Igihe

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  • Non Citizens to Be Issued Electronic IDs

    Non Rwandan citizens living in the country will next week be registered to be issued with Electronic Identification Cards replacing the paper ‘green cards.’

    The Registration exercise will be conducted at district immigration offices and immigration headquarters.

    Ange Sebutege, the Communication officer at the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration,“The resident card is designed according to the wishes and proposals from non-nationals (customers) living in Rwanda and will be machine readable just like the national IDs.”

    This card also gives the holder the right to access some of the services offered to nationals such as the right to obtain a driving license.

    It will be launched in Gakenke, Rulindo, Gicumbi and Bugesera districts on October 15 and conclude in Huye, Gisagara, Kamonyi and Muhanga.

  • Burundi To Adopt Decentralised Governance System

    Burundi will adopt Rwanda’s decentralized system and performance contracts to improve service delivery in government offices.

    A delegation of Burundi Members of Parliament visited the country to study the decentralized system of governance, and how it has been used to improve service delivery.

    “In Burundi, we are in the process of passing laws to decentralize government services. The lessons we have learnt here will help us play our role effectively,” said Marcelline Bararufise, the leader of delegation.

    Bararufise hailed Rwanda for directly engaging its citizens in decision-making, through a decentralized service delivery system.

    The MPs also learned the concept of performance contracting —Imihigo— and how it helps fast-track development.

    She added that the visit enabled the delegation to understand how Rwanda’s parliament enacted laws to include citizens in identification and implementation of development projects.

    Ms Bararufise said her country would apply the experiences learned to help Burundi realize sustainable development.

    Imihigo allowed participation of citizens in the implementation of projects.

  • Burundi To Adopt Decentralised Governance System

    Burundi will adopt Rwanda’s decentralized system and performance contracts to improve service delivery in government offices.

    A delegation of Burundi Members of Parliament visited the country to study the decentralized system of governance, and how it has been used to improve service delivery.

    “In Burundi, we are in the process of passing laws to decentralize government services. The lessons we have learnt here will help us play our role effectively,” said Marcelline Bararufise, the leader of delegation.

    Bararufise hailed Rwanda for directly engaging its citizens in decision-making, through a decentralized service delivery system.

    The MPs also learned the concept of performance contracting —Imihigo— and how it helps fast-track development.

    She added that the visit enabled the delegation to understand how Rwanda’s parliament enacted laws to include citizens in identification and implementation of development projects.

    Ms Bararufise said her country would apply the experiences learned to help Burundi realize sustainable development.

    Imihigo allowed participation of citizens in the implementation of projects.

  • HE. Karega Presents Credentials to Mozambique President

    The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda in Mozambique with residence in South Africa, H.E Vincent Karega, presented a letter of credence to HE. Armando Guebuza, of the Republic of Mozambique and current chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    In his exchange with H.E President Armando Guebuza, H.E Vincent Karega reiterated October 10, the value that Rwanda gives to her relations with Mozambique, particularly because of the historical political similarities that Rwanda share with Mozambique.

    Both countries went through liberation struggles and are actively involved in bringing stability and economic development in their respective nations.

    H.E President Armando Guebuza expressed his appreciation on booming investment in Rwanda. He reiterated the need to trade and work together.

    Prior to this ceremony, The High Commissioner Vincent Karega held a lengthy discussion with Mozambique Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Henrique Banze, with whom they exchanged on progress registered in Rwanda, the revival of Joint Permanent commission between Mozambique and Rwanda and opportunities offered by the invocation of the cessation clause to Rwandan refugees.

    The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Mozambique’s continuous will to work with Rwanda and the need to multiply meetings between different key stakeholders in a view to exchange experience and information for the welfare of their respective people and the stability of both countries.

    At the end of his visit in Mozambique, the High Commissioner Vincent Karega took this opportunity to visit some of the businesses of Rwandans in Maputo (Mozambique).

    It was noted that they are well established and are contributing to both their well-being and their country through different personal projects in Rwanda.

