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  • Kenyans in Rwanda Finally Agree On Leader

    Finally, Kenyans in Rwanda under the association named All Kenyans in Rwanda have voted Boniface Mutua as their chairman, though at some point his candidature was derailed for a month by a few who allegedly wanted to cling to the executive posts.
    Boniface Mutua (Left) sharing a moment with a kenyan colleague
    According to some voters who turned up at the Kenyan Embassy located in Kacyiru, voting Mutua was the way forward to the association’s growth..

    “Many promise us wonders when they are campaigning but once we elect them they shy away from their pledges.Anyway, Mutua seems to be a performer and a visionary man we hope he doesn’t change,” says one Caroline Wambui.

    On his part the unopposed Mutua assured AKR members that he will do his best to change the leadership history of the association where the outgoing executive is accused of be having been corrupt and greedy.

    He adds that his first task is to register members who had paid registration fees but didn’t appear anywhere on the members list. “This is one of the signs of corrupt activities I want to end,” Mutua assured voters.

    Prior to his nomination, Mutua had already started a campaign to collect donations of food and money to help those suffering of hunger in Kenya’s famine stricken areas.

    He also wants foreigners to take part in national activities since they are also part of the society. He has organized several initiatives and among them is the communal cleaning (Umuganda) at Bwiza cell in Kacyiru.

    What is more, Mutua who’s also the country director of PKF an auditing firm, urges those who are professionals to act like mentors especially to local students who have just finished their higher learning educations as there are few local companies to nature their skills.

    “On my part as an accountant, I intend to connect some Rwandans who are practicing accounting for instance to some of the Nairobi’s renowned auditing firms and those in Rwanda for them to gain experience ,” he said.

    Contributing to the society is not only forced task to Mutua but also a passion. So far he has constructed a school in his village situated in Kenya’s Mwala district close to Machakos town, in the same community he took part in the construction of a water well which connects more than 200 households.

    Moreover, he wants to replicate the same in Rwanda by constructing houses to orphans as well as sponsor students who were unable to continue with their education.

    “I can’t work alone, that’s why I’m encouraging my fellow Kenyans to contribute to the great progress of this country Rwanda,” he said.

  • FERWAFA Secretary General Also Resigns

    The Secretary General of FERWAFA Kalisa Jules(photo below) has just told Igihe.com that he has resigned from active duty as secretary general of the football governing body.
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    Kalisa resigned from his position today during an extraordinary General Assembly of the committee that was scheduled to discuss Brig. Gen Jean Bosco Kazura’s resignation.

    Kalisa joined FERWAFA in 2000 and became Chief Executive Officer in 2006, during his tenure they managed to promote Rwandan football.

    Kalisa says he has resigned due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Maitre Rwagatare Janvier.

    This is another blow to FERWAFA following the resignation of Brig. Gen.Kazura who resigned Monday from his position as the chairman of the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA).

    His resignation letter availed to the press read in part “I am happy to inform you that due to my personal reasons, I have resigned as the President of FERWAFA with effect from 12/09/2011.

    “I am so thankful for your efforts in all that have been achieved during the years that I have guided FERWAFA as well as your kind support in the development of football in Rwanda.” He concluded.

    Gen. Kazura(appearing in photo below) has guided FERWAFA since 2006 and he was in his second term which was due to end in 2013.
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    Since taking over, so many things have been achieved like being able to have Rwanda U-17 national football team finish second in the Africa U-17 Championship where it earned an automatic ticket to compete in the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Mexico.

    Jean Bosco Kazura is a Rwandan, born and educated in Burundi, he was involved in the military campaign launched by the Rwandan Patriotic Front to end of 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Later he served as deputy commander of the African union peacekeeping force in the Darfur region of Sudan.

    During his first term, Rwanda successfully hosted the 2009 African Youth Championship and four years later he was unopposed in an election for FERWAFA presidency.

    Owing to his resignation there is an extraordinary General Assembly which will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 (Federation’s Headquarters) at 10.00 AM apparently to nominate and elect Gen. Kazura’s replacement and discuss any other pertinent issues concerning the football federation.

  • Police Cautions Road Users On Zebra Crossing

    The National Police of Rwanda, department of traffic has cautioned both drivers and pedestrians to respect Zebra crossings.
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    Disrespecting zebra closings by drivers will even attract punishments, according to the Chief Supt Célestin Twahirwa c/o Traffic Police.

