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The elections were held on Monday, September 16, 2024. As per results revealed by NEC, the electoral college elected 12 senators out of the 28 asipirants.

According to the Presidential Decree, 12 senators are elected by specific governance bodies across different regions of the country.

Two senators are selected from the Northern Province, three from the Southern Province, three from the Eastern Province elects, three from the Western Province and one from Kigali City.

NEC announced that the elected senators from the Northern Province are Dr. Laetitia Nyinawamwiza who got 73.00% of the vote and Amandin Rugira who garnered 62.61%.

In the Southern Province, the elected senators are Adrie Umuhire (70.42%), Pélagie Uwera (62.91%) and Sosthene Cyitatire who got 61.74%.

In the Eastern Province, the winners are John Bonds Bideri with 80.46%, Fulgence Nsengiyumva (68.53%) and Alvera Mukabaramba who got 76.40%.

In the Western Province, the elected senators are Emmanuel Havugimana with 69.45%, Marie Rose Mureshyankwano with 74.67%, and Cyprien Niyomugabo with 67.88%.

In Kigali City, Espérance Nyirasafari, the outgoing Vice President of the Senate, was elected with 55.26% of the vote.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, two additional senators will be elected from public and private higher education institutions.

Among the 12 elected senators, only two are newcomers: Amandin Rugira, who previously served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to different countries including Belgium and Zambia, and Sosthene Cyitatire, who was previously the Secretary-General of the Senate of Rwanda.

Although Cyitatire is a new senator, he has prior experience as the Senate’s coordinator, secretary, and clerk overseeing its daily operations.

In addition to the 12 elected senators from the provinces and Kigali City, eight more senators will be appointed by the President of the Republic, and four by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations.

The provisional election results are announced by the President of NEC or an authorized delegate, within five days of the election. Anyone who is dissatisfied with the results can appeal to the Supreme Court within 48 hours of the provisional results being announced. If the appeal is dismissed, the NEC’s provisional results are upheld.

The final results of the election are announced within seven days of the provisional results. If there is an appeal to the Supreme Court, the final results are delayed until the court reaches a decision.

In the senatorial elections held through governance bodies, the winning candidates are those with the most votes, based on the required number of seats for each voting area.

Nyirasafari Esperancehas been serving as the Vice President of Rwanda’s Senate.

Bideri John Bonds has been elected again.

Havugimana is also amongg winners of senatorial seats.

Niyomugabo Cyprien is among re-elected senators.

Mureshyankwano Marie Rose is among 12 elected senators.

Nsengiyumva Fulgence is among elected senators.

Mukabaramba Alvera also served in the senate before her renewed term.

IGIHE

It is particularly effective for relieving extreme fatigue, depression, and other conditions that may affect the brain.

Additionally, the Treadmill was introduced, allowing people to run without leaving their location. It strengthens bones, clears the veins for better blood circulation, and enhances physical endurance. Other machines available include the G-Vibration Plate, Portable Sauna, G-Body Shaker, and G-Advanced Chair, all of which support overall body function.

The nutritional supplements on offer include 'Best Man Prime,’ which helps men prevent prostate cancer, increases testosterone levels, and boosts sexual desire. The 'Best Lady Care’ supplement helps women regulate hormones, protect the uterus, and enhance sexual urge.

Marie Rose Uwimana, popularly known as Solina from Urunana drama play, stated that she was treated using Mega Global Market’s nutritional supplements.

There is also 'Best Kids Brain Gummies,’ which aid in children’s development and increase intelligence. Other supplements for different groups include Best Fish Oil, Best Fit & Detox Tea, Best X Power Coffee, and Best Brain Booster, which support various bodily functions.

Marie Rose Uwimana, known as Solina from the radio drama Urunana, shared her experience with nerve issues and low blood pressure, which almost led to paralysis. She said the use of Mega Global Market’s supplements and machines restored her health. 'I was very ill and almost ended up in a wheelchair,' she revealed.

After diagnosis, she was found to have nerve issues, low blood pressure, and other brain-related conditions such as unexplained memory loss experiences until she tried the machines and food supplements and a bit of physiotherapy.

Mental health expert Rukundo Arthur cautioned the public to take great care for their health by embracing the use of these machines and food supplements to keep track of physical and mental well-being rather than wait only to recognize the value of health when already ill.

Mega Global Market’s CEO, Dr. Francis Habumugisha, told IGIHE that they plan to open more markets in different parts of the world to help people live healthier lives. He confirmed that those interested in these products can visit their headquarters in Kigali City or purchase them through their online platforms.

He remarked, “During COVID-19, we learnt a strong lesson when people were not allowed to engage in physical exercise. We decided to bring in machines that anyone can use at home, even while doing other household activities.”

