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  • Chicago: Abanyarwanda mu gikorwa cya ‘Rwanda Day’ baziga ku kwihesha agaciro

  • ICTR acts on Zimbabwe-based genocide mastermind

    The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has begun conducting special deposition proceedings in the case of the most wanted fugitives in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including former top soldier, Protais Mpiranya, believed to be holed up in Zimbabwe.

    The proceedings follow a successful application by the tribunal’s prosecution earlier this year seeking to safeguard evidence against Mpiranya, who was commander of the Presidential Guard, Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy businessman, accused of financing the genocide and Augustin Bizimana, former Minister of Defence.

    Mpiranya’s head carries a $5 million bounty. Kabuga and Bizimana’s respective heads also carry the same reward.

    Mpiranya is believed by the ICTR to be staying in Zimbabwe although authorities in Harare deny his presence on the country’s soil.

    Mpiranya was indicted for genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. 

    He is accused of being one of the conspirers who prepared and planned for the Rwandan genocide from late 1990 until July 1994. 

    During the genocide, he was commander of the Presidential Guard within the Rwanda’s army. 

    Mpiranya is alleged to have directed the Presidential Guard in sexually assaulting and killing Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and murdering 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers. 

  • BK unveils three new products as part of poverty alleviation drive

    Rwandan’s leading commercial bank, Bank of Kigali BK has launched three new products as part of a campaign to alleviate poverty.

    These include ; Women Entrepreneurship Facility (Intambwe y’abanyarwandakazi), Youth Entrepreneurship Savings Account (YESA SINGIRA) and also Senior Loans and Savings Account (Ntugasaze).

    In his remarks, Lawson Naibo, the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, pointed out that the intambwe y’abanyarwandakazi product which targets women entrepreneurs, would facilitate them to access credit and financial advice.

    “This will be done particularly to transform the lives of the women who earn less but with sensitive ideas that can contribute to the society,” Naibo said at the launch.

    In a written statement, the bank’s Managing Director James Gatera said the product is intended to facilitate women entrepreneurs in the low end market and also to aptly fit the government’s policy and plan to ensure gender mainstreaming and full participation of women in all activities related to socio-economic development of the nation.

    The Minister of Youth Sports and Culture (MIJESPOC), Protais Mitali who was the Chief Guest during the launch highly welcomed the projects and particularly emphasised on the Youth Entrepreneurship Savings Account.

    “Am very happy about the product because youth will have the opportunity to access the credit without collaterals,” Mitari told IGIHE.COM. He added that since the youth has no security to present to the banks to access credit, the product would help them.

    The Minister challenged the youth to visit the bank to obtain more information on the product so that they can get involved and ultimately become job creators instead of job seekers.

    He also added that his ministry would seek for other possible means to support the unveiled products.

    The three products unveiled by BK are all guarantee free. The bank would help to connect clients with one of two organisations to provide guarantees and the client would easily access the credit.

    The two organizations are the French Agency for Development (AFD) which has branch offices based in Kenya and the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD).

    The credit ranges from RWF 100,000 to RWF 5m depending on the project presented to the bank by a client.

    The credit will be paid back in a period of six months to two years and beyond depending on the income of the borrower at an interest rate of 1.4 percent per month.

  • Bye Bye Nyakatsi: Govt admits use of force

    The official in charge of the Bye Bye Nyakatsi policy to
    eradicate all grass-thatched roofs in the country by the end of this month has
    admitted that ‘sometimes we apply some force’

    The admission came after hundreds of Twitter users responded to
    Survival International’s condemnation of the destruction of Batwa Pygmy houses,
    which has left many of the country’s marginalised people without shelter.   The government, which is also active
    on Twitter, has tweeted that the Bye Bye Nyakatsi programme ‘is about decent
    housing for all, no one is left homeless.’

