Eleven officials from the Ministry of Interior and Security, and Police Force in Ivory Coast visited Rwanda National Police (RNP) on November 26 with a view to sharing and learning from RNP experience.

Head of the delegation, Fidel Yapi, who is the director in charge of Studies, Research and Monitoring in the Ministry of Interior and Security in Ivory Coast commended Rwanda’s policing history towards national security.

“For the last four years, we have been reinstating national security in Ivory Coast and for the last three years, we are developing a strong Police force and Rwanda’s experience is one of the best we want to learn and get experience on how we can recover from the policing challenges we are facing,” said Yapi.

“Rwanda, like our country, went through difficult social-economic and security periods but it recovered quickly. We have a lot we can learn from such a rapid transformation,” he added.

He was also impressed with how RNP works with other institutions and the general public in addressing security concerns and gender- based violence in particular including handling victims.

“I was really impressed in how Rwanda Police is closer to its people. The proximity testifies its services which is a key to homeland security and national growth,” Yapi noted.

“These lessons, among others, are additional resources for our Police force back home to effectively address security challenges,’ he said.

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, recounted on the RNP policing journey since its inception 14 years ago and Rwanda’s policing history.

IGP Gasana, who commended them for taking part in the just concluded Kigali International Conference (KICD) Annual General Assembly, noted that the forces achievements were inevitable because the visionary leadership.

“Rwanda has had good history of unity and rich culture in the past, but the recent history of the genocide due to bad leadership and poor politics,” IGP Gasana said.

“We are a force which is only fourteen years old.  We have moved through challenges of organized crimes and law reforms, we have restructured to move in line with the national vision and development agenda,” he said.

To realize the force’s targets, he noted that the force set ten priority areas to ensure sustainable homeland security.

The priorities include capacity building, community policing, fighting corruption, international cooperation, crime reduction strategy, e- policing and force discipline and welfare.

A team of 36 activists dedicated to fight Gender Based Violence (GBV) within the East African Community (EAC) took a tour of the Isange One Stop Centre, to learn from the centre’s overall experience in helping victims of violence.

The delegation which includes police officials and civil servants including doctors from EAC member states was received by Chief Inspector of Police Shafiga Murebwayire, the centre’s coordinator, on November 4, who provided a preview of how the centre is managed.

“This centre has given hope to women and children. Crimes against women and children must be stopped – and this is one of the best ways to stop them, by establishing a centre entirely dedicated to their support,” Murebwayire said.

One of the delegates, Dr. Michael Nsabiyumva, from the Burundi National Police Services, commended Rwanda National Police for its significant strides in addressing GBV, noting that the scourge is a major threat to society.

“Isange Centre is one of those models that every country must adopt as a good practice. Fighting this crime is important if we are to sustain the progress we have made in East Africa and empower women,” Nsabiyumva argued.

The delegation is in the country for a three day meeting aimed at discussing and sharing experiences in the fight against GBV.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has been involved in several local and international campaigns against GBV.

Rwanda, through its security organs, late last month hosted the 4th Kigali International Conference Declaration (KICD) Annual General Meeting on the role of security organs in ending violence against women and girls.

The force also conducts annual awareness campaigns, in partnership with other stakeholders to raise the awareness and response against the vice among all Rwandans.

Zambian Police officials are in Rwanda to collect experiences on how the Rwanda National Police College operates and how it has empowered officers.

The two officials on a five-day tour include the Chief of Research and Planning in the Zambian Police, Senior Superintendent of Police, Derrick Chongo and the Acting Director of Planning at the Ministry of Home Affairs, John Phiri.

The visit is aimed at helping the Zambian government to set up its own Police College that is similar to that of Rwanda in order to improve the skills and knowledge of their police forces, but also cut the cost of training, which the government incurs year on year.

The Zambian official, SSP Derrick Chongo, commended RNP for having a model college that other Africa states can benefit from, adding that the national Police in Zambia is planning to construct a college modeled around what Rwanda already has.

“What we have seen so far is impressive – we have not seen it elsewhere on the continent,” said Chongo.

“We will be reviewing the curriculum at these Police schools as well as look into how they are funded and then report back to our government on how best to implement our own school,” Chongo added.

“What we seek for is professionalism. We want our Police to be self sufficient and train its officers on its own without relying on other schools, which are usually very expensive,” he reiterated.

“We are glad that such an important lesson can be picked from our good partners in Rwanda.”

The group received briefings from the Commissioner of Police, Bruce Munyambo at the RNP Headquarters at Kacyiru, Kigali.

In his presentation, CP Munyambo told the delegation that the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District has progressed into an international centre of excellence in police training and development.