He also highlighted the travel services offered to enable people visit various destinations such as Dubai, Europe, Canada, the USA, and many more. Anyone interested in traveling abroad for leisure or study is supported by this company, and the process is expedited.

Dr. Francis Habumugisha mentioned that they plan to open more markets like this in various places to help people take care of their health

'Additionally, those who refer clients to us are granted free Visas and can travel abroad at no cost,' he disclosed.

Habumugisha explained that the services provided are backed by contracts signed in the presence of a certified notary, ensuring that if there is any issue with the travel documents, such as Visa denial, the client is refunded easily.

Various machines were showcased that assist in caring for the health of both those who are ill and those looking to prevent illness.

Rukundo Arthur urged people to prevent diseases instead of waiting until they become seriously ill.

IGIHE

Everything is accommodation now; Artists are compromising their experiences, rawness, honesty and humanity to accommodate endlessly with a system that puts a value to their creation and shapeshifts it into a product because things only have value if there is a price to them.

To survive is to sell your results, and when the results are the thing on the market, then your process does not matter. It does not matter how you got there, as long as the value of the ‘product’ that got there is deemed worthy.

So we use AI, a new efficient tool that makes everything a hundred times easier, faster, better and perfect. What used to take hours to imagine, can be generated in seconds, the steps of creating anything have been reduced to three steps.

Having an idea, having the right words to express that idea, having the right taste to edit whatever is given to make it even better. It is the ultimate ‘thinker’ and you are just a mere artist trying to communicate ‘great art’, so AI becomes your go to.

It helps you gain your confidence in making even your smallest ideas, big, it gives you alternatives, it grades your work, guides you, makes it for you, anything you want, you get. It is a pretty good deal.

And in order to live a more functional prosperous life, you can be a capitalist creator, someone who sees what could sell more in the eyes of the public, jump on trends and get inside the loop. It is a comfortable life.

Here I am not talking about making money as an artist. I am talking about making great art that speaks to you as the person who created it. I am talking about growing as an artist.
You don’t need AI to make better art, you need to become a better artist

When I started working and writing different copies and documents for a living, I was new at noticing what corporate words to use, or what the right wording of ads was, so I used AI a lot. I mean a lot. There is plenty of AI tools to help me with almost anything.

At first, it was schooling me, teaching me this and that, correcting me when I made things sound too light for a company’s voice. I was learning, and growing in a short time. It was great. Then I started surrendering, I would have a short time to work on something, and let AI do everything for me, and edit it out to make it sound a bit less uptight and more human.

I may have created writings but I wasn’t a writer anymore. I was just good at giving it the right information for the right output. Like a puppet master, I was getting good at pulling the strings to make great things.

But I was not growing, I stayed where I was, I had also started losing sight on who the puppet in that performance was. So, I took a step back, and got back to why I started writing in the first place.
I loved challenging my mind, and working out how this amazing thing that I can only see inside myself can turn out as good outside. I loved the process.

If you are an artist who likes to use AI, try to create one thing a week without using any. You will thank the author later!

Hayao Miyazaki, a Japanese animator, filmmaker, and manga artist, when shown how AI can transform the animation industry in ways humans cannot fathom, he responded in a reasonable way considering he is one of the greatest and most skilled artists to ever exist.

He said he was ‘utterly disgusted’, that it was an insult to life itself and that, 'We humans are losing faith in ourselves.” Believing that you don’t have enough time, skill and knowledge to do something is a lie.

Making art is supposed to be hard, it is supposed to take time, because being human is complex, life itself is complex, and using a machine to understand yourself and life will confine us in a small box of who we already are, in a way that we will never discover everything we could be.

The lack of genuine emotions and connections in creations now is because people never cared about other people’s creations unless it benefited them. Businesses will accept mediocrity as long as it makes profit. No one will care about your art the same way you do. It is all up to you, the artist.

In a Youtube Video by Drew Gooden titled ‘AI is ruining the internet’, Drew Gooden said, “How are you ever gonna do something for ten years if you won’t even do it for one day?”

If you want to become a filmmaker, prompting AI to make you a script will not teach you anything about becoming a good filmmaker. Movies will start to look all the same. We already have those. We already have great films, what we need is YOUR film.

I am telling everyone to stop being so in love with the results just because the outside world will reward you for it. There are so many more things to create and understand in ourselves. We urgently need to stop allowing something we created, re-create us and define who we are.

If you are an artist who likes to use AI, try to create one thing a week without using any. Try it for a month, then three, try it for forever. If you don’t have time, make time for it.

