Bahoneza

Category: Rwanda

  • Rwanda Unanimously Passes Draft Constitution

    Rwanda Unanimously Passes Draft Constitution

    Parliament today continued with the voting of articles which were sent back to the parliamentary constitutional review committees, with more corrections arising from the lower house of deputies.
    One of the issues was the idea of taking out God in the preamble, and the changes of having the president apply to the senate president or office of the senate if he/she would like to be in senate after completion of mandate.

    On the issue of God, many deputies said that God should remain because this is something that Rwandans believe in and use in their daily lives and taking it out is scandalous.
    “We should have this idea of God remain because some of the swearing of officials has the idea of God” one of the MPs, Agnès Mukazibera said.

    Most of the MPs were pissed with the change in removing God in the constitution and wondered what the citizens who sent them would react.

    “We had discussed this in the primary project of revisiting the constitution. I wonder if we agreed on having God as the all mighty, how you removed it yet we know that God has been at the front of helping Rwandans be here today” Berthe Mujyawamariya said.

    On changes of having a former president apply to the senate president or office of the senate to become a senate, some MP’s couldn’t believe that a president has to ask a subordinate especially if they did a good job while in office.

    “This should be automatic to the president for example on Kagame, as we know he has done a good job and it is evident. How can he apply? We need to change that” Alfred Rwasa said.
    Rwaka also reacted on the articles which have been changed, making the aspect of support to the handicapped, be taken as responsibility but not among the constitutional articles which are bidding to the government.

    Deputy speaker Jean d’Arc Uwimanimpaye said many people have very many references to God and some say God above the heavens and of the hills. “We found that this would create confusion since we know very well that Rwandans have God in them and just having the word on paper won’t change the views”

    She also said that this was not an issue raised by the citizens and was hard for committees to define God. She asked that the changes remain.

    On president asking to go to senate, Uwimanimpaye said that this was even already in the old constitution and was required to ask and submit a case to the supreme court- which is more complex than senate.

    “Asking or applying has been there and we cannot force him/ her to go to senate. That is why we said that if he completes the mandate well, he can go to senate- that is why we put it at senate level to make it easy for the president since that is where he/ she is applying” Uwimanimpaye argued.

    On sharing power within the senate and parliament, Uwimanimpaye said that there is already enough power sharing that is why the president of senate and parliament are from other political parties.

    She also argued that parliament to vote for the constitution since the amendments are being done for the good of the citizens.
    The voting exercise on the preamble took lawmakers a lot of brainstorming and request for a break as many didn’t agree that it passes without the idea of God in the preamble, however after consultations outside; the parliament voted it with 70 votes and passed it.

    The Rwanda parliament also voted on the other over 30 revised articles with most of them passed and finally voted for the approval of the new draft Rwanda constitution with 75 votes out of 75 members present.

    Hon. Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies thanked the lawmakers for doing a good job within the shortest time possible and announced the next agenda of the ordinary sessions set for Monday next week.

  • Rusizi: Commemorating Genocide Striving for Rwandans self- reliance

    Rusizi: Commemorating Genocide Striving for Rwandans self- reliance

    As a way of preparing for a better 19th commemoration period for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, the counselors for traumatic disorders and other partners are preparing people who will deliver constructive presentations as well as those who will give testimony not hurt those with affected by genocide.

    This will reduce the number of people that get traumatized during the commemoration period explains Michel Nshimyukiza the coordinator of CNLG a commission that fights genocide in Rusizi and Nyamasheke district. In Rusizi district, about 1200 people usually get traumatised during the commemoration period of the 1994 genocide but as years go by, this number increases.

    This is the reason to why counselors, and all Rwandans have to work together to reduce this number. Rwandans are at a time they need to stand up and be self reliant instead of living in misery of what happened to them. This year’s commemoration will be celebrated under the theme “Let’s commemorate Genocide against Tutsis striving for self- reliance”.

    This meeting also discussed ways to support vulnerable and poor genocide survivors like through getting them accommodation especially since most of the houses that were built for them grew old.

