Kigali, February 2, 2018. During their annual meeting hosted this year by embassy of Sweden in Rwanda, Swedish diplomats working on the African Continent Visited Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cooperation and East African community.

Minister of State Olivier Nduhungirehe who received them ,briefed Swedish Diplomats on the African Union priorities and ongoing institutional reforms and on the African union and European Union (AU-EU) relations.

Minister of State said: “However despite the agenda 2063 and its aspirations, there was an imperative to further strengthen our union. His excellency Paul Kagame President of Rwanda was tasked by his peers during AU summit of July 2016 in Kigali to conduct an institutional reform of The African union. President Kagame proposed Priorities for this reform which would focus on key priorities with continental scope which should realign AU institutions to deliver against those priorities and to manage the AU efficiently at both politically and operational levels.”

MOS Nduhungirehe also gave a briefing on the regional economy where he has said that the integration of regional economic communities like ECASS, NEPAD,UMA etc. would paved away for the continental integration which is also one of the aspiration of the agenda 2063.

He added that Rwandan AU chairmanship will also focus on persistence conflict on our continent which undermine our priority and integration.

Brig. Gen. Francis Mutiganda an officer in Rwanda Defence Force highlighted some security matters in the region and assured Rwanda’ s effort to work on it through this period of leadership of AU.

The visiting delegation had the opportunity to ask questions in order to know more about relations between Rwanda and her neighboring countries and African Countries in general.

The delegation has been in Rwanda since Wednesday,on their first day visited Gisozi memorial site of Genocide against Tutsis where they were explained more about Rwandan history. They have also visited Sustainable development goals Center for Africa.​

Every year Swedish MFA organizes three joint meetings for diplomats posted on the African continent and the Swedish Embassy in Kigali has offered to host this year’s meeting for diplomats working on the African continent.

Two years ago, Government of Sweden adopted a new five-year strategy for the development cooperation with Rwanda. The Swedish focus areas are good governance in broad sense, productive employment, environment and climate change and higher education and research.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame has officially become the new chairman of the African Union (AU), taking on the role during the 30th summit of the continental body this week.

Kagame took over the chairmanship from Guinea president Alpha Conde at the assembly of the heads of state and government, within the framework of the AU Summit, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to NewVision.
Kagame’s ascension to power within the continental union will undoubtedly be good for the integration and proliferation of technology throughout Africa.
The Rwandan president is known as a major advocate for the benefits that a technology-reliant country can provide to its people. His efforts as president of the East African nation are testament to this idea, and the advances that have been possible thanks to his focus on tech.
Under Kagame’s watch, Rwanda has experienced incredible progress in implementing technology programs, building successful tech partnerships with the private sector and creating an environment where innovation can thrive.
Kagame is also the chairman of Smart Africa, an organization that aims to provide leadership in accelerating socio-economic development through information and communication technologies.
The emphasis on technology is a theme that the president proudly champions within his own country, and on the continent as a whole, mentioning it in his chairmanship acceptance speech.
He said that African nations need to create a single continental market, integrate their infrastructure and revitalize their economies through technology, according to AllAfrica.
Kagame’s tech focus amplified through African Union
As chairman of the African Union, Kagame will be well placed to influence and establish policies and frameworks which will enhance the role technology plays across the continent, while encouraging AU members to embrace technology and its transformative nature.
Without a doubt, a big part of his mandate during a one-year term at the helm of the continental union will include emphasizing the role that technology can play in boosting economies, creating jobs and addressing challenges throughout Africa.
A simple look at Kagame’s achievements in his home country illustrate the potential that he holds for advancing Africa’s tech ambitions in his new position of power.
Rwanda has become Africa’s tech development star in recent years, accelerating growth thanks to a focus on technological development.
Kagame’s government, in an effort to become an information and communication technology services economy, and has invested over $100 million in a 2,796 mile fibre network, according to ITNewsAfrica.
The country continues to role out 4G internet across the nation, and a successful One Laptop Per Child school program is the envy of many education systems.
A Global Information Technology Report by the World Economic Forum even placed Rwanda first in government success with regards to information and communication technology promotion, according to Mail&Guardian.
The international recognition that the country has received for its tech focus under Kagame has been noteworthy, and with the ambitious and tech-savvy leader set to guide a panel of 55 African heads of state on issues relating to the continent, Africa’s tech future with Kagame in charge is much brighte

The City of Kigali, security agencies and National Rehabilitation Services (NRS) have started preparations to facilitate effective reintegration of hundreds of rehabilitated drug addicts, who are set to graduate at Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre (IRVSDC).

A total of 989 former drug dealers and addicts are set to graduate on February 9, in various vocational fields.

According to the vice mayor for the City of Kigali in charge of Social Affairs, Patricia Muhongerwa, the whole plan falls under the national programme to fight the scourge of drug abuse.

“Today (Wednesday) a team of officials from the City of Kigali including all vice mayors in charge of social affairs from Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro; security agencies and NRS are traveling to Iwawa ahead of the graduation to specifically profile the graduands, categorize them according to their skills and find ways to find them jobs,” Muhongerwa said.

The majority 800 of those graduating were from the City of Kigali.

“With majority graduating having sent by the City of Kigali, we need to exactly know their names, their parents or families; if they are residents of City of Kigali or from other parts of the country. These deeper discussions with them will inform the best appropriate action, for example, if some of them have families capable and ready to support them,” she added.

