Weekly Review

50 street children sent to rehab Local authorities in Karongi District on Tuesday rounded up 50 street children and sent them to Bwakira Rehabilitation Centre located in the same area. According to the district Mayor, Bernard Kayumba, the move is aimed at reducing chaos in the town. Kayumba noted that it was usually such people who turn into criminals stressing that the operation to get them off the streets was a continuous process. The mayor further explained that the tourism sector in the district would not be compromised due to threats posed by the increasing number of street children. PM attends Kabila’s swearing-in Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi on Tuesday was in Kinshasa to attend the swearing in ceremony of Joseph Kabila, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The Director of Cabinet affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office, Eugene Barikana confirmed that the Premier had travelled to the Congolese capital to attend the ceremony which followed the Supreme Court decision to uphold Kabila’s victory. Kabila was sworn in for his second term following his November 28 re-election that was mired in controversy. The event in Kinshasa was held under tight security, following protests by supporters of opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi. President Robert Mugabe was the only African Head of State present during the ceremony held in the Presidential compound and attended by thousands of Kabila’s supporters and invited guests. Upon his inauguration, Kabila vowed to safeguard national unity and promote peace and security in the country and within the region. The Congolese leader also vowed to focus on the economic growth of the country. Kabila scooped 49 percent to Tshisekedi’s 32 percent in the election which follows a relative return to peace, especially in the Eastern part of the country. Ombudsman seeks prosecutorial powers If a draft bill governing the organisation of the Office of Ombudsman that is before Parliament is passed, it would give the office powers to investigate and prosecute corruption related cases, as well as conduct searches of premises to unearth evidence of graft. Article 28 of the draft law stipulates that the Chief Ombudsman and his deputies will be granted prosecutorial powers for all offences relating to the functions of the Office. The bill shall give the Ombudsman’s office powers to advise, demand concerned institutions to address complaints sent to them, request disciplinary sanctions, recover assets, review judgments whenever it deems necessary, execute judgments, orders and writs.The Acting Ombudsman explained that the current law enacted in 2001 was being modified to foster an environment free of corruption and injustice. First Lady sounds alarm on drug abuse The First Lady, Jeannette Kagame has reminded parents to assume their roles and talk to the youth about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. Mrs.Kagame made the remarks early this week while opening a high level meeting on alcohol and drug abuse among youths in the country. The meeting was convened to highlight the increasing drugs and alcohol abuse among the youth in the country and chart ways to address the problem.The First Lady noted that it had been noticed that many youth indulge in alcohol and drugs without thinking about side effects. She requested owners of hospitality facilities like hotels, night clubs and bars, to play their role in curbing the vice. She also requested lawmakers to come out with clear legislative guidelines on alcohol and drug abuse. According to police statistics, alcohol and drug abuse tops the crime list and is a big threat to national security and development. While illicit brew is produced in the country, most drugs consumed like cannabis, brown sugar, heroin and others, are smuggled from neighbouring countries. US deports another Genocide fugitive The US government has deported another Genocide fugitive, the second one this year, following the deportation of Jean Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka (alias Zuzu) who was handed over to Rwandan police at Kigali International Airport in January. The latest deportee – Marie-Claire Mukeshimana, also arrived in the country mid this week. Mukeshimana who hails from the former Butare region, in the Southern Province, faces deportation after migration enforcement authorities in the US found that she lied to get her entry papers.This was the same reason Zuzu was deported. John Bosco Siboyintore, the head of the Genocide Fugitives Tracking Unit (GFTU), Mukeshimana worked for World Vision during and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Demobilised soldiers get new houses Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), on Tuesday inaugurated 11 newly constructed homes for disabled ex-combatants in Ruhango district.State Minister of Local Government, Alvera Mukabaramba and RDRC chairman, Jean Sayinzoga, commissioned the houses in Muyanja, Ruhango sector. The programme was initiated in 2008 and so far, 316 houses have been constructed countrywide for grade II demobilized soldiers. Over 150 houses were meant to be built at an estimated cost of over Rwf1.6 billion from the government coffers while 125 more houses will be constructed next year. Commending the commission for proper use of funding, Mukabaramba said that the housing project was part of the government’s plan to improve lives of its citizens. Diaspora remittances rise by 12% Money sent by Rwandans living abroad increased by 12.5 percent, from Rwf320 billion in 2010 to Rwf360 billion in 2011 indicating more involvement by the Diaspora in the country’s economic sector. More economic input from abroad is also expected when the Diaspora Mutual Fund begins to operate properly, according to leaders of the Diaspora. Through the mutual fund, members create a common basket through which their respective investments back home are channeled. Brought together under the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN), the Diaspora met this Wednesday to discuss how to finally implement the fund and sensitize other members about its functions.The Executive Secretary of RDGN, Aimable Rwamucyo, said that disseminating information to members worldwide was one of the association’s main challenges which would be tackled during the retreat. Ends