    In an interview with igihe.com today, C.Supt. Twahirwa noted, “Pedestrians should respect zebra crossings and avoid mixing themselves with cars, something may attract accidents.”

    He added that disrespecting of zebra closings is a traffic offence that will also attract punishments.
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    The police is continuously sending text messages to mobile telephone subscribers cautioning the public to refrain from talking and texting messages using the phone while driving. This is an offense that is punishable.

    “RNP reminds you that talking and texting on phone while driving is a traffic offence. Disregarding Zebra crossing also attracts punishment,” reads the text.

    Years ago, Bicycles were banned from the main tarmac roads of the city. Then they were the largest source of road accidents.

    Later Motor cycle Taxis emerged and dominated the transport sector within the city. They too took over as leader in road traffic accidents claiming many lives and serious injuries. This attracted the introduction of compulsory Helmets.

    However, it has since become easy for many to acquire motorcycles through bank loans resulting into the presence of many motorcycles on roads without proper legal documents especially drivers permit and technical control pass. Many have been impounded in the on going crackdown by traffic police.

    However, there are many road accidents in the countryside most of which are a result of ignorance about the road traffic rules by the citizens and reckless driving,overspeeding,non herded cattle crossing and use of phones while driving.

  • New City Traffic Lights Puzzle Drivers

    The new city traffic lights that are still under installation are puzzling motorists and pedestrians alike especially at the round-bout points where some drivers allege that the lights seem strange.
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    Alphonse Nsengimana also a driver, told igihe.com, “Most drivers get confused on the guidelines of these lights as compared to the former ones,”

    Stratton Murekezi, a motor cyclist operating at Gishushu said, “The lights are elevated high and at the start, they are confusing. But we shall get used to them because they are digitalised and one can tell about the seconds he will stop as compared to the previous lights.”

    Some other drivers and traffic police constables say that there should be a clear study about the traffic jams at some points where the lights are being installed to avoid the road traffic problems.

    However, a traffic police constable who preferred anonymity said that at some points where the lights are already operational have caused a lot of traffic jams instead, stating that there were no proper studies made by the people in charge before programming them.

    An employee at the contractor’s company in charge of installation and maintenance at one of the points said that the installation and testing are underway.If completed well, the modernized lights are good and easier to use than the previous.

    He said that the lights are controlled by software and timed according to the traffic jams experienced in different hours at different points.

    The traffic lights are programmed differently for example there is 6am-9am, 9am-4pm, 4pm-10pm, and then from 10pm-6am programs and timed differently.

    Chief Supt. Célestin Twahirwa, the Head of Traffic Police Department said that only two traffic lights points are being well installed and already operational.

    Twahirwa added that the study was well conducted at different points and hopes to solve the problem of traffic jams.

    He urged the public to be patient until the installation is completed and that the lights will be easier to use.

    C.Supt Twahirwa also said that the lights delayed to start operating because of technical problems.

    They are said to contribute to the diminution of traffic jams and accidents observed in many areas of Kigali.

    The system is still handled by the contractor and will be given to the City Council of Kigali in few weeks.

  • PGGSS:Tom Close To Record Song After Sean Kingston’s Performance

    Tom Close’s event alongside Kingston was postponed due to a delayed visa that was obtained afew days to the concert this Saturday at Amahoro Stadium show. A music DVD and an audio of Tom Close will be recorded after Kigali’s performance.

    Jean Pierre and Joseph Mushyoma both confirmed Tom’s Visa and say the organizers are trying their best to have talks with people in America and offer Tom the opportunity to go back with Sean Kingston and record a song.

    The song was expected to be recorded immediately after being crowned in August performed live on 17thSeptember at grand concert alongside the American Superstar Kingston.

    PGGSS received the prize of Frw 6 million and one year contract with Bralirwa as a Primus Beer Ambassador. Tom Close says Kingston sent him some lyrics to use in his practices and also add to his songs.

    Tom Close after the concert will record the song from Beluga Heights Records based in Los Angeles based record label founded by producer J.R.Rotem. The label is known for working with top musical artists such as Rihana and Leona Lewis and discovered new acts like Sean Kingston, Jason Derulo, Iyaz.

