By Geoffrey MUSHAIJA (PhD)

Unequivocally, Rwanda has made impressive success in women empowerment due to the country’s visionary leadership.  Registered women performances and resilience to contribute to Rwanda’s reconstruction process is a live testimony.

Women have proved that ‘they can do it’ with their hands, hearts and mind. There is a woman behind every success in Rwanda. The 30 percent women reserved seats in decision making organs and 64 percent women members of parliament – the highest in the World is unbeatable.

However, unrecognised women home-bound routine activities and home-work life balance is a critical issue.

The shift in women’s roles and responsibilities and the failure of men’s mind-set to adjust towards supporting this shift is still a dominant bottleneck to women empowerment- both in rural and urban settings.

Patriarchal systems made women do heavy domestic workload such as farm work, fetching water, preparing food, collecting firewood and other duties with less support from men.

But today, women have the same roles and responsibilities as men in addition to home- bound routine activities.

We still witness in our communities women working for long hours with less rest and less share of the returns from their labour.

Some women always go to bed late and are the first to wake up the following day. These hazardous and unrecognised women workloads still hamper women self- improvement in our communities.

When we visit our families in the villages, you witness how our mothers are the first to wake up the morning to make breakfast, then go to the garden to dig up to mid-day when they come home to prepare lunch for the family.

After lunch, they do not rest, they will go to fetch water or collect firewood and the time taken will depend on the distance to the water source and availability of firewood in the neighbourhood.

In the evening, they prepare supper and they will retire to bed too late and exhausted, when all family members in the house are asleep and this routine continues throughout.

True measure of development is for women to have time to socialise, attend meetings, access opportunities, share and solve their problems, promote their livelihood advancement for self-improvement to consolidate and sustain women empowerment.

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

Residents in Ngoma sector commit to implement performance contracts per household

Last year, Ngoma sector in Nyaruguru district performed better in the implementation of performance contracts as it scooped the second position in the district.

Jules Habumugisha, executive secretary of Ngoma sector attributed the improvement to relentless efforts by local leaders and residents who, he said, worked together in implementing the district’s targets.

“We have worked so hard to get the second position unlike last year when we ranked tenth position. We still need to improve our performance, we might top the list in 2014-2015 performance contracts,” he revealed.

Ngoma is one of the 14 sectors that make Nyaruguru district.

The improvement is seen in the district as a major achievement, which, for the sector’s leadership, signals an improvement in people’s welfare.

Eliezer Kaberuka, a resident of Ururambo village, Mbuye cell in Ngoma sector confirmed that residents played a big part in helping the sector administration to come second in 2013-2014 performance contracts.

Another resident Gaudiose Uwimana added that residents present to the leaders what they want settled in their areas of residences, saying it becomes easier for the sector to perform well in performance contracts when home performance contracts are executed.

“Because every home has performance contracts, residents strive to implement them. This enables Cells and sector administrations to successfully implement performance contracts and get a better position,” she asserted.

Participants during the meeting

Olivier Sebatware, the executive secretary of Muhazi sector in Rwamagana district said the sector is set to put more effort on land consolidation and growing selected crops to increase yields and improve residents’ livelihoods.

This comes after the Government of Rwanda embarked on land consolidation and growing of selected crops to enable residents increase yields and achieve sustainable development.

Sebatware revealed this on November 2, during the meeting that aimed at devising possible means that can lead Muhazi sector to fast development.

He revealed that though 2014-2015 performance contracts will be worked on, adding much emphasis will be put on pledges meant to promote economic development of the residents.

“Much effort will be directed to the performance contracts that are meant to promote social economic development like land consolidation,” he highlighted.

Egide Ngabonziza, a resident said residents need to change their attitude in order to achieve fast development.

“Residents need to change their mindset and embrace land consolidation as a way to increase yields and improved livelihoods,” he said.

The meeting was attended by residents and development partners of Muhazi sector.

The meeting was marked by signing the performance contracts between the Sector Executive Secretary and the President of the Sector Council, followed by Cell performance contracts that were signed by Sector Authorities.

Land consolidation has always been regarded as an instrument or entry point for rural development.

Intore z’abagize inzego z’urubyiruko zitangaza ko mu mihigo zihaye harimo gufasha urubyiruko rufite intege nke kugira ngo narwo ruzamuke ruve mu bukene bityo imbaraga zarwo ruzikoreshe, rwubaka u Rwanda.

Ubwo, tariki ya 03/11/2014, izi ntore zasozaga itorero zari zimazemo iminsi 10, ryaberaga i Nkumba mu karere ka Burera, zahigiye imbere y’abayobozi batandukanye, barimo Minisitiri w’urubyiruko n’ikoranabuhanga, Nsengimana Jean Philibert, ko imbaraga zarwo ruzazikoresha ruba igisubizo cy’ibibazo bitandukanye u Rwanda rufite.

Shyerezo Norbert, umuhuzabikorwa w’inama y’igihugu y’urubyiruko, yavuze imihigo itandukanye, urwo rubyiruko rushoje itorero ruzakora, aho yagarutse ku gufasha urubyiruko rufite intege nke.

Yagize ati “Tuzafatanya n’urubyiruko rugifite intege nke, tubaremere, tubane nabo, bizajye bidufasha guserukana gitore.” Akomeza avuga ko kandi bazafasha mu buryo butandukanye urubyiruko rubana n’ubumuga.

Ikindi kandi ngo ni uko batazibagrwa urubyiruko rwavuye Iwawa. Uru rubyiruko ruturuka Iwawa rwarahigiye imyuga itandukanye ariko rwagera mu turere ruvukamo rukabura ibikoresho byo gushyira mu bikorwa imyuga rwize.

