Blog

In recent years, faith-based organizations have significantly increased in Rwanda, with some churches renting conference rooms in prominent Kigali hotels, while others lease venues for events.

An inspection conducted in 2024 to evaluate whether churches were complying with laws passed in 2018 left over 9,800 places of worship shut down. More than 50 churches were stripped of their licenses, preventing them from operating in the country.

On March 6, 2025, RGB introduced new regulations that require religious organizations to submit proof of compliance with building and zoning requirements for any place of worship.

This ensures that only spaces that meet structural and location standards for religious activities will be allowed to operate.

Speaking to the RBA, Dr. Uwicyeza made it clear that the establishment of “mobile churches,” where people simply move from one rented space to another, will not be tolerated.

She stressed that once religious groups face difficulties and leave, they create ongoing problems in the communities they leave behind.

Additionally, Dr. Uwicyeza strongly opposed the use of buildings not designated for religious purposes and repurposing them into places of worship. For instance, a building used as a bar on one day and a church the next would not be permitted under the new regulations.

Moreover, churches cannot operate in buildings that do not meet the required standards. Attempts to bypass the regulations by renting spaces that technically meet building standards but fail to fulfill the requirements for religious activities will result in the loss of operating licenses.

The updated regulations require that individuals wishing to establish a church or its branches in a given area must gather signatures from at least 1,000 people who believe the religious space will benefit the community.

Furthermore, they must demonstrate that the church will contribute positively to local development.

Dr. Uwicyeza also raised concerns over the exploitation of church workers, particularly those who work full-time without proper compensation.

A study by RGB in 2023/2024 revealed that only 23.1% of religious organizations had clear documentation on their operations, vision, and implementation strategies, while 76.9% had approved budgets and operational plans.

Additionally, only 30.8% of faith-based organizations employed permanent staff with signed contracts and benefits such as health insurance and pension contributions.

She emphasized that it is unacceptable for individuals working full-time from Monday to Sunday without salary, pension contributions, or health insurance. As she said, such practices, which exploit workers, will no longer be tolerated.

Religious organizations planning to open new branches must also provide proof of contributions to social security for their workers, in line with set regulations.

As of July 2024, there were 345 religious institutions in Rwanda, with affiliated organizations bringing the total to 563.

Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), has emphasized that the government will no longer tolerate the practice of individuals establishing “mobile churches.”

IGIHE

In response to the threat, the Federal Air Transport Agency implemented temporary flight restrictions at two major airports in Moscow.

Both Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports were affected by the safety measures aimed at protecting civil aviation.

The restrictions were enforced at 04:24 Moscow time (01:24 GMT) at Zhukovsky and at 04:40 Moscow time (01:40 GMT) at Domodedovo, with both airports temporarily halting aircraft arrivals and departures.

Russia has shot down 58 Ukrainian drones in Moscow Region.

IGIHE

A total of 36 people were rescued following the incident, with one crew member taken to the hospital, stated Matthew Atkinson, Divisional Commander of the Coastguard.

The collision occurred near the coastal city of Hull and involved the U.S.-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong.

Efforts to assess the environmental impact of the incident are ongoing, with reports confirming that jet fuel has leaked into the sea.

Several crew members reportedly abandoned ship following the collision, and both vessels were said to have been on fire, according to a statement by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The Stena Immaculate, which had come from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, was anchored just outside Hull at the time of the collision. Meanwhile, the Solong had been on its way from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Both vessels were said to have been on fire after the accident.

IGIHE

The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday in Kigarama Sector, Mburabuturo Village, after Siborurema broke into a home and stole valuables, including cash, two smartphones, a laptop, shoes, trousers, and a shirt.

The homeowner, who lives alone, noticed the intruder and immediately alerted the neighborhood security patrol, which then contacted the police.

According to Rwanda National Police (RNP) Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga, officers and security personnel arrived at the scene, prompting Siborurema to flee toward a nearby swamp.

“The community patrol agents had called officers from Kigarama Police Station, and together they pursued the suspect. Upon reaching the swamp, he dropped the stolen items, grabbed a machete, and attempted to attack one of the patrol agents. A police officer then shot him, resulting in his death,” said ACP Rutikanga.

Authorities confirmed that Siborurema was a repeat offender with a long history of theft-related arrests dating back to 2016.

Between May 2017 and March 2018, he spent nine months in prison for theft. In 2018, he was arrested again, served a short prison sentence, and was later sent to the Iwawa Rehabilitation Center, where he spent a year.

