Author: admin

For many of us, exile marked our very birth. Being a refugee was neither a choice nor something to rejoice in. This imposed status shaped lives marked by resilience, waiting, and quiet trials, yet deeply formative.

The advent of the Inkotanyi made possible what once seemed impossible: the return to the homeland. That return did not merely end exile; it restored dignity, identity, and a sense of national belonging. Returning to Rwanda meant reclaiming the Gakondo, the land of our ancestors, and fully reconnecting with Rwandan identity.

This return also included Rwandans forced into exile by the genocidal regime: the Inkotanyi brought them back to their country and still encourage those who remain abroad to come home. From then on, the status of refugee can no longer define the identity of a Rwandan.

The transition from non-resident to full citizen brought a profound transformation. It made us Inkotanyi by state, not merely by sentiment. Ubukotanyi thus becomes a permanent commitment, a moral, civic, and patriotic posture sustained over time.

This legacy imposes a major responsibility: to be vigilant guardians of national sovereignty.

Rwanda was reconquered at the ultimate cost, the lives of our people. Such a sacrifice precludes any lightness, forgetfulness, or compromise. Honoring their memory requires jealously preserving the nation’s independence, unity, and dignity.

As the Rwandan proverb reminds us: 'Umugabo arigira yakwibura agapfa'

'He who takes responsibility for himself will not perish.'

Thus, Rwanda is no longer a place of wandering but a space of life, stability, and hope, firmly rooted in the land of our forebears.

The core values of Ubukotanyi

Ubukotanyi rests on essential, non-negotiable principles:

— enlightened and responsible patriotism

— national sovereignty

— memory and respect for the sacrifice made

— the dignity of the Rwandan citizen

— unity, resilience, and national cohesion

— responsibility toward future generations

Message for 2026

May the year 2026 rekindle and strengthen these founding values.

May Ubukotanyi remain a permanent state, embodied in the actions, words, and choices of every citizen.

Ubukotanyi is not a feeling.

Ubukotanyi is a state.

The article was penned by Liliane Iradukunda

Liliane Iradukunda

The presentation of credentials officially accredits Ambassador Nzabamwita as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Rwanda to the Russian Federation. The event marked the start of his diplomatic mission in Moscow and was attended by senior Russian officials and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions.

President Putin also received letters of credence from ambassadors of several other countries during the ceremony, including Somalia, Gabon, Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria, Ghana, and Namibia, alongside representatives from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Addressing the diplomats, President Putin emphasised the importance of cooperation, saying that 'international cooperation is fundamental to humanity’s sustainable development and prosperity,' and stressed the need for open and constructive partnerships in an increasingly complex global environment.

Ambassador Nzabamwita was appointed Rwanda’s ambassador-designate to Russia in December 2024. He brings extensive experience in national security and public service, having previously served as Presidential Advisor on Security. Before that, he held the position of Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

He succeeds Lt Gen Mushyo Kamanzi, who had represented Rwanda in Moscow since 2019.

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Russia date back to 1963, and the two countries have since maintained cordial and cooperative ties. Both nations operate resident diplomatic missions at ambassadorial level, reflecting the strength and continuity of their bilateral relationship.

Cooperation between Rwanda and Russia spans several sectors, including political engagement, military collaboration, education, human resource development, training, and cultural exchange. Russia has also been offering university scholarships to Rwandan students as part of its support for skills development and academic cooperation.

In recent years, nuclear energy has emerged as a key area of collaboration. Rwanda is working with Russia to establish a nuclear research centre by 2030, aimed at producing radioactive materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment, enhancing agricultural productivity through radiation technologies, and supporting industrial testing and innovation.

Ambassador Nzabamwita’s appointment comes at a time when both countries are seeking to deepen strategic cooperation, particularly in science, technology, and energy, building on decades of diplomatic engagement.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The directive, issued on January 14, 2026, requires that all short codes, those familiar numbers starting with * and ending with #, used for mobile banking, bill payments, health services, and government portals, be fully operational on MTN Rwanda, Airtel Rwanda, and KTRN before going live.

Previously, many short codes were tied to a single network, frustrating users who had to carry multiple SIM cards or remember different codes for the same service. With the new rule, RURA is ensuring interoperability and eliminating what many have called the 'double SIM headache.'

What this means for businesses and citizens

For businesses and citizens, the directive brings significant changes. Short code holders are now required to make their services accessible across all networks, ending the era of network discrimination. A code that previously worked only for MTN users, for instance, must also function for Airtel and KTRN customers by 15 February 2026.

