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  • Hotel spearheads East African cultural integration

    Despite being a few months old Gikondo-based Roasters hotel has become a cultural melting pot for East African communities.

     A co-owner of the establishment Fred Korir explains that traditional events are part of the hotel’s objective to promote cultural exchange, which also plays a big role in the regional integration process.

    Popular cultural events held so far are particularly Kenyan themed, yet related ones from other countries are underway. Recent events include Kenya’s Kikuyu based Mugithi night, Luyha’s Murembe night and Kalenjin’s Tumin night. Cultural events from other countries Uganda’s Baganda night are scheduled to feature in the new future followed by events from Tanzania and Burundi.

    Korir’s counterpart Caleb Kenyanya points out that Rwandan and Burundian patrons are supportive of the cultural themed nights and have requested their respective countries to equally be featured.

    “Currently, we’re planning a Luo night followed by a Rwandan Intore night because we would also want Kenyans to learn more about this rich culture since some of them are busy in offices and might have less time to learn from their neighbours,”

    “So far, the Rwandan culture has taught us a lot. That’s why during this month’s Umuganda (communal cleaning), we intend to visit an orphanage and assist them in cleaning their premises,” he discloses.

    The cultural nights consist of various activities including a featured community’s dancing techniques, food and most interestingly, basic learning of language.

    Korir discloses that a Kikuyu meal known as mukimo has, for instance, been a favourite among the locals. “It (mukimo) is made from boiled potatoes which are smashed with vegetables and green maize. The meal is very nutritious.” 

    Worldwide events are also celebrated at the establishment including the Bob Marley commemoration, which was held on May 13. Other popular events include Valentine’s Day and Women’s Day.

    The events have set the stage for talent promotion where upcoming local musicians would interact with renowned regional artists.

  • US welcomes sentencing of ex-Rwandan army chiefs

    The United States said Thursday the genocide conviction and sentence of ex-Rwandan army chief Augustin Bizimungu shows that even top military officers are not immune from prosecution.

    The four sentenced are Bizimungu, Augustin Ndindiliyimana, a former Rwandan General Francois Xavier Nzuwonemeye, and Innocent Sagahutu.

    Bizimungu was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment. A general of the Rwandan Armed forces, he held the post of Lieutenant colonel before being promoted to Major General subsequently after the death of the late President Juvenal Habyarimana. 

    “The United States welcomes the ruling as an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a press release.

    “The conviction of Mr. Bizimungu, in particular, shows that even those at the highest levels of military leadership are not immune from prosecution in the face of such grave atrocities,” it said.

    “There are still 10 ICTR fugitives at-large and the United States urges all countries to continue their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously arrested and brought to justice,” the statement said.

    The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda based in Arusha was established in late 1994 to try the Hutu perpetrators of Rwanda’s genocide which claimed some 800,000 lives, mainly minority Tutsis, in a span of 100 days.

    During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, Augustin Ndindiliyimana held the position of Chief of Staff of the Gendarmerie Nationale. Ndindiliyimana is alleged to have conspired with his co-accused (Francois Xavier Nzuwonemeye Innocent Sagahutu, Augustin Bizimungu) in the plan to exterminate Tutsis in Rwanda.

    He is also accused for his responsibility for the atrocities committed by forces under his control, including the deaths of ten Belgian peacekeepers in April 1994 which sparked the withdrawal of all Belgian troops from the UN mission in Rwanda. However, ICTR on Tuesday ordered his immediate release, after finding his justifying factors reasonable. Ndindiliyimana,later on expressed his happiness for being released after remaining in detention for 11 years. 

    Nzuwonemeye, a member the Rwandan Armed Forces in 1994, held the rank of major. In 1993, he was commander of a battalion in the FAR ; he was subsequently promoted to commander of the Reconnaissance Battalion.

    The ICTR indictment alleges that between 1990 and 1994, Nzuwonemeye and other officers conspired to exterminate the Tutsi civilians and political opponents, and helped to train interahamwe and militia groups who committed the genocide

    After Habyarimana’s death and the start of the genocide, members of the Reconnaissance Battalion commanded by Nzuwonemeye’s subordinate, Innocent Sagahutu “tracked down, arrested, sexually assaulted, and killed” Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana. They also took into custody ten Belgian peacekeepers from UNAMIR who had been guarding her house, who were later killed.

    Sagahutu a member of the Rwandan Armed forces, in 1994 held the rank of captain. He was second-in-command of the Reconnaissance Battalion (RECCE), serving under battalion commander Major François-Xavier Nzuwonemeye.