Shyerezo agira ati “Hari urubyiruko rwavuye Iwawa. Abo ni abacu. Ni intore tugomba gufatanya, tugomba kujyana ku rugerero, abo nabo tuzabafasha kandi tubatoze, bakomeze babe intore hamwe natwe.”

Shyerezo avuga ibi mu gihe mu rubyiruko rwo mu Rwanda hagaragara ubushomeri. Urubyiruko rushishikarizwa kwihangira imirimo ariko rumwe rukavuga ko kwihangira imirimo bigoye kuko rutabona igishoro.

Aho ruhamya ko bagana ibigo by’imari kwaka inguzanyo nyamara ibyo bigo by’imari bikayibima kubera ko nta ngwate ruba rufite.

Intore z’abagize inzego z’urubyiruko, uko ari 376, zarangije itorero, ni icyiciro cya mbere. Zaturutse mu turere 15 two mu ntara y’Amajyaruguru, Uburengerazuba ndetse n’umujyi wa Kigali.

Ikindi cyiciro cy’uturere 15 kizakurikiraho kizaba kigizwe n’intore zo mu ntara y’Amajyepfo ndetse n’iy’Uburasirazuba.

Les équipements des soldats rwandais sont composés d’engins lourds modernes et neufs

Le matin du 06/11/2014, les Forces Rwandaises de Défense (RDF, sigle en anglais), ont procédé à la présentation de 850 soldats et 240 policiers ainsi que leurs matériels, ainsi que l’hôpital, prêts pour faire partie du contingent de la coalition des forces armées de 11 pays de l’Afrique orientale , l’EASF (East African Standby Force).Le Rwanda devient alors le premier pays à s’apprêter en matériels et en hommes parmi les pays de l’Afrique orientale pour cette force.

Cette démonstration de force a eu lieu dans les camps militaires de Kami, situé dans le District de Gasabo, dans la Ville de Kigali où des engins militaires lourds tels que les véhicules blindés, les forces spéciales l’hôpital, etc. ont été exhibés. Ces militaires et policiers sont non seulement bien entrainés mais aussi composés d’hommes et de femmes très disciplinés. Leur armement motorisé est flambant neuf et moderne et leur hôpital comprend des médecins militaires spécialistes

Le porte-parole de l‘armée rwandaise, le Gén de Brigade Josesph Nzabamwita explique combien le Rwanda est prêt pour l’EASF: « En tant que Rwandais, on est le premier pays à présenter  les militaires et les équipements qui sont prêts à travailler avec d’autres forces de la région, pour le maintien de la paix dans la région car on comprend qu’on doit prendre le devant dans maintien de la paix. Le fait de les regrouper veut dire qu’ils sont prêts et qu’en cas d’attaque, l’intervention peut se faire entre 7 et 14 jours dans n’importe quel pays ».

Ces forces sont destinées à intervenir en cas de menace d’insécurité au sein de ces pays.  Les pays Africains qui vont envoyer les troupes au sein de l’EASF en cas de besoin sont le Rwanda, le Burundi, les Iles Comores, Djibouti, Ethiopie, Kenya, les Iles Seychelles, Somalie, Soudan et l’Ouganda, ayant comme base en Ethiopie.

Les soldats rwandais, sexes confondus sont prêts pour intervenir dans la région

Les éléments de la Police du Rwanda sont aussi prêts à maintenir la paix de la région

L’Amb. Shamfi Ismael qui dirige l’EASF en compagnie du commandant de l’EASF, a confiance en ces éléments de RDF. Et après avoir subi une présentation et une démonstration de la part de ce millier de militaires et policiers, l’Amb.Shamfi a déclaré qu’ils remplissent les conditions. « Je ne suis pas venu pour voir si le Rwanda est prêt, on est venu plutôt clôturer les cérémonies car je connais déjà le rôle du Rwanda dans le maintien de la paix à travers le mode ».

Le Gén. Donatien Kabisa, nommé commandant de cette force de l’EASF depuis le 22 mars 2014, alors qu’il était commandant de la première région militaire du Burundi, assure qu’ils ne vont pas attendre les ordres venus d’ailleurs pour intervenir. « En cas de troubles de la sécurité dans région, on fera une intervention rapide, sans attendre l’ordre de l’UA. Si les Chefs d’Etat de la région se rencontrent et confirment notre intervention, on ne peut pas accepter qu’il y ait une autre tragédie comme celle du Rwanda, pendant le génocide contre les Tutsis en 1994 ».

The chief executive Officer for Rwanda Governance Board-RGB Prof. Anastase Shyaka and the UNDP country Director Auke Lootsma preparing the cheques

In a bid to strengthening the capacity of the civil society Organizations in responsive and accountable governance, Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has received Rwf518 million ($740000) grants, a move that is expected to spur national development.

The grant is awarded by the government of Rwanda and the one United Nations under the joint program strengthening civil society organization for responsive and accountable governance in Rwanda.

The  program that  runs up to  2018  boasts of a total funding  of $8,619,120 that aims at    strengthening the capacities of national civil society organizations enabling them  to hold  the public  and private  sectors  to account  as well as advocate  for the rights of all.

Chief executive Officer Rwanda Governance Board-(RGB) Prof. Anastase Shyaka and UNDP country Director Auke Lootsma awarding cheques

Moreover, it will also enhance realization of human rights, gender equality and social justice as well as enhances thecivil society Organization in socialeconomic development.

“Giving out grants today translates into reality Rwanda’scommitment to support the CSOs in strengthening their capacity to deliver and foster civic participation,” said Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Chief executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board-RGB during the signing of   grant agreements.

The grants agreements conclude the formal relation between Rwanda Governance Board, UNDP and the CSOs and provide legal clarity, predictability, accountability as well as equality amongst all grantees.

