The ministry of trade and industry has announced that fuel prices have dropped by 15 percent to Rwf 920 effective September 1, 2015.

This comes after the prices increased to Rwf 935 in July 2015 from Rwf 840 in May 2015 after increasing from Rwf 810 at the beginning of the year.

The ministry says in a statement the reduction in pump prices comes as a result of a drop in crude oil on international market.

“This reduction is mainly due to a fall in prices of oil on international market that started in late August,” said Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry in statement released on Monday.

The reduction according to experts is likely to impact positively on the currency market that faced volatility since the beginning of the year. Fuel is among major imports the country spends dollars to import.

Moreover, the reduction is also to likely cushion the economy from rising food prices that shoot up in the first half of the year due to a rise in fuel prices.

Legal heavyweights in Rwanda must be crossing fingers after a law establishing a commission to help parliament amend the constitution was passed and published yesterday.

A presidential order authorizing government to vet and submit names is expected any time soon.

The order will also provide for salaries, benefits and support staff.

Members of Parliament recently voted in support of citizens’ call to amend Article 101 of the Constitution to allow President Paul Kagame run for a third term in office come 2017.

Then senate will approve the names for a renewable tenure of four months, different from what media had earlier speculated.

The commission will constitute seven members of which, 30% must be women and two must be experienced lawyers.

Members of the commission will report to the lower chamber of parliament.

The commission, once approved, will draft what will determine the fate of four million Rwandans who petitioned parliament to scrap off article 101 that provides for presidential term limits.

Millions of Rwandans have demanded the constitution be amended to allow them vote for President Paul Kagame again, whose second and last 7-year term ends in 2017.

After unanimously voting in favour of the petitioners, the parliament agreed a commission with constitutional law expertise be established to help make the amendment.

“It will receive more submissions from the community and filter them to give us a clear idea on the country’s direction before we go for a referendum,” says Edouard Munyamariza, chairman of Rwanda civil society platform.

However, Abbas Mukama, the Vice Speaker of Parliament of the Lower Chamber, told News of Rwanda last evening that the amendment will not only affect article 101, but other irrelevant articles will either be amended or deleted.

For example, article 105, which provided for participative jurisdictions-Gacaca, will be deleted because Gacaca courts closed business in 2012.

Meanwhile Senate President, Bernard Makuza has said the commission needs to be set as soon as possible.

A source told this website there are no names discussed in cabinet yet.

The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K Gasana has urged Police Football Club to aim for the highest and win more local, regional and continental tournaments.

IGP Gasana made the remarks on August 31 as the team presented their recently won Agaciro Development Fund Trophy to Rwanda National Police leadership during a reception held at the force’s headquarters in Kacyiru.

On Sunday, Police FC won the 2015 edition of the Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF) after edging out Sunrise 1-0 in the final match played at Amahoro stadium. The victory came merely a month after the team also won the 2015 Peace Cup title after seeing off rivals Rayon Sports in a 1-0 victory.

Hegman Ngomirakiza, one of the 14 newly signed players, scored  the only goal in the 25th minute of the first half.

“This is just the beginning, you have to keep up the momentum and maintain the lead; we pledge to keep supporting you with all means possible…you should go beyond wining local tournaments and bring home regional and continental trophies,” said IGP Gasana.

He expressed delight to the team and congratulated the players and the management saying that the victory of the team is a victory for the entire Rwanda National Police.

“We derive and attribute this success to the leadership of His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda. We cannot afford to fail in whichever way we must keep winning,” he said.

Police FC President, Col (Rtd) Dodo Twahirwa, thanked RNP leadership for their support to the team saying that the outstanding record the team is recording lately is due to the commitment of RNP leadership.

“To the team, this is just the start, we have many challenges ahead of us; we must be ready to confront and overcome them. Winning requires organization and stability – we already have that and we must keep winning,” Twahirwa said.

Police FC head coach, Andre Cassa Mbungo, who brought the team to the helm, winning the two trophies, said; “winning two tournaments in a space of less than two months has put us in the limelight, we are being analyzed in all ways meaning we have to maintain the record we have set.”

He added that what the team has achieved is mainly due to the commitment and support of RNP leadership that believed in the players and facilitated them with all means possible.

The AgDF tournament will now be held annually as a pre-season tournament partly to continue building dignity among Rwandans through football.

Police FC reached the AgDF finals after eliminating Bugesera and APR respectively.

During the entire tournament Rwf34.2 million, including that from FERWAFA and other affiliated bodies, players and referees, was raised and used as contribution to Agaciro Development Fund

Ibiyobyabwenge bifatwa biramenwa ku bufatanye n’inzego z’umutekano

Bamwe mu batuye mu Murenge wa Kabarore, ntibishimiye abacururiza inzoga mu ngo kuko biba intandaro ku bana mu kunywa ibiyobwabwenge.

Umubyeyi witwa Mukangarambe Vestine nawe utuye muri uyu murenge wa Kabarore uherereye mu karere ka Gatsibo, avuga ko hari abacururiza inzoga mu ngo batuyemo bakanacururiza ibinyobwa bisindisa bitemewe, bityo abana babo bakitwaza ko bagiye mu baturanyi nyamara bagiye kunywa izo nzoga.

Agira ati:” Aba bantu bacururiza utubari mu ngo zabo duhamya ko aribo nyirabayazana mu kugira abana bacu intakoreka, icyo twifuza ni uko abacuruza inzoga bagakwiye gukorera ahagenewe ubucuruzi bw’ibicuruzwa byabo”.

Ku ruhande rw’Ubuyobozi buvuga ko gucururiza inzoga mungo bitemewe, bukaba busaba abaturage gutanga amakuru ku babikora kugira ngo iki kibazo gicike burundu nk’uko bitangazwa n’Umunyamabanga Nshingwa bikorwa w’Umurenge wa Kabarore Muturutsa Fidele.

