Category: Uncategorized

In an official press statement issued on February 2, 2025, FARDC confirmed that Colonel Rugabisha died in combat on Saturday, February 1, near Mukwiza in Kalehe territory, South Kivu.

The colonel was leading his troops in a fierce battle on the Southern Front, courageously repelling enemy forces from Nyabibwe to the outskirts of Minova before succumbing to his injuries.

'The Congolese nation will forever be grateful to this worthy son of the country who shone through his feats of arms and consistently defended his homeland against Rwandan aggressions and rebellions maintained by Rwanda within our borders,' the statement read, signed by Major General Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa Efomi, spokesperson for the FARDC General Staff.

His death comes amid escalating tensions in South Kivu, where FARDC forces are engaged in relentless battles against M23 rebels. The region has been the epicenter of violent clashes in recent months, as M23 forces advance toward strategic towns.

The colonel’s death follows the demise of Pacifique Ntawunguka (Omega), who was the leader of the military division of the FDLR known as FOCA (Les Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi), and who also fought alongside the FARDC forces.

After losing many soldiers on the battlefield, the FARDC withdrew from the city of Goma on January 26, 2025, along with other areas in North Kivu. Fighting continued in South Kivu with the United Nations recently announcing a critical phase of the conflict, where M23 rebels are advancing close to Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

Reports indicate that rebel forces are now within 20-25 kilometers of the city, raising fears of a potential fall that could further destabilize the region.

The M23 leadership has maintained that they will continue fighting until they have captured Kinshasa. Meanwhile, the Congolese government has vowed to reclaim all the areas that the group has taken over.

Reports indicate that rebel forces are now within 20-25 kilometers of Bukavu.

Sam K Nkurunziza

In a statement, the management of the premier event-hosting facility apologized to fans for the inconvenience and announced that refunds are available upon request for those who had booked their spots.

“We understand your excitement for this event, and we share in your disappointment. Refunds are available upon request. For inquiries, please contact Centrika via WhatsApp at +250 787 272 036,” the management stated.

Tems was scheduled to thrill fans in Kigali as part of her famed Born in the Wild world tour, which includes stops in major African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Addis Ababa.

However, the celebrated Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, born Temilade Openiyi, announced the cancellation of her Kigali event on January 30, citing the ongoing conflict in the neighbouring eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Tems, known for chart-topping hits such as Free Mind and Essence, has amassed a massive global following.

The 29-year-old won her first Grammy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023 in the category of Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future’s song Wait For U, which also featured Drake.

Her performance in Kigali had been anticipated as a night of electrifying music, expected to draw fans from across the region and beyond, further positioning Kigali as a rising entertainment hub in Africa.

The celebrated Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, born Temilade Openiyi, was scheduled to perform at the iconic BK Arena on March 22, 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

During their time in Kigali on January 31, 2025, the students received advanced training in film production, photography, and related fields. Their decision to visit the school stemmed from their desire to enhance their skills in these areas.

Jilly Claude Uwizeyimana, the director of IBTC Film School, told IGIHE that the visit aimed to help the students improve their expertise.

'They reached out to us after seeing our work on our website. One of them visited first, and then requested to return with the rest,' he explained.

He added, 'Since we have been in the industry for a long time, it is important to support those who want to enhance their skills. We have extensive experience, and we are helping them build on it.'

Uwizeyimana also expressed his excitement about students seeking to learn from IBTC, stating that the institution will continue expanding its activities to attract even more learners in the future.

Students from Uganda studying film production at Elite Training Academy expressed their appreciation for enhancing their skills.

The visiting Ugandan students were equally thrilled about the experience, emphasizing that the knowledge gained at IBTC would help them become competitive in the job market.

Among them was Bright Ngabirano, the youngest at just eight years old, who shared his enthusiasm:
'I learned a lot at IBTC, and I will apply these skills in the future. My dream is to become a great photographer and establish a photography studio.'

Ian Mugisha, the founder of Elite Training Academy, thanked IBTC Film School for welcoming them and broadening their expertise.

'I discovered IBTC through their online presence and was impressed by their experience and equipment. I immediately thought it would be beneficial to learn from them. We are excited because we have gained knowledge that is not yet available in Uganda, as we are still in the early stages,' he said.

Among them was Bright Ngabirano, the youngest at just eight years old.

Founded in 2012, IBTC Film School offers courses in film production, video editing, and photography. So far, it has trained 1,029 professionals who have joined the job market.

The school’s impact has led to the establishment of similar institutions, such as KFTV, KIAC, and Bright Academy, as well as numerous companies that have benefited from IBTC-trained professionals.

Additionally, IBTC Film School has expanded its teaching methods by offering online courses, allowing students to learn from anywhere in a convenient and flexible manner.