This according to Shyaka will improve the livelihoods of the people by engaging in productive economic activities.

Launched in April this year, through a highly competitive, transparent and independent evaluation process, the top 18 proposals were selected for funding.

The Civil  society  according  to  experts plays  an important  role  in acting as a watch dogs for the  interests of the  people  as well as building a democratic society.

“It is our firm belief that civil society plays an important role to deepening governance and social-economic development at all levels in Rwanda,” said Auke Lootsma, UNDP country Director for Rwanda

He adds, “We are excited to see the foster results today and are committed to continue this journey the coming year.”

Accordingly, efforts will be deployed to improve the efficiency of registration procedures for local civil society organizations and enhance their participation in activities promoting accountable governance and efficiency meeting social needs of the people through joint Action development forum.

• Inkomoko   and   AEC present the Outstanding Rwandan Entrepreneur    Award

President Paul Kagame was guest at the African  Leadership  Network (ALN)  Forum in Kigali as it came to close November 7th 2014

Tech pioneer  Clement Uwajeneza was awarded $20,000 on Thursday night after winning the Outstanding               Rwandan Entrepreneur   Award   onstage in front  of hundreds  of  African  business leaders at the African  Leadership         Network  awards gala in Kigali.

The award,  sponsored by Inkomoko Business Development and the African  Entrepreneur Collective,  marked  the  conclusion of   a nationwide  search   to identify  an exceptional young   entrepreneur  who had not  only  succeeded in     business,but also contributed  meaningfully  to Rwanda’s  development.

“This  award   gives  me huge motivation to continuously reinvent myself  and my business towards even greater      achievements,” said  Clement Uwajeneza, 34,CEO of AXiS  Software. “I  would   like to thank Inkomoko and African  Entrepreneur Collective for making it possible.”

Clement was  selected  as the winner  by an independent  selection committee comprised  of Francis Gatare, CEO of          the Rwanda Development    Board;   Didier Nkurikiyimfura,Director  General of the  Ministry of Youth  and ICT;Lucy Mbabazi,Business Leader  of Emerging Market Solutions at Visa Rwanda;and Harish Subramanian, Executive  Director of ALN Ventures.

The committee was  impressed by  Clement’s success in growing his software development firm, AXiS, as well  as his  commitment to cultivating Rwanda’s ICT sector by co-founding    the Rwanda Private  Sector   Federation ICT Chamber,the Rwanda Software Developers Association,and  the kLab Innovation Space.

Inkomoko’s top three finalists also included Gilbert  Gatali    of KZ Noir and Lydie Hakizimana of  Drakkar Ltd. KZ Noir works  with  more  than 10,000   Rwandan coffee   farmers  to produce premium coffee for local consumers  and to               export  Rwanda’s  signature coffee brand  across   the world.

Drakkar Ltd is one  of  the only publishers  and  distributors of educational  materials in Kinyarwanda,and provides              science equipment  to thousands   of Rwandan  schools.The top  three were  selected  through a  nationwide  search that       included in-person and  online   outreach to  over  50,000   people  in every    province and  industry.

Francis  Gatare  emphasized  how impressed he  was  by all three  finalists. “Each     of  them started small,    but have              been  growing  over  a  number  of  years  and  making a huge  impact  to  the lives  of people  that  they employ in            their  businesses, and to the overall  economy in this country,” he said at   the African  Leadership Network Awards Gala.

Clement’s journey  to becoming Rwanda’s  Outstanding  Entrepreneur began  in  2006,when he founded AXiS shortly after graduating from   Polytech Montpellier  in France  with an M.Sc. in Management  and Information  Systems. The     company’s  mission was  to help Rwandan  small  and  medium enterprises (SMEs)  access  affordable  and  relevant               management software.

After     a   few stumbles, AXiS achieved profitability by expanding  into web and mobile-based  application       development    for  government  and NGOs.  AXiS wa recognized by the Rwanda Development    Board    as the Best  IT   firm in the SME  category in  2010.In   2013,the  company  launched  a  major new  initiative  focused  on  SMEs   with       the   introduction   of iPOS, a “Software  as  a Service” product that  allows   small retailers to improve   their   management through a  tablet-based retail application and cloud-based management  tools.

Not content  with merely  being  a role model   for  aspiring entrepreneurs, Clement has also taken  the lead in   building       institutions to actively cultivate the next generation of ICT  entrepreneurs  in  Rwanda.

He is  co-founder   and board member of  the Rwanda Private  Sector   Federation ICT  Chamber, co-founder and Chairman of  the Rwanda Software Developers Association, and a founding Member of  the kLab Innovation Space.

Clement has also sought  to share his  knowledge through  lecturing  positions at the College of Business and Economics and Carnegie Mellon  University Rwanda.

Inkomoko and its  international partner,African  Entrepreneur  Collective,launched the Outstanding Rwandan   Entrepreneur Award in order to  recognize  Rwandan  business leaders who demonstrate innovation, leadership,and    contribution to Rwanda’s development.

Applications were open to Rwanda-based  entrepreneurs  who started their businesses at the age of  35 or younger              and had annual revenue turnover of  more than  $50,000 USD  annually.

“We  partnered with the  African  Leadership Network  to  provide  a  platform to recognize Rwandan entrepreneurs              before a  global    audience, bringing  new awareness of  what talented  entrepreneurs  are doing to advance  Rwanda’s  growth.The  process  of searching  the country  for Rwanda’s best  has highlighted the  incredible  drive that        characterizes Rwanda’s young   entrepreneurs” said Julienne Oyler, Executive Director of African  Entrepreneur    Collective.

“Clement  and his peers are  creating  the companies  and the jobs that will further advance Rwanda’s economic transformation in the coming decades.It’s already happening right before  our eyes.”