    The High Commissioner called upon them to make a contribution to the economic development of their country.

    The Rwandan community in Mozambique pledged to make available their contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund. An announcement in that regard will soon be made public.

    The number of Rwandans living in Mozambique is estimated to be around 4,000 people from different sectors, but mostly in small scale business.

    Mozambique is currently holding the chairmanship of SADC and has got good relations with Rwanda. Both Presidents have been meeting in different international fora.

  • HE. Karega Presents Credentials to Mozambique President

    The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda in Mozambique with residence in South Africa, H.E Vincent Karega, presented a letter of credence to HE. Armando Guebuza, of the Republic of Mozambique and current chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    In his exchange with H.E President Armando Guebuza, H.E Vincent Karega reiterated October 10, the value that Rwanda gives to her relations with Mozambique, particularly because of the historical political similarities that Rwanda share with Mozambique.

    Both countries went through liberation struggles and are actively involved in bringing stability and economic development in their respective nations.

    H.E President Armando Guebuza expressed his appreciation on booming investment in Rwanda. He reiterated the need to trade and work together.

    Prior to this ceremony, The High Commissioner Vincent Karega held a lengthy discussion with Mozambique Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Henrique Banze, with whom they exchanged on progress registered in Rwanda, the revival of Joint Permanent commission between Mozambique and Rwanda and opportunities offered by the invocation of the cessation clause to Rwandan refugees.

    The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Mozambique’s continuous will to work with Rwanda and the need to multiply meetings between different key stakeholders in a view to exchange experience and information for the welfare of their respective people and the stability of both countries.

    At the end of his visit in Mozambique, the High Commissioner Vincent Karega took this opportunity to visit some of the businesses of Rwandans in Maputo (Mozambique).

    It was noted that they are well established and are contributing to both their well-being and their country through different personal projects in Rwanda.

    The High Commissioner called upon them to make a contribution to the economic development of their country.

    The Rwandan community in Mozambique pledged to make available their contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund. An announcement in that regard will soon be made public.

    The number of Rwandans living in Mozambique is estimated to be around 4,000 people from different sectors, but mostly in small scale business.

    Mozambique is currently holding the chairmanship of SADC and has got good relations with Rwanda. Both Presidents have been meeting in different international fora.

  • Smaller Business Exempted From Taxes

    Businesses earning Frw2 Million or lower in a year have been exempted from taxes. Rwanda Revenue Authority has said.

    Ben Kagarama, the Commissioner General of RRA, said at a news conference, “any business that makes Frw2 million or less will be exempted from taxation.”

    He added that other businesses making Frw2-4 million a year will pay a flat tax of Frw60,000 whereas those making Frw4-7 million will pay Frw120,000 a year.

    Also businesses that generate incomes between Frw7-10 million will pay a total of Frw210,000 while those earning Frw10-12 million will pay Frw300,000 annually.

    Rwanda Revenue Authority says the new changes come after talks with the traders and the Private Sector Federation.

    “We devised a new tax regime which is now imbedded in a new law to make it easy for the businesses to declare taxes,” says Kagarama.

    “previously, businesses making between Frw1.2M and Frw20M were were paying 4% of income..this was considered exorbitantly high. In the new adjustments business that earn Frw2M and lower, have been exempted from taxation.”

  • Smaller Business Exempted From Taxes

    Businesses earning Frw2 Million or lower in a year have been exempted from taxes. Rwanda Revenue Authority has said.

    Ben Kagarama, the Commissioner General of RRA, said at a news conference, “any business that makes Frw2 million or less will be exempted from taxation.”

    He added that other businesses making Frw2-4 million a year will pay a flat tax of Frw60,000 whereas those making Frw4-7 million will pay Frw120,000 a year.

    Also businesses that generate incomes between Frw7-10 million will pay a total of Frw210,000 while those earning Frw10-12 million will pay Frw300,000 annually.

    Rwanda Revenue Authority says the new changes come after talks with the traders and the Private Sector Federation.