Those who don’t have families or whose families have no means, she said, will be supported to utilize the acquired skills.

“Together with security organs, we have partnered with groups and companies like Reserve Force, Utexrwa and business enterprises established by rehabilitated former drug dealers and addicts; we want to ensure that when these youth graduate they find better alternative and a better life,” she said.

This, she noted, is meant to lay a solid ground to prevent the young people from going back into abusing drugs.

According to Commissioner of Police (CP) Theos Badege, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, such initiatives supplement efforts to kill the market.

“It is not only about fighting the supply chain; it’s also about ensuring that the addicted are rehabilitated and given a better life, which facilitates in killing the consumption market,” said CP Badege.

This, he said, is a general concept that also involves parents, schools, different youth groups, faith-based organizations, local leaders as well as owners and managers of hospitality facilities to prevent the young people from abusing drugs and to ensure dealers are arrested and prosecuted.

RNP and the ministries of Youth, Local Government and Health started a countrywide awareness campaign in December last year specifically to bring on board various groups reverse the scourge of drug trafficking and abuse in the country.

According to Aime Bosenibamwe, the coordinator of NRS, breaking the chain of supply and killing the local market will also save the government expenses on rehabilitation.

Currently, the government spends at least Rwf70 million every month to support and rehabilitate over 3800 drug addicts are Iwawa alone.

The rehabilitation is in two phases; first six months of psychological and health rehabilitation, and six more months for vocational training.

“The government is now investing more in rehabilitation and awareness as means to kill the local market and save the youth, the majority victims. Gitagata is being upgraded to accommodate at least 1000 people up from 400 currently including girls below the age of 18 years, and women aged between 18 and 35 years,” Bosenibamwe said.

“Similarly, Nyamagabe rehabilitation centre once completed will accommodate about 2000 people. All these are government programmes designed to make sure that the young people whose life is ruined, get a better life and to support the joint efforts to combat the scourge of narcotic drugs in our country,” he added.

Since 2012, about 12228 addicted youth aged between 18 and 35 year, have been rehabilitated and equipped with vocational skills, with about 90 percent of completely healed and currently engaged in income generating activities.

Paul Kagame the President of the Republic of Rwanda, is the current chairman of African Union having taken over in the 30th AU summit that concluded on Sunday, 28th a move that was welcomed many Africans including heads of states who explicitly showed it.

Among many who took the lead in extending their congratulation message to Kagame include the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and Togolese incumbent president Faure Gnassingbé.
Uhuru Kenyatta who also attended the 30th AU summit wrote on the official twitter of the President of Kenya to congratulate Kagame and to express the confidence Kenyans has in him over success in delivering for the continent vision.
“Congratulation my brother President congratulations my brother, President @PaulKagame – I wish you well as you take the leadership of @_AfricanUnion. Kenya is confident you will deliver on our collective vision for Africa“.
Gnassingbé did so by writing also on his twitter account that he express his innermost congratulations to Paul Kagame on the assumption of the Head of the Pan-African Organisation, African Union and wishing him success on the mandate also pledged the support from Togolese people on conducting various project in the benefit of Africans and also in ongoing reform process.
President Kagame, who took over the helm of AU chairperson from Guinea president Alpha Condé, is regarded by many African as the person who might bring solutions to the problems facing the continent as for insecurity in many countries – terrorism and the self-financing policy of AU aligned in reform process of the organization.
In his acceptance speech, Kagame who was also tasked to lead and follow up the body for reform process thanked the governments for entrusted double trust and called for a continued collaborative support to achieving the AU vision.
“It is a solemn honour, to accept the call to serve as Chairperson of our Union. Thank you for your double trust. First as the leader of the reform process and now as the leader of our Union. I promise to do this with you and do the best job I can. Obviously, I will need your full support,” he said.

Rwanda is concentrated in Kigali, where the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 marked an unprecedented water shortage for residents of the capital. Kigali residents resorted to rationing in some areas; others depended on untreated swamp water.Rwanda ordinarily relies on natural water sources, but the growing need for water has forced the country to turn to inland lakes. However, relying on the lakes around the city for water in Kigali is problematic.

In order to look for durable solutions, Itron, Inc. a global technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, has signed a new contract with the Rwandan water company, WASAC, to continue to modernize its water metering system.

WASAC will install 50,000 highly accurate Itron water meters over the next two years, following the completion of a three-year contract with Itron to implement 110,000 meters.

Serving all of Rwanda, WASAC provides water services to 230,000 customers across the East African country. To address water shortages, the utility has worked with Itron for the past 10 years to update its infrastructure and improve its technology.

This most recent contract utilizes Itron’s single jet water meters to address the utility’s need for high-end technology in the capital city of Kigali.

With its highly engineered design, the Itron meter accurately measures over time, even in severe environmental conditions.

Proven to be successful through 20 years of experience in the field, these meters have the capability to accurately measure a wide range of flow rates in tough, humid conditions. By utilizing this technology, WASAC is equipped to reliably measure water regardless of climate conditions.

“Itron’s high-end metering technology can support all water conditions, which allows WASAC to accurately manage its water supply,” said Mathias Martin, Itron vice president of sales, EMEA. “We are glad to continue our work with WASAC to help the utility accurately measure usage and conserve water resources.”