminded the candidates about the merits they should observe while in the campaign process.

    Ten munites were given to each candidate to present his agenda to the electing committee detailing what he/she has for the people of Nyarugenge once elected to the senate.

    Kigali city will be represented by one senator in the coming elections due 26th and 27thSeptember 2011.

    The electing committee shall be made up of the sector councilors and the district councilors from Kigali city.

    The electoral commission chairman urged the electoral committee in Kigali city to turn up and vote early and in large numbers reminding them that the process will start once 2/3 of the electorates are present.

    He further explained that in accordance to the law governing elections in Rwanda, the official time for the electing process is from 6:00 am till 15:00.

    He said that counting of votes will be done there and then and called upon the public willing to come and witness the process since it is a free and fair process.

  • Rwandan Students Enrol At Ugandan University For English

    Over 100 students from Rwanda enrolled at Uganda Christian University-Bishop Barham University College this academic year due to desire to get equipped with the English language.
    Rwandan Students at Uganda Christian University take a group photo at their newly opened liason office photo by igihe.com
    The University that is under the patronage of Anglican Church of Uganda is situated at one of the hills in Kabale District that shares boundaries with Rwanda via Gatuna border post.

    Rwanda joined commonwealth countries and has made English one of her official language as mode of communication.

    “You know Rwanda has introduced English language as a mode of communication, so we went to the University to have that richer English language speaking from a country that has used it since her existence,” Aline kwizera one of the Rwandan students who turned up in Kigali where the University opened its liason office at Anglican Provincial offices near Amahoro National Stadium.

    “There are also a number of other benefits we get though Rwandan Universities seems to be relatively cheaper,” kwizera added.

    Hundreds of Rwandan students have flocked Ugandan Universities like Kabare University, Kampala International University, and Makerere University in search for English language, or courses that take shorter time also allowing them to do field studies two-three times.

    An estimation of 200 Rwandan students have graduated in Diploma, Bachelors’ Degree and Masters degree programmes since the University begun in 2000.

    According to Canon Jovan Turyamureba Deputy Principal of the University the students at the University get a unique package because they instill morals, ethics and integrity based on biblical principles.

    “Some people have been so corrupt and have caused some institutions drag their feet in employing graduates even though they would be thirsty of their skills,” Canon Turyamureba said in Kigali.

    “At Uganda Christian University we believe that a person is complete when he/she gets academic feeding the mind, Body and the soul. You cannot be complete if you are piled with academics yet spiritualy empty,” Turyamureba explained.

    He also said that some people have graduated even with PHDs and cannot even manage their own lives or families and become a total disgrace in their respective communities due to lack of instilled morals, ethics and integrity.

    Pastor Emmanuel Mugiraneza who is studying a Masters degree at the university has been chosen as the liason officer representing the University in Rwanda.

    Mugiraneza says there are some courses offered by the University has and not given in Rwandan University like Gender and development studies which would be a very good course to help Rwanda in her efforts Gender equality.

    Other international students come from Burundi, DR Congo, Sudan, Kenya, USA, and UK and offers certificates to Masters Degree in Theology, Economics & Management, entrepreneurs & Project Management, Social Works & Social Administration, Education & Business Administration, Environment studies and Development studies among others.

  • Regional Countries Unite Aganist Epidemics

    Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in fighting epidemics in the region.
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    In a three day retreat involving health practitioners in Gisenyi town, the participants agreed on sharing resources at the same time improving primary health.

    Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of health (MINISANTE) emphasized that a lot of efforts are being put in place to ensure quality healthcare in the rural areas.

    The Belgian Development Cooperation (BTC) through its health projects has been equipping rural hospitals with medical equipments.

    He further revealed that Korean government is about to donate two mobile clinics which will operate like an ambulance but with more sophisticated tools and services.

    “The aim is to deliver better medical services in the rural areas, on top of that we intend to construct more health centers since our target is ensuring that patients walk for less than an hour to receive treatment,” he explained.

    The Permanent secretary further pointed out that ministry of health intends to buy more ambulances, the target being at least five ambulances in every district.

    “We’re not far from achieving this since most districts have four ambulances,” Ndagijimana said.

    Karel Gyselink, the president of Because-Health who was also one of the retreat’s sponsors stressed the need of implementing quality health services at the grass root level.

    Here he meant that, health centers for instance ought to be in a capacity to offer basic medical services like minor surgeries, psychotherapy and other emergency healthcare services.

    He also commended the retreat especially on experience sharing whereby best practices are expected to be integrated.

    “I’m so fascinated with Rwanda’s health insurance mutuelle de santé but I recommend that there should me more counselors in local dispensaries,” he remarked.

