Students from Green Hills Academy, International School of Kigali, and Ecole Belge de Kigali will today showcase the art pieces on their inspirations about the Akagera national park.

Located in north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, the Akagera Park is one of the oldest parks in Africa and has a fascinating History of turbulent times and great achievements.

The art event is part of the activities to celebrate 80 years of conservation activities and the conservation work that has seen the park stay intact and remaining as one of the commonly visited destinations in Rwanda.

The exhibition is sponsored by Akagera Management Company, RDB, Inema Arts and will be held at Green Hills Academy.

The exhibition has an element of competition giving students a chance to win annual passes to Akagera National Park.

Akagera Park is home to various wild animals and dominated scenically by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile; this is an archetypal African savannah landscape of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland.

The recently renovated Kigali International Airport

The country’s budding Air market that has registered tremendous growth in the past few years is projected to handle over 1.5 million passengers by the year 2018, thanks to the positive economic growth, despite the global spillovers.

The projected  growth is referenced on  the continued  positive performance of the economy , increased  investments  opportunities as well as the   promising tourism sector that saw  an increase in  international  meetings  held  in Rwanda.

This,  according to  aviation  experts is  a   positive  gesture that the  country  is  on track to  be  a region’s  logistics  hub considering its strategic position between  the East and central Africa regions.

With the  positive  performance outlook for the past  ten years that has  seen  soaring  passenger  numbers as well as cargo volumes  due to  the entry of  international  airlines in to the market, Rwanda becomes Africa’s  fastest growing Air to market, according by OAG Aviation market survey .

For example, a number  of international airlines have been flying  to  and from  the  region’s growing  air market  thus  boosting   both  domestic and  international frequencies, opening  the economy to  outside world.

“Connectivity brings people to business, delivers products to markets and reunites families and friends,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO at The International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association for the world’s airlines.

He adds, “And that could mean access to vital sources of health care and emergency assistance; jobs selling products in global markets or welcoming tourists; or opportunities for education, exploring the world or creating business.”

Accordingly, the Kigali International Airport handled 488,903 passengers (including international, domestic and direct transit passengers) in 2012 up from 276,115 passengers in 2008 while cargo had 6912,7 metric tonnes in 2012 when compared to 6784,4 metric tonnes in 2008.

But  most profoundly  has been the  increase  in the domestic market, that  saw  a rise in destinations  thus  linking the region  and easing  transport  that has been a challenges for the region mainly the private sector.

The domestic flight frequencies moved from 2, 000 in 2007 to 40,000 in 2011, easing businesses and reducing the cost of delays for the business community.

Traffic between Kigali and European Union grew to 25,759 passengers in the first quarter of 2014 up from 8,164 passengers in the first quarter of 2011.

Currently, Rwanda’s air Market   has eight major players that include RwandAir, the National Carrier, Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar, KLM, Turkish Airways Kenya Airways and the recent entrant Fly Dubai that made its maiden flight in September 2014.

This according to experts will   see more Airlines venturing into the market while the   current ones also   open up new destinations and bring in new bigger birds, something that would require   prior planning to   handle the increasing traffic.

But the sector  regulator Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) says that plans to  handle  increasing  traffic has been put in  place as  renovation  of the  Kigali international  airport , Kamembe Airport  as well as construction of the Bugesera Airport.

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Gakenke buratangaza ko bugiye kurushaho gukangurira abaturage kwibona mubikorwa bibakorerwa babigiramo uruhare kugirango ibikorwa by’iterambere bibakorerwa babe babifitemo uruhare kandi bazi neza nibyo aribyo naho byavuye kuburyo barushaho kubibungabunga.

Ibi bikaba bitangajwe nyuma y’ibiganiro kuruhare rw’umuturage mw’itegurwa ry’igenamigambi ndetse n’ingengo y’imari abakozi batandukanye bakorera akarere ka Gakenke bagiranye n’impuzamiryango iharanira uburenganzira bw’ikiremwa muntu (CLADHO: Collective League est Association Pour la Defense de Droit de l’Homme) kuri uyu wa 27/11/2014

Umukozi w’akarere ka Gakenke ushinzwe imiyoborere myiza Oswald Nsengimana yemeza ko n’ubusanzwe igenamigambi rikorwa hashingiwe kubyifuzo by’abaturage kuko bikorwa byabanje gutegurwa ku rwego rw’umudugudu bikazamuka bikagera ku rwego rw’akarere aho buri murenge uba uhagarariwe gusa ariko ngo ntibiragera ku rwego rw’imiyoborere myiza nkuko bifuza.

Ati “twifuza ko nibura umuturage wese utuye akarere ka Gakenke akwiye kugira uruhare rufatika kandi rugaragara mu gutegura ibikorwa bizakorwa kandi noneho yamara kubitegura akagira uruhare mukubishyira mubikorwa akabigira ibye bityo bituma yiyumva mu miyoborere y’igihugu cye kandi akumva n’agaciro k’ibikorwa biba byakozwe”

Kugirango iyi gahunda izagerweho neza mu karere ka Gakenke bakaba baratangiye igikorwa cyo gusanga abaturage mu mago yabo bakabaganiriza bareba niba imihigo bayizi niba kandi nabo haricyo bahize muruyu mwaka w’imihigo n’abatari babikorwa bagashishikarizwa kubikora kuburyo buri umwe azagira uruhare rufatika mubikorwa bimukorerwa

Jean Pierre Kwizera n’umukozi w’akarere ka Gakenke ushinzwe ingengo y’imari, asobanura ko basobanuriwe neza uruhare rw’umuturage muri gahunda zimukorerwa kuburyo haricyo bakuyemo gishobora kuzageza abaturage kurwego bifuza ko bageraho mukugira uruhare mubikorwa bibakorerwa nkuko abisobanura

Ati “ikintu cyambere tugiye kwihutira gukora n’ugukorera kugihe abaturage bakazajya babonera amakuru kugihe kuburyo ibyo twifuza ko bagiramo uruhare nabo ibyo bifuza ko akarere kabakorera bikazajya bikorwa kugihe bityo tutazajya dusiganwa n’igihe bimwe bigakorwa ibindi bikibagiranwa”

Stanny Ngarukiye n’umukozi w’impuzamiryango iharanira uburenganzira bw’ikiremwa muntu (CLADHO) ushinzwe ibijyanye n’ibikorwa (Program manager) avuga mubushakashatsi bakoze basanze uruhare rw’umuturage rukira hasi kuko usanga nka 30% by’abaturage aribo bashobora kuba bagira uruhare mubibakorerwa

Ati “twifuza ko habaho kwongeraho kurushaho kugira imyitwarire n’imyifatire bibe nkaho arigahunda ikenewe kandi buri muturage afiteho uburenganzira kandi agomba no kugiramo uruhare, igikorwa rero nuko natwe ubwacu mu rwego rw’ubuyobozi tuvuga ko tubirimo tunabizi turushaho gushishikariza umuturage kugirango wa muturage agire uruhare mu gutegura igenamigambi n’ingengo y’imari bihereye hasi”

Ubushakashatsi bwakoze mu turere dutandatu n’impuzamiryango iharanira uburenganzira bw’ikiremwa muntu umwaka ushize hagamijwe kureba uruhare rw’abaturage mu igenamigambi n’ingengo y’imari bwasanze mu karere ka Gakenke bari ku kigero cya 81.3%.