    “We devised a new tax regime which is now imbedded in a new law to make it easy for the businesses to declare taxes,” says Kagarama.

    “previously, businesses making between Frw1.2M and Frw20M were were paying 4% of income..this was considered exorbitantly high. In the new adjustments business that earn Frw2M and lower, have been exempted from taxation.”

  • Pope Prays in Arabic For First Time

    Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday pronounced a blessing in Arabic at his weekly audience in front of 20,000 pilgrims on St Peter’s Square — the first time the language has been used at such an event.

    “The pope prays for all Arabic speakers. May God bless you all!” the pope said in Arabic at the audience, after a bishop read out an Arabic translation of the pope’s comments praising the results of the Second Vatican Council.

    The landmark Council, which began 50 years ago this week, is a “compass” for the Catholic Church “in the middle of the storms”, the pope said.

    As a young reformer, the then Joseph Ratzinger took part in the Council, better known as Vatican II, which revolutionised Catholic rituals.

    The Council brought together 2,250 bishops and lasted from 1962 until 1965.

    The pope has always defended the 15 “constitutions” adopted by the Council despite complaints from traditionalists in the Church over several reforms.

    Benedict will celebrate mass on St Peter’s Square on Thursday to launch a “Year of Faith” on the exact anniversary of the start of Vatican II.

  • Pope Prays in Arabic For First Time

    Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday pronounced a blessing in Arabic at his weekly audience in front of 20,000 pilgrims on St Peter’s Square — the first time the language has been used at such an event.

    “The pope prays for all Arabic speakers. May God bless you all!” the pope said in Arabic at the audience, after a bishop read out an Arabic translation of the pope’s comments praising the results of the Second Vatican Council.

    The landmark Council, which began 50 years ago this week, is a “compass” for the Catholic Church “in the middle of the storms”, the pope said.

    As a young reformer, the then Joseph Ratzinger took part in the Council, better known as Vatican II, which revolutionised Catholic rituals.

    The Council brought together 2,250 bishops and lasted from 1962 until 1965.

    The pope has always defended the 15 “constitutions” adopted by the Council despite complaints from traditionalists in the Church over several reforms.

    Benedict will celebrate mass on St Peter’s Square on Thursday to launch a “Year of Faith” on the exact anniversary of the start of Vatican II.

  • Israel Panics, Strange Drone Invades Airspace

    Israel’s civilian air traffic was halted for several minutes on Wednesday morning after an unidentified flying object was spotted inside Israeli air space, Israel’s army radio said.

    Air force jets were briefly scrambled and Israeli air space was closed, it said, without saying what caused the scare. The closure was lifted several minutes later.

    Closing Israeli air space was an “exceptional” measure which demonstrated the level of tension in Israel after the air force shot down an unidentified and unarmed drone which had entered the country’s airspace on Saturday from the Mediterranean.

    Fresh details about the weekend incident emerged on Wednesday with both army radio and the top-selling Yediot Aharonot daily saying the air force had only managed to shoot down the drone on the second attempt.

    Both reports said that the first missile fired by the F-16 jet missed the drone which was eventually brought by a Panther missile, the military’s most advanced air-to-air projectile.

    Senior air force sources quoted by Yediot played down the incident saying it was not unreasonable given the drone’s small size.

    “This is not a failure, no other army in the world with Israel’s aerial defence systems could prevent the infiltration of such aircraft.”

    The military had no immediate comment on Wednesday’s false alarm, nor did they comment on the report suggesting the F-16 had only downed the drone on a second attempt.

    At the time, the military described the operation as a “success” but did not go into details about how the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was intercepted.

    Military officials are investigating where the drone came from, with suspicions it was operated by Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia.
    In July 2006, Israel shot down another unarmed drone operated by Hezbollah over the Jewish state’s territorial waters.

    A year earlier, in April 2005, another pilotless Hezbollah aircraft succeeded in overflying part of northern Israel without being downed.