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The RNP Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that as Police officers, donating blood is at the same time in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RNP and RBC and part of the force’s human security programme to promote the health of people it serves.

He said : “Donating blood by Police officers is part of the existing memorandum between RNP and RBC to contribute to the National blood bank. It is a periodic and voluntary action which also falls within the force’s initiative to support the human security programme in separate aspects of security and development including health because people cannot feel safe when they are not healthy.”

Dr. Andre Munyemana, from the RBC Blood Transfusion Division, in charge of donor selection, expressed gratitude to the Rwanda National Police for the ongoing partnership in the promotion of blood donation campaign.

He emphasized on the importance of the life-saving commitment exhibited by Police officers who donated blood.

“Donating blood is saving life of someone in need of blood. A person in need of blood has no other alternative. If he is not helped on time, he may lose life,” he added.

Dr. Munyemana urged the public to take blood donation as everyone’s responsibility and a reciprocal action because anyone or one of his/her relatives may also need it.

184 Police officers on Tuesday, April 22, donated blood in an exercise held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters, Kacyiru.

IGIHE

The event took place on April 22, 2025, beginning with a historical briefing on the roots of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives simply because of their identity.

Following the briefing, the GTBank Rwanda team laid wreaths at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are buried, paying tribute to those whose dignity and lives were brutally taken.

Alphonse Munyentwali, Country Director of Aegis Trust Rwanda, highlighted that remembering the Genocide is an ongoing journey. He emphasized that since the majority of today’s Rwandans are youth, it’s essential for them to understand this history thoroughly to ensure such atrocities never happen again.

He also explained that despite Rwanda’s independence, colonial powers continued to influence its governance, which fostered the divisions that eventually led to genocide.

“We suffered greatly, but we are also fortunate because the Genocide against the Tutsi was not stopped by foreigners. Rwandan heroes stopped it. We stopped it ourselves, and we have the strength to prevent it from happening again. That is a great privilege, and it was largely done by the youth. Today, others look up to us,” Munyentwali said.

Sandrine Isheja, an employee at GTBank Rwanda’s Gisozi branch, shared her personal story, recounting how she was a child during the 1994 Genocide but still vividly remembers the difficult path she took to survive. Many of her relatives and fellow refugees now rest at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

She expressed deep gratitude to the Rwandan Patriotic Army for saving lives, including her own, and for restoring hope in life.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu, spoke about how ethnic divisions introduced by Western colonialists were for their own benefit. He emphasized that unity is now the most powerful tool in countering such divisions and continuing the country’s journey of rebuilding.

'We must not be overwhelmed by sorrow. We need to hold onto hope and strive for a Rwanda that is united,' he said. 'This commitment to unity should not only be during commemoration periods—it must be constant, even for Rwandans in the diaspora. Do not tolerate division or those who spread hate or seek to turn people against each other.'

Ejizu concluded by noting that the Genocide against the Tutsi was a deliberately orchestrated campaign, built on years of cultivated hatred. Therefore, if today people come together with good intentions, the meaning behind the phrase 'Never Again’ can be fully realized.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu signing the guest book

Alphonse Munyentwali, Country Director of Aegis Trust Rwanda, highlighted that remembering the Genocide is an ongoing journey.

GTBank Rwanda’s Managing Director, Emmanuel Ejizu, spoke about how ethnic divisions introduced by Western colonialists were for their own benefit.

GTBank Rwanda employees have been urged to embrace vision for united Rwanda

Sandrine Isheja, an employee at GTBank Rwanda’s Gisozi branch, shared her personal story, recounting how she was a child during the 1994 Genocide but still vividly remembers the difficult path she took to survive.

The event took place on April 22, 2025, beginning with a historical briefing on the roots of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives simply because of their identity.

GTBank Rwanda team laid wreaths at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are buried, paying tribute to those whose dignity and lives were brutally taken.

IGIHE

Authorities have two priorities; to protect the integrity of those attending the meeting, and to ensure that it proceeds in strict secrecy (under penalty of excommunication and imprisonment) until the final decision is made.

By 2025, the Gendarmerie corps guarding Vatican City faces unprecedented technological challenges compared to other conclaves.

Among them are artificial intelligence systems, drones, military satellites, microscopic microphones, a misinformation epidemic, and a world permanently connected and informed through social media.

The conclave is scheduled to take place approximately 20 days after the pope’s death. The Vatican and the Holy See are preparing for the arrival of the cardinals who will vote for the next leader of the Catholic faith.