    Born to Karangwa Edward and Dukuze faith Grace, Thomas Muyombo known on stage as Tom Close, the 23 years old is the second child among three in his family and he is still single with only one of his parents still alive.

    In November 2007 he recorded his first song helped by the Ben called “Mbwira”. From November up to May 2008 he was working on his First Album entitled “KUKI” which was launched on 16th May 2008 and since then he is on the international level.

  • Ivuka Arts Export Talent To U.S

    Rwandan artists; Emmanuel Nkuranga Mainevent and Innocent Nkurunziza from the art cooperative; Ivuka Arts will showcase a selection of their cooperative’s contemporary African paintings at the University of Scranton, northeast Pennsylvania due to Nov. 4, and will also showcase the products at the Everything Natural in the New York City with a Live Art.
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    Nkuranga told igihe.com that their performance is intended to create awareness to the American students while showcasing how the Rwandan arts have contributed to the community.

    “Art is something tangible and can transform health, economic and social standards of the community,” said Nkuranga.

    Ivuka Arts is deeply committed to using the arts in various ways to heal post-genocide Rwanda and to rebuild the country economically.

    While at the event, the two artists will show 15 to 20 paintings that provide a sample of the work of their member artists.

    According to Nkuranga, the full art show was supposed to open at Everything Natural, 426 S. State Street on Sept. 16, but has been postponed to Nov. 4 and the artists will be there in person to conduct a live painting demonstration.

    Other sources say that the exhibition will launch Everything Natural’s Home, Hearth and World Open House, which will also introduce locally baked treats from Peaceful Valley Bakery in Justus and feature live music by At Home, a Dallas- based duo, along with food sampling, reflexology, chair massage and informational exhibits.

    The Arts collective runs a traditional dance program for street children. Nkuranga teaches art at a local orphanage in what he named ‘Art with a mission’ and sells their paintings at their gallery; he also has begun an art program for local cardiac patients.

    The artists are heading to northeast Pennsylvania at the invitation of Sharon Meagher, a professor of Philosophy and the Chair of the Department of Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies at The University of Scranton.

    Meagher met the artists last summer when she was doing some consulting work for the Centre for Gender, Culture and Development at the Kigali Institute of Education.

    She returned with a colleague and some University of Scranton students in January. “Our students were so inspired by these artists, and I am too,” said Meagher. “Their visit is a great opportunity for both the University and local communities to learn more about Rwanda’s present situation and hopes for the future.”

    Their only previous North American show was held by special invitation of President Bill and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

  • France to invest Frw 36Bn as Kagame’s visit winds up

    After the end of President Paul Kagame’s two day official visit to France, the Head of State met with the France Business community under Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF)-the organization of business associates in France and challenged them to invest their businesses in Rwanda.

    The foreign investment is intended to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries as were also emphasized during the roundtable talks by the three Rwandan Ministers Louise Mushikiwabo, Foreign Affairs Minister, François Kanimba of MINICOM, and Tharcisse Karugarama, the Minister of Justice along with John Gara of RDB in a press briefing.

    Gara said that the French business in Rwanda is still low and that they count not more than U.S$3.5. He added that after the Presidential visit, a lot will be transformed and new investments from France are to crown Rwanda’s fastest growing business environment.

    The communications Office from the France’s Presidents’ office had during the trip issued a communiqué anticipating investing almost 42 million Euros (est. Frw36b) in Rwanda soon.

    Minister Kanimba said the talks are underway to find selected sectors in Rwanda for the France business community to invest in. The minister said that they will invest in tourism sector, Methane gas, facilitate the construction of the new International Airport, construction of the railway transport that will connect Rwanda to the Indian Ocean, and the gold mining construction among others.

    For the new International Airport construction and other infrastructures, the government of Rwanda put the system of allowing the private investors to contribute which will earn them a lot of profits.

    Kanimba also recommended the exportation of tea, gold, coffee, flowers to France.

    According to a press statement from the office of the Government Spokesperson released prior to the trip, the visit followed the French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s visit to Rwanda in February 2010 that marked a major step forward in diplomatic relations with France, that were renewed at the end of 2009, and it was the Kagame’s first official visit to France since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, where Rwanda has accused France of complicity in massacres, an accusation which Paris always and continuously denies.

