Upcountry Insight- Reflections on 2008 activities in Northern Rwanda

NORTHERN PROVINCE To many, in the rural communities it is tradition that the end of the year is punctuated by cerebrations; a re-union with God through worship, lavish spending on new home appliances and clothes. Feasting also marks the mood especially during New Year’s eve celebrations. A special analysis of key events through out the year and their impact indicates that, they affected the Northern Province positively and lay a strong foundation for the coming year, 2009. The provincial mass demonstrations to denounce French behavior. Residents from 89 sectors which make up the whole of Northern Province went to the streets in thousands to demonstrate against what they called European arrogance following the arrest of Rose Kabuye. It was one of the occasions which united Rwandans from all walks of life, to shout anti-European slogans, carry posters denouncing the detention of an African leader as they called for the arrest of Genocide fugitives hiding in France and Germany. Bill Clinton’s Visit in the area The former US president Bill Clinton on his visit to Rwanda officially launched the construction of a modern hospital in Butaro-Burera district. The hospital is part of the initiative to extend integrated primary health care to Rwanda’s rural areas, it is estimated to cost over 1$million and will be funded by the Clinton Foundation. President Kagame’s tour in the North During his upcountry tour, President Paul Kagame visited Burera district and applauded the developmental achievements registered in the province calling upon the residents to utilize such initiatives to act as a corner stone which will spur development. Gorilla Naming Ceremony in Musanze On the foothill of Virunga mountain thousands of people from Rwanda, hundreds of friends from the region and tourists from Europe, USA and the rest of Africa gathered on the edge of Parc Nationale de Volcano to cerebrate the gorilla naming ceremony, with a clear message ‘working together to conserve our wild life.’ The unique ceremony is held in Rwanda every year and it recognises that humans are connected to species of flora and fauna, and thus are called upon to take care of especially the endangered animals like the mountain gorillas. Gakenke district leaders Resign The three district leaders; the mayor, Apophorodite Mugemangango, the vice mayor (social affairs) Nyirihirwe Winifred and Joseph Karekezi (economic affairs) were dismissed for allegedly possessing and failing to avert genocide ideology cases reported in the district, neglect of responsibilities and mismanagement of the district funds Uganda MPs Visit Musanze Members of the Ugandan Parliament Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry made a working visit to Rwanda and visited Volcano National Park-PNV where they hailed Rwanda’s tourism conservation initiatives and commended the revenue sharing scheme through which the community surrounding the park have benefited. Burundi Vice President Visit Burundi’s first vice president Dr Yves Sahinguvu toured the Northern Province as part of his three day official visit to Rwanda and together with his delegation, they met sector executive secretaries who were attending a civic education programme Itorero at the Peace and Leadership Centre-Nkumba. Kist launch Rural Technology Center Kigali Institute of Science and Technology launched a rural centre for technology innovation and transfer-CITT in musanze, and the satellite centre with technology fit for rural communities equipped with research materials on the technology to ensure its sustainability. It was officially launched by the KIST rector Professor Crysology Karangwa. Busogo crowned Miss ISAE The Higher Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry-ISAE, crowned Fridah Ingabire, Miss ISAE for the year 2008-09 in a beauty contest which was the first of its kind in the history of the area during which five girls participated in the colorful ceremony. Ends