Bimaze kugaragara ko hirya no hino mu gihugu hagenda hagaragara inyubako zishya, rimwe na rimwe abantu ntibabashe kuzizimya kandi hari n’igihe haba hari ibikoresho by’ibanze byo kuzimya umuriro, nka za kizimyamoto (fire extinguisher ), ni muri urwo rwego polisi y’u Rwanda ikorera mu karere ka Huye yatangiye igikorwa cyo kwigisha ibijyanye no kwirinda inkongi.

IP Clément Mberamiheto, ushinzwe guhuza ibikorwa bya polisi n’izindi nzego mu Karere ka Huye (DCLO), avuga ko bahereye ku kwigisha abakora mu bitaro bya Kabutare harimo abaganga, abaforomo, abakora isuku, … aho bagenda bigisha abantu bake bake, bitewe n’ababonetse.

Ku ikubitiro, ni ukuvuga ku itariki ya 26/11/2014, ngo bigishije abakozi 75, kandi ngo abakozi ba Kabutare bose hamwe ni 182, bakaba bazigishwa uko bakabaye.

Ngo bigisha amasomo asobanura amoko y’inkongi z’imiriro n’ibizimya izo nkongi, uko zirindwa, ingaruka ziterwa n’izo nkongi muri rusange haba ku baturage, ku bidukikije no ku bukungu bw’igihugu. Bigisha kandi uko bakoresha za kizimyamoto abantu bashishikarizwa kuri iki gihe kugira mu mazu yabo.

Aya masomo kandi ngo yabagiriye akamaro. Mediatrice Uwamwezi, umwe mu bakozi bakora ku bitaro bya Kabutare avuga ko nyuma yo kuyakurikirana yasanze hari icyuho mu myubakire y’ibi bitaro, kuko amazu menshi adafite aho abantu basohokera bahunga umuriro.

Ikindi, ngo yajyaga abona za kizimyamoto atazi uko bazikoresha, ariko aho abyigiye ngo yasanze abantu bashobora kwirwanaho bazifashishije igihe habaye inkongi.

IP Mberamiheto avuga kandi ko uretse ibitaro bya Kabutare, biteguye kuba bakwigisha n’abandi bose babyifuza yaba amahoteri, ibigo bya Leta n’ahandi hose hari inyubako zihuriramo abantu benshi. Barateganya kandi no kuzajya bigisha abaturage muri rusange, cyane cyane nyuma y’umuganda.

For the past few years, Rwamagana district has been lagging behind other districts in the implementation of performance contracts locally referred to as Imihigo.

Imihigo is a programme modelled on the traditional practice where people present before a leader their targets to be achieved over a period of time, after which an evaluation is conducted.

The district advisory council and different leaders are ready to work harder and achieve more goals

According to Alphonse Murenzi, the chairperson of Rwamagana Advisory Council, all participatory levels in the district are to blame for the poor performance of the district.

“We have carried out a careful evaluation about our previous performance and identified reasons why Rwamagana failed to perform well, and we have set new strategies and together we believe to improve in the next financial year” says Eng. Germaine Kamayirese, the State Minister for energy and water and also the guardian to Rwamagana district.

Nehemie Uwimana, the mayor of Rwamagana district now that the district has stepped forward, it is determined to improve and even perform better.

“The target is now to move further forward. No room for complacency,” he said, adding: “Timely planning of our activities, added to commitment and teamwork, will guide us.” explains Nehemie Uwimana, the mayor of Rwamagana district.

Huge Importation of electronics such mobile phones has led to a bad balance of trade for Rwanda

Rwanda says it is revising policies to fix its daunting trade imbalance, mainly caused by huge importation of electronics, light manufactured merchandise, petroleum products, fertilisers and construction materials.

Despite Rwanda’s 8% steady growth over the past decade, the country faces a staggering trade imbalance due to increased imports; valued at 75% or Rwf8.6b in by December 2013.

“This is a bad difference,” said Emmanuel Hategeka, Permanent Secretary for the Trade Ministry.

Hategeka told KT Press on Friday, November 28, the ministry is undertaking fundamental policy changes to reduce imports below 60% by 2020.

“We are hopeful to reduce expenditures on imports by at least 18% in the next 6 years,” said Hategeka.

In practical terms, the policy seeks to accelerate the domestic market through increased productivity and help the economy earn an extra $500m annually.

The country is engaging economists and development experts to develop a proper policy to address the matter as soon as possible.

On November 28, shortly after participating in a workshop in Rwanda’s Capital Kigali, to establish the strategy, Dr Derk Bienen, managing partner at a Germany-based economic development research and consulting firm (BKP), said Rwanda needs to strengthen its local industry, especially agro-processing, to deal with future trade deficits.

Indeed, agriculture remains an untapped, even when it employs 70% of the population. The central bank says the sector suffers from minimal financing due to its risky nature.

The government is revamping a cooperatives (SACCOs) policy to help increase financing in the sector, especially in mechanized farming and cut down food importation.

Meanwhile Rwanda’s exports remain dominated by traditional products including coffee, tea and minerals such as tin, coltan, wolfram and cassiterite.  Mining contributed fetched over $226m in export revenues last year. The country plans to double the revenues by 2017.

Source: KT Press

La ministre Louise Mushikiwabo, exprimant son indignation de l’ingérence française

Le discours de François Holland lors du 15^e Sommet de la Francophonie de deux jours (29-30/11/14) de Dakar n’a pas plu à la Ministre Mushikiwabo qui a avait aussi pris part à ce grand évènement de la francophonie. En marge de ce sommet, la Ministre Mushukiwabo, au micro de France24, a exprimé son indignation face à l’attitude de Président français.

La Ministre Mushikiwabo n’a pas mâché ses mots quant au discours du Président Français, Holland « Qui décide de l’avenir politique des africains ?, s’estinterrogéeMushuikiwabo, avant de donner une réponse. « Ce n’est pas Paris qui décide, ceci dit que le Président français peut bien exprimer son point de vue, il peut donner des conseils à ses pairs, mais là on va autant aussi », a-t-elle expliqué tout en répétant les propos de François Holland. « Je suis venu à Dakar pour dire aux Africains, ce n’est pas normal, on est en 2014 », a-t-elle déploré.

« Je trouve ça gênant qu’un président qui est avec ses pairs, ici, au sommet de la Francophonie ne vienne pas discuter avec eux, mais dicter ce qui devrait se passer dans leur pays », s’est indignéeMushikiwabo en ajoutant qu’elle trouve ça d’ailleurs « assez inélégant ».

Au cours de ce sommet, dans le discours de François Holland, il y avait des leçons des principes de la démocratie envers les dirigeants africains. Au cours de son allocution, Holland faisant référence à la leçon de la transition tunisienne tout en évoquant la belle démonstration  contre Blaise Compaoré Il a aussi salué la gouvernance au Sénégal comme exemple en Afrique.

