Rwandans in UK.com

Rwanda needs more investments in money transfers – Central Bank
By Berna Namata

More international companies are required to remit money to the country in order to lower the high costs currently incurred when sending money from abroad, a senior official at the Central Bank has said.

This follows a recent finding by the World Bank that the cost of sending money to Rwanda is among the highest in the region.

 “The more companies (sending money) there are in these countries (Diaspora), the cheaper it is to send money. If the companies are fewer, the higher the costs,” Ambassador Claver Gatete, the Vice Governor told Business Times in a phone interview, on Monday, commenting on the reporting findings.

According to data compiled by the World Bank, published under the ‘Remittance Prices Worldwide’ database, sending US$200 from the UK to Rwanda can entail an average transaction cost of up to $30.72.

The data covers 200 “country corridors” worldwide, from 29 remittance sending countries to 86 receiving countries.

To encourage and ease repatriation of funds, Gatete said the Central Bank is willing to license more companies involved in money transfer business if they meet Central Bank requirements.

Currently, international money transfer window is dominated by Western Union and Moneygram, though commercial banks are also increasingly introducing direct transfers.

The World Bank estimates that international remittances totaled $414 billion in 2009, of which $316 billion went to developing countries, involving some 192 million migrants or 3 percent of world population and their families.

For Rwanda, remittances have been increasing since 2005 from $42.85million to $139.89 million in 2008, accelerating further to reach $172.40 million last year, statistics from the Diaspora General Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate.

Last year, the Rwandan Diaspora, together with the National Bank of Rwanda, finalised plans to establish an investment fund, Rwandan Diaspora Mutual Fund (RDMF), which was adopted during the 2008 Diaspora retreat.

After its establishment, the Mutual Fund will invest in treasury bonds, guaranteed by BNR, and at a later stage, the interest gained from the bonds will be invested in higher risk products such as corporate bonds and stocks.

However, it is also expected that, in the long-run, the fund will invest abroad to earn more interest which will then be repatriated back to Rwanda.

Data also shows that diaspora remittances have become a key foreign exchange earner for Africa, with about $5 billion released annually.

The World Bank estimates that, after ecovering by the end of this year, recorded remittances to developing countries will rise further in 2011 and 2012, possibly exceeding $370 billion in two years’ time.

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Rwanda Diaspora House – UK Project

By Jonathan Kalisa Kalemera, Chairman, RDH Project Taskforce

Our community has grown rapidly in number over the last few years. However, we all recognise that if we want to grow in strength then we need to do more things that develop us than we are doing at the moment. We have a lot of talented people among us who can share their talents and we can attract some more. However, we cannot do this if we have no place where we can meet regularly.
A few months ago at a community barbecue we agreed that we should work to get ourselves a place where we can meet and also carry our social, educational and economic activities. We would do this by getting contributions. Effectively everyone who contributes would be recognised by having their name written on the wall of the hall. They could also have a name of a loved one also written on the memory wall, perhaps as a memorial. As we are looking for around £500,000 we are seeking a minimum contribution of £150 per name.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a bold step which many other African Communities have already taken and we hope that you will give your support to this.
If you want to know more about our mission, vision and objectives please see below.

Mission:
To create a hub for the Rwandan Community in order to create and support a cohesive and dynamic community that is well integrated in the UK society in order to develop its members culturally, socially, educationally and economically.
Vision:
The Rwandan Community having a centre in which it can hold events, develop programmes for all ages that create a self-confident community that is connected with Rwanda and plays its full part in the greater UK community and internationally.
Objectives:
To find and acquire a property for the Rwanda community with the following characteristics:
1. Size – to accommodate 500 people with offices & convertible into room space.
2. Location – London
3. Type of tenure – At lease 10 years lease.
4. Estimated cost – Approximately £500,000.

To ensure that the centre will provide a variety of events and activities including:
1. National events
2. Training including: language training (Kinyarwanda, English), Kinyarwanda dancing.
3. Lectures and seminars (including Rwanda history and culture awareness).
4. Hire for weddings, etc.
5. Health campaigns
6. A permanent exhibition of Rwanda products for export.
7. Host welfare campaigns
8. Host fitness training e.g. yoga, martial arts, etc.
9. Information and drop-in centre.
10. Translation services.
11. As a point of reference for any research on Rwandan issues.
12. Fundraising events.
13. Fashion and other shows.

Your support of this project will be very welcome and appreciated.