Achieving this will require technical coordination between service providers and all licensed operators to ensure full integration and seamless accessibility. The move also strengthens consumer protection by preventing exclusive agreements between a service provider and a single network, guaranteeing that essential services are available to everyone, regardless of which SIM card they use.

USSD codes are the backbone of digital services in Rwanda. They are widely used for mobile money transfers, airtime top-ups, banking, and government services, particularly by those without smartphones or internet access. Banking codes such as *334# (Bank of Kigali) and *555# (Equity Bank) will now be universally accessible.

According to RURA Director General Evarest Rugigana, the directive was issued in the “interest of ensuring interoperability, non-discriminatory access, consumer protection and efficient delivery of electronic communication services.”

He warned that non-compliance by the February 15 deadline could result in enforcement measures or sanctions under Rwandan law.

Rwanda’s digital service users will soon enjoy seamless access to USSD codes, thanks to a new directive from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) mandating the activation and integration of all short codes across the country’s licensed mobile networks.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The injectable drug, lenacapavir, is expected to be introduced in the last quarter of the year after the completion of regulatory approvals and preparations at health facilities. The medication is administered once every six months and will be incorporated into the country’s existing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme.

Dr Zephanie Nzeyimana, the HIV Key Population Strategic Officer at RBC, told The New Times that the planned timeline allows sufficient time to ensure the health system is ready for the new prevention method.

'Lenacapavir is expected to be available in the country in quarter four of this year. There are still processes that need to be finalised before it can be introduced at health facilities,' he said.

Once rolled out, the injection will be offered alongside existing PrEP options, including daily oral PrEP and long-acting injectable cabotegravir. Authorities say the addition of lenacapavir will give people more choice, which could help improve access to and sustained use of HIV prevention services.

Eligibility for the six-month injection will be determined using a risk-based approach. Priority will be given to people at substantial risk of HIV infection, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and HIV-negative individuals in sero-discordant relationships, where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not.

However, Dr Nzeyimana noted that access will not be limited to these groups. Healthcare providers will assess individual risk based on behavioural and epidemiological factors to identify others who could benefit from the drug.

Currently, Rwanda provides two main types of HIV prevention medication: a daily oral pill and a bimonthly injectable option that is now being rolled out in Kigali. The new biannual injection is expected to reduce dosing frequency and improve adherence, particularly among key populations at high risk of HIV.

Lenacapavir, developed by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, has undergone clinical trials and has been approved to provide continuous HIV prevention for six months per injection. Individuals who receive the injection on schedule remain fully protected throughout that period. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended its use during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference held in Kigali in July last year.

The WHO recommendation followed the drug’s first global approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration on June 18, 2025.

RBC has confirmed that lenacapavir will be provided free of charge, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. To support the rollout, RBC and its partners plan to train healthcare providers and conduct community outreach to raise awareness about the new prevention option and address potential misinformation.

In Rwanda, about 3,200 people contract HIV each year, while 2,600 die from AIDS-related illnesses. However, sustained prevention and treatment efforts have led to an 82 per cent reduction in new infections and an 86 per cent decline in HIV-related deaths over the past decade.

Rwanda’s move follows similar steps taken across Southern and Eastern Africa. Countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini have already completed regulatory approvals and received initial shipments of lenacapavir, while Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda have also authorised its use. Kenya and Namibia are among those finalising preparations or regulatory applications.

The drug, developed by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences, is administered just twice a year and has shown 99.9% effectiveness in global trials.

IGIHE

According to notices issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Iran closed its airspace to most flights during two separate periods early Thursday, allowing only aircraft with prior approval from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation (CAO).

Flight tracking data showed only a handful of aircraft flying over the country at the time, with many rerouting around its borders. The airspace was fully reopened around 7:00am local time.

Neither the FAA nor Iran’s aviation authority immediately commented on the restrictions.

The temporary closures came as US President Donald Trump warned of potential action against Iran following a deadly crackdown on antigovernment protests.

In response to rising tensions, the United States and the United Kingdom withdrew some military personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar after Iranian officials warned that US forces in the region could be targeted if an attack occurred.

Several countries have since issued travel and security advisories to their citizens in the Middle East. Trump later appeared to ease his tone, saying he had received assurances that the killings of protesters in Iran had stopped.

Aviation safety group OpsGroup warned that such airspace restrictions may indicate increased military activity, including risks linked to missile launches or heightened air defence operations, which could endanger civilian aircraft.

Iran’s airspace safety has remained under scrutiny since 2020, when its air defences mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet shortly after take-off from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.

A later investigation concluded the aircraft had been misidentified amid heightened tensions with the United States.

Iran has reopened its airspace after temporarily restricting most commercial flights amid heightened tensions and threats of possible military action by the United States.