Iyi ni santeri ya Kabarore ahari n’amazu yagenewe gucururizamo amayoga

Ati:” Dukomeje gukora ubukangurambaga bwimbitse mu midugudu itandukanye igize uyu muringe wacu, dukangurira abantu gucururiza muri santeri z’ubucuruzi kugira ngo hirindwe ibyo bibazo bishobora no guteza umutekano muke, tukaba dusaba ababyeyi n’abandi bose ubufatanye mu gutanga amakuru y’aba bacururiza mu ngo kugira ngo iki kibazo gicike burundu.”

Usibye ababyeyi bavuga ko abacuruza inzoga mu ngo bashobora no kubyitwaza bagacuruza nizindi nzoga zitemewe nka kanyanga bigatuma abana babo bazinywa ku buryo bworoshye ari naho bahera banga kwiga no kugira icyo bakora mu rugo iwabo, hari n’ikibazo cy’uko abanywa izi nzoga bateza umutekano muke bitewe n’ubusinzi.

Umurenge wa Kabarore kimwe n’indi mirenge itandukanye yo mu karere ka Gatsibo, hagenda hafatirwa ibiyobyabwenge bitandukanye byiganjemo inzoga ya kanyanga hamwe n’urumogi, mu rwego rwo kurwanya iki kibazo ibifashwe biramenwa bigatwikwa.

Perezida  wa Senat Bernard Makuza, arashimira abatuye Gishubi mu karere ka Gisagara ibyo bagezeho, akanabasaba kongera imbaraga bakarenga aho bageze.

Mu igikorwa cy’umuganda wo kuri uyu wa 29/08/2015, senateri Makuza n’itsinda ry’abasenateri bandi bagera ku 10 bifatanyije n’abatuye umurenge wa Gishubi, akagari ka Nyeranzi umudugudu wa Rugogwe, bacukura imyobo izaterwamo insina za FIA ku butaka buhuje.

Abatuye Rugogwe bavuze ko nk’agace kitaruye umujyi kuba basurwa n’abayobozi ku rwego rw’igihugu nk’uku bibaha imbaraga kuko babona ko batekerezwaho kandi ko batari bonyine.

N’ubwo aba baturage atari bose bahinga urutoki, bavuga ko uru rutoki rwa kijyambere bari guhinga ruzabafasha kubona imirimo, bakabasha kwitezaimbere, dore ko rugiye kuterwa ku butaka bunini bungana na hegitari 250, bityo abadafitemo amasambu nabo kabazajya bahabwa akazi ko kurukorera.

Maniraguha Michel umwe mu bahafite isambu ati “Twarigishijwe tumaze kumva akamaro k’urutoki, tuzarukorera ku buryo natwe vuba aha tuzaba dukirigita ifaranga ndetse tukajya tunatanga imirimo ku bandi”

Aba baturage bavuga ko bari bamenyereye kweza ibitoki bifite uburemere buri munsi y’ibiro 10 kuko bari bagihinga insina za gakondo, ariko ubu bakaba biteguye kweza ibitoki by’ibiro biri hejuru ya 80 nk’uko bagenda babibona ku nsina za kijyambere.

Muri uyu murenge wa Gishubi ariko ubusanzwe ubuhinzi burakorwa, ndetse hagaragara ibishanga bihingwamo umuceri ndetse hamwe na hamwe batangiye no kwitabira ubu buhinzi bw’urutoki rwa kijyambere. Perezida wa senat Bernard Makuza, yashimye ibyo bagezeho ariko kandi abasaba kongera imbaraga bakarenga aho bageze.

Ati “Ntawe utashima ibyo mukora kuko bigaragara haba mu bishanga ko mufite umwete no gushyirahamwe, ni mukomereze aho mufatanye mukore murenze ibyo wagezeho mwiteze imbere”

Uyu murenge wa Gishubi ni umwe mu mirenge yari ikennye kuruta indi mu gihugu mbere y’umwaka wa 2006, ariko ubu abahatuye bavuga ko inzara bayisezereye kandi ko ibikorwa by’amajyambere biri kuhagezwa nk’ahandi hose mu gihugu.

While many of his followers struggle to put food on their tables, “Apostle Paul Gitwaza” is taking plunges at some of the most exclusive beaches outside Rwanda

We could be seeing the reincarnation in Rwanda of fugitive Ugandan doomsday priest Joseph Kibwetere who convinced more than 2000 people into mass suicide in deep rural hills of western Uganda. Kibwetere blackmailed his followers into believing 31^st December 1999 would be final day of existence of planet earth. In Rwanda, a controversial pastor locally known as “Apostle Paul Gitwaza” could be setting in motion a similar stunt.

In early May this year, during a Sunday sermon, Gitwaza told his congregation at Zion Temple in the Rwandan capital Kigali that September 2015 will be time when God sends “4^th and final sign” towards end of the world. To be precise, he said the exact day that occurrence will appear is 23^rd September 2015.

Going by the public reaction when news of the sermon surfaced in local media, not even his followers took him seriously. Many may be dismissing his “prophecy”, but cannot wish it away.

For starters, “Apostle Paul Gitwaza” has for decades won himself the hearts of hundreds of people who have joined his Zion Temple church. It has branches across Rwanda. Every Sunday, unsuspecting followers – mainly women, ferry family property to Zion Temple as offertory.

Gitwaza’s words have such an impact that if he told your husband or wife to leave you, it would be more like switching on/off a light. Your partner will not return home. Gitwaza has cult image.

A YouTube video of the doomsday sermon is available, and from the reaction of some people in the audience, the message that they are living the final months of their lives, did ring hard on some people. But others equally looked passive – perhaps indication they have heard many of such sermons, and simply waiting for time to go home.