Africa United – The Movie (2010) AFRICA UNITED tells the extraordinary story of three Rwandan children and their bid to achieve their ultimate dream – to take part in the opening ceremony of the 2010 Football World Cup in Johannesburg. On the way to the vital selection trial, disaster strikes when Fabrice, Dudu and Beatrice board the wrong bus and cross into the Congo. Without papers, money or a believable story, they are escort…ed to a children’s refugee camp. But with considerable ingenuity and sass (and a World Cup wall chart for a map), our pint-sized heroes escape the camp and set off in pursuit of their dream, picking up along the way a “dream team” of displaced kids, who help them negotiate a series of thrilling and hilarious adventures. During their 3000 mile journey, we encounter an Africa few people ever see; experience an epic adventure across seven countries; and feel the joy, laughter and hope that comes from making an incredible journey together. AFRICA UNITED is a dramatic, heartfelt and enchanting story set to enthral family audiences worldwide. IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 22See more
Africa United The Movie Premier
Location:40 Odeon West End, Leicester Square London WC2H 7LP
Time:Sunday, 17 October 2010 14:00

Diaspora gears up for 2nd retreat
By James Karuhanga

The Diaspora General Directorate (DGD) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will commence consultative planning this week in preparation for December’s 2nd Diaspora Retreat, an official has said.

According to Robert Masozera, the DGD Director General, beginning this week, they intend to meet all stakeholders to set dates and identify venues.

“December is a month for the Diaspora and apart from the National Dialogue (Umushyikirano) and the Diaspora retreat, we are also going to organize a very big party, on the eve of the year’s end – December 31,” Masozera said.

“It will be a dance party for the young Diaspora. This will be jointly organized by a group known as Happy People who are experienced in organizing parties, here in Kigali.”

Masozera says the proceeds from the party will be sunk into the current campaign against grass thatched dwellings commonly known as ‘Nyakatsi.’

Last year, the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN) was allocated land in Bugesera District to build over 500 houses for the district’s poor under this campaign dubbed ‘Bye Bye Nyakatsi’.

Liziyeri Village in Bugesera district is now known as the “Rwanda Diaspora Village in Bugesera” and plans are underway for the construction of low, moderate to high-end houses.

Rwanda is increasingly attaching importance to its Diaspora as an instrumental network to mobilize financial resources, skills, knowledge transfer, image building and promoting the Rwandan culture.

Last year’s convention held under the theme: “Integrating the Rwandan Diaspora into national development strategies for the benefit of all,” focused, among other things, on mobilizing savings in the Diaspora for investment in Rwanda.

It is during that event that the Rwandan Diaspora Mutual Fund (RDMF) was launched.

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Spread Rwanda’s good news, Mushikiwabo urges Diaspora
By Ivan R. Mugisha

KIGALI – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, has urged the Rwandan Diaspora to have pride in their country and speak out on the development achieved.

Mushikiwabo made the remarks in Washington DC, USA, during a party to celebrate President Paul Kagame’s victory in the recent Presidential elections.

“Let us carry the integrity of our country, have pride and continue to spread the good news about what’s happening in Rwanda,” Mushikiwabo said.

She also encouraged members of the Diaspora to come home and observe firsthand, the remarkable progress the country has registered.

“You are a reflection of your country while you’re here, so you have to speak the truth about Rwanda and continue to advocate for her positive image”.

She told the community not to be scared of what they see portrayed in some foreign media outlets, and said that it is not the true picture of the current state of affairs in the country.

Over 200 members of the Rwandan Diaspora Community in Washington DC attended the ceremony. The celebrations dubbed Intsinzi 2010, were also graced by Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States of America, James Kimonyo.

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Intsinzi (victory) celebration in London
September 26th, 2010 | Author: Myrwa
Dear All

Re: Celebration of Victory Day [Intsinzi], 2nd October 2010

Greetings to every one! We hope you all had a wonderful & restful summer break.

RPF committee has the pleasure of inviting you to the Celebration of the 7th year of Victory (Intsinzi).
There will be free food, drinks and entertainment to celebrate the occasion.

It will be a pleasure to gather together and celebrate on the day. Please spread the word to all Rwandans and Friends-of-Rwanda in UK.

Details as below:

Date: 2nd October 2010
Venue: The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London
NW1 9XB
UK
Time: From 2pm till late. Please try to be on time.

Yours,
Jane Benzinge Jane Benzinge
RPF Secretary

Dear All

Re: Celebration of Victory Day [Intsinzi], 2nd October 2010

Greetings to every one! We hope you all had a wonderful & restful summer break.

RPF committee has the pleasure of inviting you to the Celebration of the 7th year of Victory (Intsinzi).
There will be free food, drinks and entertainment to celebrate the occasion.

It will be a pleasure to gather together and celebrate on the day. Please spread the word to all Rwandans and Friends-of-Rwanda in UK.

Details as below:

Date: 2nd October 2010
Venue: The London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London
NW1 9XB
UK
Time: From 2pm till late. Please try to be on time.

