Rwanda’s smartphone market is rich with choices, catering to diverse preferences and needs. Like mobile shops in Uganda; Rwanda’s mobile shops have Samsung, iPhone and Tecno as their leading brands. Here’s a look at the top five smartphones, each offering impressive specifications, followed by noteworthy honorable mentions.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra leads the pack with its 108 MP quad-camera setup, 16 GB of RAM, and a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s designed for those who demand the highest quality in photography and performance.

Though it is still behind the latest Samsung models, it is still ranks the most popular because of its affordability and performance.

2. iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max boasts a powerful A15 Bionic chip, a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, and a triple-camera system with 12 MP ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses. It excels in delivering a seamless and high-performance user experience.

The iPhone is a highly respected brand. Though Apple has newer models of the iPhone, iPhone 13 is the most popular in Rwanda because of the performance and price compared to the newer models.

3. Huawei P40 Pro

The Huawei P40 Pro features a 50 MP quad-camera system, Kirin 990 5G processor, and a 6.58-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It stands out for its superior camera capabilities and solid performance.

Huawei is the best alternative for those who do not wish to carry very common brands like the Iphone and Samsung.

4. OnePlus 9 Pro

The OnePlus 9 Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 888 chipset, a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a Hasselblad-branded quad-camera setup. It is known for its rapid performance and fast charging capabilities.

5. Xiaomi Mi 11

Xiaomi Mi 11 features a 108 MP triple-camera system, Snapdragon 888 processor, and a 6.81-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It balances high performance with a competitive price.

Honorable Mentions

1. Oppo Find X3 Pro stands out with its 50 MP dual primary cameras and innovative design. 2. Google Pixel 6 offers a clean Android experience and exceptional low-light photography with its 50 MP main camera. 3. Tecno Phantom X provides solid performance and camera quality at a budget-friendly price. 4. Samsung Galaxy A52 delivers reliable functionality with a 64 MP quad-camera system and a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display. 5. Nokia 8.3 5G combines nostalgic appeal with modern features like 5G support and a 64 MP quad-camera setup.

These top five smartphones, along with the honorable mentions, showcase a range of options from cutting-edge technology to value-for-money choices, meeting the varied needs of Rwandan consumers.

Source: Rwandatechnews

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has declared Mpox, commonly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency across the continent. This announcement comes in response to the rapid spread of the disease, which has so far infected over 13,700 people and claimed 450 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year.

The declaration aims to galvanize African governments into action, improving coordination in the fight against Mpox and ensuring treatment and vaccines reach the most affected areas. So far, Mpox has spread beyond the DRC to other nations, including Burundi, Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Kenya.

Mpox Spread and Impact

Mpox is a highly contagious disease that initially spreads from animals to humans and then through close contact between people. Symptoms include fever, body aches, and rashes that can appear all over the body. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Since its resurgence, the disease has caused concern among health experts due to its rapid spread. In Kenya, the first confirmed case of Mpox was reported in late July 2024, while both Burundi and Rwanda have already recorded cases. The latest figures show eight cases in Burundi and two in Rwanda.

Two Strains of Mpox

There are two main strains of the Mpox virus. The milder strain caused a major outbreak in 2022, affecting Europe, Australia, and the United States. This strain primarily spread through sexual contact. The more severe strain, which has led to the current crisis in the DRC, is more lethal and has established itself in Central Africa.

Vaccination Efforts

Although there are three vaccines available for Mpox, access remains limited. The vaccines are primarily administered to individuals at high risk, such as those in close contact with infected persons. Africa CDC officials are working to secure more doses for affected regions to help curb the spread of the disease.

International Concern

Health authorities outside Africa are closely monitoring the situation to assess the risk of Mpox spreading to other regions. As cases rise and fatalities increase, international efforts may soon be required to contain the disease and prevent it from becoming a global crisis.

The Africa CDC’s decision to declare Mpox a public health emergency is expected to help streamline efforts to combat the disease, ensuring that the affected countries have the necessary resources to fight the outbreak effectively.

President Paul Kagame has been sworn in for his fourth term as Rwanda’s head of state, expressing his gratitude to Rwandans for their trust and outlining his vision for the country’s future. During a grand ceremony at Amahoro Stadium, attended by tens of thousands of Rwandans and over 20 African heads of state, Kagame emphasized that Rwanda would continue to surpass expectations, saying, “If you’ve given me the opportunity, we will achieve everything we desire.”

Kagame, who won last month’s election with 99% of the vote, addressed his country, acknowledging the significant progress made over the past 30 years. He assured Rwandans that his new term would mark the beginning of even greater achievements, stating, “This new term is the beginning of achieving even more so that we can reach all that we desire.”

