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With witness to so much that is negative in the world, Rwanda today offers a brilliant and refreshing light of hope and vision for education, business development, infrastructure and human rights.

We have witnessed first- hand, a truly amazing transformation since the tragic events of 1994. First, as a result of some truly forward thinking by the government of Rwanda, the catastrophic divisions of Tutsi, Hutu and Twa no longer exist and this onetime barrier to national harmony has been replaced by the shared mindset of being “Rwandan.”

Through actively working with hundreds of educators throughout the country, we can attest that “Rwandan-ness” is espoused proudly its citizens. Do memories of divisive years of separation among Tutsi, Hutu and Twa exist?

One would be naive to believe that memories of the Genocide that eliminated as many as one million souls only 21 years ago, are so easily erased. But the focus of this government and its people is on the future while not forgetting its past.

Our extensive “on-the-ground research” confirms that Rwandans from all walks of life are committed to working together to develop this country. As educators and passionate activists for human rights, our hope is that no one shall ever forget what happened in 1994. From the horrors of those 100 days has arisen, phoenix-like the country that is arguably the most impressive success story of post-colonial sub-Saharan Africa.

Rwanda’s successes are evident in every category examined by the World Bank. The GNP three-year forecasts have Rwanda rising well above 7.5% with Sub-SaharanAfrica at 6.6%. Without solid leadership and strong commitment, this growth would not be possible.

In every sector, every province, every city and every village (Umudugudu), progress is visible in significant improvements to infrastructure that benefit the populace at large. Rice fields, tilapia farms, hospitals and clinics, new roads, new industries, more electricity, better and cleaner water systems, 5000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, a constantly evolving justice system focused on eliminating corruption, and most importantly a K-12 educational system accessible to all supported by modern teacher training initiatives.

To any rational person, these improvements, confirmed by statistics provided by the World Bank, are compelling proof that Rwanda, led by its president, is unwavering in attending to what is in the best interests of its people.

Statements made from some, outside of Rwanda and holding negative views,claiming that President Kagame has “orchestrated” a thinly veiled popular movement to allow for a change in the constitution thus removing term limits so that he can run for president, revealstheir failure to understand the mindset of the Rwandan people. When he took office following his re-election in 2010, President Kagame stated publicly that he would honor the two-term constitutional limit.

In the intervening years, however, a popular groundswell has emerged appealing to President Kagame to reconsider. Over 3.7 million voters (60 percent of total voters) petitioned parliament to lift term limits in the Rwandan Constitution.The progress and security Kagame’s government has provided compels the people to seek stability and certainty, as opposed to the uncertainty that would come with another leader.

The fact that there are thousands of armed FDLR (Rwandan militias driven by genocide ideology) just across the border in Eastern Congo, who would like nothing better than to rekindle ethnic violence, makes this popular view utterly rational. Rwandans are most capable of democratically, socially and intellectually charting the course of their own country. Outside opinions about how they should go about governing themselves are misplaced to say the least.

Have we learned nothing from Vietnam and Iraq? The Rwanda we know so well addresses issues head on, encourages public discourse, and has the ability to be criticized, including in the press. We attended the National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) last December. This dialogue is held every year, chaired by President Kagame and attended by every Rwandan leader. Citizens who are not able to attend this function in person follow proceedings live on TV and radio, and are able to call in directly to express their views on government policies, programs and leadership. This “national conversation” exemplifies full and unfettered involvement in governance by the average Rwandan. Current American democracy should do so well.

Are there limits on free speech and free press in Rwanda? Yes, and they are explicitly cited in Rwanda’s Constitution where “genocidal ideologies” are forbidden. Must one explain why? Critics seem only interested in applying their values in a situation where indigenous values reign as they should. Rwanda works and it works because it has a popularly inclusive form of government. Through their home-grown institutions like Ubudehe, a program that supports the most vulnerable in every community; Umuganda, required monthly community service; and Abunzi (conciliators), Rwandans participate fully in the development of their country. We have witnessed this.

Having lived and worked in Rwanda over the years, our direct, first-hand knowledge has made us willing witnesses to the many positive changes in Rwanda. While there is always room to disagree about degrees of freedom and liberty, there is no room to disagree when the facts absolutely bear out that Rwanda is to be held up as an exemplar of progress, transparency and accountability to its people.

The world could learn some valuable lessons from what Rwanda has been able to achieve. Rwanda—perfect?

No, of course not. No country is. But what an inspiration Rwanda can be to countries who, often through no fault of their own, have been devastated as it was 21 years ago. From such incomprehensible misery Rwanda serves now as a beacon of hope for the twenty-first century. Let us honor and celebrate what Rwanda has accomplished.

