Another top FLDR commander surrenders

Another senior commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), surrendered Tuesday to UN troops who transferred him to Rwanda on Thursday.

Samuel Bisengimana, 43, was a top politician in the FDLR and was in charge of mobilising civilian support and recruitment, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).

FDLR is composed of remnants of the former Rwandan army (ex-FAR) and Interahamwe militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Over 3,000 FDLR militia members have returned home since the beginning of 2009.

KCC to eliminate thatched houses by next month

The management of Kigali City has said that by next month, all grass-thatched housing will be eliminated in all the three districts.The Director General of Kigali City, Aimable Gasana Ndakengerwa, made the pledge on Wednesday during an anti-Nyakatsi drive in the sectors of Nduba and Ndera in Gasabo District. During the exercise, KCC, in partnership with residents and security personnel, cleared a site and laid the foundation of 60 houses in Ndera.He said that KCC in collaboration with the residents and security organs will spend three weeks in Ndera sector making bricks for construction of the houses.Gasana added that KCC will also build a health centre with in the same area.

Heavy rains leave 20 families in Rwamagana homeless

At least 20 families in Rubona Sector of Rwamagana District were left homeless, following two days of heavy rains that destroyed their houses. Daniel Karinganire, the sector’s Executive Secretary, described the situation as terrible, appealing to the central government for aid as the sector’s disaster management committee plans a way forward.

HIV/Aids cases in prisons on the decrease

The number of HIV/Aids cases among inmates has dropped drastically, the Commissioner General of Prisons said mid this week. Mary Gahonzire attributed the fall in HIV cases to the massive awareness campaigns that have been carried out in the prisons. "Prisoners and prison staff were sensitised about the virus and ways to prevent its transmission, with special reference to the likely risks of transmission within prisons,” she said.Gahonzire further explained that good prison conditions, such as access to clean water and ventilation, as well as good facilities for personal hygiene offered an ideal environment to those infected. According to Dr. Anita Asiimwe, the Executive Secretary of National Aids Control Commission (CNLS), follow up is made on infected prisoners after they have been released.

"IPAR ranked among Best New Think Tanks”

The institute of Policy Analysis and Research-Rwanda (IPAR) has been ranked among the Best New Think Tanks by the global Think Tank index. PAR emerged among the top 20 new think tanks established within the last 18 month. The African centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) of Nigeria and Casablanca institute of Morocco are the other African think tanks appearing in the category. 

Bagosora appeal hearing set for April

The appeal of the former Director of Cabinet in the Ministry of Defence during president Habyarimana’s regime, Col.Theoneste Bagosora, will be held in April. Bagosora who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 for his role in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, will appear before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).Colonel Anatole Nsengiyumva, and Major Aloys Ntabakuze the other two who were sentenced alongside Bagosora, will also have their appeals heard in March and early April.

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