Mugesera deported from Canada

This week a plane carrying Léon Mugesera touched down at Kigali International Airport after a long flight from Montreal, Canada, as a 16-year deportation battle came to a dramatic end. Mugesera, who in 1992 gave a virulent speech urging Hutus to kill their Tutsi enemies, had, since 1996, exploited all available legal avenues to challenge the deportation order. A Government statement later said that Mugesera will be held for processing of charges by the national police, for a maximum of 72 hours, after which his file will be forwarded to the National Public Prosecuting Authority.

Rwanda leads region in 2012 WB growth projections

Rwanda is likely to maintain its lead in registering the highest rate of economic growth within the East African Community (EAC) this year, if predictions set by the World Bank in its latest report on the prospects of the global economy come to pass. The report dubbed "Global Economic Prospects report for 2012”, says that Rwanda will maintain its lead in economic growth within the region set at 7.6 percent. However, the projection this year is a marginal slowdown to what the Bank says was a higher figure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 8.8 percent registered last year. The report states that growth in Uganda is expected to drop from an estimated 6.3 percent in 2011 to 6.2 percent in 2012 while Tanzania’s GDP is expected to see an improved performance from an estimated 6.4 percent in 2011 to 6.7 in 2012 and 6.9 percent in 2013.

Kagame meets Rwandan community in Uganda

President Paul Kagame called on Rwandans wherever they live to desist from divisionism and work towards earning dignity for themselves and the countries they live in.The President made the remarks on Friday while addressing over 3,000 members of the Banyarwanda community and Friends of Rwanda living in Uganda.The colorful ceremony began with a cultural performance from Ingenzi troupe, with the lively audience chanting patriotic songs. Kagame told the community that even with Africa’s high level of poverty, countries on the continent still have differences that have undermined unity and deprived the people of a dignified life. He cited an example of China, saying that Chinese who live in America work for the good of America, but that doesn’t stop them from working for the good of their country of origin.
 
NUR honours Mwapachu, Karma

The National University of Rwanda has conferred honorary doctorate degrees to two prominent politicians and diplomats; Kamalesh Sharma, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and Amb. Juma Mwapachu, former Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) the two were presented honorary degrees in political science and Literature. The awards ceremony took place late this week during a colorful graduation ceremony where over 3000 students were conferred with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in various disciplines. The Rector of the National University of Rwanda, Prof Silas Lwakabamba, noted that the two were awarded due to their contribution towards the world’s development. In his acceptance speech, Karma noted that it was an honour for him to be recognized and observed that the Commonwealth "will always endeavour for a better change”. Amb. Mwapachu thanked the university and hailed its role in the East African region. This is the second time the NUR has made honorary awards. Previously, the university aw
arded the former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata.

Rwanda, Uganda keen to eliminate trade barriers

The Tenth Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between Rwanda and Uganda kicked off early this week in Kampala with both countries promising to eliminate the existing Non-Tariff trade Barriers. The first meeting of senior officials was on Tuesday addressed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mary Baine, and her Ugandan counterpart, Ambassador James Mugume, ahead of President Paul Kagame’s three-day state visit to Uganda from the 25-27th this month. During the ninth JPC meeting held in Kigali last year, both countries agreed on the need to have a common policy on the management of Small- Medium Enterprises and try to improve cross border trade.

Mutuelle subscribers contest discrimination

Although the Mutuelle de Sante medical insurance scheme has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, some beneficiaries are expressing their discontent over the manner in which they are served.   Many complain that people willing to pay with cash, or who are members of "more valuable” medical insurance schemes like RAMA,  are attended to immediately while those with Mutuelle de Sante have to wait in long queues.  "When you go to a reception room of a hospital, you are directed where to sit depending on whether you will pay with cash or have Mutuelle or RAMA. Those with cash are then ushered to the doctor first, as well as those with RAMA, while those with Mutuelle wait,” says Evode Muvandimwe, a resident of Kacyiru who The New Times found at Kibagabaga hospital.  Margarita Mukakamanzi, a resident of Gicari, Rusororo Sector, also decried the service delay. She had been transferred to Kibagabaga hospital with a fungal skin disease early in the morning but had not been attended to by early afternoon.  Dr Bonave
nture Nzeyimana, in charge of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, underscored the fact that it was illegal and against the principals of the Mutuelle scheme to segregate patients.

Ends