Special Projects & Analysis

At entrance of R. Sebeya into Lake Kivu, western Rwanda, is clear testimony of river sand harvesting In August 2020, a conflict erupted between a cooperative and a private company over a lucrative business. Each claimed control over sand harvesting on River Nyamutera in Nyabihu district, rural western Rwanda. ‘Tunoze…

It’s cool and breezy by the shores of Lake Wamala, an almost 100-square mile freshwater body a few hours drive from Kampala, the Ugandan capital. It’s a home for dozens of birds and fish species, including tilapia, catfish, lungfish, and mudfish, which are sold on the local market. But to…

Plans to interconnect Rwandan and Ugandan electricity grids could revolutionise day-to-day lives across the region – but the last political and practical hurdles still need to be overcome. Rwanda launches the 220110kV Shango substation, Kigali, December 9, 2019 Rwandans living in the north-eastern border area with Uganda have closely watched…

On a river stretching just 297km, there are already four hydropower dams. A fifth dam is under construction; building of a sixth much larger dam is slated to start soon. While the hydro plants are producing much needed electricity, they are leaving a trail of environmental degradation, which if not…

As time elapses, Maj (Rtd) Mudathiru Habibu’s memory of his past 51 years on earth, is fading. Since June 27, 2019 up until March 25 this year, the country was treated to images of a disoriented-looking man. He appeared on crutches with one leg heavily bandaged and carried by soldiers…

Upclose with La Faorge Fils Bazeye, real names Ignace Nkaka For eight long years, La Forge Fils Bazeye, 56, was the public face of the FDLR Rwandan militia based in eastern DR Congo. Despite being disguised as he returned back from what had been a TOP SECRET journey to Uganda,…

Finally home, but most with nothing At around noon on Saturday, Ugandan authorities brought and left at the Kagitumba border 48 people including young children said to be Rwandans. They included 29 adult men, nine women and 10 children – some with their parents. Uganda says those deported had entered…

Some of the men that have been paraded by RIB accused of defilement. Less than 20% of those responsible for teenage pregnancies, are in jail. The vast majority are free Rwanda is facing a monumental crisis. Government data shows that since 2016 to end of 2019, a total of 78,646…

President Paul Kagame salutes as he visits troops at a Naval Base in Mozambique’s Pemba Province. Right to him was his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Nyusi Faced with a stark choice; capture or death, 18-year-old, Yussuf Abdullah chose to fight. He battled the swiftly advancing heavily armed Rwandan special forces. The…

IN BRIEF: Rwanda’s per capita fish consumption is 2.3 kilograms, far below its neighbours Burundi (3.6 kilograms), Tanzania (8 kilograms) and Uganda (10 kilograms). The global average of 20.5 kilograms per capita.Reason? Rwanda’s lakes and rivers are producing insufficient fish to satify the demand, despite a five-fold increase in annual…

Despite the social stigma, they agreed to share their ordeals after recovering from COVID-19: In red is Clarisse Umutoniwase, with laptop on a bed is Zachee Ntakirutimana and in white with a face mask is Turahayo Alfred from Ruhango district Medical doctors, scientists, medical experts and government officials are still learning about coronavirus as it…

The trio last saw freedom in October 2018, they remain in pretrial detention, and neither prosecution nor court is bothered about concluding the case As we celebrate World Freedom Day today, May 3, 2021, it is important to remember three Rwandan journalists arrested and imprisoned in 2018 for doing their…

The cover pages of some reports that have been produced from either side on France’s alleged role in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi In space of 13 years, government of Rwanda has conducted three in-depth investigations on the role of the French government in the 1994 genocide against the…

Scenes like these have become all too common. Hundreds spend hours in stadiums daily, then are fined, and let go For over a year now, the country has been in and out of different forms of lockdowns in a government attempt to control spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Except for…

For every video that actor and comedy producer Gratien Niyitegeka posts on YouTube channel with his name, he is assured of more than 100,000 views within 24hours. Every week, Niyitegeka produces ‘Papa Sava’ series that tells a story of family relations, love affairs, friendships and neighbours in an ordinary Rwandan…