By African   Entrepreneur    Collective

Rwandan youth in Kigali protesting the BBC documentary last month

The United Kingdom parliament said the documentary entitled, This World – Rwanda’s untold story aired on BBC2 is a denial of genocide and should be investigated.

The house said in a statement released on November 6, 2014 that it was disappointed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for denying the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda

 “this House is dismayed at the BBC’s production of the genocide denial programme entitled, This World – Rwanda’s untold story; recognises the central place the programme now occupies in the activities of genocide denialists” Part of the UK Parliament read

The house urged the BBC to conduct an immediate inquiry into the editorial and managerial decisions which led to the airing of the programme on BBC2 on 1^st October 2014.

The Britishlawmakers further urged the Director General of the BBC, a member of the House of Lords, to act personally and transparently, deal with the matter of profound political significance and social injustice.

This comes in the midst of a potential row between the British media agency and Rwandan authorities of which the latter has temporarily taken measure of blocking all BBC local programmes aired in the country now.

Rwandans have also petitioned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to apologize to the Rwandan people, Tutsi genocide survivors, Rwandan government, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for the lies, generalisation, false accusations, innuendoes and wild allegations made against them in the BBC documentary titled; “Rwanda: the untold story.”

The  Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority, (RURA) has named Five Experts who will analyze allegations against BBC accused of disseminating divisionism among Rwandans, after many Rwandans staged protests and peaceful matches against the BBC.

Bamwe mubayobozi b’utugari two mu karere ka Rusizi barasabwa kutagira uwo basiganira akazi kabo kuko umutekano w’abaturage uri mubiganza byabo, ibyo babisabwe n’umuyobozi w’ako karere mu nama y’umutekano yaguye yabaye ku wa 05/11/2014, nyuma yo kubona ko hari byinshi bigenda biwuhungabanya birimo Ipfu zitunguranye bigasanga abayobozi baraye muyindi mirenge

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rusizi yavuze ko atazi impamvu abayobozi b’utugari batarumva neza ko bagomba kuba aho bakorera kandi ari itegeko, asaba ko uwumva atabishoboye yagaragaza impamvu byaba ngombwa agahindurirwa ahandi cyangwa agasezera imirimo igahabwa abayishoboye ,si abayobozi b’utugari gusa batarara mu tugari bayobora kuko hari na bamwe mu bayobozi b’imirenge batungwa agatoki ko kuba bataba aho bakorera.

Bimwe mubyahungabanyije umutekano mu karere ka Rusizi muri uku kwezi gushize kwa 10, bigatwara n’ubuzima bw’abantu  ni impfu zo kwiyahura , kurohama mu kiyaga cya Kivu n’impanuka z’amamodoka atandukanye  bimwe muri ibyo ngo biterwa n’uburangare bw’ababyeyi batita ku bana babo bigatuma bagwa mu bibazo bibaviramo kwitaba Imana.

Nzeyimana Oscar avuga ko zimwe muri izo mpfu ziterwa n’uburangare bw’ababyeyi batita kubana babo bakajya koga mu kiyaga cya kivu ntawe ubaherekeje bityo bamwe muri bo bakarohama , nta kwezi gushobora gushira ikiyaga cya Kivu kidahitanye ubuzima bw’abantu akenshi, kandi abana bato nibo gihitana.

Umuyobozi w’ingabo mu karere ka Rusizi Colonel Bagabe Louis nawe yavuze ko mu gihe gito cy’amezi 2 amaze mu karere ka Rusizi asanga hari bamwe mubayobozi bata inshingano zabo bakajya kwikorera ibindi nyamara kandi igihugu kibibahembere iyo mirimo, yaboneyeho, gusaba abayobozi bose kwisubiraho mugutunganya akazi ka Leta biyemeje utabishoboye agasezera.

Police has appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Celestin Twahirwa as the new Spokesperson and serves as Commissioner for Public Relations and Media, with emmediate effect.

CSP Twahirwa, a lawyer, has just returned from a peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan, where he served as Sector Commander.

Prior to that, CSP Twahirwa served in various capacities in the force; as Commissioner for Traffic and once as Deputy Commandant for National Police College (NPC).

He replaces Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare, who now head the Department of Community Policing, which is under the Commissioner for Public Relations and Media.

According to the Rwanda National Police leadership structure, ACP Damas Gatare, who has served the force for close to two decades, is senior to CSP Twahirwa. He has thus been demoted.

Reasons for his demotion were not communicated.

Le Président Kagame s’adressant aux membres de « Unity Club Intwararumuri », lors de la clôture du 7e Forum Annuel à l’Hôtel Serena de Kigali

Lors de la clôture du 7^e Forum des membres de « Unity Club Intwararumuri », le weekend du 08/11/2014 à Kigali Serena Hotel, où ils discutaient sur le programme de “Ndi Umunyarwanda”, le Président  Kagame a critiqué les autorités qui ont un double langage agissent et qui agissent contrairement à ce qu’elles disent. Kagame a aussi averti ceux qui veulent déstabiliser le Rwanda en leur disant qu’ils le payeront cher. Il était venu procéder à la clôture de ce 7^e Forum placé sous le thème  de « Ndi Umunyarwanda: Icyomoro ni Igihango ».

Le Président Kagame a dit : « Qui a le droit de décider à notre place comment nous devons vivre ? Qui a le droit de décider comment eux/elles, doivent vivre ? A vous les religieux de nous dire si nous avons été tous créés par Dieu de la même façon…ou d’une façon inégale, qu’il y a ceux/celles qui sont les dieux des autres gens ».

