High Court adjourns Mugesera appeal Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, early this week, expressed disappointment over a decision by the High Court to delay by a week, an appeal process in the trial of Genocide suspect Leon Mugesera.

This happened as the accused, together with his lawyer, decided to file an amended version of his submission, different from what he had filed on Friday last week, and whose copy had been obtained by prosecutors. The accused petitioned the High Court challenging a decision by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court which had ruled that he be interrogated in Kinyarwanda, a language in which he gave an inflammatory speech in 1992.Mugesera has requested that he be interrogated in French, while prosecution insists on using Kinyarwanda throughout the same process. He requested for the case to be delayed for a week to give time prosecutors to respond to his submissions in writing and have him get enough time to go through their response.. RRA awards scholarships to Genocide survivorsRwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has given ten university scholarships to Genocide survivors who did not have a chance to further their education due to financial constraints.The beneficiaries would be selected in consultation with relevant authorities.The meeting which brought together employees from RRA, the National Electoral Commission and the Office of the Auditor General also served as an occasion to remember customs workers who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. At the same function, MP Denis Polisi urged participants to focus on helping shape a future that would promote a country with a common development goal. ‘Walk to Remember’ held in UgandaHundreds of Rwandans living in Uganda, last Saturday, participated in a ‘Walk to Remember’ as part of the events organised to mark the 18th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The walk was organised by a youth anti-Genocide group - Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) and Rwandan students studying at Kampala International University (KIU).Carrying banners with messages denouncing Genocide and calling for its prevention in the world, the youth were joined by mourners from other countries in a one hour journey at Kansanga, a Kampala suburb. Later, the mourners gathered at the KIU main hall, where Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage underscored the importance of the walk in emphasising the Never Gain concept. Rwanda will not be affected by Canadian aid cut -Gov’tRwanda is not going to be affected by the Canadian government decision to cut aid to 12 poor countries as its contribution to the economy is insignificant, a senior government official has said. "We will not be affected, Canada has no direct budget support; they have been funding small and very negligible projects,” said Elias Bayingana Director of Budget in the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning. Reports from The Montreal Gazette indicate that 12 of the world’s poorest countries would be hit as the Canadian government intends to slash $377 million in foreign aid over the next three years. The media reports also said the affected countries will be officially informed in the coming weeks on how the changes will impact them. According to the Montreal Gazette the impact on each country is not yet clear. RDF officers ‘not pardoned’The four senior military officers who were this week released from house arrest were not pardoned, said the spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF). Lt. Gen. Fred Ibingira, the Reserve Force Chief of Staff, has been allowed to resume his duties after three months under house arrest, while the other three remain suspended and under investigation, according to Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita. Investigations established significant professional failures including indiscipline with respect to getting involved with businessmen, lack of professionalism and disregard for the RDF chain of command, according to Brig. Gen. Nzabamwita. Brig. Gen. Richard Rutatina, Director, Military Intelligence (J2); Brig. Gen. Wilson Gumisiriza, Commander Third Division; and Col. Dan Munyuza, Director, External Security, remain under suspension as investigations continue.Kigali Public Library opens The Kigali Public Library finally opened its doors to the public Monday. Initially, the library, which is located in Kacyiru sector, Gasabo District, was supposed to have been opened in September last year, but it was deferred after various alterations in its construction, procurement of books coupled with various other activities aimed at making the library more accessible to its users. The books are already on the shelves and work is on going on the library’s website and procurement of more books. The Library is equipped with 12,000 books so far.  The remaining phase will be e-Resources, particularly in setting up a website to make it fully operational.Kagame meets religious leadersPresident Kagame this Thursday received representatives of Christian churches following their request to meet him over the ongoing debate regarding the abortion clause in the draft Penal Code. Parliament recently proposed exceptions to the law that criminalises abortion. Commenting on the discussion, Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, President of the Rwanda Episcopal Conference (CEPR), who led the delegation, said he was pleased that President Kagame had responded positively to their request for dialogue on the important issue of abortion, which he attributed to the culture of good governance that characterises today’s Rwanda. Minister of Local Government, James Musoni who attended the meeting described the discussion with the religious leaders as constructive..