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He was last in Rwanda in 2010, after which it was revealed that he fled to South Africa, a country where he had been running business.

This move came following discoveries that he was involved in tax evasion and had connections with subversive groups aiming to destabilize Rwanda’s security, whom he also supported financially.

Born around 1941 in Rwanda, Rujugiro spent a significant portion of his life in Burundi as a refugee, where he began his tobacco business.

Businessman Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa has passed on.

IGIHE

Emphasizing the paramount importance of national security, he credited it as the cornerstone of Rwanda’s post-genocide accomplishments, achieved through the intervention of RPF Inkotanyi forces.

Over the past thirty years, Rwanda has transcended ethnic and regional tensions, fostering a society where no individual faces persecution based on identity. Educational curricula have been purged of divisive ideologies, and ethnic affiliations have been removed from identification documents.

Addressing a gathering comprising staff from various government agencies during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsis, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira asserted Rwanda’s newfound stature on the global stage, stating, “For 30 years, Rwanda has stood as a nation of principles.” He metaphorically illustrated the meticulousness of Rwanda’s governance by suggesting that even a rabbit crossing into the country one would require proper documentation to come collect it.

Reflecting on historical events, he recounted an incident in the 1970s when Burundians laid claim to Rwandan territory, highlighting Rwanda’s vulnerability at the time. Additionally, he recalled the audacious act of Idi Amin, who, during his presidency in Uganda, unauthorizedly landed military planes at Kigali Airport, causing widespread panic.

Noting a shift in diplomatic demeanor, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira remarked on Rwanda’s transformation from a nation with a somewhat volatile disposition and diplomatic humility to a strong fearless country , contrasting the past with the present.

Acknowledging the post-genocide reconstruction efforts, he shared the journey of healing and progress, emphasizing the restoration of the Rwandan society, both physically and emotionally.

Highlighting the remarkable socio-economic advancements from 1994 to 2024, he underscored Rwanda’s robust growth in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, trade, industry, and employment opportunities, culminating in a significant rise in per capita income and gross domestic product.

Gen (Rtd) Fred Ibingira said that Rwanda now has gained international respect that no one would dare come and collect a rabbit without asking permission.

Esther Muhozi

Trent Kelly, a member of the House of Representatives from Mississippi’s 1st congressional district, confirmed on Monday, April 15, 2024, that he had introduced a resolution calling for the government to adopt the official definition of the Genocide, a move he said would ensure lessons from Rwanda’s painful history are not forgotten.

'The facts are the facts, it’s not the Rwandan Genocide it’s the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. I call on the State Department administration to call it exactly what it is. I’ve introduced a house resolution calling for United States to adopt the official definition of Genocide.
We have a moral obligation to ensure the lessons of history are not forgotten and the voices of the victims are heard,' he said.

Kelly spoke at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C, where members of the Diplomatic corps, congress, academia, media, Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda gathered to honour the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The US has been in the spotlight several times due to its failure to clearly state in its messages, especially during the annual ‘Kwibuka’ commemorations, that the Tutsis were the targeted group in the 1994 genocide, as established by the Trial Chamber of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Early this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken came under fire from Rwandans on social media over his vague message to the country during the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

President Paul Kagame also condemned intentional vagueness in reporting the Genocide against the Tutsi during his speech at BK Arena on April 7, stating that it fuels denial.

'Rwandans will never understand why any country would remain intentionally vague about who was targeted in the genocide. I don’t understand that. Such ambiguity is, in fact, a form of denial, which is a crime in and of itself, and Rwanda will always challenge it,' Kagame stated during Kwibuka30.

Corina Sanders, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US Department of State, echoed Kagame’s sentiments at Capitol Hill Monday, insisting that denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi distorts facts about the victims of the crimes.

'As we join in remembering the victims and reaffirm our support for the people of Rwanda in the continued efforts for the unity and renewal, we oppose any attempt to misrepresent the historical record for political purposes, in particular we strongly oppose any denial or minimization of the Genocide that targeted Tutsi,' Sanders stated.

The keynote speaker, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, shared insights into how remembering and honoring the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi serves as a crucial step in preventing future genocides.