For 12 year-old Igihozo Kevin, unlike learners of his age from a few families who have television, he followed lessons on radio during the long period when schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Igihozo to have a future worth looking forward to, as Kayumba Christopher writes, President…

Dear Mr. President, I’m writing to you about COVID-19 and its impact on the life of ordinary citizens, livelihoods of our communities and the economy. The objective is to share what I have learnt about the unprecedented social, economic and political effects of this pandemic on our country, with the…

Armies of civilian volunteers have been photographed carrying sacks of rice, maize flour and beans – said to be delivered to different neighborhoods in Kigali About 1.5million people in Rwanda’s capital Kigali are back in a government-instituted lockdown beginning the night of January 18. This lockdown is to control the…

LEFT: Rene Hubert Nsengiyumva, Niyonsenga Schadrack CENTER: Mutuyimana Jean Damascène RIGHT: Aimable Karasira, Mulindahabi Irénè, Nshimiyimana Jean Baptiste Four people are currently in Rwandan jails over content they posted on their YouTube channels – just a few of the more than 10 YouTubers who have fallen victim after posting content…

When it is harvesting season, you will find scenes like these across northern Rwanda as individual farmers and cooperatives flood their produce on the market before it rots Have you noticed that from July to October, an annual phenomenon happens whereby prices of potatoes, a common delicacy, start to increase…

Teachers from private schools have been hit hard by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda Schools are unlikely to fully open anytime soon since they were closed on March 12, two days before the first COVID-19 case was announced in Rwanda. At least 14% of the 78,108 total…

A man fetches water from a neighborhood well, headed home in the residential area to the far right. Such scene will be history in 2050, as par the government’s planning. The IMF also agrees, but the journey is going to tough Rwanda’s past successes have been notable, but the country…

At the Gitagata Rehabilitation Center in Bugesera district, you find very young children, who would have been street kids. Here, the authorities hope to transform them into useful citizens Rehabilitation or transit centers are spread across different parts of Rwanda. As per official narrative, transit centers is where delinquent youths…

The owner of this home on the Base-Rukomo road route went through 5 different valuations conducted by RTDA, all bringing different amounts. The owner didn’t get any compensation, and has nowhere to go. This case is one of countless people whose lives were destroyed by a project that was meant…

“I am in a meeting. Will call back.,” is how many officials respond to media requests – and never call back. Even worse, reporters have experienced rejection and harassment. Ordinary people who speak to media are also targeted. How open and transparent are Rwandan officials when it comes to journalists…

A resident of Goma waits in line at a tap provided by government. However, due to very low supply, residents have to spend the night there for any hope of water. The problem though, the water at that tap is not the best quality An estimated 1.5 million people living…

THEY WERE IN CHARGE: Former Senate President Bernard Makuza; REB Director General Dr Ndayambaje Irenée; former RBC Director General Dr Conco Jeanine; Rwanda Polytechnic Vice Chancellor Dr James Gashumba; WASAC CEO Eng. Aimé Muzola; Gatsibo District Mayor Richard Gasana; Ngororero District Mayor NDAYAMBAJE Godefroid; Gisagara District Mayor Rutaburingoga Jerome; Huye…

James Musoni, Dr Isaac Munyakazi, Bishop Tom Rwagasana, Paul Muvunyi, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka and Pudence Rubingisa Five men are in custody for allegedly withholding the food meant for the vulnerable in their localities. The food was a central government scheme to feed the poorest during the COVID-19 lockdown. All of the…

Despite US President Donald Trump’s claims, a pandemic has long been among the top threats listed by America’s intelligence community. But even the country’s best analysts could not foresee that it would happen under a leader willing to sacrifice so many lives on the altar of his ego. Dan Coats…

Data from global infections may be giving false hope to governments and their people As of April 12, in the east African region the COVID-19 inflections appear to be very small in Burundi (5) and South Sudan (4). In Rwanda, number stood at 120, for Kenya 191, Uganda 53 and…