DRC rebel defectors deny Rwanda linksMen who are believed to have defected from a the M23 a faction that broke from the Congolese army and now is fighting  against the Congolese government refuted media reports that Rwanda was behind their recruitment.They were responding to questions from a joint DRC-Rwanda verification team in which the UN mission in Congo (MONUSCO) was also represented.The report from the team indicates that five of the alleged defectors denied claims that they pinned or implicated Rwanda. They said that it was wrong and exaggerated. The five said that they never had any military training in Rwanda, recruited or even armed before being sent to the warfront, according to the report. The document that was signed on June 26, was signed by DRC’s Col. Jean Claude Yav and Rwanda’s Col. Fred Muziraguharara, who head an eight-member team that investigated the claims.Embrace savings culture – First LadyThe First Lady, Jeanette Kagame, called on Rwandans to join credit and savings cooperatives. She said this will promote the culture of saving, urging Rwandans not to fear loans.She also said that it is very important to be confident in business undertakings. She made the remarks during the 15th anniversary of Coopedu, a local micro finance.The MFI has helped extended financial services especially to women over the years.She urged beneficiaries of Coopedu to inform or pass on their experiences to other young people, saying this will motivate the young generation to work towards development. The institution has also given men access to credit to which The First Lady said it also promotes the country’s policy of promoting gender equality. States urged to strengthen joint intelligence centreMember states of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) were called on to fully constitute the regional intelligence centre so as to succeed in its mandate.The call was made by Ambassador Vicente Muanda, who is Deputy Executive Secretary of the international Conference on the ICGLR. This centre was opened this month in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Muanda told reporters in Kampala that any member country which has not sent a representative to the centre to ensure information sharing amongst members.He said that this will empower them to neutralize forces operating in Congo.  Each of the eleven members is meant to be represented by two officials. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Uganda’s Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, called on member states to enact laws that will lead to implementation of decisions of the ICGLR Heads of State.RDF targets 7,000 for free medical treatmentA team of 212 doctors and nurses, including 26 specialists, mainly from the Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH), offered free medical treatment to over 7,000 residents.The teams were based at Gihundwe, Kibogora, Bushenge and Mibirizi hospitals plus Nkanka, Muganza and Karengera health centres.Orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, radiologists and gynaecologists were among the medical team.At the various hospitals, residents turned up in large numbers to get access to the free services The Director of the Rwanda Military Hospital said, Col. Dr. Ben Karenzi, said that the big numbers of the medical team carried out its duties effectively to make sure that all patients get treatment. DRC conflict hurting cross-border tradeIt was reported that traders or business people conducting business with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are worried of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Traders in Rubavu who on a daily basis cross the border to conduct business in Goma in the Northern Kivu said they are worried.    Pascalline Umuhire, a trader who deals in second hand clothes at Gisenyi market said that they (traders) are trying to avoid some parts of the country. Umuhire pointed out that to avoid crossing the border many times; she is now forced to buy goods in large quantities.She explained that on a few occasions whenever she crosses to DRC, she makes sure that she gets back to the Rwanda side 6pm.The Business women said that it is safe during day, but risky in the evening hours adding that sometimes violence breaks out.Rwf6b unaccounted forIn the financial year 2010/11, government ministries and parastatals spent at least Rwf5.9 billion without supporting documents, the Office of the Auditor General indicated.The Auditor General, Obadiah Biraro , made the revelation while presenting the 2110/11 audit report to both Chambers of Parliament. The report highlighted a recurrence of past malpractices and mistakes, including embezzlement and gross mismanagement of public funds, lack of supporting documents and wasteful public spending.In the latest report, expenses that lacked official justification, or partly supported expenditure, amounts to Rwf4.5 billion, compared to Rwf9.7 billion in the previous report.In the 2010/11 OAG report, unsupported expenditure totaled to Rwf5.9 billion, while in the 2009/10 report, it amounted to Rwf502.7million.