Igihe

Tag: HomeNews

  • Rwandans in USA to Commemorate 18th Anniversary of the Genocide

    Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda in North America will gather in Washington D.C to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda and reiterate their commitment to the promise of Never Again.

    This event will take place on 7th April and 8th April 2012, in Washington D.C to remember the lives of over one million people who were killed during the genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.

    Under this year’s theme “Let’s learn from our history to shape a bright future” participants will have the opportunity to learn through discussions ranging from the history of the genocide, the role of media and literature in the genocide, genocide denial and survivors’ needs today.

    “The keynote speech will be delivered by Carl Wilkens, an acclaimed human rights activist and the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda as the genocide against Tutsi unfolded, risking his life to deliver food, water, and money to those in desperate need”, Said Yvette Rugasaguhunga the coordinator of the program.

    Other notable speakers include the Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, Dr. Stephen Smith; Genocide scholar, James Waller; Author, Dr. Margee Ensign; International law scholar, Dr. Zachary Kaufman; the Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Trust, Dr. James Smith, and the former spokesman for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Dr. Tim Gallimore.

    Additionally, the program will feature survivors of the genocide against Tutsi including Console Nishimwe, Dr. Egide Karuranga and Ms. Immaculee Ilibagiza, as well as other Rwandan activists including Dr. Chrysologue Gakuba, Mathilda Mukantabana and Dr. Rangira Bea
    Gallimore.

    The program will conclude with a Walk to Remember at the Washington D.C Mall, in memory of those lost to genocide in Rwanda and worldwide.

    This two-day special program is being organized by the Rwandan Community in North America in partnership with the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington D.C.

  • President Kagame Meets Atlantic Council

    On the final day of his working visit to Washington DC., Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was hosted to a luncheon by members of the Atlantic Council, a council that promotes constructive U.S leadership and engagement in international affairs.

    The meeting covered a range of issues including business investments and reforms carried out in Rwanda.

    President Kagame was received by the Atlantic Council Chairman, Senator Chuck Hagel, who expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Council for the opportunity to engage in a conversation expected to be beneficial in strengthening the different ties between Rwanda and the US.

    “I think everybody in this room knows something about President Kagame and what he has done for Rwanda, for his society but it goes well beyond the borders of Rwanda when you look at the continent of Africa.”

    Senator Hagel emphasized, “The importance of leadership cannot be understated, underestimated or underappreciated. Technology, institutions governments all give us resources to make a difference but it is the individuals; the leader who makes the difference and President Kagame has done that in immeasurable ways and has gone far beyond the borders of his country.”

    Addressing the council, President Kagame shared his appreciation and that of his countrymen for the continued collaboration between the two countries.

    Through partnerships built on dialogues such as meetings such as that of the Atlantic council, President Kagame went on to emphasize that, “Rwanda is changing, Africa is changing, both for the better, and certainly the future is even brighter.”

    “We want to see Africa take its rightful position in global affairs, as a participant and player in the global community – not a victim. Not a continent always waiting to benefit from the generosity of others.”

    “We have been learning lessons, Africa is changing because people are trying to address these mistakes of the past, but in the same way for Africa to be better and participate better in global I think lessons need to be learnt for others as well.”

    “Those who deal with Africa partner with Africa and invest in Africa. All if us in my view have learnt lessons or are expecting to learn lessons on how we can make this partnership more meaningful in the sense that it would contribute better to the stability that we want to build globally”.

    President Kagame was accompanied by Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States James Kimonyo and CEO of the Rwanda Development Board John Gara.

  • Negligent Nurse Suspended

    Following the recent incidence where a mother in labour pain gave birth to her baby in the hospital corridor after waiting for a doctor in vain, the management of Muhima hospital has henceforth suspended a Nursing officer that was on duty.

    The Ministry of Health in a press release has welcomed a decision taken by Hospital management to suspend a Nursing officer over poor handling of an expectant mother as the entire sector intensifies campaigns to stamp out poor patient care.

    Though the expectant mother came to the hospital quite late, a team investigating the incidence also found out that the Nurse failed to promptly provide basic care to the expectant mother, leaving her to give birth under circumstances that are totally unacceptable within the Health sector.

    “Good care is right for every person seeking services from our facilities,” said Dr. Agnes Binagwaho Minister of Health. “Extending this good care is also one of the key principles that define our profession especially as health service providers.”

    “Much as the general survey done by the Rwanda Governance Board gave an approved service delivery rate of 75%, we MUST put in more effort in polishing up areas that continue to show weaknesses.

    “Incidents where it is proved that there was clear professional negligence or failure to handle patient/customers in a manner expected of us as professionals is not something the sector will tolerate.” the Minister said.