    The official overseeing the anti-thatch programme, Augustine
    Kampayana, told journalists, ‘for anyone to still be in nyakatsi [thatched
    houses] up to now only means that it is in their general attitudes to prefer to
    live in grass thatched houses. Some of them just do not want to change, but we
    cannot let these drag everyone else back.’

    One Batwa man, whose house has been destroyed and who is
    living in cramped conditions with ten other families, said last week, ‘it’s a
    catastrophic life which resembles that of a refugee.’

    The UN’s Racial Discrimination committee last month urged the
    Rwandan government to ‘facilitate access to adequate housing for the Batwa,
    particularly by avoiding forced evictions without consultation and without
    offering alternative housing.’

    Although some Batwa families have been given new houses, many
    are still waiting and are forced to live in the open, according to COPORWA, Rwanda’s Batwa organization. Rwanda’s Batwa continue
    to face racism and discrimination on a daily basis. Most eke out a meager
    living as wage laborers or potters after their communities were forced from
    their forest homes to create national parks free from human habitation.

  • US basketball team signs lofty Rwandan recruit

    According to the U.S media, the Long Beach State men’s basketball program has signed a Rwandan within its ranks as part of its 2011-12 class of recruits.

    The 49ers announced Wednesday that 6-foot-9, 235-pound Gatete Djuma of West High in Salt Lake City had signed a national letter of intent.

    The India Times reports that Djuma, who migrated to the United States from Rwanda without having ever played basketball on an organised level, averaged 11.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and was honourable mention all-state as a senior.

    In the announcement, LBSU coach Dan Monson said Djuma “has great basketball instincts and already makes plays you can’t teach.”

    Djuma joins 6-7 Kris Gulley (Independence, Kansas, Community College) as spring signees.

  • Ailing local telcom lays off staff

    Following commencement of insolvency proceedings, ailing telcom firm Rwandatel has laid off 43.2 percent of its workforce as part of a company-wide restructuring process, the goal of which is to keep operating costs low and to operate with an optimum number of employees.

    Rwanda’s utilities regulatory agency RURA withdrew Rwandatel’s GSM Mobile license in April this year and within weeks, the Office of the Registrar General had instituted insolvency proceedings against the company.

    The commercial court in Kigali then appointed an administrator to take charge of the company who within a period of two months will advise Court if the company could be turned around or face possible liquidation.

    Operating both its GSM Mobile and Fixed licenses, Rwandatel had a total workforce of 317 employees. Out of these, only 180 have been retained to run its remaining voice, internet and data services all of which run on the fixed network platform.

    Rwandatel’s court appointed administrator Richard Mugisha, said, “In these times when the company is trying to reorganise itself to run its fixed network operation, reducing employees is sad but it has to be done to keep the company afloat. Management must respond by reducing costs and realigning its workforce. As such, we have had to place 137 on technical redundancy as there isn’t sufficient business to justify such a huge workforce. As administration, we shall pay the laid off staff terminal benefits as stipulated in the law”.

     “I feel it is critical to make very difficult adjustments at this time, to address the company’s current reality and to prepare the company for potential success in the future”, Mugisha added.

     Despite these recent developments, the company continues to offer the ever vital voice, internet and data services to individuals and businesses alike. 

  • India to invest in Rwandan agriculture

    The Indian Minister of State in charge of food processing recently met with the president Kagame at the Village Urugwiro, to draw possible ways of promoting the agricultural sector in Rwanda to ensure better production of foodstuffs in terms of quality and quantity.

    “We want to see how Rwanda’s foodstuffs can be produced and processed in Rwanda before they are exported,” Arun S. Yadan, the Indian Minister pointed out soon after his meeting with the President.

    He added that they plan to introduce modern irrigation farming methods to produce better quality products to meet global demand.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Agnes Kalibata said that Rwanda has a lot to learn from India’s agricultural sector in order especially in adoption of proper mechanisms to be used in the sector as well as production of quality seeds like rice.

    She added that India would educate farmers on proper methods of farming for better quality production.

    She noted that Rwanda would continue mobilising Indian investors to invest in the sector.

