Rwanda | Providing for the family while in prison

 Nyandwi selling his father’s art pieces on a typical market day Francois Nizeyimana, an inmate at Gikongoro main Prison, in the Southern Province, has managed to provide for his family’s needs through wood work; a kind of art that he learnt from prison. He makes different wood carvings artworks which his son collects every Friday and sells for survival. Nzeyimana’s son, Faustin Nyandwi, is one of his five kids who sell their father’s artworks every Saturday – during the market day. The sales bring in at least Rwf10.000 francs on every market day. “The most interesting aspect is that my father learnt this profession from prison” says Nyandwi, “Many people buy Nzeyimana’s artworks, some wonder if they are made in Rwanda” Nyandwi...

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Rwanda | Critics lash at PGGSS music competitions

Some Rwandan music fans have criticized the 2nd Primus Guma Guma Super Star Season music competitions for not including Rwandan cultural music category in the lucrative contest. Bralirwa in partnership with East African Promoters organized the PGGSS for the second time as a way of supporting the Rwandan music. Twenty The music categories in the competition include: Hip Hop, R&B, POP and Reggae which are normally selected based on the popularity of an artist (Super Star).  Jean Paul Samputu, a renowned Rwandan cultural musician considers it unfair not to value the Rwandan cultural music when in actual sense the competition is to promote Rwandan music. Samputu said, “It hurts when Rwandan cultural music isn’t part...

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Rwanda | Meet an economist who does music, Journalism

A renowned music artist and a journalist Ally Soudy, a husband to Carien Umwiza holds a bachelor degree in economics with a major in management which was conferred to him at Butare National University of Rwanda, though he surprisingly does music and radio broadcasting; a totally different and unrelated carrier. Ally on a loving hug to his wife when he graduated two years ago Born on 11thNovember1983 in Kigali, Ally Soudy went to Ntwari primary school, did ordinary level of education at RILIMA, then APAPEC MURAMBI for Advanced level of secondary school in the year 2003. He later joined the National University of Rwanda in 2005 where he pursued a Bachelors degree in Economics with a major in international Economics management...

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Rwanda | Rwanda Television coverage yet a problem

It is a long time since  Rwanda Information Office (ORINFOR)  promised the local population that Rwanda Television (RTV) will be watched everywhere in the country but still it is far from being fulfilled As in some parts still waits in vain. People say that they have never watched RTV in Muhanga district, Kabaya sector yet most of them own television sets and they say they just use them to watch movies in these sectors. Faissa Hakizimana, who resides in Kabaya town, says that the money he used to buy T.V set was a waste and he bought it believing that ORINFOR’s promise to make it possible for them to watch RTV was going to be fulfilled. Other news lovers who are also interested in other programs more than ...

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Rwanda | Inflation drops for January – report

The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reports that the inflation rate for January went down – as result partly of reduced transport costs. Consumer prices in urban areas fell 0.35 percent in January compared to December last year. This indicates that the year-on-year urban inflation will ease to 7.81 percent from 8.34. Rwanda’s inflation rate is the lowest in the region. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices fell 1.29 percent from December, while transport costs were down 1.31 percent month-on-month. Government has cut fuel prices and set transport fares to curb on businesspeople who take advantage of the fragile economic environment to increases prices of goods and services. http://rwandaeye.com/2012/02/rwanda-inflation-drops-for-...

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Rwanda | Inflation drops for January – report

The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reports that the inflation rate for January went down – as result partly of reduced transport costs. Consumer prices in urban areas fell 0.35 percent in January compared to December last year. This indicates that the year-on-year urban inflation will ease to 7.81 percent from 8.34. Rwanda’s inflation rate is the lowest in the region. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices fell 1.29 percent from December, while transport costs were down 1.31 percent month-on-month. Government has cut fuel prices and set transport fares to curb on businesspeople who take advantage of the fragile economic environment to increases prices of goods and services. http://rwandaeye.com/2012/02/rwanda-inflation-drops-for-janu...

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Rwanda | Rwanda: Crops granary opened in Bugesera.