    The Minister also called upon the general public not to wait for the last minute to seek treatment or services from health facilities as the case was with the expectant mother. She emphasized that where cases of negligence happen, the public should quickly inform management of health facilities or the Ministry directly through a toll free line of 114.

    Noting a general improvement in service delivery within the sector, the minister called upon health care providers to put in more effort in serving their clients better.

    “Even a smile on our faces counts a lot,” she said.
    Muhima hospital suspended the Nurse for a period of one month.

  • Lucky Man Survives Armed Thieves

    On Wednesday morning at Gisozi, thieves walked into a residential home carrying machete’s and took the owners laptop right in front of him.

    They simply walked out of his compound leaving him and his wife unharmed but seriously shocked and traumatized.

    A resident of gisozi (name withheld) was attacked in broad daylight by three men that walked into the victims compound in the early hours of the morning while he was working on his laptop.

    They entered the house and suddenly pointed panga’s into his face and told him to give them the laptop that was placed in front of him.

    The man was shocked. The goons brandished machete’s in his face in broad daylight immediately put his hands in the air in total surrender and told the thieves to take whatever they want but to not harm him and his wife who was also in the house.

    The house was open as the gentleman was preparing to head off to work and would never thought that such a thing could happen in one of what is supposedly to be one of the most secure residential areas.

    The couple who were attacked was lucky not to have been harmed.

  • Patient Rejects Transfer to India,wants Belgium

    FARG ordered her to leave hospital without her being fully recovered
    Uwamwezi M. Claire is one of the 1994 Tutsis’ Genocide survivors. She has spent a long-time suffering from the 1994 genocide injuries.

    She has been hospitalised at King Fysal Hospital where FARGE has been responsible for her medical fees.

    When she talked to IGIHE, she felt grateful for the government of Rwanda for it did the best for her healing. However, she says she is bothered by those who want to transfer her to India against her wishes.

    As India is not credible, she says. She wants rather to be transferred to Belgium.

    From FARGE’s letter to Uwamwezi, it says’ according to the commission in charge of transferring patients to foreign countries, she is to be transferred to India.’

    She has been removed from the hospital because she spends an enormous amount of money.

    According to that letter, the money spent on her is too much and could be spent on other patients.

    Uwamwezi says it has been a shock to her, since the doctor is the one to decide if the patient is to be discharged from the hospital.

    Gatayire Marie Claire, the 2nd vice president of IBUKA says she has also been stunned by FARGE decision. She says FARGE has no right to send the patient away if she has not yet fully recovered.

    In relation to support, Gatayire adds” we consult with one another in helping her being transferred to foreign countries”

    The executive secretary of FARG Théophile Ruberangeyo, announced to IGIHE that they often advised Uwamwezi to go where she has been transferred and that they made the right decision for her and chose the right place, but she rejected it.

    He adds’ many patients have been transferred to India fully recovered including even among leaders’

    Ruberangeyo adds that they sent her the letter to advise her to go to India, but she refused the offer and they cannot keep paying the medical fees for a person who is not being cured.

    For her current living conditions, Ruberangeyo says that they provide her a living allowance of Frw 50,000 a month whereas others get Frw 5000 a month.

    He adds’ she is ours, and if she wants to make a fundraising to go where she wants I will be supportive’.

    She begs the authority to be at her side

    Uwamwezi left the hospital at 11 pm, but she found her home empty. Her home faces the Area Sector’s office. Uwamwezi says she now has nothing to live on, everything has been stolen.

    Uwamwezi had been permitted to be transferred to Belgium on 01 December 2009. She suffered severe injuries as the aftermath of 1994 genocide where she has had been stabbed in the middle of her breasts and the back which resulted into the wound of her left lung.

    This caused her illness to be incurable, as proven in the report by Dr E. Musabyeyezu. The right lung is also being attacked.

    Uwamwezi beganher treatment from King Faysal hospital since 2007 after attempting various hospitals.

    She was discharged from King Faysal after recovering but continued to experience hardship in breathing and her head swelled and went back to King Faysal, and realised her lungs were affected. Her lungs exceeded King Faysal ability and hence required foreign transfer.

    She is requesting for financial help to her cure her disease. Cash can be deposited on Bank of Kigali Account 00040028462762.

  • Pedal Generator lights Homes

    A half-lying in a wooden chair, completed by a board on which is fixed a metal housing, Uwayezu Martin, 25, a pedal force to recharge with small LED lamps (LED).

    This pedal generator of simple design and craftsmanship has changed the lives of thousands of Rwandan countryside, living in areas without electricity, bringing them to light for some cheap and a new revenue stream.