The law of the land allows for freedom of religion, which has to be respected. However, the authorities need to take action. We cannot wait for a crisis to arise and start the blame-game like it happened in Uganda. Local and central government officials for months ignored pleas from the local population in Kanungu, a rural community in deep western Uganda.

This was the lowest moment in the history of the district (then Rukungiri) and Uganda as believers of “Movement for the Restoration of the 10 Commandments” headed by Joseph Kibwetere locked themselves up in a cult Kanungu church and set themselves ablaze on March 17, 2000. The followers – from different parts of Uganda, including 4 Rwandan souls that I know personally, believed the world was ending during the year 2000.

Kibwetere himself was NOT in the inferno – and has never been found. The search for the most wanted man in Uganda has pinpointed him in several African countries. Months after the incident, hundreds of bodies were found in mass graves around Kanungu Mountains – suggesting the cult had put into motion a brutal mass murder campaign.

People in this area still remember what the church looked like, the cult leaders in question and the day believers perished.

“Apostle Paul Gitwaza” is no different from priests who opened gates of churches during the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. Thousands streamed into these places of prayer hoping to escape the killing machine. What happened at those sites is now a record of history.

Two decades on, many of those who survived the carnage in those churches, are followers of “Apostle Paul Gitwaza”. They joined him because he offered them hope. They have trusted him. Many work hard, only to carry their hard-earned benefits to his church.

Preachers are supposed to keep the hearts of their followers on eternal life. The faithful are meant to look to the men and women of God as guardians of GOOD.

“Apostle Paul Gitwaza’s” May sermon and other similar ones previously have destroyed that utopian feeling. Is Gitwaza’s intention to make his followers stop working, and turn to hopelessness? Could Gitwaza be setting in motion what may turn out to be another stain on a recovering country?

Gitwaza should be helping the needy people among his congregation to find ways of improving their livelihoods, not brushing off their pain as God’s plan! Gitwaza is making his followers sum up their intoxicated minds that their plight, no matter how miserable, is the work of God. Gitwaza has so much wealth but owns no social project to help the needy. Where does all the money he gets from believers and foreign donations end up?

Gitwaza’s followers have gotten to a point where they defend his actions blindly. Speaking to some, they will tell you he speaks on behalf of the Lord. If indeed we have to accept the world is ending this September, so what happened to a previous such date of 6/6/2006 when he set another deadline.

Gitwaza has changed tactic, now telling them that what will happened this September is “4^th and final sign” to allow for those who have not accepted Jesus to think again.

Well, Kibwetere first set 31^st December 1999 – like many other such false prophets across the world. The followers were then told that the Blessed Virgin Mary would appear to deliver a special message between March 16 and March 18, 2000. Women who had separated from their husbands even went home to persuade those husbands to return to Kanungu to wait for the message. Well, the rest is history!

Gitwaza should know that Rwanda has had its fair share of disasters, and we will not look on as fishy schemes endanger the lives of thousands of innocent lives.

Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Gatsibo Gasana Richard

Nyuma yo kuza ku mwanya wa 24 mu mihigo, ubuyobozi bw’Akarere ka Gatsibo bufatanyije n’abaturage ubu bafashe ingamba nshya.

N’ubwo Akarere ka Gatsibo kavuye ku mwanya wa nyuma kakamanukaho imyanya itandatu mu mihigo y’umwaka ushize, abaturage n’abayobozi b’aka karere baravuga ko bidahagije akaba ari yo mpamvu ngo ubu bafashe ingamba zidasanzwe zizatuma muri uyu mwaka mushya w’imihigo bazarushaho kwitwara neza.

Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Gatsibo Gasana Richard, avuga ko muri izi ngamba harimo gukorera hamwe, gukorera ibintu ku gihe no kurushaho kwegera abaturage, ibi ngo nibabigeraho barizera ko nta kabuza bazaza mu myanya myiza.

Agira ati:” Aho ibintu byagiye bipfira twarahabonye, akaba ariho tugiye gushyira ingufu cyane, harimo icya mbere kwegera abaturage tukumva ibibazo byabo, ikindi tukaba tuzakorera hamwe nk’ikipe imwe.”

Abaturage b’Akarere ka Gatsibo nabo bavuga ko basonzeye kubona Akarere kabo kaza mu myanya y’imbere mu mihigo ariko nabo babigizemo uruhare, nk’uko bitangazwa na Murego Richard uhagarariye Abanyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa b’Imirenge.

Imihigo igera kuri 70 ni yo Akarere ka Gatsibo kasinyanye na Perezida wa Repubulika muri uyu mwaka w’imihigo wa 2015-2016. Iyi mihigo irimo ijyanye n’ubukungu ari yo iza ku isonga, igaragaramo ibikorwa byo kurushaho guteza imbere ubuhinzi.

Imihigo ikomoka ku bikorwa by’ubucuruzi birimo kuzuza Hotel y’Akarere, harubakwa agakiriro, kubaka Ikigo kizajya gikorerwamo amahugurwa n’ibindi, imihigo ijyanye n’imibereho myiza y’abaturage n’imihigo ijyanye n’imiyoborere n’ubutabera.

Mu mwaka ushize w’imihigo Akarere ka Gatsibo kaje ku mwanya wa 24 mu turere 30 n’amanota 74%, mu gihe mu mwaka wari wabanje kari ku mwanya wa nyuma.

Ibi biyobyabwenge byagiye bifatwa mu buryo butandukanye mu gihe cy’amezi atandatu  ashize.

Polisi y’Igihugu ifatanyije n’abaturage b’Akarere ka Rwamagana, tariki 29/08/2015, yangije ibiyobyabwenge byafashwe bifite agaciro ka miliyoni 2.5 byiganjemo kanyanga n’urumogi.

