Author: admin

During his installation as Archbishop of Kigali in early 2019, Antoine Kambanda addressed tens of thousands of Christians, emphasizing the need for a cathedral that reflects the beauty and modernity of the City of Kigali.

President Paul Kagame, who attended the ceremony, pledged his support for the construction and suggested considering a new site for the cathedral if possible.

Subsequently, the church was allocated the land where the 1930 Prison once stood. The master plan, now displayed on this historic site, reveals the design of the future cathedral.

Father Innocent Consolateur of St. Michel Parish has told IGIHE that the displayed design gives a glimpse of the new building’s appearance but refrained from providing further details.

He mentioned that additional information about the commencement of construction will be disclosed by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda. Attempts to reach Cardinal Kambanda for comments were unsuccessful at press time.

The new, modern cathedral is expected to accommodate at least 5,000 people, featuring a large courtyard capable of hosting between 10,000 and 20,000 attendees during major events.

In 2020, Archbishop Cardinal Kambanda told IGIHE that the cathedral would be a modern structure uniquely reflective of Rwandan culture.

“It must be a building with the shape of a church, but also with a unique Rwandan characteristic, harmonizing the church’s appearance with Rwandan culture,” he said.

In 2023, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced plans to raise Rwf40 billion for the construction of the cathedral.

Currently, the Kigali Cathedral is located in Kiyovu in the Nyarugenge District, where St. Michel Parish is situated.

However, the existing cathedral is too small to host major events. The St. Michel Parish, established in 1963 as part of the Kabgayi Diocese, was designated as a Cathedral Parish on May 3, 1976, upon the establishment of the Archdiocese of Kigali.

In 2020, Archbishop Cardinal Kambanda told IGIHE that the cathedral would be a modern structure uniquely reflective of Rwandan culture.

The new cathedral has an appealing design.

The new cathedral is expected to feature a large courtyard capable of hosting between 10,000 and 20,000 attendees during major events.

The new, modern cathedral is expected to accommodate at least 5,000 people.

The new cathedral will be built on 5.5 hectare piece of land where seated former Nyarugenge prison.

It has been more than seven years since inmates from Nyarugenge Prison were relocated to Mageragere.

IGIHE

One such returnee is Martin Irakoze, a 26-year-old man, who was born and raised in the DRC’s forests, where his parents fled in 1994 from Rwanda.

Life was difficult for Irakoze, his family, and other Rwandan refugees. Although he managed to complete his secondary education, his dreams were cut short when he was forcibly recruited into the FDLR at a young age.

Irakoze returned to Rwanda and is undergoing reintegration training with others who have left the DRC forests at the Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Center, overseen by the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).

IGIHE recently visited the 72nd cohort of former armed group members. We met with the group shortly after they completed a training session on Rwandan values.

The center currently accommodates former combatants, their family members, and civilians who had collaborated with them. Despite initial apprehensions, many individuals gradually become more comfortable over time.

Irakoze recounted how, after finishing high school, FDLR combatants came to their village in Ngungu, forcefully recruiting all boys who had attended school, including himself.

'They taught us military drills, and in 2019, after completing the training, we were told we were fighting to return to Rwanda and overthrow its current government,' he said.

Irakoze stated that the FDLR continues to spread genocide ideology and recruit new members, primarily youth, without hindrance, as the DRC government and its military, FARDC, treat the FDLR as a strategic partner.

This account is corroborated by other returnees like Jean Damascene Rwangabo and Emmanuel Muhire, who are also part of the 72nd cohort at Mutobo.

Muhire, who joined the FDLR as a child and later became a Sergeant Major in another armed group, APE-SEREN, described the long-standing cooperation between the FDLR and FARDC. He also served as a military instructor prior to his repatriation to Rwanda.

During the CNDP conflict, he explained, FARDC provided FDLR with weapons, ammunition, and medical supplies that he personally used in those battles.

'This means that even today, the situation hasn’t changed much; the FDLR remains at the forefront. It seems like they are the leading soldiers who need Congo’s assistance to return home. Now, it’s not just the FDLR; all groups in Congo that are connected to people who speak Kinyarwanda are being told they must return to their country,' he said.

'Congo is assisting the FDLR by providing them with equipment, money, medicine, food, and military clothing. This helps them continue fighting with hope for additional support to launch attacks on Rwanda,' added Muhire.