Following his release, he was arrested again for theft and imprisoned in Mageragere Prison from June 2020 to June 2022. However, after his release, he resumed criminal activities and was sent back to Iwawa.

Siborurema was among those recently discharged from Iwawa on March 7, 2025, after undergoing rehabilitation for theft and drug abuse.

ACP Rutikanga urged individuals returning from rehabilitation at Iwawa to take advantage of the skills and opportunities provided to them.

“Iwawa is designed to help individuals reform and reintegrate into society as productive members. Those who return to criminal activities will not be tolerated,” he emphasized.

The stolen items, including the laptop, smartphones, shoes, and clothing, were recovered and will be returned to their rightful owner.

The incident happened in Kicukiro District as the suspect alegedly attempted to flee toward a nearby swamp.

IGIHE

The Presidential Communications Office confirmed that Interpol in Manila received an official copy of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier that morning.

'Upon his arrival, the prosecutor general served the ICC notification for an arrest warrant to the former president for the crime of crime against humanity,' the government said in a statement.

'He’s now in the custody of authorities,' it said.

The charge of crimes against humanity stems from Duterte’s harsh anti-drug campaign. During his presidency from 2016 to 2022, the controversial 'war on drugs' led to thousands of deaths, including those of children, with the arrest warrant stating that suspects were denied due process under the law.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed Duterte’s arrest, calling it 'a crucial step toward accountability in the Philippines.'

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, during Duterte’s administration.

As president, Duterte spearheaded a controversial “war on drugs,” which garnered significant attention both locally and internationally.

Former Philippine President Duterte has been taken into Police custody.

IGIHE

This, she said, was because everything I needed in life was owned by people. So, if I had people, I would get whatever I wanted.

At just 11 years of age, I couldn’t fully understand the weight of her words, but over time, I came to realize it wasn’t about the number of people around you but the quality of the relationships you build.

I am grateful that having followed her advice, I’ve always been able to connect with people easily, build strong connections, and foster long-lasting friendships.

Over time, I have come to understand women as the source of life. They give birth to us, they nurture and raise us. This is simply because women are naturally patient, persistent, courageous, and remarkable managers. They are the pillars of development in families, nations and continents.

If women can give birth and raise the soldiers who defend us, then surely they can be great soldiers themselves. Women are more than capable of becoming colonels, generals, and leading battles.

If they give birth to famous individuals and raise gifted people, they can excel in any field. Be it as singers, dancers, designers, pastors, or leaders.

As we celebrate International Women’s month, it’s crucial that we recognize their heroism and the sacrifices they make for all of us. Women are not only life-givers, but they are the ones who shape homes into families. They carry the weight of pregnancy, which is nothing short of a battlefield.

Pregnancy is not a pleasant experience. It’s a journey that lasts nine months, carrying immense physical and emotional risks. Women spend these months walking through life with another developing human being in the womb.

While pregnancy is a battlefield, the delivery process itself is a thin line between life and death. Many women tragically lose their lives during childbirth, while others lose their babies after that gestation period.

Those who survive and become mothers emerge as nothing short of heroes, having faced challenges that most cannot even imagine.

As we celebrate women this month, we must remember the sacrifices they make for us to exist. Our mothers pay the price for our lives, our wives pay the price for our children, and our daughters pay the price for future generations.

Women die so that we can live. They eat and drink even when they don’t feel like it, just so we are nourished. They sleep not because they feel tired, but to ensure we rest. Their sacrifices are priceless, and their love is endless. They are the foundation of our existence, the driving force behind our progress, and the source of our success.

As men, we ought to recognize and advocate for the little things they need. Simple things like allowing them to take a few days off for their monthly cycles, or easing their working conditions by allowing them to work from home during painful periods. These small actions would have a profound impact on their lives.

And to the ladies, you can be anything you want in this world. You may be the first, but certainly not the last.
If Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became presidents, if Isabel Perón and Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe became vice presidents, if Benazir Bhutto and Sirimavo Bandaranaike became prime ministers, if Sandra Day O’Connor and Aloysie Cyanzayire led the Supreme Court, then you can.

If Agathe Uwilingiyimana and Malala Yousafzai became heroes, if Nyirarwinyana Ndabaga and Loretta Perfectus Walsh became soldiers and warriors, if Meron Rugazora and Harriet Quimby became pilots” then you, too, can achieve anything.