Kagame suggéré que les Rwandais devraient s’unir et mettre ensemble leurs forces pour rendre plus difficile à quiconque veut déstabiliser la sécurité du pays. «  Nous devons renforcer nos institutions pour que celui qui voudra les attaquer, prenne le temps d’y réfléchir et soit conscient que ça lui coûtera cher. Ça devrait être comme ça, il n’y a pas d’autres  alternatives, si tu vas les cherchent ailleurs alors nous risquons de retourner dans notre triste histoire ».

Il est revenu sur les mots comme la dignité et la valeur pour faire comprendre comment les Rwandais devraient maintenir ces valeurs pour leurs vies. « Se donner la valeur et refuser que quelqu’un d’autre décide à notre place comment nous devons vivre. Ca nous demande de faire de bonnes choses, et au contraire, ça permet à celui/celle de l’extérieure qui voudra te faire du mal d’avoir une brèche ». Il a ajouté que le renforcement des instances de sécurité, politiques et de l’identité rwandaise va permettre la résistance aux malfaiteurs qui voudront déstabiliser la sécurité.

Avertissement aux autorités qui ont un langage double

Le Président Kagame ne comprend pas pourquoi, après 20 ans, certaines gens n’ont pas encore tiré des leçons sur le passé tragique du Rwanda et ses réalisations en rapport avec le développement. « Nous avons une bonne image devant la population tout comme la rhétorique, mais quand il s’agit des actes, c’est contraire. Mais s’atteler au développent du pays pour que ça devienne une culture est difficile. Une personne te dira le matin que vous êtes ensemble dans la construction du pays, et le soir tu vas la surprendre en train de détruire,… nous n’avons pas besoin de vivre une vie de mensonges ».

Revenant sur la politique de «Ndi Umunyarwanda », le Président a profité de l‘occasion pour demander aux autorités que les idées qui émanent des échanges de ce Forum soient mises en  application pour renforcer les institutions. « Je souhaite que les idées venant de ces échanges ne restent pas dans les paroles, qu’elles soient utilisées à travers nos activités quotidiennes pour bâtir les institutions très forts, la sécurité et une politique qui reflète la vraie identité rwandaise durable ».

Kagame a déploré quelques autorités qui travaillent dans l’imposture, et a-t-il ajouté, «  le Rwanda de demain, nous fait penser à notre jeunesse. Nous devrons savoir où vont vivre nos enfants ». Il a demandé aux autorités de léguer leurs enfants Rwandais un pays sans conflits, en cas d’échec dit-il, ça serait une tragédie pour le pays. « Chacun doit examiner sa conscience, sans aucune influence, sa contribution pour la génération future qui va hériter un pays sans la division ethnique ni conflits, ni pauvreté. Vous les autorités, imaginez-vous si vous léguez un pays en conflits, pauvre, etc., ça serait une honte, une tragédie  pour le pays ».

CP Hodari, Chef de la commission chargée d’assurer la sécurité des activités du Corridor Nord

 Le Rwanda, l’Ouganda et Kenya, pays de l’EAC sont réunis à Kigali depuis le 11/10/2014 au Rwanda pour une semaine dans le but d’élaborer  les mesures de sécurité du corridor du Nord. Ces pays, membres de l’intégration du corridor du Nord ont lancé le programme de la mise en place des mesures qui peuvent aider l’intégration de l’Afrique de l’Est à avoir la paix et la sécurité pour que le développement durable en cours ne soit pas déstabilisé. Les retombées de cette conférence de Kigali seront remises aux Ministres chargés de la sécurité avant la signature par les Chefs d’Etats lors d’une autre conférence qui aura lieu en Ouganda.

Ces trois pays ont en commun 14 projets et les délégués présents à Kigali ont remarqué qu’aucune réalisation n’est possible sans la sécurité. Selon CP Jimmy Hodari, qui dirige la commission chargée de mettre en place les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité dans la région l’a bien déclaré. « Comme vous le savez, que ça soit la construction d’un chemin de fer, électricité, pipelines, etc. ne peuvent pas être réalisés sans la paix et la sécurité ».

Hodari ajoute que le pacte de la paix et sécurité a été signé le 20/2/2014 par les Présidents de ces trois pays pour que toutes activités soient réalisées dans la paix et la tranquillité.  L’objectif de ce pacte est de lutter contre les conflits et la gestion des conflits dans trois pays, combattre le génocide, combattre les crimes transfrontaliers, les crimes liés à l’économie, en rapport avec la sécurité.

Selon Mujuni Benon, travaillant au sein du Ministère de la défense de l’Ouganda « le faite qu’il y a la sécurité dans la région, c’est la raison pour laquelle ils doivent prendre des mesures de sécurité pour qu’elle soit durable dans les pays membres de cette intégration ». Nous sommes ici, a dit Benon « pour que les pays membres de cette intégration aient la paix. Nous devons travailler comme une équipe, sans la collaboration, les ennemis peuvent nous attaquer et déstabiliser notre paix ».

Les participants sont concients de nécessitée la paix pour le développement durable

Cette conférence va  aussi permettre la mise en application de toutes les conclusions qui sont en rapport avec le maintien de la sécurité dans la région. Mais la Tanzanie et le Burundi ne font pas encore partie de ce pacte et sont toujours les bienvenus quand ils seront prêts.

Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi addressing parliament recently in Kigali – responding to accusations of poor planning which often times resulted in loss taxpayer money. The new World Bank funding will help government improve planning processes

 Kigali -The Government of Rwanda and World Bank Group today signed two credit agreements totaling $200 million to help boost the country’s public financial management and support agriculture sector transformation.

With the funding of US $100million, the Transformation of Agriculture Sector Program (Phase 3) will support the Government of Rwanda’s strategic objectives to transform Rwanda’s agriculture. The program will focus on raising famer’s income through diversification of crops, better use of input to combat land erosion, improving irrigation, and increased private sector investments.