The students received advanced training in film production.

Jilly Claude Uwizeyimana, the director of IBTC Film School speaks at the training.

Ian Mugisha, the founder of Elite Training Academy, thanked IBTC Film School for welcoming them .

IGIHE

The decision, communicated in an official memorandum dated February 1, 2025, was issued by Gilles Michaud, Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security. It follows a recommendation from Bintou Keita, the UN’s Designated Official for the DRC, in consultation with the Security Management Team (SMT).

Michaud stated, “Due to the prevailing security situation in Kinshasa, the Designated Official, in consultation with the Security Management Team, has recommended implementing family restrictions for eligible family members of United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) internationally recruited personnel.”

He further emphasized that, in response to these recommendations, “I hereby authorize the evacuation of the eligible family members of UNSMS internationally recruited personnel from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

The memorandum was addressed to all Security Focal Points and Alternates of Organizations of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), the HR Network, the ICSC Secretariat, and UNDSS Headquarters Personnel.

Copies were also sent to Ms. Bintou Keita, the UN Designated Official for the DRC, and Mr. Nathan Danquah, the Principal Security Adviser for the country.

According to Michaud, each UNSMS organization will determine the evacuation destination for their staff’s family members. He concluded by stating, “On behalf of the Secretary-General, I approve the DO recommendations with immediate effect.”

While the memo does not specify the immediate cause of concern, the decision aligns with the UNSMS Security Policy Manual, Chapter IV, Section D, which outlines risk avoidance measures for personnel in volatile environments.

The prevailing security situation in the DRC has prompted UN to evacuate eligible Staff families from Kinshasa.

Sam K Nkurunziza

In an interview with IGIHE, Minister Nduhungirehe addressed statements from a recent SADC extraordinary summit, where the bloc alleged that RDF troops were operating in DRC’s North Kivu province and attacking Congolese forces, SADC troops under SAMIDRC, and civilians.

'There were statements in the SADC meeting that are completely unacceptable—blatant lies claiming that RDF is in DRC and responsible for civilian deaths,' Nduhungirehe stated.

He pointed out that these accusations follow similar unfounded claims by South Africa’s government, particularly from its Minister of Defence. Nduhungirehe linked the SADC allegations to recent tensions between Rwanda and South Africa, which he attributed to certain South African officials.

'The root of this issue is some South African leaders, particularly their Minister of Defence. However, Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa had two productive discussions last week, agreeing that a ceasefire is needed and that DRC must engage in dialogue with M23.'

During their talks, President Ramaphosa reportedly acknowledged that South African soldiers killed in a recent clash were attacked by DRC’s army (FARDC), not M23 or RDF.

Additionally, Nduhungirehe revealed that Ramaphosa requested Rwanda to allow SADC troops access to water, electricity, and food, a request President Kagame agreed to facilitate.

However, the situation escalated after South Africa’s Defence and Foreign Ministers falsely claimed that Ramaphosa had given Kagame an ultimatum, leading to a response from both Nduhungirehe and Kagame.

'I responded on X, correcting the false claims that RDF had been warned. The truth is, SAMIDRC troops are not peacekeepers—they are fighting alongside FARDC, FDLR, and mercenaries.'

The bigger picture: Rwanda’s security concerns

Rwanda maintains that SADC troops were deployed to fight alongside the Congolese army, rather than to restore peace, as they claim. Kigali has also accused DRC’s government of collaborating with FDLR, Burundian forces, and European mercenaries in planning attacks against Rwanda.

'Recent intelligence from Goma confirms that the military buildup in Eastern DRC was not just aimed at fighting M23, but at launching an attack on Rwanda,' the Rwandan government stated.

While Kigali insists RDF will not attack civilians, it has made it clear that its forces will defend Rwanda’s borders and protect its citizens from any cross-border threats.

Meanwhile, discussions between EAC and SADC leaders have been proposed to de-escalate tensions and find a regional solution. Rwanda has indicated its willingness to engage diplomatically, but remains firm in rejecting what it calls 'baseless accusations'.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, has strongly dismissed claims made by the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

IGIHE

RNP fielded two SWAT Teams in the sixth edition, joining 103 teams from over 70 countries across the world, in the five-day competition for elite law enforcement tactical units.

The teams will in the next five days showcase their exceptional tactical and strategic skills in five specialized challenges designed to test both physical and skill-based abilities in high demanding situations.

These include the Tactical Operations Challenge, the Assault Challenge, the Officer Rescue Competition, the High Tower Challenge, and the Obstacle Course.