The international criminal tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR) confirmed on October 22, that the Rwandan Justice system has the necessary guarantees to ensure a fair trial in International Crime cases.

With this statement the court said that Rwanda’s genocide suspect Jean Uwinkindi can stand a fair trial in Rwanda, even after the suspect had requested not to be tried in his home country.

In a statement, the court said that “The High Court of Rwanda had already correctly concluded that it is necessary to have legal representation at all times, provides optimum avenues to appeal any decision, and the Rwanda Bar Association has put in place a roster of over 60 qualified lawyers to represent indigent persons in international crime cases”

His trial has been marked by complaints regarding the composition of his counsel members, payment made to his lawyers, request for revocation and the suspect continuously filed requests for revocation to the ICTR which have culminated in today’s judgement.

This has resulted to the Government of Rwanda spending about Rwf82Million on his case alone by January 2015, ever since the suspect arrived in Rwanda on April 19, 2012.

Uwinkindi is a former Pastor at Kayenzi Pentecostal Church in Nyamata Sector, was charged before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”) with Genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity.

He was arrested in Uganda on 30 June 2010 and transferred to the ICTR on 2 July 20 10; and On 28

June 20 11, a referral chamber ordered that his case be referred to the authorities of the Republic of Rwanda, a decision that was later confirmed on appeal.

With their age and weakness in their bodies which makes them unable to help themselves, solitude is a bigger challenge for the elderly and dogs their last days in the world.

This coupled with other challenges they share with the rest of the vulnerable groups, calls for the need to support them to help get out of solitude and live happily their last days.

“With my age, there are some things that I cannot do on my own and need someone to help me,” Pascal Ntakirutimana, 70 from Kinyinya in Nyarugenge district- Kigali told this website on Thursday.

Although the government together with other partners has moved in to put in place programs to help the elderly and other vulnerable persons, the challenge of loneliness still looms.

Most of these older persons lost their families during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi this leaving them with no close relatives to stay with, despite the fact that they can access basic needs.

“Most of them lost their families and lived alone for a long time. They always need help so they can keep hope,” Emmanuel Mbonigana, the Executive Secretary of Kayenzi Sector in Kamonyi noted.

He noted that Genocide widows in the sector who can no longer live alone would be put together in a house that was donated by Airtel Rwanda.

Indeed, Dr Alvera Mukabaramba, State Minister in Charge of Community Development and Social Affairs in a statement at the international day of elderly on October 1, said communities need to support older person to get rid of solitude.

“Let’s thank everyone who takes care of the older persons but we also appeal to our community and family members to prevent them from loneliness,” she said.

She said that there are different uncomplicated things communities and family members can do to help the older persons to avoid loneliness.

As the 2015 Rwanda day in The Netherlands came to a close in the Netherlands, foreign companies have shown interest in investing in Rwanda’s energy sector, a move likely to help the country achieve energy targets.

The companies from France and Italy are looking at investing in renewable energy, one of the priority areas where the country is wooing private investors to invest in.

“We wish to invest in Rwanda’s energy mainly in solar very soon,” Andrew Shabnicker, a representative of Italian companies aid during the 2015 Rwanda Day on Saturday.

The 2015 Rwanda day that was graced by His Excellency President Paul Kagame attracted Rwandans in Diaspora as well as friends of Rwanda with all pledging to contribute to the development of the country.

Meanwhile, a consortium of companies from France also pledged to invest over 200 million euros in the country’s energy sector during the event.The country is looking at producing 563 Mega Watts of energy by 2017 in order to meet the expected demand of energy.

Currently, Rwanda produces only 125Mega Watts.

The investments also come at the time the government opened doors for private investments in the sector as a way of boosting its production, moreover setting up incentives for investments going to energy.

The private sector is involved in power generation through Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) and Private Public Partnerships (PPP’s) structures,”Olivier Ngororabanga, Energy Specialist told this website.

According to the structures, the investors are assured of a minimum 25 years concession Agreement under the Power Purchase Agreement which ensures returns on investment by the investor.

KIGALI, Rwanda – Rwandans will soon benefit from a project that generate electricity from heating methane gas on a floating platform.

The project is being done in two phases and contracted to KivuWatt, a subsidiary of ContourGlobal.

Recently the company announced in the local media that completion of the first phase will be done by October.

CountourGlobal signed a 25-year Gas Concession Agreement with the government and a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Rwanda Energy Group (REG)­— Former Energy Water and Sanitation (EWSA).

The methane gas is formed from a mixture of geological and biological processes. The generation process involves the methane being combusted in a gas turbine. Usually this consists of a pump, combustion chamber, and the turbine, from which mechanical power is generated which is then turned to electrical with a generator

The combined investment for the two phases is estimated to reach $325 million, of which $142 million has been earmarked for phase one.