The Public Financial Management and Statistics Systems program, with a similar funding, will boost the government’s statistical capacity to make evidence-based policy decisions and improve its planning and budgeting. This will contribute to more efficient and effective use of public resources. It will focus on accounting, auditing, budgeting and reporting in both national and subnational governmental institutions.

“Public Financial Management and agricultural transformation are central to Government’s development plans. It’s crucial that we are able to make evidence based policies that will in turn have a positive impact on our people,” said Claver Gatete, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

Carolyn Turk, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda for her part said: “One of the innovative features of this Program is that it includes gender-responsive budgeting, with training for planning and budget officers to generate national and subnational gender statistics”.

Both programs will utilize the Program for Results (PforR) financing instrument in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government expenditure programs and help build institutions and capacity under the programs being supported.

PforR is one of the three financing instruments in a four year Country Partnership Strategy that was signed between Rwanda and the World Bank. Others include Development Policy Objective DPO-Sector budget support and Project Modality Support.

President Paul Kagame speaking at a recent event in Kigali

President Paul Kagame has told Rwandans that he travels all over the World for one reason; ‘creating partnerships that bring solutions to Rwanda’s development challenges.

Kagame was on Tuesday addressing residents of Jabana sector in Gasabo District in Kigali. The visit is part of his community outreach programme.

“When you see me travelling, it is not for leisure. It is to build partnerships that will allow us to solve our challenges.”

“If we didn’t have those challenges, I would always be with you here enjoying other things,” he said.

Kagame is known for regularly travelling overseas wooing investors to take advantage of the unlimited business opportunities in Rwanda. His latest business trips were in India and UK.

While at the Global Africa Investment Summit held in London, the president presented to investors 15 projects worth$22.93b to push the country’s economy.

Kagame later travelled to India where he met investors and promised them a red-carpet reception once they turned their investment focus on Rwanda.

The President told thousands of residents and leaders to double their efforts and continue the journey of transforming Rwanda.

“Let us build on what we have accomplished to achieve even more and reach our goal of transformation.”

Accountability

Kagame urged citizens to always demand accountability from their leaders, saying that development that Rwandans want originate form better services offered to them.

“Leaders are here to work with you to solve the challenges you face not to serve their own interests. The role of leaders is to serve all of you equally and it is your right to demand accountability.”

Kagame is known for his demand for accountability from politicians in his government.

At the event, the President pinned leaders from the office of Ombudsman and Foreign Affairs, in reaction to an appeal by one of the residents who accused the British Department for International Development (DFID) in Rwanda and Foreign Affairs Ministry for conniving to defraud him.

“Your issue will be solved with immediate effect,” Kagame promised the villager amidst applause from the crowd.

Kagame is expected to push his community outreach programme to Eastern Province on Thursday and Friday.

Twenty military commanders, Police officers and civilians from seven countries in the region are undergoing a one week course on “Protection of Civilians in Peacekeeping Operations”.

The training was opened on November 10 at Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) Headquarters, Nyakinama in Musanze District.

While opening the course, Col Jill Rutaremara, RPA Director said that the protection of civilians is a key indicator of the effectiveness and success of any peacekeeping operation.

He underlined that “lack of protection of civilians has resulted in gross violations and abuse of the rights of individuals and communities namely; loss of life, injury, forced recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, and psychological trauma.”

Dr. Andreas Anderson, trainer at UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) who is also the facilitator in this course said that the trainees will benefit knowledge to train for future peacekeeping operations.

The knowledge will also help them in their duties when in peacekeeping missions, he said.

The course was preceded by a one week Training of Trainers program on protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations also facilitated by UNITAR.

Participants are Military and Police Senior Officers as well as Civilians decision makers from Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Geoffrey Mushaija

Disasters due to hazards have devastating impacts on the development prospects of our communities.

Contemporarily, we are ‘reactive’ in our approach towards disasters with resources being spent on relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Building disaster resilient communities merits a focused attention to build their capabilities for disaster management.

Communities are susceptible to high vulnerability from multiple disasters emanating from expanding human and economic infrastructures.

Building disaster resilient communities in disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness skills through awareness and effective training programmes is central in sustainable disaster management.

Empowering communities with knowledge and information within their own setting to build the culture of safety is essential.

However, in our approaches, the concept of building sustainable disaster resilient communities remains abstract yet linking disasters and communities’ is critical and needs apt recognition. Vulnerable communities need disaster education and their participation will build their resilience.

There is need to bring about a change in perception, attitude and mind-set of our communities about the way things must be approached today in the context of disaster risk management.

When a disaster strikes, communities suffer most of its adverse effects and our community activities cannot be sustained and viable unless risk reduction and mitigation measures are clearly spelt out in advance to them.

Inventing cost-effective technologies for hazard resistant housing, research in hazard prevention and mitigation, supporting and popularising traditional and indigenous disaster mitigation methods that are effective to support government initiatives is imperative.

We must reaffirm our commitment and resolve to achieve disaster resilient and safe communities. Building disaster resilient communities can be done through disaster education initiatives, policies, civil society engagements as well as the corporate social responsibility to bring synergic effects.

Building disaster resilient is achievable because our communities are conversant with their geographical and socio-economic settings and their participation is critical in achieving sustainable disaster management within their community.

Building a culture of safety and resilience at community level will be efficient and effective initiative because they already have indigenous knowledge of disaster management imbedded in their respective communities.

What is needed is their organisation and shaping communities to realise their potential and make them able to find solutions to their problems when they arise.

It is imperative to avail to the communities’ awareness and mobilisation materials for their children and homesteads like booklets, posters, note books, games, art crafts and poetry related to disaster prevention, mitigation and management.