Litiro 1092 za kanyanga, ibilo 18 by’urumogi, insheke (ari yo miheha yabugenewe iyungurura kanyanga) 34 ndetse n’amacumu 4 abafatanywe kanyanga birindishaga nk’intwaro, ni byo byangirijwe imbere y’abaturage b’Umurenge wa Kigabiro.

Umuvugizi wa Polisi y’Igihugu mu Ntara y’Iburasirazuba, IP Emmanuel Kayigi, yasabye abaturage kwamagana ikoreshwa ry’ibiyobyabwenge kuko ridindiza iterambere n’imitekerereze ahubwo bakayoboka ibikorwa byabateza imbere binyuze mu nzira nyazo.

Ibyo ngo byabarinda igihombo n’ibihano bikomeye birimo no gufungwa, bigera ku bakoresha ibiyobyabwenge.

IP Kayigi yongeye gusaba abaturage kurushaho gutanga amakuru ku gihe y’ahari ibiyobyabwenge kugira ngo bikurikiranwe binangizwe hakiri kare bitarateza ingorane.

Umuyobozi w’Akarere ka Rwamagana wungirije ushinzwe ubukungu, Mudaheranwa Regis, na we avuga ko ibiyobyabwenge bidindiza iterambere ry’uwabyishoyemo kandi rigateza umutekano muke kuko ngo akenshi ni byo mvano y’ibyaha by’urugomo bigaragara muri aka karere.

Ndagijimana Desiré, umuturage w’Umurenge wa Kigabiro, yemeza ko uwafashe ibiyobyabwenge ata umurongo kandi ntabone n’imbaraga zo gukora. Uyu musore asaba inzego zose gufatanya kugira ngo ibiyobyabwenge bicike.

Amategeko y’u Rwanda ahanisha uwanyoye ibiyobyabwenge igifungo kiva ku mwaka umwe kugeza kuri 3 n’ihazabu y’amafaranga y’u Rwanda ava ku bihumbi 50 kugeza ku bihumbi 500. Ubicuruza ahanishwa igifungo kiva ku myaka 3 kugeza kuri 5 ndetse n’ihazabu iva ku bihumbi 500 kugeza kuri miliyoni 5.

In a bid to counter drug abuse among the youth in Gatsibo district, Rwanda National Police (RNP) reached out to students of Gabiro High school to educate them about their role in fighting against drug abuse and trafficking.

The campaign – which is a continuous practice by (RNP) – was conducted on September 2 and benefited over 600 students.

Gatsibo District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO), Inspector of Police (IP) Roger Rwakayiro, told the students that drugs threaten the nation’s youth and leads to physical and mental disability, emotional damage, and a decline in educational achievement and productivity of young people.

“The youth should take a lead in the fight against drugs. A credible school is one which provides a major influence in transmitting values, standards, and information to students, including alerting them about the adverse consequences associated with abusing drugs,” he told the students and school administrators present at the campaign.

He added that; “Students should always be given the liberty and time to discuss the extent of drug abuse among youth in neighborhoods, why drug abuse occurs, the effects of drug abuse, what schools can do to combat the problem in their communities,  and what school administrators can do to discourage the practice.”

IP Rwakayiro noted that frequent drug users skip school or arrive late, while they are also likely to score low grades, and thus called on students to alert their administrators whenever they notice that a colleague is involved or addicted.

“Students have to be ambassadors of this fight against drugs by alerting their administrators whenever they realize that some of their colleagues are addicted, so that they may get help in the quickest time possible, while administrators are also urged to report to police whenever they suspect that drugs are distributed to their students,” he noted.

“Schools are also urged to conduct regular surveys of students, collaborate with law enforcers and consult with parents about their respective roles and how they can collectively fight drugs before they become a menace to the youth,” said the DCLO.

Students interacted with police officers and were also educated on how to fight against several other crimes.

The youth representative at the district level, Bernadette Umfuyisoni, educated the students on Ndi Umunyarwanda programme – saying that it is an initiative with an ultimate goal of building a national identity and to foster a Rwandan community that is based on trust and unity.

Abatuye mu murenge wa Mukarange mukarere ka Kayonza ngo bahangayikishijwe n’abajura babiba bapfumuye amazu, bagasaba inzego z’ubuyobozi kugira icyo zibikoraho.

Nta kwezi gupfa gushira hatumvikanye umuturage wibwe muri uwo murenge nk’uko abawutuyemo babivuga. Benshi mu bamaze gukorerwa ubujura bavuga ko batazi uko abo bajura biba kuko kenshi bacukura inzu bagera imbere bagatwara ibikoresho by’agaciro cyane cyane za televiziyo.

Igitangaza abo baturage ngo ni uko abo bajura bacukura inzu bakageza n’aho batwara ibintu byose biri mu nzu kandi ba nyirabyo ntibabimenye nk’uko Iradukunda Sylvain bamaze kwiba inshuro ebyiri abivuga.

Ati mu kwezi gushize baraje bamena ibirahuri by’amadirishya y’inzu batwara ibintu byari hafi y’amadirishya. Ejo bundi bwo baraje baracukura batwara utuntu twose twari muri salo”

Abo baturage bavuga ko batagisinzira kuko basigaye barara bicaye bacunganwa n’abajura ijoro ryose, ariko ngo bakababazwa n’uko uwo bafashe bamukekaho ubujura bamushyikiriza polisi ikongera ikamurekura.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Mukarange Murekezi Claude avuga ko icyo kibazo ubuyobozi bw’umurenge bufatanyije n’inzego z’umutekano bagiye kugihagurukira, ariko akanasaba abaturage gutanga amakuru igihe cyose hari aho bakeka umujura.