Emergency and control bodies are also working on it with state-of-the-art technology. So far, they have not shared details about their security arrangements, but they are not inexperienced in the task of safeguarding the integrity of high-profile figures in the face of today’s technological risks.

In fact, the election in 2013 of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the real name of Pope Francis, as supreme pontiff gives some indications of the rigorous security strategies that will be presented in the next conclave.

The Vatican has internet access, but within the areas where the cardinals will reside and vote for the new pope, there will be signal jammers. The technology prevents two devices from communicating with each other through radio frequency interference. The headquarters becomes an electronic bunker.

Thus, if someone were to manage to introduce a microphone, telephone, or computer, they would be unable to transmit information.

However, the possibility of administrative staff or the cardinals themselves introducing technology is remote. Authorities inspect the building for days in search of unauthorized microphones or cameras, check every permitted attendee, and double-check participants.

Privacy film in the windows

Contemporary satellites are capable of taking pictures of people’s faces from space, while AI can interpret lip movements. However, since there’s currently no technology to see through walls with such high resolution, the best strategy against espionage in the conclave is to close doors and windows.

During meetings and in the sleeping quarters, voters are not allowed to look outside. In addition, before the cardinals arrive, Vatican staff place opaque film over windows so that no journalist, satellite, or drone can take pictures of the interior.

Locked-down Vatican

The Vatican covers only 0.44 square kilometer in area. It is the smallest nation in the world. Until 2018, it had 650 cameras monitoring its streets from an underground command center.

In addition, the Vatican City Gendarmerie, which functions as a conventional police force, and the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which acts as an army, are located within the territory.

While in photographs they appear to be wearing antique costumes and carrying halberds, the latter group has highly trained personnel with heavy weapons, such as machine guns, rifles, and explosives.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to be present in the small city-state once the conclave has determined the name of Pope Francis’ successor.

Cardinals gather in Vatican City in 2013.

IGIHE

Speaking to reporters at a White House news event, Trump said the tariffs, which have soared as high as 145%, would “come down substantially,” though he stopped short of promising a full rollback.

'It won’t be zero,' he clarified, 'but it won’t be anywhere near that high.'

The remarks marked a notable shift in tone for a president who, just weeks ago, doubled down on escalating tariffs as part of what he called 'Liberation Day' economic measures aimed at curbing Chinese dominance in key sectors.

Trump’s softer rhetoric followed earlier comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the current tariff levels are 'effectively embargoing' trade between the world’s two largest economies.

At a private investment conference hosted by JPMorgan Chase, Bessent reportedly told attendees the trade war is 'unsustainable' and hinted at a near-term de-escalation.

Markets responded swiftly to the changing narrative. All three major U.S. indexes closed near their daily highs following Bessent’s remarks, while Asian markets surged overnight. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.5%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2%, and South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.5%.

Despite the economic optimism, Trump’s comments come amid a deeply entrenched and high-stakes trade war that has seen China retaliate with its own sweeping tariffs, most recently raising duties on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% in response to Trump’s hike earlier this month.

Beijing also returned two Boeing jets to the U.S., restricted the number of Hollywood films allowed in Chinese theatres, and added more American firms to its export control and “unreliable entity” lists.

China’s Ministry of Finance blasted the U.S. actions in a scathing statement, calling the tariff hikes 'unilateral bullying' and warning that further escalation would 'become a joke in the history of world economy.'

Still, both sides appear to be leaving space for dialogue. Trump reiterated his hope for a deal, describing his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'very good' and suggesting diplomacy may yet prevail.

'We’re going to be very nice. They’re going to be very nice, and we’ll see what happens,' Trump said. 'But ultimately, they have to make a deal, because otherwise they’re not going to be able to deal in the United States.'

However, diplomatic momentum has been hampered by internal tensions. A Chinese government source is said to have told the media last week that while Beijing is open to talks, they must be conducted with 'respect' and greater 'consistency and reciprocity' from Washington.

Trump’s unilateral style, including his decision to serve as his own negotiator, reportedly complicates efforts to establish a stable channel of communication.

President Donald Trump signalled a potential softening in the ongoing trade standoff with China on Tuesday, hinting that the punishing tariffs levied on Chinese imports may soon be rolled back.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Maj Gen Nzabamwita was appointed to the post on December 20, 2024, replacing Lt Gen Mushyo Kamanzi, who had served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia since 2019.