Building disaster resilient communities will be fruitful if we bring up positive changes, making them safer, more empowered, and resilient with self-help capacities to respond confidently in disaster yet to come.

No effort must be spared and no constraint should be allowed to impede the progress towards creating a safe and disaster free and resilient communities in Rwanda.

Three people have been arrested in Kigali in connection to tax evasion after they allegedly connived, smuggled and sold 270 tonnes of rice into Rwanda and forged customs documents with intent to evade taxes.

Celestin Bimenyimana and Thelesphore Ntazinda, both businessmen in Kigali, and Jean Claude Mbarushimana, a Rwanda Revenue Authority Customs officer in Rubavu district are accused of fraudulently selling smuggled rice on disguise that it was on transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The trio are said to have evaded taxes amounting to Rwf62 million.

How it happened

Dorocella Mukashyaka, deputy commissioner for taxpayer services in RRA, said on October 27, Customs at Gatuna border cleared a truck carrying the rice belonging to a Pakistani, as a transit to the DRC.

However, on reaching Kigali, the Pakistani sold the rice to Bimenyimana.

“Bimenyimana then drafted a fake agreement stipulating that he had sold the goods to a DRC national and went ahead and sold the rice in Kigali,” Mukashyaka said.

“Mbarushimana, our customs officers in Rubavu, who was charged with clearing goods and making sure that they have crossed to the other country, indicated that the trucks had crossed to DRC, but investigations, using our electronic system proved otherwise and showed that the vehicles didn’t leave the Rwandan territory,” she explained.

“Be it the employee of Rwanda Revenue Authority or any other person, if they are implicated in these fraud cases, they will face justice,” she warned.

Police spokesperson, Chief Supt. Celestin Twahirwa warned the business community against such illegal acts.

“After thorough investigations, we found out that the rice was sold in Kigali and we found it in a warehouse in Nyarugenge market, and also found out that all documents they used were forged,” CSP Twahirwa.

The suspects, he said, are facing charges of tax evasion and forging documents under articles 346 and 369 of the penal code.

Article 369, partly states that a taxpayer, found guilty of tax evasion shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of between three six months and a fine equal to the evaded tax.

If the taxpayer is guilty of deliberate tax evasion, such as false deliberate accounting entries, forgery and falsification of records or any other act punishable by law, he/she shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine equal to the evaded tax.

President Kagame addresses Nyagatare residents during his visit to the district

President Paul Kagame has advised Rwandans to always demand services from their leaders having in mind that it is their right and not a favour from the leaders.

The President Paul was addressing residents of Nyagatare District during his visit to Eastern Province district on Wednesday.

At the meeting where he was welcomed by thousands of residents, the Head of State said: “You should not accept corruption in exchange for services you are owed.”

President Kagame told the cheering crowd that every Rwandan has a part to play in denouncing and fighting corruption.

Commenting on security issues, the President said that Rwanda will not allow anyone to destabilize its flourishing peace, and urged Rwandans to take part in maintaining what they have for better working environment.

Residents were reminded that peace is the foundation of development, noting that the country will not go back to divisionism that saw die amid bad governance in former regimes.

President Kagame waves to cheering crowd during his visit to Nyagatare

Residents of Nyagatare District thanked the President for the progress made due to peace in the country, saying that his government has opened vast opportunities particularly in Agriculture which has enabled them attain enough food.

The President said that 20 years after the war that liberated the country, Nyagatare residents should know that there is yet another war to fight which is the war against poverty that everyone must join. Every Rwandan should work hard for self and national development.

 “The battle we have today is to guarantee safety to every Rwandan so that he/she can have a conducive environment and time for own progress” President Kagame added.

Meanwhile, the President said his government priority is in the national building unlike the former regimes that were supporting destruction and divisionism which left the nation ragged.

According to President Kagame, good governonce should be present in all levels of leadership; right from the grassroots to the National level. An accountable leadership helps citizens feel secure and responsible and paves for self provided and enough food and other various areas of daily life.

Nyagatare District is inhabited by more than 400 thousand residents. The district is famous for livestock agriculture and about Rwf6 billion is collected from milk production annually.

Nyagatare is also home to the East African Granite Industries that manufactures tiles used construction. The factory has 300 employees whose salaries amount to Rwf189 million every month.

The Education Ministry in Rwanda indicates that Nyagatare District is also the leading in better in 12-Year Basic Education (12YBE) programme.

Head of the German delegation, Gudrun Grosse Wiesmann, and Finance minister Amb. Claver Gatete after sealing the deal. (Courtesy)

The Government of Rwanda and The Federal Republic of Germany concluded cooperation negotiations that saw German donate €69.5 million equivalent to Rwf 60 billion, to support Rwanda’s economic development.

The donation will be invested in technical and vocational education, decentralization and financial sector development, respectively.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning highlighted that the contribution will enhance Rwanda’s economic development through capacity building and creating employment opportunities.

“Capacity building is a key strategic objective for the Rwandan government. The government of Rwanda will continue to undertake appropriate reforms to enhance business and investment,” said Minister Claver Gatete.

€38 million of the funds is allocated for Financial Coop­eration while €31.5 million will be invested in Technical cooperation in a three year framework {2015-2018}.

Both the Rwanda and Federal republic of German held two day negotiations on development co-operation and agreed to work on the post-2015 agenda for sustainable development.

The head of the German delegation, Mrs. Gudrun Grosse Wiesmann, regional director Sub-Saharan Africa, Federal Ministry of Economics and Development, said the donation was meant to support Rwanda’s progress in priority areas and targets for the Vision 2020 program.

The grant will be aligned to the Second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II)

Mrs . Gudrun said Rwanda’s accountability and economic development were an attraction to cause international co-operation.

