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  • Wife Hits Husband Dead In Domestic Wrangle

    Police in Bugesera district on Friday arrested a woman for killing a man using a hoe handle.

    Festiannette Mukaminega, a resident of Kagasa cell, Mwogo sector, Bugesera district repeatedly hit Jean Damascene Rutembesa with a hoe handle severely injuring him.

    Rutembesa was hit while fighting with Mukaminega’s husband over a domestic dispute.

    According to Police the two men had been at odds for sometime over irreconcilable domestic misunderstanding that culminated in a fight.

    Rutembesa was rushed to ADEPR Nyamata hospital for medical attention where he later died from severe wounds.

    Mukaminega who is detained at Nyamata Police station is likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment once found guilty.

    Police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege said that such incidences were uncommon and called on society to avoid disputes that end in violence.

    He noted that domestic crimes were a result of family feuds that have taken place over long periods of time. “There is always a better option of solving family wrangles rather than taking matters in ones hand. Rwandans should always strive to solve family wrangles amicably and seek outside intervention from courts of law or even local arbitration,” Badege said.

    He called on Rwandans to be vigilant and report family wrangles to relevant authorities as a means to avert any grave criminal incidents that may arise.

    Rwanda National Police urge families to always seek justice intervention in case of family feuds to avoid committing serious crimes that may arise as a result of rash uninformed decisions.

  • EAC Integration Might Never Come True–EALA Speaker

    Mr Abdirahin Haithar Abdi the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) has expressed deep concern over the slow pace of East African integration initiatives.

    Mr Abdi argues that unless the governments in the economic bloc change the strategies in implementing major decisions made, the dream of a fully integrated EA would remain a dream for many years to come.

    Addressing journalists in Bujumbura, Mr Abdi cited the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol which, he says, has not been operationalised because of failure by governments to swiftly implement what is in the document that its officials ratified.

    He said under the protocol signed by all the partner states in November 2009 and which came into force in July last year, regional laws were to be enacted to oversee its implementation but instead the member countries opted to harmonise their legislations for the purpose.

    The Speaker wondered if any of the provisions contained in the Common Market Protocol were already operational, saying harmonisation of the laws among the partner states to accommodate the common market provisions was not likely to be completed in the near future.

    Mr Abdi, speaking ahead of key meetings of the regional leaders in the Burundi capital next week, said Rwanda was the only state among the five countries in the bloc which had started to change its laws on immigration to conform to the requirements of the Protocol.

    Kenya has yet to amend at least 25 laws. Elsewhere, the EAC member states have delayed the process on the pretext of looking for annextures to change the laws but in reality not doing anything tangible on the matter.

    “Many people have now started to ask; Do we have a Common Market Protocol in place?”, he queried, noting that in reality the protocol was still on paper because some governments have failed to implement its provisions or were delaying the process for unclear reasons.

    He affirmed that failure to implement various protocols and treaties under the Community was denying the nationals of East Africa rights such as free movement across the borders but, more specifically, the economic benefits such as employment and setting up business in various countries within the region.

    The Speaker, responding to a barrage of questions from journalists from across the region, defended the manner under which the current members of Eala are elected, saying it was within the laws and procedures contained in the Treaty that established the EAC.

    He emphasised that the system would not change unless the Treaty was amended. Under the current structure, Eala members from each partner state are elected by the National Assemblies of the respective countries under the procedures determined by the parliament of each country.

    “The procedure would change only when some amendments are made on the Treaty,” he said, insisting that the EAC or Eala in particular, has no powers to interfere with any process deemed democratic in any EAC partner state in picking legislators for the regional Assembly.However, he explained that EAC would prefer an all-inclusive Eala which would serve the needs of the region.

  • MTN Plants 150,000 Trees

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    During the monthly communal work ‘umuganda’ on Saturday,MTN Group announced the achievement of registering 150 million subscribers by planting 150,000 trees. Its sister branch; MTN Rwanda celebrated the achievement by planting approximately 7,000 trees to contribute to the number.

    Over 200 management and staff of MTN Rwanda mainly those based in Kigali that makes almost 80% of the company’s employees turned up and joined the residents of Nyarufunzo cell, Mageragere sector based in Nyarugenge district few kilometers off Kigali city to plant the trees at an open to erosion hill of Kabungo. The company was also marking the end of year of forests as its part of social responsibility.
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    MTN Rwanda’s CEO Khaled Mikkawi in a press statement highlighted the company’s efforts to environmental conservation.

    “Over the past years we have been involved in Project Adoption where we have planted 100, 000 trees around schools across the country, Nyandungu Garden where we maintaining a stretch of four kilometers holding 10, 000 and a 1, 000, 000 Nursery bed project in Rulindo district.”

    Butera Rutagarama who led the management and staff at the activity confirmed the follow up and maintenance of the company’s planted trees with the assistance of the residents located near the areas where they are being planted.

    He added, “If we don’t involve in such kind of activities today; we are then loosing the better future of our children and our subscribers as well.”

    Juvenile Kabarisa an area resident said that in the past years, the hill had been degraded but confirmed his efforts in the maintenance of these planted trees in order to ensure environmental protection.