Prior to this appointment, Maj Gen Nzabamwita served as a President’s Senior Security Advisor. He is expected to play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties between Rwanda and Russia.

Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union, just over a year after Rwanda gained independence.

The partnership between Rwanda and Russia is rooted in cooperation in political, military, education, human resource development, training, and cultural ties.

Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students in various fields and provides training for some officers in the Rwanda National Police.

Over the past 50 years, more than 800 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities in fields such as technology, law, international affairs, medicine, and political science.

Major General Joseph Nzabamwita,on April 22, 2025, presented copies of his letters of credence to Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, to represent Rwanda in the country.

IGIHE

The company, headquartered in Kigali, announced the vehicle on Tuesday, highlighting its purpose-built design for African conditions and a significant 10-year or 1-million-kilometre battery warranty.

According to IZI Electric, the Impala E30 is the first commercial vehicle on the continent to feature CATL’s BC5 battery system, a key factor in the extended warranty offering.

CEO Alex Wilson stated that the warranty addresses long-standing concerns about battery longevity in electric vehicles, potentially boosting confidence for operators and financial institutions considering the transition to electric fleets.

The Impala E30 is slated to join IZI’s leasing fleet in June, with initial deployments focusing on intercity routes exceeding 400 kilometers daily. The company reports having already secured over 50 pre-orders from transport operators across East Africa, indicating early market interest.

IZI Electric stresses the potential for significant cost savings with the Impala E30 compared to traditional diesel buses. They estimate that over a 10-year period, fuel costs for the electric bus could be up to 87% lower than for a comparable diesel vehicle, translating to savings of over $200,000 per vehicle.

The company also highlighted that the Impala E30 was designed specifically for the diverse terrains and climates of Africa, featuring marine-grade anti-corrosion materials, reinforced waterproofing, optimized suspension for varied road quality, and an advanced thermal battery management system.

Furthermore, each Impala E30 will be equipped with IZI Connect, a fleet management platform offering real-time vehicle monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, driver behavior insights, and smart route optimization.

IZI Electric is strategically positioning the Impala E30 as a direct replacement for the widely used “Coaster” minibus, which serves as a backbone of public transport across the continent. The company estimates that replacing even half of Africa’s existing diesel coaster fleet with the Impala E30 could lead to substantial fuel cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

“If we replaced just half of Africa’s existing diesel coaster fleet with the Impala E30, the continent would save over $1 billion in fuel costs every year and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.7 million tonnes a year” Wilson noted. “The economic and environmental impact would be extraordinary.”

The company also pointed to the increasing availability of renewable energy resources in several African countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as a factor that further strengthens the economic and environmental case for electric vehicle adoption in the region.

Founded in 2023, IZI Electric aims to accelerate the adoption of affordable and sustainable electric vehicle solutions in Africa’s transportation sector.

According to IZI Electric, the Impala E30 is the first commercial vehicle on the continent to feature CATL’s BC5 battery system, a key factor in the extended warranty offering.

IZI Electric is strategically positioning the Impala E30 as a direct replacement for the widely used “Coaster” minibus, which serves as a backbone of public transport across the continent.

Founded in 2023, IZI Electric aims to accelerate the adoption of affordable and sustainable electric vehicle solutions in Africa’s transportation sector.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

“Since the release of the January WEO Update, a series of new tariff measures by the United States and countermeasures by trading partners have been announced and implemented, ending up in near-universal U.S. tariffs on April 2 and bringing effective tariff rates to levels not seen in a century,” the report said.

Noting that the tariffs alone are a “major negative shock,” the IMF said that the “unpredictability” with which these measures have unfolded negatively impacts economic activity and the outlook.

“The global economic system under which most countries have operated for the last 80 years is being reset, ushering the world into a new era. Existing rules are challenged while new ones are yet to emerge,” IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said at a press conference.

Under the reference forecast that incorporates information as of April 4, global growth is projected to drop to 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026 — down from 3.3 percent for both years in the January WEO Update, and much below the historical (2000-2019) average of 3.7 percent, according to the latest WEO.

Growth in the United States is expected to slow to 1.8 percent, 0.9 percentage points lower relative to the projection in the January WEO Update due to “greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and softer demand momentum,” the report noted.

Euro area growth is projected at 0.8 percent in 2025, 0.2 percentage points lower than the January forecast.