By the end of Day two of the Challenge on Sunday, RNP SWAT Team 1 was 8th on the table of 103 teams, with 183 points. RNP SWAT Team 2 is 11th with 169 points. China leads the standings with 200 points.

Day one saw teams competing in Assault Event while day two focused tactical event.

During the 2024 UAE SWAT Challenge, RNP SWAT Team-1 emerged the overall best team in ‘Obstacle Course’ while RNP SWAT Team 2 came 6th.

The 2025 UAE SWAT Challenge came few days after Rwanda hosted a successful SWAT Challenge, the first of it’s kind for the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), a regional body composed of 14 countries.

IGIHE

The report, released on January 31, 2025, highlights that the highest price increase was for tea products, at 16.2%, while mining prices rose by 1.2%. The rise in export producer prices reflects strong international demand for Rwandan goods, particularly in tea and mining.

The general Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures the overall changes in prices received by domestic producers, increased by 0.2% annually but declined by 0.5% on a monthly basis.

For locally sold products, the Local Producer Price Index (LPPI) fell by 2.5% annually, indicating a drop in prices within Rwanda’s domestic market. However, on a monthly basis, local producer prices rose by 0.5%, suggesting a short-term recovery.

Decline in Monthly Export Prices

Despite the 5.9% annual increase, Rwanda’s export producer prices fell by 2.2% in December compared to November 2024. The report attributes this to a 3.9% decline in tea product prices and a 0.5% drop in coffee product prices within the month.

Meanwhile, manufacturing prices saw mixed results, with an annual increase of 0.1% but a monthly drop of 0.6%, largely due to falling prices in certain industrial goods.

While tea prices rose significantly, coffee product prices fell by 2.8%, affecting overall performance.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) survey covers 114 establishments and 402 products across Rwanda. The data is collected in collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) and focuses on key sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and utilities.

The NISR report notes that price data is collected monthly and reflects the selling price received by producers at the factory gate, excluding taxes and transport costs. The PPI is calculated using the geometric modified Laspeyres formula, with December 2010 as the base year.

Worker counts packages for export at Pfunda Tea Company. Rwanda’s export producer prices increased by 5.9% in December 2024 compared to the same month last year.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The latest U.S. trade protectionist measure has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports late Saturday after Trump imposed 25-percent tariffs on most Canadian products.

Canada will impose a levy of 25 percent on 30 billion Canadian dollars (21 billion U.S. dollars) worth of American goods as of Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after chairing the Cabinet meeting and hosting a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers.

Trudeau said the tariffs will then be applied to another 125 billion Canadian dollars worth of goods in 21 days. American beer, wine and spirits, along with vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume, will be among the first items, as well as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.

More non-tariff trade actions, he said, are still to be decided but could include restrictions on exporting critical minerals and energy products to the United States and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Saturday instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.

Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking and dialoguing, Sheinbaum said on the social platform X.

“We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,” she said.

The president said that if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, both countries should work together in an integrated manner, always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration, and above all, respect for sovereignty, “which is not negotiable.”

China’s foreign ministry and commerce ministry both expressed strong opposition to the U.S. tariffs on China.

China firmly deplores and opposes the U.S. decision to impose a 10-percent additional tariff on imports from China and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

“China’s position is firm and consistent. There is no winner in trade and tariff wars,” the spokesperson stressed, adding that the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. This move cannot solve the U.S. problems at home, and more importantly, does not benefit either side, still less the world.

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. tariffs on China. In response to the erroneous action by the United States, China will file a complaint at the WTO and take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday.

China urges the U.S. side to view and address its fentanyl and related issues objectively and rationally, rather than frequently use tariffs to threaten other countries, according to the statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to impose a 25-percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10-percent tariff hike on imports from China.

Xinhua

Ambassador Dan Munyuza conveyed President Paul Kagame’s greetings to al-Menfi, and they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries for their mutual benefit and to promote further cooperation.

Rwanda and Libya have had a long-standing partnership, which includes investments from Libyans. Even before the death of former Libyan President, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, he initiated several projects in Rwanda, such as building hotels, roads, and mosques.

After Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s death, Libya was plagued by ongoing conflict, and many of its citizens began fleeing. In 2019, Rwanda received migrants from refugee camps in Libya.

Since then, Rwanda has received over 1,800 migrants from Libya, some of whom have moved on to other countries. These migrants come from various African nations. Ambassador Munyuza is also Rwanda’s representative in Egypt, where his office is located.

Dan Munyuza conveyed President Paul Kagame’s greetings to al-Menfi.

Amb. Dan Munyuza was warmly welcomed in Libya.

On February 1, 2025, Ambassador CG Dan Munyuza presented his credentials to the President of the Libyan Presidential Council.

IGIHE