    According to the indictment, between 1990 and 1994, Sagahutu and other officers conspired to exterminate Tutsi civilians. They distributed weapons and prepared lists of people to be eliminated. 

    The indictment accused Sagahutu and the four other defendants of conspiring to perpetrate genocide, mass rape, sexual assault, and murder of giving the orders that led to these crimes and of doing nothing to stop the crimes when they took place.

    Sagahutu , after fleeing the country after the RPF victory, was arrested on February 15, 2000. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

  • MTV youth show hosts President Kagame

    Youth drawn from a number of African countries including Rwanda yesterday interviewed President Paul Kagame courtesy of the MTV Base’s “MTV Base Meets…with MTN” programme at Village Urugwiro.

    The President responded to questions from a diverse panel of African youth from Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and South Africa.

    Khaled Mikkawi, the CEO MTN Rwanda described the initiative as a great way to reach out, inspire and connect with the youth across the continent.

    “We are extremely honoured to have President Paul Kagame involved in MTV Base Meets…with MTN,” Mikkawi pointed out.

    Interview recordings of the MTV base meets…With MTN with the President Kagame will be aired across Africa from 18 July this year as part of an eight-series show.

     Recordings will be aired on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), and on terrestrial, DTT and CATV channels including STV (Nigeria), HiTV (Nigeria), WBS (Uganda), NTV (Kenya), Canal2 (Cameroon), Muvi TV (Zambia), Zuku (Kenya), ZAP (Angola), Smart TV (Kenya) and Star Times (Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi).

    MTV Base Meets…With MTN is a joint initiative between MTV Networks Africa and MTN Group. It is designed to inspire African youth by connecting them with some of the world’s most influential personalities.

    It is intended to provide greater understanding between the African youth and the political, business and cultural leaders who shape today’s world.

    Other eminent personalities to feature in the series later include Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first and only elected female head of state and Julius Malema, the President of the ANC Youth League.

    The show has also featured other prominent personalities including Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, Morgan Tsvangirai and Wyclef Jean.

    African youth are encouraged to nominate shakers and movers in society and submit their proposed questions for the programme via a dedicated MTV base Meets…with MTN website or via their mobile handset.

    To register go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets@MTVbaseAfrica.

  • Uncle Austin discloses reason for quitting radio

    Radio 10 presenter and musician Uncle Austin has announced his intentions to quit the broadcasting profession and concentrate on his music. His daily radio show “The Overdrive” will be pined for by his radio fans, who have revealed their concerns during his last shows.

    In the music scene, Uncle Austin is renowned for his hit songs Nzakwizirikaho and Gapapu.

    Austin’s departure from the media remains a dilemma to many since it is through radio that he gained his fame. To clear the air, the artist claimed that his music had reached a critical stage especially among his fans. He gives that as the reason he intends to resign and concentrate on better music delivery.

    “The music industry is doing well now and singing is my calling. I can feel it,” he remarks.

    He further points out that he felt the calling when his first songs received massive attention from his fans, most of them youth from both Rwanda and the region.

     Austin is quick to highlight plans for his music career. Topping the list are video shoots for his latest hits Nakuvala and Nzakwizirikaho due in two weeks.

     The artist whose music is a blend of R&B and Afro fusion is presently working on his debut album produced by Kigali based producer Lick-Lick.

     “Very soon, I’m releasing a new hit called Ndagukunda Nzapfa Ejo,” the artist says.

     Reacting on his poetic title, which translates to why fall in love with someone only to die tomorrow, Austin sighs and declines to comment until the song is out.

     He further discloses that his poetic titles are one of his tricks to capture audience attention. 

  • Rwanda makes more reforms to ease doing business

    Rwanda has introduced new business reforms to make company start-ups and cross border trade easier as it strives to be among the world’s top 30 places to do business by 2017, Clare Akamanzi, chief operating officer of Rwanda’s Development Board announced this week.

    Akamanzi said the new reforms were meant to make it easier for businesses to start, deal with construction permits, register property and trade across borders.

    “We have introduced free online registration and reduced registration fees from 25,000 to 15,000 francs. We have also eliminated certain requirements like the notarising of sale agreement,” Akamanzi told Reuters.

    The World Bank’s 2011 Doing Business report ranked Rwanda the second most pro-business reformer globally, and 58th in terms of ease of doing business, up from 70th a year earlier.