In order to protect the maize produce during the preparation process, an agricultural crops granary with the capacity of storing 300 tons has been opened in Gashora sector in Bugesera district. Maize in the granary This granary belongs to the “Indatwa ku Kigori” (INDAKUKI) cooperative  that has 154 members and works in Gashora, Ririma and Mayange sectors of Bugesera District, Rukumberi sector in Ngoma district and “Umucyo” cooperative. Indakuki cooperative has 3,600 members and Umucyo cooperative has 3,114 members who grow beans and maize in Bugesera district and Akagera swamps. In order to help farmers increase the quantity of the produce for the market and reap big while understanding how to manage cooperatives,...

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Rwanda | Gakenke: Fiya banana stems produce great yields

A banana plantation farmer in Rusagara cell Gakenke sector, Diogene Nsabimana says that the fiya banana clusters produce great yields if well taken care of. On his banana plantation farm, Nsabimana has banana stem of fiya type which provided by Agricultural Researchers Institute (IRST) to produce great yields. In order to get a good yield from Fiya breed, there are some guidelines that must be followed. “It must be planted in a hole of 60 centimeters to 90 centimeters wide. The soil dug from the hole must be mixed with fertilizers before being put back to cover the banana tube watered and covered with dry grass to keep the water moisture there,” the farmers explains. With this mechanism in place, he says the Fiya stem will...

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Rwanda | Researchers meet over bean quality

International and local researchers are converged in Kigali for a weeklong workshop to find ways of improving the quality and volume of the beans produced regionally. The workshop which begun February 13, will be a platform for sharing knowledge on beans and peas production as a way to fight malnutrition. Officials from the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) that was instrumental in organizing the workshop said Rwanda was selected because of the increasing volumes of beans produced locally. Rwanda has an unusually rare type of beans called climbing beans. The fifteen varieties, developed in 2010 by the Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR) in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), were...

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Rwanda : Methane gas project gets global award

ContourGlobal, the American company, which is extracting methane gas from Lake Kivu to be transformed into electricity, has been awarded the 2011 Africa Power Deal of the Year by Euromoney’s Project Finance magazine. The firm got the award announced February 14 for innovative financing arrangement it obtained from various sources for the KivuWatt project. This award recognizes the groundbreaking nature of the KivuWatt for being able to acquire some $142million recently. The magazine said the innovative financing will enable a safe, low cost, and environmentally friendly source of power generation. “We are grateful for this recognition of our innovative and path-breaking KivuWatt project and are delighted to share this award with our finance and legal partners without whom...

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Rwanda | Nyabihu district targets adult education programs

Nyabihu district has pledged to sponsor adult literacy programs of at least 3600 in residents, as part of the district’s performance contracts that started from July 2011 and ended this month February 2012. This will increase the number of residents who can read and write and to fight ignorance in general in the district. The Vice mayor in charge of social affairs in Nyabihu, Alexandre Sahunkuye, says that the number of residents who are taking reading and writing lessons has increased from 3600 to 4000, than earlier planned in the performance contracts. Sahunkuye Alexandre continues to say that the increase in the number of people willing to read and write was brought by the government’s effort in providing allowances for...

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Rwanda : Young Graces biography.

Marie Grace Abayizera or Young Grace was born on the 21st, Sept, 1994 to Samson Turatsinze and Immaculee Yankurije. She is a Rwandan rapper. She attended her Primary school at Centre des Jeunes Gisenyi and in her form one; she was at Lycée de Gisenyi while she went to GSK in Ruhengeri for form two and three. She finished her Advanced level of secondary education (A ‘Level) at Ami des Infants in Humanities with the combination (HEG). She joined music industry in 2010 when she released her first song HIP Hop Game the Song become popular in Rubavu district in Gisenyi where she stays with her family. She later released other songs like Adresse, Bible, Sinareka Muzika, and Mpa Umusada featuring Jay Polly, Uri Final, Ikigusha,...

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Rwanda : American pop star Whitney Houston died

Whitney Houston was born on 9th August 1963 she became one of the most popular American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. The black American singer died on Saturday afternoon 11th February 2012 at 48 years of age. Singer Whitney Houston Her death was confirmed by Jill Fritzo and Kristen Foster who said “Whitney Houston’s death is sad news but it is true”. Houston died at around 3:55 from Beverly Hilton Hotel in United States of America prior to Grammy Awards ceremony. A Police official in Beverly Hills town Lt. Mark Rosen said that Houston’s body was found in the Hotel room but there were no signs that she could have been killed. Police investigations are going on to find the cause of death of the American super...