Autre chose étonnant dans ce sommet, le choix du nouveau patron de l’Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF), pour un mandat de 4 ans,lors d’un huis clos des dirigeants dimanche 30 novembre à Dakar. Alors que les gens s’attendaient à une élection des 5 candidats, la procédure a été faite autrement. La Canadienne d’origine haïtienne Michaëlle Jean a été « désignée par consensus », secrétaire générale comme l’a déclaré même Holland.Cette ex-gouverneure générale du Canada, âgée de 57 ans, a été désignée par consensus et non à l’issue d’un vote des 53 pays membres de plein droit de l’OIF. Ce qui n’a pas plu certains Chef d’Etat africains qui avaientparticipéà ce 15^e Sommet de l’OIF.

Michaëlle Jean est née le 6 septembre 1957 à Port-au-Prince, en Haïti1. Elle fut animatrice de télévision et journaliste canadienne puis occupa le poste de gouverneur général du Canada.Elle devrait prendre ses fonctions en Janvier 20115 pour prendre la tête des 274 millions de francophones dans le monde.

Les trois autres supposés candidats sont notamment Henri Lopès, ancien premier ministre de la République du Congo, Jean-Claude de l’Estrac, de l’île Maurice, et Pierre Buyoya, ancien président du Burundi.

Rwanda Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs Seraphine Mukantabana and UNHCR officials visit refugees in camps in Western Rwanda

A Rwanda man identified as Desire Rugira is due to return home after years of leaving in forced refugee status in Uganda.

Rugira says that he was brain washed by Rwandan opposition members who instilled fear into him hindering him to return home until the day he made a visit to Rwanda late last year.

Rugira of Refugee Status No: 470-09 H 00257 & Individual No: 470-00013905 submitted his request to return home through the Ugandan Commissioner for refugees in the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) are waiting to receive Desire Rugira with his family repatriating from Uganda when he finally decides to return.

“I thank the Government of the Republic of Uganda for receiving, hosting and fully protecting me for the long period I lived as Rwandan refugee in Uganda. But since there is no person who is supposed to be a refugee all his/her life me too my life as refuge ends here,” said Rugira

Rugira has been a refugee since 1994 first in Tanzania where he left in 2008 to Uganda.

He says that he was forced to remain a refugee as a result of Rwandans in opposition asking him to forge a narrative that he was fleeing persecution from Rwanda’s ruling party (RPF) and acquired refugee status under that pretext.

Rugira, a lawyer by profession, also revealed that he opted for a voluntary repatriation after he got convinced on the current situation in Rwanda, when he visited the country last August, 2013.

“When I visited, I witnessed and appreciated how peace, progress activities and respect of human rights have become a major priority issue of the Government of Rwanda,” Rugira wrote in the open letter to the commissioner dated November 18^th 2014.

“Hon. Commissioner, I found my home country, Rwanda safe, peaceful and secure. I was satisfied that I do not have any fear of living there. Therefore, I do not find any reason for Rwandans to continue to be called refugees. Thus I decide to abandon refugee life to go back to my home country by 30^th, November, 2014” Rugira said.

In the meantime, Rwanda’s Minister Seraphine Mukantabana has called on the UNHCR to revitalize efforts for the implementation of Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees.

The Cessation Clause was declared on June 30, 2013. That clause applies to those who fled between 1959 and December 1998.

Rwanda has invested enough efforts to promote voluntary repatriation. Between July 2013 and June 2014, over 24,000 Rwandan refugees have returned including those expelled from Tanzania.

As part of the implementation of the Cessation Clause, Rwanda also supports integration by facilitating former refugees to acquire national passports to enable them to legally stay in their host countries due to socio-economic ties.

Umuyobozi w’ingabo mu Ntara y’amajyepfo General Alex Kagame arasaba abanyarwanda n’abayobozi b’inzego z’ibanze kuba maso muri iyi minsi mikuru bagakaza umutekano mu rwego rwo kwirinda abafite aho bahuriye n’ibikorwa bihungabanya umutekano.

Gen Alex kagame avuga ko muri iyi minsi hari amakuru y’uko FDLR bategura ibikorwa byo guhungabanya umutekano, mu gihe abarwanyi bayo bari koherezwa mu nkambi yabateguriwe muri (DRC) Repuburika iharanira Demokarasi ya Kongo.

Gen Alex kagame avuga ko nta gikuba cyacitse, kuko ngo FDLR itanafite imbaraga nyinshi zo kuba yatera u Rwanda, cyakora ngo si na byiza ko hagira n’abatahurwaho ubufatanye nayo mu bijyanye no guhungabanya umutekano.

Gen. Alex Kagame yibutsa abanyarwanda ko uburyo uhereye igihe cy’abacengezi, abaturage aribo bagiraga uruhare mu kubahishira, kandi ni nabo bagize uruhare mu kubahashya, bivuze ko hagomba gushyirwaho ingamba zose zishoboka zo kubungabunga umutekano.

Gen. Alex kagame agira ati, “ ntabwo twavuga iterambere twirengagije umutekano, kandi n’ubwo umutekano uhari, ntabwo dushaka abandi batuvangira mu iterambere ryacu, kandi muri aya mezi y’iminsi mikuru umwanzi aba ashaka kubivanga, kwica ubukwe”.

Gen. Alex kagame avuga ko u Rwanda rutatanga umutekano mu bihugu by’amahanga ngo rwo rwibagirwe kwirinda, “muzi uko umutekano umera kuko mwese mwabibayemo, murawuzi pe! Hari n’abambutse bajya muri za kongo kandi nta n’umwe hano utaranyuze mu buhunzi”.

Impamvu yo kwibanda kuri aya mezi ariko, ngo ni uko italiki itangwa n’umuryango w’abibumbye ku gikorwa cyo kwambura intwaro ku ngufu  FDLR, ni taliki ya mbere cyangwa iya kabiri ukwezi kwa mbere umwaka utaha wa 2015, akaba ariyo mpamvu abanyarwanda bagomba kwitegura ko hashobora kugira ibikorwa byo kwangiza umutekano byavuka.

“FDLR ntiyishimiye iki gikorwa niyo mpamvu ishaka kugira icyo yakora mbere y’uko iyi taliki igera, niyo mpamvu tugomba kwicungira umutekano”, niyo magambo Gen. Alex kagame ashingiraho asaba abantu kuba maso muri iyi minsi mikuru igiye kuza.

Gen. alex kagame avuga ko kuba mu Rwanda haragiye haterwa gerenade zigahitana ubuzima bw’abantu bitahagaze kuko ngo hirya no hino izi gerenade zigihari, ahubwo ko hari ababura uburyo bwo kuzitera kuko umutekano urinzwe neza.

Cyakora akanagaya abantu bumva bagifite imyumvire ikiri hasi aho umuntu yahabwaga amafaranga ibihumbi 200 ngo atere gerenade ihitana abantu benshi.

Bamwe mu baturage bo mu karere ka Nyaruguru baratangaza ko mu nzego zo hasi ku mudugudu n’akagari ngo hakiri ruswa, aho batunga agatoki abayobozi kubaka ruswa kuri gahunda ubusanzwe zigenerwa abaturage ku buntu.

N’ubwo nta muturage wemera gutangaza amazina ye ngo asobanure neza uburyo iyo ruswa yakwa mu baturage, hari bamwe bemeye ko tuganira gusa ntibemera ko dutangaza amazina yabo.

