Category: Uncategorized

The hotel is situated 15 kilometres from Kwa Gahiza in Murambi Village, offering guests a warm welcome among eight elegantly designed bungalows. Six feature single rooms, while two accommodate families with double rooms.

Additional structures house a restaurant and reception area, guest services, and staff quarters. All buildings were constructed using locally sourced materials in partnership with the Rwandan company Clezol, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Robin Marenco, the 26-year-old founder of Muhazi Dolce Vita, shared his story exclusively with IGIHE. Originally from France with Italian roots, Robin holds a Master’s degree in hospitality management. His vision was to establish a hotel that combines his training in hospitality with Rwanda’s natural beauty.

'I first visited Rwanda in 2023,' Robin said. 'That was the first time I really saw Rwanda.'

He explained that he had read about the country and was drawn by its safety, stability, and growing tourism sector. During the trip, he connected with the owner of Rutete Eco Lodge in Rwinkwavu, who welcomed him for a month and guided him in managing parts of the lodge. That experience gave him his first real insight into Rwanda.

Robin’s first visit included trips across the country, from northern lakes to the shores of Lake Muhazi. It was the latter that captured his imagination. Its calm waters, scenic landscapes, and proximity to Kigali and Akagera National Park made it an ideal location for a hospitality project appealing to both domestic and international visitors.

“When I returned home, I reflected on what I had seen and experienced and decided to come back to Rwanda to establish my project here,” the investor revealed.

The name 'Dolce Vita,' Robin explains, means 'the sweet life' in Italian, a lifestyle centred on enjoying simple pleasures and savouring life’s beauty. He said he wanted to bring that concept to Rwanda, noting that Lake Muhazi’s natural charm and tranquillity offered the perfect setting to blend this philosophy with local culture.

Muhazi Dolce Vita is already operational, and Robin is planning further developments to enhance the lakeside experience. He has applied for permits to build additional tourist facilities, including a specially designed boat for lake excursions, beach-volleyball and beach-soccer courts, and a pétanque area, a traditional French game that encourages family and community interaction. Scenic spots for photography will also be added to showcase the lake’s beauty.

District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi highlighted the hotel’s positive impact on the local community, noting that it provides a ready market for locally grown agricultural produce while generating employment opportunities and additional income for residents.

Rooms at Muhazi Dolce Vita are priced between $100 and $120 (146,000—175,000 Rwandan francs) per night, and the hotel currently employs 16 permanent staff, ensuring a high standard of service for visitors.

With its combination of natural beauty, thoughtful design, and a young entrepreneur’s vision, Muhazi Dolce Vita is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for weekend getaways from Kigali and for tourists exploring Rwanda’s eastern region.

'Dolce Vita' in Italian means 'the sweet life.' This is the origin of the hotel’s name, suggesting that anyone who visits seeks a life of comfort and tranquility.

The hotel comprises six bungalows with single rooms and two bungalows with double rooms designed for families.

The hotel rooms overlook the lake.

The hotel’s bathrooms have unique features, allowing guests to shower while enjoying the fresh breeze from outside.

The bungalows feature cozy bedroom.

Guests can relax on the veranda while taking in the scenic views of Lake Muhazi.

Rooms at Muhazi Dolce Vita are priced between $100 and $120 (146,000—175,000 Rwandan francs) per night.

Guests at the hotel can relax while enjoying views of Lake Muhazi.

The hotel offers a range of games and activities to help visitors unwind and enjoy their stay.

Beach volleyball is among the activities being developed to attract tourists and enhance the guest experience at the hotel.

The hotel’s services include massages designed to help guests relax and recover from fatigue.

Guests can also make the most of their visit by enjoying scenic boat rides on Lake Muhazi.

Such walkways lead to peaceful resting spots by the lake.

At night, the hotel takes on a stunning appearance.

IGIHE

Residents confirmed that Wazalendo fighters entered Uvira early Sunday morning, a day after AFC/M23 announced that it had fully withdrawn from the city. Footage circulating on social media shows armed fighters roaming the streets, with reports of looting and abuse against civilians, acts for which the group has previously been accused.

A former South Kivu official, now based in Kalemie, told the BBC that Wazalendo fighters had indeed returned to Uvira but said they were awaiting further instructions from their leadership.

'We must proceed with extreme caution,' he said. 'Our superiors are first verifying whether M23’s claims are accurate.'