Whatever your age is, rushing your growth for the sake of being paid for it is scamming yourself. We are lying to ourselves, tools are only ever useful to help us while we grow, not erase our journeys. The more we use AI to express things, the more we erase our footprints and redefine ourselves through the eyes of something that does not exist.

Becoming fluent in creating art is an intellectual pursuit. All well-known art forms like painting, music, dance, literature, fashion, sculpture, filmmaking, photography, and emerging mediums like digital art, have always been about their processes and their artists being passionate enough to go through it all.
Passion is beautifully human, and cultivating it is what will keep us from straying from ourselves.

The author of this opinion is a digital strategist, creative entrepreneur and a very passionate mental health advocate

Making art is an act of revolution, the basis of any evolution of mind

Laurie Ihirwe Sheja

This contribution is part of a long-term initiative that began two years ago through a Memorandum of Understanding between MINUBUMWE, Imbuto Foundation, and LIT, which aims to disburse USD1Billion over a ten-year period to promote national unity and civic engagement.

The funds will help strengthen programs aimed at closing the knowledge gap among Rwandans especially the youth and the entire world regarding the Genocide and its aftermath.

One of the primary initiatives benefiting from this support is “Igihango cy’Urungano,” a platform that engages young people in discussions about the country’s history.

To date, over 8,700 youth have participated in these dialogues, with an additional 19,000 attending virtually. The initiative addresses the lingering impact of the Genocide against the Tutsi on younger generations, particularly those born after 1994, who still grapple with its social and emotional consequences.

MINUBUMWE, Imbuto Foundation and LIT officials during a meeting on Monday September 16, 2024

Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Minister of MINUBUMWE, stressed the importance of this work, particularly for the youth. “When we do not preserve this history in a more sustainable way, especially for the young generation to learn from, we risk not educating them on our past and give critics a chance to distort our history,” Bizimana said.

A significant portion of these donations havesupported the development of the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, one of three key sites, along with Nyange and Murambi, that MINUBUMWE is working to bring to international standards.

Progress at Ntarama includes the completion of designs for visitor pathways, the transcription and translation of ten survivor testimonies, and the preparation of photographs for an upcoming exhibition.

These efforts are part of a larger strategy to elevate Rwanda’s memorial centers while ensuring that they remain accessible for both local and international audiences.

Challenges remain, however, particularly with regard to funding the “Garden of Memory” project at Ntarama, which requires additional resources to complete.
MINUBUMWE has developed a comprehensive memorial plan to guide future contributions and ensure that all key projects receive the support they need.

In addition to physical memorials, Rwanda’s efforts to preserve Genocide memory have gained international recognition. In September 2024, four of the country’s Genocide memorials including Kigali Memorial centre (Gisozi), Nyamata, Murambi, and Bisesero were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, further underscoring their global significance.

Elodie Shami, Director General of Imbuto Foundation, emphasized the critical role of youth in carrying forward the legacy of Rwanda’s history. “It’s crucial to ensure that this information is preserved and disseminated to the youth, who make up more than 65% of the country’s population,” she said.

The donation from Liquid Intelligent Technologies is part of a broader effort to ensure the memory of the Genocide against the Tutsi is preserved for future generations, while also promoting national unity and civic responsibility among Rwanda’s youth.

On his part, Sam Nkusi, Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reiterated the company’s commitment in supporting the preservation of the memories of 1994.

“Remembering our history is very important. It’s not just about the money; it’s a duty and responsibility we have as a company and as a people of Rwanda to keep our history alive,” he stated.

L-R Sam Nkusi, Executive Chairman of Liquid Rwanda_ Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, Ministry of National Unity & Civic Engagement – MINUBUMWE_ Élodie Shami, Director General Imbuto foundation

Sam K Nkurunziza

Rwanda’s health authorities have emphasized measures to prevent the spread of the disease. These include frequent handwashing and avoiding sexual contact, whether protected or unprotected, due to the high risk of transmission through such interactions.

Julien Mahoro Niyingabira, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, has told IGIHE that the country’s preventive strategies include the possibility of vaccinating the population, with priority given to those at higher risk.

'There is a team in Rwanda currently studying how the vaccination could be rolled out. Should the vaccination process begin, we will inform the public accordingly,' Niyingabira stated.

He further noted that while vaccines have not yet arrived in the country, priority for vaccination will be given to the most vulnerable groups before any nationwide rollout.

'We will not start with the entire population. Certain groups are more vulnerable to infection than others. We will begin with them based on the available vaccines, and as we progress, other groups will also be considered. However, the vaccination program has not yet started in the country,' he emphasized.

Niyingabira explained that cross-border traders in districts like Rubavu and other high-risk groups may be among the first to receive the vaccine.