Bumwe mu buryo buzakoreshwa ngo ni ugusaba abaturage bakavuga abantu bakekaho ubujura, abazagaragara ku rutonde inshuro nyinshi bakazakosorwa.

Murekezi ati “Mwebwe tuzabasaba mutubwire abantu bose mukekaho ubujura, ubwo uzabona amajwi menshi tuzamubaza impamvu atorwa kandi atiyamamaje dushake uburyo twamugorora”

Hari abafataga umujura bagashaka kumwihanira bavuga ko “n’ubundi nibamugeza kuri polisi azahita arekurwa” bigatuma bashaka kubanza kumwihimuraho mbere y’uko bamushyikiriza inzego z’umutekano.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Mukarange avuga ko nta muturage ufite uburenganzira bwo kwihanira kuko hari inzego zibishinzwe.

Gusa na none kimwe mu bishobora guca ubwo bujura ngo ni uko abaturage bajya birinda gucumbikira umuntu wese batazi, kuko “hari igihe umuntu agera mu gace runaka yiyise umupagasi nta n’ahantu na hamwe abarurirwa hashira iminsi mike agatangira kwiba abo yasanze”

Police on Thursday destroyed a variety of drugs and illicit brews worth 2.5m in Rwamagana District, in part of nationwide campaigns aimed at protecting the country against the effects of drug abuse.

The destroyed items that included marijuana and Kanyanga (crude gin) were confiscated in a police operation in conjunction with district authorities.

 The drugs include illegal local gin, Kanyanga and marijuana worth Rwf2.5 million. The public exercise was attended by hundreds of area residents and students.

IP Emmanuel Kayigi, the spokesperson of Police in the Eastern Province hailed the good partnership the police enjoys with the citizens in crime prevention.

“Police is working together with authorities in Rwamagana to kick drugs out of the district and to rehabilitate those who are addicted to drugs and those who are drug dealers. Residents should also continue fighting against this vice by collaborating with Police through the provision of timely information about such dealings,” he said.

 Regis Mudaheranwa, the vice mayor for finance and economic development commended RNP for its successful anti-drugs operations and urged residents to work together in safeguarding the achievements of their district.

He also called upon residents to partner with security organs by availing credible information that lead to the arrest of any notorious drug dealers who refuse to abandon the illegal trade.

Richard Gasana

Gatsibo district Mayor Richard Gasana, has said he believes his district can do better, despite the previous poor performance.                     

He said this while meeting district local leaders on Thursday.

“It’s distressing to know that we were the last in the recent performance contract evaluations yet Gatsibo is blessed with fertile land, I strongly believe we can do better, despite the previous poor performance.” he said.

For the past few years, Gatsibo district has been lagging behind other districts in the implementation of performance contracts locally referred to as Imihigo.

“Ownership of the contracts is a key element in their implementation. Every leader and employee, as well as stakeholders and residents we need to play an important role in ensuring that the contracts are timely implemented”, Gasana urged the local leaders.

He also called upon all area local leaders to work hard, sensitise residents on various government policies including poverty eradication and education.

According to critics Gatsibo’s position at the very bottom of the ranking was attributed to the failure by the district authorities to “involve” its residents in “development programmes.

UPDF soldiers line up caskets containing bodies of their fallen colleagues after offloading them from a UN plane at Entebbe Airbase yesterday.

Rwanda government has said it stands with Ugandans for the loss of its soldiers killed in an Al-Shabab attack in Somalia on Tuesday.

At least 12 Ugandan soldiers were killed on Tuesday, when Al-Shabab militants attacked African Union military base in Somalia.

Expressing Rwanda’s sympathy for Uganda and the families of those lost in the attack, Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said on his twitter handle: “Rwanda Government and people express solidarity and sympathy to Uganda for fallen UPDF soldiers in Somalia! Dying so others can live is noble!”

The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM where Ugandan troops are party to, responded to Minister’s tweet; “AMISOM thanks you for the support!”

Yesterday, flag-covered coffins of 12 fallen Ugandan soldiers were offloaded from a UN plane at the country’s Entebbe International Airport.

Al-Shabab, an Islamic terrorist group, had on Tuesday claimed it killed 50 Ugandan soldiers at the base in the farming town of Janale in southern Somalia.

Uganda’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ugandan soldiers captured two of the attackers and killed 46 of them.

Since 2007, Uganda, Ethiopia; Djibuti and Kenya are big contributors of troops to war-torn Somalia, under the African Union Mission in the horn of African country.

Rwanda’s revered Mountain Gorilla population has risen tremendously over the last one year following the continuous conservation focus by the Rwanda Development Board in partnership with the Volcanoes National Park and the local community.

The 11th traditional globally renowned mountain gorilla naming ceremony, Kwita Izina, held at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains in Kinigi, Northern Rwanda revealed even though another census is scheduled for later this year, the current Mountain Gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains stands at an estimated 480. In Rwanda, we have 302 gorillas from 20 families from both tourism and research groups. In the ten years since the event was established, 192 gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect the majestic mountain gorilla. Between 2003 and 2010, the population rose by 26.3 per cent.

This year’s edition, themed ‘Conserving now and for the future’, celebrated the birth of 24 baby gorillas, the highest number ever named in a single year since it was launched in 2005. The ceremony brought together more than 40,000 residents of Musanze District and visitors from all over the world.

Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Tourism Officer, Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, said that Kwita Izina had achieved global recognition due to the mechanics of including the local community in the conservation program. “Kwita Izina is a Rwandan brand of conservation that in addition to celebrating the growth of the Mountain Gorilla population, acknowledges the impact and participation of the in sustainable wildlife and natural habitat conservation,” she noted. To encourage and strengthen active sustainable wildlife and habitat conservation, RDB also launched the Kwita Izina Awards, a program that will serve as a platform for recognizing and rewarding individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts in Rwanda.