Umubyeyi utuye mu murenge wa Rusenge avuga ko mu kagari ka Raranzige aho atuye ngo nta muturage ubona inka muri gahunda ya girinka adatanze amafaranga ibihumbi 30, agatunga agatoki ushinzwe ubudehe mu mudugudu atuyemo.

Ati:”kugirango ubone inka ni nko kubona ubwami bw’ijuru. Ni ugutanga amafaranga ibihumbi 30 ukayaha umukuru w’ubudehe mu mudugudu we n’umukuru w’umudugudu bakabona kukwandika nyamara Atari ko Nyakubahwa Perezida wa Repubulika abivuga, we avuga ko inka zigomba kudukwira twese”.

Uyu mubyeyi kandi avuga ko mu gihe umuturage yatswe ruswa kugirango akunde ahabwe inka, ngo nawe akora ibishoboka byose iyo nka ikaguma mu muryango we, ku buryo ngo mu gihe cyo kwitura ayitura uwo mu muryango we bityo bityo, umuturage w’umukene ntabone inka.

Umugabo utuye mu murenge wa Mata, nawe yemeza ko hakiri ahantu harangwa ruswa, we agatunga agatoki urukiko rw’ibanze rwa Kibeho, avuga ko ngo ruca imanza rutabanje kumva abatangabuhamya barebwa n’urwo rubanza.

Ati:”hari aho ruswa ikiri hake, nko mu rukiko uru rw’I Kibeho, jye narumiwe ndetse biranakabije, nawe se koko abantu baca urubanza nta mutangabuhamya n’umwe ubajijwe?Nagiyeyo kabiri kose nta rubanza mpafite ari uguherekeza ababurana, ariko narumiwe rwose”.

N’ubwo ariko uyu mugabo adahakana uruhare rw’abaturage mu kurwanya ruswa cyane cyane batanga amakuru aho bayikeka, anavuga ko ubuyobozi aribwo bukwiye kujya bucengera bukikorera iperereza, bukamenya niba nta ruswa yakwa abaturage bakabura uko bayitangaza.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Nyaruguru Habitegeko Francois nawe ntahakana ko mu nzego zibanze harimo ruswa, gusa we akanongeraho mu masoko ya Leta, nk’ahantu naho haba ruswa ku kigero kiri hejuru.

Ati:”mu isuzumamikorere duherutse gukora abaturage batubwiye ko hari  abayobozi b’utugari n’imidugudu babaka ruswa kugirango bakunde babashyire ku rutonde rw’abagomba guhabwa inka muri gahunda ya girinka, cyangwa se ngo babahe akazi muri gahunda ya VUP n’izindi. Ariko kandi si aho gusa kuko no mu mkitangire y’amasoko ya Leta haracyarimo ba rwiyemeza mirimo bacyakwa ruswa kandi bakayitanga nyamara kandi bujuje ibisabwa ngo batsindire isoko”.

Uyu muyobozi akaba avuga ko hari gukorwa ubukangurambaga mu rwego rwo kwibutsa abaturage ko igihe hari ubatse ruswa cyangwa bakagira aho bayikeka, bahita babimenyesha ubuyobozi uyaka n’uyitanga bahgahanwa.

Le Gén. Clément Namangale, Chef de la délégation de l’armée malawite reçu par le Gén. Patrick Nyamvumba, Chef d’état-major de l’armée rwandaise

Une délégation des officiers de l’état-major de l’armée du Malawi a fait une visite de travail de 4 jours au Rwanda. Cette visite s’inscrit dans le but de renforcer la professionnalisation et la coopération entre l’armée malawite et les Forces Rwandaises de Défense (RDF, sigle en anglais).

« Nous sommes venus dans le cadre de renforcer la coopération déjà existante entre nos deux armées. Nous souhaitons maintenir les échanges de formations et nous voudrions apprendre du parcours impressionnant de l’armée rwandaise ainsi que de sa contribution remarquable au développement national en si peu de temps », a déclaré le Général NamangaleClément, Chef d’état-major de l’armée malawite qui conduit la délégation malawite.

Les officiers de d’état-major du Malawi conduite du Général Namangale, ont d’abord visité le Mémorial du Génocide de Kigali. Après avoir vu la tragédie de 1994, ils ont eu un entretien fructueux avec le Chef d’état-major de l’armée rwandaise, le Général Patrick Nyamvumba et le Ministre de la Défense, le Général James Kabarebe.

La délégation des officiers de l’armée malawite lors de la vite au Site Mémorial du Génocide de Kigali

Au Mémorial de Gisozi, le Général Namangale a félicité l’armée rwandaise qui a arrêté le Génocide. « C’est justement pour cette raison que cette délégation est venue apprendre de RDF. Toute armée devrait être professionnelle afin d’être respectée par les autres institutions étatiques et pouvoir mieux servir et protéger la population au lieu d’être manipulée et utilisée par les politiciens ».

Le Gén. Namangales’est également exprimé sur la présence des groupes armés en République Démocratique du Congo, dont le FDLR. Namangale a précisé que le Malawi était impliqué dans le processus de l’effort du retour de la paix en RDC où ils ont des troupes depuis 1999. Il a dit que des négociations sont en cours et qu’un suivi est fait pour vérifier si les FDLR respectent les délais pour déposer les armes.

Le porte-parole de l’armée rwandaise, le Général de Brigade Joseph Nzabamwita a quant à lui parlé du bienfondé de cette visite de leurs homologues du Malawi. « Ces officiers vont se rendre compte eux-mêmes que les FDLR n’ont aucune raison d’être encore actif en RD Congo, surtout que le Rwanda est prêt à accueillir tous ceux qui déposent volontairement les armes et rentrent au pays ».

Les hauts gradés de l’état-major du Malawi ont été reçus par le Ministre de la Défense, le Gén. James Kabarebe

Le Malawi était l’un des pays qui avait envoyé des soldats dans la Mission des Nations Unies pour l’Assistance au Rwanda (MINUAR) en 1994. Selon le GénNamangale, « le pas franchi par le Rwanda en 20ans seulement après la tragédie du Génocide contre les Tutsi est époustouflant dans tous les domaines ». Lui et sa délégation étaient très« impressionnés par les constructions et la propreté de la Ville de Kigali. Ça n’a rien à voir avec les photos prises par nos soldats qui étaient ici en 1994 ».

Sur leur programme de leur visite de travail de 4 jours figure non seulement la visite le Mémorial du Génocide, mais aussi le siège du Ministère de la Défense, le bureau de l’assurance de l’armée (MMI), la banque de l’arméeZigama CSS, l’hôpital militaire de Kanombe, l’école militaire de Nyakinama dans le district de Musanze, la frontière Rwando – Congolaise de Rubavu ainsi que le camp militaire de Gako, à Bugesera.

Youths showcase their newly acquired skills in carpentry and joinery at Iwawa Rehabilitation center.

In 2012, Marcel Sikubwabo, 24, who lives in Butare town, Southern Rwanda, had been addicted to drugs and alcohol.

He had become violent and a threat to his family and neighbours. For years, Sikubwabo would arrive home late night while drunk or intoxicated by drugs.

His family and neighbours couldn’t bear the menace. They decided to report the matter to Police.

Early morning, 4am, in November 2012, as Sikubwabo was asleep, three police officers arrived at his home and arrested him.