    Michel Nshimyukiza asked people in the meeting to try their best and heal the hearts of many Rwandans during the commemoration period, to participate fully in the commemoration period programs and to support those who are in pain.

  • Musanze: Public, Private institutions to Join for 19th Genocide Commemoration Activities

    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 be different in times of genocide commemoration.

    Primary and secondary schools in Musanze district were asked to take part in genocide commemoration so as to make youth and students understand more the effect of genocide.

  • Kagame Signs on DRC Peace, Security Deal

    President Paul Kagame has unreservedly welcomed the signing of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the region.

    Kagame said that this Framework Agreement is an important step and opportunity in reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to regional peace.

    Kagame made the remarks during the signing ceremony of the new framework held in Addis Ababa, on February 24. The signing was officiated by 11 countries in the Great Lakes region in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, in the presence of UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

    Present were Presidents of the DR Congo, South Africa, Mozambique, Congo and Tanzania while Uganda, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic and Zambia were represented by envoys.

    “Nothing would be of greater benefit to Rwanda than real progress toward regional peace and stability. Previous efforts undertaken with the DRC in the past decade had produced some encouraging improvements. Unfortunately what seemed like a strong basis for further progress was not sustained, with grave repercussions,” said Kagame.

    Kagame said the agreement has three aspects that provide renewed optimism for finding a real solution,namely;

    First, the pursuit of durable peace requires the collaborative engagement of the entire region and the international community.

    Second, the framework recognizes that a holistic approach that addresses the multi-faceted root causes is the only way to end instability. Any meaningful contribution towards lasting peace in the DRC has to abandon the self-defeating practice of selectivity in both memory and responsibility regarding the known, longstanding causes of recurring conflict.

    Finally, this agreement presents a valuable opportunity for all parties to build on the work started by the region and focus seriously on addressing the real problems as clearly identified. It is crucial that the signing of this agreement not be seen as the end result of a peace process, but as a big step in the right direction.

    “We have to be genuine about addressing the real problems and finding real solutions for the people who look to us for leadership. At the heart of our efforts, we have to keep in mind the rights, interests and aspirations of the afflicted populations, caught up in the recurring waves of violence. These should not be sidelined in favour of remote and self-serving international political agendas masqueraded as justice or human rights” Kagame said.

    The framework agreement will lay out a security plan that will toughen the UN peacekeeping mission to fight the negative armed forces in eastern DR Congo.

    African Union has spoken out previously that it will not allow losing the command and control of the proposed Neutral International Force (NIF) to be deployed in Congo, and not to be placed under the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo MONUSCO.

    The existing UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO with 19,000 troops has been in DRC for 12 years and is largely ineffective in preventing conflict in eastern DRC. President Museveni branded MONUSCO as “military tourists” bent on sustaining the regional conflicts to earn from them.

    The Natural International Force with a proposed 4,000 troops will be deployed in eastern DRC to take on the negative elements of M23, FNL, FDLR and ADF-NALU which are a threat to stability in DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

    Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) have offered to contribute a battalion to the Neutral International Force, with other troops expected to come from other SADC member countries such as Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique.

  • A mob of Drug Dealers Netted in Police Clump Down

    About twenty five suspected criminals including drug dealers were arrested in a targeted operation in the Southern district of Muhanga in Remera cell, Kiyumba sector.

    Among other people arrested in the joint security operations are also loiterers, those found without identification and a group said to be sneaking plastic bags into the country.

    Some suspects namely Baptista Ndikumana and Richard Niyomukiza were found in possession of pellets of cannabis and cartons of plastic bags. The use or sell of plastic bags also known as polythene bags is illegal in Rwanda.

    Article 109 of the penal code punishes the use and sell of plastic materials, smoking in public places, owning a car that emits smoke and noxious gases, burning domestic waste, rubbish and wheels and tyres, with a fine between Rwf10,000 and Rwf50,000.

    According to Police, most of those arrested are aged between 18 and 25 years.

    The Southern Region Spokesperson, Superintendent Hubert Gashagaza urged residents to always move with their identifications for security purposes.