“First, we need to secure the vaccines, and then the vaccination program can begin. Even when the vaccine arrives, it complements the existing preventive measures, meaning vaccination is one of the strategies we plan for Mpox prevention.”

The vaccines being distributed across African countries are largely provided by the African Union.

The health authorities have assured the public that the capacity to treat the disease is in place. As of now, the four individuals who had contracted Mpox in Rwanda have all been treated and discharged.

In the region, the Mpox outbreak has severely affected the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 22,000 cases have been reported, with more than 715 fatalities this year alone. The Mpox virus has spread to 22 of the 26 provinces in the DRC, as well as 13 other African countries.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has committed $600 million to a six-month campaign aimed at combating the epidemic in affected regions.

The Ministry of Health has announced the establishment of a task force to evaluate how Mpox vaccination could be implemented in Rwanda.

IGIHE

“An RSF attack on Gouz Al-Naqa village of Abu Gouta area in Gezira State killed at least 40 civilians,” the Abu Gouta Resistance Committee, a non-governmental group, said in a statement.

Several corpses remained exposed in the village, as the RSF is preventing displaced villagers from returning to bury the dead, according to the statement.

The committee called on civil society organizations to put pressure on the RSF to allow residents to enter the village and bury the deceased.

The RSF has not yet made any comment about the attack.

The RSF took control of Gezira State in December 2023 after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) withdrew from Wad Madani, the capital of the state.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the SAF and the RSF. The conflict has resulted in at least 16,650 deaths and displaced millions of people.

Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023.

Xinhua

Dr. Murigande’s career has been extensive, having served as the former Rector of the National University of Rwanda, Minister of Education, and most recently as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement at the University of Rwanda. Despite retiring, he remains actively involved in education as Chairman of the Board at Kepler College.

In addition to his contributions to education, Dr. Murigande has had a distinguished political career, holding positions such as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Japan, Secretary General of the RPF-Inkotanyi party, and ministerial roles in Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, Education, and Cabinet Affairs.

Improving the quality of education

According to Dr. Murigande, the term “quality education” is often used without a full understanding of what it entails or how to achieve it. He likened it to preparing a meal, where quality ingredients are essential for success. In education, the most crucial “ingredient” is the teacher.

'A well-trained, passionate teacher who views teaching as a calling, and is equipped with the necessary tools, can have a significant impact. Even under challenging conditions, a great teacher can deliver excellent results,' he emphasized.

Dr. Murigande also highlighted the importance of effective school management, discipline, and student focus as key factors for improving education. Additionally, he pointed out the impact of teacher-to-student ratios, noting that smaller class sizes allow for more individualized attention, leading to better outcomes.

He challenged the notion that Rwanda’s education system was better in the past, explaining that such comparisons are flawed. For example, Rwanda once had only 50,000 secondary school students in total, meaning that only 5% of primary school graduates advanced to secondary education.

Today, access to secondary education is far more widespread, and the top 5% of current graduates are just as competitive globally as their counterparts from prestigious universities like Cambridge and Oxford.

'What has shaped people’s perception of declining education quality is the democratization of education. As more students enter the system, not all have the same abilities. Our focus now should be on raising the capabilities of all students going through the system,' he stated.

Dr. Murigande suggested several measures to address these challenges, including ensuring that all teachers are well-qualified. He acknowledged that while progress cannot be made overnight, improving teacher quality is essential for long-term success.

He also reflected on past practices where lower-performing students were often channeled into teacher training, but noted that the Ministry of Education has corrected this, now admitting top-performing students into the profession.

Although there are still teachers who entered the system before these reforms, Dr. Murigande advocated for additional training to improve their skills and ensure they can meet today’s educational demands.

Leadership changes in the Ministry of Education

Dr. Murigande also discussed why the Ministry of Education has experienced frequent leadership changes, with 17 ministers serving in the last 30 years, including the most recent appointment of Joseph Nsengimana.

He attributed these changes to the government’s recognition of education as a cornerstone for national development. 'No development is possible without quality education, which produces individuals capable of addressing the country’s challenges and implementing solutions,' he noted.

Given education’s critical role, Dr. Murigande explained that when expectations are not met, the government doesn’t wait passively for improvements. Instead, it acts swiftly, changing leadership in hopes of finding new approaches to deliver better results.

While acknowledging that leadership changes can sometimes cause short-term disruption, Dr. Murigande views them as calculated risks.

'You could leave things as they are, but that might not lead to progress. Change, though disruptive at first, can often bring about the faster results we need once the right solutions are found,' he observed.

Dr. Murigande has discussed efforts needed to enhance Rwanda’s quality education.

Théophile Niyitegeka