    He emphasized that as far as Rwanda is progressing in offering curative and preventive medication literally meaning healing patients physically, mental health on the other part is also important.

    He referred to DRC for instance, where a society meets and discusses openly some of the issues they facing such domestic violence, drug abuse or even economic issues, indeed this has helped improve the mental health of a community and has reduced cases of depression and trauma.

    In terms of collaboration, Dr. Ferrand Katembe from DRC’s Kasai district noted that joint effort was timely, especially now when there’s outbreak of chicken pox disease in minors.

    “This disease is believed to come from Burundi and it has spread through movements at the borders,” said Katembe.

  • Gov’t Pledges Support To Priority Crops

    The government through MINAGRI will contribute 50% of the organic fertilizers to the three main crops, Maize, Wheat and Beans to the farmers growing such crops to assist them increase the productivity.
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    This was announced during a press briefing held in the morning of Sept. 16, at MINAGRI head offices chaired by the Permanent Secretary Ernest Ruzindaza that was intended to announce season ‘A’ annual preparations to the farmers.

    According to Ruzindaza, major factors that will make the season successful include consolidating of land use by farmers, applying productivity inputs to the gardens like fertilizers, and entering into cooperatives in order to work as a team which will increase production.

    Due to the proper usage of organic fertilizers, the Permanent Secretary says one of the priority crops, maize increased from 1 ton per hector due to 6 tons.

    Innocent Musabyimana, the Deputy Director General RAB-Agriculture Extension at the meeting said, “We are giving 50% organic fertilizers and link the farmers of priority crops who are organized into cooperatives with consolidated lands to the market centers.”
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    He added that government is also promoting storage facilities to avoid fluctuation of prices to the market and that others are also linked to the schools for supplies.

    According to Musabyimana, for the season ‘A’ to be successful, a lot is required from farmers like consolidating the land at the village, sector and cell levels, with intention to increase production upon the agreed crops to be grown.

    This he explained will make it easy for the government to provide assistance like searching for the market of the crop harvests.

    “We are in the peak period of our season ‘A’ preparation which is the main important annual season that we expect more production in agriculture because it is the season that has enough rain.

    “We are therefore mobilizing our stakeholders (farmers) to pray important role for it(season) to be successful.” said Musabyimana.

    MINAGRI also calls for local government authorities down to the village, cell, sector and district level to get involved in the campaign of consolidating land use by the farmers in order to increase crop production and ensure food security.

    Land use consolidation in this regard mean bringing together of different parcels owned by different people intended to grow and benefit on one crop agreed by these people. The plot therefore, remains in the hands of the owner.

  • No One Can Force Someone To Apologize—-Kagame

    In an exclusive interview with Jean Pierre and Thomas Hofung, President Paul Kagame reacted to Frances stance to not apologise to Rwanda for their alleged role in the 1994 Tutsi Genocide in Rwanda that claimed a million lives. President Kagame said in the interview, “I will not comment on the attitude of France. What seems clear is that no one can force someone to apologize. It is not I who will get into such an undertaking; it would be a waste of time. Below Igihe.com reproduces excerpts of the interview.
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    Pierre: During your visit, you said you wanted to escape the weight of history. Does this mean that you give up on the apology from Paris about the genocide?

    Kagame: We must not allow ourselves to be trapped by history but, rather, go ahead. We must build a new bilateral relationship between the French and Rwanda. Everything else will flow from this ability to make new connections. Without the establishment of a relationship, nothing will be possible.

    Pierre: Can this relationship, lead to the establishment of a joint commission of historians to examine the responsibilities of each other in what happened?

    Kagame: This is exactly what we can do if we can first build the new relationship that I hope for. This commission would function as a platform.

    The past is the past, we cannot go back. We drive this development with pragmatism, without forgetting the past, but without rehashing.

    Pierre: Why is this possible today between Paris and Kigali yet it wasn’t possible in the previous days?

    Kagame: To move forward, it takes two. I have before met Nicolas Sarkozy, who is pragmatic and forward looking. As I am

    Pierre: What will happen to the Mucyo Report [from the Rwandan commission which blames the French political and military for their alleged role in the genocide]?

    Kagame: It is not for me to say. Justice must do its job. At one point, this work could appear necessary. Today we have entered a new phase.

    Pierre: How do you explain that France which was the country most involved in the Rwandan crisis, refuses to apologize, while Belgians, Americans and the UN have done?

    Kagame: I will not comment on the attitude of France. What seems clear is that no one can force someone to apologize. It is not I who will get into such an undertaking; it would be a waste of time.