    Every person aged 16 years and above is eligible to own a national ID.

    “After committing crimes, some people have tendencies of hiding their identification cards in fear of getting identified,” observed Gashagaza.

    He appealed to the public to share information with security organs to ensure such people are arrested.

    He also appealed to village leaders cooperate with communities in their respective areas to identify strangers and make it a point in notifying Police in case they suspect anyone being involved in dubious activities.

    “Such cooperation is very paramount and if maintained Rwanda would in the future become a crime free nation,” Gashagaza added.

  • Access to Justice Project Launched in Rwanda

    The Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have launched a new project aimed at supporting mediator to play a significant role in providing justice in the local communities.

    The project was launched on February 21, in Ngoma and Kayonza districts in the eastern province by the minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama. The project will cost over USD940.000 funded by the Netherlands government.

    The project will provide capacity to mediators in terms of training and facilitation to enable mediators to effectively pursue justice under the thematic concept of Justice as source of peace and security

    During the launch, the Minister of Justice, Karugarama said that mediators play a significant role in resolving conflicts and issues in the community, and capacity building for mediators was essential to have them provide justice in the most appropriate ways.

    As a way of facilitating legal aid project to support mediators, two brand new motorbike and computers were handed over to Access to Justice Bureaus- commonly known by the French acronym- Maisons d’Accès à la Justice/ (MAJ). Similar facilities will also be provided to other communities in future.

    One of the mediators, Jean Nepomusenti Mubirigi said that most mediators face a problem of transport, and the donation will enable the teams of mediators to access many communities and provide better services.

  • Rwanda Industries, a Monopoly with Quality Services

    Rwanda Industries Limited, is one the manufacturing factories in Rwanda. It is a company which produces two products- plastic line (jerrycans) and retreads (of old and used tires) and in the latter product, the company is a monopoly producer in Rwanda.

    The jerrycans are produced from petroleum bi- products raw materials imported from the indenters based in Kenya and Uganda – who act as agents for procuring the raw material from oil producing countries such as those in the Gulf.

    For the tire retreading, the raw materials (old tires) are collected from within the local market. The company uses specialized technology and skilled labor to produce these products.

    The factory is owned by Nittin Dabholkar, an Indian investor – who is also the company’s Director General. Like many factories, it is located in Gikondo industrial area (commonly known as Cartier Industriel), along the Rwandex-Sonatube road in Kicukiro district in Kigali city.

    Started in November 2003 and production commenced in May 2004, but the company initially the company started as a plant for re-trading of tires (remolding) and later on added the jerrycan production section.

    “We realized there was a big demand for the jerrycans in Rwanda and chose to include the plastics line in our production,” says Nittin.

    Nittin says that though the company is a monopoly in the tire retread business, there is a lot of competition in the jerrycan business because of four reasons: the margin of production, operations (cost of electricity is high) and cost of production is generally is very high especially in the jerrycan section.

    “Generally we are not really happy with the plastics line, but with the retreads though we are a monopoly, we provide world standards and treat our clients as king; keeping in mind that any day a new competitor can come in to the market, thus we try to keep the clients close and make sure our clients are satisfied with the quality of our products and services,” Nittin says.

    In the retreading section, the company collects old used tires and put new rub on it. This takes about eight hours to make one tire, with an average of 16 tires a day- which cost between Rwf50, 000 to Rwf120, 000.

    For the jerrycan production, the company uses a three shift per day and is able to produce about 900 jerrycans a day. The jerricans are produces from petroleum bi-products-called high density polyethylene granules- which are petroleum based. These are powered into the hop on a blow mould machine- and one jerrican is produced within 9 minutes.

    Each jerrycan Rwf1700 inclusive of VAT- these are not sold to individual retailers, but are supplied to other company’s who are end users- such companies include: packing industries (paint and paraffin, fuel companies) on wholesale basis.

    The best aspect about this company is that it employs workers without any basis of prior skills, and trains the staff- which takes a period as long as two weeks, depending on the fast learning skills of one.