Kagame’s Key Commitments to Rwandans

Through the manifesto of his party, the RPF-Inkotanyi, Kagame has laid out several key goals for his 2024-2029 term:

• Water and Electricity: Ensure 100% access to clean water and electricity across the country.
• Affordable Housing: Build low-cost homes to increase access to housing in urban areas.
• Agricultural Growth: Increase agricultural output by 8% annually.
• Industrial Growth: Raise industrial production by 13% per year.
• Job Creation: Generate 250,000 new jobs annually.
• Infrastructure Development: Construct and rehabilitate around 1,100 kilometers of paved roads.
• Bugesera Airport: Complete the Bugesera International Airport project.
• Aviation School: Establish an aviation and airport management school to build local expertise.

Addressing Regional Peace and Stability

Kagame also touched on regional peace, particularly the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. He reiterated that peace in the region remains a top priority for Rwanda but stressed that it cannot be achieved unless those directly involved take decisive action.

DR Congo’s government has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which controls parts of North Kivu Province. Kagame, however, pointed out that the root causes of the conflict must be addressed, particularly the persecution of Congolese Tutsis who speak Kinyarwanda. He also thanked Presidents João Lourenço of Angola and William Ruto of Kenya for their mediation efforts in the conflict.

Kagame concluded by emphasizing that peace requires active participation from all sides, saying, “Peace doesn’t come by itself; we must all play our part and do what is necessary to achieve lasting peace.”

With a clear roadmap laid out for the next five years, Kagame’s fourth term aims to build on Rwanda’s successes while addressing both domestic development and regional stability.

The African Development Bank Group has approved a $23.6 million loan to support the construction and equipping of a new aviation training facility in Kigali, Rwanda. This Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills (CEAS) aims to address the growing demand for aviation professionals in Africa while advancing Rwanda’s goal of becoming a regional aviation hub.

The facility, which will include an aircraft hangar and collaborate with higher learning institutions, will offer specialized training to meet global aviation industry standards. It is expected to enroll 500 students by 2025, offering courses for pilots, aircraft maintenance staff, cabin crew, and dispatch personnel. Additionally, training programs for drone piloting and advanced pilot missions will be part of the curriculum.

Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, emphasized the importance of the project: “The Bank’s support for this Centre of Excellence demonstrates our commitment to investing in human capital for jobs in Africa’s aviation industry.”

With Africa projected to need over 50,000 aviation professionals in the coming two decades, including pilots, technicians, and cabin crew, the Centre is designed to help fill this gap. The project aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which focuses on improving human capital and transforming the workforce for higher productivity.

Nnenna Nwabufo, Director General for East Africa at the African Development Bank, highlighted the Centre’s potential to uplift the skills of Rwanda’s youth and those across East Africa. “This project is a critical component of the Bank’s Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa Action Plan,” she said.

The construction phase of the project is expected to employ 1,000 workers, with 98 jobs created during its operational phase. The Centre’s location near Kigali International Airport will further integrate it with Rwanda’s aviation infrastructure, supporting the country’s ambition to attract international investment in the sector.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has confirmed his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, potentially extending his presidency to nearly three decades. In an interview with the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique, Kagame expressed satisfaction with the support he continues to receive from Rwandans.

“I am happy with the confidence that Rwandans have in me,” Kagame said, underscoring his willingness to lead as long as the people want him in office. The announcement solidifies previous hints he made about seeking re-election but is the first time he has explicitly stated his intention to run in next year’s poll, scheduled for August.

Kagame has faced significant criticism from human rights organizations that accuse his administration of suppressing opposition and curtailing free speech. In the 2017 presidential election, Kagame won by an overwhelming margin, securing nearly 99% of the vote. Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the election, arguing it took place in a repressive environment where political dissent was stifled.

In response to concerns raised by international observers and rights groups, Kagame dismissed external criticism, stating that Rwanda’s governance is a matter for its citizens alone. He questioned Western concepts of democracy, asserting that attempts to impose foreign values on Rwanda are misguided. “What these countries think is not our problem,” he said, adding, “Seeking to transplant democracy to someone else is already a violation of democracy in itself.”

Kagame first rose to prominence as the leader of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), the rebel group that ended the 1994 genocide. He officially assumed the presidency in 2000 following the resignation of then-president Pasteur Bizimungu. Rwanda adopted a new constitution in 2003 that limited presidents to two seven-year terms, but a controversial referendum in 2015 paved the way for Kagame to extend his rule. The constitutional amendments allowed him to run for a third seven-year term in 2017 and potentially two additional five-year terms starting in 2024.

Despite Kagame’s strong grip on power, critics argue that opposition to his government remains dangerous, with several prominent opposition figures attacked or killed while in exile. The government has denied involvement in these incidents, though Kagame has warned in the past that those who betray Rwanda will face “consequences.”

Kagame, now 65, remains a dominant figure in Rwanda’s political landscape, and his re-election bid is expected to generate significant debate both within the country and abroad. As Rwanda continues to grapple with questions about democracy and human rights, Kagame’s candidacy is likely to draw both support and criticism, as his presidency approaches three decades in power.