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Rwanda : Meet The TNP group, your adorable Artists

TNP group is made up of three young men namely Trecy, Nicolas and Passy but only two are on regular performances since the third ‘Nicholas’ went abroad to study football, thus the two perform without him most of the times. TNP group before one of them left for abroad They joined the music industry towards the end of 2011 after releasing their song ‘Imisozi n’Ibibaya’. After that in 6 months, they released ‘Kamere’ and after they made videos for both of their songs (audios). They later made a song with a rapper Rider man called ‘Kubwinshi’. Their last song is called Ndamburiraho Ibiganza of which they did at T-Brown’s studio. They are planning to finish off a song they are doing with Lick- Lick. They were selected to compete...

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Rwanda : Sandra Mirajs biography

Sandra Umulisa famously known as Sandra Miraj is a Rwandan artist doing Hip-Hop. She was born to Nadia Mukandutie and Ibrahim Saleh on 5thMarch 1991 She is the 5th among 7 children and stays at Kacyiru, Kinamba with her parents. Her names are Sandra Umulisa and her Islamic names are Miraji Allia Ibrahim and it is where she got Sandra Miraji which has also become her stage name. She attended her primary education at Camp Kigali-Nyamirambo and did secondary education in Gisenyi at St. Fidele School. Ever since she was a little girl, she loved music and she liked Eve and Dabrat artists and she could mime their songs at school for other students. Her first song is called ‘Best Friend’ was done by Producer Lick...

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Rwanda : Muhanga residents are complaining about music in the night.

Some residents of Muhanga town are complaining about the way people who spend weekends playing music loudly throughout the nights, which has resulted to sleepless nights for the neighbors. Yvonne Mutakwasuku Muhanga district Mayor Innocent Kazungu , a resident of Gahogo cell said most incidences happen a zone called ‘Sinyola’ where they play loud music through the weekend nights in the s and mostly by those who are planning to host weddings. “Sometimes it is too much that we wait for authorities to intervene but in vain” Kazungu said that “this happens many times and sometimes there is loud music during week days”. Other residents say that apart from weddings and weekends, the noises are eveident with...

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Rwanda : Mashall Mampas history.

Jean Paul Mugabo commonly known as Mashall (Masho) Mampa was born on August 10th 1986 in Kicukiro in Kigali city. He is the 2nd in the family of 4 children. He is a son to John Twiringire and Blandine Kanzayire -who are both passed away. He attended his primary education in Kicukiro and for his secondary, he was in ESPANYA in Nyanza and then to Des Amis in Kicukiro and he finalized at APEBU in Nyamata. He joined music industry in 2008 and after leaving the ‘G-Unit’ group he released his first song ‘Ibyanjye Ndabizi’ where he featured with ‘Fireman’, ‘The Diplomate’ and ‘P’Fla’,- a record produced by lick-lick, of Kigali’s famous studio- F2K studios. His former group composed of artists like Lick Lick, Diplomate and Isaac,...

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Rwanda : Mani Martin will not attend PGGSS 2nd season

Although he was nominated among 20 artists prior to selection of 10 of them who will be competing for PGGSS (Primus Guma Guma Super Star) Mani Martin has suddenly announced that he is not going to attend the competition. Martin showing off for a snapshot Mani Martin after attended a meeting with those who are preparing PGGSS 2nd season after the selection with other selected artists where they were given contracts and numbers but when he announced he is not going to attend, everyone was surprised at his change of plan. Many people were wondering why he is not participating yet he attended that meeting and he even had attended the 1st season as many thought it is because of his beliefs as he had threatened on...