“The National Police College in Musanze, the Police Training School in Gishari and the Counter Terror Training Centre in Mayange, have had a big role in professionalizing the force in a very short period of time, “he said.

They have helped to build the capacity of officers and equipped them with relevant skills,” Munyambo said.

“Our future prospect is to open up schools that offer tailor-made courses for our officers pursuing Masters of Science in information Security and Masters in Criminal Justice and Human Rights.”

He also commended the good relationship between RNP and the Zambian Police, adding that RNP schools were established not just to serve Rwandan officers but to provide high quality training to officers from other African nations.

Police officers from Rwanda and other African countries have graduated from the three police academies.

They offer a wide range of trainings in forensic science, police professional studies, law and criminology, information security, as well as intermediate command and staff courses and senior command courses.

The schools also offer information technology courses, driving lessons, basic and cadet courses.

President Kagame has said that Rwandans cannot exchange anything for their right to be who they are and what they want to be.

He made the remarks on December 19, in Kigali, while concluding the National Dialogue Council,

The president observed that Rwandans are naturally humble people, but that this should not be taken for granted.

“Rwanda’s situation is complicated because Rwandans have to always strive to deal with their inherent problems as well as those caused by others,” he said.

“We have secured the right to be, and nobody will take away that; for those who will attempt, it will be very expensive for them. There is a line you cannot cross. We shall never be apologetic for standing up for our rights. To be humble is in our culture, but we are very firm too, and nobody should attempt to take our right to be, or tell us what to be.”

President Kagame said that if it comes to asking Rwandans to take a choice between money and the right to be, Rwandans would choose the latter.

“God created us equal and for those who want people to bow to them, they are in the wrong place in Rwanda. It’s the wrong thing to belittle people, and it’s difficult in Rwanda because Rwandans cannot accept this. They belittled people and we are not people to be belittled. We have fought for our freedom from childhood.”

President Kagame asked Rwandans to be resolute because time ahead was difficult.

“We have built the capacities for this. The hardships and lessons we have learnt should not go to waste.”

President Kagame’s address brought to a conclusion to two days of interactive discussions between the leadership and the people who attended the meeting and those who participated through call-ins, short messages and social media platforms.

The executive Secretary of the National Commission to fight genocide, Jean de Dieu Mucyo made a presentation on achievements and plans on prevention and fight against genocide ideology, as well as its denial and preserving its evidences.

A total of 20 recommendations were derived from the various submissions made by different people in attendance and through different mediums used during the two-day meeting.

The Government of Rwanda and One United Nation signed a financial agreement that will support five projects in different sectors of development.

The financial support worth US$ 71 million is part of the US$ 400 United Nations Development Assistance Program (UNDAP) agreement signed in June last year by government of Rwanda and the One UN Rwanda, according to the press release from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

According to the agreement over $ 10 million, will be channeled to supporting the development and implementation of a green growth and economy Approach to Rwanda’s economic transformation in a joint 4 year program.

This will help Rwanda to have improved systems for sustainable management of the environment, natural resources and renewable energy resources and energy access, to achieve greater environmental and climate change resilience, the statement reads.

“The government identified the need to pursue a green economy approach to economic transformation by reducing economic costs through going ‘green’ and exploiting new ‘green’ economic opportunities.”

Over $ 5 million will support the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) to address Disaster Management in a 4-year joint program.

“The will support reinforce and develop MIDIMAR’s capacity to fulfill its mandate and implement the national disaster management policy which was developed in 2012. It will also enable MIDIMAR to coordinate disaster management and facilitate mainstreaming of disaster risk management in national programs, policies and plans as stipulated in the EDPRS II.”

Preventing new HIV infections and promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), with special attention to Women and Youth will also receive $6 million funding in a similar time frame.

The program therefore aims to provide a catalytic technical and financial support to government institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector to accelerate the prevention of new HIV infections, to promote new intervention such as medical male circumcision, to improve access to HIV prevention, GBV as well as sexual and reproductive health services with a particular focus on key population groups where new HIV infections are expected much more, the statement indicates.

While $ 24 million will strengthen Health, Population and WASH Systems with Improved Governance, Analysis and Monitoring for results in the 4 years joint program.

“The program will emphasize effective, sustainable, replicable and results-oriented approaches to health sector development through strengthening government institutions and innovative processes. Key strategies that will be employed to attain the proposed results include evidence-based advocacy targeting reviews of policies and strategies to improve service delivery.”

Similarly over $ 23 million will be channeled to the development and implementation of value chains program in Rwanda.