    Fisher, Daniel sets his traps Ntibaziyandemye little before dusk, among dense brush in the river Akanyaru, chasing mosquitoes of the hand, ear alert to detect the possible presence of crocodiles that infest the place.

    At night, he returns to venture into the dangerous water to collect his catch, a small LED lamp on the front.

    “Previously we were using flashlights to find our traps at night,” said Daniel. “But the batteries were so expensive that our profits were meager. Now with these new bulbs, you can fish for a week for less than what it was costing us before. ”

    When discharged, Daniel carries his lamp to the merchant who sold it to him and who, like Martin, is the reload pedal strokes.

    The generator is a small box approximately 30 cm high, with each side of pedals. We must ride just 20 minutes to recharge and give them five lamps up to 25 hours of battery life, about a week of use for most people.

    Every minute and 375 minutes pedaled generates light, a system much more efficient than solar energy, says the company Rwandan Nuru Energy, the source of this invention that allowed him to win the 150,000 euros in 2008 to reward Price Lighting Africa, an initiative of the World Bank.

    The company sells on credit generators and lamps to local retailers. They sell the lamps, then recharged every week for one low price.

    Nuru Energy “gave me six months to repay the credit of my first lamps, but with the money earned by recharging, I was able to repay in two months,” said Martin Uwayezu.

    “I was poor, now I’m a businessman,” he says proudly.

    Attack the markets in East Africa and India

    Most of rural Rwanda does not have access to electricity and people light up with kerosene and cooking over a wood fire. Over 90% of households in Rwanda use kerosene lamps whose fumes are harmful.

    “In addition to being dangerous, it is inefficient and expensive,” explains Holazman Sloan, marketing director Nuru. “Families are spending between 10 and 25% of their income on oil for the only light.”

    The boss and co-founder, Sameer Hajee, said he studied the energy requirements and practices of rural Rwandans to imagine a clean and inexpensive technology that can compete with oil.

    “Kerosene is expensive, harmful, polluting and dangerous. But it is also portable, reliable and available, “he says.

    In addition to the LED lamps, Nuru Energy plans to expand the use of its generators to recharge the mobile phones and other appliances in rural areas without grid.

    After launching his first pedal generator in Rwanda, Nuru Energy is developing pilot projects in other countries such as India.

    The company now boasts 10,000 customers in Rwanda and seeks to expand to other countries in East Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda by the end of the year.

  • Pupil Injured in car Accident

    A school pupil identified as Eric Tuyishime 7 years was severely injured in a Tuesday car accident when an overspeeding commuter taxi knocked him along the Kamembe-Bugarama road in Rusizi District.

    Tuyisenge was heading home from school. After the accident, he was rushed to Gihundwe Hospital for treatment. According to an eye witness, the accident was a result of over speeding.

    Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege noted that careless driving and over speeding were major causes of road accidents.

    In Rwanda, at least one person dies every day and almost 3,000 per year get disabled due to traffic accidents.

    “Despite the law and increased awareness, over speeding leads in causes of car accidents’’, said Supt. Badege.

    Police particularly instructed students whose schools are near major roads to be vigilant whenever they are crossing road.

  • I Desperately Need to Replace my Kidney—Patient

    Hatari Desire is a Rwandan whose life is hanging on a thread. He desperately needs help. He needs a Kidney and Cash to be able to have his faulty kidney replaced at a hosipital in India.

    Hatari suffers from a kidney disease and is seeking a Frw1.5 million for treatment so that he can live longer.

    Born in 1989 in the District of Mbuye Ruhango, Hatari has suffered from kidney disease for four years. He changed several hospitals to no avail.

    He first began with the hospital Kabgayi CHUK hospital for the time he was hospitalized at the National University Hospital of Butare (CHUB) where he is on dialysis three times a week.

    Since doctors have confirmed, his kidneys cannot be restored except replacing them, Alphonse Ngarambe, the patient’s father, has promised to give him his kidney after medical tests confirmed that Hatari can receive a kidney from his dad.

    The operation costs about 15 million Rwandan francs but the Rwandan government has decided to pay 85% through the Ministry of Health.

    The 15% (Frw 2.5 million) must be paid by Hatari, who said he could find only one million by selling his plot.”I need a million and a half to go to the doctor in India” Hatari pleaded.

    Hatari received a certificate from the Ministry of Health showing that he needs help so he can seek treatment.

    Any One that needs to contribute can deposit cash on the account at Banque Populaire Number: 441340168211 BPR.

    As part of his life expectancy, Hatari anticipate that it would be better to not exceed the month of May.

  • “Dr. Oby, a Strong, Valued Advocate for Africa”- President Kagame

    President Paul Kagame on Wednesday in Washington DC delivered the key remarks at a tribute to honor outgoing World Bank vice president, Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, for her contribution to Africa during her tenure.