He was briefly detained at a rehab center for minors who have been exposed to different ills such drug addiction, a ten-minute drive away from his home.

Three days later, Sikubwabo and other 130 young men were loaded onto two trucks and driven off for three hours to Lake Kivu in Western Rwanda.

They were loaded into a boat en route to Iwawa – a 141 hectares island 27km into Rwanda’s biggest lake.

They were welcomed by a concrete wall, in front of an arch-like gate, with a message in capital letters, ‘Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre.’

Iwawa is circular, surrounded in great part with another much bigger island called Idjwi, which stretches into DR Congo.

Enclosed are classrooms, a medical center with a psychiatric department, dormitories, a soccer pitch, volleyball, and basketball courts, and other facilities.

A generator is switched on at 6:30pm to light the place and switched off at 10pm after everybody is in bed, under a mosquito net.

The rocky island is covered by mango, orange and guava, and eucalyptus trees. And the beautiful flowers make the place too attractive, as the cool breeze, even amid scorching sunshine, blows through the surrounding sugar cane and banana plantations.

Except for sporadic early morning cicada noise and songbirds, the sleep on Iwawa island feels like being on a boat, parked close to the shores of a lake, with soft, constant waves hitting the shores.

This is the home to 1,988 young men, some of whom are drug addicts, street children and beggars, and petty criminals, all above 18 years.

Those receiving a six-month intensive psychiatric care – the freshmen – are called ‘the resilient’, after which they change the name into ‘the youth’ and then follow a six-month trade.

Apart from being rehabilitated, both ‘the resilient’ and ‘the youth’ acquire technical skills in masonry, carpentry, tailoring, motorcycle driving, commercial farming, computer and entrepreneurship skills.

Certificates offered are recognized by the ministry of education.

View of the 141 ha Rehab Island. Its 27Km into Rwanda’s largest Lake Kivu.

Life in “isolation”

Meanwhile, on arrival on the island, Sikubwabo is shocked and fearful. Everything is new; the faces, the environment, the food – everything. He is wondering what is next and doesn’t know when he would get back home.

“Once you are at the center, there is no contact with family members, no listening to the radio, and no making phone calls. It is total isolation”, says Sikubwabo.

Today, officials say some of these things have since changed, saying there is now a monthly visit by parents or guardians of the young men at the center.

“But I later noticed that our trainers at Iwawa were not ill-intentioned,” he says. “One of our slogans was, ‘A very bright future’”.

A new life

Sikubwabo would stay on the island for twelve months. After completing his program, late November 2013, he was reintegrated back into his family. He is an incredibly changed man, humble and focused.

Dressed in blue jeans, brown stylish shoes, a black, short-sleeved shirt, and a cap perched on his head, Sikubwabo is fixing cables of a minibus’ windshield wiper.

He is a mechanic at a popular garage in his hometown. He has joined half a dozen other mechanics, busy repairing and washing cars. On average, he earns Rwf5,000 (about $7) a day.

“Iwawa has changed me”, he says. “I used to spend all my money on alcohol, and the following day I often would not show up for work”, says Sikubwabo.

He works for eight hours every day except on Sunday, from 9am to 4pm.

Sikubwabo, who trained as a mechanic at high school, used to work at this same garage before. After training in construction at Iwawa, he decided to remain a mechanic.

Marcel Sikubwabo is now a car mechanic in Butare. He completed a rehabilitation program November 2013.

Samuel Niyonzima, 20, works with Sikubwabo. He agrees Sikubwabo’s behavior has improved. “He used to be a trouble-maker, but there is no problem with him now,” says Niyonzima.

Marcel Kalisa, 30, is Sikubwabo’s neighbor, and was part of Sikubwabo’s group of about 1,000 members. A former drug addict and alcoholic, Kalisa is now articulate and confidently enjoys eye contact.

While at the center, Kalisa spent the first six months learning how to read and write, later acquiring basic construction skills, now helping him earn Rwf3,000 ($4) a day, as a part-time casual laborer at major construction sites in town.

He plans to save part of his wage and invest in buying his own construction tools.

“I leant how to work hard”, says Kalisa, a man who was regarded as idle by his neighbours, now spending days without being seen. “They are always asking, ‘Kalisa, where have you been these days?’” he says.

Parents beg Police

Unaware of what happens at the center, the public at first criticized the government for establishing the center. The center had been branded a torture center and others equated it to the US’s Guantanamo or Alcatraz.

Yet, according to the Rwanda National Police, some parents, in recent years, have been requesting to send their children to the center for rehabilitation.

“We have been receiving phone calls from parents and guardians,” says Rwanda’s former Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare.

“I don’t think a parent would like a child to be taken to a prison”, he says.

“Iwawa is not a prison,” Gatare says. “Those who say it’s a prison, are those who don’t know the benefits of the center”, says ACP Gatare.

The center, running on a Rwf1b ($1.5m) annual budget, has graduated over 4500 students in six intakes since the center was created in 2010, currently accommodates only men, but the government says a center for women will be established mid 2015.

Meanwhile at Iwawa, over 100 freshmen, dressed in sportswear, jog chanting while others are busy cleaning, farming, and working in different workshops.

“They are from drills”, says 35-year-old Nicolas Niyongabo, the coordinator of the center, a ‘civilian’. “The military takes care of the drills”, says Niyongabo.

“We are a multidisciplinary team, and our stakeholders include the ministry of defense”, he says.

Sylvestre, also a ‘civilian’ member of the 60-staff, says the center was actually a military barracks before the center began. “It is a strategic point. It is on the border”, Niyongabo says, justifying some military presence on the island.

“It is a rehab center, but follows military discipline”, says another staff.

Either way, Jean Claude Micomyiza, 28, soon graduating, is happy he will leave the island a changed man, just like Sikubwabo. “I will not take drugs anymore”, says Micomyiza. 

By: Didier Bikorimana

The police council

The Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana has commended Rwanda National Police (RNP) for its operations in maintaining law and order, as well as lending its peace support missions to other nations.

The Minister was speaking on December 2, while presiding over the ‘Police Council’ meeting alongside Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, which attracted hundreds of officers.

Police Council is the supreme organ of Rwanda National Police which brings together commanders of units, commissioners of various departments, regional and district commanders, seniors and junior officers as well as representatives of Non-commissioned officers from all territorial and specialized police units.

The Council sits  four times very year to evaluate the implementation of resolutions taken in previous meetings, identify success and challenges and devise new strategies aimed at excelling in law enforcement duties.

“Police has done a lot to curb corruption, road accidents, human trafficking, gender-based-violence, drug abuse and many other vices. However, we must note that efforts have to be augmented, well knowing that criminals are always seeking for ways to avoid the law,” he said.

The Council also assessed that whereas security and rule of law have been commendable all year round, there is need to tighten public safety measures especially towards the festive period.

“Now that we are moving towards the festive season, we must be more vigilant – there is nothing more important than the security and safety of Rwandans. Officers must be professional and ensure that they do their work in a manner befitting of the uniform.” he added.

Harerimana also assured the Council meeting that government is in the process of further improving their welfare.

“As government plans to further improve the welfare, I beseech officers to know that this comes with much more responsibility. You must carry out your work without fear or favor and you should desist from taking bribes or being corrupt,” he said.