“This program is in line with economic transformation as one of the main strategic pillars of the EDPRS II. Development of regional and global value chains has been identified as an important instrument for economic transformation, inclusive growth and deeper poverty reduction, with development of the agro-industrial, manufacturing and tourism sectors particularly targeted for this purpose.”

“This program will address challenges identified in EDPRSII, which underscores the need for enterprise development, enhancement of product quality and safety, quantitative measurement of value addition along the chain, promotion of coordinated linkages among producers, processors and retailers, and improvement of the competitive position of individual enterprises in the marketplace.”

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has fostered a gender-promotion environment that has enabled women to have a platform on which they can exercise their rights and freely contribute to the security development of the country.

Lamin Manneh, the ONE-UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator said this on December 23, during a training workshop for commissioned female officers, held at the RNP Headquarters in Kigali.

The workshop which was opened by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Oda Gasinzigwa, attracted 100 female officers under the auspices of RNP and ONE UN, to enhance the female officers’ capacity in various policing duties.

Speaking at the workshop, Manneh said that Rwanda’s image as a champion of gender equality has continued to rise internationally and commended RNP for recognizing the special work done by women officers.

“We share Rwanda’s vision of being a country free from all forms of discrimination, especially those based on gender; a country that is almost free of corruption provides this generation and the future generation a platform to fully participate in the affairs of the country,” Manneh said.

“In many countries of our continent there is strong expression to improve gender equality but it is not followed up by strong actions to implement these expressions. Rwanda is an exceptional country that has put in action these dreams,” he added.

He praised RNP for enabling female officers to get promoted at the same footing as their male counterparts, and added that the achievements made in the promotion of gender equality in Rwanda came as a surprise considering its dark past plighted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, where gang rape and defilement was also used as a weapon.

“Who would have thought that one day women will be sitting in high level positions in institutions such as Police, military or parliament?…… Rwanda’s achievements rank high and even better than those of developed nations,” he said.

“We are also happy to note that female police officers from Rwanda are playing a very important role in peacekeeping missions around the world. It is only through visionary leadership and commitment that Rwanda has turned a dream into reality.”

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, told the conference that gender promotion empowerment has positively impacted policing strategies and has enabled modest progress to be achieved over a period of time.

“Gender equality is not a favor but a right,” he said, adding that: “A country cannot fully develop if women are not given the right environment to contribute economically.”

“We always seek to give more opportunities to female officers; when more of them get higher ranks, they inspire other young women to work hard and do their part in developing the country.”

IGP Gasana said the force has taken various initiatives to promote gender in the force and to be part of peace building and development both at home and in other countries.

Rwanda is currently among the leading contributors of female police officers in peacekeeping missions, and is among the few countries that have elaborated the UN Security Council resolution 1325 action plan.

Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.

A Rwandan, CIP Antoinette Umuraza, was also in October 2014 appointed the chairperson of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) Women Network under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca).

Another officer, IP Felicite Mujawamariya, was also recently awarded with a medal of excellence by the UN for her outstanding performance in reform and restructuring as the UN Team Site Commander in Darfur.

Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa, commended Police for having a commendable number of female officers leading in various capacities, adding that the achievement is part of the government’s political will attain sustainable development through affirmative action.

“Gender promotion is a big step in the security and safety structures which were previously perceived to be a male business. Our country’s policy has proven that women can make tangible contribution in all sectors of development,” she said.

“I also thank the men, the commissioners and police officers for really supporting their fellow women officers to achieve their aspirations.”

Currently 20 percent of the total Police force is composed of women and the force is moving towards the 30 percent minimum requirement.

The RNP also holds the ‘Police Women Convention’, annually, which brings together female Police officers to deliberate on issues affecting them in their day-to-day duties.

Safety and security on the night of the New Year’s Eve was high with no major records of crimes, accidents and breach of laws.

The Police Spokesman, CSP Celestin Twahirwa, revealed that although many parties were conducted across the country to usher in 2015, police received no reports of deaths or injuries, which was attributed to previous campaigns urging residents to enjoy responsibly.

“The Capital was filled with public parties in several places like the Gikondo Expo Grounds and other places, as well as church activities where people prayed till the morning hours of January 1, 2015.

Everything went according to plan and no lives were lost or injured during these festivities,” CSP Twahirwa said.

On traffic safety, CSP Twahirwa said that only four accidents were recorded on the eve of December 31, 2014 while none of them involved any fatalities or serious injuries.

“When you compare to the same periods in previous years, you notice that we have achieved a lot in ensuring that safety is maintained towards the end of year.”

“With so many people eager to cheer the coming of a New Year, it is always inevitable that any carelessness is avoided – and Police was and will always be wide awake,” he said.

