Kagame Describes Late Ethiopian Prime Minister As, A ‘Visionary And Gallant Leader’

President-Kagame-decorates-Meles-Zenawi-with-the-Liberation-and-the-Campaign-against-Genocide-medals-in-Kigali-in-2009

President, Paul Kagame has described the Late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, as a ‘visionary and gallant leader with genuine concern for the social –economical transformation of Ethiopia, and Africa as a whole-with a commitment for Africa’s rightful place in the world.’

Kagame stated this in a condolence message, released on August 22, 2012, addressed to the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia.

President Kagame further expressed his deep gratitude over Zenawi’s exceptional friendship and continued partnership with Rwanda over the years and vowed Rwanda’s solidarity and support to Ethiopia, during this trying time.

Meles Zenawi who died on August 20^th, 2012 became Ethiopia’s Prime Minister since 1995, following general elections, until his death.

During Zenawi’s reign, the Federal republic of Ethiopia had a great partnership with Rwanda, for example in unity and reconciliation, energy, agriculture, communication and many other fields.

http://newsofrwanda.com/irembo/12419/kagame-describes-late-ethiopian-prime-minister-as-visionary-gallant-leader/

Read more »

Rwanda : Handicapped persons to get empowered

Persons with disabilities will receive training in entrepreneurship as a way of increasing their capacity and ability to compete effectively in the economy, says the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Emmanuel Ndayisaba.

Emmanuel Ndayisaba, said that the initiative would also provide an added growth of Persons living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in their activities and to effectively implement their projects.

Ndayisaba said that according to findings, it has been realized that some of the PLWHA  need some skills related to project implementation if they are to properly utilise funds districts channel to them for development projects in their respective areas.

He made the remarks on August 17, during a meeting held in Kigali that attracted representatives of people with disabilities at the district, province as well as employees of the NCPD.

The council and other participants had met to check on the progress and performance of PLWD`s in terms of development activities in their areas as well as set an agenda for 2012-2013.

Each fiscal year, districts are meant to allocate a given fund from their budget to boost or empower people with disabilities to initiate certain projects.

This aims at enabling them to fight poverty, encourage hard work so as to improve their living conditions as well as contribute to national development.

Among other factors, he noted that this might be the form of disability one has. He explained this as the reason the government is formulating measures to identify the number of people living with disabilities.

The NCPD is set to hold a national wide exercise to identify and categorize people with disabilities to enable government to set other appropriate support programmes.

http://uburenganzira.com/2012/08/rwanda-handicapped-persons-to-get-empowered/

Read more »

Rwanda : Human rights group ‘Turikumwe’ visits Rwanda

A group of 17 youth delegates from US and Canada and Rwanda who are part of ‘Turikumwe’ Human Rights Delegation visited Rwanda’s Ministry of Gender and family Promotion (MIGEPROF) on, August 17th 2012.

Turikumwe is a program implemented by INARA Legal Aid Services and Global Youth Connect. It is a community learning program that brings together youth to learn more about the promotion and protection of human rights as a tool to prevent conflict.

The delegation was received at MIGEPROF by Emmanuel Nzaramba, Director of Family Promotion on behalf of the Permanent Secretary MIGEPROF. Nzaramba explained the role of the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion in promoting the rights of women, children and families in Rwanda. He went on to detail the laws and policies in place to promote rights of women and families in Rwanda.

He emphasized that Rwanda is now under the rule of law and explained that the present Constitution was amended to deal with previous discriminatory practices and abuse of human rights. He enumerated the best practices that have contributed to the promotion of human rights such as the Gender desks, community policing, anti gender based violence committees and the campaigns against sexual violence against women to mention but a few.

The presentation was followed by a Question and Answer session in which the youth asked a number of questions on strategies and laws concerning family planning, abortion, gender based violence and the integration of orphans into families. Nzaramba assured the youth that everything possible was being done to ensure that the rights of women and children are protected.

http://uburenganzira.com/2012/08/rwanda-human-rights-group-turikumwe-visits-rwanda/

Read more »

Rwanda : Gicumbi District Gets New Leadership

Alexandre Mvuyekure: New Gicumbi Mayor

The Gicumbi District Council on Tuesday elected new leadership for the district following the sudden resignation of the two term Mayor Bonane Nyangenzi in June this year.

The Tuesday bye-elections saw Alexandre Mvuyekure elected the new Northern District Mayor to replace Nyangenzi who resigned citing personal reasons.

Muvuyekure was prior to Nyangezi’s resignation, the district’s Vice Mayor for Finance and Economic Development. He also served as acting Mayor after the resignation.

Mvuyekure is now deputized by Stanislas Kagenzi. Kagenzi is now the Vice mayor for Finance and Economic Development.

According to sources at Ministry of Local government, though Nyangezi resigned saying it was personal reasons, it emerged that he resigned for incompetence.

He resigned after he had been called to attend a provincial meeting, which inside sources say, could have led to his eventual resignation.

Nyangezi is said to have been under pressure over the district’s poor performance.

The district was ranked 27th out of 30 in last year’s performance contract assessment, a position the district had failed to move up from.

Nyangezi was the second mayor to resign this following Francois Niyotwagira, of Ngoma District who resigned in May.

Niyotwagira was also facing criticism over mismanagement of the district and grabbing land meant for returnees from Tanzania several years ago. 

http://newsofrwanda.com/ibikorwa/12397/rwanda-gicumbi-district-leadership/

Read more »

Rwanda : Aegis Trust To Construct Peace-Building Center

The Kigali Memorial Center: Aegis plans to construct a peace bulding center here

Aegis trust, an international organization which manages the Kigali Genocide memorial has kicked-off a fundraising campaign for the construction of a peace-building center at the Kigali memorial center.