    Pierre: An investigation by the Justice Marc Trévidic is under way on the downing of the President’s Habyarimana’s plan in April 1990. Are you concerned about it?

    Kagame: I do not want to prejudge the conclusions to be made. I note that he came to Rwanda to better document its case, which seemed logical and desirable.

    We comment on the matter when his investigation is concluded. But I would like to remember you that we have our justice.

    We are not sited to wait passively for a foreign magistrate to judge us and tell us the truth. Those who fired the missiles and their procedure, the facts speak for themselves.

    Pierre: Your visit gives has risen violent reactions in some military or political figures in France…

    Kagame: I realize it, but it seems to me that there are more people in our countries who are interested and who support the normalization of relations between France and Rwanda. We should not forget that reality.

    Pierre: The head of French diplomacy, Alain Juppe, made sure not to be in Paris during your visit. Do you mind about it?

    Kagame: Not at all! It is not he who invited me, but the President. Alain Juppe is not my counterpart.
    But his absence is contrary to diplomatic usage…
    Again, what matters to me is the future of our relations. They must not be polluted in the past.

    Pierre: What form will this new cooperation between the French and Rwanda have?

    Kagame: France can invest in a range of sectors: energy, tourism, and infrastructure. We need all the help possible to develop our people because many are still poor.

    Pierre: Is it a military cooperation that you look forward to?

    Kagame: Why not? Do not exclude, we should not under look any sector. France has a role to play, especially in the field of social, economic and even military security.

    Pierre: Are you worried about the security of your country?

    Kagame: Let me say that Rwanda is the safest country in the region and even beyond. But we remain vigilant in relation to what can happen in our neighboring Congo.

    Pierre: You have criticized the French intervention in Ivory Coast…

    Kagame: All interventions are not equal in terms of legitimacy. But outside interference resulting primarily from the inability of Africans to take charge and solve their own problems. The African Union should have the ability to provide its own operations, peacekeeping in Africa.

    Pierre: France is said to have intervened to restore peace. What do you think of this concept?

    Kagame: As leader of a country that has suffered a genocide, I can only approve it. But at the same time, one cannot help but wonder why it comes at such a place and not another. What are criteria determine the decision?

    Pierre: Do you agree with the intervention in Libya?

    Kagame: There was a real risk of massacre in Benghazi. In this sense, it was necessary to intervene. But, in retrospect, we discover the hidden agenda of each other, that they also defend their interests.

    Pierre:Organizations of human rights severely criticized the situation in Rwanda…

    Kagame: Such people are characterized by siding to one side too much. Let them come and ask the Rwandans and listen to their voices, and they will see for themselves the truth. I wish to listen to constructive debates from the reality other than just putting Rwanda in segregation. The Rwanda of tomorrow, gives equal opportunities to its people and supports the weak.

    Pierre: The opponent Ingabire was thrown in jail…

    Kagame: I cannot understand all the fuss around this woman. As if it could be a threat to me. It is not. She recognized herself breaking the rules of our country. We have institutions, justice must work seamlessly.

    Pierre: You got 93% of the votes in the last election. Where is democracy?

    Kagame: But you ignore the particular context of our country! We are the product of a very specific history, marked by genocide. By voting for me, people are in favor of security, economic development.

    Some of them finger point at us on human rights. But over 90% of children attend school, and 92% of the population has health insurance.

    Is this not human rights? Voters are free to put ballots in the ballot box. But, obviously, they do not. In fact, some abroad would like us to remain at a level below theirs. Now we are developing.

    They have a negative bias against us. Moreover, Chirac won over 80% of the vote in the election of 2002…

    Pierre: How do you explain the rise of criticism from traditional allies, the British and the Americans?

    Kagame: They must be weighed. The British are preparing to increase their aid. Americans know that we can account for the use of every dollar received. We welcome this support.

    But we have not asked for any favors. I hear that we would look to France as Anglo-Saxons forsake us. It’s ridiculous. We do not beg.

    Pierre: The United Nations has produced reports highly critical of your role in eastern Congo, accusing you of massive crimes and plunder the resources of the subsoil.

    Kagame: As if the problems of the DRC were connected only in Rwanda. For decades there prevailing violence in the region. Right now as we speak of there are atrocities being committed against civilians and we have no role in it. We are committed to the stability of Congo, and we remain vigilant.

    Pierre: Will there be a Hutu run your country?

    Kagame: And why not a white man? You, the West, you bring any issues tribe. See, I was elected with over 90% of the votes. Rwandans vote according to political criteria. We must bring this tribal image to an end.