“Rwanda has made visible and tangible results in its social and economic development. Talking to the Auditor General as well as to representatives of local government and civil society demonstrated how all stakeholders contribute to improve accountable governance,” said Mrs. Wiesmann

Since 2006, Germany has financed different Rwandan projects worth €27 in health, education and infrastructure. In June, both governments signed €13.7 million grant to promote rural development and combat climate change.

Germany also contributes to Rwanda’s by $26m, a fund that had been suspended in 2012 following allegations of Rwanda supporting illegal militia in Eastern Congo, but was restored in 2013.

According to the Ambassador of Germany to Rwanda, both countries international relation are steady fast growing and bearing fruit.

“We seek to contribute to Rwanda’s development not only through supporting projects but also wooing Germany business world to invest in the country,” German Ambassador , Peter Fahrenholtz told KT press.

Sofa, Rwanda only has 10 major Germany run businesses in fields of energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, something that might change soon.

Meanwhile, the funds allocated to Technical and vocational trainings came in just in time Rwanda committed to investing more in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools.

The country has more than 307 TVET schools with at least 4 schools in each district. The national target is enrolling at least 60 % of students who graduate from nine-year basic education in to TVETS by 2017. The number still stands at 40 %.

By: Lillian Gahima

Source : KT-PRESS 

Kuri uyu wa 12 Ugushingo 2014, abagize Inama y’Igihugu y’Urubyiruko mu Karere ka Karongi bahigiye imbere y’ubuyobozi bw’akarere ibyo rwiyemeje kugeraho maze bugaragaza ko rukeneye gushyigikirwa n’izindi nzego za Leta ndetse n’abaturage muri rusange kugira ngo ruzashobore kugera ku byo rwahigiye gukora.

Muri iyo mihigo urubyiruko rukaba rwibanze cyane ku bikorwa bisubiza ibibazo by’urubyiruko nk’ikibazo cy’amikoro make atuma abantu batabona uko bikura mu bukene, ikibazo cy’imirimo mike ugereranyije n’abayikeneye, imyitwarire y’urubyiruko itaboneye urubyiruko rw’u Rwanda ndetse kandi hakabamo n’uburyo bwo kwita ku rubyiruko rw’abanyeshuri ruri mu biruhuko.

Mu bukungu uru rubyiruko rukaba rwiyemeje kuzatera inkunga amakoperative ane harimo n’iy’ubworozi bw’amafi izayafasha guteza imbere ibikorwa byabo no kongera umusaruro, kugira uruhare muri gahunda y’igihugu yo guhanga imirimo mishya binyuze muri gahunda ya Leta ya “Kora Wigire” bazanatangiza amatsinda agera kuri cumi n’atatu yo kuzigama no kugurizanya.

Mu rwego rwo kugabanya ubusumbune mu rubyiruko, ngo bakaba bazanaremera urubyiruko kugira ngo urubyiruko rwose ruzamukire kimwe rudasiganye.

Kuri ibyo kandi hazaniyongeraho kuremera abafite ubumuga bagera kuri makumyabiri na barindwi bakabafasha kubona imishinga mito yabafasha kugabanya ubukene ndetse ngo bakazanashishishikariza urubyiruko kwiharika kugira ngo na rwo rushobore gukora ku ifaranga.

Naho mu mibereho myiza, ngo bazashishikariza urubyiruko gukora siporo kugira ngo rugire umubiri ukomeye kandi mwiza.

bazanafasha urubyiruko rw’abagera kuri mirongo ine icyenda bavuye i Wawa kubona ibikoresho by’imyuga bigiyeyo kugira ngo bashobore kubona uko bihangira imirimo.

Muri iki cyiciro kandi niho hagaragara ibikorwa bitandukanye byo kwita ku rubyiruko ruri mu biruhuko mu rwego rwo kurufasha kurangwa n’indangagaciro z’umuco Nyarwanda rukirinda kwiyandagaza no kwiyangiza rukoresha ibiyobyabwenge, ari nayo mpamvu muri iyi mihigo bateganyiriza urubyiruko ruri mu biruhuko inyigisho z’uburere mboneragihugu, kwirinda ibiyobyabwenge ndetse n’indwara z’ibyorezo.

Naho mu miyoborere myiza, uru rubyiruko rwo mu Nama y’Igihugu y’Urubyiruko mu Karere ka Karongi, rukaba rwiyemeje kuzagira uruhare mu gukurikirana ibikorwa by’intore ziri ku rugerero ndetse runateganya gahunda ngaruka kwezi y’umuganda w’urubyiruko. Uyu muganda w’urubyiruko ngo ukazajya uba buri cy’umweru cya mbere cy’ukwezi uje wuzazanya n’umuganda rusange ngarukakwezi uba buri cyumweru cya nyuma cy’ukwezi.

Mu ikoranabuhanga, uru rubyiruko kandi rwiyemeje kwigisha no gukangurira urubyiruko bagenzi babo gukoresha imbuga nkoranyambaga kugira ngo rujye rushobora gutangira amakuru ku gihe ngo no kuvuguruza abaharabika isura y’igihugu babinyujije ku mbuga nkoranyambaga. Muri iki cyiciro kinajyana n’uburezi ngo bakaba bazubaka ibigo bitatu by’urubyiruko ruzajya ruhahiramo ubumenyi ndetse n’inama mu byiciro bitandukanye by’ubuzima n’uburyo bwo kwiteza imbere.

Muri iyi mihigo Inama y’Igihugu y’Urubyiruko mu Karere ka Karongi yaniyemeje kujya ikora inama imwe buri gihembwe yo kwisuzuma kugira ngo bareber ibyo bamaze kugeraho mu mihigo yabo banafate n’ingamba z’uburyo bwo guhigura vuba kandi ku buryo burambye ibya bazajya basanga batarageraho.