Weekly review

Gov’t officials declare their assets online Government officials have been using the online system to declare their wealth to the Office of the Ombudsman. The new system is aimed at smooth-lining the process among officials, while further increasing the accuracy and documentation of received data. The deadline for this year’s declaration was Thursday. Jeanne d’Arc Mwiseneza, Director of the Declaration of Assets unit at the Office of the Ombudsman said that this year, the total number of officials supposed to declare their wealth is 6170, up from last year’s 6000.The declaration of assets serves as a means to prevent embezzlement of public funds by ensuring accountability and transparency. The asset declaration is designed to support the country’s zero-corruption policy, maintain proper accountability to the people, and encourage integrity. Anti- Nyakatsi drive nears completion The eradication of thatched houses, commonly known as Nyakatsi, is at its peak, according to officials in charge of the campaign. In an interview with The New Times mid this week, Augustin Kampayana, the head of the Rural Settlement Task Force at the Ministry of Local Government, confirmed the development. “The eradication of Nyakatsi has reached 99 percent in the whole country as per the official deadline of 30 June, and the remaining one percent, is putting final touches on the houses,” he said. He revealed that only two districts, Nyamasheke and Rusizi, were still behind schedule. He, however, added that the two areas had received iron sheets and houses were now nearing completion. 47,000 houses have so far been constructed countrywide. Rwanda a leader in peace and Security - US Envoy The outgoing US ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington has said that Rwanda has become one of the world’s leading countries in the preservation of peace and security in Africa and the entire world. The Ambassador made the remarks while addressing government officials and members of the diplomatic corps, who had gathered at the US Embassy in Kigali to celebrate the 235th Anniversary of the U.S independence. The envoy further commended the country for changing people’s lives through the provision of adequate health facilities, infrastructure and agriculture, which he believes has done immensely well in elevating the lives of Rwandans. The New Times, Xinhua to strengthen ties The New Times Publications and Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese news agency, are set to further the mutual cooperation that exists between the two organisations. This was agreed, on Thursday, between The New Times Managing Director, Joseph Bideri, and Xinhua’s General Director, Africa Regional Bureau, Wang Chaowen, during his visit to the Kimihurura-based publication. They agreed to strengthen partnership, particularly through news exchange programmes and capacity building. They observed that the two media organizations are ideal sources of news on their respective countries, and that the partnership will not only benefit the Rwandan and Chinese publics, but also the broader international community. Military High Court extends Rugigana’s detention The Military High Court (MHC) sitting at Kanombe on Thursday once again turned down the bail appeal of Lt. Col. Ngabo Rugigana and ruled that his provisional detention be extended by 30 days. After several adjournments of the bail ruling this month, a panel of Military Judges led by Maj. Bernard Ndayisaba upheld the request of the prosecution to extend Rugigana’s provisional detention to allow investigations to continue. “The Military High Court decided to consider the application by the military prosecution submitted on June 22, giving reasons why Lt. Col Ngabo Rugigana should not be accorded bail considering how his release could jeopardise investigations,” Ndayisaba ruled. He further noted that Rugigana is facing serious criminal charges, which, according to the law, the accused can be denied bail. Military prosecutors said that if released, he could escape and jeopardise investigations into his case. Parliament joins drive to eradicate Hepatitis Under the invitation of the Rwanda Network of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (RPRPD), Dr. Emmanuel Musabeyezu, a Physician and Pulmonologist, and Dr. Emmanuel Rudakemwa, a Radiologist, explained how the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is acquired; its symptoms; diagnosis and treatment. Musabeyezu told the MPs that hepatitis C causes liver failure, and liver cancer, among others. He added that the most common risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C are everything involving blood contact from person to person, especially – birth to an infected mother; and even having sex with someone with an infected person. He told MPs that hepatitis B can now be immunised and carries a bigger risk of acquiring cancer than hepatitis C. Lawmakers led by Abbas Mukama, the Deputy Chairperson of the Lower Chamber’s Committee on National Budget and Patrimony, urged the lawmakers to do whatever was necessary to equip hospitals with facilities to detect and treat the disease. Ends