He further disclosed that FARDC promises FDLR support to return after helping it win its battles.

Rwangabo, who has also fought many battles since joining the FDLR shortly after fleeing Rwanda in 1994 at the age of 10, debunked claims by the DRC government that the FDLR is no longer a threat.

'I can attest that the FDLR is still active, spreading genocide ideology and planning to attack Rwanda. Claims that it is defunct are political fabrications,' he asserted.

He further explained that during recent M23 conflicts, FARDC regrouped various armed factions, with the FDLR playing a leading role fighting alongside Wazalendo.

'FDLR leads the charge in battles, supported by FARDC which supplies them with necessary resources,' he said.

Rwangabo highlighted that FDLR’s strength lies in FARDC’s backing, and while FARDC supplies weapons, FDLR retains half, fearing potential successful negotiations with M23 that might be followed by operations to decimate armed groups.

The testimonies of Irakoze, Muhire, and Rwangabo challenge misconceptions and reveal the harsh realities faced by those in the FDLR. They debunk rumors spread by the FDLR to deter repatriation, affirming they were warmly welcomed in Rwanda and are now hopeful for the future.

Major (Rtd) Cyprien Mudeyi, the head of Mutobo Center, stated that since its inception in 2001, the center has reintegrated 13,000 ex-combatants through 71 cohorts.

Mudeyi emphasized the center’s role in promoting peace and security by helping former combatants reintegrate into civilian life, providing vocational training to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

However, he noted that regional peace efforts face challenges due to the reluctance of some neighboring countries to dismantle armed groups like the FDLR.

'Achieving peace requires collaborative efforts with neighboring countries to eliminate these armed groups and reintegrate their members,' he concluded.

Former combatants recounting their repatriation journey.

Those training at Mutobo for reintegration into civilian life always maintain high morale.

They are eager to learn more about Rwanda and change mindsets.

Major (Rtd) Cyprien Mudeyi, the head of Mutobo Center, stated that since its inception in 2001, the center has reintegrated 13,000 ex-combatants through 71 cohorts.

IGIHE

The incident occurred a few minutes past 7 AM. However, the kitchen staff and others in the building managed to extinguish the fire before it caused significant damage.

One of the individuals IGIHE spoke to indicated that the fire started from cooking oil, which quickly spread.

Firefighting equipment from the building were used to extinguish the fire.

“We immediately began extinguishing it using the fire extinguishers inside the building. We managed to put it out before it could cause significant damage, but it was challenging,” the source revealed.

When you visit the 2000 Hotel building, you’ll notice that operations have continued as usual, except on the fifth floor, where there the fire broke out.

Aside from the damage caused to the kitchen equipment and the ceiling where the fire started, no significant damage was reported on the hotel during the incident.

Someone observing from a distance could see how the fire was rapidly intensifying.

IGIHE

Irembo is showcasing its world-class, all-in-one service management platform and payment solution as it aims to expand the value these tools provide across different regions around the world.

The company is also presenting its impressive achievements in business growth, strategic partnerships, and exciting future plans at the expo, which is scheduled to close on August 15, 2024.

Irembo exhibition site at Expo 2024 in Gikondo.

In the recent past, Irembo has established significant strategic partnerships to broaden its service offerings and reach new markets.

Irembo is showcasing its world-class, all-in-one service management platform and payment solution as it aims to expand the value these tools provide across different regions around the world.

One major collaboration is the partnership with Old Mutual Rwanda, which aims to create an easy-to-use online platform where people can explore and purchase insurance products without the need for in-person consultations.

According to the management, the collaboration with the insurer represents Irembo’s significant move into the private sector, which focuses on providing digitized insurance services.

“Irembo’s partnerships, like the one with Old Mutual Rwanda, are crucial in our mission to expand and diversify our services,” said Noella Dushime, Director of Business Development at Irembo.

“These collaborations allow us to offer more comprehensive solutions to our users, aligning with our vision of a digitally inclusive Rwanda.”

The company is renowned for building and maintaining the Rwandan government’s one-stop service portal.

Irembo has established significant strategic partnerships to broaden its service offerings and reach new markets.

By digitising essential services, Irembo supports the government’s goals of enhancing efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens. The platform’s easy access to a wide range of services helps create a more efficient and inclusive society.