    Celebrating the 150 million subscribers, MTN Group pledged to plant 150, 000 trees in the countries of its operations before the end of the year.

    After the activity of umuganda, MTN officially handed over to the Kigali City officials 80 dustbins to be positioned across the city as part of the keep Kigali clean campaign.

  • AMAVUBI Now Fit For CECAFA Cup Title–Karekezi

    Veteran striker Olivier Karekezi has wooed his teammates by insisting that the current Amavubi team has what it takes to end their 12-year-wait for another Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title.

    Rwanda last won the tournament back in 1999 when they fielded two sides in the competition. However, the Amavubi captain, who has rediscovered his form under new coach Milutin Micho, does not see why the team cannot go all the way this year.

    “We have a good side with a blend of youth and experience but more importantly, players desperate to impress in the tournament,” Karekezi said.

    Last year, Rwanda was knocked out at the quarter-final stage by eventual champions Tanzania after a 1-0 defeat but Karekezi is convinced that the wasps can oust the reigning champions today in Group A’s opening fixture.

    “For any tournament, the hosting team usually has a slight advantage over the rest but I think we can upset Tanzania,” Karekezi noted.

  • Violence On It’s High in DRC Final Election Campaign

    Main Opposition Candidate, Etienne Tshisekedi
    The Final day of Election campaigning in the Democratic republic of Congo has climaxed into clashes prompting police to ban final rallies ahead of Monday’s Parliamentary and Presidential vote.

    Police in the capital Kinshasa moved in to end a stand-off with supporters of the main opposition candidate, Etienne Tshisekedi.

    The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the government had “primary responsibility” for maintaining peace.

    “I call on all political leaders and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to exercise restraint throughout the process to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful and secure environment,” he said.

    President Joseph Kabila and his two main rivals had been due to hold rallies within several hundred metres of each other, at the Kinshasa City main stadium.

    However, Governor Andre Kimbuta said, “because of the escalating violence seen in Kinshasa, all public demonstrations and other political meetings are cancelled over the weekend”.

    DR-Congo interior ministry confirmed that two people had died in earlier clashes on Saturday.

    Later,Tshisekedi, of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), attempted to defy the ban as he flew into Kinshasa.

    Throngs of his supporters, many brandishing palm fronds, had gathered along the airport road to greet the 78-year-old.

    But his car was blocked by police who parked a large armoured truck across the road, hemming him in for eight hours.

    According to local press, the standoff ended only when police pushed members of his 20-car entourage into their cars with shoves and baton blows and forced the motorcade to drive off.

    Police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd to disperse them. A number of UDPS officials were reported to have been roughed up or arrested.
    Mr Tshisekedi was eventually escorted to his home by police.

    The elections on Monday see 11 candidates running for president and more than 18,000 candidates for the 500-seat parliament.

    It will be the second presidential poll since the 1998-2003 war.
    However, there are concerns over the distribution of ballot papers, as some planes bound for the country’s regions have been unable to take off because of bad weather.

    Tshisekedi has also alleged that the head of the national election commission favoured Mr Kabila, and that “ghost” polling stations would be used to rig the result.

    Election experts say it is unlikely the ballots will be able to reach the remote interior of a country where some 60,000 polling stations are spread out over a territory the size of Western Europe.

    “The end result of a democratic election should be the resolution of conflict. Instead, we’re heading into an election which is by its very nature bound to aggravate conflict,” said Jerome Bonso, co-ordinator of the Coalition for Peaceful and Transparent Elections.

    The last election, in 2006, was marred by weeks of street battles led by supporters of the losing candidate.

  • Rwandans in South Africa Meet

    On 26th November 2011, the High Commission of Rwanda in the Republic of South Africa held a meeting with Rwanda diaspora community, mainly from the province of Gauteng (North east part of South Africa) which comprises Johannesburg, Pretoria, Centurion and Midrand.

    The meeting under theme “United we win, Divided we fall” was attended by about 250 people including; Students, professionals, businessmen and refugees in South Africa attended this event.

    During the meeting, pertinent issues of Rwanda were raised including; the path of Vision 2020, Rwanda’s development as well as the purpose of the cessation clause were presented to the public.

    In his remark to the diaspora community, H.E Vincent Karega, The High Commissioner of Rwanda in the Republic of South Africa, gave a historical background of Rwanda’s tragedy.

    Karega called upon the diaspora community to keep at heart their country and ignore their differences urging them to live in solidarity and work together to improve their wellbeing and dignity. He reiterated support of the High Commission in those endeavors.

    The event was concluded by colorful dance and rhythms of Rwanda through which the diaspora could not contain their nostalgia.

    The High Commission of Rwanda intends to organize similar meetings in Capetown, Durban and Maputo ( Mozambique).

  • Military Doctors treat 530 Kamonyi Residents

    A group of doctors from the Kanombe Military Hospital have concluded their five-days medical service to the community of Kamonyi district.

    The Military doctors had a target of treating 500 members of the community but actually managed to treat 530 by the end of their service.

    5patients were referred to Kanombe Military hospital for treatment of Heart and abdominal complications.