These remarkable women, and countless others, should be the symbols of strength and courage. Women should be celebrated, not just on a single day, but all the time.

The author is a Pan-Africanist and poet

Bertin K. Ganza.

Bertin K. Ganza

During the meeting, President Kagame was accompanied by Francis Gatare, his Special Advisor, and Murangwa Yusuf, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

The World Bank, established in 1944, is an international institution responsible for providing loans and grants to support development projects in emerging economies.

Over time, the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank have signed several development agreements, including a Frw355billion deal signed in December 2024 to support environmentally sustainable private-sector investments.

Between March 14 and September 9, 2025, government and the World Bank will collaborate on six projects focusing on environmental protection, urban transportation services, refugee assistance, and disaster response.

For these initiatives, the World Bank plans to provide Rwanda with USD 531.81 million (over Frw763billion) to support project implementation, pending approval by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

President Paul Kagame, on March 10, 2025, met with Qimiao Fan.

During the meeting, President Kagame was accompanied by Francis Gatare, his Special Advisor, and Murangwa Yusuf, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

IGIHE

Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang confirmed that Lt. Gen. Yeiy Dak fled to Jonglei State, specifically the Lou Nuer area. He explained that some members of the SPLA-IO, who were integrated during the unification of forces, became fearful and fled Juba.

Lul urged them to return to the capital and resume their duties. He made these remarks during a press conference in Juba, Monday, March 10, 2025.

'Some components of the SPLA-IO, which were integrated into the system during the unification of the second level of command, began to fear, especially those who had been fueling and funding the conflict in Nasir,' Lul stated.

'Those who felt they had contributed to the unrest in Nasir through mobilization and funding took off. Some went into hiding here, while others fled to the nearest SPLA-IO cantonment areas in Central Equatoria, Terekeka, and some even as far as Lou Nuer areas,' he said.

'As we speak, we have the Deputy Director General for National Security ISB, Lt. Gen. Yeiy Dak, who was in charge of operations, having fled to the Lou Nuer area,' he added.

'We are appealing to them, including those who went as far as Lou Nuer, to return, and for those still nearby, to come back and resume their normal duties.'

Last week, the SPLM-IO claimed that several of its members, including Deputy Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang, had been 'arbitrarily arrested.'

Last week, Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed that the officials were arrested for violating the law.

NSS’s Deputy Director General for Intelligence Operations Lt. Gen. Yiey Dak Wiehas fled to Jonglei State.

IGIHE

The delegation led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia and President of PF-ICGLR, Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti Butete will also meet President Yoweri Museveni.

Welcoming the delegation to Uganda, Speaker, Anita Among on Monday, 10 March 2025 at Parliament commended them for their commitment to regional peace and reaffirmed Uganda’s support for African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges.

'As Africans, we have always agreed that African problems can only be solved locally. This pursuit that you are doing, moving from one country to another, meeting heads of state to find the best way to achieve peace, is a very good initiative and I applaud you and your team for that,' she said.

Among also reiterated Uganda’s commitment to regional peace, stating that peace in the DRC is crucial for stability in the Great Lakes Region.

'Problem-solving is why they are here. We want to see how best peace can be created in the DRC and that peace can only be achieved with our heads of state and with us as Africans. It begins with us,' she said.

Among also highlighted Uganda’s active participation in the forum, noting that the country remains up to date on its financial obligations.

Butete outlined the objectives of the visit, emphasizing the importance of regional leadership in resolving conflicts.

Among (R) with her Zambia counterpart Butete. The delegation will also meet President Yoweri Museveni.

'This is the fourth phase on issues relating to peace and security in the Eastern DRC,' she said adding that, ‘without peace, we cannot interact, and even regional integration cannot prosper. Peace is a precursor to development.

She underscored the need for African nations to take charge of their security concerns, avoiding external intervention where possible.

'We don’t want to invite strangers to come and intervene in our affairs when we have responsible leaders in our presence who can take charge and guide citizens to ensure peace and stability in the region,' Butete stated.

The delegation’s findings will be presented to the PF-ICGLR plenary in April before being escalated to higher levels for further discussion.

Butete, who is concluding her term as President of the forum, emphasized the importance of tangible progress before the leadership transition in Angola.

Uganda remains a key player in regional peace and security efforts, advocating for home-grown solutions to Africa’s challenges.

MPs from the regional grouping with Speaker Among (in white) with Butete on her right after thier meeting

IGIHE