Miss Rwanda boss arrested for sex crimes, Genocide fugitive extradited, Kagame, Museveni hold talks, and more about last week

The past week started off with a spark of hope that Rwanda-Uganda relations could finally be sweetened again, after President Kagame visited the country for the first time in four years, attending the First Son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s birthday celebrations on April 24. On Monday, April 25, before hitting the road back home, Kagame had talks with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on bilateral, regional and global issues. That same day, Dieudonné Ishimwe, CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Backup that organises Miss Rwanda beauty pageant, was arrested over sexual related crimes towards former beauty contestants, sparking mixed reactions from social media users. Nevertheless, First Lady Jeannette Kagame has pledged continued support to the former contestants in the wake of investigations on crimes Ishimwe is being accused of. Although Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) did not specify sex crimes Ishimwe is being accused of, President Kagame while addressing participants at the RPF extraordinary Congress that took place at Kigali Arena on April 30, hinted that the crimes may include human trafficking. “It (the beauty competition) would not benefit them (the contestants) but rather the organizers. It would later result into human trafficking of these young women, or the organizers abusing them themselves,” Kagame said. During the meeting, President Kagame also called on all sectors, especially those involved in hospitality to do better in serving their clientele, adding that the sector has for long been dogged by poor service delivery. The Head of State added that this sector just like the rest where service delivery is lagging behind should improve as soon as possible, especially at a time when the country prepares to host the high-level Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated in the week of June 20. Earlier during the week, on April 27, Genocide suspect Jean-Paul Micomyiza, 49, finally arrived in Kigali, Rwanda after being extradited by Sweden. During the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994, Micomyiza was a second year student at the former National University of Rwanda, in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. As a university student, he was also a member of a committee called Comité de Crise that was instrumental in committing the Genocide. Micomyiza is accused of leading a militia and mutilating, murdering and raping during the genocide in 1994. The week was winded up by the bi-monthly car free day where President Kagame joined Rwandans across Kigali, and passed through the famous Biryogo car free zone, among other places, where he was warmly greeted by residents. First Lady Jeannette Kagame was also joined by former Miss Rwanda contestants, Imbuto Foundation staff and City of Kigali residents for the sports activity. Below we chronicle last week in pictures: President Paul Kagame departs State House Entebbe, for Kigali, Rwanda, concluding a two day private visit to Uganda. Suspect Dieudonné Ishimwe, CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Backup that organizes Miss Rwanda beauty pageant . First Lady Mrs Jeannette Kagame received Miss Rwanda figures for an intergenerational discussion on sisterhood, mentorship and empowerment. Participants at the RPF extraordinary Congress meeting at Kigali Arena. President Kagame has called on all sectors, especially those involved in hospitality to do better in serving their clientele. Genocide suspect Jean-Paul Micomyiza, 49, at the Kigali International Airport on Wednesday, April 27. / Photo by Olivier Mugwiza President Kagame is warmly hugged by a child during the car free day on Sunday. President Kagame waves to a resident at the Biryogo car free zone. First Lady Jeannette Kagame, former Miss Rwanda, Naomie Nishimwe, and reigning beauty queen Divine Muheto walking during the car free day. Former beauty contestants during a warm up exercise during the car free day.

News

Miss Rwanda boss arrested for sex crimes, Genocide fugitive extradited, Kagame, Museveni hold talks, and more about last week