Despite the presence of Wazalendo fighters in the city, AFC/M23 said it had handed responsibility for Uvira’s security to the international community and called for the protection of civilians.

In a letter dated January 15, 2026, addressed to the UN Secretary-General, AFC/M23 said it had for three days been urging the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to deploy forces to protect Uvira’s population.

AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa said the group had decided to place Uvira 'under the full responsibility of the international community.'

He explained that a small AFC/M23 security unit had initially remained in the city to maintain oversight while awaiting the deployment of neutral forces, but that this unit also withdrew on January 15.

The group warned the United Nations that the presence of Burundian troops, the FDLR armed group, Wazalendo militias, and foreign mercenaries posed a serious threat to civilians in Uvira.

'Their presence and activities not only endanger civilian lives but also undermine the ongoing peace process and regional stability,' AFC/M23 said.

The group called for the urgent deployment of neutral international forces to prevent Uvira from returning to the suffering it experienced when it was previously controlled by Congolese government-aligned forces.

AFC/M23 captured Uvira on December 9, 2025, following a week-long battle in the Ruzizi Plain in South Kivu province. The group said it withdrew at the request of the United States to allow peace negotiations to continue.

Washington had asked AFC/M23 to redeploy to positions approximately 75 kilometres from Uvira, assuring the group that such a move would enable the international community to better protect civilians.

During AFC/M23’s control of the city, residents reported a return to relative calm, with people resuming daily activities without widespread violence, theft, or looting.

However, fears remain high following the group’s withdrawal, with many residents concerned that those perceived as having supported AFC/M23 could face reprisals.

Wazalendo militias and the Congolese armed forces are often accused of committing abuses against civilians and looting their property.

IGIHE

Speaking a day after being declared the winner by the country’s Electoral Commission, Museveni warned against election-related violence and foreign interference, urging all Ugandans, including opposition supporters, to uphold peace and national unity.

Addressing the nation from his home district of Kiruhura in western Uganda, Museveni said his next term would prioritize support for wealth creators, including commercial farmers, manufacturers, hotel operators and investors, through institutions such as the Uganda Development Bank.

He added that the government would intensify efforts to lift the remaining 30 percent of Ugandans out of poverty, with the goal of ensuring all households transition to sustainable livelihoods.

Museveni also pledged to strengthen public service delivery, including maintaining free education in government schools, improving healthcare services, particularly the availability of medicines in public health facilities, and enhancing supervision by leaders at all levels.

The fight against corruption and the pursuit of justice would remain central priorities, he said.

Museveni said Uganda is set to begin oil production this year, marking a new phase in the country’s economic development.

Ugandan President-elect Yoweri Museveni on Sunday outlined key priorities for his next term in office, pledging to focus on wealth creation, poverty eradication, improved public services, and a strong fight against corruption following his victory in the presidential election.

Xinhua

On Saturday, Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced that the country’s incumbent President Museveni won the presidential election, securing a seventh five-year term in office after garnering more than 7.9 million votes out of about 11.3 million valid ballots cast.

In a statement issued late Saturday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf congratulated Museveni on his re-election, commending the conduct of the elections.

Youssouf applauded the people of Uganda for their commitment to consolidating democratic gains, peace, security and development. He also commended former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his “sterling leadership” of the joint AU, IGAD and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa election observation mission to Uganda.

In a separate statement issued Saturday, the IGAD also congratulated Museveni on his re-election. IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu reaffirmed IGAD’s support for efforts aimed at strengthening democratic governance, peace, stability and inclusive development in Uganda.

Museveni’s closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi, a pop-star-turned-politician, also known as Bobi Wine, received over 2.7 million votes, while the remaining votes were shared among six other presidential candidates, according to the Electoral Commission.

However, Kyagulanyi rejected the final election results announced by the Electoral Commission, describing them as fraudulent. In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, he said there were instances of military intimidation and ballot stuffing, among other irregularities.

On Saturday, Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced that the country’s incumbent President Museveni won the presidential election, securing a seventh five-year term in office after garnering more than 7.9 million votes out of about 11.3 million valid ballots cast.

Xinhua

The message was shared by President Kagame on his X account in the early hours of Monday, January 19, 2026.