He appealed to the general public to heed to obeying the law and urged them to cooperate with Police by providing timely information about any suspicious individuals or activities that may undermine the security of the country.

In the weeks towards the festive period, police gathered steam in campaigning for safety in the times of merrymaking countrywide.

In the spirit of ensuring maximum traffic safety, police announced an offer to drive home any motorists who called to declare that they were in no capacity to drive their cars.

As Rwanda National Police (RNP) continues to bolster its ranks with well trained staff, the tenth intake of 916 recruits including 149 females, were successfully passed out after completing an intensive eight months Basic Police Course at the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana district.

The recruits were given the rank of Police Constable (PC) by Minister of Internal Security, Sheik Musa Fazil Harerimana, who officiated at the colorful ceremony on January 5.

In his remarks, Minister Harerimana congratulated the graduates and urged them to use their newly acquired skills in helping Police to achieve its mission aimed at delivering high quality services, accountability and transparency and safeguard the rule of law.

“You all chose well to join the Police Force because it shows your dedication to serving your nation. The sacrifice you have made to protect your countrymen day and night from criminality and harm is invaluable and necessary for Rwanda’s development,” he said.

“You must put what you have learned in practice. Remember that anything you do that is not backed by knowledge and skills is not complete; therefore, you must act professionally at all times. The world is developing with technology and Rwanda National Police has proved that it can go along with that pace.”

The Minister reminded the Police Constables the importance of maintaining citizens’ trust, which the police built over its 14 years of existence.

“A study last year revealed that Police conducts citizen trust of up to 87 percent in creating a safe, corrupt-free and crime free environment. This level of professionalism is admired internationally and in the region. You joined Police at the right time when we want that level of trust to even go higher,” he added.

The Commandant of the Police Training School, ACP Denis Basabose also congratulated the Constables and urged them to work with discipline and be patriotic at all times.

“The eight months you have spent at this school should be a basis for you to offer quality services and bring glory to Police operations. Always remember that you are governed by the core values of respect for human rights, integrity, teamwork and accountability,” he said.

In a bid to achieve its mission, RNP continues to pursue a consistent approach of professionalizing the force through training of its personnel in various modern Policing.

Currently, the Force has three schools; the Police Training School in Gishari, National Police College in Musanze and the Counter Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, Bugesera District.

The schools are mandated to provide high quality to national and African police officers and to build adequate capacity in facing emerging security and crime challenges.

Among its future prospects for the schools, RNP intends to open Masters of Science in Information Security and Masters in Criminal Justice and Human Rights.

The president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr. Akihiko Tanaka has commended Rwanda’s strategies designed to fast track middle-income status— Human resource development and upgrading technology.

Tanaka made the remarks while touring funded projects at Tumba College of Technology in Kigali.

He expressed his gratitude to the Rwandan government for efforts made to promote technological advancement through Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

“Human resource development and upgrading technology gives Rwanda a great potential to attain vision 2020,” Tanaka said.

“In order to become a middle-income state, the power of innovation, technological advancement and upgrading human resource are very important,” he added.

Since 2007, the government of Japan has supported Tumba College of Technology through JICA.

According to the Vice Principal in charge of academics and training Emile Abayisenga, said 2000 students have graduated from Tumbacollege since 2007 among them 1,150 acquired advanced Diploma and 850 in short course programs.

Through the college’s conducted surveys, employment rate of their graduates after 12 months is at 77% and employer satisfaction survey shows is at over 97%. The college currently has 413 students.

The Minister of State in charge of TVET Albert Nsengiyumvasaid that the government is very much involved in implementing a vision that is basically leading Rwanda towards becoming a middle level income country.

“Therefore, Rwanda needs to meet requirements such as embarking on economic transformation through technological advancement, human resource capacity building and attracting to the private sector invest more in TVET.”

Tumba College has been recognized as one East African centers of excellence. In 2010 TCT was named the best CISCO local academy, 2011 a regional academy and in 2012 received an award of CISCO center of excellence.

Tumba College of technology offers trainings in Alternative Energy –solar energy technology, bio gas-biomass energies, and hydro power technologies including the department of Electronics & Telecommunication that trains repair, assemble and maintenance of all electronic devices including mobile phones, computers.

The college has a project of computer refurbishment that helps the government to recover a lot of computers that are broken as well as design electronic devices, high frequency circuit technology like radio receivers and TVs focusing on global technology, cable communication and digital network and fiber optic technology.

It also has been performing well in robot technology competitions orgsanised by WDA in collaboration with JICA.

The College aspires to make a big contribution for the implementation of the Government’s targets through Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Vision 2020, EDPRS 2 and the National Employment Program (NEP).