She explained that the successes achieved so far were largely as a result of the inclusive approach that RDB had taken in working with rangers, guides, conservation groups and local communities to take proactive steps to restore and enhance the habitat of not only the gorillas but of other wild life in the Volcanoes National Park and in other parts of the country.

“Indeed Kwita Izina inspired us to expand our national geography to bring it under conservation, including creating the nearby new Gishwati -Mukura national park and reintroducing Lions in the Akagera National Park. We now have four national parks, demonstrating our clear focus on diversifying and deepening the tourism offering in Rwanda,” she added.

The 2015 Kwita Izina ceremony was the climax of a week of various activities that included a Conservation Forum, a photo exhibition, a business exhibition, Familiarization Trips for journalists and tourism industry players, a Regional Tourism Business to Business Forum and the launch of a Community Project during Igitaramo, a traditional celebratory dance.

Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming babies soon after they are born. The ceremony has transformed from a local event to an international gorilla conservation brand that promotes tourism.

Source: Rwanda Development Board (RDB)

Basinye imihigo mishya

Mu karere ka Ngororero, umurenge wa Matyazo ukomeje kwiharira umwanya wa mbere mu kwesa imihigo ukaba ushimirwa imikorere myiza.

Mu myaka ibiri ishize, 2013-2014 ndetse na 2014-2015, mu karere ka Ngororero umurenge wa Matyazo niwo ukomeje kwegukana igikombe cy’imihigo, ndetse ukaba umaze imyaka 4 utajya hejuru y’umwanya wa 3. Ibi ngo bakaba babishimirwa na komite nyobozi y’akarere ka Ngororero.

Matyazo yahawe igikombe

Kuri uyu wa 2 Nzeli 2015, nibwo habaye igikorwa cyo kumenyesha imirenge uko yakurikiranye mu kwesa imihigo, ndetse inasinya imihigo mishya n’umuyobozi w’akarere. Umurenge wa Matyazo ukaba waraje ku mwanya wa mbere wikurikiranya n’amanota 91,1%.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’uwo murenge Habiyakare Etienne, avuga ko uko kwitwara neza babikesha imbaraga bakoresheje kuva mbere kuko ngo insinzi itegurwa. Avuga ko we n’abakozi ayoboye bakorera hamwe, ariko bashyize imbere gukorana n’abaturage bya buri munsi kuko aribo bashyira mu bikorwa imihigo umurenge uba warahize.

Ifoto y’urwibutso

Bimwe mu bikorwa by’indashyikirwa byatumye uyu murenge urusha iyindi ni gutoza abaturage bose kwizigamira ku mafaranga no guhunika imyaka, kwihutisha gahunda rusange nk’amashuli, imihanda n’ibindi kandi bikozwe n’abaturage ubwabo hamwe n’ibindi.

Mu kubashyikiriza igikombe, umuyobozi w’akarere ka Ngororero Ruboneza Gedeon yishimiye uko imirenge yakoze uyu mwaka kuko inota rusange imirenge ihuriyeho ari 84.2%. gusa yanagaragaje ko atishimiye imirengeikunze kuza ku myanya ya nyuma nka kageyo, Kavumu na Ndaro.

Avuga ko hagiye gufatwa ingamba zo gushaka impamvu yabyo nkuko perezida wa Repibulika ubwo yatangaga ibikombe ku turere twa mbere mu mihigo yavuze ko uturere dukunze kuza mu myanya ya nyuma dukwiye kugaragaza impamvu tugafashwa.

Imirenge yo mu karere ka Ngororero yakurikiranye ku buryo bukurikira; Matyazo , (Kabaya na Muhanda), (Hindiro na Muhororo), sovu, (gatumba na Ngororero), nyange, bwira, kavumu, ndaro, kageyo. Umurenge wa mbere urusha uwa nyuma amanota 20.4%.

Too early to replace Kagame – Musanze residents said during the recent consultative meeting with legislators.

“The first duty of a man is to think for himself” José Martí

Rwanda as a country has had inherent and uncompromisable interests to protect, particularly, those which are directly in line with the aspiration of its people. With its unique history dominated by tragedies, informs it to act extraordinarily, if it has to survive and thrive.

Recently, Rwandans in millions, have expressed their wish to amend the constitution for continuity of the achievements of their country after 2107. Despite this being within their constitutional rights and powers as stated in the article 2, we also saw some political actors opposing the will of the people of Rwanda, in the name of “Democracy”.

Yes, the current constitution of Rwanda mentions about two terms of office. But as Howard Zinn said “Protest beyond the law is not a departure from democracy; it is absolutely essential to it.” In this line of thinking, I find it absolutely right, if the people of Rwanda find it as the best way to reach their aspirations and nobody should stand in their way.

In addition, as commonly known, democracy refers to the “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The subject of the talk here is: the consent, will and aspirations of the people of Rwanda to put in place a Government that will work for them. The subject matters is now, how and in what capacity? On this, it is not debatable neither questionable, it is within the powers and rights of the people of Rwanda to amend the constitution in the pursuit of what they want to be.

So, by amending the constitution, the people of Rwanda are perfectly in conformity with what democracy holds: They intend to propose to themselves a leadership to work for them.  Again, I hope that anyone who intends to oppose this, still also remembers that the meaning of democracy did not change, if of course, it is not a double standard scheme against Rwanda.

However, as rightly put “no country is an Island”, in this world of great uncertainties and growing inequalities. Like other nations, Rwanda has to listen and cooperate with other actors on a number issues pertaining to collective interests and or of mutual benefits.