Looking ahead, Irembo plans to integrate cutting-edge technologies to further improve service delivery. These advancements aim to provide users with more streamlined, effective, and secure access to services, solidifying Irembo’s position as a leader in digital transformation.

As part of its expansion strategy, Irembo is exploring opportunities to enter neighbouring countries, introducing its innovative solutions to new markets and contributing to regional growth.

At Expo 2024, the company will be connecting with other exhibitors to demonstrate how IremboPay works and to onboard new clients.

Noella Dushime is the Director of Business Development at Irembo.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

IGIHE journalist Karirima A. Ngarambe recently had the opportunity to experience RwandAir’s new A330 aircraft on a flight from London to Kigali, departing at 9:20 PM on August 5, 2024, and arriving the following morning.

This flight is part of the airline’s daily direct service between London and Kigali, which initially started with four weekly flights from Gatwick Airport in May 2017.

On May 9, 2024, RwandAir transitioned its flights to Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 due to an increase in passenger demand from the UK to Rwanda.

The airline’s modern wide-body A330 aircraft operates these flights, with flight WB711 leaving London at 9:20 PM and arriving in Kigali at 7:00 AM the next morning.

The return flights, WB710/712, alternate departure times from Kigali, either at 1:45 AM or 11:25 PM, landing at Heathrow daily at 7:00 AM or 9:50 AM.

RwandAir’s CEO, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, expressed satisfaction with the increasing performance of these flights, particularly in connecting African countries. She emphasized the airline’s commitment to maintaining the progress.

“London has always been a significant city for RwandAir, as it was our first European destination following our inaugural flight to Gatwick in 2017,” Makolo stated.

“These direct daily flights are a testament to the growing demand from customers both in the UK and Africa. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to our beautiful land of a thousand hills. Visitors from the UK have visa-free access to Rwanda and can expect to experience an extraordinary range of wildlife and green, mountainous landscapes,” she added.

A 2023 report by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) highlighted a 22.7% increase in cargo transported by RwandAir that year, reaching 4,595 tons. Major destinations for this cargo included Dubai, the UK, and Belgium. Additionally, the number of visitors to Rwanda rose from 521,000 in 2021 to 1.4 million in 2023.

Makolo also mentioned that the airline’s convenient schedule allows easy connections through the Kigali hub to many destinations in Africa and the Middle East.

Customers flying with RwandAir can enjoy complimentary inflight dining, free drinks, and inflight entertainment on seat-back video screens.

RwandAir provides a generous baggage allowance for its passengers. Economy Class travelers can check in two bags, each weighing up to 23kg, along with an additional handbag of 10kg. Business Class passengers enjoy even more flexibility, with the option to check in up to three bags, each weighing up to 23kg each.

RwandAir has been operating flights to and from London, UK, for seven years.

Before each RwandAir flight, the staff ensures the safety of all passengers.

RwandAir now offers daily flights to London using the Airbus A330-300.

Passengers onboard sit comfortably.

This is the ‘Business Class’ section for passengers.

RwandAir staff provide exceptional care to passengers throughout the journey.

Passengers traveling to or from London receive comprehensive care and attention.

The passenger service agents on these RwandAir flights are known for their expertise and hospitality.

IGIHE journalist being briefed by Mireille Umubyeyi, RwandAir’s Communication officer, about the operations of the London-bound flights.

RwandAir has been successfully operating flights to London, UK, for seven years.

[email protected]

Karirima A. Ngarambe

Rwanda is currently in the dry season, which explains the prevailing sunny conditions.

However, Meteo Rwanda predicts an increase in soil moisture during the second and third weeks of August due to anticipated rainfall in those periods.

The first week of August will see typical dry season weather with sunny days, though some regions will experience light rainfall. The forecasted rainfall for August ranges from 0 to 60 millimeters. Specifically, in the western parts of Musanze and Nyabihu districts, the eastern part of the Rubavu district, and a small part of northern Ngororero, rainfall is expected to range between 40 and 60 millimeters.

In contrast, smaller areas such as Nyungwe National Park, Rutsiro district, Ngororero, central parts of Rubavu and Musanze districts, and the northern part of Burera district can expect rainfall between 20 and 40 millimeters. Meteo Rwanda emphasized that this amount of rainfall is typical for August.