He appealed to them to open links with the public and involve them in discussing various issues that face them.

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, highlighted that more actions are needed to prevent crimes despite previous successful interventions, such as the recent arrest of cocaine traffickers from Brazil, an operation he attributed to good cooperation between RNP and police forces from other countries.

“The cocaine traffickers were successfully tracked because we shared information with the countries they were transiting from. This cooperation with police from other countries will ensure that we share best practices in preventing crimes,” IGP Gasana said.

“We have made sure that all officers are well equipped with equipment and skills, through the National Police College and other special trainings; we have established a corruption fighting department to investigate officers and punish those involved.”

With Rwanda hosting the Interpol Annual General Meeting in November 2015, IGP Gasana reminded officers that sensitizing the public about police’s role in fighting crimes has made Rwanda to be one of the safest countries in the world – and urged them to keep doing the good work.

The 2015 assembly for the international Police body in Kigali will be attended by more 1,500 officials from 190 member countries.

The 2014-2015 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), ranked Rwanda the most secure country in Africa and tenth on the global.

The same report ranked Rwanda the best country in Africa and 21st globally where citizens trust and rely on Police services to enforce law and order and the country with the least incidences of crime and violence that impose costs on businesses.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 assesses the competitiveness landscape of 144 economies, providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. The Report series remains the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness worldwide.

Youth match in Kigali to denounce BBC’s documentary in October this year

I watched the BBC documentary ‘Rwanda’s Untold Story’ by Jane Corbin with her fellow reactionaries with dismay.

I know Professor Philip Reytijen as a visiting Professor at Mbarara University of science and Technology (MUST) in the Faculty of Development Studies where he lectured Post graduate and graduate classes.

Professor Philip Reytijen was a visiting Professor from the University of Antwerp-Belgium. I remember him being introduced to us by the Dean of the faculty as ‘a seasoned scholar, expert, researcher etc on Great Lakes region. He taught us ‘conflict and peace building course units’.

Therefore, as a former student of Professor Philip Reytijen, I was not surprised when I watched and listened to whatever he said in ‘Rwanda’s Untold Story’ over BBC. I was not surprised because I recall him asking me in a lecture whether I was a ‘Hutu’ or a ‘Tutsi’.

Secondly, I recall him carrying out a mathematical equations with ‘H+T = T-H’ and so on the chock board to prove to the class how Hutus and Tutsis are divided and not linked among themselves after I answered him that ‘am a Rwandan’. Thirdly, he was writing a book then titled ‘Rwanda from Genocide to Dictatorship’

Professor Philip Reytijen underrated Rwanda’spursuance of home grown solutions as priority in finding solutions to her problems. He attacked Rwanda’s home grown solutions of Itorero, Girinka (one cow per poor family), Abunzi (local mediators) and Gacaca courts.

My diagnostic analysis of Professor Philip Reytijen behaviour reveals to me that he is a ‘desperate mourning reactionary’. Professor Philip Reytijen long lived role and relationship with the post-independence genocide regime in Rwanda made him to suffer from ‘Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome’ (AIDS) where the virus is not ‘Human Immune Virus’ (HIV) but ‘immoral’ or lack of values.

Professor Philip Reytijen is entangled in mourning late Habyarimana regime and has failed to accept the fact that Rwanda today has “leaders with leadership’’. The leadership that is delivering Rwandans from the kingdom of darkness and misery he is mourning.  BBC, Jane Corbin and their teammates are disgruntled reactionaries who should be condemned for their integrity deficiencies.

Rwanda is well set and destined to prosperity and cannot succumb to diversionary tactics of the desperate mourning reactionaries.

Reactionaries disorganised Rwanda before 1994 by propagating hatred, division, exploitation and kept Rwanda in bondage of their interests. Rwandans know the worst experience (genocide) and are ready to resist diversionary acts of reactionaries aimed at derailing our development course.

Rwanda’s rebirth and resilience to determine her future is bearing quantitatively and qualitatively results. Rwanda’s home grown solutions which Professor Philip Reytijen is opposed to have put Rwanda on a global map.

Rwanda’s democracy is that of clear ideology, values, discipline and accountability which have outpaced many.

Rwanda’s strategic investment in technological innovations, inventions, adoption, adaptation, and focus on human resource development and private sector development will deliver Rwandans from the bondage of the likes of Professor Philip Reytijen in the global arena thereby safeguarding our hard achieved sovereignity.

Rwanda is blessed with the leadership that has the confidence of Rwandans because the leaders are taking Rwandans to their desired destination. Rwanda leaders are beyond the power of positions and are ready to pay the price for their country.

Leaders who are concerned with the fate of their country and are ready defend it. Rwanda does not need to define herself according to Professor Philip Reytijen and the teammates ‘marking schemes’ ofdemocracy andRwanda carries the value and weight it deserves.

Rwanda leadership is not an agent of foreign ideology and interests but serving the national interests. Rwanda’s development cannot be derailed by desperate mourning reactionaries who are suffering from ‘Acquired Integrity Deficiency Syndrome’

Geoffrey MUSHAIJA is PhD (Economics) Land Policy Research Scholar University of Kerala-India.  

The ‘One Dollar Campaign’ complex valued at $2.5M. It currently hosts 192 genocide orphans.

Leandre Sekamana 23, a Rwandan university student, spent months wondering whether to donate Rwf3000 ($4) to a fund meant to construct a hostel to accommodate about 200 genocide orphans.

Sekamana, who was just 3 years during the genocide, is a 3rd born to Francois Ngaruye, who is serving a life sentence for killing tens of Tutsis in his village in Nyaruguru, southern Rwanda.

Twenty years after the Rwandan genocide against Tutsi that left orphans on a massive scale, the country still struggles with a legacy of homeless children, with no tuition fees and parents to look after them.

In 2009, confronted by miserable living conditions of thousands of vulnerable orphans across the country, the Rwandan Diaspora community launched a One Dollar Campaign to mobilize funds to improve their living standards, including shelter.

During the genocide, Hutu militiamen killed over one million Tutsi. Some members of Hutu family- even those who never participated in the genocide have lived with this guilt of being Hutu for years.

When the idea to build a hostel to shelter orphans of the 1994 genocide, Sekamana was excited. He learnt the news through local sector leaders.

However, this would not come easily as Sekamana’s relatives dissuaded him from contributing.

“They never wanted me to donate a penny,” he says. Sekamana says his relatives “insisted that I shouldn’t give it out. That it was a taboo in the family. But something kept ringing in his mind.
“We need a new society and help each other,” he said.

Government has initiated several programmes to reconcile Rwandans. Last year, it launched Ndi umunyarwanda program (I am a Rwandan) which so far has fostered true reconciliation and forgiveness among Rwandans.

Under the program, Rwandans who wronged other members of society seek forgiveness from the victims of genocide.

Reconciliation groups in villages have been initiated and associations composed of families of perpetrators and victims live side by side.

In some families, hatred lingers on because of their family members who are in jail over genocide crimes.

In 2010, Sekamana decided to leave his village and moved to Kigali city from where he donated the money. He faced criticism from his family but he has decided to move on.

