US ambassador bids farewell to Kagame

The outgoing ambassador of the United States to Rwanda, Stuart Symington, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro to bid him farewell. Symington who has been ambassador to Rwanda since September 2008 will be replaced by David W. Koran.

In his parting message, Ambassador Symington said that the young people of Rwanda literally have what it takes to build the nation, noting that young people today have more opportunities than they had in the past and it is this potential that should be put to use.

Meanwhile, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Donald W. Koran was nominated in April 2011 by President Barack Obama to serve as U.S. ambassador to Rwanda.

 Administrative, financial duties not for Doctors – Binagwaho

The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binangwaho, early this week, stressed that doctors should keep off administrative and financial issues at their respective medical facilities. She stated that doctors’ responsibility should be patients’ health and not signing cheques or handling day-to-day management of hospitals. Binagwaho sounded the warning during her visit to Nyamata Hospital where she was given a guided tour around the facility by Bugesera mayor, Louis Rwagaju. During her visit, she gave time to the hospital staff to air their grievances and other issues hindering effective service delivery. Among the issues highlighted were arrears totaling Rfw272m owed to the hospital for the national medical insurance cover dubbed Mutuelle de Santé. The minister promised that her ministry would clear the debt in 15 days.

Rwandan peacekeepers in Haiti celebrate Liberation Day

Rwandan peacekeepers under the Formed Police Unit (FPU), currently on a peace keeping mission in Haiti, joined their fellow Rwandans to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Liberation Day. The celebrations took place, Monday, in the province of Jeremy where part of Rwanda’s contingent is based. Speaking during the celebration, the commandant of the FPU contingent, Chief Supt Egide Ruzigamanzi, highlighted the importance of the day, indicating that it was when the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was brought to an end and the country liberated from the divisive regime. He said that the day symbolized the rebirth of a nation. The guest of honour and mayor of Jeremy town, Doctor Ronald Etienne, congratulated Rwanda for her achievements over the last 17 years. He acknowledged Rwanda’s contribution to peace and stability in Haiti.

Ugandan minister commends Rwanda’s recovery

Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Asuman Kiyingi, has said that the national recovery achieved, so far, by the Rwandan people has put the country on the world map as a fast reformer and a growing economy. Kiyingi made the remarks as chief guest during celebrations to mark Rwanda’s 17th anniversary of the Liberation Day, on Monday. The minister reiterated his country’s commitment to maintain close cooperation with Rwanda, adding that the two countries enjoy good relations and interact freely including through intermarriages.NUR expansion to cost over Rwf18bn

The National University of Rwanda (NUR) is set to embark on an eighteen-month project that will see the construction of students’ hostels, lecture rooms, office blocks, laboratories, staff housing and a larger library. The project is expected to cost US$30 million (approximately Rwf18bn), with funding from the Korean Government. Speaking to The New Times, the Rector of NUR Prof. Silas Lwakabamba said that the reason behind the construction overhaul is the mismatch between the existing infrastructure and the current student population. Lwakabamba further says that the university also needs more lecture rooms due to the increasing post-graduate programs now amounting to 24.Currently, the university is benefiting from the newly opened ICT School supported by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) which is considered to be an ultra-modern ICT facility, even regionally.

President Kagame buys shares in BK

President Paul Kagame, on Wednesday, bought shares in the ongoing Bank of Kigali’s (BK) Initial Public Offer (IPO), a move that is set to encourage Rwandans to invest. Speaking to reporters at Village Urugwiro; BK’s Managing Director James Gatera said the President’s symbolic share purchase is also aimed at supporting the growth of the country’s budding stock exchange. "The President bought shares in BK as a move to support our young capital market but also lead by example to Rwandans, so that we can have the culture to save and invest,” Gatera said. The size of investment made by the President will remain confidential as part of the bank’s responsibilities to keep shareholder’s information confidential, he said.

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