  • Passionate producer on mission to save music industry

    The Rwanda music scene has registered massive growth over the years with the rise of “new school “musicians such as Meddy, Tom Close, The Ben among others that continue to showcase their talent over the airwaves. However, this progressive cycle has inevitably stagnated. This is due to an increase in mediocre artists in the industry which consequently leads to a blend between the good and the bad thus hindering and ultimately saturating the growth of the music industry.

    However, devoted musical producer, aficionado and well established veteran in the industry, Barick is executing a revolutionary idea that has the potential to not only bring a radical change but to also save the music industry. His vision is promotion and establishment of the live band. This is a simple, fundamental and self explanatory concept that has been deficient within the music industry. Time and time, again we are treated to an unrealistic, rambling and pitiable method of “lip synching” or playback.

    This method not only denies the audience the chance to experience music in a more enjoyable way by immersion into the realness of the sound, vocals and melody but it also camouflages the real lack of talent. Artists have fans down by pretentiously performing under the illusion of studio quality sound that is credited to the instruments as opposed to the performers themselves.

    Barick is looking to put an end to this by embarking on a mission to promote a whole new way of expressing music. He is a genuine music enthusiast. He studied music at a seminary in Indera and later on travelled to Portugal to pursue his studies in Biochemistry and then Belgium to continue his higher education. During his tenure overseas, he produced some artists such as Dgeep in Portugal and Belgium.

    He returned to Rwanda in 2006 and has since worked with many musicians such as Bizzy B, Faycal, Asher Junior, DMC and Young Tone through his label Brick music. Jackson, DMC and Asher Junior will release their albums projected in August under his label. He has also collaborated with other producers such as Derrick Davis and Mastola on various productions.

     His experience in Rwanda has allowed him to evaluate the music scene. He says genres such as RnB and Hip Hop had registered growth for a short while but have since stagnated. “We want to take part in this continuity of growth in music that’s why we envisioned the live band. ” He is in a joint collaboration with another producer Mastola and included are ten other members of the live band that have undertaken the challenge of encouraging and promoting real musical experience to fans across the nation. Its role and aim will be to produce music for any artists looking to perform live concerts and offer guidance while at the same time supporting the concept.

    “The increased popularity of music in Rwanda has recently encouraged more artists into the industry. Unfortunately, some of these artists are average and continuous accumulation of such has led to a stage where we can no longer move forward,” Says Barick , “However the live band will be able to bring a distinction between the good and the bad ; this distinction will not only put an end to confusion that faced by fans but it will also lead to promotion of good music from talented artists”.

    The live band is a great idea because it not only purifies the music but has the potential to increase attendance. The concept that is assumed by some of the “old school artists” is a very popular among fans from the middle class. It would be safe to assume that weak attendance and reluctance of fans to watch their stars perform would be due to the anticipated dissatisfaction and displeasure of playback performances.

    It would be safe to say that its institution is bound to contribute to an increased fan base in the country and lead to a new era of making and presenting music that will undoubtedly take the Rwandan music industry forward.

  • Rwandan Ambassador accredited in Latvia

    Non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda Immaculee
    Uwanyiligira is on her
    accreditation visit in Latvia from 19 to 25 May 2011.

    The Ambassador has already met with the Secretary of State of
    the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Latvia Andris Teikmanis. During the
    meeting Ambassador Uwanyiligira talked about the African Platform international
    discussion forum which took place on 20 May in the Latvian capital Riga and
    where she had introduced the audience to Rwanda’s development perspective. The
    Ambassador was positive about holding such a forum in Latvia, which allows
    taking a closer look at the diversity offered by the African
    continent. 

    The Ambassador’s accreditation visit also
    included a meeting with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and
    Industry of Latvia when economic co-operation prospects were discussed.

    Today, the Ambassador is to present her credentials to President
    Valdis Zatlers. Following that, the Ambassador is scheduled to meet with Deputy
    Speaker of the Saeima Andrejs Klementjevs for a discussion on the relations
    between both countries.

    Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Rwanda were established
    in 2007. H.E. Immaculee Uwanyiligira is the first Ambassador of the
    Republic of Rwanda in Latvia. She has obtained a M.A degree from Columbia
    University in New York and a master’s degree in information technology and
    telecommunications from The Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. The
    Ambassador has held different posts in UN representations in Addis Ababa
    (Ethiopia) and Khartoum (Sudan), and in the UN headquarters in New York City.

    The Ambassador’s residence is located in The Hague, the
    Netherlands.

  • Rwandans ought to treasure our museums

    The museum day which is celebrated on May 18th worldwide is a wakeup call to Rwandans who hardly ever or have never visited the sites.

    Normally, the centres are equipped with ancient materials which illustrate more about the country’s history. Museums today are big business across the globe. In sharp contrast to the dull stereotypical conception of museums being places housing either ancient artifacts, museums today cover every topic one can fathom !

    Though museums are not for profit, they certainly have a great impact on our lives and provide excellent learning opportunities for children. 

     In terms of education, going to a museum can bring what is taught in schools to life, by seeing artefacts for example. If children are learning about our traditional kingdom for example and they go to kings’ house in Nyanza, they are more likely to find it interesting and want to learn more about it. Research also shows that those who have had firsthand experience of such information are more likely to retain it in later life. Museums can then be an extremely valuable source of creativity, as many people find they are inspired and subsequently want to try such activities themselves.

    Museums are also a significant factor in attracting tourists to an area and can therefore be instrumental in helping the local economy in terms of supplying a passing trade as well as offering local people employment. Rwanda’s tourism has so far registered a boom but little effort has gone into promoting the coutnry’s museums.

    Museums are also instrumental to research programmes in this country. For many people undertaking research, museums provide an unrivalled wealth of information and resources as well as access to archives, scholars and highly trained professionals.

    Gerome Karangwa from the National Museums of Rwanda (NMR) located in Butare argues that there should be more sensitisation to the public on the importance of visiting historical sites especially in learning institutions. He further urges the government to allocate more money in the national budget towards conservation of museums.
    Some of the best known museums in the country include NMR, the kings’ house in Nyanza and in the city’s museum which was built in memory of the first Dutch colonialist in Rwanda Richard Kandt. In addition, the residence of former president Juvenal Habyarimana located in Kanombe sector has also not been left out it was recognised as a museum in 2008.

    A visit to the late president’s house is still new to many yet it houses several fascinating features. The entrance to the villa is pinned with traditional pictures that show some of the cultural practices like various forms of attire and hair styles known as Masunzu. The photos date from 1900 up to1960.

    Indeed, there might be attention-grabbing aspects in Late Habyarimana’s house yet the majority of the members of the public are yet to visit the house of a leader who’s regime encouraged ethnic division. Fred Barisanga a neighbour to the former presidential palace admits that he is among those who have no interest to tour the premises.
    Besides, others still have the mindset that such visits are meant for tourists. “Yes I’m in more advantageous position to visit the house because I live around yet I’m afraid that I might not afford the entrance fee since I often see foreign visitors there,” Barisanga
    remarks.

    Ernestine Nyirafaranga, a shopkeeper who lives near the former president’s villa points out that even though she’s interested in touring the bungalow, her low income is a barrier to paying a visit to the museum.

    But in the real sense, their fears are unfounded since locals are favoured. They are charged only charged Rwf 500 yet this amount may not be a hindrance to the majority. Jean Butoto an employee at the museum says that the number of visitors has increased since the house became operational three years ago. “At first we regisreed 50 visits per day but now we receive more than 200 with majority being students,” he comments.

    Let’s face it : museums without visitors would be like lifeless, empty halls with no purpose.

    This should remind us that the key role for museums is always to serve its visitors. On the other hand, government should encourage Rwandans to visit museums, more so, children, as a way of teaching them about our rich traditional culture.