    Hosted at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for scholars, and jointly organized by the Tony Emelu Foundation and the Whitaker Group, the event brought together African Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps, global business leaders, representatives from the World Bank, IMF, civil society, and NGOs.

    In his opening remarks, President Kagame spoke of the pivotal role Dr. Oby Ezekwesili played in championing a strategy which in her words is built around ‘partnership with Africa, working with Africa, not for Africa.’

    President Kagame congratulated Dr. Oby and her work done across the continent over the last 5 years saying, “What we have seen in Rwanda working with the World Bank over the last decade is indeed shared across the continent and there is no doubt that two very competent women that have been at the World Bank.

    “Our sisters from Africa, Oby and Ngozi Okojo- Iwela have been competent leaders in this institution under the able leadership of Bob Zoellick who has also been a good friend of Africa”

    Kagame also paid tribute to Dr. Oby’s role as a strong advocate for Africa, emphasizing how through her continued encouragement to both Africans and others to seize the moment and turn the continents immense potential into profits.

    “Through the World Bank’s increased support to productive areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy, the potential for investment in these areas and in harnessing a developed private sector has greatly increased” said the President.

    Speaking on behalf of the event’s organizers, Rosa Whitaker, CEO of the Whitaker Group, praised Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, who “ came to the World Bank with a demonstrated record of achievement as a pioneer and public servant.”

    Whitaker emphasized Ezekwesili “Is driven by a cherished and fundamental belief that opportunity should not be bestowed arbitrarily, but incontrovertibly.”

    Bringing the ceremony to a close, Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili began her remarks by thanking President Kagame, “For being the face of aspiration that we all share for the development of the our continent.”

    Ezekwesili said she always believes, “development is a process that is exemplified by the strength of will, the strength of purpose and the resilience on the part of the people to create the impetus for their own progress.”

    “I have never looked at development as the activity of the weak and that is why I have always seen the continent as a continent with so much power and yet not demonstrated it for many decades so now Mr. President the strength of vision, that dignity that is necessary, that strength of character that you have demonstrated has been an important factor of progress that we have seen in Rwanda “

    In her conclusion, Dr. Oby expressed her gratitude to the organizers for having put together the event and re-iterated her intention to continue to act as an advocate for Africa.

    Other tributes for Oby included a taped address to Ezekwesili by the former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo.

  • U.S. Companies to Invest in Rwanda

    Rwanda has been represented at the round-table discussion hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce- African Initiative.

    John Gara, CEO of the Rwandan Development Board and Ambassador James Kimonyo, Ambassador to the United States participated in a round-table discussion that attracts Washington’s elite business community.

    The Initiative aimed at showcasing various investment opportunities in Rwanda. The business group present included Oracle, Boeing, IMB, John Deere, Citi, Trimble Navigation and PAE Group.

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s African initiatives’ engages the U.S. business community on legislative policies that foster foreign direct investment in Africa, to facilitate trade between the United States and African countries, and introduce U.S. companies to the continent’s vast economic opportunities.

    During the discussion, RDB’s Gara underlined his satisfaction on the recent signing of the bilateral investment treaty (BIT). The ratification of this treaty would enhance protection including nondiscriminatory treatment of investors and investments; the right to freely transfer investment-related funds; prompt adequate and effective compensation in the event of illegal seizure of investment.

    It also includes freedom from specified performance demands, such as domestic content or technology-transfer requirements and provisions to ensure transparency in governance.

    Gara noted, through BIT, Rwanda also hopes to build capacity in trade areas and fill the specialized skills shortages. He emphasised Rwanda’s deep business reform agenda that has steered it to be among the top 45th easiest places to do business, the 3rd easiest in Africa and the finest in the East African Community.

    Sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism and Information Communication Technology were underscored as some of the few Investment opportunities that are ready to be explored in Rwanda.

    Moreover, as President Paul Kagame deems “people” as the most important resource a country could have, Gara also highlighted the growing need to invest more in education and healthcare sectors.

    Echoing Gara, Ambassador James Kimonyo also highlighted the fact that trade and investment are important drivers of a country’s economic growth.

    During the discussion, the Ambassador noted, United States’ economic strength and dynamism through the signing of the BIT not only deepens the two countries ties, but also supports important foreign policy goals.

    He expressed his gratitude towards the Chamber’s unwavering assistance specially after the signing of the BIT.

    The Ambassador emphasized Rwanda’s peaceful environment and political stability to re-assure the business moguls, and feature its competitive advantage.

    Concluding the discussion, participants of the roundtable were encouraged to make Rwanda as their next destination. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will lead a group of investors to Rwanda during the summer months.