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Rwanda | Pastor Jean Uwinkindi to be transferred to Rwanda – ICTR Spokesman Roland Amousouga

Photo: Pastor Jean Uwinkindi The spokesman for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) based in Arusha, Tanzania has said that nothing will stop the transfer of Pastor Jean Uwinkindi to Rwanda. The latter is accused of crimes against humanity committed in 1994 his Kanzenze parish church, Bugesera Roland Amousouga also revealed that Uwinkindi’s transfer is scheduled for Thursday February 23rd 2012. He told reporters that the transfer is due before or at the latest February 23 as was required by the decision of the appeals chamber. Uwinkindi’s defense team had repeatedly asked the tribunal to cancel the transfer decision. On 16 December 2011, the ICTR Appeals Chamber affirmed the 28 June 2011 decision by...

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Rwanda : Chrispin Ngabirama to launch Adieu l Afrique Shida album

Local reggae artist, Chrispin Ngabirama, who is commonly known by his stage name ‘Chrispin’ is set to launch his debut album-“Adieu l’Afrique Shida” on the Sunday March 11, at Kigali Serena Hotel from 5PM. Chrispin explained the launch will attract famous local reggae artists like Natty Dread and Holly Jah Doves (Ras Kayaga Maguru)- who will perform in live reggae music. traditional singer, Masamba Intore will also be there, accompanied by ‘Dada Cross’- a Rwandan female rapper who lives in the USA, among many other artist invited at the event. Other details about this launch will be announced later on. http://tukabyine.com/index.php/articles/rwanda-chrispin-ngabirama-to-launch-adieu-l-afrique-shida-album...

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Rwanda | Working in public gardens is a pride of a woman.

Working in public gardens may seem like an odd job for some onlookers, but for the public garden cleaners in Runda sector, this job is a sense of pride for a woman desire for beauty and cleanliness The women say that these gardens make Ruyenzi town look nice and also provide them with jobs and wages which enable them to provide for their families. Angelique Mukamazimpaka, one of the three permanent workers in the Runda garden, located near the sector office, adjacent to the Runda Catholic Church- which is about 25 minutes drive from Kigali city. The gardens contain over 50 various trees- which were planted by the community as a sign and remind of the need to develop a culture of unity and reconciliation. Mukamazimpaka...

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Rwanda : Men should have different view on Gender balance

In order for gender to benefit the whole family, it must be taken as social development instead of seeing it as a women’s’ program that do not concern the family. Kayiranga Jean Nepomuscene Kayiranga presenting the findings This was said this February 2012 by Mrs. Kayiranga Jean P. Kayiranga, Deputy for Chief Gender Monitor in Charge of Fighting against Injustice and Gender based Violence during the presentation of one week gender findings that took place in Rulindo district. “Let us take Gender as social development not as women. This will enable men allow their wives join cooperatives because they will be know that it is for the good of the whole family” adds Mrs. Kayiranga. Mrs. Jean Nepomuscene kayiranga in her findings...

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Rwanda | Bugesera: Miss Bugesera pageant to vibrate in June 2012

African youth have found beauty contest as part of Income sources.  Photo: internet Youth representatives in Bugesera district have a program of organizing Miss Bugesera pageant but they still have a challenge of lacking enough funds. The head of Nyamata youth centre Jean Bosco Muhirwa said UNICEF had promised them some funds last year to organize the pageant but after UNICEF failing to fulfill the promise the contest was postponed to June. Muhirwa continues to say that they even requested the district officials to fund the project but it was not possible as they were told it had not been budgeted for in the financial budget and there were priorities to be worked on urgently. Jean Bosco...

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Rwanda | Rwandan young girls taking over male jobs

A young lady busy on her work After realising that they have lagged behind development and yet have equal potential like men, girls in Rwanda have now put aside what they considered taboos in ancient times and joined the labour market. Olive Byukusenge, 23, is one lady who makes 4000rfw per day at a construction site belonging to Jean Noel Ruzibiza in Mageragere sector, Nyarugenge district, in Kigali city. She is proud of the job and she says that feels no shame to be working at a construction site.  “Why should I feel ashamed yet the money I get here helps me fulfill my needs and even support my family, I sure there are few young boys of my age who make this money” she said. Byukusenge encourages other women...