  • Rwandan genocide: Finnish appeal to be heard in Rwanda, Zambia

    The Helsinki Court of Appeal is to travel to Rwanda and Zambia
    to hear witnesses in the appeal of a man convicted of involvement in the Rwanda
    genocide. Francois Bazaramba, a Rwandan-born Finnish citizen, was sentenced last
    summer to life in prison for mass murder.

    The court plans to be in session in Rwanda for 18 days in September and October
    to hear testimony from 39 prosecution witnesses. The court also hopes to visit
    places where killings took place.

    The court will also go to Zambia in October to hear testimony from 15 defence
    witnesses. Most of the witnesses live in Zambia and other countries in the
    region.

    The arrangement still requires the approval of the Rwandan and Zambian
    governments.

    The defendant will follow the events via video link from Finland, as was done
    in the first trial.

    The case is being handled in Finland because the Ministry of Justice refused to
    extradite Bazaramba to Rwanda for fear that he might not get a fair trial
    there.

    The
    lower court found that Bazaramba, a resident of Porvoo, had led attacks against
    Tutsis in the south of Rwanda in 1994 and gave orders that led to their deaths.

    Bazaramba
    sought asylum in Finland, in 2003.

    He was
    convicted on two charges ; intent to destroy the Tutsi population in Maraba, and
    spreading malicious propaganda calling for their extermination, crimes for
    which he was handed a life sentence.

    He is
    said to have masterminded the killing of over 5,000 people in Nyakizu, Southern
    Province.

    Bazaramba
    allegedly organised and maintained night patrols and road blocks, forcing the
    Tutsi to leave their homes. He organised the setting on fire and destruction of
    their homes and property.

  • Tigo Rwanda launches mobile money payment service

    Tigo Rwanda, a telecom brand owned by Millicom Cellular International (MIC), recently inaugurated its mobile money services in Rwanda, targeted at subscribers with limited or no access to banking services.

    Tigo Rwanda is the second mobile company to launch such a service after its major competitor MTN Rwanda launched its mobile money product last year.

    Tigo has similar services in Ghana and Tanzania.

    Rwanda’s rural areas have limited access to financial services, with the central bank saying only 1.7 million deposit accounts had been registered by December 2010 out of a population of 9 million.

    With about 3.3 million mobile subscribers shared between MTN and Tigo as of January this year, Rwandan mobile users can utilise the technology to deposit and withdraw money and can pay electricity bills and school fees via text messages.

    “Tigo Cash is basically a wallet on your mobile phone. You don’t have to have a bank account,” said Tom Gutjahr, Tigo Rwanda’s chief executive. To sign up for the service is free but one has to be above 18 years and a Tigo subscriber with a valid identity card.

    Non Tigo subscribers will not be able to register for the service but can receive cash on their network from a Tigo Cash registered peson in any part of the country any time any day.

    “If you are not a “Tigo Cash” user, you will still be able to receive money from other Tigo Cash users,” the CEO said.

    Licensed to operate in Rwanda two years ago, MCL said Tigo Cash can send between $1 and $550.

    John Sebabi, head of payment systems at Rwanda’s central bank, said the new service would deepen financial services.

    “If the number of mobile phone exceeds that of bank accounts, then access to financial services is growing which is line with our objectives of increasing access to such services,” he said.

    The Product Manager, Tongai Maramba announced that Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR) would be the host of the Tigo Cash trust account.

     

  • Interview with award winning Rwandan filmmaker Gahizi Ganza

    Rwandan filmmaker Dieu Donne Gahizi Ganza won the BIOMOVIE award which is organised annually in London by United Kingdom’s TV1 and based on environmental themes. The third born in a family of five, Ganza, 26, spared time from his busy schedule to talk to our entertainment writer Diana Mutimura. Below are the excerpts.

    Diana : Tell us much about your award ?

    Ganza : At first, I was not confident that I would win since for the last 26 years, the award has been won by foreign film producers. But at the back of my mind, I knew that my work was worth it, I’m really overwhelmed to have put my country (Rwanda) and Africa at large on the world map and I intend to sustain the success. 

     A lot of people must be wondering how you climbed all the way up to even compete with renowned filmmakers. Can you share with us the secret or is it that you have long experience in the industry ?

    I started my career four years ago after taking a six month course in Kenya and so far, I’ve worked with Jean Claude Uwiringiyimana, a renowned local film producer. I must say that hard work matters a lot, yet creativity is also important for a successful film.

     This is interesting. You are only four years in the profession ; yet you emerge a winner at a global competition. What encouraged you take part in the competition which has in the past disregarded African filmmakers ?