    Major Dr. King Kayondo, leader of the military doctors during the 5days campaign told Kamonyi residents that most of the cases treated in their community included dental infections,gasto and those that affect breathing system.

    Kamonyi residents expressed their gratitude to the service by the military doctors.

  • Kagame Urges Citizens to Work Hard

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    President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans to work hard without waiting to be given aid.

    “If someone is giving you aid it means they are carrying your baggage and will drop it any time they wish.”

    Kagame made the remarks during community work today at Nduba in Gasabo district where he joined the area residents on a monthly Umuganda (community work).

    Meanwhile the visiting US Permanent Ambassador to UN, Susan Rice participated in the monthly community work-umuganda.

  • Mpiranya Is Not Here, Zimbabwe Says

    Zimbabwean government has denied presence on their soil of Protais Mpiranya, a fugitive of the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi genocide.

    A principal director in the Immigration office Clemence Masango said Mparinya is not in the country.

    Mpiranya the former commander of the Rwandan Presidential Guard who allegedly masterminded the genocide is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for war crimes.

    “We do not have him in our records. Interpol wrote to us on the matter and investigations were carried out. He is not here,” Masango told a Parliamentary portfolio committee on defence and security yesterday.

    Masango was answering questions on the deportation of Zimbabweans from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana.

    He said the deportations are not a strange thing saying it is an ongoing process which is often carried out by countries, including Zimbabwe, to flush out unregistered foreigners.

    Reports linking Mparinya with Zimbabwe caused a diplomatic tiff between Harare and Kigali with the later accused of deliberately hiding many genocide fugitives including Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam who is wanted in Ethiopia for crimes against humanity.

    Masango told parliamentarians that investigations were still in progress but so far indications are that the fugitive is not in the country.

    In a press interview, Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said while Rwanda government was not aware of the communication between the UK and Zimbabwe, it was becoming increasingly clear that Zimbabwe was harbouring Mpiranya.

    “I am not privy to the communication between the UK and Zimbabwe but I would not be surprised because it is getting increasingly believable that Mpiranya is in Zimbabwe.”

    “Zimbabwe must cooperate to get him apprehended and brought to justice,” Ngonga said.

    Mpiranya is accused of crimes against humanity during the 1994 war. He is also accused of killing ten Belgians guarding the first Rwandan female Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana in 1994.

    He is also accused of distributing weapons to the militia and to certain members of the civilian population with the intent to exterminate the Tutsi.

  • EAC Supports Joint Efforts Aganist Al-Shabaab

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    The EAC secretary General Ambassador Richard Sezibera has affirmed EAC’s support for the ongoing initiatives aimed at pacifying Somalia.

    Amb. Sezibera confirmed that the country’s security situation would feature on the agenda of the EAC Heads of State Summit meeting due 30 November in Bujumbura.

    “EAC is committed to finding a long term solution to Somalia so that its people can find the peace and stability they deserve,” the Secretary General stated.
    Meanwhile EAC is working on harnessing the potential of Lake Tanganyika by attracting investments to the lake basin, the EAC Secretary General Ambassador Richard Sezibera said today.

    While briefing journalists attending the EAC-GIZ Advanced Media Training on Reporting on Regional Integration, which is currently on in Bujumbura, Amb.Sezibera said attracting investment and increasing awareness of the importance of the Lake Tanganyika basin would be top on the agenda at the Lake Tanganyika Development Conference which opens next Monday in the Burundian capital.

    Amb. Sezibera said that in addition to raising awareness about one of the region’s most important shared trans-boundary natural resources, EAC would also use the 28-29 November conference to woo investors to the basin, which presents opportunities in transport and communication infrastructure; tourism; agri-business and fisheries; trade and industry; and investment-led research among others.

    “We want people to be fully aware of the potentials available in the lake, which is shared by four countries; Tanzania, Burundi, DRC and Zambia. There are lots of potentials that need to be tapped in the lake through investment as it is in other lakes in the region,” he told journalists.

    The Secretary General challenged media in the region to play an active role in ensuring East Africans are involved in the integration project by providing a medium for citizens to interface with their leaders to discuss pertinent EAC issues and in the process address fears and reservations towards integration, some of which Amb. Sezibera said result from a lack of information.

    “When the people are aware of the Community, see it and feel its presence, they would appreciate more and acknowledge its benefits and prospects,” the Secretary General said.

    Amb. Sezibera, who also addressed himself to various EAC-related subjects ranging from trade to the economy and regional security, emphasized the need for the Partner States to speed up work towards the East African Monetary Union, which he said would put the region on a firmer economic footing.

    “Currency fluctuations [in the region] are a reflection of underlying economic fundamentals. A monetary union with the accompanying economic and financial integration would make our region more competitive,” he said. “But that’s not enough,” he added, noting that the region needed to boost industrial growth, food production and energy generation, among others.

    He also affirmed that the region was committed to tackling Non Tariff Barriers, which slow down intra-regional trade and declared that these had now been reduced by at least half from 59 a few years ago.

    Amb.Sezibera reiterated the bloc’s commitment to conclude the Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union and explained that any delays were because the EAC negotiators “wanted to get the right EPA for East Africa”.