“I wanted to build a new society above ethnicity.” He says it’s not too late. His contributions will add value and improve lives of orphans, he adds.

This year, the construction of the complex valued at Rwf1.7billion ($2.5M) was completed and is already accommodating vulnerable orphans of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against Tutsi.

A Dream Come True

Just like Sekamana, many Rwandans on October 28 smiled as they witnessed the unveiling of a 4-story building built at Kagugu in Gasabo district, Kigali. It hosts 192 vulnerable orphans-96 girls and 96 boys, aged between 20 and 25.

Inside the hostel, a female security guard welcomes visitors with a smile. Meters away from the reception, three boys and a girl are kicking a ball and suddenly run to hug us.

Next to the visitors’ room are offices for their caretakers. “We call them fathers, mothers; sisters and brothers,” Pulimitive Mukandera, an orphan says with a tinge of happiness.

With a smile on their faces, it’s hard to notice that Mukandera, 24, Ananias Mwizerwa, 23; Theoneste Uwizeyimana, 21 and Jean de Dieux Irankunda, 20 have never seen their parents.

The only time they spent with their parents was while breastfeeding their mothers, days before they were brutally killed in the genocide.

Mukandera, now a 4th year student at Kigali Institute of Management (KIM), arrived at the complex on 23rd last month, five days before it was launched.

In 2006, at the age of 14, she was ordered by her guardians to vacate home and take care of herself.

“I saw the World becoming so small,” she says. Before this hostel, orphans had no choice and would stay behind at school while their classmates would go home and get the comfort of their parents.

I just picked a call and I was told to pack my things and come here. This is a kind of life I never dreamed of,” says Mukandera. Just like her, Irankunda says, “the kind of life here is unbelievable.”

Construction of the complex commenced in 2012. The Minister of local government, Francis Kaboneka says, “The project is a proof of how collective efforts by Rwandans are paying off.”

“We pledge continuous care for the boys and girls who will live in this hostel, including moral and other necessary support,” Kaboneka told KTpress during the launch of the building.

He told orphans, “You are the strength of the nation. You need to be strong, support one another and know that this country is in your hands.”

Construction of the complex was realized in partnership with Rwanda Defence Forces, National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, Rwanda Diaspora, among others.

The beneficiaries will be staying at the hostel during school holidays. Jean de Dieu Mucyo, the Executive Secretary of National Commission for the Fight against Genocide says, “The noble act by Rwandans and their solidarity is what signifies the welfare of genocide survivors today.”

Source: KT Press

Kuri uyu wa gatatu tariki ya 03/12/2014 mu murenge wa Rusebeya  Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Rutsiro hamwe n’itsinda yari ayoboye yahuye n’abayobozi b’inzego zitandukanye zo muri uyu  Murenge mu rwego rwo kwisuzuma mu miyoborere, abayobozi bakaba basabwe guharanira kugirirwa icyizere n’abo bayobora banoza imikorere.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rutsiro Gaspard Byukusenge yabwiye abo bayobozi baba ab’imidugudu, utugali ndetse n’abandi bafite abo bayobora muri uyu murenge kuba intangarugero kandi bagakorana akazi kabo umurava n’umwete mu rwego rwo gufasha guverinoma y’u Rwanda icyerekezo yihaye.

Ati” umuyobozi mwiza ni uba intangarugero agatanga urugero rwiza niyo mpamvu namwe aho muyobora muharanire kubonwa mu ishusho y’umuyobozi nyawe”

Umuyobozi w’akarere kandi yavuze ko bagomba kugira gahunda za Leta izabo mbvere y’uko bazikangurira abo bayobora noguharanira guhindura aho bayobora aho kuhasubiza inyuma cyangwa kureka hakaguma uko bahasanze aha akaba yashakaga ngo kubabwira ko umuyobozi wese agomba guharanira ubuyobozi mpinduramatwara kuko ngo n’abo uyoboye iyo babona impinduka bakugirira icyizere.

Bamwe mu bitabiriye iyo nama yo kwisuzuma batangaje ko impanuro bahawe bazumvise kandi ko bagiye kongera imikorere kandi bakanoza imiyoborere yabo nk’uko umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’akagali ka Mberi Edouard Habinshuti yabitangaje.

Yagize ati” n’ubundi twari dusanzwe duharanira kunoza imiyoborere ariko nyuma y’impanuro z’umuyobozi w’akarere tugiye kongeramo ingufu”

Umuyobozi wa polisi muri aka karere CIP Rutagambwa Ildephonse yashimye aho umutekano muri uyu murenge ugeze ugereranyije na mbere abasaba gukomeza ndetse no gukangurira abturage gukomeza kwicungira umutakano no kutemerera umuntu wese wonona amashyamba ndetse no gucukura amabuye y’agaciro ku buryo butemewe .

Iyi gahunda yo kuganira n’abayobozi bo mu mirenge ngo ni gahunda ihoraho nyuma y’uyu murenge wa Rusebeya ngo hazakurikiraho n’indi mu rwego rwo kugumya gukangurira abayobozi guharanira kugirirwa icyizere n’abo bayobora.

Ku munsi wahariwe abafite ubumuga , mu karere ka Ruhango wijihijwe tariki ya 03/12/2014, bawakiranye ibyishimo bidasanzwe kuko uyu muhango waranzwe no korozwa inka muri bamwe babaye kurusha abandi, abazigabiwe bakavuga ko bishimira cyane ko abafite ubumuga nabo bahawe ijambo bakaba bibukwa muri gahunda za Leta zose.

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Ruhango bukabasaba ko bagomba kwigirira icyizere bagaharanira iterambere kimwe nk’abandi banyarwanda.

Abafite ubumuga muri aka karere ka Ruhango, umunani nibo borojwe inka muri uyu muhango, mu byishimo byabo bakaba bavuze ko bashimishijwe n’uko nabo bagiye kugana inzira y’iterambere, bagashimira Perezida kuba yarahaye ijambo abafite ubumuga.

Peninah Nishyirembere umukecuru w’imyaka 62 y’amavuko, utuye mu murenge wa Kabagari akarere ka Ruhango, afite ubumuga bw’amaso, ati “ndishimye cyane, kuko mbonye ibishingwe, agafumbire ndetse n’amata. Ndashimira Umubyeyi Perezida wacu ko natwe abafite ubumuga yatwibutse.”

Kuba hari benshi bibaza uko abafite ubumuga bazorora izi nka, Ndayanze Jean Bosco umuhuzabikorwa w’inama y’igihugu y’abafite ubumuga wungirije mu mu mujyi wa Kigali, wari waje kwifatanya n’abo mu karere ka Ruhango, yavuze ko abafite ubumuga bazabasha korora izi nka, kuko hari henshi bamaze kuzitanga kandi bakabona bazorora neza no kurusha abadafite ubumuga.

Uretse aba borojwe inka, ubuyobozi bw’akarere bukavuga ko hari gahunda nyinshi ziteganyirijwe abafite ubumuga ndetse inyinshi zikaba ari izizabaganisha ku ikoranabuhanga.

Mbabazi Francois Xavier, umuyobozi w’akarere, yavuze ko hari gahunda nyinshi zibateganyirijwe zirimo imyuga iciriritse no kwihangira imirimo kimwe nk’abandi.