The existing challenges to this ambition include introducing new programs that increase access to education, expansion in terms of infrastructure, equipment and personnel.

The Government of Rwanda has invested over 1.2 billion Rwandan francs US $2 million to strengthen the nation’s capacity to respond to natural disasters.

The investment is part of the government’s plan to manage natural disaster threats that are increasing because of climate change.

According to the Director General of the Rwanda Meteorological Agency, John Ntaganda Semafara, the early warning systems will help the government minimise risks associated with natural disasters.

“This is because the newly available and more accurate data from forecasts helps the government and citizens take preventive measures on time”.

The project has enabled the Rwanda Meteorological Agency to install early warning systems that issue data including more accurate forecasts and warnings at only five minutes intervals.

“We currently have the capacity to collect accurate forecasts from our weather stations all over the country in only five minutes. After analysis, our experts can easily advise citizens and others to act on time, including emergency services.”

The modern meteorological equipment installed by the Rwanda Meteorological Agency includes 22 automatic weather stations and a world class cluster computer that collects information from different stations across the country and makes it easy to assess and share.

“The automatic weather stations are connected to a technology that enables them to electronically collect and send data to the cluster computer which, after processing, also sends it back to computers in all stations in form of a SMS,” Semafara said.

Last week, fifty houses and schools were destroyed by torrential rain in Bugesera district, located forty kilometers from Kigali heading to South-eastern Rwanda.

The areas affected include Nyamata and its surroundings, with 45 houses destroyed, according to the first interim report provided by the Red Cross Rwanda.

Therefore, The Rwanda Meteorological Agency is currently working with telecommunication companies to use mobile phones to share information including daily forecasts and early warnings.

Over 5 million out of 11.5 million people in Rwanda own mobile phones, making it one of the effective communication tools to reach people in case early warning is needed.

The agency also works closely with local government and community leaders, which makes it easy to share information and respond quickly in case of an emergency.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde has hailed Rwanda for building a resilient and inclusive economy that has set it on course of becoming a middle-income country.

Ms. Lagarde who is in the country on a three-day official visit, was addressing government officials, members of parliament, business community, development partners as well as members of civil society in an address titled “Rwanda—Taking On the Future, Staying Ahead of the Curve.”

“Rwanda today is a dynamic economy with good governance standards. Second generation reforms have helped sustain growth, and even accelerate it beyond the rebound that came after 1994.

Women have been empowered and now offer a practical case of “gender in economics.” Rwanda is an economic success story,” Ms. Lagarde said.

She lauded the use of home grown interventions to promote more growth inclusion to improve social services especially for women and rural poor as unprecedented.

While acknowledging Rwanda’s growth has been impressive, Lagarde pointed out that to achieve the middle income status the growth model has to evolve.

She proposed a three pronged approach which include mobilizing resources to reduce aid dependency, encouraging private sector development and harnessing the potential of regional integration to support export diversification and overcome geographic constraints.

“These reforms are ambitious. Yet they are necessary to sustain Rwanda’s success into the future. And I am confident that policymakers will deliver. After all, they are bound by imihigo—another homegrown initiative to improve governance and service delivery to the broader public,” Ms. Lagarde said.

She assured that IMF would continue to partner Rwanda as it strives toward its development goals.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning ClaverGatete acknowledged IMF support through Policy Support Instruments that have contributed to the stability of the economy.

“The economic stability you see in Rwanda is due in part to our partnership with the International Monetary Fund,” Minister Gatete said.

The IMF supports Rwanda through an extensive program of technical assistance commonly known as Policy Support Instrument (PSI) in the areas of monetary and exchange rate management, supervision of bank and nonbank financial institutions.

It also offers support in public finance management, tax policy and administration, and compilation of national account statistics and more recently, on regional integration aspects, as part of the East African Community Monetary Union protocol.

The Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Zhao Houlin on a three-day official visit in Rwanda has commended the Rwandan Government for efforts invested in promoting the use ICT in speeding the country’s economic transformation.

On the first day of his visit, Houlin toured various government and non-government institutions working in areas of technology capacity building, innovation and projects dealing with ICT development especially the 4G Innovation Center at Carnegie Mellon University – Rwanda and toured the Rwanda’s first innovation hub known as KLab.

Zhao Houlin noted that he is very impressed by the development of the ICT sector in Rwanda and its contribution to national development.

“President Kagame supports the use of ICT as an enabler to foster the continent’s development,” he said.

He encouraged the young generation to embrace the use of ICT.

The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana said that the visit of such a high profile official from the ITU is a strong signal in the ITU-Rwanda relations.