The planned Center will offer anti-Genocide education programs with an initial target of two million young Rwandans.

Aegis’ peace-building programme helps young people to learn about the dangers of prejudice, and building trust between the children of survivors and perpetrators of the Genocide.

According to Aegis Trust, the idea of setting up the US$3 million complex was an inspiration from the White Rose movement, a student resistance group in Germany, which became known for an anonymous leaflet campaign that called for active opposition against the genocidal Nazi regime.

Through its peace building work, Aegis Trust education and peace-building work has taught over 11,000 students about the errors of the past and developing the kind of thinking that would ensure that it should never be repeated again.

Recent independent analysis has found that not only is the programme changing attitudes and behaviour among the students taking part, but also among the school communities from which they come – including fellow students who didn’t attend.

It is in this spirit that last Sunday the project received a boost when local business people in partnership with friends of Rwanda raised more than $100, 000 in both cash and pledges.

The fundraising took place during a White Rose Gala Dinner organised by Aegis Trust. The dinner was attended by the First lady Mrs. Jeannette Kagame.

In her speech, the First Lady emphasised the need for the programme to reach more people.

“I was very pleased to learn that, within the next five years, Kigali memorial centre will expand to become an African centre for genocide research and peace building.

This centre will provide a conducive platform for youth across the globe to learn about the underlying causes of conflicts and provide ways in which such conflicts can be prevented in the future,” she said.

She added that, to attain this ambitious vision, everybody must help nurture the youth into responsible leaders of the future.

Aegis Trust is planning to extend the same campaign to US and UK to raise funds for the construction of the peace centre.

http://newsofrwanda.com/ibikorwa/12394/rwanda-aegis-trust-construct-peace-building-center/

Read more »

Rwanda : MTN Rwanda donates to Muslims

While Rwanda’s Muslim community awaited to celebrate the break-off day from the close to 30 days of fasting, Eid al-Fitr, MTN Rwanda in the spirit of the Ramadan festive season, yesterday announced a financial package of Rwf11 million, to the ‘Foundation For The Future,’ a Muslim non-government organization.

The package, which was extended to the Muslims, will help boost activities of 30 cooperatives and pay the national health insurance ‘Mutuelle De Sante’, for 400 Muslims. This is a way of ensuring that the support reaches the most remote Rwandese through the cooperatives that will receive the support.

‘Mutuelle de Sante’ is a government initiated, community-based health insurance scheme that was put in place to facilitate Rwandans to access health services at cheaper costs.

A dummy cheque for the financial donation was received at MTN Rwanda offices on Friday by Sheikh Munderere Ally, the deputy Head Imam of Kigali (representing the Mufuti) while MTN was represented by Patrick Uwizeye, the General Manager in-charge of Business Risk Management.

According to Uwizeye, the gesture is part of the company’s long tradition of giving back to communities that are less fortunate and yet contribute to the common good.

Uwizeye also added that supporting the Muslim community during their festive season represents the company’s brand relevance – ‘Better Together”.

“As members of the community, MTN Rwanda has a responsibility to help those that are less fortunate and since Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, we want them to enjoy Eid al-Fitr with a ‘Y’ello’ smile on their faces. A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities,” Uwizeye said.

MTN annually gives support to the community worth 1 per cent of the company’s returns through the community support MTN foundation.

“This has been a longstanding practice of MTN Rwanda. Last year we donated Rwf11.05 million for the same cause. This year, money will support 30 cooperatives and pay health insurance for at least 400 members. About Rwf1.5 million will be used for festive visits,” Uwizeye added.

Sheikh Munderere noted that MTN Rwanda has never been detached from the Muslim people and pledged that the leadership association of the Rwandans Muslims will continue to ensure that the support received reaches the neediest.

http://itumanaho.com/2012/08/rwanda-mtn-rwanda-donates-muslims/

Read more »

Rwanda : Trade minister vows to eliminate ghost co-operatives

Minister for Trade and Industry, Francoise Kanimba recently vowed to eliminate ghost co-operatives. Illegal or “ghost” co-operatives continue to plague Rwanda’s small business sector and threaten already established co-operatives.

This was revealed in interactions between the Minister of Trade and Industry Francois Kanimba and participants in the “Ask Minicom” Twitter session.

“Most of these ghost co-operatives were formed many years ago, when regulation of these groups was weak. But with this new regulation system, am sure ghost co-operatives won’t survive” Francoise Kanimba, the minister of Trade and Industry says.

Minister Kanimba added that local authorities are now responsible for checking out co-operatives before they can be registered by RCA.

But Damien Mugabo the Managing Director of the Rwanda Co-operative Agency says they are now in place to control co-operatives in the country.

There are many types of ghost or illegitimate co-ops. Some even made up of only one family or household.

Others are owned by one single person while some may simply be co-ops that have not had economic activity in some time, and are effectively no longer operating.

And others are those that are listed as co-ops but operate like companies, where all decisions are made by a board of directors, not the co-op members.

According to MINCOM officials, these groups try to become co-ops because registered co-ops can access opportunities that a single-owner can’t: like funding from NGOs, assistance from government, and better insurance coverage.

Minister Kanimba says these ghost co-operatives will most likely be caught as the RCA searches out co-ops that have not updated their legal status in many years,

Between five and six hundred co-ops still have not been active or doing any activity for public since around 2007.

If these co-ops do not validate by the end of 2012, Minister Kanimba says they will be liquidated.

Ask MINICOM session revealed that two million Rwandans are involved in co-operatives and expanding and strengthening co-operatives is part of the Government’s Vision 2020 policy.

http://itezimbere.com/2012/08/rwanda-trade-minister-vows-eliminate-ghost-co-operatives/

Read more »