Yours,
Jane Benzinge Jane Benzinge
RPF Secretary

Security guard’s honesty awes hotel clients
By Frank Kanyesigye

KIGALI – The Management of Dubai World Nyungwe Forest Lodge in Rusizi District and its clients were left speechless after a security guard recovered a wallet containing US$8,000 that belonged to a client and immediately presented it intact to a front desk attendant.

Jean Pierre Habimana of Intersec Security Company, on September 5, found the lost wallet in the compound without anyone seeing him, and reckoned it belonged to a client hence handing it to a receptionist, convinced that the owner would be found.

The receptionist did not however immediately notify anyone else until Habimana overheard the frustrated owner of the missing money telling the hotel manager that he was going to return to Kigali to get some money.

It is at that time that the guard went straight to the manager and told him that he had picked a wallet containing money and handed it to the counter attendant to pass it over to the owner. Indeed, both manager and the client walked straight to the counter, only for the attendant to give them the same wallet with all its contents.

The General Manager of Dubai World Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Deo Kamurase, said that the hotel is planning to reward Habimana for his integrity.

“We are very grateful to him for being an honest and exemplary guard. We are yet to decide what type of token of appreciation to give him, but we will do it soon,” he said.
The guard was also praised by his employers back in Kigali. John Kyanga, the Acting General Manager of Intersec, said that Habimana’s good conduct and committed service serve as an example to other security guards and many other people.

“This is quite extraordinary; we have had guards who have done exceptional service, but Habimana beats them all,” he stressed.

“His action is a lesson on Integrity; it’s not so often that people who have picked such a huge amount of money end up doing the right thing.”

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KILIMANJARO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST ARTIST IN EAST AFRICA &
THE EAST AFRICA’S HOTTEST SENSATION KIDUM PERFORMING LIVE THIS SATURDAY 25.9.2010
AT COPACABANA – COVENTRY [UK]
151 LOCKHURST LANE
COVENTRY
CV6 5PD
4pm – 4am. With DJ CHENTO & DJ COSTA
£10 adult
£5 Children Above 5years. wITH LOTS OF ENTERTAINMENT;BOUNCING CASTLE FOR CHILDREN AND NYAMA CHOMA LOTS OF DRINKS. DONT MISS IT!

RKAY

Rwandan officer cadet excels at Sandhurst

By Edmund Kagire

SANDHURST – A Rwandan Officer Cadet has won three awards at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – UK.

Ramsey Simba, a Senior Under Officer was awarded the prestigious medals after a 1 year Commissioning Course in Leadership at the 300 year-old military Academy.

The military training was aimed at developing leadership in Cadets by expanding their character, intellect and professional competences to a level demanded of an Army Officer on first appointment.

Simba excelled with high grades and was awarded The Overseas Sword Award, given to the overseas Cadet considered to be the best of his course and The HRC Prince Saud Abdullah Prize, awarded to the Overseas Cadet who obtained the best aggregate mark in Academic Subjects.

Officiating at the passing – out ceremony, British premier David Cameron commended the young officers for the bravery shown during the long and difficult training.

“I want you to be proud of the difference that you can make….. You have been through 44 weeks of the toughest and the best training that anyone can do,”

“Your training here has given you the best possible start. You will need to continue to develop all these skills and more”. Cameron said.

Cameron further noted that despite the technology of today, an army is an intensely human business, based on personal relationships and the ability of young newly commissioned officers to lead men and women in the face of danger.

It is in this, “human business” that Simba was also awarded the Communication and Applied Behavioural Science Prize for his best performance.

The pass-out ceremony was also attended by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Ernest Rwamucyo and the Rwanda’s Defence Advisor Brig. General Frank Rusagara, who both commended the cadet for making Rwanda proud.

Other dignitaries who had sons or grandsons passing out included the King of Swaziland, The President of Yemen, the Prime minister of Bahrain and the Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain in the United Arab Emirates.

Formed in 1720, Sandhurst Military Academy is where all officers in the British Army are trained to take responsibilities of leading soldiers. The Academy also hosts Oversees Senior Officers.

A total of 226 officers graduated last week with 21 Overseas Cadets from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belize, China, Ghana, Kosovo, Oman, Qatar, Swaziland, UAE, USA, Yemen and Rwanda.

Over 700 Officer Cadets attend the Commissioning Course each year. In addition, Sandhurst trains annually some 240 Territorial Army Officers, and 260 regular and Territorial Army Professionally Qualified Officers including doctors, dentists, nurses, vets, lawyers and the clergy.

Simba was the only Overseas Cadet to be included in what is known as the Cadet Government – a privileged appointment that allows more than 15 cadets to be recognised.

Simba was formerly a 2nd year student at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology [KIST] before he joined the Rwanda Military Academy – Gako as a student Cadet and subsequently selected to attend Sandhurst.  NewTimes Story.