He acknowledges that President Kagame has, personally, played an important role by a substantive support to the different activities of the ITU, where he co-chairs the broadband commission on digital development.

Lilian Uwintwali, the founder of a Kigali-based software development firm MA-HWII, thanks the Government for its role in helping the youth get access to ICT facilities.

“Klab is an innovation center where we are facilitated to get offices and use internet. This instills in us an innovative spirit to create successful businesses,” she observes.

Rwanda is a member of ITU and has recently been re-elected to be part of its Council for 2014-2018 in recognition of the exemplary leadership of President Kagame both at national and global levels in matters of ICT for Development.

In 2007 and 2013, Rwanda co-hosted with ITU the ‘Connect Africa Summit’ which resulted into more than $70 billion investment in broadband infrastructure in Africa over the five years that followed the conference.

In 2013, Rwanda hosted the ‘Transform Africa Summit’ that spun off the Smart Africa Alliance, a new platform that is shaping the future of ICT for Development in Africa. The next Transform Africa Summit is scheduled for October 29, 2015.

In the report’s ‘Affordability Index’, the top five developing countries taking the most effective steps towards affordable internet are all African, and is topped by Rwanda, Nigeria and Morocco.

There is still much to be done in Africa in order to bring the pricing down, and the A4AI notes that Latin America is leading the way for developing nations in creating reforms that will make things a little bit cheaper.

Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, has observed that the country’s broadband connectivity has become a key competitive differentiator in the global economy.

He said Rwanda made significant progress already for the widespread adoption of ICT, particularly in sectors such as health, government, education, agriculture, business and finance.”

In order to allow more adoption, the government negotiated with industry players— Retail Internet services provider and wholesaler ISPA to at least cut half the prices of 4G LTE internet.

The parties now sell a gigabyte of LTE internet at RWF 1,300, down 68 percent from 4,100 previously. Following the wholesale price cut, customers pay RWF 39,000 for 30 GB of unlimited internet per month under the ISPA flagship 4G Internet package, which was previously at about RWF 160,000.

The government set the internet penetration target at 97 percent by 2017 with mobile phone internet growing faster than other usages due to increased subscriber base by the three telecoms, MTN, Tigo and Airtel.

As of last year, mobile penetration rates were estimated at 70 percent while Internet penetration rates hovered around 27 percent.

In 2013, Rwanda launched ‘Smart Kigali’, an initiative to enable residents in the city of Kigali have access to free wireless internet in specific areas including public buses, King Faisal Hospital, Nyabugogo Taxi Park, commercial buildings and restaurants.

Rwanda’s ICT strategy is based on integrating key sectors in a system that combines connectivity, enabling policy and regulatory framework, as well as skills development and networks.

Defence personnel from regional countries continually use Rwanda as their case study to enable them contribute to their countries’ peace, security and development effectively.

A delegation of 50 students, senior officers from Kenya Defence Staff College is visiting Rwanda on a study tour from 14 March to 22 March 2015 to emulate their Rwanda counterpart’s strategies.

To have more insights on the country’s history, officers, visited Gisozi Genocide memorial where they paid homage to victims of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi as well as the National Heroes Museum.

Maj Gen G. R. A Owinow, Commandant of  Kenya Defence Staff College, who is leading the delegation said that as they train officers from the region, Rwanda offers them a good case study as far as military and socio-economic development are concerned.

He pointed out that their visit is aimed at understanding more about Rwanda and about the region.

He said that Rwanda is a country that came out of difficulties and now playing key role in regional integration. “Rwanda is a great lesson for African countries” he said.

The delegation comprises of students, senior officers from Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

While in Rwanda they will tour different RDF institutions including RDF Senior Command and Staff College, Rwanda Peace Academy, ZIGAMA CSS, Military Medical Insurance among others.

They will also visit other key government and public institutions.

Rwanda has played an important role in using the home- grown security initiatives to cooperate with regional and international forces to bring about peace and security in conflict-ridden nations.

The director of the Police division in the United Nations, Stefan Feller, on March 18, 2015 visited the Rwanda National Police in Kigali, where he commended the force’s contribution to international peace building.

“I am more than happy for the work done by Rwanda Police officers in various UN missions to restore peace, safety and security,” Stefan said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare, Commissioner for Public Relations and Community Policing in RNP reaffirmed more commitment last year, ahead of the International day of Peace held every September 21.

According to Gatare, this year’s International day of Peace will be celebrated under the theme “People Rights to Peace”.

“The role of RNP in restoring and ensuring peace and security in and outside the country is evident and remarkable,” he added.

RNP is now engaged in eight peacekeeping operations including Darfur, Abyei, South Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Cost, Mali, Haiti and the Central African Republic.