Nevertheless, why is it that when aspirations of the people of Rwanda have to be achieved, there is almost always an opposite behavior by some political actors? Doesn’t this represent some levels of compulsion, interference and or dissuasive arrogance?

In fact, Rwandans today, stand in front of two important values to consider: First, is to work on their national aspirations as a priority. Second, to cooperate with other nations is as well vital for Rwanda’s integration into the globalization framework. This is why these two values remain important for Rwanda’s political projections. But the choice of priority is retained by the people of Rwanda.

Nevertheless, I did not understand why some actors wish these two values to coexist in a “stepmother – children” relationship, rather than mingling and interacting as mutual and beneficial undertaking.

As observed in my earlier articles, the people of Rwanda see into President Paul Kagame their future and mind less about office term limits. Naturally minding about one’s future insinuates sticking on one’s survival. All this is based on terrific history Rwandans have endured for decades. Their history has taught them.

In other words, amending the constitution, Rwandans are sticking on their own future and more importantly on their own survival. This is inherent and irreversible because the past deplorable experiences taught Rwandans a lesson that nobody has understood better than them.

In those situations, they saw darkness when they were expecting light and nobody came with any help. So, where they are now is through their effort and have shown their determination to shape their future. This is in conformity with what Albert Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”  But if I was Einstein, I would add on his words “work for tomorrow”

When our colonial rulers decided to change the political system in 1959, thousands of hundreds of Rwandans were killed and others were forced into the exile. Subsequently, the installed regimes never ceased to engage into ethnic killings and sectarian practices, which finally led to the horrific genocide that claimed one millions lives, in one hundred days, in the face of international community. The aspirations and expectations of Rwandans were that, through the international cooperation, someone had to stop that. Unfortunately, nobody did.

When the Genocide happened in 1994, Rwanda cried out for help but received none. Rather, at the brink of defeat of the government that committed Genocide, genocidaires organized themselves in ALiR I & II and later in FDLR. These negative forces received extensive backing from some states to pursue the destabilization and their genocidal plan in Rwanda.

Worse, we all know a military operation that was arranged to prop up and evacuate genocidaires to find a haven in the neighboring country in the west in pretext of humanitarian intervention.

While we were still praising our heroes who liberated Rwanda and stopped Genocide; indictments were issued by foreign elements to hunt them down, while Genocidaires were enjoying all sorts of freedom in their countries and continue to enjoy releases by courts as well as soft penalties. This is basically unjust, unfair and embarrassing in the face of a society with a historical grief.

All these disappointments were handled by Rwanda with success, distinction and dignity, with President Paul Kagame at the fore front. Day after day, up to now, President Paul Kagame sacrificed as guarantor of peace, security, stability and growth. When Rwandans make their choice in this line to maintain their hope, no any other party has the right to intervene in a matter that concerns their future.

Yes, International cooperation is important but Rwandans are aware that, at different times in history, it has been silent when their lives and survival were at stake. However much, it is important; it can’t compromise the future of a people. Negligence of peculiar and unique situations in some countries particularly Rwanda, is basically ignoring a reality.

Rwandans intend to amend the constitution to sustain their future and safeguard their own survival. As a wise people, Rwandans share a number of beliefs with other people in the world, at least, with one of Robert T. Kiyosaki, who said “the size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way”.

Rwandans’ dreams of success are embodied in amending the constitution and they are ready to handle any disappointment that would interfere with rebuilding their country for new era of prosperity that will be celebrated by generations.

The Rwandans of today and tomorrow should always be in position to amend their legal and regulatory frameworks as long as they feel their future can be served better.

In the end and in the context today in Rwanda “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.”

H.L. Mencken

END

Residents of Matyazo sector in Ngororero district have been implored to collectively participate in implementing performance contracts from household level.

The call was made yesterday by Etienne Habiyakare, executive secretary of Matyazo sector, during the sector’s celebrations for beating other sectors in the districts, and emerging second, in implementing last year’s performance contracts 2014-2015 performance contracts.

Matyazo sector has for the last four years ranked the 3^rd in implementing performance contracts.

Matyazo sector receives a trophy

“I present the trophy before (you) residents in order to encourage you to work hard towards improving your livelihoods,you made me proud through your performance’’ Habiyakare.

He cautioned the cell authorities against redundancy in order to maintain the first position. He said future challenges call for concentration on the country’s vision, and economic transformation, by focusing on performance contracts as a cornerstone for change and development.

Habiyakare however cautioned sectors that emerged last; Kageyo, Kavumu and Ndaro, saying measures will be taken to identify the challenges faced and then help such sectors implement performance contracts successfully.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has extended sensitization campaigns to secondary schools in Rulindo and Kirehe districts, as it continues to encourage the youth to become activists against crimes affecting their communities.

On September 2, Police officers in Rulindo and Kirehe districts met with about 900 students Ecole Baptiste Buberuka (EBB)‎ and Rugarama II Secondary Schools, respectively, where they were advised to be actively involved in planning and carrying out strategies to keep their societies safe.

In Rulindo, CIP Sano Nkeramugaba told the students that due to advancement in technology and changes in modern society, more criminals target youth and students in particular, which calls for vigilance against drug abuse, human trafficking and domestic violence among other crimes that affect the youth.

“You should mobilize fellow youth in your communities to help solve society’s most pressing problems and to devise means in which you can partner with law enforcers in overcoming law offenders,” he said.

“Through Anti-Crime Clubs, you should participate in projects to overcome crime and violence by volunteering in community-based crime prevention projects, mediate conflicts in your school and organize neighborhood anti-drug and crime events.”

The head of EBB Secondary School Anti-Crime Club, Giom Ntegano, commended police for being open and accessible to the youth, adding that partnerships in crime prevention should include youth at all levels in communities.