IGIHE

After senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young reversed their position and left the chamber deadlocked 50-50, U.S. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote on a procedural motion, derailing the measure that would have required the president to obtain congressional approval before taking further military action in the oil-rich South American nation.

Young, who had been in talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, told CNN on Wednesday that he received “fairly extensive personal assurances” from the Trump administration over the U.S. role in Venezuela.

Young said the White House will “come to Congress” and seek congressional approval before “any major military operation in Venezuela,” adding that Rubio would testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee later this month, according to a CNN report.

Hawley also said Wednesday that Rubio assured him that there would not be ground troops sent to Venezuela and that the administration would seek congressional approval if that changed.

The resolution was introduced in the wake of a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. Senate last week voted 52 to 47 to advance the war powers resolution.

Trump had publicly criticized the five Republicans who joined all Democrats to back the bill, saying they “should never be elected to office again.”

The president also called each of the five senators to vent his frustration over their votes, said a report from The Hill.

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 51-50 to effectively block a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force in Venezuela, after two GOP senators flipped under intense pressure from the White House.

Xinhua

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) reports that construction of a flagship center dedicated to promoting agricultural mechanization is now at an advanced stage, paving the way for domestic production of such equipment.

Overall construction is approximately 80% complete, with all major buildings finished. Remaining tasks include finishing works and equipment installation, though progress has been temporarily halted.

The center is being established as a regional model for modern agriculture through a Rwanda-India partnership, funded by a loan from India’s Exim Bank. It forms part of the Export Targeted Irrigation (ETI) project, which encompasses the development of a demonstration hub for advanced agricultural machinery and equipment.

While building construction is nearly complete, equipment installation is only about 10% done. The facility is located in Kicukiro District, on the RAB site in Rubirizi.

RAB Acting Director General Dr. Florence Uwamahoro emphasized that the center will be pivotal in advancing modern agriculture and livestock production.

It will function as a hub for research on agricultural machinery, training for value-chain stakeholders, and testing and certification of equipment quality, services that will also extend to neighboring countries.

Once operational, the center will produce modern farming machines and assemble imported components locally. This will cover equipment for land preparation, weeding, planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, with significant portions of production and assembly conducted in Rwanda.

Dr. Uwamahoro noted that the facility will support mechanized agriculture tailored to Rwanda’s terrain and farming conditions.

Machinery will be tested on local soils for suitability before distribution to farmers. The center will also conduct research-based evaluations, quality assurance testing, and potentially offer regional services.

During a site visit on Wednesday, members of Parliament’s Committee on Budget and State Patrimony learned that construction stalled due to financial troubles faced by the original contractor, whose parent companies in India went bankrupt, leading to contract termination.

A new contractor must now be selected to complete the remaining works and install equipment. Per the Exim Bank financing agreement, contractors must be Indian, with the bank providing a shortlist of at least three candidates for Rwanda’s selection.

Officials informed lawmakers that delays stemmed partly from slow procedures at Exim Bank, but a new shortlist is expected by February 2026, enabling work to resume. The remaining tasks are projected to take about 10 months, after which the center should become operational.

The facility will feature training buildings, research laboratories, exhibition spaces for agricultural machinery innovations, testing and evaluation units, assembly workshops, and quality control laboratories.

The project agreement was signed in 2013, with implementation starting in 2015. Rwanda began repaying the loan in 2020 on a semi-annual schedule. Concerns have been raised about repayments starting before the project yields benefits, given the extended delays.

Rwanda and India are holding ongoing discussions to expedite completion, ensuring the center can soon deliver its intended impact on agricultural modernization.

Overall construction is approximately 80% complete, with all major buildings finished.

The facility is located in Kicukiro District, on the RAB site in Rubirizi.

While building construction is nearly complete, equipment installation is only about 10% done.

During a site visit on Wednesday, members of Parliament’s Committee on Budget and State Patrimony learned that construction stalled due to financial troubles faced by the original contractor, whose parent companies in India went bankrupt, leading to contract termination.

IGIHE

Polling stations opened across the country amid heightened security and logistical delays. In some areas, voting began after 7 a.m. local time due to late arrivals of materials and temporary issues with biometric voter identification machines. Despite the delays, citizens formed lines outside polling stations to exercise their right to vote.

Diaspora voters, including Ugandans residing in Rwanda, were advised to travel home to cast their ballots ahead of the general election.

“The Uganda High Commission in Kigali would like to notify the public that there are no provisions for Ugandans in Rwanda to cast their votes from the High Commission and therefore advised to travel and exercise their duty as citizens and cast their votes from their respective homes where they registered,” a notice seen by IGIHE reads.