Since 2005, Rwanda has been serving in peacekeeping operation, when the force deployed the maiden 49 officers under the then African Union mission in Sudan, and its current capabilities.

The force maintains the uniqueness owing to the fact that they can operate in both Anglophone and francophone societies and have introduced home-grown initiatives in their areas of operations like Umuganda and supporting community socio-economic activities as part of the post conflict peace building and reconstruction experience.

Close to 2, 500 Police officers have served in various UN missions in the last one- decade.

Rwanda, which is the fifth contributor of the biggest number of peacekeepers, maintains over 600 police officers including those serving under Formed Police Unit (FPU), Individual Police Officers (IPOs) and those holding professional posts.

Stefan visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi where he laid a wreath in remembrance of the over one million victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The Secretary General of Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) Secretary General Tim Unwin has commended Rwanda’s efforts in promoting ICT.

He made the remarks during the Commonwealth e-Governance Forum Africa themed “Smart Governance through a Networked Government,” that attracted over 200 policy makers, regulators, academia, implementing agencies, as well as application providers.

“Rwanda has a lot to share with the world in terms of adopting e-Governance to improve service delivery, efficiency and transparency,” Unwin said.

He disclosed that the Commonwealth e-Governance Forum 2015 will examine new technologies, showcase innovative e-Governance services, facilitate knowledge exchange and assist relationship building,

“Technological advances such as Open Data and Cloud services have added new dimensions to e-governance.”

The forum explored topics geared towards promoting ICT as a tool for effective service delivery.

The government has put in place various mechanisms including launching Fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE) Internet services after it was launched last year

The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philibert Nsengimana says that the e-Governance Forum comes at a time when Rwanda is entering the last five years of its economic blueprint- Vision 2020, whose target is to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy with suitable service provision through electronic governance.

“E-Governance in Rwanda forms a pivotal part of national development agenda. A number of initiatives, policy, legislations and investments have been put in place to enable and promote Government’s digital transformation, whose target is to turn the previous agrarian economy into a knowledge based economy.”

Minister Nsengimana further stresses that Rwanda is working to leverage latest ICT capabilities such as big data, analytics, social media, mobility, and others to deliver transparent, efficient, citizen-centred and accountable governance.

CTO is an international body based in London which is engaged in multilateral collaboration of ICTs and uses its experience and expertise to support its members in integrating ICTs to deliver interventions that enrich people within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Students from St Andrews University based in the UK are visiting to learn from Rwanda’s progress in post conflict reconstruction.

Led by Dr. Hazel Cameron, a lecturer in Criminology and Genocide studies and currently the Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, the delegation include four professors and eleven post graduate students.

During discussions, Dr. Hazel Cameron disclosed St. Andrews University’s partnership with Rwanda that will see an unlimited number of PhD scholarships offered to Rwandan students interested in International studies.

Speaking to the delegation on Rwanda’s progress, President Kagame pointed to homegrown solutions as key to achievements.

“We have very high ambitions and scarce resources. Before we go out begging for things we may never get, we have to ask ourselves, have we exhausted the resources around us? This is how homegrown solutions start,” said Kagame.

With the majority of students interested in post conflict reconstruction, President Kagame explained the reasons that led Rwanda to choose reconciliation over revenge:

“If you are fighting injustice and get to where you want to be, it is absolutely wrong to be the same person to practice injustice.”

“With a leadership that gives people a chance to forgive and think more about future than past, any society can overcome,” President Kagame added.

On challenges that have shaped Rwanda, the President shared part of the vision that led to the liberation of the country:

“Born in exile, living as refugees, we could not stay stateless forever. We could not give up. We chose to address the situation.”

“We are moving ahead, learning from what works and what doesn’t work and adjusting without losing sight of our goals,” he added referring to Rwanda’s vision for the future.

The group come to Rwanda to understand Rwanda’s decentralization process, good governance policy and home grown solutions which have so far enabled Rwanda to attain economic, social and development transformation in last two decades.

According Cameron, who also teaches optional module called “Civil War, Genocide of Tutsi and Transformation Rwanda at University of St Andrews, the group will learn from the experience of Rwanda’s good governance policies which have made Rwanda different from other African under developed countries.

President Kagame commended women from Unity Club “Intwararumuri” as well as Rwandans who have dedicated their time to promote unity and reconciliation in the Rwandan society.

He made remarks at the celebration organized by Unity Club members and Rwanda Leaders Network (RWLN) for the Women’s Day Celebrations dinner in Kigali.

“Promoting gender equality is not just about numbers and statistics, but also the responsibility that we have for each other,” said Kagame.