Uyu muyobozi agasaba abafite ubumuga mu karere ka Ruhango, kwiyubakamo icyizere bakumva ko nabo ari bantu bashoboye kimwe nk’abandi.

Kigali – U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Donald W. Koran swore in 36 new Peace Corps Volunteers today at his residence in Kaciyru. These Volunteers, who will work in Rwanda’s secondary schools, join the over 400 others who have served in Rwanda since the Peace Corps returned to the country in 2008.

The Peace Corps is a U.S. government program that sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people and partners around the world. Peace Corps Volunteers work at the grassroots level toward sustainable change that lives on long after their service – at the same time becoming global citizens and serving their country.  In Rwanda, Peace Corps Volunteers work in the health and education fields, serving closely with Rwandans on the ground level to ensure the goals of Rwanda’s health and education ministries are achieved while promoting mutual understand between the United States and Rwanda.

“Peace Corps adds a very special element to relations between the American and Rwandan people.  By living with host families, dedicating themselves to helping Rwanda, and becoming proficient in Kinyarwanda, Peace Corps Volunteers strengthen trust and mutual understanding between our two societies.  They learn a great deal about Rwanda when they are here and help their Rwandan friends and colleagues know Americans in open, informal settings.  And then they will go back to the United States and share their knowledge of Rwanda with their fellow Americans,” Ambassador Koran said at the ceremony.

Following Friday’s ceremony, the Volunteers will travel outside of Kigali to the villages and schools in which they will work for the next two years and live with Rwandan families.

Since 2008, over 400 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Rwanda. Peace Corps was invited to return to Rwanda for the first time since the 1994 genocide by President Paul Kagame, and the agreement between the governments of the United States and the Republic of Rwanda was signed on July 18, 2008.  The first group of volunteers arrived in Rwanda on January 27, 2009.

Mu rwego rwo gukangurira abaturage gukora batikoresheje ngo begukane umwanya wa mbere mu mihigo uyu mwaka wa 2014-2015, igikombe akarere gaherutse kwegukana ku rwego rw’igihugu cyazengurukijwe imirenge yose.

Akarere ka Ngoma kegukanye igikombe cya kabili mu mwaka w’imihigo 2014-2015 mu kwesa imihigo, ari nabyo bibateye ishyaka bakiyemeza kuzaba abambere umwaka w’imihigo ukurikiraho.

Ubwo iki gikombe cyagezwaga mu murenge wa Kibungo  kuri uyu wa 02/12/2014 ari nawo usoza iki gikorwa, abatuye uyu murenge bacyakiranye ibyishimo byinshi maze bavuga ko  bagiye gukora uko bashoboye bakezegukana umwanya wa mbere ku rwego rw’igihugu.

Uwitwa Kayishema yagize ati ” Tumaze kugera kuri byinshi tubikesha imihigo. Imihigo ni myiza yatumye iterambere ryihuta kandi twishimiye ko twatwaye igikombe tukaba aba kabili. Tugiye gukora tutikoresheje kugirango tube aba mbere kandi birashoboka.”

Mu birori byo kwakira igikombe byabereye kuri stade Cyasemakamba, umuyobozi w’akarere ka Ngoma Nambaje Aphrodise, yavuze ko imihigo imaze kugeza byinshi ku karere ndetse ngo utabona ko batera imbere yaba ari  kwirengagiza.

Yagize ati ”Nta na rimwe nzahwema ,nta na rimwe nzaceceka ngifite umunwa wo kuvuga mbwira abanyengoma ko turi mu bihe by’ibisubizo, turi mu bihe by’amasezerano keretse indangare izarangarira kuri suruduwiri uwo ntazampeho. Hari ibyiza byishi twagezeho birimo hotel enye irimo n’iyi nyenyeri enye iri kurangira ndetse n’iyi stade.”

Akomoza ku bikorwa bamaze kgeraho ari nabyo bakesha igikombe birimo stade Cyasemakamba bubatse, hotel iri kubakwa y’inyenyeri enye nkuko yakomeje kubivugira mu yindi mirenge ,ngo amanota mesnhi bayakuye ku buryo abaturage biyumva mu bikorwa bibakorerwa ndetse n’uburyo abaturage bakirwa (bafatwa) iyo bashaka service kugera ubwo n’ubushakashatsi bwabagize abambere mu tundi turere.

Uretse igikombe cyamuritswe, akarere kegukanye mu rwego rw’igihugu, hanamuritswe kandi igikombe  begukanye ku rwego rw’intara ku mwanya wa mbere mu tundi turere mu Burasirazuba.

Imihigo ishimwa n’abaturage kuko yatumye iterambere ryihuta kuko buri mwaka umuyobozi ahiga ibyo azageza kubo ayobora bityo bigatuma akora atikoresheje ngo abigereho. Kubera iyi mihigo amahanga atangarira iterambere u Rwanda rumaze kugeraho  ndetse n’umuvuduko rufite mu iterambere n’izindi nzego.

Ibirori byo kumurika igikombe byabimburiwe n’akarasisi k’abantu bamurikaga ibikorwa bitandukanye  bagezeho mu mihigo,maze bazenguruka umujyi wa Ngoma berekana igikombe batsindiye.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame admires works of the students her organization supports

Joseph Biziyaremye, a vulnerable 20-year-old boy from Kirehe District in Rwanda’s Eastern part, lost his parents when he had just joined secondary school.

His hope of going back to school was over.

Despite his discipline and intelligence, Biziyaremye’s relatives could not manage to raise Rwf90, 000 ($128) a year to send him back to school.

He started looking for other options. “My next move was to go on streets for drugs.”

In the process, he heard good news from Imbuto Foundation officials. They were looking for vulnerable children to sponsor.

The Foundation, formerly ‘Protection and Care of Families against HIV/AIDS (PACFA)’ is a project under the office of Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame.

In 2003, it created, among other noble activities, a Scholarship project, in response to children with high academic potential failing to pursue their secondary education due to lack of funding.

Biziyaremye was selected among the beneficiaries of Imbuto, marking the beginning of a new life. Imbuto sponsored him with all necessary school needs, including tuition, uniform and other scholastic materials.

This program provides funding requirements for the entire secondary school cycle, at a cost of $300 per year, per child.

Those selected must have scored above 70%. The 10-old-project has so far supported over 6000 vulnerable children.

On Saturday, (December 6), Biziyaremye was at Groupe Scolaire official de Butare, Southern Rwanda. Over 900 boys and girls converged for Imbuto-sponsored Youth Camp. The annual event, is a platform that brings together students where, during holidays, discuss issues relating to their daily lives.

Mrs Kagame sees her project as a catalyst to future generation of Rwanda.

While opening the camp, she said: “Once a seed is well planted, watered, nurtured and given all the necessary support, successfully grows into a healthy plant.”

“By investing in the youth, Imbuto is giving its contribution towards efforts to empower the youth and prepare them to become productive citizens who will drive the country’s future to success.”

Thousands of Rwandans have benefited from Mrs Kagame’s charity organisation. It currently runs over 10 projects.

One of them is Isange One Stop Centre- that supports national efforts in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV). In 2012, it was awarded United Nations’ ‘Public award’ for promoting ‘Gender Responsive Delivery’ of public services-the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

Source : KT Press