“Sometimes the youth are not taken serious and yet we have a say on the safety of our communities – that is why we are grateful that RNP and Rwandan leaders consider our role to be as vital as that of adults,” Ntegano, a senior five student, said.

“The youth are now aware of the challenges affecting them, and we are therefore called to be exemplary, patriotic and forward-looking in the ways we approach society issues. We therefore pledge to always be accountable and partner with police in overcoming crime.”

After the event, the youth joined police to publicly destroy locally made illicit brew and banned gin seized last month in Rulindo.

In Kirehe, AIP Gahigi Harerimana, called on school administrators to support forums in which youth can present their views to help raise awareness against crime and how to collectively foster peace in societies.

He also pledged continued support from police in areas of youth training and awareness in order to increase their ability to have a long-term effect on fostering community safety.

Akarere karatangaza ko amafaranga agenewe ibikorwa by’iterambere, hafashwe ingamba z’uko yakongerwa ugereranije n’agenewe ibikorwa by’ubuzima busanzwe bw’akarere.

Mu kiganiro n’abanyamakuru, kuri uyu wa 3 Nzeli 2015, ubuyobozi bw’akarere bwagaragaje ko bwafashe ingamba mu kuziba icyuho kigaragara hagati y’amafaranga y’ingengo y’imari agenewe ibikorwa by’iterambere nakoreshwa mu buzima busanzwe bw’akarere.

Mu nama yo kuwa 27 Kamena 2015 yari igamije kumurika uko ingengo y’imari yakoreshejwe mu mwaka wa 2014-2015, byagaragaye ko 8,107,457,387 ariyo yakoreshejwe mu bikorwa by’iterambere ugereranije na 12,744,614,452 yakoreshejwe mu buzima bw’akarere.

Umunyabanga nshingwabikorwa w’akarere ka Nyamagabe, Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana yatangaje ko nyuma yo gusanga ingengo y’imari igenewe ibikora by’iterambere ari nke hari ingamba zo kuyongera.

Yagize ati “mu bigaragara ingengo y’imari ijya mu mishahara y’abakozi, abarimu, abaganga n’ibindi bikorwa kuburyo ujanishishije ingengo y’imari ijya mu bikorwa by’iterambere ariyo nkeya, ingamba zihari ni zo kuyongera dufatanije n’abafatanyabikorwa bacu.”

Yakomeje avuga ko biciye mu mishinga itandukanye akarere gahuriweho n’ibigo n’abafatanyabikorwa batandukanye ibikorwa by’iterambere biziyongera.

Yagize ati “Hari imishinga dukora dufatanyije n’abafatanyabikorwa ikaza yunganira ibindi bikorwa by’iterambere kugira ngo ya ngengo y’imari ijyanye n’iterambere yiyongere.”

Kuri ubu ngo akarere gafite umushinga ujyanye n’iterambere, uzaterwa inkuna na FONERWA, kagahabwa asaga miriyari 2 z’amafaranga y’U Rwanda, bityo bigatuma cya cyuho kigenda kigaragara kivamo.

Ibibazo byagaragaye cyane bikaba byibanze ku iterambere ry’aka karere n’ubwo kateye intambwe mu mihigo ariko kagikeneye kwiyubaka kuko usanga hari byinshi abaturage bagikeye kugezwaho.

Minisitiri w’ibiza no gucyura impunzi, ubwo yasuraga abatuye inkambi ya Kigeme, yabasabye kwirinda amacakubiri bagashyira hamwe, kuko asenya ntiyubake.

Mu biganiro minisitiri w’ibiza no gucyura impunzi yagiranye n’impunzi zihagarariye izindi mu nzego zitandukanye, kuri uyu wa 7 Nzeli 2015, yasabye ko impunzi zigomba kwirinda amacakubiri ko bose bafatwa nk’impunzi badafatwa nk’abavuye mu duce dutandukanye.

Nkuko bamwe mu mpunzi babitangaje, amacakubiri yaba aturuka ku mpamvu z’uko impunzi zakirwa mu Rwanda zari zivuye mu duce dutandukanye, bigatuma hari abashaka kwicamo ibice bakurikije aho baturutse, gusa bakaba bamenyeshejwe ko kubutaka bw’U Rwanda kiziririzwa.

Madame Seraphine Mukantabana, Minisitiri w’ibiza no gucyura impunzi yatangaje ko amacakubiri ari ikintu gikomeye cyane leta y’U Rwanda idashobora kwihanganira ko impunzi zifatwa kimwe kandi uzashaka gucamo ibice bagenzi be hari amategeko amuhana.

Yagize ati “Icyo tubwira impunzi ziri mu nkambi ya Kigeme, no mu zindi nkambi dufite, ni uko mu Rwanda ibintu byaganisha mu ivangura iryo ari ryo ryose, ryaba rishingiye ku moko, aho umuntu akomoka, igitsina cye, tubyamaganira kure, uwo bizongera kugaragaho azataha iwabo”

Elisabethi Nyirakibibi, ahagarariye impunzi, atangaza ko nyuma yo guhabwa impanuro zitandukanye no kumva ko bakwiye gukurikiza amategeko igihugu cyabakiriye gikurikiza, bagiye gufatanya n’izindi mpunzi muri rusange kurwanya ivangura.

Yagize ati “Tugiye kuvugurura nukuri ku buryo ibi bintu bitazongera kugaruka, buri wese nabona mugenzi we amwibonemo, ibi bintu turabirwanya mu nzego zose guhera mu midugudu kugeza no mubahagarariye abandi.”

Impunzi zikaba zasabwe gutahiriza umugozi umwe zishakamo amahoro n’umutekano kuko kuzana amacakubiri bishobora kuzigiraho ingaruka.