Growth in advanced economies is projected to be 1.4 percent in 2025, while in emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to slow down to 3.7 percent in 2025.

The report also noted that intensifying downside risks dominate the outlook. “Ratcheting up a trade war, along with even more elevated trade policy uncertainty, could further reduce near- and long-term growth, while eroded policy buffers weaken resilience to future shocks,” it said.

“Divergent and rapidly shifting policy stances or deteriorating sentiment could trigger further repricing of assets and sharp adjustments in foreign exchange rates and capital flows, especially for economies already facing debt distress. Broader financial instability may ensue, including damage to the international monetary system,” it said.

Gourinchas said the IMF’s policy recommendations call for “prudence and improved collaboration.”

“The first priority should be to restore trade policy stability and forge mutually beneficial arrangements,” said the IMF chief economist. “The global economy needs a clear and predictable trading system addressing longstanding gaps in international trading rules, including the pervasive use of non-tariff barriers or other trade-distorting measures.”

IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas speaks at a press briefing on World Economic Outlook (WEO) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2025.

Xinhua

The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.

The ambush left one senior Ugandan officer, Col. David Byaruhanga, dead and triggered a fierce response from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who reported killing more than 240 CODECO fighters in the aftermath.

'We were misled by malicious actors into opposing the presence of the UPDF in Fataki,' said Dunji Kulukpa Etienne, Vice President of the Lendu community in eastern DRC, who led the CODECO delegation.

'We regret what happened and reaffirm that the Lendu, Bahema, and Balega communities have no quarrel with Uganda or its army.'

The delegation, which included both political and military leaders of CODECO, met with Gen Muhoozi after being received in Uganda by Land Forces Commander Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga and Maj Gen Felix Busizoori of the 4th Infantry Division.

The meeting comes amid increasing concerns over the high number of armed groups in one of Africa’s most volatile zones. Uganda, whose troops have operated in eastern DRC since 2021 under Operation Shujaa, has shifted from focusing solely on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to targeting other militias, including CODECO, following a surge in attacks on civilians.

'Uganda has always stood for peace and stability in eastern Congo,' Gen Muhoozi said during the meeting. 'We call on all armed groups to end the violence and work with us to protect civilians.'

As a sign of goodwill, the UPDF offered free medical treatment to wounded CODECO fighters in Ugandan military facilities—an offer the rebel leaders reportedly welcomed.

CODECO, short for Cooperative for the Development of Congo, has been one of the most active and brutal armed groups in Ituri, accused of targeting the Hema ethnic community and undermining local peace efforts. Its apology to Uganda signals a potential shift in tone, but observers remain cautious, noting the group’s history of splintering and inconsistent leadership.

Whether the meeting results in lasting cooperation or merely a temporary pause in hostilities remains unclear. However, the exchange in Entebbe represents a rare diplomatic opening in a region desperate for stability.

Leaders of the CODECO rebel group on Tuesday apologised to Uganda’s military following a deadly confrontation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in a rare face-to-face meeting with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in Entebbe.

The Lendu-led militia, which has been blamed for ongoing massacres and ethnic violence in Ituri Province, expressed regret over its recent attack on Ugandan troops in the Fataki area of Djugu territory in March.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The tournament, which honors players, coaches, and fans of the sport, is being organized as Rwanda and the world mark the 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 27, 2025, at Petit Stade in Kigali, the competition will include both men’s and women’s matches.

In addition to the invited regional teams, the tournament will feature Rwandan clubs such as APR BBC, REG BBC, Patriots BBC, and UGB in the men’s category, while Kepler WBBC, REG WBBC, APR WBBC, and East Africa University Rwanda will compete in the women’s division.

On Wednesday, April 23, Patriots BBC will face off with UGB at 6:30pm, followed by a clash between REG BBC and Kenya Ports Authority at 9:00pm.

In the women’s category, Kepler WBBC will play KPA, while East Africa University Rwanda will meet REG WBBC. Both matches are set for 4:00pm at NPA and Petit Stade.

All the invited teams are dominant in their home countries and have won multiple championships, including national league titles. Last year’s edition of the tournament was won by APR in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Dar City from is a basketball powerhouse in Tanzania.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) basketball club is set to participate in the tournament.

Uganda’s JKL Dolphins will take part in a special basketball tournament held in remembrance of members of the basketball community who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In the women’s category, KPA will kickoff with a game against Kepler WBBC .

IGIHE