Project activities for phase one primarily involved the construction and installation of a 750 tonne floating barge integrating a gas extraction and treatment facility, a submerged, floating pipeline to transport the fuel gas ashore, an onshore gas receiving facility and power plant, and a temporary marine landing site (MLS) where the gas extraction facilities were assembled.

The offshore facilities are situated 12.5km from Kibuye, while the power plant is located on a 5.5ha site in the outskirts of Kibuye.

The extracted gas will be processed and pumped ashore for use by the power plant via a submerged floating pipeline.

The power plant will produce electricity using three 20-cylinder Wärtsilä 34SG gas-powered engines that have a combined capacity of 25MW.

Phase two will involve the installation of nine additional gensets with a combined capacity of 75MW, additional barges, gas extraction and treatment facilities, and submerged pipelines.

According Energy Private Developers, Rwanda at present much of the country’s energy is dominated by biomass, which accounts for 86.3% of the total. P

etroleum products account for the rest. Rwanda has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita in the region, and generation capacity is low. The country currently has about 112 MW of installed capacity and only about 16% of households are connected to the grid.

Last week, the Rwanda Energy Group announced that Kenya will be supplying 30MW of electricity by the end of the year. Kenya recently commissioned the Olkaria 1 geothermal power plant which has added an extra 140MW to the national grid. Selling power to Rwanda is also part of the East African Power Pool project which promotes power exchanges between utilities in Eastern Africa region.

The frequent power cuts affecting the Eastern Province are a result of shortages in water supply, officials from the Rwanda Electricity Group (REG).

According to Belthe Nzeyimana, a REG official who oversees Gatsibo, Kayonza and Rwamagana districts, with the prolonged dry season, the water levels have dropped, lowering the capacity to generate sufficient electricity.

“Our clients should bear with us for the moment until we get enough water to supply the power plants,” he said.

Residents in various districts in the Eastern Province say their businesses have been disrupted by the load shedding that at times lasts up to 9-10 hours a day.

Claudine Uwimana, a hair salon operator in Kayonza, urged REG to notify their clients of loadshedding schedules so they can plan accordingly.

If they indicated when it would be back, we could plan accordingly. A message from them indicating power would be off in the next five or seven hours doesn’t cost much,” she said, adding that the unpredictability of the load shedding is frustrating.

“They should give us a schedule of the power cuts so we can also alert our clients,” Uwimana said.

The Ministry of Infrastructure has committed to add 70 megawatts to the national grid before the closure of the current fiscal year to mitigate the current energy shortage.

This is in line with the new performance contracts (Imihigo) signed last week between the ministry officials and its stakeholders to keep the institution’s performance well beyond the average.

After registering a production increase that saw 40.5 megawatts added to the transmission lines last year, the projected 70 megawatts will be generated from peat, methane gas on top of imports from regional countries.

U2 front-man Bono “knighted” Israeli renewable energy pioneer Yosef Abramowitz while visiting a solar field developed by Abramowitz’s company Gigawatt Global in Rwanda, The Times of Israel reported today.

Bono was in Rwanda visiting the solar field with a group of US representatives to explore ways in which the US and Africa can expand economic development opportunities.

The rock star has long been involved in African development through his ONE campaign, which fights extreme poverty and disease and also backs the Electrify Africa Act, an act to help bring electricity to 50 million Africans.

The $23.7 million field, a solar field developed by Abramowitz’s Gigawatt Global, supplies about 6 percent of Rwanda’s power and is set on the land of an Israeli-inspired youth village, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, the first of its kind in East Africa.

Abramowitz shared his impression of the ceremony on Facebook, writing, “Being Knighted by Bono in our solar field, using the One.org wrist band, with the declaration: ‘You are an incredible dude.’ I can’t believe my kids weren’t there to witness. Here’s the video evidence, maybe they will respect that.”

The solar field opened in February. At the time, it was reported that most of Rwanda’s power came from burning wood and that the solar field “will save families around 12 million hours per year.”

In The Sun Keeps Shining on Yosef Abramowitz, which was published in the July 2014 issue of The Tower Magazine, Assaf Dudai noted that Abramowitz was inspired to become a solar power pioneer by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

So how come nobody else has ever thought of harnessing solar energy in Israel, even though a third of its territory is a sprawling, sun-drenched desert? “Actually,” Abramowitz smiles, “somebody did. His name was [David] Ben-Gurion.” Indeed, here is a startling 1956 quote from Israel’s first prime minister:

The largest and most impressive source of energy in our world and the source of life for every plant and animal, yet a source so little used by mankind is the sun… solar energy will continue to flow toward us almost indefinitely.

Ben-Gurion initiated the nationwide use of solar power for water heaters, making Israel the first country in the world to use solar power for this purpose.