Traditional healers are speculators – scientists

Traditional healers have requested the government to put in place a legal framework to regulate the practitioners of this business, but worries grow as far as the validity of the herbs used is concerned.A 2011 survey by the forum for traditional medicine practitioners in Rwanda, AGA Rwanda Network, showed that more than 2,600 traditional healers practice their medicine in villages countrywide.“We cannot verify the validity of any medicine they use since no research has ever been carried out,” said Emmanuel Rekeraho, the President of the association.Traditional herbalist Isidore Mahoro, a resident of Muhanga District (formerly Gitarama) came to light in 2004 when he claimed to have found an HIV/AIDS cure through the “inspiration of the Virgin Mary”.The Ministry of Health moved in and stopped...

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Bugesera: Ibyiringiro project evaluates its work

On March 27th 2013, ‘Ibyiringiro’ project in Bugesera district held an event to evaluate their activities towards vulnerable people living with HIV/AIDS. Workers of World Vision and Catholic Relief Services that implement Ibyiringiro project activities visited beneficiaries who have improved their standards of living in Mareba sector. Vicentie Mukangenzi, a resident of Rango cell narrates she invested in vegetable growing on a small piece of land but the yields were great. “Where there is a will, there is a way,” she adds. Though Ibyiringiro project has helped many residents wave good bye to poverty, it will end its activities in July 2013. Appolinarie Bamurange, in charge of gender and family promotion in Bugesera district asserts...

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Government to expand Nyabiheke Refugee Camp

Refugees from DR Congo. The government plans to expand Nyabuheke refugee camp in Gatsibo  District, Eastern Province, to accommodate more Congolese who flee to Rwanda the Ministry of Disaster and Refugee affairs has confirmedApparently Nkamira transit centre has over 8,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and more continue to flee, meaning that they might fail to find where to stay unless more space is secured.Refugees are mostly fleeing violence targeting Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese. They enter through La Corniche border post in Gisenyi Sector, Rubavu District in Western Province.“We are examining 23 hectors where we want to relocate some of the refuges at Nkamira transit centre and those who continue to cross,”...

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Man held over polythene bags

The suspect with his marchandise. A 29-year-old man has been detained at Mageragere Police Station, Nyarugenge District, over selling banned polythene bags and plastics which officials at Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) say are harmful to the environment.The Spokesperson for RNP, Théos Badege, said the suspect, Maurice Bizumuremyi, was caught on Friday at Gitikinyoni with 200 packets of polythene bags (40,000 pieces), and two rolls of plastic papers.The police are still investigating the suspect’s business to uncover other people who may be associated with it.Bizumuremyi said he bought the material from Burundi and was caught when he was trying to bring them to his client in Kimironko,...

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Women activists speak out against marriage at 18

Couples at a recent mass wedding in Kicukiro District. Advocates on issues regarding the improvement of women’s welfare have condemned legislators’ recent proposal to slash marriage age from 21years to 18.According to legislators, the Ministry of Justice is overwhelmed by continuous applications from people under 21 requesting for special marriage approvals, adding that there were 40 applications received between July and December 2012.However, women activities have decried the proposal and think it will only do more harm to those involved in such marriages.Josephine Nkurunziza, a Gender Analyst working with Girl Hub Rwanda, stated that the focus shouldn’t be on age but reasons why they are seeking to get married at such an early...

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Middle income status in 5 years

Some of the leaders who attended the National Dialogue.    The work of the country’s top leaders in the next five years will focus on improving its energy sector, transport services, urbanisation, and vocational training to fast-track the country’s dream of becoming a middle-income economy by the year 2020.The leaders made the resolve at the 10th National Leadership Retreat which ended Saturday after two days of extensive brainstorming on how to successfully implement the country’s five-year development plan, the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRSII).While  Day 1 of the retreat had focused on wide-ranging issues of national interest, including the overall need to keep economic growth, the country’s...

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Musanze: Public, private institutions to join for 19th genocide commemoration activities

Participants during the by Browse to Save">meeting Public and private institutions that existed before 1994 Tutsi genocide has been asked to organise 19th commemoration program and install monuments where possible. This was revealed during the general meeting that was held on March 26th 2013 in Musanze district to prepare for the 19th genocide commemoration. During the meeting, religious leaders and youth were asked to embrace commemoration activities basing on their energy. Vincent Ndayambaje, vice mayor for social affairs in Musanze district said: “Every Rwandan is called on to participate in these activities including religious leaders.” He told youth though they pay less attention to the government’s programs implementation, it should...

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TVET schools in technology competition

Joel Manishimwe (R) prepares his robot during the innovation contest yesterday.    The Workforce Development Authority (WDA) has convened the fourth contest pitting robots developed from eight schools under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).The competition, which was held in Kigali, was also facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and besides the vocational schools, also attracted Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).According to WDA, the contest was organised to provide opportunities for students to put their acquired engineering skills into practice, thus contributing to the strengthening of practical skills under TVET institutions, universities and higher learning...

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Regional journalists train in peace reporting

At least 30 journalists from three regional states, on Wednesday, completed a two-day training to build their capacity to report and promote peace.Organised by Never Again Rwanda, the conference in Kigali attracted journalists from Burundi, DR Congo and the host country, Rwanda.  The conference was also aimed at enabling media practitioners to effectively contribute towards building a strong foundation of ‘Never Again Genocide’ ahead of the 19th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Big role to playSpeaking during the event, Jean Baptiste Hategekimana, the coordinator of Peace Building Programme at Never Again Rwanda, said media practitioners, especially those in broadcasting, should play a lead role in informing the population of what is expected of them.“The media...

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Media stakeholders discuss Access to Information Law

A cameraman at work. Access to Information Law is still being streamlined to appeal to the media. A workshop by various partners was held Tuesday to discuss the content of the Access to Information Law, which came into force recently.The law that eases access to public information, whether held by public or private institutions, saw Rwanda becoming the 11th African country with that kind of legislation that seeks to ease the work of media practitioners. The meeting discussed drafts of several ministerial orders that will complement the law, including the confidentiality clause. It was organised by the Rwanda Governance Board and chaired by the Ombudsman’s office, which will oversee its implementation. Other orders include the...

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Govt retreat opens with call for better coordination

President Kagame and Prime Minister Habumuremyi during the National Leadership Retreat yesterday.    President Paul Kagame has called on public officials to perfect the art of coordination and communication among themselves as the country embarks on the implementation of a major five-year development agenda.The President made the remarks while addressing 300 national and local leaders at the opening of the 10th National Leadership Retreat at Gabiro School of Infantry in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province.He noted that without coordination and teamwork among government agencies and other actors, the country would not achieve the targeted 11.5 per cent annual growth rate as envisaged under the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction...

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