  • Gorilla Dies from Respiratory Infection

    Mountain Gorilla Doctors have confirmed that the death of Ntobo, a female gorilla was caused by severe pneumonia with many abscesses in her lungs, and she had also suffered a miscarriage, probably because of the pneumonia.
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    Before her death on Friday 9 September Dr. Jean Felix Kinani from Karisoke Research Center (KRC) trackers requested a veterinary assessment for Ntobo, one of the females in the Bwenge group, who had become sick suddenly.

    “When I checked on her, Ntobo appeared lethargic and had a dry cough and a high respiratory rate with audible respiration and Ntaribi, Ntobo’s 4-year-old infant, staying close to her,” the physician says.

    The silverback Bwenge displayed when Ntobo was not moving with the rest of the group, and he pushed her gently, as if to encourage her to move. She slowly got up and joined the others. All the other gorillas in the group were looking fine but they seemed to know that Ntobo was sick and they kept checking on her.

    The following morning Dr Kinani was accompanied by Dr. Jan Ramer from Gorilla Doctors, KRC trackers, Fundi Hategekimana and researcher Winnie Eckardt, also from Karisoke, and Volcanoes National Park Veterinary Warden Elisabeth Nyirakaragire.

    They reached Bwenge group at 8:43 am and found Ntobo close to her son Ntaribi. She was lying on her stomach, trying to eat a little bit, but she was very weak and kept closing her eyes. Her respiratory rate increased from yesterday and was 48 breaths per minute.

    Ntobo was darted anesthesia and sedated by 10:22 am. Silverback Bwenge charged for several minutes and dragged Ntobo a short distance. Her son Ntaribi cried but eventually rejoined the rest of his group around the perimeter.

    The doctors performed a physical examination of Ntobo and saw that she was cachectic (suffering from loss of muscle mass), and dehydrated and had pale mucous membranes, an empty stomach, and some hair loss.

    Blood samples were taken from the right femoral vein, and they also took viral and dry swabs samples from her mouth, throat, nose, vagina and anus. No urine was present. “We gave her injections of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as IV fluids,” said Kinani.

    “She was also injected with a reversal drug at 11:16 am but did not respond to it. We gave her the same does 30 minutes later, again with no response. Her mucous membranes turned white (a sign of lack of oxygen) and so Dr. Jan put an intubation tube down her throat and blew several breaths into Ntobo’s lungs.

    Ntobo began breathing again and her mucous became pink, but her temperature started to drop. We tried to warm her and stimulate her by rubbing her body for 2 hours, but she finally stopped breathing and died at 1:50 pm,” says Dr Kinani.

    On Saturday, Dr Ramer noted that Ntobo’s body was carried off the mountain and taken Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project’s (MGVP) headquarters for a necropsy, where they found that Ntobo had severe pneumonia with many abscesses in her lungs, and she had also suffered a miscarriage, probably because of the pneumonia.

    “We are all so sad. The Gorilla Doctors and trackers from KRC and the Rwanda Development Board will keep a close eye on the rest of the gorillas in the park to see if any other animals show signs of respiratory disease,” said Ramer.

  • Rwanda willing to extradite Gen. Nkunda

    The Minister of foreign affairs Louise Mushikiwabo has revealed that Rwandan government is willing to extraditing Congolese warlord Gen. Laurent Nkunda provided his home country assures her government it will not convict him to death penalty.

    “We are talking to the Congolese authorities with regard to his extradition, but it is difficult,” Mushikiwabo told reporters in Paris on the sidelines of a state visit by Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

    She further insisted. “It’s difficult for us to extradite a person to a country that has not abolished the death penalty even with certain guarantees.”

    Gen. Nkunda, a former leader of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), a rebel force that repeatedly routed Democratic Republic of Congo’s army, has been held under house arrest in Rwanda since 2009.

    Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama said that Nkunda’s position as a soldier with supporters and his own military force meant that his case could not be treated like everybody else.

    “It’s a delicate issue not just about extradition, but generally legal and political aspects and the stability of the region,” he said adding: “It’s difficult for Rwanda and Congo and we hope that soon there will be a lasting solution.”

    His arrest is believed to be part of Rwanda and DRC’s military joint effort meant to halt activities of active rebel forces in their borders.

    So far, the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has not indicted Nkunda, but has opened investigations into accusations against him and the U.N. has accused his CNDP of serious human rights abuses, including sexual violence and recruitment of child soldiers during his five-year rebellion in eastern Congo.