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  • 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.

  • Ruhango: 19th Genocide Memorial Period will be used to support the poor

    The 19th memorial period for the commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Ruhango District will emphasize on supporting the poor and vulnerable to improve their lifestyles and get them to development.

    This will be a response to genocide survivors who get traumatized during the memorial period and get afraid to join others due to their social and physical conditions.

    Verdean Mukankundiye is an old lady residing in Kanama village in Buhoro cell and Ruhango sector, she lives in a 2 bed roomed house rented by the sector with her 2 children, a cow and a goat.

    Mukankundiye as well as other many genocide survivors has been living with hope on the promise they were made that they will be given accommodation.

    “I was promised accommodation but I am still waiting in vain. During the genocide memorial period, I remember a life I used to live, my children and my family and feel unworthy to join others in the commemoration programs.”

    In the meeting that brought together Ruhango district management and other councils that prepare the memorial period on 6th.March.2013 agreed to find the most vulnerable and poor people that will be supported in the memorial period.

    Jolie Germaine Mugeni the vice mayor for social affairs in Ruhango district asked all committees and councils in the meeting to call upon all the local people to support the needy without waiting for their leaders to do so.

    This will be done in accordance to the theme of this year memorial period saying “let us commemorate genocide perpetrated against Tutsis by developing ourselves”

    Apart from this issue that was discussed of in this meeting, they also agreed on finding dead bodies of the victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis that were buried in tents to be put to rest in memorial sites and to keep maintaining the security of genocide survivors.

  • Gakenke Local People Proud of Youth service Program

    With the youth on Urugerero program doing the third and last month of the public service and community work, local people are grateful for the projects they have done so far.

    This was after both male and females in Urugerero program met up on the 4th.March.2013 in Sitwe village in Rusagara cell in Gakenke sector and constructed a vegetable garden for Leocadie Mukamusoni a residence.

    Leocadie Mukamusoni a 50 years old lady with much excitement hugged each of the Intore and thanked them for helping the needy. She was grateful to the youth for building her a vegetable garden which she had failed to do on her own saying she will never lack vegetables again.

    According to Clémentine Ingabire a member of Urugerero program, the projects they have done so far are appreciated by the people in general. “Urugerero program is doing well so far. People’s appreciation of what we do is the satisfaction and reward we get for doing them and we know we are participating in the development of our country.”

    The Intore on Urugerero program made ditches to fight soil erosion, they made a census of people who cannot read or write and they intend to make vegetable family gardens (Uturima tw’igikoni) in this month in all villages of Rusagara cell.

    The youth in this program also get time to get together and interact like once every two qweeks they meet and play football. This makes them understand each other and share ideas and learn from each other as Dieudonné Bao their leader said.

  • Nyanza: Youths construct house for helpless, elderly Lady

    About 90 youths from Nyanza cell Busasamana sector, Nyanza district started making bricks that they will use to construct a house for an elderly vulnerable woman who has not been having any place to stay.

    These youths said that they were going to raise this house to the roof point, and later will get help from the district leadership.

    “We work for four days per week and no one misses or comes late yet it’s a volunteer thing”, said one of the youths in the field

    All this activities are intended on help find solutions to existing problems that can be dealt with by area residents.

    The house these youths are planning to build for the elderly woman called Evaliste Maniraguha will be worth Rwf3million, and she was selected for this because she did not have where to stay, and she does not even have any children.

    Maniraguha who is to get the house appreciated  the work done by these youths saying that these are great activities that will help people like her get some place to stay.

    “From the different sectors in Nyanza these youths have continued carrying out such activities which is very interesting”, said Florence Kubwimana in charge of such activities in the district.

    They have been able to prevent soil erosion, educate people on how to read and write among others”, added on Kubwimana.

    In this district there are about 1000 youths doing such activities in the different sectors of the district.

  • 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.

  • Burundian Delegation Hails Nyagatare Juvenile prison

    A delegation of six Burundian officials who are in a study tour in the country have hailed activities done at Nyagatare Juvenile Prison in Nyagatare sector of Nyagatare district.

    This was disclosed by Burundian Justice Minister, Eduard Minani who led the delegation that toured the Nyagatare-based Juvenile Prison.

    “We started out study tour of the country on 17th this month but among impressive departments we toured is this Juvenile prison. We are very impressed by the way inmates are handled here…this is something we are uniformly going to practice back in our country,” he said.

    The inspector of labour in Nyagatare district, Obes Nkundimana briefed the delegation on how juvenile inmates are treated in with special provisions.

    “We don’t take these children as prisoners…we give them chance to enjoy all benefits like education and other vocational skills as well as counseling. This is evidenced in the way that those who leave here go and compete with others,” he said.

    Mukanyangezi Ngaboyisonga, a commissioner in the National Prisons Services (NPS) said that Rwanda and Burundi shared relationship and the two countries should share each other’s experience in many fields.

    “We are also ready to travel to Burundi for similar study tours like this as the two countries share a lot in common,” she said.

    The Nyagatare correctional facility holds over 130 juvenile inmates with over 90 percent facing charges connected to sex crimes.

  • Nyabihu: Genocide Survivors Doing Better than before – IBUKA

    The social and general wellbeing of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi survivors in Nyabihu District has evolved significantly for the better that the survivors are now set to participate in development projects and leave the worst part of their lives in the past. Anastase Juru IBUKA Coordinator in the District has confirmed.

    The many problems that affected genocide survivors are being solved one after the other and now they can live a normal life like all other residents of Nyabihu district.

    Most of the genocide survivors have accommodation and others, their houses are under construction. 30 houses are under construction in Nyabihu district specifically for genocide survivors who had no decent houses and they will be distributed to them before April 2013.

    “Nyabihu district has always supported the genocide survivors and recently they built a house for genocide orphans who were living on their own. The district provides them food and other basic necessities an achievement that is worth the praise by genocide survivors” says Anastase Juru.

    Concerning the vulnerable and poor genocide survivors especially the elderly with no families, Juru says they are in negotiations with FARG which will determine people to be given the beneficiary funds to support them in their daily lives.

    Genocide survivors in Nyabihu district have about 26 projects meant to develop them that are funded by FARG; each team has about Rwf1million that will be used to realize its project.

    Anastase Juru is sure that after the initiation of these projects, genocide survivors will lead good lives and will be able to provide for their families and attain long lasting development.