    The company has at least 19 permanent workers who are recruited and trained with skills to operate the machines and also employs seasonal casual laborers who are hired depending on the workloads. The same production staff is used in both sections of the production chain.

    “The qualifications is one must be are one is jobless and energetic and has basic notions of following up with working schedule.

    The future of the company, according to Nittin, depends on the incentives provided by the government, especially in terms of taxation because “any manufacturing unit in the country is getting burdened by high taxation and high costs of inputs. The units cannot survive if it is has to import its raw materials and at the same time compete in the regional market because other countries have access to the raw materials and bigger advantages and don’t have to pay for transportation of raw material”

    Nittin says that government must find incentives on costs of importation. For example in order to transport a container of raw materials he has to pay 6000US dollars, while the re-trader in Kenya only pays 200 US dollars, which means he incurs a minus of 6000 US dollars for every container imported and in a year he earns a little higher than that.

    He also advises that the government should focus a lot on education input on technical skills because there is lack of skilled labor in Rwanda, which makes it hard to employ local residents since most graduates have only theoretical skills.

    Rwanda Industries will also be one of the companies to shift from the current industrial area- and he says that the shifting should ensure that the necessary infrastructure. However, despite the challenges of producing at high cost and facing a competitive regional market, Nittin says that Rwanda still stands out as a better place to do business because of the good and effective policies by governments which have created a peaceful and secure business environment in Rwanda unlike other countries.

    As a token of appreciation to the Rwandan government, which Rwanda Industries credits for having Industry friendly policies, the company aims to venture into many more developmental activities as well as add to the products they produce.

    And as Rwanda as a country experiences a wave of industrialization, Rwanda Industries has a pioneer position in the industrial market as well as job creation. One of the few companies that provide skills to Rwandans through experience while they don’t consider skills or experience when choosing employees.

    As they work on, Rwanda Industries dreams go beyond earning money, to developing the country that has equipped them with the chance to thrive. Meanwhile, Rwanda Industries products are becoming famous in Rwanda and East Africa though the company still yearns to extend their services as far as they can. Rwanda Industries intends to venture in additional plastic production in the near future.

    Should be noted that the government of Rwanda initiated means to favour industrialization, as a way to develop entrepreneurship and help Rwanda grow past the 1994 genocide destruction.

  • World Vision donates non food items to Congolese Refugees

    Congolese Refugees at Kigeme camp received non-food items in donation, from world vision which include bars of soap, hygienic pads and clothes.

    Around 4,000 refugees gathered on site at Kigeme Refugee camp in Nyamagabe district to receive the hygiene and sanitation supplies.

    “World Vision could have waited to gather more items and food for the camp, but felt the need to intervene sooner because health is a crucial and sensitive issue in camp life” Jimmy Gahima, World Division employee says.

    However the area mayor Philbert Mugisha asked the refugees to properly use the supplies given for their health, and not to try to sell them.

    “While the non-food items from World Vision are appreciated, many children in the camp still don’t have the right food for a proper diet and we need more help for refugees” Emmanuel Niyibaho, Kigeme camp manager says.

    Currently Kigeme camp boosts more than 11,000 refugees in Kigeme camp and on Saturday, the camp stopped receiving more people because it had hit its capacity.

    The camp manager disclosed that between four and five hundred refugees were arriving in the camp daily.

    However, he said government is now trying to find more land in order to expand Kigeme camp, so it can resume receiving refugees from Nkamira transit camp on the Rwanda-Congo border.

    The refugee’s influx started increasing in last 2months when the M23 rebels and government forces tightened fights in Eastern DR Congo forcing locals to free their homes to Rwanda.

  • Kitoko Performs at Ange Kagame’s Birthday Party

    Renowned Rwandan Afro-beat singer Kitoko, performed at Ange Kagame’s birthday party. The party, which was held as a private event, had an elite guest list, comprising of the who’s who in Rwanda.Kitoko’s performance was the highlight of the event. The singer stole the show with him crooning many of his  hit numbers, including his popular ‘You’. The audience were enthralled by his performance.The crooner who shot to fame with his recent performances, is also billed to steal the show at the Rwanda Day 2011.