Over 21.6 million voters are registered to participate in the 2026 polls.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has led Uganda since 1986, faces seven other presidential candidates, including musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The candidates have campaigned across the country, appealing particularly to younger voters concerned about economic opportunities, job creation, and social development.

Voters are also selecting more than 500 members of parliament and other local government officials. Polls are scheduled to close at 4 p.m. local time (3 p.m. Kigali time), with the electoral commission expected to announce results within 48 hours, in line with constitutional requirements.

Polling stations opened across the country amid heightened security and logistical delays.

The election takes place amid a temporary suspension of public internet access, implemented by the Uganda Communications Commission. Authorities said the measure was intended to limit misinformation and ensure the integrity of the vote.

At various polling stations in the capital, Kampala, and other towns, voters expressed determination to participate. Ronald Tenywa, a university researcher, said, 'If we vote for someone who cares, things will be better for Uganda.' Juliet Zawedde, an 18-year-old first-time voter, emphasized the importance of a democratic process, saying, 'Any succession should happen fairly and give others a chance to lead.'

A man casts his vote at a polling station in Kampala, Uganda.

The United Nations Human Rights Office highlighted the importance of access to information and communication for genuine participation in elections, urging that all Ugandans be able to take part in shaping the future of their country.

Security presence was visible in many towns, including Kampala and Jinja, to ensure the safety of voters. Authorities urged citizens to maintain peace and civility at polling stations.

Simon Byabakama, chairperson of Uganda’s electoral commission, called for tolerance, saying, 'Even if you know that this person does not support your candidate, please give him or her room or opportunity to exercise his or her constitutional right.'

Past elections in Uganda have been marked by violence and unrest. Ahead of this year’s vote, opposition candidate Bobi Wine has raised concerns about potential vote rigging, though Museveni’s administration has dismissed these allegations.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has led Uganda since 1986, faces seven other presidential candidates, including musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

IGIHE

Since early 2025, leaders of the two churches have conducted consultations across various regions of the DRC, several African countries, and Qatar, engaging with different stakeholders on ways to achieve lasting peace in the country.

These efforts were part of preparations for a new peace dialogue that the churches intended to facilitate, bringing together Congolese from different backgrounds in Kinshasa, including opponents of the government such as the AFC/M23 coalition.

Senior church leaders have repeatedly stressed that resolving the DRC’s long-standing crises requires inclusive peace talks that exclude no Congolese group. However, they say the Tshisekedi administration has ignored this approach.

From December 2025, President Tshisekedi made three trips to Angola, where he asked President João Lourenço to help organize new peace talks involving Congolese stakeholders, including representatives of AFC/M23.

Tshisekedi reportedly expressed a preference for the Catholic and Anglican Churches to participate as stakeholders rather than serve as facilitators, a position seen as undermining the churches’ year-long preparations.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has maintained that any Congolese dialogue must be held in Kinshasa. He also argued that the churches’ initiative lacks credibility because they have not publicly condemned the actions of AFC/M23 in eastern DRC.

On January 14, 2026, President Lourenço met with senior Catholic and Anglican leaders from the DRC. According to his office, discussions focused on the deteriorating security situation in eastern Congo.

Sources familiar with the meeting said the church leaders told Lourenço they would not participate in the Kinshasa-led talks unless the Catholic and Anglican Churches were given a leading role.

The conflicting positions between President Tshisekedi’s government and the two churches highlight the difficulty of convening an inclusive national dialogue. Analysts warn that even if the talks go ahead, their impact may be limited if key actors remain excluded from the process.

The Catholic and Anglican Churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have informed the government that they will not take part in new peace talks proposed by President Félix Tshisekedi unless they are allowed to lead the process.

On January 14, 2026, President Lourenço met with senior Catholic and Anglican leaders from the DRC.

IGIHE

The demonstration, named “Greenland Belongs to the Greenlanders,” began at 4 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) in front of the embassy and was later moved by police to the opposite side of the street. The protest lasted around two hours.

“We only want to be ourselves. We want to belong to Greenland as Greenlanders, and we will stay strong and committed to that,” a Greenlander, Andersen, told Xinhua.

“Nobody should be able to take over another country – not because someone thinks they are strong and therefore can take whatever they want,” said Simon Vincent Nelson, a Copenhagen resident, adding that he was “very angry about it and felt offended.”

The rally followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks to acquire Greenland, which have been firmly rejected by Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies.

People participate in a protest against U.S. plans on Greenland in Copenhagen, Denmark, Jan. 14, 2026. About 200 protesters rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Denmark Wednesday, expressing opposition to Washington’s plans on Greenland as Danish and Greenlandic officials met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

Xinhua