The theme of International Women’s Day this year, Make It Happen is what Rwandans and especially Rwandan women have done and continue to do, every day. Promoting gender equality does not take place in isolation.

“It is an integral part of our national commitment. Any place, that does not make gender equality a priority, is probably getting other important things wrong too,” he stated.

“Women who are seizing opportunities should use those gains, to make an even greater impact, in the lives of other women. Violence against women is not a Rwandan culture and it will not be tolerated, “ he said.

“Its our duty to apply the law not to support it. It should be clear that Rwandans need to respect each other and their spouses. It is said that men are the head of families, but you must know that women are the heart of our families and not assistants to men.”

“Both men and women should compliment each other and not shame one another so that Rwanda can accomplish so much more,” kagame added.

He reminded the members that that men and women need to continue working together so that the country’s future generation may have good families and a bright future.

Unity Club is a Rwandan non-governmental organization whose effective full membership is made up of female spouses of former and current cabinet ministers as well as former and current women ministers.

There are also associate members composed of spouses of effective members.

UC’s mission is to harness unity and peace as a strong foundation on which to build sustainable national development which can only be obtained if all Rwandans, men and women alike, are united, are at peace with one another, and are enjoying by right to equal opportunities.

The club also significantly contributes to the promotion of empowerment of Rwandan women in general, and to the promotion of gender equality through creation of equal opportunities for all in particular.

RWLN is a platform that brings together women leaders and achievers to share experiences and ideas on how to exploit their potentials and to nurture young women towards the development of the nation.

On 7 April 2015, Rwandans across the country will commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi for the 21st time.

They will honour the million lives lost in a hundred days. Known as ‘Kwibuka’ – the Kinyarwanda word for ‘remember’ – this year’s commemoration will focus on fighting Genocide denial and revisionism.

Both the mourning week and the 100 days of commemoration period will be an opportunity to enhance historical clarity, get closer to genocide survivors – especially the most vulnerable, towards surmounting the country’s tragic history.

The period will also be an occasion to recognise rescuers.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean-Damascene Bizimana says that events to mark the 21st Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi nationwide will be held at village level.

“Holding commemoration events at village level intends to instill in our grass-roots communities a sense of ownership. Communities will come together to reflect on the country’s tragic history in general, and the Genocide against the Tutsi in particular, “ said Bizimana.

“This will be a special opportunity to visit, support and console genocide survivors countrywide. This is an occasion to discuss and seek lasting solutions to issues facing vulnerable genocide survivors.”

Bizimana adds that this year’s commemoration will focus on fighting genocide denial and revisionism.

“Denying is the last step of genocide. To ensure that ‘Never Again’ becomes a reality, we must fight Genocide deniers and revisionists whoever and wherever they are. Those who deny the Genocide do so not out of ignorance, but rather as a premeditated act.  As Rwandans, fighting denial is our responsibility.”

On the 7 April, the Guest of Honour will join families from across the country and special guests from around the world to honour the memory of those who perished in the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The Guest of Honour will light the National Flame of Mourning that will burn for 100 days. The flame will be lit at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre.

In the evening, grass-roots communities will gather at village level to visit and provide support to vulnerable genocide survivors.

Throughout the commemoration week, citizens will gather in all villages nationwide to reflect on the country’s history, and discuss different genocide-related topics focusing on fighting genocide denial.

The mourning week will end on 13 April 2015, while the commemoration period will continue for 100 days.

President Kagame has said that with the kind of professionalism and skills they are equipped with, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) should be able to put Rwandans in a state where they take their security and safety for granted.

He made remarks at the pass-out of the 7th intake of Police Officer Cadets on May 11, 2015 at the Police Training School in Gishali.

“Rwandans must get what they deserve—development, not hunger, bad governance and insecurity. Let us continue to work to deliver the development to our people. Every one of us must play their part, “Kagame said.

“Police has contributed to bringing peace beyond our borders with professionalism. But it should start here. Rwandans must be able to take their security and safety for granted. You have been trained to ensure that this is the case.”

Thanking partner countries that have been working with Rwandans to build the capacity of Rwandan police officers, Kagame warned that no matter the amount of resources made available in terms of training, equipment and knowledge, nothing would be achieved without a disciplined police force.

President Kagame asked the new police officers not to think that the training they had undergone was an end in itself:

“The toughest part begins now. This is the time to show your commitment and fulfill the expectations of the Rwandan people through exemplary service.”

The 7th Police Cadet Course kicked off on 21 April 2014 with 475 trainees, who included 65 serving police officers and 410 newly recruited civilian graduates, 7 of them helicopter pilots.

President Kagame commissioned 462 Police Cadets as Rwanda National Police Officers.