'It’s our solid duty to remember the victims, to honor their resilience and to ensure that their stories are kept in our collective consciousness. By doing so we not only pay tribute to those who suffered but also lay the ground for preventing such atrocities from happening again,' Ugirashebuja averred.

Congressman Jonathan Jackson, on his part, lauded President Kagame’s leadership, for the transformation witnessed in the country over the last 30 years and his commitment to leading a united country.

'I commend President Paul Kagame for his leadership in guiding the country to heal, reconciliate and unite. His courage, dedication and ability to move the country from the Genocide to become one of the fastest growing countries in the world must be commended,' he said, adding, 'Rwanda continues to be a beacon for many African countries and across the world.'

The message was echoed by Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who said, 'I was impressed by your administration’s progress on the development front, combating corruption and improving governance. I commend President Paul Kagame and Rwandans for the leadership and commitment for building the Rwanda we see today that serves as a model to other countries.'

Trent Kelly is a member of the House of Representatives from Mississippi’s 1st congressional district.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

CEO Elon Musk conveyed the news in an email to Tesla employees, citing the necessity for “cost reductions and increasing productivity” as driving factors behind the layoffs. The email that was initially reported by Electrek and later confirmed by Reuters, underscored the challenges facing Tesla as it seeks to maintain its position in a rapidly evolving market.

Tesla’s workforce, which had nearly doubled since the end of 2020, reflects the company’s ambitious expansion efforts in recent years. However, a year-over-year decline in sales during the first quarter of this year, coupled with increased competition from rivals like Chinese automaker BYD, has prompted Tesla to reevaluate its growth trajectory.

The decision to downsize marks a departure from Tesla’s previous trajectory of exponential hiring. After significant increases in staff in 2021 and 2022, the company experienced more modest growth in 2023. The latest round of layoffs follows previous workforce reductions, including a 7% cut in 2019 and further trimming of salaried staff in 2022.

This is not the first time that Tesla has cut staff. It announced a 7% cut in staff in 2019, in a statement posted online at that time. And it trimmed about 10% of salaried staff even as it continued to hire hourly staff in 2022.Those 2022 cuts were confirmed by a public statement from Musk at that time. But neither he nor Tesla have publicly confirmed this latest round of cuts. Tesla, which does not have a public relations staff, did not respond to a request for comment on that report and did not confirm the email.

Shares of Tesla, which were already down 31% so far this year through Friday’s close, fell another 3% in early trading Monday on the job cut report.

Esther Muhozi

During a commemoration event for former Ministry employees lost in the genocide, Claudette lamented the involvement of educated individuals in the genocide, which stagnated educational progress.

She remarked, “The deterioration began with education. Following colonial rule and policies of discrimination, Rwanda’s independence led to further exclusion of Tutsis from societal benefits, notably education.”

Irere emphasized how the corrupt regime left Rwandan children, particularly Tutsis, orphaned and bereft of educational opportunities.

She noted, “Political circumstances drastically reduced the number of educated individuals, denying many based on ethnicity, primarily Tutsis, from pursuing education.”

The Ministry’s commemoration efforts were hailed as crucial for reflecting on the genocide’s impact, especially among professionals and students affected by the tragedy.

Ntazinda Erasme, Mayor of Nyanza District, recounted how schools were affected by the genocide, with teachers and students immersed in genocidal ideology, turning schools into perilous environments.

He described the challenges of attending school during those times, where ethnicity, rather than merit, determined one’s prospects, risking denial of further education.

Ahishakiye Naphatal, Executive Secretary of Ibuka, stressed the role of educators in either fostering or corrupting character, highlighting education’s influence on shaping individuals.

Ambassador Prof. Joseph Nsengimana spoke of ongoing efforts to combat impunity and foster Rwanda’s progress, urging continued unity among Rwandans.

The Ministry of Education counts 77 former employees slain in the genocide, excluding educators and students killed across the country on the basis of their identity.

The Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education, Irere Claudette paid tribute to slain employees of the Ministry of Education.

Employees of the Ministry of Education laid wreaths at the mass grave

Irere emphasized how the corrupt regime left Rwandan children, particularly Tutsis, orphaned and bereft of educational opportunities.

Esther Muhozi