Weekly review

Political parties given Rfw 300m The government has disbursed Rwf 300 million to three political parties that attained at least 5 percent of the parliamentary votes in 2008 election. The Executive Secretary of the Forum for Political Parties (FFPP); Anicet Kayigamba said this week. The government through FFPP disbursed the funds to only three of the nation’s political parties that had attained the required percentage in the parliamentary elections that were held in 2008. Police speaks out on Umurabyo arrests Police early this week revealed that the three people from a local Tabloid, Umurabyo, were arrested on “individual criminal charges” and warned that the arrests should not be related to elections or seen as a case of the state persecuting journalists. Addressing a joint press conference with the Ministry of Information and the Media High Council (MHC), this week police spokes person, Eric Kayiranga, said that it is the duty of the police to apprehend anyone suspected of breaching the country’s laws and threatening state security. 300 observers register for Presidential polls Over 300 local and foreign observers have confirmed their participation in the forth coming presidential elections slated for August 9.Among those that have shown interest are COMESA, foreign Embassies in Rwanda, and Regional Election Commissions. The local organization include the political parties’ forum, Civil Society Platform, Human right commission, center for conflict resolutions and the National Commission for the fight Against Genocide (CNLG) to mention but a few. Rwandan refugees repatriated from Uganda Rwandan refugees estimated between 1,800 and 1,900 were on Wednesday repatriated from Kyaka 2 and Nakivale refugee camps of western Uganda. The returnees arrived through Gatuna boarder post and were received by central and local government officials. Addressing the returnees, the Minister of Disaster preparedness and refugee Affairs, Gen.Marcel Gatsinzi, called on them to settle and live in harmony with other residents in their respective district of origin. Parliament puts NUR on the spot Members of parliament have expressed their anger over what they termed as ‘total mismanagement’ of the National University of Rwanda and implicated the university; head Prof. Silas Rwakabamba, for poorly managing the institution. The revelation comes as a follow up of a parliamentary probe that was commissioned sometime ago to scrutinize several problems in institutions of higher learning .The report revealed that all 26 institutions operate in pathetic conditions. Election press centre opened The Media High Council (MHC) on Thursday this week launched a fully equipped press centre which will facilitate both local and International journalists to effectively cover the August 9 Presidential election. Opening the centre, Protais Muson, the cabinet affairs Minister who is also the caretaker of Ministry of Information noted that the centre is part of the government plan to promote access to information by the public so that those who want any information on Rwanda get it first hand. Ends