    I understand your concern but as I had said earlier, hard-work and creativity are the two most important things for one to thrive in the industry. It is due to this attitude that one of my two films ‘One Day of the Blind Student’ emerged the best in last year’s film festival held at the National University of Rwanda (NUR). This film brought me to the limelight and I started to interact with renowned film producers who have been taking part in the award. Ezeyi was among the filmmakers who effortlessly persuaded me to apply for the BIOMOVIE award. 

     Wow, it seems your work has been yielding success all along. So tell us more about your award winning film which has been recognised for promoting authentic Rwandan practices ?

    Creativity matters a lot, look at the title of the film, for instance, Change I Mean It. I had to find a unique aspect that was relevant to the competition’s theme which was environmental conservation and Umuganda ( a monthly communal cleaning) was my favourite since it involves every citizen in cleaning their neighbourhoods as well as planting more trees. At some point, I wished that the same practice should be replicated in other countries too, because if we want to save the world from global warming, we should double our efforts to change the situation.

     What would be your advice to upcoming filmmakers ?

    I would like to encourage my fellow producers to always aim higher and they shouldn’t be discouraged by the so called international awards or even big film festivals. I urge them to always take part in the competitions and strive to show their work to the world.

     I imagine entering the competition might have cost you a fortune given the poor returns from films in Rwanda.

    What you say is true. The film industry has not yet grown to make us millionaires like our colleagues in the neighbouring countries. I should really thank my sponsors including the National Youth Council which intervened and paid both my air ticket and accommodation in the UK after Nokia pulled out. I also can’t end without thanking the Minister of Lands and Environment together with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) who facilitated in shooting the award winning film. Surf Survivors, an association of genocide led orphans also supported me financially. I also thank all those who voted for my film especially Rwandans in the Diaspora. 

     

  • Rwanda ex-paramilitary chief jailed for genocide

    The UN court for Rwanda handed a 30-year prison sentence to former army chief Augustin Bizimungu for his role in the 1994 genocide in which around 800,000 people were killed.

    The court on Tuesday also convicted Augustin Ndindiliyimana, the former head of the paramilitary police, of genocide crimes but ordered his release as he had already spent 11 years behind bars since his arrest.

    The court ruled that while Bizimungu had complete control over the men he commanded, Ndindiliyimana had only “limited control” over his men after the start of the massacres on April 6, 1994 and was opposed to the killing.

    Two senior officers tried alongside the generals were also sentenced on Tuesday.

    Major Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye, the former commander of the reconnaissance battalion, was handed 20 years in jail for killing as a crime against humanity and murder as a war crime.

    His subordinate, captain Innocent Sagahutu, was also sentenced to 20 years.

    Bizimungu and Ndindiliyimana are two of the most senior figures to be tried by the Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in connection with the genocide.

    Ndindiliyimana was arrested in January 2000 in Belgium and Nzuwonemeye the following month in France. Sagahutu was detained in Denmark and Bizimungu in 2002 in Angola.

    The case had been effectively adjourned since June 2009 when prosecutors requested life sentences for all four defendants while their defence lawyers asked for their acquittal.

    The long-running case is known as the Military II trial.

    In the Military I trial, Colonel Theoneste Bagosora, presented by the prosecutor as the brains behind the genocide, was sentenced to life in prison in December 2008, along with two other senior military figures.

    Bagosora appealed and the hearing ran from March 30 to April 1, but the appeal verdict has yet to be handed down.

  • Belgian mayor extols Rwanda’s achievements in reconciliation

    A Belgian mayor has lauded the country’s unity and reconciliation efforts since the 1994 genocide.

    Rik Soens, the Waregem District Mayor made the remarks, Sunday, May 15, when he led a delegation from his district to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial site, Gisozi.

    Soens expressed shock and disappointment by the events of the 1994 genocide. “I am shocked and disappointed by the massive killings that took place in Rwanda. This is beyond human nature,” Soens regretted.

    Soens observed that the unity and reconciliation in Rwanda would bring about sustainable development.

    A member of the delegation, Rita Kestier, said that the memorial site not only exhibits massive inhuman acts that occurred in Rwanda in 1994, but also demonstrates that Rwandans are rebuilding their nation and striving for a better future.

    The delegation was in the country as part of a partnership between Waregem District in Belgium with Gatsibo District of the Eastern province.

    The cooperation that began in 1987 and is intended to promote professionalism in different sectors between the two districts especially education.