'Congratulations President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on your re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda. I extend my best wishes to you and the people of Uganda as you continue to serve your nation for the prosperity of your people. I look forward to the continued strong and productive cooperation between our two countries,' President Kagame wrote.

Museveni was declared the winner of Uganda’s presidential election on January 17, 2026, securing a seventh term in office following the vote held on January 15.

Museveni won the election with 71.6 percent of the vote, defeating seven other candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who garnered 24.72 percent.

Rwanda and Uganda maintain close relations, particularly in trade. In the third quarter of 2025, Rwanda exported goods worth $16.4 million to Uganda. The two countries also cooperate in political and military matters.

Beyond being neighboring states, Rwanda and Uganda share ties rooted in history, culture, and various economic cooperation initiatives.

President Paul Kagame has congratulated Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda.

Théophile Niyitegeka

In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, Trump accused Denmark of failing to address the alleged Russian security issue in Greenland despite, he said, 20 years of NATO urging Copenhagen to take action.

'Now it is time, and it will be done!!!' Trump wrote emphasizing his belief that previous efforts have been insufficient.

Trump’s comments come amid his ongoing push to bring Greenland, a vast autonomous territory of Denmark, more firmly into the United States’ strategic orbit, a campaign that has drawn sharp criticism internationally.

While the United States once expressed interest in purchasing the island decades ago, Trump has reignited the issue with fresh urgency, tying it directly to global security concerns.

Officials in both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected the idea that the territory is for sale or should become part of the United States, underscoring the island’s status as part of the Kingdom of Denmark while enjoying a large degree of self-government.

In recent days, Trump also threatened to impose increasing tariffs on European allies including Denmark unless they agree to discussions over the future of Greenland. His administration says Greenland’s location is critically important because of what he calls an encroaching presence by Russia and China in the Arctic.

However, Danish officials and many NATO partners argue that Greenland’s defense is already secured through the alliance’s collective defense provisions, and they have rebuffed Trump’s security rationale.

The White House, Denmark’s government, and the Danish foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s latest statement.

This latest episode adds to ongoing tensions between the United States and its European allies over strategic priorities in the Arctic and broader geopolitical cooperation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again put the spotlight on Greenland, escalating a diplomatic dispute with Denmark and several European allies by declaring that removing what he describes as a 'Russian threat' from the Arctic territory is now a top priority.

Rania Umutoni

Thousands of Congolese civilians fled to Burundi following fighting in South Kivu Province between the AFC/M23 coalition and an alliance comprising the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), Wazalendo militias, Burundian troops, and the FDLR.

Although security has reportedly improved in parts of Uvira city, some refugees attempted to return home. However, Burundian authorities closed the border, preventing their return.

Living conditions for refugees in Burundi have continued to deteriorate. Reports indicate that several people have died due to diseases linked to poor sanitation in overcrowded camps.

Speaking in an interview with journalist Hariana Verás Victória, who is known to be close to DRC authorities and their allies, President Ndayishimiye said the Congolese government should assume responsibility for assisting its displaced citizens.

He noted that while some refugees are being hosted by Burundian families, others without relatives have been settled in refugee camps. Ndayishimiye also criticised the UN refugee agency, saying it has failed to provide adequate assistance to Congolese refugees, and urged President Félix Tshisekedi’s government to intervene.

'I call on the DRC government to find ways to help these people,' Ndayishimiye said. 'I do not consider them refugees in the strict sense, but people who moved from one place to another because they were fleeing an enemy that attacked the DRC, not the Congolese government.'

He added that because the displaced civilians did not flee their own government, the DRC remains responsible for their welfare wherever they may be. 'They are not enemies of the state. That is why they should be treated as internally displaced people who crossed from one area to another,' he said.

Ndayishimiye further suggested that the DRC could mobilise international partners to support humanitarian operations, stressing that Burundi does not have sufficient resources to manage the crisis alone.

'As Burundi, we are encouraging our citizens to assist these refugees, but the situation is extremely difficult,' he said. 'We simply do not have the capacity to fully support them, even though cooperation is necessary.'

In early December 2025, Burundi received more than 100,000 Congolese refugees fleeing fighting in the Ruzizi Plain. They joined tens of thousands of others who had already been living in the country for an extended period.

New arrivals were initially placed in temporary camps near the border and have repeatedly appealed to Burundian authorities to allow them to return home, citing dire living conditions and rising deaths in the camps.