Temperature-wise, daytime highs are forecasted to range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, while nighttime lows are expected to be between 6 and 14 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are within the usual range for this time of year.

Additionally, wind speeds are anticipated to increase compared to previous months, especially in the Western Province, where strong winds are expected.

Rwanda Meteorological Agency (Meteo Rwanda) has announced that August 2024 will predominantly feature sunny weather across many parts of the country.

IGIHE

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, RURA Director General Evariste Rugigana said petrol will retail at Rwf1,629 per litre, down from Rwf1,663, while diesel will remain at Rwf1,652 per litre.

The new fuel prices will come into effect from 7:00 PM on August 7, 2024, for two months.

“These adjustments are based on recent fluctuations in international petroleum product prices,” Rugigana explained.

This marks the second time in a row the price of petrol has decreased since April when RURA reviewed the prices of fuel upwards.

Before the review of the prices in April, a litre of petrol cost Rwf 1,637 while diesel cost Rwf 1,632.

RURA Director General said petrol will retail at Rwf1,629 per litre, down from Rwf1,663, while diesel will remain at Rwf1,652 per litre.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In July 1994, after the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) halted the Genocide against the Tutsi, over two million refugees, including Juvenal Habyarimana’s former government forces, fled to the then Zaire (currently DRC), entering through Goma and Bukavu.

These forces, upon crossing the border, regrouped with the intention of resuming the Genocide against the Tutsi. Later, the FDLR, formerly known as ALIR, emerged as a powerful force, with insurgents launching frequent attacks on Rwanda.

In an interview with Top Congo FM while seeking medical treatment in Belgium, Tshisekedi ignored these facts, instead claiming that Zaire rescued Rwanda from an impending calamity.

“DRC, by the time it held the name of Zaire, saved Rwanda from a very intensive catastrophe which would happen if we hadn’t opened borders to an influx of refugees,' he said.

Tshisekedi acknowledged that among these refugees were genocidaires who entered Congo armed, but he downplayed the impact, saying, 'Unfortunately, there has been international blindness which allowed Genocide perpetrators to be among refugees and enter our territory with their weapons. They were not disarmed. Today, the burden has shifted from Rwanda to us, affecting our citizens.'

Ignoring the truth

Tshisekedi overlooked the fact that other countries also received refugees but handled the situation differently from Zaire. For instance, Tanzania disarmed those entering its territory in late April 1994. Tanzania, which was mediating between Rwanda and the RPF-Inkotanyi, arrested several high-ranking officials suspected of having played a role in the Genocide.

One notable example is Jean Baptiste Gatete, who was initially released due to protests from the Interahamwe he led but was later banned from residing in the country and fled to Zaire. Gatete was eventually arrested by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and sentenced to life imprisonment.

A widely circulated photo on the internet shows a pile of machetes confiscated at the Rwanda-Tanzania border, highlighting the stringent measures Tanzania took compared to Zaire, where genocidaires found a safe haven.

Sources indicate that Zaire’s decision to harbor genocidaires was well-informed, as they were supporters of President Habyarimana, who was a close friend of Mobutu, referring to each other as 'Elder brother' and 'Best friend.'

Refusal to negotiate with M23

Commenting on possibility for negotiations with M23 rebel group, Tshisekedi declared, 'Listen to me well! As long as I am President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I will never sit down with representatives of M23 or AFC for negotiations. I only want to talk with Rwanda for negotiations.'

'If I want to talk with Rwanda, it’s to ask them what their problem is so they can leave us in peace. If they think there’s an issue on our side, we’ll resolve it. They mentioned the FDLR, and today we are in Luanda discussing how to cease hostilities and resolve the FDLR issue,' he elaborated.

However, Tshisekedi’s claims about resolving the FDLR issue ring hollow. For over 30 years, instead of disarming the FDLR, the Congolese government has increasingly collaborated with them.

Currently, the FDLR is integrated with the Congolese military in the fight against M23, with their fighters receiving uniforms, salaries, weapons, and other supplies.

Tshisekedi has often downplayed the FDLR’s existence, at times claiming they no longer pose a threat, while simultaneously collaborating with them.

Analysts argue that resolving the FDLR issue requires Tshisekedi’s government to genuinely dissociate from this group, which continues to foster insecurity and propagate genocidal ideology in the region.