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Rwanda : Kabarore shop burns to ashes

Nyandwi’s shop in ashes Norbert Nyandwi’s dreams of a propersous buiness were shattered on the February 8, when his Rwf1.5 million  worthy retail shop was set ablaze due to high voltage, living the shop in complete ashes. Nyandwi, a sole proprietor of a located in a larger business mall that houses 24 different shops in Kabarore district, says he woke up at 4:00 am only to receive the sad news about the destruction of his business, which was his only source of livelihood. According to Nyandwi, his shop was burnt due to high voltage electricity supply from Electrictiy and Water supply company (EWSA). Before the shop caught fire, an electric pole from which his shop was connected,  got burnt prior to his shop. “Had...

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Rwanda : Climate change at the forefront of environmental concerns

The government of Rwanda is at the glance combating climate change impacts on the social economic spheres to ensure a sustainable environment.    Mankind and human activities have been ranked the main causes of climate change. In general, forests are sensitive to climatic variability and change. Climatic factors that influence forest health-temperature, rainfall, atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases and extreme weather and fire events—are changing and are expected to continue changing due to human activities. Research has indicated that the most industrialized countries are contributing much to global warming which is turning most countries fringing to south of Sahara to...

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Rwanda : IRST- Rwandas agricultural research archive

The Institute of scientific and Technological Research (IRST) is the place where brains are ever at work, researching about scientific and technological activities in and outside the Rwanda in order to improve the agricultural sector and knowledge based agricultural activities. Through this article, umuhinzi.com wishes to take you through a particular department of IRST called Herbarium – which is a place where you will find each and every plant that exists or has ever existed on Rwanda’s soil. Vedaste Minani is the head of Herbarium and is mostly specializes in carrying out research on new plants planted on the Rwandan soil. “We have a collection of 3600 different plant species. These species are kept dry and in their...

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Rwanda | Rwamagana to solicit markets for farmers

Rwamagana district has committed itself to supporting maize farmers to access markets for their produces which are to be harvested in this season. District Mayor Nehemie Uwimana said that the district will use all the available resources to promote maize growers. Agriculture department statistics projects the expected maize harvest at 45,036 tons, while 30% of the produce (13,510tons) is expected to be used by farmers in the families, leaving the district with 31,525tons to be sold on markets. “Our goal is set on finding market for the farmer and in order to attain this objective, the farmers have to be supported in producing quality maize, ensure good storage facilities- and this will increase their earnings” Uwimana said. The...

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Rwanda : Men should have different view on Gender balance

In order for gender to benefit the whole family, it must be taken as social development instead of seeing it as a women’s’ program that do not concern the family. Kayiranga Jean Nepomuscene Kayiranga presenting the findings This was said this February 2012 by Mrs. Kayiranga Jean P. Kayiranga, Deputy for Chief Gender Monitor in Charge of Fighting against Injustice and Gender based Violence during the presentation of one week gender findings that took place in Rulindo district. “Let us take Gender as social development not as women. This will enable men allow their wives join cooperatives because they will be know that it is for the good of the whole family”adds Mrs. Kayiranga. Mrs. Jean Nepomuscene kayiranga in her findings revealed...

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Rwanda | Bugesera: Miss Bugesera pageant to vibrate in June 2012

African youth have found beauty contest as part of Income sources.  Photo: internet Youth representatives in Bugesera district have a program of organizing Miss Bugesera pageant but they still have a challenge of lacking enough funds. The head of Nyamata youth centre Jean Bosco Muhirwa said UNICEF had promised them some funds last year to organize the pageant but after UNICEF failing to fulfill the promise the contest was postponed to June. Muhirwa continues to say that they even requested the district officials to fund the project but it was not possible as they were told it had not been budgeted for in the financial budget and there were priorities to be worked on urgently. Jean Bosco Muhirwa who came up with...

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Rwanda | Rwandan young girls taking over male jobs

A young lady busy on her work After realising that they have lagged behind development and yet have equal potential like men, girls in Rwanda have now put aside what they considered taboos in ancient times and joined the labour market. Olive Byukusenge, 23, is one lady who makes 4000rfw per day at a construction site belonging to Jean Noel Ruzibiza in Mageragere sector, Nyarugenge district, in Kigali city. She is proud of the job and she says that feels no shame to be working at a construction site.  “Why should I feel ashamed yet the money I get here helps me fulfill my needs and even support my family, I sure there are few young boys of my age who make this money” she said. Byukusenge encourages other women and young girls...

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