The Burundian government has rejected these requests and instead begun relocating refugees to camps farther from the border, including the Busuma camp in the former Ruyigi Province. Refugees relocated there report equally harsh conditions and have staged protests demanding permission to return to the DRC.

Burundi maintains it lacks the capacity to care for the Congolese refugees who have sought refuge there.”

IGIHE

Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison on his arrest obstruction charges stemming from a martial law attempt, live footage showed last Friday. Under South Korean law, the deadline to file an appeal is one week, meaning the appeal had to be submitted by Jan. 23.

After several of their key arguments were rejected in the ruling, Yoon’s side held a press conference earlier on Monday, announcing that an appeal was formally filed with the Seoul Central District Court at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor, who has yet to receive the full written verdict, said he plans to review the ruling and decide whether to file an appeal. The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon’s insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon. However, as the prosecution previously expressed regret that the sentence was only half of what was sought, observers widely expect an appeal to be filed.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon’s insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb. 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April last year, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted under detention last January as a suspected ringleader of the insurrection, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and indicted.

Xinhua

The agreement was signed by Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, and Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the IFRC. The funding aims to strengthen the humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis in Sudan and support communities affected by the conflict.

Under the agreement, US$10 million will be directed toward supporting host communities accommodating Sudanese refugees in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia, while US$1 million will be allocated to the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to enhance rapid and effective emergency response.

Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to its international and moral responsibilities toward people affected by disasters, crises, and conflicts worldwide.

He emphasised the UAE’s continued support for joint international humanitarian efforts and its close cooperation with global partners to ensure the delivery of essential aid and basic services, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly.

'The UAE’s allocation of this funding comes amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation and widespread displacement within Sudan and neighbouring countries,' Dr. Al Ameri said.

'This reality necessitates intensified international cooperation and urgent action to strengthen the provision of basic services and enhance the resilience of more than one million Sudanese refugees and host communities in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia.'

Jagan Chapagain stated that the crisis in Sudan resulted in one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies, placing significant pressure on neighbouring countries.

'This agreement with the UAE Aid Agency will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Chad, South Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia to expand essential health, water, and sanitation services for refugees and host communities, while also augmenting the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund to ensure swift and effective humanitarian action,' he explained.

The agreement reflects the UAE’s sustained commitment to supporting the Sudanese people and contributing to international efforts aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It also underscores the UAE’s dedication to collective action with regional and international partners to promote stability and peace in Sudan.

Over the past decade (2015—2025), the UAE has provided US$4.24 billion in assistance to Sudan. Since the outbreak of the current crisis (2023—2025), the UAE has allocated US$784 million in humanitarian aid.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UAE ranks second globally after the United States in terms of aid provided to Sudan since the start of the conflict.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, and Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the IFRC.

IGIHE

The disaster occurred late Sunday evening when an Iryo high-speed train bound for Madrid from Málaga derailed and crossed onto the track of an oncoming Renfe-operated train heading toward Huelva. The impact pushed the second train off the rails and down an embankment, causing severe damage to the front carriages of both trains.

Spanish authorities confirmed that around 400 passengers were aboard both trains at the time of the collision. At least 75 people were taken to hospitals, and 15 of them were reported in serious condition, according to the chief of the regional government of Andalusia. Officials also warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to work at the scene.

Video shared on social media showed rescue workers pulling passengers from twisted carriages under floodlights, with some survivors climbing out of shattered windows. One passenger described a terrifying sequence of events, noting the sudden shift and loud noise as the first train left the tracks.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Spain’s transport minister, Oscar Puente, said it was 'really strange' that a derailment could occur on a straight section of track that had been recently refurbished, and added that investigators were looking into all possible factors.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed deep sorrow over the accident, calling it a 'night of deep pain' for the country. Leaders from across Spain, including members of the royal family, have extended their condolences to the victims and their families.

Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, are continuing search and rescue efforts, while rail operator ADIF announced that high-speed rail services between Madrid and Andalusia will remain suspended as recovery operations proceed.

This incident marks one of the deadliest rail accidents in Spain in recent years and has raised urgent questions about railway safety and emergency preparedness on the country’s high-speed network.

The disaster occurred late Sunday evening when an Iryo high-speed train bound for Madrid from Málaga derailed and crossed onto the track of an oncoming Renfe-operated train heading toward Huelva.

Rania Umutoni