Tshisekedi has often downplayed the FDLR’s existence, at times claiming they no longer pose a threat, while collaborating with them.

IGIHE

RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh, presided over the pass-out ceremony at the Combat Training Centre in Gabiro.

According to the RDF, the comprehensive training covered a wide range of subjects, including Marksmanship Skills, Tactics, Command and Control, Martial Arts, Physical Fitness, and Heliborne Operations.

The pass-out ceremony showcased various demonstrations, highlighting the skills and knowledge acquired by the brigade during their training. Attendees witnessed impressive displays of Tactics, Martial Arts, and live firing exercises, illustrating the brigade’s readiness and capability.

The pass-out ceremony was presided over by RDF Chief of Defence Staff Gen MK Mubarakh.

The Rwandan troops often undergo continuous training aimed at better equipping them to handle their mandate of defending the country and offering military support to other countries through peacekeeping missions.

The troops have also been involved in training other soldiers in countries such as the Central African Republic. Together with the Central African Armed Forces, the RDF trained more than 600 soldiers who were enrolled in the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA) on Monday, August 5, 2024, after completing seven months of basic military training.

Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the RDF Army Chief of Staff, attended the pass-out ceremony, which was presided over by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra at Camp Kassaï military barrack in Bangui city.

While addressing the media, the Central African Republic’s Head of State expressed his appreciation for the successful military partnership between Rwanda and the Central African Republic.

General Zéphirin Mamadou, the Chief of General Staff of the Central African Armed Forces, affirmed that the collaboration between CAR and Rwandan troops will continue to yield positive results.

'This graduation marks the second battalion trained by military instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force, with the ultimate objective of preventing the activities of the enemies of peace. I have no doubt that the skills acquired during this course will help in protecting the country and its people,' Mamadou stated.

The deployment of Rwandan troops in CAR aims to combat armed groups threatening the government and destabilizing the country.

RDF has been one of the largest troop contributors to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since 2014.

The infantry brigade of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) graduated on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, after completing a six-month advanced combat course.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Recently, RGB, in collaboration with local authorities, conducted inspections to assess whether churches meet the required standards.

During an interview with IGIHE, Dr. Usta Kaitesi, the CEO of RGB, explained that in nearly two weeks of inspection, more than 13,000 churches were visited to verify their compliance.

Dr. Kaitesi revealed that some closed churches lacked minor requirements that could be quickly addressed, while others required significant adjustments.

Additionally, there were churches operating without proper authorization, with individuals or groups having opened places of worship and erected signs without the necessary permits.

Despite the large number of churches in Rwanda, Dr. Kaitesi emphasized that the issue is not the quantity but whether they meet the required standards.

“The problem is not the large number of churches. The issue is whether this number aligns with our desired standards. Are the churches built according to legal requirements? Do the leaders of these congregations have the qualifications mandated by law? These are the questions we should focus on,” she said.

The inspections aimed to ensure the safety of Rwandans attending these places of worship rather than indiscriminately closing churches.

Dr. Kaitesi highlighted that instead of having multiple non-compliant churches, it would be better to build a single, large, compliant church that accommodates all followers in a safe environment, led by qualified leaders.

Addressing claims that the closures were sudden, Dr. Kaitesi clarified that inspections and assessments of churches are conducted annually, and churches were forewarned.

“This is part of our mandate. At RGB, we have a department responsible for faith-based organizations and other registered entities. This department is divided into registration and operational monitoring and inspection. We have always conducted inspections,” she stated.

In 2018, a similar inspection resulted in the closure of over 7,000 churches for non-compliance, with a five-year grace period granted for rectifying deficiencies.

“The five-year period ended in September last year, and in December 2023, we called them to review their status and submit staff qualifications and operational plans. Some did not have strategic plans, so we asked them to improve and provide that information,” Dr. Kaitesi explained.

In May 2024, RGB again wrote to religious organizations requesting information about their church locations, leadership, and educational qualifications.

According to RGB, some organizations were given time to meet the requirements and allowed to resume operations. However, monitoring and engaging religious leaders to address issues identified during inspections continued.

Rwanda Governance Board has announced that 59.3% of over 13,000 inspected churches have been closed due to non-compliance with regulations.

Théophile Niyitegeka